Oscar Mike Radio

I was excited to welcome Carolee Hagstrom, a remarkable mother of two Marine sons and the host of Conversations with the Vet to Oscar Mike Radio. We delved into the unique challenges and joys of parenting children in the military.

Carolee shares her deeply personal journey into motherhood, from navigating an unexpected pregnancy to adopting her oldest son. She reflects on the profound emotional experiences of raising sons who chose to serve, including how military life shapes family dynamics.

The conversation also touches on her youngest son's post-COVID vaccine health challenges, providing a candid look at the ripple effects of service life and health decisions on families. Through it all, Carolee highlights the strength and resilience it takes to support loved ones in uniform.

This episode is a touching reminder of the vital role of community and support networks in helping military families navigate their unique journeys.

Use the following link (https://www.youtube.com/@ConversationswithaVet-tt8jb)

to watch Carolee. Make sure you subscribe!

Thank you, Carolee, for sharing a mother’s perspective on military service. You must be one of the most awesome mothers I have met. Semper Fidelis

In the second installment of our four-part series on Ben Monette, we dive deeper into his journey and mission. If you missed Part 1 (episode #416 - https://oscarmikeradio.com/416-ben-monnette-move-to-purpose/), we explored Ben’s powerful story of overcoming addiction and finding purpose in his recovery.

In this episode, Ben shares his experiences with Tree House Recovery, a program that embraces a holistic approach—mind, body, and soul—to helping individuals move beyond addiction. Through Tree House Recovery, Ben not only found the support he needed to rebuild his life but also discovered a calling: guiding others on their paths to healing.

To learn more about Tree House Recovery and its impactful work, visit www.treehouserecoverytn.com.

This week on Oscar Mike Radio, I welcomed back Steven Vincent was on Oscar Mike Radio 410 in August 2024. We dove into the unique challenges veterans encounter when transitioning to civilian careers—a timely discussion as we approach Veterans Day.

Steven Vincent, a Navy veteran with 25 years of service, and Caitlin Yelinek, Executive Director of Talent Management at T.I.G. Stephen and Caitlin bring a wealth of experience and insight into helping veterans succeed in the civilian workforce. I learned a lot about how companies work with their Veteran employees to improve the career options available to Veterans.

Steven emphasized the power of networking and the critical role that leadership support plays in a veteran's transition. Caitlin discussed the importance of building effective veteran hiring programs and highlighted the resources available to support these efforts. Together, they explored practical tools like LinkedIn, the DOD SkillBridge, and the Microsoft SSA program to bridge the gap for veterans entering the civilian sector.

Throughout the episode, Steven and Caitlin stressed the importance of relationship-building with employers and leveraging available support systems. Watch and listen in to gain valuable advice for veterans, and anyone seeking to support them in their career journeys.

Please go to https://tiag.net/ to learn more and check out a company actively working to support Veterans.

Thank you, Caitlin and Steven, for talking with me.

I recently had the privilege of speaking with Major Theresa Drag, a fellow Marine and veteran of the 1st LAAM (Light Anti-Aircraft Missile) Battalion, Alpha Battery, where she served as a crew member on the HAWK Missile System. It’s always meaningful to connect with someone who understands both the military experience and the craft of creating something with their hands.

Our conversation spanned Major Drag's military career, her transition back to civilian life, and her continued service with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in South Paris, Maine. Through her active role in VFW Post 9787, Major Drag is helping shape a vibrant community space that supports veterans and their families, fostering connections that reach beyond military service.

As a dedicated quilter, Major Drag also shared her involvement with the Quilts of Valor initiative. This inspiring program provides handmade quilts to veterans, offering warmth, comfort, and a tangible reminder of appreciation. Hearing about how these quilts are made, I found myself drawn to the process. Like my own experience with crochet, quilting requires time, dedication, and an understanding of the importance of each stitch. Quilts of Valor serves as a testament to the fabric of service, community, and pride, creating something that will be cherished for generations.

Thank you, Major Drag, for your service, your artistry, and your continued dedication to veterans. You can follow VFW Post 9787 on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/VFW9787) to see more of the great work happening in South Paris, Maine. Learn more about the Quilts of Valor Foundation at qovf.org.

I had the privilege of sitting down with Garrett Biss, a fellow Marine Corps veteran. Garrett flew C-130s during his 16-year military career, but now, his mission has taken a different direction—helping veterans recover and reconnect with themselves after service.

From the moment we started talking, it was clear that Garrett’s passion for the Marine Corps runs deep. But, as Garrett and I both know, leaving that family behind after service can be one of the hardest parts of transitioning to civilian life.

Garrett opened up about the emotional toll of losing those connections. It’s not just about leaving behind a job; it’s leaving behind a way of life, and a sense of identity. This loss can leave veterans feeling isolated and unsure of who they are without their uniform. We dove into how this struggle with identity often becomes a barrier to recovery for veterans dealing with trauma or mental health challenges.

What struck me most during our conversation was Garrett’s emphasis on the importance of authenticity in recovery. For him, it’s not just about following a prescribed path to healing, but about reconnecting with who you are at your core. Garrett’s work in the recovery space is all about helping veterans find that reconnection.

He talked about the Warrior Reset program, an initiative that offers veterans the tools and support to heal emotionally and mentally. Garrett also shared his TED Talk on the unspoken trauma many veterans carry with them—issues that often don’t get the attention they deserve.

If you’re interested in learning more about Garrett’s speaking and coaching services or want to invite him on your podcast, head over to his website at garretbiss.com.

Thank you, Garrett, for this important conversation. Your dedication to supporting veterans on their path to recovery is truly inspiring!

In a thought-provoking episode, Oscar Mike Radio recently featured Charles Moxley, an attorney and Fordham Law professor specializing in nuclear weapons law. Professor Moxley tackles the complex issue of nuclear deterrence and mutually assured destruction (MAD), often seen as a safeguard against nuclear conflict. However, Moxley challenges this conventional view, arguing that it promotes a dangerous readiness to use nuclear weapons rather than preventing their use.

In March 2024, Moxley published his latest book, Comprehensive Study of the Law Concerning the Threat and Use of Nuclear Weapons, where he emphasized the critical need for a more robust legal framework to manage these global risks. He contends that law can play a key role in shaping policies that deter nuclear threats in a more structured and controlled way.

The episode ends with a powerful call to action, encouraging deeper engagement with the legal aspects of nuclear weapons to mitigate their dangers. For more insights on this crucial topic, check out Professor Moxley's work on his website, www.nuclearweaponslaw.org.

Thank you, Professor, for talking with me and sharing this unique perspective about the role law plays in humanity’s survival.

This is part one of a four-part series. Part two will be released on November 14th, 2024.

Travis talks with Ben Monette, an Army veteran and Green Beret. Ben shares his journey from growing up in Ohio and playing Division I soccer to becoming a Green Beret. They discuss the unique role of Green Berets, the rigorous selection process, and the challenges veterans face, particularly regarding mental health.

Ben was connected with Tree House Recovery and credits this organization for helping him battle his fight with alcoholism. Now Ben has started Resilience Reconnaissance. Resilience Reconnaissance is a platform Ben has created to provide coaching and access to mental health and addiction resources. This platform combines everything Ben has learned and experienced into a series of offerings that someone can use to get the help they need. You can visit (https://resiliencerecon.com/) to learn more and connect with Ben.

The conversation highlights the societal differences in how veterans from various eras are treated and emphasizes the importance of community and support networks for veterans transitioning to civilian life. Thank you Riccoh from ParadeDeck for connecting me with Ben!

In this episode of "Oscar Radio," Travis discusses a recent incident involving the unauthorized use of a Starlink network on the USS Manchester, a U.S. Navy ship.

He humorously critiques the situation while explaining the serious cybersecurity implications.

Travis also promotes an upcoming fundraiser for "I Got Your Six: Two Lives at Once," emphasizing community support.

The episode blends humor, personal anecdotes, and serious commentary on military protocol and cybersecurity, highlighting the risks of unmonitored networks on military vessels and the importance of adhering to security measures. The name “Stinky” was given by Elon Musk for the Starlink Access Points, and in this case, it was in fact stinky.

You can read the full article here - https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2024/09/03/how-navy-chiefs-conspired-to-get-themselves-illegal-warship-wi-fi/

IGY6 – Two Lives at Once is doing its fourth annual fundraiser on October 5th, 2024 at the Whitman, MA Knights of Columbus. There is still time to get tickets. Use the QR on the poster below or the Evenbrite Link (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/igy6-two-lives-at-once-4th-annual-benefit-tickets-971488497247)

We are Mission in Flight!

This episode features Michael Sodini, founder of Walk the Talk America, an organization focused on suicide prevention within the firearms community. Michael emphasized the importance of discussing gun safety and mental health.

Michael shares his journey from the firearms industry to establishing Walk the Talk America, highlighting the need for innovative solutions to support gun owners in crisis.

I appreciated the connection to Michael through Keith Hayes of Sinista1 Productions. Keith had Travis guest host on his show, “The Booth” with Grant Magers of American Rounds (https://www.americanrounds.com/). American Rounds will have Walk the Talk America as part of their ammo kiosks.

The theme of Oscar Mike Radio in 2025 is how relationships can power advocacy. Michael built relationships with the Veterans Administration and other firearms companies to make mental health a priority for those who purchase and use firearms.

The episode underscores the significance of open dialogue and collaboration between different communities to address the complex issues surrounding gun ownership and mental health, aiming to reduce stigma and improve support.

Go to https://walkthetalkamerica.org/ to learn more and connect with this mission.

Thank you Michael for talking with me about this important issue.