Former member of the elite 22 Special Air Service unit, Christian Craighead, discusses his heroic actions in saving over 700 lives during a terrorist attack in Nairobi, Kenya. The podcast covers his military career, blowback from the British Government, faith, purpose, and the SAS motto 'Who Dares Wins'.
Christian Craighead's strong desire to join the military from a young age led him to overcome doubt and pursue a career in the parachute regiment.
Movies like 'The Wild Geese' and 'Who Dares Wins' shaped Christian's perception of being a soldier and inspired his passion for joining the military.
Christian found purpose and fulfillment in the intense training and physicality of the Junior Parachute Regiment, despite others questioning his ability to succeed.
The SAS selection process focuses on physical fitness, quick assimilation of information, teamwork, and decision-making under pressure, with a success rate of around 5%.
Leadership focusing on political approval rather than supporting military operations can lead to the erosion of skill sets and experience within special forces units.
Deep dives
Motivation to join the military
Christian had a strong desire to join the army from a young age. He didn't enjoy his childhood and was waiting to grow up and join the military. He had a specific interest in the parachute regiment and was determined to join despite others doubting his ability. He passed the entrance test with flying colors and started training at the age of 16.
Influence of movies and media
Movies like 'The Wild Geese' and 'Who Dares Wins' inspired Christian's desire to join the military. He was drawn to the idea of being a warrior and looked up to action movie stars like Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Their movies fueled his passion and shaped his view of what it meant to be a soldier.
Junior Parachute Regiment
Christian joined the Junior Parachute Regiment, or Junior Power, at the age of 16 to pursue his dream of becoming an elite paratrooper. The intense training and brutal physicality of the program shaped him into a warrior and fueled his desire to excel in the military. He found purpose and fulfillment in the rigors of the training, even as others doubted his ability to succeed.
Experience in the SAS
The speaker had a lifelong desire to join the SAS since a young age and finally pursued it after joining the army. The selection process is challenging and focuses on physical fitness and the ability to quickly assimilate information. The culture during selection is serious and evaluative rather than welcoming or harsh. The SAS and SBS selection process is the same, and individuals are assigned to the appropriate unit based on their preference and background. The SAS has a success rate of around 5% for selection, and the numbers vary in each course. The speaker emphasizes the importance of preparation, teamwork, and quick decision-making during operational experiences. The SAS and SBS are part of the same tier one special forces umbrella and have similar capabilities, with some differences in supportive training after selection.
Recruitment and Culture
Recruitment is done through volunteer applications, and individuals go through pre-courses before starting the selection process. The SAS looks for individuals who are physically fit, mentally sharp, and capable of working well with others. The culture during selection is focused on evaluation rather than actively welcoming or treating candidates poorly. The speaker highlights the need to quickly assimilate information, make decisions under pressure, and work effectively within a team. While there may be variations in specific procedures or processes, the overall goal is to select qualified individuals who can perform in high-stress combat situations.
Changes and Challenges
The speaker acknowledges that recruitment numbers in special operations generally have seen declines, potentially due to various factors such as political climate or shifting priorities. The loss of experienced individuals and lack of support from political leaders can contribute to demoralization within special forces units. It is noted that leadership focusing on political approval rather than supporting military operations can lead to the erosion of skill sets and experience. This loss of corporate knowledge and skills can have implications for future military operations.
Summary of Main Ideas 1
Chris Craighead reflects on his experience in the Special Air Service (SAS) and expresses disappointment with the way veterans are treated by the British government and certain leadership members.
Summary of Main Ideas 2
Chris Craighead shares his story of the 2019 terrorist attack in Nairobi, Kenya, where he saved approximately 700 civilians. He discusses the emotional and physical toll the incident had on him and describes a mysterious encounter with a man who may have delivered a divine message.
The author recounts their experience meeting President Trump in the Oval Office
The author describes their visit to the White House and meeting with President Trump in the Oval Office. They recall the President thanking them for saving American lives and having a pleasant conversation. The author reflects on the significance of the President taking the time to show gratitude and the mixed reactions they received from the British government.
The author discusses the inspiration behind their children's book and future plans
The author explains how the idea for their children's book, 'The Wrong Wolf,' came to them while listening to a podcast. They highlight the message of the book, which involves themes of fitting in, standing up for what is right, and the power of change. The author also mentions their plans to start a YouTube channel, collaborate with various organizations, and launch an e-commerce shop for their merchandise.
Christian Craighead is a former member of the United Kingdom's elite 22 Special Air Service unit. Craighead is credited with saving over 700 lives of innocent civilians when he thwarted a terrorist attack at the DusitD2 Hotel complex in Nairobi, Kenya in 2019. He was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for his actions. 21 people lost their lives in the attack, both American and British civilians among them.
This episode covers Christian Craighead's entire life story. "Obi Wan Nairobi" joined the Parachute Regiment as a teenager and was selected for the Pathfinder Platoon. He served on multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Shawn & Christian discuss the blowback from the British Government and the outstanding "gag order" by the Ministry of Defence. Shawn & Christian also dive into faith, purpose, and break down the SAS motto "Who Dares Wins."
