Oscar Mike Radio

In this episode, I discussed the challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life with guests Robert Sarver, a Navy SEAL veteran, and Alex Gendzier, a lawyer and general counsel.

They delve into their collaborative book, "Warrior to Civilian", which addresses veterans' practical and emotional hurdles.

The conversation highlights the importance of mental health, the impact on military spouses, and the need for supportive resources.

Our discussion emphasizes the value of civilian perspectives in these discussions, fostering a deeper understanding of veterans' experiences and promoting community support.

You can get Warrior to Civilian on Amazon now (https://a.co/d/3RBV4Ja). Thank you, Robert and Alex, for talking to me!

Go to www.oscarmikeradio.com for more shows about military and Veterans’ stories.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: when it comes to books about military stories, two stand at the very top—Eye Deep in Hell, which covers World War I, and Chickenhawk, which focuses on the Vietnam War. These two books have stood the test of time, and I use them as the benchmark for all other military narratives.

After speaking with retired Navy Commander Henry Rausch, author of Submerged, I believe I’ve found a third exceptional book to add to that elite list.

In our conversation, we explored Commander Rausch’s extensive submarine service and the unique challenges of life beneath the surface. He shared his journey from growing up as a Navy brat to becoming a submarine commander, offering insight into the psychological and physical demands of prolonged submersion.

We discussed Cold War intelligence operations, the evolution of submarine technology, and the critical role submarines continue to play in modern warfare. Henry also spoke about his personal passions, including animal welfare and his new book, Hot Wire.

Submerged takes readers to the ocean’s depths and leaves no doubt: U.S. submarines dominate the seas.

You can get Submerged on Amazon here: https://a.co/d/60An7Sl

Thank you, Henry, for the engaging conversation and our continued dialogue!

This conversation was a true milestone—it marked the first time I had the honor of speaking with a female veteran from the United Kingdom.

Philippa Bagley shared her extraordinary journey into the British Army, which began after a life-altering moment: getting hit by a car in Russia. That part of our talk was both humorous and profound as we explored how Philippa found her purpose and how it continues to shape her path.

As she reflected on her time serving in Afghanistan—working in drone operations and military intelligence—what struck me most was the common thread between veterans across the world. Despite different uniforms and flags, our experiences often echo one another.

Now, in civilian life, Philippa has shifted her focus to therapy and psychology, specializing in mental health and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). Through her work as a coach, public speaker, and host of the podcast "Journey to Purpose," she helps others navigate their paths with meaning and intention.

• Learn more about Philippa’s services at philippabagley.com
• Listen to "Journey to Purpose" on her website or on all major podcast platforms.

Thank you, Philippa, for a powerful and inspiring conversation!

I am pleased to welcome back returning guest U.S. Army Ret. Colonel Robert Notch. (Oscar Mike Radio 355- https://oscarmikeradio.com/353-colonel-bob-notch-veterans-collaborative/)

Bob, as he prefers to be called, has transitioned into his new role as the lead Veteran Advocate for the Office of the Veteran Advocate. This is a new entity in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, so we discussed the creation of the Office of the Veteran Advocate and why it was established to enhance services for Veterans in the state.

Colonel Notch explains the office's responsibilities, which include oversight of Veterans' care, conducting independent investigations, and collaborating with existing veteran service organizations in the Commonwealth.

The conversation highlights the importance of treating veterans with dignity and ensuring that Veterans have equitable access to services across Massachusetts.

Go to https://www.mass.gov/orgs/office-of-the-veteran-advocate to learn more. Thank you, Bob, for sharing with me.

I take great pride in sharing stories of individuals who, despite not having served in the military, find a sense of purpose in advocating for those who have served our country. One such individual is Margo Lapointe, a nonprofit executive and founder of an innovative school model.

This discussion centers on Margo's advocacy for military children and their families, with a particular emphasis on mental health support and community building. Margo shares her journey into veteran advocacy, her experiences in the nonprofit sector, and her initiatives aimed at equipping military children with resilience and coping skills.

Both Margo and I are currently involved with 22 Zero, an organization dedicated to healing individuals suffering from PTSD. Margo serves as the Director of Development, while I hold the position of Ambassador. Together, we are committed to the mission of 22 Zero.

The episode underscores the importance of civilian involvement in supporting veterans and highlights the critical need for mental health education and resources for military families. For more information, please visit www.22zero.org.

I extend my sincere gratitude to Margo for sharing her insights during our conversation.

This is an Oscar Mike Radio Special Presentation.

I had the privilege of interviewing Donald Knauss, a Marine Corps Captain who served in the late 1970s. Captain Knauss was an artillery officer with the First Battalion, 12th Marines, stationed in Kaneohe, Hawaii.

During our discussion, Captain Knauss elaborated on the Marine Corps University and its foundational role in educating Marines for combat readiness. He shared insights from his military career, emphasizing the significance of education within the Marine Corps. We explored the university's history, mission, and the foundation's initiatives to support educational programs for future warfighters.

Our conversation also highlighted the upcoming 250th Marine Corps birthday and the General Gray Award on March 29th, 2025, which honors eight Marines for their exceptional contributions to their communities. This episode underscores the importance of lifelong learning and leadership.

For more information about the Marine Corps University Foundation and its mission, please visit https://mcufoundation.org/.

Thank you for your time, Donald.

Semper Fidelis.

I always appreciate engaging in conversations with fellow Marines. Our shared experiences create a lasting bond, irrespective of our MOS or the circumstances under which we served.

In this episode, I had an insightful discussion with Barret Bogue, a Marine Corps veteran and the founder and owner of Evocati Public Relations. We delved into Barret's transition from military service to entrepreneurship, emphasizing his journey towards establishing Evocati Public Relations. Barret recounted his Marine Corps experiences, educational endeavors, and work with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Furthermore, he underscored the significance of storytelling in public relations and veterans' distinct challenges.

This conversation provided valuable perspectives on the interplay between military service, education, and entrepreneurship.

For further information and to connect with Barret regarding your public relations needs, please visit https://www.evocatillc.com/.

Thank you for your time, Barret. Semper Fidelis.

This week, I was excited to talk with Jon Safran, a U.S. Air Force veteran, about his military service and transition to civilian life.

Jon shares his experiences maintaining Air Force One and the challenges that veterans face when entering the civilian workforce. The conversation highlights the mission of Military-Connected, an organization dedicated to bridging the gap between military talent and businesses.

Our discussion emphasizes the importance of connecting veterans with meaningful employment opportunities and educating employers on the unique skills that veterans bring to the workforce as they transition to civilian life.

For more information, employers seeking to hire veterans or veterans needing job search guidance can visit https://militaryconnected.org/.

Thank you, Jon, for talking with me and for sharing a fantastic story of service to our country and our veterans.

I talked with John "Saint" Langford, a Marine Corps veteran and CEO of Project Healing Waters.

John flew the F/A 18 Hornet in the Marine Corps, so we discussed his military journey, his transition to civilian life, and his current work with Project Healing Waters, which supports veterans through therapeutic fishing programs.

I gained insight into John’s perspective on veterans' challenges, the community's importance, and nonprofit organizations' impact. The episode highlights initiatives like the Women on the Fly program and emphasizes the need for continued advocacy and resources to help veterans navigate their post-service lives.

Project Healing Waters and John’s story reminds us that https://projecthealingwaters.orgservice to the community can continue after service to our country.

Go to https://projecthealingwaters.org/ to learn more and support the mission.

Thank you for talking with me John, Semper Fidelis

In a fitting way to close Black History Month, it was a pleasure to welcome Terry “Ranger” Johnson and his son Gino to talk about Champions for Veterans.

Ranger Johnson shared his journey to becoming a Ranger and First Sergeant, emphasizing perseverance, especially in overcoming his struggle to learn to swim. Gino reflected on his upbringing, influenced by his father's values of hard work and resilience, which helped him navigate academic challenges in college.

Champion for Veterans exists to coach and train veterans to secure the rightful VA disability rating they've earned from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Terry and Gino committed to using their story to help others.

Our discussion explored fatherhood, motivation, and setting a positive example. The episode highlighted the father-son bond and the lasting impact of military service on personal development.

Go to https://www.championsforveterans.com/ to learn how father and son work together to help Veterans with their VA Benefits.