Pathfinder Platoon
Operational military unitWikipedia
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Search complete. 5 mentions across 4 episodes found for "Pathfinder Platoon".
Sep 18, 2026
Michael BlevinsHOST
Fast forward to the desert first kind of like mission, the thing that you've been waiting to do, walk me through like the scenario and that whole situation.
Christian CraigheadGUEST
So at the time in the Pathfinder platoon, which is where I was serving, the OC was a big supporter of me and knew my abilities.
Christian CraigheadGUEST
And like, he was like, He knew my, he saw the potential in me.
Christian CraigheadGUEST
And so when we crossed the Iraqi border, I wasn't actually on a mission.
David BurnellHOST
He had spent virtually his entire adult life preparing for dangerous places.
David BurnellHOST
He had joined the British Army as a teenager, served in the Parachute Regiment, moved into the Pathfinder Platoon, and eventually earned a place in 22 Special Air Service, the SAS.
David BurnellHOST
By 2019, he had accumulated decades of military experience, including operational service in Iraq and Afghanistan, and years devoted to counterterrorism, hostage rescue, reconnaissance, and direct action.
David BurnellHOST
His publisher now describes a 28-year military career, with nearly 15 of those years associated with 22 SAS.
David BurnellHOST
He didn't accidentally end up in an elite military career.
David BurnellHOST
He chose a difficult road early and kept moving toward higher standards.
David BurnellHOST
After the Parachute Regiment came the Pathfinder Platoon, a reconnaissance element associated with Britain's Airborne Forces, eventually came United Kingdom Special Forces selection.
David BurnellHOST
A later British High Court case confirms something particularly important about that journey.
Christian CraigheadGUEST
So this is...
Christian CraigheadGUEST
So then we get to when the Pathfinder platoon, we're about to leave Aldershot in 1999.
Christian CraigheadGUEST
And the last, we're leaving on this, the Sunday or the Monday, and on the Sunday was, uh, Re- Remembrance Day, 14th of November, 1999, which is our Memorial Day.
Christian CraigheadGUEST
And he said, "Oh, it's, it's your last day in Aldershot.
Shawn RyanHOST
But I wanna start with an introduction.
Shawn RyanHOST
So Christian Craighead, you're a former British SAS operator who joined the military at age 16, served with a parachute regiment and pathfinder platoon, and went on to spend nearly 15 years with 22 SAS on high-risk operations around the world.
Shawn RyanHOST
In 2019, while training forces in Kenya, you responded to the Al-Shabaab terrorist attack at Nairobi's DusitD2 complex, helping lead over 700 civilians to safety in engaging the attackers, actions that later earned you the conspicu- the conspicu- actions that later earned you the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.
Shawn RyanHOST
Now with your, now with your memoir, One Man In, you're telling the full story of that day and the fight that followed.