Tango Alpha Lima Podcast

IN THE NEWS We welcome former guest, comedian and military spouse Ashley Gutermuth, as the new co-host of the podcast, and get to know her a little better. THIS WEEK'S GUEST Silver Star recipient Dennis Hoy, who served in the U.S. Army infantry during the Vietnam War, is our guest. His memoir, “Letters from Vietnam” is based on the letters he wrote home to his new bride and his parents in 1966...

We're coming at you fresh from our weekend at the 15th Annual Student Veterans of America NatCon in Orlando. Student Veterans of America President and CEO Jared Lyon gets nostalgic looking back on15 years of national gatherings with his organization and American Legion National Vice Commander Patricia Harris talks about her first NatCon experience and the importance of the connection between T...

IN THE NEWS Jeff and Ashley discuss "Retrograde" – a documentary about the U.S. military's final months in Afghanistan, as seen from an embed with U.S. Green Berets and an Afghan General. THIS WEEK'S GUEST During a patrol on Sept. 11, 2021, Connecticut State Trooper Kyle Kaelberer stopped to check on a driver that pulled off the highway and activated their hazard lights. The body...

IN THE NEWS Jeff and Ashley celebrate 75 years of Toys for Tots. THIS WEEK'S GUEST Retired U.S Navy Commander Youssef Aboul-Enein shares highlights of his 28-year military career, including his own 9/11 experience at the Pentagon, the pivot of his career from medical planner to Arabic linguist, which eventually led him to becoming the Defense Intelligence Agency subject matter expert on counte...

IN THE NEWS Jeff and Ashley discuss the availability of new VA life insurance policies for disabled veterans that are scheduled to launch in January. THIS WEEK'S GUEST Dr. Trina Clayeux, the CEO of Give an Hour, a non-profit organization that provides free counseling to servicemembers, veterans and their loved ones, talks about the organization, some of the current projects they are working on...

IN THE NEWS To get ready for the Army/Navy game, Jeff and Ashley review the team uniforms. Ashley introduces the Army uniform, inspired by "Old Ironsides." THIS WEEK'S GUEST Jennifer Campell shares tips on healthy ways to enjoy the holiday season, and how to stay motivated to focus on fitness goals. RAPID FIRE Jeff introduces the NASA-inspired Navy uniform that honors Naval Academy a...

IN THE NEWS A lawmaker frustrated by a the unsolved case of a soldier decapitated in 2020 is pushing the Pentagon to overhaul how it handles cold cases. THIS WEEK'S GUEST The second guest in our fitness and wellness series, Dr. Dan Bornstein talks about the America's Physical Inactivity Epidemic and the impact on military recruiting and readiness. Dr. Bornstein shares simple changes vetera...

IN THE NEWS Jeff and Ashley get ready to reconnect with Ralphie, and discuss the midterm election, which yielded the largest increase of veterans heading for Capitol Hill since the Vietnam War. THIS WEEK'S GUEST The Honorable Rob Wilkins joins the podcast to kick off our health and wellness series and help motivate everyone to finish out the year strong. Wilkins talks about his role on the Pre...

IN THE NEWS Jeff and Ashley howl over a 1930s MGM parody of 'All Quiet on the Western Front' where the entire cast were canines. THIS WEEK'S GUEST VET Tv CEO Waco Hoover shares his journey from the U.S. Marine Corps, to entrepreneurship, to leading an entertainment company focused on positive storytelling within the military and veteran community. RAPID FIRE Pentagon attributes UFO sig...

IN THE NEWS Caring for your chompers can benefit your overall health. Jeff and Ashley extoll the virtues of good dental hygiene and explore dental insurance options offered by VA THIS WEEK’S GUEST We visit with the inspiring Ray Ruschel, who served 20 years in the U.S. Army, is still serving in the North Dakota National Guard, and a is a 49-year-old freshman at North Dakota State College of Scienc...

IN THE NEWS In response to a Military times article, "Congress Wants America to Thank Veterans in the Most Awkward Way Possible" Jeff and Ashley discuss how to properly respond to "Thank you for our Freedom." THIS WEEK'S GUEST Chelsea Porterfield recently retired from the U.S. Army, where she served as a platoon sergeant in the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). Du...

IN THE NEWS Jeff and Ashley get into the 'spirit' of Halloween with a run-down of some American Legion post hauntings. THIS WEEK'S GUEST Former MLB Pitcher Steve Woodard, an American Legion Baseball Alumni who played for Post 52 in Hartselle, Ala., talks about his own baseball career, how American Legion Baseball influenced his path to the majors, and his experience as a color commenta...

IN THE NEWS Jeff and Ashley discuss that time Johnny Cash might have intercepted secret Russian code. THIS WEEK'S GUEST Two Vietnam veterans, Mike Spotswood and Doug Bradley from Cup of Joe Radio join the show to talk about their veteran-focused radio show created to help veterans with PTSD through the healing power of music. RAPID FIRE Vets benefits poised for biggest cost of living boost in...

IN THE NEWS Ranger Daly shares the history of the Marine Corps Camp Pendleton Bison herd. THIS WEEK'S GUEST Today we’ll be joined by U.S. Coast Guard veteran Ashlee Leppert. Ashlee flew hundreds of rescue missions during her active-duty service, saving many lives. She was recognized by President Trump during the 2018 State of the Union address for the rescue work she and her crew performed dur...

IN THE NEWS VA is doing a major overhaul of disability rating criteria and how they evaluate mental health and other conditions. THIS WEEK'S GUEST Mission Roll Call Executive Director Cole Lyle joins the podcast to talk about how his advocacy organization uses polling to give veterans a more direct voice in policy-making. Cole talks about how Mission Roll Call engages with veterans and their f...

IN THE NEWS Jeff and Ashley discuss the threats China and Russia pose to U.S. dominance in space and Jeff tries to figure out the Space Force "battle zone". THIS WEEK'S GUEST Our guest Jonathan talks about his work as a personal trainer and nutritionist, competing as an elite athlete, and his advocacy for mental wellness and therapeutic use of psychedelics to recover from trauma. RAP...

IN THE NEWS Share Sons of The American Legion Anniversary activities on Legiontown THIS WEEK'S GUEST This week we are joined by Concussion Legacy Foundation co-founder and CEO, Chris Nowinski, PhD. CLF is a non-profit organization that is leading the fight against concussions and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, or CTE, a degenerative brain disease found in athletes, military veterans, and ot...

IN THE NEWS Jeff and Ashley kick things off discussing the Task & Purpose article that breaks down why Florida's plan to recruit uncertified veterans to become teachers is a stupid idea. THIS WEEK'S GUEST Our guests this week are New Bern, N.C. Post 539 commander and Marine Corps veteran Liz Hartman, and fellow Post 539 member, retired U.S. Army Sergeant and Bronze Star recipient Adin...

IN THE NEWS We have an update on the case of a Navy nuclear engineer and his wife who attempted to smuggle secrets about nuclear-powered warships in half-eaten PBJ sandwiches. THIS WEEK'S GUEST Jeff and Ashley are joined by Distinguished University Professor of Psychology, President Emeritus, and Director of the Rudd Institute for Veteran and Military Suicide Prevention at the University of Me...

Still coming to you from The American Legion 103rd National Convention in Milwaukee, Wis., host Jeff Daly and Ashley Gorbulja sit down with Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Denis McDonough Special Guest: VA Secretary Denis McDonough. Links: Watch video of this episode on YouTube What is 988? Join The American Legion Send us your feedback!

Coming to you from The American Legion National Convention in Milwaukee, hosts Jeff and Ashley get an update on American Legion legislative successes and upcoming activity with repeat guest, American Legion National Legislative Director Lawrence Montreuil. Lawrence talks about the success of the Honor our PACT act, the role Legion members played in helping the bill become law, and the impact the n...

IN THE NEWS Our hosts remember 1-year anniversary of the attack near Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul by honoring the 13 servicemembers killed in the bombing. THIS WEEK'S GUEST Our guest is U.S. Army retired Lt. Col. Aaron Leonard, a combat veteran who now serves as Campaign Manager at Sierra Club Military Outdoors and as co-chair of the Outdoor Rx Coalition with the New York State...

IN THE NEWS Get ready for The American Legion National Convention in Milwaukee 9/11 Day of Service THIS WEEK'S GUEST Retired Lt. Col. Joseph Barnard, who served in the Army with the 82nd Airborne, then moved to the Air Force where he served 28 years, first as a PJ and then Combat Rescue Officer, joins the podcast to talk about military transition, and his work with The Independence Fund, an or...

IN THE NEWS Jeff shares highlights of his week as a staff member at American Legion Boys Nation. THIS WEEK'S GUEST Dr. Travis Martin, more commonly known as T-Dogg, joins the podcast to talk about his role in establishing the Kentucky Center for Veterans Studies at Eastern Kentucky University. RAPID FIRE PACT Act clears final hurdle to President's desk. Kentucky National Guard rescues hund...

IN THE NEWS Registration is open for the Hiring our Heroes career event taking place on Aug. 25 in conjunction with The American Legion National Convention in Milwaukee. THIS WEEK'S GUEST Our guest is Kevin W. Hertell, an Air Force veteran who served with the 309th Fighter Squadron and a member of Glenwood Landing Post 336 in Glen Head, N.Y. Kevin is the Founder and President of “The Veterans...