Tango Alpha Lima Podcast

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

On Sept. 11, 2001, Kim Campbell was a young Air Force Academy graduate in A-10 training. Suddenly, everything about her role as a fighter pilot changed, and shortly after completing training she was deployed to Afghanistan in 2002 and then Iraq in 2003, providing close air support for troops on the ground.

Col. Kim Campbell joins the Tango Alpha Lima hosts to share experiences during these deployments, including the mission where she earned the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Special Guest: Kim Campbell.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Send us your feedback!
• Join The American Legion
• Kim "KC" Campbell — Athena's Voice

Dr. Tony Brooks was inspired to serve by what he refers to as the "holy shit act of terrorism."

On 9/11 he was an 18-year-old student at the University of Arizona who had never considered military service. After watching the towers fall, he suddenly decided that nothing was more important than serving.

Dr. Brooks talks about how "out of the blue" decision surprised everyone he knew, how he joined the Army Rangers, and his first mission once deployed to Iraq - Operation Red Wings.

Special Guest: Dr. Tony Brooks.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Send us your feedback!
• Join The American Legion
• Dr. Tony Brooks Author, Entrepreneur, Army Ranger, Leave No Man Behind

Former POW Jessica Lynch reported to basic training a week after 9/11. Eventually she deployed to Iraq, where her unit was ambushed, she was captured and held prisoner by Iraqi forces for nine days.

Jessica shares the emotional story of her captivity and rescue, as well as how she perservered through the aftermath of the experience, and became a motivational speaker to help others.

Special Guest: Jessica Lynch.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Send us your feedback!
• Join The American Legion
• Jessica Lynch Rescue video
• Amazon.com: I Am a Soldier, Too: The Jessica Lynch Story: 9781400077472: Bragg, Rick: Books
• Jessica Lynch - IMDb

USAA Vice President of Brand Management, Eric Engquist, deployed to Kosovo on 9/11 and was among the first troops deployed to Iraq in the aftermath of the attacks. He shares how his mission in Kosovo changed overnight, and what it was like to help build the beginnings of the Iraqi National Guard.

Special Guest: Eric Enquist.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Send us your feedback!
• Join The American Legion
• Amazon.com: Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World (Audible Audio Edition): Gen. Stanley McChrystal, Tantum Collins, David Silverman, Chris Fussell, Paul Michael, Penguin Audio: Audible Books & Originals