Across 24 years in the infantry—from Northern Ireland to Iraq, and five tours in Afghanistan—Steve Armon learned to lead where it counts: under pressure, with people who need you to get it right. Steve walks us through the real journey from private to regimental sergeant major and the gritty lessons that stick. The result is a candid guide for young officers and NCOs who want to earn trust, fight well, and care for their teams without losing their edge.

We dive into the hardest promotion jump (private to lance corporal), why teaching at Harrogate and Brecon makes you sharper, and what the Belize jungle revealed about Platoon Commanders’ Division: fit, hungry officers matched with aggressive, experienced seniors can be dynamite when aligned. Steve explains how respect for officers grew as he watched them go from interview to running a fighting organisation in 18 months, and why “nobody wants to see an officer fail” became a mantra.

Operationally, we break down HERRICK 6: robust pre-deployment training, an unapologetic return-fire policy, and the art of spotting burnout before it breaks a good soldier. Steve’s RSM years focused on output, not optics—from an “ally parade” that surfaced field-ready kit choices to quiet conversations that fixed morale faster than any memo. We talk bayonets and close combat reality, the last 100 metres belonging to infantry leaders, and the power of explaining the why so soldiers own the plan, not just the orders.

Steve closes with six distilled leadership lessons: don’t let perfect kill good; study concepts together; never turn down a beer or a brew when someone needs to talk; lead without isolation; protect, celebrate, and support your people; and remember it’s not what you’ve done, it’s what you do next. If you’re an aspiring officer, a new platoon commander, or an NCO sharpening your craft, this conversation gives you clear, field-tested ways to lead with humility, aggression, and care.

Enjoyed the conversation? Subscribe, share with a mate, and leave a rating—then tell us which lesson you’ll put into practice first.

Former Army Commando Officer & Minister for Veterans Affairs Johnny Mercer joins me for an honest, unfiltered conversation about war, leadership, and what really shapes you as a young officer.
From passing the Commando Course to surviving Taliban contact after being split from his patrol, this episode goes deep into the reality of soldiering.

We discuss:

• Why Johnny joined the British Army
• Completing the Commando Course
• Deploying on three operational tours of Afghanistan
• Facing the Taliban in close combat
• The moment he was cut off from his patrol and relying on a gunship to survive
• Losing soldiers, leadership pressure, and the cost of command
• Why he went into politics and fought for veterans
• The moral component of leadership, humility, and standards
• His message for the next generation of officers and soldiers

Whether you're preparing for AOSB, heading to Sandhurst, or simply interested in military leadership, this is one of the most powerful and insightful episodes we’ve recorded.

🎙️ About the Podcast

Lessons in Leadership explores what it really takes to lead — in the military, in training, and in life. Featuring soldiers, officers, veterans, and leaders with real experience on the ground.

Connect with Dan (The Army Bloke)

Instagram: @thearmybloke
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YouTube: The Army Bloke
LinkedIn: Dan Russell

In this episode, I sit down with Sam Perrin — former Infantry Platoon Commander and later a Special Forces Officer — to break down the reality of leadership, officer training, and operating on the front line.

We cover everything future officers need to understand before AOSB, Sandhurst, or stepping into a platoon for the first time:

🔹 His AOSB experience and early leadership lessons
🔹 What Sandhurst really teaches (and what it doesn’t)
🔹 Life as a new Platoon Commander
🔹 Serving on Op HERRICK 6 – casualties, high-pressure leadership & fighting the Taliban
🔹 How to build trust with your soldiers
🔹 Passing Special Forces Selection
🔹 Sam’s advice to the next generation of Officers & anyone considering SF

If you’re preparing for AOSB, heading to Sandhurst, or simply want to understand what leadership really looks like in the British Army, this is a must-listen.

📌 Connect with me

Instagram: @thearmybloke
YouTube: The Army Bloke