Straight Outta Combat Radio-Honoring Combat Wisdom

SOC5- Bobby Henline- "Run Like You're On Fire"

Henline is a retired Army Staff Sergeant, last serving with the 82nd Airborne Division. He spent 13 years in the Army, completing four tours. While on his fourth tour in Iraq, three weeks after his arrival, an IED exploded under his Humvee – April 7, 2007 is a day he will never forget. The four soldiers with him were killed – he call them his “angels.” As Henline stumbled out of the wreck, a human torch, he was extinguished by the soldier he had replaced in the Humvee. With burns covering almost 40% of his body, fractured bones in his face, and his head burned to the skull, Henline was put into a medically induced coma for two weeks and was flown back to the states.

Ten years later, Bobby’s diligient work has turned a tragedy into a life full of joy, family, and friends. He is known as the “Well-Done Comedian,” having performed at Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club, The Laugh Factory and Hollywood Improv, to name a few places. Henline’s story and lived experiences have been featured in numerous media, including the documentaries “Comedy Warriors: Healing Through Humor”, “Healing Bobby”, and “Weight of Honor”; he has appeared on numerous television, radio, and podcasts around the world.

His other experience includes modeling, acting, writing poetry, and songwriting, as well as being a co-founder of Bravo748 Military and Combat Speakers Bureau, a company that invests in Veterans who are speakers and entertainers with a mission of giving back to their communities through their experience, stories, comedy, music, and more.

SOC4 - Jake Bublitz - "Fear & Love"

Jake Bublitz is J.P. Guhns, a Singer/Songwriter, Occasional Traveller and Life Documenter . The 29-year-old Marine can be found these days chasing down dreams and running from ghosts. The chosen pen name is meant to capture the personalities and time periods of the man's life. From rebellious teenagers in the woods of Wisconsin, to the call sign crackling over a radio on patrol in the valleys of Afghanistan. The music is his journey. Written by himself and with a vision in his head, JP Guhns intends to touch you and impact your thoughts just as the music of his mother (Paul Simon), Father(Bruce Springsteen),Brothers (TRU and 3rdEyeBlind), and Sisters (Patty Griffin) did to him. Music provides the pages to the novel that is our life, the pen name provides your ink.

SOC3 - John Preston- "To The Top & Suicide"

John Preston is a Universal Music Group / Concore Entertainment recording artist and full time firefighter. John was a Marine Corps veteran and began his music career while in Iraq writing his song "Good Good America" the song gave John his first shot at the music industry signing a record deal upon his return from Iraq. 

John returned to the music industry in 2014 signing with Pacific Records and quickly releasing his first single "this IS war" in October of 2014. The song also became a national media topic when the Marine veteran made a call to action to veterans across the nation to stand against ISIS which had just made a surge through Syria and Iraq.

Just one month later, John released his Los Angeles Music Awards nominated EP "Your War is Over".  This time the topic was very different. John highlighted veterans' struggles with Post Traumatic Stress and suicide and took the fight public with several TV and radio appearances across the United States. 

John took to the studio again and in September of 2015 released in the Top 100 New Alternative Albums chart with his second EP "Day to Night." With this EP, John told the story of a Marine that was killed on his last day of combat. John took to the media continuing with his fight against PTSD, veteran suicide, and also reminding the people of America that the country is still at war. 

John's life took a turn of tragic irony when in January of 2016 John's own brother fell victim to post traumatic stress and took his own life. The passing of his brother was enough to make him consider ending his career, but has instead fueled his hard work ethic that secured a national campaign against suicide. John executive produced the album "Battlecry: Songs of America's Heroes which reached number 21 on the iTunes rock charts. 

John has currently signed on with Universal Music Group / Concore Entertainment and his recent single "before I'm gone" released in the iTunes top 200 alternative and is currently growing in the European independent radio radio charts. 100% of John's sales for the single are donated to Stop Soldier Suicide to further the cause. 

SOC2 - Larry Hinkle "1SG Smith & Stalking Dolphins"

A Marine, Larry has answered the cries of help with the world’s finest force in readiness... The United States Marine Corps. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA and he was attached to 3rd AABN (3rd Amphibian Assault Battalion.) While in the Marine Corps (2000-2004), Larry deployed three times. First of which, he was assigned to a security detail for the U.S.S. Cole (hours after it was bombed in the Gulf of Aiden, near Yemen. On his second deployment, he was part of the Amphibious Ready Group that provided an immediate presence in the Pakistan/Afghanistan Region of the world, post 911. His final deployment was to Iraq in 2003, for the initial invasion. Larry has dealt with the issues (first hand) that arise when transitioning from military service and war, back into society. He also brings 10+ years of corporate sales / Project Management experience to aid in securing corporate partnerships/funding.

2016 “THE HUMP”: Hinkle started his journey on April 3rd from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and will complete his mission when he steps onto 3rd AABN, Camp Pendleton, California, where he was stationed as a United States Marine from 2000-2004.
Larry walked more than 2,600 miles across America to bring awareness and attention to our Nation’s Veterans and First Responders. Throughout the “The Hump”, he stopped by VA facilities, Veteran State Nursing Homes, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), police and sheriff’s departments, fire stations and Salvation Army locations to connect with veterans/ first responders and share their stories. His mission fed over 1,000 veterans and first responders.

2017 “THE LONE STAR HUMP”: He kicked off on April 3rd in Dallas and he plans on performing the same type of feat with what he’s calling “The Lone Star Hump.” It will consist of the same type of events, just less time spent on the walk. Larry will walk an average of 10 miles on the days he walks to the police, sheriff and fire departments.

Hinkle hopes to create awareness about the problems veterans face every day, especially the disabled. He will also be providing gift cards to the first responders and let them know what their service means to the community as he walks throughout communities each week.
“It took me 9 years to get my situation with the VA figured out. I know what a trying process that was and how mentally exhausting that was at times. Anything that I can do to help, is what I am looking to accomplish,” he said.
For additional information about The Lone Star Hump, please visit http://www.thehump.org.

SOC1 - Dan Ploger- "Roses & Potholes"

72-year old Vietnam veteran Dan Ploger is the son of an Army General.  Born in Washington, D.C., Dan spent most of his childhood years traveling the world.  He lived in Maryland, Okinawa, Washington State, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Paris, France, until leaving for college in 1964. He attended 9 different schools before graduating high school.

Dan deployed to Vietnam in 1968 where he served 15 months in-country as an Army combat engineer.  At times, he was quite literally on the front lines as a bulldozer and heavy truck operator. His duties included jungle clearing, building landing zones, base camps for the various infantry units and artillery pads. He drove a low-boy truck hauling either his bulldozer, tanks, other heavy equipment and/or miscellaneous freight.  

After serving in Vietnam, Dan spent most of his working years based in Nashville, TN. in the automotive industry.  
He has been diagnosed with PTSD and is currently under care by the VA.

Dan's recollection of the rose shower & his pothole excursions as well as his wisdom, his poignant advice to the public about "war" is worth the hour.