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:
- 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