#48 - Simon Jones - From Timor to Afghanistan: Lessons from the Frontline

2 Worlds Collide Podcast

In this powerful episode of the 2 Worlds Collide Podcast, I sit down with Simon Jones — a former Australian soldier who served in some of the most intense operations of our modern military history.

From East Timor and the Solomon Islands to the frontlines of Afghanistan, Simon shares what life was really like on deployment. In 2010, while attached to 2nd Commando Regiment, he was deployed to Uruzgan Province during one of the war’s most volatile periods — including the Black Hawk crash that killed three Australian soldiers.

This is a raw, honest, and unfiltered conversation about combat, mindset, and living with the weight of war.

We cover:

Simon’s early days with 2RAR
Rotations to East Timor and the Solomon Islands
Special operations deployment to Afghanistan with 2CDO
The impact of the Black Hawk tragedy
His brother’s 2012 Afghan deployment
Transitioning out and the post-military reality

🧠 KEY THEMES:
Combat mindset, war stories, loss in service, PTSD, special operations, veteran transition, Australian Defence Force history

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🎖️ About Simon Jones
Simon Jones is a former Australian Army soldier with operational deployments to East Timor, the Solomon Islands, and Afghanistan. During his 2010 rotation with 2nd Commando Regiment, he witnessed one of the most tragic moments of the war. His insights offer a rare glimpse into service, sacrifice, and the long road home.

Simon Jones, Australian Army, 2CDO, Black Hawk crash, Afghanistan war, military veteran, East Timor, Solomon Islands, veteran stories, PTSD, special forces, war podcast, combat leadership, veteran transition, military mindset