Shout to Erick in Minnesota who let me know how the new microphone setup is working out. It is microphone that is designed for voice over and podcasting. I connect to my Zoom H6, and I am excited that two episodes later I am not having to spend so much time messing around with my level in post.
Eventually, I will have the this connected to the ZOOM H6, and have it hooked directly to the PC. This will reduce the number of steps to take it from the Zoom to the PC for post production. I am glad I went with this setup.
Question of the Week
I was asked, “Did you watch the SuperBowl?” I did not. I wanted to watch the SuperBowl but I couldn’t bring myself to do it after what happened with AMVETS and the NFL rejecting their ad that asked people to #PleaseStand. If I want to watch football I think there are other options for me than the NFL
My Military Story – Part 6
I talked about first phase in boot camp. I remember drill, PT, drill, knowledge, PT, drill, knowledge, more PT and drill all the time. First phase was all about getting used to military life, marching with a rifle and learning the basics.
I remember getting more shots in the first four weeks of boot camp than my entire life to that point. It is no wonder I loathe going to the doctor.
We were taught everything from how to shower and wash our clothes to rank structure and every part of my M16A2. Every minute of our lives was controlled and by 10 PM, we didn’t have any energy to get in trouble. All we wanted to do was sleep. First phase came and went, and one of the memories that came back to me was guys getting sent home for popping on their drug tests. Ouch…….. Talk to you all next week.
Power Breathing & Meditation presented by Project Welcome Troops
This week I talked to JJ Bennet who is helping coordinate a Power Breath and Meditation Class by Project Welcome Home Troops. PWHT has a class starting January 24th so I wanted to find out more. I am very interested in methods of healing that might be considered different or odd in this era of modern medicine.
I messaged JJ through Irreverent Warriors Boston (Irreverent Warriors Boston – Facebook Page) and setup a time to talk with him. He is a 8 year Navy Veteran who has done work with the VA. He also spends a lot of time working with Veterans just as a way to take of us. He told me about his experiences with Power Breath and why he feels it worked so well for him.
As JJ was talking I think what stood out most was that this was not a sale. This was his experience with using meditation and focused breathing to deal with everything from rush hour driving on Route 3 (Bostonians know what he is talking about) to grocery shopping. JJ spoke from someone who walks his talk. I found myself wondering how this would work for me.
If you look at the image below you will see that there is a class starting January 24th going through the 28th. The class will be hosted at the West Roxbury VA in the Barsamian Auditorium. This class if free to Veterans. You can reach out Chuck Foster at chuck.foster@pwht.org, or call him (978) 314-7052 for more information.
I am going to try to go and see what this is all about. It would be good to experience what JJ did and see what this can do for me.
FitzyMess Update
Good to see FitzyMess on FitzyMess Facebook Video this week. Check out his album, Welcome to the Infantry and Mess on all the usual places.
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.
I talked about first phase in boot camp. I remember drill, PT, drill, knowledge, PT, drill, knowledge, more PT and drill all the time. First phase was all about getting used to military life, marching with a rifle and learning the basics.
This week I talked to JJ Bennet who is helping coordinate a Power Breath and Meditation Class by Project Welcome Home Troops. PWHT has a class starting January 24th so I wanted to find out more. I am very interested in methods of healing that might be considered different or odd in this era of modern medicine.
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.
