by Travis Partington | Jan 27, 2017 | Podcast
Question of the Week
This came from Adam in Illnois. “I want to start my own podcast talking about veteran issues in my area. Do you think I can do it?” I told him yes, if he had ideas and issues he wanted to talk about that this was a good time to jump into the pond than podcasting. I don’t think there has been a better time to create and share content. I think the hard part is determining your message and staying on it so people can relate to what you are trying to say.
I also have the good fortune of being managed by Whoobazoo. If you are looking for a great client experience with industry professionals I would encourage you go to http://www.whoobazoo.com and check them out. I wouldn’t be where I am not without them
The Word
I have been following the story about the Army wanting to replace the M9 Beretta which replaced the Colt 1911. This was a multiyear search for the replacement that the Army conducted before selecting this weapon. I think that the Beretta could use some improvements, but I wonder how many are going to be sold for $580,000,000.00.
The Complaint Department
TCD, or The Compliant Department, is upset that the an American firearms company did not win the contract to replace the M9 Beretta which means an Italian and German company get U.S. Tax dollars to provide a sidearm for the U.S. Army. It is a valid question, and I don’t have an answer. It seems that Sig Sauer was able to meet the requirements the Army had for a new pistol. It will be interesting to see what the other services do since the Marine Corps still uses the M9 Beretta.
Unit Shout Out
The British Royal Navy removed a WWII bomb from the Thames last week. This appeared to be a German bomb that according to a spokesman. I know the Germans can build good stuff, but this is nuts that they were actually able to detonate it.
Royal Navy disarms WWII Bomb
Upcoming Events
Dial-a-Lawyer
Date: First Wednesday of the Month, 5:30–7:30 PM
Phone number: 617-338-0610. Since March of 1991, the Mass Bar Association has sponsored a monthly Dial-A-Lawyer program that encourages members of the public to call with their legal problems and questions. This program was created in order to assist the people of Massachusetts who have fallen through the cracks of the legal and criminal justice system. The phones tend to be extremely busy during that two hour time period so please keep trying to get through.
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by Travis Partington | Jan 20, 2017 | Podcast
Hawk Class 1-96 – John is on the far left.
This episode is dedicated to John Francis Meath. I went to HAWK School with John, we served in the same HAWK Battery (Charlie). John passed away Monday, January 9th 2017. He was 52. Everyone who knew John in Ist LAAM BN loved the big Irishman from NY who loved the Yankees and his Jeep. I always found John to be a voice of reason when things were going haywire. He always told us to think of the Marine Corps as a game, and we would be just fine. John had the distinction of serving in all four branches of the military. You read that right. John served in the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy. That is what he wanted to do, and while it took him almost 20 years, he did it. I personally do not know anyone else who can make that claim. John was like that though, he lived life on his beat. We were all better for knowing him, and we all mourn his passing, but we all spent time celebrating his life. All I can say from all of is Semper Fidelis John, we will meet again at Heaven’s Gate.
EPISODE 27 – Smitty’s Kitchen
I met LaShelle over 21 years ago. We both served in Ist LAAM (Light Anti Aircraft Missile) Battalion at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.
LaShelle Smith – Marine, HAWKER, and now Business Owner
You never had to guess where you stood with LaShelle. We both got out the Marine Corps and went our separate ways, but like many of my brothers and sisters we kept in touch.
I started see that LaShelle was getting into cooking. I thought that was awesome. So many times people in the military re-invent themselves as they through life. I think that is because we have had to adapt to more times in our lives than others who have taken a traditional career or life path.
Like I said in Episode 25, I want to talk to active duty service-members and veterans who are starting or have started their own businesses. I think we call can learn from a person who decides to take the risk to build a brand or company that we all can learn.
LaShelle is looking to launch her business which will be a food truck called “Smitty’s Kitchen”. As you will hear on the episode her love of food and family started at an early age and in some ways was honed in the Marine Corps. Whether it was eating different food and watching food from different countries being prepared, listening to LaShelle reminded me that good food is more than just watching a cooking show on the food network. Preparing, serving and enjoying good food with people is an essential part of the human experience. I think we all heard that in her voice as she spoke about what she wants to do with her life.
I can’t wait to see her launch her business. A big thanks to everyone who joined in on the Live Chat!
Check out some of Lashelle’s thing tasty dishes prepared with fresh ingredients from her kitchen.
Fettucine
Pork Stew
Gazpacho & Avocado
Check out Smitty’s Go Fund Me Page and YouTube Link. Spread the word, especially if you live in the Richmond, VA area.
Smitty’s YouTube GoFundMe
Smitty’s Kitchen Go Fund Me Page
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by Travis Partington | Jan 13, 2017 | Podcast
“We all have a way to bring light to others.” Tamara Reynolds
Every now and then you run across someone who actually doing something to help others, and not just waiting for someone else to do something.. Tamara volunteers with AHOPE in Ashville, North Carolina. AHOPE is the Day Center for Homeward Bound. Homeward Bound works to end chronic homelessness by placing the homeless in housing. This approach is based on the Housing First Model (House First Model Information) which states that it is better to house homeless first and then provide services to keep them in their home.
I have seen this work and think it is a better method for long term success. I wanted to talk to Tamara because even though she does not volunteer for a Veterans only homeless center, she works with homeless veterans who make up a sizeable portion of the homeless population for Ashville, NC. I believe that her perspective of seeing homeless as human beings to be treated with dignity is something we need to hear.
Tamara talked about how important socks, nail clippers and feminine hygiene products were to someone who is homeless. She understand how difficult it can be for someone to request something that is so ordinary to many of us in our day to day lives. She enjoys making someone feel like they matter, and thinks that is where it all starts with getting someone back on their feet.
I asked Tamara how people can help her outreach efforts for homeless in the Ashville, NC. What she said in the podcast was something I encourage everyone to take to heart. I am paraphrasing, but Tamara said that while she appreciates all the help she gets from people, she would ask everyone to start locally in their community to make changes. She provided this link to the National Homeless Shelter Directory so you can start advocating in your hometown.
If you want to donate to her outreach efforts you can go to her Amazon Wish for AHOPE by clicking on the link –> Tamara’s Amazon Wish List for AHOPE
I want to thank Tamara for coming on Oscar Mike Radio to talk about her experiences in working with homeless people. I would encourage you to donate to some outreach effort in your community. You may be like Tamara, and bring some light and dignity to someone who needs it.
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by Travis Partington | Jan 12, 2017 | Blog
Mark Vital from Sweats for Vets sent me an email today with the 2016 Campaign Totals. Mark Vital was in Episode 18 – Mark Vital – Sweats for Vets. Mark Vital and his crew wrapped and distributed 1,033 sweatshirts to 28 different shelters/transitional homes in all the New England states.
I looked at the totals below, and the number of sweatshirts going to these different locations means that this was a complete team effort. I just wanted to take a some time and say congratulations to Sweats for Vets. I can’t wait to have Mark back on to talk about 2017.
This is the breakdown of what Sweats for Vets did in 2016. Great job!
by Travis Partington | Jan 6, 2017 | Podcast
I hope you all had a safe and Happy New Year! I wanted to take this episode to talk about what I am going to do with Oscar Mike Radio for 2017. About this time last year, Oscar Mike Radio was becoming an idea, so I am excited to see what will happen in 2017.
http://howmanbooks.com/ – The Military Diary
One of the areas of focus for 2017 is talking to Active Duty or Veterans who are starting up their own businesses or Non-Profits. I want to share their stories to find out how and why these extraordinary people are embarking on their journeys. Some of my brothers and sisters in arms have been doing great things and taking risks with no more than an idea and the will to make it a reality. Their stories need to be heard.
I have had this idea bouncing around in my head for a while now. I wanted to write this story about “My Dad is a Zombie Biker”. I tried a couple of times to make this happen, but I never really took it anywhere. I am going to start writing a chapter of the story each week in the blog portion of Oscar Mike Radio. The story is told in 3 parts. You will have to check back throughout the year to find out what this is all about.
This process has gotten easier the more I do it. However, there are things I want to work on improving in 2017. I have taken the feedback I have received and have a list of things that I will improve in the coming year. It is my way of saying I want to perfect my craft.
Last but not least, I have a promise to keep. I told someone I would get into my Dress Blues that I wore when I was at my EAS. I got some work to do but I am going to make it happen.
There is a lot to do, but I welcome the challenge and have embraced the process. 2017 is going to be a great year!
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