Mandatory Fun

In this episode of the Mandatory Fun podcast, Blake speaks with Jimmy Blackmon the author of Pale Horse a book about his time commanding an Army aviation task force with the 101st Airborne Division at the height of combat in the Afghan War.

Set in the very valleys where the 9/11 attacks were conceived, and where 10 Medals of Honor were earned.

These are the stories of the pilots behind the lethal Apache helicopters who strike fear into the heart of their enemies as they work with medevac crews who risk their lives to save their fellow troops. We get an understanding of how warriors learned selflessness and found the closest brotherhood they ever known through the crucible of war.

Jimmy was also in the area when Pvt. Bowe Bergdahl decided to go for a stroll in Afghanistan.

"Every soldier out there has a mom and dad that loves them and they all make stupid mistakes at some point," Jimmy humorously states. "Thank goodness I didn't decide to go for a walk in Afghanistan."

In this episode, we talk on a wide-range of topics including:

• [1:25] Jimmy's reaction to the controversial Pvt. Bowe Bergdahl's sentencing.
• [5:00] These are the predicted events that might occur if Bergdahl did receive jail time.
• [6:55] Jimmy explains went he meant in by writing the chapter in his book, "the plan begins to unravel,"
• [10:55] How Operations Officer Jack Murphy worked with a team of Chinooks and Black Hawks on the battlefield.
• [14:00] What was going on in the troop's mind when Bergdahl decided to abandon his post.
• [18:00] This is the average timeline to begin a search for a missing troop on deployment.
• [22:00] Jimmy's final thoughts about all the service members that are still affected by this case.

In this episode of the Mandatory Fun podcast, Blake, Tim, and O.V. speak with Army veteran and fitness expert Jennifer Campbell on what veterans can do during their busy day to stay in shape when going to morning PT isn't an option.

"Veterans have a 70 percent higher chance of developing obesity than the general public," Jennifer Campbell says.

The reason for this statistic is due to the change is a service member daily habit. The majority of the veteran community have been known to cease fire on their work out plans which creates a negativity jolt the body's system.

In this episode, we talk on a wide-range of topics including:

• [2:00] The daily regiment of a fitness instructor to maintain a healthy lifestyle, but still staying "loose."
• [2:40] Information about the growing fitness trend between troops and professional athletes called "Merging Vets & Players."
• [4:50] Some positive traits of working out versus taking certain medications.
• [6:20] What "Overtraining Syndrome" consists of and how to avoid it.
• [10:00] How structured dieting and workouts are necessary for those looking to get into the fitness industry.
• [11:40] How to properly test your genetic makeup.
• [13:25] If you want to cheat on your diet — a.k.a. cheat days — here's how to do it the right way.
• [18:20] What you can learn about yourself from your genetic markers.
• [19:20] Important tips how to stay in shape while working in an office space setting.
• [23:20] Some dietary buzz words that freak everyone out.
• [30:25] How we can stay looking young using our new health and fitness tools.
• [34:45] What type of alcohol we should be drinking if you're trying to stay in shape.

In this episode of the Mandatory Fun podcast, Blake speaks with Marine veteran and "Terminal Lance" creator Max Uriarte about his newest projects and other current events.

Related: 'Terminal Lance' creator talks about the Marine Corps and the future of his comic

"When I first started 'Terminal Lance' I was convinced I was going to get my sh*t pushed in," Max humorously explains. "I knew I was going to get in trouble. I was waiting for that phone call."

Soon, Max was releasing hundreds of “Terminal Lance” comics covering a wide range of topics, including military customs, the most popular (and the most disgusting) MREs, long-distance relationships, and other aspects of life in the Corps.

His latest book "Terminal Lance Ultimate Omnibus" delivers the complete collection of Abe's shenanigans. It features over 500 serialized comics published on terminallance.com, with additional comics previously published only on the Marine Corps Times newspaper, and new, never before published comics. The Omnibus will also include Uriarte's signature blog entries and previously unpublished bonus material.

The "Terminal Lance Ultimate Omnibus" hardcover book will be available April 24, 2018.

We also discussed Uriarte's new podcast "After Action," a show about national security, military life, and other random bull—t, according to Uriarte. It's co-hosted with Paul Szoldra, the founder and editor-in-chief of the popular military satire site Duffel Blog. You can listen to After Action on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn.

Uriarte joined the Marine Corps in 2006 as a 0351 Marine Assaultman and was stationed at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Uriarte deployed to Iraq twice with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom between 2007 and 2009.

During Uriarte's four years of enlistment in the Corps, he served as SMAW Gunner, Team Leader, Squad Leader, .50Cal Gunner, Combat Photographer, and a Combat Artist.

In 2010, Uriarte started the hit comic strip "Terminal Lance," which soon became the single most popular comic strip in the military.

In 2016, Uriarte released the world's first graphic novel about Iraq, written and illustrated by an Iraq veteran, called "The White Donkey: Terminal Lance."

The "White Donkey" was independently published in February 2016 and was a massive success. Within 72 hours of its release, it was picked up by publisher Little, Brown & Company for smash publication on April 19th, 2016.

Hosted By:

• Blake Stilwell: Air Force veteran and Managing Editor
• Tim Kirkpatrick: Navy veteran and Editorial Coordinator
• Orvelin Valle (AKA O.V.): Navy veteran and Podcast Producer

Noah Galloway is a veteran who sustained injuries in an IED attack on his second deployment during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005. He lost two of his limbs and sustained severe injuries to his right leg and his jaw.

Like many disabled veterans, Galloway became withdrawn, out of shape and depressed. The former fitness fanatic and athlete was drinking, smoking, and sleeping his days away. But late one night, Galloway realized that there was more to him than the injuries. He walked out of his room realizing that he was setting the example for his boys of what a man is. And for his little girl, the example of how a man should act and it terrified him.

He needed to make a change, and he needed to do it fast. He joined a 24-hour gym and started eating right. He participated in obstacle races and adventure races around the country, such as Tough Mudder, Spartan events, Crossfit competitions plus numerous 5K and 10K races. Now a personal trainer and motivational speaker, Galloway doesn’t take excuses from his clients, fans, or followers – and finds ways to get things done.

Galloway was a season 20 participant of Dancing With The Stars, in which he took third place following his appearance on the cover of Men's Health Magazine and numerous other publications. Most recently Noah joined WWE Superstar John Cena and three other veterans on American Grit, a military-inspired show on the Fox Network that splits 16 of the toughest men and women into four teams as they work together to face survival challenges.

It's Galloway's job to push his team of civilians to work together and to go beyond their limits. The show airs Thursday, April 14th at 9/8 central on Fox.

In this episode of the Mandatory Fun podcast, the gang comments on some of the biggest coming the U.S. military will face in the coming days.

Because external challenges are easy for a fighting force like ours, the internal struggles are the ones we really want to talk about. These affect not only the troops themselves, but potentially their families, friends, and morale as well.

The recent years have been huge for the military community in terms of change. The most important changes include who can join, who can serve openly, and how they can all serve. Even the service chiefs are trying to understand how this will affect everyone.

Chief Petty Officer Selectees from Yokosuka area commands stand in ranks after a physical training (PT) session (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Ben Farone)[/caption]

But at a junior enlisted and NCO level, we know we're just going to deal with it, no matter what. Women are going to be in combat, along with transgender troops serving openly. What will the new fitness standards look like? Should there be a universal standard?

The Secretary of Defense, universally beloved by all servicemembers of all branches, wants the military to become a more lethal, more deployable force. To this end, he wants to rid the branches of anyone who is not deployable for longer than 12 months.

Defense Secretary James N. Mattis hosts with the Montenegro's Minister of Defence, Predrag Bošković for a meeting at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., Feb. 27, 2018. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)[/caption]

Those numbers are significant, too. Experts estimate up to 14 percent of the entire military is non-deployable in this way, which translates to roughly 286,000 service members. It's sure to make any military family sweat.

The Marine Corps' correctional custody units want to open a sort of non-judicial punishment camp on the Japanese island of Okinawa. The purpose is to give commanders a place to send redeemable Marine who mess up for the first time in their career.

Brig Marines simulate hard labor during a Correctional Custody Unit demonstration Jan. 12 in the Brig aboard Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jessica Collins)[/caption]

In the military, we joke (sometimes not so jokingly) about the idea of "turning big rocks into little rocks" when we talk about getting caught committing a crime while in the service. No one actually commits the crime they're joking about. But what isn't a joke is hard labor imposed by a military prison sentence. Now even troops with Article 15 can be forced to turn big rocks into little rocks.

Yes, the military gets a raise pretty much every year. Is it ever enough? No. Do they make what they're worth? Absolutely not. Is Congress even trying ? Sometimes it doesn't feel that way. Well, this year they're getting the biggest bump after nine years of waiting. Are they worth more? Of course they are.

President Donald Trump lands at Berry Field Air National Guard Base, Nashville, Tennessee on Jan. 8, 2018. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Jeremy Cornelius)[/caption]

For years (actually, decades), the Marines' dress uniform has been the unchallenged, drop-dead sexiest uniform in the American armed forces. Now they face a usurper that really does have a shot at changing their spot on the top of the ranking.

Sergeant Major of the Army Dan Dailey salutes the Anthem pre-kickoff during the Army-Navy game at Lincoln Financial Field. SMA Dailey displayed the Army's proposed 'Pink and Green' daily service uniform, modeled after the Army's standard World War II-era dress uniform. (U.S. Army photo by Ronald Lee)[/caption]

The Army is reverting to one of its classic uniforms from the bygone World War II-era: the pinks and greens. The decision was met with near universal jubilation from the Army (it was a golden age for the U.S. Army in nearly every way).

Now former airman Blake Stilwell demands the Air Force develop its own throwback jersey.

Mandatory Fun is hosted By:

Blake Stilwell: Air Force veteran and Managing Editor Tim Kirkpatrick: Navy veteran and Editorial Coordinator