141 – Elephant Walk

141 – Elephant Walk

I saw this video on US Military News and was intrigued. You can watch the video below.

I had no idea what an elephant walk was or where the term originated. Good old Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant_walk_(aeronautics) said that this term originated during WWII when up to 1000 planes would take off at a time.

Elephant walks require planning, coordination and teamwork to pull off. Even in peacetime, it is good to practice to do operations like the one here to keep skills sharp and demonstrate capability to project force. I thought it was pretty cool.

Upcoming Stuff

Keep checking out all the intel on social media and here for things that will be taking place over the summer. If the scheduling holds, I will be doing Livecasts every month from April through October this year. Good stuff.

125 – Army Veteran Becky Tough – Essential Oils & Toxin Free Living

125 – Army Veteran Becky Tough – Essential Oils & Toxin Free Living

125 – Army Veteran Becky Tough – Essential Oils & Toxin Free Living

I am always looking to learn how to live better. Most interesting are ways to introduce natural products into my daily life. Becky Tough served in the Army as a Medic. She told me what her favorite thing do in the Army was, and I got real nervous. Good thing she switched to wellness and healthy living, whew!

Becky has studied, researched and now uses essential oils as part of her journey toward complete wellness. Essential oils have been used for thousands of years, and more and more people use these oils in their daily lives.

Like others I have had on Oscar Mike Radio, Becky had to re-invent herself after separating from active duty service. As time and life went on she discovered that wellness for herself and family was a calling for her.

She started working with Young Living Products. You can find out more by going to her Facebook Page – Becky and Jim’s Young Living Essential Oils – These are high quality oils with all natural ingredients. Becky sent me a goody bag of samples and I am going to give this a go. If I can feel better with some of this stuff, why not?

The second mission focus for Becky is what she calls, “Toxin-Free Living“. This is where she can tell you how to reduce or altogether eliminate cleaning products that have harsh chemicals in the ingredients. I had an eye brow raised, I am not going to kid around with this. I still remember Gunny’s saying about Simple Green. “If it doesn’t smell green, then it is not clean Marine!” Those words will echo every time I clean my house. These products are all natural and it makes sense to try and switch.

As we talked, it became clear that this was not all about the money for Becky. She really wants you to consider using these products so you can have a better, healthier life. Again go to Becky’s Facebook Page to find out more: https://www.facebook.com/Toughwellness . I love it when Veterans make something different out of themselves, that still allows them to serve, but also enrich their own life. Keep being Tough Becky!

NINGXIA RED – Awesome Stuff

Episode 118 – WWI Series Part 4 – Eye Deep in Hell

Episode 118 – WWI Series Part 4 – Eye Deep in Hell

Question of the Week

How was the 22Kill Boston Casino night? I had a lot of fun getting to see familiar faces and meet new people. 22 Kill was at the Emerald Club in Abington, MA doing a fundraiser.

I am hoping that 22Kill Boston does more events. The whole tribe concept is very appealing to me. A group of people who are bound together is a powerful force.

Speaking of people, a listener was at the event and it was good talking about their story. They may be coming on the Oscar Mike Radio very soon. It is important to socialize and connect with each other. It is the only way to cover each other’s 6.

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WWI Series Part 4 – Eye Deep in Hell

I got the book Eye Deep in Hell from a friend of mine. Again, I thought I had a pretty good idea about how World War One was fought. To my disappointment I discovered again that my knowledge was elementary at best. John Ellis takes the reader through everything about Trench Warfare.

There is no whitewashing of the situation in this book. John lays out the history and methodology behind trench warfare. He then goes into the soldier’s lives doing this kind of warfare. I thought I had hard times serving in the desert, but nothing I experienced comes close to what these men did.

Lice, rats and standing twelve hours or more in icy waist deep mud was all in a normal day for the Doughboys. More men were injured from gangrene than anything else. It was a war of attrition that ground soldiers on all sides into nothing. This was a difficult book to read. However, it is just the kind of book that we all should read, especially high and college kids. You can get Eye Deep in Hell from Amazon for $25.00. I consider this a must read. Like I have said before, I could a year of podcasts on World War One and not even scratch the surface. I hope you enjoyed these. I learned just how little I know. OMR out.

 

 

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Time Question

My podcast is targeted for 30 minutes air time. Some people are asking for 60 minutes. That raises all kinds of questions, and I would like to know what you think.

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Episode 113 – Jodie Part 6: Reverse Jody

Episode 113 – Jodie Part 6: Reverse Jody

Question of the Week

I got asked if I am watching the NFL this year. I said no. I don’t even have cable anymore. In a complete reverse, I do not have a fantasy football team either. I don’t miss it, and I am not sure if NFL football could ever get me back now. I am looking forward to hockey season since the Royals were rebuilding this year.

I do have a friend of mine who is a die hard Redskins fan. He asked me about it and said why don’t you watch the Thanksgiving game and see how you feel. He understands my positions and while he may not agree with it, he respects where I am coming from. I am thinking I will meet him half way. Hail to the Redskins, Hail to the Chief.


The Word

Jody Part 6: Reverse Jody

I wanted to do this part 6 and make the case for a different kind of Jody. What if Jody is a fellow servicemember who has an affair with your wife or husband? What would happen then? How is a situation like this treated in the military? I talked about two stories that demonstrated what can happen.

I talk about Ist Sgt Usher who was labled a “Horny Bastard”. Army Times Story about Horny Ist Sgt . While married he had an affair with a Private First Class under his command. He was outed when he was filmed on a cell phone camera making out in public with this PFC. Both were punished although it is unclear the severity of the censure. His career is effectively over.

Not to be outdone by the Army, the Marine Corps had a similar problem come to light. Corporal Remedios Cruz, one of the first female infantry Marines,  was kicked out for fraternization. Task and Purpose Article about Female Marine

Both servicemembers committed adultery with people who they served with during active service. What is it like for a spouse who is faithful to find something like this out? I can’t imagine, but these stories would suggest that Jody is everywhere.


Jody and Jodie Podcast Links

I will add the episode links so you can get caught up. This is a year long series, so buckle up

Links to Jody/Jodie Past Podcasts

  1. Episode 81 – Jody Part 1
  2. Episode 85 – Jodie Part 2
  3. Episode 89 – Jody Part 3
  4. Episode 94 – Jody Part 4
  5. Episode 102 – Jody Part 5
Episode 108 – No Ghosts Here

Episode 108 – No Ghosts Here

Episode 108 – No Ghosts Here

All these items were in use at one time, even the signs.

I got invited to check out a private military collection. This was to support a project I am working on for the New England Center and Home for Veterans. The team needed some research done on World War One. Gary, who is a Marine Veteran, was gracious enough to allow me to come see what he had been doing.

I walked into the area and had to pause for a minute. I had been to plenty of military museums before, but this was the first time I had seen items like this up close and personal. This was the first time where someone other than a tour guide was telling me stories about each item. Many of these items had a personal story behind them.

Gary told me about a uniform that actually belonged to his father. His father’s story as an 18 year old kid working on a landing craft for D-Day. He told me about items his father wore and I could see a look of pride in his eye has he talked about that time.

However, it was during the podcast that this experience came in focus for me. He talked about another group that came and looked at the collection. One of the viewers said that there must be a lot of ghosts in these rooms. Gary looked at me and told me that there were, “No Ghosts Here”. This is not a place for ghosts he said, it is place of dignity. Where the deeds of those who went before us are kept alive.

I spent a lot of time reflecting on that thought as I prepared this podcast. I want to thank Gary and his son for taking the time to talk with me and show me something truly remarkable. Memories can be kept alive as long as we choose remember with dignity those who have gone before us. 

 

 


Two pictures showing how Camp Edwards (Now Otis Air Base) changed in a year during WWII