Tango Alpha Lima Podcast

Jeff recounts the 9-week ordeal of a suicidal sailor who was punished by the Navy after seeking mental health treatment.
Ashley highlights an American Legion Boys Nation Alumni who has earned a spot on NASA's Artemis lunar mission team.
CV poses the question: Is the military paying troops too much?

Rapid Fire:
Army grooming regulation changes, DoD tackling obesity and fewer veterans in Congress.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Send us your feedback!
• US Navy punishes suicidal sailor who sought mental health treatment | Seattle Weekly
• Military Crisis Line: Suicide Prevention Hotline, Chat & Text – Veterans Crisis Line
• Department Service Officers
• Boys Nation alum named to lunar mission team | The American Legion
• Artemis Program | NASA
• NASA The Artemis Team
• Join The American Legion | The American Legion
• Marine awarded for saving elderly woman after deadly viper attack
• Sioux Falls American Legion Post 15 Chorus

IN THE NEWS
Registration is open for the Hiring our Heroes career event taking place on Aug. 25 in conjunction with The American Legion National Convention in Milwaukee.

THIS WEEK'S GUEST
Our guest is Kevin W. Hertell, an Air Force veteran who served with the 309th Fighter Squadron and a member of Glenwood Landing Post 336 in Glen Head, N.Y.

Kevin is the Founder and President of “The Veterans Suicide Awareness & Remembrance Flag Corporation,” as well as the creator of the S-A-R Flag. Jeff and Ashley learn about what inspired Kevin to create the S-A-R flag and launch his mission to remove the stigma of mental health and veteran suicide.

RAPID FIRE
Join the 9/11 National Day of Service
SCOTUS Gives Veterans Big Win, Says States Can Be Sued for Discriminating Against Vets

Special Guest: Kevin Hertell.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Send us your feedback!
• SUMMARY - Hiring Our Heroes and The American Legion Wisconsin Career Event
• National Convention | The American Legion
• Terri Lynn Fundraising
• SUICIDE AWARENESS & REMEMBRANCE FLAG
• Veterans Strengthening America | The American Legion
• 9/11 Day – Join the 9/11 National Day of Service
• Tango Alpha Lima Podcast 911 Series
• SCOTUS Gives Veterans Big Win, Says States Can Be Sued for Discriminating Against Vets
• Mobile Apps | The American Legion

IN THE NEWS
Will all NFL teams retire Pat Tillman's number?

THIS WEEK'S GUEST
This week we visit with two female veterans who work with the PenFed foundation keep faith with the Afghans who served alongside U.S. forces by assisting with their rescue and successful resettlement into American communities.

Mahnaz Akbari served 10 years the in Afghan special forces as the Commander of a Female Tactical Platoon – a small unit of Afghan women who worked with U.S. special operations forces (SOF) in Afghanistan to search, questioning, and medical assistance of women and children - in a way that was respectful of Islam and Afghan culture.

Rebekah Edmondson served 10 years in U.S. Army and deployed to Afghanistan several times to support a program called the Cultural Support Team, where she trained FTPs.

Both women talk about how they got started in their military careers, the missions they were part of an Afghanistan, and the work they are doing in support of Afghan allies today.

RAPID FIRE
Air Force to review discharges of troops with mental health conditions

Drunken Special Operators Struggle to Finish a Mission in New Action Comedy 'Obliterated'

American Legion Post 109 Donates $4,500 to Feed Vail’s Schoolchildren

Special Guests: Mahnaz Akbari and Rebekah Edmondson.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Petition to retire Pat Tillman’s #40 jersey league-wide gains momentum
• Petition · NFL Retire Pat Tillman’s #40 League-Wide · Change.org
• Be the One | The American Legion
• Home - PenFed Foundation
• American Legion Grassroots Action Center: PasS the Afghan Adjustment Act
• Join The American Legion
• Air Force to review discharges of troops with mental health conditions
• Drunken Special Operators Struggle to Finish a Mission in New Action Comedy 'Obliterated' | Military.com
• Vail Community ReSources and American Legion Post 109 (Tucson, Ariz.) | Legiontown U.S.A.
• Temporary Financial Assistance | The American Legion

Jeff and Ashley recap their whirlwind visit to New York City for the Veterans Day Parade.
Ashley shares a story about unions seeking collective bargaining rights for Connecticut National Guard members.
Jeff gets wound up by experts who claim troop pay and benefits could hurt military readiness.

RAPID FIRE
AGAIN with Fort Hood, return of the Tiger King, American Legion Mental Health Survey and moments of gratitude.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Send us your feedback!
• Live from NY, it’s Veterans Day, with Tango Alpha Lima | The American Legion
• The American Legion (@theamericanlegion) • Instagram photos and videos
• The American Legion - Lt. B.R. Kimlau Post Chinese Memorial Post 1291
• New York City Veterans Day Parade
• Homepage | National September 11 Memorial & Museum
• The American Legion Vehicle Donation Program
• Unions Seek Bargaining Rights for National Guard Members | Military.com
• Rising costs for troops’ pay and benefits could hurt military readiness, experts warn
• American Legion called upon to bolster Toys for Tots | The American Legion
• Tiger King 2 | Official Trailer | Netflix - YouTube
• The American Legion 2021 Mental Health Survey

‘A monumental step’ for LGBTQ+ rights

THE INTERVIEW
Author D. Paul Fleming shares his book “A Date With Suicide,” and discusses how to help veterans struggling with PTSD and mental health.

THE SCUTTLEBUTT
VA announces $10M in new funding opportunities for state, territory and Tribal governments to help understand, prevent veteran suicide

A dental debacle: Why veterans struggle to navigate VA’s oral care

The Next Deadline for Backdated PACT Act Payments Is Coming Soon. Here’s What You Need to Know

Special Guest: D. Paul Fleming.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• ‘A monumental step’ for LGBTQ+ rights | The American Legion — ‘A monumental step’ for LGBTQ+ rights
• Tango Alpha Lima Podcast Episode 219: Tango Alpha Lima: Retired Army Maj. Gen. Tammy Smith - Living under the confines of DADT
• Pentagon’s request to dismiss lawsuit from LGBTQ+ veterans denied
• Saving lives of veterans, their families, and communities with the Columbia Protocol | The American Legion
• Home | D Paul Fleming
• Amazon.com: The Hunt for Red October: A Novel: 9780870212857: Clancy, Estate of Thomas L.: Books
• Be the One | The American Legion
• VA announces $10M in new funding opportunities for state, territory and Tribal governments to help understand, prevent veteran suicide | The American Legion
• A dental debacle: Why veterans struggle to navigate VA’s oral care — A dental debacle: Why veterans struggle to navigate VA’s oral care
• The Next Deadline for Backdated PACT Act Payments Is Coming Soon. Here’s What You Need to Know | Military.com — The Next Deadline for Backdated PACT Act Payments Is Coming Soon. Here’s What You Need to Know