Retired SAS Operator Christian Craighead (Obi Wan Nairobi)

Published on February 5, 2023
Duration: 51:10

Retired SAS operator Christian Craighead, known as 'Obi Wan Nairobi', shares insights from his 28-year military career. He discusses his motivations, the influence of media, and his journey through the British Army, Pathfinder Platoon, and SAS selection. Craighead also offers critical advice on mental readiness, threat identification, and weapon proficiency for civilians facing active threats.

Quick Summary

Retired SAS operator Christian Craighead advises that in active threat situations, mental readiness and pre-deciding to use lethal force are crucial. He stresses subconscious weapon proficiency and physical fitness, noting the difficulty of threat identification in chaotic environments where attackers have a 'free range' advantage.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Christian Craighead & SAS Career
  2. 01:10Early Motivation: Becoming a Soldier
  3. 03:30Media Influences: Action Cinema & SAS
  4. 07:20Childhood Gear & Reading
  5. 11:00Joining the British Army & Junior Para
  6. 14:15Pathfinders & SAS Selection Process
  7. 17:45Tactical Advice: Active Shooter Events
  8. 19:30Threat Identification in Chaos
  9. 21:15Weapon Proficiency & Fitness
  10. 23:00The Will to Survive & Final Advice

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Christian Craighead and what is his military background?

Christian Craighead is a retired British Army operator, famously known as 'Obi Wan Nairobi'. He served for 28 years, including extensive time in the elite 22nd Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment and the Pathfinder Platoon, seeing combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.

What advice does Christian Craighead give for active threat situations?

Craighead emphasizes mental readiness and pre-deciding to use lethal force if necessary. He highlights the difficulty of threat identification in chaos and stresses subconscious weapon proficiency and physical fitness for survival.

What inspired Christian Craighead to join the SAS?

His lifelong ambition was fueled by 1980s action movies like 'The Wild Geese' and 'First Blood', as well as reading about military figures like Anders Lassen. He joined the Army Cadets young and pursued a rigorous path through elite units.

Why is subconscious weapon proficiency important according to the SAS operator?

Like a pilot needs subconscious control of their aircraft, an operator needs subconscious weapon handling. This allows them to focus their mental energy on assessing the complex, chaotic environment and making critical decisions, rather than on the mechanics of shooting.

Related News

All News →

More General Videos You Might Like

More from Garand Thumb

View all →