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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by Travis Partington | Jun 1, 2018 | Podcast
Episode 95 – Jim Tough
Tough. All kinds of things come to mind when people hear that word. Built tough, mentally tough, physically tough are all phrases that make a person listen. This episode is about Jim Tough. In every way, Jim embodies toughness, and why I created Oscar Mike Radio.
I started getting interested in talking with Jim when I came across videos of this guy wearing an Army baseball cap doing pushups. He wasn’t just doing pushups for fun. He would start with this message of hope and empowerment for those who are/were, “Staring into the Abyss”. I never served in combat but there have been times when I could relate to that phrase.
I couldn’t look away from my screen. Here was a guy who didn’t have a fancy camera or microphone just talking with us, with all of us about finding hope in the darkness then doing 22 pushups to raise awareness. I believe that it is people like Jim Tough, who use something as common as a pushup, that can be a source of comfort for those fighting the darkness.
Jim and I talked and as I recorded, I allowed myself to not think of him as a guest on the show, but as a NCO who was taking time to give me some advice. He didn’t sugarcoat things or shift blame for situations in life. He kept making me feel that if I didn’t give up and kept moving everything would be alright.
I got way more out of this podcast than Jim could ever know. You can find Jim on Facebook – Jim Tough on Facebook. He does pushups 5 days a week! In the last your he has done or 8300 pushups!!!!
While that is a great accomplishment, I want everyone to take the time to listen to his daily message. I have been following them for a while now, and it has become part of my daily routine.
A big shout out to Jim’s wife and children who were great during the recording. Jim says that his wife is a source of strength for him and he loves being a dad. I can’t wait to have you back on brother.
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by Travis Partington | Apr 16, 2018 | Podcast
Episode 88 – Marine Comedian Sgt Megan
About 6 weeks ago, I saw a video about a military dependent who was a stripper. She had gotten divorced from her Marine husband and had gone back home. The video was made by Megan Bruce. At first I thought she was a civilian trying something new, but I was wrong. Megan Bruce served in the Marine Corps, and wants to use comedy to tell stories about the military experience from a female point of view. I was curious because I haven’t seen anyone in the military, especially a female, do comedy like this. The video is laugh out loud funny, but also seemed empathetic to men who go through the divorce process, and lose access to their children.
I reached out to Megan and we started talking. Come to find out she has a long term plan for what she is trying to do. These videos are funny, but it is the way she gets into character that leads me to believe that the Sgt Megan brand can go somewhere.
I think both videos show her range and educate without being preachy/angry. The best part of seeing her videos was reading the comments. Most people didn’t pick up on the fact that the character was not real. Even when Megan said, hey I was just in character, people had difficulty accepting that this was an act.
We all could be watching something big happening. There is space in the comedy world for someone like Sgt Bruce. She is going to be on again soon and we will talk about other things she is working on for her comedy routine. Check out the videos below and be sure to hit the links to stay in the know. OMR sends.
VIDEOS
This is the first – Confessions of a Strippa Dependa
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nOynz3dcqQ[/embedyt]
This is the is the second video – The Military Women Double Standard and the Solution to it All
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-4kGKjKffk[/embedyt]
Website and Social Media Links
Stay in the know by following Sgt. Megan on these links
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by Travis Partington | Mar 30, 2018 | Podcast
In Memory of Sgt. Rocky Littlewind USMC – May 12, 1989 – Oct. 23, 2016
This was a different kind of podcast. I got a message asking to talk to me about the organization America’s Run for the Fallen – Run for the Fallen. Jody Ranisate is the Lead Run Captain for Iowa. Her brother Rocky served in the Marine Corps. Rocky was deployed to Afghanistan and Okinawa. Jody loved her brother and was proud that he was a Marine. Rocky came home and had a long battle with PTSD.
Unfortunately, Rocky lost his battle with PTSD in 2016. This podcast is dedicated to his service and memory.
I have no idea what it would be like to lose a sibling or someone I know this way. When Jody and I started talking, I wanted to let her tell her story and talk about her outreach through America’s Run for the Fallen, but I wanted to be respectful. I had never done a podcast like this that was as personal and hurtful at the same time.
Jody and I got connected over Skype and once I had the sound right we just started talking. Sometimes people want to go right to their organization they represent and use the time to tell me what they do and how everyone can help. She took a different path for our conversation.
Jody talked about Rocky from a sister’s perspective. Many times you hear from the wife, mother or father about their loss, but not necessarily the siblings. As she talked to me, I got to know Rocky, not as a Sgt of Marines, but as a person, a brother who made people laugh and loved serving his country.
America’s Run for the Fallen was a way that Jody could give back and advocate for other people who have lost loved ones.
America’s Run for the Fallen Information
You can find out more by going to the America’s Run for the Fallen Facebook Page
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by Travis Partington | Mar 23, 2018 | Podcast
Jodie or the Family Court System
SITUATION
Matthew Hindes & his daughter. Navy Times
Wes and I have found that there have been situations of blatant hostility toward fathers in the military. Since we are trying to avoid anecdotal evidence, I found the story of Naval Submariner Matthew Hindes. Judge Margaret Noe had threatened Matthew with jail time and reverting custody of his daughter back to the mother. Matthew’s lawyer cited the ServiceMembers Civil Relief Act Subchapter II, Section 3931, Subheading 4D – Stay of proceedings – Link to the document is here -> UNITED STATES CODE Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Accurate as of March 6, 2016 .
Judge Noe, literally said she would not honor or respect Federal Statute, and threatened jail time for contempt of court. She also said she would take Matthew’s daughter away from him and giving her back to her mother. I got upset that people don’t think this kind of thing happens. Read the following links and you tell me if this is fantasy.
Navy Times Story about Matthew Hindes – National Parents Organization Write Up about Matthew Hindes
MISSION
Wes and I wanted to start framing these episodes with the concept of SMEAC, or the Five paragraph order: Situation, Mission, Execution, Admin/Logistics, Command and Signals. This way we can provide some ideas on how to deal with both Jody and Jodie from a warrior’s perspective.
Execution
We want you all to execute some self learning, and start arming yourself with knowledge. These are the links that Wes referenced in this podcast.
http://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/child-support-process-administrative-vs-judicial.aspx
Admin/Logistics
Wes and I are not probate lawyers nor are we military law experts. You should always consult an attorney before making any kind of choice that could have an negative impact on your case. Also reach out for help from fellow Veterans if you are in a hard time. 22 a day is still a reality.
Command and Signals
As Wes said over and over, you must keep yourself under control in the courtroom at all times. You must try to master your feelings and emotions. If you think of this as battleground, it is easier to take those negative emotions out of the equation.
Contact Emails
If you have comments, questions, or think we are just plain wrong, contact us.
- Wes – wesley.mullings@gmail.com
- Travis – travis@oscarmikeradio.com
Jody and Jodie Podcast Links
I will add the episode links so you can get caught up. This is a year long series, so buckle up!
Jody Part 1 – Episode 81
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