Desert Storm and Forward

Robert Wells had a distinguished 30-year career in our US Navy. His career included two ship commands: the AEGIS cruiser USS Lake Champlain during Operation Enduring Freedom and the guided missile frigate USS Lewis B. Puller. During his career, Wells was awarded twenty service medals including two Defense Superior Service medals and two Legions of Merit. Bob had over 5 years of White House & National Security Council experience in the Bush 43/Clinton administrations. He also served as Special Advisor [...]

John Mangan had a 25-year Air Force career, much of it flying as a combat search and rescue pilot. A Veteran of over 200 combat missions, John has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor twice, the Air Medal 12 times and the Aerial Achievement medal twice. His actions in combat have been documented in the books Not a Good Day to Die, None Braver, Zero Six Bravo, and Dead Men Risen. Mangan has taken lessons learned in combat and [...]

The U.S. Space Force formally became the sixth branch of our military on December 20, 2019. Their mission is straight forward; secure our nation’s interests in, from and to space. Space Force members are known as “Guardians”. Colonel Brandon P. Alford, Commander of U.S. Space Forces Southern, joins us to discuss the mission and tools available to our newest branch. The Space Force currently has no Guard of Reserve component, and with approximately 9,400 active-duty service members, is the smallest [...]

Michael G. Becker entered the Air Force as an Explosive Ordinance Disposal Technician. Before his 26 year career ended, he would serve as the Command Chief for one of the Air Force’s largest bases, responsible for 46,000 personnel and $51 billion in assets. I had the privilege of working with Chief Becker during his time serving at our local Air Force base. When I asked him about his plans post Air Force, he shrugged his shoulders and said, “I don’t [...]

Our nation’s National Guard and Reserve units play a critical role in our nation’s defense. However, their contributions are often overlooked by the civilian population. Retired Major General Ted Maxwell, former commander of the Arizona Air National Guard joins us for a conversation. While all our military branches except the Space Force have a reserve component, the National Guard only includes Army and Air Force units. The Guard comprises 38% of our total uniformed manpower with 432,460 members. Standing alone, [...]

Havok Journal owner joins us for a discussion about some of his recent articles. The Havok Journal serves as the voice of the Veteran community through a focus on current affairs and articles of interest to the general public, and the Veteran community in particular. "Pecuniam Infinitum, Belli Infinitum: The Aid You’re Giving Gaza is Making the Conflict Worse" We begin with a discussion about how humanitarian aid flowing into conflict zones may serve to prolong the war. A study [...]

The Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps is the highest-ranking enlisted member of the Marine Corps. The role of the SMMC is to advise the Commandant on matters affecting enlisted Marines, represent the enlisted force in discussions with Senior Leadership and oversee the implementation of policies and programs that impact enlisted personnel. Carlos A. Ruiz assumed the post as the 20th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps on August 10, 2023. Carlos and his family immigrated to the United States [...]

The Devil’s Playground was the name given to the Arghandab Valley of Afghanistan by the US troops who fought there. It is also the title of a book written by Andrew Bragg about his fellow paratroopers of Charlie Company’s 2nd Platoon and their 2009-2010 deployment to the valley. His unit experienced fifty percent casualties and six KIA during that deployment. Andrew says “I thought about the guys in my platoon every single day for 12 years, but I never reached [...]