#87 Jeremy Holder

Thomas Kaye interviews combat medic Jeremy Holder.

Jeremy Holder was a medic in the Australian Army for 7 years. He served within Special Operations Command for 4 years, which included a deployment to Afghanistan with the commandos as a platoon medic. Jez spoke to Thomas Kaye about his time in Afghanistan and the reality of being a combat medic for Special Forces.

The fifth image is from the documentary VOODOO MEDICS, photograph by Gary Ramage/Daily Telegraph, used with permission from Kristin Shorten.

#54 Wes 'H' Hennessey Vol V

Alex Lloyd continues his interview with 2nd Commando Regiment veteran 'H' about his combat deployments to Afghanistan.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. This is the fifth part of Alex Lloyd's conversation with Wes 'H' Hennessey, a senior and highly decorated Special Forces veteran. They discuss H returning home after his combat-heavy 2008 deployment to Afghanistan and then move on to his experiences in 2010, where he was in more of a leadership role, and the contrast between the two deployments.

Also listen to, in Season 3, Volume I (the beginning & TAG East), Volume II (Afghanistan 2006) and Volume III (coming home), and in this season, Volume IV (Afghanistan 2008).

#54 Wes 'H' Hennessey Vol IV

Alex Lloyd resumes his interview with Special Forces veteran 'H' about his combat deployments to Afghanistan in 2008.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is the fourth part of Alex Lloyd's conversation with 2nd Commando Regiment veteran Wes 'H' Hennessey, which began in a three-part interview in Season 3. This instalment focuses on H's intense combat experiences with Special Forces, in Afghanistan in 2008.

Also listen to, in Season 3, Volume I (the beginning & TAG East), Volume II (Afghanistan 2006) and Volume III (coming home), and in this season, Volume V (Afghanistan 2010).

#77 Adrian Humphries Vol II

Angus Hordern continues his interview with former commando and signaller Adrian Humphries.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Today's episode is the second instalment of the conversation with Adrian Humphries. Adrian is a veteran of the 2nd Commando Regiment. Adrian shares with Angus Hordern more stories from his four deployments to Afghanistan with the commandos, his medical discharge, his difficult journey afterwards and how he's found a sense of peace today.

Listen to Volume I before you listen to this episode. Adrian returned to the podcast in Christmas on the Line Vol III.

#77 Adrian Humphries Vol I

Angus Hordern interviews 2nd Commando Regiment veteran Adrian Humphries.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Adrian Humphries was a signaller in the regular army before transferring to the commandos. Adrian told Angus Hordern about his deployments to the Solomon Islands, Pakistan, training to join 4 RAR (Commando) and his first deployment to Afghanistan. This is the first instalment of a two-part episode.

Listen to Volume II after this episode. Adrian returned to the podcast in Christmas on the Line Vol III.

#60 Nick Caldwell

Thomas Kaye interviews former Special Forces soldier Nick Caldwell.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Nick Caldwell reflected on his Special Forces career with Thomas Kaye, in this conversation about mindset, growth and what it takes to be a trooper at the tip of the spear.

#54 Wes 'H' Hennessey Vol III

Alex Lloyd conducts the third part of his interview with 2nd Commando Regiment veteran 'H' about his journey beyond the military.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. This is the third instalment of Alex Lloyd's conversation with Wes 'H' Hennessey, a senior and highly decorated Special Forces veteran. The pair talk about the challenges H faced during his time as a commando, how he has changed as a result of his service, and his outlook to the future.

Listen to Volume I (joining the army, Somalia, 4RAR (Commando), Timor and TAG East) and Volume II (Afghanistan 2006) before you hear this episode, then in Season 4, Volume IV (Afghanistan 2008) and Volume V (Afghanistan 2010). The first three of these conversations are in Season 3, and the next two parts were recorded a year later, for Season 4. 

#54 Wes 'H' Hennessey Vol II

Alex Lloyd continues his interview with Special Forces veteran 'H' about his combat experiences in Afghanistan, 2006.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is the second part of Alex Lloyd's conversation with 2nd Commando Regiment veteran Wes 'H' Hennessey. The episode centres around some of H's significant combat experiences in his first Middle East deployment, in vivid front-line storytelling.

Listen to Volume I before this episode. After listening to this episode, listen to Volume III (coming home), then in Season 4, Volume IV (Afghanistan 2008) and Volume V (Afghanistan 2010). The first three of these conversations are in Season 3, and the next two parts were recorded a year later, for Season 4. 

#54 Wes 'H' Hennessey Vol I

Alex Lloyd interviews 'H', a 2nd Commando Regiment veteran who deployed seven times to the Middle East.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with a former senior Special Forces soldier, thrice decorated for conspicuous service and valour. The 2nd Commando Regiment veteran known Wes 'H' Hennessey was a Warrant Officer Class One and served in the Australian Defence Force for 24 years. In the first instalment of a five-part conversation with Alex Lloyd, H described his journey to the army, training, his deployment to Somalia, the birth of the Commandos, his time in Timor, and the emergence of the Tactical Assault Group East.

After listening to this episode, listen to Volume II (Afghanistan 2006) and Volume III (coming home), then in Season 4, Volume IV (Afghanistan 2008) and Volume V (Afghanistan 2010). The first three of these conversations are in Season 3, and the next two parts were recorded a year later, for Season 4. 

When originally recorded, ‘H’ did not want his name published for privacy reasons, which is reflected in the interview. He has since revealed his name to the public.

#47 Bram Connolly

Alex Lloyd interviews Somalia, Timor and Afghanistan veteran, formerly of the 2nd Commando Regiment, Bram Connolly.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Bram Connolly joined the regular army in 1993, and was deployed to Somalia at the age of 19. Bram's career took him to Special Forces, further overseas deployments to Timor and Afghanistan, as well as transitioning from NCO to officer. Bram spoke to Alex Lloyd about his long career in the military, and the lessons he learned about himself and leadership along the way.

Bram came on the podcast last year, to talk about his post-military career.

Lessons of a Combat Doctor with Dr Dan Pronk

Alex Lloyd speaks with Special Forces combat doctor Dan Pronk, in Dan's third podcast appearance.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's bonus episode is with Dr Dan Pronk. Dan is a former combat doctor who passed SAS selection and deployed to Afghanistan four times, serving in over 100 combat operations with the Special Air Service Regiment and 2nd Commando Regiment. In this podcast, he spoke about life lessons and methods for motivation he learned from his time in uniform, and in his life after - and how he has channelled that into his new book, "Average 70kg D*ckhead".

Buy Dan’s first book on Amazon in print, ebook and audiobook format.

And read Dan’s article ‘Abandoning the Tribe’, as discussed in the interview.

For more podcasts with Dr Dan Pronk, including about his second book The Resilience Shield, don’t miss these episodes:

• #31 Dr Dan Pronk Vol I

• #31 Dr Dan Pronk Vol II

• Voodoo Medics with Mark Donaldson VC, Dr Dan Pronk and Kristin Shorten

• #107 Brett Wood

• SAS Resilience with Dr Dan Pronk, Ben Pronk and Tim Curtis

#44 Mick Bainbridge

Angus Hordern interviews Afghanistan and Timor veteran, formerly of the 2nd Commando Regiment, Mick Bainbridge.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with Mick Bainbridge. Mick, a former commando, was the subject of an April 2018 AUSTRALIAN STORY episode about his difficult journey after multiple deployments to Afghanistan with the 2nd Commando Regiment. Mick shared his story with Angus Hordern - from elite training and combat deployments, to losing mates and the toll war can take. In this episode, Angus also speaks briefly with Glenn Kolomeitz, Mick's mate and mentor.

Voodoo Medics with Mark Donaldson VC, Dr Dan Pronk and Kristin Shorten

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. This bonus episode covers the upcoming 8-part documentary VOODOO MEDICS, a short series of webisodes published by The Daily Telegraph Online starting 22 October 2018. Alex Lloyd speaks with the documentary's creator and host, journalist Kristin Shorten, as well as two of its interviewees, Australian veterans Mark Donaldson VC and Dr Dan Pronk. VOODOO MEDICS looks at the lives post-army of medics who served with Special Forces, and interviews such former medics, the operators they fought alongside, and more, in an insightful expose on the cost of modern war.

To watch the documentary, click here!

If you enjoyed these conversations with Mark and Dan, you can catch their original interviews in Season 2:

• #31 Dr Dan Pronk Vol I

• #31 Dr Dan Pronk Vol II

• #36 Mark Donaldson VC

And for more conversations with Dr Dan Pronk:

• Lessons of a Combat Doctor with Dr Dan Pronk

• #107 Brett Wood

• SAS Resilience with Dr Dan Pronk, Ben Pronk and Tim Curtis

#39 Rhys Dowden

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with Iraq and Afghanistan veteran, Rhys Dowden. A former member of the 2nd Commando regiment, Rhys saw multiple deployments to the Middle East as an elite soldier. Alex Lloyd spoke to Rhys about training to be a Commando, contact stories and the power of purpose.

The Commando's Father with Doug Baird

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Every week we also have a bonus episode, where we speak to historians, authors and others in the veterans community. Alex Lloyd spoke with Doug Baird, father of the late Cameron Baird VC, MG. Cameron served in the 2nd Commando Regiment and was killed in action during his final tour of Afghanistan in 2013. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia. Doug spoke to Alex about his late son's life, death and legacy.

#31 Dr Dan Pronk Vol II

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is the second instalment of Sharon Mascall-Dare’s conversation with Dr Dan Pronk, a Special Forces doctor with the SAS and 2nd Commando Regiment. Dan partook in over 100 combat missions with Special Forces. His conversation with Sharon picks up after four tours of Afghanistan, where the reality of combat was taking hold.

Click here to listen to Volume I, before you hear this episode.

Dan later returned to the podcast in the episodes:

• Voodoo Medics with Mark Donaldson VC, Dr Dan Pronk and Kristin Shorten

• Lessons of a Combat Doctor with Dr Dan Pronk

• #107 Brett Wood

• SAS Resilience with Dr Dan Pronk, Ben Pronk and Tim Curtis

• #31 Dr Dan Pronk Vol III

• Christmas on the Line Vol V

#31 Dr Dan Pronk Vol I

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with Dr Dan Pronk, a former Special Forces soldier. Dan served with the regular army in East Timor before undertaking four tours of Afghanistan with Special Operations Units - the 2nd Commando Regiment and the Special Air Service Regiment. Dan spoke with Sharon Mascall-Dare about his journey to Special Forces, the trauma of combat and life as an elite soldier. This is the first instalment of a two-part episode.

Click here to listen to Volume II, after you've heard this episode.

Dan later returned to the podcast in the episodes:

• Voodoo Medics with Mark Donaldson VC, Dr Dan Pronk and Kristin Shorten

• Lessons of a Combat Doctor with Dr Dan Pronk

• #107 Brett Wood

• SAS Resilience with Dr Dan Pronk, Ben Pronk and Tim Curtis

• #31 Dr Dan Pronk Vol III

• Christmas on the Line Vol V

Dan is currently the resident medic, ‘Dr Dan’, on Channel Seven’s SAS Australia.

#10 Eddie Robertson

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with Iraq and Afghanistan veteran, Eddie Robertson. A former member of the 2nd Commando regiment, Eddie saw multiple deployments to the Middle East as an elite soldier. Alex Lloyd spoke to Eddie about his combat operations, the life of a Commando and about his good friend, the late Cameron Baird VC, MG.