Podcasts about rotc

Abhi and Damon advise a student to focus on their GPA and ROTC program—even if it means putting the LSAT on hold for a couple of years. Read more on our website. Email daily@lsatdemon.com with questions or comments. Watch this episode on YouTube!.

These are 7 of the top headlines in military news. NOTE: All persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.  Today I cover these 7 headlines:  -Targeted ODU Attack Claimed Life of LTC Brandon Shah -$1B Countersuit Filed in Alleged Hot Cocoa Abortion Case -An Acquittal at Fort Hood in Death of Sgt Alfredo Martinez -Fort Bragg Soldier Arrested in Christmas Eve Murder -Former Marine & TikTok Influencer arrested by FBI in Child SA Case -Retired Army Colonel Shared Screenshot of Secret Info To Impress Woman Online -Veteran Sentenced to 30 Years for Belt Lashing That Killed 8-Year Old Boy ⸻ Check out today's sponsors! Quince: Visit quince.com/militarymama for free shipping and 365 day returns! Gusto: Visit gusto.com/MMP for 3 free months of payroll! ⸻

Dean Karayanis, Rush Limbaugh staffer and columnist at the New York Sun, delivers a fast-paced analysis of the ongoing conflict in Iran, contrasting current military actions with historical precedents. Despite media negativity and "Trump Derangement Syndrome," the Trump Administration's aggressive stance is a necessary victory against a regime that has threatened — and taken — American lives since the 1979 hostage crisis. Key discussion points include: The War in Iran: Touting military's success, emphasizing that the U.S. has significantly degraded Iranian leadership and neutralized threats without suffering the high casualty rates seen in previous conflicts. Historical Comparisons: A dive into the 1983 invasion of Grenada and how President Reagan "reset the clock" for American prestige. A vintage “Saturday Night Live” parody of Time-Life illustrates how media attitudes toward military victory have shifted — and not for the better. The "Jolene Doctrine": A scathing critique of General Stanley McChrystal's recent comments, mocking McChrystal's use of Dolly Parton lyrics to criticize the war effort, questioning the general's own record regarding the Pat Tillman investigation and the Afghan withdrawal. Domestic Politics & Crime: Rather than focus on the terrorist and the ideology, the commonwealth attorney prosecuting the ROTC attack at Old Dominion, Ramin Fatehi, blames a "national sickness" — our Second Amendment rights — as if we haven't had that for 250 years, but open borders and importing people who hate us plays no role. President Trump gets blamed for three murders in a Utah national part because some park rangers — who are not law enforcement — may have been laid off. The broadside ignores that crime in America is down to levels not seen since 1900 under this presidency. A clip of James Carville claiming to be “an instrument of God's will” and proudly touting his “hate” and “Trump Derangement Syndrome” as expression of Christ's will. It's the ravings of an angry, bitter guy who's hilarious in his frustration about his party's failures — a frustration similar to a man in a house of prostitution who forgot his Viagra. St. Patrick's Day Special: Closing on a lighter note, Dean plugs his History Author Show interview with Irene Levy Baker on her book, “Cheers to McGillin's: Philly's Oldest Tavern,” that being McGillin's Old Ale House in Philadelphia, founded in 1860.

Stay connected with us at americangroundradio.com, on Facebook, and Instagram. You're listening to American Ground Radio with Louis R. Avallone and Stephen Parr. This is the full show for March 13, 2026. In this episode, we take a hard look at what happens when policy, politics, and reality collide. We start with a story out of California that raises a serious question: if Planned Parenthood has long claimed to provide “essential healthcare,” why would it suddenly need to offer cosmetic Botox injections just to keep the doors open? With federal funding streams tightening and clinics closing across the country, the conversation turns to what the free market reveals about organizations that once depended heavily on government support. From there we cover the top three stories you need to know before tomorrow. ROTC students at Old Dominion University are credited with stopping a campus shooting after an armed attacker opened fire in a classroom. In West Bloomfield, a terrifying truck-and-gun attack at Temple Israel leaves investigators searching for answers. And overseas, a tragic refueling aircraft collision involving U.S. forces over Iraq highlights the risks American service members continue to face during ongoing conflicts. Back at home, we examine a new proposal from Zohran Mamdani to push New York City’s minimum wage to $30 an hour—and what history suggests will happen to jobs, small businesses, and automation if labor costs are forced that high. And with American Mamas Teri Netterville and Kimberly Burleson, the conversation turns cultural as rock legend Gene Simmons says celebrities should stop lecturing Americans about politics. The question sparks a bigger discussion: have Hollywood elites hurt their own credibility by constantly weighing in on issues far removed from everyday life? Our Digging Deep segment uncovers a staggering example of government fraud—$600 million in Medicare hospice claims allegedly filed using the billing number of a single physician. It’s the kind of story that forces a larger question: how much stronger would America be if waste, fraud, and abuse were actually eliminated from government programs? We also take on the week’s most outrageous headlines in Fake News Friday, where the line between reality and satire seems to get thinner every week. And we close with a reminder that sometimes the best stories aren’t about politics at all: a father and son in Mobile finally cash in on a decades-old restaurant challenge—free oysters for any man over 80 who shows up with his father. It’s a conversation about truth, accountability, culture, and the stories that reveal what’s really happening beneath the headlines—right here on American Ground Radio. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, visit AmericanGroundRadio.com, and join the conversation at 866-AGR-1776! What we know about Mohamed Jalloh: Suspected Old Dominion shooter 6 dead after US Air Force refueler crashes in Iraq while supporting Iran war See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of ABL Live, we're talking about the ongoing Iranian conflict including the newly-appointed Supreme Leader being missing from the public eye, the shooting at Old Dominion University of a beloved ROTC professor by an Islamic extremist, Starbucks possibly leaving Seattle for Tennessee as their former CEO moves to Florida, NYC becoming more unaffordable every day, and much more!

On March 12, 2026, Old Dominion University was the site of a horrific act of violence that has since been classified as an act of terrorism by the FBI. In this episode of Chaos Culture Radio, we analyze the shooting at Constant Hall, where a gunman targeting an ROTC classroom took the life of a beloved instructor before being neutralized by his own students.We're diving deep into the details of the case:The Attack: A timeline of the 10:43 AM shooting and the moment Mohamed Bailor Jalloh opened fire while shouting "Allahu Akbar."The Heroes of Constant Hall: The incredible story of the ROTC cadets who used a knife to subdue and kill the gunman, saving countless lives.The Perpetrator: Who was Mohamed Jalloh? We look at his 2016 conviction for attempting to support ISIS and his time in the Virginia National Guard.The System Failure: Why was a convicted terrorist sympathizer released from federal prison in late 2024, and how did he obtain a Glock 44 with an altered serial number?Honoring Lt. Col. Brandon Shah: A tribute to the dedicated ROTC instructor and retired Army officer who was killed in the line of duty.The Political Fallout: Examining the statements from President Trump and Governor Abigail Spanberger regarding the early release programs and campus security.Note: Our thoughts are with the Monarch community and the families of those injured. Counseling services are available through ODU for all students and staff.

Topics: U.S. missile striking Iranian elementary school (9:18) My theory on the gas pricing going up (19:08)  TSA not being paid but don't fear still fly (26:49) Michigan Synagogue targeted, thankfully no casualty (33:23) ROTC students take care of individual (41:00) Teenagers court cases (46:19) Quick Entertainment (55:03) Ending Music: Kanye West – Jesus Lord (Instrumental) National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 Twitter: @My2Podcast Instagram: my2centspodcastg2 YouTube: My2CentsPodcast Business email: my2centspod@yahoo.com

Welcome to Last Call, a look at the biggest stories Jim and Greg covered over the past week on the 3 Martini Lunch. This week, they discuss Thursday's terrorist attacks in Michigan and Virginia, reports that Iran may be activating sleeper cells in the U.S., and CNN's bizarre fumbling of the facts on last weekend's attempted terrorist attack in New York City.First, they share their Friday discussion of the terrorist attacks at a synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan, and an ROTC class at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. They highlight the impressive responses of synagogue security and the ROTC cadets, who prevented the respective attacks from being much deadlier. They also fume that the Virginia terrorist was let out of prison early after being convicted of providing material support to ISIS and permitted to stay in the U.S.Next, they react to U.S. intelligence reports, which claim we intercepted encrypted messages designed to activate Iranian sleeper cells in the U.S. How significant is this threat? And wouldn't now be a good time to fund the Department of Homeland Security?Then, they pull their hair out over CNN fmiserably failing to get the facts straight about last weekend's attempted terrorist attack in New York City. Even though the suspects  pledged allegiance to ISIS, CNN portrayed then as two teenagers who just happened to end up throwing bombs at demonstrators they didn't like.Finally, in the chaser of the week, they highlight Washington state Democrats passing a 9.9 percent income tax on households grossing more than a million dollars per year. While the left may relish soaking the rich, there may be some unintended consequences for people of all political stripes.New episodes every weekday. 

A gunman with alleged ties to ISIS opened fire at Old Dominion University, but the situation took a dramatic turn when ROTC students stepped in and helped stop the attack before more lives could be lost. We also examine the disturbing plot by teens allegedly planning a terror attack in New York City and the […]

On today's episode, Andy & DJ discuss the ISIS-linked Mohamed Bailor Jalloh being ID'd as old Dominion gunman who sought out ROTC before opening fire, Ilhan Omar's ties to her sisters Minneapolis Health Clinic and 50 Cent facing backlash after saying children should not be exposed to cartoons with LGBTQ cartoons.

New details on the deadly shooting at Old Dominion University, where a former National Guardsman with a prior ISIS-related conviction opened fire in an ROTC classroom before being stopped by students. Authorities investigating a car bombing attempt at a Michigan synagogue and preschool, where security guards killed the suspect as he breached the building carrying explosives. Iran's new supreme leader threatens to close the Strait of Hormuz as attacks on commercial shipping escalate and oil prices surge. Viral outrage over Pentagon spending on steak and lobster spreads online, but critics are leaving out key context about long-standing military meal traditions. The FBI joins the search for a missing retired Air Force general tied to advanced military research programs and UFO speculation.   Relief Factor: Find out if Relief Factor can help you live pain-free—try the 3-Week QuickStart for just $19.95 at https://ReliefFactor.com or call 800-4-RELIEF.   Herald Group: Learn more at https://GuardYourCard.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tim, Phil, and Ian are joined by Alex Jones and Luke Rudkowski to discuss Joe Rogan warning Iran could attack the White House UFC event, Netanyahu says a Messiah will come, a gunman targets a ROTC program, the UK has fallen, Virginia moves to ban guns, and Claude Ai may have a soul.  SUPPORT THE SHOW BUY CAST BREW COFFEE NOW - https://castbrew.com/ Join -    / @timcastirl   Hosts:  Tim @Timcast (everywhere) Phil @PhilThatRemains (X) | https://allthatremains.komi.io/ Ian  @IanCrossland  (everywhere) | https://graphene.movie/ Luke  @wearechange  (YouTube) Producer: Carter @carterbanks (X) |  @trashhouserecords  (YT) Guest:  Alex Jones @realAlexJones (X)  Podcast available on all podcast platforms! Joe Rogan WARNS Iran May ATTACK White House UFC Event | Timcast IRL w/ Alex Jones For advertising inquiries please email sponsorships@rumble.com

At Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, 41-year-old Ayman Mohamed Ghazali, a Lebanese-born naturalized U.S. citizen, allegedly rammed a truck into the building near the early childhood center, breached doors, drove down a hallway, and engaged in gunfire with security officers, who shot him. No children or synagogue members were killed or seriously injured. Separately, at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, 36-year-old Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former Virginia Army National Guard member previously convicted and imprisoned for attempting to provide material support to ISIS, entered a classroom during an ROTC session, shouted "Allahu Akbar," and opened fire, killing one and injuring two others. He was subdued and killed by ROTC cadets. The FBI is investigating both incidents as potential acts of terrorism or targeted violence. Is Iran activating sleeper cells? We Also Cover: Democrats propose highest tax hike.  Four U.S. service members killed in Iraq. Pete Hegseth is eating steak & lobster? War propaganda from the White House. NASA Artemis is READY? 00:00 Pat Gray UNLEASHED! 01:32 Dems Push for Tax Increases 06:21 Four U.S. Service Members Killed 06:59 Old Dominion University Shooting 09:15 Attack on Michigan Synagogue 11:46 Trump on Synagogue Attack 12:20 Trump on Destroying Iran 13:51 Severely Injured Ayatollah 17:12 Trump Signs National Women's Month Proclamation 19:19 The Rising Price of Oil 20:21 Scott Bessent on Oil 22:58 Elissa Slotkin on Russia Assisting Iran 25:54 Pete Hegseth Eating ALL the Steaks & Lobsters? 31:53 Fat Five 43:14 Advanced U.S. War Tech 49:19 John Cornyn is Not Happy with Reporter 53:19 Roy Cooper's PR Guy Thrown Under the Bus 55:02 Update on Snapchat Teacher 1:04:06 Live Chat's Warning for Kris 1:06:39 AI Encouraging Suicide?! 1:14:06 More White House Iran Videos 1:16:28 The Trivialization of War 1:18:12 Jeffy DESTROYS Kriz Cruz! 1:18:41 More Discussion of White House Iran Videos 1:20:01 Karoline Leavitt's Pregnancy 1:24:03 AI in the Medical Field 1:26:41 NBC Fires Tony Dungy 1:29:34 Stanton Healthcare Billboard Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu, where we tackle the most pressing headlines and cultural shifts shaping our world. In this episode, Tom Bilyeu and Drew dive deep into breaking news across global conflict zones, with a particular focus on the escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and the ongoing war involving Iran. The discussion breaks down Iran's strategic moves, the potential economic fallout—including spiking oil prices—and the challenges facing U.S. policy and leadership as the situation evolves. But the conversation doesn't stop overseas. The episode takes a hard look at recent domestic terror attacks, economic reports showing troubling signs for the U.S. economy, debates over digital currencies, and the rising challenges in major U.S. cities like New York as leaders propose controversial new tax strategies. Tom Bilyeu and Drew don't shy away from controversial topics—they address questions of immigration, national security, and the emotional toll of chasing (and reimagining) personal dreams in uncertain times. Whether you're interested in geopolitics, personal growth, economics, or just want to make sense of a world that seems to be changing faster than ever, this episode delivers engaging analysis and actionable insight. Stay tuned—there's a lot to unpack, and Impact Theory is here to help you navigate it. What's up, everybody? It's Tom Bilyeu here: If you want my help... STARTING a business: join me here at ZERO TO FOUNDER:  https://tombilyeu.com/zero-to-founder?utm_campaign=Podcast%20Offer&utm_source=podca[%E2%80%A6]d%20end%20of%20show&utm_content=podcast%20ad%20end%20of%20show SCALING a business: see if you qualify here.:  https://tombilyeu.com/call Get my battle-tested strategies and insights delivered weekly to your inbox: sign up here.: https://tombilyeu.com/ ********************************************************************** If you're serious about leveling up your life, I urge you to check out my new podcast, Tom Bilyeu's Mindset Playbook —a goldmine of my most impactful episodes on mindset, business, and health. Trust me, your future self will thank you. ********************************************************************** FOLLOW TOM: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tombilyeu/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tombilyeu?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/tombilyeu YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TomBilyeu Ketone IQ: Visit https://ketone.com/IMPACT for 30% OFF your subscription orderQuince: Free shipping and 365-day returns at https://quince.com/impactpodDuck.Ai: Protect your privacy at https://duck.ai/impactShopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at https://shopify.com/impactMonetary Metals: Future-proof your wealth at https://monetary-metals.com/impactBlinkist: Start your free trial at https://blinkist.com/impactPlaud: Get 10% off with code TOM10 at https://plaud.ai/tomBlocktrust IRA: get up to $2,500 funding bonus to kickstart your account at https://tomcryptoira.comCape: 33% off your first 6 months with code IMPACT at https://cape.co/impactNetsuite: Right now, get our free business guide, Demystifying AI, at https://NetSuite.com/Theory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:  First—two violent incidents on American soil are now drawing the attention of federal investigators: an attack on a synagogue outside Detroit and a deadly shooting inside an ROTC classroom at Old Dominion University in Virginia. Authorities say the Virginia case is being investigated as an act of terrorism, while the synagogue attack is being treated as a targeted act of violence against the Jewish community. I'll have the details. Later in the show—Cuba's communist leadership is acknowledging talks with the United States for the first time in years. We'll look at what's behind the diplomatic opening and why the island's deepening energy crisis may be forcing Havana to the table. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief ZBiotics: Visit https://zbiotics.com/PDB for 15% off Cardiff: Get fast business funding without bank delays—apply in minutes with Cardiff and access up to $500,000 in same‑day funding at https://Cardiff.co/PDB   HomeServe: Protect your home systems from costly repairs with HomeServe—plans start at $4.99/month at https://HomeServe.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A gunman with alleged ties to ISIS opened fire at Old Dominion University, but the situation took a dramatic turn when ROTC students stepped in and helped stop the attack before more lives could be lost. We also examine the disturbing plot by teens allegedly planning a terror attack in New York City and the ongoing fallout from a synagogue attack in Michigan. Why are some activists and political figures defending these attackers—and why are major media outlets avoiding certain details?Dave Portnoy weighs in on the controversy surrounding Mamdani's defense of synagogue attackers, sparking a viral backlash online.Meanwhile, global tensions escalate as Iran faces mounting pressure and former President Donald Trump warns that the U.S. could be targeting the regime. We also discuss reports of U.S. military losses in Iraq and a bizarre false drone attack alert that was mistakenly reported on the West Coast.On the political front, we cover new tax proposals in New York City, debates over the SAVE Act, and major polling updates across several states. Plus, the ongoing conservative media feud heats up as Ben Shapiro, Megyn Kelly, and Piers Morgan trade blows online.SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS TO SUPPORT OUR SHOW!Lose meaningful weight healthily with LEAN—get 20% off at https://TakeLean.com using code CHICKSSchedule your FREE risk review from Bulwark Capital at https://KnowYourRiskPodcast.comStop overpaying for your prescriptions.  Go to https://Super.com/rx right now to see how much you can save. CowGuys—head to https://CowGuys.shop/chicks to get your bottle, and get a travel-sized mini balm for free.  No special code needed. That's 3-4 months of moisturizer for $34.Subscribe and stay tuned for new episodes every weekday!Follow us here for more daily clips, updates, and commentary:YoutubeFacebookInstagramTikTokXLocalsMore InfoWebsite

After a deadly shooting at Old Dominion, ROTC cadets rush the gunman and stop the attack before police arrive. The panel breaks down the suspect's ISIS background, early release from prison, and the larger debate over radicalization, security failures, and institutional accountability.

Today's Headlines: Two shootings in one day. An attacker rammed an explosives-filled truck into a Michigan synagogue and opened fire — nearly empty due to a half-day, so no casualties besides the shooter. The FBI called it targeted antisemitic violence. Hours later, a man who served 11 years for supporting ISIS killed one person and injured two in a classroom at Old Dominion University before being subdued by ROTC students. Both are being investigated as terrorism. On the war: Iran's new Supreme Leader Khamenei made his first public statement — no surrender, Strait of Hormuz stays shut, and he will avenge his entire family's deaths. Both US and Israeli intelligence now agree the regime won't fall anytime soon, so Israel has quietly downgraded its goal from regime change to degrading Iran's military. The USS Gerald Ford, which Trump sent from Venezuela to Iran with zero maintenance time, had a laundry room fire and has broken plumbing. The U.S. Treasury is borrowing $50 billion a week, adding a trillion to the deficit over five months. Total national debt: $38.9 trillion. Congress passed a bipartisan housing bill 89-10. Trump said "no one gives a fuck about housing." Florida passed a law requiring a passport or birth certificate to register to vote. Epstein's accountant testified for six hours, claimed he saw nothing, and named five men who paid Epstein: Les Wexner, Glen Dubin, Steven Sinofsky, Leon Black, and the Rothschild family — which accounted for maybe 30 seconds of testimony. The Pentagon banned photographers because Hegseth didn't like his pictures. The White House made a war hype video using NFL footage without consent. Trump has been gifting cabinet members Florsheim shoes in the wrong size. And finally, he gave Jake Paul his "complete and total endorsement" for no office, no race, and no discernible reason. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: AP News: Man who rammed his vehicle into Michigan synagogue was naturalized citizen from Lebanon, DHS says WaPo: Islamic State sympathizer opens fire at Old Dominion University, killing one Bloomberg: Bibi says no guarantee of Iran regime change WSJ: Israeli Officials Think Iran's Regime Isn't Likely to Fall Soon WSJ: U.S. Air Force Refueling Plane Crashes in Iraq WaPo: U.S. sailors injured in fire aboard aircraft carrier supporting Iran war NYT: Iran War Live Updates: U.S. Refueling Plane Crashes in Iraq, Military Says Fortune: The U.S. borrowed $50 billion a week for the past five months, finds the CBO ProPublica: Credit Bureaus Are Leaving More Mistakes on Frustrated Consumers' Reports Under Trump's CFPB The Guardian: Senate again fails to pass homeland security funding as department shutdown nears one month – live | US Congress AP News: Senate passes bipartisan housing bill to improve access and affordability Punchbowl: Trump dismisses housing fight in push for SAVE Act NBC News: Richard Kahn, Jeffrey Epstein's longtime accountant, gives closed-door testimony to House Oversight Committee NYT: Florida Republicans Pass Bill Requiring Proof of Citizenship to Vote WaPo: Pentagon bars photographers over ‘unflattering' Hegseth photos WaPo: Former NFL players decry White House video mixing big hits, airstrikes WSJ: Trump Is Obsessed With These $145 Shoes—and Won't Let Anyone Leave Without a Pair NYT: Trump Endorses Jake Paul, Who Isn't Running for Office Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: ⁠⁠⁠betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send a textToday's Daily Drop covers a mix of hard news, weird internet drama, and the usual military chaos.Peaches breaks down a KC-135 crash in Iraq that killed six Airmen, a major B-21 production expansion, and the continued ripple effects of David Goggins entering the Pararescue pipeline. On the Army side, leaders are pushing modernization through munitions production, autonomous systems, and new drone concepts designed to operate without traditional infrastructure. Meanwhile the Navy keeps rotating forces across the Pacific while the Marine Corps highlights real-world readiness moments—from marksmanship competitions to Marines pulling civilians out of a rollover accident.There's also a look at Space Force missile-warning satellites, Coast Guard rescues during a shutdown paycheck drought, and what the White House says the goals are for Operation Epic Fury.In other words: modernization, tragedy, recruiting exposure, and the usual government circus—all in one briefing. ⏱️ Timestamps00:00 Ones Ready intro and sponsor 01:10 Goggins pipeline update and episode recap 02:40 Army modernization and munitions expansion 03:35 New vertical takeoff reconnaissance drone concept 05:20 Mission autonomy office for connected unmanned systems 06:00 Old Dominion shooting and ROTC response 07:30 Navy Gerald R. Ford onboard fire update 08:20 LCAC 115 amphibious connector delivery 09:00 USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. destroyer commissioning 10:00 Pacific force rotation and cruiser phase-out 11:00 Marines rescue family in Camp Pendleton rollover 12:00 Marine Corps marksmanship competition East 13:00 Operator Training Summit Nashville announcement 14:30 KC-135 crash in Iraq and crew loss 15:50 B-21 bomber production expansion 16:40 B-21 testing with KC-135 tanker 17:30 Space Force missile warning constellation update 18:40 Vandenberg launch mission growth 19:30 Space Force medical summit 20:20 Coast Guard Antarctic mission completion 21:00 Maine fishermen rescue operation 22:00 Pentagon legal structure review 23:10 White House messaging on Operation Epic Fury 24:00 Wrap up and cSupport the showJoin this channel to get access to perks: HEREBuzzsprout Subscription page: HERE Register for our Operator Training Summit: OperatorTrainingSummit.comCollabs:Ones Ready - OnesReady.com 18A Fitness - Promo Code: ONESREADY ATACLete - Follow the URL (no promo code): ATACLeteDanger Close Apparel - Promo Code: ONESREADYDFND Apparel - Promo Code: ONESREADYHoist - Promo Code: ONESREADY...

Join Jim and Greg for the Friday 3 Martini Lunch as they examine the Islamist terrorist attacks in Michigan and Virginia, the local Virginia prosecutor who wants to blame the attack on guns, and former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke predicting the end of real elections and the start of unchecked fascism unless Democrats win the midterms.First, they walk through the terrorist attacks targeting Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan, and an ROTC class at Old Dominion University in Virginia. Both incidents appear to be clear cases of Islamist terrorism, bringing the total to at least four similar attacks in less than two weeks. The Virginia suspect previously served prison time for providing material support to ISIS but was released early and allowed to remain in the United States.Next, they rip Norfolk, Virginia, prosecutor Ramin Fatehi, who has jurisdiction over the Old Dominion case, for blaming the “cult of gun absolutism” rather than the extremist ideology the shooter openly expressed before the attack. Jim hammers Fatehi for attempting to shift the narrative and explains how the terrorist violated multiple existing laws at every step leading up to the shooting.Finally, they examine extreme rhetoric in American politics as Beto O'Rourke claims the upcoming midterm elections are the last barrier between freedom and endless authoritarian rule. Jim and Greg excoriate O'Rourke for using the kind of reckless political language that has motivated violence in the past.Please visit our great sponsors:Unlock your healthiest skin by targeting visible aging signs at https://Oneskin.co/3ML with code 3ML for 15% off.Make this the season where no opportunity or customer slips away with Quo. Try Quo free and get 20% off your first 6 months at https://Quo.com/3MLUpgrade your wardrobe with Mizzen & Main — get 20% off your first purchase at https://MizzenandMain.com with promo code 3ML20.New episodes every weekday. 

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-Rob kicks off Friday by announcing Iran's missing Supreme Leader might be replaced with a cardboard cutout, noting America basically did the same thing for four years. -On the Newsmax hotline, Daily Signal columnist Tony Kinnett joins Rob for a fiery conversation about terrorism, media spin, and the strange phenomenon of politicians pretending they can't figure out why terrorists attack Jews. Today's podcast is sponsored by : GHOSTBED : I used to think a mattress was just furniture, until I got my GhostBed! GhostBed is offering my audience their lowest prices of the season, plus an extra 10% off. Go to http://GhostBed.com/CARSON and use promo code CARSON QUINCE CLOTHING - Refresh your wardrobe with Quince.  Go to http://Quince.com/NEWSMAX for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. BIRCH GOLD - Protect and grow your retirement savings with gold. Text ROB to 98 98 98 for your FREE information kit! To call in and speak with Rob Carson live on the show, dial 1-800-922-6680 between the hours of 12 Noon and 3:00 pm Eastern Time Monday through Friday…E-mail Rob Carson at : RobCarsonShow@gmail.com Musical parodies provided by Jim Gossett (http://patreon.com/JimGossettComedy) Listen to Newsmax LIVE and see our entire podcast lineup at http://Newsmax.com/Listen Make the switch to NEWSMAX today! Get your 15 day free trial of NEWSMAX+ at http://NewsmaxPlus.com Looking for NEWSMAX caps, tees, mugs & more? Check out the Newsmax merchandise shop at : http://nws.mx/shop Follow NEWSMAX on Social Media:  -Facebook: http://nws.mx/FB  -X/Twitter: http://nws.mx/twitter -Instagram: http://nws.mx/IG -YouTube: https://youtube.com/NewsmaxTV -Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/NewsmaxTV -TRUTH Social: https://truthsocial.com/@NEWSMAX -GETTR: https://gettr.com/user/newsmax -Threads: http://threads.net/@NEWSMAX  -Telegram: http://t.me/newsmax  -BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/newsmax.com -Parler: http://app.parler.com/newsmax Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

xAttack on Michigan Synagogue. Tragedy and Heroism at ODU's ROTC. Bombing Civilians is Bad. Trump Drops Russian Oil Sanctions. UFO General Missing. RIP Rick Bolanos. Mid-East F1 Cancelled. American caskets are coming home again. In this fierce, fiery Friday episode, Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the escalating “Iran overflow” war, the KC‑135 crash that killed six American service members, the growing drumbeat of troop movements into the Middle East, and the total failure of Congress to do its job on questions of war and peace. He calls out Trump's illegal “no quarter” rhetoric, Pete Hegseth's authoritarian war on the press, ICE's abuses at home, and the dangerous normalization of UFC “Freedom Fights 250” on the White House lawn—while reminding listeners why if you're not angry, you're not paying attention.​ Then Medal of Freedom recipient, Air Force veteran, and TAPS founder Bonnie Carroll returns to go deeper on what really happens when someone is killed in action, in training, in terror attacks at home—or lost to suicide. Paul and Bonnie unpack the brutal realities of casualty notifications, the lifelong journey for surviving families, and the heroic work TAPS is doing right now for the loved ones of those lost in Iran, Iraq, Old Dominion, Michigan, and beyond—and how you can help. It's a powerful conversation about grief, courage, accountability, and hope that will leave you informed, inspired, and ready to stay vigilant. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Check out and support TAPS and all of their programs. And the TAPS Honor Guard Gala which is an amazing event every year. -Urge your representatives to support and pass the Richard Star Act and protect veterans' retirement pay and disability compensation. -Take a moment and honor the legacy of Vietnam Veteran hero Rick Bolanos. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's episode of The Rickey Smiley Morning Show opens with an intense real‑world headline as ROTC students at Old Dominion University are praised nationwide for their bravery after subduing and killing a gunman who opened fire during a classroom attack. Authorities confirmed the shooter as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former National Guardsman previously convicted of attempting to support ISIS, who killed an ROTC instructor and injured two others before cadets intervened and prevented further casualties. The show then shifts to celebrity legal drama, spotlighting Ray J, who is once again facing a lawsuit from American Express—this time for more than $78,000 in unpaid credit card charges—adding to a pattern of previous six‑figure disputes with the company. Later, conversations turn reflective as Mimi Faust opens up about the hard financial reality she faced after leaving Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, admitting she never properly prepared for life after reality TV and calling that oversight her “biggest mistake.” The episode closes with SZA’s pointed warning about artificial intelligence, echoing her recent interviews where she says she feels “at war” with AI—accusing the technology of disproportionately harming Black artists through exploitative AI‑generated covers and “weird, stereotypical struggle music,” all while raising environmental concerns tied to AI systems. Website: https://www.urban1podcasts.com/rickey-smiley-morning-show See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's episode of The Rickey Smiley Morning Show opens with an intense real‑world headline as ROTC students at Old Dominion University are praised nationwide for their bravery after subduing and killing a gunman who opened fire during a classroom attack. Authorities confirmed the shooter as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former National Guardsman previously convicted of attempting to support ISIS, who killed an ROTC instructor and injured two others before cadets intervened and prevented further casualties. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ROTC students sprang into action when a Muslim jihadist shouted "Allahu Akbar" and opened fire inside a classroom at Old Dominion University. The FBI says the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps students showed “extreme bravery and courage” and prevented further loss of life by stopping the suspect, identified as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh. The ROTC students subdued him and “rendered him no longer alive,” the FBI said. “I don’t know how else to say it.” President Trump should honor these brave cadets at the White House.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

//The Wire//2300Z March 13, 2026// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: TERROR ATTACKS CONTINUE IN THE AMERICAN HOMELAND. WAR CONTINUES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. AMERICAN AIRCRAFT CRASHES IN IRAQ, NO SURVIVORS REPORTED.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----  -International Events-Persian Gulf: Last night CENTCOM reported the loss of one KC-135 Stratotanker, which crashed in western Iraq. Rescue operations were conducted immediately, however all six crew members have been confirmed deceased. The incident occurred as a result of a mid-air collision, which involved another KC-135 aircraft that was also damaged.Strait of Hormuz: This morning another commercial vessel was struck while attempting to transit the Strait, which resulted in catastrophic damage to the vessel. The crew abandoned ship, and several crew members remain missing.Turkey: Another ballistic missile was intercepted overnight, as Iranian forces continue to target Incirlik Airbase. This is the third such interception since the war began.UAE: Overnight drone attacks continued to strike Dubai, with the International Financial Center being struck by a Shahed drone yesterday evening.Analyst Comment: Today was also the third day in a row that the UAE has changed their reporting criteria. Social media reports no longer list the total number of drones that impact within their country, with the daily rollup reports instead stating the number of drones and missiles that were "dealt with". Due to the video confirmation of drones impacting within Dubai overnight, these reports are now openly misleading, as the number of successful Iranian strikes remains unreported.-HomeFront-Michigan: Yesterday afternoon a vehicle ramming and small arms attack was reported at Temple Israel, one of the largest synagogues in Michigan. The attack began as a vehicle ramming attack targeting the main entrance to the facility. After the suspect breached the entrance, he exited the vehicle and was engaged by security personnel on site, who neutralized the attacker. Initial reports claim that the suspect also had explosives inside his vehicle, however authorities have not confirmed this yet as the vehicle caught fire during the incident and burned down a substantial portion of the structure, including the suspect. No one but the attacker was killed during the attack.Analyst Comment: The suspect in this case has been identified as Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, a naturalized US Citizen originally from Lebanon. Some sources claim that he conducted the attack due to to his family being killed in an Israeli airstrike on a refugee camp in Beirut yesterday, however these claims cannot be independently verified at this time. Either way, the suspect attacked the 12,000-member synagogue on a Thursday afternoon when almost no one was at the facility, which is an indicator that the terrorist did not have much time to plan the attack. More information is expected later on, as forensic analysis of the remains and vehicle debris is conducted.Virginia: Yesterday a mass shooting was reported at Old Dominion University after a terrorist entered a classroom and began targeting students. Local authorities state that a lone gunman entered an ROTC classroom at ODU shortly before 11:00am yesterday morning, first shooting the instructor, who has been identified as LTC Brandon Shah. Immediately after the first shots were fired, the cadets in the classroom mounted a counterattack, using violence of action to subdue the attacker. At some point during the attack one cadet produced a pocket knife which was subsequently utilized in stabbing the attacker to death. The assailant was found dead by police at the scene after being stabbed 22x times.Analyst Comment: The suspect in this case has been identified as Mohamad Bailor Jalloh, a naturalized US citizen from Sierra Leone and former National Guard soldier who had previously been convicted of attemp

Tara breaks down jaw-dropping contrasts between U.S. service members and illegal immigrant support, while highlighting the escalating terrorism threat at home. From lavish meals for troops to massive weekly spending on catered meals for illegal immigrants, and the shocking release of convicted terrorists under the Biden administration, this episode exposes what's happening behind the headlines. Tara also examines gas prices, oil markets, and rising Islamist attacks targeting Americans. Episode Summary: In today's episode, Tara covers three major stories: Lobster for Troops vs. Illegal Immigrants: Marines in Panama enjoyed steak and lobster as a reward for grueling jungle training. Judicial Watch FOIA reveals $583,000 per week spent on meals for illegal immigrants in NYC hotels, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with some invoices fully redacted. $188 million spent in a single year on housing and services for illegal immigrants. Energy & Oil Market Update: Suspension of the Jones Act and strategic petroleum reserve releases aim to stabilize domestic gas prices. Russian, Iranian, and Venezuelan oil returning to global markets could trigger a U.S. oil glut and crash prices. Phil Flynn (Fox Business) warns short-term volatility but long-term relief is coming for Americans. Domestic Terror Threats: ISIS-inspired attacks targeting pro-American and ROTC students in the U.S. Convicted terrorists released early under Biden policies; 18,000 known or suspected terrorists identified entering the U.S. Challenges for DHS, TSA, and law enforcement amid staffing shortages and political gridlock. Tara connects these stories to larger political implications, contrasting government priorities between U.S. troops and non-citizen residents, exposing policy failures, and warning about escalating domestic and international threats. Key Topics Covered: Military rewards and morale (lobster and steak for troops) Taxpayer spending on illegal immigrant accommodations and meals Oil market interventions and potential crash in U.S. gas prices Russian, Iranian, and Venezuelan oil re-entering global markets Domestic Islamist terror threats and failures in enforcement DHS, TSA, and border security challenges From lobster for Marines to millions spent on illegal immigrants and terrorists roaming free—find out what's really happening in America today. Troops Fed Lobster, Illegals Fed Millions—Terror Threats Rise #Military #IllegalImmigrants #Terrorism #GasPrices #OilMarkets #JudicialWatch #DHS #AmperWave #NationalSecurity Lobster & Steak for Troops – Military morale and rewards FOIA Bombshell – Illegal immigrant meal spending revealed Oil Market Shakeup – Russian, Iranian, Venezuelan oil returns Domestic Terror Threats – Convicted terrorists released Government Priorities – DHS, TSA, and taxpayer concerns

Multiple terror-related incidents in recent weeks have reignited fierce debate about immigration policy, border enforcement, and political leadership. Tara examines claims about extremist threats, the controversy surrounding a deadly campus attack, and the broader fight over messaging in Washington as tensions over national security continue to escalate. Episode Summary: In today's episode, Tara examines a surge of terror-related incidents and the political fallout surrounding immigration, national security, and domestic extremism. The discussion focuses on several attacks targeting institutions viewed as pro-American or conservative, raising questions about ideological violence and radicalization. A central part of the episode revisits the deadly attack at Old Dominion University, where Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Shaw, a respected ROTC leader and combat veteran, was killed. The suspect had previously pleaded guilty to providing material support to ISIS, sparking intense debate over why the individual remained in the United States after serving time. The show also explores broader claims about immigration vetting, alleged failures in federal enforcement, and controversial statistics regarding individuals on terrorist watch lists who have entered the country in recent years. Tara and Lee discuss political disputes over funding for the Department of Homeland Security, ICE, and Customs and Border Protection, arguing that these issues could have major implications for border security. Beyond immigration policy, the episode addresses the political messaging battle in Washington. Tara argues that the debate over terrorism, immigration, and foreign policy—including tensions with Iran—is increasingly being fought in the court of public opinion. She contends that without a coordinated communication strategy, critical national security concerns risk being misunderstood or ignored by the public. The episode closes with a warning about the potential consequences of rising geopolitical tensions, economic impacts from global instability, and the importance of leadership and communication in times of crisis. Key Topics Covered: Recent terror-related incidents and ideological violence The Old Dominion University attack and the death of Lt. Col. Brandon Shaw Debate over deportation and denaturalization for terrorism convictions Immigration vetting and border enforcement controversies DHS funding disputes and calls to eliminate certain enforcement agencies Claims about individuals on terrorist watch lists entering the U.S. Political messaging battles shaping the national debate Broader geopolitical tensions and national security risks A deadly terror attack, rising global tensions, and a fierce political fight over immigration and border enforcement—are America's leaders prepared for the threats ahead? Are Border Policies Increasing Terror Risks? #NationalSecurity #BorderDebate #ImmigrationPolicy #Terrorism #USPolitics #GlobalSecurity #AmperWave Suggested Segment Titles: Four Terror Incidents in Two Weeks – What's happening? The Old Dominion Attack – A veteran's tragic death Immigration Vetting Under Fire – How did suspects get in? The DHS Funding Battle – Politics vs. security The Messaging War – Who's shaping the narrative? Global Stakes – Iran, oil markets, and rising tensions

After multiple terror incidents in just weeks, serious questions are being raised about immigration vetting, border enforcement, and national security. Tara examines the controversy surrounding a convicted ISIS supporter involved in a deadly attack, the political battle over DHS funding, and why some believe the real war in Washington is over messaging. Plus, the tragic loss of U.S. service members in a KC-135 crash during operations overseas. Episode Summary: Today's episode dives into a heated national security debate following several recent terror-related incidents. Tara examines claims that thousands of individuals with suspected ties to extremist groups may have entered the United States in recent years, raising concerns about immigration vetting and border policy. The show also focuses on a deadly attack at Old Dominion University, where Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Shaw, a respected ROTC leader and combat veteran, was killed by an individual who had previously pleaded guilty to providing material support to ISIS. Tara discusses the controversy surrounding why the attacker—who had served time for terrorism charges—was still living in the United States and not deported after his conviction. Listeners also hear the remarkable account of students who reportedly confronted and subdued the attacker themselves, bringing a terrifying situation to an end. Beyond the tragedy, Tara expands the conversation to the broader political fight over border security, immigration enforcement, and Department of Homeland Security funding. The episode also examines criticism of how political leaders communicate these issues to the public, arguing that messaging failures may be shaping public opinion on immigration and foreign policy. Finally, the show addresses global tensions with Iran, the debate over oil markets and the Strait of Hormuz, and the broader geopolitical stakes that could affect both national security and the global economy. Key Topics Covered: Multiple recent terror incidents raising national security concerns Debate over immigration vetting and suspected extremists entering the U.S. Deadly attack at Old Dominion University and the death of Lt. Col. Brandon Shaw Questions about deportation and denaturalization for terrorism convictions Students confronting and stopping the attacker Political battle over DHS funding and border enforcement Messaging strategies in Washington on immigration and national security U.S.–Iran tensions, oil markets, and global security implications Tragic KC-135 crash and the loss of American service members A decorated American veteran survives war overseas—only to be killed at home in a terror attack. The question dominating the national debate: How did this happen, and could it have been prevented? Why Was a Convicted Terror Suspect Still in the U.S.? #NationalSecurity #BorderDebate #ImmigrationPolicy #Terrorism #IranCrisis #MilitaryNews #AmperWave Four Terror Incidents in Three Weeks – What's happening? The Old Dominion Tragedy – A veteran killed at home Should Terror Convictions Mean Automatic Deportation? The DHS Funding Fight – Politics and border enforcement The Messaging War in Washington – Why the public debate is shifting Global Stakes – Iran, oil, and rising geopolitical tension

Mike reacts to a wave of terror attacks across the United States, highlighting four incidents in two weeks that authorities say were carried out by radicalized immigrants or naturalized citizens. He focuses on the killing of an ROTC instructor by a man previously convicted of supporting ISIS, questioning why the attacker was released early and not deported. Mike argues the attacks expose deep failures in immigration enforcement and national security while criticizing Democrats and prosecutors he says are ignoring the threat. At the same time, he praises the armed citizens and security personnel who stopped additional bloodshed, calling them proof that preparedness—and the Second Amendment—can save lives.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 5 AM hour, Larry O’Connor and Patrice Onwuka discussed: MICHIGAN ATTACK: A suspect identified as a naturalized citizen from Lebanon rammed his vehicle into a West Bloomfield synagogue; security guards are being hailed as heroes for stopping the threat. ODU SHOOTING: A deadly attack at Old Dominion University carried out by Mohamed Jalloh, a former National Guard member with previous ISIS ties; a heroic ROTC cadet reportedly stopped the shooter by fatally stabbing him. LOBSTERGATE: Backlash over reports that the Pentagon spent $6.9 million on lobster tails and $15.1 million on ribeye steaks during a "use-it-or-lose-it" spending spree. MORALE VS. WASTE: Marine veteran Joey Jones defends the "surf and turf" meals as a critical morale booster for troops in combat zones. Where to find more about WMAL's morning show: Follow Podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Audible, and Spotify Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor Instagram: WMALDC Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company Episode: Friday, March 13, 2026 / 5 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Driver dead after vehicle-ramming attack at Michigan synagogue. ROTC students at Old Dominion University subdued and killed shooter who left 1 dead, 2 hurt. The Oscars and Razzies. Live Nation executives mocked 'stupid' concert-goers in emails where they bragged about how to best rip them off. As Iran pinches the Strait of Hormuz, American farmers are getting squeezed. Man in charge of classified space weapons program who knew all about America's UFO secrets is missing. Zach Abraham, Bulwark Caital, talks Iran and oil prices. Jim Kennedy recaps the headlines of the week. 

In this fiery second-hour rant, Clay Edwards unleashes on the double terrorist attacks that hit America yesterday—jihad strikes at Old Dominion University and a flaming car bomb at a Michigan synagogue. He calls out the Democrats' “Michigan problem,” open borders, and the radical left's refusal to fund DHS, warning that Iran-backed sleeper cells are already plotting drone boat attacks off California.   Clay praises the absolute American badassery of the ROTC cadet who jumped a convicted ISIS sympathizer in the classroom, stabbed him dead, and ended the threat—demanding the young hero get the Presidential Medal of Freedom and expedited entry into the military at the next State of the Union.   Veteran and fellow host Andrew Gosser joins the studio for a no-holds-barred breakdown: why this isn't “a war” yet but the full application of U.S. air supremacy, how weak Republicans and long-game Democrats are selling out the country, the cycle of strong men/weak times, and why America won't wake up until we get punched in the face harder than 9/11.   Raw, unfiltered, and zero apologies—this is Clay Edwards at his most incendiary. If you're tired of pretending terrorist attacks are “complicated” or that patriotism is optional, this episode is for you.

A convicted ISIS supporter opens fire inside a college ROTC class, killing a military veteran who led the department. How cadets stopped the rampage, including one who stabbed the attacker. Plus, an explosives-filled car crashes into a synagogue in Michigan and barrels inside the building. What investigators are learning after security confronts the suspect. And explosions rock Tehran as thousands fill the streets during a major demonstration. The violence comes as four U.S. service members are confirmed killed in a refueling plane crash in Iraq. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, March 13, 2026.

Two radical Islamic acts of terror rocked the United States in the same day. An ROTC instructor at Old Dominion University was killed by an Islamic terrorist. An Islamic terrorist drove his vehicle into a synagogue in Michigan. Senate Democrats are still holding back funding from DHS even with the increase in terror attacks. The U.S. Trade Deficit dropped by over 50 percent in the last year.    LIVE CALLS: 631-527-4545   Join UNGOVERNED on LFA TV every MONDAY - FRIDAY from 10am to 11am EASTERN!    www.FarashMedia.com www.LFATV.us www.OFPFarms.com www.SLNT.com/SHAWN 

Help Persecuted Christians TODAY: https://csi-usa.org/ Christian Solidarity International On today's Quick Start podcast: NEWS: An ISIS-linked attacker opens fire in an ROTC classroom at Old Dominion University, killing a retired military instructor before students rush the gunman and stop the attack. Authorities say one ROTC cadet ultimately killed the suspect, preventing further casualties. Meanwhile, investigators are also probing a frightening incident in Michigan after a vehicle packed with explosives crashed into a synagogue preschool where 140 children were inside — miraculously, no children were hurt. FOCUS STORY: Bible sales in the United Kingdom have surged to their highest level in 30 years. What's driving the renewed interest in Scripture — and who is buying Bibles? MAIN THING: David Brody sits down with Sen. Ted Cruz for a wide-ranging conversation covering foreign influence, media narratives, and Cruz's thoughts on Tucker Carlson. LAST THING: Matthew 6:33 — “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” PRAY WITH US! Faithwire.substack.com WATCH: David Brody's Interview with Senator Ted Cruz: Clip 1 https://youtu.be/AWBPsw869pA Clip 2 https://youtu.be/bZTDgfetaJw Clip 3 https://youtu.be/a_cxdS06zzg Clip 4 https://youtu.be/VDMxV65Aws0 SHOW LINKS Faith in Culture: https://cbn.com/news/faith-culture Heaven Meets Earth PODCAST: https://cbn.com/lp/heaven-meets-earth NEWSMAKERS POD: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/newsmakers/id1724061454 Navigating Trump 2.0: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/navigating-trump-2-0/id1691121630

A massive Navy plane was spotted circling over Fresno Tuesday night, just days after an unmarked Boeing plane was seen, leaving many wondering what it was doing in the area. Many residents say they heard it before they saw it. Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, 36, stormed into a classroom inside ODU’s Constant Hall and asked if it was an ROTC class. When someone confirmed that it was, he launched the suspected terror attack, shooting the professor several times, law enforcement sources said. A heroic ROTC cadet at the Virginia school jumped into action to prevent more carnage, stabbing Jalloh to death after the crazed suspect gunned down the class instructor. Please Like, Comment and Follow 'Philip Teresi on KMJ' on all platforms: --- Philip Teresi on KMJ is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. -- Philip Teresi on KMJ Weekdays 2-6 PM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 FM KMJ | Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Podcast | Amazon | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, previously convicted for assisting ISIS, attacked a ROTC class at Old Dominion University while shouting "allah u ahkbar", killing 1 and injuring two. Why was he released from prison after a conviction of aiding ISIS? How did he become a citizen & why? In Michigan, Ayman Mohammed Ghazali drove his vehicle into a synagogue before it burst into flames. What do these attacks have to do with NYC? Why is NYFD angry at Mayor Mamdani? The trans terror movement is alive & well and Goldwater Institute is joined by 19 states to get agreement from SCOTUS to hear the case of a mom whose child was transitioned without parental consent. WA state passed a wealth tax on those making more than $1M per year. What CEO of a FAMOUS company announced they're leaving the state the day the wealth tax passed? With Guests Jennifer Kelly, The Jennifer Kelly Show & Adam Shelton, Goldwater Institute Lead Counsel.Support Our Mission: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=ZMGRBFGDJKRS8See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AP correspondent Ed Donahue reports on a deadly shooting on a college campus.

“He Is” Series Day #1 Elohim (God as Creator) Genesis1:1 “In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth.” Welcome to He Is, a devotional journey through the names of God. So often we focus on what we need from God — peace, provision, healing, direction. But in this series, we're going to shift our focus to who He is. Because when we truly know His name, we begin to trust His heart. Over the Next month or so, we'll explore the powerful names of God found in Scripture — from Jehovah Jireh, our Provider, to El Roi, the God who sees us — and allow each name to renew our faith and anchor our identity in Him. Lateley I have been hearing people mention the various names for God. It is not new for me to hear things like, God is our provider or God is our healer. However, I have been hearing people use the Hebrew and Greek names for the Lord. These are new to me. I have heard a few before, but I didn't realize there were so many. The other day, I heard someone mention a few of the names, and I felt in my heart that I was supposed to do a series on them in case others haven't heard of them either. The more we know about God, the closer we can get to Him. If we don't know God, if we don't know all of Him, then how can we trust Him? How can we be in a close relationship with Him if we don't know who He is? I pray that at the end of this series, you know more about God and who He really is. I pray you learn more about God than you did before. I pray this series not only blesses you, but transforms your view of God and our relationship with Him! Elohim is the first name for God given in the Bible. It was given in the very beginning when describing how God created everything. Today's verse is, “In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth.” However, that chapter goes into much more detail about all things God created in those first few days. God spoke the entire universe into existence. He thought of light and darkness. He thought of land and water. He thought of animals for the land and for the sea. He thought of days and nights and the sun and the moon. He thought of everything. I invite you to take a moment and think about your life. Think about how much detail went into creating the life you have now. Imagine how many things had to line up in order for you to have your parents. Imagine all the things that lined up so you could go to the school you went to or have the job that you have. When I take a moment to look at my life, I think about all the ways God was creating the life that I have now. In high school, I dated a guy whom I thought I would marry. I wanted to go to school in New Jersey to be close to where he was. However, I ended up going to school in Connecticut because I couldn't afford the school in New Jersey. I ended up breaking up with my high school boyfriend two years later. Then my roommate was taking ROTC classes at UCONN. They had a bring-a-friend day, and that is where I met the man I would marry. God knew what He was creating. When Tony and I got married, we had to move away from family because he was in the military. We both agreed that once he was done with his four-year commitment, then we would get out of the military, unless we both wanted to stay in. Which we both agreed was unlikely. Then, 4 years turned into 15 years before we finally moved back close to family. It turns out God knew what He was doing, and we both loved moving to new places, meeting new people, and exploring different parts of the world. God is an amazing creator. He can orchestrate things we never would have thought of. He can work with you to create the most amazing life you can dream of. He can create jobs you didn't even know existed. I was just listening to a podcast this morning about a couple who started doing TikTok videos as a spur-of-the-moment decision. Now the husband has quit his full-time job, they make money from their videos, and they're taking on other adventures they never would have thought of before. When you look at this couple on paper, they do not look like they would fit together at all. She has ADHD, and he has autism. He had a steady job for over 20 years, and she bounced from job to job. He has had 2 divorces and two children with two different moms. She has had numerous relationships with men and women that have never worked out. Even when they talk about their relationship, they talk about how it doesn't make sense on paper. They are two very different people. Yet God helped them create a beautiful life together. They have learned so much about each other and how they function best. They have gone into business together, making these videos, and have written a book or two. Things are really good with them. I do want to say one thing that I think we tend to overlook a lot. God did create a beautiful life for me and Tony and for this couple and for so many others. However, that doesn't mean we go through life perfectly without any problems. God didn't say we wouldn't struggle; He said he would be there with us through the struggle. So, Tony and I still argue with each other, we still argue with our kids, and we still struggle with life at times. Yet, we know God is here with us to help us through it. The same is true for you. When you look at your life and you wonder why you might be struggling, remember that God is with you in your struggle. Try to find the amazing things about your life. Try to focus on the good instead of the bad. If all you see are the bad things in your life, then pray to Elohim. Pray to God to create more of whatever you feel you are missing in your life. Do you need Him to create more joy, more fun, more adventure, more love, more peace? Whatever it is, ask Him for it. Ask Him to help you create the life you have been dreaming of, the life you have always wanted. God is an amazing creator. If he can create the entire world in 7 days, I think He can make some magic happen in your life as well. All we need to do is ask. Dear Elohim, please bless all those listening to this episode today. Lord, you are the creator of all things good. You are the reason we have what we have. Thank you, Lord! Thank you for our families, friends, and all those in our lives. Lord, help us to create the life we want to live. Help us to create a life full of all the things you have put in our hearts. Help us to remember to come to you first, Lord! Help us to remember that you are always there with us and that you are the creator of all! We love you, and we ask this in accordance with your will and in Jesus's holy name, Amen! Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. I look forward to meeting you here again tomorrow. Remember, Jesus loves you just as you are, and so do I! God is on your side and we are both rooting for you! Have a blessed day! Today's Word from the Lord was received in September 2025 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “My children, I know you listen. I know you hear me. Don't turn your back on me when I tell you something to do. Do it. It'll turn out right, because I am in it. And I have commanded it.” www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

It's been a busy first year for the US Defense Secretary. From signal chat controversies to Operation Epic Fury, Pete Hegseth has been making headlines. Born in Minneapolis in 1980, Hegseth had what could be described as an ‘All-American' upbringing. A basketball player at school he continued playing during his University career at Princeton where he majored in Politics. He also enrolled in the ROTC (reserve officers' training corps) which turned out to be a career defining decision. After stints in Iraq and Afghanistan, Hegseth returned home and began his career on the political side lines - heading up two veterans charities. But his campaigning job dried up after a whistle blower report alleged he was drunk and abusive at work. Next he moved to Fox News where he caught the eye of President Trump, a notorious consumer of the right wing network. This was the beginning of Hegseth's meteoric rise to power.His confirmation for Defense Secretary hearing saw him answer questions about sexual assault allegations and claims he didn't have enough experience for the job. But Hegseth successfully defended himself and was soon installed at the Pentagon. Mark Coles explores how he got there. Production Team: Presenter: Mark Coles Producers: Annabel Deas and Katie Solleveld Production Coordinators: Maria Ogundele and Gemma Ashman Sound: Neil Churchill Editor: Justine LangArchive: BBC Fox US Army Christ Church

What does courage look like under fire? In captivity? In command? In service? This edition of Long Blue Leadership was recorded on location at the U.S. Air Force Academy's 33rd National Character and Leadership Symposium. We've explored these questions with our guests and captured the conversations for you. Ted Robertson, Multimedia and Podcast Specialist for the Air Force Academy Association and Foundation, hosts this special episode featuring voices shaped by combat, crises and lifelong service. Their message to cadets is clear: Leadership is earned through character, and character is forged in hard moments. - Seg. 1: Lt. Col. Mark George and C1C Jaime Snyder, officer and NCLS cadet director, respectively, set the stage for this year's NCLS and for the podcast. - Seg. 2: Senior Master Sgt. (Ret.) Israel "DT" Del Toro on courage in times of crisis. - Seg. 3: Task Force Hope developer and facilitator Maj. Tara Holmes on preparing future leaders to handle crisis before it happens. - Seg. 4: Former POW Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Edward Mechenbier '64, on leading in circumstances out of your control. - Seg. 5: Annapolis grad and Vietnam-era aviator, Capt. (Ret.) J. Charles Plumb on how character breeds courage. All of our guest's lives and careers reflect the reality of this year's theme through combat, crisis and service.     CONNECT WITH THE LONG BLUE LINE PODCAST NETWORK TEAM Ted Robertson | Producer and Editor:  Ted.Robertson@USAFA.org Send your feedback or nominate a guest: socialmedia@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     FULL TRANSCRIPT OUR SPEAKERS:  - Host, Ted Robertson, Multimedia and Podcast Specialist, United States Air Force Academy Association and Foundation  - Seg. 1: C1C Jaime Snyder, NCLS Cadet Director; Lt. Col. Mark George, NCLS Officer  - Seg. 2: Senior Master Sargent Israel Del Toro  - Seg. 3: Maj. Tara Holmes, Task Force Hope  - Seg. 4: Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Edward Mechenbier '64  - Seg. 5: Capt. (Ret.) J. Charles Plumb   Ted Robertson 0:00 Welcome to Long Blue Line Podcast Network coverage of the 33rd annual National Character and Leadership Symposium. I'm Ted Robertson, multimedia and podcast specialist for the Air Force Academy Association & Foundation, coming to you from Polaris Hall located here at the United States Air Force Academy. This year's symposium centers on the theme Courage to Lead in the Profession of Arms: Combat and Crisis-tested Character, where attendees and cadets will explore how courage in all its forms shapes leaders when uncertainty, fear and consequence are real. Our coverage will start with the Center for Character and Leadership Development's Lt. Col. Mark George and NCLS director, Cadet 1st Class Jaime Snyder. They'll set the stage not only for NCLS, but for today's coverage. Then we'll talk with four key leaders speaking at the symposium, including Senior Master Sgt. (Ret.) Israel Del Torro on keeping courageous during times of crisis. We'll also talk with Task Force Hope developer and facilitator, Maj. Tara Holmes, on preparing leaders to handle crisis before it happens. Then, former POW, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Edward Mechenbier, USAFA Class of '64, on leading in circumstances out of your control. And finally, Annapolis grad and Vietnam-era aviator, Capt. (Ret.) J. Charles Plumb, on how character breeds courage. All of our guests' lives and careers reflect the reality of this year's theme through combat, crisis and service. So I want to bring in our first two guests to help, as I said, frame the discussion today. We're going to dig in to learn what this is all about and sort of the “why” behind it. Cadet Jaime Snyder, 2026 NCLS director. Cadet Snyder, you've helped lead the organizing of the National Character and Leadership Symposium — 33rd year for this, as you know, and part of that work, you've trained cadets and permanent party. I'm going to ask you to explain permanent party, all of which helps strengthen your own public speaking and leadership communication skills. You want to kind of expound on that a bit? C1C Jaime Snyder 2:20 Yes, sir. So a part of my role being in NCLS is to, one, provide the guidance, the support and resources on the cadet side to succeed. But what really makes NCLS special is that we integrate permanent party with cadets. So oftentimes me, in supporting and training permanent party, is giving them cadet perspective, because while they're over here and the Center for Character and Leadership Development, we're over there in the Cadet Wing, and I can be the mediator between both parties. Ted Robertson 2:46 Let's talk a little bit about permanent party. What does that term mean? Who does that describe? C1C Jaime Snyder 2:52 Oh yes. Permanent party describes the civilian and military faculty that works in the Center for Character and Leadership Development that assists with the execution of NCLS — the National Character and Leadership Symposium. Ted Robertson 3:05 How big is the team behind this event every year? C1C Jaime Snyder 3:08 It's kind of complex where we'll get search cadets. We'll get a large number of volunteers, approximately around 300 from the Cadet Wing. Internal staff consists of 50 cadets who work it throughout the entire year, and around 50 staff members who are permanent party who work in the Center for Character and Leadership Development. Ted Robertson 3:29 I want to bring in next Lt. Col. Mark George, who is the experiential and training division chief and NCLS program director, the very fortunate man that gets to work for some incredibly talented cadets. Col. Mark George 3:43 That is absolutely true. Thanks to for having us on. Cadet Snyder has done an outstanding job leading this team. I came into this a little bit late. You know, we've had some reorganization here at the Academy, and after some shuffling, I got the honor and the privilege to take over NCLS while the planning was well underway. So my job was to just make sure this train kept rolling, that people had the resources that they needed, the top cover they needed. And as Jamie said, he was training me as a permanent party member to make sure that I had the cadet perspective. And then, you know, we were moving this ball forward as we got to this event. Ted Robertson 4:23 So coming up in the podcast we'll get to the sort of “why” and what's at the core of NCLS. Colonel, let's start with you. What is National Character and Leadership Symposium designed to do for cadets?   Col. Mark George 4:38 Sure. The National Character and Leadership Symposium — NCLS — is designed to bring exemplars that embody the core values and the traits that we want cadets to have when they become leaders on Day 1 and inspire them to a lifetime of service.   Ted Robertson 4:57 Cadet Snyder?   C1C Jaime Snyder 4:59 We definitely see at USAFA, there is a clear correlation with NCLS and character development. One thing we want cadets to get out of NCLS is to further develop leaders of character who are going to join the fight in the Air Force and Space Force, and that's why I see the epitome of NCLS as it's an opportunity to hear people's perspectives as well as learn from it and apply it to their daily lives. Ted Robertson 5:24 Gentlemen, this year's theme focuses on the courage to lead in the profession of arms. Cadet Snyder, we'll start with you. How did that theme come together, and why is it especially relevant for cadets right now? C1C Jaime Snyder 5:40 With our current structure at USAFA, we've had some implement of change. We recognize that the future war conflict is more prevalent than ever, and that it's important for the cadets to understand that we're changing the way we approach training, as well as what we're learning in curriculum. So this NCLS was an incredible opportunity to discuss courage when leading in the profession of arms, but furthermore, courage and crises-tested character. Which is what we're trying to further push along with what we do in training as well as what we teach in leadership. Ted Robertson 6:15 You make good decisions when your character is strong. You make those decisions with integrity when your character is intact and it's strong. Would you agree with that, Colonel? Col. Mark George 6:25 Absolutely. And I think Cadet Snyder hit the nail on the head that we really want the cadets to understand that the environments that they're stepping into are going to require that courage to do hard things. In my day, like we didn't necessarily think about the fight in that way. You know, we were kind of stovepiped in. And these cadets, whatever environment they may be stepping into, the next conflict is going to require a lot, a high demand of them, and their character is their foundation for that. Ted Robertson 6:59 One of the things you can say about this event is that it brings together voices from combat, crisis, athletics, academia and industry. How intentional is that mix, Cadet Snyder, and what do cadets gain from hearing such different perspectives on leadership and character? C1C Jaime Snyder 7:18 I think by hearing different perspectives, you get to see how universal courage is. When we say courage, it's not just one thing, it's also moral, social, spiritual. And by looking at different versions of courage, you can understand that there's different ways to actually apply courage. Understanding that courage is not the absence of fear, also knowing that courage is not simply being a confident individual. That it's more complex than you may define courage, and so you can then apply it that way — by looking at different perspectives. Ted Robertson 7:53 Colonel, I'll address this one to you as well. Col. Mark George 7:56 Sure. Courage — we're talking about courage here, and there's a heavy focus on the combat side with this year's speakers. The thing that sticks out to me is that courage always involves a decision to do the hard thing. And that's what all of our speakers brought this year. They're showing how in different environments, whether it's in a prison cell in Hanoi or up on the Space Station or — there's a hard decision and the right thing is sometimes pretty obvious, but it doesn't mean it's easy. It does not mean it's easy to do. And so courage always involves a decision to do the right thing. Ted Robertson 8:39 Cadet Snyder? C1C Jaime Snyder 8:40 What he said I find to be very true — understanding that courage is not simply doing something physical, but also in a leadership role, especially — we're talking to cadets who are going to soon be commissioned officers. It's important to know that you need to make the right decision on and off the battlefield. Ted Robertson 8:58 So from your perspective as a cadet — and this one is just for you, Cadet Snyder — what does it mean to help shape an event like NCLS while you're still developing as a leader yourself? C1C Jaime Snyder 9:10 What I've seen through NCLS is taking the time to relax. Don't focus on the future and focus where you're at right now, and that's character development. So don't let the pursuit of tomorrow diminish the joy today. We all have this aspiration to graduate, throw our hats in the air, Thunderbirds fly over. But right now it's important to focus on character development as that's going to be important as future officers. Ted Robertson 9:35 That makes 1,000% very clear sense. But I do want to ask you, less than 100 days from the day you toss your hat — you're giving me a big smile right now — talk about how that feels right now for you. C1C Jaime Snyder 9:47 It's incredible, and a part of it is less daunting, because I can say this institution has really prepared me to commission, and so it's more liberating than daunting for me. Ted Robertson 9:58 Col. George, I'm going to direct this one straight to you, and this is an ask of you from the leadership perspective: How do we events Like NCLS fit into the broader effort to intentionally develop leaders of character here at the Academy. Col. Mark George 10:14 So I get the honor of leading the experiential and training division in the Center for Character and Leadership Development. So we're all about creating experiences and those opportunities for cadets to have different types of environments where they'll learn about character. And right now, NCLS is an opportunity to listen to where people's character was tested, how they overcame it. And then we also have different events that we try to put the cadets in where we'll actually test their character. And that could be on the challenge tower, it could be through our character labs where we're having discussions. NCLS is a huge part of that, because the planning cycle is so long. Ted Robertson 10:59 Cadet Snyder? C1C Jaime Snyder 11:00 Yes, sir. One thing I wanted to add on to that is with NCLS, one thing that makes this event the most unique experience that I've had is the fact that we get to engage in meaningful dialog. This isn't a brief. This is an experience for everyone who attends. I've had the opportunity to talk to Col. George's son, who aspires to possibly come to the Air Force Academy. So I don't want to say this is just for cadets, but it's also a promotion tool. And understand that what we do at NCLS is very important. And anyone who wants to attend can come and see what we're doing and how important it is.   Col. Mark George 11:33 I want to thank you for that, by the way. He looks up to you, and that meant a lot.   Ted Robertson 11:37 That's pretty visionary stuff. That's touching the next generation. That's fantastic. All right, this is for you both. When cadets look back on NCLS years from now, what do you hope they're going to remember feeling or being challenged to do differently?   C1C Jaime Snyder 11:56 There is a very strong human component to NCLS, and with that, there's a human experience. Understanding that we're getting speakers and we'll see their bios that they're incredible. They have incredible stories of making the right decision when tensions were high, and getting to hear their stories and understand that they ultimately were no different than we are. Some of them were Air Force Academy graduates. Some graduated from the Naval Academy, West Point, other colleges, but they were young, 20-year-old people like we were as cadets. And so getting to understand where they're coming from, human experience is vital to NCLS, and how do we grow and understand where they're coming from? Ted Robertson 12:38 Col. George? Col. Mark George 12:39 Yeah, I think what I would want the cadets to remember is how these speakers made them feel. You're right, you won't remember every nugget of wisdom that was said. I just had the opportunity to talk with Gen. Scott Miller, and he was an incredible leader. And I feel like everything he was saying was gold. I wish I'd been able to write it down. But he really makes you feel like you understand just how important your role is going to be as a young leader. And when you come away as second lieutenants from this place, you've had incredible opportunities and now you're stepping out in the real world. I would think I want the cadets to remember that like, “Hey, what I do matters, and how I lead is very important to getting this mission done.”   Ted Robertson 13:24 Lt. Col. Mark George and C1C Jaime Snyder, officer and cadet in charge of the 33rd NCLS. Congratulations on the event. Well done, and thank you for spending time here with us on the podcast today. Hearing from both the cadet perspective and the senior leadership behind NCLS makes one thing very clear: This symposium is intentionally designed not just to inspire but to prepare future leaders for moments when character will be tested. And that brings me to my first featured guest, a man whose life story embodies what combat and crisis-tested character truly means. Israel “DT” Del Toro, welcome to the podcast. It's an honor to be with you here at the National Character and Leadership Symposium. Senior Master Sgt. (Ret.) Israel Del Toro 14:18 Thank you, Ted. Thanks for having me. Good to see you again.   Ted Robertson 14:21 Yes, it's not the first time we've gotten to spend some time together. Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 14:24 It's always great to talk to people, try and spread the word of the whole spark and the promise of my dad. Ted Robertson 14:30 The spark and the promises are the two things that really stood out to me about that interview — your heart and your soul man, from a very, very early age. Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 14:39 You know, losing my dad at 12, and then a year and a half later, losing my mom to a drunk driver, and being the oldest, you know, having to now kind of step up to be, like, the parent figure to my younger siblings. It was challenging.   Ted Robertson 14:55 Out of all of that, you wound up as a retired — you are currently a retired senior master sergeant. You took responsibility for your siblings, as you say, after you were orphaned as a teenager, and ultimately in the service combat-wounded airmen, and you survived catastrophic injuries against incredible odds, and that did not keep you down. One of the things that you did was you became an Invictus Games gold medalist. You're now a national speaker, and you talk a lot about resilience and purpose.   Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 15:27 Yes, sir. Yeah, Invictus, I won gold in shot put. It was pretty awesome. You know, everyone was just going nuts. Ted Robertson 15:37 You kind of make me feel like that was a soul-feeding, motivating time for you.   Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 15:42 It was. At that time, I was probably one of the senior guys, kind of. Obviously, I was one of the senior guys, wounded guys on the team, and so a lot of people looked up to me. And sometimes I wish — people would say, “Man, it's great. You're such trailblazer.” You're sometimes like, “Man, I just want to be one of the guys. I just, I just want to be No. 10.” You know, everything's all done, and no one's focusing everything on me. But it's a burden that I'm willing to carry on to try and continue to help people.   Ted Robertson 16:19 I want to linger here in your background a bit, because it's more than just impressive. I think impressive is pretty trite to describe what your background is. Let's start with before the Air Force and before combat, and just how your life demanded responsibility at such a young age. And what I want to ask is, how did stepping up for your family shape the leader that you became? Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 16:40 Well, I contribute that totally to my dad. I truly do. My dad was there. My dad, you know, I went everywhere with my dad. My dad — you know, he came from Mexico to this country, and he gave up a lot. You know, my family in Mexico is very wealthy, their ranchers and all that. He came here with nothing. And he always used to tell me, he's like, “Don't ever be envious of someone that's successful. Learn from them. Ask them questions.” He also used to tell me, “If you don't succeed, it's no one else's fault by yourself. Don't blame where you came from, where you grew up from, the situation. It is only your fault.” So my dad always had told me these little lessons and obviously the last lesson he gave me the night before he passed: Always take care of your family. And that just stayed with me, that kind of continued to shape me all throughout my life, all through my journey, at a young age to teenager to young adult to the military and to now, to this day, that really guided me to who I am. Now, it's like, I always hear people say, “Oh, man, I don't know if I can do it.” I was like, “Yeah, you can. You Just never know. You weren't ever put in that situation” I always believe — you always hear the fight or flight. “What are you gonna do?” I just fight, and I continue to fight. I just don't see the flight in me. And, you know, being the promise of take care of your family. Yes, I tell people, that originated with my family — my brothers and sisters. But throughout time it has evolved to now anyone I see that's having a hard time that needs maybe to hear a story or read a book or hear a journey to help them find that spark, because I see them now as my family. I see that as my family, as my mission now.   Ted Robertson 18:50 Let's stay with spark for a minute. It's just one of my favorite things that you've ever talked about. You're down, you've been badly burned, you're worried about whether you're going to survive, and a medic is helping you out, and he does something for you. He says something to you.   Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 19:07 Yeah, you know, the medic — I always like to say, you know, yes, I'm Air Force. Those guys were Army, and we bust each other's chops. But, we're all brothers and sisters, and we're down range, you know? We take care of each other, we tell stories, we talk about our family. So these guys knew what had happened in my past with my family. So when I'm, you know, laying there, after I coordinate getting air, and I started the adrenaline going down, I started getting scared. I was having a hard time breathing, and I just wanted to lay down and sleep. The medic came and reminded me, “DT, remember what you promised your son, that you'll never let him grow without his dad. Fight for your son. You got to fight for your son.” And he's just making me yell it. You use anything you can to keep your guy motivated, to help that spark go, keep going. And that's what he did. He found that spark to keep me going, to keep me fighting until that medevac came and to get me on that helicopter, to the FOB, to the hospital, and then to eventually San Antonio. Ted Robertson 20:24 After that injury, that's when the fight shifted. You had to get off the battlefield. You had to get that out of your head. You had to start battling for your recovery. So what did courage look like when progress seemed like it was slow and at one point nothing was guaranteed? Israel Del Toro 20:46 Yeah, it, you know, when he had a shift from now being on the battlefield to now a different kind of battle and your recovery, your way of life — it's difficult because you have people telling you this is what your life's going to be. You know, being told that you're never going to walk again. You got to be in a hospital for another year and a half, respirator for the rest of your life and your military career is pretty much over. You know, I like to say there's two choices again: Who you're going to be? Are you going to take the easy path, which is, I'm going to sit in a chair, accept what they say, hate life, you know, curse the world. Are you going to take the hard path where I want to fight? I'm going to show you I can do this. I'm going to prove that I still have value, and I want to come out of this ahead and show not only my son but the rest of the world. You stay positive, you find that spark, you will come out ahead. Ted Robertson 21:48 All right, last question on your background, because we're going to roll all this into why you're here and what messages you want to share with the cadets and the attendees that are here. You did something I don't think most human beings would even think about after that ordeal that you had been through all those years, everything. You reenlisted, and it wasn't just a medical milestone. It wasn't because you could, it was a conscious decision. So what internal commitment had to come first for you to make that decision. Israel Del Toro 22:22 You know, I guess it was, for me it was I loved my job. I knew I could teach, I could be prepare these next guys to [be] the next generation operators. Ted Robertson 22:38 You've never stopped being committed. You've never stopped. So it brings you to NCLS. This is the 33rd year for NCLS, and when you speak to cadets here, what message do you want them to take away with them? Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 22:53 I guess my message more is about that when you're in the military, no matter whatever happens to you, you still have a role to play. Even when I got hurt, did I miss being with my teammates? Yes, but now refocusing, OK, I'm here in this hospital, and I see all these wounded guys here as I guess I'm wounded also, but in my head is like I was still NCO in the Air Force. I still have a job to do. Yes, I'm hurt, I'm wounded, but the job of a leader is, no matter where you're at, is you try and take care of your troops. You try and make things better for them, even if you never see any of the benefits — that is your role. And so that's kind of what I want to leave with these guys that, you know, you're going to always have  challenges throughout your career, but you've always got to remember it's not about you, it's about the guys under you to take care of you. You know, I had a group of cadets yesterday and they were just asking me about leadership. So you know what? The best way to be a great leader is to earn the respect of yourtroops. If you demand it, you're not a leader, but when you earned the respect and they'll die for you, that is the greatest feeling. You know, I gave an example of one of the best moments I had after my injury, is after I got hurt, they sent my replacement, and he comes in and obviously introduce him to the scout team, to the Army company, individuals in leadership, and then the SF team, and all these guys I'm supporting. And the guy comes in like, “Hey, I'm here to replace DT.” And all of them, “You can't replace DT.” And I told that was the best moment that that's the best moment of respect, because I had Army guys saying, “He's our guy.” And that's the thing I told them, it's like, when you get to that moment when your guys say, “Nah, he's our guy,” I was like, “He can't replace him.” That is where you've truly earned the respect of your troops.   Ted Robertson 25:21 Israel, the only word that I can pull out of myself right now for your journey to describe it as “remarkable,” and you continue to give of yourself, and that's a wonderful thing. Your opportunity for a couple of final thoughts here, before we close out.   Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 25:38 Final thoughts, man, putting me on the spot, aren't you. I guess my final thoughts would be, you can't do it on your own. I'm not here right now, because I did it my own. I did it. I'm never gonna say that I did. I had friends, I had family, I had my wife that were by my side all throughout my journey to medical individuals. And I had those dark times, and I'm going down that spot, that rabbit hole, they were there to pull me out of it. So I think it's like, you know, don't try and do it on your own. We all need help. You know, the goal is, don't be prideful. There's a reason pride is one of the seven deadly sins. But, you know, ask for help, ask for advice. It's not going to hurt you. If anything, it will make you stronger and better. That's parting thoughts for the individuals listening to this. Ted Robertson 26:53 Perfect. Israel “DT” Del Toro, what a privilege to sit with you again. Want to say thank you from all of us for your service and continuing to lead by the example, which is a very rich and broad and deep example. Your story reminds us, and should remind us, that courage doesn't end with just survival. It always continues in service to others. Israel, thank you for being here.   Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 27:18 Thanks, Ted. I appreciate it. Thanks for having me again.   Ted Robertson 27:21 Israel's story reminds us that crisis and moral injury don't always arrive on a schedule, and that leaders are often expected to navigate those moments without ever having been taught how. That's where our next conversation takes us: into the intentional work of preparing leaders before crisis arrives. Maj. Tara Holmes, welcome to the podcast. It's great to have you with us as part of the National Character and Leadership Symposium.   Maj. Tara Holmes  27:46 Thanks for having me; glad to be here.   Ted Robertson 27:48 You are currently deputy chief of staff here at Headquarters USAFA. You are formerly chief of cadet development for CCLD, the Center for Character and Leadership development. By way of background, you flew.   Maj. Tara Holmes  28:01 So I am a B-52 electronic warfare officer by trade, and then moved over into white jets. So instructed in the in the T-1 and I've kind of been in education and training for, I'd say, since about 2017.   Ted Robertson  28:19 You also hold a Doctorate in Business and Management, and you are an AETC master instructor. I will let you explain AETC.   Maj. Tara Holmes  28:27 Air Education Training Command, that's one of the that's our majcom that's responsible for education and training, and they have a pathway to become a master instructor. So I finished the qualifications for that while I was in white jets and working over at Squadron Officer School.   Ted Robertson  28:46 So let's talk about your work with Task Force Hope. We'll talk about what Task Force Hope is, but you are and have been a developer and facilitator of Task Force Hope, which is a crisis and moral injury leadership workshop.   Maj. Tara Holmes  29:01 Task Force Hope is about providing immediately useful tools to our workshop participants to prepare them to lead through crisis, whether that is no-kidding combat related, or whether that's crisis on the home front, going through stuff in life that's really hard. We work through a series of key concepts and exercises, through storytelling and participant engagement that hopefully provides our participants some self-awareness and some tools to recover as it deals with their relationships.   Ted Robertson  29:39 We talked about this. There's a lot of nuance in what you're teaching these people. There's discernment in it. Who should you talk to, who you should trust with information that you want to share? Because ultimately, some of this becomes a pressure release valve, right?   Maj. Tara Holmes  29:52 Yeah, so one of the key concepts that we talk about is worthiness, right? I think often people feel pressure to not share what they're going through because they don't think their problems are worthy of attention, whether theirs or someone else's. That's one thing that we spend a lot of time on. And like you said, you know, who to who to share with, and at what level, some people are more free with sharing than others, and that's OK. So we work through some frameworks that help illustrate how people can kind of work through those levels, or gain some self-awareness and some clarity around where they fall. Something that is a, you know, deep seated secret for you, maybe something that somebody else is willing to openly share, they just don't see it as that big of a deal. So it's definitely about self-awareness and learning some tools to help relieve some of the pressure and drain on our batteries, as it were, that comes from holding these things in.   Ted Robertson  30:52 People who are attending the workshop are going to learn some things that they may not realize are draining their batteries. You're teaching them to discern what those are, and to be careful to try to avoid those. It sounds like an example to me of things that we don't realize we do, that drains us, right, instead of energizes us.   Maj. Tara Holmes  31:10 So we use the kind of metaphor of a smartphone, right? So there are things that drain us, that are big, that we're taking a lot of energy to conceal the hard things that we're dealing with in our life. But then there's, like, the pesky background apps, there's the things that are always running in the background of our lives that drain our energy without us really even noticing it. You know, so for me as an officer, but also as a mom and a spouse, some of the things that are always draining my batteries are my to-do list, the laundry app, maybe social media apps. Sometimes I've probably spend way too much time reading the news these days. That's kind of always on for me. We have these big things that are draining our batteries, but then we have these like small things that are constantly going on, right? So Task Force Hope is about recognizing what those things are for us and then making a commitment to ourselves to make this space and time to recover.   Ted Robertson  32:09 So that brings us to a really unique place. You kind of function at the intersection of character, leadership and development pretty much every day. So how do you define character when you're responsible for shaping it across an entire Cadet Wing.   Maj. Tara Holmes  32:24 To me, character is the essence of who they are. It is how you show up day after day. It's the habits that you have. That's why, when you do something out of character, people are able to say that. You know, we talk about building character strengths as building blocks towards certain virtues. And virtues is really excellence of character. So it's easy to talk about how to be an excellent athlete, or how to be an excellent academic, right? And that's one of our core values, is being excellent. Well, how do you have excellent character? It's really about leveraging your character strengths in a way that can lead you to be more virtuous, and that's the goal.   Ted Robertson  33:05 You've served, both operationally and as an instructor. Tell me how those things shape the way you think about preparing leaders not just to perform but to endure.   Maj. Tara Holmes  33:19 What comes to mind is the importance of training and building those habits. We're, you know, in the previous question, we talked about it in terms of character. You know, you can, you can use any kind of training. It's about building readiness, right? And being able to build those habits so that when you are faced with a challenge, you have a way to work through the challenge, right? That really came out for me, both operationally and as an instructor. So operationally, you rely on your training to get your job done, and then as an instructor, you're helping others build those habits so that one day when your students are faced with challenges, they can rely on their training as well.   Ted Robertson  34:01 We've talked a bit about your experiences and how they shape the way you think about preparing leaders, not just to perform but to endure. And now let's bring it right down to the direct connection between Task Force Hope and why you are here talking about this program to attendees at NCLS. When we talk about Task Force Hope, it's a program that is really designed to prepare leaders to navigate crisis and recover from both emotional and moral injury. What can you tell me about a gap that a workshop like this fills, that traditional leadership education sometimes or often misses?   Maj. Tara Holmes  34:38 Task Force Hope is preventative in nature. It's training to prevent people from letting their burdens get the best of them so that they can show up. They have the tools to show up fully charged when stuff hits the van. And not only that they do that for themselves, but then they can help their teammates or their subordinates also get there. It's self-awareness, because we all perform self-care differently, and what you need to recharge your batteries is different from the way that I would do it. So it's being intentional and having some tools to be able to identify what works for you and then how to make space in your life, and building that commitment to yourself, to make that space so that the next time that you face a crisis, you're not facing it at 10%, you're full up, you're ready to go. So it's that sustained self-care, if that's what you want to call it. And it's important to say that you know, in a 75-minute session, we're really doing our best to provide exposure to key concepts and these tools. What we hope is that people walk out with the start of something. It's not it's not the end of their work to be done.   Ted Robertson  35:54 How often do you hear the question, “Why didn't I hear this earlier in my career?”   Maj. Tara Holmes  36:00 Every workshop. Last year, after the workshop, we had a 1970-something graduate say that exact thing. For me personally, I had four people say something, you know, “Hey, I was a cadet here in '90-something, '80-something, 2000-something. And, you know, I really wish that I would have had this earlier.” So that's what we're trying to do. We're trying to bring it as early as we can.   Ted Robertson  36:26 OK, so our last question of our visit, if cadets take just one lesson from Task Force Hope and NCLs this year, what is your hope for that lesson to be?   Maj. Tara Holmes  36:39 My hope is that they're worth it. No problem is too big or too small to be dealt with, and like we talked about earlier, I think often people keep things to themselves because they feel like they shouldn't bother others, or there's their supervisors or their teammates with what's going on in their lives. And that's a drain. Like, that's a drain on the system. It eats up your energy, right? But our cadets are worth it. Whatever they're dealing with, big or small, is worthy of being addressed. I hope that's the takeaway, and that we all deal with things, right? We don't always know what other people are dealing with.   Ted Robertson  37:22 Maj. Holmes. Thank you for the work you're doing to prepare future leaders, not just to lead in moments of clarity, but to stand firm in moments of crisis. We appreciate you being here.   Maj. Tara Holmes  37:32 Thanks, Ted.   Ted Robertson  37:33 That focus on preservation, resilience and moral courage brings us to our next conversation, one shaped by combat, captivity and a life of service under the most demanding conditions. Coming up next, my conversation with Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Edward Mechenbier. Gen. Mechenbier, welcome to the podcast. It is a huge honor having you here, sir.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier 37:56 I hope you feel that way in a half hour so well,   Ted Robertson  37:59 Well, the conversation does promise to be interesting, because your life is… interesting. That was a pregnant pause, sir.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier 38:07 Yeah, I've enjoyed it. It's different.   Ted Robertson  38:11 Just to sort of frame things, you retired as a major general, and what year was that, sir,   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier 38:15 2004   Ted Robertson  38:16 And you were USAFA Class of '64. You're a Vietnam-era pilot, having flown F-4s, you were shot down on your 113th combat mission, but that was you also your 80th over North Vietnam. OK, prisoner of war. Then for almost those entire six years following that, being shot down. You come with 3,600 flying hours across lots of different aircraft.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  38:42 I was privileged fly either for primary capability or for familiarization with 43 different airplanes.   Ted Robertson  38:49 And now you describe yourself as a lifelong advocate for veterans and public service.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  38:56 Well, yeah, I mean, I go to a couple prisons in Ohio, and “work with” is probably overstating my role. Veterans who are incarcerated for long periods of time. But my role is just to go there, spend some time, shoot the breeze with them, no agenda, no desired learning objective and let them know that somebody outside knows that they're there.   Ted Robertson  39:19 What I want to do is spend some time in your background. All right, I want to start with combat and captivity and how that tests leadership in its most extreme forms. And this is in course in keeping with the theme of NCLS here, what did character mean to you when circumstances were entirely beyond your control?   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  39:38 The Vietnamese kept us in small groups of one and two or three guys. I mean, we never really until near the end and later on when we got a little organization. But it got very down, very personal, when at one time, I was in a cell with four guys, three Class of 1964 Air Force Academy graduates and one poor Oklahoma State University graduate, and amongst the four of us, we had a senior ranking officer. And of course, you got the same rank, you go alphabetical. And so we made Ron Bliss the senior ranking officer in our room. We had a communication system. We had guidelines that, you know, which were basically consistent with the code of conduct. You know, name, rank, serial number, date of birth, don't answer further questions. Keep faith with your fellow positions. That was the key. Keep faith. Never do anything that you'd be embarrassed to tell somebody you did.   Ted Robertson  40:34 What you're explaining is how different leadership looks, and even how you describe it, how different it is from command. So now it comes down to trust and accountability and courage, and how do those show up in those conditions?   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  40:51 It was really a matter of, we always knew we were still in the fight. That was one thing that was with us, and so you just kind of conducted yourself with, OK, I'm not going to let myself be used. Now, we also knew that the more you resisted pushed back, the less likely they were to make you go meet an antiwar delegation or write a confession or do something else like that. So they tend to pick on, if you will, the low-hanging fruit or the easier guy to get to. So we always wanted to set the bar just a little bit out of their reach.   Ted Robertson  41:25 All right, having gone through all of that, it really can change people quite profoundly. So when you look back at it, what leadership lessons stayed with you long after you got out of captivity?   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  41:39 In the movie Return of Honor. Capt. Mike McGrath, Navy guy, describes the guys in their ability to resist torture and do things. And that's what you learn. Everybody's got a breaking point. If mine's here and somebody else's is there, that doesn't make me better or worse than them. So you learn to appreciate the talents and the weaknesses. If you know the foibles, the cracks in everybody around you and not to exploit them, but to understand them, and then to be the kind of leader that that they need.   Ted Robertson  42:12 Sir, one of the recurring themes when you're discussing leadership with leaders right is knowing something about each of your people so that you can relate to them in a way that that works for them and motivates them.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  42:23 Yeah. Mark Welch, who's also a graduate and he is a chief of staff of the Air Force, always had a saying: “If you don't know what's going on, it's because you didn't ask.”   Ted Robertson  42:32 Now we're going to roll all that into your long journey between captivity and your visit here to NCLS this year. When you're speaking to the cadets at this year's event, what's your main hope? What do you hope they understand about courage before they even ever face combat?   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  42:54 Well, courage is a reaction to a clear and present threat. Nobody knows how they're gonna — know he's gonna say, OK, I'm gonna go to Vietnam and I want to get shot down, and when the Vietnamese capture me, I'm going to give them a middle finger and I'm going to be the meanest bad ass and hardest-to-break prisoner. Yeah, it's how you respond to the to the immediate perception of bodily harm or being used or something else like that. So courage is, yeah, it just happens. It's not something that you can put in a package and say, “OK, I've got courage.” It's how you respond to the situation, because you might respond quite differently than what you think.   Ted Robertson  43:35 And I have to say, you presented your story and you delivered your message in kind of a unique way. You drew from some contemporary references, specifically three clips from a movie that you like, that I was curious. How did you sum up your entire life in three movie clips from Madagascar? How did you do that?   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  43:57 Well, the three movie clips — when I watched the movie, I was looking at it, I have got two favorite movies. Madagascar is one, and the other is a Kelsey Grammer movie, Down Periscope. I mean, I think that is a perfect study in in leadership. But in the movie Madagascar, the premise was penguins can't fly, but yet it opens up with them applying resource, innovation imagination, and they eventually get this airplane to fly. OK, great. Success. Well, like everything else in life, things go wrong, and you got to have, No. 1, a backup plan, an exit ramp or a control mechanism for the disaster that's pending. So that's the second movie clip we saw. And then the third one was towards the end of the movie, when the crash landing has happened and the skipper asks for an accounting, and he's told that all passengers are accounted for, except two. And he says, that's the number I can live with. And the message there is, you go through life — you're going to have successes, but you're going to have failures, and failure has a cost, and it's not always pleasant, but that's OK, because that's life.   Ted Robertson  45:15 How do you explain how leaders can prepare themselves morally and mentally for moments they can't predict or control.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  45:25 Watch movies like Madagascar and Down Periscope. You know, there's a breadth of unintentional, if you will, guidance on how to be a leader, if you know where to look or if you're looking for it. I mean, that's part of the whole progress program at the Academy. Nobody's going to say, OK, here's a scenario, lead these resources to a proper conclusion. It's kind of like, OK, here's the situation. What do we do? What can we do? What can't we do? It's like, in my presentation, I talk about being able to run across a pasture in nine seconds, in 10 seconds, but if the bull can do it, you're in trouble. So you got to realign your thinking, you got to realign your goals and you got to realign the application of resources. So that's the leadership part, right there. It's a realization of what you can and what you can't do. It's a realization of what you, your people, your resources, can and can't do. It's a realization of what the technology you have at your disposal to do your mission can and can't do. So it's all about workarounds and being flexible. And then the other thing is, we live in a world that just seems to be everything's got a prescription and a protocol on exactly how to do everything. Doesn't work that way. You got to be able to go left and right. You got to be able to be a little imaginative.   Ted Robertson  46:42 What parting thought did you leave the cadets with?   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  46:45 That failure is part of life. It's not death. And I'm part of an organization called American 300 — we go around and talk to young enlisted people and all the services to get them to understand that failure is a learning opportunity. It's not a dagger in the heart, and don't be afraid or ashamed to try, because if you don't, you'll never know what your true potential is. So with the cadets, we close with that last part from the movie Madagascar that basically said, OK, success comes with a price. Be aware and accept it.   Ted Robertson  47:23 All right, we've got to close it out here, but recap, if you would one more time that message that you want cadets to leave here with from having heard you speak.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  47:32 You are now a living, breathing, viable, productive part of our United States Air Force. You bring talents that are unique. Apply them, but understand that they're all very transitory, and you have part of a larger community. If you stick with a community rather than the “I did,” “I want,” I have,” you'll go a long way.   Ted Robertson  47:54 All right, and stepping outside of that very briefly for your final thoughts, what would you like to leave listeners with today.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  48:01 Be proud of the young men and women who are in our military now, not just those at the Air Force Academy. You know, our whole military structure has changed over the years. You know, it's a dynamic world. You got to be flexible and embrace change. We're so reluctant to change. Change is fine, except when you try to change me, is the old saying, but we all have to change. We have to be part of the world in which we live.     Ted Robertson  48:26 Gen. Mechenbier, I want to thank you from all of us for being here sharing those leadership lessons of yours and a lifetime of service that will continue to shape others — future leaders — for a very, very long time to come. We appreciate you very much.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  48:43 Thank you much.   Ted Robertson  48:44 Our final conversation brings us to leadership at the strategic level, where decisions affect institutions, alliances and the nation itself. Capt. Charles Plumb, welcome to the podcast today, sir.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  48:56 Thanks, Ted. Appreciate being here.   Ted Robertson  48:59 It is a privilege to have you. You retired as a Navy captain in 1991 and you have not slowed down, not one inch since. We're going to talk a little bit about the work that you're doing in some very interesting spaces. And what informs all of that. Naval Academy, Class of '64.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  49:15 Yep, the Great Class of '64.     Ted Robertson  49:17 The great —that's how you express class pride?   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  49:20 Everybody knows the Great Class of '64.   Ted Robertson  49:23 So you are an Annapolis man.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  49:25 I am, in fact.   Ted Robertson  49:26 No doubt. And a pilot. You flew F-4 Phantoms, and you are a Vietnam-era pilot. You spent most of your time over North Vietnam. Sometimes you got sent to South Vietnam, depending on what was going on. But you said that you have flown 74 combat missions.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  49:45 Actually 74 and a half, Ted. I have one more takeoff and I have landings.   Ted Robertson  49:50 We should remember that, because it's a very important part of your life we haven't talked about yet. Since you got out of captivity, and then you retired a few years later, you became a published author and a speaker, and as such, you have been to every state, several countries, 5,000 presentations you've delivered in the leadership and character development space. Is there any reason you should not be here at NCLS?   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  50:24 Well, I appreciate that. You know, this is a great symposium, and I'm really proud to contribute to it.   Ted Robertson  50:32 Captain, you are a former POW.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  50:36 Yes, I was shot down on my 75th mission and captured, tortured and spent the next 2,103 days in communist prison camps.   Ted Robertson  50:49 You said you got moved around a lot.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  50:52 We did. I was in six different camps, and some of those camps more than once. We never really understood why. We kind of suspected that they wanted to try to deny any fraternization with their guards, and they wanted to keep us on our toes, because they recognized that being military guys, we were going to have leadership, and we were going to have organization and community and we were going to organize, to fight them, and they didn't want that. So they moved us around and kind of shuffled us up, which didn't work. We always had a military organization in every camp that I ever went to.   Ted Robertson  51:31 You found ways to support each other. You found ways to have a leadership structure, even in captivity.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  51:39 We were all fighter pilots or air crews and most of us were we, you know, we had 10 Air Force Academy grads from '64 in five Naval Academy grads from '64 and so we had in a lot of other academy grads. I don't remember how many, but probably 70 total academy grads. And so, you know, we were, we were dedicated. We were lifers. We were, you know, we were very focused guys, which helped out a lot that we knew a lot about military leadership.   Ted Robertson  52:11 You grew up in the Midwest, and you married a Midwestern girl.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  52:15 I did, my high school sweetheart the day after I graduated from Annapolis, we got married in the chapel, and my buddies were holding up their swords as we came out of the chapel. So it was a beautiful day.   Ted Robertson  52:27 Let's go back to how you found your way to the Naval Academy.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  52:32 I was a farm kid from Kansas. Never seen the ocean, never been out of the four states of Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri. Never been in an airplane, and I needed an education. Found that the Naval Academy offered me an education.   Ted Robertson  52:50 Outside of Air Force Academy circles, you probably already know that we think of, you know, salty sea dog sailors when we think of people going in the Navy, but you chose aviation.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  53:02 I did. As a kid, I would see these Piper Cubs fly over and I was fascinated by flight, and wondered if I'd ever be able to ride in an airplane. That was my thought when I was a kid. I didn't have any hopes of ever being a pilot, you know, let alone a fighter pilot. That was, I was out of the realm. Nobody, as I grew up, ever told me that I could do that, or I should do that, or, you know, it would be a hope of mine to ever pilot an airplane. But I went to the Naval Academy and found out that was one of the options, and I took advantage of that option.   Ted Robertson  53:43 Yeah, and it led you, of course, to over North Vietnam, and the rest is that part of your history   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  53:51 Launched on the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk on my wife's birthday, the 5th of November, wave goodbye to her, and promised her I'd be back in eight months. I didn't make it.   Ted Robertson  54:04 Hard. Very hard story to hear. Let's talk about all of that informing your presentation now, again, 5,000 of these delivered in the leadership and character development space, but you talk a lot about, in your presentation — and you keynoted here at NCLS — the mental game side of this, the integrity, the choices that you have to make, and character that sort of frames all of that.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  54:38 My message to the cadets, and really to most of my audiences, is around challenge and adversity. And I tell the cadets that they work awfully hard trying to get a degree. They study, they go to computers, they read books all to get a degree. And what I point out to them is that more important than the degree that they will get from the Air Force Academy is a character that they build while they are here. That the integrity first, you know, is part of their motto. And if, in fact, they can learn and live that integrity, if they can learn and live the commitment that they have, if they can learn in and live these kind of ethereal things, the things that you can't measure, things you can't define, the things that, you know, that crop up in your in your mind, in the back of your mind, are more important than the lessons they learn from a computer. And so that's kind of my message.   Ted Robertson  55:49 You know, we're in a leadership laboratory here. The art and the science is character development. And you're talking about a kind of character that leads people to make good decisions and make those decisions with integrity in mind. How did that play into your captivity and getting you through that?   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  56:09 You know, of course, I studied leadership at the Naval Academy, and I think that my period of experience more than teaching me anything, it validated what I had learned. And the whole idea — and I love the fact that this is called, you know, the Character and Leadership Symposium, because lots of times you see leadership without character, that's a negative kind of leadership. And if a leader does not have character, he doesn't last very long, and he's not very effective. And so if you can keep your character up front, the leadership can follow easily. And that's pretty much what we had in the prison camps. Several of the qualities of leadership that I promote are the things that almost came natural in a prison camp. First of all, we had to find a focus, a reason. We had to find, you know — and that was developed by our leadership in the prison camp. Return with honor — that was our motto, return with honor. And we all rallied around that.   Ted Robertson  57:22 So all of that said, you're standing here in front of a really big group of people as a keynote speaker, lot of cadets, mostly cadets, yeah.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  57:31 Now there were cadets. I'm speaking on a panel with Ed Mechenbier, my good buddy, and we're on a panel with mostly cadets. The first presentation, the keynote was by invitation only. So there were a number of civilians in the audience, number of cadets. There were Naval Academy midshipmen in my audience today. And we had ROTC people, and, you know, from all over the country. So it was quite a wide audience.   Ted Robertson  58:04 Quite a wide audience. And so if we were just focusing on what you leave with cadets, what do you want them to take away from their experience today?   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  58:15 I hope they understand my message, that more important than the degree that they graduate with, is the character that they graduate with, and the importance of the integrity that that they learned here, because that was vital in the prison camp, is integrity. We had to have each other's back, and when we when we finally were released, we refused to be released until all the sick, injured and enlisted men had gone home, and it was a question of integrity, is a question that this is the right thing to do. It's not the easy thing to do. Largely, the integrity thing to do is not the easiest thing to do, and that's what I wanted to leave with the cadets. In addition, I want them to know that regardless of what situation they're in, they still have a choice, and their choice is the way they respond to the surrounding adversity situation that they're in.   Ted Robertson  59:21 An Annapolis grad of '64, Midwest kid from Kansas who makes it into the cockpit, and like you said, 74 and a half flights, then some time in captivity, then to a published author with thousands of presentations all over the country, and some in in other countries. What final thoughts would you like to leave today, sir?   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  59:47 Well, you know, I think I've already told you, you know, you're a great interviewer, Ted, and I appreciate your questions. I think, finally, this whole idea of self-determination and I think that we all, and not just the cadets, but graduates and families and business people, families. You know that we all have choices, and sometimes when we deny the choice and give up that ability to make our life better for ourselves. And you know, we do it sometimes even when we're not even thinking about it. It's just automatic to blame somebody else for the problem, and in doing so, we give away that choice.   Ted Robertson  1:00:34 Don't give away the choice. Yeah, build that character and stick by your integrity all the time. Capt. J. Charles Plumb, what a privilege it is to meet you, sir. Glad that you're here at NCLs and keynoting like you are, and I do hope that our paths cross again.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  1:00:52 Ted, thank you very much. I appreciate your willingness to tell my story. Thanks for that.   Ted Robertson  1:00:57 You're welcome, sir. Thank you. Ted Robertson Close As we've heard throughout these conversations, courage isn't a single moment. It's a lifelong practice, from cadets just beginning their journey to leaders shaped by combat and crisis to senior commanders responsible for forces and futures. Character is tested when certainty disappears and it's revealed by how we choose to lead. That's the challenge of the National Character and Leadership Symposium, and it's a challenge that extends far beyond these walls. I'm Ted Robertson, thank you for joining me for our Long Blue Line Podcast Network coverage of the 33rd National Character and Leadership Symposium. This podcast was recorded on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.         The Long Blue Line Podcast Network is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation      

Guest Spotlight: Approximately 60% of active-duty officers commission through ROTC programs at more than 1,500 colleges and universities—making campus ministry to cadets and midshipmen a strategic mission field. In this episode of the OCF Crosspoint podcast, we hear from John Hoyman, OCF's Director of ROTC Ministry and a 30-year Army veteran (Active Duty, National Guard, and Army Reserve), about the renewed vision and momentum in ROTC outreach.  John shares his personal connection to OCF, why evangelism and discipleship are central to his vision, what he is witnessing spiritually among cadets and midshipmen, and how OCF members can tangibly invest in the next generation of Christ-following officers. If you are an active duty, Guard, Reserve officer, retiree, or ROTC cadet wondering how faith intersects with military leadership, this conversation offers both encouragement and clear next steps.  Learn more: https://www.ocfusa.org/rotc  Contact: rotc@ocfusa.org    Questions answered and themes covered in this interview include:  1. Why is Christian evangelism and discipleship in ROTC programs essential for future military officers?  John explains that his vision for ROTC Ministry begins with "evangelism and discipleship." His first priority is "how do we bring cadets and midshipmen to Christ and then build that relationship and help them become more Christ-like." Because these students are preparing to lead in the military, their faith decisions now will shape their entire careers.  While he affirms the value of campus ministries such as Cru, Navigators, and Baptist Student Union, he emphasizes that OCF uniquely helps cadets think about "how to apply their coming profession in their spiritual life." ROTC ministry allows them to ask, "How do they become an officer that represents Christ?" It also connects them to a lifelong fellowship that continues beyond graduation and throughout a military career.    2. What is God doing spiritually among ROTC cadets and midshipmen right now?  John describes the current season as "total excitement." He points to the Eastern ROTC Retreat, which has exceeded previous attendance—filling both the Heritage House and the Harrison House with a waitlist still growing weeks before the event. He sees "an outpouring of people that want to grow in their faith… find out who Jesus Christ is… connect with other believers."  Beyond numbers, he highlights student initiative. Cadets are stepping into leadership, asking how to start fellowships, and seeking to serve younger students. He also observes "a renewed interest in spiritual things," with young people asking deeper questions—not just about occupation, but about purpose and truth. John calls it "an exciting time to be in this ministry."    3. How can a Christian military officer disciple and mentor ROTC cadets in a practical way?  John shares a simple framework from former ROTC Director Tom Hemingway: "Find a cadet, pray daily, communicate weekly, and meet monthly." He encourages active-duty officers, retirees, and even those in graduate school near campuses to invest in one-on-one mentoring and discipleship relationships.  He describes what he calls the "OCF diaspora"—officers who retire or relocate and may unknowingly live near a university with an ROTC program. Even visiting a campus Bible study once a month can be impactful. John notes that his own monthly investment at Penn State has been spiritually refreshing, saying it was "really refreshing to see these young people seeking Christ." Those interested can email John (rotc@ocfusa.org) to explore involvement.    4. Why does OCF provide unique Christian fellowship continuity for officers throughout their military careers?  John explains that while cadets should find a local church during school and after commissioning, military life often involves frequent moves and limited continuity. OCF offers a network that "carries with you past your undergraduate years into a vital relationship with other believers throughout your career."  Unlike most campus ministries that naturally conclude after graduation, OCF fellowship continues into active duty and even retirement. John highlights how retired officers can later reinvest in ROTC ministry, creating a generational cycle of mentorship. This continuity helps officers integrate faith with profession over the long term, rather than compartmentalizing their spiritual lives from their leadership responsibilities.    5. How are Christian military ministries collaborating to serve ROTC cadets more effectively?  John emphasizes a spirit of cooperation rather than competition among ministries serving ROTC students. He references collaboration with Valor (Cru's ministry to ROTC students) and leaders such as David Preston and CH(MAJ) Jeff Struecker, USA (Ret.), including work on a film series addressing the moral ramifications of killing from a Christian perspective.  He describes "a cool synergy" between young cadets eager to grow in Christ and seasoned officers who have sought to honor Christ in their careers. From retreats to weekly calls to shared leadership at programs like Rocky Mountain High, John says there is consistent partnership happening behind the scenes. He expresses gratitude for standing "on the shoulders of giants" who have built strong inter-ministry relationships.    Key Takeaway:  John hopes listeners remember that "God is doing a work among college students right now." There is a present opportunity for investing in the spiritual lives of future military leaders. Whether through prayer, mentoring, or partnership, OCF members are invited to join that work while the door is open.    OCF Ministry News:  Enjoy an impactful Conference Center visit: If you're looking for an opportunity to hit the pause button and reconnect with loved ones, consider a summer program at White Sulphur Springs (Manns Choice, Pa.) or Spring Canyon (Buena Vista, Colo.).  Support OCF during your visits to the grocery store: Find out if a store near you is eligible, enroll using OCF's organization number, then shop as normal to contribute effortlessly to OCF's mission and vision at no added cost to you.  Share your life updates: Visit ocfusa.org/deployment to let us know about an ongoing or upcoming deployment. Visit ocfusa.org/update to let us know of a change in rank, duty status, contact information, or something else. 

Thinking about joining the military? In this episode, I, Dali Rivera, share my unfiltered 10-year military career journey - from enlisting as a mechanic to becoming a drill sergeant and staff sergeant. I break down everything you need to know about military service, including the ASVAB test, MEPS process, enlisted vs. officer paths, ROTC, military academies, and the real challenges of reclassifying your job.I also discuss the hard truths: harassment in the military, toxic barracks culture, mental health struggles, promotion obstacles, and the challenges of attending college while serving. But it's not all negative - I share the incredible leadership opportunities, benefits, and life-changing experiences that made it worth it.Topics covered:✅ ASVAB test tips and how it determines your military job✅ MEPS physical examination process (including uncomfortable experiences for women)✅ Enlisted vs. Officer vs. Warrant Officer career paths✅ ROTC programs and military academy options✅ How to reclassify your military job (and why it's harder than recruiters say)✅ Military promotion system and GT scores✅ Harassment, mental health, and toxic military culture✅ Benefits: free education, TSP/401k, healthcare, housing✅ My experience as a mechanic and drill sergeant✅ Why you should shadow active-duty members before enlistingIf you enjoyed this episode, leave a comment or review. Don't forget to subscribe and share the episode with one more person. For more information about Dali, visit https://www.DaliTalks.com

If DoDMERB says "Disqualified," it can feel like the door just slammed shut. But for many competitive ROTC scholarship applicants, that DQ is the start of the waiver review, not the end. In this episode, LTC (Ret.) Rob Kirkland and COL (Ret.) Dr. Arthur Cajigal (former DoDMERB staff and Army ROTC Cadet Command surgeon) break down the waiver process from start to finish: who actually grants waivers, why documentation matters, what conditions tend to be waived, and what families can control to avoid delays. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: What DoDMERB does (and doesn't do) What a waiver really is, and who decides it Why being "considered for a waiver" is a big deal The questions waiver reviewers ask behind the scenes (deployment risk, recurrence, monitoring, sudden incapacitation) What "good medical documentation" actually looks like What to do (and what NOT to do) to keep your waiver timeline moving BOOK A CONSULT: Want a clear plan for your specific situation (records to pull, remedials, waiver strategy)?  Start here: https://www.dodmerbqualified.com/start If this helped: Subscribe, share with a parent/applicant who needs it, and send us topics you want covered next.

If your student sees “Disqualified” on DoDMERB, that doesn't automatically mean the ROTC dream is over.  In this episode, Former DoDMERB Physician Dr. Arthur Cajigal breaks down what DoDMERB actually does, who makes decisions, and what happens next when a candidate is marked Qualified, Remedial, or Disqualified. What you'll learn today:  What DoDMERB is (and what it's not) The 3 outcomes: Qualified / Remedial / Disqualified Who can qualify you vs. who can disqualify you Why DoDMERB does NOT grant waivers Why honest medical disclosure matters (and protects your future) Next episodes in this series: We're going deep on WAIVERS—who grants them, how services assess risk, what families can/can't control, and why two similar cases can have different outcomes. Drop your DoDMERB question in the comments (asthma, ADHD, vision, ortho injuries, etc.). We'll use your questions to guide the waiver episodes. If this helped, subscribe and share with another family navigating DoDMERB.

Military values like honor, integrity, and courage don't matter much when everything is calm, supervised, and low-risk. They matter when you're tired, frustrated, authority is real, and nobody's watching. Today LTC Kirkland breaks down why military values only hold under pressure if they've been trained as habits, using Aristotle's practical ethics as the framework. Aristotle didn't treat virtue as a personal identity or something you “believe in.” He treated it like training: repetition, discipline, and practiced reps that show up automatically when stress hits. We'll also look at what military history shows happens when ethical discipline erodes over time—and why leaders don't “rise to the occasion,” they default to habit. What you'll learn today:  Why knowing the values ≠ living the values Aristotle's “virtue as habit” (and why it's deeply practical) How small decisions become “training reps” for character What command climate really means (what you correct vs. ignore) Why ethical failure creates strategic damage, not just personal consequences If this helped, subscribe for ROTC scholarship mentorship, leadership development, interviews, and application strategy.

“Would you risk it all for a baby monkey you've never met?”