MCA Scuttlebutt

Hey, Scuttlebutt listeners. Thank you for tuning in and your continued support. This week, we are joined by Col John Atkinson and SgtMaj Justin LeHew to give us updates on the Amphibious Tractor Memorial. Since we last spoke with John and JD, these two, and the entirety of the Amphibious Tractor Association, have been working tirelessly on building the memorial, and finally, after seven and a half years, have a date for the groundbreaking. We talk about the legacy of the amphibious tractor and why it matters, the significance of the groundbreaking, and what is in store for the festivities.  The groundbreaking will be at 3pm on Thursday, Oct 23rd, on the Memorial Walk of the National Museum of the Marine Corps. For those in the National Capital Region, please join us in celebrating this achievement, and those Marines who proudly wear the moniker, “Amtrac’er”  YAT YAS!  amphibioustractormemorial.com/golf-tournament  The post #215: Amphibious Tractor Memorial Updates [https://www.mca-marines.org/podcast/scuttlebutt/215-amphibious-tractor-memorial-updates/] first appeared on Marine Corps Association [https://www.mca-marines.org].

Hey, Scuttlebutt listeners. Thank you for listening and your continued support. This week, we bring you the penultimate episode of our Road to 250 segment, celebrating the Marine Corps’ 250th birthday in 2025. Throughout the rest of the year, we’ll continue featuring stories and history from throughout the 250 years of the Marine Corps. These episodes are nested within the MCA’s overall Road to 250 Campaign, where we have featured articles in both the Gazette and Leatherneck highlighting events and battles within specific periods in Marine Corps history. The MCA also has a commemorative Road to 250 coin collection. These commemorative challenge coins can only be found through the MCA. Go to marineshop.net to order individual coins or email customerservice@mca-marines.org [customerservice@mca-marines.org] to order the entire set or learn more.  This month, we walk the Road to 250 during the Global War on Terror era of Marine Corps history. Walking with us is LtCol Michal Wyrsch, an artillery officer turned Harrier pilot who eventually flew F-35s before retiring. Michael shares his experiences as an artillery forward observer during Operation Phantom Fury and a Harrier pilot during Operation Odyssey Dawn, the air campaign in Libya during the Arab Spring. As a member of multiple MEUs, his participation during the Long War spans the land, sea, and air, and we are excited to engage with his unique perspective on the decades-long war across multiple theaters.   Enjoy!  The post #214: Road to 250 – Operation Odyssey Dawn [https://www.mca-marines.org/podcast/scuttlebutt/214-road-to-250-operation-odyssey-dawn/] first appeared on Marine Corps Association [https://www.mca-marines.org].

Hey, Scuttlebutt listeners. Thank you for joining us and your continued support. This week, we welcome Adam Walker to the show. Adam is the creator of Leatherneck Magazine’s newest segment, Lessons from the Smoke Pit. Adam is a retired Master Gunnery Sergeant who has found a lot of value in telling the sometimes tragic, but oftentimes funny, stories of his experiences in the Marine Corps. He talks to us about the value of having a creative outlet, especially for veterans. There’s only so much room in our packs, and finding a way to process our experiences is a valuable way to lighten the load and work through the things we’ve been through. He also shares his road to the yellow footprints, his experiences recruiting during September 11th, and his time serving during the Long War. Adam’s perspectives are so profound, and his genuine humility is so infectious and disarming. This is a great conversation, and we can’t wait to get more lessons from the smoke pit.   Enjoy!  The post #213: Lessons from the Smoke Pit with Adam Walker [https://www.mca-marines.org/podcast/scuttlebutt/213-lessons-from-the-smoke-pit-with-adam-walker/] first appeared on Marine Corps Association [https://www.mca-marines.org].

Hey, Scuttlebutt listeners. Thank you for joining us and your continued support. This week, we welcome a saxophonist from the Marine Corps’ President’s Own Band, Gunnery Sergeant Connor Mikula. This is a conversation we’ve been wanting to have for a while, so it was a real treat to have Gunny Mikula take time out of his busy schedule to come down and hang out with us. Gunny takes us through his journey to being a member of the President’s Own, how the President’s Own fits into the overall mission of the Marine Corps, and his experiences touring and performing at the White House and 8th and I. It was a lot of fun learning about this extremely niche organization within the Marine Corps and getting to see behind the curtain on the President’s Own and what it’s like to be a member of this elite musical organization.    Enjoy!  marineband.marines.mil  instagram.com/connor_james_mikula  The post #212: Jam Sesh with the President’s Own’ saxophonist, GySgt Connor Mikula [https://www.mca-marines.org/podcast/scuttlebutt/212-jam-sesh-with-the-presidents-own-saxophonist-gysgt-connor-mikula/] first appeared on Marine Corps Association [https://www.mca-marines.org].

Hey, Scuttlebutt listeners. Thank you for tuning in and for your continued support. This week, we welcome Chaplain CDR David Duprey and Dr. Lelia Brady to the show. Chaplain Duprey is a Navy chaplain currently attending Naval War College and Dr. Brady is the Assistant Branch Head- Prevention & Response, Behavioral Programs. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and we are so lucky that CDR Duprey and Dr. Brady were able to make time in their busy schedules to come on and talk to us about their work in this important endeavor. Both of our guests have dedicated their lives to holistic health and well-being and are devoted to helping Marines and service members thrive both mentally and physically. This episode is full of great nuggets, wisdom, and resources. As always, if you need help, get help. And if you haven’t heard from a friend in a while – reach out. Too many of the people we’ve served with have the words, “I had no idea” or “I hadn’t talked to them in years,” when we find out about a fallen brother or sister. Don’t underestimate the power of something as simple as a text or phone call.  Enjoy!  linkedin.com/in/lelia-b-b4933914a/  https://www.marines.mil/News/Marines-TV/videoid/507397/dvpTag/Chaplains [https://www.marines.mil/News/Marines-TV/videoid/507397/dvpTag/Chaplains] The post #211: Recognizing Suicide Prevention Awareness Month with Chaplain CDR David Duprey and Dr. Lelia Brady [https://www.mca-marines.org/podcast/scuttlebutt/211-recognizing-suicide-prevention-awareness-month-with-chaplain-cdr-david-duprey-and-dr-lelia-brady/] first appeared on Marine Corps Association [https://www.mca-marines.org].