Oscar Mike Radio

Around every Memorial Day, I make my way to Mount VernonCemetery in Abington with a cigar in hand and a heavy sense of gratitude. It’sbecome a personal ritual for me. One rooted in remembrance, reflection, andrespect for the Marines and service members who never made it home or whocarried burdens after service that eventually claimed them.

In this special 2026 Memorial Day edition of Oscar MikeRadio, I wanted to share what this day truly means to me. Memorial Day is morethan a long weekend, cookouts, or the unofficial start of summer. It is a dayto pause and remember the men and women who gave their lives in service to thiscountry. As I walk through the cemetery and see the flags placed besideheadstones, I think about fellow Marines from my time in the Corps, brothersand sisters we’ve lost over the years, and the families forever changed bytheir sacrifice.

I also reflect on those we lost after they came home, veteranswho fought battles long after taking off the uniform. Their stories matter too,and they deserve to be remembered alongside every fallen service member whoanswered the call to serve.

One of the things that gives me hope every year is seeingcommunities come together to honor the fallen. Ceremonies, volunteers placingflags, families attending memorial events, and young people learning why thesetraditions matter remind me that remembrance is still alive. Freedom has acost, and Memorial Day is a reminder that generations of Americans paid thatprice for all of us.

I encourage everyone to take even a few moments thisMemorial Day to stop, reflect, and honor those who gave everything. Visit acemetery, attend a ceremony, say a prayer, or simply take a quiet moment ofgratitude. We owe them that much.

To all the Gold Star families, veterans, volunteers, andcommunities who continue to keep these memories alive, thank you.

In this episode of Oscar Mike Radio, I had the honor ofspeaking with Carol Whitmore, the first female and first Iowan Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Carol shared her incredible 36-year military journey, from serving as an Army nurse to deploying as an Iraq War veteran, andwhat ultimately led her to the highest leadership role within the VFW.

We talked about the VFW’s ongoing fight for veterans,including its push to pass the Major Richard Star Act and its commitment to standing up for those who served. Carol also addressed some of the biggest challenges veterans face today, including the stigma surrounding mental healthand asking for help, the evolving role of women in the veteran community, and how local involvement matters now more than ever.

What stood out most to me was Carol’s passion for serviceand her belief that the VFW remains a powerful force for veterans and their families through free VA claims assistance, scholarship opportunities, alternative therapy programs, and direct advocacy on Capitol Hill.

This conversation is an important reminder that no veteranshould feel alone, and that organizations like the VFW continue to fight every day for those who have worn the uniform.

Go to www.vfw.org to learn more and join today.

Thank you, Carol, for taking the time to talk with me and for your continued service to veterans across America.

In this episode of Oscar Mike Radio, I sit down with Anna Redman, founder of Braav, to talk about a uniquemission that blends technology, storytelling, and military tradition.

Anna shares her journey from Harvard and venture capital into the world of physical security entrepreneurship, where she created Braav, an innovative platform that turnsmilitary challenge coins into blockchain based digital twins. These digital records preserve the history, meaning, and provenance of every coin permanently, ensuring the stories behind them are never lost.

This conversation hit home for me personally because my own challenge coin collection represents moments,memories, and people who have shaped my journey. Anna and I discuss why preserving those stories matters so much to veterans, active-duty service members, police officers, and first responders.

We also talk about the future of the Braav community, upcoming features, and how Oscar Mike Radio listenerscan get priority access by joining the waitlist.

Best of all, the platform is free for veterans, active-duty military, police, and first responders.

Go to allcoin.braav.co and start your collection today.

Thank you, Anna, for taking the time to talk with us.

In this episode of "Oscar Mike Radio," I speakwith Dr. Carla Stumpf-Patton, Vice President of Suicide Prevention at TAPS (TragedyAssistance Program for Survivors).

 Dr. Stumpf-Patton shares her personal story of losing her husband, who served in the Marine Corps, tosuicide and discusses her work supporting military families affected by suicide loss.

 The conversation explores the stigma around suicide, the importance of community and connection,and the comprehensive support services TAPS provides.

 Dr. Stumpf-Patton highlights the need for compassion, postvention care, and finding renewed purpose afterloss, offering hope and resources to those impacted by military suicide.

Go to https://www.taps.org/to learn more. Thank you, Dr. Stumpf-Patton, for talking with me.

In this special episode of Oscar Mike Radio, I had the honorof presenting the second annual Mission and Flight Award to Joel Hunt, better known as “H Train,” founder of Military Broadcast Radio.

This award recognizes individuals who go above and beyond in ervice to the veteran community, and Joel embodies that mission every day.

Joel leads a network of approximately 20 veteran podcasthosts, operates a Roku TV channel, and continues to mentor veteran creators who are finding their voice in media. What makes his work even more remarkable isthat he does it all on a tight budget, driven by passion and purpose rather than resources.

During the episode, I reflected on Joel’s resilience usingwhat I call the “duck” metaphor. To Joel, the duck is calm and steady on the surface, while working tirelessly beneath. That image perfectly captures how Joel continues to push forward, adapt, and support others no matter what the obstacles.

His dedication to elevating veteran voices and building aplatform for storytelling has made a lasting impact across the military and podcasting communities.

With this recognition, Joel joins Richard Sherman as arecipient of the Mission and Flight Award and earns a place on the Oscar Mike Radio Wall of Heroes.

Joel, thank you for everything you do for veterans andcreators alike. This recognition is well deserved.

In part four of my Oscar Mike Radio series on J.J. Millett,I sit down with Chad Abbott, J.J.’s former platoon mate in the Vermont Army National Guard. Chad shares his firsthand perspective, describing J.J. as a calm, kindhearted veteran who served honorably in Afghanistan and always lookedout for those around him.

We talk about the shock and disbelief Chad felt when helearned about the domestic terrorism charges J.J. now faces following a mental health crisis. From his experience serving alongside him, Chad makes it clear that these charges don’t match the man he knows.

In this episode, we dig into serious concerns surroundingthe veteran crisis line system, the impact of sudden medication changes on mental health, and the broader consequences of criminalizing veterans who aretrying to get help. Chad speaks candidly about why he believes the charges are excessive, unjust, and potentially harmful to the entire veteran community.

This conversation is about more than one Veteran; it’s abouthow we treat those who served when they need us most. Chad calls for accountability, community support, and for the charges against J.J. to be dropped or significantly reduced.

If you care about veterans, mental health, and doing what’sright, this is an episode you need to hear.

J.J., you are not alone.

In this special Military Creator Con 2026 edition of OscarMike Radio, I sit down with Jameson Buckley, co-founder of Lead Spot (https://lead-spot.net/) and Outwrite.AI (https://outwrite.ai/).

Jameson shares how he helped build a family-driven businessalongside his father, Eric, and brother, Aidan. They have grown it into apowerhouse focused on AI-driven SEO and digital marketing.

We talked about how their team helped expand Oscar MikeRadio's reach in the military podcast space and how they quickly stepped up tosupport veteran J.J. Millet’s advocacy story.

More than business, this conversation highlights Jameson’spersonal commitment to serving veterans and why that mission continues to drivehis work. We also preview what’s ahead at Military Creator Con 2026 in Dallas.

There’s still time to be part of the Military Creator Conexperience. Grab your tickets now at https://www.militarycreatorcon.com/and join the community.

Thank you, Jameson, for talking with me!

In part three of my Oscar Mike Radio series on J.J.Millett, I sit down with his aunt, Emily Wheeler, to share a story that demands attention and action. Emily describes J.J. as a kind, respectful Army National Guard veteran who served in Afghanistan and later battled PTSD after returning home.

We talked about the moment everything changed. In February, while experiencing severe side effects from VA-prescribed medication, J.J. did what we ask our veterans to do: reach out for help and call a mental health crisis hotline. He cooperated fully with the authorities. Yet today, he facesserious charges that could lead to a 20-year sentence.

In this episode, I share Emily’s perspective and why she isurging the public to act. We discuss the dangerous precedent of criminalizing veterans for seeking mental health support, and how that could discourage others from reaching out when they need it most.

If this story moves you, I encourage you to make your voiceheard:

Orleans County State’s Attorney's Office
c/o Attorney Vincent Illuzzi
217 Main St #2
Newport, VT 05855
Phone: 802-334-2037

We need to amplify this story, not just for J.J., but forveterans everywhere who are fighting battles most people never see.

J.J., you are not alone.

In this special Military Creator Con 2026 episode of Oscar Mike Radio, I sit down with Robin Johnson, a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel who made the bold transition from 20 years of military service to the stand-up comedy stage.

In our conversation, Robin shares what it was really like to retire in 2020 and take a leap of faith into comedy. We talk about how her time in the military helped shape her voice as a comedienne, the real challenges of building a career in stand-up, and why humor can be one of the most powerful tools we have for connection and healing. 🇺🇸

Robin also opens up about the Best Medicine Brigade, a support network for military-affiliated comedians, and the meaningful work she’s doing today as a certified humor professional and a veteran fellow at Stanford’s Hoover Institution. We explore how humor relates to neuroplasticity and mental wellness, and why laughter can truly make a difference in people’s lives.

This is an inspiring, honest, and uplifting conversation about service, reinvention, and the healing power of humor.

There is still time to get tickets to Military Creator Con 2026. Go to https://www.militarycreatorcon.com/ to learn more!

Thank you, Robin, for talking with me.

In this emotional episode of Oscar Mike Radio, I sit down with Elizabeth Dubois, a homeland security expert and cousin of Army National Guard veteran JJ Millet.

 We share a deeply emotional and urgent conversation about JJ’s case, where he now faces domestic terrorism charges after a psychiatric crisis triggered by medication prescribed by the VA.

Elizabeth gently guides me through what truly happened: how JJ made the brave choice to call the 988-crisis line, voluntarily surrender his weapons, and seek help. Actions like these, to us, show someone desperately in need of support, not punishment.

We also confront the painful reality of his personal therapeutic journals being wrongly labeled as a “manifesto,” and what that dangerous mischaracterization could mean, not just for JJ, but for every veteran who might hesitate to reach out for help out of fear of being criminalized.

JJ and Elizabeth are united in their message. This is not just about JJ’s story; it’s about ensuring that no veteran feels alone or afraid when seeking help. It’s about accountability, compassion, and the devastating consequences when the system fails to protect those who served.

 You can make a difference by sharing JJ’s story and raising your voice for help.

JJ, you are not alone.