The Crisis Room From Marine to Minister: Al Carns exclusive
Nov 21, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Al Carns, a decorated former Royal Marine turned UK Minister for the Armed Forces, shares his journey from military service to politics. He dives into the challenges of modern defence policy, including the need to protect veterans from unfair prosecutions and the importance of increasing defence spending. Carns also discusses the implications of the Ukraine conflict and the integration of technology in military operations. With candid insights, he emphasizes the necessity for societal resilience and improved recruitment processes.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Rapid Transition Into Politics
- Al Carns left the military three days after deciding to run for Parliament and quickly transitioned to civilian public service.
- He credits frontline service for broadening his empathy and understanding of British society.
Failing Forward On The Commando Course
- Al Carns failed the commando physical test first time, then trained hard and passed on his next attempt.
- He treated failure as a signal to prepare better and never accept defeat passively.
High‑Low Mix Is The Future Of Warfare
- Ukraine is accelerating changes in the character of conflict, forcing integration of high-end platforms with low-cost autonomous systems.
- Carns warns we must learn correct lessons from Ukraine while building long-term fifth/sixth-generation capabilities.