The Scuttlebutt: Understanding Military Culture

S4 Ep. 6: Honoring National POW/MIA Recognition Day with the DPAA

The Scuttlebutt teams up with WTRF's Veterans Voices host Kathryn Ghion for a conversation with two special guests working with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA). Jim Bell is an Army veteran and Identification Specialist and Sgt. First Class Sean Everette is a Spokesman for the DPAA. The DPAA is a government agency whose mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. Recently, Kathryn reported on the returned remains of WWII veteran, Army Private First Class John. J. Sitarz to his family in Weirton, WV. To find out more about how remains are recovered you can visit the DPAA website. For those interested in the Army's DNA testing visit Wired.com. Head to veteransbreakfastclub.org/scuttlebutt to watch the video version of this episode. Thank you to Millerstown Pic-A-Part for sponsoring this episode!

S4 Ep. 5: Scuttlebutt Goes to the Movies

This week on The Scuttlebutt we begin our trek through Post-9/11 war movies by welcoming back Ryan Ahl, Kathryn Ghion, and filmmaker Evan Mulgrave to review BILLY LYNN'S LONG HALFTIME WALK and SAND CASTLE. Each movie covers the warrior's journey but in very different ways. One's a hero, the other breaks his own hand to get out.  Neither film fared well on Rotten Tomatoes (BILLY LYNN - 44%, SAND CASTLE - 47%) but did they deserve the bad reviews? We'll answer that and other questions: Did they accurately portray life in the military? Did Ryan catch any inaccuracies? And most importantly - did either movie give us something to rant about? You betcha! Check out the new episode to see what all the fuss is about at veteransbreakfastclub.org/scuttlebutt. Thank you to Millerstown Pic-A-Part for sponsoring this episode!

 

Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUULFJ_I048

Sandcastle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hq28cZ938E

S4 Ep. 4: What is Junior ROTC?

The Scuttlebutt takes a field trip this week to North Allegheny High School (Pennsylvania) to talk with Air Force JROTC instructors, Terry Speer, CMSgt (Ret. Air Force) and Don Accamando, Lt. Col. (Ret. Air Force) about the benefits, challenges, and successes that await you in the Junior ROTC. They are joined by Cadet 2nd Lieutenant Josephine "Josie" Olmstead and Cadet Major Makenzie "Kenna" Shannon who offer insightful first hand accounts of their time in Junior ROTC and how it has prepared them for successful careers after high school. You can find out more about JROTC at USarmyjrotc.com or if you are interested in joining a Junior ROTC program, you can read more at Mefa.org. Watch the full episode at veteransbreakfastclub.org/scuttlebutt. Thank you to Millerstown Pic-A-Part for sponsoring this episode!

S4 Ep 3: A Knight's Tale

The Scuttlebutt goes medieval this week with special guest Zack Knight. Zack started his leadership journey working in the metro-Atlanta area as a police officer and SWAT Operator. After seven years serving his local community, he transitioned to the role of an Infantry Leader in the U.S. Army and continued to serve during a combat deployment to Afghanistan and locally with the Georgia National Guard. His desire to become an influential leader has led him to start six businesses including a security consulting firm, a domestic violence awareness non-profit, and an international dance competition. Zack's podcast, Be A Tactical Leader, provides a platform for industry leaders from around the world to discuss their own journey of self-mastery and define the art of true leadership. Watch the video version at veteransbreakfastclub.org/scuttlebutt! Thank you to Millerstown Pic-A-Part for sponsoring this episode! http://picapartyard.com/ 

S4 Ep. 2: The Ripsaw Tank, The Bonhomme Richard, Warp Speed, and more!

Join us this week on The Scuttlebutt as we cover recent military headlines in our returning segment, "Nothing but the Scuttlebutt." There have been some interesting developments since we last reported the news and Kathryn Ghion, Ryan Ahl, and Shaun are here to break it all down for you. We have everything: The Bonhomme Richard, Gulf War Illness & Burn Pit claims, new technology - including a non-lethal device that can weaponize your voice against you, the Army's new RipSaw tank, and did the Russians discover warp speed? All that and a Large Scale Exercise so big it covers 17 time zones. For our audio listeners: head to veteransbreakfastclub.org/scuttlebutt to watch the video version of this week’s episode and read more.

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/