The Old Paratrooper Podcast

Seconds to make a life-or-death decision. Years to answer for it.Former Metropolitan Police firearms officer Tony Long joins The Old Paratrooper Podcast to discuss his career in armed policing, the shootings that left three people dead, and the decade-long legal ordeal that ended with his acquittal at the Old Bailey.From his childhood and early ambitions to brutal Hendon training, foot patrols and the world of the SPG, Tony describes his journey from naïve recruit to trusted “thief taker” and firearms officer.00:00 — Meet Tony Long02:21 — A surprising family discovery05:48 — Joining the Metropolitan Police12:12 — Hendon: old-school police training18:55 — From detective ambitions to firearms27:01 — Early days on the streets40:14 — Informants and police intelligence53:57 — Dark humor under pressure59:08 — Joining the firearms unit75:26 — The Northolt siege89:07 — The armed robbery operation103:39 — The mental switch before a shift115:51 — The operation that led to trial129:53 — Split-second decisions, judged later139:55 — The Old Bailey trial and acquittal149:31 — Lethal Force and final reflectionsWe explore:• Firearms training in the 1970s and 80s• Informants, intelligence and policing before modern technology• Fear, respect and dark humour within old-school police culture• The pressure of deciding whether to pull the trigger• Investigations, a murder trial and the lasting mental tollBlunt and unfiltered, Tony shares his perspective on lethal force, accountability and living with decisions that cannot be undone.📖 Tony Long’s memoir, Lethal Force, is available on Amazon.https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lethal-Force-Life-Controversial-Marksman/dp/1785033948Subscribe to The Old Paratrooper Podcast for honest conversations with veterans, emergency responders and people whose experiences deserve to be heard.Interested in supporting the podcast ??? The check out the merch range on the link below.https://theoldpara.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOooekmN5nuMemozCBSlXndH8wu7y8z-c_pbTYvpezFBuFwRsjuieEx British military? struggling with your hearing ? Click the link below to see if you’re eligible for compensation.https://veterans-for-veterans.co.uk/affiliates/chris-binch#veteran #britisharmy #viral #veteran #britisharmy #viral #royalmarinecommando #motivation #parachuteregiment #interview #military #algorithm #youtubeshorts #facebook #instagram #mentalhealthawareness #sas #police

⚠️ The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Old Paratrooper Podcast. ⚠️

SAS veteran and author Rusty Firmin joins me on The Old Paratrooper Podcast to discuss his new book, “Aftermath”, and some difficult topics that deserve an honest conversation.
We cover Gaza, war crimes, veterans’ homelessness, Walter Mittys and conspiracies.
We also ask what more can be done to stop those who served ending up on the streets.

A straight-talking conversation with room for challenging views and different perspectives.

Watch the full episode and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Another huge episode of The Old Paratrooper Podcast.Real people. Real experiences.

No bullshit.
02:23 — Rusty Firmin: Life, Service & New Book
05:25 — Inside SAS: Aftermath
08:13 — From Military Service to Security Work
11:29 — Military Life, Loss & Moving Forward
14:29 — Stolen Valour and False Claims
17:26 — Veteran Homelessness and Support
21:30 — Media, Misinformation & Trust
24:15 — Global Conflict and Competing Narratives
29:15 — The Gaza Situation
42:24 — Questioning Historical Events
45:53 — Conspiracies, Power and Public Perception
48:25 — Truth, Belief and Speaking Freely
51:12 — Social Media and Control
53:44 — Technology, Young People and Mental Health
59:19 — Preparing for a Digital-First Future
63:23 — Veterans, Accountability and Service
75:52 — The Reality of Military Operations

Book Available below

https://www.rusty-firmin.com/shop

Interested in supporting the podcast ??? The check out the merch range on the link below.

https://theoldpara.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOooekmN5nuMemozCBSlXndH8wu7y8z-c_pbTYvpezFBuFwRsjuie

Ex British military? struggling with your hearing ? Click the link below to see if you’re eligible for compensation.

https://veterans-for-veterans.co.uk/affiliates/chris-binch

#veteran #britisharmy #viral #veteran #britisharmy #viral #royalmarinecommando #motivation #parachuteregiment #interview #military #algorithm #youtubeshorts #facebook #instagram #mentalhealthawareness #sas

Tim Spicer joins The Old Paratrooper Podcast to discuss his new book, The Axe and the Balloon, exploring the remarkable life and legacy of Brian Franks one of the founding fathers of the SAS.In this episode, Tim takes us into the world of the early Special Air Service and the man behind a story that deserves to be far better known.From wartime service and the formative years of the SAS to the character, leadership and experiences that shaped Brian Franks, Tim reveals the research and stories behind the book and explains why he wanted to bring Franks' life to a new generation.It's a conversation about soldiering, leadership, history, sacrifice and the origins of one of the world's most famous special forces units.🎙️ Tim Spicer on Brian Franks and The Axe and the Balloon.The Old Paratrooper PodcastReal people. Real stories. No bullshit.🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations with veterans, special forces operators and extraordinary people who have lived extraordinary lives.Get hold of Tim's book on the link belowhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Axe-Four-Balloons-Biography-Everymans/dp/1999589173/ref=asc_df_1999589173?mcid=051b534769d73274a488927d69f161cd&th=1&psc=1&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=795367046375&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10194214930364462762&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046393&hvtargid=pla-2505137101354&psc=1&hvocijid=10194214930364462762-1999589173-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1Interested in supporting the podcast ??? The check out the merch range on the link below.https://theoldpara.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOooekmN5nuMemozCBSlXndH8wu7y8z-c_pbTYvpezFBuFwRsjuieEx British military? struggling with your hearing ? Click the link below to see if you’re eligible for compensation.https://veterans-for-veterans.co.uk/affiliates/chris-binch#veteran #britisharmy #viral #veteran #britisharmy #viral #royalmarinecommando #motivation #parachuteregiment #interview #military #algorithm #youtubeshorts #facebook #instagram #mentalhealthawareness #sas#TimSpicer #BrianFranks #SAS #SpecialAirService #TheAxeAndTheBalloon #SpecialForces #MilitaryHistory #BritishArmy #TheOldParatrooperPodcast

FULL EPISODE BELOW

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6fTtoyZ4BecXDZ8uBpwtCN?si=b8b4c13b45634ede

The hardest lessons in war are the ones bought with lives. Chris Ryan reflects on the patrols that went wrong, the SOPs that were broken to get troops on the ground in Iraq, and the brutal cost of learning from failure too late.Chris Ryan is one of the most recognised names to come out of the SAS. From covert operations and life behind enemy lines to the reality of serving in one of the world's most elite special forces units, he shares stories and insights that have never been told publicly before.In this exclusive episode of The Old Paratrooper Podcast, Chris opens up about his military career, survival, leadership, resilience, and reveals moments he's never discussed in any previous interview or podcast. This is a rare, honest conversation with one of Britain's most iconic soldiers.Check out his book on the link below.https://www.amazon.co.uk/Breakout-breakneck-2026-thriller-bestselling/dp/1838779841/ref=asc_df_1838779841?mcid=7397fdd1e2633714a29aeacfed1c3ca6&th=1&psc=1&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=797309076872&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12699108331387211369&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9213842&hvtargid=pla-2500422134114&psc=1&hvocijid=12699108331387211369-1838779841-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=4Interested in supporting the podcast ??? The check out the merch range on the link below.https://theoldpara.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOooekmN5nuMemozCBSlXndH8wu7y8z-c_pbTYvpezFBuFwRsjuieEx British military? struggling with your hearing ? Click the link below to see if you’re eligible for compensation.https://veterans-for-veterans.co.uk/affiliates/chris-binch#veteran #britisharmy #viral #veteran #britisharmy #viral #royalmarinecommando #motivation #parachuteregiment #interview #military #algorithm #youtubeshorts #facebook #instagram #mentalhealthawareness #sas

FULL EPISODE BELOW
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3OaGtrHNkJJYZ4YkjS4xrM?si=ffb1ce7573244b03

Billy B shares why Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test is gaining traction in the US, how SAS: Who Dares Wins has continued to evolve over its 10 years, and why younger audiences are tuning in. He also previews the upcoming British season and teases a new twist. A behind-the-scenes conversation about the growth and staying power of a reality TV format on both sides of the Atlantic.Ex-Military? Struggling with hearing? Left after 1987? Click below to see if you're eligible for compensation. 👇👇👇https://veterans-for-veterans.co.uk/affiliates/chris-binch/If you are struggling with your mental health and thinking about hurting yourself, the links below may help. It's good to talk.https://veteransvolunteerservice.org.uk/https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/mental-health-helplines/https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=oneboxWhatever you're going through, call them free any time, from any phone, on 116 123🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations with veterans, special forces operators and extraordinary people who have lived extraordinary lives.Interested in supporting the podcast ??? The check out the merch range on the link below.https://theoldpara.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOooekmN5nuMemozCBSlXndH8wu7y8z-c_pbTYvpezFBuFwRsjuie#veteran #britisharmy #viral #veteran #britisharmy #viral #royalmarinecommando #motivation #parachuteregiment #interview #military #algorithm #youtubeshorts #facebook #instagram #mentalhealthawareness #sas #deltaforce