I’m Phil and I am the Editor of Aspects of War.
This is a project I have been procrastinating about for some time, and have finally done something and started to develop my ideas and commence publishing articles and soon podcasts/YouTube videos. The aim is to look at warfare from different aspects, covering different wars that mankind has been fighting since, well, thousands of years ago. I will write and talk about my understanding of various wars, and will discuss with fellow veterans, journalists, historians, academics, and anyone who can offer insights into war.
So how can I talk about Aspects of War? What is my background and my experiences that can give my readers/listeners/viewers assurance I do know at least a little bit about the thing I will discuss whatever the medium.
I joined the British Army in 1990, serving twelve years in the Intelligence Corps and then eight years in the Medical Corps (RAMC). During my time in the military I completed a degree with the Open University, studying mostly History modules with a couple of Social Science modules too. Since leaving the Army I completed an MSc and now work in health and social care.
I joined Veterans for Peace in 2012 and, until the closing in 2022, served as Chair and National Coordinator for about four years.
The wars I have been involved in during my military career are Northern Ireland ‘Troubles’, the civil wars in the former Yugoslavia, Sierra Leone, and the invasion and occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. I’ve deployed on operations and exercises to other areas too.
Does being directly involved in war or operations give me a stronger or more authoritative voice? In my opinion no. Whilst on the ground experience is a tremendously important aspect of war, many times we can only see the bigger picture when looking at all sources, and often we only see things with the benefit of history and time between the war and analysis.
H-Hour Podcast with Hugh Kier
I was on Episode 54 of Hugh’s podcast, recorded in the beautiful Warwickshire countryside in May 2019.