Credit – Irreverent Warriors – Nashville – Used by Permission from Andrew Farrer
Andrew Farrer reached out to me on Instagram about coming on Oscar Mike Radio. Come to find out he had met Scott Libby who has been on Oscar Mike Radio and asked if I would talk with him about the Nashville, TN Silkies Hike.
Irreverent Warriors was founded by Captain Donny O’Malley USMC Ret., and Sergeant Ryan Loya in 2015. They believed that humor could heal a person. https://www.irreverentwarriors.com/about/ Read the story about how this organization is using comradeire to prevent Veterans’ suicide.
Andrew went on a couple of hikes and wanted to do one in Nashville. He has been working since January to coordinate the hike in Nashville. Right now he has 150+ hikers signed up. He is working to make the hike a great experience and is already looking for ward to doing on in 2020.
The first part of this podcast, Andrew was candid about his situation and how he got to certain places in his life. In a way, this hike is a way to leave the past behind and turn over a new life.
Listening to Andrew talk, I can tell you that this is the reason to Oscar Mike Radio. Andrew had bad things happen to him and made bad choices, but he is looking stay sober and show other people that you can change your life at anytime if you put in the work. It is a great story, and I can’t wait to meet Andrew one day. He is Oscar Mike.
I got an email from Moni Jefferson (https://www.monijeffersonpr.com/) about Ashley Bugge. Moni does PR work and has a whole part of her business focused on the military. As I read the email, I realized I had heard the name before. Last year her husband, Brian Bugge, died in a scuba diving accident. Moni asked me to reach out and see if Ashley would come on Oscar Mike Radio.
Ashley and I connected, and set a time to record. I asked her about her husband and what his Navy career meant to her. It was clear they were in love and having a family was important to them.
She went to describe the accident, and how in just a little over a year life completely changed. However, I didn’t hear any complaining or regrets when Ashley was talking about what happened. Instead she talked about the idea of “No Bucket Lists”.
No Bucket Lists, means living life to the fullest every day. Ashley and Brian believed the life is a gift to be treasured. They wanted their children to be a part of what they were doing so no one was left out or behind. Living life this way didn’t allow for regrets. I believe that came across clearly when talking with Ashley. Yes, a terrible accident struck the Bugge family, but Ashley believes that finding a way to move forward would be what Brian would want. As terrible as this was, her message of resilience and perseverance can speak to all of us.
Find out More
Go to https://www.ashleybugge.com/ to find out more about the Bugge’s story. Ashley is writing a book about her family’s story. I want to say thanks again to Moni Jefferson for making the connection. I am looking forward to talking with Ashley again.
This podcast is dedicated to the memory and service of Navy Ensign Brian Bugge
Thanks to my sponsor Joyce Asack for supporting Veterans!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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
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!
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 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.
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 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.
