Podcasts about armed forces

Why do so many people feel like they have to shrink at work? Why do smart, capable leaders still battle self-doubt, burnout, and the pressure to hide who they really are? And what would happen if you finally showed up as your full self—without fear, without armor, and without apology?In this powerful episode, we sit down with Claude Silver, the world's first Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX and a global voice for heart-centered leadership. Claude is on a mission to transform workplace culture and redefine what true leadership looks like. She partners with Gary Vaynerchuk to drive Vayner's people-first success, has earned Campaign US's Female Frontier Award and AdWeek's Changing the Game Award, and speaks to teams at Meta, Google, U.S. Government agencies, the Armed Forces, and audiences worldwide. Featured in The New York Times, Fast Company, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal, she is also the author of Be Yourself at Work, a guide to replacing fear and conformity with authenticity and emotional courage.Through her lived wisdom and candid storytelling, Claude shows how embracing your humanity is not a liability—it's a leadership advantage. Get ready to rethink how you work, lead, connect, and show up every day.Quotes:"You are the CEO of your life. You are not here to live someone else's life or fit a mold—they don't want you to.""Empathy isn't me putting myself in your shoes; it's riding shotgun with you and asking, 'How can I support you?'""Consistency is the key. Showing up the same way, pretty much every day, is my greatest strength."Actionable Takeaways:Reflect on your authenticity: Ask yourself, “What is it costing me to not show up as my full self at work?” Identify one way you can bring more of your true self into your professional life this week.Practice intentional empathy: Reach out to a colleague or loved one, and instead of trying to solve their issue, simply ask, “How can I support you?” Focus on listening and understanding their unique experience.Set and communicate healthy boundaries: Define your start and end times for work, and communicate them clearly to empower yourself and model boundaries for others.Commit to self-awareness: Regularly journal or check in with yourself to recognize personal triggers and areas for growth. Consider identifying one habit or reaction you want to work on.Conclusion:Claude's message is a powerful reminder that the most impactful leaders aren't the ones who hide behind titles or toughness—they're the ones who lead with honesty, empathy, and heart. When you stop shrinking and start showing up as your true self, you create space for others to do the same. This episode challenges you to rethink how you lead, how you work, and who you're becoming. Your voice, your story, and your humanity are your greatest strengths—so bring them forward boldly.

Join Emma Ansah LIVE as she reports on Canada's Armed Forces apologizing for decades of anti-Black racism but still refuses to offer reparations or real accountability.The military says “We Failed You,” admitting to years of systemic discrimination, racial slurs, and career sabotage targeting Black service members. But many are calling this apology hollow and another PR move without substance.This segment was produced and reported by the African Diaspora News Channel editorial team. All commentary is original and human-delivered.

Nigerian Army Confirms 4 Dead As Terrorists Ambush Brigade In Wajirokohttps://osazuwaakonedo.news/nigerian-army-confirms-4-dead-as-terrorists-ambush-brigade-in-wajiroko/#Nigerian Army #Borno #Wajiroko ©November 16th, 2025 ®November 16, 2025 3:01 am Nigerian Army authority has confirmed the killing of four persons with the inclusion of two soldiers and two civilian JTF when members of the Islamic State West Africa Province, Iswap terrorists on Friday evening ambushed a brigade of Nigeria army, personally led by the Brigade Commander, Brigadier General M Uba around Wajiroko community in Azir Multe area of Damboa local government area of Borno State, which, according to HumAngle news media, the Iswap terrorists opened fired on a convoy of  several military and civilian joint taskforce vehicles, causing the Brigade of the Armed Forces of Nigeria an apparent full destabilization, leading to the Brigadier General missing in action for several hours but started responding to WhatsApp messages few moments later, but, the Nigerian Army authority insisted that the Brigadier General and the commander of the 25 Task Force Brigade personally led the Nigerian Army Troops back to base, after an apparent failed attempt to rescue communities that are probably still under terrorists control in the areas close to Sambisa Forest. #OsazuwaAkonedoBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/osazuwaakonedo--4980924/support.Kindly support us for more productivity and efficiency in news delivery.Visit our donation page: DonateYou can also use our Mobile app for more news in different formats: CLICK TO DOWNDLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY STORE 

Senator Presents INEC Voter's Card Over Child Abuse Against Regina Danielshttps://osazuwaakonedo.news/senator-presents-inec-voters-card-over-child-abuse-against-regina-daniels/#Breaking News #Daniels #NED #Nwoko #Regina #Sowore ©November 13th, 2025 ®November 14, 2025 12:43 am There may be good reasons at this level for the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun to immediately invite Nigeria serving lawmaker, Senator Prince Chinedu Nwoko a.k.a Ned Nwoko for questioning, over apparent reasonable and evidence based allegations of raping-a-minor, child marriage, child molestation, underaged voter's registration, and child abuse against the person of super star Nigeria Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels, following the Independent National Electoral Commission, InEC voter's card, Senator Ned Nwoko presented this morning through his verified social media profile to challenge the allegation earlier made by Regina Daniels that she was still a minor at age 17 when the serving Nigeria Senator forced her into early child marriage and started having sexual activities with her: a careful study of the InEC voter's card, Regina Daniels real name or full name was not stated in the election voter's registration card that looked very questionable and manipulative, the voter's card was issued on July 23, 2018 without the bearer real father's name, the voter's card simply identify the actress as "Daniels Regina Nneamaka", with date of birth as October 10, 1998, this, Chuks Nwoko, a family member of Senator Ned Nwoko in recent days issued a video statement wherein he accused and described the Senator as a man of "too many bad characters", saying that Senator Ned Nwoko and the actress father once stayed together in one apartment, and the statement of Chuks Nwoko indicated that Senator Ned Nwoko knows the real name of the biological father of the star actress, hence, as a learned and well educated person, Senator Ned Nwoko was probably in a good position to know that the Voter's card was questionable and it appears to be very fraudulent, because, a year before the questionable and apparent fraudulent InEC Voter's card was issued, the actress had sworn an affidavit and declared her real names as "Ojeogwu Regina Nneamaka Favour" born on the 10th of October, 2001 as stated in her 5 years International Passport issued on May 9, 2017 and renewed on January 11th, 2022 with same names and date of birth for 10 years International Passport, according to the founder of SaharaReporters news media, Omoyele Sowore, it was Senator Ned Nwoko who probably and allegedly may have obtained the fake InEC voter's card to conceal the real age of the star actress, saying, "Senator Prince Ned Nwoko has traveled with Regina Daniels to Jordan, U.A.E, Egypt, with her only passport showing she was underage when Ned Nwoko married 'Gina', but for some curious reason, never took her to England, the US, or Europe because he knew the implications". #OsazuwaAkonedoWike Reckless Act Before Soldier Disrespectful To Tinubu - Ex COAS Burataihttps://osazuwaakonedo.news/wike-reckless-act-before-soldier-disrespectful-to-tinubu-ex-coas-buratai/#Nigerian Army #Abuja #Buratai #Navy #Wike ©November 12th, 2025 ®November 12, 2025 1:50 pm Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai has described the conduct and behaviour of a Nigeria serving Minister and former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike before a serving Nigeria soldier in the Naval Force as reckless and thus insulted and disrespected the person and the office of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu after the Minister had a confrontation with the Naval officer with the service name, A.M Yerima at plot 1946, Gaduwa District, Abuja over ownership and development rights to a parcel of land allegedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff, this, a careful study of some video footage made available online especially the th Sowore Demands UK Ban Ned As Lawyer Over Child Abuse Against Regina Danielshttps://osazuwaakonedo.news/sowore-demands-uk-ban-ned-as-lawyer-over-child-abuse-against-regina-daniels/#Issues #Daniels #NED #Nwoko #Regina #Sowore ©November 10th, 2025 ®November 11, 2025 12:25 am Well known Human rights activist and founder of the SaharaReporters news media, Omoyele Sowore has called on the British government, that the United Kingdom, UK should immediately placed a ban on Nigeria serving Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District in the red chamber of the National Assembly, Prince Chinedu Nwoko a.k.a Ned Nwoko as a registered lawyer in the United Kingdom over allegations of cBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/osazuwaakonedo--4980924/support.Kindly support us for more productivity and efficiency in news delivery.Visit our donation page: DonateYou can also use our Mobile app for more news in different formats: CLICK TO DOWNDLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY STORE 

Senator Presents INEC Voter's Card Over Child Abuse Against Regina Danielshttps://osazuwaakonedo.news/senator-presents-inec-voters-card-over-child-abuse-against-regina-daniels/#Breaking News #Daniels #NED #Nwoko #Regina #Sowore ©November 13th, 2025 ®November 14, 2025 12:43 am There may be good reasons at this level for the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun to immediately invite Nigeria serving lawmaker, Senator Prince Chinedu Nwoko a.k.a Ned Nwoko for questioning, over apparent reasonable and evidence based allegations of raping-a-minor, child marriage, child molestation, underaged voter's registration, and child abuse against the person of super star Nigeria Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels, following the Independent National Electoral Commission, InEC voter's card, Senator Ned Nwoko presented this morning through his verified social media profile to challenge the allegation earlier made by Regina Daniels that she was still a minor at age 17 when the serving Nigeria Senator forced her into early child marriage and started having sexual activities with her: a careful study of the InEC voter's card, Regina Daniels real name or full name was not stated in the election voter's registration card that looked very questionable and manipulative, the voter's card was issued on July 23, 2018 without the bearer real father's name, the voter's card simply identify the actress as "Daniels Regina Nneamaka", with date of birth as October 10, 1998, this, Chuks Nwoko, a family member of Senator Ned Nwoko in recent days issued a video statement wherein he accused and described the Senator as a man of "too many bad characters", saying that Senator Ned Nwoko and the actress father once stayed together in one apartment, and the statement of Chuks Nwoko indicated that Senator Ned Nwoko knows the real name of the biological father of the star actress, hence, as a learned and well educated person, Senator Ned Nwoko was probably in a good position to know that the Voter's card was questionable and it appears to be very fraudulent, because, a year before the questionable and apparent fraudulent InEC Voter's card was issued, the actress had sworn an affidavit and declared her real names as "Ojeogwu Regina Nneamaka Favour" born on the 10th of October, 2001 as stated in her 5 years International Passport issued on May 9, 2017 and renewed on January 11th, 2022 with same names and date of birth for 10 years International Passport, according to the founder of SaharaReporters news media, Omoyele Sowore, it was Senator Ned Nwoko who probably and allegedly may have obtained the fake InEC voter's card to conceal the real age of the star actress, saying, "Senator Prince Ned Nwoko has traveled with Regina Daniels to Jordan, U.A.E, Egypt, with her only passport showing she was underage when Ned Nwoko married 'Gina', but for some curious reason, never took her to England, the US, or Europe because he knew the implications". #OsazuwaAkonedoWike Reckless Act Before Soldier Disrespectful To Tinubu - Ex COAS Burataihttps://osazuwaakonedo.news/wike-reckless-act-before-soldier-disrespectful-to-tinubu-ex-coas-buratai/#Nigerian Army #Abuja #Buratai #Navy #Wike ©November 12th, 2025 ®November 12, 2025 1:50 pm Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai has described the conduct and behaviour of a Nigeria serving Minister and former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike before a serving Nigeria soldier in the Naval Force as reckless and thus insulted and disrespected the person and the office of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu after the Minister had a confrontation with the Naval officer with the service name, A.M Yerima at plot 1946, Gaduwa District, Abuja over ownership and development rights to a parcel of land allegedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff, this, a careful study of some video footage made available online especially the th Sowore Demands UK Ban Ned As Lawyer Over Child Abuse Against Regina Danielshttps://osazuwaakonedo.news/sowore-demands-uk-ban-ned-as-lawyer-over-child-abuse-against-regina-daniels/#Issues #Daniels #NED #Nwoko #Regina #Sowore ©November 10th, 2025 ®November 11, 2025 12:25 am Well known Human rights activist and founder of the SaharaReporters news media, Omoyele Sowore has called on the British government, that the United Kingdom, UK should immediately placed a ban on Nigeria serving Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District in the red chamber of the National Assembly, Prince Chinedu Nwoko a.k.a Ned Nwoko as a registered lawyer in the United Kingdom over allegations of cBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/osazuwaakonedo--4980924/support.Kindly support us for more productivity and efficiency in news delivery.Visit our donation page: DonateYou can also use our Mobile app for more news in different formats: CLICK TO DOWNDLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY STORE 

In this episode of The Paddy Wagon Podcast, host Mike O'Brien sits down with sommelier and podcast host, Sage Toomey for an engaging conversation about the world of wine, tasting techniques, and the stories behind every bottle. They dive into how wine regions, grape varieties, and pairing principles shape the flavors we love. Sage opens up about her path from passionate wine lover to professional sommelier, sharing insider tips on choosing the right wine, understanding terroir, and the unexpected drama of the wine industry. Whether you're a wine enthusiast, casual drinker, or just curious about the culture of wine, this episode is a perfect pour of insight and entertainment. Be sure to check out Sage: @sage_toomey (TikTok and Instagram) https://audioboom.com/channels/5150980-secret-lives-of-sommeliers   Episode Sponsors:   Mortal Triumph   https://www.mortaltriumph.com   Mortal Triumph was built on sacrifice.  it honors the Armed Forces members who gave everything…. The ones who never made it home.  Their legacy isn't just a memory; it's a standard.  Carry their names forward with actions… Not words.  Be sure to use PADDYWAGON10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase.  We promise… It will be the most comfortable shirt you ever wear!   Intro/Outro Music Provided by: https://uppbeat.io/t/kevin-macleod/achaidh-cheide https://uppbeat.io/t/kevin-macleod/celtic-impulse Be sure to follow the Paddy Wagon on IG @Paddywagonpod and check us out at https://paddywagonpodcast.com or https://linktr.ee/paddywagonpodcast Paddy Wagon Podcast is available on Apple, Spotify, iHeart Radio and all your other favorite platforms   If you'd like to submit questions, comments, hot takes or just have me respond to some of your random thoughts with some random thoughts of my own…. Please be sure to leave us a message at: https://whatayarn.com/paddywagonpodcast and you'll be featured on a future episode.    

Wike Reckless Act Before Soldier Disrespectful To Tinubu - Ex COAS Burataihttps://osazuwaakonedo.news/wike-reckless-act-before-soldier-disrespectful-to-tinubu-ex-coas-buratai/#Nigerian Army #Abuja #Buratai #Navy #Wike ©November 12th, 2025 ®November 12, 2025 1:50 pm Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai has described the conduct and behaviour of a Nigeria serving Minister and former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike before a serving Nigeria soldier in the Naval Force as reckless and thus insulted and disrespected the person and the office of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu after the Minister had a confrontation with the Naval officer with the service name, A.M Yerima at plot 1946, Gaduwa District, Abuja over ownership and development rights to a parcel of land allegedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff, this, a careful study of some video footage made available online especially the video captured and published by Channels Television, apparently indicated that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike physically assaulted one of the Operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS that was seen protecting the Minister against a potential threat of armed soldier who was on a direct viewpoint with the Minister, the DSS officer proactively moved to give the armed soldier a close marking and chest up to the defence line with the armed soldier who was moving steps on a close range and direct viewpoint to the Minister, but, surprisingly, the Minister in a manner that looks very disrespectful and belittling, walked up to the DSS Officer and dragged him to leave the way, professionally, the DSS Operative angrily resisted Wike and said with a loud voice that he can't leave the defence line, that the armed soldier is being unprofessional with the way the armed soldier was standing on a direct viewpoint to the Minister, quickly, one of the combatant DSS officers from behind moved towards the armed soldier and pushed him off the defence line, thereafter, the situation became violently rowdy and was almost leading to a complete fight, even when the DSS Operatives formed a circle around the Minister to protect him, Nyesom Wike was seen trying to violate the DSS human shield in a manner as if he was going personally to confront one of  the armed soldiers, but the DSS officers ensured the Minister was denied the opportunity to endanger his own life and after the violent situation, all the armed soldiers moved backward while the DSS officers built a human defence wall against the armed soldiers completely, only the senior army officer who appeared not armed, was now in close contact with the Minister, and according to the former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, Nyesom Wike action is a clear act that "present danger to national security” and "undermines the authority of the Commander-in-Chief and the integrity of the Armed Forces.” #OsazuwaAkonedoBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/osazuwaakonedo--4980924/support.Kindly support us for more productivity and efficiency in news delivery.Visit our donation page: DonateYou can also use our Mobile app for more news in different formats: CLICK TO DOWNDLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY STORE 

Every year on November 11th, Americans pause to honor the brave men and women who have served our nation in the Armed Forces. In our daily prayer and devotional, we reflect on the fact that Veterans Day commemorates the signing of the armistice that ended World War I — the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month — and stands as a reminder of the tremendous sacrifice made by those who have fought for our freedom. The liberties we enjoy today were secured through courage, hardship, and devotion. Many veterans have risked their lives — and some have given them — to defend our country. As John 15:13 tells us, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Our veterans come from all walks of life — rich and poor, from cities and small towns, from every background — yet they stood together with one purpose: to protect and preserve freedom. Their service reminds us that courage is not the absence of fear, but faith in the face of danger. For many veterans, their experiences in service shaped their faith in profound ways. Those who know Christ carry the assurance that God is with them wherever they go (Joshua 1:9). And for those who continue to carry the weight of war — physical wounds, trauma, or loss — God’s comfort remains ever near. As 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 reminds us, He is “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.” Today, as we honor those who have served, let us also pray for their healing, peace, and restoration. May every veteran feel seen, valued, and deeply appreciated — not only by their nation, but by the God who calls them beloved. Today's Bible Reading:“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

This Day in Legal History: Armistice DayOn November 11, 1918, World War I came to an end with the signing of the Armistice between the Allies and Germany. While not a legal instrument in the treaty sense, the armistice was a binding agreement that had massive legal and geopolitical ramifications. Its terms, including a cessation of hostilities, withdrawal of German forces, and surrender of military equipment, were enforced by military and diplomatic means, laying the groundwork for the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. The legal aftermath of the war led to the creation of new nation-states, redrawn borders, and the first formal attempt at international governance through the League of Nations.November 11 would later be recognized in the United States as Veterans Day, originally commemorated as Armistice Day, reflecting the legal shift from honoring only WWI veterans to recognizing all who served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The legal transition occurred in 1954 when President Eisenhower signed legislation formally renaming the holiday. The legal framework surrounding veterans' benefits also expanded post-WWI, with landmark legislation like the GI Bill of Rights in 1944 and its subsequent reauthorizations, shaping how the U.S. compensates military service.Internationally, the armistice also contributed to legal debates over war guilt and reparations, particularly with Article 231 of the Treaty of Versailles—the so-called “War Guilt Clause”—which placed sole responsibility for the war on Germany and its allies. That clause became a flashpoint in both legal and political discussions and was later cited by Germany as a grievance contributing to the rise of Nazism and WWII.The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal from Kim Davis, a former Kentucky county clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples following the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling. Davis had argued that her First Amendment right to free exercise of religion shielded her from liability, but lower courts rejected that defense, awarding damages and attorneys' fees exceeding $360,000 to plaintiffs David Ermold and David Moore. The Sixth Circuit found that Davis's actions constituted state action, not protected private conduct, and that she could not invoke her own constitutional rights to infringe on the rights of others while acting in an official capacity.Davis had also asked the Supreme Court to reconsider Obergefell, arguing it rested on the same substantive due process doctrine as Roe v. Wade, which the Court overturned in 2022. However, the justices declined to take up that issue, just as they had in 2020. The Court's refusal to revisit Obergefell signals a reluctance, at least for now, to reexamine established rights to same-sex marriage, even as the bench remains deeply conservative.US Supreme Court rejects bid to overturn same-sex marriage right | ReutersSenior U.S. District Judge Mark Wolf, appointed by President Reagan in 1985, announced his resignation in order to publicly oppose what he describes as President Donald Trump's abuse of legal authority. In an article for The Atlantic, Wolf accused Trump of weaponizing the law against political enemies while shielding allies, a pattern he claims contradicts the principles he upheld over five decades in the Justice Department and on the bench. Wolf cited Trump's direction to Attorney General Pam Bondi to indict political opponents, including New York AG Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey, as especially troubling.Wolf expressed frustration over the ethical constraints on judges that prevent them from speaking out publicly, saying he could no longer remain silent as Trump undermined the rule of law and dismantled oversight mechanisms such as inspectors general and the FBI's public-corruption unit. His resignation comes amid heightened tensions between the Trump administration and the judiciary, underscored by combative rhetoric at a recent Federalist Society event. Wolf, who had previously criticized the handling of ethics complaints against Justice Clarence Thomas, said he now plans to support litigation and advocacy efforts to protect democratic norms and defend judges unable to speak for themselves.Reagan Judge Says He Quit Bench to Speak Out Against TrumpThe Trump administration has significantly shortened the time between publicly announcing judicial nominees and holding their Senate confirmation hearings, in some cases to as little as two days—far less than the typical 28-day window used by past administrations. While the Senate Judiciary Committee still adheres to its rule requiring 28 days between receiving nominee questionnaires and hearings, the White House now delays public disclosure until much later in the process, often after nominees have cleared internal background checks. Critics argue this reduces transparency and limits public scrutiny of lifetime judicial appointments, while supporters claim the process is efficient and appropriate given the nominees' qualifications.Some nominees, like Louisiana district court picks William Crain and Alexander Van Hook, received swift hearings with little controversy, though others, like appellate nominee Emil Bove, drew public concern during the brief window between announcement and hearing. Observers also criticized the administration's choice to reveal nominees via Trump's Truth Social account, often late at night, bypassing traditional press channels. Legal experts suggest this shift reflects a strategic move to minimize opposition and accelerate confirmations, but it has alarmed advocacy groups who say it undermines public trust and democratic norms.Trump Changes How Judicial Nominees Get Publicly Revealed This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

Looking to Buy, Sell or Trade? You've come to the right place...and its Fun and Free! The WBF Shopper is “your time”. Jeff takes your phone calls on a special edition of the Shopper as we celebrate Veterans Day! Today we salute the service members who have fought and served in America's Armed Forces. Heroes like you embody courage, sacrifice, and the enduring American spirit. So to all Veterans - Thank You for Your Service.

Speaking out about bullying, particularly when you work for a large organisation like the Armed Forces, can be very frightening. And, if following the correct process doesn't solve the problem, it can be hard to know where to turn. Our client, Chris, spoke to our military solicitor and podcast host Carol Purang to share his lived experience of bullying and harassment in the military. They're joined by Chris's therapist, Jo Rogers from JTR Hypnotherapy and Dr Vicky Aldridge from our charity partner, Combat Stress.Together they discussed:The impact that bullying and harassment has on those who experience it.The importance of keeping a record of your experience if you are being bullied or harassed.Where you can access support, particularly if it feels like there's no one you can turn to within the organisation you work for.How society can play a part in reducing the shame and stigma felt by those being bullied.If you've been impacted by bullying and harassment in the military, or in your place of work, our expert solicitors are here to support you every step of the way. Further support and resources are available from our charity partner, Combat Stress.

Each November we mark Veterans Day, a special time to honor all the brave men and women who have served our nation in uniform—those who have sacrificed to protect our God-given freedoms.    To serve in America's Armed Forces, virtues like courage, faith, and perseverance are required, not optional. Our veterans visibly remind us that patriotic service to one's country is one of life's most noble callings.    To all our veterans and their families—thank you. Your dedication reminds us of the responsibility to use our freedoms always for good, and inspires us to grow in gratitude and a spirit of service in our own lives and in our communities, for the good of our country.    May God bless all who serve, and may he bless the United States of America. 

In this heartfelt conversation, Reyna sits down with Jen + Kirst, the women behind WAF (Wives of the Armed Forces), to talk about the real side of military spouse life—loneliness, community, and finding yourself in the in-between. They share what it's really like navigating early marriage decisions, “dating” new friends at every duty station, and learning how to thrive (not just survive) through deployments and time apart. Together, they unpack how to lovingly manage outside expectations, embrace change, and build a support system that feels like family—no matter where military life takes you.Show Notes + Episode Highlights on Living Wisely Well WebsiteMilitary Blog + WAF resourcesFollow WAF on Instagram

Daily Motivation Videos: https://youtu.be/mdC3X_7m4j4David Goggins, born on February 17, 1975, in Buffalo, New York, is an American motivational speaker, author, and retired United States Navy SEAL. He is recognized as the only member of the U.S. Armed Forces to have completed SEAL training (including two Hell Weeks), graduated as Enlisted Honor Man from the U.S. Army Ranger School, and completed Air Force Tactical Air Controller training. Goggins served in the United States Air Force from 1994 to 1999 as a Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) member before transitioning to the Navy, where he completed BUD/S training in 2001 and served with SEAL Team 5 for over a decade, including a tour in IraqKeep It a Secret. Don't Let Anyone Know! Not Even Your Family | This is the Most Powerful Motivational Speech That Will Shake Society | clumsy EntrepreneurCall to action:Listen to it daily Listen to it when you feel to give up!Do the "one hard thing" immediately after Listening.-------------------------------------------motivational speech for success in lifeinspirational speech that will change your lifepowerful inspirational speech about never giving upmotivational speech for students before examshort motivational speech for daily motivationbest motivational speech for entrepreneursmorning motivational speech to start your dayinspirational speech on discipline and consistencymotivational speech for fitness and gymmotivational speech for self confidencemotivational speech for study and focusinspirational speech about hard work and successmotivational speech about dreams and goalsinspirational speech about life and challengesmotivational speech on mindset and habitsinspirational speech for career growthmotivational speech for athletes and sportsEntrepreneur podcast by clumsy entrepreneurDavid Goggins motivational speech-------------------------------------------Disclaimer:All credits for the music, audio go to the rightful owners.Fair Use Act Disclaimer:This audio is made for motivational and educational purposes only. I don't own the rights. Full credit goes to the original creators. According to Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, "fair use" is allowed for things like commentary, criticism, teaching, education, and research. No copyright infringement is intended. This content is shared with respect and purpose.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/inspirational-speeches-by-billionaires-elon-musk-jeff-bezos/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In its duration, geographical reach, and ferocity, World War II was unprecedented, and the effects on those who fought it and their loved ones at home, immeasurable. The heroism of the men and women who won the war may be well documented, but we know too little about the pain and hardships veterans endured upon their return home. Drawing from veterans' memoirs, oral histories, and government documents, acclaimed historian David Nasaw illuminates a hidden chapter of American history—one of trauma, resilience, and a country in transition in THE WOUNDED GENERATION: Coming Home After World War II. Nearly 16.4 million Americans served in the U.S. Armed Forces in World War II. This book “is an account of the aftereffects that lived on in the bodies, hearts, and minds of those who fought, those who awaited their return, and the nation that had won the war but had now to readjust to peace.”As Nasaw makes evident, the veterans who returned to America were not the same people as those who had left for war, and the nation to which they came back was not the one they left behind. Contrary to the prevailing narratives of triumph, here are the largely unacknowledged realities the veterans—and the nation—faced, radically reshaping our understanding of this era as a bridge to today, as we mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.Nasaw presents a complicated portrait of those who brought the war home with them, among whom were the period's most influential political and cultural leaders, including John F. Kennedy, Robert Dole, and Henry Kissinger; J. D. Salinger and Kurt Vonnegut; Harry Belafonte and Jimmy Stewart. In The Wounded Generation, Nasaw illustrates the indelible stories of veterans and their loved ones as they confronted the aftershocks of World War II.David Nasaw is a historian, two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, and bestselling author of The Last Million, named a best book of the year by NPR, Kirkus Reviews, and History Today; The Patriarch, a New York Times Five Best Non-Fiction Books of the Year; Andrew Carnegie, a New York Times Notable Book of the Year and the winner of the American History Book Prize; and The Chief, winner of the Bancroft Prize. He was the Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr. Professor of History at the CUNY Graduate Center and the president of the Society of American Historians. In 2023, he was honored by the New York Public Library as a “Library Lion.” Nasaw's father served in the Army Medical Corps in Eritrea during World War II. He lives in New York City.#worldwar2 #authorpodcastPhoto Credit: Alex Irklievski

On this Special Episode, LTC Matthew Firing joins us to talk about how Service Members of the Armed Forces were paid during the Government Shutdown. Learn more about The Quill & Sword series of podcasts by visiting our podcast page at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/thequillandsword. The Quill & Sword show includes featured episodes from across the JAGC, plus all episodes from our four separate shows: “Criminal Law Department Presents” (Criminal Law Department), “NSL Unscripted” (National Security Law Department), “The FAR and Beyond” (Contract & Fiscal Law Department) and “Hold My Reg” (Administrative & Civil Law Department). Connect with The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School by visiting our website at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/ or on Facebook (tjaglcs), Instagram (tjaglcs), or LinkedIn (school/tjaglcs).

Nearly 16.4 million Americans served in the U.S. Armed Forces in World War II, and for millions of survivors, the fighting left many of them physically and mentally broken for life. There was a 25% death rate in Japanese POW camps like Bataan, where starvation and torture were rampant, and fierce battles against suicidal Imperial Japanese forces, like at Iwo Jima, where 6,800 Americans died. Additionally, the psychological toll of witnessing Holocaust atrocities and enduring up to three years away from home intensified the war’s brutality. This is why when they returned home, they had physical and psychological wounds that festered, sometimes for years, sometimes for decades, and sometimes for the rest of their lives. Veterans suffering from recurring nightmares, uncontrollable rages, and social isolation were treated by doctors who had little understanding of PTSD, a term that didn’t enter the DSM until 1984. Returning veterans and their families were forced to double up with their parents or squeeze into overcrowded, substandard shelters as the country wrestled with a housing crisis. Divorce rates doubled, with more than 1 million GIs leaving or being left by their wives by 1950. Alcoholism was rampant, and an entire generation became addicted to smoking. To explore this dark shadow that hung over the WW2 generation, we’re joined by David Nasaw, author of The Wounded Generation: Coming Home After World War II. Those affected include the period’s most influential political and cultural leaders, including John F. Kennedy, Robert Dole, and Henry Kissinger; J. D. Salinger and Kurt Vonnegut; Harry Belafonte and Jimmy Stewart. We look at the ways the horrors of World War 2 shaped their lives, but we also see incredible resilience and those who found ways to move past the horrors of their wartime experiences, and what we can learn from that today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of Remembrance Day, we are re-releasing one of the most poignant interviews ever recorded on The InDependent Spouse podcast. Host Jess Sands talks with the brilliant and inspirational founder, Nikki Scott, about the incredible journey that led her to create Scotty's Little Soldiers. Nikki shares the intensely personal and heartbreaking story of losing her husband, Lee Scott, who was killed in Afghanistan. She discusses the immediate aftermath, including the difficult decision of leaving the married quarter and the emotional weight of his repatriation. This conversation is a powerful exploration of grief, resilience, and the power of community, highlighting how Nikki transformed her pain into a mission to ensure bereaved British forces children can "smile again". We dive into the vital work of Scotty's Little Soldiers and how they support military children who have lost a parent, regardless of how they died. Key Takeaways & Discussion Points The Birth of Scotty's Little Soldiers: The idea was born on a family holiday nine months after Lee's death, when Nikki saw her 5-year-old son, Kai, smile and laugh again. This was her 'wake-up call' and the moment she realized she needed to help other children who had experienced the death of a parent who served. The Mission: Helping Them Smile: Scotty's Little Soldiers is dedicated to supporting all bereaved British forces children from the Armed Forces community. Support: An online bereavement service and resources to help families before they reach crisis points. Lee's Legacy: Nikki remembers Lee, who was killed at age 26, as the fun parent and "everybody's friend" . She believes he would be "100% behind" the charity. Resources and How to Connect Scotty's Little Soldiers Website: Find information, donate, fundraise, or get support - https://www.scottyslittlesoldiers.co.uk/  "Scotty's is something that we don't ever want to have to use, but to know that our children have that if they need it means so much."

In this episode we discuss the jurisdiction and authority of the Courts of Criminal Appeals and the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces to address alleged errors in post-trial actions that indicate firearms restrictions under 18 U.S.C. § 922. We cover distinctions from the CAAF's Williams opinion from last term, timing for when the judgment is entered into the record, and the specific authority of the Courts of Criminal Appeals to provide appropriate relief for errors after the judgment is entered. Learn more about The Quill & Sword series of podcasts by visiting our podcast page at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/thequillandsword. The Quill & Sword show includes featured episodes from across the JAGC, plus all episodes from our four separate shows: “Criminal Law Department Presents” (Criminal Law Department), “NSL Unscripted” (National Security Law Department), “The FAR and Beyond” (Contract & Fiscal Law Department) and “Hold My Reg” (Administrative & Civil Law Department). Connect with The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School by visiting our website at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/ or on Facebook (tjaglcs), Instagram (tjaglcs), or LinkedIn (school/tjaglcs).

In this episode we discuss the jurisdiction and authority of the Courts of Criminal Appeals and the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces to address alleged errors in post-trial actions that indicate firearms restrictions under 18 U.S.C. § 922. We cover distinctions from the CAAF's Williams opinion from last term, timing for when the judgment is entered into the record, and the specific authority of the Courts of Criminal Appeals to provide appropriate relief for errors after the judgment is entered. Learn more about The Quill & Sword series of podcasts by visiting our podcast page at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/thequillandsword. The Quill & Sword show includes featured episodes from across the JAGC, plus all episodes from our four separate shows: “Criminal Law Department Presents” (Criminal Law Department), “NSL Unscripted” (National Security Law Department), “The FAR and Beyond” (Contract & Fiscal Law Department) and “Hold My Reg” (Administrative & Civil Law Department). Connect with The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School by visiting our website at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/ or on Facebook (tjaglcs), Instagram (tjaglcs), or LinkedIn (school/tjaglcs).

In this episode, Jeremy sits down with Olena Chekryzhova, founder of Eng for UArmy and creator of Armiyska Angliyska — the first and only YouTube channel dedicated to Military English for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Mrinal Wadhwa grew up in India with a Dad in the Armed Forces, so he moved around a lot. His mother was a teacher for 40+ years, and greatly influenced his love for teaching. In addition to this, he grew up loving to build things. He was introduced to computers and the internet by his cousin - and at that point he was hooked. Outside of tech, he is married and enjoys attending concerts in the Bay Area. He plays pool, very seriously. In fact, he is the guy carrying the little bag into a party with his own pool stick.Mrinal is one of the minds behind Okham, a popular open source Rust toolkit to build secure communications between applications. Late last year, he observed people desiring to build the layer between agent communications... and decided to build something to do it the right way.This is the creation story of Autonomy.SponsorsVentionCodeCrafters helps you become a better engineer by building real-world, production-grade projects. Learn hands-on by creating your own Git, Redis, HTTP server, SQLite, or DNS server from scratch. Sign up for free today using this link and enjoy 40% off.Full ScalePaddle.comSema SoftwarePropelAuthPostmanMeilisearchLinkshttps://autonomy.computer/https://docs.ockam.io/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrinalwadhwa/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/code-story-insights-from-startup-tech-leaders/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of the Bravo Zulu Podcast, we cut through the noise about the government shutdown and talk about what really matters — the men and women still standing watch while Washington argues over budgets.Yes, the military has been paid so far — but none of it has been guaranteed. The money being used isn't the issue. The issue is that Congress hasn't passed a clear, permanent law ensuring service members and DoD civilians get paid during a shutdown.We're not asking for special treatment — we're demanding common sense. If the government can find ways to fund everything else, it can damn sure guarantee pay for those serving it.Join the conversation, share your thoughts, and tell your representative to make it happen.

We bring Veterans Day into sharp focus by showing how local giving meets real military needs through the Armed Forces Community Foundation. Kevin West walks us through 31 partner groups, the dollar-for-dollar Veterans Day Match, and the simple ways to donate online or in person.• What the AFCF does and how it partners locally• Operation Santa Claus support for junior enlisted families• Central Kansas Military Community Foundation emergency aid• Flint Hills Veterans Coalition parade and ceremony role• Wamego Honor Flight impact and recent trip• Society of the First Infantry Division scholarships and gift cards• Why the Veterans Day Match doubles impact up to $100,000• Where to donate in person during the parade• How to give online via standtomatchday.com and QR codes“Standtomatchday.com. That is standtomatchday.com.” “Also the website is armedforcescf.org.”“We will be set up in person down by City Hall in conjunction with the Veterans Day Parade.”GMCFCFAs

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces will be granted free entry to all state-operated historic sites on Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11. Waiving entry fees for veterans provides the Texas Historical Commission an opportunity to extend its appreciation for their service and sacrifice. The commission preserves and operates 42 state historic sites across Texas. To find out where they are located, visit https://thc. texas.gov/historic-sites. Veterans receive reduced admission to the agency's state historic sites year-round, and active-duty military members receive free admission year-round.Article Link

The National Museum of the Pacific War invites the public to its annual Veterans Day Commemoration on Tuesday, Nov. 11, beginning at 11 a.m. This special event — free and open to the public — will be held in the Memorial Courtyard of the museum, located at 311 E. Austin St. in Fredericksburg. The commemoration honors the men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and recognizes their courage, sacrifice, and enduring commitment to freedom. This year's keynote address will be delivered by Brig. Gen. Kevin Jarrard, commanding general of the 4th Marine Division. A 1995 graduate...Article Link

Face à un monde, disons, plus tendu, hein, surtout avec la guerre en Ukraine, la France a décidé d'appuyer sur l'accélérateur pour sa défense. Faced with a world that is, let's say, more tense, especially with the war in Ukraine, France has decided to step on the accelerator for its defense.Elle revoit son plan militaire sur plusieurs années. It is reviewing its military plan over several years.Qu'est-ce qu'il faut retenir ? What should we remember?Premièrement, le but, c'est clair : renforcer la défense française pour être prêt face à ce nouveau contexte mondial. Firstly, the goal, it's clear: to strengthen French defense to be ready in the face of this new global context.Deuxièmement, et ça c'est crucial, le budget. Secondly, and this is crucial, the budget.Concrètement, en 2026 le budget défense va grimper à 57,1 milliards d'euros. Specifically, in 2026 the defense budget will climb to 57.1 billion euros.C'est 13 % de plus. That's 13% more.C'est pas juste un petit ajustement, hein, c'est vraiment un changement de braquet. It's not just a small adjustment, it's really a shift in gear.La ministre des Armées, Catherine Vautrin, elle a dit elle-même : « on a changé d'ère ». The Minister of the Armed Forces, Catherine Vautrin, said herself: "we have entered a new era".L'idée générale, c'est que la France doit tenir la cadence parce que nos partenaires, mais aussi nos compétiteurs, s'arment très vite aussi. The general idea is that France must keep pace because our partners, but also our competitors, are arming themselves very quickly too. Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy pour plus d'informations.

In this episode, the hosts dive into the excitement of Heisman season, discussing various contenders and their performances. They explore the grit required in college football, analyze key matchups, and reflect on the current state of teams like the Iowa Hawkeyes. The conversation also touches on the influence of politics in coaching decisions and the evolving narrative around the Heisman trophy. With insights into player performances and potential future coaching changes, this episode captures the essence of college football's dynamic landscape. In this episode, the hosts delve into the current state of college football, focusing on Vanderbilt's surprising success led by quarterback Diego Pavia. They preview key matchups for Week 10, including Texas vs. Vanderbilt and UGA vs. Florida, discussing the implications for the SEC and playoff picture. The conversation also covers Cincinnati's rise in the Big 12 and offers betting insights for various games, including the Armed Forces matchup between Army and Air Force. The hosts share their predictions and thoughts on the upcoming games, emphasizing the importance of momentum and team dynamics.

File on 4 Investigates examines the scale of problem gambling in the armed forces and the devastating impact on those serving, veterans and their families. A new study seen exclusively by the team reveals nearly half of naval trainees who gambled were at risk of harm. This latest research builds on a growing body of evidence that points to a hidden problem across the forces that's on the rise. We ask if the MOD is aware of the challenge and if it's doing enough to help those in need.Reporter: Alastair Fee Producers: Jim Booth Technical Producer: Craig Boardman Production Coordinator: Tim Fernley Editor: Tara McDermott

Donald Trump has taken the next step in the manual of authoritarian takeovers by trying to turn the Armed Forces of the United States into personal paid mercenaries. The current government shutdown isn't remotely necessary, but Trump is forcing Americans to ensure it and using our troops as a prop. Now he's going so far as to ask rich guys to make up for the paychecks he's holding back from our men and women in uniform. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guest: Salina Heller

BONUS DISCUSSION:  Rick Fredericksen, Iowa-based writer and journalist, joins the "ROI" panelists to discuss The Armed Forces Vietnam Network.The host for the 632nd edition in this series is Jay Swords, and the history buffs are John Kealey and Terri Toppler.Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose University. This program is recorded at KALA-FM, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa, USA!

Rick Fredericksen, Iowa-based writer and journalist, joins the "ROI" panelists to discuss The Armed Forces Vietnam Network.The host for the 632nd edition in this series is Jay Swords, and the history buffs are John Kealey and Terri Toppler.Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose University. This program is recorded at KALA-FM, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa, USA!

Linda Cope joins us to talk about the upcoming Warrior Beach Retreat, what it does and how you can show your support at their Parade on November 6th. We talk about the very personal reason why this local organization was started and has been serving the Wounded Service Men and Women. Most important, showing support for their caregivers and strengthening their support system.Visit WarriorBeachRetreat.org for details and the parade route. Beach 95.1 is the official Radio Partner and will be in the parade, along with providing over an hour of commercial free music to air during the parade. Listen to Henry weekday mornings from 5am-9am CT for updates, along with The Most Music In The Morning on Beach 95.1.

Former AFC Bournemouth owner Jeff Mostyn and his daughter Janine, MD of search firm Huckleberry Sport, are the guests on this week's Leaders Worth Knowing. The Mostyns are two of the best networked people in the UK sports industry, and ahead of the release of Jeff's new book, The Chairman: The Man who Saved AFC Bournemouth, they visited the Leaders studio to reflect on a (very expensive!) fairytale journey. Having made a success of a financial advisory practice focused on the Armed Forces, Jeff began his association with AFC Bournemouth in 2006. At the time, the club was in the third tier of English football, saddled with debt and poorly run. Over the course of the next 16 years, Jeff took the club through administration, to the brink of extinction, via a trip to the very bottom of the English professional pyramid, before establishing the club as a force in the Premier League. Bill Foley's consortium, Black Knight Football Club, bought the club in 2022. Janine has led sport and entertainment talent firm Huckleberry Sport since 2017, and works with the likes of Premier League football clubs, Formula 1 racing teams, media and broadcast production companies, business consulting services and agencies and world-renowned gaming and entertainment providers.

Col Jeff McCausland disagrees with the Trump administration's use of the military to target and kill people on boats who are allegedly attempting to ship drugs from South American nations to the US, on the ocean.

From Entrepreneurial Beginnings to Football Leadership: Jeff Mostyn's Chairman Journey at AFC Bournemouth   In this weeks podcast is with Jeff Mostyn the Former Chairman of AFC Bournemouth, FA Council Member on the Disability Committee, and author of the new book "The Chairman."   In this engaging conversation, you'll discover: How Jeff uncovered his entrepreneurial talents at a young age. Strategies for enhancing your people skills in both business and football. Insights Jeff gained on business values from his 20-year experience with the Armed Forces. The compelling story behind Jeff's decision to save AFC Bournemouth from liquidation. An inside look at what "firefighting" means when managing a football club. Jeff's top three principles as a Football Chairman. A behind-the-scenes exploration with Ed and Jeff on the creation of "The Chairman" book, delving into the emotions and vision that shaped it and much more.... This is a MUST listen if you want to pursue a career in the Football Industry.   Get your copy of Jeff's Book Here: Amazon: https://amzn.to/4hjHW00 Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-chairman/jeffrey-mostyn/9781916797949 Book Website: thechairmanbook.com Follow Jeff on X: https://x.com/jeffmostyn Follow Jeff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-mostyn-61875a1b/

For review:1. Vice President Vance Travels to Israel to Shore Ceasefire Agreement.2. Ceasefire Status Returns After Two IDF Soldiers Killed in Rafah Leads to Israeli Retaliation.3. Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday told US President Donald Trump to “keep dreaming” if he thinks US airstrikes in June destroyed Iran's nuclear facilities.4. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he would honor the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and have him arrested if he traveled to Canada in an interview published on Friday.5. Ukrainian general Mykhailo Drapatyi has been named the commander of the Armed Forces' new Joint Forces Task Force, a new command structure responsible for the front line in and around Kharkiv Oblast, the force announced on Oct. 20.6.  Germany and the Netherlands are set to receive hundreds of Jackal infantry fighting vehicles under a €3.4 billion ($4 billion) contract.The procurement is based on a split between 150 Jackal units for German armed forces and 72 for the Dutch military.  A “call off” of up to an additional 248 units is also included.7.  Poland's Defense officials have sent requests for information to six countries for submarine designs for the Polish Orka (Orca) submarine program.8. Azerbaijan and South Korea have held defense talks in Baku to expand cooperation on military development and regional security.9. President Donald Trump threw his support behind the trilateral AUKUS agreement today, even suggesting the US is moving more quickly to provide nuclear-powered subs to Australia. 

The blueprint for the UK's Armed Forces depends on data from every military sensor being available to every person who needs it.Whether the information comes from the battlefield, space, or cyberspace, and whether it's required at the front-line, PJHQ, in a cockpit or deep in the ocean.The Digital Targeting Web is meant to be up and running in the next couple of years, but how will it work and what will it mean for troops at the sharp end?Also on Sitrep what difference could US Tomahawk cruise missiles make to Ukraine, as President Trump hints he might be prepared to supply “the Daddy of missiles”?And as the US Navy celebrates its 250th birthday a Royal Navy veteran, who spent two years on exchange, tells us what makes the American maritime force tick.

This week on North Port Now, we're getting into the spirit of the season!

Dwight D. Eisenhower was born in Denison, Texas, in 1890. He was the President of the United States when I was born in Dallas, Texas, 68 years later.People called me “Little Roy.” People called him “Ike.”I worry that we have forgotten him.Ike Eisenhower graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1915 when he was 24 years old. His superiors noticed his organizational abilities, and appointed him commander of a tank training center during World War I.In 1933, he became aide to Army Chief of Staff General Douglas MacArthur, and in 1935 Ike went with him to the Philippines when MacArthur accepted the post of chief military adviser to that nation's government.On June 25, 1942, Ike Eisenhower was chosen over 366 senior officers to lead the Armed Forces of the United States in World War II.After proving himself on the battlefields of North Africa and Italy in 1942 and 1943, Ike Eisenhower was appointed supreme commander of Operation Overlord – the Allied invasion of northwestern Europe.Ike was now commanding the Armed Forces of all 49 Allied nations – including Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and China – in the war against Hitler and his minions. He personally planned and supervised two of the most consequential military campaigns of World War II: Operation Torch in the North Africa campaign in 1942–1943 and the invasion of Normandy in 1944.Ike Eisenhower never talked like a tough guy, but only a fool would call him “weak” or “woke.”This past July, Robert Reich – an eloquent and intelligent spokesperson on the left – quoted a passage from an anti-war speech that Ike Eisenhower made at the beginning of his presidency in 1953. Reich ended his quote just prior to Ike's unsettling reference to the crucifixion of Christ.Eloquent and intelligent people on the right refused to believe that a celebrated warrior had ever made a speech that could be classified as “anti-war.”Curious, I decided to get to the bottom of it.Here is a link to the complete transcript and original recording of the speech that President Dwight D. Eisenhower made before the American Society of Newspaper Editors on April 16, 1953, from the Statler Hotel in Washington, D.C.This is the passage from that speech that got everyone worked up:“Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed.This world in arms is not spending money alone.It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children.The cost of one modern heavy bomber is this: a modern brick school in more than 30 cities.It is two electric power plants, each serving a town of 60,000 population.It is two fine, fully equipped hospitals, it is some 50 miles of concrete pavement.We pay for a single fighter plane with a half million bushels of wheat.We pay for a single destroyer with new homes that could have housed more than 8,000 people.This is, I repeat, the best way of life to be found on the road the world has been taking.This is not a way of life at all, in any true sense. Under the cloud of threatening war, it is humanity hanging from a cross of iron.”The title of that speech was originally “Chance for Peace,” but due to the vivid mental image contained in the middle of the speech, it quickly became known as the “Cross of Iron” speech.Words have impact when they contain vivid mental images.I own guns, but I am not a hunter. Neither my family nor my friends have ever seen my guns. But in the unlikely event of a home invasion, I am adequately prepared to protect

Your daily news in under three minutes. At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes! Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Iran's Strategy, Setbacks for Hezbollah, and the Chinese Economic Lifeline Guest: Jonathan Sayah Jonathan Sayah discusses US efforts to bolster the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) with $230 million, intending to empower the national identity over sectarian militias like Hezbollah. Iran consistently seeks to arm its proxies, but Hezbollah is currently on its back foot, having lost leadership, money, and the Syria corridor due to Israeli attacks and the new regime in Syria. A peace deal in Gaza would significantly weaken Iran, as stability does not favor the Islamic Republic, which thrives by exploiting regional instability. The morale of the Islamic Republic has crumbled due to external defeats and internal incompetence (failing infrastructure, high inflation). Furthermore, Iran relies heavily on China to purchase oil, utilizing a money-laundering network to evade US sanctions, securing an economic lifeline for the regime in return for natural resources and infrastructure projects. 18666 TEHRAN

Iran's Strategy, Setbacks for Hezbollah, and the Chinese Economic Lifeline Guest: Jonathan Sayah Jonathan Sayah discusses US efforts to bolster the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) with $230 million, intending to empower the national identity over sectarian militias like Hezbollah. Iran consistently seeks to arm its proxies, but Hezbollah is currently on its back foot, having lost leadership, money, and the Syria corridor due to Israeli attacks and the new regime in Syria. A peace deal in Gaza would significantly weaken Iran, as stability does not favor the Islamic Republic, which thrives by exploiting regional instability. The morale of the Islamic Republic has crumbled due to external defeats and internal incompetence (failing infrastructure, high inflation). Furthermore, Iran relies heavily on China to purchase oil, utilizing a money-laundering network to evade US sanctions, securing an economic lifeline for the regime in return for natural resources and infrastructure projects. 1924 ALEPPO

What does leadership look like at the highest levels of service?  SUMMARY In this episode of Long Blue Leadership, Col. (Ret.) Michael Black '85 discusses his journey from cadet to commanding the White House Communications Agency. He reflects on what it means to be a calm, steady presence in high-pressure environments — and how small daily practices can shape a lifetime of leadership. The full episode is now available.   SHARE THIS PODCAST FACEBOOK  |  LINKEDIN   MICHAEL'S LEADERSHIP TAKEAWAYS Develop a personal leadership philosophy that guides your actions (like Michael's 5F's: Family, Fitness, Flying, Fairness, and Fun). Always be aware that people are watching you and learning from your example, even when you don't realize it. Nurture relationships continuously - they are critical for long-term success and mentorship. Practice empathy and compassion, especially during difficult moments like delivering challenging news Maintain a holistic approach to fitness - physical, mental, and spiritual well-being are interconnected. Take pride in leaving organizations better than you found them and focus on developing future leaders. Be fair and be perceived as fair - understanding different perspectives is crucial to effective leadership. Incorporate fun and balance into your professional life to maintain team morale and personal resilience. Stay connected to your roots and be willing to mentor the next generation, sharing your experiences and lessons learned. Continuously practice self-reflection and ensure you're living up to your core values and leadership principles.   CHAPTERS Chapter 1 - 0:00:00 - 0:08:55: Family and Military Roots   Michael Black shares his background as a military brat and the educational legacy of his family. Chapter 2 - 0:08:55 - 0:12:10: Delivering a Difficult Notification A profound leadership moment where Black sensitively delivers news of a combat-related death to a staff sergeant's family. Chapter 3 - 0:12:10 - 0:18:40: The 5F Leadership Philosophy Introduction Col. Black explains the origin and core components of his leadership framework: Family, Fitness, Flying, Fairness, and Fun. Chapter 4 - 0:18:40 - 0:25:59: Detailed Exploration of 5F Philosophy   In-depth breakdown of each leadership principle, including personal anecdotes and practical applications. Chapter 5 - 0:25:59 - 0:32:21: Family Legacy and Academy Experience   Discussion of his son's Air Force Academy journey and the importance of nurturing relationships across generations. Chapter 6 - 0:32:21 - 0:38:36: Mentorship and Relationship Building Michael shares his approach to mentoring cadets and the significance of maintaining long-term professional connections. Chapter 7 - 0:38:36 - 0:40:13: Leadership in Civilian and Nonprofit Sectors Reflection on applying military leadership principles in private and nonprofit environments. Chapter 8 - 0:40:13 - 0:41:28: Personal Reflection and Leadership Advice  Final thoughts on leadership, self-improvement, and the importance of continuous personal development.   ABOUT COL. BLACK BIO Michael “Mike” B. Black, vice president for Defense, joined the nonprofit Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association International in July 2022. He is a senior cyber/information technology leader with more than four decades of experience in cyber operations, communications, project/program management, leadership disciplines and organizational development. As AFCEA's vice president for Defense, Col. Black builds strong professional relationships with government, industry and academia partners to position AFCEA International as a leader in the cyber, defense, security, intelligence and related information technology disciplines. Col. Black leads defense operations in support of planning and executing global, large-scale, technically focused, trade shows/conferences supporting Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Operations, Cyber and Homeland Security.  Col. Black is focused on providing opportunities for engagement between and among government, industry and academia. Prior to joining AFCEA International, Col. Black served as chief operating officer at Concise Network Solutions for four years, directly supporting the CEO in developing, executing and managing CNS's master business plan. Prior to joining CNS, he served as the COO and chief corporate development officer at JMA Solutions for two and a half years, working in concert with senior executives to lead operations and the planning and execution of strategies. Prior to joining JMA Solutions, he served as the COO at Premier Management Corporation for four years, where he was responsible for day-to-day operations, all business units and the company's profit and loss. Prior to joining the private sector, Col. Black spent 26 years in the U.S. Air Force holding various communications and leadership positions at many levels. He culminated his distinguished military career as a colonel, commander, White House Communications Agency, leading a 1,200-person team of selectively manned military, then-Department of Defense civilian and contract personnel to provide “no fail” telecommunications services for the president, vice president, named successors, first lady, senior White House staff, National Security staff, U.S. Secret Service and the White House Military Office. Col. Black holds a Bachelor of Science in basic science from the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he was a Distinguished Military Graduate. He holds a Master of Science in national resource strategy, with an information operations concentration, from the National Defense University, Industrial College of the Armed Forces; a Master's Degree in military arts and science from the Army Command & General Staff College; and a Master of Arts Degree in management from Webster University. He is a published author, including writing several leadership articles for The New Face of Leadership Magazine as well the thesis Coalition Command, Control, Communication, and Intelligence Systems Interoperability: A Necessity or Wishful Thinking? BIO EXCERPTED FROM AFCEA.ORG   CONNECT WITH MICHAEL IG: @chequethemike FB: @michael black LinkedIn: Michael Black   CONNECT WITH THE LONG BLUE LEADERSHIP PODCAST NETWORK TEAM Send your feedback or nominate a guest: socialmedia@usafa.org Ted Robertson | Producer:  Ted.Robertson@USAFA.org    Ryan Hall | Director:  Ryan.Hall@USAFA.org  Bryan Grossman | Copy Editor:  Bryan.Grossman@USAFA.org Wyatt Hornsby | Executive Producer:  Wyatt.Hornsby@USAFA.org      ALL PAST LBL EPISODES  |  ALL LBLPN PRODUCTIONS AVAILABLE ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS   TRANSCRIPT SPEAKERS Guest, Col. (Ret.) Michael Black '85 | Host, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz '99   Naviere Walkewicz Welcome to Long Blue Leadership, where transformative journeys of Air Force Academy graduates come to life. There are moments in a leader's life that leave a permanent mark. For my guest today, Col. (Ret.) Michael Black, USAFA Class of '85, one such moment came when he was actually sent to deliver news of a combat-related death. It was the first time he'd ever been tasked with that duty, and knew he only had one chance to get it right. As he sat with the widow, Michael found the strength to guide the family through their grief. That part of Michael's story speaks to the depth of his empathy and the calm steadiness that defines him as a leader. We'll explore much more of Michael's journey, from leading the White House Communications team to mentoring cadets at the Academy to daily practices that ground him and the framework that guides him today, what he calls the five Fs of leadership: family, fitness, flying, fairness and fun a guide not only for his life, but for the leaders he inspires. Michael, welcome to Long Blue Leadership. Michael Black Naviere, thank you for having me, and thank you for that very kind introduction. I'm so happy to be here, and I'm just thankful for what you guys do, the AOG and putting this together and telling stories. I think this is amazing. So thank you for the opportunity. Naviere Walkewicz Well, we're grateful you're here. You got your silver on. You got your ‘85 Best Alive, you know, I mean, I'm just blown away here. The class crest… Michael Black Yeah, got it all, you know, the crest and the two squadrons that I was in. I'm just excited, back here for our 40th reunion. Yeah. So that's amazing. So fellowship and fun with your classmates, and just seeing the mountains, you know. Getting off the plane and looking west and seeing the mountains and seeing God's creation is just amazing. And then, of course, the Academy in the background, you know, pretty excited. Naviere Walkewicz Wonderful, wonderful. Well, we're going to jump right in. And actually, the topic is a bit sensitive, but I think it's really important, because we know that when we all raise our right hand, some are prepared and they give all. But not everyone has to actually give the news to the family when their loved one is lost, so maybe you can share what that was like. Michael Black Thank you for allowing me to talk about that. You hit the nail on the head when you said you only have one chance to get it right when you're talking to the family. And so I had a young staff sergeant that was deployed down range at the Horn of Africa, and he happened to be a radio operator in a helicopter supporting the Marines. And there was a mid-air collision that happened while he was deployed, and he was one of the people that perished. So the first notification that I had to make was duty status: whereabouts unknown — to say that to the family. And of course, you can think about the range of emotions that are associated with that. They don't know. We don't know.   Naviere Walkewicz There's still hope. There's not hope.   Michael Black So that was the first day. So going over there with my first sergeant, a medical team, chaplain, you know, that kind of thing, to support us and the family.   Naviere Walkewicz And what rank were you at that time?   Michael Black So I was a lieutenant colonel. So I was a squadron commander of the 1st Comm Squadron at Langley Air Force Base. And I like to say, you don't get to practice that. You have one time to get it right. At least back then, there was not a lot of training to do that. It doesn't happen that often, and so having to make that notification was a tough thing. It was one of the hardest things, if not the hardest thing, I had to do in the service. Two young boys. He had two sons, and at the time, his spouse was military as well, so I go over there to do that the first day. You can imagine, you know, knocking on the door, right, and I'm in uniform, and just the emotions that they can be going through. So we're sitting on the couch in their house, two young boys. I believe their ages were 3 and 5 at the time, they were very young. And I explained to Michelle what we knew. And again, it's scripted. I can't say more or less than that, because 1) don't know, right? And 2), you just don't want to speculate on anything. And then we're waiting to find out his status. So then I have to go back the next day to make that notification, and you're representing the chief of staff of the United States Air Force, and that's kind of something that's scripted for you. “I'm here on the behalf of the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, and I regret to inform you of the untimely death of your spouse.” The part that was even more heartening for me was after I told her, and with the boys sitting, I believe, on either side of me, she said, “And now Col. Black is going to tell you what happened to your dad.” That was a tough thing to do. And I would say it was the hardest thing that I had to do in the Air Force, in my career, and reflect on “you have one chance to get that right.” I believe we got it right, me and my team, but that was tough. Naviere Walkewicz Wow. Have you kept in touch with the family? Michael Black Yes, I keep in touch with Michelle, just from — just a personal because I'm very personal, outgoing, as you know. And so I've kept in touch with Michelle and the boys. But we're forever bonded by that, and I think that's important to stay in touch. And that's kind of one of my things I think we'll get into a little bit later in the conversation, but that's what I do. Naviere Walkewicz Well, it touches, certainly into, I think, that the family aspect of the five Fs, and because it seems like you even take in them as your family. And I'm curious about your family, because when you're going through that, I mean, you have at least a son — you have son, right?   Michael Black Yes, and two daughters.   Naviere Walkewicz Two daughters. So were you thinking about — did you put on your dad hat in that moment?   Michael Black I certainly did put on my dad hat and, and I think that helped in things. And I think all of the training that I got along the way about dealing with tough situations, and being a leader, it helped. But I took it upon myself after that to talk to other commanders. And in fact, my wing commander at the time, Burt Field, Gen. field was a '79 grad, and we talked, and that also brought him and I closer, because he also asked me to brief the other squadron commanders on that process and how I handled that. And I know when — to this day, Gen. Field and I are still very connected, and he's pretty engaged right now with the Air Force Association's birthday and all that. But a great mentor of mine who also helped in dealing with that. But he was extremely supportive and, and I think that had a factor in just how he evaluated me, right, how I handled that situation?   Naviere Walkewicz Well, it sounds like you certainly picked up some of those traits of taking care of your people recognizing empathy within processes and sharing it. I'm curious, were you always like this, or did you see some of this emulated from your family? Michael Black No, it's a great question. I am a military brat. My dad was in the Army. My dad went to Tuskegee — it was called Tuskegee Institute at that time. My mom went to Alabama A&M, so two schools in Alabama. They're from a very small towns in Alabama. My dad's from Beatrice, Alabama — which is less than 200 people today — and my mom is from Vredenburgh, Alabama. It's about 15 miles away, and it's even smaller than Beatrice. But they went to the same elementary school and high school, so high school sweethearts, and then they went off to college. And then dad got a direct commission in the Army, the Signal Corps. Well, he started out Medical Service Corps, but getting back to your question, so yes, family with that, and even take a step further back to my grandparents, on both sides of the family, but particularly with my paternal grandparents, they went out and visited the Tuskegee Institute at that time, and they saw the statue of Lifting the Veil of Ignorance there, and they decided at that point that they wanted their kids to go to that school. And so there's seven kids within my dad's family, and six of them went to Tuskegee. Naviere Walkewicz   Wow. So I want to fast forward a little bit, and you can certainly share whether it was during the Academy or after graduation, but you have kind of had this great foundation from your family. Let's talk a little bit about the Academy or after-Academy experience, where you had seen additional time where you had grown as a leader. Was there a particular experience that can come to mind, where another shaping of this leadership journey that you've been on? Michael Black Yeah, I think there's multiple throughout my career. I mean, I went to the Army Command and General Staff College for my intermediate professional military education. And there's a story there too. My dad was in the Army, and so I wanted to experience some of the things that my dad did, even though I was Air Force. And so one of my mentors, now-retired Lt. Gen. Harry Raduege, was instrumental in me getting selected for Army Command and General Staff College. And so I went there, and I think that was a big portion of my shaping, although had mentors and folks and coaches in my life leading up to that were, you know, helped shape me, but going to that school… And what I noticed when I got there that the Army was very serious about leadership and leadership philosophy, so much so that we took a class on that where we had to develop a leadership philosophy. And so in taking that class, before the Christmas break, I found out that I was going to be a squadron commander. So I was a major, and I was going to be a squadron commander. And so in that leadership course, I said, “Well, I'm going to go be a squadron commander. I'm going to the fifth combat con group in Georgia. Let me make this philosophy that I'm doing in class be my philosophy, so that when I get there…” And that was really the first time that I thought very serious about, “OK, what is my leadership philosophy?” And I had been a flight commander before, and had people under my tutelage, if you will. But being a squadron commander, you know, being on G series orders. And you know, we know how the military takes the importance of being a commander. And so having that so I did decide to develop my philosophy during that time. And you mentioned the five Fs earlier. And so that was — that became the opportunity to develop that. So family, that's what it was. That's when I developed that — in that course. So family, fitness, flying, fairness and fun — the five Fs. I worked on that when I got there. And so then when I got to take command, I had prepared all of that stuff in this academic environment, and I used it to a T and I briefed the squadron after I took command. I think this is my command philosophy, the five Fs. I subsequently had the opportunity to command two more times after that, another squadron, and then at the White House Communications Agency, which is now wing command equivalent. So had the opportunity to tweak and refine, but the foundation was still the five Fs. And so in doing that, and I can go into a little detail. So you know, family is your immediate family, your your blood family, and that that kind of thing. But family also encompasses your unit, your extended family, you know, and part of that. And so I always tell people you know, your family, you don't want to be the only one at your retirement ceremony because you neglected your family. And I've done many retirement ceremonies. In fact, I've done 25-plus since I retired. Well, that shows you really made no so family is, is important, take care of your family. And I, you know, one of the things I said about that to the folks was if you in your unit, if folks are getting assigned unit, permanent changes, station, PCS to your unit, and they haven't found the place to live in the due time and whatever the house hunting days are, I always gave my folks the option of give them some more time to find a place. They may be looking for schools, I mean looking for a place that just fits the environment that they need. And let's give them that time now, because they're not going to be effective in the organization if they're worried about where they have to live, where their kids are going to go to school and that kind of thing. So take care of all of that, and then get them to work, and they'll be that much more effective because they won't have to worry about where they're living, where the kids are going to school. So take care of your family fitness. You understand physical fitness and what you do and all of that, and I admire all of your accomplishments in that. And so physical fitness in the military kind of goes without saying. You have to maintain certain standards and do that, and do a PT and take a test and that kind of thing. But fitness is more than just physical fitness. It's spiritual and mental fitness. Now I would never be one to tell somebody this is how you need to nurture your spiritual and mental fitness. I think that's personal. But if your spiritual mental fitness is not being nourished, you're not going to be doing yourself any good, your team any good. And honestly, you would be able to tell if an individual is struggling with their spiritual or mental fitness, particularly as a leader and just kind of looking and observing characteristics and the behavior of folks. So I basically told my team, I want you to do whatever it takes to nurture your spiritual and mental fitness, whatever you need to do — if it's meditating, if it's praying, if it's walking, whatever is personal to you, but make sure that it's nurtured. But I also told my folks that if you think my spiritual fitness and mental fitness is out of balance, I want you to tell me, because I might have blinders on. I could be focused on things, just like they could be focused on things, and I would tell them. And I think folks really appreciated the candor and the openness of the leader, the commander, you know, saying that, yes, I want you to tell me if you think my spiritual mental fitness is, you know, is out of balance.   Naviere Walkewicz Did you ever have anyone tell you that?   Michael Black I did. I had strong relationships with my first sergeant, or my command sergeant major, the senior enlisted adviser. So we were, you know, we're hand-in-hand and all the places I was at. And so, yes, I've had them. I've had my wife tell me that. So I think that's important. I just — like I said, you can easily have blinders on and maybe just not see that or have blind spots. And speaking of that, I've written a leadership article on blind spots. I've kind of studied that and understand that. Flying — at the time the primary mission of the Air Force was flying. And so I'd always say, “What is your role in supporting the primary mission, or what is our role in supporting the primary mission of the Air Force?” So make sure you understand that. As a communicator, how do you contribute to the primary mission, or as a logistician, or as information management? But understand what your role is in the primary mission of the Air Force. Fairness, as a leader — it is so important for the leader to be fair, right? It can affect good order and discipline if you're not fair, but equally important is to be perceived as being fair. So I could think I'm being fair, I could think that I'm being fair, but if the perception of the unit, the team, is that I'm not being fair, that's just as detrimental to the mission as actually not being fair. And so I think perceptions are important, and you need to understand that. You need to be aware of the perceptions; you need to be ready to receive the information and the feedback from your team on that. And so I stress the importance of also the perception people have different management. I could be looking at something over there, and I say, “OK, yeah, sky is blue over there,” but somebody's looking at it from a different you know, they may see a touch of some clouds in there, and so they see some light in there, and from their vantage point. And it's just like that in life: Respect everybody's vantage point in things. And so that was the fairness aspect. Then finally, fun. I'm a person that likes to have fun.   Naviere Walkewicz You are?!   Michael Black Yes, I am. I'm a person that loves to have fun. And so for me, I grew up playing sports. And so I played sports throughout my Air Force career. So that was kind of one of the things I did for fun, intramurals.   Naviere Walkewicz What was your favorite sport?   Michael Black My favorite sport was baseball growing up. I mean, I dreamed about trying to play in the Major Leagues and that kind of stuff. And I played on a lot of baseball teams growing up, and then when I got into the service, played softball, and I played competitive softball. Back in the day, they have base softball teams, and so you would, you know, try out for the team, and I would try out, and I played on base team at probably at least four or five bases that I was at. So I was, these are my own words: I was good. So I played and was very competitive in intramurals. That's another way to bring your team together — camaraderie. They see the boss out there playing. And I always would tell folks that on the squadron team: They're not playing me because I'm the commander. They're playing me because I'm good. I can contribute to the wins in a game. But so it's very competitive. I wasn't a win at all costs, but it wasn't fun to lose. So being competitive and fun. So that's one of the things I did for fun. I also follow professional sports. San Antonio Spurs is my basketball team; Washington Commanders, my football team. So I would go to those events, those games, those contests and stuff like that. Music, concerts, still do that kind of stuff with my kids and my family incorporate fun into — so it's not all work and no play. I think you do yourself justice by, winding down relaxing a little bit and having fun and that kind of thing. And so I encourage my team to do that. Wasn't gonna tell people what they needed to do for fun. I think that's personal, but having fun is important and it helps strike that balance. So that's really the five Fs. And I carried that, as I said, every time I command, every time I've, you know, unit that I've been associated with, particularly after the 2000 graduation from Army Command and Staff College. And I still carry that five Fs today And incidentally, I think the if you bump into somebody who was in one of my units, they're going to remember the five Fs, or some portion of it. In fact, I have a couple mentees that commanded after me, and they adopted the five Fs as their command philosophy. And that's kind of something that's very satisfying as a leader to have somebody adopt your leadership style. They think that it was good for them while they were in the unit. And it's very flattering to see that afterwards. I mean, so much so that I've had people that were in my unit, and then they got assigned to one of my mentee's unit, and they would call me up and they'd say, “Hey, Col. Black, you know, Col. Packler says his command philosophy is the five Fs.” Yeah, I said Marc was in my unit at Langley, and he probably felt that. But that's, that's a true story. Naviere Walkewicz That's a legacy, right there; that's wonderful. Well, speaking of legacy, you have a son that's also a graduate. So talk about that. I mean, you were expected to go to college. It wasn't an if, it was where? How about your children? Was that kind of the expectation? Michael Black So my wife is a college graduate. She's a nurse as well. And so we preached education throughout. And just as an aside, shout out to my wife, who just completed her Ph.D.   Naviere Walkewicz Wow, congratulations!   Michael Black Yes. Wilda Black, last week, in doing that. And so between my family, my immediate family — so my wife, and my two daughters and my son, there are 15 degrees between us.   Naviere Walkewicz And you?   Michael Black And me. So five us, there are 15 degrees. My wife has two master's, a bachelor's and now a Ph.D. My oldest daughter has a bachelor's and two master's. My son has a bachelor's and a master's. My younger daughter has a bachelor's and a master's, and I have a bachelor's and three master's degrees. So I think that adds up to 15.   Naviere Walkewicz I lost count. Social sciences major here.   Michael Black So yes, education. And so my son — he really liked quality things, likes quality things growing up. And so he was looking at schools and researching and looking at the Ivy League, some of the Ivy League schools, and some other schools that, you know, had strong reputations. I purposely did not push the Air Force Academy to him because I didn't want him to go for the wrong reasons. I didn't want him to go because I went there and that kind of thing. But late in the game, you know, in his summer, going into his senior year of high school, he came to me and said, “Hey…” and I'm paraphrasing a little bit, “Dad, you know, your alma mater is pretty good, you know, pretty, you know, pretty has a strong reputation.” And I said, “Yeah, you know, you know, strong academic curriculum and everything else there.” So that summer he said, “Well, I'm thinking I might want to go there.” And I'm thinking to myself, “That's a little bit late in the game, like the summer going into senior year.”   Naviere Walkewicz Did you recruit your mom again?   Michael Black Mom got involved. And then I think you know Carolyn Benyshek. So Carolyn was the director of admissions. I reached out to her and just said, “Hey, I got my son that's interested.” They were actually coming to Baltimore, I believe, for a…   Naviere Walkewicz The Falcon Experience. Right.   Michael Black And so we went to see her, and I'll just kind of say the rest is history. Through her help and guidance, through my son's qualifications — he was able to get in. He went to the Prep School, which is great, and I just want to give a shout out to the Prep School for that. I did not attend the Prep School, but I saw the value of my son going to the Prep School and then coming to the Academy. So I just to this day, thankful for our Prep School and how they prepare folks.   Naviere Walkewicz We feel similarly about that.   Michael Black So, yeah. So he went. And so, of course, a proud dad, right? Your son following in your footsteps, and that kind of thing. So Clinton, Clinton Black is in the Space Force now, and he's assigned to Vandenberg. But my son, he was a soccer player growing up, played a lot of competitive soccer, came here and decided that he wanted to do Wings of Blue, and so he was on Wings of Blue parachute team. And the neat thing about that is that the jump wings that my son wears are the jump wings that my dad earned at Airborne School in 1964, '65 — sometime in the early ‘60s. And so my dad was still living at the time and so he was able to come out here and pin the wings on Clinton. So it skipped a generation because I didn't jump or anything. But my son jumped, and he has mid-500 number of jumps that he's had. And so my dad was able to see him jump, and that was even though Airborne is a teeny bit different than free fall, but still, you know, parachuting, and all of that. So getting to see Clinton excel and do that and see him jump into the stadium, and that kind of thing. He jumped with some of the former Navy SEALs in the X Games, you know, in the mountains. So that was just a proud parent moment. Naviere Walkewicz Wow. That is very exciting. And so, through all of these experiences that you had, I keep wanting to go back to the five Fs .yYu had mentioned earlier that you did some refinement to it. So where you are now, how are you using them? How have they been refined? I mean, flying. What is that? Michael Black So, I asked people to take a little bit of a leap in that, understand where it came from, in my 5s but that aspect refers to the mission, right? And so the Air Force mission has evolved to include space and that kind of thing. But even on the private side, the civilian side, I still use the five F's. And so the flying aspect just refers to the mission, or whatever the mission of your organization is. And so there was some refinement as we brought in space into our mission, but it really reflected on the mission. And so I had different AFSCs that worked for me in in the different units that I was at, and also different services. And so understanding the service aspect of things also was something that I had to take into consideration as far as keeping and refining that, at the White House Communications Agency, about 1,200 military — more Army than Air Force, more Air Force than Navy, more Navy than Marine Corps, and more Marine Corps than Coast Guard. And so being an Air Force commander of a joint unit that had more Army folks in it, you have to understand that lingo, and be able to speak cool and that kind of thing. Dad loved that. And so going to the Army Command General Staff College, and, getting some of that philosophy and understanding that. And then I went to what's now called the Eisenhower School, now ICAF, the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, which is another joint school. And so being around that helped me in those aspects. But really applying that throughout and after I retired, I did 10 years in the private sector with a couple of different small businesses that were government contracted focused, providing professional services, but still, as the chief operating officer of each one of those, it's a pretty high leadership position within the company and so I talked about the five Fs in some terms that my team could understand that, and so still apply that. And then now, with three years working for the nonprofit, the AFCEA organization, where we bring government, industry and academia together to do IT, cyber kind of things, machine learning, artificial intelligence — I still have that philosophy to buy that and what I do, I think it's something that's applicable across the board, not just military. At least I've made it applicable. Naviere Walkewicz I was just gonna ask that, because talk about the private sector and — some of our listeners, they take off the uniform, but they still have that foundation of the military, but they're working with people who maybe don't have that foundation of the military. So how did you translate that in a way that they could feel that same foundation, even though they hadn't gone through a military family or through the Air Force Academy? Michael Black Yeah, no, that's a great question, Naviere. And I think, as a leader, you have to be aware of that. You have to be aware of your team and their background and their experiences. You also you have to speak their lingo, right? I mean, I can't talk just Air Force or military lingo. We talk a lot in acronyms. Naviere Walkewicz Like AFCEA. And I'm sure many know it but would you mind spelling it out? Michael Black Armed Forces Communications Electronics Association. And even though we have that we are more than the armed forces now, so we really are known by just AFCEA, even though that's what that acronym stands for. So I mean, I work with Homeland Security, VA and that kind of thing. But to your point, getting folks to understand where I'm coming from, and I need to understand where they're coming from, you have to take the time, put in the work to do that, so that you can communicate with your folks, and so that they understand where you're coming from, and also, so that they feel valued, right? That you understand where they're coming from. And I think all of that is important. And I tried to make sure that I did that, and I had coaches, mentors and sponsors along the way. So I learned when some of my mentors transition from the military time, and so when they went to go work in the private sector, I still lean on them. “OK, how did you make this transition? And what is it about? And what are the similarities and what are the differences? What do I need to consider in doing that?” And I'm thankful, and that goes back to one key point that I want to make about relationships and nurturing that relationship. I mentioned Gen. Field, worked for him in the early 2000s. But here we are, 2025, and he's in my contacts, he will take my call, he will respond to a text, and vice versa. You know, building that relationship. And so he's with a nonprofit now, and so I still stay in touch with him. The director of the White House Military Office was a Navy admiral that I worked for when I was at the White House. He is now the president and CEO of the United States Naval Institute — Adm. Spicer. You know, 20-something, 15 years ago, worked for him and now we're working together on a big conference. But those relationships are important in nurturing those relationships. And I learned about nurturing from my family. You know, my grandparents, who did that. My grandfather was a farmer. He had to nurture his crops for them to produce. So the same thing, analogy applies in relationships; you have to nurture that relationship. And you know, it circled all the way back to, you know, our 40-year reunion now, and my classmates that are here and nurturing those relationships with those classmates over the years is important to me. I'm the connector within my class, or the nucleus. I mean, those are two nicknames that my classmates have given me: the Col. Connector and Nucleus, and I embrace those. Naviere Walkewicz Yes, that's wonderful. I know that you also mentor cadets. And I think my question for you, from the aspect of some of our listeners, is, did you seek out the cadets? Did they seek you out? How does that mentorship relationship start? Because you talked about how, like, for example, Gen. Field, you had that relationship years ago. That's kind of carried through. But how do you know when that mentorship is beginning? Michael Black I think both of those aspects, as you mentioned. Do they seek that? There are cadets that seek that based upon just what they've experienced and what they've learned. And then some of the cadets know people that I know, and so they've been referred to me, and all that. Some were — like their parents, I worked with their parents. I mean, particularly in the Class of 2023 there are three young ladies that I mentored in the Class of 2023 one whose father worked with me on the White House Communications Agency, one whose mother babysat my kids OK. And then one who's ROTC instructor in junior in high school was my first sergeant. So in those three instances, I was connected to those folks through relationship with either their parents or somebody that worked for me and that that kind of thing. And that was a neat thing to, you know, to be here. I did the march back with those young ladies, and then I connected those three young ladies who did not know each other at the march back, when we got back on the Terrazzo, I found all three of them and explained my relationship with each of them. And they were able to be connected throughout and two of them I actually commissioned, So that was really, really nice. And so, you know, seeking mentorship is, well, mentorship has just been important to me. I benefited from mentorship, and I want to return that favor. I am the chairman of the Air Force Cadet Officer Mentor Association, AFCOMA, whose foundation is mentorship, fellowship and scholarship, and so I'm passionate about mentorship and doing that. I've seen the benefits of it. People did it for me, and I think you can shorten the learning curve. I think you can just help folks along the way. So I'm very passionate about that. Naviere Walkewicz Well, this has been amazing. I think there's two questions I have left for you. The first one being — and I think we've learned a lot about this along the way — but if you were to summarize, what is something you are doing every day to be better as a leader? Michael Black I think every day I take a deep look inside myself, and am I living and breathing my core values? And what am I doing to help the next generation? You know, trying to put that on my schedule, on my radar, that's important to me. And whether I'm at work with AFCEA, whether I'm out here at my 40th reunion, whether I'm on vacation, I always take the time to mentor folks and pass on that. I think that's something that's passionate for me. You mentioned, when we talked about the retirement ceremonies. I mean, I've done 20-plus since I retired. In fact, I have one in November, but it will be my 27th retirement ceremony since I retired. And those things are important to me. And so I reflect, I try to keep my fitness — my physical, spiritual and mental fitness, in balance every day so that I can be effective and operate at a peak performance at the drop of the hat. You know, being ready. And so that's important to me. So there's some self-analysis, and I do live and breathe the five F's. I think that's important. And I think I've proven to myself that that is something that is relatable, not only to my time in the military, but my time in the private sector, and now my time in a nonprofit. And I just continue to do that so self-reflection and really practicing particularly the fitness aspect of the five Fs. Naviere Walkewicz Wow, that's outstanding. And then you probably share this with your mentees. But what is something that you would help our aspiring leaders — those who are already in leadership roles in any facet of it — but what is something that they can do today so that they will be more effective as a leader? Michael Black So I think being aware that people are watching you and your actions. Even when you think that somebody is not watching, they are watching. And so they are trying to learn what to do next, and to be aware of that. And so I think, again, that goes with what you asked me first: What do I do every day. But also being aware of that, so that you can be that example to folks. And then take the time, have some pride in leaving the organization better than it was when you got there. I mean, it's a cliche, but I think I take a lot of pride in that. And then, when the team does good, everybody does good, so you shouldn't necessarily be out there for any kind of glory. That's going to come. But do it for the right reasons. And provide… give the people the tools, the resources and the environment to be successful. And in… I just take satisfaction when I see one of my mentees get squadron command, go do something like the current commander of the White House Communications Agency, Col. Kevin Childs. He was a captain and a major in the organization when I was there. Nothing makes me happier than to see my mentees excel. And then, in this particular instance, he's holding a job that I had, and we still talk. I mean, he had me come out there to speak to the unit about a month ago. And those things give me a lot of pride and satisfaction and confirmation that I am doing the right thing. And so I'm excited about that. Naviere Walkewicz Well, I can say, from the time that I met you a few years ago, you are living what your five Fs. I see it every time you help champion others. Every time I'm around you I'm  energized. So this has been a true joy. Has there been anything that I haven't asked you that you would like to share with our listeners? Michael Black Well, I do want to say personally, thank you to you for all that you do and what the association is doing here. This Long Blue conversation, Long Blue Line — I think this is important to share. There's a Class of 1970 that's in the hotel with us, and I don't know, really, any of those folks, but when I see them walking around with their red hat on — that was their color — and I think about, “OK, 15 years before me.” And so I'm 62. These guys are, if I did the public math, right, 77, 78, maybe even older, depending upon what they did, and still out there doing things, and some of them here with their spouses and that kind of thing. I was just talking to one of the classmates this morning, I said, “You know, I wonder if we're going to be like this when our 55th reunion is,” and they were walking around, and most were in good health and able to do things. So that gives a lot of pride. But, what you're doing, what the rest of the folks here are doing, I think this is amazing. I love the new building, the studio that we're in. This is my first time in the new building, so I'm thankful for this opportunity, and just excited about what you guys do. Naviere Walkewicz Well, thank you so much for that. It's been an absolute pleasure having you on Long Blue Leadership. Michael Black Well, I appreciate it. It's been an honor, and I'm glad you guys timed this for my '85 Best Alive reunion and in the new studio. Naviere Walkewicz Yes, wonderful. Well, as we bring today's conversation to a close, Michael left a reminder for us that stands to me. As a leader, you're always on, you're always being watched. You know your steady presence and deep empathy were forged in life's hardest moments, from guiding a young family through unimaginable loss to breaking the barriers at the highest levels of service to mentoring cadets who will carry forward the legacy of leadership. And then there's that framework he lived by, the five Fs of leadership. It is practical as it is powerful, family, fitness, flying mission, fairness and fun, each one a reminder that leadership is about balance grounding and the courage to keep perspective no matter the challenge. His story reminds us that true leaders create more leaders, and when we anchor ourselves in purpose, faith and these five Fs, we leave behind a legacy that lasts. Thank you for listening to Long Blue Leadership. I'm Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz. Until next time. KEYWORDS Michael Black, Air Force leadership, 5F leadership philosophy, military mentorship, leadership development, combat communication, White House Communications, Space Force, veteran leadership, empathetic leadership, military career progression, leadership principles, professional growth, organizational effectiveness, cadet mentoring, military communication strategy, leadership resilience, Air Force Academy graduate, leadership philosophy, team building, professional relationships.       The Long Blue Line Podcast Network is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation    

There's a growing call for mandatory national service in Canada — asking 18- to 30-year-olds to spend a year in public health, the environment, youth services, civil protection, or the military. Esprit de Corps editor Scott Taylor says it could strengthen citizenship and even help the Armed Forces. Policy expert David McLaughlin argues it's a way to build unity but warns it won't come cheap. Seventeen-year-old Jaden Braves pushes back, saying young people need to shape the program themselves.

Meet my friends, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton! If you love Verdict, the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show might also be in your audio wheelhouse. Politics, news analysis, and some pop culture and comedy thrown in too. Here’s a sample episode recapping four Tuesday takeaways. Give the guys a listen and then follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. The Kick Ass Standard President Trump’s announcement on prescription drug pricing, revealing that Pfizer will now offer medications at “most favored nation” prices, a move aimed at reducing costs for American consumers. Clay then shifts to a fiery cultural debate sparked by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s speech to military leaders, emphasizing a return to strict physical standards and meritocracy in the U.S. Armed Forces. Hegseth rejects DEI mandates and insists on combat readiness over diversity quotas, sparking a broader conversation about whether elite positions in the military—or any field—should reflect demographics or prioritize performance. Clay uses examples from Olympic basketball and the National Spelling Bee to argue that excellence rarely mirrors population diversity and that merit should always come first. Golden Handcuffs An in-depth discussion on JK Rowling’s viral takedown of Emma Watson and the gender ideology debate. Clay praises Rowling’s courage in standing against what she calls “gender insanity,” reading excerpts from her powerful statement that has garnered tens of millions of views. He challenges wealthy and influential Americans to show similar bravery in defending truth and common sense. OK Sen. Markwayne Mullin Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin does a deep dive into the budget impasse, blaming Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for obstructing a “clean CR” (Continuing Resolution) due to pressure from progressive challengers like AOC. Mullin outlines the shutdown’s impact on military pay, federal employees, and mandatory vs. discretionary spending, while criticizing continued COVID-era healthcare subsidies and Obamacare enrollment for undocumented immigrants—a $350 billion taxpayer burden, he claims. Mullin and Travis assert that Donald Trump’s 2024 landslide victory was a rejection of socialism and far-left policies. They argue the Democratic Party is now led by figures like Bernie Sanders, Ilhan Omar, and Jasmine Crockett, and suffering an identity crisis. Mullin also praises military fitness standards, referencing Pete Seth’s call for accountability among generals, and shares his own leadership philosophy rooted in discipline and example-setting. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise Congressman and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise joins the show to reflect on the Charlie Kirk shooting, drawing parallels to his own experience as a victim of political violence in 2017. Scalise emphasizes the importance of civil discourse, condemns cancel culture, and highlights the resilience of Turning Point USA, which has seen over 50,000 students express interest in launching chapters. He praises Erica Kirk’s commitment to continuing Charlie’s legacy and notes a religious revival among youth inspired by Kirk’s faith. Scalise also discusses the House-passed funding bill, warning that Schumer and the far-left are pushing a shutdown out of political spite. He urges Democrats to prioritize governance over ideological battles. The hour closes with Scalise’s thoughts on LSU football, NIL funding, and the electrifying experience of Saturday nights in Tiger Stadium, complete with Cajun tailgating and Garth Brooks anthems. Make sure you never miss a second of the show by subscribing to the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton show podcast wherever you get your podcasts! ihr.fm/3InlkL8 For the latest updates from Clay and Buck: https://www.clayandbuck.com/ Connect with Clay Travis and Buck Sexton on Social Media: X - https://x.com/clayandbuck FB - https://www.facebook.com/ClayandBuck/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/clayandbuck/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuck Rumble - https://rumble.com/c/ClayandBuck TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@clayandbuck YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special EXTENDED podcast cut of tonight's monologue, Republicans prepared to shut down the government while Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth threw out the rule book in his speech to a gathering of America's military leadership. At that same event, top officials also heard from President Trump in a low-energy speech where he threatened to use the Armed Forces against U.S. citizens and lamented not being able to use the “n-word.” Next, Jimmy Kimmel and Guillermo pop up with a bottle of tequila and join Stephen Colbert in a toast to their good luck as late night talk show hosts who love their jobs and the people they work with. Watch “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” weeknights on ABC. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pete Hegseth announces a new twice-yearly PT test for top brass in the US Military in a fierce Patton-esque speech in Quantico. The left freaks out over forcing our Armed Forces to be in shape. Joy Reid trashes Conservatives for wanting no income tax, no regulations, and earning what you want. J.B. Pritzker ironically says it is dangerous for the Trump administration to call the Democratic Party, fascist. Dana breaks down what is contributing to an inevitable government shutdown. Hakeem Jeffries freaks out over Trump sharing an AI video of Jeffries in a sombrero. Charlie Kirk's team is forced to release the letter he wrote to Bibi Netanyahu after some conservative influencers were calling him “disillusioned” over his stance on Israel. Jimmy Kimmel's ratings have fallen even further than before following his non-apology over Charlie Kirk as Americans continue to bail on Disney. Serena Williams calls out a New York hotel for cotton plant decor in their corridor. Rep. Chip Roy joins us to bring us behind the scenes on negotiations to prevent a government shutdown.Thank you for supporting our sponsors that make The Dana Show possible…ChapterFor free and unbiased Medicare help from my partners Chapter, dial #250 and say keyword “My Medicare”Chapter and its affiliates are not connected with or endorsed by any government entity or the federal Medicare program. Chapter Advisory, LLC represents Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and PFFS organizations and stand-alone prescription drug plans that have a Medicare contract. Enrollment depends on the plan's contract renewal. While we have a database of every Medicare plan nationwide and can help you search among all plans, we have contracts with many but not all plans. As a result, we do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently, we represent 50 organizations which offer 18,160 products nationwide. We search and recommend all plans, even those we don't directly offer. You can contact a licensed Chapter agent to find out the number of products available in your specific area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-Medicare, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.Keltechttps://KelTecWeapons.comKelTec builds every KS7 GEN2 right here in the USA with American materials and workers—upgrade your home defense today. All Family Pharmacyhttps://AllFamilyPharmacy.com/Dana Don't wait until flu season knocks at your door. Use code DANA10 at checkout to save 10%. Fast Growing Treeshttps://Fast-Growing-Trees.comGet up to 50% off select plants and an extra 15% off your first purchase with code DANA at Fast Growing Trees. Offer valid for a limited time; terms apply.Relief Factorhttps://ReliefFactor.com OR CALL 1-800-4-RELIEFTurn the clock back on pain with Relief Factor. Get their 3-week Relief Factor Quick Start for only $19.95 today! Byrnahttps://Byrna.com/danaGet your hands on the new compact Byrna CL. Visit Byrna.com/Dana to receive 10% off Patriot Mobilehttps://PatriotMobile.com/DanaDana's personal cell phone provider is Patriot Mobile. Get a FREE MONTH of service code DANAHumanNhttps://HumanN.comSupport your cholesterol health with SuperBerine and the #1 bestselling SuperBeets Heart Chews—both on sale for $5 off at Sam's Club. Boost your metabolic health and save!

In this episode, the guys engage in a candid conversation with Josh Ebert, a military veteran transitioning into the trades after 20 years of service. They discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by veterans entering the workforce, particularly in skilled trades like plumbing and HVAC. The conversation highlights the importance of experience, teamwork, and the supportive community within the trades. Josh shares his journey, concerns about age, and the steps he is taking to find the right fit in his new career. The episode emphasizes the value of reaching out for help and the various apprenticeship programs available to facilitate this transition.Send us a textSend us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels!Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumbNewsletter sign up: https://bit.ly/MH_email

In WW2 a shortage of materials led to parachute silk often being recycled into knickers and vice versa. In honour of this the beans continue to send their underpants to His Majesty's Armed Forces today, even in peacetime. But who the blazes is using this precious commodity for recreational purposes and why? Luckily Tom of Bristol has suggested extreme sports as this week's topic so expect answers within.With thanks to our editor Laura Grimshaw.Join our PATREON for ad-free episodes and bonus/video episodes: www.patreon.com/threebeansaladTickets for our UK TOUR available here: https://littlewander.co.uk/tours/three-bean-salad-podcast/Merch now available here: www.threebeansaladshop.comGet in touch: threebeansaladpod@gmail.com @beansaladpod