The Decompression Chamber

Chit Denied!

Joining me this week is Al Brandt! Al served in the Navy for five years starting in 1989. He graduated high school, and as he got his diploma, his recruiter was there waiting for him. He went to boot camp in San Diego, as well as A school and was assigned to his first ship as a radioman. While he had higher aspirations to continue in the Navy as an officer, his chain of command likely had other plans, so out he went into the civilian world.Al recommends veterans maintaining community; give back, ask for help and support one another. If you are a veteran in crisis, please go to:https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ [https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/]Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/patrollie/ [https://www.instagram.com/patrollie/]Twitter:https://twitter.com/andreafromslc [https://twitter.com/andreafromslc]

Justice for Caleb: A Gold Star Mother Speak Out

Oftentimes, we associate the danger of military service with overseas deployments. But this is simply not where the danger lies. It is unfortunately found here domestically. I'm joined this week by Gold Star mother Heather Baker. Her son, Caleb, joined the Army four years ago and became an Airborne Soldier with the 82nd Airborne, stationed at Fort Bragg. He was there for seven weeks and died under very suspicious circumstances, and getting answers and closure has been an ongoing battle for over three years now.I encourage you to watch her interview with my pal TC here:https://www.youtube.com/live/9Z5r0KmAKtU?feature=share [https://www.youtube.com/live/9Z5r0KmAKtU?feature=share]Please continue to follow her story at:https://calebsmither.com/ [https://calebsmither.com/]You can follow two other great sites that draw attention to the incompetence of the military that imperil the lives of our service members here:https://brandoncasertafoundation.org/ [https://brandoncasertafoundation.org/]And here:https://www.operationdezstrong.org/dez [https://www.operationdezstrong.org/dez]You should also sub to his YouTube Channel at:https://www.youtube.com/@MBRRPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@MBRRPodcast]Follow me on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/patrollie/ [https://www.instagram.com/patrollie/]And Twitter:https://twitter.com/andreafromslc [https://twitter.com/andreafromslc]

Serving the Community - A Lifelong Pursuit

Joining me this week is my cousin, Kristyne Thomas! I think she is the first guest from the National Guard, too. She joined to serve her community and to be able to attend college. However, she was called away very early in her enlistment to go to Iraq with a unit she wasn't even a part of! Naturally, she didn't shy away from this.She's since completed her time with the Guard and continues to give back in her work. She is a coach in personal and professional development. [https://lightpeakcoaching.com/]She also works for Talents ASCEND [https://talentsascend.com/]which employs AI to match skills of job seekers to employers. Check out both! My Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/patrollie/] My Twitter [https://twitter.com/andreafromslc]

Four Years a Marine, A Lifetime Reputation

Joining me this week is Marine Corps Veteran Tim Cochrane! I got to work with Tim over the course of several years at ACP. He was busy bringing on companies, and in doing so, building a program that would help veterans make the switch from military life to civilian life a successful one. Tim's own move from civilian to Marine came with expected difficulties, but it was becoming a civilian again where he had to find a lot luck to blaze a successful trail forward. Fortunately for Tim, the Marine Corps is a family, and his title of United States Marine followed him and benefitted him in making connections and success on Wall Street.Tim's a great guy to know if you're a Veteran. Feel free to connect with him on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-cochrane977/]!My Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/patrollie/]My Twitter [https://twitter.com/andreafromslc]

Walk a Mile In This Guy's Shoes

Joining me this week is Christopher Brown, my shipmate from Bangor, Washington. He was a young, in-shape dude, but truth be told, I didn't really know what he was going through off post, nor what he went through before. I'm honored as he tells me about his humble beginnings and how he's giving back.Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/patrollie/]Twitter [https://twitter.com/andreafromslc]