WETSU: a BattleshipNJ Podcast

A warship is only as capable as the systems that drive her — so who builds, maintains, and modernizes the machinery that keeps the fleet at sea? On this episode of WETSU, Battleship New Jersey CEO Marshall Spevak sits down with CAPT Joseph Darcy, Commanding Officer of Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division, for a wide-ranging conversation about the engineering backbone of the United S...

On this episode of WETSU , we go straight into the firepower of the 1980s reactivation era with CDR Mike Holmes (USN, Ret.) — a Battleship New Jersey plankowner who helped bring Big J back to life. Assigned to USS New Jersey (BB-62) in 1982 as the ship’s Reactivation & Repair Officer, Mike stood at the center of one of the most consequential moments in modern naval history—bringing the nation’...

The Navy doesn’t sail on firepower alone—so who keeps the fleet fueled, supplied, and ready to fight? On this episode of WETSU, Battleship New Jersey CEO Marshall Spevak sits down with Atlantic City native Rear Admiral Mark “Buz” Buzby, USN (Ret.), for a wide-ranging and insightful conversation on one of the Navy’s most under recognized—but absolutely indispensable—missions: sealift, underway repl...

On this episode of WETSU, host and Battleship New Jersey CEO Marshall Spevak sits down with Rear Admiral Michael A. York, Commanding Officer of Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Weapon Systems Support (WSS), for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, logistics, and the quiet systems that sustain American sea power. In a compelling discussion with the Philadelphia-based flag officer, Admira...

On this episode of WETSU: a Battleship New Jersey Podcast, host and CEO Marshall Spevak sits down with Chief Warrant Officer 5 Phillip Brashear—son of Navy legend Master Chief Carl Brashear, the first Black U.S. Navy Master Diver whose life inspired the 2000 film Men of Honor. Phillip reflects on his own distinguished military journey, from his early years in the Navy to his transition into the Ar...

On this episode of WETSU: a Battleship New Jersey Podcast, host and CEO Marshall Spevak welcomes a very special guest: Congresswoman and Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill. Fresh off her election as New Jersey’s 57th Governor, Governor-elect Sherrill reflects on her journey of service — from the halls of the U.S. Naval Academy, to the skies as a Navy helicopter pilot, to the floor of the U.S. House of...

In this episode of WETSU: a Battleship New Jersey Podcast, host and CEO Marshall Spevak welcomes a special guest—Bill Kraus, Co-Founder of Mission BBQ. With more than 140 locations across 23 states, including several here in New Jersey, Mission BBQ has become a national symbol of patriotism served with a side of authentic, slow-smoked flavor. The company is also a proud catering partner of the Bat...

In this special episode of WETSU: a Battleship New Jersey Podcast, CEO and host Marshall Spevak is joined by George Leone, President and Chair of Homecoming250, the nonprofit leading the charge in commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. George shares the history and exciting vision behind this once-in-a-generation celebration, set to take place across Philad...

On this very special bonus episode of WETSU: A Battleship New Jersey Podcast, CEO and Host Marshall Spevak welcomes the 56th Governor of New Jersey and Commander-in-Chief of the New Jersey National Guard, the Honorable Phil Murphy. In this wide-ranging and candid conversation, Governor Murphy reflects on nearly eight years in office and his tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Germany. He shares stories f...

On this episode of WETSU: a Battleship New Jersey Podcast, we proudly hosted Rear Admiral Kenneth R. Blackmon, Vice Commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command. Admiral Blackmon sat down with Battleship CEO & Host Marshall Spevak for a dynamic conversation tracing his remarkable journey—from witnessing the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait as a junior officer aboard USS DAVID R. RAY (DD-961), to rising thro...

On this episode of WETSU: A Battleship New Jersey Podcast, host and CEO Marshall Spevak sits down with CDR Skip Leeson, who served as Commanding Officer of the USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) Reserve Unit in the 1980s. In this wide-ranging conversation, CDR Leeson reflects on his active-duty service off the coast of Vietnam—where his ship was part of the New Jersey’s protective convoy near the DMZ—and shar...

On this episode of WETSU: a Battleship New Jersey Podcast, host Marshall Spevak sits down with author, historian, and USS New Jersey (BB-62) veteran Paul Stillwell—one of the foremost authorities on America’s most decorated battleship. In this engaging conversation, Paul reflects on his 30 years of service in the U.S. Navy, shares vivid stories from his time as a crew member aboard the New Jersey,...

On this episode of WETSU: A Battleship New Jersey Podcast , we’re giving the people exactly what they’ve been asking for: an in-depth conversation with our very own Curator, Ryan Szimanski! Join host Marshall Spevak as he sits down with Ryan to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to care for, interpret, and share the story of America’s most decorated battleship. From the massive undertak...

On this episode of WETSU: A Battleship New Jersey Podcast, CEO and Host Marshall Spevak welcomes Ken Kersch, a proud veteran of the USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) who served during her Vietnam War deployment. A plankowner from the ship’s 1968 recommissioning, Ken personifies the WETSU spirit—"We Eat This Stuff Up"—from his days preparing the Battleship for war to standing the watch off the coast...

On this episode of WETSU: a Battleship New Jersey Podcast , CEO and Host Marshall Spevak welcomes Commander Carne Livingston, USN, for an engaging and insightful discussion that captures the breadth of a distinguished naval career. CDR Livingston exemplifies the phrase “join the Navy, see the world,” having served across a diverse array of platforms—including landing helicopter docks (LHDs), amphi...

In this compelling episode of WETSU: a Battleship New Jersey Podcast, CEO and Host Marshall Spevak welcomes a distinguished guest—Brigadier General Yvonne L. Mays, USAF, The Adjutant General and Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Military & Veterans Affairs. As New Jersey’s highest-ranking military official, Brig. Gen. Mays commands over 8,400 citizen soldiers and airmen of the New J...

In this poignant and powerful episode of WETSU: A Battleship New Jersey Podcast , host Marshall Spevak welcomes a truly remarkable guest—Assemblywoman and Gold Star Mother, Melinda Kane. Melinda shares the deeply personal story of her son, Marine LCpl Jeremy Kane, who was killed in action during combat operations in Afghanistan in 2010. With courage and grace, she reflects on the profound grief th...

On this episode of WETSU , Battleship New Jersey CEO and Host Marshall Spevak welcomes Tim Parlatore, Managing Partner of Parlatore Law Group LLP — a distinguished attorney who specializes in representing veterans and active-duty service members. A former Surface Warfare Officer turned Navy JAG, Tim brings a rare blend of operational experience and legal expertise to the conversation. From his day...

Step aboard for Episode 8 of WETSU , where Battleship CEO & Host Marshall Spevak welcomes Dr. Chris Lehman for an extraordinary conversation. A key figure in the reactivation of the Iowa-class battleships, Chris brings firsthand insight from his time on the Senate Armed Services Committee staff and as Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs in the Reagan White House. H...

Join Battleship CEO & Host Marshall Spevak for an exclusive conversation with CAPT Kent “Brewski” Smith, Commanding Officer of Naval Weapons Station Earle, a critical hub for U.S. Fleet Forces Command in Monmouth County, NJ. In this episode, CAPT Smith shares his firsthand experiences—from deploying with his Carrier Strike Group in the aftermath of 9/11 to the historic commissioning of the USS...

Dive deep into the legacy of the USS NEW JERSEY—this time, not the legendary battleship, but the cutting-edge Virginia-class submarine! In this must-listen episode of WETSU , host and Battleship New Jersey CEO Marshall Spevak sits down with a distinguished guest: CDR Steve Halle (USN), the Plankowner Commanding Officer of the USS NEW JERSEY (SSN-796). Together, they explore CDR Halle’s remarkable...

In this compelling episode of WETSU , Battleship New Jersey CEO & Host Marshall Spevak welcomes Captain Joe Benton III—a veteran docking pilot with McAllister Towing, a Battleship New Jersey Board Trustee, and the only docking pilot in the entire U.S. Navy Reserve. Captain Benton has had the rare honor of maneuvering the 887-foot Battleship New Jersey to and from dry dock on four separate occa...

Episode 4 of WETSU: A Battleship New Jersey Podcast brings you an extraordinary conversation with Admiral J. Paul Reason (USN, Ret.), a trailblazing leader whose remarkable career helped shape the modern Navy. Host and CEO Marshall Spevak sits down with Admiral Reason for a candid and captivating discussion, tracing his journey from the U.S. Naval Academy to his pivotal encounter with Admiral Hyma...

On Episode 3 of WETSU: A Battleship New Jersey Podcast , CEO & Host Marshall Spevak welcomes retired Navy SEAL Bill Brown for a riveting discussion on service, sacrifice, and leadership. Bill takes us inside his extraordinary career—from the grueling trials of BUD/S to high-stakes missions protecting the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister during Operation Iraqi Freedom and as a first responder to sui...

Dive into the second episode of the WETSU Podcast, where Battleship New Jersey CEO and host Marshall Spevak sits down with Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-1st) for an engaging and insightful conversation. In this episode, Congressman Norcross delves into the remarkable journey of the Battleship New Jersey, from the founding of the Home Port Alliance, a 501(c)(3) organization that now stewards the...