THE INTERVIEW
In his role as PACT Act Transitional Executive Director for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Army veteran Steven Miska serves as the senior advisor to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs – providing oversight on the development, adoption and implementation of the PACT Act.

Miska talks about his military experience, the journey that led him to his role at VA, his work in the veteran non-profit space and his involvement with resettlment of interpreters from conflict zones.

SCUTTLEBUTT
New documentary by Army veteran highlights the struggles faced by homeless veterans in Los Angeles.

Years into civilian jobs, vets struggle with networking, resume skills

Navy SEAL astronaut doctor Jonny Kim will blast off into space next year

Special Guest: Steven Miska.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Improve Financial Health with VetCents 🇺🇸 Veterans Benefits Banking Program
• First Amendment Voice| Own your liberty.
• Home - SLC Consulting
• VA May Owe Millions in Benefits to Vietnam Veterans - The War Horse
• Agent Orange and intergenerational effects - Public Health
• Action Center
• The PACT Act And Your VA Benefits | Veterans Affairs
• Saving lives of veterans, their families, and communities with the Columbia Protocol | The American Legion
• From formation to tent city: New doc follows vets’ fight for housing
• Watch: 14 Veterans Suing the VA in an Epic Fight for Housing
• Years into civilian jobs, vets struggle with networking, resume skills — Years into civilian jobs, vets struggle with networking, resume skills
• Off-Base Transition Training (OBTT) | U.S. Department of Labor
• NASA puts Navy SEAL astronaut doctor on space station mission — Navy SEAL astronaut doctor Jonny Kim will blast off into space next year

THE INTERVIEW
Air Force 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh is quite accomplished, obtaining her pilot’s license at age 16, receiving a black belt in taekwondo, earning a degree in astrophysics and completing a NASA internship.  Marsh is also the first active-duty military officer to be crowned Miss America.

Marsh joins the podcast this week to talk about her motivation to join the military as a way to fulfill her childhood dream to become an astronaut, her support for pancreatic cancer research in memory of her mother, and what books are at the top of her reading list.

SCUTTLEBUTT
Supreme Court rules in favor of veteran who sued over GI Bill limits
New England Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona leads dual life as NFL player and Navy Reservist
U.S. pilot accounted for 57 years after vanishing during Vietnam War spy mission

Special Guest: Madison Marsh.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Mr Ms Military Pageant Showcase
• (20+) American Legion Riders 2024 Texas State Rally | Facebook
• Legacy Run Registration | The American Legion
• Saving lives of veterans, their families, and communities with the Columbia Protocol | The American Legion
• (3) Madison Marsh's (Miss Colorado) Monologue! - YouTube
• Be the One | The American Legion
• Supreme Court rules in favor of veteran who sued over GI Bill limits
• Docket for 22-888
• Navy and NFL football: How Patriots long snapper balances both careers
• U.S. pilot accounted for 57 years after vanishing during Vietnam War spy mission - CBS News
• VWIP

THIS WEEK'S GUEST
Our guest, John Renken, is a former U.S. Army Ranger, former professional MMA fighter, the founder of several churches, and a successful entrepreneur

He is owner of online travel booking engine Travel Mavericks; the owner of Southwestern Consulting where he provides coaching for sales professionals; and the CEO of Sales Platoon, a company focused on connecting active duty servicemembers to civilian sales careers.

We talk with John about his military career, his MMA experience, and how he uses his experience to provide career assistance for military veterans.

RAPID FIRE
Singing Legionnaires - where are you?
America's best hiking trails
'Kandahar' trailer stars Gerard Butler in escape from Afghanistan

Special Guest: John Renken.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Artemis II: 2 former Navy pilots bring thousands of flight hours to historic moon mission | Stars and Stripes
• Action Center
• Sales Training | Sales Platoon
• Home Page - Hiring Our Heroes
• DOD SkillBridge
• SAINT - Rory Fraser
• Watch Fight Church | Prime Video
• Be the One | The American Legion
• Singing Legionnaires - where are you? | Legiontown U.S.A.
• America’s best hiking trails | The American Legion
• Free Entrance to National Parks for Gold Star Families and Veterans (U.S. National Park Service)
• 'Kandahar trailer stars Gerard Butler in escape from Afghanistan
• Join The American Legion

THIS WEEK'S GUEST
National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation CEO Chris Cassidy leads the mission to inspire America and promote the belief that everyone is born with the potential to be extraordinary. He talks about his work to build a national museum, and the educational programs offered while the structure is being built.

The retired Navy SEAL and former NASA Chief Astronaut talks about his military and space career.

RAPID FIRE
Jon Bernthal Returning as the Punisher for ‘Daredevil: Born Again’
Here's How to Get a 2023 MLB.TV Military Discount
National Parks jokingly warns not to 'push a slower friend down' if you encounter a bear

Special Guest: Chris Cassidy.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Send us your feedback!
• Join The American Legion
• Spot a Stroke F.A.S.T. Poster | American Stroke Association
• Learn the health and mental benefits of yoga | The American Legion
• Be the One | The American Legion
• National Medal of Honor Museum - National Medal of Honor Museum
• Chris Cassidy – My Hand My Cause, Inc.
• Action Center
• (1) How to use the Bathroom in Space - YouTube
• Jon Bernthal Returning as the Punisher for ‘Daredevil: Born Again’
• MLB.tv - Discounts for Military & Gov't | GovX
• National Parks jokingly warns not to 'push a slower friend down' if you encounter a bear | CNN Travel
• Free Entrance to National Parks for Gold Star Families and Veterans (U.S. National Park Service)

OUR GUEST
Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Merryl Tengesdal talks about launching her military career in an effort to fulfill her childhood dreams, her accomplishments along the way, including becoming the first African American woman to fly the U2 Dragon-Lady.

She talks about her appearance on CBS "Tough as Nails," working with Steven Spielberg, motivating youth, and her book, "Shatter the Sky"

RAPID FIRE
Space Force National Guard
Marines love of Ranger panties

Special Guest: Merryl Tengesdal.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Join The American Legion
• Russian soldier sentenced to life in Ukraine’s 1st war crimes trial | PBS NewsHour
• Home - Heroes With Hearing Loss
• merryl tengesdal
• Veterans Strengthening America | The American Legion
• S.4179 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): Space National Guard Establishment Act | Congress.gov | Library of Congress
• Suggest a Guest