#100 | Robin Horsfall | The Most Famous SAS Mission Of All Time?
Apr 29, 2024
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Former SAS soldier Robin Horsfall discusses his military career, including the famous Iranian Embassy Siege. He shares lessons on resilience, adapting to civilian life, and dealing with high-pressure situations. Reflect on military challenges, personal growth, and facing failure with courage.
Military upbringing influenced Robin's career choice and provided structure.
Facing real-life challenges in childhood fostered independence and resilience.
SAS selection process involved perseverance, rigorous training, and operational complexity.
Deep dives
Personal Background and Military Journey
At the age of 14, I volunteered to join the Army, starting with the Army Careers Information Office and eventually becoming part of the Parachute Regiment. Born into a military environment, living in military quarters and attending British forces schools in Germany, my upbringing influenced my decision to pursue a career in the military. Despite facing challenges, including truancy and family struggles, I found solace and purpose in the structured environment of the military.
Resilience and Character Development
Growing up without modern distractions like technology and facing real-life dangers and challenges, such as swimming in risky environments, shaped my resilience and character. Contrary to current parenting trends of overprotection and constant supervision, my childhood fostered independence and self-reliance. Encountering setbacks, facing bullies, and dealing with disappointments all contributed to developing a sense of responsibility and self-improvement.
Joining and Training with the Special Air Service (SAS)
After failing SAS selection initially due to physical and mental readiness issues, I persevered and succeeded on my second attempt. The rigorous training process involved intensive physical challenges, survival courses, and specialized skill development like becoming a paramedic. Deployed to Northern Ireland and being part of the prestigious SAS, I navigated complex political issues, critically analyzed historical conflicts, and honed my problem-solving abilities within high-stakes operational environments.
Mission Success: Operation Nimrod
The podcast episode recounts the successful mission Operation Nimrod, where the Special Air Service rescued hostages from the Iranian Embassy siege. The mission, lasting seven minutes, resulted in the deaths of five terrorists, capture of one, and rescue of 19 hostages. This operation's success significantly boosted morale, especially after the Americans' failed rescue attempt in Tehran previously.
Personal Growth through Writing
Robin Horseful discusses the cathartic experience of writing his autobiography 'Fighting Scared', which delves into his journey from a bullied youngster to a Special Forces soldier. Writing helped him reflect on emotions and memories, allowing for introspection. He emphasizes the benefits of trying new things, finding joy in activities, and focusing on personal growth rather than just monetary success.
In this episode, Fergus is joined by Robin Horsfall, former SAS soldier, bodyguard and author.
Robin has certainly lived an extraordinary life. He joined the military at 15 and then served in 2 Para in Northern Ireland. After multiple tours of Northern Ireland, he eventually joined the SAS and was part of one of the most famous hostage rescue missions in history - The Iranian Embassy Siege in 1980. After leaving the military, Robin went onto bodyguard for some of the wealthiest people in the world, start his own Karate school and gain an English Literature degree from the University of Surrey.
Robin shares his early childhood and what lead him to the military, his deployments with the Parachute Regiment, his time in the SAS, how he adapted to life outside of the military, many of the valuable lessons he has learned along the way, and much much more…
Expect to reflect on how you deal with failure and discomfort.
Expect to learn how to deal with high pressured situations.
Expect to better understand the challenges of military life.
