This week, The Muster Point lads are back with a proper sit-rep from the front line of veteran life.
Stu and Steve pick up where they left off after the At Ease Festival, covering everything from Armed Forces T-Shirt Day, which raised over £10,000 for the Forces Employment Charity, to visits at Chicksands Intelligence Corps Museum, the Skill-at-Arms day in Sawbridgeworth, and updates from Stevenage Borough Council and the Hertfordshire Armed Forces Covenant Board.
There’s news, banter, and a few hard truths — including stories of courage, scandal, and service. The team also share Remembrance reflections from the community, including the upcoming Guard of Honour, Remembrance Sunday, The Muster Point Ball, and the Christmas get-together at Toby Carvery.
Expect laughs, honesty, and the usual squaddie sense of humour — as we remember those who served, celebrate those still standing, and take the mick out of each other along the way.
🎧 Tune in, share it, and stand to attention — it’s time for The Muster Point Podcast.
Grenadier Guard. Afghan veteran. One-eyed wonder.
In this explosive episode of The Muster Point Podcast: Beyond the Wire, Stu sits down with Alex Harrison, who survived being shot in the head during Herrick 6 and lived to tell the tale with raw honesty and brutal humour.
From the parade square to Iraq and Kajaki, through the chaos of Mazdarak where his life changed forever, Alex shares the reality of combat, recovery, and the battles with booze, PTSD and identity that followed. We talk survivor’s guilt, the grind of mental health, the power of therapy, and how he rebuilt himself into a content creator, podcaster and stand-up comic.
Alex will also be live at our Remembrance Ball this November with the Veterans Comedy Club, bringing that trademark squaddie banter to a night that mixes reflection with laughter.
This one’s raw, graphic and darkly funny – exactly how veterans tell it. Brew in hand, buckle up: it’s a proper eye-opener.
Ordered to play rugby, three ruptured discs later – cheers for your service, off you pop. That’s how Dean, a former Royal Engineer, was medically launched into civvy street. But this sapper didn’t sulk. He went on to serve with the police, fight illness, harness his ADHD superpower and build SquaddieBox – a simple but game-changing solution giving homeless veterans and blue-light workers a secure postal address.
Why does an address change everything? How do you get one set up in your town? And what happens when military humour meets hard reality?
In this episode of The Muster Point Podcast: Beyond The Wire, Stu Mendelson sits down with Dean to unpack a story that mixes dark squaddie banter with a serious mission: tackling homelessness, restoring dignity, and proving that one grey box on a wall can change lives.
In this powerful episode of The Muster Point Podcast: Beyond the Wire, host Stu Mendelson sits down with Claire Lilly – veteran advocate, equestrian specialist with the Household Cavalry, and founder of the Forcer Protocol, a policing strategy now saving veteran lives across the UK.
From the parade grounds of Knightsbridge to the painful realities of PTSD, addiction, and suicide, Claire shares her deeply personal journey alongside her late husband Alan, a Coldstream Guard. Together, they faced the hidden battles too many veterans endure – trauma, dishonourable discharge, prison, and loss.
Out of tragedy came purpose: the Forcer Protocol, now embedded in police forces nationwide, ensuring missing veterans get trauma-informed responses and vital support.
Expect raw honesty, hard truths, and a glimmer of hope – proving that even in the darkest hours, change is possible.
After months of mystery, the “Phantom Bearskin” finally lifts the lid on his true identity. In this raw and unfiltered episode, Mike – ex-Grenadier Guard – shares his journey from the parade square to the front line, witnessing the darkest sides of military life, the brutal cost of integrity at a court martial, and his battles with PTSD, suicide attempts, and recovery.
Recorded at the Red Lion in Cricklade, this is a powerful conversation about loyalty, betrayal, survival, and the long road back. Expect brutal honesty, gallows humour, and hard-earned lessons that every veteran, squaddie, and supporter needs to hear.
https://www.theredlioncricklade.co.uk/
👉 If you’ve ever wondered what happens when the uniform comes off but the scars remain, this episode delivers the truth – uncut and unforgettable.
In this episode of The Muster Point Podcast: Beyond the Wire, Stu Mendelson sits down with Chad Maskell – a man who’s lived more lives than a squaddie’s had brews. Surviving Deepcut Barracks, thrown out by the Army with no duty of care, facing homelessness, betrayal, and a string of knockbacks that would flatten most – Chad’s story is one of grit, resilience and getting back up, every single time.
From RLC soldier to car salesman, banker, close protection in Afghanistan, Middle East logistics, lorry driver, labourer and more, Chad’s journey has been a rollercoaster of highs and brutal lows. Today, he’s channelled that experience into building solutions through Veteran Housing Group, tackling homelessness, mental health, employment and the broken system that too often fails our Armed Forces community.
Expect no-nonsense honesty, gallows humour, and hard-earned wisdom as Chad shares how he turned his own battles into a mission to change lives – and why the system needs lived experience at the helm.
👉 Whether you’re a veteran, a family member, or someone who wants to understand the fight behind the headlines – this episode pulls no punches.
#TheMusterPoint #BeyondTheWire #VeteranHousing #MilitaryPodcast #Veterans
It’s Day 2 at the At Ease Festival and the sore heads are in full parade. 🍻 From veterans’ banter over brews to the wives’ choir belting out tunes that could march a regiment into battle, the camaraderie is alive and kicking.
Stu and Steve are joined by a very special guest – Sleachy himself – bringing stories, laughs, and a healthy dose of squaddie mischief. Expect raw honesty, parade square humour, and the kind of community spirit you only get when veterans rally together under the same tent.
👉 Whether you’re a veteran, family member, or just love a bit of military banter, this episode is packed with music, laughs, and plenty of “you had to be there” moments.
🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & Podbean.
#TheMusterPoint #AtEaseFestival #Veterans #MilitaryPodcast #ForcesBanter
The Muster Point Podcast from the At Ease Festival! 🎪 On this Friday night special, Stu and Steve fire up the mics under the festival lights to set the tone for a weekend of music, laughter and military camaraderie.
Expect raw veteran stories, unfiltered forces banter, and a proper warm-up for the weekend ahead. From life in and after the military to the humour that keeps us all marching on, nothing is off-limits.
👉 Whether you’re a veteran, serving, family or civilian supporter, join us for the Friday night kick-off that brings the community together — pint in one hand, mic in the other.
🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts.....
#AtEaseFestival #Veterans #MilitaryPodcast #TheMusterPoint
From winning Best Recruit to drunken disgrace, we share your proudest and most shameful military moments. Forces news, Muckers remembered, and car park confessions from Steve. Featuring Models for Heroes & Fighting With Pride.
In this episode of The Muster Point Podcast, Stu and Steve dive into your proudest and most shameful moments in military life. From smashing it on parade to smashing pints and making a public mess, it’s all here.
We talk:
✅ Best Recruit pride and night-out disasters
✅ A new friendship with the Royal Artillery Association
✅ Steve’s new car park hobby (yes, really)
✅ Forces news, laughs, banter, and serious moments
✅ Shout outs to Models for Heroes and Fighting With Pride
✅ Listener voice notes, wild stories, and remembering our fallen Muckers
💥 Charities and organisations mentioned:
🔹 Models for Heroes – www.modelsforheroes.org.uk
🔹 Fighting With Pride – www.fightingwithpride.org.uk
🎙️ Get in touch and join the conversation:
📲 @themusterpointveterans on Facebook
📲 @themusterpoint on TikTok, X & YouTube
In this powerful episode of The Muster Point Podcast, we sit down with Rob Greaves — veteran of 25 years in the British Army, PTI, and founder of Armed Forces T-Shirt Day and the At Ease Festival. From the tank parks of Germany to the gym floors of Iraq, Rob’s journey is one of service, sweat, and starting again.
🎖️ Rob shares:
His early days in the Queen’s Own Hussars and transfer to the Army PT Corps
Deployments, rehab work, and why transition doesn’t always have to be traumatic
The origin story behind Armed Forces T-Shirt Day and why wearing your old unit tee could change lives
The creation of the At Ease Festival, a grassroots, veteran-led music and camping event that sold out in its second year
Whether you’re a veteran, still serving, or just someone who supports the Armed Forces community, this episode is a call to reconnect, wear your colours with pride, and get involved in something bigger than yourself.
🪖 At Ease Festival | 🎽 Armed Forces T-Shirt Day | 💬 Real talk. Forces banter. Lifesaving connections.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & Podbean
Follow us @themusterpoint
#Veterans #BritishArmy #ArmedForces #MilitaryPodcast #VeteranSupport #PTICorps #AtEaseFestival #ForcesLife #ArmedForcesDay #VeteranStories
From stag duty to surprise inspections, welcome to a proper day in the life of a British squaddie, where the banter’s savage, the boredom’s deadly, and the bullsh*t never ends.
In this no-holds-barred episode of The Muster Point Podcast, ex-forces hosts Stu Mendelson (Royal Engineers) and Steve Black (2RTR) take you through the highs, lows, and sheer weirdness of everyday military life. From Challenger 2 gunners to parade ground chaos, it’s all here, with brutal honesty and belly laughs.
🔥 Expect:
Tank life and tales from the turret
The mind-numbing beauty of military routine
Beasting sessions, brew breaks, and blagging
Civvy street vs squaddie mentality
Mental health, remembrance, and keeping your mates upright
Listener shoutouts, community updates & competitions
If you've ever ironed a pair of socks, this one's for you.
🎧 The Muster Point – where banter meets backbone and bullshit is just part of the briefing.
In this powerful episode of The Muster Point Podcast, we speak with Billy MacLeod MBE, veteran, charity founder, and unapologetic champion of veteran mental health and post-traumatic growth.
Billy joined the British Army at 16, serving with the Royal Engineers across Northern Ireland, Belize, and Germany. But after a career-ending knee injury and a turbulent transition to civilian life, Billy faced the same struggles many veterans do, anger, isolation, and undiagnosed PTSD.
What followed is nothing short of inspiring.
🎖️ In this episode, we cover:
Life in the Royal Engineers and the brutal brilliance of Army life
The raw reality of military transition—from purpose to pub fights
Why Billy walked out of Help for Heroes and built his own path
The birth of Veterans in Action (VIA)—a grassroots charity blending expeditions, Land Rover builds, and hands-on recovery
How post-traumatic growth became the guiding ethos of his work
His bold vision for a nationwide Veterans National Challenge to unite the armed forces community
This is essential listening for veterans, military families, charity workers, and anyone trying to understand the real challenges behind the headlines.
👊 Packed with military banter, brutal honesty, and a proper dash of dark humour—this episode proves that while PTSD might break you, purpose can rebuild you.
📲 Listen, subscribe, and share with your muckers.
#Veterans #PTSD #MilitaryPodcast #RoyalEngineers #VeteransInAction #MentalHealth #PostTraumaticGrowth #VeteransSupport #ArmedForces #CharityWork #MilitaryLife #CivvyStreet #VeteranStories #LandRovers #Expeditions #BritishArmy
In this emotional and inspiring episode of The Muster Point Podcast Beyond the Wire, Stu and Steve are joined by Nikki Scott, founder of Scotty’s Little Soldiers, the charity supporting children who have lost a parent who served in the British Armed Forces.
After the devastating loss of her husband, Cpl Lee Scott, Nikki set out to make sure no bereaved military child ever feels forgotten. From school support to special experiences, the charity has grown into a powerful force for good, built from lived experience, community strength, and a deep understanding of what loss truly means.
💥 Episode Highlights:
Nikki’s personal journey after Lee’s death in Afghanistan.
The mission and growth of Scotty’s Little Soldiers.
Supporting children through grief with long-term care.
How the military community can better rally around bereaved families.
The role of awareness, funding, and public support.
Real stories that show the impact of the charity's work.
Whether you're a veteran, a supporter of Armed Forces families, or just someone looking for hope after loss, this one hits deep.
👉 Subscribe, share, and connect with us @themusterpoint
🔗 Learn more about Scotty’s Little Soldiers: scottyslittlesoldiers.co.uk
In this episode of The Muster Point Podcast, Stu and Steve take a no-holds-barred march through the weird, wonderful, and downright mental traditions of British military life.
From sailors crossing the equator dressed as sea monsters, to tankies turning APCs into pirate ships, and Fusiliers biting bums as a rite of passage—this episode proves that discipline and dignity don’t always go hand-in-hand.
Expect:
✅ The truth behind regimental quirks and parade ground rituals
✅ Why tank crews wear black (and sometimes centre their berets like loons)
✅ The sticky horror of mixing beer and chocolate
✅ The story behind those salmon trousers and a very regrettable piercing
✅ What even the King must do when faced with a Victoria Cross holder
Plus:
✅ Voice notes from listeners on their favourite (and most disturbing) unit traditions
✅ Muckers Remembered – Honouring Lee Scott
✅ Bravo Zulu – Shoutout to Scotty’s Little Soldiers and Nikki Scott’s incredible legacy
Whether you served, suffered, or just enjoy stories of grown men pretending a tank is a pirate ship, this one’s for you.
👉 Send us your wildest traditions and join the banter:
@themusterpointveterans on Facebook | @themusterpoint on TikTok, X & YouTube
In this episode of The Muster Point Podcast, we’re joined by Kev Godlington - ex-Special Forces, Everest summiteer, and passionate veterans’ charity advocate, for a raw and real conversation about life beyond the wire.
From PTSD and mental health to altitude sickness and insults that leave a mark, Kev opens up about the challenges of military life, his work with Tickets for Troops and Scotty’s Little Soldiers, and the importance of unity within the veteran community.
🎙️ What we cover:
Kev’s journey from Special Forces to Everest
Military banter that could breach the Geneva Convention
The role of Sherpas and surviving extreme physical tests
Psychedelics and their growing role in PTSD treatment
Veterans' addiction, recovery, and finding new purpose
Why we need more than 70 staff for 2 million UK veterans
👉 Whether you're a veteran, serving, family member, or supporter — The Muster Point gives you real talk with honesty, humour and heart.
🎧 Available On:
YouTube: The Muster Point Podcast
Spotify: The Muster Point Podcast
Apple Podcasts: The Muster Point Podcast
Subscribe, share and leave a review!
👉 Follow us on social media:
#Veterans #BritishArmy #MilitaryBanter #MilitaryHumour #ArmyLife #MilitaryPodcast #VeteranSupport #MentalHealth #PTSD #AddictionRecovery #ForcesStories #MilitaryPranks #SquaddieLife #ServiceLeavers #BeyondTheWire #TheMusterPoint #MilitaryTikTok #PodcastClips #ViralPodcast #VeteransUK
In this powerful episode of Beyond the Wire, we sit down with Ger Fowler, veteran, survivor, and founder of Veterans in Crisis, to explore the raw realities of life after service. Ger opens up about the life-changing moment a terrorist attack shifted his entire outlook, the silent struggle of transitioning to civvy street, and the addiction battle that nearly claimed him.
He shares how the suicide of a close friend forced him to confront his own mental health, eventually leading to a PTSD diagnosis and how that diagnosis became the spark to build something extraordinary for others. From battling painkiller addiction to building a community lifeline for veterans in Sunderland, Ger breaks down the model that’s getting veterans off the streets, into housing, and back into life.
If you care about addiction recovery, mental health, homelessness, and real veteran-led change, this episode is a must-listen.
🪖 Key Topics Covered:
Trauma and transition after military service
PTSD, addiction, and the road to recovery
The suicide that changed everything
Veterans in Crisis: A grassroots model that works
The power of housing-first and community-led care
Why veteran services need to start listening to veterans
Ger’s offer to share his model nationwide
👉 Subscribe, share, and join the conversation as we shine a light on those making a real difference, on and Beyond the Wire.
🎧 Available On:
YouTube: The Muster Point Podcast
Spotify: The Muster Point Podcast
Apple Podcasts: The Muster Point Podcast
Subscribe, share and leave a review!
👉 Follow us on social media:
#Veterans #BritishArmy #MilitaryBanter #MilitaryHumour #ArmyLife #MilitaryPodcast #VeteranSupport #MentalHealth #PTSD #AddictionRecovery #ForcesStories #MilitaryPranks #SquaddieLife #ServiceLeavers #BeyondTheWire #TheMusterPoint #MilitaryTikTok #PodcastClips #ViralPodcast #VeteransUK
In this episode of The Muster Point Podcast, Stu and Steve explore the time-honoured tradition of military excuses, from dodging duties to blagging your way through an entire career. But it's not all piss-taking and parade ground flashbacks. The lads also reflect on their emotional trip to France, carrying standards and legacies alike, and share frustrations from recent run-ins with politicians over the state of veteran support in the UK.
Expect military banter, political beef, and a few choice words about how veterans are still being stitched up in 2025.
🪖 In this episode:
Legendary excuses from military life (and the art of not getting caught)
A powerful visit to Arras to honour the Royal Tank Regiment
Carrying the standard at a mucker’s funeral
Feeling like spare parts in Parliament—and why that needs to change
The real-life failures of veteran housing and employment support
Why cross-party cooperation is crucial for defence and veterans
Listener SITREPs and tales from Afghanistan
Writing, remembrance & mental health in the veteran community
BZ Shoutout Veterans in Crisis Sunderland
👉 Whether you're still serving, long since out, or just fascinated by squaddie logic—this one’s a mix of brutal truth and banter, with heart, humour, and a good bit of hell-raising honesty.
🎧 Available on:
YouTube: The Muster Point Podcast
Spotify: The Muster Point Podcast
Apple Podcasts: The Muster Point Podcast
👉 Follow us on social media:
X: @themusterpoint
TikTok: @themusterpoint
Facebook: @themusterpointveterans
LinkedIn: The Muster Point
🌐 Website: www.themusterpoint.org.uk
#MilitaryExcuses #VeteransUK #ForcesBanter #RoyalTankRegiment #MilitaryHumour #VeteranSupport #ArmedForcesCovenant #PTSD #MilitaryPodcast #BeyondTheWire #MilitaryMentalHealth #ServiceLeavers #TheMusterPoint #MilitaryTikTok
In this episode of The Muster Point Podcast, we dive into: Military Versus Cancer: how veterans support forces families battling cancer, raising awareness & providing vital support.
Join your hosts Stu Mendelson and Steve Black, both British Army veterans, as they share real-life stories, hilarious forces banter, and powerful conversations around life in and after the military.
🪖 In this episode:
Veteran mental health, submariner stories & life after service
Founding of Military Versus Cancer and its impact across the UK
Cancer support for military families: gaps, struggles, and success stories
Community fundraising, upcoming events & national recognition goals
How to support, volunteer, or refer someone in need
👉 Whether you're a veteran, serving, family member, or supporter — The Muster Point gives you real talk with honesty, humour and heart.
🎧 Available On:
YouTube: The Muster Point Podcast
Spotify: The Muster Point Podcast
Apple Podcasts: The Muster Point Podcast
Subscribe, share and leave a review!
👉 Follow us on social media:
#Veterans #BritishArmy #MilitaryBanter #MilitaryHumour #ArmyLife #MilitaryPodcast #VeteranSupport #MentalHealth #PTSD #AddictionRecovery #ForcesStories #MilitaryPranks #SquaddieLife #ServiceLeavers #BeyondTheWire #TheMusterPoint #MilitaryTikTok #PodcastClips #ViralPodcast #VeteransUK
🎙️ In this episode of The Muster Point Podcast, we dive into: D-Day special: British Army block life, banter, and veteran stories from the barracks to bunk beds.
Join your hosts Stu Mendelson and Steve Black, both British Army veterans, as they share real-life stories, hilarious forces banter, and powerful conversations around life in and after the military.
In This Military Podcast Episode:
What life in the block really looked like
D-Day: stories of courage and chaos from past to present
Why military friendships hit different and last longer than most marriages
The most legendary block-based banter you’ve ever heard
👉 Whether you're a veteran, serving, family member, or supporter — The Muster Point gives you real talk with honesty, humour and heart.
🎧 Available On:
YouTube: The Muster Point Podcast
Spotify: The Muster Point Podcast
Apple Podcasts: The Muster Point Podcast
Subscribe, share and leave a review!
👉 Follow us on social media:
#Veterans #BritishArmy #MilitaryBanter #MilitaryHumour #ArmyLife #MilitaryPodcast #VeteranSupport #MentalHealth #PTSD #AddictionRecovery #ForcesStories #MilitaryPranks #SquaddieLife #ServiceLeavers #BeyondTheWire #TheMusterPoint #MilitaryTikTok #PodcastClips #ViralPodcast #VeteransUK
🎙️ In this episode of The Muster Point Podcast, we dive into: Exploring veterans' mental health, match days, support networks, and how ex-forces overcome civilian life challenges.
Join your hosts Stu Mendelson and Steve Black, both British Army veterans, as they share real-life stories, hilarious forces banter, and powerful conversations around life in and after the military.
🎖 Topics Covered:
The impact of football on veterans’ mental health and wellbeing
Overcoming addiction and finding purpose after the military
Building a veteran-led community through the beautiful game
Challenges faced by ex-forces personnel after discharge
The importance of accessible mental health support for veterans
👉 Whether you're a veteran, serving, family member, or supporter — The Muster Point gives you real talk with honesty, humour and heart.
🎧 Available On:
YouTube: The Muster Point Podcast
Spotify: The Muster Point Podcast
Apple Podcasts: The Muster Point Podcast
Subscribe, share and leave a review!
👉 Follow us on social media:
#Veterans #BritishArmy #MilitaryBanter #MilitaryHumour #ArmyLife #MilitaryPodcast #VeteranSupport #MentalHealth #PTSD #AddictionRecovery #ForcesStories #MilitaryPranks #SquaddieLife #ServiceLeavers #BeyondTheWire #TheMusterPoint #MilitaryTikTok #PodcastClips #ViralPodcast #VeteransUK