Military Matters

As coronavirus cases and deaths surge around the globe, Military Matters podcast hosts Rod Rodriguez and Desmon Farris find out what is being done to help service members and veterans amid the pandemic.

Rod and Des talk with top officials of each of the relief organizations of the different service branches — Army Emergency Relief, the Air Force Aid Society, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance. The officials discuss what their organizations have to offer and how COVID-19 has affected the ability of people in need to reach out to them.

The hosts also talk with Connecting Vets reporter Abbie Bennett to find out how much funding the VA is getting from the CARES Act stimulus package and what are they doing with the money.

Stars and Stripes' podcasters are working to get you information you need to help you get through this worldwide crisis. Stay safe, and subscribe today!

In this episode of the Military Matters Review, hosts Rod Rodriguez and Desmon Farris jump back to the topic of military influencers in a visit with one of the earlier personalities to hit the social media sphere, former Army drill sergeant John Burk.

Rod and Des interview Burk, an entrepreneur and influencer known in part for his often-controversial videos, who gives his thoughts on the world of military and veteran influencers.

Burk talks about the evolution of his social media presence, how becoming a public figure has changed his life, why he is careful about what products and brands he endorses, and his take on businesses that make overt appeals to prospective customers’ anger or sense of patriotism.

Rod and Des also talk about Burk’s stance on whether increasing the public's awareness helps address the problem of veteran suicides.

Are you thinking of becoming the next internet star? This week’s guest offers a unique perspective on the matter. Listen as our podcasters find out more. Subscrbe today!

In the Arena Fitness: http://www.inthearenafitness.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnburk1775/

Instagram: @johnburk1

Shellshock CBD: https://shellshockcbd.com/

Tavern Tankards: https://taverntankards.com/

Follow us on Twitter @stripesmmpod

In this episode of the Military Matters Review, hosts Rod Rodriguez and Desmon Farris continue the discussion from last week’s special edition podcast on the coronavirus pandemic.

Rod and Desmon talk with Dr. Asha M. George of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, Connecting Vets reporter Elizabeth Howe, and Stars and Stripes reporter Kim Gamel, who shares what life is like in South Korea, one of the countries hit hardest amid the pandemic.

Rod and Desmon go over the latest stats on coronavirus infections and deaths across the nation and the DOD.

They also find out what this and previous White House administrations could have done better to help safeguard the country against a pandemic. And they learn what this and future administrations need to do to prepare for the next pandemic, because it’s not if, it’s when.

Listen as Stars and Stripes’ podcasters take on this urgent, global issue. Subscribe today!

Links
Bi-partisan Commission on Biodefense: https://biodefensecommission.org/

Connecting Vets: https://connectingvets.radio.com/

Military Matters is on Twitter: @stripesmmpod

In this special episode of Military Matters, hosts Rod Rodriguez and Desmon Farris shed light on the coronavirus that is causing major upheaval around the globe.

What is the coronavirus? Is it as deadly as the flu? What does it look like if you have it? How is it impacting the DOD community?

U.S. Army emergency room doctor Dr. Kamal Kalsi, reporter Elizabeth Howe from the online news organization Connecting Vets, and Max Brooks, the author of “World War Z,” share their expertise and research to explain why the virus is causing concern, what the military and the VA are doing to respond to it, the reasons for its rapid spread and the ways it can make the military vulnerable.

Listen to find out how this virus will affect our military and military families, what it has to do with information warfare, and how you can do your part to help combat what the World Health Organization has declared a pandemic.

Find out about all of this and more with the Military Matters podcast from Stars and Stripes. Subscribe today!

In this week’s episode of Military Matters, hosts Desmon Farris and Rod Rodriguez examine influencers among the military community.

While doing everything from funny skits, political rants, showing off their physiques, lip-syncing and dancing, veterans and service members are becoming increasingly visible on the internet.

Black Rifle Coffee Company co-founder Mat Best, Sgt. 1st Class Astin Muse, and actor and Navy veteran Jennifer Marshall share their experiences and tell of opportunities and potential pitfalls in pursuing internet fame.

Rod and Des find out what it’s like to be the face of one of the most well-known veteran-owned businesses, how being Facebook famous might have saved an influencer’s life, and why you should think twice before you decide you want to be an influencer.

Find out about all of this and more with the Military Matters podcast from Stars and Stripes. Subscribe today!

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Continuing the discussion from the most recent episode of the Military Matters podcast, hosts Desmon Farris and Rod Rodriguez dig more deeply into the military’s outreach into the eSports community..

Rod and Desmon look at whether the U.S. Army eSports Team is having an impact on recruitment and whether the cost is worth it.

They also examine the world of eSports itself and how it is similar to other competitive fields, particularly at its highest levels.

Listen as Stars and Stripes’ podcasters take a deep dive into this fascinating topic. Subscrbe today!

OK gamers, in this week’s episode of Military Matters, hosts Desmon Farris and Rod Rodriguez delve into video games and how the Army is extending its recruitment outreach into the gaming community through its eSports team.

The hosts and the eSports team’s leaders discuss how and why the team was formed, what it can do to engage with gamers.

Also, eSports team members talk about how they joined, their experiences and their training. They come from a wide variety of occupational specialties, and there’s even a Green Beret on the team.

Find out about all of this and more with the Military Matters podcast from Stars and Stripes. Subscribe today!

Continuing the discussion of military physical fitness assessments from the most recent episode of the Military Matters podcast, hosts Rod Rodriguez and Desmon Farris talk with Megan Reed, deputy director of public affairs of the U.S. Army Center for Initial Military Training.

Rod, Desmon and Megan talk about the purpose behind the design of the new Army Combat Fitness Test, its gender-neutral approach and key differences between the ACFT and the fitness test it is replacing.

They talk about the Army’s ongoing effort to integrate the ACFT into a holistic approach toward soldiers’ well-being. They also discuss the reasoning for having different assessments among the military branches, as well as the influence the Army’s effort might have as the other branches develop their own programs.

This topic has a wide impact. Listen as Stars and Stripes’ podcasters take a deep dive. Don’t miss it!

This week’s episode of Military Matters delves into military fitness, particularly the various branches’ efforts to revise their physical training and standards to meet the demands that service members face on today’s battlefields.

Hosts Rod Rodriguez and Desmon Farris talk to officials who have been involved in revamping the fitness programs; they discuss the recent history of the programs and how the science of fitness and the unique demands of each branch have impacted the development of new methods and assessments.

Tailoring fitness programs to occupational requirements also has come into focus, as has a push to prevent fitness training-related injuries.

Which branch is the most fit? Which is the least? How much does it all cost? The answers might surprise you. Subscribe today so you don’t miss it.

Continuing the discussion of red flag laws from the most recent episode of the Military Matters podcast, hosts Rod Rodriguez and Desmon Farris respond to listener email and talk once again with Jake Charles, a lecturing fellow and executive director of the Center for Firearms Law at Duke University.