Tango Alpha Lima Podcast

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...

IN THE NEWS Lt. Amanda Lee of Moundsview, Minn., becomes the first woman to pilot the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet for the Blue Angels. THIS WEEK'S GUEST Commander B.J. Farrell is the first female commanding officer of the USS Constitution. She talks about life aboard the three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate known as “Old Ironsides” and the events surrounding a milestone year. RAPID FIRE There&#...

IN THE NEWS Celebrating Disability Pride Month THIS WEEK'S GUEST Kristen "Chief" Beck is a retired U.S. Navy SEAL who gained public attention in 2013 when she came out as a trans woman. Her story has been told in her 2013 memoir, “Warrior Princess: A U.S. Navy SEAL's Journey to Coming out Transgender,” and in the 2014 CNN Documentary, “Lady Valor: The Kristin Beck Story.” Beck co...

IN THE NEWS In honor of the start of a new Legion membership year, Jeff and Ashely share membership stories and invite the Alphas to share their own membership stories. THIS WEEK'S GUEST We're doubling down on our Ashlies this week with our guest, New Jersey-based actress, voice-over artist and stand-up comedian Ashley Gutermuth. Ashley is married to a career Air Force reservist, and she&#...

IN THE NEWS Jeff and Ashley analyze an angry critic's 1/2-star review of "Top Gun: Maverick" THIS WEEK'S GUEST Syracuse University Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation, Dr. Mike Haynie, joins the podcast. Dr. Haynie discusses the University’s veteran-connected programs and resources for service members transitioning out of the military, and the evolution of th...

IN THE NEWS Security cam video reveals VA employee body-slamming and beating 73-year-old veteran at Georgia VA Clinic. _NOTE: The incident took place on April 28, and while Lawrence F. Galliard Jr. was arrested and charged, at the time of our recording, he still had his job. WSB-TV reporters posted the video on June 20, and on June 23, VA Secretary Denis McDonough issued an apology to the patient,...

In this final installment of our Transition series, we’ll be joined by Marine Corps veteran Hill Pluviose, who talks with us about the initiatives to support the military community and career resources NBC Universal Comcast offers for veterans and their families through their Veterans Network and the NBC BOLD Vets Residency program. He also talks about his podcast, Vet Talk with Hill and the NBC P...

Part Three of our transition series features guest Graciela Tiscareño-Sato, an Air Force veteran, award-winning author, marketer, bilingual public speaker, and business owner Graciela talks about her book, "B.R.A.N.D. Before Your Resume," and sheds light on how she helps servicemembers, veterans and spouses create powerful, targeted AUTHENTIC Personal Brands that help them become better...

The second episode in our special military transition series features retired Col. Jeffrey Powell. After an amazing military career, Powell retired in September of 2019. Like so many others, 2020 and the COVID pandemic shattered his plans and he struggled to find his place as a civilian. Powell shares the story of his struggles, lessons learned, and how he emerged determined to strike out on a pat...

To coincide with the June 22, 1944, anniversary of the signing of the original GI Bill, this week The American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast is publishing a special, four-part series on military transition, career tips and more. The first episode in the series will feature two military veterans: Disney Parks Experiences and Products Manager of Executive Communications, Cappy Surette and Walt Dis...

IN THE NEWS Air Force gamers comes out on top during the Pentagon's first official video game tournament. THIS WEEK'S GUEST Documentary filmmaker Ian Adelson, and his grandfather, U.S. Air Force veteran and former Misty squadron flight surgeon Dean Echenberg, join us to talk about their work on the documentary "The Misty Experiement" The film tells the story of the special U.S. A...