“I worked too hard for this to quit.” In this episode, we speak with Army veteran Mr. Ladell Williams. We discuss how enlisting at 17 may have saved his life, his three tours in Vietnam, touring Western Europe, and how sometimes a unit is SO bad that you’ll volunteer to go back to ‘Nam to get away. In the Free Fire Area, we each choose one genre of music to listen to for eternity.
“I really didn’t expect to come back to my wife and kids.” In this episode, we speak with Airman Mr. Dan “Cookie” Cook. We discuss his rocky early years and struggles with mental health, how the Air Force was a perfect fit for him, the importance of faith in his life, and the time he took advice from a mustachioed man called “Mouse.” In the Free Fire Area, Dan has a pumpkin spice meltdown.
“I was with my people.” In this episode, we speak with Navy Public Affairs Officer Mrs. Theresa Carpenter. We discuss her time as an enlisted Aviation Electrician’s Mate, her rocky transition to becoming an officer, the inspiration for starting her SOS Podcast, and Soylent Green? In the Free Fire Area, we discuss family-friendly Halloween/spooky movies (Know what I mean, Vern?). Then we parse how in space, no one can hear your scream. Game over, man!
“You're too much of an asset to let go.” In this episode, we speak with former Army heavy equipment operator, Mr. Lucas Velmer. We discuss life as a Yooper, his career as an Engineer before and after changing to Civil Affairs, his rocky transition into retirement, and how the Top Gun volleyball scene made him the man he is today. In the Free Fire Area, Czar Baker decides which US state should be cast into the outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.
“If you can fly in one thing, you can jump in the other one.” In this episode, we speak with Army veteran and aviator Mr. Josh Martin. We discuss life at West Point, how to conduct an autorotation, his medical journey leading to an amputation, and how water polo saved him from drill and ceremony. In the Free Fire Area, we determine which words to reintroduce into the English language… and Roger’s personal jihad?
“He took me to an air show, and that day I called a recruiter.” In this episode, we speak with Air Force veteran and in-flight refueler Mrs. Alecia Judd. We discuss life as a dual-military and special needs family, the easiest planes to refuel, a rabbit named Stewie, and... cooties? In the Free Fire Area, we discuss warfare in antiquity.
“Nope… pretty sure I’ve been shot.” In this episode, we speak with Army Ranger and Special Forces veteran Mr. Enrique “Ranger Rick” Murillo. We discuss life in both Ranger and Special Forces Regiments, what’s its like to be shot, how tragedy can lead to redemption, and to never touch Rick’s hat (even if you’re a prince). In the Free Fire Area, we discuss which Olympic events we would scrap and what would replace them.
Seven generations of military service and counting! In this episode, we speak with Navy Logistics Specialist (LS) veteran Mrs. Shae Gragg. We discuss her rich family history, the rigors of being a logistician in a naval aviation unit, that LS (surprisingly) does not stand for longshoreman, and... rabbits? In the Free Fire Area, we try to make sense of the wardrobe choices of superheroes.
“Your entire life is a story.” In this episode, we speak with Army Special Operations Forces and Civil Affairs veteran Mrs. Ivy Krueger. She went from making maps to making a strategic impact. We discuss the early days in the new Active Duty Civil Affairs units, how living overseas gives one an appreciation for life in America, and the abundance of goats and chickens in Latin America. In the Free Fire Area, we disagree on the best sports movies, but agree that Denzel Washington is a national treasure.
“Everything happens for a reason.” In this episode, we speak with former paratrooper and author Mr. Will Yeske. He is a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and wrote about his company’s harrowing experience in his book Damn the Valley. We discuss the book, why veteran-focused bureaucracies need more combat veterans, and how the US Army Infantry School is a “fun slice of ridiculousness.” In the Free Fire Area, we discuss the pros and cons of some modern technologies.
“The whole nine yards.” In this episode, we speak with Marine Corps veteran Mr. Mike “M2” McCusker. He is a veteran of the Lebanese Civil War peace keeping mission, Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and he played a critical role in writing the strategic documents of the early Global War on Terror. In the Free Fire Area, Roger confesses his favorite ice cream flavor is boring.
Join the Air Force and see the world! In this episode, we speak with Gen-X Air Force veteran Mr. John Collins. We discuss why he joined, dooby-ous care packages, his service during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and the importance of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). In the Free Fire Area, we finally decide who was the best - and worst - 007.
On this Memorial Day edition, we honor Gold Star Spouse Mrs. Jessica Hess and her late husband, US Army Staff Sergeant Jacob Hess. We thank her for sharing her story and hope everyone learns something. “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” - Isaiah 6:8
Here at TB, we tackle the serious issues: Do you call them Coast Guardsmen? Coast Guardians? Can they all swim? What is the street value of cocaine? And most importantly, what is the Coast Guard? Helping us answer these questions is Millennial serviceman Mr. Cody Bumpus. In the Free Fire Area, we reach common ground on the best pizza topping, what should never go on pizza, and that Canadian bacon is not really bacon.
Do you have purpose and direction? On our fourth episode, we talk with Mr. Sid Byrne, a Gen-X Soldier who served as an infantry paratrooper and crossed over into the officer corps as a Special Operations logistician. In the Free Fire Area, we discuss being flies on-the-wall at pivotal (or whimsical) times in history.
Weapons away! On our third episode, we talk with Mr. Charles "Digger" Davis, a Gen-X fighter pilot who served in the Balkans and Iraq. In the Free Fire Area, Dan demonstrates a shameful lack of knowledge on America's longest running sitcom. D’oh!
Corpsman up! On our second episode, we talk with Mr. Bill Vurnakes, a Navy Corpsman who served in Vietnam. In the Free Fire Area, we discuss the Die Hard movies. Yippie kay yay!
In our inaugural episode, we have a discussion with Roger's father-in-law about his time as a Green Beret in Vietnam. In the Free Fire Area, we discuss what we're currently reading.
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