Permission To Speak Freely

Damon and Damo open this episode with a discussion about Tom Brady’s recent comments regarding how the military compares to being in the NFL. Damo takes a moment to introduce the podcast to unfamiliar listeners and followers. Damon give his medical update. The role of the Casualty Assistance Calls Officer (CACO) is discussed, along with if there are some collateral duties that we should try our be...

If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) any time day or night, or chat online. Crisis Text Line also provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741.   The guys open the episode with a quick review of ‘Semper Supra,’ the Space Force’s n...

Hunting mice, new MCPON, CPO Selectees, and what the hell is going on in the Nimitz? Not just the Nimitz though, what did Brett Favre do now? Is cheating on Nia Long even a thing? Would you rather go to jail or the military? Wait, why is that even an ultimatum? These questions and more are answered on the latest episode of Oh, By The Way. Intro/Outro Music: Taps (performed by Nerrio) Follow Nerrio...

On this episode, Damon and Damo are joined by Alana Abernethy. She is a poet, Amazon bestselling author, journalist, United States Naval Academy graduate, and just a super dope person overall. The guys met her while she was serving a Department Head tour for two different departments on their last ship. They discuss everything from dealing with major health issues while still trying to operate at...

Damon and Damo open this special 50th episode with a conversation about their “9/11 Stories.” The guys take a moment to celebrate their 50th Episode! Congrats on the milestone, fellas. The NFL has returned, and Damon is ecstatic about it. (Note: This episode was recorded before his team - the 49ers - lost to the Chicago Bears in game one of the season. Damo asks Damon about how he would handle a f...

Damon and Damo are joined by CMDCS Aaron Paul. They off talking about the upcoming season (of course). Not just the football season, it’s about to be some new Chiefs in the mess! Congratulations to the FY-23 Selectees! They chop it up with Aaron about his entry into the Navy and the two times that he considered separating. Another installment of the “Do Better” segment about waivers, doing “too mu...

In this jam-packed episode, Damon and Damo recap their weeks and Damo owes a few people some apologies. A question from a listener leads to a very inspired conversation about being competitive within your rank (peer) group. Salute to Captain Kimberly Johnson Jones, the first African-American woman to assume the duties as Reactor Officer of a nuclear powered aircraft carrier. The brother of a marin...

We have some exciting news! Virginia is giving away a FREE audiobook copy of ‘The Soldier's Guide to PTSD’ to everyone who joins her newsletter. Here's the link to GET YOURS NOW!:  https://dl.bookfunnel.com/oia1vyk3pm   Virginia is a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor specializing in Military Issues and Combat-Related Trauma. She provides crisis intervention and evide...

Damon and Damo are joined on this episode by PSC Soledad “Sol” Arcefuentes. Sol and Damo met at the Senior Enlisted Academy, and she came to kick it with the fellas and talk some Navy stuff. Damon opens the episode with a personal story about his son, who is now out of boot camp and stationed at his first command. Damon talks about assisting him during his travel as he is in a school for his ratin...

So what is this episode really about? Who knows? Damon is working on Evals. Damo is ranting about what he would rant about if he could go about ranting without Damon which causes Damon to rant about being an SEL and not knowing that a member of his command had a baby. Where them deployment pics at? We wanna see those. Just leave the body shot videos in your hidden folder. Damo compared DJ Khaled t...

If you’re a veteran and are experiencing post traumatic stress disorder, please visit: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/   If you are having suicidal ideation and require immediate support please call: 1-800-273-8255   **Trigger Warning** This episode includes very specific detailed commentary about death, PTSD, and acts of terror onboard a US Naval vessel. This episode is the direct account from a Sailor...

Damon and Damo are joined by former shipmate EN1 Chad Underwood. The trio opens the episode with a response to an email from a listener. They shift into a conversation about detailers and EN1's experience trying to "crossdeck" with another Sailor. EN1 provides his perceptions of what a good first class is and discusses a good relationship between LPO and LCPO. Do you have to "like" someone to be a...

Are we back? Maybe. We’ll see, we guess. Damo opens this episode with a recap of his experience at the Senior Enlisted Academy in Newport, Rhode Island. The guys catch up on their weeks, which include car accidents, bad AC, and women that exaggerate (because they do sometimes, lol). Damo asked Damon how he feels about the phrase, “This is going to be a one-way conversation.” A discussion on hardes...

Have you ever had a Navy nightmare? Damo starts this episode recapping a nightmare that he had during his first week at the Senior Enlisted Academy. Damon details his recent issues with a Wendy’s crew member. Happy Pride Month! The guys discuss the “101 critical days of summer” and why it is important. Damon talks about attending his youngest son’s eight grade graduation. Please hit us up and let...

PLEASE BE ADVISED: This episode starts with a discussion of very sensitive topics that can be traumatic to your listening experience. Please fast forward as you see fit. Damon and Damo return from a three week hiatus and immediately start with a conversation about the massacre in Uvalde, Texas at Robb Elementary School which resulted in the loss of life for 19 children and two adults. They discuss...

Damon is back and in full effect! He didn’t actually go anywhere, however, he explains why he hasn’t been very “long in the tooth.” Damo adds another installation to his epic saga about human feces. We apologize in advance for the content and we are working as hard as we can to ensure this never happens again. A huge shoutout to Quizlet for helping service members worldwide with “studying” and ach...

DISCLAIMER: If you don’t like hearing the word “Um” over 1500 times within 10 minutes of an episode, this isn’t for you. Damon and Damo open this conversation reflecting on lessons learned from the MCPON’s visit to the USS George Washington. Congrats to all of the SELRES newly selected Master Chiefs and Senior Chiefs. Damo talks about his awkward week of mistakes and embarrassing moments. It’s nev...

On this episode, Damon and Damo are joined by HTC Joe Volz, the creator of the “Ask The Chief” Facebook group, currently boasting 17,500 subscribers. Two of the page’s administrators, AC1 Jamie Britt and ET3 Reid Smith, also join in on the conversation. They speak about the early days of the page and some of the growing pains in getting it to where it is today. They also get into a few random topi...

Former shipmate of both Damon and Damo, GSE1 Kenton McPherson joins the show as a “guest host” and the guys couldn’t be more excited! The episode opens with a little bit of myth busting with regard to unwritten rules by different rates in the Navy. The trio goes on to discuss recent reports about the Navy offering at least 25,000 dollars to anyone willing to join as long as they will ship out to b...

Welcome to the wonderful world of Permission to Speak Freely. In and out of topics on this episode, Damon and Damo tackle the topic of what goes through the minds of Sailors when they get informed about a short notice DESRON visit. They move on to discuss Top Gun 2. Damo highlights one of the weirdest weeks in his life. Damon holds DRB on Damo after Damo confesses a wrongdoing. Somehow projectile...

Surprised by the events that transpired during last night’s Oscars ceremony, Damon and Damo wanted to discussed a few of their initial thoughts. Will slaps Chris, Will wins Oscar, Damo's sick, is a prank a joke? Who knows.    For full episodes of Permission To Speak Freely, Merchandise, and all social media networks: https://linktr.ee/Ptsfpodcast

As we continue our celebration of Women’s History Month, the guys honor Army Sergeant Monica Lin Brown for her efforts during the War in Afghanistan which resulted in her receiving a Silver Star. Not much is left untouched in this episode full of shenanigans and jokes. Damon and Damo discuss Tyler Jenkins and the very familiar scenario that is infidelity that plagues a lot of Sailor’s lives. Not t...

THIS IS ONLY A SNIPPET. TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, PLEASE LOOK FOR "THE FAN ROOM" ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST APP.   All social media for the Fan Room: https://linktr.ee/Ptsfpodcast   On this Episode, Damo sits down with one of his longtime friends and business partner, Wesley Pinkney. Wesley  is a retired Navy Chief Engineman with a really interesting story. He talks about it all from what made...

Happy Woman’s History Month. We proudly honor all of our sisters-in-arms and our queens on the home-front always leading with flawless execution.   After a very short emergency vacation, the fellas are back! This time they are joined by YN1 Ann Geiman. Back in 2012, as an E3, YN1 created the Gay, Lesbian and Supportive Sailors association (GLASS). This year marks the association’s 10-Year Annivers...

Congratulations to all newly selected LDOs and CWOs!   Damon and Damo begin this episode on a serious note, shouting out all of the brave service members that have been called to action (in transit to Europe) in light of the recent events in Ukraine. They talk about war and give their thoughts on if they feel it is a necessary option in our modern age. Damo grips about the cost of Netflix and stre...