by Travis Partington | Sep 7, 2018 | Podcast
Episode 110 – Lying Cheating Land Nav
Question of the Week
I have been asked about what Nike did with Colin Kaepernick. All I can say is this. I swore an oath to defend the Constitution. I have no problem with people protesting. After all you could say our country was founded on protest and civil disobedience. However, that does not mean I have to like how a person protests, nor do I have to respect the cause or the method used to protest.
I just have two words to say when someone waxes poetic over a certain football player. Nathan Hale – Go ahead, Google that name, and tell me how bad I should feel for a guy who is getting paid millions for throwing a compressed ball of air from point A to point B. Poorly…..
The Word
Lying Land Nav Cheaters
There was a article that came out on August 28th about a major cheating scandal at Quantico – Marine Corps Times Story on Cheating Scandal. This is where Marine Officers in training attend The Basic School. This course is boot camp for officers. It seems six 2nd Lieutenants were caught feeding each other grid coordinates used for night land navigation. It isn’t funny at all, but as an enlisted guy, it makes me laugh. The old thought that officers can’t navigate at all is kind of true. Think about it though, after all the work, sacrifice and effort it takes to get into Quantico, was it really worth it to cheat on Night Land Navigation? I have to ask myself if in this age of GPS and cell phones, is the greatest challenge in life using things don’t work off batteries. I have to think our fore fathers could have aced this without a problem. Still, there six (Can I call them Marines) people who tried to lead Marines who never gave their first order. Just goes to show how bad ass you have to be to lead Marines.
2018 Greater Boston Stand Down
If you are in Boston near Government Center on September 7th, 2018 you need to check out the Great Boston Stand Down.
2018 Greater Boston Stand Down Facebook Page
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by Travis Partington | Aug 30, 2018 | Podcast
Episode 109 – Get Up Nation
I started listening to Get Up Nation Podcast a little over 6 months ago. Ben Biddick is an Army Veteran who took what he experienced in the military to make something positive for people. You can see his first real foray into this by checking out his book, Get Up: The Art of Perseverance. Ben wrote this with Adam Greenberg who played for the Chicago Cubs. Adam was making his first plate appearance and was hit by a pitch that changed his life.
Ben and Adam wrote about this experience and how Adam used this to make something more for himself. This started a mission focus of bringing a message that no matter the situation, one can take control of their life to make positive change.
Positive empowerment for one’s life is a common theme of all of Ben’s podcasts. I can tell you personally that most Monday’s I listen to this podcast on Stitcher. It starts my week off on a strong positive note. I love hearing stories about how people have taken what appears to be horrible situations and turned their lives into a beacon of hope for others. This message of positive empowerment becomes contagious and helps me help others.
While Ben serves and works with active duty military and veterans, he talks to people from all walks of life. I believe that makes the message of Get Up Nation more relevant to anyone. You can be anyone and choose to make a change in your life right now. It is your choice, and Get Up Nation Podcast is there to show you the way.
I appreciated Ben’s time and candor during our talk. You can find out more by going to the website. Get Up Nation Podcast Website
Get Up Nation Podcast – Episode 37 on YouTube
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egHkjYzy5BI[/embedyt]
Get Up on Amazon
Ben wrote this book with Adam Greenberg who played for the Chicago Cubs. You can understand the concepts Ben talks about for all his work. Click the link below to get in paperback or Kindle. 
Get Up: The Art of Perseverance – On Amazon
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by Travis Partington | Aug 23, 2018 | Podcast
Episode 108 – No Ghosts Here
All these items were in use at one time, even the signs.
I got invited to check out a private military collection. This was to support a project I am working on for the New England Center and Home for Veterans. The team needed some research done on World War One. Gary, who is a Marine Veteran, was gracious enough to allow me to come see what he had been doing.
I walked into the area and had to pause for a minute. I had been to plenty of military museums before, but this was the first time I had seen items like this up close and personal. This was the first time where someone other than a tour guide was telling me stories about each item. Many of these items had a personal story behind them.
Gary told me about a uniform that actually belonged to his father. His father’s story as an 18 year old kid working on a landing craft for D-Day. He told me about items his father wore and I could see a look of pride in his eye has he talked about that time.
However, it was during the podcast that this experience came in focus for me. He talked about another group that came and looked at the collection. One of the viewers 
said that there must be a lot of ghosts in these rooms. Gary looked at me and told me that there were, “No Ghosts Here”. This is not a place for ghosts he said, it is place of dignity. Where the deeds of those who went before us are kept alive.
I spent a lot of time reflecting on that thought as I prepared this podcast. I want to thank Gary and his son for taking the time to talk with me and show me something truly remarkable. Memories can be kept alive as long as we choose remember with dignity those who have gone before us.
Two pictures showing how Camp Edwards (Now Otis Air Base) changed in a year during WWII
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by Travis Partington | Aug 3, 2018 | Podcast
Episode 105 – Richard Fitts Jr’s Family at The Wall that Heals
Richard Fitts Jr. and the Abington Color Guard
I had first met Richard Fitts Jr. when we were talking about his documentary 21 Years a Folded Flag. ( Episode 92 – 21 Years a Folded Flag ) This is a labor of love for a father he could not remember because SSgt Richard Fitts was killed in Laos during the Vietnam War. He reached out recently because he wanted me to meet the crew from the Abington VFW when the Fitts Family joined them to do the Colors Ceremony for The Wall that Heals.
One of the take aways from the film is how Abington, Massachusetts wrapped their arms around the Fitts family. I got a chance to see this in action for the ceremony. Richard, his mother Valerie and his son Austin joined the guys from the VFW for this special ceremony. I got to spend time with Richard talking about everything from Joe Satriani to bass guitar styles to aspects of parenthood. I enjoyed how Mrs. Fitts was the “den mother” for all the Abington VFW crew. It was more like a family event than anything else.
After the ceremony, Richard and his son Austin talked with me about the film. He is almost done with it. He was able to interview a General who in Richard’s view adds a lot to the project. There is a lot of movement going on with another entry into a film contest, and he is finalizing the sound.
Seeing a Gold Star family like the Fitts participate in the color guard brought a different kind feeling out in me. It shows that family in the military can mean those who haven’t served as well as those from different branches of service.
Abington VFW & Mrs Fitts – Richard Fitts Jr is on the far left
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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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