Stand At Ease

It’s amazing the trips our conversations take when we’re having them, and this show is one that went places we never expected – and we’re extremely happy that they did. We welcome Andrea Sandoval of the Graffiti of War project for a show that goes places we didn’t ask but aren’t afraid to tell. Andrea also has the honor of being our first female veteran – she was a Sergeant First Class in the Army after a 13 year hitch. A very powerful show if we say so ourselves.File Download (65:52 min / 60 MB)

It’s been a year – 16 shows completed and 23,000 plus visitors to the website. Today, we take a look back at the shows we’ve done and discuss the highlights of the year. We also chatted about some of our plans for the next year – and we have some interesting ones at that! The guys at Stand at Ease are also extending an invitation to our listeners to become more active in our group. Submit topics and ideas of how we can improve and how we can more people. Also, if you’d like to become a participant, let us know. We want to grow! And thank you for a great year one!File Download (64:20 min / 59 MB)

A constant question the Stand At Ease group asks is what does “Support the Troops” mean? Is it that faded yellow made in China magnet you paid $1.99 at Wal Mart that makes you feel good about yourself, or is it something more? In today’s discussion, Sita Helms, found member and executive director of Helping Hands Worldwide (http://thehelpinghandworldwide.org) shows us what it means to do just that and more. Our one hour discussion barely scratches the surface of what she does – and she is very humble about all she does. And for what she does – its surprising she isn’t a Marine. Ooorah! (Edit this out if you want) NOPE, keeping it big D! Download from iTunes File Download (64:50 min / 59 MB)

It often happens where sons emulate their fathers – and this show is an example of this. We welcome John “JJ” and Anthony “Rocco” De Primo, two men who are father and son as well as Brother Marines. JJ served 13 years in the Corps starting in 1981, and Rocco is finishing a five year enlistment which began in 2006. We discuss the journeys which lead them both to the Corps and what it means to be a Marine family. Download from iTunes File Download (66:05 min / 61 MB)

In this installment, we welcome Ray McCarty III, a former Army MP who served two tours of duty in Iraq. His first tour was as a guard at a temporary prison near Baquba, Iraq, and his second was with a security attachment based in Kirkut. Ray is currently a physical therapy student in Florida hoping to work with veterans when he’s done. We discuss what it was like to be an MP, the differences in his mission, and the joys and difficulties he’s faced in the transition from soldier to student. Download from iTunes File Download (61:59 min / 57 MB)

From every war and every conflict comes the need for cathartic expression – and from many warriors this takes the form of unconventional art – graffiti, body art, messages scribbled in marker on the shit house wall. In this week’s episode, the founders of Graffiti of War (http://www.graffitiofwar.com) join us to discuss their project and where they hope it’ll go in the future – including an upcoming trip this summer to Kuwait, Iraq, and possibly, Afghanistan. Download from iTunes Graffiti of War: Veteran hopes photographs will lead to healing :: Gazette-Mail Freature File Download (64:28 min / 59 MB)

Today we speak with Dr. Gillford Doxcee, professor emeritus of history from Ohio University.  He is also a World War II veteran who was captured by the Germans during the Battle of the Bulge in 1944.  He spent the remainder of the war in various POW camps, most notably at Slaughter-House Five, made famous by Kurt Vonnegut.  As a history professor, he concentrated his studies in the Middles East.  We discuss both his experiences as a POW and then about the current events occurring in throughout the Middle East. Download from iTunes Ex-POW Biography :: Dr. Doxsee's BIO on American Ex-Prisoners of War THE BATTLE OF DRESDAN: By Gifford Doxsee :: Bob Doxsee "Greatest Generation" :: Brief biographical summary of Gifford Doxsee Shadows of Slaughterhouse Five: Recollections and Reflections of the Ex-POWs of Schlachthof Fünf, Dresden, Germany :: A book about Slauhterhouse Five and Dr. Doxsee is part of this. File Download (60:03 min / 55

In this show, we have a discussion with Cindy McNamara, the wife and mother of a group of Army Aviators. She discusses the joys and difficulties of being married into the Army for almost 40 years – both on active and reserve duty status. Currently, Cindy’s husband and two of her three children are flying Apache helicopters in Iraq. Cindy brings a unique voice to the show – and we hope to hear more from her in the future. Download from iTunes File Download (64:51 min / 59 MB)

Today we welcome Jack TF Pike to the show. Jack is a Marine Grunt and Army Helicopter pilot veteran with 37 years of service to our country who now works with families of deployed soldiers. We discuss everything from his service in Viet Nam, time on the drill field, changing over to the Army side, and his current mission. One of the show highlights is his recount of celebrating the Marine Corps Birthday while serving in Bosnia as an Army Warrant Officer. Download from iTunes File Download (67:59 min / 62 MB)

We welcome Jack “Chewy” Mandaville, creator and author of the blog gusmcoy.com, where he writes about his experiences in the Marines. We discuss Jack’s time in the Marines, his transition back into civilian life, and the creation of his blog. Jack gives us a good insight into the life of a warrior who spent time in the Global War on Terrorism. Download from iTunes File Download (63:32 min / 58 MB)

We welcome Ted Harding back to the show. Ted was a guest back in May 2010 right before he left for Fort Benning for Army boot camp. He has now graduated and is a Spc 4 11C (Specialist 4/E-4 Mortar Man) with the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg, NC. We ask him about recruit training, jump school, and what its like to be out in the Regular Army. Some explicit language—as always. Hey—when you’re chatting with Marines, ya just gotta accept it! Download from iTunes File Download (67:37 min / 62 MB)

In today’s episode, we welcome Peter Hartmayer, a Marine who served with Jim at Second Division Schools at Camp LeJeune. We discuss Veterans’ health issues, including cancer and PTSD treatments available through the VA. Another topic that came up is the importance of getting a Veterans Service Officer through organizations like the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), or the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Download from iTunes File Download (64:19 min / 59 MB)

The Purple Heart – Jim discusses his trip to The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor.  Jim met General Petraeus at the event, and speaks of the honor it was to meet him.  We also discuss what it means for the war in Afghanistan now that General Petraeus is back in charge. Finally, if you have a family member who has received a Purple Heart, we’d like to invite you to get him or her listed on the register at The National Purpler Heart Hall of Honor: http://www.thepurpleheart.com .  Download from iTunes http://www.thepurpleheart.com :: http://www.thepurpleheart.com File Download (62:35 min / 57 MB)

War Stories – Jim, Gar, and David discuss some of their “favorite” activities and experiences during boot camp and other parts of their tours while in the Marines.  We also find out just how ‘fuzzy’ Jim’s memory is about certain events in our lives…(selective memory perhaps?)  Lots of laughs on this show, and some very good solid take away points as well. (Explicit Language) Download from iTunes File Download (63:22 min / 58 MB)

In this week’s podcast, Ted Harden discusses his decisions about enlisting in the Army. Ted’s leaving on Monday, May 17th for Fort Benning to start his journey in the military. Jim, Gar, and David give Ted some sound advice. We also have invited Ted back when he’s done with boot camp and again in one year (and as often as we can get him!) to keep us up to date on his experiences. God speed, Ted, and keep yourself safe! Download from iTunes File Download (59:46 min / 55 MB)

On this week’s show, we welcome a new contributor, Jeff Glessing (Ssgt, USMC, ‘95-‘07). Jeff did a few WestPacs with an LSB (Landing Support Battalion – the Red Patchers), then did two tours as on embassy duty. Our theme for this show is ‘Coming Home,’ exploring some of the challenges service members go through when they leave the military and transition back to the civilian world. Through this conversation we touch on our frustrations with leaders who get in the way of success because they don’t understand the basic Five Paragraph Order and how to get out of the way of accomplishing the mission. Download from iTunes Link to Jim's Citation :: File Download (61:19 min / 28 MB)

In episode 2, we explore the reasons why the hosts served our country.  David and Jim discuss the similarities between how they enlisted, and David and Gar find out that one of the big reasons they joined the Marines was because the Army recruiters never called back.   We also discuss the transitions coming back from Viet Nam to the civilian world and the challenges he faced in 1970.  At the end of the show, Jim also shows his support of the people who support our troops. Download from iTunes Garland's Grandad in China :: Gar has posted the photos that his grandfather took when he was in the Army in China, India, and Berma. File Download (64:40 min / 30 MB)

In the first episode of “Stand At Ease,” Jim, Gar, and David introduce themselves and how they came to know each other, discuss the mission of the show, and where their responsibilities lie. Keeping on track with that idea, they explore the different spheres of responsibility the active duty service member and veteran are beholden to and how our training helps us face them – as well as what happens when we forget what we’re trained to do. Download from iTunes Also introduced in this show are a few of the many services available to Veterans and their families, topics which will be expanded upon in future shows. Finally, there is an open invitation to others to participate in future “Stand At Ease” podcasts. Visit our registration page :: Registration Page File Download (62:44 min / 29 MB)