Across 24 years in the infantry—from Northern Ireland to Iraq, and five tours in Afghanistan—Steve Armon learned to lead where it counts: under pressure, with people who need you to get it right. Steve walks us through the real journey from private to regimental sergeant major and the gritty lessons that stick. The result is a candid guide for young officers and NCOs who want to earn trust, fight well, and care for their teams without losing their edge. We dive into the hardest promotion jump (private to lance corporal), why teaching at Harrogate and Brecon makes you sharper, and what the Belize jungle revealed about Platoon Commanders’ Division: fit, hungry officers matched with aggressive, experienced seniors can be dynamite when aligned. Steve explains how respect for officers grew as he watched them go from interview to running a fighting organisation in 18 months, and why “nobody wants to see an officer fail” became a mantra. Operationally, we break down HERRICK 6: robust pre-deployment training, an unapologetic return-fire policy, and the art of spotting burnout before it breaks a good soldier. Steve’s RSM years focused on output, not optics—from an “ally parade” that surfaced field-ready kit choices to quiet conversations that fixed morale faster than any memo. We talk bayonets and close combat reality, the last 100 metres belonging to infantry leaders, and the power of explaining the why so soldiers own the plan, not just the orders. Steve closes with six distilled leadership lessons: don’t let perfect kill good; study concepts together; never turn down a beer or a brew when someone needs to talk; lead without isolation; protect, celebrate, and support your people; and remember it’s not what you’ve done, it’s what you do next. If you’re an aspiring officer, a new platoon commander, or an NCO sharpening your craft, this conversation gives you clear, field-tested ways to lead with humility, aggression, and care. Enjoyed the conversation? Subscribe, share with a mate, and leave a rating—then tell us which lesson you’ll put into practice first.
