Tango Alpha Lima Podcast

Representatives of USAA, Mutual of Omaha, Sony and MilTrac share how they are supporting veterans through The American Legion. Veterans and servicemembers in transition can receive financial guidance, mental health support, hearing aids and more resources from these partners. They all stopped by the Tango Alpha Lima podcast booth during The American Legion National Convention in Tampa, Fla., for this special episode. Special Guests: Kylie Reynolds, L.J. Pocsi, Matt Scherer, Melissa Bennett, and Thaddeus "Chris" Figueroa.

Austin von Letkemann, better known by his MandatoryFunDay Instagram handle, leads off this episode by talking about his new podcast, the Army-Navy Game and more. Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation CEO Rod Rodriguez shares an update on plans for the memorial and a new podcast that launches with a pilot episode September 11. Representatives of The American Legion’s community service project, Heroes United to Heal and Protecting Vets Foundation also chatted with the hosts of Tango Alpha Lima about the role of service, overcoming PTSD and military sexual trauma. All this and more in Part 2 of our episode recorded during the Legion’s National Convention in Tampa, Fla. Special Guests: Alyse Duffy, Austin Von Letkemann, Bridget Lake, Donna A. Michaels, Jennifer Ballou, and Michael "Rod" Rodriguez.

With a rifle in one hand, and a sketch pad in the other, retired Marine veteran Joe Winslow’s combat service in the Battle of Fallujah inspired a return to his love of art. He drew sketches and collected artifacts before returning home to begin working on art reflecting the dedication of Marines, sailors, soldiers and others in action. Winslow discusses his time in the military, drawing inspiration from combat zones, transition issues for servicemembers and more. Other topics include alternative therapies for mental health, the origins of battle cries and the upcoming anniversary of Star Trek. Special Guest: Joe Winslow.

"Wayspring Wanderer" launches on Amazon. THE INTERVIEW Scotty Hasting is an Army combat veteran turned singer/songwriter who has performed at the Grand Ole Opry. Hasting, who received the Purple Heart, was shot 10 times at once in Afghanistan. Hasting has opened for artists including Dave Grohl, Jelly Roll, Parmalee and Tanya Tucker - and will be appearing at the American Legion National Convention in Tampa. On this week’s Tango Alpha Lima podcast, Hasting discusses his time in the military, music career and more. SCUTTLEBUTT Down the Reddit Rabbit Hole: What’s the worst MRE you’ve ever ate? Future destroyer to be named after Medal of Honor recipient, Marine Corps Cpl. Kyle Carpenter Bravo Zulu to American Legion Riders from Ernest A. Love Post 6 in Prescott, Ariz. Special Guest: Scotty Hasting.

2025 American Legion World Series begins THE INTERVIEW Retired Army Maj. Gen. Mark Graham, the executive director of Vets4Warriors, lost both of his sons, including one to suicide. In response, Graham has dedicated his life to mental health awareness and suicide prevention, aligned with the Rutgers UBHC National Call Center. Vets4Warriors hires and trains veterans to be peer support specialists who answer calls within 30 seconds, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Graham discusses his time in the military, his work to reduce mental health stigma and the suicide rate, and more. SCUTTLEBUTT American Legion Family rallies to help Texas communities in the aftermath of devastating floods in Kerr County The amazing escape of a WWII pilot who crash-landed into a field hosting a Nazi soccer match. OTDIH 1981: IBM enters the personal computer market with the introduction of the IBM 5150. Special Guest: Mark A. Graham.

250 ways to participate in The American Legion USA 250 Challenge THE INTERVIEW Col. Bree Fram, a transgender Space Force member, is being forced out of the military and end her 23-year service that began with the Air Force. Fram is currently headed toward retirement due to President Trump’s prohibition on transgender service that was implemented in 2025. The White House implemented the transgender ban through an Executive Order and Department of Defense (DoD) policies. Fram speaks as a civilian as she discusses her time in the military, issues related to her transition and more. SCUTTLEBUTT Army moves to dismantle most ceremonial horse units How WWII helped normalize tattoos MOH recipient Clint Romesha is getting a new comic book highlighting his actions in Afghanistan Special Guest: Col. Bree Fram.

250 years of the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps THE INTERVIEW Retired Marine Lt. Col. Kevin Schmiegel is helping fellow veterans to thrive instead of falling to the broken veteran narrative. Schmiegel, who previously founded Hiring Our Heroes, is now leading ZeroMils. Schmiegel shares how ZeroMills is breaking the broken veteran narrative by creating a military thriving movement. SCUTTLEBUTT Coast Guardsman on his first mission helped save 165 Texas flash flood victims Not-so-hot pursuit! Charleston, S.C. police chase a burglary suspect going 3 mph on a tractor excavator Special Guest: Kevin Schmiegel.

Native Americans in the Revolutionary War. THE INTERVIEW Former Navy Lt. Cmdr. Natalie Schibell found success in the military but struggled to find work in the civilian sector. She rallied and rebounded to become vice president of Market Strategy at Aetion and create Mission to Commission, a nonprofit dedicated to helping military veterans navigate career transitions. The former American Ninja Warrior contestant shares tips for veterans and servicemembers looking for civilian jobs SCUTTLEBUTT Air Force installing Lumena MindGyms to facilitate relaxation for stressed-out troops Task & Purpose asked for the dumbest moments in uniform - and the responses did not disappoint Army Aviators who helped kick off the air campaign of Operation Desert Storm in January 1991 awarded Distinguished Flying Crosses Special Guest: Natalie Schibell.

Remembering Gen. "Mad" Anthony Wayne and the Battle of Stony Point THE INTERVIEW Former Cro-Mags and Bad Brains singer John Joseph emerged from an abusive childhood in a foster home to serve in the Navy and then forge his punk rock career. Joseph rose through the ranks, along with others in the early 1980s scene including Henry Rollins, the Beastie Boys and others to become a successful singer. Now he inspires others as a vegan triathlete. SCUTTLEBUTT Reddit Rabbit Hole: Best posters seen during a triathalon Army bringing in big tech executives as lieutenant colonels American airmen in Japan test AI tool to streamline flight scheduling Special Guest: John Joseph.

OTDIH: The first public reading of the Declaration of Independence THE INTERVIEW Retired Army Command Sgt. Maj. Bart Womack discusses creating an equine therapy facility for veterans with PTSD; mentoring ROTC cadets; his book, “Embedded Enemy,” which is about an insider terrorist attack; and more SCUTTLEBUTT Mapping US troops and military bases in the Middle East Navy destroyer, air defense systems help intercept Iranian missiles Special Guest: Bart Womack.

National Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day THE INTERVIEW Nutrition can be complicated. Army veteran and health and wellness expert Jennifer Campbell helps bring clarity and provides answers on how adults can fix the most disruptive things affecting their health. Among the topics she tackles are the best exercise for your health and longevity, lessons from the Blue Zones and understanding the role of the microbiome and gut health. SCUTTLEBUTT Reddit Rabbit Hole: Unfortunate Fourth of July fireworks fizzles Legacies of historic units face uncertain future as Army plans to close more than 20 base museums in major reduction Special Guest: Jennifer Campbell.

Summer is in full swing and our hosts have big plans. THE INTERVIEW Navy veteran David Vardeman talks about guiding nonprofits to their goals, what’s led to his success, achieving financial literacy and more. A senior vice president for Capital Bank in Washington, D.C., Vardeman shares what led to his success, how he helps nonprofits and others meet their financial dreams and more. SCUTTLEBUTT An Oregon man who quit his job to set sail with his cat arrives to cheering fans in Hawaii ‘Cake Bandit’ opossum hospitalized after indulging in an entire Costco cake Woman who faked being a man to get into Magic Circle finally allowed in Special Guest: David Vardeman.

Navigating Visual Sequela Progression due to TBI THE INTERVIEW Mike Corrado discovered the power of music while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. Music offers the power to heal, honor the fallen and inspire. He has seen firsthand how teaching songwriting to amputees helps them heal and move forward. Corrado talks about his lifelong love of music, its power to heal, his singer/songwriter retreats for veterans and more. SCUTTLEBUTT The moment 250 years ago today, June 17, when General William Prescott uttered the famous line, “Don’t one of you fire until you see the whites of their eyes!” An update to the Veterans Legacy Memorial’s online project A “not friendly” macaque that is terrorizing military bases Special Guest: Mike Corrado.

Navy combat veteran, cancer survivor and mental wellness expert Althea Williams shares how meditation and mind-body wellness has helped her learn how to let go of things that no longer serve her. As the founder of Inner Starr Compass Healing, she now helps individuals heal through inner wisdom, creativity and intuition. Learn more about how she helps others overcome PTSD and other mental health issues through a mind-body connection. SCUTTLEBUTT 90 years of Alcoholics Anonymous - founded by World War I veteran Bill Wilson Woman charged after pet raccoon found with meth pipe Special Guest: Dr. Aletha Williams.

OTD - In 1965 astronaut Edward Higgins White II became the first American to walk in space THE INTERVIEW Providing guidance to veterans navigating their VA services and benefits has turned Army National Guard veteran Joshua Parish into an entrepreneur. He has created Battle Buddy, a mobile app built to streamline access to services, support mental health through its AI-powered Talk to Sam feature, and strengthen the overall transition experience for veterans and their families. SCUTTLEBUTT Trump signs executive order for more homeless veteran housing at West LA VA campus "Mysterious poop chucker" might be targeting Colorado woman for not picking up dog's waste Special Guest: Joshua Parish.

Retired Navy SEAL Matt Stevens helps The Honor Foundation guide members of the Special Forces community toward rewarding civilian careers. Stevens talks about how to discover your “why,” developing contacts and other tips for developing executives. THE SCUTTLEBUTT Down the Reddit Rabbit Hole: The Meaning of Memorial Day The fallout of banned books at the U.S. Naval Academy Busch Gardens, Sea World offering free tickets for service members and veterans Special Guest: Matt Stevens.

THE INTERVIEW Native Americans serve at a higher percentage than the general population. Still, there are misunderstandings about their culture and spiritual beliefs even among their brothers and sisters in the armed forces. In this week's episode, Army veteran Mitchelene BigMan talks about her military service as a Native American, importance of culture, creation of a Native American women veterans nonprofit and more. SCUTTLEBUTT Down the Reddit Rabbit Hole: Native Americans and the U.S. Military Tribal flags removed from Phoenix VA hospital under new federal policy Memorial Honoring Native American U.S. Veterans proposed for Minnesota Capitol grounds Special Guest: Mitchelene BigMan.

Constitutional fun facts in honor of The American Legion National Oratorical Competition Finals THE INTERVIEW Army combat veteran Blake Hall created his company to protect veterans from identity theft. Veterans are more than 80% likely to have their identity stolen than other Americans. Learn how ID.me prevents fraud in this week’s episode. SCUTTLEBUTT A salute Ronin – the hero rat who set a Guinness World Record for detecting landmines Legionnaires supporting manners, etiquette and Americanism in South Carolina Special Guest: Blake Hall.

Veterans, fourth-graders get special access to National Parks THE INTERVIEW Army combat veteran Chris Marvin has found his passion and purpose in America’s national parks. In 2020, Marvin established the Park-to-Park Tour project to help share national parks with his children as a way to demonstrate the purpose and legacy of his own military service. He believes strongly that patriotism is exhibited through the enjoyment and protection of national parks and public lands. SCUTTLEBUTT Air Force warns airmen, veterans of foreign intelligence recruitment ploy Celebrating 140 years of Coca-Cola Special Guest: Chris Marvin.

Operation Frequent Wind: Remembering the end of the Vietnam War THE INTERVIEW Air Force veteran Josh White hosts the award-winning podcast Hero Front, which focuses on mental health awareness and resiliency. Josh shares inspiring stories of veterans, authors, entrepreneurs, business leaders and other heroes. The storytelling podcast emerged from White’s 20-year military career in the U.S. Air Force in maintenance, medical and military funeral honors. SCUTTLEBUTT If Hooters goes out of business, dining off base will never be the same Not just for Veterans: Medical breakthroughs that began at VA Special Guest: Josh White.