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: CONTESTED GROUND: Australia’s sovereign capability reckoning – why the system is no longer fit for purpose
Episode 10: PODCAST: Defence export ambitions, drone technology and defence manufacturing hubs
Episode 9: PODCAST: Offshore manufacturing, defence procurement and industrial resilience, with Philippe Odouard and David McLaughlin
Episode 8: SPOTLIGHT: Cyber warfare, autonomy and the future of defence, with Palo Alto Networks’ Tom Scully and MAJGEN (Ret’d) John Davis
Episode 7: CONTESTED GROUND: Fortune favours the bold – building a national security strategy for the 21st century, with Marc Ablong
Episode 6: PODCAST: Developing Australia’s ability to take a hit and keep fighting, with the honourable Andrew Hastie MP, shadow minister for industry and sovereign capability
Episode 5: PODCAST: AUKUS expansion, artillery manufacturing and Australia’s regional defence role
Episode 4: SPOTLIGHT: Building mass, capability and trust with autonomous and uncrewed systems, with Michael Mitchell, Elysium EPL director
Episode 3: PODCAST: Defence policy, domestic manufacturing and military culture, with Senator Malcolm Roberts
Episode 2: SPOTLIGHT: LAND 156, counter-drone warfare and electronic warfare capability, with Department 13’s Ben Westgarth