Through the Gray

By Fred & Joe Harrison

The West Point Class of 2001 was the last class to graduate before 9/11.

They served as Junior Officers during the initial phases of the War on Terror and the next twenty years of global turbulence ... more

· History

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FAQs about Through the Gray:

How many episodes does Through the Gray have?

The podcast currently has 105 episodes available.

Through the Gray episodes:

October 15, 2023 Anastasia Piotrowski: Just Tri
Anastasia Piotrowski: Just Tri
Anastasia applied to West Point with dreams of serving in the military and becoming an engineer.
While at West Point Anastasia tried to expose herself to every academic challenge and activity. Anastasia tried rowing, powerlifting, languages, and became interested in biology and the medical field.
Anastasia applied to become and was accepted to be a Doctor in the medical corps.
This vocation sent her down an interesting path. Along the way Anastasia has served in hospitals in Germany and Hawaii, in frontline units in the 18th Airborne Corps and Afghanistan, and in the Pentagon and Human Resources Command.
Anastasia has applied herself to accomplish every task before her with determination and a desire to Just Tri.
This is her story.
...more
1h 26min
October 01, 2023 Rob Rodock: Addicted to the Complex
Rob grew up in Columbus, Ohio the oldest of four kids. West Point offered him opportunity to go to college and the structure necessary to push and challenge him in a way staying in Ohio may not.
Rob stumbled out of the gates with his Senate nomination interview with John Glenn, but recovered and secured a nomination from Congressmen Mike DeWine. Rob’s experience at West Point mirrored that early interaction. Temporary setbacks followed by deliberate long term growth.
Rob branched Military Police because he wanted to be active and “in the fight”, not just training.
Rob stumbled out of the gates early at Fort Carson and ended up on the local evening news, but continued down a path of deliberate growth. Deploying around the world (Cuba, Iraq, Afghanistan, S. Korea) and tackling some of the most complex tasks we could ask of a Military Police officer.
This is his story.
...more
1h 25min
September 24, 2023 Jeff Cullen: Level Heads and Open Minds
Jeff applied to West Point after a suggestion from a good friend and with the support of his family. From a young age, he learned that hard work and keeping an open mind were the basis for creating opportunities and moving forward.
Jeff’s branch within the Army was Field Artillery, which took him through Ranger School, intense combat missions, and a future facing the harsh realities of war.
After his Army service, Jeff earned his MBA and has worked in consulting firms and at tech startups. He has learned the value of paying attention to your mental health, especially after the experiences he and others in the military have had.
This is his story.
...more
1h 7min
September 17, 2023 Roger Trimble: Risk and Investment
Roger.
...more
1h 15min
September 10, 2023 Eric Musgrave: Laptop and a Cell Phone
Eric applied to West Point for the prestige of being a graduate and the adventure of being an Army Officer.
Eric wrestled and participated in the Civil Air Patrol while in high school and felt prepared for what West Point would throw at him.
Eric had faith in West Point and the military. That they would challenge him and push him to grow, but never put him in a situation that was beyond his capabilities or the capabilities of those around him.
Eric graduated West Point as an Armor Officer. Eric was drawn to the mobility of Cavalry and the Armored Corps. Eric would stay at West Point an additional 6 month’s recovering from an injury before attending Officer Basic and graduating Ranger School.
Eric would serve in Iraq with the 1st Cavalry Division as a Scout Platoon Leader, as an Assistant Professor of Military Science in Southern California, and than transition to become an Arabic speaking Foreign Area Officer.
Eric would spend the majority of the remainder of his career working in the Central Command Area of Operations working in the space between control and chaos. Sometimes with only a laptop and a cell phone to make things happen.
This is his story.
...more
1h 14min
September 03, 2023 Allison Ross: Feedback and Growth
Allison grew up in a Military family. Military service, especially service through the Military Academies was a prominent option early in her life.

Allison was active in the outdoors and in sports during her childhood and successful in school. West Point was able to increase her academic breadth and develop her interpersonal and leadership skills.

Allison branched Adjutant General and posted to South Korea for her initial duty assignment. In South Korea Allison served as the Officer Strength manager for 19th Theater Support Command where she honed her talents to match personal feedback with opportunities for growth.

Allison would leave South Korea and to serve as a Basic Training Company Executive Officer and Company Commander for Remedial Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Allison found success in those rolls by connecting with her soldiers and leaders to coach them through their struggles.

When Allison left the military she would apply those lessons to her positions in the civilian world; working at Amazon and VEIC.

This is her story.
...more
55min
August 27, 2023 Mohamed Desoky - Starting with the Basics
Mohamed was recruited for college basketball by West Point and two colleges in Kentucky. West Point was out of state, challenging, and different. Mohamed was sold.
Mohamed didn’t have much exposure to the military prior to West Point, but had many of the basic characteristics necessary to be successful.
Injuries and competing Academic requirements impacted Mohamed’s time on the Basketball Team, but he stayed on as a Corps Squad Athletic Trainer. Choosing to help from a unique position.
Mohamed’s military career would also be unique. Serving as a Quartermaster Officer in Japan, completing the Infantry Captains Career Course, and completing Special Forces Assessment and Selection. Learning, adapting, and succeeding at the each task before him.
Injuries would heavily influence Mohamed’s decision to transition out of the military.
Civilian employers were looking for tangible skills that he hadn’t demonstrated yet.
Mohamed went back to the basics, utilizing his intangible attributes to rise within the financial industry and academia.
This is his story.
...more
1h 13min
August 20, 2023 James Penniman-Morin: Mayor may Not
James grew up in Virginia into a family of air traffic controllers and history buffs. Inspired to lead and serve in the military.
James’ experiences in Boy Scouting grew and nurtured the desire to join the military, and shaped his decision to apply to West Point.
James was accepted and prepared to enter West Point, but the separation from his home town support network had him looking to build another.
The friends James made in rugby, in his cadet companies, and at West Point in general would be critical in guiding his path at school, the military, and after transitioning to civilian life.
James has been building and nurturing relationships as an Airborne Infantry Ranger in Afghanistan and Iraq. As a Company Commander in the Old Guard and a Law student at Georgetown. As a Lawyer in Washington D.C. and in Texas. And now serving as a Mayor.
This is his story.
...more
1h 15min
August 13, 2023 Clay Marshall - Volley and Serve
Marshall’s father and older brother attended the Citadel. Marshall’s father also served in the Air Force. Marshall saw himself gravitating towards West Point. It wasn’t one thing, one master plan, but a confluence of opportunity and effort.
Marshall was humbled by the challenges of West Point. It showed him areas for improvement he hadn’t seen in high school or at home. Tennis, Academics, and Military service pushed him to grow.
Opportunities for growth didn’t end upon graduation.
Marshall branched field artillery and deployed with the 101st to serve as Cadre Support to West Point in the Summer of 2002 and to the ground war in Iraq in 2003.
Marshall applied to law school and left the military after his initial service obligation was complete, but returned as a Civil Affairs officer in the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) to serve in Iraq a second time after a year of law school.
Marshall completed his IRR commitment and his earned his law degree, but fealt drawn to serve along a slightly different path.
Marshall’s trajectory hasn’t always been smooth or clear, but he has been consistent. Returning what life throws at him and serving with character.
This is his story.
...more
1h 8min
August 06, 2023 Matt Radik: Missionaries and Emissaries
Matt was interested in the Service Academy’s at an early age. This early interest drove him to focus on sports and grades and being well rounded.
Matt had family in the Marine Corps, but he was drawn towards West Point. Matt was accepted into West Point and walked into Beast barracks with the Class of 1999.
After Matt’s Yearling Year in the Summer of 1997, he resigned West Point and went to Taiwan for two years as a Mormon missionary. Matt returned to West Point in the fall of 1999 and graduated two years later with the Class of 2001.
Matt branched Armor and posted to Fort Carson, Colorado with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. Deploying to OIF I in 2003.
Matt transitioned branches to Military Intelligence serving in South Korea and Iraq before returning to West Point to teach.
Matt transitioned from Military Intelligence to become a Foriegn Area Officer with a focus on China and Taiwan. Matt would spend the remainder of his career digging deep and investing in Indo-Pacific Foreign policy, culminating as a Security and Cooperation Officer in Taiwan.
This is his story.
...more
1h

FAQs about Through the Gray:

How many episodes does Through the Gray have?

The podcast currently has 105 episodes available.