PODCAST: Warrior culture, special operations and private military companies, with Trevor Fortner

Joint-capabilities
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By: Robyn Tongol

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Trevor Fortner, a former US Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialist, Blackwater PMC contractor and current EverydaySpy consultant.

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Trevor Fortner, a former US Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialist, Blackwater PMC contractor and current EverydaySpy consultant.

Fortner has formerly served as a US Navy EOD master training specialist and operated alongside Tier 1 units, including SEAL Team Six and Delta Force.

He previously led Blackwater’s ambassador protection detail, served as a tactical commander for the US ambassador’s diplomatic security service protection detail in Iraq, trained personnel with the United Arab Emirates Presidential Guard and Iraqi counter-terrorism units.

 
 

He now works as a principal engineer and test architect at Raytheon Missiles & Defense.

During the podcast, the pair discuss the modern battlefield and future warfare topics, including the following:

  • An insight into the world of Navy EOD and the unique demands of elite special operations training.
  • The intelligence, preparation and leadership required for high-risk capture missions, such as the recent US actions in Venezuela.
  • Public misconceptions surrounding private military contractors and how the industry has evolved since Iraq and Afghanistan.
  • The military strategy shift towards network-centric warfare, artificial intelligence-enabled decision making and industrial resilience.
  • The US military’s renewed focus on standards, accountability and the resurgence of “warrior culture”.

The pair close out the discussion with a rapid-fire round of questions relating to Fortner’s military training experience.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team




Defence Connect undertook the above podcast with cooperation from online digital learning platform EverydaySpy. For more information about EverydaySpy, visit the following links.

Find your Spy Superpower: https://yt.everydayspy.com/4aXS3qi
Explore Spy School: https://everydayspy.com/
Listen to the podcast: https://youtube.com/@EverydaySpyPodcast
Learn from a CIA Spy: https://youtube.com/@Andrew-Bustamante

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Listen to previous episodes of the Defence Connect podcast:

Episode 11: SPOTLIGHT: LAND 156, counter-drone warfare and electronic warfare capability, with Department 13’s Ben Westgarth
Episode 10: PODCAST: Australia’s first 3D printed autonomous USV, with Josh Wigley and Harry Hubbert
Episode 9: PODCAST: Australia’s shipbuilding future, landing craft pipeline and autonomous vessels, with Austal CEO Paddy Gregg
Episode 8: CONTESTED GROUND: Assessing the fallout and implications of the latest Trump–Xi meeting for Iran, Taiwan and Australia
Episode 7: PODCAST: Missile manufacturing, Collins LOTE upgrades and submarine base east
Episode 6: PODCAST: Aerobatics, military aviation and Australian air shows, with Paul Bennet
Episode 5: CONTESTED GROUND: Australia and the West must ask themselves new questions in the face of the modern world, with Robbin Laird
Episode 4: PODCAST: Black Hawk capability, B-21 bomber debate, and upcoming budget
Episode 3: PODCAST: Supermarine Spitfire, warbird aviation and modern aerial innovation, with Keith Russell
Episode 2: PODCAST: Bushmaster PMV funding, long-range strike expansion and cyber defence