The Scuttlebutt: Understanding Military Culture

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/

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/