Becoming A Veteran

This episode features a special panel discussion on women veterans. Hosted by journalist and veteran Scott Bourque, female veterans from three different branches of service, share their military experiences. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Through the years, some political leaders have had a military background which they find to be a perfect extension of their service. Is it because of the oath they took...their belief in serving the greater good. Producer and veteran Scott Bourque speaks with Army Reserve Major Aaron Marquez, a Major in the Army Reserve, member of the Phoenix Union High School District governing board, and leader of the political activist group VetsForward. Listen in as he reveals the untapped power of veterans and how their engagement in political activism can benefit our community. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Americans visualize one of the 4.3 million veterans with disabilities, they're likely picturing someone with a missing limb or someone who uses a wheelchair. In fact, though, most veterans with disabilities have so-called "invisible disabilities": hearing loss, mental health disorders, migraines, and joint problems top the list. In this episode, we spoke with some disabled veterans to learn about the challenging bureaucratic process to get their disabilities recognized by the government, and how they handle living in a society that sometimes doesn't recognize their trauma. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Captain Signa Oliver. She served in the Army Artillery in the 1980s before working as a Phoenix Police officer. She then went to law school and commissioned back into the Army as a prosecutor in the Judge Advocate General Corps. Oliver was one of the 10-15% of soldiers who were women. In this episode, producer Scott Bourque spoke with Capt. Oliver about what it means to be a woman in a heavily male-dominated institution. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is a shared military service experience that has an effect on each person who serves. Only 10% of military personnel ever fire weapons in combat; it can be the other aspects of military life that make a stronger impact. Veteran and producer Scott Bourque will introduce you to Arizona veterans who share their struggles and their triumphs as they adapt to society once they are out of the service. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.