Oscar Mike Radio

In this powerful episode, I speak with Frank Larkin, a U.S. Navy SEAL veteran and former Sergeant at Arms of the U.S. Senate, about his journey from the battlefield to public leadership and the mission that continues to drive him today.

Frank opens up about his son Ryan, who followed in his footsteps to become a Navy SEAL. After multiple combat deployments, Ryan faced an undiagnosed blast-related brain injury that went untreated after leaving the military. Tragically, he lost his life to suicide.

Frank shares how Ryan’s story revealed a deeper issue. He believes trauma to the brain caused by repeated blast exposure is often misdiagnosed or overlooked as PTSD. This sheds new light on the history of “shellshock” dating back to World War I and the unseen toll of modern warfare on our veterans.

This conversation is a heartfelt call to action for awareness, research, and community support to help those facing invisible wounds.

To learn more and support Operation Warrior Call, visit www.troopsfirstfoundation.org

Thank you, Frank, for your courage and advocacy.

This week, join me as we sit down with Rae O’Donnell and Jeffrey Riley from the Veterans Resource Alliance to discuss a critical mission: supporting our veterans in New Hampshire. We dive deep into the challenges many veterans face when returning home, from mental health struggles and housing insecurity to the frustrating maze of fragmented support systems.

Rae and Jeffrey share their personal experiences and discuss how a local tragedy sparked the creation of VetFest NH, a powerful initiative designed to unite veteran-focused organizations and provide comprehensive assistance. Learn how this collaborative approach aims to break down silos, improve transparency, and ultimately prevent veteran suicide.

We explore the importance of community-based solutions, the power of family involvement, and the inspiring dedication of individuals making a real difference in the lives of veterans right here in New Hampshire. Tune in to discover how you can get involved and help build a stronger, more supportive community for those who served

Thank you, Rae and Jeffrey, for talking with me. Go to https://www.facebook.com/share/19YneGLckW/ to learn more about Vet-Fest.

This week, I sat down with Dr. Ariel Jordan, an Army veteran and mental health expert, in honor of National PTSD Awareness Day.

Dr. Jordan shares her remarkable journey from serving as an Army culinary specialist to becoming apsychologist, a path profoundly shaped by personal loss and trauma.

She opened up about resilience, the role of evidence-based therapies like EMDR, and her mission to support veterans and caregivers.

This conversation delves into the power of lived experience, the healing process, and Dr. Jordan’s dedication to empowering others through therapy, coaching, and public speaking.

If you or someone you know is navigating the challenges of PTSD, this episode offers encouragement, practicalinsight, and a reminder that hope is possible.

Learn more about Dr. Jordan and her work: bio.ariellenjordan.com

A big thank you to Dr. Jordan for joining us and sharing her story!

This week, Travis speaks with Mike and Steve from OperationVet Rescue, a Tennessee nonprofit dedicated to ending veterans’ homelessness.They share their Navy backgrounds, discuss the challenges facing homeless veterans, and explain their hands-on approach to outreach and housing solutions.

The conversation covers nonprofit transparency, theimportance of community support, and their vision for transitional housing. Theepisode highlights the urgent need for action, the organization’s impact, andencourages listeners to get involved in supporting veterans in need.

Go to https://ovrtn.org/ to learn more or become a volunteer. Thank you, gentlemen, for talking with me!

In this episode, I interview Chris Brewer, a U.S. Army veteran who helped reactivate the 1st Ranger Battalion in the 1970s.

Chris shares insights from his 24-year career, including leadership lessons, the evolution of the Rangers, and the ethos of “Rangers Lead The Way.”

He discusses his transition to civilian life, post-9/11 security work, and his authorship preserving Ranger and Special Forces history.

The episode offers a rare, in-depth look at elite military culture, operational challenges, and the enduring legacy of America’s special operations forces.

You can purchase “In the Shadows Between the Wars: Becoming a Special Forces Operator” on Amazon by clicking this link - https://a.co/d/efRotAv

Thank you, Chris, for talking with me!

I had the honor of speaking with Marine Corps veteran Logan Spiewak, founder of the Boots to Health Foundation. As we talked, I could almost feel the presence of Chesty Puller himself, a reminder of the grit, resilience, and determination that Marines carry with them long after leaving the Corps.

Logan opened up about his journey from a troubled youth to earning the title of United States Marine. His service was cut short by a medical separation, which brought its own battles with mental health. Through mentorship, faith, and sheer perseverance, Logan found a new path forward—one that led him to build an organization dedicated to serving others.

The Boots to Health Foundation helps veterans strengthen their physical, cognitive, and spiritual well-being through personalized fitness and coaching programs. Logan and his team are building more than workouts—they’re building resilience, purpose, and a renewed sense of community for those who’ve worn the uniform.

We discussed the foundation’s growth, the impact it’s already having on veterans, and the various ways listeners can get involved in supporting the mission.

This episode serves as a powerful reminder of perseverance, brotherhood, and the importance of never giving up.

To learn more and support the mission, visit https://www.bootstohealthfoundation.org/.

Thank you for joining me, Logan. Semper Fidelis.

In this episode of Oscar Mike Radio, host Travis interviews Eric Hummel, a submariner and Air Force veteran,about his military career and his book, The Losing Game: How to Lose War and Fail Veterans. Eric shares candid insights on the failures of U.S. strategy in Afghanistan, the importance of accountability in military leadership, and the need for cultural change within the armed forces. He alsodiscusses his current work leading tours at Arlington National Cemetery, aiming to connect with and support fellow veterans. The conversation offers a sobering critique of modern warfare and its lasting impact on veterans.

Go to https://www.lionsixpress.com/ to learn more.

Thank you, Eric, for talking to me!

I had the opportunity to sit down with K.L. Allen of Western Governors University (WGU) for a powerful conversation about education, service, and opportunity.

Growing up with parents who instilled the value of education and life skills, K.L. carried those lessons into his own military service, and now into his work supporting veterans and adult learners. He knows firsthand the challenges veterans facetransitioning to civilian life, from navigating the GI Bill to finding flexible, affordable education that truly fits their needs.

In our conversation, K.L. shares how WGU’s competency-based model empowers veterans tosucceed, and we explore the role of mentorship, affordable tuition, and personalized support in breaking generational cycles and transforming lives.

This Thursday, I’ll be at the WGU Elevating Impact Event in Boston to learn more about how WGU is building pathways for veterans to achieve their goals.

Ready to reach your own goals? Visit wgu.edu to see how WGU can help you earn your degree.

A big thank you to K.L. for joining me on this episode!

This is a different kind of conversation. I talked withSarah Johnson from Mission 22, a nonprofit dedicated to combating veteran suicide. Sarah shared the organization's origins, programs, and the importance of community support.

Our conversation centered around Mission 22’s recentstruggle after their Facebook page. Their Facebook Page was hacked, resulting in significant outreach and fundraising setbacks. Sarah details the challenges of getting help from Facebook and urges listeners to support their new verifiedpage.

The discussion underscores the vital role and risks ofsocial media for veteran nonprofits and calls for collective action to rebuild Mission 22’s online presence.

Go to Facebook and search for Mission 22 with the red logo.There is only one for Facebook. Right now, there are about 1,300 followers as of me writing this. Let’s get behind Mission 22 and help them grow again. Mark, do the best thing and fix this. You can have the ability to help out Mission 22and other Veterans who count on this community.

Go to https://mission22.org/to learn more and help out.

Thank you Sara, for talking with me.

This week on Oscar Mike Radio, I talk with Deborah Green, afemale veteran, former military police officer, and law enforcement dispatcher with 28 years of experience.

She discusses her service in the California National Guard during the Rodney King riots and her experience as a dispatcher handling critical calls.

Topics covered include: the challenges dispatchersencounter, her experiences with PTSD, the importance of mental health support for first responders, and her efforts to promote awareness of public safetyworkers.

The episode provides insight into service on the frontlines, both in uniform and in dispatch roles.

#OscarMikeRadio #VeteranVoices #FirstResponderMentalHealth#PTSAwareness #CountdownTo500 #WomenVeterans #BehindTheHeadset #DeborahGreen