The Decompression Chamber

Mike Cumming joins me for the second season of the Decompression Chamber. I've known this guy for almost a decade now, but didn't know nearly enough about his background. He's the absolute star this week as I settle back into trying to be a host AND a producer simultaneously.

Mike has an amazing journey to share about his service to country, and the many twists and turns that can bring, as well as his faith journey happening at the same time. Mike runs the Venture Vets Ministry out of Everett, WA. It's a great organization bringing faith and purpose to veterans both locally and online, so check them out!

You can find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

This week is a bit of a different spin - I bring on my pal, Ashlee. She isn't a veteran herself, but both of her parents are Air Force veterans. One of the current issues facing the military today is that none of the branches will hit their recruiting goals. Who does the military recruit from? Civilians, of course! Ashlee has a great perspective to bring in terms of why her parents joined, why her peers joined, and why the potential recruits of today might be apprehensive. I share more than my two cents worth too.

Follow Ashlee on Twitter at:

https://twitter.com/duffett82

Follow me on Twitter at:

https://twitter.com/andreafromSLC

Follow me on Instagram at:

https://instagram.com/patrollie

This week, I'm joined by my old shipmate, Billy Dalrymple! We were both in the Harbor Patrol Unit in Bahrain from 2012 until 2013. While we were over there, he picked up MA1 (E6), and took on a leadership role, rather than continuing to drive boats.

Billy has had a different career than most Master-At-Arms. We are rarely aboard ships, but he's been on two. And if you're in long enough, you get a lackadaisical shore command. That can put promotions on hold, but not if you make your own luck! He's taken advantage of his opportunities and been grateful for his experiences and it's a great story for anyone thinking about joining.

Follow me on Twitter at:

twitter.com/andreafromslc

Follow me on Instagram at:

instagram.com/patrollie

This week I'm joined by Steven Vineyard, one of the Sailors I served with in Bangor, Washington so many years ago. I first met him 11 years ago when he came to our Harbor Security Boat unit. He was the first new Sailor we had gotten in probably close to a year, so I found myself in a bit of a leadership role, for the first time in my Navy career.

Luckily, Steve says that I did a good job, and he certainly did too. We got to be friends, but like a lot of Navy pals, we tend to miss out on where we came from and what happens after the service. He catches me up with all of his experiences before, during and after Bangor.

If there is any takeaway from this episode, it's to persevere and call up an old pal. It's a blast!

Check out Steve's glass artwork on his Instagram:

instagram.com/randomheror17

And you can follow me on Twitter at:

twitter.com/andreafromslc

And on Instagram at:

instagram.com/patrollie

This week I'm joined by Senior Chief Dalhouse, who, up until recently, was my Senior Chief in my last Reserve unit. I decided I need a female guest, and she was the first person I thought of! During our time serving together for over two years, we never really talked about life. What you see here is my first time learning about her upbringing and Navy experience.

Check out the work she does at https://sus.org/

Follow me everywhere at comicscard.com/andrea-bryant

This week, I'm joined by Preston "Kingsnake" McMurry! He served in the Army, both on active duty and as a Reservist, and also in the National Guard. He describes himself as an average soldier, but after listening to this? You'll have to ask yourself what qualifies for exemplary for Preston?

When I started this podcast, it was to get veterans on to tell their stories. I had grandfathers who served, and while I could tell you their branch, I couldn't tell you much else. I hope this show lives on and is accessible to the children, grandchildren and so on of these veterans. It brings home a story that they should know in such a personal way!

Follow Kingsnake on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/PrestonMcMurry

Follow his blog at https://prestonm.com/

Follow me everywhere at comicscard.com/andrea-bryant

This week, I'm joined by Sam, a Marine Mustang. From humble beginnings, he joined the Marine Corps and went on to serve over 28 years, and is still a Reservist! One of his sisters and his younger brother also followed in his yellow footprints.

We get tales from a tank mechanic turned helicopter pilot, and some of what he's doing on the civilian side of life now. He's done film production, project management and now has his sights set on the 14th district in Florida.

Learn more about Sam's campaign at https://samforflorida.com/

Follow me on all my socials at comicscard.com/andrea-bryant

We had a cadence in boot camp about a defendant being offered jail or military service. I thought it was a myth, but this week, I'm joined by Derek Drescher, who did just that! He has amazing experiences to share about his time in the Army and details how he has succeeded since then in beating addiction, getting a job and finding his way in comedy.

Follow Derek on Instagram at:

https://www.instagram.com/derekdrescher/?hl=en

Follow Geo on Instagram at:

https://www.instagram.com/geoperez86/?hl=en

Follow On The Gate Podcast at:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1Ozcc7n1a2pUrLxU1D08aw

Follow their show at The Stand at:

https://www.instagram.com/23and1comedy/?hl=en

Follow me on all my socials at:

comicscard.com/andrea-bryant

Joining me this week is comedian and podcaster, KP Burke! He shares his time in the Navy as a Hull Technician and all of the drinking stories that come along with that.

I'll let him tell the stories, and hopefully, that'll be about all you hear, as I managed to screw up my own audio 9 minutes into this episode and turn into an echoey mess.

Check out KP's podcast, "American Loser" wherever you get your podcasts, or on his YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/theswisherking.

Watch his special at https://youtu.be/hXxAWtj-RnM (it's awesome!)

And you can follow me at comicscard.com/andrea-bryant

This week, I'm joined by Marine officer, Mike "Skipper" Arthur, host of Veteran Nation. He tells me about growing up in Ohio and the prospects he had before deciding to join the Marine Corps right after 9/11.

He covers enlisted life, commissioning and being deployed overseas. He left active duty in 2015 and transitioned over to civilian life. He has some great stories and even more valuable insight, so please check out this episode, as well as his work:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTYZjl7nDLeRK8H0EivSGVw

https://www.instagram.com/VetNationShow/

twitter.com/vetnationhost

https://www.instagram.com/VetNationShow/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/veterannation

Follow me at comicscard.com/andrea-bryant