Operation Insight

We are honored to host Jennifer Jefferson, Holly Klaesner, and Todd from Focus Marines on tonight's podcast. This amazing organization is tasked with helping our combat veterans deal with complex and emotional issues that took place before, during, or after their military service. We lose over twenty-two veterans a day to suicide. Focus Marines strives to make an impact on the lives of our veterans. For more information about Focus, visit https://focusmarines.org.

Join us on The Dog Tag as our special guest, Stacey, shares her experiences while serving in the military as a female soldier and her journey of healing from military sexual trauma (MST).

VA uses the term “military sexual trauma” (MST) to refer to sexual assault or sexual harassment experienced during military service. MST includes any sexual activity during military service in which you are involved against your will or when unable to say no. Examples include:

People of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and branches of service have experienced MST. Like other types of trauma, MST can negatively affect a person’s mental and physical health, even many years later. Things you may experience could include:

If you are having any current difficulties related to MST, VA is here to support you in whatever way will help you best — from learning more about how MST affects people, to treatment that helps you cope with how MST is impacting your life currently, or if you prefer, treatment that involves discussing your experiences in more depth.

For questions about treatment and health care options related to MST, talk with an MST Coordinator at a VA health care facility near you.

Many served their country just as their father had….

Many served because that’s what American men do…

They believed in our country and principles….

They never shirked their duty…

They fought heroically…

They lost “brothers” there…

They weren’t given time to mourn…

Then…

They were told, ‘don’t wear their uniform home’…

‘Don’t tell anyone you are a soldier’…

There was no band at the airport…

They were not recognized as a “great” generation…

And not all of them came home…

It was the first time US troops did not come home to a victory parade…

It was 50 years ago, but to many of them, just yesterday…

Many still won’t or can’t talk about their time in ’Nam

It’s unlikely their wounds will ever heal.

They deserve our thanks and eternal gratitude…

They don’t wear uniforms today, so it’s hard to pick them out of a crowd…

When you see that old, crumpled VIETNAM VETERAN cap,

Give them your heartfelt thanks.

 -J. Higgins, March 2022

CPL Dominic Masters joins us in studio to share his experiences as a Marine, combat veteran, and a proud Grunt from time of entry into the Marine Corps, the Crucible, Rehab platoon, being deployed, coming home, caring for his ailing mother, reserve option, transitioning to civilian life and finding healing.

One day, when I was young, my mom took me to a car show at a McDonald’s in North County, not too far from our home. There at the car show was this guy in a dressy blue and red uniform. I asked my mom, Who is that guy? My mom told me, “That is a Marine.” He looked 10’ tall! From that moment on, I wanted to be a Marine.

Dominic joined the Marines just weeks before 9/11. In just a few short months, he was deployed to Iraq.

(02:05) Introduction

Colonel Ted Hodgson and Your Medicare Guy, Joe Rumbolo, join us in the studio to discuss important information regarding Medicare plans that are specifically designed for veterans who use the VA for medical services and prescription drugs, Tricare For Life, and ChampVA for surviving spouses, as well as anyone who is on Medicare. Colonel Ted Hodgson also discusses the American Warrior Partnership, whose mission is to partner with communities to prevent veteran suicide.

Zach and Salina Mann share their experiences in the Army, both as a couple and individually. They discuss serving in combat and how they readjusted to civilian life once they returned home. Salina and Zach met in 2008 and have been married since March 2012. They have two daughters.

Salina served as a Psychological Operations Specialist with the 307th reserve unit out of Jefferson Barracks. She completed one tour in the Logar Province of Afghanistan from 2010-2011.

Zach served as a Tank Mechanic with the 3HBCT, part of 1/2 CAV out of Fort Hood. Zach served one tour in Iraq in February 2011 and was part of the pullout as his Battalion left Iraq in December 2011.

SSG Chris Lenington signed an early entry for the Army in 1998. Chris would serve twenty years and was deployed in Kosovo, one tour in Iraq, and three tours in Afghanistan, including one stop at Camp Seray, an outpost high in the mountains, which was attacked by Taliban fighters almost daily. Chris finished his Army career at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, with the 101st Airborne. Tonight, Chris joins us to discuss his time in the military and the tough transition to civilian life after serving twenty years, including four combat zone deployments.

Colonel Robert Leeker started his military career as a one-striper in the Air Force in 1971 and went to basic training at Lackland Air Force Base. After working as a mechanic on planes, Bob decided he wanted to fly them. He earned his associate's degree at Meramec Community College and took flying lessons on his own dime to ready himself to become an Air Force pilot. Bob trained on the T37 and T38 and earned his wings. Flying fighters was thirty-three years of his Air Force career, including flying F-4s, F-15s, and later the B-2 bomber. Bob attained the rank of Colonel and Commander of the air base in Kirkuk, Iraq. Bob's most vivid memories are from his time stationed there. Listen as Bob shares his story and rise through the ranks of the Air Force, and what it was like to be a base commander at an air base in Iraq during the war, and the tough transition from military to retirement.

Service dogs enrich and improve the lives of their veterans every day. At Dogs For Our Brave, their mission is to provide professionally trained service dogs at no cost to veterans who have suffered debilitating injury or illness while in service to our country. Their goal is to use rescue dogs at every opportunity, thus saving two lives at once. To fully realize our mission without adding a financial burden, we also provide a continuum of free support that covers all food, veterinary care, and pharmaceuticals for the dog's lifetime. Our guests tonight are April Haskins, Shannon Durington, and Bridget McAuley.

Beginning in 1973, America went to an all-volunteer military service. An All-volunteer military isn't without challenges. Today, the branches of service are struggling to find able-bodied recruits. According to the CDC, an estimated 70% of young Americans are unfit for military service. Historically, family life has not always worked for military families, and roughly 20% of the military are women. Others say the combination of low unemployment and the ease of finding private sector jobs means fewer young people join the service. The Marines are likely the only branch of service to make their quota in 2022. Tonight's guest is Army Recruiter SSG Seamus O'Neel.