The Scuttlebutt: Understanding Military Culture

S3 Ep. 7: How Does Military Service Inspire Your Art?

oin us this week on The Scuttlebutt as we talk with three US Army veterans who, after their service, entered the performing arts. We go Lights, Camera, Action 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. We also discuss the important work that veterans organizations do to ease the transition out of the service and to ensure that veterans not only survive, but thrive. 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/

S3 Ep. 6: What is Life Like as a War Journalist?

Join us for a not-to-be-missed episode of The Scuttlebutt. For years, The Pech was the most kinetic spot on the planet - so why would a college student risk his life by spending a semester abroad embedded with our military? To answer this question and many more is special guest, Wesley Morgan, author of THE HARDEST PLACE: THE AMERICAN MILITARY ADRIFT IN AFGHANISTAN'S PECH VALLEY. Also joining us is Army and Afghan War veteran, John Hawes. Both gentlemen bring a deep and personal knowledge of the military's struggles and sparse successes in the Pech to The Scuttlebutt. Did we mention this isn't to be missed? 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/

S3 Ep. 5: Understanding and Destigmatizing PTSD

This week, The Scuttlebutt gets a jumpstart on PTSD Awareness Month. Co-host and Army veteran, Ryan Ahl, takes the reins in a special episode of The Scuttlebutt where we attempt to demystify PTSD by asking important questions and providing some answers on available research, symptoms, and types of treatment available. There's plenty of information available online but recent articles in Task & Purpose, USNews.com, and PTSD.VA.gov, are excellent resources for those looking to learn more about this very important topic. 

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/

S3 Ep 4. The Most Controversial War Video Game Ever?

This week’s episode of the Scuttlebutt is a bonus episode! We’re talking with Army & Iraq War vets Ryan Ahl and Eric Smith about the new video game Six Days in Fallujah. There’s some controversy surrounding this game, as critics say it sensationalizes the bloodiest battle of the Iraq War—one that killed over 100 US and British trips and over 800 Iraqi civilians. Ryan, Eric, and Shaun talk: is this controversy deserved? What makes “Six Days” worse than other war games, like Call of Duty? Can video games tell the stories of veterans who served—or more importantly, should they? Tune in for this fascinating discussion! 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/

S3 Ep. 3: Talking About Military Sexual Trauma (Part 2)

We’re back this week with Part 2 of our discussion of Military Sexual Trauma (MST). Once again joining us is Dr. Roksana Korchynsky, Phd, Clinical Psychologist, and MST Program Coordinator with the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System; Navy Veteran and MST Survivor Timothy Jones; and Army Veteran Ryan Ahl. We talk a bit more about what the VA is doing to treat MST survivors and help with their recovery. We also ask the tough questions: is there something about military culture that encourages or promotes sexual assault? A note that this episode contains subjects that may be triggering. 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/

S3 Ep. 2: Talking about Military Sexual Trauma (MST)

Tune into The Scuttlebutt for part one of our two-part series on Military Sexual Trauma (MST) in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.  Joining us is Dr. Roksana Korchynsky, Phd, Clinical Psychologist, and MST Program Coordinator with the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System; Navy Veteran and MST Survivor Timothy Jones; and Army Veteran Ryan Ahl. We  break down terminology, recent headlines, reporting structure, myths and much more. A note that this episode contains subjects that may be triggering. For our audio listeners: head to veteransbreakfastclub.org/scuttlebutt to watch the video version of this week’s episode and read more of the resources shared in this episode. And a big thank you to D&D Metal Recycling and Auto Salvage for sponsoring the Scuttlebutt! https://danddautosalvage.com/

S3 Ep 1. Growing Up A Military Brat

The term "military brat" is a badge of pride worn by generations of kids who traveled the world with their parents, moving into adulthood with the knowledge that they have the strength to handle anything. Military children deal with separations, deployments, frequent moves and even their parents' injuries as part of the life they were born into or entered with their families. Join us this week on The Scuttlebutt as we talk with two military brats (1 veteran and 1 non-veteran) about their early childhood and how they coped with life in the military. You can also read more about military families at USO.org and Army.mil. And a big thank you to D&D Metal Recycling and Auto Salvage for sponsoring the Scuttlebutt! https://danddautosalvage.com/ 

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

S2 Ep 9. Vets React to Low Level Flying in Star Wars Canyon

This week’s episode of the Scuttlebutt is a bonus episode. We’re talking to Air Force vets Ben Wright and Larry Googins and getting their reactions to planes flying into the Star Wars Canyon out in Death Valley. They walk us through the air speeds and altitudes these guys must be flying at and why flying through the canyon is so challenging. Plus they teach us the “Grunt Maneuver,” in case you ever find yourself passing out while pulling G’s. Yeesh! Fasten your seatbelts for this one! For our audio listeners: head to veteransbreakfastclub.org/scuttlebutt to watch the video version of this week’s episode.

S2 Ep 8: All About Military Working Dogs

Attention dog-lovers! This week on the Scuttlebutt, we’re talking all about MWDs. No, not WMDs. Military Working Dogs! Tune into our conversation with two Marines who have had experience training and working with military working dogs. Andrew Kowtko worked as a K-9 dog handler for 8 years and joins us from Okinawa, Japan, where he is currently stationed. Bill Jeffcoat talks to us about his nonprofit, Life Changing Service Dogs for Veterans, as well as his experience as a dog handler in Vietnam. Kathryn and Shaun offer their perspectives as civilians and dog-lovers. And we all gasp in awe at some of the “ruff” training military dogs have to go through! Don’t miss this episode! For our audio listeners: head to veteransbreakfastclub.org/scuttlebutt to watch the video version of this week’s episode and read more about this service. To learn more about Life Changing Service Dogs for Veterans, visit www.padogsforvets.org.

S2 Ep. 7: What is the Merchant Marine?

This week on the Scuttlebutt, we’re talking all about an oft-forgotten service: the Merchant Marine. We talk to two Merchant Mariners, Sal Mercogliano and Bridget Cooney, about their work. We ask, how do the Merchant Marines differ from the US Marines (turns out—a lot!)? What does their day-to-day on ship look like? And why do we need them. We also go into the history of the Merchant Marine, the Jones Act, and refer to, of course, the Tom Hanks movie Captain Phillips. Tune in for this fascinating discussion! For our audio listeners: head to veteransbreakfastclub.org/scuttlebutt to watch the video version of this week’s episode and read more about this service.