Tango Alpha Lima Podcast

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...

You thought we were done with Bonus Episodes, but we have one more in the tank! During The American Legion 102nd National Convention in Phoenix, the Tango Team had the unique opportunity to get together for a face to face interview with VA Secretary Denis McDonough. During the interview we touch on development of new technology for patient access, VA COVID protocols and resources for veterans stru...

Working a corporate job in Indianapolis on Sept. 11, 2001, Purdue graduate Josh Bleill was so moved by the events of that day that he soon found himself, at the age of 27, following in his father's yellow bootsteps at Marine Corps bootcamp. During a deployment to Fallujah, Iraq in 2006, a bomb exploded under the vehicle Josh was riding in. He woke up five days later to the realization that he had...

On September 11, 2001, John was an 18-year-old freshman at Fordham University. That day and in the days that followed, John volunteered at Ground Zero, aiding in the rescue and recovery operation. He subsequently joined the Army, becoming a Green Beret with combat deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. John shares his story of how that day changed the trajectory of his life, and let him eventually t...

Jennifer Vollbrecht was 15 years old on 9/11. Like thousands of others, watching the towers fall that day inspired her to serve her country. She knew nothing about the military, but recognized her calling. Jennifer joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2004, and was deployed as a CH-46 Crew Chief in 2005. Jennifer shares about how that moment has propelled her through her path in life, leading to a care...

In 2010, while deployed to Sangin, Afghanistan as a U.S. Marine Corps Reserve combat engineer, Rob Jones stepped on an IED and became a double above-knee amputee. Rob shares his inspirational journey of recovery and resilience that he hopes will help others heal and thrive. Special Guest: Rob Jones. Links: Watch video of this episode on YouTube Send us your feedback! Join The American Legion Rob J...

On Sept. 11, 2001, Kim Campbell was a young Air Force Academy graduate in A-10 training. Suddenly, everything about her role as a fighter pilot changed, and shortly after completing training she was deployed to Afghanistan in 2002 and then Iraq in 2003, providing close air support for troops on the ground. Col. Kim Campbell joins the Tango Alpha Lima hosts to share experiences during these deploym...

Dr. Tony Brooks was inspired to serve by what he refers to as the "holy shit act of terrorism." On 9/11 he was an 18-year-old student at the University of Arizona who had never considered military service. After watching the towers fall, he suddenly decided that nothing was more important than serving. Dr. Brooks talks about how "out of the blue" decision surprised everyone he knew, how he joined...

Former POW Jessica Lynch reported to basic training a week after 9/11. Eventually she deployed to Iraq, where her unit was ambushed, she was captured and held prisoner by Iraqi forces for nine days. Jessica shares the emotional story of her captivity and rescue, as well as how she perservered through the aftermath of the experience, and became a motivational speaker to help others. Special Guest:...

USAA Vice President of Brand Management, Eric Engquist, deployed to Kosovo on 9/11 and was among the first troops deployed to Iraq in the aftermath of the attacks. He shares how his mission in Kosovo changed overnight, and what it was like to help build the beginnings of the Iraqi National Guard. Special Guest: Eric Enquist. Links: Watch video of this episode on YouTube Send us your feedback! Join...

Eighth Master Chief Petty Officer of the U.S. Coast Guard, Vincent Patton, joins the show to talk about a unique experience of resilience he witnessed in the wake of 9/11, as well as how the terrorist attacks refocused the Coast Guard's mission. Special Guest: Vince Patton. Links: Watch video of this episode on YouTube Send us your feedback! Join The American Legion Rogue Wave: The U.S. Coast Guar...