Veterans Radio

A suicide bomber took the life of Senior Chief Petty Officer & Cryptologist, Shannon Kent (U.S. Navy), on her 5th overseas deployment in 2019. Now, her husband and father of two, Green Beret Joe Kent (11 deployments), tells her story with Marty Skovlund, Jr., Army Ranger & Editor of Task & Purpose. Shannon Kent was an incredible linguist, patriot, and mother. This story is inspiring and uplifting notwithstanding the tragic circumstances of Shannon's death in Syria on an intel mission. Joe and Marty talk to host Jim Fausone.

Join us this week for a discussion on US foreign affairs, military conflicts, weapons, and air power, with national security analyst Dr. Rebecca Grant and host Dale Throneberry. This is our tenth year hosting Dr. Grant and she remains one of our most popular guests! Dr. Rebecca Grant is a national security analyst based in Washington, DC. She earned her PhD in International Relations from the London School of Economics at age 25 then worked for RAND and on the staff of the Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff of the Air Force. Dr. Grant is Vice president and Senior Fellow at the Lexington Institute researching military and tech/artificial intelligence topics. In today's program we look at the Iran attack on Israel and Israel's response. Ukraine, Israel and Hamas, Russia's threat to Europe's security, China, Iran and Russia meetings, and much more.

Vice Admiral Kevin P. Green (ret.) talks about the Navy fleet numbers, naval drones, partners as force multipliers, the 35-year building cycle, and other challenges facing the Navy today from budgets and defense industrial base. Green talks to host Jim Fausone about the good jobs in Naval shipbuilding as well as the Navy.

As NATO reaches its 75th Anniversary ,  Admiral Kevin Green (ret) and Navy Captain Bruce Lemkin (ret) discuss the value of NATO today.   Host Jim Fausone asks about if everyone is paying their fair share and if isolationism is in the future.  These fellows of the American College of National Security Leaders give a broad and knowledgeable perspective of world threats and the value of NATO.

Brig Gen Odie Slocum (ret)  USAF & ANG, talks about his career as a military brat, ROTC and 30+ career in the military flying jets and leading troops.  He wrote a leadership book for everyone titled "Violent Positivity".  He talks to hos Jim Fausone on leadership and putting people first.

 Randee Howard is the operations associate for The War Horse. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, she earned her bachelor’s of arts in urban studies from Columbia University in 2021. She was the women's veterans representative for two academic years and volunteered as a nonfiction writing tutor to incarcerated women at Rikers Island. Prior to her enrollment, she served four years on active duty in the United States Navy as an aviation electrician on helicopters in San Diego, California. She deployed on USS Makin Island (LHD-8), an amphibious assault ship to Southeast Asia and the Middle East. She also volunteers as the director of policy for Black Veterans Project.  She talks about the Navy and the writing project for Black veterans with host Jim Fausone.

Join us for a discussion with three of our board members on their experiences as women in the military, serving in operational and technical roles, the transition to civilian life, and more. Kate Melcher, US Army, 2005-2020 Dr. Christine Cook, Army National Guard & US Army Reserves, 1986-2016 Lydia Pinkham, US Coast Guard, 2011-2017 ILLUMINATE – ADVOCATE – EDUCATE Our mission since 2003 has been to advocate for the veteran and provide education for veterans and their families along with illuminating the extraordinary actions of ordinary people who have gained and preserved the freedom all Americans enjoy—and the ultimate price that is often paid. Veterans Radio includes our listener’s stories and experiences, not only while in the service, but afterwards as well. Interviews with guest speakers and authors are a weekly feature Veterans Radio is a production of Veterans Radio America, Inc. a 501(3) non-profit corporation. EIN # 84-2746681

Dr. James Patton Rogers, an expert in drone warfare, explains the evolution of drones in war.  He talks about the 1st and 2nd Drone Age and how the world is moving into the 3rd Drone Age, the number of state and non state actors using various drones for survelliance and as deliver systems.  Rogers discusses drone use from Ukraine to Aftrica with host Jim Fausone. ROgers newest book is "Precision:A History of American Warfare".

Claire Dahl, a retired Ann Arbor history teacher, talks with Dale about Rosie the Riveter and the notable women who entered World War II. Claire was recently featured in an article by Cynthia Furlong Reynolds in the Ann Arbor Observer. Read the full article from the Ann Arbor Observer here.  Dale also speaks with Larry St. Antoine, board member for Camp Liberty Michigan, about the camp’s history and all they are doing to help veterans. Camp Liberty is a nonprofit that helps provide inclusive outdoor recreation programs to service members and their families.  Learn more about Camp Liberty here. 

Allan Lutes, President of Camp Liberty , Inc explains the non profits programs in 2023 and for 2024.  He discusses new staffing and opportunities facing Camp Liberty, Brooklyn, Michigan.  Allan talks candidly about the challeges coming out of the pandemic shutdown for programing, fundraising and volunteers. Allan gives host Jim Fausone the update on Camp Liberty.

Army Veteran Scott Lopez made people a lot of money in sales and finally said, "I'm going to work for myself". He took his years of experience in IT Sales for OEMs and entered the alternative OEM Distribution business. He says getting locally certified and using his Hispanic/Veteran status helped open doors. Scott talks about the benefits of a National Veterans Business Development Council (NVBDC.org) certification with host Jim Fausone.

Allison Jaslow, CEO of IAVA, talks about Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, the 2023 IAVA member survey, issues for women veterans, and the need for more emphasis on military recruiting.   Learn more about the IAVA here.    President of the Michigan Air & Space Forces Association, Brig. Gen. Doug “Odie” Slocum (ret) , discusses his career and mission of the Michigan AFA.  Learn more about the Michigan AFA here. 

Carrie Filipetti is the Executive Director of the Vandenberg Coalition. She and Hans Zeiger of the Jack Miller Center wrote about the need to teach civics to our youth so they can appreciate "why their country is worth defending". She explains teaching civics can help younger generations understand the value of freedom in the country and possibly be more inclined to serve the military. Carrie talks to host Jim Fausone about the Vandenberg Coalition and the Jack Miller Center.    

Documentary photographer and photojournalist and writer Jenn Tuero (J. T.) Blatty graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2000 and served six years as an active-duty U.S. Army officer, deploying with the first troops into Afghanistan following 9/11 and again into Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Since early 2018, she has been documenting the conflict in eastern Ukraine while simultaneously creating photographic/audio archive of the 2014 volunteer soldiers of the Donbas (exhibited in Chicago and NYC in 2019-2020, March 2022 in Kyiv postponed due to the full-scale invasion), the revolutionaries who self-deployed during the original Russian invasion and saved Ukraine’s independence. A 2021-2022 Ukraine Fulbright alum, Blatty continues her photojournalistic work in Ukraine and recently completed writing Snapshots Sent Home: From Afghanistan, Iraq, Ukraine (publication Feb 20 2024), a military memoir that speaks of her journey in Ukraine, the volunteers, and a universal bond betwee

Leigh St. Julian Billeaud, of Lafayette Louisana, spent 6 years in the Navy and 6 more with the CIA. She talks about her experiences and coming back to St. Landry's Parish in Louisiana to find balance, start her family, and embark on a career in counseling. Leigh talks with host Jim Fausone about the value, benefits, and costs of therapy.  

Welcome to Veterans Radio. This week are experts are Carol Ann Fausone, Retired USAF BG, Veterans Service Officer from Legal Help for Veterans and Brian Hayes, Director of Communications Health System Specialist/Public Relations, LTC Charles S. Kettles VA Medical Center, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System. These are just a few of the topics we talked about in today's episode of Veterans Radio. Help for older Veterans is available through the VA. Elderly Veterans - Veterans (va.gov)  What assistance are you entitled to? We talk about Incarcerated Veterans. What benefits are they eligible for through the VA. Incarcerated Veterans - Veterans (va.gov) How can the VA help Homeless Veterans. Homeless Veterans - Veterans (va.gov)

Andrew Pettegree, of Scotland's University of St. Andrews, discusses his recent publication "The Book at War" with host Jim Fausone. They cover the printed word for encouraging a nation to go to and stay at war, the value of books to the troops, the rationale for book burning, and related topics in a thought provoking interview.

Host Dale Throneberry speaks with author William Yeske about his book, “Damn the Valley,” a first-hand account from an airborne unit engaged in some of the toughest fighting in Afghanistan. Look for his book on Amazon. “DAMN THE VALLEY” was a phrase regularly uttered by the men that spent any amount of time in the Arghandab River Valley during the deployment of 2 Fury to Afghanistan in 2009–2010. The valley has claimed bodies from the troops of Alexander the Great, the British Empire, and more recently, the Russian Army. Operating in the valley was like nothing the men could have envisaged, they called it the “meat grinder.” It was a deployment that the media didn’t talk about, and the government doesn’t acknowledge. Three of the company were KIA, more than a dozen suffered life-changing injuries, and half the company had Purple Hearts—not many modern-day deployments have a 52% casualty rate.  Since their return, many of the survivors have struggled to move on with their lives, and the unit has been decla

Eden Stratton, a War Horse Journalist, wrote about the high representation of Black Women in the U.S. Army's Sergeant Major ranks. The culture these women built to support the promotion of enlisted black women is explored. Stratton talks with host Jim Fausone about the surprising statistics and the value of mentorship and connections.

Marine Gy Sgt Tweila Rochell-Cauthen discusses her military experiences and the role of National Association of Black Military Women (NABMW), which is advocating for the service academies to boost the number of minorities admitted so that the number of black officers increases. NABMW filed with the US Supreme Court supporting military academies using race as a factor in admissions for the purpose of increasing black officers. She talks to host Jim Fausone about the value of military service and the benefits of diversity. Then Jill Newmark discusses 14 Black surgeons who served with the Union Army during the Civil War. She explores their struggles to get trained in surgery, prejudice in society and the military, struggles as Black officers, and overcoming obstacles. Newmark talks with host Jim Fausone about their desire to practice medicine, the status of commission and contract officers, racial inequities, and post-war struggles. Her book is “Without Concealment, Without Compromise: The Courageous Lives of B