The Scuttlebutt: Understanding Military Culture

S4 Ep. 1: And the Title for Best Mom Goes to....

The Scuttlebutt kicks off its fourth season with special guest Lori Huertas. When Lori's son told her he was joining the Army, her entire world changed. Not only is Lori now a Blue Star Mom, she is a Doctoral Student with a dissertation on improving student services for military students, families and veterans at Barry University as well as a trainer for USO, an ambassador volunteer for Blue Star Families, volunteer with Camaraderie Foundation, collaborator with Wounded Warrior and FAVOB, the Program Director of a Military Children Virtual Reading Club as well as the Florida Delegate for the National Veterans Chamber of Commerce. Oh - and did we mention Lori just published her first children's book,  Papa's Scooter, A Legacy of Love. Join The Scuttlebutt crew of Kathryn Ghion, Ryan Ahl, and Shaun Hall as we learn about Lori's many ventures, online reading with Caribu, and discuss our favorite kids book. For our audio listeners: head to veteransbreakfastclub.org/scuttlebutt to watch the video version of this week’s episode and read more.

 

The Scuttlebutt SHORTS: Ryan Rants about the Army Combat Fitness Test

It's that time again - time for another episode of Ryan Rants! If you enjoyed Ryan ranting about The Hurt Locker and the viral 10th Mountain Shoothouse Training Fail - do we have a treat for you! Join us for some laughs as Army Reservist, Ryan Ahl, breaks down his recent experience with the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). Not to be confused with the now out-of-date, Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). To read more about the ACFT visit Army.mil and ArmyTimes.com. For our audio listeners: head to veteransbreakfastclub.org/scuttlebutt to watch the video version of this week’s episode and read more.

S3 Bonus Episode: War Music Vol. 2

S3 BONUS EPISODE: War Music Volume 2

Recently, The Scuttlebutt episode, "War Music" lit up the charts and quickly became our most talked about episode of the series thus far. This is in no small part thanks to participants, Vietnam vet, Donn Nemchick (Navy), Post 9/11 vet, Ryan Ahl (Army), and non-vet/"music dork," Kevin Koch. So excited were we by the outpouring of comments that we felt it deserved a "bonus track." Join us this week as we get the band back together and read viewers' responses to our conversation on the music from the Vietnam era.

Haven't seen the original episode? Click Here.

For our YouTube channel featuring the music of the era: Click Here.

For a super cut of the episode (and to check out Ellie's TikTok skills): Click Here. 

For our audio listeners: head to veteransbreakfastclub.org/scuttlebutt to watch the video version of this week’s episode and read more.

S3 Ep. 14: Forever Wars No More

The Scuttlebutt celebrates the end of Season Three with special guest, William M. Arkin. Mr. Arkin is one of America’s premier military experts. His investigative work has appeared on the front pages of The New York Times, The Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times, and has won many awards. He served as an NBC News analyst and reporter for thirty years and is the bestselling author of more than a dozen books, including TOP SECRET AMERICA and HISTORY IN ONE ACT: A NOVEL OF 9/11. He served in Army intelligence in West Berlin during the Cold War and has been a consultant to wide-ranging organizations, including the US Air Force, the United Nations Secretary General, Human Rights Watch, and the Natural Resources Defense Council. Mr. Arkin joins us to talk about his recent book THE GENERALS HAVE NO CLOTHES in which he outlines a path for America to exit our Forever Wars. You can read an excerpt at Newsweek.com.

A big thank you to D&D Metal Recycling and Auto Salvage for sponsoring the Scuttlebutt! https://danddautosalvage.com/

S3 Ep. 13: How the Vietnam War Changed Popular Music

Nothing sparks a trip down memory lane quite like music. This week on The Scuttlebutt we are joined by Vietnam veteran, Donn Nemchick (Navy), Post 9/11 veteran, Ryan Ahl (Army), and special guest, music historian and self-proclaimed "music dork", Kevin Koch to discuss the unforgettable music of the Vietnam era. Including Creedence Clearwater Revival, Jimmy Hendrix, Dolly Parton, The Players, The Monitors, Phil Ochs, Marvin Gaye, Jackson Brown, The Impressions, The Shirelles, The Youngbloods, Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, and many more! Links will be provided on our YouTube page for many of the songs we discuss! To read more about the music of Vietnam visit: WBUR.org. Check out this Spotify playlist of several handpicked top hits from the episode. Or watch our YouTube playlist. A big thank you to D&D Metal Recycling and Auto Salvage for sponsoring the Scuttlebutt! https://danddautosalvage.com/

S3 Ep. 12: Checkmate! Inside the US Armed Forces Chess Championship

If you enjoyed the hit Netflix series, THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT, boy do we have a program for you! This week on The Scuttlebutt we talk with the Chair of the Military Chess Committee and Army veteran, Jim Hollingsworth about the upcoming 62nd Annual US Armed Forces Chess Championship. Jim talks about the history of the tournament, what chess means to him, and - for those who join us on YouTube - Jim gives host, Shaun Hall, a fascinating chess lesson. 

To learn more about the Championship and last year's standings visit New.USChess.org and VAChess.org. To read about why the Marines are obsessed with chess visit Military.com.

 

Fancy a game? You can play host, Shaun Hall by visiting Chess.com, creating a free account and searching for Valhalla360.  For our audio listeners: head to veteransbreakfastclub.org/scuttlebutt to watch the video version of this week’s episode and read more. A big thank you to D&D Metal Recycling and Auto Salvage for sponsoring the Scuttlebutt! https://danddautosalvage.com/

S3 Ep. 11: The Evolving VFW

This week on the Scuttlebutt, we talk about the VFW to Veterans Housing Services Coordinator with the Veterans Leadership Program AND District 29 Commander Jessica King,  District 28 Commander and Department of PA Legislation Chairman Jim Brown, and Brian Armstrong of Post 8427 Herminie. The VFW has been around since the late 1800s. As of 2020, it has grown to include 1.6 million members and Auxiliary members, forming 6,000 local Posts, grouped into 52 Departments covering the 50 states, the Asia-Pacific area, and Europe. Over the years, the VFW has influenced government policy and created a space for veterans and community members to come together. Join us on The Scuttlebutt as we learn more about the VFW of today and how it will evolve in the future. You can learn more about the VFW at Encyclopedia.com and VFW.org. For our audio listeners: head to veteransbreakfastclub.org/scuttlebutt to watch the video version of this week’s episode and read more. A big thank you to D&D Metal Recycling and Auto Salvage for sponsoring the Scuttlebutt! https://danddautosalvage.com/

S3 Ep. 10: What does it take to become a Veteran Champion?

Join us on The Scuttlebutt for an inspiring and educational conversation with Lt.Col. (Ret) Kathy Lowrey Gallowitz of Vanguard Veteran and author of Beyond "Thank You For Your Service" along with Neferteri Strickland, veteran and host of the podcast The Third Lieutenant. Neferteri serves her community by supporting education initiatives in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Agriculture, and Math, (STEAAM) education and post PreK-12 career readiness. If you ever thought, "What can I do for the veterans in my community," this is the conversation for you.  For our audio listeners: head to veteransbreakfastclub.org/scuttlebutt to watch the video version of this week’s episode and read more. A big thank you to D&D Metal Recycling and Auto Salvage for sponsoring the Scuttlebutt! https://danddautosalvage.com/

S3 Ep. 9: How Does Military Service Inspire Your Art? (PART 2)

Join us this week on The Scuttlebutt for Part 2 of our conversation with poet and performer Jenny Pacanowski from Women Veterans Empowered and Thriving, Executive Artistic Director James Edward Becton from The Becton, and triple threat Mary Jo "MJ" McConnell to discuss how military service inspires them as artists. In this episode, we hear more about the work they’re doing today and take a look at their moving performances. For our audio listeners: head to veteransbreakfastclub.org/scuttlebutt to watch the video version of this week’s episode and read more. A big thank you to D&D Metal Recycling and Auto Salvage for sponsoring the Scuttlebutt! https://danddautosalvage.com/

S3 Ep. 8: Honoring Gold Star Families with the Woody Williams Foundation

This Memorial Day, the Scuttlebutt teams up with WTRF's Veterans Voices host Kathryn Ghion for a special conversation with President and CEO of the Woody Williams Foundation, Chad Graham. The Woody Williams Foundation is a charitable 501c(3) nonprofit organization that pursues specific endeavors and goals through the vision of Medal of Honor recipient Hershel "Woody" Williams. The Foundation encourages, with the assistance of the American public and community leaders, establishing permanent Gold Star Families Memorial Monuments in communities throughout the United States. To see other interviews by Kathryn in her hometown of Wheeling, WV, visit WTRF.com For our audio listeners: head to veteransbreakfastclub.org/scuttlebutt to watch the video version of this week’s episode and read more. And a big thank you to D&D Metal Recycling and Auto Salvage for sponsoring the Scuttlebutt! https://danddautosalvage.com/