Old Grad Podcast

Brian Mackey missed 2nd semester of yearling year due to a medical procedure to remove a benign tumor from his nasal cavity. He gives us a rare glimpse into the life of a December graduate.  He talks about the shared obstacles of navigating cow English in the final semester of West Point, as well as the unique advantage of being a "super firstie." 

Luke Knittig is senior director of communications for the McCain Institute, responsible for strategic communications, media, external relations, events, publications, website, marketing and partnership activity.  He is also executive producer and host of the Institute’s groundbreaking  In The Arena podcast.

Luke previously served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, where he led high-visibility public relations initiatives, and advised the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, the Honorable Doug Wilson. Also in the Pentagon, he served as special assistant to General Peter Chiarelli, Army vice chief of staff, and public affairs officer for Army undersecretary, the Honorable Nelson Ford.

In the episode we talk about the influence that West Point has had on his life going all the way back to 1986.  

Memorial Day - 2020. This special edition of the Old Grad Podcast is a collection of clips where fallen classmates are being remembered. We start and end remembering Bill Hecker who was Killed in Action. Also Ted Russ talking about flight school with Tommy McTigue; Holly West talking about Dave Reardon in peak form during football season; John Keenan talking about Paul Haggerty always getting to church despite how hard hit the town of Juarez the night before; Pete Gaudet remembering Rusty Davidson; and Mark West remembering Andy Clements. Kim Evans remembering her husband Kenny Evans. 

Bernard Seeger is a modern-day Marco Polo. After graduating from West Point, he spent 8 years in the Army as an Infantry Officer. We share some stories of Ranger School, Korea and Germany.  Upon leaving the service, he embarked on a 12-month adventure that took him across the world before entering grad school for Public Administration. His journey took him to interesting places such as the basecamp of Mount Everest, the Serengeti national park, New Zealand, Thailand. Moscow, Mongolia, and Mexico. He has served as a public administrator for several communities for the past 20 years. He recently left the role of public administration to focus on Climate Change full time. We talk further about his journey from a reticent cadet candidate, to a dedicated Army Officer and future public servant. Bonus footage of our conversation after the call. 

Dan Clark hails from a military town in Rhode Island. He grew up wanting to become an aviator. He and his brother were raised in a single-parent household where money was always tight. When he graduated from high school he joined the Army to become an aircraft mechanic - a stepping stone on pursuant of his dream (as told by his recruiter). He attended basic training with Pat Burton (G2), and they were both identified as potential future officers. Dan spent a year in Germany living the good life as an E-3 before going to prep school in the fall of 1986. He served right up to the 20 year mark in 2010 and retired. Along the way he flew in Panama, Honduras and Egypt. Dan talks about his role as an instructor and tac officer at OBC as well as a recruiter back in Rhode Island. While serving as a recruiter he paid a visit to his estranged father and shared a beer with him. In 2016 Dan took a 10,000-mile motorcycle trip across the country to break bread with numerous classmates including Dave Mathison and Scott Clemenson. 

The F-1 women were an elite military unit, they always had each other's back and were always standout performers. Not surprisingly, they remain life-long best friends to this day. We chronicle their journey and call attention to the fact that it was a great challenge to be West Point's 11th class with women. We talk about awkwardly tolerating sexist behavior to fit in as "one of the guys"; passing out at a blood drive; grabbing the Mic to announce "Donuts are In"; navigating the physical barriers of barracks set up as divisions, balancing careers with spouses, and being faced with the challenges of breast cancer.  Whether serving a career as an Army Officer (Libby), DoD civilian contractor (Julie), FBI Agent (Sharon), community volunteer and board member (Stephanie) - the F-1 women continue to set the example of selfless service to the nation. Duty Shall be Done. 

Brad is an ER Doctor in Topeka KS where he lives with his wife Julie and his step-daughter. On this podcast, Brad remembers getting hazed for tripping in a parade in front of President Reagan; posing nude on the Supe's porch; plebe boxing and butchering a german chocolate cake. He remembers our fallen Classmate Andy Clements and reflects on how important it is to appreciate every day. This was a particularly timely podcast as we are currently in the middle of the Covid19 Global Pandemic. Brad reflects on how his time at West Point and in the Army have prepared him for this exact moment: leading medical teams in what is proving to be our nation's greatest challenge. Stay Safe ... DSBD

We talk to John Coogan about his journey. From being medically discharged in 1994 to the present. He has led an entrepreneurial life starting in Telecom as an IT strategist, to supply chain logistics from South America to non-profit leadership with the Wounded Warrior Project, to Children of Fallen Patriots, to Folded Flag Foundation. His most recent venture MD Vets is an in-home veterinarian service. John reflects on his time at West Point and in the Army as the bedrock foundation of what has gotten him through tough times in his life. Special Bonus footage with Nancy Lynn Green at the end of the podcast as she gets ready to depart back to China in the midst of the Covid-19 Coronavirus outbreak in the USA. 

Mike talks about his journey from humble beginnings in urban St. Louis.  He grew up one of ten children in a single-parent household.  He talks about the work of divine intervention in his life: the opportunity to attend a private school, opportunities related to football, being a Heisman Trophy finalist, and especially reconnecting with his childhood sweetheart who is now his wife of 23 years. We have some very honest conversations about the complexities of fatherhood and the impact of father-daughter relationships. We learn that Mike's greatest challenge at West Point was not on the gridiron or in the classroom - in fact it was the swimming pool. 

Ingrid talks about her journey from Newark NJ to the prep school to West Point. She has 3 daughters and 1 son and lives in the Cleveland Ohio area. Ingrid has lived up to her nickname "GRITS" by living a life full of Grit and Determination. Her 2nd daughter Kendra has autism which requires everyone in the Dawkins family to pitch in. Ingrid is a part-time model and a full-time awesome human being. She talks about the importance of appreciating every single day.