All Episodes - The Digression Podcast
Chris and Jody are Air Force vets who enjoy military history and folklore. This is their podcast. They tell stories. They digress. A lot.
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110. Eisenhower's Warning
In his farewell address to the nation on January 17, 1961, President Dwight D. Eisenhower delivered a prophetic warning that has since become one of American history's most cited and influential speeches. This speech, often referred to as the "Eisenhower Farewell Address," addressed a range of critical issues facing the United States, but its most enduring message was a cautionary note about the rise of the "military-industrial complex." Eisenhower, a highly decorated World War II general who served as the 34th President of the United States from 1953 to 1961, recognized the importance of a strong national defense. However, he also understood the potential dangers of an unchecked alliance between the military establishment and the defense industry. He warned that the synergy between these two powerful entities could lead to the accumulation of unwarranted influence and excessive spending, ultimately threatening the nation's democratic ideals and economic stability. The heart of Eisenhower's message lay in his concern about the inherent risks of a permanent war economy. He acknowledged that the United States faced legitimate security challenges and needed a robust defense capability. However, he stressed that this must be balanced with a vigilant commitment to maintaining the country's broader priorities. Eisenhower cautioned against the growth of a permanent arms industry that would exert undue influence over government policy, potentially leading to the perpetuation of conflicts for financial gain. Eisenhower's warning resonates to this day because it highlights the need for transparency, accountability, and a clear understanding of the consequences of prioritizing military interests above all else. His words have been interpreted as a call for a thoughtful and cautious approach to national security, advocating for the allocation of resources based on genuine threats rather than the profit motives of defense contractors. In the decades since the speech, the concept of the military-industrial complex has been widely debated, and its influence on government policy and spending remains a topic of discussion. Critics argue that it has led to excessive military spending, the emergence of a "war culture," and unnecessary interventions, while proponents argue that a strong defense industry is essential for national security and technological advancement. As the United States faces evolving global challenges, Eisenhower's warning serves as a reminder to carefully consider the balance between security, economic interests, and democratic principles. It emphasizes the importance of remaining vigilant and critical of any concentration of power that might jeopardize the nation's core values and long-term stability. Eisenhower's farewell address continues to be a crucial piece of American political discourse, urging us to be mindful of the complex relationships between government, industry, and the preservation of liberty. Shownotes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/110 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Help us keep the engine running at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!! NOTES: President Eisenhower's Farewell Address to the Nation, January 17, 1961 The War State: The Cold War Origins Of The Military-Industrial Complex And The Power Elite, 1945-1963 by Michael Swanson Unwarranted Influence: Dwight D. Eisenhower and the Military-Industrial Complex (Icons of America) by James Ledbetter Meatballs (1979)
109. Arminius
Arminius, also known as Hermann the German, was a Germanic warrior and chieftain who played a crucial role in the early first century CE in the region that is now modern-day Germany. He is best known for his leadership of the Germanic tribes against the Roman legions during the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest, a pivotal event in the history of the Roman Empire. Arminius was born around 18 or 17 BCE into the Cherusci tribe, one of the powerful Germanic tribes of the time. He received a Roman education, which allowed him to understand the tactics and strategies of the Roman military. This education proved invaluable as he later used this knowledge to organize a successful resistance against the Roman forces. In 9 CE, Arminius, who was a trusted officer in the Roman auxiliary, turned against his former allies. He united various Germanic tribes, including the Cherusci, Marsi, Chatti, and Bructeri, to form a formidable force. His plan was to stop the Roman expansion into Germania, the region east of the Rhine River. The Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in 9 CE was the defining moment of Arminius's life. As a commander of the Germanic tribes, he led his forces in an ambush against three Roman legions led by Publius Quinctilius Varus. The battle took place in the dense Teutoburg Forest, and Arminius exploited the terrain and his knowledge of Roman tactics to defeat the Roman legions, resulting in a significant Roman loss. The battle was a devastating blow to the Romans, halting their advance into Germania. Arminius's victory at the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest marked a turning point in the relationship between the Roman Empire and the Germanic tribes. It shattered the illusion of Roman invincibility and made the Romans reconsider their expansionist plans in the region. Arminius became a symbol of Germanic resistance against Roman domination. However, the aftermath of the battle was complex for Arminius. He faced challenges in maintaining the unity of the Germanic tribes, and he struggled to secure a lasting alliance among the various groups. Furthermore, there were internal rivalries and conflicts among the Germanic tribes. Arminius's life took a tragic turn when he was betrayed and assassinated by rival Germanic leaders around 21 CE. His death highlighted the difficulties of leadership in a diverse and often divided tribal context. Despite his untimely death, Arminius left an enduring legacy. His successful resistance against the Romans inspired later generations of Germans, particularly during the nationalist movements of the 19th century, to look back to him as a symbol of national heroism. His story has been romanticized and retold in various forms of art, literature, and historical accounts. In conclusion, Arminius was a skilled leader who played a crucial role in the resistance against Roman expansion in Germania. His victory at the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest had far-reaching consequences, reshaping the course of history in the region and leaving a lasting impact on the collective memory of the Germanic peoples. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/109 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Help us keep the engine running at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!! “MaxKoMusic – Dark Ages” is under a Creative Commons (cc-by) license. Music promoted by BreakingCopyright: http://bit.ly/maxkomusic-dark-ages NOTES: Arminius: The Limits of Empire by Robert Fabri
108. The Seven Days
The American Civil War was a pivotal moment in history, with the Confederacy battling the Union for its very existence. In the summer of 1862, during the Seven Days Battle, General Robert E. Lee and his Confederate forces came tantalizingly close to turning the tide of the war in their favor. Indeed, the Confederates almost won the Civil War during those fateful seven days. General Lee, a master tactician, devised a bold plan to repel Union General George B. McClellan's Army of the Potomac from Richmond, the Confederate capital. Lee understood that a decisive victory could cripple Union morale and pave the way for Southern independence. He meticulously coordinated a series of attacks designed to catch the Union forces off guard and deliver a crushing blow. The battle commenced on June 25, 1862, at Oak Grove and Mechanicsville. The Confederates launched fierce assaults, testing the mettle of McClellan's troops. The Union soldiers fought bravely but were pushed back, giving Lee a significant advantage. It was a promising start for the Confederates, who sensed an impending victory. The turning point of the Seven Days Battle occurred on June 27 at Gaines's Mill. Lee's audacious decision to attack head-on paid off as his forces overwhelmed the Union positions. McClellan's army caught off guard, struggled to maintain cohesion and was driven into retreat. The Confederates fought with unmatched ferocity and determination, nearly breaking the Union lines. Victory seemed within their grasp. However, as the battle raged, the Union forces demonstrated remarkable resilience. General Fitz John Porter and his troops fought desperately, buying time for McClellan to regroup and solidify their defenses. Despite being pushed to the brink of defeat, the Union soldiers refused to surrender. Meanwhile, the Confederates faced a series of costly delays. These included rough terrain, logistical challenges, and coordination issues. These setbacks gave the Union army precious time to reinforce their lines and recover from the initial onslaught. The tide of the battle slowly shifted, favoring the Union once again. Lee's ambitious plan to trap and annihilate the Union forces near the Chickahominy River nearly succeeded. But due to a lack of coordination among his commanders and missed opportunities, the Confederates failed to fully capitalize on their initial victories. Their inability to exploit critical openings allowed McClellan's army to escape and regroup. The culmination of the Seven Days Battle came on July 1 at Malvern Hill. The Confederates, determined to deliver a final blow, launched wave after wave of attacks against well-entrenched Union positions. However, the Union soldiers held their ground, aided by advantageous terrain and a formidable defensive line. The Confederates suffered heavy casualties and could not break through the Union defenses. Exhausted and battered, Lee's forces faced a stinging defeat. Despite their valiant efforts, victory slipped through their fingers, which shattered the Confederacy's dreams of a swift triumph. The Seven Days Battle showcased the Confederates' incredible potential to turn the tide of the Civil War. Lee's brilliant strategy and initial successes brought the Confederacy within striking distance of victory. However, the Union's resilience, costly delays, missed opportunities, and stalwart defense at Malvern Hill prevented the Confederates from securing a decisive win. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/108 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Help us keep the engine running at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!! NOTES: Seven Days: The Emergence of Robert E. Lee and the Dawn of a Legend by Clifford Dowdey and Robert K. Krick
107. Augustus Caesar
Augustus Caesar, also known as Octavian, was a pivotal figure in ancient Rome. His reign as the first emperor of Rome was a transformative period in history. His political reforms, cultural patronage, and long-lasting peace left an indelible mark on the Roman Empire, shaping Western civilization for centuries to come. Early Life and Rise to Power Augustus Caesar was born on September 23, 63 BCE, in Rome. He was the adopted son of Julius Caesar, who later named him as his heir. After Julius Caesar's assassination, Augustus emerged as one of the key contenders in the ensuing power struggle. With strategic alliances and military prowess, he successfully defeated his rivals, establishing himself as the unchallenged ruler of Rome. Reign as Emperor In 27 BCE, the Roman Senate bestowed the title of "Augustus" upon him, meaning "the revered one." Augustus ruled for over four decades, implementing significant reforms that transformed Rome. He focused on strengthening the military, initiating public works projects, and implementing social policies to improve the lives of Roman citizens. His rule marked the beginning of the Pax Romana, a period of relative peace and stability throughout the empire. Political and Administrative Reforms Significant political and administrative reforms characterized Augustus Caesar's reign. He reorganized the Roman provinces, established a civil service, and implemented a system of taxation. Augustus also initiated the construction of key infrastructure, including roads, aqueducts, and buildings, which boosted trade and communication within the empire. These reforms solidified his authority and laid the groundwork for the subsequent emperors, shaping the Roman Empire's structure for centuries to come. Cultural Revival and Patronage Augustus recognized the importance of arts and literature in promoting Roman culture. He encouraged the revival of traditional Roman values and sponsored renowned writers like Virgil, Horace, and Ovid. This period, known as the "Augustan Age," witnessed a flourishing of Roman literature and architecture. Augustus' patronage of the arts enhanced Rome's cultural standing and contributed to the preservation of influential works that continue to be studied and admired today. Legacy and Influence Augustus Caesar's impact on Rome and subsequent Western civilization cannot be overstated. His establishment of a stable government and effective administration laid the foundation for the Roman Empire's long-lasting dominance. Augustus' reign marked the transition from the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire, setting a precedent for subsequent emperors. The Pax Romana ushered in by Augustus ensured peace and prosperity across the empire, fostering economic growth and cultural development. His legacy as the first emperor and a visionary leader continues to inspire historians, political theorists, and leaders today. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/107 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Help us keep the engine running at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!! “MaxKoMusic – Dark Ages” is under a Creative Commons (cc-by) license. Music promoted by BreakingCopyright: http://bit.ly/maxkomusic-dark-ages NOTES: Augustus: First Emperor of Rome by Adrian Goldsworthy
106. Marcus Agrippa
Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa was born in 63 BC in a small town near Rome. He came from a humble background, but his talents and determination propelled him to great heights. Agrippa was known for his military expertise, exceptional organizational skills, and unwavering loyalty to Augustus. These qualities made him an indispensable companion to the future emperor. Agrippa's military prowess was evident from an early age. He played a crucial role in Julius Caesar's campaigns in Gaul, earning himself a reputation as a skilled commander. He further demonstrated his capabilities in naval battles, most notably during the Battle of Actium, where he defeated the combined forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra. This victory solidified Augustus' position as the undisputed ruler of Rome. Aside from his military achievements, Agrippa made significant contributions to Rome's infrastructure. He spearheaded numerous construction projects, including the famous Pantheon. The Pantheon stands as a testament to Agrippa's architectural genius, with its iconic dome and impressive design. He also built several aqueducts and improved Rome's water supply, ensuring that its citizens had access to clean water. Agrippa's administrative skills were equally remarkable. As Augustus' right-hand man, he played a vital role in shaping the Roman Empire. He implemented administrative reforms, reorganized the Roman army, and improved the efficiency of government institutions. Agrippa's influence extended beyond military and administrative matters—he was also involved in diplomatic negotiations and played a pivotal role in expanding Roman territories. Despite his numerous achievements, Agrippa remained modest and loyal to Augustus. He never sought to overshadow his friend and always put the interests of Rome above his own. Agrippa's humility and dedication earned him the respect and trust of Augustus, who considered him an invaluable advisor. Agrippa's legacy lived on even after his death. Augustus honored him by adopting his two sons, Gaius and Lucius, as his own heirs. This act highlighted Agrippa's importance and the profound impact he had on Augustus' life. Furthermore, the Agrippa family continued to play a prominent role in Roman politics for generations, leaving a lasting imprint on the empire. Marcus Agrippa was a remarkable leader whose contributions to ancient Rome cannot be overstated. His military expertise, administrative skills, and architectural achievements made him an indispensable figure during the reign of Augustus. Agrippa's loyalty and humility further exemplified his character, earning him the respect and admiration of his peers. Today, his influence can still be seen in the remnants of the structures he built and the legacy he left behind. Marcus Agrippa truly exemplified the spirit of Rome and played an integral part in shaping one of the greatest empires in history. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/106 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Help us keep the engine running at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!! “MaxKoMusic – Dark Ages” is under a Creative Commons (cc-by) license. Music promoted by BreakingCopyright: http://bit.ly/maxkomusic-dark-ages NOTES: Marcus Agrippa: Right-Hand Man of Caesar Augustus by Lindsay Powell
105. Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar, born Gaius Julius Caesar, was a prominent Roman statesman, military general, and dictator who played a pivotal role in transforming the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire. Born on July 12, 100 BC, in Rome, Caesar rose to power during a time of political turmoil and instability, leaving an indelible mark on Roman history. Caesar came from a noble family, and his early years were marked by military service and political maneuvering. He distinguished himself as a skilled military leader during his campaigns in Gaul (modern-day France) and Britain, expanding Rome's territorial control and securing his reputation as a brilliant strategist. These military victories helped consolidate his power and popularity back in Rome. In 49 BC, Caesar crossed the Rubicon River with his army, an act considered treasonous at the time, and marched on Rome, sparking a civil war against his political rival, Pompey. Caesar emerged victorious, becoming the sole ruler of Rome and effectively ending the Roman Republic. He implemented a series of reforms aimed at strengthening the central government, improving the lives of ordinary citizens, and reducing the influence of the aristocracy. Caesar's reforms included the Julian Calendar, which became the basis for the modern Gregorian Calendar. He also enacted land reforms, provided land for impoverished citizens, and implemented policies to alleviate debt and unemployment. These measures endeared him to the masses but garnered opposition from some members of the Senate, who feared his growing power and the erosion of their own influence. Caesar's rule was characterized by his autocratic style of governance, and in 44 BC, he was declared dictator perpetuo, or dictator for life. This declaration further exacerbated tensions within the Roman Senate, and a group of senators led by Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus conspired to assassinate him. On the Ides of March (March 15), 44 BC, Caesar was assassinated in the Senate chamber. His death plunged Rome into another period of political instability, ultimately leading to a power struggle between his adopted heir Octavian (later known as Augustus), and Caesar's assassins. This struggle culminated in the rise of the Roman Empire under Augustus, Caesar's grandnephew, and the first Roman Emperor. Caesar's legacy looms large in history. He is renowned for his military accomplishments, political acumen, and role in the Roman Republic's downfall. His name has become synonymous with power, ambition, and the potential dangers of autocracy. Caesar's life and death have inspired countless works of literature, including William Shakespeare's famous play, "Julius Caesar," which dramatizes the events surrounding his assassination. Despite the controversy surrounding his rule, Caesar left an indelible mark on Roman society. His military campaigns expanded Rome's borders, his political reforms shaped the structure of the Roman Empire, and his name remains an enduring symbol of authority and leadership. Julius Caesar's contributions and impact on ancient Rome have ensured his place among history's most influential figures. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/105 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Help us keep the engine running at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!! “MaxKoMusic – Dark Ages” is under a Creative Commons (cc-by) license. Music promoted by BreakingCopyright: http://bit.ly/maxkomusic-dark-ages NOTES: Caesar: Life of a Colossus by Adrian Goldsworthy Julius Caesar (Dover Thrift Editions: Plays) by William Shakespeare
104. Real War Movies
Since WWII ended, thousands of movies have explored every conceivable aspect of the conflict. But how often do these films get the story right, let alone the "feel" of the period and the "look" of the uniforms, weapons, cars, landscape, strategy, and tactics? That's the question we're asking in this episode as we present the TOP 10 Most Realistic WWII Movies. Enjoy! Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/104 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Help us keep the engine running at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!! NOTES: Pictured: Robert Mitchum as BG Norman Cota in The Longest Day The Dam Busters The Longest Day Tora! Tora! Tora! Patton Das Boot Band of Brothers Downfall Letters from Iwo Jima Unbroken Dunkirk
103. Pompey
Pompey, also known as Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, was a Roman general and politician who lived during the late Roman Republic. He was born in 106 BC in Picenum, a region in central Italy, and he died in 48 BC in Egypt. Pompey's military career began at an early age. He served in the Roman army under his father and then under the consul Lucius Cornelius Sulla during the civil wars of the 80s BC. Pompey quickly proved himself to be a skilled commander and strategist, earning a reputation as one of the greatest generals of his time. Pompey put down several revolts in Italy and Sicily during his early military career. He also played a crucial role in Sulla's campaign against Mithridates VI of Pontus, a powerful enemy of Rome who had conquered much of Asia Minor. Pompey's success in this campaign earned him the title of "Magnus" or "the Great," and he became one of the most celebrated generals in Rome. After Sulla's death, Pompey returned to Rome and entered politics. He quickly became involved in the power struggles of the late Republic, aligning himself with the conservative senatorial party and opposing the popular reforms of the tribunes. He was elected consul in 70 BC, and he used his position to push through several measures that strengthened the power of the Senate and the aristocracy. In 67 BC, Pompey was tasked with putting down a rebellion in the eastern provinces of the Roman Republic. He successfully defeated the rebels and brought the region under Roman control. This campaign was followed by other conquests in the east, including the annexation of Syria and the defeat of the Armenian king Tigranes the Great. Pompey's success in the East made him one of the most powerful men in Rome, and he was hailed as a hero by many. However, his rise to power also made him enemies, particularly among the populares, or popular party, who saw him as a threat to their power. In 60 BC, Pompey formed an alliance with Julius Caesar and Crassus, two other powerful politicians in Rome. This alliance, known as the First Triumvirate, allowed the three men to dominate Roman politics and effectively control the government. However, tensions soon arose between Pompey and Caesar, and the alliance eventually broke down. In 49 BC, Caesar crossed the Rubicon River with his army and started a civil war against Pompey and the Senate. Pompey was forced to flee Italy and eventually ended up in Egypt, where agents of the Egyptian king Ptolemy XIII assassinated him. Pompey was a complex figure who played a significant role in the politics and military history of the late Roman Republic. He was a brilliant general who conquered vast territories for Rome. Still, he was also a controversial politician who supported the aristocracy's interests over those of the common people. His alliance with Caesar and Crassus paved the way for the downfall of the Republic, but his military achievements earned him a place among the great generals of history. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/103 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Help us keep the engine running at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!! “MaxKoMusic – Dark Ages” is under a Creative Commons (cc-by) license. Music promoted by BreakingCopyright: http://bit.ly/maxkomusic-dark-ages Notes: Pompey the Great by Robin Seager
102. Gaius Marius
Gaius Marius was a prominent Roman general and statesman who played a pivotal role in transforming the Roman Republic into an empire. He was born in Cereatae into a plebeian family, which meant that he was not of noble birth. However, Marius rose to prominence through his military prowess and political savvy, ultimately becoming one of the most powerful men in Rome. Marius began his military career in 134 BC, serving as a junior officer in the Roman army during the Numantine War in Spain. He quickly distinguished himself as a capable and courageous leader, earning a reputation as a skilled tactician and strategist. Marius' military career flourished over the next few years, and he was eventually elected consul in 107 BC. As consul, Marius faced a formidable challenge: the threat of invasion from the Germanic tribes known as the Cimbri and the Teutones. These tribes had been wreaking havoc throughout Europe, and Rome had already suffered a significant defeat at their hands. Marius recognized the need for a radical overhaul of the Roman army if Rome was to have any chance of defeating these fierce opponents. Marius' reforms were revolutionary. He abolished the property requirement for military service, which had previously limited army recruitment to the wealthy patrician class. Instead, he opened up the army to the landless poor, who were desperate for work and willing to fight for their country. He also instituted a system of professionalization, where soldiers were paid regular wages and could expect to receive land grants upon retirement. These changes made the Roman army more efficient, effective, and loyal and helped ensure Rome's military dominance for centuries. Marius' military successes continued. He defeated the Cimbri and the Teutones in two significant battles, cementing his reputation as one of Rome's greatest generals. However, his political fortunes turned for the worse when he clashed with his former protégé, Lucius Cornelius Sulla, over control of the Roman government. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/102 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Help us keep the engine running at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!! “MaxKoMusic – Dark Ages” is under a Creative Commons (cc-by) license. Music promoted by BreakingCopyright: http://bit.ly/maxkomusic-dark-ages Notes: Gaius Marius at worldhistory.net Gaius Marius at ebrary.net
101. Scipio Africanus
Scipio Africanus was one of the most outstanding military leaders in ancient history. Born in 236 BC in Rome, Scipio came from a noble family of the Roman Republic. He was the son of Publius Scipio, a distinguished general who had fought in the First Punic War against Carthage. Scipio's early years were marked by tragedy. His father and uncle died in battle during the Second Punic War against Hannibal, leaving Scipio to carry on the family legacy. At age 25, Scipio was appointed commander of the Roman army in Spain. It was here that he would make his mark on history. Scipio's first significant victory came in 208 BC when he led his troops to a decisive victory against the Carthaginians in Spain. This victory was followed by a series of successful campaigns, which saw Scipio capture several vital cities and defeat several Carthaginian armies. In 204 BC, Scipio decided to take the fight to Carthage itself. He landed his army in North Africa and began to march toward the city. The Carthaginians, led by their Hannibal, had been expecting an attack from the sea and were caught off guard by Scipio's bold move. Scipio defeated the Carthaginian armies in a series of battles and forced Hannibal to abandon his plans to invade Italy. The final battle of the Second Punic War came in 202 BC at the Battle of Zama. Scipio's army faced off against a Carthaginian force led by Hannibal himself. The two armies clashed in a brutal battle that lasted for hours. In the end, it was Scipio who emerged victorious. Hannibal was forced to flee, and Carthage was forced to accept Roman terms of surrender. Scipio's victory at Zama marked the end of the Second Punic War and solidified his place in history as one of the greatest military leaders of all time. He was awarded the title of "Africanus" in honor of his victory over Carthage. Scipio returned to Rome a hero, and was hailed as the savior of the Republic. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/101 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Help us keep the engine running at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!! “MaxKoMusic – Dark Ages” is under a Creative Commons (cc-by) license. Music promoted by BreakingCopyright: http://bit.ly/maxkomusic-dark-ages Notes: Scipio Africanus by B. H. Liddell Hart
100. The Real Steve Austin
If you grew up in the 1970s, you probably know Colonel Steve Austin. He was an astronaut and test pilot who became the world's first bionic man after a horrific plane crash. Steve Austin was fictional, but that plane crash was real...and so was the pilot; his name was Bruce Peterson. Bruce Peterson was a renowned test pilot who made significant contributions to the aviation and aerospace industry. One of his notable achievements was his involvement in developing and testing the M2-F2 lifting body aircraft. The M2-F2 aircraft was a prototype design for a space shuttle developed in the 1960s. It was a hybrid aircraft that combined features of both airplanes and rockets. The M2-F2 aircraft was designed to fly back to Earth after a space mission, re-enter the atmosphere, and land like a conventional airplane. Peterson was one of the test pilots who flew the M2-F2 aircraft during its development and testing phase. In May 1967, Peterson experienced a serious crash in the M2-F2 aircraft that nearly cost him his life. During a test flight, the aircraft encountered turbulence, which caused it to roll over and dive into the ground. Peterson's crash inspired author Martin Caiden to write the book, "Cyborg," about a test pilot, Colonel Steve Austin, who lost both his legs, an arm, and an eye in a plane crash. The book was made into a TV movie and subsequent series, "The Six Million Dollar Man." Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/100 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Help us keep the engine running at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!! NOTES: The Beginning of The Real “Six Million Dollar Man”: The M2-F2 Crash. Cyborg by Martin Caiden The Six Million Dollar Man on IMDB
99. Hannibal
Hannibal Barca (247-183/182 BC) was a Carthaginian general and statesman who is widely regarded as one of the greatest military strategists and tacticians in history. He is most famous for leading an army across the Alps into Italy during the Second Punic War (218-201 BC), where he won a series of spectacular victories against the Roman Republic. Hannibal was born in Carthage (in modern-day Tunisia) to a prominent Barcid family, and was trained in military strategy and tactics by his father, Hamilcar Barca. He fought in several battles alongside his father in the First Punic War (264-241 BC) against Rome. After the First Punic War, Hannibal became the commander of the Carthaginian forces in Spain. In 218 BC, he famously led his army, including elephants, across the Alps to invade Italy. He won several major victories against the Romans, including the Battles of Trebia, Lake Trasimene, and Cannae. However, he was unable to take Rome itself and eventually had to return to Africa to defend Carthage against a Roman invasion. Hannibal continued to lead Carthaginian forces against Rome for several years, but he was eventually defeated by the Roman general Scipio Africanus at the Battle of Zama in 202 BC. After the war, he went into exile and lived in various places around the Mediterranean, including the court of the Seleucid king Antiochus III in Syria. He eventually took his own life in 183/182 BC to avoid being captured by the Romans who were seeking his extradition. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/99 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Help us keep the engine running at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!! “MaxKoMusic – Dark Ages” is under a Creative Commons (cc-by) license. Music promoted by BreakingCopyright: http://bit.ly/maxkomusic-dark-ages
98. Alexander the Great
As a young boy, Alexander was tutored by the famous philosopher Aristotle, who taught him a range of subjects, including philosophy, politics, and science. Alexander showed great intelligence and a thirst for knowledge, which would serve him well in his later conquests. When his father was assassinated in 336 BC, Alexander became king at the age of just 20. He immediately set about consolidating his power and expanding his kingdom. He defeated several rebellious city-states, and then turned his attention to the Persian Empire. In 334 BC, Alexander crossed the Hellespont (a narrow strait separating Europe and Asia Minor) with an army of around 35,000 soldiers, beginning his conquest of Persia. He won a number of battles against the Persian forces, including the famous Battle of Issus in 333 BC, where he defeated the Persian king Darius III. Alexander continued his conquest of Persia, taking cities and provinces one by one. He famously marched his army through the desert of modern-day Iran to reach the wealthy city of Persepolis, which he captured and looted in 330 BC. Alexander's empire continued to grow, and he conquered Egypt, Syria, and parts of India. However, his campaign was not without setbacks. His army faced a difficult battle against the Indian king Porus in 326 BC, and after years of non-stop campaigning, Alexander's soldiers began to tire. In 323 BC, Alexander fell ill in Babylon and died at 32. His death is thought to have been caused by a fever or poison, although the exact cause remains a mystery. Alexander's legacy was significant. He is remembered as one of the greatest military commanders in history, and his conquests helped to spread Greek culture and ideas throughout the world. Despite his relatively short life, his achievements had a profound impact on the course of history, and he is still widely studied and admired today. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/98 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Help us keep the engine running at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!! “MaxKoMusic – Dark Ages” is under a Creative Commons (cc-by) license. Music promoted by BreakingCopyright: http://bit.ly/maxkomusic-dark-ages
97. The Belknap Bump
The Belknap and Kennedy collision was a tragic incident that occurred on December 22, 1975, during a training exercise in the Mediterranean Sea. The USS John F. Kennedy, an aircraft carrier, collided with the USS Belknap, a guided missile cruiser, causing significant damage to both ships and resulting in the deaths of seven sailors and injuries to dozens more. The incident began when the Kennedy, which was operating as the flagship of the Sixth Fleet, was conducting a night-time refueling operation with the Belknap. As the Belknap was preparing to take on fuel, it made an abrupt turn to avoid another ship in the formation, and in the process, collided with the Kennedy. The collision caused severe damage to the Belknap's bow, and a large fire broke out on the ship's flight deck. Despite the efforts of the crew and the other ships and aircraft involved in the rescue response, seven sailors were killed in the incident. The Belknap suffered extensive damage and had to be towed back to port for repairs. The Kennedy also sustained damage but was able to continue its operations. The Naval Safety Center conducted a thorough investigation of the incident, and it was determined that a series of errors and miscommunications on the part of the crew of the Belknap led to the collision. The crew had failed to properly communicate their intentions to the Kennedy and had not properly set the ship's radar, which led to confusion about the ship's position. In the aftermath of the incident, the Navy implemented a number of changes in procedures and training to prevent similar incidents in the future. These changes included revisions to the rules of the road for ships at sea, increased emphasis on communication and teamwork during training, and improvements in the design of ships to make them safer and more survivable in the event of a collision. The Belknap and Kennedy collision was a tragic incident that resulted in the loss of life and significant damage to two ships. However, it also served as a reminder of the importance of proper communication and teamwork in preventing accidents at sea. The lessons learned from the incident have been used to improve safety and training in the US Navy and other navies around the world. We'd like to give a special thanks to Jody's dad, retired SCPO Roy Hanks, who provided a first-hand account of the events that occurred on that December night. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/97 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Help us keep the engine running at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!!
96. Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu of Wu was a great military strategist who lived in ancient China more than 2,500 years ago. His name has become synonymous with military strategy and tactics, and his ideas are still studied and applied today by military leaders and business executives. Sun Tzu was born into a noble family in the state of Chi somewhere around 544 BC. His grandfather was a provincial governor and his father was an accomplished military general. As a young man, he developed a reputation for his strategic thinking and tactical skill, and he was eventually appointed as a general in the army of Wu. Sun Tzu's greatest contribution to military strategy came in the form of a book that he wrote, simply called "The Art of War." This book is still considered one of the greatest works of military strategy ever written, and it has been translated into many languages and studied by people worldwide. Considering the countless texts lost or destroyed throughout Chinese history, the remarkable survival and relevance of Sun Tzu's Art of War to this day attest to its immeasurable value. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/96 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Help us keep the engine running at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!! NOTES: The Art of War by Sun Tzu and Thomas Cleary The Art of War Spirituality for Conflict by Sun Tzu and Thomas Huynh "MaxKoMusic - Dark Ages" is under a Creative Commons (cc-by) license. Music promoted by BreakingCopyright: http://bit.ly/maxkomusic-dark-ages
95. Leonidas of Sparta
Leonidas of Sparta was a legendary figure in ancient Greek history, known for his bravery and leadership during one of the most famous battles in history, the Battle of Thermopylae. He was born into the Agiad dynasty, one of the two ruling dynasties of the Spartan city-state. He was the son of Anaxandridas II and the brother of Cleomenes. Sparta was known for its strict military training and discipline, and Lionidas' upbringing would have been no exception. From a young age, he would have been trained in the art of war, and would have been expected to adhere to the strict code of conduct that was expected of all Spartan soldiers. This included being physically fit and strong, as well as being mentally disciplined and able to endure great hardship. Leonidas was chosen as one of the leaders of the Spartan force that fought against the Persian army at the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC. This battle was fought on a narrow pass, where the Greeks could hold off a much larger Persian force for several days. This battle is famous for the bravery and determination of the Greek soldiers, who were vastly outnumbered by the Persians. Lionidas' leadership skills were a major factor in the Greek's ability to hold off the Persians for so long. He personally led the Spartan soldiers into battle, and his courage and determination inspired the other Greeks to fight even when the odds were against them. Even though the battle was a defeat for the Greeks, Leonidas and his 300 Spartan soldiers fought bravely, and they were able to delay the Persian army, which bought time for the Greek city-states to prepare their defenses. This battle is still remembered as one of the greatest military engagements in history, and Leonidas is remembered as one of the greatest military leaders of all time. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/95 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Help us keep the engine running at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!! NOTES: 300 (2006) Staring Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, and Rodrigo Santoro at IMDB Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae "MaxKoMusic - Dark Ages" is under a Creative Commons (cc-by) license. Music promoted by BreakingCopyright: http://bit.ly/maxkomusic-dark-ages
94. Tomb of the Known Soldier
We're back! Since this is our first episode of 2023, we pause for a moment to reflect on the last year and give a shout-out to all the folks who make this podcast what it is! Thanks, everyone! We're also excited to have friend-of-the-show, Michael Shanks, co-host this episode! Michael holds the distinction of being The Digression Podcast's very first listener! He's also the Director of Business Development for Genasys Long Range Acoustic Device (a.k.a. Giant Voice...see episode 12 to learn more!) Lt Michael J. Blassie was a United States Air Force pilot who was shot down and killed during the Vietnam War. His remains were initially listed as "unidentified." They were interred in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery by President Ronald Regan in 1984 as part of a group of remains representing unidentified servicemen killed in the Vietnam War. The controversy surrounding Michael J. Blassie centers on the identification of his remains. The remains were exhumed in 1998 and identified through DNA testing, revealing that they belonged to Blassie. This caused some controversy because some people believed that the Tomb of the Unknowns should remain just that, unknown and that the remains should not have been identified and removed. Additionally, some concerns identifying Blassie's remains would diminish the sacrifices of other unknown soldiers interred at the tomb. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a monument dedicated to American service members who have died without their remains being identified. It is located in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, United States. The tomb was first established in 1921 to honor unknown soldiers from World War I. Unknown soldiers from World War II and the Korean War were later added, and a separate crypt was established in 1984 to honor unknowns from the Vietnam War. The Tomb is guarded by members of the United States Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). The guards are responsible for maintaining a 24-hour vigil at the tomb and performing a formal changing of the guard ceremony every hour on the hour, year-round. The ceremony is open to the public and is a popular attraction at Arlington National Cemetery. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is considered a symbol of sacrifice and honor for all of the United States service members who have died in service to their country. It serves as a reminder of the cost of war and the sacrifices made by those who have served in America's armed forces. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/94 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Help us keep the engine running at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!! Notes: World War II vet Cpl Jack Eaton, a former Sentinel, who, at age 100, returned to Arlington to visit the Tomb he guarded from 1938-1940
93. Christmas in Wartime
Christmas has always been an important holiday in the U.S., but it took on a special meaning during World War II (1941-45) because so many families had loved ones serving in the armed forces that they were not able to return home for Christmas. Although the Second World War did not have holidays, Americans both at home and overseas did everything they could to celebrate Christmas. Christmas 1941 was not much different for most Americans than the year before, even though the disaster of Pearl Harbor had occurred just weeks earlierIt is sad to remember when looking back on Christmas 1940, that the holiday was not a joyous one for all Americans. The Christmas season offered the hope that although so many were absent this year, the war might end the following year, and missing family members could come home. The G.I.s, not yet at home at Christmastime in 1940, celebrated anyway, happy to be back on American soil. Ironically, although GIs abroad could not be with their families at that time, their fighting the war ensured they would be free to spend future Christmas holidays with their families. Citizens even volunteered to sacrifice a Christmas spent with family back home in America to bring veterans home for New Year's Eve. So masses of American servicemen--some 250,000 of them, some carrying brand-new discharge papers, others only days or two from separation--found themselves on American soil again on Christmas Day, 1945, but still not entirely at home. The war's end barely meant the 2,000,000 men and women eligible for separation--those who might have been done on active duty--were back at home on the two civilians when America's Christmas came. In the Pacific, the Americans involved in a costly island-hopping tour to the Philippines and Japan were unaware of Christmas. Being separated from family and friends over the holidays made the wars all the more difficult for those serving, but creativity and generosity made Christmas meaningful and memorable. Any widespread Christmas Day truce for 1944 was not possible, because only nine days before Christmas, the Germans launched the largest counteroffensive of the war in the West, which led to the Battle of the Bulge and a ferocious battle for the entire holiday. The first German Christmas of World War II was celebrated in December 1939, when the front was mostly quiet; the western allies and region were at the height of what was called a phony war, in between the time following the invasion of Poland in September 1939 and the invasion of Norway in April 1940. There were few opportunities for similar events during the Second World War since American troops were only in relatively close contact with German forces in North Africa and Italy before the D-Day landings in 1944. While the 1914 Christmas Truce has achieved legendary status in the history of World War I, little has been written about comparable events involving American troops. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/93 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Help us keep the engine running at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!!
92. Foxbat Fraud
The spy satellite photos created real panic in the Pentagon! An enormous Soviet airplane–probably an interceptor–with engine intakes the size of small cars. The wings were huge, which suggested it had maneuverability far beyond anything America’s McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom II could achieve. The Pentagon was looking at the prototypes of what would become the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 Foxbat. After the airplane appeared in public for the first time in July 1967 and went on a record-setting spree, it appeared the Soviets had a wonder weapon that could match the best in the West–the Mach 3.2 Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird spyplane. This was a terrifying development. That is, if it were true… Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/92 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Become a Patron or support the show in other ways at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!! NOTES: The MiG 25 terrified the West until a defector exposed its true nature Mikoyan MiG-25 This legendary Soviet aircraft’s engines were basically two missiles jammed into a fuselage Impressive photos show Viktor Belenko’s defecting MiG-25 Foxbat buzzing Hakodate rooftops before landing at the city’s international airport Viktor Belenko
91. Censored!
IN THE NEWS: YouTube censors TDP; Family sues Army over Fort Hood daughter's death; Bonnie Dick sailor acquitted; Maveric's Dark Star steals the show at Edwards; Ukraine meme war; Elon Musk wants DoD to pay for Starlink in Ukraine; Mad cow military can give blood; Selective service says biological men are men; Space Force has a Hanna-Barbera song; Space Force Metalhead Guardians; USAF Academy applications drop and leader's it's not due to woke policies; Still, there's lotsa woke in the USAF; Delayed promotions for the E4 mafia; Army's Pre-boot camp boot camp; Navy wants YOU, Gen Z; Titty vision; Vets get a pay raise! And more! Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/91 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Become a Patron or support the show in other ways at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!! NOTES: FOLLOW-UP: Family of murdered Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillen files $35M lawsuit against U.S. Army TDP: ep 32: Fort Hoodlum w/ SFC Ron Barteau Sailor Found Not Guilty of Setting Fire on USS Bonhomme Richard Here Are The First Images Of Lockheed Darkstar On Display At Edwards AFB UKRAINE UPDATE: Meme war: You can pay to get memes painted on Ukrainian artillery, bombs, and rockets The Subsidy King Is Back: Elon Musk Asks Pentagon to Pay for Starlink Internet in Ukraine PENTAGON: US military personnel barred from blood donation by ‘mad cow disease’ fears receive eligibility Biden admin: Trans women must register for draft; trans men don’t have to SPACE FORCE: Space Force debuts its official service song ‘Semper Supra’ US Space Force tests robot dogs to patrol Cape Canaveralhttps://www.space.com/space-force-robot-dogs-cape-canaveral Netflix: Broken Mirror, S4E5, Metalhead AIR FORCE: Exclusive–Qualified Air Force Academy Applicants Drop 46% amid Recruiting Crisis Air Force leaders set new goals to diversify officer corps Air Force Academy promotes fellowship that bans ‘cisgender' men: ‘This program isn’t for you’ U.S. Forces Ordered to Stop Using Gender Pronouns to Improve ‘Lethality’ Senator Hawley speaks out about military recruitment Aim high: Air Force green-lights waivers for THC-positive applicants More senior airmen, fewer overall enlisted expected in next few years ARMY: The Army’s pre-boot camp boot camp is likely to expand NAVY: New Navy Ad Campaign Kicks Off Targeting Gen Zs on Social Media MARINES: Marine drill instructors’ crude sexual remarks prompt boot camp visits VETERANS: Veterans, retirees get 8.7% Social Security cost-of-living boost
90. "I Was A Soldier," Revisited
Revisiting the fateful day that changed the course of Sergeant Major Charles Morris’ life. On June 29, 1966, while on a search-and-destroy mission in Xuan Loc, South Vietnam, Sergeant Morris came within 20 feet of a Viet Cong machine gunner and was shot in the chest. He returned fire and took out the machine gun nest as the platoon came under heavy fire from an enemy force that significantly outnumbered them. For the next eight hours, Sergeant Morris refused medical attention as he continued to direct and encourage his men. He would earn the Medal of Honor for his actions that day. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/90 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Become a Patron or support the show in other ways at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!! NOTES: The original SGM Morris episode can be found here
89. Werewolves of Aachen
In the Autumn of 1944, as the allies pushed through Germany, the Nazis hatched a plan to establish active forces behind enemy lines. It was called Operation Werewolf. Operation Werewolf was led by Heinrich Himmler and Hans-Adolf Prützmann. The original plan was to create elite groups of guerrilla fighters to harass enemy forces just as the Allies Commandos had done. In less than two months, Prützmann successfully recruited nearly 5,000 Werewolves. In October 1944, the Allies captured the Belgian-Dutch border town of Aachen. It was the first German town occupied by the Allies. Four thousand civilians remained during the occupation and to help maintain order, the Allies appointed Franz Oppenhoff as the new mayor. Oppenhoff had been an ardent anti-Nazi and had proven quite adept at surviving his enemies’ attempts to arrest and deport him. Hitler was furious when he learned about Oppenhoff’s mayoral appointment. The Nazi high command considered Oppenhoff a collaborator who was committing an act of treason. Bent on making an example of Oppenhoff to discourage other Germans from collaborating with the advancing Allied forces, Hitler ordered Oppenhoff's assassination. Himmler thought this was the perfect mission for the Werewolf and gave the job to Prützmann. Soon, Operation Carnival was in motion and Oppenhoff's days were numbered. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/89 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Become a Patron or support the show in other ways at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!! NOTES: Nazi Werwolves Werewolves of Aachen Operation Werewolf: The Nazi Resistance Force SS Werewolves Ilse Hirsch Nazi Resistance Fighter Warren Zevon: My Shit's Fucked Up Who is Burgermeister Meisterburger? Who is Col Flagg? Who is Sgt Schultz?
88. Space Isn't New
IN THE NEWS with guest co-host Christof Ambrosch! VA makes PACT Act conditions presumptive and accepting claims; Ukraine's Zelensky talks war with Jimmy Fallon; While the parliament gives themselves a 70% raise; Pentagon OKs Novavax for COVID19, Civilian Protection Center of Excellence and limiting war casualties; Space is not new; Space Flag and on-orbit combat training; The Air Force knows sweat, piss, and hate; Army turns to social media to find missing M240 machine gun; Navy ghost leet is setting sail; Marine harrier controlled crash on mattress; Commission says vets more likely to go to jail than non-vets, but we're not quite so sure. ---------- Special THANKS to Christof Ambrosch for co-hosting this episode! Christof is a friend of the show and the producer and host of Tales of Honor Podcast and Professional American podcast. Look them up wherever you listen to podcasts! ---------- Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/88 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Become a Patron or support the show in other ways at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!! NOTES: VA makes all toxic-exposure conditions presumptive immediately following signing of PACT Act Vets can apply for all PACT Act benefits now after VA speeds up law UKRAINE UPDATE: Volodymyr Zelensky Discusses Ukraine War Campaign with Jimmy Fallon 70 percent more money – Ukrainian MPs decide to increase their pay PENTAGON: Troops can now get Novavax as a COVID-19 vaccine Military Gets New Office to Help Limit Civilian Deaths and Injury SPACE FORCE: What is the Space Force? Guardian explains how it contributes to our every days lives US Space Force conducts 'simulated on-orbit combat' training AIR FORCE: ‘Sweat, piss and hate’ — What it smells like to carry hundreds of troops in an Air Force C-17 ARMY: The Army wants YOU — to help them find a missing M240 machine gun NAVY: The Navy’s ‘ghost fleet’ is growing MARINES: Wheels-Up Harrier Jump Jet Landing On Mattresses. What Could Possibly Go Wrong? VETERANS: Commission will study why veterans are more likely than nonveterans to get in trouble with the law
87. Winning Battles, Losing Wars
Among the basic distinctions in warfare is the difference between tactics and strategy. Tactics deal with the form of individual engagement, while strategy deals with its use. So, tactics are the operational techniques military units employ to win battles. Strategy addresses the broader political objectives for which a war is fought and the ends, ways, and means employed to obtain them. For the strategy to succeed, there must be at least a rough connection between tactical objectives and the broader objectives for which the war is waged. Otherwise, battles become ends in themselves, often with grave strategic consequences. Such was the case with Hannibal Barca, the Carthaginian general who is widely considered to be one of history’s most able and talented field commanders. He invaded Roman Italy in what historians still regard as a classic campaign, won every major engagement he fought, and yet ultimately achieved none of Carthage’s strategic objectives. In his view armies fought until it became clear to the political leadership of the losing side there was nothing more to be gained by further combat Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/87 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Become a Patron or support the show in other ways at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!! NOTES: Hannibal of Carthage: Scourge of Rome Ancient Carthage and Hannibal Barca Hannibal: The Carthaginian General Who Took on the Romans Hannibal: Victories of the Great Hero from Ancient Carthage Hannibal of Carthage – The Greatest Opponent Rome Ever Faced
86. The Weasel
In this special episode, we're discussing General Milley's resignation letter to the President that he never sent, deciding instead to work against the Commander-in-Chief from the inside. Military members have a duty to be loyal to the service and the officers appointed over them. Military officers can be punished under the Uniformed Code of Military Justice for using contemptuous words against the President. And yet, if this new book is to be believed, that's exactly what General Milley did in his official capacity as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Why do we say this? The New Yorker recently published an alleged resignation letter from General Mark Milley that was never submitted to former President Trump. The article is an excerpt from a new book by authors Peter Baker and Susan Glasser, who are unsurprisingly senior reporters for The New York Times and the New Yorker. Lacking any imagination at all, the authors have titled the book, “The Divider: Trump in the White House.” According to the story, Milley wrote the scathing letter to Trump following federal officials clearing rioters out of Lafayette Square back in the summer of 2020. Remember, it was on June 1, 2020 in the wake of the George Floyd riots when Milley and other senior staff accompanied Trump part of the way across Lafayette Square after it had been cleared of Black Lives Matter. Milley apologized after he was criticized by lefties, saying he should not have been there because his presence created a perception of the military involved in domestic politics.” We discussed this in Episode 28, Self Before Service, as part of a larger leadership context. Anyway, now, Milley and The New Yorker have conjured up a resignation letter that was never submitted to the former president to make the anti-Trump general somehow look noble and heroic. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/86 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Become a Patron or support the show in other ways at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!!
85. Hardcore Mode
IN THE NEWS: RIP CMSAF #6 James McCoy, Nichelle Nicols, and Vin Scully; Ukraine economy tanking; Pentagon phone wiping; No national guard for Bowser; Space Force ‘ambassadors’; Air Force ‘family friendly’ drag show; Martin-Baker hardcore mode; Woke West Point; Bonhomme Richard discipline and another fire; Marine justice; Relief for burn pit vets; Ghost Army honors, listener comments, and more. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/85 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Become a Patron or support the show in other ways at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!! NOTES: RIP: Former chief master sergeant of the Air Force passes away at 91 ‘Star Trek’ Icon Nichelle Nichols Dead at 89 Dodgers mourn passing of Vin Scully PENTAGON: Pentagon reminds everyone not to wipe their phones Biden’s Pentagon Refuses D.C. Mayor Bowser’s Request for National Guard to Deal with Illegal Immigration SPACE FORCE: Space Force Looks to Put Space Attaches in Embassies AIR FORCE: Air Force Base Hosted Drag Show During its ‘Diversity’ Festival Lockheed F-35 Design Evades Martin-Baker Ejection Seat Grounding h/t Facebook Air Force amn/nco/snco page… ARMY: West Point Alum Warns the School is Going Woke NAVY: Vice admiral and two dozen others punished for USS Bonhomme Richard fire Fire breaks out aboard USS Milwaukee MARINES: ‘Failure of leadership’ — What one Marine’s discharge reveals about the military justice system Marine Cpl. Thae Ohu’s sister speaks out about her court-martial, trauma Marine Corps general won’t suspend Thae Ohu’s discharge after plea VETERANS: Millions of vets suffering from burn pit, toxic injuries set for more benefits after Congress passes PACT Act
84. Angel's Glow
The US Civil War was America’s bloodiest and most costly conflict. Although the battlefields were covered with death, the field hospitals were perhaps the most frightening places. From the echoing screams of men undergoing amputations to the inexperienced doctors and lack of medical knowledge, many believed it was better to die on the field than to face the surgeons. Infections were also a huge problem due to poor sanitation, disease, and the delay in care. At the Battle of Shiloh, some of the soldiers sat in the mud for two rainy days waiting for medics to get to them, as contaminated bullet and bayonet wounds became infected. As dusk fell the first night, some noticed something very strange: their wounds were glowing, casting a faint light into the darkness of the battlefield. Even stranger, when the troops were eventually moved to field hospitals, those whose wounds glowed had a better survival rate and had their wounds heal more quickly and cleanly than their unilluminated brothers-in-arms. The seemingly protective effect of the mysterious light earned it the nickname “Angel’s Glow.” Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/84 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Become a Patron or support the show in other ways at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!! NOTES: Why Some Wounded Civil War Soldiers Actually Glowed In The Dark – And Lived Because Of It Angel’s Glow: What Made These Civil War Wounds Glow? Angel’s Glow - The Mysterious Glowing Wounds Of American Civil War Solved 140 Years Later By Two Teenagers
83. Pronouns
IN THE NEWS: Navy targets pronouns while China launches new carrier; Turns out West Point is teaching woke; Rep Matt Gaetz fighting DEI in the military; Woke military struggles with recruiting; Congress tells Space Force to slow down; Air Force "leaders" discourage gender-specific pronouns in award citations; Competition to replace the Army's Bradley is underway; Four soldiers receive Medal of Honor for action in View Nam; Navy threatens sailors who misgender; Last P-3 Orion leaves Jax Navy; RIP Medal of Honor recipient Chief Woody Williams; Last of the Band of Brothers passes, RIP PFC Bradford Freeman; Operation Shooting Star; and we catch up on the comments! Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/83 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Become a Patron or support the show in other ways at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!! NOTES: PENTAGON: As US Navy Targets Pronouns, China Launches its Most Advanced Carrier Importance Of Using Correct Pronouns - Navy Training Video Barnes "Take the Pain" - from the movie Platoon Man from Lox - Navy Training Video Critical Race and Gender Ideology Infiltrating West Point, Judicial Watch Reports Matt Gaetz Sinks Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Amendment to Defense Bill: ‘This Is the Doubledown on Wokeness in the Military’ Woke Military Struggling to Reach Recruitment Goals SPACE FORCE: Space Force Launches New Intelligence Unit as Congress Voices Concerns over Growth AIR FORCE: Air Force leaders discourage use of gender specific pronouns in award citations ARMY: Competition to replace Bradley vehicles enters design, prototype phase Four soldiers to receive Medals of Honor for actions in Vietnam Tales of Honor Podcast NAVY: Navy threatens to penalize sailors who purposely misuse gender pronouns Longtime aircraft being retired by Naval Air Station Jacksonville patrol squadron MARINES: Last Surviving WWII Medal of Honor Recipient Woody Williams Dies at 98 VETERANS: Operation Shooting Star
82. Talk To Me Goose!
By now, just about everyone has seen Tom Cruise’s blockbuster movie, “Top Gun: Maverick”...so why are we talking about it? Well, for one thing, it’s “us,” and another is it’s a damn good movie! So if you’re one of the few who have not seen this movie and you’re worried about spoilers in this podcast, let me assure you, we’re going to spoil the hell out of this movie! We’re also going to go beyond the story (which we really don’t spend too much time on) and dive into some background information you might not know about…important things, like is Dark Star real?; an alternate storyline theory; what became of Maverick’s jet and where can you see it?; the technology behind Iceman’s speech; who was really flying that P-51; who the hell is Penny Benjamin?; and much more! Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/82 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Become a Patron or support the show in other ways at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!! NOTES: Darkstar Mockup From Top Gun: Maverick Looks Wicked In New Video Lockheed Martin: Top Gun – The Need for Speed Wild Top Gun 2 Theory Suggests Maverick Was Dead The Entire Movie Did you catch the Blue Angels Super Hornet in the new 'Top Gun: Maverick' movie? How A.I. Helped Val Kilmer Get His Voice Back For ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ The success of 'Top Gun: Maverick' is a warning to Democrats in the midterm elections, claims conservative host Steve Gruber Movie Star Aircraft: The P-51 Mustang in Top Gun: Maverick Who is Jennifer Connelly's Character Penny in 'Top Gun: Maverick'? Top Gun The Edge of Aviation
81. Mission First?
IN THE NEWS: Fast-mover, Slow-mover collision story; Ukraine a stalemate? So why are we fighting; GI Jab lawsuit; The real home-grown terrorists; Space Force is just misunderstood; Space Force is LIT; Air Force changes Would make General Olds smile; Navy approves beards for sailors…sort of; Army basing challenges; Marine Pride!; VA hospital dithers while vet dies! Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/81 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Become a Patron or support the show in other ways at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!! NOTES: INTRO: 1994 - March 23, USAF C-130/F-16 Collide TOPIC: IN THE NEWS UKRAINE: The Pentagon Testified Assessing Ukraine and No One Noticed PENTAGON: US service member may have planted explosives in inside attack at Army base, injuring 4 others Over 500 Military Service Members Sue the Government for Mandating a Vaccine that Was Not FDA Approved and Should Not Have Been Administered SPACE FORCE: Misunderstood and sometimes parodied, the U.S. Space Force is educating the public about its mission QueerSpace: Becoming Light AIR FORCE: A new mustache policy for airmen has arrived ARMY: How the Army can work around states cracking down on abortion, trans rights NAVY: Navy approves beards … if you’re no longer in the Navy MARINES: Marine Corps sparks outrage with rainbow bullets to mark Pride month VETERANS: VA hospital denied emergency care to dying vet because staff couldn’t verify his military service
80. The Red Knight of Germany
We all know The Red Baron as Snoopy's unseen arch-enemy who shot his Sopwith Camel doghouse out of the sky untold times in the Peanuts cartoons. But the actual man was so much more than the caricature painted by Charles Schultz! Although Baron Manfred von Richthofen was only involved in World War I's air war for 18 months, seated in his blazing red Fokker DR-1 triplane he shot down 80 allied planes in that time, an extraordinary feat considering that most fighter pilots only achieved a handful of victories before being shot down themselves. And you know, it's no coincidence this is also our 80th episode! Just kidding, it's a complete coincidence. Shownotes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/80 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Become a Patron or support the show in other ways at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!!
79. So Long, Space Force!
IN THE NEWS: Welcome to the Bud Abbott edition of The Digression Podcast; Space Force HQ finally has a home; USS George Washington moving sailors off the ship; More money for Ukraine and cracks in EU resolve; Milley worries about medics; Space Force National Guard fixes bureaucracy with more bureaucracy; So long to the REAL Space Force; What happened to the Pilot Protection Program?; Army General vexed by "hoopdies"; Navy Chief gives “mission first” a try; RIP Medal of Honor recipient, Marine Sgt Maj John L. Canley. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/79 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Become a Patron or support the show in other ways at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!! NOTES Listen to Sgt Maj Canley's story at Christof Ambrosch's Tales of Honor Podcast FOLLOW UP No foul play in moving Space Command to Alabama, Pentagon watchdog says Report: Hundreds of USS George Washington sailors living aboard ship to be moved off UKRAINE UPDATE Roadblocks to Concerted EU Sanctions on Russian Oil Biden Wanted $33B More For Ukraine. Congress Quickly Raised it to $40B. Who Benefits? https://greenwald.substack.com/p/biden-wanted-33b-more-for-ukraine Yellen says U.S. to give Ukraine another $500 mln to keep government running BREAKING: Senator Rand Paul Stalls Uniparty Bill Giving $40 Billion in More Funding to Ukraine PENTAGON Medical Forces Could Be Shorthanded During War Due to Planned Cuts, Milley Says SPACE FORCE Senators introduce legislation to create Space National Guard ‘Space Force’ Canceled By Netflix After 2 Seasons AIR FORCE Air Force disciplines C-130 crew for ‘unplanned’ landing to pick up motorcycle in Martha’s Vineyard ARMY Hawaii Army commander implores soldiers to help curtail abandoned-vehicle blight NAVY US Navy Chief Removes Woke and CRT Books From Professional Reading Program List MARINES Vietnam Medal of Honor Marine dies after decade-long battle with cancer
78. My Road to Mandalay with David Townsend
Major Donald Townsend experienced some of the most extraordinary events in British history. In My Road to Mandalay, author David Townsend recounts his father's adventures fighting with the "Forgotten Army" in the China-Burma-India theater during World War II. David expertly choreographs this story through a collection of more than 500 letters his father wrote to his family and a pen pal named Connie, who later become his wife--and David's mother. David was inspired to write this book during the Covid lockdown in 2020 when he found a diary that recorded his father’s homeward journey from Burma in 1946. He typed this up and shared it with a dozen or so family members and close friends. Feedback was such that they all wanted to know more! And there was a lot more! Five hundred letters had been found in his mother’s loft in 2011. Although he had already done some preliminary work on these, the lockdown provided time to do it right. Captain Tom was also an inspiration. He was born in the same year as David's father. He served in the 14th Army and was in the major battle of Arakan, that preceded Imphal. A film ‘Captain Tom’s War’ was shown on ITV on VE Day and again in February 2021 as it had been his wish that this part of history should be remembered. It was after this latter showing that David decided that his father’s story should get as wide a publication as possible and not just be kept for family and friends. My Road to Mandalay is the result. What makes this war story different is that it's not about blood and guts – it's the real-life story of a soldier who served in the 14th ‘Forgotten Army’ from start to finish and played a far more critical role in the re-take of Burma than his family ever envisaged, combined with amazing first-hand accounts of the battles that took place that provide a decidedly human aspect to the war. Buy David's book: Amazon-UK | Amazon-US Contact David at Authoright Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/78 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Become a Patron or support the show in other ways at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!!
77. Safe Spaces
IN THE NEWS: Back from vacation; Spotify drops Obamas’; Russia wants a land bridge to Crimea; Biden pours more money into Ukraine–where’s it going?; Unethical PsyOps with Ukraine and Clearview AI; Space Force goes solo at basic training; Air Force Safe Spaces; Land navigation coming back to the Army; What’s going on aboard the USS George Washington?; Are the Marines no longer America’s 9-1-1 force?; Watch the Nova special, “Frozen in Time,” for free; Listener comments and more! Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/77 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Become a Patron or support the show in other ways at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!!
76. The Kee Bird, Revisited
The Digression Podcast Guys are taking some much-needed time off, so climb aboard the Wayback Machine as we revisit one of our favorite episodes from the early days: Recovering the Kee Bird (episode #8 from 8/25/2019). In addition to a cleaned-up replay of the original episode, we share some additional news and insight about the Kee Bird crash and the pilot who flew her. Enjoy! Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/76 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Become a Patron or support the show in other ways at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!!
75. Space Force Fit
IN THE NEWS: The Russians carve out Donbas; Did we bring the Taliban here?; The biggest troop surge in Europe since 2005; DoD covid policies are affecting readiness; Russia wages war while the U.S. trains on gender identify; A new digital fitness program for Space Force; Our thoughts on Okie AG F-16 crash; ‘Pentagon Wars’ flashback with Army’s new light tank; Navy security helps Hooker; The Marines are eager for Earth Day; Listener comments and more! Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/75 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Become a Patron or support the show in other ways at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!!
74. Bloody Peleliu
In the autumn of 1944, the U.S. landed on Peleliu, one of the Palau Islands of the western Pacific. Some 28,000 Marines and soldiers hit the tiny island and immediately faced stiff resistance from the Japanese. The brutal, difficult battle lasted more than two months. The island garrison put up a particularly tough defense along a cave-pocketed massif dubbed "Bloody Nose Ridge" by the Americans. The ferocious defense put up by the Japanese demonstrated a shift in tactics from fanatic zeal to a war of attrition. This change in strategy was designed to make the Americans pay dearly in blood and treasure for every inch of ground gained. And at Peleliu, pay dearly they did. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/74 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Become a Patron or support the show in other ways at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!!
73. "No One Told Me"
IN THE NEWS: Early thoughts on Ukraine; Feel-good story of the day; Seems we did leave a helicopter behind; DoD claims data glitch in vax reporting; 6-million man-hours gone woke; Kabul commander whines; The REAL Space Force is live; The other Space Force wants to pick-up garbage; Lucifer's Chariot laid to rest; Army points finger at Biden; Biden points back; Seabee command triad canned; Marine goes to court over bad paper; RIP Candy Bomber; Not safe for work; Book recommendations. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/73 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Become a Patron or support the show in other ways at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!!
72. Voice of the Dogface
Bill Mauldin once said that the infantryman “gives more and gets less than anybody else.” He knew this from his experience on the front lines during the invasion of Sicily and the Allied campaign up the boot of Italy. The talented cartoonist succeeded in ruffling the feathers of the “brass” all the way up to General George Patton. In a time when American news outlets were sanitizing World War II for the folks on the home front, Bill Mauldin depicted the grim reality of war. Through the use of meticulous detail, keen observations, and sardonic wit, he spoke for the masses of ordinary soldiers, the "dogfaces," who had no voice of their own within the massive military machine of the United States. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/72 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Become a Patron or support the show in other ways at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!!
71. Covid Misinformation
IN THE NEWS: Covid misinformation; Pentagon spox refutes woke military claims by explaining how woke they are; Leaked docs prove Biden's Afghanistan failure; Special Forces take out new ISIS leader; Vax injuries skyrocket after military vax mandate; The REAL Space Force is back!; Congress turns down Space National Guard...again!; If that's not bad enough, there are no Space Force license plates, either; Surprise! Mysterious aircraft spotted at Area 51; Biden honors WWII Ghost Army soldiers; The Navy's new hip-hop 2-piece OC; Barefoot Marine kicks in a car window; Finally! Red Tails win first Top Gun competition. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/71 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Become a Patron or support the show in other ways at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!!
70. Rommel's Last Day
Field Marshall Erwin Rommel, the famed "Desert Fox,' was a German officer and reputed to be Hitler's favorite general. At the outbreak of World War II, Rommel was given command of the troops that guarded Hitler’s headquarters, which was a disappointment for a man used to fighting on the front lines with the infantry. But in early 1940, he was given a chance to put to use his gifts, when he was given command of the 7th Panzer Division. Although a novice as far as mechanized forces were concerned, he soon mastered the advantages and proved his leadership abilities again in the German offensive against the French channel coast in May. In early 1941, Rommel was placed in command of the Afrikakorps and sent to North Africa to aid Germany’s ailing ally, Italy, in maintaining its position in Libya. It is here, in the deserts of North Africa, that Rommel earned his vaunted reputation, as well as his nickname, for his fox-like tactics. Winning significant victories against the British, it wasn’t until a second battle to take el-Alamein in Egypt went against him that the “invincible” general was finally called home back to Europe. Hitler put Rommel back in northern France, to guard against an Allied invasion. Rommel’s suggestions for the precautions necessary to repel an enemy invasion were not taken seriously, and he began to lose confidence in Hitler and Germany’s ability to win the war. He assessed the support from his field commanders for removing Hitler from power and was also approached by colleagues to actually take the reins of government when Hitler was deposed. On D-Day, Rommel’s prediction of disaster for Germany’s position played itself out. Still, Hitler would not consider negotiations with the Allies. Rommel ended up in the hospital after his car was attacked by British bombers and he was forced off the road. Meanwhile, details of a failed assassination plot had come to Hitler’s attention, including Rommel’s contact with the conspirators. As Rommel was convalescing in his home at Herrlingen, two generals visited and offered him his choice: a public show trial or take his own life. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/70 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Become a Patron or support the show in other ways at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!!
69. Not Our Fault
IN THE NEWS: RIP Betty White (and it’s not our fault); Reflecting on our podcast; Biggest military stories of 2021 review, including the January 6th Capitol Riot; The botched U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan; The Accountable Marine; Russian buildup on the Ukraine border; Extremism and CRT in the military; New Tricare charges; Army vet scams the VA; and more. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/69 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Become a Patron or support the show in other ways at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!!
68. The Christmas Truce
By December 1914 the reality of trench warfare quickly settled in. Heavy rain soaked both the trenches and the “No Man’s Land” that separated them. For those on the Western Front, daily life was miserable, but it was a misery that was shared by enemies who were, in some places, separated by only 50 yards. By Christmas Eve, a tenuous truce slowly started to take hold. The Germans placed Christmas trees and candles on their trenches and began singing Christmas carols. The British responded by singing carols of their own. As morning broke on Christmas Day, both German and British soldiers slowly emerged from their trenches, meeting in “No Man’s” Land to socialize, exchange gifts, and maybe even play a little soccer. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/68 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Become a Patron or support the show in other ways at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!!
67. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
When it comes to the military lexicon, there is a certain language that has many civilians thinking they're listening to a foreign tongue. Well, they are. Not "foreign" as in another nation's language, but foreign as in another culture. Although many military words and expressions do indeed have foreign language roots (the history and etymology of the word "latrine," for instance, is French, from the Latin "latrina," a contraction of "lavatrina," from the word "lavare" meaning "to wash," and dates back to the 1600s), most evolved directly from the military experience. A good many are common throughout the different service branches (everyone knows "MRE," which is "Meal Ready to Eat," and is the basic sustenance of troops in the field ), but some are exclusive to a particular service or even a specific unit (the "Blue Falcon" of the USAF Security Forces, for example, which we discuss in the podcast). So, listen in as we shed some light on the words and expressions, jargon and gibberish, parlance and patois, slang, talk, tongue, and terminology of military service members. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/67 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Become a Patron or support the show in other ways at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!!
66. Operation Pastorius
In the summer of 1942, Adolf Hitler sent two four-man teams to America to blow up railroad bridges, power plants, and tunnels, to paralyze industrial facilities vital to the American war effort, and to demoralize the American civilian population. It was considered one of the most daring sabotage plans in history. But it turned out to be a major headache for the Nazi leader. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/66 Help Neal at the Veteran's Assistance Commission locate family members of Medal of Honor recipient, MSgt Vito Bertoldo. You can find his phone number or DM him here: https://www.facebook.com/VeteransServiceOfficer Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Become a Patron or support the show in other ways at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!!
65. Porky's Marine
IN THE NEWS: Winsome Sears is the American dream; Accountability Marine held accountable, but still comes out a winner; 1000s of Americans still in Afghanistan; Service members' sue DoD over vaccine mandate; Vaccine in use missing one thing: FDA approval; Let’s have some compassion; Brits kick USMC ass; China’s hypersonic missile and General Milley’s concern; Forever chemicals; Space Force traditions; “Real” Space Force update; Airman stuck with hefty car repair bill; Army plan to stop breaking soldiers; More Bonnie Dick lessons; and Porky’s marine. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/65 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Become a Patron or support the show in other ways at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!!
64. The Maco Light, Revisited
Our schedules got in the way of recording this week, so we're revisiting one of our early episodes. We cleaned up the audio a bit (as best we could given the original Skype recordings) and added the cover art, which we didn't start doing until later episodes. We had a good time with this episode, just dishing on ghost stories with the aid of good whiskey. So, what was The Maco Light? A hundred years and a thousand storytellers have blurred the legend of the Maco Light and we’re not going to make it any clearer. Joe Baldwin was a brakeman and was traveling in the caboose of an Atlantic Coast Line train through the little town of Maco, North Carolina, when all of a sudden it became uncoupled from its train. Was there something nefarious about this? We don’t know. But, Joe, who may or may not have been asleep and/or drinking, realized that another train following close behind was about to collide with his car that sat motionless on the track. He ran to the back of the caboose, wildly swinging his lantern to get the engineer’s attention, but the engineer who may or may not have been asleep and/or drinking, didn’t see Joe’s light in time. And the oncoming train crashed into Joe’s caboose taking Joe’s head in the process and flinging it into a nearby swamp. For more than 100 years, until the track was pulled-up in the late 1970s, Joe’s body roamed the tracks each night with his trusty lantern in hand in an endless search for his severed head (you’d think he’d have searched the swamp, right?). In addition to Joe, we talk about the haunted Carleton House on Fort Huachuca Army Base in Arizona. Where a ghost name Charlotte pranks the Strom family by ringing the doorbell and running away, taking pictures off the wall, and turning the lights out at night. Of course there could be other non-paranormal explanations for these occurrences and we rag Col Strom for ’em. We also discuss the C-130 Loadmaster at Little Rock AFB who was crushed between two Humvee’s being off-loaded from the plane, and how he sticks around after death to work on the plane. And finally, we touch on the USAF Academy cadet who after committing suicide in the 60s still practices his marching on the parade field each year when the new freshmen class arrives. And as we go through these stories, we digress into a conversation about the reclamation of lost submarines, inoperable dishwashers, and 3M Command Strips. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/64 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Become a Patron or support the show in other ways at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!!
63. Balance the B.S.
Shocker! The military doesn’t nation-build; News sources we like; Mossad does the coolest sh*t; Woulda, coulda, shoulda in Afghanistan; Great deals on U.S. guns in Afghan stores; Continuous background checks; More Space Force mockery; USAF owes for Texas shooting; Army climate survey fail; Navy wants to be the most diverse service ever; and yet Sikh marine sues Navy for lack of diversity; The accountability marine saga; Listener comments and more. Shownotes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/63 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Become a Patron or support the show in other ways at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!!
62. Operation Rype
This is the story of Major William Colby and Operation Rype. “Rype” was the codename of the American airborne unit dropped by Carpetbagger B-24s into the Snåsa mountains in Central Norway on March 24, 1945. Their objective was to carry out sabotage operations behind enemy lines with the purpose of preventing German forces from withdrawing from northern Norway to reinforce the European theatre. Shownotes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/62 Sponsor: Get 1 month FREE at Wondrium (formerly The Great Courses Plus)! https://thedigressionpodcast.com/wonder Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Become a Patron or support the show in other ways at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!!
61. Afghanistan. Let's Talk About It.
Where were you 20-years ago when the U.S. war in Afghanistan began? It was September 11, 2001, and al Qaeda terrorists hijacked and crashed two American Airlines passenger jets into the Twin Towers, another into the Pentagon, and a fourth, a United Airlines jet bound for the Capitol Building or the White House, was crashed into a field in Shanksville, PA. That day, 2,997 Americans were murdered by Muslim extremists and three days later, standing at Ground Zero in New York City, President George W. Bush reassured the American people that “I can hear you, the rest of the world can hear you, and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon.” Thus, with a promise of revenge for our fallen, the wheels were set in motion and a few days later Congress authorized what was to become the Global War on Terror. A war that would consume four presidential administrations and extract a monumental toll in blood and treasure. Now, we’ve left Afghanistan, and in many ways, we’ve left the country in much worse shape than we found it. It’s certainly a more dangerous place now than it was two decades ago. Many veterans who served during this time, especially those who served in-country, are angrily scratching their heads and asking themselves, was it worth it? what was it all for? Let’s talk about it. Once again, friend-of-the-show Christof Ambroch takes the co-pilot seat in this episode. Regular listeners of this podcast know Christof; he is the producer and host of Tales of Honor, a podcast with a mission to tell the story of every recipient of the Medal of Honor, as well as the Professional American podcast, where he covers it all, from business ownership, to family life, to car stuff, and more! Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/61 Sponsor: Get 1 month FREE at Wondrium (formerly The Great Courses Plus)! https://thedigressionpodcast.com/wonder Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Become a Patron or support the show in other ways at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!!
60. The Carpetbaggers
One of the best-kept secrets of World War II was the CARPETBAGGERS, the code name for a joint OSS-8th Air Force covert ops unit. Assisting French underground groups, American Airmen flew agents and supplies to those resistance forces. They flew specially modified, black-painted B-24’s, C-47’s, A-26’s, and British Mosquitoes to carry out these clandestine operations. They flew by night dropping spies and supplies during moonlit skies from late 1943 until the end of the war in Europe. They are among WWII’s unsung heroes. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/60 Sponsor: Get 1 month FREE at Wondrium (formerly The Great Courses Plus)! https://thedigressionpodcast.com/wonder Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Become a Patron or support the show in other ways at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/donate Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!!
59. Be More Objective!
IN THE NEWS: Setting the record straight on Afghanistan; Capitol Killer; Crenshaw taking whistleblowers to the DoD; Drafting women; SECDEF mulls vaccine mandate; But it’s illegal; GAO has a plan to reduce training deaths; Space Force stepping up in CENTCOM; Space Force LT changes the paradigm; REAL Space Force Update; The Thunderbird maintainer pilot; Air Force says “YES” to scalp tattoos; Mouthy general runs away; No social life for unvaxed soldiers; Arson aboard the “Bonny Dick”; Navy MIA for Iranian attack; The new diverse Marine; Coasties score big!; Burn pit vics getting some recognition. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/59 Sponsor: Get 1 month FREE at Wondrium (formerly The Great Courses Plus)! https://thedigressionpodcast.com/wonder Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Support the show by becoming a Patron at https://patreon.com/thedigressionpodcast Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!!
58. Sprayed and Betrayed
This is the story of a dangerous toxin released on our enemy and our own, all the while being lied to by the government. No, we’re not talking about Covid, we’re talking about Agent Orange. Much of South Vietnam is covered with very thick, dense jungle vegetation. This dense vegetation was used as cover by the forces opposing the United States and South Vietnamese armies. One means of counteracting this tactic was the use of herbicides to kill and defoliate vegetation. Agent Orange was a powerful herbicide used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War to eliminate forest cover and crops for North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops. These chemicals were applied by airplanes, helicopters, trucks, riverboats, and individual backpacks. Three million acres of South Vietnam were sprayed with 50,000 tons of Agent Orange and other herbicides, containing over 500 pounds of dioxin. Because herbicides were used in Vietnam to destroy crops and defoliate jungle cover, the military used higher concentrations of herbicide per unit area than most domestic applications, which are primarily used to prevent weed growth. Dioxin is a by-product of herbicide production and is the focus of veterans’ continuing health concerns today because of its deadly toxicity. And we knew it all along! ----- Friend of the show Christof Ambroch takes the co-pilot seat in this episode. Regular listeners of this podcast know Christof. He is the producer and host of Tales of Honor, a podcast with a mission to tell every story of every recipient of the Medal of Honor, as well as the Professional American podcast, where he covers it all, from business ownership, to family life, to car stuff, and more! ----- Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/58 Sponsor: Get 1 month FREE at Wondrium (formerly The Great Courses Plus)! https://thedigressionpodcast.com/wonder Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Support the show by becoming a Patron at https://patreon.com/thedigressionpodcast Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!!
57. White Rage Is The New Bigfoot
IN THE NEWS: RIP "RUMMY"; Field refutes SECDEF's denial of CRT in the military; The Joint Chief Chair and the search for 'white rage'; The other racial extremist; US troops don't seek extremist content; Rep Crenshaw's woke whistleblowers; Capitol Police using DoD tech to spy on Americans; US sneaks out of Bagram Air Base; And The Onion called it!; Complete withdrawal +/- 1,000; Surprise! US still can't explain UFOs; Space Force says 'good-bye' to promotion tests; Update on the REAL Space Force; Sloppy maintenance and a smoldering F-22; But the drag queen show was a BIG success; The new cringe-worthy USAF fitness test; Army puts corporal before sergeant; Sticker shock at this Army-Navy country club; Report says Navy is woke first, mission-ready second; Marines train opening/closing White House door; Congress hasn't paid the bill for ANG protection. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/57 Sponsor: Get 1 month FREE at Wondrium (formerly The Great Courses Plus)! https://thedigressionpodcast.com/wonder Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Support the show by becoming a Patron at https://patreon.com/thedigressionpodcast Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!!
56. The Hard Stand Monster, Revisited
Relive or experience for the first time that day The Digression Podcast went live as we revisit our first episode...the story of RAF Alconbury's Hard Stand Monster. This episode kicked off with just a handful of listeners, but it's now a top Google search result. It's also our second most downloaded episode. Looking back, it may have started off a little slow, but it quickly picked up as we shed our self-conscious reluctance and just "shot the breeze" as we'd always done. Leaders never forget where they came from and neither do creators. Every episode was our best effort. In three years we've grown as podcasters and continue to improve our craft with an ear toward our listener's experience. We've made some good friends within the industry and have learned a ton from them, and we've spoken to some interesting people. But most of all, and this is the most humbling, we continue to gain more and more listeners who engage with the show. People from all around the world give their time to listen to The Digression Podcast and share how they feel about it. They add to the conversation with their praise, their criticism, and their insight. They support the show with their downloads, and on Patreon, and by simply sharing it with friends. We appreciate each and every listener. We may have never met, but we share a common experience, and this is enough to make us friends. Thank you! Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/56 Show notes for the ORIGINAL Hard Stand Monster episode at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/001 Sponsor: Get 1 month FREE at Wondrium (formerly The Great Courses Plus)! https://thedigressionpodcast.com/wonder Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Support the show by becoming a Patron at https://patreon.com/thedigressionpodcast Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!!
55. I'm Calling Your Parents!
IN THE NEWS: Lotsa "woke"; Military Training Instructor calls home; The bigger picture around the Pentagon's anti-extremism moves; What you need to know about Biden's National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism; Department of Defense doubles down on diversity, inclusion, and equity in the ranks; Diversity essential to national defense; Affirmative action for Special Forces; Navy's highest-ranking officer pitches Marxist book, promotes racism over readiness; In a twist, Pentagon says no Pride flags on bases; and The military's transgender doctor bill. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/55 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Support the show by becoming a Patron at https://patreon.com/thedigressionpodcast Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!! Sponsor: Get 1 month FREE at Wondrium (formerly The Great Courses Plus)! https://thedigressionpodcast.com/wonder
54. Third Time's The Charm
This is the story of a young Korean man, Yang Kyongjong, who was pressed into military service for the Japanese army to fight the Russians in Manchuria. Captured by the Russians, he had spent a year in a labor camp when the German invasion of Russia saw him pressed into a Russian army uniform facing off against the Wehrmacht. Captured again, he was sent to a German prison camp when, as fate would have it, he was conscripted into the German army and soon found himself standing against the allies as they landed in Normandy. Notwithstanding the light-heartedness of this episode, the Japanese occupation was a dark period for the Korean people. The Japanese used Korea as a breadbasket, it stripped their land of trees to support Japanese industry, pressed their young women into prostitution, and their men into military service. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/54 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Support the show by becoming a Patron at https://patreon.com/thedigressionpodcast Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!! Sponsor: Get 1 month FREE at The Great Courses Plus! https://thedigressionpodcast.com/GCP
53. Whistleblower
IN THE NEWS: Social distancing on Mount Everest; Netanyahu says 'no' to Biden; Space Force whistleblower with a book; Vandy is newest Space Force Base; Justice Thomas rags on Feres Doctrine; Pentagon trolling social media; CENTCOM begins Afghanistan drawdown and worries about the vacuum; UFOs are everywhere; U2 talks to F22 and F35; Contractors sell low-class tech data; No guns for Army of One; Take a break from the Army; Navy Secretary pushes DEI; Sailor builds better badges; The Man from LOX; Marine first active-duty charged for Jan 6 "attack"; Burn pit benefits on the way; Bartender trashes military ID; Korean war hero receives Medal of Honor. Shownotes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/53 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Support the show by becoming a Patron at https://patreon.com/thedigressionpodcast Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!! Sponsor: Get 1 month FREE at The Great Courses Plus! https://thedigressionpodcast.com/GCP
52. A-Bombs On The Moon
Detonating a thermonuclear weapon on the moon? It sounds like the devious scheme of a deranged comic-book villain and not a project initiated inside the United States government! But in 1958, as the Cold War space race was heating up, the U.S. Air Force set out to do just that! Code-named "Project A119," it was the U.S. attempt to reclaim the initiative from the Soviets who had just flung the beach-ball sized satellite "Sputnik" into orbit, thus proving to the world it had not lost the space race before it had even begun. What could go wrong? Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/52 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Support the show by becoming a Patron at https://patreon.com/thedigressionpodcast Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!! Sponsor: Get 1 month FREE at The Great Courses Plus! https://thedigressionpodcast.com/GCP
51. Stop Staring At My Breasts
The "Go-To" Service; Space Systems Command finds a home; Colorado jumps the gun; The real Space Force update; SECDEF defines extremism; Still not leaving Afghanistan; Pentagon touts transgender docs; military not ready; Why does God need a starship?; ACC's new alignment is old news; Disney (did not) help Thunderbirds create new airshow; Avenger ditches at Cocoa Beach; West Point cheaters; Army super soldiers; Soldiers earn Nordic badge in desert; Stop staring at my breasts; Navy Lt rags on enlisted; Greatest beer run ever!; Coast Guardsmen make olympic team; Burn pit advocate dies; WWI Memorial opens in D.C.; D-Day survivor passes. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/51 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Support the show by becoming a Patron at https://patreon.com/thedigressionpodcast Or just share our podcast with a friend! It's the best way to grow the show!! Sponsor: Get 1 month FREE at The Great Courses Plus! https://thedigressionpodcast.com/GCP
50. Military Murder Mysteries
Regular listeners of the show know we like strange tales (and alliteration), so for our 50th episode, we thought we'd have a little fun with some military murders that just don't add up. Fair warning! This episode contains some dark humor. So, what caused the untimely deaths of Lt Paul Whipkey, SPC Chad Langford, Lt Kirk Vanderbur, Col James Sabow, Col Yosef Alon, Sgt William Miller, and Cpl David Cox. We may never know what happened to these men, but one thing we know for sure: suicide is always a convenient explanation. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/50 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Support the show and share our podcast with a friend!
49. Finding Faces with Ryan Kern
Ryan Kern is a former news anchor and reporter for a Nevada NBC affiliate. Now, as an independent journalist, he is the host/reporter/producer of the Finding Faces podcast. “Finding Faces: The Search for the Missing Pictures of Fallen Vietnam Heroes” is about the hunt for photos of servicemen who did not return home from Vietnam. In 2001, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (the organization running The Wall memorial in Washington D.C.) started collecting at least one photo of all 58,000+ who died in the war. Twenty years later, they’re down to around 100 servicemen who do not have pictures. These photos are all featured on a virtual “Wall of Faces” online. Ryan's podcast searches for the families of Vietnam servicemen in order to collect the best pictures possible for the Wall of Faces and help investigate or resolve any issues or questions these family members are still dealing with 50-years later. Finding Faces, Season 1, aired in 2020 from September through December. It was 12 episodes long and about 12 hours of content, but day one of recording the series actually began in February of 2019! So while some episodes were recorded over the span of one-week, others covered 17-months...and everything in-between. Season 2 is currently in production and Ryan took time out of his busy schedule to talk to The Digression Podcast guys! Finding Faces Podcast: http://storicmedia.com/finding-faces/ Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/49 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Support the show and share our podcast with a friend!
48. Extremely Unserious
In early February, in the aftermath of the January 6th Capitol “riot,” Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, ordered a 60-day stand-down within all the military branches in order to address extremism in the ranks. Despite an October 2020 Pentagon report commissioned by Congress that concluded extremist views were not widespread and identified "a low number of cases in absolute terms," this was an urgent matter that needed to be addressed immediately. In the weeks following, the Pentagon released training materials to guide military units in conducting their stand-down events. Appropriately, within this guidance were examples of unacceptable and impermissible extremist activities. The only problem? All were examples of white supremacy as if that’s the only form extremism takes. There was no mention of ANTIFA anarchists who assaulted federal facilities, from ICE facilities to courthouses for a year. And the subject of Black Lives Matter (BLM) was described as an acceptable discussion of a social policy issue although BLM was responsible for 90% of the “protest” violence that occurred during the summer of 2020. And let’s not forget Major Nidal Hasan, the Islamic extremist who killed 13 people and wounded 30 others in a Fort Hood killing spree. Are there people serving or who have served in the military who hold extremist views? Certainly. We’re an all-volunteer force, so the military is a reflection of society. However, narrowing the definition of extremism to that of white nationalism without including or ignoring outright its other manifestations, demonstrates the Pentagon’s and Secretary Austin’s lack of seriousness in truly addressing this issue. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/48 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Support the show and share our podcast with a friend!
47. Conduct Unbecoming
IN THE NEWS: Grandpa Doc; Biden Trips; Space Force growing Techs; SFJROTC; GAO gets in on Space Command HQ relo; UFO report coming due; Space Force NATSEC Nip Slip; National Guard D.C. extension; And we're staying in Afghanistan; Generals acting badly; Where are the cars and buildings we bought in Afghanistan?; Iran satellite psyche-out; A new LGBTQ champion; Searching for the drunk airman who stole a plane; Air Force drone washes up on the beach; Affirmative action for pilots; Ukrainian jet Volkswagen add-on; Army discovers men and women are different; Jetpack soldiers; Navy drone swarms; Stress-o-Meter; Remembering the El Toro Jet joy ride; No benefits for jet fuel lungs. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/47 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Support the show and share our podcast with a friend!
46. Florida Fiasco
In 1812, the United States government tried to annex Spanish East Florida by a combination of covert action and direct invasion. Then the plan went horribly wrong. The “Patriots' War'” in Spanish East Florida during 1812-13 was an early example of a military disaster caused by a secret, flawed political policy. The characteristics of this fiasco bear an uncomfortable resemblance to the United States' undeclared wars in the late 20th century—covert paramilitary operations, convoluted chains of command, restrictive rules of engagement, Congress at odds with the president, and increasing public dissatisfaction. As always, the troops paid the highest price for bad policy. Marine Captain John Williams was one of the few regular military officers assigned to bolster the American government's shadowy effort to subvert Spanish colonial authority in the territory and ultimately annex it to the United States. He had become frustrated by political constraints that conceded the first shot to any adversary. His Marines were increasingly vulnerable to attacks by bands of Seminoles and blacks, who were armed and directed by East Florida's Spanish governor. The Spanish-organized guerrillas had no such restrictions. On the night of September 12, 1812, they ambushed Captain Williams and his Marines in Twelve Mile Swamp, northwest of St. Augustine. The Marines fought fearlessly, averting a massacre, but their leader was mortally wounded. The ambush of Williams' force toppled the ill-advised plot to annex East Florida by armed diplomacy. American forces, their lines of communication effectively severed, immediately abandoned their five-month siege of St. Augustine and retreated toward the St. Johns River. The eventual evacuation of all U.S. troops from Florida ended one of the most disgraceful chapters in American military history. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/46 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Support the show and share our podcast with a friend!
45. TRUMP!
IN THE NEWS: Mike saves Tiger; Space takes a back seat; Trump; Paski mocks Space Force; Floaty Bois; IG probes Space Force relo; Trump; Capitol fence ain't going away any time soon; The National Guard may not either; Biden's Three Stooges Syria Solution; 'American is Back' like it was before; Trump; We ain't leaving Afghanistan; or Iraq; Trump brings deaths to zero!; Weeding out extremists; Taking sexual misconduct out of the chain of command; Sunday Ferrari; Action orders; Army gender issues; Bowe Bergdahl goes to court; Navy learns 3-D printing; Pueblo survivors beat North Korea; Marines need cobra blood; Mohawk drug score; Uranium and Gulf War Illness; Better late than never for 99-year-old soldier; Skynet IS real; Premature detonation. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/45 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Support the show and share our podcast with a friend!
44. Too L8, They're Gone
To the mysteries of the sky add the case of the U.S. Navy blimp L-8. Since the dawn of aviation, aircraft have flown into the clouds never to be seen again. The L-8 disappeared into the clouds all right, but when she reappeared and eventually came back down to earth, she was missing her crew! During WWII, the L-8 patrolled the California coast near San Francisco looking for Japanese submarines. On August 16, 1942, she took off from the Treasure Island Naval Base on a routine flight with a two-man crew, Lt (J.G.) Ernest Cody and Ensign Charles Adams of Airship Squadron 32. About two hours into the flight, Lt Cody radioed the control tower at the base and told them they were investigating a large oil slick, which could indicate a Japanese submarine was in the area. Neither Cody nor Adams were heard from again. Their ship returned to earth without them. PLUS: Our thoughts on Gina Carano's new gig! Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/44 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Support the show and share our podcast with a friend!
43. Bits and Bytes
We were right about COVID; Space Force is here to stay; Star Gate; Alabama wins Space Force; The Cyber Force?; A General understatement; Specialists; Lockheed to the rescue for $5B; Space Force season 2; Biden locked out; National Guard parked in the garage; "Let them eat cookies"; Extremists in the Guard; 404-1776 Commission Report; Waiver for new SECDEF; Back to Afghanistan; Military fights climate change; MIA snoops on cells; Air Force recruits influencers; Electromagnetic woes; Awesome Super Bowl flyover; The combat Cloth Face Covering; Top Army soldier cleared; Army okays bald women; Bradley still broke; China and Iran flex; PC Navy fires CO; Marine grooming on deck; Downtime chess; Private Jerry Garcia? Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/43 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Like the show? Leave a 5-star review: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/review Support the show and share our podcast with a friend!
42. The Thresher's Tale
On April 10, 1963, the USS Thresher, the lead boat of her class of nuclear-powered submarines, went down with all hands 220-miles off the coast of Cape Cod. It was the deadliest submarine disaster in U.S. naval history. The loss of the Thresher was never fully explained and the Navy never released the report on the its sinking. That is, until a retired submarine commander sued the Navy, forcing them to come clean! Now we know why she sank...at least what the Navy thinks because analysis of SOSUS data paints a different (and more plausible) picture of events. Still, one thing we do know is the sinking of the Thresher led to sweeping changes in the submarine force that has ensured the safe operating of these vessels ever since. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/42 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Support the show and share our podcast with a friend!
41. "Guardians" of the Galaxy
IN THE NEWS: Farewell Caroline Creech; Space Force "Guardians"; Be Like Star Trek; Space Force wins first international tournament; Yolo, PS5 > letters of discipline; Is unclaimed money waiting for you?; Ghosts in the wires; Smaller paychecks for GI's; BMI is bad; The Galactic Federation is watching; USAF shopping for flying cars; Told you: Army has an NCO vacuum; Pentagon Wars Take 2; Accidental discharge for Lady Green Beret; Looking for Strategic Arctic Ports; Congress wants info on UFOs; Marine vet gets new home; Record-breaking ice-breaker; Nazi's in VA cemeteries? Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/41 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Support the show and share our podcast with a friend!
40. Merry Christmas Drop
Merry Christmas! For 69-years the US Air Force has performed what has become the oldest continuing Department of Defense mission and the longest-running humanitarian airlift in the world. Every year, the multinational Operation Christmas Drop brings school supplies, clothing, rice, fishing equipment, and toys to more than 50 remote Pacific islands throughout the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau. Utilizing Air Force C-130J "Super Hercules" aircraft, the operation also gives the Airmen the opportunity to practice humanitarian aid drops, as they'll later be expected to conduct drops over countries like Iraq or Afghanistan after deployment. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/40 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Support the show and share our podcast with a friend!
39. I Want A Lawyer
IN THE NEWS: Spotify's #1 Podcast; Space Force has new Chiefs; China rivalry; Missile warnings; Vets in Congress at all-time low; Gen Mattis doesn't get it; Military's biggest AI challenge; DISA did Teams; Pandemic stirs bio-attack worries; Nasa says mystery object is not an asteroid; C130s to influence election runoff?; Old soldier aids terrorists; Soldier earns astronaut device; Holiday toy dive; This soldier is not a dad; Landing on six classes of carriers; $30-million to scrap the boat; Marines have a drug problem; Just infantry; Coast Guard deploys to the Persian Gulf; Military's pandemic shutdowns are stupid; Rule change for service animals; Remember Pearl Harbor, but not here; Icons of Armor; The Neutral Zone. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/39 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Support the show and share our podcast with a friend!
38. Broken Arrow
Seven and a half hours into their training mission, Major Howard Richardson and his Boeing B-47B Stratojet flight crew finally began to relax after an evening of deploying electronic counter-measures and chaff to evade prowling North American F-86 fighters. The sky was clear and the moon was full. Heading south at 35,000 feet and 495 mph over Hampton County, S.C., their next stop was home. Suddenly and without warning, a massive jolt yawed their aircraft to the left, accompanied by a bright flash and ball of fire off their starboard wing. An F-86 Sabre fighter jet had collided with the bomber and the impact ripped the left wing off the F-86 and heavily damaged the fuel tanks of the B-47. For safety reasons, the crew of the B-47 jettisoned their payload, a 7,000-pound, 1.69 megaton nuclear bomb, which fell into the Savannah River. Now, 65 years later, the bomb, which has unknown quantities of radioactive material, has never been found. And while the Air Force says the bomb, if left undisturbed, poses no threat, area residents aren't so sure... Show notes available at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/38 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Support the show and share our podcast with a friend!
37. Pilot Protection Program
IN THE NEWS: Podcaster Stories; Space command gets a home; Space policy czar; Schriever Exercise; Space warfare and the secret X-37B space plane; Robots or Astronauts?; Space Force boot camp; International Space Station turns 20; DOD leaders acting like douchebags; Exercise in USFK; Welcome home troops; Like father, like son in the AOR; The United Federation of Planets is born; Taliban reset; Tuition assistance cuts; Pilot Protection Program; Bomb trucks and Military Minions; Army goes green; AWOL update; WTF Fort Hood?; Seal Team Six baby!; Blue Angels new ride; Unequal justice in the ranks; Vets visit national parks for free; Finding Faces; 100 and flying solo; Farewell to a Doolittle Raider. Show notes available at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/37 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Support the show and share our podcast with a friend!
36. Top Secret Courage
In 1968, Chief Master Sergeant Richard "Dick Etchberger was part of a covert CIA and USAF team working out of a small radar site on a remote mountain in Laos called Lima Site 85. He was part of a highly-classified operation called "Project Heavy Green." At this time, Laos was a neutral country, so it was illegal for either the United States or North Vietnam to have military forces in the country, so, Chief Etchberger and his team had to "voluntarily" resign from the Air Force and become civilians. As "employees" of the Lockheed Corporation, the Lima Site 85 crew directed USAF bombers to their targets in North Vietnam using mobile, computer-linked radar. However, what started as a mission to link bombers to targets in North Vietnam, soon moved closer to "home", as Lima Site 85 started directing strikes in Laos as the People's Republic of Vietnam Army moved closer and closer to their position. With the enemy at their doorstep, top brass considered evacuating Lima Site 85, but they were a day late and a dollar short as a group of specially-trained North Vietnamese Dac Cong sappers attacked the site on the evening of March 10, 1968. And the only thing between the Dac Cong and the crew of Lima Site 85 was Chief Dick Etchberger. This is his story. Joining us on this podcast is our buddy and friend of the show, Christof Ambrosch. Christof is the producer and host of the Tales of Honor Podcast, a bi-weekly podcast where the true stories of every recipient of the Medal of Honor are told. Christof is on a mission to tell them all and there are more than 3,500! Christof’s show is in our podcast playlist and we recommend you add it to yours, too! Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/36 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Support the show and share our podcast with a friend!
35. White Feather
He's the most famous sniper you’ve probably never heard of. Marine Gunnery Sergeant Carlos N. Hathcock II was a Marine Scout Sniper who served two tours in Vietnam, first in 1966 and returning in 1969. Until the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq he held the record for the most confirmed kills in the United States military. During the course of his two tours in Vietnam he recorded 93 confirmed kills and over 300 unconfirmed kills, building a reputation that was so renowned the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong placed a bounty on his head that was equal to three years pay or approximately $30,000. He was known by the army he hunted as "White Feather" for the single white feather he kept tucked in a band on his bush hat. His exploits against such deadly adversaries as "The Apache," "The Cobra," and "The General" were the stuff of legend! Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/35 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Support the show and share our podcast with a friend!
34. YOU'RE FIRED!
IN THE NEWS: You're fired!; Space Force deploys; Charlie Brown in TIME's 100; Training for the new Cold War; What's old is new again; Nellis leads the way; Army's new A.I., sorta, not really; Three big Army deployments! What could it mean?; Beetle Bailey turns 70; The Navy has a real pirate ship; Big new mission for the Carl Vinson; Marines reshape from within; Diversity saves lives; Diversity quotas; Military couples still divorcing; SECDEF guts military healthcare; State Department restores auto-citizenship; Appeals Court says male-only draft is Constitutional...for now. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/34 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Support the show at https://patreon.com/thedigressionpodcast
33. Surviving COVID with The Fired-Up Chief
Chief Master Sergeant Juan Lewis served 28-years in the U.S. Air Force before retiring from active service. During his career, the former Services troop held many key billets on Joint Task Forces, NATO, and as the Wing Command Chief on several bases. He was given the moniker, the "Fired-Up Chief," by the Airmen he led due to his passion to serve and champion their interests. In retirement, the Fired-Up Chief continues to serve the Airmen he loves. To him, each one of them is HERO (Helping Everyone Realize Opportunity) and his job is to keep them fired-up with Pride, Enthusiasm, and Passion (PEP). And he does this through motivating PEP talks as he travels around the Air Force and as a consistent source of encouragement to his tens of thousands of followers on social media. But in April of this year, the Fired-Up Chief found he was the one in need of motivation and encouragement as he fought for his life after contracting the coronavirus. Lying in his hospital bed in the Dutch city of Sittard, which lies just across the border from Geilenkirchen NATO Air Base in Germany, the Fired-Up Chief thought that at any moment, he might breathe his last. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/33 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Support the show at https://patreon.com/thedigressionpodcast
32. Fort Hoodlum w/ SFC Ron Barteau
The U.S. Army's Fort Hood is on track to have the biggest year yet in soldier deaths due to accidents, illness, suicide, and murder! The Texas military installation, on which Army psychiatrist Maj Nidal Hasan killed 13 people and injured 32 others in a 2009 mass shooting, has seen more than its share of bloodshed. In 2014, five years after Hasan’s killing rampage, Iraq War veteran and Army veteran SPC Ivan Lopez opened fire on the base, killing three soldiers and injuring another 16 before killing himself. Today, it seems not much has changed. Not only is Fort Hood the army's premier installation to train and deploy heavy forces, but it also leads the service in soldier murders and sexual assault cases. Of course, this should come as no surprise because, from 2014 and 2019, there was an average of 129 felonies committed annually at Fort Hood, including cases of homicide, sexual assault, kidnapping, robbery, and aggravated assault. Maybe the base should think about changing its name to Fort Hoodlum. Anyway, to try to glean some perspective into the chilling number of deaths on Fort Hood, we invited SFC Ron Barteau, a former tank commander and Fort Hood alum, to share his experience and insight into the base climate and culture, and what leaders today might be missing. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/32 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Support the show at https://patreon.com/thedigressionpodcast
31. Military Murder
What drives military members to murder? Maybe it's the violent nature of the work; or some childhood trauma; or a psychological disorder; or maybe they're just bad people. Maybe it's all of these things or a combination or none of them. The truth is we often don't know what compels someone to kill. If you're looking for answers, you're not going to get them here. What you're going to get are six stories of military murder that will leave you shaking your head: The Infidelity Solution Murder; The Hi-Fi Murders ; The 'How Far Can I Get' Murder; The Proposition Murder; The Coward Contractor Murder; and The Canadian Panty Thief Murders. And although it's not a murder story, we chat about the Air Force's 'Master Solution' to a missing finger mystery and how it backfired. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/31 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Support the show at https://patreon.com/thedigressionpodcast Get FREE unlimited access for 30-days at The Great Courses Plus: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/GCP
30: Semper 'Sup
IN THE NEWS: 'Sup with the Space Force motto?; A Space Force second; House wants Navy ranks in Space Force; Poland is the new Germany; F-16s moving out; Beirut blast; U.S. military delivers; Pentagon shuts down has-been colonels; Chinese military told to stand-down; Space X Splashdown; New UFO task force; Air Force helicopter takes fire over Virginia; New WTF Feature: Colonel Kiddie Porn; Bang! Bang!; Child molester asks Supreme Court for his job back; Insulin murders at the VA; and wrapping-up with "Everyday Heroes" do work that matters. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/30 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Support the show at https://patreon.com/thedigressionpodcast
29. "The Bomb" is 75
Ever since the American occupation of the Marianas, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa, the main Japanese islands had been under constant bombardment by long-range bombers of the United States. The city of Tokyo and many other cities on the Japanese mainland were leveled by day-and-night firebomb raids. As Italy and Germany had already done, Japan was paying the price for its grandiose plans for world conquest. But the island nation wasn't ready to surrender. Then the United States unveiled the biggest surprise in the history of warfare. It was the deadliest weapon ever designed--the atomic bomb. And although the initial test detonation at Trinity was several times more powerful than scientists had predicted, U.S. officials questioned if it would be enough to compel Japan's surrender. On August 6, 1945, "Little Boy" provided an answer. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/29 Sound-Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Support the show at https://patreon.com/thedigressionpodcast
28. Self Before Service
IN THE NEWS: Killer garden gnomes; Time wasters; The Space Force 2400; Space Force partners with the UK; What Trump knows about Roswell; Racial bias in grooming standards; Drawdown in Iraq; Moving troops in Germany; The military's assault on religious liberty; Congress "okays" senior leader promotions; Rogue leaders; New Senior NCOs in the Air Force; COVID19 grounds Thunderbirds; USFK tells GIs to follow beach rules; 40 Mark Strasse; The Ugly American Syndrome; Air Combat Command Chief takes an interest in crashed planes; The Air Force invests in a new old airframe; JAG takes jurisdiction for capital crime; Dead soldier was not AWOL. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/28 Sound-Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Support the show at https://patreon.com/thedigressionpodcast
27. Snooze You Loose
Most of you have probably heard of Antonio López de Santa Anna, the self-proclaimed "Napoleon of the West," and the story of the Alamo. What you probably haven't heard is how, just a few months after the Alamo, Santa Anna parked his army directly next to Sam Houston's much smaller American force by the San Jacinto River and ordered everyone to take a siesta. Houston literally caught the Mexican force napping and after convincing himself that the scene before him wasn't some heat-induced hallucination, he plowed his troops through Santa Anna's army while they slept, crushing them in just 18 minutes! Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/27 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Support the show at https://patreon.com/thedigressionpodcast
26. The Protest Episode
In the aftermath of George Floyd's death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, what may have begun as peaceful protests against racial injustice quickly turned violent, as riots and looting broke out throughout the city, then rapidly moved across the country. The military was not unaffected by this turmoil, as National Guard troops were called up to keep the peace, military leaders shared their perspectives on race, and the services march down the road of introspection. In this podcast, we discuss the Pentagon’s look at racial inequality in the military; on-base protests at Osan and Camp Humphreys in the USFK; the State Department’s struggle with diversity; the outgoing CMSAF’s hot take on racial injustice and the balanced commentary of the incoming CSAF; and the real numbers we’re dealing with related to racially-motivated killings in the U.S. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/26 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Support the show at https://patreon.com/thedigressionpodcast
25. To Boldly Digress
The Amazing 25th Episode Podcast Spectacular! Of course, it's really no different than our regular episodes...okay, so it's a regular episode, but it's special because it's number 25--a podcast milestone! To celebrate #25, we talk about the origin of The Digression Podcast on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. And, as if that wasn't enough, we share some stories about a favorite topic that has received several mentions throughout our podcasts: Star Trek, the sci-fi series that wouldn't die! This time it's more than a mention, as we explore how the series raised social awareness and literally saved lives during the Vietnam war. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/25 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Support the show at https://patreon.com/thedigressionpodcast
24. Bad Apple
In the news: The DOJ cracks the Pensacola terrorist iPhone and they’re pissed at Apple; Apple is also pissed at the DOJ; Corporations are People, too; A new Space Force Chief is enshrined on the Leadership Wall; Space Force goes on the road to explain Space Force; A new look at USAF mission-capable ratings; The United Federation of “Planet”; SkyBorg...it’s coming!; Pause for safety; Teddy Roosevelt heads back to sea; The Fired-Up Chief is still recovering; Stolen Valor takes a year; PLUS, an Offsite Announcement. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/24 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Support the show at https://patreon.com/thedigressionpodcast
23. I Wanna Believe
The Pentagon “officially” releases three videos of UFOs encountered by US Navy F/A-18 pilots. Although these videos have been in the wild for years, the Department of Defense was always tight-lipped about the whole affair. Not surprising, really. After all, what is a government without secrets, right? So, we take a listen to these encounters and share a bit of insight into the tech involved, as well as a little background into the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program, which was the latest in a string of UFO investigation organizations funded by the US military. We also share an exclusive first-hand report of a recent UFO sighting, along with intelligent commentary of the exchange between a prominent dentist and the base security personnel. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/23 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Support the show at https://patreon.com/thedigressionpodcast
22. Still Talking 'Bout the 'Rona
The “I can’t believe we’re still talking about the damn virus” episode where we discuss: The jump in COVID cases in the military and growing recoveries; The “Fired-up Chief” is on the mend; Vets are dying; New military travel exemptions and no-movement hardships; New York didn’t need Comfort after all; Japan goes American-made, but the Indians go Russian; A Navy without aircraft carriers?; Military cuts MEDIVAC in West Africa and a Public health emergency in Djibouti; Thunderbirds and Blue Angels salute the nation; Apply to the Space Force; An Airman and Marine takes the US back to space; Space Force wants all things “space”; Where’s the new Space Force logo?; Teddy Roosevelt gets a new hospital; The tests are in and now the Teddy is the perfect research lab; Spreading out bombers in the Pacific; Razing the Russians; Researching pilot cancers, but what about the mechs?; Building a digital B1; Russia razzes the Navy; No ROE change for Iranian Gunboats; Nine Inch Nails joins the Army; Too many beds, but that’s okay; VA record sharing (cough*cough); Kicked-off base at Camp Casey; Good luck reforming USAJOBS. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/22 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Support the show at https://patreon.com/thedigressionpodcast
21. Cheers!
Are you sick of 24/7 coronavirus? We sure are! So, join us for HAPPY HOUR where we explore these topics and more: Corona slushies; Leadership offsites; The family doesn’t listen; Beer civilized man; Drunk around the world; The best thing about the military; Driving? Drink lite; Only two kinds of beer in Leperland; Party ball and Bootleg Coors; The Class Six and Shoppette; Beer marches; Beer and Bulls; Recyclables; A pub on every corner; Yard of Ale; Beer Machine; Drinking and driving with the captain; Fosters: It’s Korean for Beer; Surprise! Recall!; A Waffle House on every block. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/21 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Support the show at https://patreon.com/thedigressionpodcast
20. Minicast Q&A
Since we have a little time on our hands thanks to COVID-19, we're putting out this extra "minicast" for folks who find themselves with a little extra time for podcasts. In this episode: We salute you, NYC Mayor Bill De Blasio; Why are The Angry Cops so angry?; The Comfort is here; where are the patients?; Teddy Roosevelt's skipper gets canned; A famous sailor passes; and some Q&A from a listener. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/20 Sound Off! With a comment or a question at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff Support the show at https://patreon.com/thedigressionpodcast
19. Going Viral
Space Force completes its first mission; No movement for the military; North Korea wants help with coronavirus cases it doesn’t have; Military COVID19 cases top civilian; The Air Force opens a new boot camp; Pentagon publishes pandemic guidance for commanders; The military pitches in with masks and vents; The Navy provides Comfort and Mercy to those in need; Billions for Defense and VA in emergency stimulus package; TRICARE COVID19 test kit scam; Countries using phones to track virus patients; and soon the US will, too; Army and Navy testing the recall waters; Power with others or some shit; New Prez for Top Aces Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/19 Sound-off! with questions or comments! Support the show at Patreon!
18. "I Was A Soldier"
The fateful day that changed the course of Sergeant Major Charles Morris’ life was June 29, 1966. On a search-and-destroy mission in Xuan Loc, South Vietnam, he came within 20-feet of a Viet Cong machine gunner and was shot in the chest. He returned fire and took out the machine gun nest as the platoon came under heavy fire from an enemy force that significantly outnumbered them. For the next eight hours, Sergeant Morris refused medical attention as he continued to direct and encourage his men. He would earn the Medal of Honor for his actions that day. In addition to telling Sergeant Morris’ story, we interview Christof Ambrosch, the producer and host of the Tales of Honor Podcast. Christof is dedicated to telling the stories of all our Medal of Honor recipients (there are more than 3500) and has become a friend of the show. Show notes at https://thedigressionporcast.com/18 Sound-off! And tell us what you think! Leave us a 5-star review and comment on Apple Podcasts! Support the show at Patreon
17. Accommodation Medals
IN THE NEWS: Last seaman laid to rest in USS Arizona; Astronaut reenlists 800 soldiers from space; Air National Guard wants some Space Force action; Everybody gets a trophy; Good-bye South Korea curfew--for now; Revealing DNA tests; Pentagon sets rules for Skynet; No. 1 coffee is not a rating; Social justice finds the Air Force song; Tin Can at 20,000-feet. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/17 Sound-off! And tell us what you think! Leave us a 5-star review and comment on Apple Podcasts! Support the show at Patreon
16. Knuckleheads
Internet porn hits home; Basic training and intro to military discipline; M16 necklace; Marching and airplane-watching; Gun-wielding drunk-driver on base; The EEO freeze; Busted, promoted, then busted again; The man with $200 in his pocket; Honey? Did you do something wrong?; Pushup Ninja; The Black Flag; Follow the matrix; Clap for the Air Force Song, dammit!; Why Chief Hanks is right; and The Shirt said to sweep the parking lot. Show notes available at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/16 Sound-off! And tell us what you think! Leave us a 5-star review and comment on Apple Podcasts!
15. Coffee with Stealth
IN THE NEWS: Chris plots the demise of a mouse; We have a Space Force and Space Command--now what?; The Air Force F-35 can't shoot straight; The Army flips desert survival by sucking water out of the air; Air Force F-15's are shedding their stealth; A $1,000 coffee cup?; The Navy's Blue Angels invest in a used Fat Albert. Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/15 Leave a comment or question: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/soundoff
14. Incentives with MSgt Kyle Green
In the business world, promotions and raises are important motivators, but in the military, rank and pay go hand-in-hand. Since military supervisors don't have a direct influence on employee promotions or compensation, incentivizing these team members requires some out-of-the-box thinking. Our buddy, MSgt Kyle Green, is a subject matter expert on employee performance incentives and helps explore this topic, with a little digression, of course. Show notes available at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/14 Sound Off! and let us know what you think!
13. Did You See A Plane Crash?
The back-and-forth that inspired the show. Chris takes a winter vacation to Florida where he and Jody do some boating on the St Johns River; search for a crashed airplane; compare car-crash stories; debate irritating Prius drivers; intubate a stunt man who broke his pelvis leaping off a moving motorcycle; discover there's more than one kind of frequent-flyer; and finally discuss the mechanics behind the powerful magnets in MRI machines. Show notes available at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/13
12. Giant Voice
This is the story of Chris, who takes a job hauling a mobile long-range acoustic device from Florida to San Diego which results in a spiraling digression into the hilarious deficiencies of the giant voice system at Kunsan AB, Republic of Korea, with a few stops along the way prompted by a snake, a couple of blown tires, and the Radiator Springs-like hardtop of the southwest. This show is our tribute to USAF Command Post Communication. Show notes available at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/12
11. Bringing Out The Dead
What happens to the bodies after a battle? This is an aspect of military life that often goes unnoticed because we're more focused on the living. Still, we can't just ignore those killed on the battlefield. And thanks to the Grave Registration Service (what is now Mortuary Affairs), they're not forgotten. These professionals ensure those who've made the ultimate sacrifice are treated with dignity, reverence, and respect. Do they? Just ask Kevin Bacon! Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/11
10. Haunted Military
Our military serves to project power around the globe and those who serve are often subject to extreme violence. Who knows how stress coupled with the violent nature of military work affects a soul stripped from its earthly vessel? Is the retention of a soul on military site be such a far-fetched idea? Of course it is! C'mon, there's no such thing as ghosts, but that doesn't mean ghost stories aren't a lot of fun...and funny, too! Show notes available at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/10
9. Pits: The Last Full Measure
Everyday folks probably aren't too familiar with Bill "Pits" Pitsenbarger, but now, tens of listeners of this podcast will know him and the heroic act that earned him the Air Force Cross and eventually, after a push from some old Viet Nam vets, the Medal of Honor. And for those who don't listen to our podcast, there's a movie coming out on October 25 that will tell Pitts' story, but we're gonna tell it first! So, who was Bill Pitsenbarger? See the show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/009
8. Recovering the Kee Bird
In 1947, a US Army Air Forces B-29 Superfortress, dubbed the Kee Bird, crash-landed on a frozen lake in Northern Greenland. The crew was rescued, but the Air Force abandoned the aircraft and struck it from its inventory. And there it remained, untouched, for forty-seven years until a small team of aircraft recovery specialists attempted to repair the Kee Bird and bring her home. The expedition ultimately ended in failure. In this podcast, Chris and Jody examine the reasons why the team failed in oh so Monday-morning quarterback fashion. They also talk about Chevy Camaros. Click here for the show notes: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/008
7. Apollo 11 at T+50-Years
The Digression Podcast Guys were 6 and 2 when Neil Armstrong stepped down from the ladder of the Lunar Module, "Eagle", onto the surface of the moon. In fact, it's very likely, they were asleep at the very moment the United States won the space race. In retrospect, that really sucks, but what the hell, no one can experience every major event that occurs within their lifetimes. Hell, we often understand the significance of a historical event only in retrospect (like the Battle of Coral Sea, for example). Still, it's great to be alive now to remember the day when the underdog United States came from behind to kick some Russian ass 240,000 miles from the planet Earth:July 20, 1969, the Eagle landed! Suck it, Ivan! It's probably safe to say that just about everybody knows something about the Apollo 11 moon landing. Of course, we may be going out on a limb with that assertion. So, for this podcast, we discuss some items that either 1) we didn't really know about before or 2) we just thought were really, really interesting. So, you'll hear about the landing in some detail; where NASA got the flag that was placed on the moon; how Neil Armstrong may have been misquoted; the newscaster who was rendered speechless; what the Wright Brothers had to do with the Apollo mission; the ongoing 50-year experiment; a broken circuit breaker and waiting for swimmers in the Pacific; fuse; astronaut quarantine and a travel voucher for the trip of a lifetime; a dinosaur guidance computer and how the computer coder's sense of humor has changed little in 50-years; and finally, our Dad's contributions to the Apollo missions.
6. Darwin Awards
Each year, the Darwin Awards pay tribute to those individuals who "improve our gene pool--by removing themselves from it in the most spectacular way possible." Named after Charles Darwin, the English biologist and the father of evolution theory, these awards are a testament to the dumb shit people do to precipitate their premature demise (or that of an appendage...or two). The Darwin Awards are certainly not lost on the military. I mean, what do you expect? You have the inherent danger of live munitions and operational machinery combined with a "hurry-up-and-wait" mindset that results in a population of bored GIs on some God-forsaken piece of real estate who have nothing better to do than turn to their buddy and say, "hey, watch this shit." And, KABOOM! In this podcast, we share some personal stories and lessons learned from the Darwin Award-worthy antics we observed throughout our military careers. Things like, benzocaine burns your eye; never park in front of a loaded F-16; jet intakes suck...A LOT; the GEICO squirrels are REAL; what goes up must come down; and evidently, there's a fine line between "a shooting" and "a shooting in progress." Show notes at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/ep006
5. D-Day + 75-Years
The year 1944 dawned over a vast panorama of invasion preparations in England. Huge quantities of materials were readied in dozens of depots throughout England. The air forces stepped up their assaults on objectives in the German defense wall. After weeks of arial preparations, the greatest war armada ever mustered on earth crossed the narrow seas between England and the European continent, preceded by showers of parachute troops at key points. The Allied High Command under Eisenhower had selected Normandy as the point of invasion, and there, thousands of troops landed on June 6, D-Day, in the face of heavy opposition. The first few weeks were consumed in the consolidation of beachheads and the capture of the port of Cherbourg. At the end of July, a major offensive against the Nazi defenses was begun. While the British engaged large bodies of German troops in the north, American mechanized divisions broke through in the south and turned the Germans' flank. In a series of lightening engagements and thrusts, the armies of Generals Hodges and Patton liberated vas's stretches of French territory. The whole German line collapsed. Meanwhile, the Allies had landed the Seventh Army in Southern France and it raced northward, overcoming moderate German resistance. By September, the Germans had been driven out of France except for a belt along the northwest border stretching from the Saar to Switzerland. Most of Belgium was liberated. The Normandy invasion, code named "Operation Overlord", was the beginning of the end for Hitler's Germany. The war in Europe would be over in just short of a year. In this podcast, Chris and Jody discuss some key events that taken collectively ensured the Allies success on D-Day, and ultimately saved lives. There was Hitler's two-front war and the heavy casualties the German army sustained on The Eastern Front in 1943; there was Operation Double-Cross, which consisted of the British "turning" enemy agents who sent misinformation back to Germany; major amphibious Training in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy, conduced by Navy frogmen; The Blunting of the U-Boat Menace cleared the way for the Allies to transport the men and supplies to Britain in preparation for the invasion; a complex deception plan known as Operation Fortitude that consisted of a massive "phantom army" that threatened the Nazi's at the Pas de Calais; then there was the cracking of the German's Enigma codes in Operation Ultra that gave Allied commanders timely information on German plans, operations, and troop movements; the French Resistance that provided the Overlord planners with crucial intelligence about the German troops in Normandy and after D-Day continued to harass the Germans through sabotage; German Command Problems that led to miscalculating the battleground; there was Eisenhower's Transportation Plan that consisted of massive bombing go German railways, roads, and bridges that limited Germany's ability to reinforce it's defenses when the Normandy landings began; and finally, the wretched Weather on June 6 gave the Allies the element of surprise that helped them win the day. Show notes at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/ep005
4. I AM THE IG!
In anticipation of State Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz report on possible FISA abuse by the DOJ and FBI, we thought we'd share some of our experiences with the inspection side of the IG during our time in the US Air Force. Jody's perspective comes from his experiences as an asshole IG inspector with the Air Force Inspection Agency (AFIA), while Chris shares his perspective from the point-of-view of a member of the poor bastard shop chief in the inspected unit. Although Jody's work was focused in Air Force hospitals and Chris' worked in operational units launching aircraft, the process of compliance inspections is essentially the same, as is the stupid shit we saw and laughed at...and now we're sharing it with you! So, in sharing our IG insights, we find an F-4 in the ceiling, look for the "War Wagon", learn why the amnesty box is never a good idea, dig into jet skies on the flight line, explore when an ambulance isn't really an ambulance, explain why it's important to verify who you're letting in to your private group, and other things that don't matter, like the lieutenant. Because I AM THE IG! General George S. Patton once observed, "A typical IG is a man past middle age, spare, wrinkled, cold, passive, non-committal, with eyes of a codfish, polite in contact, but at the same time unresponsive, calm, and damnably composed as a concrete post or a Plaster of Paris cast, a human petrification with a heart of feldspar and without charm or friendly germ, minus bowels, passion, or a sense of humor. Happily, they never reproduce and all of them finally go to Hell." People who have ever been on the oversight end of an IG inspection probably have a similar impression of the inspector. The inspector's impassivity is essential to an objective reporting of your compliance with a program or process. And this is what really pisses you off! The Inspector doesn't give a shit about your excuses for coming up short and this image helps you to better deal with the finding(s) you and your unit receive. After all, it's not your fault your program is a piece of shit, right? Anyway, the IG inspector is okay with this impression because he simply revels in your misery, right? Nah, the truth is, well, yeah, the inspector is okay with the impression, but any inspector worth his salt recognizes the challenges airmen (or soldiers or sailors) face in completing the mission. They also understand that commanders and supervisors often create more work for you in a vein attempt to influence the inspection outcome (like weekend "G.I. Parties" and 400-page self-inspection checklists). They sympathize with the inconvenience of the inspection and the disruption spin-up causes both at work and at home, but there's not too much they can do about it. The other IG inspectors are just dicks. Show notes at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/ep004
3. The Maco Light and Other Ghost Stories
A hundred years and a thousand storytellers have blurred the legend of the Maco Light and we're not going to make it any clearer. Joe Baldwin was a brakeman and was traveling in the caboose of an Atlantic Coast Line train through the little town of Maco, North Carolina, when all of a sudden it became uncoupled from its train. Was there something nefarious about this? We don't know. But, Joe, who may or may not have been asleep and/or drinking, realized that another train following close behind was about to collide with his car that sat motionless on the track. He ran to the back of the caboose, wildly swinging his lantern to get the engineer's attention, but the engineer who may or may not have been asleep and/or drinking, didn't see Joe's light in time. And the oncoming train crashed into Joe's caboose taking Joe's head in the process and flinging it into a nearby swamp. For more than 100 years, until the track was pulled-up in the late 1970s, Joe's body roamed the tracks each night with his trusty lantern in hand in an endless search for his severed head (you'd think he'd have searched the swamp, right?). In addition to Joe, we talk about the haunted Carleton House on Fort Huachuca Army Base in Arizona. Where a ghost name Charlotte pranks the Strom family by ringing the doorbell and running away, taking pictures off the wall, and turning the lights out at night. Of course there could be other non-paranormal explanations for these occurrences and we rag Col Strom for 'em. We also discuss the C-130 Loadmaster at Little Rock AFB who was crushed between two Humvee's being off-loaded from the plane, and how he sticks around after death to work on the plane. And finally, we touch on the USAF Academy cadet who after committing suicide in the 60s still practices his marching on the parade field each year when the new freshmen class arrives. And as we go through these stories, we digress into conversation about the reclamation of lost submarines, inoperable dishwashers, and 3M Command Strips. ref: The Maco Light; Fort Huachuca We also allude to the impact good whiskey has on the recording of this podcast. Show notes at: https://thedigressionpodcast/ep003
2. UFOs Over Rendlesham Forest
On the night of Christmas day, December 25, 1980, and into the early morning hours of December 26th, there were massive reports of UFO activity in the Rendlesham Forest area in the southeast of England. The forest is situated between two RAF bases operated by the USAF, Bentwaters and Woodbridge, so a crack team of USAF security forces personnel from Woodbridge were sent into the forest to investigate. They were never heard from again. That's not true, but they did report seeing a strange craft aloft a yellow mist. One of the Airmen took pictures of the craft, which had the film not been confiscated by the military would have provided definitive proof of the existence of UFOs. However, the siting and the spacecraft's landing site was investigated by the local police who did indeed confirm the Airmen's story. Well, not exactly. But two days later on the evening of December 28th, another team of USAF security forces personnel led by the Deputy Base Commander reentered the forest to examine new UFO activity. They were never heard from again. That's also not true. The team carried a radiation detector and measured radiation levels 10x normal background levels at the landing site. The entire episode was recorded on a portable cassette recorder, which chronicles the team's intense pursuit of the flashing lights moving through the forest. In this episode, we examine a series of events that has come to be known as the "British Roswell". So, join us as we unearth the truth behind the UFO invasion, the military coverup, the mysterious lighthouse, and rabbit scratchings. ref: The Rendlesham Forest Incident Show notes at: https://thedigressionpodcast.com/ep002
1. The Hard Stand Monster of Alconbury
Is it a man or just a cruel joke played by the universe as a testament to man's baser instincts? Hell, we don't know. What we do know is that the only accounts of sightings of or encounters with the Hard Stand Monster are second-hand because EVERYONE who has ever laid eyes on the dreaded 'standing wolf' has DIED! Not really. The 'died' part anyway. The stories told of what is also known as the 'British Bigfoot' are all told through the eyes of a friend-of-a-friend-(of-a-friend, etc). So, are they true? We don't care. So, join us on an almost completely pointless journey into one of the great folk tales of the East of England (and we use the word 'great' loosely) as we explore the stories surrounding this strange creature, the mysterious North Woods, and a local farmer with a mannequin fetish. ref: Is the Hard Stand Monster or the Standing Wolf at RAF Alconbury a British Bigfoot ? Show notes at: https://thedigressionpodcast/001
Show Trailer
Two old vets talk military history and folklore. Telling "war stories" from the unique perspective of an insider, their discussions are humorous, irreverent, and as Patton would say, colored with the "language of the barracks". Take a break from all the political talk and controversy and enjoy the digression. For more, visit https://thedigressionpodcast.com/trailer