What does it take to become one of the best soldiers in the world? In this episode, we sit down with a former SAS soldier who takes us inside the grueling selection process, the reality of war, and how he built a new life after the military.
From Baghdad firefights and dodging mortar attacks to surviving five days without food or sleep, this is an unfiltered look at the intensity of elite military life. He shares what it means to be Tier 1, how Australian SAS compares to US Marines, and the hardest lessons learned in 16.5 years of service.
We also dive into life after the army, the creation of Snake RnR, and essential survival skills—including how to handle Australia’s deadliest snakes.
Key topics in this episode:
• The brutal reality of SAS selection and survival training
• What really happens on deployment in Iraq, East Timor, and Baghdad
• The truth about Australia’s SAS versus US Marines
• Life after war: starting a business and embracing new challenges
• First aid and survival tips—how to handle a venomous snake bite
Like, subscribe, and drop a comment. Could you survive SAS selection?
YouTube Episode Timeline – SAS Veteran Interview
Links:
Snake R&R Training: https://www.snakernr.com/
Bob Cooper Survival: https://www.bobcoopersurvival.com/
Brian Bush's Homepage: https://wa-snakes.com/
A venomous snakebite: https://wa-snakes.com/~bush/Bush_2018_Snakebite_ASP110218.pdf
Introduction
⏳ 00:00 – Introduction & Teaser
Early Life & Joining the Army
⏳ 02:17 – Life & The Times
• Growing up in Norseman, Gingin, Mt Helena, Wiluna.
• Early schooling, the red dirt life, and moving to Kununurra.
⏳ 04:45 – Joining the Army
• Always wanting to enlist.
• Nearly finished school but went through Army interviews and made it in.
• Basic training at Kapooka near Wagga Wagga, followed by advanced soldier training.
Army Career & Deployments
⏳ 06:45 – First Posting: Townsville
• The biggest lesson: The team is everything.
• 16.5 years of service.
• Joined in 2005, things started to kick off in 2006.
⏳ 08:00 – First Deployments
• Missions in East Timor, Fiji, Tonga, and Baghdad.
⏳ 11:10 – Baghdad & Combat Experiences
• What soldiers are told before deployment.
• Gathering intel before receiving official government briefings.
• Winning Hearts & Minds – understanding different cultures and their impact on the mission.
• Baghdad deployment: skirmishes, surviving mortar and rocket fire.
War & Special Operations
⏳ 15:09 – Combat Realities
• Supporting allied nations and maintaining international control.
• Coping with mortar barrages and the loss of life.
• 42 rounds fired at the Australian embassy.
⏳ 19:19 – Deployments & SAS Selection
• Multiple 6-month tours in Iraq.
• Working up the ranks and being selected for SAS.
• How does Australian SAS compare to US Marines?
• What it means to be Tier 1 Special Forces.
• Being the worst person in the best unit.
• Working with the best professionals in the world.
SAS Selection & Achievements
⏳ 25:22 – Hardest Part of SAS Selection
• Failure is necessary – you have to lose to understand what makes a win better.
• Drive, determination, and tenacity breed great soldiers.
⏳ 29:00 – Top Achievement: SAS Selection
• Making it through selection – failing the first attempt but learning from mistakes.
• Second attempt:
• 5 days with no food, extreme exhaustion, and sleep deprivation.
Post-Army Life & Snake RnR
⏳ 31:59 – Advice for Joining the Australian Armed Forces
• Join because you want to, not because someone tells you to.
• Mates first, country second.
• It’s not just about blowing stuff up and shooting rockets.
⏳ 34:02 – Life After the Army & Starting Snake RnR
• 5-month road trip around Australia.
• Starting Snake RnR in 2011/2012 after being mentored by Bob Cooper.
• Outback survival training, education, and building a passion for snakes.
• Selling the business in 2023, evolving, and commercialising projects.
⏳ 38:10 – Brian Bush & Snake Bites
• Mulga snakes have the highest venom yield in the world.
• Making the right call – stay calm, don’t drive, and seek medical attention.
First Aid & Survival Skills
⏳ 46:12 – Essential First Aid Lessons
• 6 P’s – Prior Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance.
• Always carry a sat phone.
• Keep a snake bite bandage in your kit.
• No one in Australia has died from a snake bite when the correct first aid was applied.