by Travis Partington | Jul 13, 2018 | Podcast
In Memory of Petty Officer Saman Gunan
Today is my birthday so it is kind of cool that Episode 101 dropped when it did. This episode is about Thai Navy Seal Petty Officer Saman Gunan. I watched the story unfold about the rescue mission for the Wild Boars Soccer club.
Petty Officer Gunan, had been out of the Thai Navy Seals for six years. He was working in airport security when the call went out for the cave rescue and he loaded up and went to Chiang Rai to join his fellow Thai Navy Seals.
I don’t know what exactly happened that led to Petty Officer Gunan that caused his death. He was there working in dangerous conditions to save the lives of these children. Also, we wasn’t even active duty.
I was struck by how these Thai Navy Seals worked through the pain of losing a fellow brother to rescue all the kids and coach of the Wild Boars Soccer Team. One the challenges of doing this episode was that there was not a lot of information about Petty Officer Gunan or the Thai Navy Seals. Even Wikipedia was limited in the information about Thailand’s Navy.
All I know is that cave diving is dangerous at best, and it requires someone of superior skill and training to do safely. These rescuers were fighting against time and weather to get all these kids out. When a problem happens in cave diving there is no way to do an emergency surface. There simply is no margin for error or an equipment malfunction.
I hope Petty Officer Gunan’s memory lives on and inspires other across the world. Rest in Peace Brother, and Semper Fidelis.
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by Travis Partington | Jul 5, 2018 | Podcast
Episode 100 – Mistress Carrie
100. 100 Episodes equals about 60 hours of content that have been produced in the last two years. I first want to thanks family, friends, co-workers and those unknown who have taken time to listen to me work on this. What is this? What is Oscar Mike Radio? Oscar Mike Radio is my way raising awareness for Veteran and Military by giving a voice to stories that would otherwise not be told. 94 episodes ago I met Kip Clark, host of the podcast Stride and Saunter (https://www.strideandsaunter.com/) and he told me I could do this.
Before the first episode was even created, Keith Hayes and Anthony Arnold got behind me to get this idea off the ground. I am happy and proud to be part of the Whoobazoo Network (https://whoobazoo.com/). This team continues to move me in the right direction, and the podcast has only gotten better.
So Episode 100 it seemed fitting to ask Mistress Carrie to come back on the show. Her first time on Oscar Mike Radio was Episode 62 – Click link here for entire show – Mistress Carrie – Episode 62 This episode was eye opener for me. I thought I was getting good at interviewing people and talking about Veterans’ Issues. Mistress Carrie was gracious and engaging and I learned a lot about content production. She is a total pro with decades of experience and I had a blast talking with her.
I worked to get better. We met up again for Episode 84 – Mistress Carrie Part 1 and she talked about working to be embedded with an unnamed Special Forces Unit. To hear how she had to prepare and what happened around that was a great story. This kind of story doesn’t happen that often, and it was cool getting the behind the scenes info.
Having Mistress Carrie back on for 100 seemed fitting. Yes she is a public figure and celebrity, but no one can argue that she walks that the talk when it comes to Veterans. I enjoyed talking with her about Richard Fitts Jr.’s documentary, 21 Years a Folded Flag. Both us of have interviewed and talked with Richard Fitts Jr. and are looking forward to seeing the finished film.
If you look at the picture below, the story behind this image made the entire experience for episode 100 worth it. I am not going to spoil it here. I will end by saying that I hope to see what is going in with 22 Kill Boston at Jump Town, and I am looking forward to seeing what Mistress Carrie is going to do next. Thanks for celebrating 100 with me Mistress, Semper Fidelis.
American AF – Great Story behind this picture
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by Travis Partington | Jun 29, 2018 | Podcast
Episode 99 – Whoobazoo
Like I said in the podcast, this episode in a way is more exciting than 100. I feel like a did a couple of weeks ago when my vehicle turn the odometer over. It is waiting for the next mile or in the case episode to come that makes it better. So what does Whoobazoo have to do with Oscar Mike Radio? Everything – What you are hearing now, was just an idea over two years ago. This episode is a small way I can say thanks and the best is yet to come.
I met Keith over two years ago at the first Dale Dorman Media Day at Massasoit Community College. He was doing a break out session on podcasting and at the time Oscar Mike Radio was an idea for a AM/FM Radio show, not a podcast. That meeting changed everything. Keith thought the idea had merit and gave me some homework.
Anthony Arnold
I worked on the idea and when I did the first couple of shows both Keith and Anthony pointed out areas for improvement and some good habits to implement for podcasting. This is the biggest difference with what Whoobazoo does versus other podcast services. Now when I listen to one of my first 30 episodes and listen to the last 30 I can hear their advice pay off.
Keith and Anthony were doing podcasts before podcasting was even a term. So what they shared with me was all their experience and passion for content creation that I wouldn’t get from watching a YouTube creator.
99 Episodes into Oscar Mike Radio, I look back to when this was an idea and look forward to what is next. I listen to how Keith works his show, The Booth, and how Whoobazoo has evolved.
There are more podcast artists coming on board everyday and I love hearing and seeing their creative efforts. Here is to the next 99. Thanks guys
You can find out more by going to http://www.whoobazoo.com
Sinista1, Ken Diesel, and R-Squared all co host, The Booth on Whoobazoo
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by Travis Partington | Jun 14, 2018 | Podcast
Episode 97 – Scott Libby – Founder of the New England 69th Irregulars’ Outdoor Adventure Group
Scott talking for the podcast
Scott Libby is a Navy Veteran from New Hampshire. I started talking with Scott about a year ago. He likes being outdoors and it was clear that he loves New Hampshire. We kept trying to meet up, but it never worked out until now. Now I was going to get to meet the founder of the Irregulars. Or, the New England 69th Irregulars’ Outdoor Adventure Group.
I had the opportunity to talk with him at White Lakes State Park in Tamworth, NH. It was a sunny day so I thought I would double down and ride my motorcycle up to meet him. It was a beautiful ride. I pulled into the campground, found his spot and said hello.
Scott looked liked something out of a LL Bean or EMS Catalog. The classic tour guide, outfitter, and expedition expert. His setup at the campsite was top notch.
We sat at the picnic table and started talking. Scott has this cool idea. There are many Veterans and Military people who are alone or want to socialize with other military types. Scott created this Outdoor Adventure Group to give Vets some experiences that would make for great memories. Memories that last longer than time at a bar.
Scott told me about riding ATVs. I had seen pictures of this thing below. I am calling it the Warthog. This thing is the ultimate off road SUV.
The point is there are all kinds of things that Scott is planning for us. If you are in the military or a veteran there will be something outside for someone looking for adventure if you are a member of this group. Check out the link below and join the group for a different kind of experience.
I this the Warthog. Scott’s side by side is bad to the max.
New England 69th Irregulars Facebook Group Site
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by Travis Partington | Jun 8, 2018 | Podcast
Episode 96 – Heath Phillips – 49x
I had another podcast lined up for this week. However, I saw this story on the Washington Post website (He went AWOL after being sexually assaulted….) and felt this was more important in an age of #metoo and increased awareness around sexual assault. I decided to talk about Heath and his story and what I felt was a failure of leadership.
In 1988 Heath was 17 years old and serving on the USS Butte. It was on this ship that he started being sexually assaulted by 6 other male crew members. After filing a complaint 49 days in a row, Heath went AWOL. I couldn’t believe it either, he filed a complaint 49 straight times and nothing was done. Upon review of his case, he received a Other than Honorable Discharge, and was kicked out of the Navy.
Heath faced challenges from PTSD as a result of what happened to him, go into alcoholism and kept fighting to clear his name. Three times the Navy review board looked at his plea to upgrade his discharge to honorable, and three times he was denied.
30 years later, after the fourth time presenting his case to the Navy review board, Heath got the news last week that his discharge was upgraded to Honorable.
I still can’t get over how this happened. I don’t understand what the mind set was of the Captain of the USS Butte and other Petty Officers that allowed this to happen and did nothing to defend this Sailor. They aren’t fit to wear the uniform, much less call themselves Naval Officers.
Heath does talks across military installations advocating for those who have been a victim of sexual harassment and assault in the military. I am glad he kept fighting and did not give up or go into the abyss. There are some links below about Heath’s story and the Military’s SAPR Office.
LINKS
Heath’s Story
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