Archive for the ‘MilBlogger Interviews’ Category
November 19, 2009 By Troy
Posted in MilBlogger Interviews
8:10:22 PM: We are talking with LTG Ben Freakley
8:12:19 PM: LTG Freakley’s bio is at http://bit.ly/3pWQre
8:13:29 PM: New blog entry: Nov 19th You Served Radio Live Blog http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/?p=3637
8:14:59 PM: LTG Feakley is the CG of the US Army Accessions Command
8:19:04 PM: LTG Freakley says every year of his 34 years is the Year of the NCO
8:22:05 PM: the LTG just said TIVO was one of the best inventions ever
8:22:39 PM: LTG Freakley is talking about twitter, facebook, yahoo, myspace and ArmyStrongStories.com
8:29:14 PM: LTG Freakley is talking about impressive young troops he has led
8:32:38 PM: LTG Freakley is talking about the lack of MoH live award recipients
8:36:55 PM: LTG Freakley is talking about the current situation in Afghanistsan
8:42:07 PM: Now listening to James Hooker’s song
8:48:22 PM: Talking to James Hooker
8:50:12 PM: Here is the link to James Hooker’s website, http://bit.ly/zdwqO
8:51:49 PM: James met Pres. GW Bush in March 2011
8:51:56 PM: I mean March 2001
8:54:13 PM: For 20 years James was the music director for Nancy Griffin
8:59:19 PM: James’s new album is free for download on his site. He only asks for donations
9:02:50 PM: James considers the new media outlets help him get his music out.
9:16:58 PM: We are talking with Larry Pratt from Gun Owners of America, http://bit.ly/2vRF11
9:28:31 PM: Larry is talking about the Veteran’s Disarmament Act which Pres. Bush signed into law that keeps soldiers with PTSD from having guns
9:30:43 PM: We are now talking about Ft. Hood with Larry
9:37:34 PM: We are talking about how the Act to take guns from soldiers contradicts the Army’s no-stigma message
9:47:11 PM: Larry is the Exec Director of Gun Owners of America
9:52:43 PM: Just wrapped up with Larry and now Marcus is talking to Emily about the school board issue
10:46:00 PM: Listen to Episode #65 – LTG Freakley, James Hooker and L… on You Served anytime on BlogTalkRadio. http://tobtr.com/s/745809 #BlogTalkRadio
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November 17, 2009 By Troy
Posted in MilBlogger Interviews, Video
This interview is with another expo booth floor member. She was at a booth behind the milblog lounge. I wanted to see what her knowledge was of milblogs in general.
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November 12, 2009 By Troy
Posted in MilBlogger Interviews
8:00:23 PM: New blog entry: Veteran’s Day Special You Served Live Blog http://bit.ly/2KvGRr
8:01:53 PM: CJ is back tonight after being gone for two weeks
8:07:42 PM: Listening to Mark Wills say the pledge of allegiance
8:18:12 PM: Talking with Ben Steele who is a WWII survivor and a survivor of the Bataan death march
8:19:07 PM: Learn more about Ben Steele at http://bit.ly/4F1G8D
8:20:29 PM: Ben was in the Army Air Corps
8:21:07 PM: On April 9, 1942, after ninety-nine days of battle, he was captured by the Japanese
8:21:53 PM: Ben was captured by the Japanese and spent one thousand two hundred and forty-four days as a prisoner of war.
8:24:37 PM: Ben said they were starving on Bataan. They ate their horses and all the domestic live stock
8:26:04 PM: pics from Bataan death march, http://bit.ly/23xZb0 http://bit.ly/12iF0k http://bit.ly/12iF0k
8:34:10 PM: Ben is talking about the march itself and how the Japanese would drive down the road and just run people over
8:38:01 PM: Ben said to get through life you have to have a sense of humor and learn to forgive. He said he has forgiven the Japanese
8:38:27 PM: He was a professor and he had Japanese students that helped him get over his past
8:39:12 PM: Ben has become good friends with several Japanese students that have all helped him get over his anger
8:45:12 PM: Ben is one of the last remaining Bataan death march surivors
8:49:40 PM: Listening to Because a Hero Fell from the In Rememberance Tribute CD
8:50:26 PM: You can learn more about the CD and purchase it at http://bit.ly/1h6XPD
8:54:08 PM: The song Becuase a hero fell was written by Thad in 2006
8:57:37 PM: USA Cares gave out $18,000 of their own money last week
9:01:55 PM: Amanda’s grandfather was in WWII and was bit by a shark when his ship sank
9:05:52 PM: U can listen to You served radio at http://bit.ly/youserved
9:09:24 PM: The CD will be available in all Walmarts soon
9:21:19 PM: Thad is in talks with the USO to tour around the world for troops
9:22:21 PM: We are now talking with Kurt from Survival Straps http://bit.ly/3L2eT0
9:24:41 PM: If a person uses their survival strap for something, then can send in the story and Kurt will send the person a new one
9:27:01 PM: Survival Straps has a soldier appreciation drawing that people can put a soldier’s name in a drawing to get free products
9:27:01 PM: Survival Straps has a soldier appreciation drawing that people can put a soldier’s name in a drawing to get free products
9:29:44 PM: Survival Straps donates $3 from every soldier gift box purchase to the Wounded Warrior Project @Wounded_Warrior
9:41:53 PM: Talking to James F. Christ who is writing 10 books about famous Afghanistan ETT battles
9:42:07 PM: He has two books completed so far
9:54:01 PM: James has never been to Afghanistan but writes like he has
9:59:24 PM: James relies on trust and word of mouth to get interviews
10:06:55 PM: You Served Radio is now off the air
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November 6, 2009 By Troy
Posted in MilBlogger Interviews, Video
This is a great interview with someone who is a leading force in the financial blog world and has been a guest speaker at Blog World Expo for three years now. Even after being there three years, this was his first introduction to milblogging and his first time attending the milblog panels. Zac and I talked a lot about how bloggers and milbloggers could help educate each other.
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November 5, 2009 By Troy
Posted in MilBlogger Interviews
8:20:07 PM: Talking with SFC Greg Stube, http://bit.ly/1Nd8JS
8:22:06 PM: New blog entry: 110509 You Served Show http://bit.ly/1Y6GmC
8:24:04 PM: SFC Stube was hit with an IED, and lost his intestine’s part of his leg and was severly wounded and shot up
8:24:35 PM: The medevac could not get him out for a couple of hours after he was wouded
8:29:43 PM: SFC Stube has had 17 surgeries over 3 years
8:38:37 PM: SFC Stube still hunts and fishes ever after wounded
8:41:45 PM: “Serve something greater than yourself” SFC Stube
8:49:15 PM: Now talking to Tom Neely from Bridge of Sighs, http://www.bosband.com
8:51:24 PM: Steven Crowder is a stand up comedian and is touring with BOS before the show
8:52:01 PM: Tom said he was prepared to drink with the Marines and soldiers this time
9:08:36 PM: Now listening to Bridge of Sighs song, Freedom Stain
9:22:56 PM: Troy and Marcus are chatting
9:31:43 PM: We are talking about the shootings at Ft. Hood
9:45:22 PM: Talking to @TammyMunson who is the current On Loan blogger at YouServed.com
9:45:49 PM: @TammyMunson is a army spouse blogger who’s husband is deployed in Afghanistan
9:59:33 PM: Listening to Mark Wills as the outro musi
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By Troy
Posted in MilBlogger Interviews, Video
The video below is an interview that was conducted on the 2009 Blog World Expo show floor with the guys from the famous Chad Vadar Internet video series (http://www.blamesociety.net/chadvader/index.php). It may be somewhat hard to hear Troy at first, but the audio gets better. As you will hear, Chad’s voice is very clear. These guys are hilarious so be sure to check out their website and watch some of their videos.
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October 26, 2009 By Troy
Posted in Life in the Military, MilBlogger Interviews, Milblog Conference, You Served Radio
Blog World Expo (BWE) this year was something else. I was amazed at how much I got out of it, but kind of wish I would have gotten a chance to get to more of the other panels and keynotes besides the milblog track. I flew in on Wednesday night with my wife and we eventually got to our hotel (the Luxor). Thursday was the day for the milblog track and I knew where I would be for the entire day.
One thing about either BWE or the milblog conference in D.C. is that it gives me a chance to catch up with many of my friends in the milblog world. All year long I exchange phone calls, emails or (private milblog group) postings with my friends and fellow milbloggers, but it is always nice to see them in person and give them a hug or handshake.
We had a fairly good showing of milbloggers at this year’s BWE. There was Matt, Mr. Wolf and Laughing Wolf from www.blackfive.net, Boston Maggie from http://bostonmaggie.blogspot.com/, Chuck Z from http://tcoverride.blogspot.com/. Barmy Mama from http://deltasierrahotel.net/, Household 6 from http://armyhousehold6.com/, DeltaWhiskey1 from http://www.deltawhiskey.us/, Toby Nunn from http://tobynunn.com/, Mr, Mrs Greyhawk from http://www.mudvillegazette.com, my good friend and co-host CJ from here and http://www.soldiersperspective.us, and many others. There were even some that came in virtually like OldBlue from http://www.afghanquest.com who called in from Afghanistan to participate in a panel.
CJ and I were both at BWE to represent the You Served Blog and Radio show and were both very thankful for VA Mortgage Center’s support for us and this event. Besides making sure that CJ and I got to the conference, VAMC also sponsored the refreshments during the milblog track. I know that does not sound like much, but in fact it is and was a lifesaver. All day we had drinks, coffee, water, pastries, snacks, cookies, etc. catered to the room for anyone attending the track to partake in. Rather than having to go and search and buy food and drinks, the panelists and observers of the milblog track only had to stroll to the back of the room.
The panels went great despite having some last minute cancellations by some members. CJ and I were live blogging the best we could during the panels either by writing tweets on the You Served Twitter account at www.twitter.com/youserved or by blogging here. We conducted some interviews and just did some networking with different milbloggers. CJ and I were on the same panel with Scott Henderson from www.mediasauce.com and thanks to Rick Calvert from BWE, we took a last minute idea and performed a first. We broadcast our panel live on the first hour of the You Served Radio Show. With Marcus running the show and switchboard from his home, CJ and I were able to call into the show and make the first hour the entire panel. This allowed our normal listeners the chance to virtually be there for at least one panel. As the panel ended, Marcus took back over the show and ran it for the 2nd half.
Over the next couple of days we hung out on the expo floor, mostly at the US Army Accessions Command sponsored Milblog Lounge. Unlike the other booths on the floor that were normal booths, USAAC had their table of SWAG to give away along with several nice leather couches that anyone could come and relax on, get on the Internet, snack on pastries or enjoy some other refreshment. This was a great place for milbloggers to drop their computer bags, relax and just congregate. Not far from the milblog lounge was a booth by the National Guard Bureau, The Bob Woodruff Foundation, and of course Soldiers’ Angels.
During the next two days CJ and I were very busy, which kept at least me from making many other panels. Besides walking the floor and getting my free SWAG, and enjoying the company of friends and milbloggers, we also conducted several interviews. CJ and I were both armed with Flip-up HD video camera and voice recorders walking around interviewing people. We also were both interviewed several times by different media outlets. I have a great interview with the guys behind Chad Vadar, interviews with non-milbloggers like Zac Johnson, and several others that will go up over the following weeks.
Besides getting free stuff from the booths, I must say I learned a lot about multiple opportunities for milbloggers or bloggers in general by talking with the vendors. There were multiple booths who’s focus was on soliciting bloggers to write for them and paying the bloggers to do so. I think 100% of the ones I talked to expressed deep interest in mibloggers as they don’t have many filling that genre. Some pay by the word, and some pay by the posting. There were also many booths that dealt with doing more podcasting and video in blogs. Personally I think that is where blogs are maturing to. We are an instant gratification society and many people would rather watch a video blog than read a normal blog.
One person who was there pushing podcasting an that I got the opportunity to meet was TV talk show host, Crank Yankers voice person and overall comedian Adam Corolla. Besides meeting the Chad Vadar guys, the chance to meet Adam was great. There were several other famous folks I met, but will save that for my blog at www.bouhammer.com.
VAMC has committed to sponsor the milblog track in the future and I am very glad of that. I think the You Served Blog and Radio show has become a major force in the new media space and the milblog space in general.
Since I did so many interviews with people during the time there, I will wait and post those interviews and let them speak for themselves. Again, look for them over the next week or two now that I am back on a permanent laptop.
We have several on-loan guest bloggers coming up here on You Served as a result of BWE and our next big event will be the milblog conference in Apr/May timeframe. Stay tuned and stay informed.
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October 22, 2009 By Troy
Posted in Life in the Military, MilBlogger Interviews, Podcast, You Served Radio
Tonight on You Served Radio, we are very lucky to have my old Company Commander and current Commander of the National Training Center in Ft. Irwin CA, BG Robert “Abe” Abrams as our first guest. Rather than me trying to explain what a warrior he is, I have included his official BIO below. Be sure to join us on You Served Radio tonight at www.blogtalkradio.com/youserved at 7:00 PM EST to listen in.
Brigadier General Robert B. “Abe” Abrams is the Commanding General of the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California. He is an Army Brat who received his commission from the United States Military Academy in 1982. His initial duty assignment was with the 3d Armored Division’s Cavalry Squadron, the 3d Squadron 12th Cavalry Regiment headquartered in Budingen, Germany. He served in successive assignments as an Armored Cavalry Platoon Leader, Troop Executive officer and as the Squadron Adjutant.
Following attendance at the Armor Officer Advanced Course, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. He served as the Battalion Maintenance Officer; Commander, Delta Company; and Commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, where he deployed the company in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
Following redeployment from Operation Desert Storm, he was reassigned to the Armor School at Fort Knox, Kentucky where he served in successive assignments as a Platoon tactics instructor for the Armor Officer Basis Course, doctrine writer and Armor School subject matter expert for the M1A2 Tank Program, and Chief of Training Development.
Following attendance at the US Army Command and General Staff College, he was assigned as the Squadron Operations Officer, 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Bliss, Texas. He was later selected as the Regimental Operations Officer, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, and moved the Regiment to Fort Carson, Colorado. He was than selected to serve as a CJCS Strategic Planner in the Conventional War Plans Division, J7, the Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.
Brigadier General Abrams commanded the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, “MUSTANGS,” of the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas. He subsequently served as the G3 of the First Cavalry Division. Following attendance at the US Army War College, he commanded the 1st Brigade Combat Team, “IRONHORSE”, 1st Cavalry Division, at Fort Hood, Texas, and deployed the BCT to East Baghdad, Iraq, from March 2004 to March 2005. Following command of 1st BCT, Brigadier General Abrams served as the Chief of Staff, 1st Cavalry Division.
He was subsequently reassigned as the Executive Officer to the Commanding General US Army Europe and 7th Army. Prior to his current assignment, he served as the Deputy Commanding General, Combined Arms Center-Training, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Brigadier General Abrams holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York; a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan; and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. His military schooling includes the Armor Basic and Advanced Courses, Airborne School, Ranger School, the Combined Arms and Services Staff School, the US Army Command and General Staff College, and the US Army War College.
His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Valorous Unit Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Ranger Tab, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge.
Brigadier General Abrams is married to the former Connie Clevenger, and has a son Robert II and a daughter Carolyn.
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October 17, 2009 By Troy
Posted in MilBlogger Interviews
2:28:58 PM: New blog entry: BlogWorldExpo 2009 Day Two http://bit.ly/4geTEU
2:29:31 PM: Day two of BWE09 started with a speed dating event! no milbloggers taking part. #beatcancer #bwe09
2:29:58 PM: Chad Vader choked Toby Nunn over at the Soldiers Angels booth. #beatcancer #bwe09
2:30:47 PM: We are doing a live show at http://bit.ly/Gpp3I from the expo floor at 4:30 EST. It’s only a 20 minute show, so tune in. #beatcancer
2:31:36 PM: Check out the Army’s new blog that features Soldiers from many different MOS at http://bit.ly/3WCgAL #beatcancer #bwe09 Unmoderated!
2:33:24 PM: Don’t forget to use #beatcancer hashtag all month. For each one $.01 is donated to cancer research.
2:37:07 PM: New blog entry: BlogWorld Expo – Day 2 http://bit.ly/3uMElV
2:39:29 PM: New blog entry: Army Strong Bloggers Lounge http://bit.ly/qiMB9
2:47:42 PM: @TheDaleJackson Sent link 2 the video & password you can use. It’s only good through Sunday night. If you don’t get a chance let me know.
4:25:01 PM: Listen live in 5 minutes to Special BTR Show from BWE09 on You Served. http://tobtr.com/s/741176. #BlogTalkRadio
4:33:37 PM: Special You Served Radio will start in 10 minutes, live from the floor at Blog World Expo #bwe09 #beatcancer
5:45:01 PM: Listen to Special BTR Show from BWE09 on You Served anytime on BlogTalkRadio. http://tobtr.com/s/741176 #BlogTalkRadio
6:08:27 PM: You Served Is well known here at #bwe09. CJ and Troy have made a name for themselves #beatcancer
8:48:57 PM: #bwe09 was a great experience this year, and I am very glad that You Served was represented here. We made many great contacts #beatcancer
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October 15, 2009 By Troy
Posted in MilBlogger Interviews
1:00:45 PM: New blog entry: BlogWorldExpo 2009 Day One http://bit.ly/xTJcn
1:00:50 PM: “They Also Serve: Spouse Bloggers” panel just started. Tammy Munson, Delta Whiskey, Barmy Mama speaking. #bwe09 #beatcancer
1:01:48 PM: JIhad Gene asks Tammy if there were problems with her blogging due to recent OPSEC concerns by her command. #bwe09 #beatcancer
1:02:15 PM: Tammy says she removes info that would jeopardize the mission (locations, dates, times, etc). #bwe09 #beatcancer
1:03:35 PM: Tammy blogs at http://bit.ly/qmptM #bwe09 #beatcancer
1:05:03 PM: People are steadily walking into the milblog track panels
1:11:01 PM: CJ just asked a question of the panel about spouse bloggers getting in trouble by husband’s units
1:23:45 PM: the spouse panel is talking about the new media rules by each service
1:28:28 PM: The panel is discussing the role that spouses should play in blogging and what should be written about. #bwe09 #beatcancer
1:29:13 PM: Question from Laughing Wolf: what is your best moment, worst, and greatest challenge as a spouse milblogger #bwe09 #beatcancer
1:29:51 PM: Tammy spoke about helping a young Soldier wounded in Iraq. 1SG reached out to bloggers and she was able to help #bwe09 #beatcancer
1:30:44 PM: Tammy was able to get “Lt. Dan” (Gary Senise) to meet this Soldier. #bwe09 #beatcancer
1:31:13 PM: Barmy Mama says how she helped raise money for a juvenile diabetes walk through her blog. #bwe09 #beatcancer
1:32:11 PM: Delta Whiskey says being able to coordinate care packages to send to troops is the best part of blogging. #bwe09 #beatcancer
1:32:57 PM: DW says she gets to touch so many lives through her blog. #bwe09 #beatcancer
1:33:35 PM: Tammy says worst moment was when her husband wrote her about an incident and the disrespectful comments that followed #bwe09 #beatcancer
1:34:28 PM: Barmy Mama says she thankfully hasn’t had a bad experience yet. #bwe09 #beatcancer
1:35:43 PM: Delta Whiskey says her worst moment is people saying she isn’t “in the fight” and doesn’t have a leg to stand on #bwe09 #beatcancer
1:44:29 PM: Greyhawk remarks that the spouses have ruined “Army Wives” for him, saying it’s not real. #bwe09 #beatcancer
1:45:01 PM: Greyhawk asks what feedback the ladies have gotten from their husbands’ units. #bwe09 #beatcancer
1:45:28 PM: Tammy says that it differs by location. Ft. Carson didn’t like it at all, but others were very supportive. #bwe09 #beatcancer
1:45:58 PM: Tammy says her husband’s command doesn’t like her blogging at all. #bwe09 #beatcancer
1:46:29 PM: Barmy Mama says that her unit was very supportive, sending photos and stories for her to publish for families. #bwe09 #beatcancer
1:47:36 PM: Barmy Mama says her page became a memorial for one of the Soldiers killed. #bwe09 #beatcancer
1:54:54 PM: Wow, a “blog” conference without power strips for computers!
2:34:09 PM: http://tweetphoto.com/a4addb VAMC is a sponsor of the milblog track at #bwe09
2:36:09 PM: http://tweetphoto.com/df4094 Cj Grisham getting ready for the lifting of DADT
2:39:27 PM: @youserved
2:42:53 PM: Troy is asking the panel about their ideas of blogging AFTER deployments and how to motivate people to keep going. #bwe09 #beatcancer
2:45:05 PM: Greyhawk says we just need to support and communicate with each other. 9/10 guys just won’t blog after deployment. #bwe09 #beatcancer
2:45:35 PM: Chuck says writing helped him get through his recovery and a good outlet for emotion after his injury. #bwe09 #beatcancer
2:48:07 PM: The current panel – Toby, Chuck, Jihad Gene, and Greyhawk – sure are nicely dressed young men. #bwe09 #beatcancer
3:44:19 PM: Taking a lunch break at #bwe09
4:35:16 PM: Oldblue from http://www.afghanquest.com is called into the panel from afghanistan
4:38:30 PM: Milblogs, not your standard news source is the milblog panel that is going on now #bwe09
4:44:37 PM: Currently talking about how bloggers deal with sources, keeping them anonymous, citing them.
4:46:15 PM: #Afghanistan seems to be the main focus of the discussions of the milblog panels at #bwe09 @blogworld
5:05:22 PM: New blog entry: Heroes At Home Program Is Back http://bit.ly/3ieCS6
5:20:25 PM: Laptop is about to die again. This sucks. Who doesn’t have power strips at a BLOGGING conference?! #bwe09 #beatcancer
5:25:53 PM: Old Blue says Nick Meo should be reporting on dog shows in London, not military matters. #bwe09 #beatcancer
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