Oscar Mike Radio

In this episode of Oscar Mike Radio, I sit down with AirForce veteran Justin Jordan to talk about 20 years of military service, the invisible wounds he carried home, and how his journey toward healing became a mission to help other warriors.

During his Air Force career, Justin served in mortuaryaffairs, where he was entrusted with the difficult responsibility of caring for our fallen service members. That work took a tremendous toll. Justin shares openlyhis struggles with severe PTSD, including anxiety and olfactory hallucinations that followed him long after his service ended.

We talk about how writing his book, And Then I Cried,became part of his healing process, giving him a way to confront experiences he had with him for years. Justin also discusses the challenges he faced transitioning from military to civilian life and what it took to begin moving forward.

That journey ultimately connected him with Warriors Heart, aprivate treatment center in Texas and Virginia dedicated exclusively to serving veterans and first responders. Justin explains their holistic 42-day recovery program and an approach built around a powerful idea: "Warriors HealingWarriors."

Their mission is ambitious. The mission is to bring one million warriors home.

This conversation is about what can happen when we create an environment where veterans and first responders can talk about what they have experienced without having to explain the warrior culture they come from.

Go to https://www.warriorsheart.com/to learn more and connect with the team.

Thank you, Justin, for trusting me and the Oscar Mike Radioaudience with your story, and for continuing the mission of helping other warriors find their way home.

In this episode of Oscar Mike Radio, I sit down with Lena Rodriguez, a retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3, to discuss her remarkable journey of service, transition, andongoing advocacy for the veteran community.

Lena shares how she went from a challenging upbringing in Utah to building a diverse 20-year military career that included roles in supply, civil affairs, military intelligence, and the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID).

We also talk about one of the biggest challenges every service member eventually faces, taking off the uniform and finding a new mission. Lena discusses how she used the Department of Defense SkillBridge program to help navigate her transition into civilian life and ultimately begin a new career as a talent acquisition strategist.

But Lena's commitment to service didn't end with her military retirement. She shares her work with Final Salute Inc., supporting women veterans experiencing housing crises, as well as her participation in Miss Veteran America. We also discuss her involvement with America's Warrior Partnership and its mission to connect veterans with resources and help prevent veteran suicide.

Lena's story is about more than a successful military career. It's about continuing to serve, finding purpose after the uniform, and using your experiences to make a difference in others' lives.

Thank you, Lena, for sharing your journey with me and the Oscar Mike Radio audience, and for continuing to be Oscar Mike!

The show began with my longtime friend and supporter,Mistress Carrie. A media professional with decades of experience in radio, music, production, and podcasting, Carrie has appeared on every 100th episode of Oscar Mike Radio. We met at the USMC Scout Sniper Association Skydive Eventat Jumptown in Orange, Massachusetts, and her continued advocacy for veterans proves that civilians and women play a vital role in supporting those who served.

After leaving Orange and getting in a training session forthis weekend's Bay State Games, I headed to Foxborough, MA, to record with Rolling Thunder MA Chapter 2.

Rolling Thunder's mission to educate the public aboutPOW/MIA issues and support veterans from all wars was on full display. From the POW Pledge of Allegiance to the Missing Man Table Ceremony, every moment was powerful and meaningful.

What struck me most was realizing that many of the strongestadvocates in the room were women and civilians whose commitment to veterans has changed lives and strengthened communities.

Thank you to the members of Rolling Thunder MA Chapter 2 for welcoming me into your family. Thank you also to Keith Hayes of Sinista1 Productions, Kip Clark of Stride and Saunter, and Nancy Morrison of Nancy's Nook Podcast for your support along the way.

Even on the most "Semper Gumby" of days, it is good to see everyone being Oscar Mike.

We are Mission in Flight.

In this episode of Oscar Mike Radio, I broadcast live from the Veterans Expo in Brockton, Massachusetts, bringing you inside one of the region's premier events connecting veterans with the services and support they've earned.

Using drone footage and on-site interviews, I captured not only the energy of the Expo but also the incredible organizations working every day to make a difference in the lives of veterans and their families. I had the opportunity to speak with representatives from Abernathy Home Care, the Office of the Veteran Advocate, the Women's Veterans Network, the Veterans Voice Network, and VA Boston Healthcare. Each guest shared valuable information about the programs, benefits, and resources available to help veterans navigate life after military service.

This episode is a reminder that no veteran has to face life's challenges alone. Behind every table at the Expo is a team of people committed to ensuring veterans have access to the care, advocacy, and opportunities they deserve.

Thank you to everyone who made the Veterans Expo possible, to all of the organizations that continue to serve those who served, and to every veteran who stopped by to share a story or simply say hello. Your resilience, service, and commitment to one another are what Oscar Mike Radio is all about.

In this episode of Oscar Mike Radio, I had the opportunityto sit down with Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn at Boston City Hall for an important conversation about serving those who have served our country.

As a Navy veteran and disabled veteran himself, Ed shares why he has made it a priority to advocate for veterans whose voices are too often overlooked, including women veterans, veterans of color, and those facing significant challenges after their military service.

One story that stood out to me was that of Steve, a disableddouble-amputee veteran living in a Boston Housing Authority apartment. After the building's elevator broke down, Steve was unable to reach his sixth-floor apartment and was forced to sleep outside. Ed explains why this situation should never have happened, discusses his concerns about the city's response, and reinforces the simple truth that every veteran deserves dignity, respect, and access to safe housing.

We also talk about the importance of veterans stepping intoleadership roles and public service, where they can continue making a difference in their communities long after they take off the uniform.

Thank you, Councilor Flynn, for your lifelong commitment to veterans and for joining me on Oscar Mike Radio to share your perspective and your mission to ensure no veteran is forgotten.

In this episode of Oscar Mike Radio, I reconnect with myfirst Marine Corps sister, Tammy Harrington. Tammy and I go way back to our days as Hawk missile operators in one of the last classes before the MOS was phased out, and it was great to sit down and reflect on the experiences that helped shape us both.

We talk about the challenges of Hawk School, the friendshipsforged through shared adversity, and the unique bond that comes from serving together in the Marine Corps. Tammy shares her journey after leaving the military, including her distinguished career in law enforcement with the PortAuthority of New York and New Jersey.

Today, Tammy has combined her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit into a new venture, TNT Pin Co., a Disney-inspired pin company featuring military-themed designs that celebrate service, pride, and community. She also proudly offers discounts to veterans as a way of giving back to those who have served.

You can check out her collection and learn more at www.tntpinco.com.

Thank you, Tam, for your friendship, loyalty, and supportthrough the good times and the difficult ones. It was an honor to have you on the show and share your story with the Oscar Mike Radio audience. Welcome to the OMR Family!

In this episode of Oscar Mike Radio, I had the honor ofspeaking with fellow Marine veteran Gloria Nesloney, whose story is one of resilience, faith, healing, and purpose.

Gloria shared her journey from military service through someof the most difficult challenges a veteran can face, including PTSD, military sexual trauma (MST), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and a suicide attempt. She spoke openly about the pain she carried and the turning point that changed herlife: accepting Jesus Christ and beginning a path toward healing and restoration.

During our conversation, Gloria emphasized the importance of speaking your truth. She believes that healing begins when we find the courage to tell our stories and bring our struggles into the light. That message has become the foundation of her work with veterans, helping them confront trauma,find hope, and rediscover their purpose.

We also discussed her involvement in veterans' retreats,where she helps create spaces for veterans to heal, connect, and experience freedom from the burdens they have carried for years. Her passion for serving others is evident in everything she does.

In addition to her advocacy work, Gloria is an accomplishedauthor who has contributed to 32 books. She shared how writing became part of her own healing journey and how she now helps veterans tell their stories as a way to find healing, restoration, and renewed strength.

What stood out most to me was Gloria's unwavering commitment to helping others understand that no matter how dark life may seem, hope is always possible. Her story is a powerful reminder that healing can happen whenwe find the courage to speak, connect, and believe in a better future.

Go to https://glotalksreal.com/to learn more about Gloria’s ministry.

Thank you, Gloria, for joining me on Oscar Mike Radio andfor your continued mission to help veterans heal through faith, storytelling, and service.

In Episode 495 of Oscar Mike Radio, I had the privilege ofspeaking with Anne Marie Dougherty, CEO of the Bob Woodruff Foundation, an organization dedicated to ensuring that veterans, service members, and their families have the resources and support they deserve.

Anne Marie shared her personal connection to the militarythrough her family and her husband, a Marine Corps veteran, and how that connection ultimately led her to the Bob Woodruff Foundation following journalist Bob Woodruff's life-changing injury while reporting in Iraq in 2006.

During our conversation, we explored the foundation'smission of identifying and addressing the challenges facing veterans and military families through strategic grantmaking and its nationwide Got Your 6 network. Anne Marie explained how the organization works to strengthen communities, improve access to care, and support innovative programs that make a real difference in the lives of those who have served.

We also discussed the future of veteran support and howemerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, could help better identify veteran needs, close service gaps, and improve outcomes across the country by 2030.

What stood out most to me was Anne Marie's passion forensuring that every veteran and military family has the opportunity to thrive long after their service ends. This conversation is an insightful look at the work being done behind the scenes to create lasting impact for the militarycommunity.

You can go to https://bobwoodrufffoundation.org/to learn more.

Thank you, Anne Marie, for joining me on Oscar Mike Radioand for your commitment to serving those who have served our nation.

In this episode of Oscar Mike Radio, I had the privilege of speaking with Brendan Kelly, an Army veteran whose 22 years of service took him from Air Defense Artillery to recruiting and ultimately to a new mission as an author.

Brendan shared his military journey, the lessons he learnedwhile serving, and the challenges he faced after the uniform came off. What makes this conversation especially powerful is his willingness to speak openly about his mental health struggles, including surviving two suicide attempts.His honesty is a testament to the strength it takes to ask for help and the importance of building a support system when life feels overwhelming.

We talked about the transition from military service tocivilian life and how Brendan unexpectedly found purpose as a high school teacher, continuing to serve others in a different way. We also discussed his novel, The Echo of Silence, a story inspired by his own experiences and the struggles many veterans and civilians face every day.

At its core, this conversation is about resilience, hope,and the power of human connection. Brendan's message is one that everyone needs to hear: no matter how difficult life becomes, no one is truly alone.

Thank you, Brendan, for your service, your honesty, and forsharing your story with the Oscar Mike Radio audience.

In this episode of Oscar Mike Radio, I sat down with YadiCaro, a communications expert with nearly 18 years of experience supporting U.S. military organizations around the world. Yadi shared powerful insights into what truly makes teams successful, from creating psychological safety toestablishing clear roles and building around a shared mission.

We talked about her book, Hard Core Soft Skills, and thefour key stages that drive strong communication and leadership: Connect, Communicate, Collaborate, and Create. What I appreciated most was how practicaland relatable these ideas are, not just in military or corporate environments, but in everyday life as well.

Yadi also discussed the importance of cross-culturalcommunication, what separates good leaders from great ones, and how the same principles that strengthen teams can also make us better parents, mentors, and community members. One of the biggest takeaways for me was her reminder that soft skills are not “soft” at all. They require intentional effort, consistent practice, and self-awareness, especially as artificial intelligence continues to automate more technical tasks.

This conversation is packed with insight for leaders,veterans, professionals, and anyone looking to improve how they connect and communicate with others.

Go to https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/to learn more and connect with Yadi.

Thank you, Yadi, for taking the time to talk with me and forsharing your knowledge and experience with the Oscar Mike Radio audience.