In the Middle with Mike

Today's podcast is going to take on a slightly different format. I am going to have a discussion with a long-time friend and a retired US Air Force Colonel who served as a Vice Wing Commander, a flying Squadron Commander and is currently a major airline Captain. It will not be a “gotcha” type interview. It will be a respectful conversation on a topic we have slight disagreements on. We will discuss Policing in America and will include why an officer is always on guard, techniques to improve policing and how we can improve relations with the public to include training our young members of our society. Today's story time is about the friends you make in the military and the unmatched comradery and loyalty amongst us. This story is about a leader that directly affected my life when it counted and unexpectedly re-entered my life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's podcast is dedicated to Corporal Keith Heacook of the Delmar Police Department in Delaware. This episode will address Policing in America and possible solutions to mitigate adverse policing decisions. It will utilize examples from recent incidents and also a cinematic creation. This episode will further address training, cop resource management (CRM), de-escalation, time vs. no-time buckets and other recommendations. Many of these recommendations are presented from my military and aviation backgrounds. Today's story time is about interacting with citizens from my area of responsibility from when I was a police officer. This story specifically addresses serving the community despite any personal feelings for those involved.  Again, this episode is dedicated to Corporal Keith Heacook. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This special episode focuses on veteran's and the current Afghanistan situation. From 9/11 until the present, our veterans protected this country and we accomplished two vital tasks. We will explore what has been accomplished and place this situation into perspective. Today's story time is a night combat approach into Kandahar Airfield and the conditions we lived under. It was a strange place and this illustrates the bizarre circumstances that are encountered.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's podcast will address the serious topic of Policing in America. We address several perspectives including that of the police officer and from the public. We will also discuss qualities of a good officer, the thin blue line, the George Floyd case and possible mitigating solutions to policing issues. This discussion will upset people on both the left and right, and even some in the middle. The issues and incidents addressed are not black and white, but are firmly planted in the gray. Especially when dealing with this topic, one's perspective is definitely based upon their experiences. This issue is critical as it has a major impact on people's lives. Today's story time is a humorous tale from when I was a police officer and relates to the varied calls officers are dispatched to respond to. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's episode is focused on providing a common-sense point of view with respect to the Second Amendment. My goal is to provide an enjoyable experience while focusing on factual and useful information from a political and intellectual perspective. My unique perspective has been formed as a 25-year military officer and I served as a police officer between college graduation and active-duty Air Force. Furthermore, I enjoy target, trap and sporting clay shooting. In addition, I cherish the opportunity to bird hunt with my Labrador Retriever, Sadie! Today's story time is actually two interesting stories that directly relate to this this topic. The first one focuses on a civilian experience where I encountered an armed individual who almost made a life changing mistake. The next story is a second-hand account where the law prevented a tragic outcome.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's episode focuses on what “In the Middle with Mike” is all about. I discuss middle of the road politics and provide a brief historical background on how our country arrived at our current predicament. With respect to politics, do you find yourself in the middle? Do you feel ignored because you are not at the extremes? If so, you have found a home! Today's story time is a personal account of a 1996 C-5 mission to Sierra Leonne, which was mired in civil war, for a non-combatant evacuation operation in Liberia named Operation Assured Response.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices