Tango Alpha Lima Podcast

IN THE NEWS Jeff and Ashley highlight Rally Around the Flag and other Americanism programs in celebration of American Legion Americanism Month. THIS WEEK'S GUESTS Cullen Wright and Christina Lonigro from Advocate Health Advisors join the podcast to talk about how their veteran-owned company helps veterans make informed decisions as they navigate the Medicare system and combine those benefits w...

IN THE NEWS Jeff and Ashley discuss the unacceptable living conditions for the junior enlisted barracks at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. THIS WEEK'S GUEST Jeff and Ashley sit down with former Green Beret and Seattle Seahawk Nate Boyer to talk about Merging Vets and Players, a nonprofit organization that brings together combat veterans and professional athletes for workouts...

IN THE NEWS Ashley and Jeff discuss the new White House executive order to make sexual harassment an offense under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. THIS WEEK'S GUEST Retired Navy SEAL Steve Giblin joins the podcast to talk about his new memoir, "Walking in Mud: A Navy SEAL’s 10 Rules for Surviving the New Normal." He draws on his military experiences to offer wisdom and counsel...

IN THE NEWS Jeff kicks off the episode by sharing the 2021 National American Legion College Resolution urging the United States to award the Congressional Gold Medal to all members of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. FEATURED GUESTS We feature two of the stories from the February issue of The American Legion Magazine: NASCAR rising star Jessie Iwuji, a Navy Rerservist and Legion memb...

American Legion National Legislative Director Lawrence Montruiel returns to celebrate the organization's legislative wins from 2021 and give a briefing on the Legislative priorities for 2022. Special Guest: Lawrence Montreuil. Links: Watch video of this episode on YouTube Join The American Legion | The American Legion Passage of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act - Global War On...

IN THE NEWS Jeff and Ashley discuss humanitarian aid for Afghans as crisis grows after Taliban takeover. THIS WEEK'S GUEST Our hosts sat down for a live interview with Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation CEO and President, Michael “Rod” Rodriguez while in Orlando for SVA NatCon2022, for an update on the progress of the GWOT Memorial. RAPID FIRE 2022 American Legion Legacy Scholarship A...

Jeff and Ashley share some of their conversations with speakers, exhibitors and attendees during the 2022 Student Veterans of America National Conference at the Disney Coronado Resort in Orlando, Fla. SVA President and CEO Jared Lyon talks about some of the highlights of NatCon 2022 Michael Hoherchak talks about the Travis Manion Foundation Solomon Jennings talks about the Congressional Wounded Wa...

Jeff and Ashley are joined by Virginia Cruse, a licensed professional and nationally certified counselor specializing in military issues and combat-related trauma. Virginia shares her personal path to becoming a therapist and her quest to explain PTSD to service members in a way that makes sense. Virginia also talks about how American Legion members and posts can help veterans struggling with PTSD...

Sean Powers is a former NYPD Officer, a member of American Legion 9-11 Memorial Post 2001 in New York City, and Tango Alpha Lima's first return guest. He's come back to talk about the New York Police Department’s POPPA (Police Organization Providing Peer Assistance) program, a volunteer police support network committed to providing a confidential, safe and supportive environment for police...

A decade ago, Air Force Veteran Jeffrey Freeman, frustrated by pain and limitations caused by service-related injuries and other health issues, attempted suicide. In the aftermath of that moment, Jeffrey found The American Legion and credits for saving his life nearly a decade ago, and he wants to share his story in hopes of helping other veterans who may need support. Special Guest: Jeffrey Freem...

Our big farewell to CV has a little bit of everything. Ashley fosters a lively discussion about using the National Guard as a pivot point during the Jan. 6 Probe. Jeff sings the praises of a daring Coast Guard rescue on the brink of Niagara Falls. CV finally gets his wish as President Biden awards the Medal of Honor to Sgt. First Class Alwyn C. Cashe. RAPID FIRE Three APP-tastic stories of how the...

Andrew Carroll, playwright, author and founding director of the Center for American War Letters at Chapman University, talks with Tango Alpha Lima about his work to preserve war letters, how he got started, and how of collecting correspondence has led to the creation of the virtual Museum of American War Letters and his new podcast, "Behind the Lines: The Worlds Greatest War Letters and the S...

You have to do some math to figure it out, but Episode 80 is really our 100th episode. The hosts spend a little time reminiscing about favorite moments before we dive into the rest of the episode. (Check the show notes if you want to go back to any of the full episodes we loved) Ashley gets excited about a newly signed bill that will allocate $15 million to improve maternity care for female vetera...

Stephen “Shanghai Six” Machuga deftly avoids falling down the World of Warcraft well with CV as he shares the story of how he started his non-profit, Stack Up, as a way to bring veterans and civilian supporters together through a shared love of video gaming. Stephen talks about the programs Stack Up offers, gaming as recreation therapy, and opportunities for American Legion members to connect. Spe...

Jeff and Ashley recap their whirlwind visit to New York City for the Veterans Day Parade. Ashley shares a story about unions seeking collective bargaining rights for Connecticut National Guard members. Jeff gets wound up by experts who claim troop pay and benefits could hurt military readiness. RAPID FIRE AGAIN with Fort Hood, return of the Tiger King, American Legion Mental Health Survey and mome...

Air Force Gaming Community Esports Operations Manager Erin Rich joins the podcast to talk about the gaming community initiative that brings Airmen and Guardians of all ages, ranks and backgrounds together for camaraderie and competition. Erin shares a little bit about the background of the community, how it works, and how the Air Force intends to grow the scope of the program. She also schools Jef...

This Veterans Day, Team Tango honors the Centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. CV kicks things off with some of history of the WWI Unknown Soldier and the Tomb, and highlights some of centennial commemorations happening across Europe. Ashley shares her excitement about a ceremony during Veterans Day week that will allow rare public access to lay flowers at t...

Ashley educates the guys about the “Pink Tax” on uniforms for military women, and the FATIGUES Act that proposes and end to the disparity. Jeff shares the latest chapter in the continuing saga of vaccines for members of the military: Marines facing consequences for vaccine refusals. CV still can't figure out why the military can't keep track of their weapons, and neither can Congress, who...

Team Tango visits with U.S. Army veteran and author Darin Pepple. Pepple's debut novel, "Dodgebomb: Outside the Wire in the Second Iraq War" is a satirical work that follows a lieutenant and his platoon as they go out on patrol each day and try to stay alive. Pepple talks about some of his real life experiences as an Army Captain, how he uses these moments into the novel, and the ins...

Jeff reveals CV's fashionable new look for fall. Ashley tells the tale of a Maryland couple who were caught attempting to sell nuclear secrets a foreign operatives who turned out to be the FBI. CV shares his surprise that a Special Operation unit and small group of Marines have been secretly operating in Taiwan for the past year to train military forces in an effort to shore up the island’s de...

Mission Roll Call is a nonpartisan movement to help provide veterans with a powerful, unified voice that is heard by our nation's leaders and communities. On this episode, we're joined by MRC Director Patrick Griffith, who talks about how their team uses digital messaging and polling to collect the views, experiences, and insights of veterans and delivers them directly to national and comm...

Jeff gets pumped about U.S. Space Force Guardians newly unveiled dress uniforms. CV reluctantly brings us yet another story about Afghanistan as two of the military’s highest-ranking generals telling lawmakers that they did not support the full withdrawal this year. Ashley shares a story from The American Legion Magazine about the benefits of Wind Therapy. RAPID FIRE Marine Lieutenant Colonel who...

Transgender American Veterans Association Communications Director Avalisa Ellicott shares the story of her military service in the U.S. Air Force and the subsequent transition to reflect her true self, which led her to become an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, specifically an advocate for Trans Rights.  Special Guest: Avalisa Ellicott. Links: Watch video of this episode on YouTube Send us your...

The hiatus is over and Team Tango is back to tackle the news of the week. CV kicks things off with a reminiscence of the podcast team's experience at National Convention in Phoenix. Jeff revisits the subject of COVID-19 vaccines for the military, now that the Army has issued mandates. Ashley discusses how purpose plays a role in the in reducing the rate of veterans suicide. RAPID FIRE U.S. Fla...

In honor of National Suicide Awareness Prevention Month, Team Tango hosts Chase Rauchle PTSD NOW! Foundation founder Craig Rauchle and board member Steve Lenzi. The pair discusses the origins of their organization, and it's mission to address and reduce suicide among military servicemembers and veterans who suffer from the effects of trauma, stress and depression from combat and reintegration...