I was asked, “How do I get on the show?” The simple answer is you need to email me – travis@oscarmikeradio.com. I will see what you are about and take it from there. If you are active duty, a veteran or someone who supports us, or have something military related to talk about then we can get the conversation going. Then if everything works out, I will schedule a time to come on the podcast. It is just that easy.
The Word
A good friend of mine gave me this book to read. The title is “Make Your Bed”. It was written by U.S. Navy Admiral (Ret) William McRaven. Admiral McRaven served with the SEALs and has a long and distinguished career.
Make your Bed is short. It is 104 pages long, and didn’t take me long to read. I read it again and realized that the best part about the book is it is laid out in easy to digest concepts. Completing a task before you leave your room, your home or driveway can start a pattern where you can tackle larger things in life because you have done something small.
The chapters of the book had stories from Admiral McRaven’s days in SEAL training as well as challenges serving as a SEAL Team Commander. Each chapter was focused on simple ways to meet and conquer life’s difficulties.
I think this is a book you can give anyone at any point of their lives. I think is especially true for those leaving the military and transitioning into civilian life. Thanks to my friend Kola, who loaned this to me. I strongly recommend checking it out.
Complaint Department
POG and GRUNT were not happy about this story – Army Recruits go Home for Holidays . They were not happy. Even the Air Force doesn’t do that for their recruits.
Happy New Year! I asked if everyone had a great Christmas. Hopefully everyone was able to safely travel and enjoy themselves. I had a great holiday season and hope yours was happy and will carry into 2018.
The Word
Marine Veteran and Raynham, MA Veteran Service Officer – Micaila Britto
I get the opportunity to guest host on Jack White’s, “South Shore News and Views” on WVBF AM 1530 in Taunton, MA from time to time. I get to come on with Jack, Bob and Murray to talk about events, happenings and issues in the South Shore Region of Massachusetts. South Shore News airs 12 – 2 PM each Wednesday. I had done the show with Bob because Jack and Murray were on assignment that week.
After the show I see Micaila Britto who has a show on WVBF AM 1530 called, “Ask a Veteran’s Agent”. Micaila is a Veteran’s Service Officer for the Town of Raynham. According to the Massachusetts Veteran’s Service Officers Website is, ….”to be the chief advocate for the nearly half-million veterans of the Commonwealth and their families. DVS establishes policy, proposes legislation, ensures that adequate funding for veterans’ programs is included in the Governor’s budget, and represents the interests of veterans in matters coming before the General Court.” She asked me to stay in the studio and talk with her.
All Veterans Service Officers must have served in the military. Micaila started working in Raynham 7 months ago and I was interested in talking with her about her experience and what she doing. Micaila and I also are members of the same Marine Corps League (http://www.mclmetrosouth1115.com/) so it was like talking with a friend than a radio guest. I learned a lot about what VSOs do and was encouraged, I use that term generously, to get my butt in gear and update my VA profile.
I am proud of the work Micaila is doing and hope to talk with her again in the future. Her motivation for her outreach and efforts come from a place of personal experience.
I was asked about Netflix’s Punisher. Was it good and accurate to the military? Well I didn’t really like it, I thought it dragged on and was a little too emo.
I also didn’t really like how certain aspects of military service seemed to be slammed. It was like the producers looked up almost every negative stereotype of the military and went with it.
Also they really veered from the source material to make this happen which made it seem like there was a point they were trying to make that wasn’t exactly flattering to the Marine Corps or the United States as a whole. I liked the Ray Stevenson Punisher movie the best.
The Word
I wanted to do something different this year for Pearl Harbor. I have the utmost respect for those who died on December 7th. 76 years later, the effect of Pearl Harbor can still be felt in our nation’s fabric and how we approach warfare. As I started looking at Pearl Harbor I realized that there was a part of the story that is rarely discussed.
There is this theory that Pearl Harbor was setup to force the United States to join the war. After an attack like we suffered on this day 76 years ago, people wanted answers. How was the United States caught so totally unprepared?
I realized I could not give this story all the attention in this episode. I will do a 3 to 4 part series starting in January. I didn’t realize how much I didn’t know about Peal Harbor until I started researching it from this angle.
USS Arizona
So I hope you will join me for this story arc. If you have anything to add, email me – travis@oscarmikeradio.com . It is my desire that we never forget what was lost on that day.
Upcoming Events
There is still time to help out for Operation Wreaths for Veterans! Check out their Facebook Page. Just Checking In is getting started this Friday.
What did I think of the North Korea Defector? Lots of questions have been asked about the North Korean Defector who made his way to South Korea. After reading about his condition when they examined the soldier, I believe that winning a military conflict would not be a problem. However, the soldier’s condition would lead me believe that any kind of military strike would result in a humanitarian crises that would be historic. It is possible that given time, the North Korean government will collapse on itself
The Word
Johnny Bobbit Jr. working as a flight paramedic before he was homeless.
Just wanted give a big shout out to Marine Veteran Johnny Bobbit Jr. He is not related to John W. Bobbit of more infamous notoriety.
It was cool to see this story take shape around Thanksgiving. Kate McClure ran out of gas, and Johnny Bobbit Jr. used his last $20.00 to fuel up her car.
What happened next was nothing sort of amazing. Kate McClure was so moved by this gesture that she started a Go Fund Me Page for Johnny (https://www.gofundme.com/hvv4r-paying-it-forward). All she wanted to do is give him a hand up to get restarted in life. Kate had a goal of $10,000.00, and as of this writing there is over $370,000.00!
According to an ABC News Story (http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/homeless-veteran-received-360k-now-pay-forward-thing/story?id=51377241) all Johnny wants is a place to live and a used truck. He wants to give back to other Veterans who are less fortunate than him. This Marine gets a big Semper Fi!
The Complaint Department
The Complaint Department had a beef with pre-96 safety briefs that took place across military installations. Officers and Staff NCOs drone on about being careful. Well they have had enough of being treated like kids…… I pointed out that sometimes we act like kids….
Upcoming Events
Putting a big shout out for Just Checking In Facebook Page – They are putting on Operation Wreaths for Veterans this year. Just Checking In will put wreaths on Veteran’s Tombstones in Melrose Cemetery in Brockton, MA. This event will take place Friday, December 8, 2017 9 AM.
November 8th, I was invited to come on the radio show South Shore News and Views on WVBF AM 1530 in Taunton, MA. SSN&V is hosted by Jack White, Bob Wisgirda, and Murray Vetstein. They had me on last year to do Oscar Mike Radio “Live” and it was an honor to be invited to come back on the show.
Joining me this was U.S. Navy Veteran Brian Hoffman. Brian served during the Vietnam war and had lived the post Vietnam experience. Currently is the Director for Corporate Relations for the The Children’s Museum in Easton (The Childrens Museum in Easton). It is always a pleasure to get to talk with another Veteran. Murray served in the U.S. Navy as well so this Marine felt right at home.
I learn a lot listening to older Veterans. Especially Vietnam Veterans who had a much different homecoming experience than Veterans do now. I feel it is important to get that perspective. Brian and Murray shared their views on the draft which were like mine.
Teamsters Local 653
Brian Hoffman had Brian McElhinney, Principal Office for Teamsters Local 653, (Teamsters Local 653 Website) call into to the show. We talked about how the Teamsters support Veterans hiring and other community outreach projects. So many times Unions seem to get nothing but negative press, so it was good to hear that a Veteran in Massachusetts could go to the Union after the military to look for work.
Brian Hoffman also thanked Brian McElhinney for the Teamsters support of Toys for Troops and the Children’s Museum in Easton. In both cases Teamsters Local 653 went above and beyond to help out with both efforts. It was good getting to learn about this.
Tim and Legend, Client Eastwood
In the second hour, Tim Montjoy from Operation Teammate called in to talk to us. Operation Teammate provides outings for children of military and first responders who are deployed. This allows Operation Teammate to craft events that provide mentorship opportunities to the children that attend these outings. Tim also talked about how the athletes are moved by the opportunity to show these children what hard work and dedication to education and sport can do for their future. To find out more, got to http://www.operationteammate.org/
This was my second year doing this with WVBF AM 1530 – South Shore New and Views. I love radio, and getting to be on with Jack, Bob, and Murray is a treat. South Shore News is one of many programs on WVBF AM 1530. You can get the complete list of shows and more information on http://www.hometowntalkradio.com/
I was asked about Netflix’s Punisher. Was it good and accurate to the military? Well I didn’t really like it, I thought it dragged on and was a little too emo.
he Complaint Department had a beef with pre-96 safety briefs that took place across military installations. Officers and Staff NCOs drone on about being careful. Well they have had enough of being treated like kids…… I pointed out that sometimes we act like kids….
