Podcasts about Airman

Personal challenges have not dimmed the force that is Sam Gilman.A former Air Force Academy distance star, Sam came into the New Year with a blast, securing bronze at the USA Indoor Track & Field Championships in February with a time of 7:38.64 in the 3,000m.Sam followed that up with a 7:34.69 on March 2 at Boston University, a new PR for the distance. Sam has additional PRs of 13:15.58 in the 5k, 3:35.40 in the 1500m, 3:52.81 in the mile, and 1:52.50 in the 800m. Sam's impressive start to the New Year earned him a spot on Team USA for the USATF Indoor Championships in China; he clocked a 7:47.19, and was 0.1 seconds shy of a podium finish, claiming fourth in the 3,000m. Sam was a two-time All-American at Air Force; he finished 5th in the 2022 NCAA outdoor 5K championship and 6th in the 2021 NCAA XC Championship. He graduated in 2023, and is currently heading out to Utah to train with Grant Fisher and his well-respected coach, Mike Scannell. Sam went to Hilton Head High School in South Carolina, where he accounted for two state titles in the 1600m, and one in the 800m and 3200m. He also set a South Carolina state record in the mile with a time of 4:06.50. In today's conversation, Sam walks me through his time as a professional runner, his performance at World Indoors, getting accepted into WCAP, lessons from training with Grant Fisher, his ambitions for the future, and so much more.Tap into the Sam Gilman Special.  If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I'll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!S H O W  N O T E S-BUY MERCH BEFORE IT'S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

Show SummaryOn today's episode, we're featuring a conversation with Dr. Melita “Chepa” Rank, a member of the Húŋkpati Dakota Tribe and a dedicated social worker whose mission centers around holistic wellness and well-being within Tribal and Indigenous communities.Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health. About Today's GuestDr. Melita “Chepa” Rank, a member of the Hunkpati Dakota Tribe, is a dedicated social worker whose mission centers around holistic wellness and well-being within Tribal and Indigenous communities. Her work is driven by innovative practices aimed at tackling the significant challenges faced by our Tribal communities knowing our people are a vital resource and asset.  Dr. Rank's impactful work includes integrated systems for wellness with the emphasize on cultural strengths as a pathway to wellness and well-being knowing our cultural traditions, customs, beliefs, and practices are the foundation to well-being and wellness. Dr. Rank champions the belief-as relatives we are the primary responders who are critical in providing the help where needed and lead the way in centering our well-being.    Recognizing the alarming rates of suicide in Indigenous nations, Dr. Rank works tirelessly on suicide prevention initiatives. Her efforts aim to provide support, resources, and hope.  Within Tribal nations, Dr. Rank advocates for services centered in physical, mental, and spiritual well-being that fosters a culture of overall wellness. A cornerstone value she holds at the forefront is utilizing a collective impact approach to improve health and utilization of data for programmatic decision-making.Dr. Rank journey in early foundational learning began in Head Start, an experience she proudly carries forward as a testament to the importance of early childhood education.  Her academic pathway includes: Doctor of Social Work -University of Southern California Master of Social Work -Florida State UniversityBachelor of Social Work-University of KansasAssociate of Arts-Haskell Indian Junior College As a dedicated professional, Dr. Rank serves as a National Trainer and is a certified trainer in Adverse Childhood Experiences along with various other prevention-based programs. She resides on the Hunkpati Nation, where she finds joy in raising her family, cherishing time spent with her grandchildren and family amid the beauty of her Tribal Nation.    Links Mentioned in this Episode Húŋkpati Oyáte Web SitePsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's resource of the week is a previous conversation about Native and Tribal veterans on the Behind the Mission podcast, episode 141 with Dean Dauphinais. Dean is a Marine Corps Veteran and Veteran, as well as an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, and is focused on supporting his fellow Native and Tribal veterans.  You can find the resource here:  https://psycharmor.org/podcast/dean-dauphinais Episode Partner: This week's episode is brought to you by Humana, a leading health and well-being company that has joined forces with PsychArmor to develop campaigns and courses that support veterans and their families in achieving their best health. To learn more about how Humana honors and serves veterans visit healthequity.humana.com/veterans” Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn today's episode, we're featuring a conversation with Denise Meine-Graham. Denise and her husband help communities develop Local Outreach to Suicide Survivor teams, or LOSS Teams, to provide support to others bereaved by suicide. Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health. About Today's GuestDenise Meine-Graham, a former corporate executive, turned her personal tragedy into a mission of hope after losing her son, Drey, to suicide in 2012. She founded LOSS Community Services in Columbus, Ohio, to provide support and healing to those bereaved by suicide. In 2022, she transitioned to the role of Director Emerita.That same year, Denise and her husband, Robbie, established Postvention Consulting LLC to help communities develop LOSS Teams and postvention programs nationwide. They also work at the state level to build postvention infrastructures and networks. In 2023, Postvention Consulting took on the responsibility—originally led by Dr. Frank Campbell—of expanding the LOSS Team active postvention model. LOSSteam.comWith a strong business background, Denise has developed a structured approach to launching LOSS Teams, contributed to nationally recognized media guidelines on suicide reporting, testified before state legislators on postvention-related policies, and frequently speaks on suicide postvention and her journey as a loss survivor.Denise has received multiple awards recognizing her achievements and collaborative leadership. She has extensive training in suicide prevention and has served as a QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Instructor, CALM (Counseling on Access to Lethal Means) trainer, and “How to Share Your Story” trainer. She is a Certified Thanatologist, a Certified Psychological Autopsy Investigator, and holds a Death and Grief Studies certification from the Center for Loss and Life Transition.Links Mentioned in this Episode Loss Team WebsitePsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's resource of the week is the PsychArmor course, Postvention: Healing After Suicide. Postvention is a term unfamiliar to many people, yet it is a critical component of suicide prevention. This course explains postvention, what it is and why it is important. You can find the resource here:  https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/postvention-healing-after-suicide Episode Partner: This week's episode is brought to you by Humana, a leading health and well-being company that has joined forces with PsychArmor to develop campaigns and courses that support veterans and their families in achieving their best health. To learn more about how Humana honors and serves veterans visit healthequity.humana.com/veterans” Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

In this episode of The Journeys of Not So Ordinary People Podcast, hosts Dr. Joe Hamlett and Dr. Dave Peltz "Investing In Others And Yourself" features a deeply personal and inspiring conversation with guest Josh White, a fourth-generation Airman who shares his journey through military service, personal struggles, and ultimate transformation. Josh candidly discusses the impact of mentorship, the emotional weight of his experiences, and how investing in himself led to his ability to invest in others. He reflects on the challenges of military life, including personal loss, mental health struggles, and unhealthy coping mechanisms, before reaching a turning point through sobriety, personal growth, and leadership roles like running military funeral honors. The discussion emphasizes the importance of recognizing struggles, seeking support, and embracing opportunities for growth, ultimately reinforcing that no one is alone in their journey and that helping others can be a path to healing.JONSOP https://jonsop.comjonsopdr2@gmail.com Joshua Whitehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/herofront/https://www.herofrontpodcast.com/Dr. Joe Hamlett ⁠dr.joehamlett@gmail.com⁠ http:/www.leading2changeconsulting.com ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjoehamlett/⁠ http:/www.leading2changeconsulting.com/linkinbio/ Dr. Dave Peltz ⁠PeltzCS@outlook.com⁠ ⁠https://www.PeltzConsultingServices.com/services⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-david-peltz-phd/⁠ https://tinyurl.com/DrDavePeltz Music intro & Outro provided by David T. Peltz, Owner of Peltz Tech Services, ⁠david@peltztech.com⁠ Copyright © 2024 - Journeys Of Not So Ordinary People, All Rights Reserved

In this powerful HeroFront episode, Chief Master Sergeant Jason Stone Weiss shares the raw truth behind real leadership in the military. From losing his hearing twice to serving with elite Special Operations teams, Chief Weiss reveals how rank is earned through trust, service, and sacrifice—not chased.Bottom Line: In this military podcast, Chief Jason Weiss reveals why defaulting to your training is more powerful than motivation. His Air Force leadership story will challenge what you think you know about rank, mentorship, and purpose. Explore veteran stories like never before on HeroFront — the podcast that gives service members a voice.Hear how he turned setbacks into strengthDiscover the philosophy behind “Default to your level of training”Learn why every Airman deserves to be heardWhether you're active duty, a veteran, or a leader in any field, this conversation will change how you think about purpose, mentorship, and resilience.Hosted by Josh WhiteFilmed at Eglin AFB, FL Medical Group⸻Chapters / Timestamps0:00 - Kadena Hearing Loss + Promotion Setbacks 10:24 - “Your Stripes Don't Belong to You”: Leadership Truths 14:28 - The Joy of Notifying a Promotion 18:04 - Mentorship From Combat Medic Chief Jason Robbins: Know the Regs 25:52 - From Special Ops to Senior Enlisted Leader 31:49 - Family, Fatherhood, and Finding Balance 35:22 - Parenting Wisdom: Just Love Your Kids 42:13 - Why Purpose Outranks Pain in Training (TCCC) 46:01 - “You Default to Training, Not Expectations” 54:31 - The Books That Changed His Life 1:07:17 - A Trying Time (Cliffhanger Moment) 1:18:25 - History's Boldest Young Military Leaders 1:20:22 - Civil War & Modern Decentralized Leadership 1:22:12 - AI & Adaptation in the Military Future 1:24:06 - Gratitude, Legacy, and a Leadership Salute ⸻Mentioned in this episode: • The Alchemist • The Daily Stoic • The Way of the Peaceful Warrior • National Defense Strategy • Real-world TCCC Training Insights⸻Don't forget to subscribe, like, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.#Leadership #SpecialOps #HeroFront #MilitaryPodcast #AirForce #JasonWeiss #ChiefWeiss #Resilience #PurposeDriven #VeteranVoices #TCCC #MilitaryMentorship #PodcastChapters⸻

Show SummaryOn today's episode, we're featuring a conversation with Chad Graham, Executive Director of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. The Congressional Medal of Honor Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Medal of Honor and its Recipients, inspiring Americans to live the values the Medal represents, and supporting Recipients as they connect with communities across America.Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health. Links Mentioned in this Episode Congressional Medal of Honor Society WebsitePsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's resource of the week is a video of a livestream event titled, "Breaking the Wall of Silence" - MoH Recipient Forum on Active Duty & Veteran Suicide. This video features a multi-generational panel of Congressional Medal of Honor recipients sharing their insight, experience, and perspective on key factors surrounding active duty and veteran suicide. You can find the resource here:  https://www.youtube.com/live/-_iIfzvYCFM?si=IyDoS4EmqiiXEqdF Episode Partner: This week's episode is brought to you by Humana, a leading health and well-being company that has joined forces with PsychArmor to develop campaigns and courses that support veterans and their families in achieving their best health. To learn more about how Humana honors and serves veterans visit healthequity.humana.com/veterans” Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act full Luis Valdes, Florida State Director for Gun Owners of America joins Second Amendment Radio! Marc & Bo talk Signal Messenger and we speak with Airman 1st Class William Heimberger about the Airman's Dorm Museum. 2309 Sat, 29 Mar 2025 21:00:00 +0000 L8pmaGnzFD4gsO3O7R98r5BHP4IvMVEM military,second amendment,outdoor,outdoor activities,sports,leisure,government Second Amendment Radio military,second amendment,outdoor,outdoor activities,sports,leisure,government Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act Each week 2nd Amendment Radio talks about anything and everything that impacts the rights and passions of today's firearm's enthusiats. Conceal carry laws, hunting, training, new products and celebrity interviews are all part of this power packed hour. 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. Sports Leisure Government False https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?feed-li

MDJ Script/ Top Stories for March 26th Publish Date:  March 26th    Commercial: MONSTER JAM 2025_FINAL From the BG Ad Group Studio, Welcome to the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast.    Today is Wednesday, March 26th and Happy Birthday to Diana Ross ***03.26.25 - BIRTHDAY – DIANA ROSS*** I’m Keith Ippolito and here are the stories Cobb is talking about, presented by Times Journal Lawmakers decide to ban cellphones in public elementary and middle schools Kennesaw Grand Prix 5K Series Returns For 2025 'We can't do our jobs': Some Cobb Servers Still Down After 'Unusual Activity' Spotted All of this and more is coming up on the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe!  BREAK: MONSTER JAM 2025_FINAL STORY 1: Lawmakers decide to ban cellphones in public elementary and middle schools Starting next fall, Georgia's "Distraction-Free Education Act" will ban personal cellphone use in public elementary and middle schools, following overwhelming legislative support. The bill, awaiting Governor Brian Kemp's signature, requires students to lock up devices during school hours, with exceptions for medical or disability-related needs. The move addresses concerns about technology's impact on children, echoing global trends like bans in Australia and France. Proponents argue the ban reduces distractions and improves student well-being, while critics worry about communication during emergencies. Discussions may extend the ban to high schools in the future, reflecting ongoing debates about technology's role in education. STORY 2: Kennesaw Grand Prix 5K Series Returns For 2025 The 2025 Kennesaw Grand Prix 5K series returns with four races on a fast, USATF-certified course through downtown Kennesaw and Swift-Cantrell Park. Part of the Fit City Kennesaw initiative, the series caters to competitive runners, beginners, and families, offering a festival-like atmosphere. Races start at Kennesaw First Baptist Church, with a one-mile fun run, 5K, and Tot Trot, followed by awards. The schedule includes races in April, June, September, and October, with early bird pricing and a custom gift for full-series registrants. Registration is open at raceroster.com, and more details are available at kennesawgrandprix.com. STORY 3: 'We can't do our jobs': Some Cobb Servers Still Down After 'Unusual Activity' Spotted Cobb County is grappling with server issues after detecting unusual activity, which officials hesitate to label as a "hack." Several servers were taken offline for maintenance, disrupting internet access, email, and online systems across county offices, including courts and police. Court filings and payments are being processed manually, and employees report limited communication about the situation. Superior Court Clerk Connie Taylor advised bringing hard copies for upcoming hearings, while electronic payments remain paused. Officials hope to restore all servers today, but the disruptions have significantly impacted daily operations. We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.799.6810 for more info.    Break: INGLES 1 STORY 4: Cobb Staff Wants 290 More Employees, $93 Million Boost in 2026 Budget Cobb County's proposed 2026 fiscal year budget includes a $92.7 million increase, largely driven by requests for 290 new full-time positions, down from last year’s 380. Key requests include 113 positions for the Sheriff’s Office as part of a $27 million budget and an $8.8 million increase for Cobb Police. Commissioner Keli Gambrill raised concerns about potential duplication of services. Public hearings on the budget and millage rate are scheduled for late June and July, with a final vote expected after the last hearing. Adjustments may be needed due to the 2025 MLB All-Star Game. STORY 5: KSU Assistant Professor Receives National Honor for Mentorship in Oncology Nursing Kennesaw State University assistant professor Chinomso Nwozichi has received the prestigious Connie Henke Yarbro Excellence in Cancer Nursing Mentorship Award from the Oncology Nursing Foundation. Honored for his dedication to mentoring future oncology nurses, Nwozichi has made significant contributions to cancer care and education globally. Since joining KSU in 2023, he has published extensively, mentored undergraduate researchers, and advanced oncology nursing education as president of the Oncology Nursing Society of Nigeria. His work emphasizes evidence-based care, leadership, and advocacy, earning him recognition as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. Break: MONSTER JAM 2025_FINAL STORY 6: Dobbins Names Kennesaw Mountain Senior Airman for a Day Kennesaw Mountain High School senior Joseph Owens, a former patient at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, was named Airman for a Day by the U.S. Air Force’s 700th Airlift Squadron. The event, part of a partnership with Children’s Healthcare, gave Joseph a hands-on experience at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, including fire rescue training, a mock traffic stop, and trying on pilot safety gear. Adopted from Uganda, Joseph overcame severe ear infections and hearing loss with years of treatment, culminating in restored hearing. Now planning to join the U.S. Marine Corps, Joseph said the experience motivates him for his future military career. STORY 7: Tommy Nobis Center Hosts 27th Annual Galaxy of Stars Luncheon The Tommy Nobis Center will host its 27th Annual Galaxy of Stars Luncheon on April 25 at the Cobb Energy Centre, celebrating individuals with disabilities and community leaders who support them. This year’s theme, "Empowered," underscores TNC’s mission to help individuals achieve their career goals. Honorees include Kim Menefee (Lifetime Achievement Award), Laura and Eric Hart (Community Champions Award), and Nolan Wilson (Rising Star Award). The event features an online auction starting April 4, with proceeds funding programs for youth and adults with disabilities. Cobb EMC Foundation is the Presenting Sponsor. Break: MONSTER JAM 2025_FINAL Signoff-   Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Marietta Daily Journal Podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast, the Marietta Daily Journal, or the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at www.mdjonline.com Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and telling great stories are what we do. Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Produced by the BG Podcast Network Show Sponsors: www.ingles-markets.com www.monsterjam.com/en-us #NewsPodcast #CurrentEvents #TopHeadlines #BreakingNews #PodcastDiscussion #PodcastNews #InDepthAnalysis #NewsAnalysis #PodcastTrending #WorldNews #LocalNews #GlobalNews #PodcastInsights #NewsBrief #PodcastUpdate #NewsRoundup #WeeklyNews #DailyNews #PodcastInterviews #HotTopics #PodcastOpinions #InvestigativeJournalism #BehindTheHeadlines #PodcastMedia #NewsStories #PodcastReports #JournalismMatters #PodcastPerspectives #NewsCommentary #PodcastListeners #NewsPodcastCommunity #NewsSource #PodcastCuration #WorldAffairs #PodcastUpdates #AudioNews #PodcastJournalism #EmergingStories #NewsFlash #PodcastConversations See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John "Paddy" Hemingway died this St. Patrick's day. Dublin born, and in Dublin he died, but he was in the news because he was the last surviving RAF pilot from the Battle of Britain during WWII.  I immediately thought of this Yeats poem, about a fatalistic Irish pilot during WWI who flew into battle having no love for the British Empire. His Wikipedia summary mentions nothing about his weighing of the enormous risks he took in RAF battles, but a recounting of the number of times he was shot down and got back to flying again makes me think he'd accepted his death as a probable result of his service. Fate had sport with him, he lived to be 105. In his honor then, I performed Yeats poem with music I wrote this week. The Parlando Project has done over 800 of these combinations over the years, using various words (mostly literary poetry) with music in different styles. You can hear any of them and read about our encounter with the words at our blog and archives, located at frankhudson.org

Show SummaryOn today's episode, we're featuring a conversation with John Decoteau, Vice President of Military and Campus Admissions at Universal Technical Institute, the nation's leading provider of training for aspiring auto, motorcycle, diesel, marine, collision repair, welding and CNC machining technicians. Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health. About Today's GuestJohn Decoteau is the Vice President of Military and Campus Admissions at Universal Technical Institute the nation's leading provider of training for aspiring auto, motorcycle, diesel, marine, collision repair, welding and CNC machining technicians.As Vice President Campus and Military Admissions, he has the honor of leading UTI's campus and military admission teams. He is responsible for helping adult and Veterans achieve their educational and career goals. He works with adult and veteran populations to assess their interests, goals and aptitudes, and, if they are fit with UTI, assists them in applying for school, funding their education and if necessary, relocating, finding part time jobs and getting off to a strong start.He joined UTI in 2009 and, in his second year, received the Top Leader 2010 award for his work on behalf of Veterans.Prior to joining UTI, Decoteau spent eight years in the banking industry. He served as a branch manager and became a Certified Residential Mortgage Specialist (CRMS), a designation by the National Association of Mortgage Brokers, which less than one percent of entire industry achieve.John Decoteau also served for seven years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He entered the Marine Corps in 1994 after graduating from high school, completed boot camp at Parris Island and received training at the Logistics and Embark School. He was awarded the Marine of the Year in both 1995 and 1996, meritoriously promoted to Sergeant in just his second year with the Corps. He participated in various deployments including Operation Joint Endeavor and Operation Silver Wake. In 1999, he re-enlisted for recruiting duty, won Rookie Recruiter of the Year and meritoriously promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant.John earned a Bachelor's Degree from Southern New Hampshire University. He currently resides in Lake Norman, North Carolina with his wife Robyn. Links Mentioned in this Episode Universal Technical InstituteUTI Military and Veteran ServicesPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's resource of the week is the PsychArmor course, Advising Military Students on Higher Education. In this course, we'll take a brief look at higher education options and transition information for military students whom you might advise. You can find the resource here:  https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/Advising-Military-Students-on-Higher-Education Episode Partner: This week's episode is brought to you by Humana, a leading health and well-being company that has joined forces with PsychArmor to develop campaigns and courses that support veterans and their families in achieving their best health. To learn more about how Humana honors and serves veterans visit healthequity.humana.com/veterans” Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Last time we spoke about the fall of Mandalay. Fierce battles raged over northern Luzon as General Clarkson's forces advanced, capturing key locations while Colonel Volckmann's guerrillas targeted enemy positions. The challenging terrain favored Japanese defenses, creating fierce resistance. Despite this, American troops steadily progressed, securing hills and towns. By mid-March, the 38th Division's relentless push led to significant Japanese losses. The brutal history of POW massacres fueled American resolve, leading to further victories in the region, American forces, led by Major-General Jens Doe were given the task of invading Palawan. Despite facing fortified defenses and rough terrain, the 41st Division advanced under artillery and air support. Meanwhile, in Burma, British-Indian forces clashed with the Japanese, capturing key positions and repelling assaults. As tensions rose in French Indochina, the Japanese executed a coup, disarming French forces and establishing puppet governments. The conflict intensified, reshaping the region's power dynamics. This episode is the Fall of Iwo Jima Welcome to the Pacific War Podcast Week by Week, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about world war two? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on world war two and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel you can find a few videos all the way from the Opium Wars of the 1800's until the end of the Pacific War in 1945.  Today we are picking up on Iwo Jima. By March 10, General Schmidt's Marine forces had finally breached the determined enemy defenses to reach the northeastern shore of the island. However, there were still some Japanese strongholds to eliminate in the central and southern areas. One of these was Cushman's Pocket, named after the commander of the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, and located around a devastated ridge overlooking the sea, which housed the stubborn resistance southwest of Hill 362C. The other stronghold, held by General Senda's remaining troops, was established on March 11 after General Cates initiated his final push southeast toward the sea. Consequently, while Colonel Wensinger's 23rd Marines advanced quickly to the coast, Colonel Lanigan's 25th Marines struggled to make headway, as they were quickly halted by intense rocket, mortar, and small-arms fire from Senda's pocket. Unbeknownst to the Americans, Senda had committed suicide on March 8 following the failure of his banzai counterattack, leaving the disorganized Japanese forces in the pocket without leadership. Meanwhile, General Rockey's 5th Marine Division had advanced all the way to General Kuribayashi's last line of defense in northern Iwo Jima, where the battered defenders were prepared to make their final stand. Following a 50-minute preparation involving air, naval, and artillery support on March 11, Colonel Liversedge's 28th Marines launched their attack on the left with three battalions in line, while Colonel Wornham's 27th Marines attacked on the right with four battalions. However, fierce resistance soon forced the combat to close quarters, resulting in the Marines advancing only a few yards—up to 50 yards—across the front. To the right, while the 21st Marines advanced northward to connect with the 5th Division, Colonel Kenyon's 9th Marines resumed their assaults on Cushman's Pocket. The 1st and 3rd Battalions effectively eliminated all resistance in the eastern sector, completely sealing off the area controlled by the Japanese. On March 12, these battalions launched an attack westward toward Cushman's Pocket, with Colonel Withers' 3rd Battalion serving as a holding force on the opposite flank. However, the Marines faced strong opposition and could only advance slowly against the camouflaged enemy positions. To the north, Rocky's units continued to face intense resistance, with Liversedge making no progress and Wornham achieving only minor advances. An intelligence officer with the 5th Division estimated that a minimum of 1,000 Japanese troops were defending the northern end of the island, and stated ". . . there is no shortage of manpower, weapons, or ammunition in the area the Japanese have left to defend." The entire northern tip of the island seemed to be honeycombed with caves and passageways. When a 500-pound bomb landed in the mouth of a cave near Kitano Pint, a big puff of smoke blew out the side of a cliff over 400 yards away, and another bomb landing in a cave entrance in the same area caused a ring of smoke and dust to come up through the ground for a radius of 200 yards around the point of impact. Meanwhile, to the south, the 25th Marines pressed eastward while Colonel Jordan's 3rd Battalion contained the pocket from the north. Supported by tanks, flamethrowers, bazookas, anti-tank grenades, and 60mm mortars, Lanigan's troops engaged in fierce combat with the heavily fortified Japanese forces in the pocket for four days. During this time, Jordan's 2nd Battalion cleared the beach road, allowing the Shermans to move behind the pocket. On March 13, as Withers' 3rd Battalion returned to the 21st Marines, Kenyon's 1st and 3rd Battalions continued their offensive from the east, making significant gains that reduced Cushman's Pocket to 250 yards. Meanwhile, following a successful water-borne reconnaissance of Kama and Kangoku Rocks the previous afternoon, an armored amphibian company landed on these islets without encountering any resistance. At the same time, Rocky's weary Marines maintained pressure on the ridge above the gorge, achieving only slight gains on the right. Fortunately, by March 14, it seemed that the slow, arduous progress of the past three days had enabled the 27th Marines to push through the last strong enemy positions along the northeastern side of the island. As a result, Liversedge was instructed to hold position while the 26th and 27th Marines advanced north and northwest against lighter resistance, successfully gaining up to 1,000 yards by March 15.After armored dozers hacked paths forward, tanks were able to lend support. The flame tanks were particularly effective during this phase and provided "the one weapon that caused the Japanese to leave their caves and rock crevices and run." Army planes flew the last air support missions of the operation on 14 March when five P-51's dropped fire bombs (gasoline and diesel oil mixture) and strafed in front of 3/27 from 1030 to 1100. From then on, the narrow confines of the area of operations prevented use of those planes that had performed so well in supporting ground troops. Artillery and destroyers continued to furnish limited support, firing a preparation for RCT 26 on 15 March and performing night harassing and illumination missions. Meanwhile, operations against Cushman's Pocket entered their final phase on March 14, when Kenyon's 1st and 3rd Battalions finally breached the last enemy defenses by nightfall and completed the cleanup of the pocket two days later. On March 15, Lanigan redirected the main focus of the attack on Senda's pocket to the south, ordering the two battalions in the center to engage aggressively, resulting in a gain of approximately 200 yards and a deep penetration into the left flank of the Japanese's strongest positions. During the night, enemy forces attempted to infiltrate Marine lines from the south, but each attempt was detected and thwarted. Lanigan launched his final assault on March 16, facing only small, isolated pockets of resistance that were quickly eliminated as his battalions advanced toward the beach road. That day, with organized resistance in the 3rd Division's area of operations coming to an end, the 21st Marines were deployed to relieve the 27th Marines on the right flank to continue the northwest attack. With strong naval and artillery support, Withers' 1st Battalion encountered light resistance in its sector on the right, while the 2nd Battalion faced tougher opposition from scattered enemy positions. Nevertheless, both battalions reached the coastline at Kitano Point by the afternoon and began mopping up. To the left, Colonel Graham's 26th Marines also advanced cautiously northwest, with tanks effectively neutralizing enemy positions as the Marines gained about 400 yards. Despite the presence of 500 determined enemy troops still resisting in the western section of Kitano Point and the draw to the southwest, Iwo Jima was officially declared secured by the end of the day. However, on March 17, the battle for the gorge commenced as the 26th Marines advanced under moderate rifle fire, reaching the northern coast before shifting their focus southwestward to confront the gorge in front of the 28th Marines. The gorge in which the last resisting Japanese were now cornered was rocky and steep-sided, approximately 700 yards long and between 200 and 500 yards wide. Rock outcrops cut this ravine into other minor draws that constituted major obstacles to all types of movement. The entire area was ideally suited to the type of last ditch defense the Japanese had adopted. All routes into the main gorge were swept by heavy and accurate fire from machine guns and rifles concealed in cave positions in the cliffs and outcrops. The plan for attacking this strong point called for the 28th Marines, with attached elements of the 5th Pioneer Battalion and Division Reconnaissance Company, to hold the southern rim along the steep cliffs, while the reinforced 26th Marines worked in from the north and east. For the next nine days exhausted Marines carried out a battle of attrition against the thoroughly entrenched enemy. Advances into the east end of the ravine were measured in yards as each cave had to be sealed off before further progress could be made. Flame-thrower tanks, armored bulldozers, and infantry combined operations to provide the power and teamwork necessary to penetrate the last stronghold. As they gradually pushed down the ravine, resistance concentrated around a large concrete structure built into a knoll near the eastern end. After two days of assaults that silenced the supporting positions, engineers used bulldozers to seal a door on the north side and then demolished the structure with five charges totaling 8,500 pounds of explosives. Nevertheless, the battle of attrition persisted, and it wasn't until the end of March 24 that the pocket was reduced to an area of about 50 by 50 yards at the northwest end of the draw. The following morning, units of the 28th Marines, which had taken full responsibility for the pocket, reached the coastal cliffs to finally eliminate the last remnants of resistance in the gorge. On March 20, the 147th Regiment, set to take over the defense of Iwo Jima, arrived from New Caledonia, and by March 24, it had relieved the 21st Marines to establish night ambushes and patrols. The Japanese defenders fought tenaciously until the very end, choosing death over surrender. However, Kuribayashi had one final assault planned. In the pre-dawn darkness of March 26, the final act of the tragedy was performed. Between 200 and 300 Japanese troops from Death Valley and other scattered positions on the west coast silently crept through the ravines of the 5th Division sector headed for a tented area between Airfield No. 2 and the sea occupied by a mixture of Seabees, Air Force personnel, Shore Parties and AA Gunners. Most of them were sleeping, secure in the knowledge that the battle was virtually over. In a coordinated three-pronged attack against unsuspecting Marines and Air Force ground crews, aiming to create maximum chaos and destruction. Kuribayashi and his men stealthily cut through tents, bayoneted sleeping soldiers, and threw hand grenades, resulting in the deaths of around 44 Airmen and 9 Marines. The noise soon alerted troops from the surrounding area, and Marines from a nearby Pioneer Battalion, african american troops from a Shore Party, and soldiers from the 147th Infantry joined battle in a frenzy of shooting, punching, kicking and stabbing. Once the initial surprise wore off, the defenders retaliated, engaging in a chaotic hand-to-hand combat until the 5th Pioneer Battalion quickly organized a defensive line and halted the attack. Dawn revealed the full extent of the carnage in the ruined encampment: 44 Airman and 9 Marines lay dead with a further 119 wounded; of the attackers 262 were killed and 18 captured. Lt Harry Martin of the 5th Pioneers had hurriedly organized a defense line during the attack and single-handedly killed four enemy machine gunners before dying himself. He was to be Iwo Jima's final Medal of Honor hero, bringing the total to an incredible 27.  The circumstances of General Kuribayashi's death have always been shrouded in mystery. Over the years various sources have suggested that he died in the fighting around Death Valley or that he killed himself in his HQ. According to General Kuribayashi's son, Taro: “It seems that it was after sunset on March 25 to the dawn of the 26th that surviving Imperial Japanese forces were obliged to stand still under the US onslaught and showering shells. Under such circumstances, he had his sword in his left hand and ordered the chief staff officer, Colonel Takaishi, who was beside him, 'Send snipers to shoot'. Sargent Oyama heard the order. Oyama, who was seriously wounded in the last combat, fell unconscious, was hospitalized by the US and after having served as a POW came back and testified the dreadful account of the night to me. My father had believed it shameful to have his body discovered by the enemy even after death, so he had previously asked his two soldiers to come along with him, one in front and the other behind, with a shovel in hand. In case of his death he had wanted them to bury his body there and then. It seems that my father and the soldiers were killed by shells, and he was buried at the foot of a tree in Chidori Village, along the beach near Osaka Mountain. Afterwards General Smith spent a whole day looking for his body to pay respect accordingly and to perform a burial, but in vain.” Following the destruction of this final force, the capture and occupation phase of the Iwo Jima operation was declared complete. Over 34 days of combat, approximately 18,000 Japanese soldiers were killed, and 216 were taken prisoner, while the American side suffered heavy losses: 6,821 killed, 19,217 wounded, and 137 tanks destroyed. On April 4, the 147th Regiment took over full responsibility for the ground defense of Iwo Jima as the Marines were departing the island. Throughout April and May, aggressive patrols and ambushes by infantrymen resulted in an additional 867 prisoners and 1,602 Japanese killed, with the Americans losing 15 killed and 144 wounded. Meanwhile, General LeMay's 21st Bomber Command continued its firebombing campaign against Japan. After the successful Tokyo Great Air Raid and a less effective attack on Nagoya, LeMay decided to send 301 B-29s on the afternoon of March 13 to strike Osaka. Despite having to use radar bombing due to cloud cover, American bombardiers achieved a denser and more uniform bombing pattern than the impressionistic methods employed in Nagoya. This resulted in the destruction of 8.1 square miles in the city's core, including commercial and industrial areas, and caused 13,129 civilian casualties, with the loss of 2 bombers and 13 others damaged. Keeping up the intensity of the firebombing campaign, LeMay dispatched 307 B-29s to attack Kobe on the night of March 16. They faced 314 enemy interceptors, which proved ineffective against the Superfortresses unleashing fire over the port. Consequently, the fire on March 17 spiraled out of control, obliterating the eastern half of the business district and devastating a significant industrial zone to the southeast, including the Kawasaki shipyards. Japanese statistics show that the destruction was appalling. About 500 industrial buildings were destroyed, 162 damaged. The loss of 65,951 houses left 242,468 persons homeless. Police reported 2,669 dead or missing and 11,289 injured. Although the destruction was devastating for the Japanese, LeMay was disheartened to find that only 2.9 square miles of the city had burned. To complete his campaign, LeMay sent 313 bombers back to Nagoya on the night of March 19, utilizing radar techniques to cover a large portion of the city. This resulted in the burning of 3 square miles, including the Nagoya arsenal, freight yards, and Aichi's engine works. With an average of 380 aircraft, the 21st Bomber Command conducted 1,595 sorties over 10 days, dropping a total of 9,365 tons of bombs. The results far exceeded expectations, as the B-29s left a trail of destruction across four major cities, decimating 32 square miles and destroying numerous critical targets. Thus, LeMay's strategy proved successful, leading to incendiary area bombing becoming standard practice in the future. The focus now shifts from the Central Pacific to the South Pacific, where we need to address the ongoing Australian operations in New Britain. Following the capture of Milim and Ea Ea in January, General Ramsay's 5th Division aimed to continue its limited advances to the north. To secure crossings over the Ip River and patrol towards Henry Reid Bay, the entire 6th Brigade began moving to the Kiep-Milim area on January 26, completing this relocation by February 11. Concurrently, the 14th/32nd Battalion had advanced beyond the Ip and was conducting patrols towards Kalai Plantation, where they faced enemy resistance. The 36th Battalion also moved forward to Mavelo Plantation, leading to retaliatory actions against the new Australian outpost at Baia. In response, Ramsay dispatched stronger patrols to the Sai River throughout February, successfully establishing a new defensive line along the Mavelo River by the month's end. Returning to Wide Bay, after a series of aggressive patrols and nighttime ambushes, the 14th/32nd Battalion managed to reach Kamandran Mission by mid-February. The Australians continued to advance, and by the end of the month, the 19th Battalion, which had replaced the 14th/32nd at Gogbulu Creek, secured crossings over the Mevelo River and patrolled east toward the Wulwut River. On March 3, Ramsay ordered the 6th Brigade to cross the Wulwut and capture the Waitavalo Ridge. Two days later, the 19th Battalion initiated the assault but struggled to push more than one company across the river due to fierce enemy resistance. On March 6, following an artillery bombardment, another company successfully crossed and quickly seized Cake Hill. The next day, Lone Tree Hill was taken following another round of artillery bombardment. By March 10, Moose Hill, Young's Hill, and Perry's Knoll had also been captured. In the days that followed, Australian artillery began to suppress enemy mortars as infantry moved toward Kath's Hill. By mid-March, the 14th/32nd Battalion replaced the 19th Battalion, and on March 16, the Australians resumed their offensive, facing fierce resistance but successfully encircling Bacon Hill. The assault continued the next day as the 14th/32nd fought to reach the summit of the hill. On 18th March the mortar fire was intensified from the few remaining enemy positions, and it seemed that the Japanese were firing off their ammunition while they could. The attack was resumed. When Corporal Martin's section was halted on the steep spur by fire from three posts he jumped up shouting, "They can't do that to me", and went on alone, firing posts, killing five, before he himself was hit. The decisive attack was launched through this foothold. By 3 p.m. all the Japanese had been cleared from Bacon Hill; and a patrol from Kath's, under Lieutenant Lamshed,3 penetrated to a knoll 800 yards to the east and found no enemy there. No Japanese now remained in the Waitavalo-Tol area. In the five days from the 16th to the 20th 4 officers and 53 others had been killed or wounded.  In the following days, patrols ventured deep into enemy territory but found few stragglers. On March 21, the 19th Battalion took over again and advanced toward the Bulus and Moondei Rivers. On March 28, Ramsay ordered the 13th Brigade to relieve the 6th Brigade, a transition that was completed by April 12. Following the capture of Waitavalo Ridge, there were four months of infantry patrolling and routine maintenance by other troops, with the 16th Battalion patrolling forward to Jammer Bay in this area. Additionally, looking west, a company from the 36th Battalion successfully landed north of the Sai on March 30 but could not proceed to the Matalaili River due to heavy rains. However, Japanese positions there were heavily bombarded by aircraft and the sloop Swan, prompting the defenders to withdraw to the Toriu River in April. Meanwhile, Brigadier King's 16th Brigade advanced to the Ninahau River by March 12, while Brigadier Moten's 17th Brigade continued its westward push through the Torricelli Mountains, aiming to capture the Japanese base at Maprik. Throughout March, the 2/7th Battalion executed several successful ambushes from their new bases at Ilahop, Balangabadabil, and Bombeta, while Hayforce advanced through Sinahau to the north of Utumugu and eastward to Tatimba. By early March, Moten had cleverly led the enemy to believe that the primary offensive would be launched by the 2/10th Commando Squadron from the north via Ami. As a result, the Japanese bolstered their forces in that area, successfully driving back Australian patrols from Chaulak, Gwanginan, and Wambak. On March 13, the commando outpost at Milak came under attack, with the Japanese gradually encircling the position in the following days but failing to overcome the defenders' steadfast resistance. Fortunately, by March 17, patrols had restored communication lines, and two days later, the enemy pressure finally subsided. During this time, smaller Japanese forces also targeted the commando outposts at Murak and Aupik, but the defenders managed to repel these attacks as well. However, as the 2/10th was completely exhausted, the 2/6th Battalion was dispatched to relieve the commandos in late March amid a new wave of Japanese assaults. Meanwhile, the 2/7th Battalion was engaged in assaults on the fortified enemy positions at Ilaheta, which fell on March 20. The Australians then turned their attention to the Aupik villages, successfully focusing their efforts on the west bank of the Ninab River by the end of March, coinciding with Hayforce's crossing of the Amuk River. In the following three days, the 2/7th Battalion cleared all opposition along the eastern side of the Ninab in preparation for the final push toward Maprik. Consequently, General Miyake's 78th Regiment was ultimately compelled to retreat toward Jamei. Looking further north, King decided to initiate his advance towards But. By mid-March, a company from the 2/2nd Battalion had crossed the Ninahau on March 14 and quickly moved through Bai and Ultan. Although the Australian advance faced a strong enemy position that delayed progress for two days, the 2/2nd ultimately broke through Manib Creek, catching the defenders off guard and swiftly capturing the But airfield on March 17. Following this, the Australians patrolled the foothills and the Old German Road towards the Dagua airfield, encountering minimal resistance. Consequently, on March 21, the 2/2nd advanced rapidly again, successfully taking Dagua while the 2/1st Battalion moved in to secure But. At this stage, Japanese resistance along the coast was light, as General Adachi had focused on the Maprik district, which could produce more food. With the main enemy forces now concentrated in the hills to the south, King directed the 2/2nd to clear the foothills south of Dagua and eliminate the enemy in the Tokoku Pass, while the 2/3rd Battalion launched a flanking attack in the Mabam River-Hamsuk-Yalaminuni area. The 2/2nd then patrolled deep towards Magahen and Wonginara Mission, facing strong resistance at the 1410 Feature. On March 24, they finally captured the feature, while another patrol reached Wonginara without encountering enemy forces. However, in the final days of March, the Australians struggled to advance against the strong resistance of the Japanese defenders on the Wonginara Track, although one patrol successfully probed towards Kauremerak Hill. On April 2, following intense air and artillery bombardments, the 2/2nd Battalion finally managed to break through to Tokoku Pass, which was secured the next day. Meanwhile, another patrol advanced south from Dagua to the Autogi-Walanduum area and then to the coast near Kofi. The 2/3rd Battalion moved south from Feature 1410 towards the Mabam River and Wonginara Mission, successfully eliminating a series of Japanese ridge positions by April 6. The 2/1st Battalion patrolled deep into the hills south and west of But, completely clearing the area by April 1 while also pushing eastward to capture Saburuman. Concurrently, the 2/3rd Machine-Gun Battalion advanced to the upper Ninahau, effectively clearing the region up to a north-south line about two miles beyond Muguluwela by the end of March. In early April, the machine-gunners successfully cleared the Marabus area and connected with the 2/1st Battalion. Finally, it was time to shift focus to Bougainville to continue covering the Australian offensives on the island. As previously noted, Brigadier Stevenson's 11th Brigade had secured the Tsimba Ridge area, while Brigadier Field's 7th Brigade was advancing south towards the Puriata River. The swift capture of Mosigetta and the unexpected secondary landing at Toko had already compelled the Japanese to retreat behind the river amid a command crisis. The Japanese policy of resisting the southward advance more strongly even if it entailed heavier casualties failed to impose the hoped-for delay of the Australians. Nevertheless the Japanese leaders considered that the 13th Regiment's "swift damaging hit-and-run tactics" were well executed. However, Mosigetta was at length abandoned and a withdrawal south of the Puriata ordered. The landing at Toko was unexpected and caused an acceleration of this withdrawal. There now occurred a major crisis in the Japanese command. The young reserve officers were highly critical of the conduct of the campaign and blamed the policies of the older professional officers for the constant reverses. This criticism became so outspoken that, in February, a number of the younger officers were relieved of their commands; perhaps partly as an outcome of this crisis, General Hyakutake suffered a paralysis of his left side. General Kanda took command of the 17th Army and Lieutenant-General Akinaga Tsutomu, Chief of Staff of the Army, succeeded him in command of the 6th Division. "This change of command was regarded favourably by the younger officers, but it soon became apparent that Kanda intended to pursue the same policy as Hyakutake. Kanda was a shrewd, hard, fussy little professional soldier of long experience. He was steeped in tradition and a ruthless commander, but even his bitterest critics admitted his capabilities. Akinaga… was a dyed in the wool militarist and a strict disciplinarian. Unused to an active command he was plunged into a situation which was a little out of his depth. One of his staff stated that he spent too much time doing a corporal's job in his forward battalions to be a good divisional commander." In late February, General Bridgeford's forces advanced toward the Puriata, facing only minor rearguard positions. The 25th Battalion captured Barara on February 22 and a five-acre garden two days later, while the 61st Battalion took control of another garden measuring 600 by 400 yards near the river on March 1. Meanwhile, the 2/8th Commando Squadron was sent to secure the Makapeka area, successfully taking Commando Ridge and a ford across the Makapeka River by March 5. With General Savige aiming to reach the Hari River next, Bridgeford promptly ordered the 7th Brigade to move to the Hongorai River line. As a result, Field planned to initiate his main advance on March 11, utilizing the 25th Battalion and the 2/8th Commando Squadron, while the 61st Battalion pushed forward toward Horinu. In response, Kanda dispatched the 23rd Regiment to bolster the 13th at the front, preparing both units for a full-scale counterattack should the Australians cross the Puriata, aiming to delay the enemy long enough to finalize preparations for a decisive battle along the Silibai-Porror Rivers. By March 5, the 25th Battalion had already crossed the river and swiftly captured Slater's Knoll, which soon came under enemy mortar fire. Patrols were sent ahead and found that the 13th Regiment was poised to fiercely contest the Australian advance. Although the northern flank of the 25th Battalion would be effectively contained along the Buin Road on March 11, two Australian companies managed to maneuver through Tokinotu to the south, reaching Hiru Hiru by the end of the day. One of these companies moved along the eastern side of the Buin Road toward Slater's Knoll, but from March 15 to 17, they faced a heavy counterattack that ultimately forced them to withdraw. In response, Field initiated a strong offensive along the Buin Road on March 19, managing to push the Japanese back to some rear positions. Following a significant air and artillery bombardment, the attack resumed on March 22, successfully overcoming all enemy resistance. Meanwhile, the commandos advanced to Nihero, where they began extensive patrols southward towards Unanai, Hari, and the Buin Road. During one of these patrols, they captured detailed orders for a large-scale Japanese offensive planned for early April. As a result, Bridegeford decided to pause his offensive and send the 15th Brigade along with a tank squadron to Toko to reinforce his perimeter. On March 28 and 29, before Akinaga's main assault, the Japanese conducted a series of raids on the Australian lines of communication and rear areas, all of which were successfully repelled by vigilant defenders. On March 30, the 13th Regiment launched several strong attacks against the 25th Battalion, all of which were costly for the attackers and repelled, while the armored squadron advanced toward Tokinotu. Just as the tanks reached the front, the Japanese initiated another wave of fierce attacks against the 25th Battalion on March 31, which were thankfully repelled with the support of the armored units. Consequently, on April 1, two companies advanced again, establishing a perimeter 1,000 yards south of Slater's Knoll. That evening, and for the following three days, Akinaga launched a series of raids to facilitate the arrival of the 23rd Regiment for a renewed assault. In the early hours of April 5, the Japanese began infiltrating the Australian perimeter, launching a vigorous two-pronged assault on Slater's Knoll later that morning. The 23rd Regiment attacked about 1,000 yards to the right of the 13th and north-east of it. The attack failed, Kawano was killed and the regiment withdrew south to the rear of the 13th. The 13th Regiment with 600 men made the main attack from north and east.  Until 6.20 a.m. wave after wave charged forward and was brought low. Some Japanese fell within four yards of the weapon-pits. The artillery sent over accurate defensive fire, registered the previous day. At dawn the surviving Japanese were heard digging in on dead ground. As the light became clearer, the Australians saw that "enemy dead lay, literally, in heaps in front of the wire", and bodies could be seen scattered over an area some 200 yards square. It was gruesome evidence of the efficient siting of weapons and choice of fields of fire in preparation for expected attack. The attackers were ordered to dig in until darkness and make full use of grenades and mortars. However, in the afternoon, tanks and artillery fire drove the Japanese from the positions they had gained, and the Japanese commander accepted defeat. All three battalion commanders in the 13th were killed. After Akinaga had reported his failure Kanda said to his Chief of Staff, Colonel Yoshiyuki Ejima: "It would not have happened if I had been in command. The enemy right flank was wide open. I would have severed his life line and controlled Toko. We could have delayed the enemy for three months."  Concurrently, around 100 Japanese troops attacked the two forward companies along the Buin Road but were similarly repelled with ease. Following the unsuccessful counteroffensive by Akinaga, Slater's Knoll received reinforcements while the remaining Japanese forces were being dealt with, resulting in 620 Japanese fatalities since March 28, compared to 189 Australian casualties. However, Bridgeford could not capitalize on this victory due to the prolonged supply line, which temporarily halted his offensive. As a result, while the 2/8th Commando Squadron moved forward along the Commando Road, the 13th Brigade began to relieve the battered 7th Brigade under Field on April 13. Meanwhile, in the northern sector of the 11th Brigade area, the 26th Battalion launched a significant advance northward on February 21, successfully overrunning the Lalum-Downs' Ridge area by March 8. Two companies then advanced further north to secure the crossing of the Nagam River. On March 13, another company landed near the southern edge of Soraken Plantation and quickly pushed the enemy back behind the Nagam. Australian patrols harassed the Japanese forces at Horseshoe Knoll until March 20, when they finally withdrew. Simultaneously, the 26th Battalion eliminated the remaining enemy positions at the Compton River and secured the Soraken Peninsula, while the Taiof and Saposa Islands were also captured off the coast. The next battalion to take over the forward positions was the 31st/51st Battalion. Perhaps the outstanding patrol leader in the 31st/51st was Lieutenant Reiter, who led out 3 patrols which killed 10 out of the 78 Japanese killed by this battalion's forays. One of these patrols was named by the battalion "the raid on Reiter's Ridge". Reiter and 15 men were given the task of harassing the Japanese occupying a prominent ridge just east of Sisivie and discovering their strength. They departed from Keenan's Ridge at 17:30 on March 27, bivouacked at a former artillery observation post and moved on at 03:00 next morning for a dawn attack. At 06:00 “the patrol moved in, and throwing grenades and firing LMG occupied a small knoll (its report stated). 2 Japanese were killed and 1 pillbox containing LMG destroyed. Patrol raced down narrow neck to a wide clearing in which several huts were sighted. Phosphorus and HE grenades were thrown. In a matter of seconds 4 more Japanese killed (2 in slit trenches, 1 as he ran and another while abluting). 2 were wounded by phosphorus grenades. 3 huts were blazing and 1 (considered to be an ammunition dump) blew up. Enemy opened up with one LMG and 15 rifles and patrol pulled out with 1 man wounded.” Instead of hastening them away Reiter assembled his men nearby in concealment and watched the enemy. At length Japanese began to move about again, and soon they were washing clothes, chopping wood and performing other tasks. There were from 25 to 30 enemy in the post. The Australians watched throughout the morning and at 12:30 opened fire with all their weapons. 2 Japanese were killed and 4 more huts set on fire. The enemy fired back, and at 01:15 Reiter withdrew his men and returned to Keenan's Ridge leaving an ambush on the enemy's track. The ambush party returned later and reported that it had seen no movement.  On the 29th, the day after Reiter's return, a platoon of the 1st New Guinea Infantry Battalion under Lieutenant Martin set out for Buritsiotorara along the Wakunai River. There they found three huts and a large garden with seven Japanese moving about unarmed. Throwing grenades and firing from the hip the native soldiers attacked and killed all seven. Three more who emerged from a hut were chased and killed. Three of the dead men were found to be lieutenants; three machine-guns were cap-tured. Next day at Aviang, 1,200 yards away, seven more Japanese were seen, of whom three including another lieutenant were killed and the others fled. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. The battle for Iwo Jima had come to a bitter end. The lessons learnt on Iwo Jima would become guidelines for the Battle of Okinawa in April and would influence allied plans for the invasion of the Japanese home islands. The war planners would later notably take into account that around a third of the troops committed to Iwo Jima, and later again at Okinawa, had been killed or wounded and that they could expect far more in Japan.

Show SummaryOn today's episode, we're featuring a conversation with Mary Bier, MBA, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC). MCEC's Mission is to ensure that every military-connected child has access to quality educational opportunities.Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health.  About Today's GuestMary Bier, MBA, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC). A seasoned leader with more than 20 years of experience in business strategy, organizational leadership, and community engagement, she brings a dynamic vision to MCEC's mission of ensuring every military-connected child has access to quality educational opportunities.As a military spouse and parent, Bier has firsthand insight into the unique challenges and strengths of military families. This lived experience fuels her passion for advocating for military-connected students, ensuring they receive the educational support and opportunities they deserve.Bier's professional background spans both the corporate and nonprofit sectors, where she has successfully led high-impact initiatives, built collaborative partnerships, and served as a subject matter expert on veteran and military family issues. She has been invited to the White House to share insights on military-connected programs, testified before the New York City Department of Veteran Affairs, and facilitated expert panels on military family well-being.Prior to joining MCEC, Bier held leadership roles in business strategy, customer success, and military initiatives, where she was instrumental in scaling operations, optimizing talent development, and fostering inclusive organizational cultures. Her ability to translate strategic goals into actionable outcomes has driven mission impact across multiple organizations.At MCEC, Bier is committed to expanding the organization's reach, deepening partnerships, and championing the needs of military-connected children. Under her leadership, MCEC will continue to be a trusted resource for families, educators, and policymakers dedicated to supporting military students on their educational journey.Bier holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on Management and Organizational Behavior and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from California Lutheran University.She resides with her family in Madison, Wisconsin.Links Mentioned in this Episode Military Child Education Coalition WebsiteHeroic Hearts ScholarshipCall for the Arts ScholarshipMonth of the Military Child ToolkitPurple Star National AdvocateStudent to Student ProgramPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's resource of the week is the PsychArmor course, Supporting Children Who Support Veterans. Although your children may be small now, we hope this course gives you some building blocks to address any parenting challenges you may encounter as your children mature. You can find the resource here:  https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/Supporting-Children-Who-Support-Veterans Episode Partner: This week's episode is brought to you by Humana, a leading health and well-being company that has joined forces with PsychArmor to develop campaigns and courses that support veterans and their families in achieving their best health. To learn more about how Humana honors and serves veterans visit healthequity.humana.com/veterans” Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn today's episode, we're featuring a conversation with Garra Lloyd – Lester, the Coordinator of the New York State Suicide Prevention Community and Coalition Initiatives for the Suicide Prevention Center of New York State (SPCNY, where we discuss the Worried About a Veteran Website.  Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health.  About Today's GuestGarra Lloyd-Lester is the Coordinator of the New York State Suicide Prevention Community and Coalition Initiatives for the Suicide Prevention Center of New York State (SPCNY). As Coordinator, he works with State and County partners, local governmental units, local coalitions, and other systems to build capacity to help reduce suicides across the lifespan. This work is accomplished through systems level planning, coalition building, program development and training among other activities. He facilitates the Lethal Means Safety workgroup as part of the Governors Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans and their Families (SMVF). He has previously facilitated a statewide steering committee to address suicide prevention among first responder disciplines and led the statewide taskforce to develop recommendations on addressing suicide prevention among rural communities in NYS. He has 40+ years of experience in the field of social services including working with the developmentally disabled, working in the child welfare system and within the mental health system.Links Mentioned in this Episode Worried About a Veteran WebsiteCarry the Round PartnershipPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's resource of the week is the PsychArmor course, course, Suicide Prevention and the Secure Storage of Firearms: Conversations for Everyone This course provides critical information for members of every community about the safe storage of firearms. When people are in crisis, honest conversations about accessibility to lethal means for suicide are vitally important. You can find the resource here:  https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/suicide-prevention-and-the-safe-storage-of-firearms-conversations-for-everyone Episode Partner: This week's episode is brought to you by Humana, a leading health and well-being company that has joined forces with PsychArmor to develop campaigns and courses that support veterans and their families in achieving their best health. To learn more about how Humana honors and serves veterans visit healthequity.humana.com/veterans” Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

dgutspodcast.com/docs-point-of-view dgutsapparel.com https://soundcloud.com/usailorwillis/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/dgutspodcast Facebook: Don't Give Up The Ship Podcast / Apparel Instagram: @dgutspodcast / @dgutsapparel Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DontGiveUpTheShipPodcast Email: docspovpodcast@gmail.com Store: dgutspodcast.com/shop Substack: https://dguts.substack.com Reddit: r/dgutspodcast u/dgutspodcast Discord: @dgutspodcast Doc's Point of View, Ep. 36 – Undesignated Airman to Hospital Corpsman Trey and Aaron are joined by Reggie, who just converted from AZ to HM. In this episode, the guys dive into Reggie's experience, from the start of his Navy journey to current day. Please enjoy! If you want to engage with Trey, you can email him at docspovpodcast@gmail.com. He would love to answer any questions or simply discuss what's on your mind. DISCLAIMER: The views expressed by the speaker and all guests are not those of the Department of Defense, United States Navy or any other government agency. They are strictly those of the speakers who do not speak for any other organization or entity. DISCLAIMER: The speaker(s) are NOT mental health professionals and do not intend any of the content of this podcast as mental health advice. If you need professional mental health advice, please seek out your closest military or civilian mental health providers immediately.

Show SummaryOn today's episode, we're featuring a conversation with Navy Spouse, Dr LeNaya Hezel, who serves as the Warrior Scholar Project's Chief Programs Officer, collaborating with education and military-connected partners to cultivate educational experiences that foster personal growth for any enlisted service members and veterans pursuing higher education and beyond. Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health.  About Today's GuestLeNaya Hezel serves as Warrior-Scholar Project's chief programs officer, collaborating with education and military-connected partners to cultivate educational experiences that foster personal growth for any enlisted service members and veterans pursuing higher education and beyond.LeNaya earned her doctorate in public sociology at George Mason University, researching how military-connected students accrue social and cultural capital in higher education. Before WSP, LeNaya served as the inaugural Veterans Office director at Georgetown University and a certifying official at George Washington University. She holds a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Maryland, College Park. LeNaya is a 2021 Veterans Leadership Program scholar with the George W. Bush Institute and a Pat Tillman Foundation scholar, but her most prized accomplishments include being a military spouse to a U.S. Navy officer and mother to three spirited children.Links Mentioned in this Episode Warrior Scholar Project WebsitePsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's resource of the week is the PsychArmor course, Understanding and Utilizing Your Educational Benefits. This course provides service members, Veterans and their families with a comprehensive overview of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs educational benefits program. You can find the resource here:  https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/Understanding-and-Utilizing-Your-Educational-Benefits Episode Partner: This week's episode is brought to you by Humana, a leading health and well-being company that has joined forces with PsychArmor to develop campaigns and courses that support veterans and their families in achieving their best health. To learn more about how Humana honors and serves veterans visit healthequity.humana.com/veterans” Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

In this episode, U.S. Air Force Col. Shaun Bowes, wing commander of the 169th Fighter Wing, sits down with key leaders to discuss critical updates and upcoming events for our unit. Col. Sean Renbarger, deputy commander of the 169th Fighter Wing, joins the conversation to break down the details of our upcoming exercise and what Airmen should expect. Senior Master Sgt. Tim Urch, safety superintendent, provides an important safety briefing regarding concerns at the front gate. Airman 1st Class Celina Armstrong, an intelligence analyst, delivers the latest intel update, keeping us informed on emerging threats and operational awareness. Lastly, Master Sgt. Justin Cayton, recruiting flight chief, shares exciting details about the upcoming Top Gun Drill Meet at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, highlighting the competition and our team's preparation. Stay tuned for these important updates and more!

Show SummaryOn today's episode, we're featuring a conversation with Navy Spouse Angie DeJarnette. The Founder and Executive Director of the STEPS Foundation: Spouse Transition Enrichment Program and Supports. The STEPS Foundation services the Special Operations Forces community with support and guidance for SOF spouses across the nation.  Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health.  About Today's GuestAngela DeJarnette, Founder & Executive Director, The STEPS FoundationAngela DeJarnette brings her unwavering commitment and personal experience to empower the spouses of Special Operations service members during their transition from military to civilian life. Having been married to Captain Tom DeJarnette for two decades, Angela intimately understands the unique challenges faced by military spouses throughout their journey. Her family's story includes enduring six deployments, ten relocations, and two overseas tours, residing in places such as Okinawa and Belgium.Angela's dedication to supporting and mentoring transitioning military spouses remains at the heart of The STEPS Foundation's mission, ensuring that every spouse finds the strength, resources, and community they need to thrive in their civilian life.Links Mentioned in this Episode The STEPS Foundation WebsitePsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's resource of the week is the PsychArmor course, What You Should Know about Transition. Transitioning from military service can be difficult. It is more than just hanging up your uniform and putting on civilian clothes. In this course, you will receive a brief overview of resources and tools to consider during your transition. You can find the resource here:  https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/What-you-Should-Know-about-Transition   Episode Partner: This week's episode is brought to you by J.B. Hunt, an industry leading transportation and logistics company offering hiring, training and resources for military veterans, active-duty service members, and military spouses. For more information, check out their military culture at jbhunt.jobs. Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn today's episode, we're featuring a conversation with Veteran Spouse Anna Larson, founder of MilSpouse Transition, where she provides guidance, resources, and support for military spouses transitioning out of active duty military life.   Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health.  About Today's GuestAnna Larson is the Founder of MilSpouse Transition.  In 2017, she left her job as Director of Programs and Marketing at a Fortune 500 company to focus on the needs gaps within the military spouse community. Through MilSpouse Transition, Anna provides expert guidance, resources, and support for military spouses transitioning out of active duty military life. While military spouses don't serve as active duty military members, nor do they claim to share identical lived experiences, they navigate deployments, temporary duty assignments, long work hours, PCS moves, sudden changes to schedules, triumphs, and challenges — all mirroring their servicemembers' but from a distinctly different perspective. Anna has created MilSpouse Transition as a model of community support and resources tailored to the military spouse's journey out of active duty life.As a military spouse, her family lived at duty stations in Europe, Africa, and the United States. Now, as a retired military family, they take every opportunity to be outdoors and experience all that life on the “other side” has to offer.   You can often find her camping, sitting in the sun with her nose in a book, or adventuring with her family somewhere in the world.Links Mentioned in this Episode MilSpouse Transition WebsiteAnna Larson on LinkedInPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's resource of the week is the PsychArmor course, course, Networking for Military Spouses. This course will help you define what networking means, demonstrate ways to incorporate social media into your networking task, and list tips for better networking results.You can find the resource here:  https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/Networking-for-Military-Spouses Episode Partner: This week's episode is brought to you by J.B. Hunt, an industry leading transportation and logistics company offering hiring, training and resources for military veterans, active-duty service members, and military spouses. For more information, check out their military culture at jbhunt.jobs. Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn today's episode, we're featuring a conversation with Veteran Spouse and Licensed Professional Counselor Tempa Sherill. We talk about both her work as a treatment provider as well mental health policy advocate.  Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health. About Today's GuestTempa Sherrill is the Senior Director for Strategy and Innovation at The Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, where she advances clinical practices for veterans, military, first responders, and adult populations. She is also the Founder and Owner of The Brave Fight, LLC, a trauma- and grief-informed group therapy practice in Fort Worth, Texas. Previously, she served as Chief Clinical Officer and Chief Operating Officer at One Tribe Foundation and founded Stay The Course Veteran Services.With a background in programming for veterans and families and an 18-year career in secondary education, Tempa brings deep expertise in behavioral health and education. A Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S), she holds a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Tarleton State University and a Master of Education Administration from Texas Wesleyan University.As a former paramedic and the spouse of a combat veteran and police officer, she understands firsthand the challenges faced by public servants and their families. She is powerfully aware of the trauma that family members endure and the importance of healing for the family. Tempa believes her work in behavioral health is a is a calling to empower others to overcome human struggles in order to live resilient lives.Links Mentioned in this Episode The Brave Fight LLCThe Meadows Mental Health Policy InstituteTempa Sherill on LinkedInPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's resource of the week is the PsychArmor course, How to be a Mental Healthcare Advocate This course provides information on your Veteran's rights, tips for finding a case manager, and developing a transition of care advocacy plan. You can find the resource here: https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/how-to-be-a-mental-healthcare-advocate Episode Partner: This week's episode is brought to you by J.B. Hunt, an industry leading transportation and logistics company offering hiring, training and resources for military veterans, active-duty service members, and military spouses. For more information, check out their military culture at jbhunt.jobs. Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

The best podcast for military veterans, police officers, firefighters, and first responders preparing for veteran transition and life after service. Helping you plan and implement strategies to prepare for your transition into civilian life. In this episode of the Transition Drill Podcast, Matt Quick, retired E9, shares his journey from a rebellious teenager in Poughkeepsie, New York, to a disciplined Marine, then a career Army Soldier, and now a leader in veteran transition and career coaching. Matt reflects on his early years, his decision to enlist after seeing his brother deploy to Somalia, and how the Marine Corps transformed his life. But when reenlistment quotas forced him out, he made the bold move to transfer to the Army, where he climbed the ranks, serving at Fort Bragg, Fort Knox, Fort Leavenworth, and even the Pentagon. He deployed to Bosnia and Iraq, worked in military retention, and dedicated his career to helping Soldiers navigate military veteran jobs and career change opportunities. Now retired, Matt works with the Project Management Institute (PMI), helping veterans, transition into successful civilian careers. He discusses SkillBridge, military career counseling, networking strategies, and how project management can be a game-changer for those leaving the military. Whether you're an active-duty Marine, Soldier, Sailor, or Airman thinking about life after service, or a first responder looking for career guidance, this episode is packed with insights on military to civilian transition, professional certifications, and finding purpose beyond the uniform.CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST:IG: https://www.instagram.com/paulpantani/WEBSITE:LinkedIn:SIGN-UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER:QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS:SPONSORS:Trident CoffeeGet 15% off your purchaseLink: https://tridentcoffee.comPromo Code: TDP15Human Performance TRTGet 10% off your purchaseWeb: https://hptrt.com/Promo Code: TDPCONNECT WITH MATT

Show SummaryOn today's episode, we're featuring a conversation with Marine Corps Spouse Kaitlyn Siewert, the Executive Director of REINS Therapeutic Horsemanship Program located in Fallbrook, CA. During our conversation, we talk about REINS of Valor the military and veteran mental health program that has blossomed from REINS Therapeutic Horsemanship program.  Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health. About Today's GuestKaitlyn Siewert is the Executive Director of REINS Therapeutic Horsemanship Program located in Fallbrook, CA.  She has worked and volunteered in the Equine Assisted Services industry for 30 years and has experience in both the programming and administration areas of the non-profit organization.  Acquiring a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology as well as a master's in business administration, Kaitlyn has been fortunate to have experience both in conducting therapeutic sessions as well as navigating the challenges of fundraising and fiscal management.  As a Marine Corps spouse, Kaitlyn has lived the personal trials of military life and is aware of the tribulations and celebrations that affect those that have served; thus, feeding her passion for providing services to our veterans, active-duty military and first responders. REINS of Valor is the mental health program that has blossomed from REINS Therapeutic Horsemanship program.  While experiencing the struggles of watching her husband's transition from military to civilian life, she became aware of the benefits REINS had in their lives.  The importance of mental health in the military and first responder populations, and their families became apparent, and Kaitlyn knew that REINS had the potential to make a difference. Links Mentioned in this Episode REINS Therapeutic Horsemanship ProgramPATH InternationalIdeas for Equine-Assisted Services with Veteranshttps://www.horsesandhumans.orgPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's resource of the week is the PsychArmor course, Goodbye to Going It AloneThis course explains ways to overcome the stigma of asking for help and finding the courage to take action. This course teaches Veterans and caregivers when it is time to ask for help and the steps required to take care of themselves. You can find the resource here: https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/goodbye-to-going-it-alone Episode Partner: This week's episode is brought to you by J.B. Hunt, an industry leading transportation and logistics company offering hiring, training and resources for military veterans, active-duty service members, and military spouses. For more information, check out their military culture at jbhunt.jobs. Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Today's Story: Decommissioning Tricare Patient Portal

 Show SummaryCoast Guard Veteran Travis Collier, a retired field grade Coast Guard officer who most recently was a Senior Commander at the Coast Guard Training Center Petaluma, where we talk about mental health and wellness in the Coast Guard, as well as his approach to planning for transition during and after the military.  Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health.  About Today's Guest Links Mentioned in this Episode Travis Collier on LinkedInTravis' author page on AmazonPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's resource of the week is the PsychArmor course, What You Should Know About Transition. Transitioning from military service can be difficult. It is more than just hanging up your uniform and putting on civilian clothes. In this course, you will receive a brief overview of resources and tools to consider during your transition. You can find the resource here: https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/What-you-Should-Know-about-Transition Episode Partner: This week's episode is brought to you by J.B. Hunt, an industry leading transportation and logistics company offering hiring, training and resources for military veterans, active-duty service members, and military spouses. For more information, check out their military culture at jbhunt.jobs. Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com