Overview
Our guest on this podcast, due out Thursday 17 August 23, is Ryan Yates a former soldier from 4/73 (Sphinx) Special OP Battery the British Army’s long range surveillance, recce and patrols unit. On this episode we discuss Ryan’s time in the military from passing the STA patrol’s selection course in time for his 18th birthday to completing two tours of Afghanistan and his post military career as a security contractor working in hostile environments.
He also tells us how he provides much-needed aid to war-torn Ukraine including vital body armour and medical supplies. Ryan recounts witnessing both the desperation of refugees and the incongruity of luxury cars amidst the chaos. This encounter led to a deeper realization about the complex realities of war and the resilience of those affected by it.
Ryan then details how his own struggles with PTSD led him to create Veterans’ Army to assist former service people by providing a resource for veterans all over the UK.
Aid To Ukraine
In this part we delve further into his aid provision and how he manages to navigate the complexities of a conflict zone whilst dealing with the troubling scenes of a war torn country . Crowdfunding efforts, donations and collaborations with various organizations have been instrumental in sourcing and delivering these life-saving resources.
The conflict in Ukraine has left millions displaced, with widespread destruction and a lack of infrastructure and resources. We talk about the harrowing consequences that vulnerable populations, especially children and young adults, face long after the fighting subsides. Ryan emphasizes the urgent need for organizations to provide assistance and trauma training to aid in the recovery process
Navigating PTSD & Veterans’ Army
Most of the guests we have on the pod suffer from PTSD or mental health issues and Ryan is no different. He opens up about his personal struggles with PTSD, the difficulties he faced in seeking help and the lingering stigma surrounding mental health in the military that compelled him to initially rely on the National Health Service (NHS) for treatment rather than service charities.
During the start of his recovery a number of Ryan’s colleagues committed suicide following their own troubles with mental health challenges. This prompted him to go much more public with his recovery, in the hope that other people suffering with similar issues would see it and reach out for support.
He began taking therapy sessions as part of an effort to put more energy into overcoming his demons and took to Instagram to show a real-time perspective of his recovery. Today, through Veteran’s Army, he takes this a step further by providing a safe haven for veterans all over the UK and a place where they can learn about life after service and how to navigate through it in a positive manner.
This episode will be available wherever you get your podcasts from.
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