Posts tagged veteran
Episode 43 - JP Cervantes (Army Special Operations, OIF, OEF Veteran)

Host Tim K. sits down in Fayetteville, North Carolina with JP Cervantes, a veteran of the Army Special Forces. JP served his country in combat with distinction and is now working in the world of anti-human trafficking. As the founder of Nous Defions Group he is now doing work to shield children who are sold into slavery around the globe. JP’s venture has taken him into some of the most dangerous pockets of the world, and he works to defeat those committed to preying on youth. On the podcast, Tim and JP discuss Cervantes’ career in Special Operations, his transition, and his new life as he once again defends the weak.

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Episode 41 - Doug Petersen (Army, Vietnam Veteran)

Host Tim K. sits down in Benbrook, Texas with Vietnam Veteran, Doug Petersen. It’s hard to imagine for many being 21 years old, flying a multi million dollar machine headlong into the jungles of Vietnam… much less doing it with nothing more than a .38 revolver to defend you and your crew. On the podcast, Doug discusses the life of being a dust off pilot during the Vietnam War. He speaks on the harsh truths of an unseen enemy and a seemingly never-ending mission; where exhaustion was just as much a danger as the enemy below. Petersen speaks on not only surviving Vietnam but going on to serve a distinguished career as an aviator and aviation instructor in the United States Army.

To follow Doug’s journey check him out on Facebook.

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Episode 37: Part 2 - Kyle Carpenter (USMC, OEF Veteran, Medal of Honor Recipient)

This is part one of a two-part podcast. Host Tim K. sits down with Medal of Honor Recipient Kyle Carpenter, at his home in Charlotte, North Carolina. Kyle is the youngest Medal of Honor Recipient currently living and was only the third Marine to receive our nation’s most prestigious honor since the beginning of the GWOT (Global War On Terrorism). On the podcast, Kyle discusses his youth always on the move and how it better prepared him for his time in the Marine Corps. He also speaks on his time in combat and that fateful day on a Marjah rooftop that would cement his legacy forever in the Halls of Marine Corps lore. Beyond that, Carpenter speaks on what it truly means to live a life of service even after the military.

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Episode 36: Part 1 - Kyle Carpenter (USMC, OEF Veteran, Medal of Honor Recipient)

This is part one of a two-part podcast. Host Tim K. sits down with Medal of Honor Recipient Kyle Carpenter, at his home in Charlotte, North Carolina. Kyle is the youngest Medal of Honor Recipient currently living and was only the third Marine to receive our nation’s most prestigious honor since the beginning of the GWOT (Global War On Terrorism). On the podcast, Kyle discusses his youth always on the move and how it better prepared him for his time in the Marine Corps. He also speaks on his time in combat and that fateful day on a Marjah rooftop that would cement his legacy forever in the Halls of Marine Corps lore. Beyond that, Carpenter speaks on what it truly means to live a life of service even after the military.

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Episode 35: Part 2 - Mike Stahl (MAC V SOG, Vietnam Veteran)

This is Part Two of a two-part podcast. Host Tim K. sits down in Portales, New Mexico with a legend of MAC V SOG, Mike Stahl. The Studies and Observations Group (also known as SOG, MACSOG, and MACV-SOG) was a top-secret, joint unconventional warfare task force created on January 24th, 1964 by the Joint Chiefs of Staff as a subsidiary command of the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV). The unit would eventually consist primarily of personnel from the United States Army Special Forces, the United States Navy SEALs, the United States Air Force (USAF), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and elements of the United States Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance units.

The mission of MAC V SOG was to execute an intensified program of harassment, diversion, political pressure, the capture of prisoners, physical destruction, acquisition of intelligence, generation of propaganda, and diversion of resources, against the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Throughout Part Two, Mike discusses his time in leaving the military and the difficulty of transitioning from one of the most specialized units in the world to a civilian world that despised him.

Check out The Veterans Project 2021 Summer Raffle at thevetsproject.com/raffle.

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Episode 33 - Micah Fink (Navy SEALs, OEF Veteran)

Tim K. sits down in Montana with the Founder of Heroes and Horses, Micah Fink. Fink worked as a lineman in New York City when the World Trade Center was attacked, sending his life on a path he’d never before imagined. After a lengthy career in the Navy SEALs, Micah experienced the difficulties of transitioning out of the military but found purpose through that tumultuous time in helping others who were experiencing their own loss of purpose. On the podcast, Micah discusses the choice to lean into his own adversity and the beauty of discovering his identity through that process.

To learn more about Heroes and Horses, please visit them at www.heroesandhorses.org, on IG: @heroesandhorses, and on Facebook: @HeroesAndHorses.

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Episode 32 - Mike Erwin (Army, OIF, OEF Veteran)

Host Tim K. joins Mike Erwin, the founder of Team RWB (Red, White, and Blue) and the Positivity Project, at Grace and Glory Farms in Pinehurst, North Carolina. The two discuss Mike’s time at West Point, his position overseas as an intelligence officer in support of Special Operations, and his path of service outside of the military. Mike also gets into the aspects of forming cultural change and what he is doing at a foundational level to help promote core character traits in our youth.

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Episode 31 - Jay Fain Jr. (Army, OIF Veteran)

Host Tim K. sits down in West Colombia, South Carolina with Army Veteran, Jay Fain Jr. Jay is a veteran of Iraq who was wounded in action when his convoy was hit en-route to Taji, Iraq by an IED/EFP (Improvised Explosive Device). On the podcast, Fain Jr. talks about his road to both physical and mental recovery through the Center for the Intrepid at Brooke Army Medical Center. After leaving the Army, Jay has since worked as contractor for the United States Government and finds himself routinely working in support of Black Rifle Coffee Company. Fain also speaks about being included in Portraits of Courage, an award-winning portraiture book by President George W. Bush.

To follow along with Jay’s journey check him out on Instagram: @jaylimp.

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Episode 29 - Rob Ottesen (Army Special Operations, OIF, OEF Veteran)

Host Tim K. joins Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge of the Special Operations Combat Medical Skills Sustainment Course (SOCMSSC), Sergeant First Class Rob Ottesen, in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Rob is considered an expert in the field of Special Operations medicine as his role within the Army is heading up the recertification of Special Operations medical personnel. On the podcast, Ottesen discusses his rigorous path into the world of Special Operations having been previously wounded in combat even before attending SFAS (Special Forces Assessment & Selection); while serving with 1st Infantry Division in Iraq at a tumultuous time during the first surge. He also discusses his time in the teams on multiple deployments to Afghanistan and his journey to his current role as one of the foremost authorities on battlefield trauma care.

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Episode 28 - Anthony Marquez (USMC, OEF Veteran)

On this episode of the podcast, Tim K. sits down in Owasso, Oklahoma with former Marine Corps Dog Handler, Anthony Marquez. Anthony served with 1st Battalion 5th Marines and deployed with his IED (Improvised Explosive Device) sniffing Labrador retriever, Allie, to Helmand Province (Afghanistan) in 2011. The two formed a powerful connection through their time in one of the most volatile spots on the planet… only to go their separate ways after the deployment. But, that’s not the end of the story…

On the podcast, Tim and Anthony also discuss how they met, when Marquez was delivering his fourth custom battlefield cross to the Farias Family (Gold Star) after their son was killed in Afghanistan. Anthony has now delivered battlefield crosses to families of the fallen across the entire nation, finding a renewed sense of purpose in his time post-Marine Corps.

Please visit their Facebook: @xviicarvings and follow Anthony on Instagram: @undedadkustoms.

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Episode 26: Part 2 - James Capers Jr. (Marine Recon, Vietnam Veteran)

This is part one of a two part series. Host Tim K. sits down in Jacksonville, NC with the legendary Major James Capers Jr. a veteran of Vietnam and nominee for the Congressional Medal of Honor. On the podcast, Major Capers discusses growing up as the son of sharecroppers, his path to the Marine Corps, his time in Vietnam, and persevering against all odds. Capers was the first black Marine Recon officer in our nation's history and is known by many as the father of Marine Corps Special Operations. He was inducted into the Commando Hall of Honor at MacDill AFB in 2012, and is hailed as one of the primary ambassadors of the United States Marine Corps.

This podcast is sponsored by the Marine Reconnaissance Foundation. Check them out at reconfoundation.org, Instagram: @marinereconfoundation, and on Facebook: @marinereconfoundation. To donate please visit their donation portal at the website or their PayPal: https://bit.ly/3mDCS9M.

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Episode 25 - Vinse Edwards (Army, OIF, OEF Veteran) and Will Struckman (Army, OIF Veteran)

A combined five tours and 20 years of combat unit experience between the two of them, Vinse Edwards and Will Struckman truly lived the dream of the Army combat infantryman. Our host Tim K., sat down with them in Fayetteville, North Carolina for the podcast where they discussed the volatility of being on the frontlines in some of the harshest parts of Iraq. The three also speak on the value of finding humor in even the darkest of situations in combat. Vinse and Will also talked about their new path as they founded a tech startup after leaving the Army. They’ve committed themselves to creating swim safe, hearing protection in the form of wind resistant earbuds. Although it’s a strenuous undertaking, they’re fully committed to creating the world’s most reliable communications systems.

Check out www.capellaaudio.com to stay up to date with all the latest.

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Episode 19 - Donald McAlister (Army, OIF, OEF Veteran)

Tim K. sits down with Retired Command Sergeant Major Donald McAlister in Western Massachusetts, while on set of an upcoming psychological thriller called The Curse of Sinchanee. Don first served in the invasion of Iraq in 2003, already a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army, then subsequently thereafter deployed to Afghanistan three times. He served in the Army for 24 years, and his most difficult deployment was his second to last to the hellish landscape of the Arghandab River Valley. That particular area was an integral portion of Taliban-held territory, surrounding the regionally holy city of Kandahar. The lessons learned in that valley would be ones that have followed him even to the present day. Tim and Don discuss spending decades in the Army, how to balance family life, and what it’s like to reintegrate back into society after dedicating your life to the military.

This podcast is sponsored by Team House Studios. They are a company committed to empowering military veterans both in front and behind the camera. Co-founded by Filmmaker Steven Grayhm and Former NFL player and Green Beret Veteran Nate Boyer. Through real hands on training, Team House aims to create an equal opportunity environment for all genders, races and backgrounds.

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Episode 18 - Jacob Phillips (Army, OIF Veteran)

Host Tim K. Sits down in Starkville, Mississippi with Jacob Phillips, who served as a Captain in the United States Army and deployed to Iraq. His service to this country is a usual marker for the servant-minded attitude of the entire Phillips household, but so was his path in the arts. Although he didn’t follow the most conventional route to get there, his vocal talents have now taken him to television sets around the world with appearances on Sunday Night Football, the NFL Hall of Fame, commercials for Infiniti, Snap On, Jim Beam, the Special Olympics and Mossy Oak. Still, if you spoke to Jacob in person he’d probably fail to mention any of this, instead speaking about the resilient love of his father who tragically passed after a battle with cancer some years ago, and a faith in Christ that defines his journey on this earth. You’ve heard him in our intros and outtros on every single podcast. He also has a highly entertaining and informative podcast called, “The Cultured Bumpkin.” Jacob discusses his life growing up in rural Mississippi, his time as an officer in the United States Army in a line unit, what it takes to be a successful VoiceOver artist, and the tenants of living in unshakeable faith.

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Episode 16 - Johnny Hubbs (Army, Vietnam Veteran)

On this episode of the podcast, Tim K. sits down in the Texas Hill Country with Johnny Hubbs who served in the United States Army’s famed 229th AHB (Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Air CAV) in a position he couldn’t have even imagined for himself, as an OJT (On the Job Training) Door Gunner on a Huey Gunship. Some, including Johnny, will tell you that the lifespan of a Door Gunner in Vietnam was approximately six seconds. On top of not receiving the allotted, technical flight training pre-deployment, the dangers that Johnny faced from the air varied anywhere from technical malfunctions to pilot error to enemy artillery and small arms fire. Couple that with the fact that Johnny’s missions fluctuated from mop-up duty to mail carrier for the front line troops to carrying the precious cargo of America’s infantry on night and day missions and you have an almost certain recipe for terror.

The environmental and logistical elements were constantly changing while the enemy maintained a ferocious approach. But, Hubbs’ dedication to his duty and fierce focus from the air served him well, and he completed his time in Vietnam… only to come home to a country that was torn from within. The mere presence of Johnny and his compatriots served as a reminder of a tumultuous time Americans wanted to leave in the past, and they would make him feel this the instant he returned to U.S. soil. Although Hubbs did spend some time talking about combat, most of this podcast remains true to the core mission and the discussion of reintegration; something that challenged Johnny mightily for decades after the war.

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Episode 12 - Logan Stark (USMC Scout Sniper, OEF Veteran)

Our host, Tim K. sits down at the Black Rifle Coffee Company HQ with Logan Stark. Logan was an elite member of our United States Marine Corps Scout Snipers, a group known for its scathing psychological impact on the battlefield. To don the hogs tooth is to gain a singular status as a member of the cream of the crop, the dealers of death from a distance. Although his time of close calls in Afghanistan’s hellish landscape of Helmand Province certainly made a profound impact upon his life, ultimately the follow-up chapters were to be some of the more defining moments that have led him to a position as the digital content producer of the fastest-rising coffee brand in the nation. Throughout our podcast with Logan you will gain the humble insight of a truly exceptional artist, an eagle-eyed warrior who honed his craft on the battlefield then through that same unsurpassed attention to detail and a project that would forever change his life, found a new path to possibly one of the most coveted positions in content creation. Logan discusses everything from his time in Sangin, to his growth as a creative, to how he employs various creative ideologies when it comes to managing social media for Black Rifle Coffee.

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Episode 9 - Mick Stephens (Gold Star Father, SFC Riley Stephens)

“I’ve had the pleasure of serving with several Texans, and they were all born fighters. It must be something in the water down there.” — Major Rusty Bradley, Author ‘Lions of Kandahar.” 

Sergeant First Class Riley Stephens was born and raised in the sleepy farming town of Tolar, Texas about 45 minutes south of Ft. Worth. Places like Tolar are only further proof that some of our nation’s most elite warriors come from those towns barely discernible on a map, places that we might mention with the inevitable follow up question, “Where is that?” Six deployments, a litany of schools, and a legendary Special Operations career as a Special Forces Medical Sergeant. Sergeant First Class Riley Stephens, a true legend of the Special Operations community, some of his life depicted in the epic novel “Lions of Kandahar.” 

SFC Stephens took his last stand on September 28, 2012 providing covering fire for his unit in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. All of the words about Riley and an incredible career as a Special Forces Medical Sergeant pale in comparison though, to the memories of a father who witnessed his son’s first steps and supported him through his most painful tribulations as a Special Operations warrior. Mick Stephens might’ve been Riley’s father, but he was also his closest friend and on that day in September, Mick experienced one of the greatest tragedies that can possibly befall a father, he lost his first born.

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Episode 5 - Don Graves (USMC, WWII Veteran)

Don Graves is a Marine Corps Veteran who fought in WWII and served in one of our bloodiest Pacific campaign battles, Iwo Jima.  He was a member of the 5th Marine Division when he hit those black sand beaches at 19 years old, as a flamethrower.  The education he was about to receive was one of a baptism into the inferno of combat, in a place where almost 7,000 Marines were killed and 20,000 wounded in six weeks of hellish battle.  335 men in Don's outfit hit the beach that day and only 18 made it out alive.  Corporal Graves survived the battle but his greatest saving grace came after the war, with a statement of faith that changed his life forever.  He's a nationally renowned speaker, minister, a singer/entertainer, and the last remaining of those 335 Marines in his outfit.  

Check out oscarmike.org/pages/foundation to learn more about Oscar Mike Foundation and what they're doing for wounded and disabled veterans across the country.

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