PHILISTINE
A Professional Soldier in Africa
Making a Mark Volume 1

Mark Griffiths was born in 1956 at RAF Abingdon, the son of a Group Captain. He grew up immersed in a military environment on RAF bases, with a childhood defined by travel and character-building experiences that shaped his future career.

Educated at Radley College, Mark’s passion for service became real when he enlisted in Her Majesty’s Forces. Serving in the 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment, he passed selection to the elite Pathfinder Company, completing multiple tours that included active service in Northern Ireland (NIPG), Malaya, and Berlin. His time with the Pathfinders, which included earning his wings and completing courses across NATO countries, solidified his reputation as an expert in reconnaissance and special operations.

Mark’s military career took him to some of the world’s most volatile regions. He gained invaluable experience in Israel and Lebanon before commanding a militia unit in the Eastern Highlands of Rhodesia during the Bush War. His career continued with the South African Defence Force (SADF) as part of 44 Parachute Brigade Pathfinders, where he engaged in covert operations across Africa. In the late 1980s, Mark worked as a military advisor to the Colombian government, contributing to efforts to combat the Colombian Drug Wars. His military career culminated in two contracts in Afghanistan, where he served as a military advisor and later as a team leader.

Mark went on to found and lead the tactical training facility SWAT National Firearms Centre in Southern Africa for 15 years, contributing to the development of advanced training techniques for military and law enforcement. Now retired from active service, he is narrating his memoirs, offering a firsthand account of his experiences in some of the world’s most intense conflict zones.