Late Entry Officer (LE) - British Army Veteran

Part 2: Kerry shares his experiences on Exercise Saif Sareea 2, deploying on the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and his journey getting a Late Entry (LE) Officer Commission. He talks about deployment to Afghanistan is the latter part of his career, and what his transition back to civilian life was like.
Kerry joined the British Army in 1987 and served for 28 years, reaching the rank of Major, after becoming a Late Entry (LE) Officer.
Chapters:
00:00 - Gütersloh, Germany
01:13 - Ex Saif Sareea 2, Oman
10:45 - Iraq War
14:57 - Warrant Officer Class 1
19:15 - Late Entry (LE) Officer Commission
33:06 - Afghanistan
36:45 - Promotion to Major
47:19 - Leaving the British Army
50:55 - Transition Back to Civilian Life
59:44 - Final Thoughts & Advice
Music created by Gavin Watson
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[@tonycleworth8116]

@ 1hr 03min 18 seconds Kerry comes out with one one the best sayings I’ve ever heard, “You can’t change the wind, you just gotta lean into it”…… Brilliant 😉👍

[@petersmith7176]

I was on my PTI class 3 course with Kerry back in Jan 1990. We were in the same section.

[@gregbarber7585]

Fantastic podcast and a fascinating career brilliantly narrated by a humble and decent man.

[@simonnaylor9695]

Kerry, thank you so much for sharing your career with us all on here. As a career soldier with the Royal Engineers 86-08 I followed these two short films and could identify with so much of what you shared. Gavin, amazing job. What a loss your enforced retirement was to the Corps. But, the Corps loss is the military veteran's gain. You are doing an incredible job. I believe there can be no veteran or serving personnel who will not find some help or inspiration from the life stories you help share with us all. Keep up the good work. UBIQUE.

[@MilitaryVeteransPodcast]

Thanks for your words 👍 appreciate it.

[@paullawlor8097]

this has to be the best podcast I have listened. Fantastic guest and a great interview. I am just up the road in Fleet and play golf with a lot of veterans from all 3 services. Fantastic guys with great stories.

[@KG0SPEL]

Kind Words Paul, Thank You

[@madaboutwhisky4637]

Great interview. Bit of a trip down memory lane, Steve Lonnen was in instructor at RMAS when I was there in 1986 and I served with John Grinstead & Nige Smellie. Thanks Gav & Kerry.

[@MilitaryVeteransPodcast]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@matbowman9650]

What a great interview and career. So good to hear a Soldier, who isn't SF, tell his story!

[@PhilMcAuley]

thought he was 23

[@matbowman9650]

@@PhilMcAuley attached, not Sabre.

[@24567442]

As ex forces and working in the NHS we are differently different when it comes to teamwork and looking after colleagues and the public

[@johnedwards2920]

I was a boy soldier at 15, served at least 5 years intotal in NI, retired as a Captain served with the Gurkhas, then 24 years as a Private Investigator.

[@charliepoodle5151]

I know Kerry personally, and class him as a good friend, he is a very humble professional soldier, and a definite “onion “ ( there are plenty of layers) great to see him on here 👍

[@KG0SPEL]

Thank You!

[@user-bd3es3sr2i]

Great bloke and honest reflection of a good career, well done and best of luck Kerry

[@BRADLEY856]

Great work guys. Had the opportunity to work with GGD and Mel. Your career’s outstanding mate. Best wishes. BratPMC

[@daykz69]

A decent listen, I joined same time and Corps as Kerry, but much shorter period (13 years). Have fond memories which far outweigh the ‘bad’ times and agree with Kerry when he said get c-m for table with civvy street and lean into the new way of life, it is tough but use your learned skills from the military to get you through and good luck!

[@Dave-gf6ur]

One of the best in-depth interviews I’ve watched. Well done to both of you.

[@PhoenixHeroesVCS]

Great listen Kerry and good to hear you mention Gaz Pascoe. Thanks Badger

[@jefflowe4524]

One of the best interviews I have watched! What an aspiring guy and also committed to the task in hand. As an ex Medic from a similar service start time I found this remarkably entertaining and enjoyable! I only wish I could have served longer, but personal circumstances intervened! At least he had a supportive wife! (Say no more) thank you and keep providing us with this type of quality! It’s truly inspiring! Thanks Gav!

[@MilitaryVeteransPodcast]

Thank you 👍

[@KG0SPEL]

Kind Words, Thank You.

[@fiona709]

That was a hoofing interview, Kerry was humble about his career progression which can only be attributed to his drive and ambition and testament to his hard work and dedication to his profession. I think his other half is worthy of a mention, all that time away serving his country, she was at home holding the fort 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@KG0SPEL]

Very Kind Fiona

[@avisilvermann2838]

Great guy very proud to have such veterans

[@Toe_M]

The RSM in my TA unit did a reference for me that got me into my 1st choice regular unit that otherwise I wasn't getting. The bit of paper as he says changed my life!

[@warlock1969]

I remember kezz jumping with us on Queens Avenue in 1992 - good lad and well done for going through the ranks to the dizzy heights of Major. There was footage of him doing his first freefall jumps on our Team Video of 1992 I will have to dig it out

[@KG0SPEL]

Amazing if you find that

[@souljahshocky]

Brilliant interview the last 15 mins was especially good

[@kenirving5240]

lol, funny to hear the name Dan Dallaire, we were in the same platoon as junior soldiers in Deepcut.

[@discomonkey3492]

Huge respect sir

[@1973glenn]

Great interview..

[@skiencore]

My son is just about to embark on this journey and I was in the service the same time as Kerry. It's great to have this pod cast not only to continue to motivate my son but to reassure my wife what an amazing life it is in the British Forces. Than you both for this informative, positive outlook of what you can do.

[@MilitaryVeteransPodcast]

Good luck to your son!

[@KG0SPEL]

Kind Words

[@DJR1409]

Really interesting, seems a top bloke.

[@patrickcullen3410]

Excellent podcast. Keep up the brilliant work 👏

[@MilitaryVeteransPodcast]

Thanks and will do 👍

[@garrym5682]

I remember Kez having a huge airborne wings sticker on his locker at Kirton.

[@michaelhaverty4853]

Hi Kerry, I found the podcast very interesting and informative . I do hope you are well. Kind regards Mick

[@KG0SPEL]

Thank You

[@TheChapsGuide]

Inspirational

[@ThePleasent1]

Cracking video by the way. Not sure about the music.

[@MilitaryVeteransPodcast]

Appreciate it! As for the music, happy for you to send some other types/options that would work better. Gav isn’t a musician (made the sound 3 years ago) and he does all of this in his spare time, whilst working a full time job…open for constructive feedback for sure. Bonus is it’s only 12 seconds (at the beginning) of the whole 1-2 hour video!

[@fulltankoffreedom2122]

Thoroughly enjoyed this interview and it’s echoed some of the feelings and experiences I had when I came out, and I must have been at 22ad at kirton in Lindsey at a similar time to Kerry what a small world!

[@johnlancaster119]

Kerry, I Really enjoyed both episodes - so many things that I can personally resonated with. Really strange, the military was my escape mechanism. My mother was killed holding my hand when a building collapsed on us and a week later my Father gave me away. After three years of mental, physical and sexual abuse - I joined TS Arethusa at 13. From there I went to Ganges and at 16 I was in Borneo with a gun in my hand. 32 wonderful years later I left with memories that would make Pinichio seem like a Parish Priest. Every day I thank my maker that I was given the privilege of serving my Queen and Country. It was an honour. Looking forward to more of your Podcasts - thank you. By the way, do you ever interview Submarine veterans?

[@KG0SPEL]

Very Kind Thank You

[@MilitaryVeteransPodcast]

Thanks for sharing John. The show is open to all that served. milvetpodcast.com/contact

[@PaulAnderson-ky8ne]

Great interview. Really enjoyed it. I sadly was MD'd but many of the guys I served with spent 39-40+ years in and ended up Lt Col (good on them all).

[@gareththomas9461]

As a vet I also thought it was a hoofing interview and the time frame paralleled my career even thought I wasn’t in the army it’s interesting to hear a different perspective. Great to hear you are helping Veterans as well. I’ve struggled since leaving as a lot of Vets do so some great advice at the end.

[@ThePleasent1]

I cant believe he does not have a NI gong.

[@richardkidd4473]

Served in East Timor with Kerry… have the medal…. Btw it should be mounted at the far right of all the others… great tour I served with the Gurkhas as a Royal Signals SNCO and finally retired as a LE Major 🫡

[@KG0SPEL]

The JSP says order by date! Thanks and hope you are well😊

[@Sean-ws9je]

I Like This Man.

[@meme4one]

I remember day 1 of my time on Saif sareera, we had an int briefing and the number 1 most wanted was Bin Laden. Like all squaddies, I took very little of it in but yes, 2 weeks in, 9/11 happened and the world changed. To be honest, our first thought was that 9/11 was an exercise scenario that was very well stated on the BBC world service.

[@quickshot_1575]

If you do a late entry can you serve longer than the 22 years?

[@KG0SPEL]

Yes the British Army can offer Regular Service up to the age of 55

[@Northman.56]

Great story about the Landrover Crash.😂

[@kevinporter3212]

I used to play football against 28 Engineers while at 28 Sigs in the mid 80s

[@user-hr4mh3lj4s]

Kerry, bit disappointed you didn’t mention anything about being a catwalk model for the clothes show down the Falklands in 94😂

[@KG0SPEL]

Classic Times 😂. Itll be in the book

[@Sean-ws9je]

Ex British Army Officers Like You Would Be Better Off Retiring To Teach In The Army Cadet Force And Passing Your Experience On❤

[@KG0SPEL]

Its an option for sure. Would love to

[@Sean-ws9je]

I Made A Spelling Mistake It Say's Not Got When I Meant I Do Have When Relating To Nephews & Nieces.

[@Sean-ws9je]

I'm Ex Forces I Was Misdiagnosed By My Ex Doctors Who Are Extremely Good Wind Up Artists For Over 31 Years One Of My Ex Doctors Killed Someone With His Medical Negligence Whilst My Other Ex Doctors Was Struck Off For Fraudulent Behaviour My Family Members Made It Worse This Man Has Earned What He's Accomplished But My Career Was Affected By The Health Services Behaviour Towards Me I Knew Whilst Serving As An Army Cadet At The Age Of 12 & A Half What Career I Wanted I Wanted The Same Career As This Man, I've Not Got Nephews And Nieces With High Levels Of Education Such As Police Inspector And Headmistress And 27 GCS'Es And Managers In Civil Street I've Also Been Poisoned By My Ex Doctors From Which I Now Have Serious Problems That Can Kill Me Such Is Life

[@Abefroman-lq3md]

You are not right in the head lad.

[@martinsmith6049]

Kerry, that comment about desert training coming in just before Iraq... us Worcester and Sherwood Foresters TA lads at Ilkeston went to Cyprus for annual camp almost back to back about the same time after a decade of Wales, Salisbury Plain and wherever else in UK that got wet and windy. Funny that.