Tracer Burnout

Army veteran Mr. Dale Knollinger didn't have many options that appealed to him after graduating high school in a small Ohio town. A persistent recruiter convinced him to try the Army, and life has never been the same. Assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, he deployed to Afghanistan before he was even given a barracks room.

Upon returning stateside, a new chain of command with a new approach shook things up in the unit in order to prepare for a deployment to Iraq. However, a change of mission sent Dale and men of 2 Charlie back to Afghanistan and, before long, to the Taliban stronghold of the Arghandab River valley. The ferocious combat, daily struggles, and mounting casualties would leave Dale and his brothers in arms changed forever. By the end of the last patrol, Dale knew that it was the end of his time in service.

Years later, Dale found himself instrumental in the writing of three different books about the daily struggle for survival in the Arghandab River Valley and preserving the legacy of the men who fought there. Plus exploding plumbing, bonding through loathing, Canadian chefs, and much more! 

In the Free Fire Area, Dan and Roger wonder if they could survive a year of total isolation from the rest of the world. 

Theme song by The Mountain via Pixabay.

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The new Executive Director of the Airborne and Special Operations Museum Foundation, Mrs. Margaret Britten, joins us to tell us a little bit about herself and some exciting projects that she and the Foundation are working on. Long overdue renovations, upcoming family events, fundraising for projects, and a special bourbon inspired by Iron Mike!

Theme song by EduardBykovets via Pixabay.

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Marine Corps veteran, Mr. Evan Eldridge, was home sick from school watching the 2003 invasion of Iraq and felt like he was missing out on something that would shape his generation. Not only did that change his immediate plans for college, but it changed his whole life.

Over the next decade, Evan would have jobs in the Corps that he hated and jobs that he loved. He would deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as a little jaunt to Ghana. Many of his goals and ambitions went unrealized, but after meeting his wife, starting a family, and finally getting the job he wanted most, Evan knew he was exactly where he was meant to be. 

By the time he chose to leave the Marines, Evan was already struggling with mental health and substance abuse. His struggles persisted through several different jobs after service, and the road to recovery isn't easy, but faith, family, and becoming The Veritable Veteran has kept Evan moving forward, and his desire to serve others hasn't diminished one bit.

In the Free Fire Area, we give our thoughts on the recent passing of an American icon and then discuss some of the dumbest and most useless inventions ever. Pet rocks? New Coke? Who comes up with this stuff?

Theme song by The Mountain via Pixabay.

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The VA's Suicide Data Report was released back in 2012 and was instrumental in raising awareness of the epidemic plaguing service members and veterans, but it's been more than a decade and the issue persists. We're all aware of the problem, but why hasn't anything gotten better? 

We asked the President of America's Warrior Partnership and Air Force veteran, Mr. Jim Lorraine, to return for this Quick Hit so we could get some answers. Jim and AWP have put an exhausting amount of time and energy into trying to help veterans in crisis, so we asked him to share some of the most recent data concerning veteran suicide. 

How accurate is the "22-a-day" number? What kinds of veterans are at risk? Why is it so difficult to get real data? So many important questions for Suicide Awareness Month, and Jim has the information and data that will really open your eyes!

Theme song by EduardBykovets via Pixabay.

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Rashon Walker wanted to play college football at Louisiana State University, but when an offer didn't arrive, he chose to serve his country like many other members of his family. Enlisting in the Army as a Logistics Manager, Rashon was given the guidance and mentorship he hadn't received elsewhere. 

His leadership qualities developed, and they would be sorely needed in the years ahead. A last-minute deployment to Poland at the outset of the Russia-Ukraine War, feeling abandoned when the deployment was extended, mental health struggles after coming home, and the ending of a serious relationship would test him all the way through his time in uniform. After finding his faith, however, Rashon has continued to move forward and has a well-lit path in front of him. 

In the Free Fire Arena, Dan and Roger discuss a few American veterans of the past that they would love to speak with today and a few international ones as well (don't worry, none of them are French). 

Theme song by The Mountain via Pixabay.

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As a young man, Anthony Bongi had two choices: pursue acting and modeling in New York City or accept a last-minute opportunity to West Point. He chose West Point, and there he began a whirlwind military career that would see him booted from West Point, enlisted in Alaska, deployed as a member of the Air National Guard, and it only gets wilder from there.

Over a decade later, Anthony achieved his dream of being an infantry platoon leader in combat and, despite the twists and turns, he wouldn't have it any other way. From demerits at USMA to moose spotting in Alaska and from logistics in the Air Force to shopping malls in Poland - Anthony's career path was wild and unpredictable, but he never forgot about his childhood passion.

After some time out of uniform, Anthony headed out to LaLa Land to pursue acting and modeling. He approaches each opportunity as a military operation, and the results can speak for themselves.

In the Free Fire Area, Dan's love for pecan pie remains unsullied, and Roger is second-guessing some recent dietary changes.

Theme song by The Mountain via Pixabay.

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Founder and owner of Vestibular Training Services (VTS), Mrs. Sheila Thelen, joins us for this Tracer Burnout Quick Hit to tell us all about VTS and how she and her team are helping improve the lives of veterans, athletes, and everyday people. 

She tells us all about the vestibular system, how the treatment affects everything from sleep to your sense of humor, and some of the future outlooks for medical possibilities in the vestibular field. 

Theme song by EduardBykovets via Pixabay.

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After a failed college experiment, David Mueller wasn't happy with where he was in life, so he decided to enlist. Knowing full well there were two wars going on, David wound up as an infantryman in the 3rd Ranger Battalion and never looked back.

For the next 20 years, David threw himself into the profession of arms, deployed to combat zones numerous times, and faced every challenge head-on. From blistering training and multiple setbacks at Ranger School to working as a dog handler and broadening horizons at Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), David's experiences are as vast as they are varied.

Plus, frustrated lieutenants, motivational speeches, Australian culture, blotter reports, and so much more!

In the Free Fire Area, Dan and Roger wish they could be kids again and enjoy the little things.

Theme song by The Mountain via Pixabay.

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“When times get hard and people crumble, it shows you who they are.”

Army veteran, public speaker, and author, Mr. Greg Archbold, was headed down a rough path in life until a couple of veterans saw his potential and convinced him to enlist. The desire to improve his life led Greg to a career of more than three decades and from an enlisted medic to a Military Police officer.

He treated POWs during Operation Desert Storm, commanded the only US military prison in Europe, and spent nearly a decade in Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). From driving an ambulance in Georgia to parachute mishaps in Italy and from running his own Troop Medical Clinic to losing weapons in Afghanistan, Greg's story is as incredible as it is inspiring. Plus, rules for card games, beers with General McChrystal, a waiver for everything, and so much more!

Over those many years, Greg was constantly reminded, by word and deed, of the importance of good leadership. So much so that, after retirement, he wrote a book about it called Fail, Fight, Finish: Leadership Lessons You Don't Learn in the Classroom. He also is available for speaking engagements and leadership training.

In the Free Fire Area, the guys talk about some of their habits that other people might find odd, even freakish perhaps.

Theme song by The Mountain via Pixabay.

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In this Quick Hit, we chat with Army veteran, actress, nurse, and author, Ms. Mindy Dougherty. Mindy tells us about her book, A Dragon's Voice, helping children learn valuable life lessons as well as learning to read. She also tells us about some of her childhood struggles, why she's unsure of writing a follow-up, and how Dan and Roger may get involved in the audio version!

Theme song by EduardBykovets via Pixabay.

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