Pathfinders & 22 SAS Selection - British SAS Veteran

Part 2: Ben wanted and needed more challenges, so went into the Pathfinders and shares what “The Cadre” was like to successfully become part of this advance force, and then deployed to Afghanistan in 2008. After sometime with the Pathfinders, Ben went on Selection and joined 22 SAS where he saw out his career, completing just under 12 years within the Special Forces. Lastly, as he transitioned out of the military, Ben created HR4K based in Hereford, UK, which is a veteran owned community hub. Bringing good people together.
Ben joined the Parachute Regiment within the British Army in 1997, and served 23 years across multiple areas including, the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (REME), Pathfinders (PF), and finishing with the British Special Air Service (SAS), reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant (SSgt).
Chapters:
00:00 - Pathfinders (PF) Cadre
08:12 - Afghanistan 2008
15:08 - SAS Selection
25:00 - SF Rank Structure
29:01 - SAS Assistance
41:29 - HR4K
50:05 - Transition Back to Civilian Life
52:10 - Final Thoughts & Advice
Music created by Gavin Watson
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[@user-nx9or9do8q]

You certainly stirred the memories, Ben ! When I joined depot in 1975 my instructor was ex sas , the first thing he taught us was take your shit 💩, literally !! What he taught me on and off the syllabus saved me more times I care to remember, one I still think about a lot about was in South Armagh, had a new Rupert join us in a long OP, brick out his ration pack, got out his hexy block, asked him what the fk was he doing, got a stupid reply, so I moved well away, well away !! 1hr later hit by 3 mortars from over the border, he never heated his scoff ever again…I have the privilege to still be best friends with my ex sas man. Thanks for your service. Firm..

[@thesaint8400]

Ben has such a unique way of talking. Everything is clear, concise and yet entertaining. You can tell he's absolutely a born teacher and someone that would be fantastic to learn from.

[@jonb3311]

Ben makes a change from the other SF types who appear on YT and TV, who tend to be 'in your face' and full of it. Ben must have passed the Grey Man test with flying colours.

[@jerryoshea3116]

Most unassuming,but I'm sure extremely effective!

[@keysersoze1855]

What a proper down to earth humble bloke Ben Garwood is, I recognised a few names from his podcast from my contracting days in Iraq.

[@kruger-3522]

Funny how Ben says when he was Pathfinders they had their own "compound", I remember back in '85 when the Pathfinders were starting back up again all they had was the old band practice building in Montgomery Lines, it was the duplicate of the guardroom building on the other side. Happy days!!!

[@GavRoberts7428]

i remember Ben in 2 Para.. i was in C coy Brunival around 2001-2006 top bloke

[@pauljordan452]

Cracking podcast, both parts. Ben sums up the point about “career veterans” , nail on head, there is a whole new adventure outside.

[@budte]

Clear, lucid, straightforward, but that's enough about me...I enjoyed listening to that. Rational, honest SF rarely disappoint.

[@RegOnTour63]

What a magnificent interview! The guest clearly exemplified education, professionalism, and humility-an outstanding listen, considering his remarkable life achievements. This stands out as the best podcast featuring Hereford blokes, surpassing even those on TV, channel 4. As a 24-year Reg served, I could truly identify with the names, events, and discussions throughout. Kudos to Ben for delivering such a compelling and relatable episode. It’s a relief from the usual self-congratulatory narratives. Well done!

[@ianlomas625]

Comes A fantastic interview and Ben was tremendous, really grounded and lovely chap Thank you Ben for what you have done and what you do now in supporting veterans 🙏🇬🇧

[@terrynolan5831]

What a modest and articulate guy, its refreshing and very reassuring to see such a professional outlook. Humbling.

[@JRA73]

Fantastic to hear his proudest moment and the humility of this man! 😎

[@scottkelly379]

What an amazing honest bloke 👍

[@clp91009]

Really enjoyed this podcast. Ben is clearly a highly intelligent individual. I’ve watched a lot of interviews with ex SF, para reg, marines etc. These guys were way more switched on in my opinion than their superiors. You don’t see many interviews with ex officers. The guys writing books, doing tv etc. are virtually all ex NCOS. I wonder does that grate on their former bosses.

[@stuntmansynyster]

The ex SF officers don't need to waste their time doing BS TV work etc, they have doors opened that most don't know exist 💷💷💷💷💷💷💷💷💷💷

[@MilitaryVeteransPodcast]

We interviewed Maj Alex Gardiner (22 SAS), Episode 030. If you're interested.

[@SnakePliskin762]

​@@stuntmansynyster exactly this. Many walk into top corporate jobs.

[@user-do6me3es3g]

First podcast I've ever listened to all the way through. What a quality bloke and talks so much sense. All the best Ben.

[@andrewwood9281]

As a civvie I enjoy these podcasts and with a few ex-service mates I can get much of the content albeit as an outsider, this one was the best I’ve seen and Ben seems such a nice guy and down to earth, its great to get to know the man behind the rank and service and what makes them tick 👍

[@MilitaryVeteransPodcast]

Glad you enjoy it! Thanks for watching. Gav

[@jamescunningham1973]

Listening to Ben is like going back in time for me from have a cnut of a training screw who took a dislike to me from day 1 to being in battalion and getting completely bored with Bn life,I oassed out on a friday and was in West Belfast on the monday,did 3 days training and i was put with a brick,that was my best time,I was 3RGJ

[@mateobravo9212]

Mate, love the HR4K ethos piece. A lot of us struggle with finding true teamwork and solid mates on civvie street. Love the interview. Greetings from Spain, ex-Rifles.

[@palmer3977]

Absolutely brilliant.

[@neilholmes7313]

What a top bloke, excellent interview 👍

[@carl94399]

Great podcast I wish we had this sort of information when I was in

[@vanlifenomad]

Anouther great video Ben to show whats needed in! and to get out

[@johnphilpott5102]

Great podcast. Thats how i came across HR4K whilst looking for some black rifle coffee in the uk. Have got a few nice tees from you guys .

[@paulos78]

Class intereview! First in!

[@PhoenixHeroesVCS]

Great listen Ben, well done mate👍

[@johnbremner1453]

Great interview, this should be played to young boys in schools or the cadets, would give them something to aspire to and be a great recruiting tool, demonstrates what can be achieved if you have ambition

[@DaveGayer]

Very well spoken Ben 👏

[@jerryoshea3116]

A very interesting guy,lots of depth!

[@petermanning1864]

Top bloke.

[@clivepritchard6946]

Amazon interview. Top man .from a ex Tankie

[@DaDaW9762]

The interviewer asks: So for the jungle phase? For the listeners, where is the jungle phase of selection held? Ben G: "Launches into a full description of selection from beginning to end, without ever answering the question of where jungle selection is held" For those who wanted to know the answer to that question, the jungle part of selection is held in Brunei or Belize.. Depending on certain circumstances.

[@sharky457]

I’ve known Ben 20years… and can hand on heart say he was the WORST army mechanic I ever came across!! I got him to work on my Vauxhall cavalier back in the day and it never worked properly again after his f**k tard hands touched it! 😆 But I did crash his Citroen saxo and wrote it off when he was on tour so guess we can call it quits. Love ya BG 😘 x see ya soon slick x

[@user-yv6bh2oy4p]

Did I detect a slight dig there at 53:56 toward the SBS ? implying the B was for the B Team? 😁

[@gordoncooper6782]

A very interesting career for Ben, good effort for his achievements and thank you for your service. But, i feel that he holds a major grudge against the RM for failing his application.

[@simonrogersparachuteregime3022]

Your correct ben when i did junior brecon we had a few hereford lads from corps. Only took notice as one lad was a fing RMP from 160 provo but stayed with hiim on the 3 miler from X range to black hut then as we got counted into the A group i spewed my scoff over his daysack. 😮

[@RossNaylor-o2h]

I remember the days of the harley Davidson dirt bikes to get around desert areas i never knew Harley Davidson even did a dirt bike never mind a military version i was lucky enough to get a posting to the trials and development unit that was some of the most fun i had we would trial side by side dune buggys all terrain vehicles pretty much anything that was going to be considered for deployment to the army we got to test and work on as i said it was the best thing i did and highly recommend anyone to grab the opportunity to go if you ever get one

[@MilitaryVeteransPodcast]

Ex Saif Sareea 2 (2001) was my proper introduction to Harley's being used for that reason. Also, spent some time with the trails team, just outside Aldershot in the mid 2000s...totally agree with you, anyone able to get on that team, even if its for a month or 2, is well worth it! Trying to test and break the new equipment to make sure it's "squaddy proof" is great fun and an experience. Thanks for watching! Gav

[@OMT988]

Screw the nut Ben, I didn't realise you did a modular selection...basically a reservist 🤣🤣

[@tangomike5149]

I remember EXACTLY which watch brand Ben is referring to and I remember reading Ben's comments to them on one of their instagram posts, with the subsequent apology "story" they put up on Insta. However, coincidently, I notice they now have 2 or 3 former 22/SB blokes promoting the watches. Interesting.

[@milesy2k7]

35 minutes sounds like the Craig Harrison mission, also the same accent 😂😂

[@cujimmy1366]

In-situ resource utilisation.

[@grahamconquer8117]

Hi fisch hope your well buddy

[@rexwondo5429]

The hate this Guy has on the Green Army Leadership is strong !! Top Fella

[@robertmccormick9441]

If Dufrais Constantinople was in 22 ..

[@speniypowers1128]

Wow what a fantastic interview and a f...ng cool gay 😎

[@simonrogersparachuteregime3022]

Ben i think you couldnt live down the abuse from john tranior 😊about missing that shot

[@adg5456]

This guy looks like Cheesesteak Six

[@rosie121000]

You go tell him that to his face.

[@adg5456]

@@rosie121000 i just did

[@MICHAEL-wg2lh]

​@@adg5456what a weakling you arr

[@ms16648]

Fair one. Can't even slag this guy off. Was gonna joke about being fat and rejected by the corps, etc., but nothing came easy for him. Had to battle the whole way and endure some massive setbacks.