A place where military veterans can come together and share stories of their careers. In hopes of continuing the connection, bond and brotherhood and prevent further veteran suicide.
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Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Jaime Martinez has lived enough experiences for several lifetimes. A first-generation Peruvian-American, Jaime enlisted as an infantryman, served in the 82nd Airborne Division, fought in Panama and the Gulf War, earned a direct commission, served at the Pentagon and White House, deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, commanded at every level, and ultimately took battalion command while battling two aggressive cancers. But this conversation goes far beyond military service. Jaime shares the realities of transitioning from enlisted soldier to officer, the leadership le
In this episode of So There I Was, Travis sits down with Kelley Jensen, Chief Marketing Officer of Brain Performance Technologies, to explore the growing use of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for autism, PTSD, depression, anxiety, OCD, sleep issues, and traumatic brain injuries. Kelley shares the deeply personal story that led her into the field after searching for help for her autistic son, whose severe anxiety, OCD behaviors, and communication struggles dramatically improved following treatment. The conversation expands into how TMS and newer brain stimulation therapies are being us
In this episode, Devin Fish shares the raw story behind his book Answering the Hard Questions: Let It Be the End of the Chapter, Not the End of the Book. From poverty, addiction in his family, repeated instability, and losing his mother while serving in the Army, Devin walks through the mental and emotional battles that nearly ended his life. He opens up about military life, depression, online scams, suicidal ideation, resilience training, and the difficult process of rebuilding identity and purpose. Devin explains how vulnerability, storytelling, and refusing to stay silent became the foundat
In this episode, Mark Parrish shares his journey from National Guard service to building a multi-unit McDonald’s franchise operation. He reflects on joining the military before 9/11, deploying to Ramadi during one of the most violent periods of the Iraq War, and navigating the challenges of transition back to civilian life. Mark breaks down how military structure, discipline, and leadership translated into business success—while also addressing the realities of trauma, identity loss, and rebuilding purpose after service. From managing small teams in combat to leading over a thousand employees,
In this episode, Evan Lowe shares his path from Army artillery officer to a future in marketing within the Army. He talks through ROTC beginnings, deployments, command experiences, and the reality of leading soldiers through both discipline and chaos. Evan breaks down the shift from combat arms to recruiting command and eventually into a highly selective Army marketing program. Along the way, he highlights leadership lessons, culture shock between units, and the challenge of balancing family, service, and career pivots. This is a candid look at adaptation, leadership under pressure, and buildi
In this episode of So There I Was, Travis sits down with Army veteran Lucas Velmer to unpack a career shaped by war, leadership, and a brutally honest transition out of the military. Lucas shares how he went from a small-town upbringing to joining the Army in 2000, serving as a combat engineer with multiple Iraq deployments, and eventually transitioning into Civil Affairs—working across complex missions that required adaptability, cultural awareness, and leadership under pressure. But this conversation goes deeper than deployments. From experiencing the shock of 9/11 early in his career to nav
In this episode, Travis sits down with Air Force veteran and First Sergeant Michael Brennan for one of the most raw and real conversations on military service, transition, and recovery. Michael shares his journey from joining the military after 9/11, through years of back-to-back deployments across Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan, to leadership roles as a First Sergeant responsible for hundreds of airmen. But the most defining chapter came after the uniform. Just weeks after retiring, Michael was involved in a devastating motorcycle accident that left him with a traumatic brain injury, open-hear
In this episode, Travis Womack sits down with Army officer Shahin Uddin to unpack a journey that starts in Bangladesh and leads to senior leadership in the U.S. military. After immigrating to America at age 12, Shahin’s path was shaped by sacrifice, discipline, and a relentless pursuit of opportunity—starting with joining the Army to pay for college. From infantry officer to military intelligence to public affairs, Shahin shares how each transition sharpened his ability to lead, communicate, and understand the people he serves. This conversation goes beyond career progression—it’s about identi
In this episode, Travis Womack sits down with Air Force veteran and entrepreneur Michael Brown for a conversation that cuts across service, risk, and reinvention. What starts as a practical decision to join the military turns into a career shaped by unexpected opportunity—from plumbing in the Air Force to pioneering software that transformed base engineering operations. Michael shares how early exposure to leadership at the Air Force Academy, combined with a willingness to step into uncertainty, positioned him to solve real problems others ignored. He walks through the moment he chose action o
David Bartley — From Suicide Attempt to Saving Lives Through Connection In this episode, I sit down with David Bartley — speaker, mental health advocate, and someone who has dedicated his life to helping others after surviving his own suicide attempt. David didn’t serve in the military, but his connection to it runs deep — through family, through service to soldiers, and through years of speaking across installations about one of the most urgent issues facing the force: suicide. What makes David’s perspective different is simple — he’s lived it. After years of unresolved trauma, including chil
Timothy French — Iraq, Loss, and the Reality of Combat Nobody Talks About In this episode, I sit down with Tim French — infantry veteran, Old Guard alum, and someone whose story captures both the intensity of combat and the weight that comes with it long after. Tim joined the Army just months before September 11th, 2001. Like many from that generation, 9/11 didn’t just shape his service — it accelerated it. Within a year, he was deployed to Iraq with a newly fielded Stryker unit, part of a force adapting in real time to a new kind of war . What follows is one of the most raw and honest account
Jody Shouse — From Mogadishu to the Old Guard: A Career of Airborne Leadership In this episode, I sit down with Jody Shouse — a former commander of mine, mentor, and career Army officer whose path through the military spans airborne operations, Somalia, and multiple assignments with the historic 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, The Old Guard. Jody’s story begins in 1988 when, fresh out of high school and unsure of his direction, he walked into an Army recruiting office looking for opportunity. What started as an enlistment as an Airborne Military Police soldier quickly turned into a career defined
Ryan Woodruff, Marine Corps infantry veteran and CEO of Clear Path for Veterans. Ryan shares his combat experience in Iraq, the difficult transition home, struggles with identity and alcohol, and the long road to healing. He unpacks the power of community, faith, service, and purpose—and explains how Clear Path provides peer mentorship, service dogs, wellness programs, and practical support to help veterans and families truly come home. The post Episode 35: Clear Path Home: Service, Struggle, and Second Missions first appeared on Womack C3.
Retired Navy veteran Mark Schneider joins Travis to share his extraordinary journey from submarines to aircraft carriers to a combat deployment in Iraq supporting the Army. As the only combat nuclear limited duty officer, Mark offers rare insights into Navy culture, rank quirks, and the challenges of leading in the high-stakes world of nuclear operations. Packed with humor, leadership lessons, and cross-branch camaraderie, this episode is as enlightening as it is entertaining. The post Episode 34: Rank, Reactor, and Reality: Life in the Nuclear Navy first appeared on Womack C3.
Army veteran Jeremiah Anderson-Kaapa shares his journey from infantry deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan to serving in the Old Guard at Arlington. With over 1,200 funerals performed including the lying in state of President George H.W. Bush he reflects on the discipline, humility, and meaning found in honoring the fallen. Jeremiah opens up about leadership, transition, and the importance of holding on for “one more tomorrow.” A moving blend of humor, history, and hard truths. The post Episode 33: From Combat to Caskets: A Soldier’s Story of Service and Sacrifice first appeared on Womack C3.
Marine veteran Evan—better known online as Veritable Veteran—joins Travis to share his powerful journey through service, struggle, and healing. From deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan to finding purpose after leaving the Corps, Evan reflects on combat stories, mental health battles, and the creation of his viral platform helping veterans laugh and connect. A raw, honest, and often hilarious look at life beyond the uniform. The post Episode 32: From the Corps to Community: The Veritable Veteran’s Story first appeared on Womack C3.
Matt Dewagner joins the show as his Army career is slowly coming to an end. He reflects on his enlisted time and later officer time serving in The Old Guard. His voice has narrated what would seem like countless ceremonies over the years. I had the pleasure of serving with Matt and his ability to tell a story is unlike any other. The post Episode 31: The Voice of The Old Guard first appeared on Womack C3.
Clay Novak shares about his pretty awesome and crazy military career and what sparked him to want to write a book! Check it out and if you like it he may have to write part 2! Keep Moving, Keep Shooting https://www.amazon.com/Keep-Moving-Shooting-Clay-Novak/dp/1646638441/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2H9XJZPZRXUE6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.5NOHVWGsFCqANh9a0CMliy3CwPeMJVG5ATz9-5-H1DLZu_yDYpDmVG0dJJfu0n0LHWiRLY7J-L0ojqXtG6AubuAP6F8yfJGh-XGjBQPyg7g.9l1Aku1smNkJVzm5uN63-3n1p8mVvzqnt2XSTEdKvHQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=clay+novak&qid=1733693432&sprefix=clay+novak%2Caps%2C165&sr=8-1 The post Episode 30: Keep Moving, Keep Shooti
Michelle Black joins us to talk about the worst time of her life and the search for truth. Her husband and Green Beret Bryan Black was killed in Niger in 2017 and the redacted information drove her to find the truth. The full story you can find in her book, "Sacrifice: Sacrifice: The Green Berets, a Fateful Ambush, and a Gold Star Widow's Fight for the Truth." https://www.amazon.com/Sacrifice-Berets-Fateful-Ambush-Widows/dp/0593190955/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1KRL5UL5A1ARU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Me3xdEIrutxPzGojFSwWM1v7HPR2sKc0PBD8mDULm6DfywFJwzXB1xjX1Of0mG0wjUhhucPLZCmuzMHYO9CA90p2Qo8cn0xv7y0WON6xm_9c5L3jtl
Steve Wallace shares many of his adventures as a paratrooper, commander, Old Guard alumni, and one hilarious story of that time he had to find SGT Blake. The post Episode 28: A pallet in Pakistan and SGT Blake first appeared on Womack C3.
Building the Space Force, Breaking Under Pressure, and Leading Through It — Shawn William Campbell In this episode, I sit down with retired Air Force officer Shawn William Campbell — one of the first senior leaders tasked with standing up the United States Space Force. Shawn served 30 years in uniform, including nine years inside the Pentagon. His career spanned enlisted service, officer commissioning, flag-level leadership, and ultimately helping build the first new branch of the U.S. military in over 70 years. But this conversation isn’t just about rank or résumé. It’s about pressure. We tal
In this episode, I sit down with Alani Bankhead — Air Force investigator, author, and TEDx speaker — for a raw and honest conversation about purpose, pain, and protecting the vulnerable. Alani began her career on active duty before transitioning to the Air Force Reserve, serving as a special agent investigating some of the military’s most serious crimes. From counterintelligence and special operations deployments to leading child exploitation investigations, her work sits at the intersection of justice and humanity . But this episode goes deeper than résumé highlights. We talk about: • What it
Don Bentley joins the show to talk about his career as an Apache Helicopter pilot, deploying to Afghanistan, and his transition into retirement and writing his first book. He is the author of three Tom Clancy novels as well as his own series, most recently the release of "Forgotten War." The post Episode 25: Don Bentley – Aviator turned Author first appeared on Womack C3.
Kat Kaelin served as one of the first volunteers for the Army "Cultural Support Team" (CST), also nicknamed the "The Pink Team," which was the pilot program to introduce women into combat arms. She served in Afghanistan, deployed with Army Rangers. We cover many topics from the challenges of being a woman in this roll, the expectations she was up against and how she is doing now mentally with the work she continues. The post Episode 24: The all female Cultural Support Team first appeared on Womack C3.
Michael Molinksi was a Marine Combat Photographer, that is the short version. He is an inventor, anti child drowning advocate, and an ultra fitness athlete. Listen in on his fun adventures in the Marine Corp as well as his never ending pursuit to help others since he got out. The post Episode 23: A Marine Combat Photographer first appeared on Womack C3.
