MCA Scuttlebutt

#231: What If Anger is the Answer with Mike LeBlanc

Hey, Scuttlebutt listeners. Thank you for joining us and for your continued support. This week, we welcome Mike LeBlanc to the scuttlebutt. Mike is a veteran Marine ground intelligence officer who is now the co-founder of Foundation, a company that specializes in robotics. He is also the author of the book, What If Anger is the Answer?, due out in June of this year, that touches on the transformational aspects of anger and aggression. Mike talks to us about his journey as Marine ground intel bubba, how he navigated transitioning out of the Marine Corps, and how the lessons and attributes he learned in the Corps have helped him succeed in a world that, on its surface, has nothing to do with the Marine Corps, especially Marine operators. Mike insists that the leadership training he learned in the Marine Corps, especially the way Marines cultivate an aggressive attitude, has made him successful. Mike is all about helping Marines, so please feel free to reach out to him. His email is below.   Enjoy!  mike@foundation.bot  mikejleblanc.com  The post #231: What If Anger is the Answer with Mike LeBlanc [https://www.mca-marines.org/podcast/scuttlebutt/231-what-if-anger-is-the-answer-with-mike-leblanc/] first appeared on Marine Corps Association [https://www.mca-marines.org].

#230: Thoughts on the E-8 Redesignation Board Pilot Program with MGySgt Adam Walker (Ret)

Hey, Scuttlebutt listeners. Thank you for joining us at the scuttlebutt. This week, we welcome retired Master Gunnery Sergeant Adam Walker back to the show. Adam is on deck to talk with us about the Marine Corps’ new E-8 Redesignation pilot program, which gives master sergeants and first sergeants a one-time option to “lat move” between the E-8 designations. Adam helps us understand the career progression for senior enlisted Marines, namely what happens when a gunnery sergeant is promoted, the differences between a first sergeant and master sergeant, how the Marine Corps views its E-8s differently from the other Services, and the significance of this policy change. Talking with Adam is always a lot of fun and super informative. This is a unique opportunity to see behind the curtain on how Marines are promoted and how this program addresses two of the primary things Marines are opposed to: how things are and change.   You can also catch more of Adam’s wit and insight in his recurring segment, Lessons from the Smoke Pit, in Leatherneck magazine. Shameless plug, but it’s definitely worth checking out.   Enjoy!  The post #230: Thoughts on the E-8 Redesignation Board Pilot Program with MGySgt Adam Walker (Ret) [https://www.mca-marines.org/podcast/scuttlebutt/230-thoughts-on-the-e-8-redesignation-board-pilot-program-with-mgysgt-adam-walker-ret/] first appeared on Marine Corps Association [https://www.mca-marines.org].

#229: Semper Cinema – The Last 600 Meters

Hey, Scuttlebutt listeners. Thank you for tuning in and your continued support. This week, we bring you another installment of Semper Cinema in reviewing the documentary, The Last 600 Meters, detailing the battles of Fallujah and Najaf during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Released last year, The Last 600 Meters chronicles the two deadliest battles of the Iraq War, Najaf in the south against the Shi’a Madhi Militia and Fallujah in the west against Sunni insurgents. Both battles occurred in 2004 and the interviews for this documentary were recorded in 2007. Due to internal issues at PBS, many of which have been revealed to be political, it was shelved until last year. We mention this dynamic in our review, but mainly focus on the specifics of the film, such as the narrative style and cinematic art, and how well the filmmakers used these tools to tell the story. Another controversy surrounding the release of the film is its use of graphic combat footage, including the deaths of US service members, so we also dive into the ethics of depicting graphic imagery and the moral decisions that go into it when trying to be authentic in illustrating the savagery of war.   Enjoy!  The post #229: Semper Cinema – The Last 600 Meters [https://www.mca-marines.org/podcast/scuttlebutt/229-semper-cinema-the-last-600-meters/] first appeared on Marine Corps Association [https://www.mca-marines.org].

#228: Introduction to our Commandant’s Professional Reading List Series

Hey, Scuttlebutt listeners. Thank you for tuning in and for your continued support. In Dec of 2025, the Commandant’s office released Gen Smith’s update to the Commandant’s Professional Reading List. In our pursuit of enabling professional development and self-study, throughout 2026, we will be doing a series of deep dives into the CPRL and some of Gen Smith’s selections through “Amazon reviews,” sometimes with the help of some of friends of the show and distinguished authors. This week, the editor-in-chief of Leatherneck and Marine Corps Gazette magazines, Col Chris Woodbridge, helps us introduce the series by providing background and history on the Commandant’s Professional Reading List, what it is, and the Commandant’s office’s intent in publishing this list of books. I always thought the CPRL was a staple of the Marine Corps since Gen Lejeune first made intellectual development a focus of combat readiness, so it was really interesting to hear about how the CRPL came to be and how it has evolved.   Enjoy!  mca-marines.org/commandants-professional-reading-list  marines.mil/News/Messages/Messages-Display/Article/4351724/update-to-the-commandants-professional-reading-list-for-fiscal-year-26  The post #228: Introduction to our Commandant’s Professional Reading List Series [https://www.mca-marines.org/podcast/scuttlebutt/228-introduction-to-our-commandants-professional-reading-list-series/] first appeared on Marine Corps Association [https://www.mca-marines.org].

#227: Bootleg Heroes and the Power of Literacy with Peter Cook

Hey, Scuttlebutt listeners. Thank you for tuning in and for your continued support. This week we welcome Peter Cook to the scuttlebutt. Peter is a former Marine turned high school economics teacher and author of the book, Bootleg Heroes. Released last year, the fictional narrative of Bootleg Heroes is inspired and informed by his time serving as a Marine embassy security guard in Ecuador, Spain, and Haiti. Peter talks to us about his experiences in the Marine Corps, how it informs the way he teaches, and how it served as the impetus behind the book. He puts a strong emphasis on literacy, the power of literature, and his passion for education is infectious. Peter dedicates his life to making a difference, and it was great to share insome of that with him.   Enjoy!  peterdanielcook.com  The post #227: Bootleg Heroes and the Power of Literacy with Peter Cook [https://www.mca-marines.org/podcast/scuttlebutt/227-bootleg-heroes-and-the-power-of-literacy-with-peter-cook/] first appeared on Marine Corps Association [https://www.mca-marines.org].