SAS Soldier Reacts to CoD: Modern Warfare 2 | Expert Reacts

Today we're asking Billy Billingham, an ex member of the SAS Special Forces to react to the missions of CoD: Modern Warfare 2 (2022), as he uses his extensive experience to break down some of the game's iconic missions.
Mark “Billy” Billingham served in the British SAS for over 20 years, has been responsible for planning and executing strategic operations across the world, is a certified counter terrorism instructor, has led countless hostage rescues, as well as much more.
Previously he worked as an A-list bodyguard for Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, and now acts as Chief Instructor on hit show SAS: Who Dares Wins as well as putting celebrities through gruelling challenges in Fox TV's Special Forces: World's Toughest Test.
But what does he think of the banter between Ghost and Soap in "Alone"? How realistic is Call of Duty's sniping? How does Modern Warfare 2's interrogation scenes match up to reality?
Timestamps:
Intro - 00:00
Strike - Ghost's mask, desert terrain, identifying targets - 01:40
Kill or Capture - Helicopter infiltration & support, breaching, securing evidence - 03:30
Tradecraft - Following & apprehending targets - 08:19
Borderline - Crossing borders, deescalating civilians - 09:40
Cartel Protection - Clearing rooms, automatic fire, cliff jumping - 11:45
Close Air - Calling in AC-130 gunships - 14:23
Recon by Fire - Ghillie suits, sniping - 15:30
Violence & Timing - Falling from helicopter, desert terrain - 17:13
El Sin Nombre - Interrogations & cover stories
Alone - Ghost & Soap's banter, crafting equipment, extracting from enemy lines - 20:37
More of Billy:
Instagram: billingham2...
Twitter: / billingham229b
Live tour: www.fane.co.uk/billy-billingham
Website: markbillybillingham.com/

[@noahdeguzman4489]

Billy billingham sounds like a name an american would come up with to make fun of british people.

[@patrickbyrne5070]

Aye… and this the bloke that turns up

[@leonrussell9607]

His real name is Mark

[@me5969]

It's just short for Billingham. He's fortunate really because most people just get called Scouse, Geordie, Jew, Irish ect. So he probably got one of the better names to be fair

[@jakecross3394]

Bruddha you man can't talk 😂

[@jakecross3394]

​@@me5969 or joe

[@dodgeman777]

I expected this to be a 25 minute roast but he always seems to be able to spin any farfetched situation into an educational point, great talker

[@MetaMortis21]

Well its a game. So it isn’t going to be 100%realistic…but I still enjoyed the video

[@sc0ttishnutj0b75]

In his book, he was a jungle warfare expert and encouraged all Candidates to ask as many far fetched scenario based questions as possible and they'd rehears it despite being a realistic or non realistic or even fantastical

[@alpham777]

@@sc0ttishnutj0b75 This is true. In units from around the world train to a standard much higher than what you will likely encounter. My favorite was " Oh yeah you think your a badass huh well how about a bear in the head with you whatcha gonna do about that tough guy".

[@bro89174]

U expecting it to be a roast shows how little u know bout this game

[@Jester_Jingles]

I’d say the modern warfare reboots are less far fetched than the originals. Originals still had a better story but reboots are grounded.

[@archer8492]

Always enjoy Billy's analyses, he's great at explaining why something's unrealistic while still both saying what he'd do if the scenario were to occur AND pointing out that at the end of the day it's just entertainment.

[@Gamber63]

While it might sounds insane, there is always the weirdest scenario out there for any kind of ops, that may caused any compromises for their ops, in a danger way

[@Anthonys_S]

Yep I agree , he doesn’t rip it out of the games just for the sake of it and also points out and gives credit when it’s due .

[@ThaWiz11]

Yeah I really enjoyed the very first mission when he said "in real life he wouldn't be just getting there he would already be there" that makes alot of sense

[@dd61125]

he's never provided proof of his service

[@Gamber63]

@@dd61125 as if any national security would tell u

[@Anthonys_S]

Just take a minute and think about the fact that this guy has done it for real , my 100 percent respect to him and his colleagues , they don’t get a restart choice

[@vicevilla9949]

Multiple times saving his comrades lives probably, this dude sharper than katana made by an old Japanese blacksmith on aderall and 40 years of meditation. Nothing but respect and admiration for a real hero

[@iinsomniaaaaa]

The way he talks about the AC130 is crazy. Truly a game changer, gives the guys on the ground so much confidence.

[@KanuckStreams]

Having what is effectively an explosive-thunderbolt throwing god in the sky above you listening to your call-outs would do wonders for morale and confidence.

[@furiousgeorge4430]

Billy should be an adviser on the next MW

[@adamburke4738]

Not just Modern Warfare 3, all Call of Duty games and perhaps even any military shooter. Same for film and television. Like Billy said, much of it is good entertainment but sometimes entertainment goes before realism.

[@sk8erhardy]

I'd love for more experts to be used in game making. But if ex SAS members worked on COD, the game would be drastically different and too different for the franchise. What we really need is a new milsim, made with ex special forces. Which is slower paced and tactical, something where people have to communicate correctly. Just more realistic, that would be amazing!

[@TheCrashClown03]

@@sk8erhardymw2 is like that compared to other recent cods it is slow because of the movement which improved a tiny bit in the recent but you literally have to think before you move because someone will be laying down camping rdy to snipe or beam you

[@Rollerbear712]

@@adamburke4738 Infinite Warfare straight up becomes VBS/R6 with Spartans and laser guns lol

[@adamburke4738]

@@Rollerbear712 Infinite Warfare was underrated spectacle.

[@Doncorleone47]

I love that Billy understands that these games have the entertainment over the top factor but still show realistic strategies and tactics that Billy can point out being the badass SAS operator he is imagine if Call of Duty put him and some other real life special forces operators in the next game as a cameo that would be so cool

[@benprint7615]

They actually have added some real special forces operators into the game. Ronin for example is a real guy and even has his own educational KZbin channel.

[@cookiemonster1787]

Me too. That’s one thing I hope when experts react they keep in mind it’s video game or movie/tv show. Not everything is realistic. Unless it’s John wick type.

[@everready59]

It would get expensive but it would be worth every penny.

[@gun1987gunn]

I love his appreciation for the A130 scene. He loved it.

[@patrickbyrne5070]

It’s such an over used game section trope nowadays but to see it from his eyes it gives it more gravity. He’s thinking back fondly of actually watching an ac130 decimate everything in front of him missing the good ol days lol you can tell he prob owes his life to one them crews or something

[@KanuckStreams]

@@patrickbyrne5070 Oh yeah, more than likely him and his team are alive because of supports they called in.

[@patrickbyrne5070]

@@KanuckStreamsyou can hear the real respect

[@mikechedzoy4866]

To think domestic drones can do some damage too.

[@DerekDerekDerekDerekDerekDerek]

Creepy

[@ALaughingWolf2188]

Billy is one of my favorite people the bring on here, his insight and feedback is always really nice to hear.

[@cesj1]

He's a really close second behind Jonathan for me

[@fireheartclan]

I love his reaction to the whole hanging from the rope of the helicopter. Anyone can see how over the top it is. And instead of just blowing it off completely, he both joked about it and also understood the fact its basically for entertainment of the player or "rule of cool" kind of idea.

[@terskataneli6457]

I agree with this guy. Taking a shot with a pistol that far away is a gamble. Gun enthusiastics may say otherwise but as a guy with real military training i say pistol is the last resort but at the very least switching to your side arm is always faster than reloading

[@cykeok3525]

Yeah, it should be obvious even to a gamer that the only thing that makes it all right to take those shots, is the fact that it's a game and those civilians are not real. Getting a nice tight group on a firing range is one thing, or even punching nice double taps into the A-zone on paper on a practical shooting course, sure. But with innocent bystanders running left and right trying to get out of there, you'd have to be a madman (not in a good way) to try taking shots at that distance.

[@josedorsaith5261]

What's "real military training"?

[@terskataneli6457]

@@josedorsaith5261 the kind of training you get in a modern military. For me it was the Finnish mandatory military service. You really don't know how hard it is to hit a moving target just 30 meters away with a pistol until you do it yourself in a combat simulation. Sure it's easy to hit a stationary target but that's not what the guy in the video is talking about

[@josedorsaith5261]

@@terskataneli6457 How many training hours did you get on the pistol?

[@terskataneli6457]

@@josedorsaith5261 a few

[@hanchiman]

The last part of the video, with the Ghost and Soap banter. I recall from an old documentary with late John Macalese mentioned that "Humour" is an important trait for an SAS operative just to cheer up in dire situation and keep up the morale.

[@bigolbrainworm219]

Regarding Soap being behind enemy lines and alone, he couldn't have disguised himself as civilian as Shadow Company (the forces hunting him) were killing military and civilian alike.

[@curtiswatson4192]

true, although maybe it would have made sense to try and disguise himself as shadow company? like take that dead guy's helmet or badge or something

[@pxncil4430]

@@curtiswatson4192 they know their guys and he has a accent so no

[@curtiswatson4192]

@@pxncil4430 he could have not spoken and im pretty sure they were mostly wearing masks, im not saying he could have infiltrated them like agent 47, but wearing their outfits just incase someone saw him in the distance or pass by or something

[@koreancowboy42]

​@@curtiswatson4192he's wounded and bleeding and very well recognized voice. If he doesn't speak he'll be suspious, when you play the game. Shadow company they talk alot and radio check I think.

[@weissanima8978]

​@@koreancowboy42They do, do radio checks and checking out if someone goes dark and doesn't reply - plus everyone in the Shadows know they're hunting UK forces as they called Soap "the Leprechaun" (one apparently not knowing he's Scottish instead of Irish) so not talking wouldn't be easy

[@zeramoke]

It has to be said how much of an amazing thing its to have Billy on doing this, he was 22 RSM, ground commander for 7/7 and done stuff that could never be told but this guy is the real deal. Absolute legend amongst legends. Please try and get more Billy on these, respect

[@DontBeAWollyy]

I seen him get into a scrap one night out in London, the other guy wasn’t saying much afterwards

[@zeramoke]

@@DontBeAWollyy I'm not surprised Billy is a decent boxer as well he battered a US marine half his age in a charity boxing match

[@DontBeAWollyy]

@@zeramoke a US marine is not a fair match for this man at all, that marine must have got busted up real good

[@jeffbo8748]

8:05 now I’ve just got this image of Ghost smachking Soap across the back of his head and it’s hilarious

[@Yasevilkey]

This was actually the best of COD ever I personally enjoyed playing it. I had to lower the game from the hardest to easy mode because it was so hard when I hit the alone part I just got one shot all the time. Really enjoyed playing it… for the first time COD was worth spending money on 😅

[@StrawSundew]

Bro, I'm on veteran difficulty and I'm stuck on the tank part💀💀

[@Yasevilkey]

@@StrawSundew good luck mate 😅 i give up after 30 tries 🤣 one shot is to way hard…

[@VoidedWishes425]

Fun fact, Billy Billingham has his own show! Special forces: World's toughest test. Several celebrities attempt the training course for an SAS soldier, (long story short, they can't handle it) the show has no prize money or special reward, except with coming out with your life. Lots of other SAS operatives are also hosts on that show, but Billy Billingham is the main man in change. Awesome show, and I highly recommend checking out what he's done!

[@davec3583]

British SF guys are so much more humble compared to their American counterparts.

[@-shadiq-hexag0n166]

"James bond gone bonkers 💀" love that quote

[@aStranger_]

The interaction between Ghost and Soap was amazing, one of my favourite parts of the game.

[@Mumbles274]

Really interesting. I love how he just enjoys the bits that aren't accurate and feels entertained by them. It's so easy to be dismissive of that kind of unrealistic stuff but this shows you can appreciate both: the intersting attention to detail that BB is great at explainging or the fun action for what it is!

[@rebekk8]

Funny how a veteran it's way more chill and friendly with the game than 60% of COD's fanbase

[@Anthonys_S]

When he’s said “mate I’ve done that a million times (hanging from the helicopter ) I was like what? He got me for a minute 😂

[@user-lt2ts1rs8v]

He's not lying, they constantly done inverted ops from ropes,rapell points.

[@PhoenixDelta141]

Billy never mentions that you would never leave your gun behind and switch it with an enemy's weapon.

[@SKRWildfire]

Love it, the last part they could have explained it better. Soap choose to keep the armour because there was no use in ditching it. They were killing any civilian, so if he was caught even in civ clothing they would still have killed him on the spot. Plus this part if i remember correctly happened because they were betrayed by shadow company. So they know how soap kinda looked like.

[@bro89174]

Relax It's a game

[@urlocalguapo]

i died when he said *if one my guys did you'd get a slap in the head for that. Thats a big no no*

[@crazycontraptions1249]

Very cool Billy, I was waiting for this. As a request to @GameSpot, could you please do a SAS soldier breaks down ReadyOrNot's nightclub mission? It's probably the most realistic room clearing game out there and I imagine he'd like it a lot. It's not as popular as COD though, but would be very cool nonetheless.

[@luckytanuki5449]

I'd like to second this comment. Can't think of a better game to show him 😂

[@FernSero]

lets just hope they get someone who can actually play the game properly!

[@illestdakillest5420]

@@FernSero So not you then kiddo 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡

[@false-set]

Wish it was on console

[@shrekzooka1]

@@false-setwould be hard because there’s lots of controls

[@Skusty]

I enjoyed this, he could both appreciate the game doing some artistic liberties but also point out what is good and plausible making the game grounded.

[@Alex-lm7cx]

I've seen loads of these types of videos and this was one of the best. Respect to Billy for taking it seriously and finding ways to educate the audience, even through some of the 'gamey' moments.

[@staggabob]

My favourite part was the stealth helicopter insertion which immediately flies straight over the target compound to make sure everyone's woken up 🤣

[@DecSteele]

Seeing him get so giddy about that AC130 is oustanding

[@manuelhernandez2017]

Love that he gives the shout-out to the ac130 and its operators

[@ransom0155]

4:03 "GO LEFT, GO RIGHT, AS PLANNED" actually goes so hard now i wish that got added

[@docproc144]

Billy Billingham is the most British name I’ve ever heard. Like he sounds like he should be part of TF 141 lol.

[@jacobducksbury6711]

I would happily sit for hours and watched Billy play through these cod campaigns on realism. I’m hooked with these videos

[@bloodrunsclear]

This man IS Captain Price

[@illestdakillest5420]

I been saying the same thing for years 😂

[@willyum3920]

always got time to listen to Billy Billingham. Thanks all

[@pietrosal9629]

Looks like a nice overall review , and hands down this bloke knows exactly what he's talking about that's for sure.

[@koreancowboy42]

He's not wrong about his analysis and opinions on some unrealistic parts of the game. During the border scene Alejandro and Rodolfo, Alejandro did ask Laswell to contact local PD to not engage the two specialist and the FBI to speed up their arrival. Then during the scene where they go after the Cartel safehouse, Alejandro explained that its Cartel zone, so no civilians. Like idk he's not getting enough information and context from the scenes and game. But either way he's overall good 👍 im just wishing he was given alot more to go off of. Then during the alone mission, shadow company was clearing Las Almas entirely regardless if your a civilian or cop. Their bascially shooting everyone and doing war crime. Soap was much more safer with his gear.

[@matthewwalker5430]

We need a video of Dave teaching Billy to play CoD and then Billy teaching Dave how to be SAS, lol

[@DontBeAWollyy]

Billy plays these games on realism mode first time round and gets all the trophies

[@XSeanxMeowX]

Billy should 100% join the cod team to make campaign lol

[@MaikeruSterben]

I would love to see Billy play the new modern warfare 2 game. Hearing his analyses makes me enjoy the game even more.

[@bozoforce]

The last time I saw Soap injured behind enemy lines he bled out. His last words were "Makarov... knows...Yuri"

[@DioneC141]

Ye now this is the reboot with the same characters minus Yuri but a different story

[@SpaceMissile]

14:26 - Loving the C-130 appreciation. I work with those, so it's always neat to see them in stuff like this.

[@biggooders3001]

Yay another video of Billy watching c.o.d games I'm sooo ready for this!

[@ssheenn]

Billy invented giraffes by uppercutting a horse

[@nikkiboy1]

10:04 As someone from N.I yeah thank you, would not ever advise that in a situation like this

[@jamesdavidson9327]

One inaccuracy I really don’t see anyone bring up his how during the AC130 mission Ghost is using his IZLID (IR pointer) to have the aircrafts sensors get a visual on him and then he marks targets for close air support with that same IR pointer during the daytime which can only be picked up by night vision. Which would wash out during the day time. What’s funny is in multiplayer you use that same IR pointer to mark targets for mortar strikes somehow someway. Yeah I get that it’s cod but it’s still weird how they incorporate an IR pointer without any knowledge on how IR energy works

[@reanukeevesau]

I should point out that you are correct in the fact you couldn't use that IR Pointer during the day to call in Mortars.

[@cheegan]

One of the SAS guys he's talking about being interrogated in the gulf war has a book called Bravo Two Zero, he wrote it himself and it's incredibly detailed and entertaining, definitely worth a read and great to listen to on audible.

[@acidhaus90]

Surely Call of Duty need to employ Billy as a consultant!

[@dfgdfg_]

Got a lot of respect for the guy appreciating the entertainment factor as well as checking the realism

[@SaidinCheyneStokes]

Great video and big, big respect for Billy, but I can't shake the feeling his earphones are in wrong.

[@enigma7791]

That was brilliant! What a guy!

[@jongrason1438]

Some stuff that Mr billy said it's just gave me chills man

[@lyntoncollins2758]

Probably the only video I have seen in 20 years that used the term 'pepper potting' - for real.

[@shortinos]

awesome video, hope to see him in future videos covering more games

[@KFCman56]

Aye bro I watched this guy as a judge on SAS Australia 😂 so funny

[@rahulsinghdeo5982]

I think game developers should actually sit down with industry experts and take their inputs before working on a new game, so that the product is as authentic as it can be.

[@toxinwings2893]

You gotta love this when you hear it from real solider

[@CD-Gaming]

The Cover Story we see on Who Dares Wins as part of the Evade & Capture segment of Selection! I wouldn't mind seeing him cover other games as well now!

[@GoldenSpike300]

Crazy how intelligent this guy must be in order to know when to strike and when to wait, specially in a tense situation. Listening to him talk tells me that the hardest part about his job is not being good at shooting and being brave, but also constantly outsmarting his opponents to retain control of a situation. Don’t know how many times his reactions were shot, but if he’s able to have an analysis and a strategy of a situation as he is seeing them unfold gives me chills and someone like that thinks very different than the average joe and is probably in control or able to get in control of situations fairly quickly.

[@bro89174]

Bout time.. been waiting for this

[@demonwolfsunefurrygreyjedi]

Military reacting to MWII missions is a good idea, and this video is awesome!

[@chevyhargreaves9518]

got nothing but respect for the military, risking their lives to make the world a safer place ❤️💙

[@andreasthiemke9520]

For the last mission I wonder if you would actually take off the body armour because the enemies seem keen on killing anything that moves, so surely you would keep the armour on to have better protection?

[@Tumbleflop]

Good idea however there's still the issue of you being wounded already; gaining more weight would hurt your odds

[@thisis26]

LOL he really had me with the upside down rope scenario hahahaha I was like WOAH REALLY?! hahaha

[@JaSon-wc4pn]

Ever since the passing of Tom Clancy. The action video games have been lacking a good script. Would love to see billy or McNab get the job As they are all ready authors

[@Antisocialexe]

kinda a shame they didn’t show him the oil rig mission, or if they did, cut it out, since that’s literally his element as the SAS is a evolution of the SBS (special boat service), so which both are trained and specialises in that kinda scenario

[@RaffieFaffie]

Nah I'm pretty sure that actually they were developed around the same time and separately. I'm not sure Sterling knew about the existence of the Special Boat Squadron at the time but maybe someone who really knows a lot about this stuff will come and say

[@iHatePolitics]

The SBS were formed in 1940. But the SAS weren't modelled on the SBS. David Stirling modelled his unit how he wanted it but the name Special Air Service was foisted upon him by commanders.

[@pikachuthuglyfe5081]

If you're talking about "The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday" from OG MW2 they did cover it! He said himself that it most likely wouldn't be SAS on the Rig but rather SBS :)

[@leonrussell9607]

​@@pikachuthuglyfe5081they're talking about the rig in the 2022 game

[@bastiat6865]

Love his commentary.

[@88Spint]

I love how much he enjoyed watching the upside down scene! :D

[@_e_6456]

Try and get him to take a look at 6 days in Fallujah at some point! I’m sure he’d enjoy that even if it’s not SF related.

[@sublimechimp]

“You just would not cross that boundary” now millions of people do it casually

[@cheater00]

This guy is very good. you need to bring him back on.

[@barskarakas4927]

What is his reaction to nicki minaj update?

[@WarGasm0824]

Being somebody that did forward observing before, depending upon what kind of equipment we were using whether it was lazing a target, GPS or LiDAR good find a way to keep the target painted but cover ourselves, especially in a danger Close call for fire. Most special operations teams (with in US SOCOM anyway) just about anybody in the team who had been to an FO or FAC school could do it, but most of the time we had an Air Force JTAC that had advanced knowledge doing it for us especially if it was a larger payload cruise missile like a SLACM, ALACM, or GLACM due to the maximum effective destructive power of the weapon. A lot of the time we would have an ISR Predator, Reaper or Global Hawk doing the BDA (Battle Damage Assessment)

[@88Spint]

Dude is a legendary badass.

[@aStranger_]

Surprised he didnt mention at 13:05 mark that staking on door is great but you'd never stand in front of the door like that.

[@cpj93070]

"He would get a slap round the head for that" 😂😂

[@Juggernaut909]

Really curious to see how he reacts to Spec Ops: The Line's White Phosphorus.

[@jake5351]

Billy: it's too hot for a mask Ghost: *music plays* 💀👀

[@altechelghanforever9906]

I don't reckon Billy would be phased by Ghost's death stare.

[@CasualDudeX]

Shotgun breach entry, the shotgun is always inverted

[@gastly4454]

POV you’re the AC 130 watching this video: 🤭

[@mikechedzoy4866]

15:00 is what all wars look like now.

[@OneHuntiBoi]

I hope Billy knows that the Amsterdam mission is almost an exact recreation of that location...

[@Hellodude-el1sp]

"She's badass" Yes, yes she is.

[@MrShadeofMyself]

I saw Gladiator again yesterday and a quote came up which fits perfect: sometimes when it freezes, the blade get stuck.

[@Snoker598]

"The frost, sometimes it makes the blade stick" Absolutely love that film 👌

[@yorkshireshedpubgamer]

Billy is an absolute beast

[@yoanahristova9346]

I want this man to train me for my physical next year 😅 too bad it'll stay just a dream 😊

[@chaseaustinmusic]

I like Billy feedback regarding these types of situation, especially for game like Call of Duty, a franchise that somehow lost its way of what made the series so special.

[@flipzy_kvt]

I can't get over the fact that Billy here doesn't know how to wear earphones but it's OK, I respect him for he's service

[@certified_5135]

This is FN AWESOME

[@KanuckStreams]

Absolutely amazing.

[@MR_COW]

It doesn't matter what flag they're loyal to they will always have my respect

[@RazorNLD]

I would have loved to see Billy's reaction to Ghosts' jokes, as in the jokes themselves =P.

[@Danny_kay]

It always makes me wonder if games watch these kind of videos two improve then future games. I understand the entertainment element of the game but if there was two of the same game for £60 each blockbuster and Realism then i would take realism any day of the week.

[@michel4rthur]

Basically the UK version of Spec Ops experts from Gameology

[@Mr_Tokyo04]

ghosts backstory explains the mask

[@callum_abbott]

Totally not an S.A.S Operative, but I have a certain kind of understanding of why Billingham answers and converges on the subjects put forward, in the way that he does. It's almost as he's contentious about notions of actual war or/and dissent, and recognises the considerable, palpable potential FPS shooters have in terms of extinguishing real-life confliction.

[@Yehnah677]

His books brilliant

[@RunOfTheHind]

The C-130 is to military operations as the eagles are to the LOTR trilogy.

[@williambigbills-9665]

A buddy, who served, once said “When the AC-130 or A-10 are in the air, it doesn’t matter who you pray to because they’re your god now and you better pray.”

[@anthonymolina7416]

Ac130 is probably the best CAS platform because of how long it can stay overhead