Mission Roll Call is a nonpartisan movement to help provide veterans with a powerful, unified voice that is heard by our nation's leaders and communities. On this episode, we're joined by MRC Director Patrick Griffith, who talks about how their team uses digital messaging and polling to collect the views, experiences, and insights of veterans and delivers them directly to national and community leaders in an effort to enact positive change.

Patrick discusses how his organization uses storytelling to educate and activate their audience, and how Mission Role Call can work with traditional VSOs like The American Legion.

Special Guest: Patrick Griffith .

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Send us your feedback!
• Join The American Legion
• Mission Roll Call
• S.785 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress
• Find a Service Officer
• American Legion Legislative Action Center
• Veterans & Children Foundation | The American Legion

Jeff gets pumped about U.S. Space Force Guardians newly unveiled dress uniforms.

CV reluctantly brings us yet another story about Afghanistan as two of the military’s highest-ranking generals telling lawmakers that they did not support the full withdrawal this year.

Ashley shares a story from The American Legion Magazine about the benefits of Wind Therapy.

RAPID FIRE

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Send us your feedback!
• Join The American Legion
• Soaring high: Pentagon's Space Force gets new uniform
• Motorcycle Relief Project employs wind therapy to help manage PTSD - YouTube
• Four-wheel fun, freedom with Idaho American Legion Post 101 - YouTube
• Boulder Crest builds peer support community to support Post Traumatic Growth - YouTube
• Find a Service Officer
• Remains of Medal of Honor recipient Fr. Emil Kapaun return to Kansas after 70 years | Stars and Stripes
• patriotickenny (@patriotickenny) TikTok | Watch patriotickenny's Newest TikTok Videos
• 'A total lack of focus': Lawmaker on a mission to compel Pentagon to take UFOs seriously - POLITICO
• VA Mental Health Home
• Legion Racing | The American Legion

Transgender American Veterans Association Communications Director Avalisa Ellicott shares the story of her military service in the U.S. Air Force and the subsequent transition to reflect her true self, which led her to become an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, specifically an advocate for Trans Rights. 

Special Guest: Avalisa Ellicott.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Send us your feedback!
• Join The American Legion
• (36) missavalisa - YouTube
• History-American Legion Flag & Emblem
• Find a Service Officer

The hiatus is over and Team Tango is back to tackle the news of the week.

CV kicks things off with a reminiscence of the podcast team's experience at National Convention in Phoenix.

Jeff revisits the subject of COVID-19 vaccines for the military, now that the Army has issued mandates.

Ashley discusses how purpose plays a role in the in reducing the rate of veterans suicide.

RAPID FIRE

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Send us your feedback!
• National Convention Coverage
• Join The American Legion
• Veteran services saying ‘purpose’ could be key in suicide crisis | RochesterFirst
• Veterans Crisis Line: Suicide Prevention Hotline, Text & Chat
• Vet Centers (Readjustment Counseling) Home
• Find a Service Officer
• US flag, sewn by soldier at POW camp, settles at Smithsonian
• As a child, she wrote to a WWII vet. He carried the letter everywhere, and 12 years later, they finally met. | Stars and Stripes
• Fundraiser for Raven Advisory LLC by Tommy Marcus : FLYAWAY: EMERGENCY AFGHAN RESCUE MISSION

In honor of National Suicide Awareness Prevention Month, Team Tango hosts Chase Rauchle PTSD NOW! Foundation founder Craig Rauchle and board member Steve Lenzi.

The pair discusses the origins of their organization, and it's mission to address and reduce suicide among military servicemembers and veterans who suffer from the effects of trauma, stress and depression from combat and reintegration into civilian life.

They share the ways organization conducts research, supports new and existing treatments and strives to bring those resources to the military servicemembers, and to help to save lives.

Special Guest: Chase Rauchle PTSD NOW! Foundation.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Send us your feedback!
• Join The American Legion
• PTSD NOW! Foundation
• Find a Service Officer
• Suicide prevention foundation transpires out of loss | The American Legion
• Suicide Prevention Awareness Month | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness
• Suicide Prevention Hotline: 24/7 Confidential Help – Veterans Crisis Line
• Flag Bookazine -American Legion Flag & Emblem

You thought we were done with Bonus Episodes, but we have one more in the tank!

During The American Legion 102nd National Convention in Phoenix, the Tango Team had the unique opportunity to get together for a face to face interview with VA Secretary Denis McDonough.

During the interview we touch on development of new technology for patient access, VA COVID protocols and resources for veterans struggling with the situation in Afghanistan or other mental health needs.

Special Guest: VA Secretary Denis McDonough.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Send us your feedback!
• Join The American Legion
• VA Launchpad for Veterans | VA Mobile
• VA App Store | VA Mobile
• Mental Health Home
• Vet Centers (Readjustment Counseling) Home
• Suicide Prevention Hotline: 24/7 Confidential Help – Veterans Crisis Line

Working a corporate job in Indianapolis on Sept. 11, 2001, Purdue graduate Josh Bleill was so moved by the events of that day that he soon found himself, at the age of 27, following in his father's yellow bootsteps at Marine Corps bootcamp.

During a deployment to Fallujah, Iraq in 2006, a bomb exploded under the vehicle Josh was riding in. He woke up five days later to the realization that he had lost two friends and both of his legs in the blast.

Josh's journey through recovery led him to a new role as a motivational speaker, trying to help veterans and civilians alike move forward with positivity by taking just one step at a time.

Special Guest: Josh Bleill.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Send us your feedback!
• Join The American Legion
• Josh Bleill — inspirational keynote speaker

On September 11, 2001, John was an 18-year-old freshman at Fordham University. That day and in the days that followed, John volunteered at Ground Zero, aiding in the rescue and recovery operation. He subsequently joined the Army, becoming a Green Beret with combat deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq.

John shares his story of how that day changed the trajectory of his life, and let him eventually towards the founding of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum Visionary Network.

Special Guest: John Paluska.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Send us your feedback!
• Join The American Legion
• 9/11 Memorial & Museum Visionary Network | National September 11 Memorial & Museum

Jennifer Vollbrecht was 15 years old on 9/11. Like thousands of others, watching the towers fall that day inspired her to serve her country. She knew nothing about the military, but recognized her calling. Jennifer joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2004, and was deployed as a CH-46 Crew Chief in 2005.

Jennifer shares about how that moment has propelled her through her path in life, leading to a career as a veteran entrpreneur, and an advocate for veterans in need.

Special Guest: Jennifer Vollbrecht.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Send us your feedback!
• Join The American Legion
• Amazon.com: Marine Sniper: 93 Confirmed Kills eBook : Henderson, Charles: Kindle Store
• FIX'D Inc. - Accredited Life Coaching and Peer Support to Veterans
• Jennifer Vollbrecht | Project Management Consulting

In 2010, while deployed to Sangin, Afghanistan as a U.S. Marine Corps Reserve combat engineer, Rob Jones stepped on an IED and became a double above-knee amputee.

Rob shares his inspirational journey of recovery and resilience that he hopes will help others heal and thrive.

Special Guest: Rob Jones.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Send us your feedback!
• Join The American Legion
• Rob Jones Journey
• Brotherhood of Heroes | Book by Bill Sloan | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster
• Dan’s Story – Dan Cnossen — Dan Cnossen