The Veteran Experience Podcast with Judge Johnson

Alan Dollison is coming to the end of a long and distinguished Army career. After 30 years in uniform, he will be retiring from the US Army in November 2022. Dollison also has served as a prosecutor and ran for District Attorney of Humboldt County. Dollison said he’s lived some of his best moments as an Army officer. He served two tours in Afghanistan, one in Iraq and one, his most recent, in Saudi Arabia. He’s learned a lot about life and a lot about himself. He learned to follow and he learned to lead. He learned about training management, resource development, managing diverse geographically dispersed teams and running complex organizations. But more than anything, he learned just how valuable friendships are. “I’ve enjoyed the camaraderie and life experiences of the military, but I most enjoyed the relationships and the people I served with over 30-plus years, at all levels,” said Dollison. Please listen in to Colonel Dollison's comment about our Afghanistan mission, particularly the conclusion of that mission. A soldiers soldier, Dollison has great advice for future missions. I can be reached at mejohnsonauthor@gmail.com or mejohnsonauthor@gmail.com

On January 31, 1945, Pvt. Eddie Slovik became the first American soldier since the Civil War to be executed for desertion-and the only one who suffered such a fate during World War II. This podcast episode tells his story. Pvt. Eddie Slovik was a draftee. Originally classified 4-F because of a prison record (grand theft auto), he was reclassified 1-A when draft standards were lowered to meet growing personnel needs. In January 1944, he was trained to be a rifleman, which was not to his liking, as he hated guns. In August of the same year, Slovik was shipped to France to fight with the 28th Infantry Division, which had already suffered massive casualties in France and Germany. Slovik was a replacement, a class of soldier not particular respected by officers. As he and a companion were on the way to the front lines, they became lost in the chaos of battle and stumbled upon a Canadian unit that took them in. Slovik stayed on with the Canadians until October 5, when they turned him and his buddy over to the American military police. They were reunited with the 28th Division, which had been moved to Elsenborn, Belgium. No charges were brought, as replacements getting lost early on in their tours of duty were not unusual. But exactly one day after Slovik returned to his unit, he claimed he was “too scared and too nervous” to be a rifleman, and threatened to run away if forced into combat. His confession was ignored-and Slovik took off. One day later he returned and signed a confession of desertion, claiming he would run away again if forced to fight, and submitted it to an officer of the 28th. The officer advised Slovik to take the confession back, as the consequences were serious. Slovik refused and was confined to the stockade. The 28th Division had many cases of soldiers wounding themselves or deserting in the hopes of a prison sentence that might protect them from the perils of combat. A legal officer of the 28th offered Slovik a deal: dive into combat immediately and avoid the court-martial. Slovik refused. He was tried on November 11 for desertion and was convicted in less than two hours. The nine-officer court-martial panel passed a unanimous sentence of execution, “to be shot to death with musketry.” Slovik’s appeal failed. It was held that he “directly challenged the authority” of the United States and that “future discipline depends upon a resolute reply to this challenge.” Slovik had to pay for his recalcitrant attitude, and the military made an example of him. One last appeal was made-to Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Supreme Allied Commander-but the timing was bad for mercy. The Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes forest was resulting in literally thousands of American casualties, not to mention the second largest surrender of an U.S. Army unit during the war. Eisenhower upheld the death sentence. Slovik was shot and killed by a 12-man firing squad in eastern France. Please keep listening and and visit my webpage at www.mejohnsonauthor.com. Email me at mejohnsonauthor@gmail.com. Thank you for listening. Judge Johnson

According to Tommy Anderson, "Our best days are ahead of us...You can do whatever you want to do. There's no excuse." Tommy Anderson is a multiple best-selling author and screenwriter. Tommy enjoys his role as a motivational speaker and Host of "The Real Tommy Unleashed" on the IQ Podcast Network in San Diego. Tommy's show is heard on multiple streaming platforms, iTunes, iHeart, Spotify, Apple Play, and more. An accomplished screenwriter, he has written and produced "Life After Oblivion," a film based on his award-winning screenplay. “PTSD-A soldiers Revenge," which he wrote, is currently in production by Panther Trail Films - Hollywood. Tommy also received his first directing credit on the pilot series "The Tale of Richard Pic". Tommy is also routinely cast as an actor in commercials, television, and film. As a founding member of VetPics Film Productions, Tommy gives back through the all-veteran independent film production company which produced "Life after Oblivion." Most recently Tommy was seen as the face of the national Spotify commercial as the man with the dancing dog. His best-selling novel Haboob Wind is now a screenplay, and his new novel Two Million Steps was released in March of 2021 and went to Best Seller on Amazon in two weeks. Before moving to the Los Angeles area, Tommy lived in Madison, Wisconsin and had a full career firefighter/paramedic with the Madison Fire Department and later retired from the U.S. Army and the Air National Guard. Tommy is a member of various organizations, including the Hollywood American Legion Post 43, Veterans in Media and Entertainment, the U.S. Press Association, and serves as a photojournalist with the California American Legion Press Association.

Bill Lauper: "As a society, it's all about the future, and it starts with our children. We teach them right, our society is going to be just fine." Retired Navy Commander William "Bill" Lauper has devoted his life to mentoring American youth. After serving all over the world, he retired to his wife's home state of California. He was not ready, however, to rest on his laurels. As a man accustomed to service, he has accepted positions educating our youth. As a Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps instructor at three Southern California high schools, he instills high morals, selfless service and the values of good citizenship in his cadets. Commander Lauper's honor guards are easily the equal of many active duty, full-time honor guards. I (Judge Johnson) know, because I have personally observed them at many local patriotic events. Many of Bill's students go on to accept appointments to the Service Academies and ROTC programs at major universities. Listen to Bill's inspiring story and his message to our young people. Any questions for Bill or Judge Johnson, please email mejohnsonauthor@gmail.com.

As the Auditor-Controller for Riverside County, California, Paul Angulo manages a budget in the tens of billions of dollars, amounts larger than the operating budget of half the U.S. States. His responsibilities are immense. Enlisting in the Army at age 18, Auditor-Controller Angulo attributes a great deal of his later success to lessons in leadership and ethical behavior he learned in the United States Army from 1971-1974. He describes the example set for him by Vietnam combat veterans and noncommissioned officers and how he has incorporated those lessons into managing the enormous budget and staff of the Auditor-Controllers Office. Judge Johnson and Auditor-Controller Angulo discuss the importance of Americans, all of them, supporting their democracy. We also discuss the toll service takes on our servicemembers and how responsibilities of American citizenship are not shared equally. According to Paul, "Democracy and the freedoms we enjoy are a shared responsibility...I have friends who have been to the Middle East in combat roles for 12 tours. Then we wonder why they have PTSD." Please listen to Auditor Controller Paul Angulo and the message he has for young Americans. Any questions, please send them to mejohnsonauthor@gmail.com. Judge Johnson is strictly providing a message to assist veterans in healing. He is not endorsing any candidates for any nonjudicial office. Thank you.

Greg Coker, retired Army Command Sergeant Major and a previous guest on The Veteran Experience, returns to discuss the impact of 9/11 on the U.S. and on Greg and his family. Sergeant Major Coker has devoted his life to helping veterans. Through his role as CEO of the Reaching New Heights Foundation and as chief mentor of the Riverside and San Bernardino County Veterans Treatment Courts, SGM Coker has been able to touch innumerable lives. Greg will discuss where he was on that fateful day in 2001. He will talk about his feelings, knowing he would be leaving his family for the two tours he served in Iraq. More importantly, Greg will deliver his message of unity for both veterans and America, a message he learned from 9/11 and his service in the years following 9/11. "Any veteran who is suffering can call me at (909) 518-4951. You are not alone." Please listen to this warrior. Any questions, please send to Judge Johnson at mejohnsonauthor@gmail.com or www.mejohnsonauthor.com.

Navy Veteran Greg Sanchez's life was at rock bottom. His drinking was out of control. He was hospitalized 6 times in one year for alcohol poisoning. He was "couch-surfing" and living on the streets. Arrested, incarcerated and facing serious felony criminal charges, Greg asked himself. "What is it that I am living for?" That was in 2018. After a great deal ofsoul-searching in jail, Greg answered that question. "You have to say that life is worth living," Greg said. "I did." He believed his life was worth living. Today, Greg has almost 4 years of sobriety and is married to a wonderful lady. He will be graduating with a bachelors degree in history from the University of California, Riverside, this year and plans to pursue a Masters Degree in Public Administration. "For those of you listening, I can tell you that I understand what every phase of alcoholism looks like," Greg said. "There are enormous amounts of resources available to help you. There are allies, people who will not judge you, and I am one of them. You just need to ask for help." Greg is a successful graduate of the Riverside County Veterans Treatment Court. He recently addressed Secretary of Veteran's Affairs McDonaugh on veterans issues. Judge Johnson: "I trust this man. I have seen him in a jail jumpsuit. And I have seen him devote his life to helping veterans and other alcoholics. He is epitome of both rehabilitation and why we need veterans treatment courts. Any questions for Judge Johnson or Greg, please email them to mejohnsonauthor@gmail.com. Thank you.

Judge Randy Stamen is a hero to veterans in the Inland Empire. Since January 2020, Judge Stamen has presided over the Riverside County Veterans Court. In this role, he is charged with rehabilitating hundreds of justice involved veterans. A Riverside native, he brings a firm and just hand to guiding veterans through the veterans court and military diversion programs. Judge Stamen is no stranger to adversity. Once suffering from serious health problems, he received kidney and pancreas transplants. This taught him an invaluable lessons he shares with our veterans. "Maintain your health and good habits. Keep balance in your life." Judge Johnson interviews Judge Stamen and discusses the pressing topics facing veterans in our criminal courts. While not providing legal advice specific to any case, they do provide general guidance to veterans facing criminal charges. Send comments, questions and criticisms to Judge Johnson at mejohnsonauthor@gmail.com. Or visit www.mejohnsonauthor.com. Neither judge receives any compensation for this episode. We do this to help veterans.

Attorney Virginia Blumenthal is a Riverside icon. The first woman attorney in Riverside, Virginia has risen to fame as one of the undisputed best lawyers in the United States. Virginia has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to her community by the Riverside Mayor and City Council; the Riverside County Board of Supervisors; the California Governor and Assembly; and the President of the United States. Virginia's began her working life as a school teacher. She became a lawyer in 1975, opening her own law practice. Over the years, Virginia has handled the toughest cases in California with remarkable and quite regular success. She appears before me often. Her inspiration is her parents. Her father was a highly decorated World War 2 Navy Veteran, a veteran of the USS Franklin. Commissioned in 1944, the USS Franklin earned four battle stars in the Pacific War. In March 1945, 800 of its sailors were killed in a Japanese attack. Virginia describes her father as the most "non malicious chauvinist" you ever wanted to meet. She tells a touching story about her dad. "I had often joked my parents were the world's greatest prosecution jurors. Until one day one of my father's friends said to him, 'John, how did you ever let your daughter become a criminal defense attorney.' Daddy looked at him and pointed his finger at him and he said, 'You listen to me. I put my life on the line on the USS Franklin, and my fellow sailors gave their lives protecting these freedoms that my daughter defends.' And I thought, 'Daddy, you do understand.'" Please listen and share this interview with my good friend Virginia Blumenthal. Contact me at mejohnsonauthor@gmail.com

Sandy Duchac of "Veteran Sisters " is an American hero. Serving honorably in the United States navy, Sandy was the victim of Military Sexual Trauma. Sandy turned the scourge of MST into a source of strength. Now, this remarkable woman devotes her life to assisting victims of MST as an advocate and in healing. Listen as she describes her journey. Veteran Sisters can be contacted at veteransisters.org. From their webpage: "Learn how you can help #EndMST. We must hold perpetrators of rape and sexual assault accountable with consistent, action-deterring military punishments after civilian law enforcement who specialize in sex crimes complete an investigation."

This is a followup to our third podcast episode where we discussed raising claims for burn pit exposure. Grant Gautsche, director of the Riverside Office of Veterans Affairs returns to discuss exciting new developments. Since that episode was broadcast, the Senate has passed the 2022 PACT Act, the largest expansion of benefits for our veterans in US history. On the thumbnail is a hero for all our veterans, Riverside Congressman Mark Takano, author of the PACT Act, giving protection to countless more veterans suffering from illnesses related to exposure to toxic chemicals/burn pits while on active duty. Rep. Takano is Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee.Committee. Here is what the act provides: To ensure veterans can receive high-quality health care screenings and services related to potential toxic exposures, the PACT Act expands access to VA health care services for veterans exposed during their military service. For post-9/11 combat veterans, the bill extends the period of time they have to enroll in VA health care from five to ten years post-discharge. For those combat veterans who do not fall within that window, the bill also creates a one-year open enrollment period. These expansions mean that more veterans can enroll in VA health care without having to demonstrate a service connected disability. The PACT Act codifies VA’s new process for evaluating and determining presumption of exposure and service connection for various chronic conditions when the evidence of a military environmental exposure and the associated health risks are strong in the aggregate but hard to prove on an individual basis. The new process is evidence-based, transparent, and allows VA to make faster policy decisions on crucial exposure issues. The legislation removes the need for certain veterans and their survivors to prove service connection if they are diagnosed with one of 23 specific conditions. This greatly reduces the amount of paperwork and need for exams that veterans diagnosed with one of these conditions must complete before being granted access to health care and disability compensation, thereby speeding up their receipt of the benefits they have earned. This list includes 11 respiratory related conditions, along with several forms of respiratory related conditions and several forms of cancer, including reproductive cancers, melanoma, pancreatic cancer, kidney cancer, and brain cancers such as glioblastoma. Survivors of veterans who died due to one of these conditions may now also be eligible for benefits. Well done, Congressman. Contact Grant's Office for help at https://veteranservices.co.riverside.ca.us and at (951) 955-3060

Greg Coker, retired Army CSM, and Judge Johnson have the privilege of interviewing Felix "The Nighthawk" Giles. Giles, also know as the 'Nighthawk', was the first Black person in history to race the world famous Baja 1000 Offroad Desert Race in Baja, Mexico. This race is famous for it's grueling one thousand mile trek through the treacherous Baja Desert Pennisula, where nearly half of the field does not finish the race. For his effort, he was honored on the Floor of Congress by Congressman Louis Stokes (D) of Ohio and entered into the Congressional Record. After several years in the sport, Giles was seriously injured in an end-over-end crash where he received neck, spinal and heart injuries and has had a complete recovery. The Nighthawk started his adult life with thirteen years in the United States Navy Submarine Service during the Cold War and the Viet Nam Conflict. His first job in the Navy was actually driving the submarine. His longest stint underwater without surfacing, was 85 days aboard a nuclear submarine. After attending SONAR School, he became a SONAR Technician and Naval Instructor. He was a member of the Nuclear Weapons Reliability Program, as well a participant with the Foreign Military Sales Team. After the military, he worked as an Aerospace Engineer with several companies, most notable, Northrop as a Senior Systems Engineer on the B-2 Stealth Bomber Project by day and as a college professor lecturing in the fields of computer science and information systems by night. Felix has met and talked with Rosa Parks. Ms. Parks said to him, "When I wouldn't give up that seat, I expected hostility from whites. What I didn't expect was what I received from blacks accusing me of rocking the boat." Giles was a National Spokesperson for 'Race Against Drugs' a FBI sponsored program, where he was invited to the White House by President Bush to attend a conference on drug use prevention. He also had the privilege of meeting Rosa Parks. During the unrest in Los Angeles in 1992, he devoted much of his time visiting schools in the Los Angleles Unified School District, speaking in his race suit, pleading for calm and encouraging the students not to get involved in the fray. His highly successful efforts also lead him to visiting area hospitals treating the riot injured. He has continued to speak in schools on subjects from violence to teen pregnancy. He has been recognized by governors, mayors, churches, special interest groups, as well as school systems and colleges across the country. He is a member of the Screen Actors Guild and has appeared in the Quantum Leap, Chicago Hope and U.S. Customs Classified television series, as well commercials, industrial projects and music videos. Previously, he was qualified as a Tae Kwon Do Martial Arts Instructor and regularly participates in celebrity golf and tennis tournaments for charity. In the near future, Felix will again be competing in the Baja 1000 Contact us at www.mejohnsonauthor.com or mejohnsonauthor@gmail.com (Judge Johnson) and www.reachingnewheightsfoundation.com (CSM Coker)

Starting with a discussion of the Vanessa Guillen murder, which rocked the military, Judge Johnson details the scourge of Military Sexual Trauma in our military ranks. Since the closing years of the Vietnam War, the percentage of women serving in our Armed Services has increased dramatically. Unfortunately, sexual assault perpetrated on our sisters in uniform has increase dramatically as well. Judge Johnson discusses how to identify these assault survivors in our courts and how best to assess their treatment needs. How are we to compassionately create these veteran sisters? The judge describes the effective treatments used by the Veterans Administration. Judge: "This is a tough area for me. Thankfully, I have the assistance of great women attorneys, social workers and therapists to take the lead in this area." Please visit www.mejohnsonauthor.com.

Greg Coker is an American hero. Retiring from the Army as a Command Sergeant Major in 2014, Greg immediately started the Reaching New Heights Foundation, a 501(C)(3) charity devoted to helping veterans heal from trauma suffered during the military. Greg helps veterans with housing, finding work, and setting a mission for their lives. Greg's personal motto is "Serving Those Who Served." Greg also serves as chief mentor of the Riverside County Veterans Treatment Court. In this capacity, Greg helps an often neglected group: Justice Involved Veterans. Listen to Greg as he discusses how you can get YOUR post-service life back on track. Greg can be reached at (951) 878-6900 or through his webpage at reachingnewheightsfoundation.com. Thank you for listening.

Burn pits were large open air pits where everything-- literally everything, i.e. human waste, batteries, plastic, tires, oil, etc.--was burned. Illegal in the US, they were often used in Iraq and Afghanistan to dispose of waste. These pits were ignited using jet or diesel fuel and allowed to burn for days. Tens of thousands of military personnel were exposed to the fumes from these pits, which were as large as ten acres and were on fire 24 hours each day. As a direct result, vast numbers of veterans working near these pits were exposed to toxic fumes and developed respiratory problems and rare cancers upon their return to the US. If you are suffering from medical problems related to burn pit exposure, Grant Gautsche, Director of the Riverside County Veterans Services Office, is here to educate you on how you can fight for your disability benefits. Grant will first discuss the law, then educate you on the efforts you can take to effectively present your VA claim. Grant can be reached at (951) 955-3060. Their website is https://veteranservices.co.riverside.ca.us

Grant Gautsche, disabled Navy Veteran and Director of the Riverside County Veteran Services Office, has devoted his life to helping veterans successfully present disability claims with the VA. Listen to Grant as he walks you through the VA claims process and advises you of the steps YOU need to take to be successful on your claim. For assistance, contact the Riverside County Department of Veteran's Affairs at (951) 955.3060 and the Reaching New Heights Foundation at (951) 878-6900/reachingnewheightsfoundation.com.

Judge M.E. (Mark) Johnson introduces himself and discusses why you should listen to his podcast. Judge Johnson is a retired Army Colonel, an Iraq war veteran, and a California Superior Court judge who has presided over the Riverside County Veterans Treatment Court for nearly a decade. The judge has a wealth of experience helping veterans heal, be heard and reclaim their life mission. In this first episode, he will discuss a painful loss of a Marine who died of a drug overdose and how it inspired him to do more to help veterans. On the Veteran Experience, you will hear stories of struggle, of heroism, of the endless battle to preserve American Liberty. You will hear from veteran guests, people like you, men and women who have suffered with PTSD and are all about helping you heal. If you are a spouse or family member of a veteran, you will learn to understand your veteran's behaviors and struggles and how you can better their lives and yours. All it requires is us working together. There are several veteran and military related podcasts. Judge Johnson says, "I am not a kid. I am 64 years old. I do my best not to use curse words because I know someone's mother may be listening. (I am, for the most part, successful) The Veteran Experience is a place where veterans can find the help they need. I promise that if I can't help you, I will find someone who can. I am all about giving our veterans a renewed and better mission for their lives. Finally, I receive no compensation from or this podcast. I fund this. My only pay is the satisfaction I receive from helping veterans. God bless you and thank you for listening.