ON MISSION: (Above left) The author working in the HAWK Missile Launcher in the Arizona desert; (Above right) The author was promoted to Lance Corporal at 35K feet while the pilot made the announcement to the entire plane. His entire battery stood while he was pinned.

als, and believe me, that day really changed everything.

More than the voiceover breakout sessions, I wanted to check out the Whoobazoo workshop on podcasting. Whoobazoo is a podcast network run by Keith Hayes and Anthony Arnold. Keith was talking about getting into podcasting, and what a podcaster could do if they were willing to apply themselves. I took notes and talked with Keith after the workshop. He asked me what I was going to be podcasting about, and asked if I had any audio editing experience. I told him I wanted to do a military/veteran's podcast, and I was going to call it Oscar Mike Radio. When Keith asked why, I told him "Oscar Mike" can mean "On the Move" or "On Mission." I felt that would capture what I was trying to do with the show. Keith told me to download Audacity and a digital audio workstation program, and to record something.

With some help, I got a laptop and microphone, and started recording. On July 22nd, 2016, my first show dropped. Five people listened to it, and honestly? It was pretty bad. Podcasting is not like being on the radio; because it is recorded, and you are often by yourself – including when you edit your work. My tone, pacing and energy was just not there. But I did it. Keith gave me some advice and candidly told me what to do to improve. I kept working, reading, trying, but failing to improve.

Slowly, but surely, I eventually started to get in a groove. Preparing for a podcast became easier, I started to relax. I wanted Oscar Mike Radio to be like when I was driving with other Marines in my 5-Ton truck pulling inert missiles to the range. Those conversations were relaxed, great and when guys would open up. Once that started happening, the podcast started getting fun and before I knew it, I was at number 100.

Episode 100 was significant because I had (at the time) WAAF

DJ Mistress Carrie on my podcast. Having her on helped me in so many ways. A guest like Mistress Carrie demonstrated that I could talk to people in a way that was engaging and authentic. I started working to improve my craft, when it came to interviews.

It was about this time that I noticed a change in myself and my approach to life. I was not so closed off to people. Even though Oscar Mike Radio does not pay me anything, knowing that I had to outline, produce, and promote content weekly, forced me to engage with others in a way that I hadn’t done before. I enjoyed the challenge of trying to bring life to a story, or a person’s struggle to victory, on a weekly basis. Having something to do and execute, to the best of my ability, got me believing in myself. 

I have talked with veterans, Gold Star family members, CEOs, film makers, artists, trauma victims, business owners, coaches, volunteers, heads of nonprofits, and people everywhere who support veterans. One of the highlights of 2020 was talking with Kev Breen of Immersive Labs who served in the United Kingdom's Royal Corps of Signals. Getting to share what Kev is doing with Immersive Labs is proof that what I am doing has value. Understanding this has led me to embrace the unknown, and say "yes" when saying "no'' may have been the safer, less risky option.

As I write this, #220 drops. I am excited for the future. Giving I of myself to do this show has provided a purpose and way to learn about myself. I have learned that there is nothing I cannot do. I have learned that asking for help is a good thing. I would tell anyone, that you do not have to suffer alone. There are still people out there who are "Oscar Mike" to ensure no one gets left behind.