Old Grad Podcast

Beach Pace is CEO of Big Brother and Big Sisters Columbia Northwest,  located outside of Portland Oregon. She and her wife Jincy have been together for 18years, they have a daughter (Aidan) and son (Conor). She graduated and was commissioned as an ordinance officer. Her first assignment was in Italy where she led a highly specialized in EOD unit and eventually had a company command pre-advance cou...

This was a very powerful conversation with Vince Duque talking about his journey through depression and suicide ideation. We talk about growing in pursuit of his American Dream; what it was like to be in A-1 "Be Straight or Be Gone"; accidentally allowing a classmate's car to roll into Lake Popolopen; managing actors and actresses on the set in Hollywood. This episode was filled with great tidbits...

Jon talks about his 28-year journey in the Army - he recently retired and is living in Pinehurst NC. We pay special tribute to our recently fallen classmate Anthony DeToto

Aloha - Rich joins us from Hawaii where he still works as a DA civilian following a full career as an Army Officer. We begin by talking about the benefits of meditation for mental well being. We reflect on Rich's journey going back to 1986 when as a freshman at the University of Utah he was accepted to West Point. Highlights include spending 6 months in Ranger school, branch transfer from Infantry...

Charles Lipeles just completed a 102 mile ultra running race. He was joined by company mates Paul Begalka and Brian Halloran who were his support team for the race. We begin by talking about the unique demographics of Company C3. There was a disproportionate number of Jewish Cadets in that company. We learn that this may have been the brainchild of a person working in the G1 at USMA. Charles, Paul...

Brian Mackey missed 2nd semester of yearling year due to a medical procedure to remove a benign tumor from his nasal cavity. He gives us a rare glimpse into the life of a December graduate.  He talks about the shared obstacles of navigating cow English in the final semester of West Point, as well as the unique advantage of being a "super firstie." 

Luke Knittig is senior director of communications for the McCain Institute, responsible for strategic communications, media, external relations, events, publications, website, marketing and partnership activity.  He is also executive producer and host of the Institute’s groundbreaking   In The Arena podcast . Luke previously served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, where he led high-visib...

Memorial Day - 2020. This special edition of the Old Grad Podcast is a collection of clips where fallen classmates are being remembered. We start and end remembering Bill Hecker who was Killed in Action. Also Ted Russ talking about flight school with Tommy McTigue; Holly West talking about Dave Reardon in peak form during football season; John Keenan talking about Paul Haggerty always getting to c...

Bernard Seeger is a modern-day Marco Polo. After graduating from West Point, he spent 8 years in the Army as an Infantry Officer. We share some stories of Ranger School, Korea and Germany.  Upon leaving the service, he embarked on a 12-month adventure that took him across the world before entering grad school for Public Administration. His journey took him to interesting places such as the basecam...

Dan Clark hails from a military town in Rhode Island. He grew up wanting to become an aviator. He and his brother were raised in a single-parent household where money was always tight. When he graduated from high school he joined the Army to become an aircraft mechanic - a stepping stone on pursuant of his dream (as told by his recruiter). He attended basic training with Pat Burton (G2), and they...

The F-1 women were an elite military unit, they always had each other's back and were always standout performers. Not surprisingly, they remain life-long best friends to this day. We chronicle their journey and call attention to the fact that it was a great challenge to be West Point's 11th class with women. We talk about awkwardly tolerating sexist behavior to fit in as "one of the guys"; passing...

Brad is an ER Doctor in Topeka KS where he lives with his wife Julie and his step-daughter. On this podcast, Brad remembers getting hazed for tripping in a parade in front of President Reagan; posing nude on the Supe's porch; plebe boxing and butchering a german chocolate cake. He remembers our fallen Classmate Andy Clements and reflects on how important it is to appreciate every day. This was a p...

We talk to John Coogan about his journey. From being medically discharged in 1994 to the present. He has led an entrepreneurial life starting in Telecom as an IT strategist, to supply chain logistics from South America to non-profit leadership with the Wounded Warrior Project, to Children of Fallen Patriots, to Folded Flag Foundation. His most recent venture MD Vets is an in-home veterinarian serv...

Mike talks about his journey from humble beginnings in urban St. Louis.  He grew up one of ten children in a single-parent household.  He talks about the work of divine intervention in his life: the opportunity to attend a private school, opportunities related to football, being a Heisman Trophy finalist, and especially reconnecting with his childhood sweetheart who is now his wife of 23 years. We...

Ingrid talks about her journey from Newark NJ to the prep school to West Point. She has 3 daughters and 1 son and lives in the Cleveland Ohio area. Ingrid has lived up to her nickname "GRITS" by living a life full of Grit and Determination. Her 2nd daughter Kendra has autism which requires everyone in the Dawkins family to pitch in. Ingrid is a part-time model and a full-time awesome human being....

Lieutenant Colonel (ret.) Sam Yingst lives with his wife Katie and 4 daughters in Zambia. His job is Chief of Laboratory Infrastructure and Support, US Centers for Disease Control in Zambia. He talks about the role of the US mission in Zambia and the long-lasting impact of the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) started under President George W. Bush. Sam recalls critical time...

Scott is currently stationed at Ft Benning where he is attached to the Infantry school. He recently finished up a 4.5 year tour at West Point where he headed up the Simon Center for professional military ethic. He recounts highlights from his 28 year career including tough deployments to Iraq  and Afghanistan where he was side by side with other classmates including Mark Bieger, D.A. Sims, Brynt P...

Ken talks about some of the critical moments and people in his life's journey. In 1974, his single mom headed across the country from Washington DC to California with just a suitcase and her young son Kenny. Her steely resolve and courageous spirit helped to define the man that Ken is today. Ken continues to serve after 28 years as an Infantryman. His most defining leadership moment was serving as...

Mark talks about the job of being Chief of Staff of West Point and gives us a behind the scenes look at a lot of the inner workings of West Point. 

John Palcisko recalls his time in company Happy 2. We talk about football, the prep school, Adult ADHD, the Army, recruiting and much more. We take deliberate time out to remember our fallen classmates Pete Graff and Yu Shik Kim.

Tote recalls his adventures starting at the Prep School. We cover topics of youth sports, the Army CASA program, managing rich people's money and the meaning of life. Totes is a masterful networker as well as a thoughtful and caring guy. 

Root Hawg or Die - COL (ret.) Kevin Berry joins us for Episode 20 of the old Grad Podcast- the one year anniversary of our first podcast. We talk about Kevin's career starting out in Ft. Bliss Texas and his journey through life with wife Monica and their 3 children. Kevin talks about the numerous stories with company H-1 classmates as well as his experience on the basketball team while at West Poi...

Matt is the author of Mission Transition - which has been affectionately referred to as the "Ranger Handbook for a military transition." Matt and his wife Michele live in Cincinnati and they have 3 boys. He has been a senior leader at Deloitte for the past 15 years, and has worked in other large companies such as General Electric and Proctor and Gamble.  He dedicates his book to our class: To the...

Anthony Noto talks about his journey from Prepster to CEO of Sofi.