AndreaFromSLC

This week, I'm joined by Sam, a Marine Mustang. From humble beginnings, he joined the Marine Corps and went on to serve over 28 years, and is still a Reservist! One of his sisters and his younger brother also followed in his yellow footprints. We get tales from a tank mechanic turned helicopter pilot, and some of what he's doing on the civilian side of life now. He's done film production, project management and now has his sights set on the 14th district in Florida. Learn more about Sam's campaign at https://samforflorida.com/ Follow me on all my socials at comicscard.com/andrea-bryant

We had a cadence in boot camp about a defendant being offered jail or military service. I thought it was a myth, but this week, I'm joined by Derek Drescher, who did just that! He has amazing experiences to share about his time in the Army and details how he has succeeded since then in beating addiction, getting a job and finding his way in comedy. Follow Derek on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/derekdrescher/?hl=en Follow Geo on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/geoperez86/?hl=en Follow On The Gate Podcast at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1Ozcc7n1a2pUrLxU1D08aw Follow their show at The Stand at: https://www.instagram.com/23and1comedy/?hl=en Follow me on all my socials at: comicscard.com/andrea-bryant

I'm joined this week by comedian and Army veteran, Derek Drescher! This was a blast and Derek has such a wealth of experience to share. Here's a quick highlight, and be sure to follow Derek and his work with Geo Perez at On The Gate Podcast & their show at The Stand, Twenty Three & One Comedy. https://www.instagram.com/derekdrescher/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/geoperez86/?hl=en https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1Ozcc7n1a2pUrLxU1D08aw Thestandnyc.com/shows/show/4650/20220719-900-pm-twenty-three-one-comedy Follow me on all my socials at comicscard.com/andrea-bryant

Joining me this week is comedian and podcaster, KP Burke! He shares his time in the Navy as a Hull Technician and all of the drinking stories that come along with that. I'll let him tell the stories, and hopefully, that'll be about all you hear, as I managed to screw up my own audio 9 minutes into this episode and turn into an echoey mess. Check out KP's podcast, "American Loser" wherever you get your podcasts, or on his YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/theswisherking. Watch his special at https://youtu.be/hXxAWtj-RnM (it's awesome!) And you can follow me at comicscard.com/andrea-bryant

This week, I'm joined by Marine officer, Mike "Skipper" Arthur, host of Veteran Nation. He tells me about growing up in Ohio and the prospects he had before deciding to join the Marine Corps right after 9/11. He covers enlisted life, commissioning and being deployed overseas. He left active duty in 2015 and transitioned over to civilian life. He has some great stories and even more valuable insight, so please check out this episode, as well as his work: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTYZjl7nDLeRK8H0EivSGVw https://www.instagram.com/VetNationShow/ twitter.com/vetnationhost https://www.instagram.com/VetNationShow/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/veterannation Follow me at comicscard.com/andrea-bryant

This week, I'm joined by Marine officer, Mike "Skipper" Arthur, host of Veteran Nation. He tells me about growing up in Ohio and the prospects he had before deciding to join the Marine Corps right after 9/11. He covers enlisted life, commissioning and being deployed overseas. He left active duty in 2015 and transitioned over to civilian life. He has some great stories and even more valuable insight, so please check out this episode, as well as his work: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTYZjl7nDLeRK8H0EivSGVw https://www.instagram.com/VetNationShow/ twitter.com/vetnationhost https://www.instagram.com/VetNationShow/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/veterannation Follow me at comicscard.com/andrea-bryant

The new guy is always subjected to a line of BS. It's good for him. Skipper tells of his shenanigans!

Skipper joins me this week, and describes some of his experiences early in his career as a Marine Corps officer!

Military service is all about selflessness and sacrifice. My guest this week, comedian and podcaster KP Burke, learned that IMMEDIATELY upon leaving for bootcamp!

Joining me this week is Sean, another Boiler Technician with a story just as unique. He tells us about his upbringing and the stories of service from his own family that influenced his decision to join. He was stationed in Hawaii and was underway when Desert Storm kicked off. He had experiences that most people, let alone a 19 year old, cannot imagine. He came out of it with more experience and confidence to find his next chapter in civilian life. You can find Sean at https://www.facebook.com/bdlmBowman You can find me at comicscard.com/andrea-bryant

Sean's grandfather served in WWI in supply. But that wasn't the ONLY thing he was up to in Europe in 1918

This is the first episode in which I speak to a guy I actually served with, Curtis Lenz! Unlike me, Curtis wanted to be a police officer and wanted Master-At-Arms for his time in the Navy to prepare and he joined right out of high school. Curtis was DEFINITELY a hard-charger; clean cut, knowledgeable, ready to learn and MOTIVATED. By the time we crossed paths in Bahrain, I knew I was getting out. I always got the job done, but my zeal was gone. Curtis got out after his enlistment as well, and made it with the El Paso County Sheriff's Department in Colorado where he also serves as a bomb disposal technician. He shares his story of Navy and deputy service and what all he's been up to since I last saw him nearly a decade ago.

Curtis shares some of his law enforcement stories from a short, 32 day period, as well as some words of wisdom!

Joining me is Rob Kelly, a Navy Veteran himself of the Desert Storm era. He talks about what convinced him to join, what he did, where he was stationed and shares the parallels between what he saw then and sees now.

This week, I'm joined by my friend, TC. He shares his experience in active duty in the Army, and his short time in the Minnesota National Guard. He went on to serve as a deputy. TC is a consummate professional and unafraid to speak his mind and the truth. Unfortunately, in our present world, such an act has negative consequences. Support TC now by buying his coffee and listening to his conversations with prominent Libertarians on his YouTube Channel. Follow his links: https://www.youtube.com/c/MinnesotaBl... https://www.subscribestar.com/minneso... https://www.facebook.com/MBRRPodcast https://www.facebook.com/tC.pearson.564 Follow me on all of my socials at comicscard.com/andrea-bryant

My Dr. Strangelove reference, while accurate, brought the interview to a screeching halt. Sorry about that, TC, and thanks for getting things right back on track!

The answer to the question posed in the title is - just about everything! Roger and I are of different generations, but both were born and raised in the Bay Area, went on to serve and ended up meeting at the University of Utah. He tells of his time in the Army, both as an enlisted man, and later as an officer. He finished his career and found himself in Utah and in Academia until his retirement six years ago.

Growing up, my dad told me his stories of serving in the Army. Since it wasn't a detailed, chronological account, I missed a lot of timelines and details as a child. But those piecemeal stories laid the foundation for my own fascination with the military and all but assured my own eventual enlistment.

Where do I get off telling you anything? Well, in this first episode, I'll delve into my experiences in the Navy and give some hints as to some of the topics I'll tackle in future episodes. Find all of my socials at: https://comicscard.com/andrea-bryant/

This week, I'm joined by my pal, KC. He served in the Army and later in the Reserves and had some very eye-opening experiences. The plan his father envisioned didn't pan out, and there were plenty of twists and turns on the course he ultimately created for himself. But despite setbacks from injury (and maybe a toxic woman or two), he was able to find his calling and soulmate. This episode runs a bit longer than the others, but KC's an interesting guy, and the attributes he earned in the Army played big into what he has gone on to achieve in later life. Follow me on all of my socials at comicscard.com/andrea-bryant

This week, I'm joined by Tommy the Shipmate. We are separated by about 20 years in service, but still find MUCH in common. I jump around all over the place, but Tommy stays on it, much to his credit. I realized after recording that there were a lot of terms unlikely to be familiar to civilians, so keep an eye on the video, as I've defined just about all of them. Follow me at comicscard.com/andrea-bryant

In this upcoming episode of The Decompression Chamber, I'm joined by KC. We talk service and what it's like to realize you're speaking with a prostitute! Follow me everywhere at comicscard.com/andrea-bryant

This week, I'm joined by Roger Perkins. He describes why he got into the Army, and why no one cared (at the time). His time and story are appreciated here!

You could get figuratively smoked in my day, by doing intense physical training. And hazing is no longer allowed. However, in my dad's day, smoke, joke and hang around was about as literal as you could get. Ah, the good old days!