The Oath We Took: Recent Episodes
The Oath We took
This week I am honored to be joined by Joe Nava who I served with in the Marine Corps.
During this episode, Joe shared his experience in the Marine Corps, revealing that he joined to explore the world and his uncle's influence played a role in his decision. He also shared that his first duty station at MCAS Miramar exposed him to various opportunities.
Joe and Tabitha discussed the impact of Joe's leadership on the Marines under his command. Joe expressed pride in their successes and shared his feelings about the challenges they faced, particularly after the passing of a fellow Marine, Michael Lopez. Tabitha highlighted the importance of Joe's role as a support system and safe space for the Marines, especially during difficult times. Both agreed on the importance of prioritizing the well-being of the Marines and ensuring they have the necessary resources and support.
Joe's Transition, Peace Corps, and Relocation Joe shared his transition from the Marine Corps to the Peace Corps, where he currently serves as Acting Deputy Director of Programmatic Communications. He highlighted the value of the soft skills he acquired in the Marine Corps, particularly his experience as an MPA, in his new role.
Tabitha and John discussed the experiences and benefits of serving in the Marine Corps or its reserves, with John sharing his personal journey from active duty to civilian life and his current position at the USDA.
They also discussed the importance of mental health, particularly in parenting, and the significance of special hiring authorities in the job application process.
Lastly, John offered his assistance to job seekers in agricultural or environmental science fields and expressed his interest in helping veterans with their career transition.
This week I am honored to have Eric Johnson on the current Legislative Associate - Grassroots and National Security with the American Legion.
Eric joined the Marine Corps with the goal of being a rifleman, but needs of the Marine Corps changes his plans.
Listen to his story as he shares his experience while deployed, transitioning out of the Marine Corps and struggling with receiving mental health care through the VA.
Leroy Garcia currently serves as Chief of Staff for Rural Business-Cooperative Services at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Prior to this appointment Garcia served as a Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. Garcia was elected in 2014 as a to represent Senate District 3, covering Pueblo and Pueblo West. He became Assistant Minority Leader in 2017, and Senate President in 2019. In 2020, he was unanimously re-elected to continue in his role as Senate President for the 73rd General Assembly.
During the 2020 Presidential Election, Joe Biden selected Senator Garcia to serve as co-chair to his national Latino Leadership Committee, as well as a co-chair of Colorado's Latino Leadership Committee. Sen. Garcia is also a member of El Pomar's Regional Council in Southwest Colorado.
In the Colorado Senate, Senator Garcia passed legislation for a pilot program for Pueblo and rural Colorado to address the opioid crisis. He supports fellow veterans with education and housing programs. He pushed to increase accountability of the utility provider in his district to help the burden of the disproportionate utility prices in Southern Colorado. He has secured funding and defended one of Pueblo’s great cornerstones, the State Fair, and continued to protect Southern Colorado’s water. Senator Garcia has pushed to explore transportation solutions like a rail line in the I-25 corridor through his work with the Southwest Chief and secured funding for improvements on Highway 50. His leadership has paved the way for a new building for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation in Pueblo West, and new offices for Colorado State Patrol and the Colorado Department of Transportation.
Prior to the Colorado Senate, Senator Garcia served in the Colorado House of Representatives and was one of the youngest members elected to the Pueblo City Council. He taught emergency medical services at Pueblo Community College and is a nationally registered paramedic with American Medical Response in Pueblo.
From 2001 to 2007, Senator Garcia served in the Marine Corps. Deployed to Iraq as a mortuary affairs specialist, he has a personal understanding of the risks faced by military members, and has a strong commitment to serving our veterans.
Senator Garcia is a first-generation college graduate, with a master’s degree in organizational management from Ashford University in Clinton, Iowa; a bachelor’s in management from the University of Phoenix and an associate’s degree in emergency medical services from Pueblo Community College.
This week I am honored to be joined by Micaila Britto. Micaila joined the Marine Corps when females were a rare site in the Marine Corps.
Leaving the Marine Corps she has made a huge impact on the veteran community by serving as a veteran service officer, using photography to bring awareness to female veterans and supporting veterans around her.
You don't want to miss this weeks episode.
This week I am speak with Ryan about his time in the Marine Corps and transitioned into the Army.
This week I am honored to have Robert Mendenhall on the podcast to share his time in the Marine Corps. Rob talks about the lack of leadership he had, how coping with deployments lead to drinking and what his alcohol free life now looks like.
This week I am honored to have Chris on the podcast. Chris has served over 22 years in the Marine Corps as a combat engineer. He talks about his time in service, the mental challenges of recruiting duty and how he is preparing for his transition out of the Marine Corps through his podcast the New Mission Career Transition Podcast.
*Disclaimer that this episode is not endorsed by the Marine Corps or the DoD. All opinions and experiences are of Chris’s own accord.
his week I am joined by one of the most impactful leaders from my time in the Marine Corps, Brian Kester.
Kester joined the Marine Corps at 29 years old because the love of his life made him thrive to be better person and to do more.
Kester accomplished the impact he was hoping to make. Please join us as he shares his journey from escorting media at Parris Island to being deployed with MARSOC.
He is the reason for this podcast. When I first asked him to be a guest he said no. He didn’t think he had done anything exceptional. Luckily I convinced him otherwise to share he story.
There is so much take away from this episode, and yes, I cry a few times.
I am honored to have Michael on to share a piece of this story. Michael was a substitute teacher, journalist, field artillery crewman and gymnastics coach all before becoming a Marine Corps officer.
In today’s episode Michael shares his experiences while serving over 20 years in the Marine Corps as a Public Affairs officer. He deployed multiple times and saw his career field completely change while in. He now continues to serve Marines through the Marine Corps Association.
This week I speak with Travis Partington a fellow podcaster on Wreaths Across America Radio. Travis shares his time in the Marine Corps, his struggles of transition and how he got into podcast.
Travis is the host of the OSCAR MIKE RADIO ttps://oscarmikeradio.com/
This week I am joined by Chaze Patrick. He shares about his time in the Marine Corps and his transition out of the Marine Corps. Chaze currently serves as the Veteran Engagement manager for INvets where he connects the military community to the Hoosier State.
Ken shares about his time in the Marine Corps as a public affairs Marine. He shares about his times in combat, his struggles from transitioning out of the Marine Corps and offers advice to those who are transitioning out.
This week I am joined by Sarah Hutchinson. Sarah shares about her time as a drill instructor and the impact it had on her, the struggles of being dual military, becoming an officer and retiring from the Marine Corps.
You don't want to miss this episode!
This week I am joined by David Willis, infanty Marine and podcast host of the HomeFront Sitrep Podcast and the Tip of the Spear Veteran's Roundtable. David shares about his time in the Marine Corps, transitioning out of the Marine Corps and being recalled, raising children and what is he is doing now to support veterans.
Matthew Morris shares about why he wanted to join the Marine Corps as a pilot and what led him to changing to the ComStrat field and his journey out of the Marine Corps. Matthew talks about the joys and struggles of being a dad and shares resources from his book 'The Partner's Purpose During Pregnancy' available May 14th.
www.hoponandholdon.com
This week Marine Corps veteran Antwaun Jefferson shares about his time in the Marine Corps and about his transition out. Jefferson played a major role in supporting the last newspaper of the Marine Corps, standing up the first social media for MCB Quantico and even escorted an NFL star.
This week I am joined by Scott Villiard who shares his story from enlisted Marine to officer in the Marine Corps. Villiard talks about his journey becoming a public affairs officer and how his time enlisted had impact on his Marine Corps career.
This week launches the second season of the Oath We Took Podcast. I am joined by Marine Corps Combat Correspondent Chris Zahn. He shares about his struggles through deployments, developing his leadership style and over coming the adversity. You don't want to miss this!
This week I am honored to have MatT on the podcast to share a piece of his story. In this weeks episode we will talk about his time in the Marine Corps, his experience going from Active Duty to reserve and Matt shares his experience with starting a non-profit.
This week I am honored to have Victor on the podcast to share a piece of his story. In this weeks episode we will talk about his time in the Marine Corps, how he has managed to have a side hustle while serving and what he is doing to prepare for his exit from the Marine Corps.
Be sure to connect with Victor
IG: @UnderCoverClip
www.UnderCoverClip.com
Art IG: @vtdelaflor
Retirement YouTube:
https://youtube.com/@thegreenlogbook
IG: @TheGreenLogbook
Facebook Retirement Group:
“The Military Retirement Group”
https://www.facebook.com/groups/981767756191573/?ref=share_group_link
This week I am honored to have Mike Flynn on the podcast to share a piece of his story. Mike talks about his time in the Marine and how it took him 20 years to realize he should be more proud of the fact that he’s a Marine, not was. You don’t want to miss this episode!
I am joined today by Ferguson ‘Juice’ Dale
He is the reason for this podcast.
I know so many amazing Marines who hesitate to tell their stories.
Their stories hold so much power and so many life lessons.
Often times though they go untold.
Not every Marine’s story is the same.
What is the same is the oath we all took.
I am honored today to have Ferguson on to share a piece of his story. In today’s episode we talk about his journey in the Marine Corps, how he got started in the aviation world and Juice provides leadership advice anyone can use.
The theme of this week is history. In this weeks episode I talk about the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, the deactivation of 4th recruit training battalion and a highlight from all of the female Marines who have been guests on the podcast. These women who served in the Marine Corps in different generations yet there are experiences we and struggles we share. I encourage you to not only listen to this episode but to go back and listen to each of their stories.
I am honored today to have Jesse on to share a piece of his story. In today’s episode we talk about his time in the Marine Corps as a musician and Jesse gives some great advice on starting a business and becoming an entrepreneur
I am honored today to have Maj. Hanna on to share a piece of her story. In today’s episode we talk about her time in service as a lawyer in the Marine Corps, the challenges she faced as a female and why she choice to get out. Maj. Hanna is one of the Marine I look up to the most and I am so honored to have her on here.
This week April shares about her journey into the Marine Corps, her experience exiting the Marine Corps while pregnant and her journey through becoming a widow. April offers so much great advice for female Marines and anyone going through challenging times.
Seasoned spouse this week I am joined by Lizann– a military spouse, professional speaker, writer, editor, and voice for the military community who created a space to connect with other military spouses and significant others to share her experiences, so they can get through this life together. you don't want to miss this weeks episode. To learn more about her please visit her website, https://seasonedspouse.com/meet-lizann/
I am honored today to have Jaysah on to share a piece of her story. Her story is a story of true perseverance. In today’s episode we discuss her journey through healing trauma from a sexual assault, finding her way as a first time parent and what she is doing to make sure other Marines don’t face the same challenges and struggles she did.
I am truly amazed by her strength, but even more how she is making change happen in the Marine Corps.
I am honored to have Nila (Leonila) Thompson join me on the podcast this week. Last week her husband Bruce Thompson, MBA shared a piece of his story and how much Nila supported and pushed him.
This week Nila talks about some of the struggles as a military spouse, how the military transition was for her and how they both ascended through that transition.
This week Bruce Thompson joins the podcast to share about his time in the #MarineCorps and how to ascend military transition.
You don't want to miss this episode. Bruce is raw in sharing his transition and military health journey, while offering advice and resources everyone can use in their career search.
https://talentsascend.com
This week to celebrate my birthday I am sharing a piece of my story. I hope my story will encourage more Marines to share theirs. It's not always rose gardens. You can love the Marine Corps and still have things you wished would have been different. In this episode we talk about women's health (pelvic floor prolapse), leaving military culture and why I started the podcast.
This week I am honored to have Sirrah on to share a piece of her story. We will talk about her journey in the Marine Corps and how she transitioned to an author and publisher. We will even talk about an opportunity for female veterans to get involved in a horror anthology.
THE HAUNTED ZONE
A horror anthology written by women military veterans. Submissions open March 16th for those who identify as a woman and have served in the military.
Closing date is April 30, 2023.
**Honor Code – do not submit to this call if you do not fit the requirments. Description of your military service in the body of your email is needed before staff will read your submission.
THEME: Hauntings/to be haunted/to haunt.
We are not looking for service-related stories, only that haunting be the central theme. Hauntings of a classic horror nature as well as other types such as psychological, trauma, life choices, and similar that take the reader into a dark, horror tale. The goal is to highlight excellent talent from women military veterans who are horror writers, not for stories to be military focused, although you may include the military in your story if you wish.
This week I am honored to speak with Alicia about her journey into the Marine Corps. Alicia received the $180,000 scholarship which allowed her to go to college and then commission into the Marine Corps. She now currently serves as the operation officer at a Marine Corps Recruiting command.
This week Kenzie Capers shares about her time in the Marine Corps and her transition out. She shares about how volunteering for opportunities changed her path in the Marine Corps and the struggles that transitioning out of the Marine Corps caused her.
This week I talk to Connor Wentling who was my executive officer during my time on recruiting duty. Connor uses humor and positivity to lead. He shares his story about his time in the Marine Corps and his transition out.
I am honored today to have Anna on to share about her time in the Marine Corps doing Personnel Retrieval and Processing/mortuary affairs. We discuss her journey of mental health healing and transitioning out of the Marine Corps. This episode will bring you to tears and may be triggering.
This week instead of speaking to a Marine, I am joined by two high schools educators who attended the Marine Corps Educators Workshop. Each Marine Corps Recruiting Station brings educators to a recruit depot to see the transformation from civilian to Marine. Learn about the workshop and the experience two educators from Charlotte, NC had during this workshop.
This week I am joined by Michael Diamond my friend and commandant of the Jack Maas Marine Corps League Detachment. He shares a piece of his story and discuss how veteran organizations can better serve the veterans in their community.
This week I am joined by my first battle buddy in the Marine Corps, Paris Capers. We were young PFC's who checked in together at MCB Quantico. If you know Capers you know he is amazing at telling stories. We laugh, we cry and we talk about some hard topics like childhood and generational trauma.
This week I am honored to share a piece of Theresa Brandon's story. Theresa is the president for the National Service Animals Monument. She shares about her time in the Marine Corps, her journey in getting involved with local politics and her current work on a capital campaign for the National Service Animals Monument.
To learn more about their mission: https://nationalserviceanimalsmonument.org/meet-the-team/
Donations are needed to build the National Service Animals Memorial which can be a single donation or join the "Monument Partners" program with a monthly donation for as little as $10.
https://nationalserviceanimalsmonument.org/donate-to-nsam/
People can get involved with the project by reaching out to Theresa by email: Brandon@NSAMProject.org
Courtney Glen White shares her story and her journey in the Marine Corps discussing being a part of the Integrated Task Force, why she joined the Marine Corps, changes in her career field and why she left the Marine Corps and decided to come back in.