USA Cares Podcast

This week's topic is a very sensitive one (trigger warning). The Author of "No Tougher Duty, No Greater Honor", Christian Bussler grew up as an Air Force brat in the 1970's and 1980's. He joined the Marine Corps Reserves right out of high school and was assigned to MP Co "C" in Dayton, Ohio as an 0311 Rifleman. He was crossed trained as a 9051 Graves Registration/Mortuary Affairs Marine in the early 1990's. in 2003 his platoon of Mortuary Affairs specialists was activated to head to Kuwait, and he participated in the invasion of Iraq in 2003. In Feb of 2004, he volunteered to go back to Iraq and was assigned to Weapons Co 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, where he was wounded in combat operations while fighting against Al Qaeda terrorist insurgents. After his surgeries, he volunteered once again to go back to Iraq in 2005, but this time as the Staff NCOIC of all Mortuary Affairs operations in and around Al Taqaddum, Iraq. His book "No Tougher Duty, No Greater Honor" details his experiences as a forward operating "body-bagger". He tells the stories that no one ever speaks of, about a duty that few know that exists. He had spent four years teaching himself how to write, and his book is the result of thousands of hours of writing and re-writing his difficult experiences in war. He hopes that his work can provided the answers that families of the fallen may have, and he hopes to honor the sacrifices of those who have paid the ultimate cost for freedom..Show Links www.usacares.org FB - @usacaresorg Twitter - @USACares IG - @usacares YouTube - USA Cares YouTube Guest Links https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-bussler-376598154https://www.amazon.com/No-Tougher-Duty-Greater-Honor/dp/1546604936 Sponsors Speakeasy Podcast Network - www.speakeasynetwork.com

Matt is in the studio with co-host Stefanie Jones, who is stepping in for Alexa, and guest, Nic Bush. Nic is currently serving his 17th year with the U.S. Military and is currently stationed in Louisville, Kentucky. While this show has typically discussed service members transitioning into civilian roles, Nic offers a different perspective and shares his experience with navigating inter-service career and service branch transition. Nic, who was stationed at Ft. Hood in 2009 and serving as a combat medic at the time, also shares his story of the deadly mass shooting that took place and provides his own advice on tackling tragic events. Show Links www.usacares.org FB - @usacaresorg Twitter - @USACares IG - @usacares YouTube - USA Cares YouTube Sponsors Speakeasy Podcast Network - www.speakeasynetwork.com

This week, Alexis & Matt are joined by Shelby Hebing. Shelby is a military spouse to an active-duty soldier and holds the position of a career development advisor and military transition advocate at her family's duty station in Virginia. In this episode, Shelby discusses her 12 years of experience as a military family member & mother, and how she helps transitioning veterans prepare for civilian life after serving. You can now directly subscribe and listen to the podcast on Facebook's mobile platform. @usacaresorg Show Links www.usacares.org FB - @usacaresorg Twitter - @USACares IG - @usacares YouTube - USA Cares YouTube Guest Linkshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/shelby-hebing/ SponsorsSpeakeasy Podcast Network - www.speakeasynetwork.com

Alexis, Matt, and Trace are in the studio today to chat with Dan Horgan. Dan is the Director of Special Projects at Black Rifle Coffee, a Veteran-owned company that has been making waves for not only their great coffee but also the media they produce, and the support they provide to veterans. Dan shares with the team what is happening at Black Rifle Coffee, and his own story of his struggles in transitioning out of the military and into the civilian workforce. The USA Cares podcast feed is now on Facebook. You can now directly subscribe and listen to the podcast on Facebook's mobile platform. @usacaresorg Show Links www.usacares.org FB - @usacaresorg Twitter - @USACares IG - @usacares YouTube - USA Cares YouTubeGuest links www.blackriflecoffee.com  https://www.brccfund.org

Matt welcomes Alexis back to the studio this week and the two have a discussion with Army veteran, Monique Gavin, who was also a participant in our Senior Leaders Program. She was in the military for 20 years, and multiple overseas deployments before deciding to retire. Her husband is still in the military, and she is the mother of three children at 18, 14, and 7 months old. Monique will be sharing her story of transitioning into civilian life and her experience going through the Senior Leaders program.   Show Links www.usacares.org FB - @usacaresorg Twitter - @USACares IG - @usacares YouTube - USA Cares YouTube Sponsors Speakeasy Podcast Network - www.speakeasynetwork.com

On this episode of the USA Cares Podcast, Matt is joined by special and returning co-host, Stefani Jones to welcome Dr. Greg Bishop to the USA Cares team. Dr. Bishop is a Navy veteran with an Academic background. He now works at USA Cares to help assist veterans with the various new career transition programs and opportunities that the Organization is working on. Dr. Bishop and the hosts discuss all things Navy, a little bit about football, a lot about resumes, and even a few things about skydiving on this episode. Enjoy the show! Show Links www.usacares.org FB - @usacaresorg Twitter - @USACares IG - @usacares YouTube - USA Cares YouTube Sponsors Speakeasy Podcast Network - www.speakeasynetwork.com

USA Cares President Trace Chesser is back in the studio today to join Matt. The two discuss the year of 2021 and the great things that have came out of this year for USA Cares. The organization has grown to numerous new states, have started numerous new partnerships and events, and they have helped over 500 veterans and their families with various life changing needs. They also discuss some of the amazing stories they have been able to tell through this podcast. The team at USA Cares wants to thank you for listening throughout the year and supporting them. They are looking forward to continuing their work in 2022, and hope that you join in.Veterans continue to need organizations like USA Cares. If you would like to donate to the cause or join a chapter coming to your State, please visit the link above.Sponsors:www.speakeasynetwork.com

This week, Matt & Alexis are joined by the President & CEO of Abound Credit Union, Ray Springsteen. Abound Credit Union is a Kentucky based credit union that was created by a group of Veterans out of Ft. Knox, KY in 1950. Today, they have grown to become Kentucky’s largest credit union with 18 locations and over 100,000 members. In the past few years, Abound CU has partnered with USA Cares on many occasions, and have helped make an impact on lives of hundreds of veterans through the work the two organizations have done together. Listen to learn more about Abound's history, the work they have accomplished, and what USA Cares and Abound has planned together in the future.  www.aboundcu.com  Special shoutout to Cardinal Moving out of Louisville. Thank you for always stepping up to the plate when we need you. https://www.cardinalsmoving.com  Sponsors: www.Speakeasynetwork.com

Did you know that more Veterans have lost their lives from suicide since 2001 than being killed in combat? That number adds up to over 140,000+ active duty or veteran service members and military members also are at a 50% higher risk than anyone else to take their own lives. This week, Alexis and Matt are joined by Army Commissioned Officer Veteran, Nick Black. After returning from his last deployment to Afghanistan, One of Nick's soldiers took their own life. The incident greatly impacted Nick's life & purpose, and after researching just how big the problem is, him and some other veterans decided to take action by starting the Stop Solider Suicide Organization. Nick is also the founder of GoodUnited, an organization that offers nonprofits a complete social fundraising solution to understand, inspire and grow relationships at scale. Show Links www.usacares.org FB - @usacaresorg Twitter - @USACares IG - @usacares YouTube - USA Cares YouTube Guest Links https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-black-7658ab37/Stopsoldiersuicide.orgGoodunited.io Sponsors Speakeasy Podcast Network - www.speakeasynetwork.com

Show Notes Matt & Alexis refelct on a year of USA Care's podcast. They recall the guest, the stories told, the inspiration from and connection to our country's veterans. Here's to another year in the making!.Thanks for listening, Everyone!.Show Links www.usacares.org FB - @usacaresorg Twitter - @USACares IG - @usacares YouTube - USA Cares YouTube . Guest LinksAndrew J. McCawley - Studio EngineerSpeakeasy Podcast Network