THE INTERVIEW
Retired Maj. Gen. Tammy Smith served for 25 of her 35 years in the Army while hiding her true self. On this week's episode, she shares her military journey before, during and after the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" era, and how she became an advocate for LGBTQ+ and military veterans. She also addresses the struggles faced by servicemembers who were kicked out of the military during DADT, and how they can formally request an upgraded discharge.

SCUTTLEBUTT
The deadly, unintended consequence of a documentary about Afghanistan
British teen's charity shop purchase connects Wisconsin family the brother killed in Vietnam
The Marines are taking down PowerPoint

Special Guest: Gen. Tammy Smith .

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• VETERANSPORTRAITPROJECT.COM
• gammaCore nVNS Therapy for Migraine and Headache Relief
• Saving lives of veterans, their families, and communities with the Columbia Protocol | The American Legion
• A Taliban revenge killing prompts questions, removal of acclaimed documentary - The Washington Post
• British schoolboy finds KIA Vietnam soldier’s helmet in charity shop | Legiontown U.S.A.
• Marine Corps Aims for a New Way of Teaching, Ditching Old Models of PowerPoint Lectures | Military.com
• Join The American Legion

THE INTERVIEW
Afghanistan War Commission Executive Director Jaime Cheshire discusses the commission’s role, how veterans can help get answers to policy decisions made during the 20-year war and more. 

THE SCUTTLEBUTT
Adopt a Woman Veteran at the Military Women's Memorial
The Ghost Army - Combat Con Artists of World War II
Clarksville, Tenn., American Legion posts stepping up for neighbors in the aftermath of devastating tornadoes

Special Guest: Jaime Cheshire .

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Join The American Legion
• Scholarships | The American Legion
• The American Legion Legacy Scholarship | The American Legion
• Samsung American Legion Scholarship | The American Legion
• Scholarships available through ANAVICUS | The American Legion
• Saving lives of veterans, their families, and communities with the Columbia Protocol | The American Legion
• AFGHANISTAN WAR COMMISSION
• Veterans — AFGHANISTAN WAR COMMISSION
• Home - Military Women's Memorial
• Adopt A Woman Veteran Project - Military Women's Memorial
• Ghost Army members who deceived Nazis with battlefield ruses in WWII given Congressional Gold Medal | AP News
• National Emergency Fund | The American Legion
• American Legion 'CSM Gary W. Crisp' Post 289 - Clarksville, TN
• Clarksville, Tennessee, American Legion Posts Deal with Deadly Tornadoes | Legiontown U.S.A.

INTERVIEW
Marine Corps veteran Rye Barcott, co-founder and CEO of With Honor, talks about how the cross-partisan organization works with the For Country Caucus, how they seek to advance veteran leadership in elected public service and the need to support our Afghanistan allies. .

SCUTTLEBUTT
Hamm gets the Slammer: Texas man sentenced in stolen valor case
Psychedelic Fast Track: MDMA approved for a fast-track review by the FDA
Celebrity Veteran: Serving in the Coast Guard a family tradition for a trio of Hollywood actors

Special Guest: Rye Barcott.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Join The American Legion
• Retired officers, enlisted members can rejoin active duty to offset personnel shortfalls > Air Force's Personnel Center > News
• Find a Service Officer
• Home - Heroes With Hearing Loss
• The American Legion and Wellcare Medicare Advantage plans for Legionnaires | Wellcare
• With Honor - Cross-partisan Organization
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - Call. Text. Chat.
• VMHLC – Veteran Mental Health Leadership Coalition
• For Country Caucus - With Honor
• The Pledge - With Honor
• DOD Announces Implementation of the Brandon Act > U.S. Department of Defense > Release
• H.R.1764 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): Military Food Security Act of 2023 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress
• Be the One | The American Legion
• Tyler man gets 11-year prison sentence for posing as decorated veteran to defraud investors
• Psychedelic to receive fast-track review as possible PTSD drug
• TogetherWeServed - BM2 Jeff Bridges

THIS WEEK'S GUEST
Actress Julia Ling is a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Reserves, has appeared on many popular television series such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, House, ER, Grey's Anatomy, The OC – but is best known for her role as "nerd-herder" Anna Wu on Chuck.

After losing multiple military friends to suicide and battling her own depression after a training injury, Julia wanted to do more than raise awareness about the veteran suicide - she wanted to provide a solution. Thus was born Veteran Powered Films, a production company focused on empowering and engaging veterans in all facets of the entertainment industry via on-the-job training and mentorship with fellow military veterans.

Julia joins Marine Corps veteran and actor Hiram A. Murray, who will star in Veteran Powered Films next project - an apocalyptic horror film called "Homestead."

RAPID FIRE
Veterans banners to come down - maybe for good

U.S. veterans use art to help female Afghan soldiers who fled their country process their pain

‘Go beyond thanks:’ New survey reveals we should do more than simply thank our veterans for their service

Special Guests: Hiram A. Murray and Julia Ling.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Join The American Legion | The American Legion
• Return criminal penalties for those who take advantage of disabled veterans or their families | The American Legion
• American Legion
• Veteran Powered Films – Healing veterans and military servicemembers through film and media production
• HOMESTEAD Trailer - YouTube
• Be the One | The American Legion
• Veterans banners to come down — maybe for good | Local News | santafenewmexican.com
• U.S. veterans use art to help female Afghan soldiers who fled their country process their pain - CBS News
• Tango Alpha Lima Podcast Episode 185: Tango Alpha Lima: Advocating for Afghan Allies with Mahnaz Akbari and Rebekah Edmondson
• US and Afghan Women Veterans Connect, Heal, Transform, and Inspire through Art: Project Raha Benefit Auction 2023 | Artsy
• ‘Go beyond thanks:’ New survey reveals we should do more than simply thank our veterans for their service | The American Legion

THIS WEEK'S GUEST
Award-winning director and writer, Army combat veteran USC School of Cinematic Arts MFA program alumni and American Legion Post 43 member, Robert Ham joins us to talk about his feature documentary about Afghan Interpreters, "Interpreters Wanted," that will be released this spring on Vet TV.

RAPID FIRE
Mark Wahlberg is Not a Fan Of Tom Cruise Comparing His Work in Movie to Military Service
Air National Guardsman arrested after applying to be a hitman online to make some extra cash
Eagle Scout creates "Flags of Gratitude" memorial

Special Guest: Robert Ham.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Join The American Legion
• VA, NIH launch study of Gulf War Illness | The American Legion
• Action Center
• INTERPRETERS WANTED — HAMMR Productions
• Action Center
• Be the One | The American Legion
• "I don't give a f**k what you did, How dare you": Mark Wahlberg is Not a Fan Of Tom Cruise Comparing His Work in Movie to Military Service - FandomWire
• Air National Guardsman arrested after applying to be a hitman online to make some extra cash
• Eagle Scout creates "Flags of Gratitude" memorial | Legiontown U.S.A.