Straight Outta Combat Radio-Honoring Combat Wisdom

SOCRS085- James Van Prooyen- "Networking The Veteran Highlander"

After graduating high school, James Van Prooyen went into the Air Force thinking that all he would do was serve a four year enlistment and then go back home. Twenty years later, he retired from the United States Air Force, March of 2015. James provided IT support in many places around the globe to include Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, South America, and Africa.

After leaving the Air Force, James learned about the power of using a podcast to amplify a message. The message he most wanted to help get out was using the podcast medium inside the veteran community.  James see how valuable podcasts could be to help veterans, active duty, and their families. He has great experience in both producing and hosting multiple podcasts and wholeheartedly believes in the power of good to create positive change.

SOCRS084- Justin Cobb- "Call of Duty, Freedom, and the Harley-Davidson Family"

Justin Cobb, U.S.M.C.

Justin was born in Enterprise, Alabama in 1988.  He went to G.W. Long High School in Ozark and graduated in 1986. He enlisted into the Marine Corps right after graduation and served 9 years with the 2^nd LER Battalion. He deployed to Iraq in 2008, and again to Afghanistan in 2009 and 2011 with the same unit. In 2014, he went back to Afghanistan as a foreign advisor. In 2015 he left the Marine Corps and transferred to the US Army National Guard (186^th Engineer Company) in Dothan, Alabama.  He served with that unit for 3 years. Currently, he is the Can-Am Service Manager for Harley-Davidson of Dothan.

SOCRS083- Pete A. Turner- "The Break It Down Show: Telling Relevant Stories One Human Being At A Time"

Pete Turner is a former US Army spy who's been on over 1000 combat patrols. His ability to survive meetings with warlords, Taliban leaders, Al Qaeda members, and criminals is a testament to  his ability to gain the trust of, not only US commanders, but the enemy. Once Pete returned from combat, he focused his abilities on consulting companies on culture and building podcasts. His network of podcast hosts and shows reaches millions of listeners each week. Catch Pete's own shows the Break It Down Show and Popping the Bubbl. 

SOCRS082- Scott "Jacko" Jackman- "Whiskeys Wish: Dogs & Recovery"

Scott "Jacko" Jackman served with the 8/9 Royal Australian Regiment.  He deployed to both East Timor and Afghanistan where in 2012 he sustained an injury.  In 2013, he was diagnosed with Major Depression, PTSD and debilitating back and neck injuries and was medically discharged from military service. 

Soon after, Scott was deeply devastated after the death of his assistance dog "Whiskey".  In an effort to support and assist in Scott's rehabilitation, close family and friends gave Scott the encouragement he needed knowing that he was more than able to help and support others through his experiences, knowledge and empathy.

Thus, was the birth of Whiskey's Wish.  Its important Mission is to provide training and puppies for service dog training to veterans, first responders & correctional officers who suffer from PTSD and service-related injuries. 

 

SOCRS081- "Freedom Matters 01: What Does FREEDOM Mean To You?"

We pose the question: "Whats Does Freedom Mean To You?"

A compilation of answers from veterans Simon Kirby, Ryan Weaver, Joe Crane, Todd Scattini, Andrew Nelson, Chad Walker, Mark Green, Scott Huesing, Athena Ives, Steven Kuhn and Pete Turner.

 

SOCRS080- Simon Kirby- "Belfast, Hard Work, Beaches & The American Dream"

Simon Kirby was born in East London, England. He was the son of restaurateurs.  At the age of 15, Simon left school and at 16, joined the the British Army as a light-infantryman in the Royal Green Jackets Regiment. His first combat tour came in 1979 in Tyrone County, Northern Ireland. His unit was tasked with intercepting IRA patrols crossing the border, conducted with long-range and chopper-borne patrols.  After that initial tour, and over the course of the next two years, Simon was stationed in Germany and also completed the US Army's Air Assault School at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. At the age of 19, he attended the British Army's NCO Cadre School where he was awarded the regimental batten, given to the top student. At that time, Simon was the youngest person in regimental history to earn such an award.

Simon's second combat tour came at the age of 20.  In 1981, he deployed to West Belfast during the height of the troubles there.  That deployment proved costly for Simon's unit.  He lost three of his close friends in an enemy ambush.  It was not long after that he would return to the civilian world, leaving the army after serving his Country for five years.

Simon eventually made it to the United States (a dream that he had during a break from his Ft. Campbell training while visiting Florida). Currently, Simon owns a very successful holistic-natural-food restaurant, Simon's Coffeehouse, in Sarasota, Florida.  He is the father of two children, enjoys cooking, meditation, yoga and sailing the Caribbean (when time permits).

SOCRS079- Joe Crane- "Cobras, Freedom & Master Minds"

Lieutenant Colonel Joe Crane retired from the Marine Corps in 2013 after 24 years of service. He was an AH-1W Super Cobra Attack helicopter pilot and completed 2 combat missions to Iraq. Joe is now an airline pilot and host of the Veteran on the Move Podcast: Your Pathfinder to Freedom. It’s mission is to provide knowledge and inspiration to veterans aspiring to transition to the exciting world of entrepreneurship.

SOCRS078- Chad Walker- "Operation Green Shield & ClienTell: Making Real Differences"

With his self-described “aggressive proactivity” Chad Walker is a Navy Veteran who is committed to outside the box thinking and when necessary, building a new box. Chad has spent the last three years creating real world solutions in both the Urban Tech and Nonprofit space. As Veteran turned Entrepreneur Chad has developed a unique perspective when it comes to quality of life. He aspires to create lasting change throughout the Veteran community in the coming years with his nonprofit Operation Green Shield as well as bringing balance to the construction and home services industry with his ClienTell APP. Chad is always quick to answer when asked if the change he’s working toward is truly possible, “Outside of my first marriage, I don’t fail very often”.

SOCRS077- Andrew Nelson- "Going With The Flow, Thinking Big, Hunger & Drive"

Over his career, Andy has represented a wide variety of clients, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses. A veteran of the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, Andy especially enjoys working with businesses owned by veterans, military spouses, active duty service members, and others focused on the military community. These clients not only do business in a wide variety of industries, they are also located all over the world. 

SOCRS076- Mark Green- "Building Resiliency & Creating Hope in Transition"

Author, speaker and vetrepreneur Mark E. Green spent 34 years in the U.S. Army working his way up from buck private to lieutenant colonel, who served two stints as inspector general, including one during which he was responsible for the southern half of Afghanistan. Part of the inaugural team that got taekwondo recognized as an official Army sport while serving in the 82nd Airborne, Green recently achieved his 3rd degree black belt after having to learn to walk again from an injury during his deployment. Green, who got his master’s degree in business and his law degree while in the service, has dedicated the remainder of his life to helping his fellow veterans and their families obtain remarkable resilience and experience triumphant transition. He’s the author of "STEP OUT, STEP UP: Lessons Learned from a Lifetime of Transitions and Military Service" and "WARRIOR’S CODE 001: 7 Steps to Remarkable Resilience", which focuses on the mind, body and spirit and was developed based on his experiences. "WARRIOR’S CODE 001" also includes the stories of several other veterans from different branches and different eras. The Mindset Vet’s Resiliency with a Kick curriculum featuring the 7 Steps to Remarkable Resilience will be the centerpiece of workshops and training he is currently building. Green and his wife Denise and their son Adam in Orlando, Florida, where Green has established his company My Silver Boots, LLC.

His purpose in sharing his story in "Step Out, Step Up: Lessons Learned from a Lifetime of Transition and Military Service" is to encourage others to have hope and recognize that no matter where you come from, you can achieve your dreams. In "Warrior’s Code 001", he shares his secrets to developing a mindset that boosts resiliency and smooths transitions. He developed these strategies from his own experiences with his family, hard-earned lessons, and education, and is developing a curriculum around them.

To book Mark today for speaking or a workshop, contact him at stepoutstepup7@gmail.com.