Tango Alpha Lima Podcast

IN THE NEWS Jeff and Ashley discuss the news of the first Russian soldier sentenced to life in prison in Ukraine's first war crimes trial. OUR GUEST Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Merryl Tengesdal talks about launching her military career in an effort to fulfill her childhood dreams, her accomplishments along the way, including becoming the first African American woman to fly the U2 Dragon-Lady....

IN THE NEWS Jeff and Ashley are urging the Alphas to "Be The One" Rather than focus on the number of veteran suicides, our hosts are joining in The American Legion's new initiative to focus on the number one: Be the ONE person that does the ONE thing that can save ONE veteran's life. INDYCAR driver Tony Kanaan raced in the Indianapolis 500 over Memorial Day weekend in the No. 1 &...

IN THE NEWS A greedy Michigan Guardsman filed a pay inquiry for a missing part-time drill paycheck, prompting an investigation that uncovered he had been quietly collecting full pay and allowances for more than two years after resigning from full-time Guard status with the Hawaii National Guard Active Reserve in 2017. The NCO is awaiting trial for theft of more than $200,000 of public funds. Ashle...

IN THE NEWS A discussion of the military's history of toxic exposure and The American Legion's push for a Senate vote for the Honoring our PACT Act to address these issues for generations of military veterans. THIS WEEK'S GUEST Award-winning multimedia journalist, former U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondent and current U.S. Navy Reserve PAO Amy Forsythe stops by to talk about her new...

IN THE NEWS 100 Miles for Hope is in full swing, and Jeff and Ashley are pumped up! The hosts ponder the various benefits of physical activity. THIS WEEK'S GUESTS We're doubling the fun with two professional bodybuilders and 100 Miles for Hope Ambassadors, Julia Waring and Rachelle Cannon. Both of these International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Figure Professional Athlete...

IN THE NEWS Our hosts discuss the dilemma caused by the Navy deputizing doctors to enforce drug rules - even for those seeking mental health assistance. THIS WEEK'S GUEST American Legion member Bobby McDonald visits to talk about his passion for military history, his work with the Buffalo Soldiers re-enactors and the upcoming Quasquicentennial of the Buffalo Soldiers Iron Riders. RAPID FIRE Be...

National Judge Advocate couldn't stay away, so makes a special appearance in honor of this week's guest. IN THE NEWS Emma Noble of Birmingham, Ala., has been crowned as the 2022 National Oratorical Contest Champion, and in celebration, Ashley throws down some Oratorical Contest facts and history. THE INTERVIEW 120 episodes into the Tango Alpha Lima experience, and we’ve finally scored an i...

Jeff and Ashley are reunited in Boston with former podcast co-host, National Judge Advocate Mark Seavey, and three other Legion members for Tough Ruck 26.2 Boston. Seavey, along with Media & Communications Chairman David F. Wallace of Virginia, South Dakota Department Service Officer Courtney VanZanten and Ashley’s husband, National Guard Sgt. Robert Maldonado, a member from Post 180 in Vienna...

IN THE NEWS Jeff Daly makes a triumphant return to the show and shares his heartfelt thanks for the care and support he recieved from his Legion family. Ashley shares a story of 4 airmen awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for evacuating more than 150 civilians from Kabul. THE INTERVIEW Our guest this week is Chad Robichaux, a former Force Recon Marine and DoD contractor with eight deployments...

IN THE NEWS CV and Ashley kick off Children & Youth Month with a discussion of the programs and services that support The American Legion's advocacy for young people. THE INTERVIEW Ashley and Jeff visit with actress Jamie Gray Hyder, best know in the military community as Lt. Nora Salter in the video game "Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare." RAPID FIRE Posting POW footage on social...

IN THE NEWS CV makes a guest appearance, and he and Ashley get excited for 100 Miles for Hope and the Boston Tough Ruck. THIS WEEK'S GUEST Jeff and Ashley spend time with retired U.S. Marine Corps Col. John "Ace" Astle, talking about his new book, "Jungle Combat: A Combat Pilot’s Tape Recorded Transcripts from Vietnam 1968-1969," as well as a lifetime of expereiences that i...

IN THE NEWS Jeff takes a nostalgic trip back to Camp Pendleton. Jeff and Ashley get excited for their upcoming trip to support an American Legion rucking crew at the Boston Tough Ruck in April. THIS WEEK'S GUEST We're joined by Carol Lindamood Harlow, Chief Development and Communications Officer for the Honor Flight Network and Terry Campbell, who participated in an all-women Honor Flight...

IN THE NEWS Jeff and Ashley get ready for a battle royale as they plan a 100 Miles for Hope host vs. host challenge. THIS WEEK'S GUEST The American Legion is the guest of honor for the 103rd birthday celebration as we spotlight how we help veterans, servicemembers and their families through programs such as Buddy Checks, the National Emergency Fund, Operation Comfort Warriors, 100 Miles for Ho...

IN THE NEWS In this week's Women's History Month spotlight, Ashley celebrates the service Anna Mae Hays, who, in 1970, became the first woman promoted to Brigadier General in the U.S. Armed Forces. THIS WEEK'S GUEST U.S. Army Reserve Chief Warrant Officer 3 Lia Mort, the winner of season 3 the CBS television competition series "Tough as Nails," joins Jeff and Ashley to talk a...

IN THE NEWS While they're geared up to reflect on the more celebratory side of Military Women's History Month, Jeff and Ashley begin by addressing a challenge to women in the military. Ashley shares a report about a concerning increase in reports of sexual assault at U.S. service academies during the 2020-21 academic year, to the highest number ever since DoD began closely tracking in the...

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...