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

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

ZERO CHAT THIRTY
We've scheduled an appointment with America's Top Doc – U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy.

Dr. Murthy talks about prioritizing mental wellness and identifying loneliness and isolation as predictors of depression and suicidal ideation. He stresses the importance of connection and camraderie. “What we really need more of in the world is to show up for one another, to check on one another and to remind each other that we're, in fact, not alone.”

THE SCUTTLEBUTT
Finding help for veterans facing homelessness
Coast Guardsman to Receive Distinguished Flying Cross for Daring Vessel Boarding and Rescue

Special Guest: Dr. Vivek H. Murthy .

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• The American Legion and Wellcare Medicare Advantage plans for Legionnaires | Wellcare
• Social Connection — 5-For-5 Connection Challenge
• Home
• Be the One | The American Legion
• Buddy Check | The American Legion
• VA Surpasses Goal to House Vets in 2023 – theMReport.com — VA Surpasses Goal to House Vets in 2023
• Veterans pushed into in high cost home mortgages after a forbearance are scared : NPR
• Find a Service Officer
• Homeless Veterans Task Force | The American Legion
• Coast Guardsman to Receive Distinguished Flying Cross for Daring Vessel Boarding and Rescue | Military.com
• Membership Impact Reports | The American Legion

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
Two members of the American Legion National Leadership team discuss the looming threat of a government shutdown, and the potential National Security concerns and impacts that could ripple through VA.

Coast Guard veteran and National Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission Chairman Autrey James and Army veteran and Chairman of the National Security Commission Matthew Shuman discuss how veterans and servicemembers should prepare themselves, and discuss how The American Legion can help.

RAPID FIRE
‘Home again’: Marine’s WWII diary returns to his daughter 81 years after final entry

Property company ordered to repay troops charged illegal rental fees

Farewell to JSTARS: End of an era in military intelligence

Special Guests: Autrey James and Matthew Shuman.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Join The American Legion
• With Operation Urgent Fury, America Took a Stand Against Soviet and Cuban Influence in the Caribbean | Defense Media Network
• Stronghold Food Pantry | Military Families
• Military Financial Stress Tools & Resources | Military OneSource
• Find a Service Officer
• Find a Post
• Action Center
• Be the One | The American Legion
• ‘Home again’: Marine’s WWII diary returns to his daughter 81 years after final entry | Stars and Stripes
• Property company ordered to repay troops charged illegal rental fees
• Northrop Grumman E-8C JSTARS: End of an era in military intelligence

THIS WEEK'S GUEST
The American Legion is the guest of honor for the 103rd birthday celebration as we spotlight how we help veterans, servicemembers and their families through programs such as Buddy Checks, the National Emergency Fund, Operation Comfort Warriors, 100 Miles for Hope and more.

MAIL BAG
We got mail! We've got a new fan, and we're excited.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• 100 Miles For Hope | The American Legion
• 100 Miles for Hope - Donate to Team Ashley
• 100 Miles for Hope - Donate to Team Jeff
• Countdown to The American Legion’s 103rd birthday
• Tango Alpha Lima honors American Legion history - Episode 45
• My first Buddy Check | Legiontown U.S.A.
• Buddy Check bags packed and delivered to local veterans with Valentines! | Legiontown U.S.A.
• American Legion Adolph Pfister Post 1038 in Valhalla, New York
• Legiontown U.S.A. |
• The American Legion 103rd Birthday 2022 - Suggested Speech | Brochures & Publications | The American Legion
• Covid Operations Book 2021 by The American Legion
• Join The American Legion | The American Legion
• Tools For Buddy Check Teams | The American Legion
• Tango Alpha Lima Podcast - 911 Series