Borne the Battle
337 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 months ago - ★★★★★ - 441 ratingsBorne the Battle recognizes each battle, challenge, and sacrifice our Veterans endure during and after their service, as well as spotlighting important resources, offices, and benefits VA offers our Veterans.
The Department of Veterans Affairs does not endorse or officially sanction any entities that may be discussed in this podcast, nor any media, products or services they may provide.
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Episodes
#34: VA's Electronic Health Record system announcement
June 09, 2017 08:30 - 26 minutes - 36.8 MBThis week's podcast focuses on the announcement made by Secretary Shulkin on Monday. The Department of Veterans Affairs will be adopting the same electronic health record system used by the Department of Defense. The podcast features audio from SECVA at the White House press briefing. He provides remarks on the announcement originally made at VA's central office earlier that day, followed by questions from the media. Covered in Episode 33: The American Veteran Episode 1102 SEC...
#33: Henry Huntley – Retired Army General, VA Acting Director of Intergovernmental Affairs
June 02, 2017 08:30 - 44 minutes - 60.6 MBI hope everyone had a safe and solaced Memorial Day. I had the opportunity to meet with hundreds of Veterans and other members of our community at Sunday's Rolling Thunder demonstration. It was humbling hearing riders talk about their fallen comrades and whom they were riding for. It's moments like those that keep me grateful for our nation's service members and Veterans. This week's podcast features retired Army Brigadier General Henry Huntley. Henry I are colleagues in the Offic...
#32: Kate Tillotson - Marine Veteran, Student Veteran of the Year
May 26, 2017 08:30 - 38 minutes - 52.9 MBEach year, at their national convention, Student Veterans of America announces a Student Veteran of the Year. This award is competitive and quite prestigious as the Veterans considered have impressive resumes as service members and as student Veterans. 2017's Student Veteran of the Year is Kate Tillotson, a Marine Veteran currently attending University of Tulsa. Kate served in the Marine Corps for four years as a Radio Operator. After she got out, she began pursuing higher educati...
#31: Meritorious Segments Volume 2
May 19, 2017 08:30 - 15 minutes - 20.8 MBEpisode 31 of This Week at VA is another "best of" type episode. This volume of Meritorious Segments includes soundbites from AMVETS National Director Joe Chenelly, Team Rubicon Chief Operations Officer Art delaCruz, and Team RWB Executive Director Blayne Smith. Even if you've heard each episode, I know you'll appreciate hearing these stories and sentiments again. Covered in episode 31: Blayne Smith talks about value of Team RWB Joe Chenelly describes AMVETS' service to Ve...
#30: Meritorious Segments Volume 1
May 12, 2017 08:30 - 21 minutes - 30.1 MBWe are 30 episodes into the podcast and I'm going to do something a little different with this one. This is going to be a "best of" episode. I pulled four clips from our more popular interviews to feature in what I'm calling "meritorious segments." Even if you've heard each episode, I know you'll appreciate hearing these stories and sentiments again. Covered in episode 30: Kayla Williams on deploying to Iraq Jared Lyon on the value that student Veterans bring to a campus ...
#29: Bob Wright – Army Veteran, Prostate Cancer Survivor
May 05, 2017 08:30 - 31 minutes - 43.7 MBI was introduced to Bob Wright by an organization named Us Too. Us Too is an organization that supports and advocates for men at all stages of prostate cancer. Bob is an Army Veteran having served in Vietnam. He is going to talk to us about his time in the military, discovering he had cancer, and become a support group leader for men. Bob served as a Battalion Surgeon`s Assistant as First Lieutenant Medical Service Corps with 101st Airborne Division. He was in Vietnam from 1969-19...
#28: Skye Marshall – Air Force Veteran, Actor
April 28, 2017 08:30 - 42 minutes - 58.7 MBWhen you're active in the Veteran community, you tend to hear names repeated in conversation and mentioned on social media. Recently, one of those names is Skye Marshall. I saw Skye in Got Your 6's #shesbadass campaign and knew she'd make a great feature on the podcast. Skye talks with us about serving in the Air Force, following her dreams to Hollywood, working with Al Pacino, and more. About Skye: At the age of 19, Skye enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Nellis...
#27: Dee McWilliams – Army Veteran, WIMSA President
April 21, 2017 08:30 - 47 minutes - 65.7 MBThe Women In Military Service For America Memorial (WIMSA), is the only major national memorial honoring all women who have defended America throughout history. It sits at the end of the road as you approach the gates of Arlington Nation Cemetery near Washington D.C. Today's podcast features Army Veteran Dee McWilliams, the current president of WIMSA. Dee talks to us about her 29 years in the Army, retirement, serving as WIMSA president and the significance of the women's memorial. ...
#26: Doug McCormick – Army Veteran, Financial Expert
April 14, 2017 08:30 - 36 minutes - 50.1 MBMy interview this week is with Army Veteran Doug McCormick. I've been very fortunate in the past couple months and have received a lot of opportunities for interviews. My cup has run over, and finally, after sitting on it for six to eight weeks, I finally have opportunity to release my interview with Doug. We talk about a few important topics, to include Veteran community, entrepreneurship and money. Note: We are not providing any financial advice and VA does not official endorse ...
#25: Kevin Jamison - Marine Veteran, Veterans Community Project
April 07, 2017 08:30 - 30 minutes - 41.6 MBEpisode 25 is here! This is a fun milestone for us and we're happy to continue this great program. This week's interview features two Veterans involved with the Veterans Community Project in Kansas City. Kevin Jamison retired after 20 years of service in the Marine Corps. He served three tours in Iraq, was part of the embassy evacuation in Albania in 1997, and was part of the US operation in Haiti in 1994. He is now the Chief Operations Officer for Veterans Community Project. Br...
#24: Bill Rausch - Army Veteran, Got Your 6
March 31, 2017 08:30 - 1 hour - 90.5 MBWhen Got Your 6 first got on my radar, I wasn't sure what they did. Years later, I still wasn't convinced I understood their mission. Then, a few weeks ago, their Executive Director Bill Rausch interviewed Secretary Shulkin for our YouTube Live event. After the event, I invited him to join me on the podcast and he enthusiastically agreed. We had a very informative and fun conversation regarding his service, Got Your 6, the Veteran space, collaboration among organizations, a conflict...
#23 Art delaCruz - Navy Veteran, Team Rubicon COO
March 24, 2017 08:30 - 25 minutes - 34.8 MBWhen I first conceptualized VA's podcast, I knew Team Rubicon would be an early feature. Team Rubicon has had a significant impact on the world by providing natural disaster relief and it has had an even bigger impact on the Veteran space by providing a renewed purpose for Veteran volunteers. This week's guest is the Chief Operating Officer for Team Rubicon, Art delaCruz. Art delaCruz served honorably for more than 22 years in the United States Navy and enjoyed a career that includ...
#22 Debra Russell - Navy Veteran, Photographer
March 17, 2017 08:30 - 30 minutes - 41.9 MBThis week's podcast features another participant in the 2017 Women Veterans Art Exhibit, Navy Veteran Debra Russell. The exhibit is traveling to ten different VA medical centers throughout the month of March to celebrate and honor Women's History Month and how Veterans use art for personal expression. Debra joined the military in 1984 and served until 1997. She worked in supply early on and went on to work on the staff for an Admiral. She was "med-boarded" after a running accide...
#21 Pamela Corwin - Army Veteran, Artist, Biologist
March 10, 2017 09:30 - 23 minutes - 32.1 MBThe podcast continues to grow and it is thanks to our wonderful audience. Thank you for taking the time to listen to these powerful Veteran stories. This week's guest is Army Veteran Pamela Corwin. Pamela served in the Army for six years. She went on to complete a Masters in Biology from The Citadel. She now works full-time as a wildlife and fisheries biologist for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. I asked Pamela to join me on the podcast because she is one of ...
#20 Bobby Henline - Army Veteran, Comedian
March 03, 2017 09:30 - 27 minutes - 37.9 MBWe're back with another great episode of This Week at VA. This week's featured guest is Army Veteran, Bobby Henline. As a 4-tour Iraqi War Veteran, Retired Staff Sergeant, Wounded Warrior, Comedian, and Bravo748 Motivational Presenter, Bobby 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”; on CNN, PBS KET, NPR, Today.com, and Time.com; Time Magaz...
#19 Dr. David Shulkin - Secretary of Veterans Affairs
February 24, 2017 09:30 - 17 minutes - 24.3 MBI hope everyone had a pleasant President's Day weekend. This week's podcast is an exciting one as it features our new Secretary, Dr. David Shulkin. This is the first interview Secretary Shulkin conducted after swearing in as Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The Honorable David J. Shulkin was nominated by President Trump to serve as the ninth Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) and was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 13, 2017. Prior to his confirmation as Secretary...
#18 Jared Lyon - Navy Veteran, Student Veterans of America CEO
February 17, 2017 09:30 - 59 minutes - 81.8 MBThe podcast has officially reached more than 10,000 hits. We are truly grateful that all of you have taken the time to listen. This week continues the trend of great interviews with Navy Veteran Jared Lyon. Jared is the President & CEO of Student Veterans of America. Jared was our #VeteranOfTheDay in January 2016. Jared Lyon was appointed President and CEO of Student Veterans of America (SVA) on January 4, 2016, overseeing all aspects of the organization. He initially joined the ...
#17: Joe Chenelly - Marine Veteran, AMVETS National Executive Director
February 10, 2017 09:30 - 34 minutes - 47.1 MBThis Week at VA episode 17 features Marine Corps Veteran Joe Chenelly. Joe currently serves as the National Executive Director for AMVETS. A native of Rochester, N.Y., Joe enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in March 1998, serving with the 1st Marine Division, and was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in April 2006. He is a combat veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, having served in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Kuwait, East Timor and the Horn of A...
Kayla Williams - Policy Research Roundtable on Women Veterans
February 08, 2017 21:45 - 22 minutes - 31.5 MBKayla Williams delivered some remarks this week at the Policy Research Roundtable on Women Veterans. She spoke about her career, the Center for Women Veterans, and data regarding women Veterans. For some of you, this information will be familiar, but I think you all will appreciate the material. Enjoy
#16: James Horton – Air Force Veteran, Cemetery Director
February 03, 2017 09:30 - 43 minutes - 59.2 MBThis Week at VA episode 16 features Air Force Veteran Jim Horton. Jim currently serves as the Director for the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. Jim served in the Air Force as a pilot. He never planned to give the military nearly three decades of his life, but new opportunities presented themselves and he kept adding on the years. I met with Jim in his office at the national cemetery in Honolulu, which is affectionately called "The Punchbowl" as it sits in a c...
#15: Gordon Wallace – Army Veteran, VA Volunteer Services
January 27, 2017 09:30 - 31 minutes - 43.8 MBThis week's podcast is going to get emotional. Our feature interview is with Army Veteran Gordon Wallace. We first met Gordon at the VA Pacific Islands Health System in Honolulu. He was playing music in the lobby with a fellow Vietnam Veteran. They strummed on their guitars singing familiar songs providing hospital guests with entertainment. Between songs, Gordon began speaking about his recovery. He talked about returning from Vietnam and being shunned by his family. He wept as h...
Battle of the Bulge Veteran Harry Miller shares his story
January 25, 2017 16:33 - 38 minutes - 52.3 MBOn December 16, 1944, the Germans launched what is considered their last major offensive of World War II. Just shortly after the Allied force's successfully invaded Normandy, France, the surprise attack from Hitler's forces caught the Allies off guard. The battle lasted until January 25, 1945. The United States suffered 19,000 fatalities and more than 89,000 casualties. In commemoration of the 72nd anniversary of this historic battle of courage and fortitude, we invite you to meet ...
#14: Christian Benedetto - Marine Veteran, PTSDJournal
January 19, 2017 09:30 - 47 minutes - 65.8 MBEpisode 14 of the #VApodcast features Marine Veteran Christian Benedetto. Christian Benedetto was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in November 2013. In the nearly 25 years that have passed since his military service with the United States Marine Corps in the First Gulf War and the early 1990s, he felt something was terribly wrong with him, yet he believed he was hiding it well. After being diagnosed, Christian founded and launched the PTSDJournal. PTSDJournal is ...
#13: John Lee Dumas - Army Veteran, Entrepreneur on Fire
January 13, 2017 09:30 - 36 minutes - 50.2 MBEpisode 13 features Army Veteran John Lee Dumas. John Lee Dumas is the host of EOFire, an award winning Podcast where he interviews today's most successful Entrepreneurs 7-days a week. JLD has interviewed over 1400 Entrepreneurs and EOFire has over 1 million monthly listens. Covered in Episode 13: * The value of VAntage Point * Interview with Army Veteran John Lee Dumas * John's decision to join the military. * Powerful story from his deployment * Leaving the...
State of VA: Putting Veterans First
January 10, 2017 20:52 - 1 hour - 111 MBSpecial midweek episode for you with the State of VA. As part of a two day MyVA Advisory Committee meeting, VA Secretary Bob McDonald and Deputy Secretary Sloan Gibson spoke about the significant progress made in the five strategies of the MyVA transformation in 2016. This includes improving the Veteran experience, improving the employee experience, improving internal support services, continuous improvement and enhancing strategic partnerships. A few highlights of the MyVA progr...
#12: James Davis - Air Force Veteran, formerly homeless Veteran
January 06, 2017 09:30 - 43 minutes - 59.2 MBI hope everyone had a fun and safe new year. Our first episode of 2017 is with James "Jim" Davis. Jim is an Air Force Veteran and currently does Veteran Outreach for Pathways to Housing DC. Jim has lived an interesting life. For more than a decade, Jim led a nomadic life of homelessness. He wandered around the country, taking odd jobs in the wilderness to barely get by. When he wasn't set somewhere through work, he wandered off to other states looking for adventure. When he final...
#11: Blayne Smith – Army Veteran, Team RWB Executive Director
December 30, 2016 09:30 - 38 minutes - 52.6 MBI hope everyone had a pleasant holiday and has some fun, safe plans for New Years. Our final episode of 2016 is with Blayne Smith. Blayne is an Army Veteran and currently serves as Executive Director at Team Red, White, and Blue. Blayne works closely with Team RWB’s board members, staff, and volunteer leaders to develop and implement programs that serve veterans across the country. He provides strategic and operational guidance to the organization while building and managing key p...
#10: Gregorio Kishketon - Marine Veteran, Native American
December 23, 2016 09:30 - 38 minutes - 52.7 MBWe're ten episodes in! This podcast has been a lot of fun and we appreciate all of the great feedback we've received. Episode ten brings us Marine Veteran Gregorio Kishketon. Greg is a VA employee that works at the central office in D.C.. He originally thought he was simply going to be #VeteranOfTheDay, but then he sat down for an interview and opened up about some vulnerable parts of his life. Covered in Episode Ten: Pearl Harbor story by Army Veteran Jimmy Lee Interview wit...
#9: Justin Blazejewski – Marine Veteran, yogi
December 16, 2016 09:30 - 39 minutes - 53.9 MBEpisode nine brings us Marine Veteran Justin Blazejewski. Justin’s introduction to yoga began in 2007 while he was searching for different exercises that would help with a back injury he sustained while serving. Soon after his first class he dove into a daily yoga practice, quickly realizing the physical benefits of yoga when his back pain began to disappear after only a couple of weeks. Justin was in his 4th year of monthly travel to Afghanistan and Iraq as a government contrac...
#8: Alfred Rodrigues – Navy Veteran, Pearl Harbor Survivor
December 09, 2016 06:09 - 29 minutes - 27.4 MBEpisode eight brings us Navy Veteran Alfred Rodrigues. He's affectionately called "Uncle Al" around the island of Oahu in Hawaii. Uncle Al was in Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked on December 7th, 1941. We caught up with Uncle Al and talked to him about his service. Covered in Episode Eight: * WWII Navy Vet finds friend * Interview with Navy Veteran Alfred Rodrigues * Al's decision to join the military. * Pearl Harbor attacks * Serving during WWII ...
#7: Kayla Williams – Army Veteran, Director of Center for Women Veterans
December 02, 2016 09:30 - 44 minutes - 61.4 MBEpisode seven brings us Army Veteran Kayla Williams. Kayla serves as primary advisor to the Secretary on Department policies, programs, and legislation that affect women Veterans. In addition, she oversees the Center’s activities, which include monitoring and coordinating VA’s administration of health care, benefits services, and programs for women Veterans; serving as an advocate for cultural transformation (both within VA and in the general public) in recognizing the service and ...
#6: Michael Lumpkin – Navy Veteran, cancer survivor & civil servant
November 25, 2016 09:30 - 35 minutes - 49.3 MBWe hope everyone had a pleasant Thanksgiving. Here at VA, we are all thankful for our Veterans, their families and our staff that are committed to serve them. Episode six brings us Michael Lumpkin. Michael served in the Navy and went on to work in three federal departments. He is currently the Special Envoy and Coordinator of the Global Engagement Center at the U.S. Department of State. In this role, Mr. Lumpkin leads efforts to coordinate, integrate, and synchronize Government-wi...
#5: Brad Snyder – Navy Veteran, Paralympic Gold Medalist
November 18, 2016 10:00 - 34 minutes - 46.8 MBThis week's featured guest is Navy Veteran Brad Snyder. Snyder has been a #VeteranOfTheDay and is featured in our videos from the Team USA Awards, where Brad first agreed to today's interview. Bradley Snyder is a swimmer on the United States Paralympic team who competed at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London and the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio. Snyder won two Gold medals and one Silver at London and three Gold and one Silver at Rio. He lost his eyesight from an IED explosion ...
#4: Robert A. McDonald – Army Veteran, Secretary of Veterans Affairs
November 11, 2016 10:00 - 41 minutes - 57.2 MBHappy Veterans Day! Joining us on this Veterans Day episode is Secretary Robert McDonald. Secretary McDonald, who prefers to be called "Bob," is an Army Veteran and former CEO of Procter & Gamble. An Army veteran, Mr. McDonald served with the 82nd Airborne Division; completed Jungle, Arctic, and Desert Warfare training; and earned the Ranger tab, the Expert Infantryman Badge, and Senior Parachutist wings. Upon leaving military service, Captain McDonald was awarded the Meritorious S...
#3: Fred Wellman – Army Veteran, CEO of ScoutComms
November 04, 2016 09:30 - 46 minutes - 63.6 MBNovember is upon is and episode three of the podcast is here. This week's feature guest is Army Veteran Fred Wellman. Wellman is a retired Army officer having served 22-years as an aviator and public affairs officer including four combat tours. He currently is the CEO and Founder of ScoutComms, Inc., a B Corp communications and corporate social responsibility firm supporting organizations addressing the needs of veterans and military families. He founded the firm in 2010 and it is...
#2: Francisco Urena – Marine Veteran, Massachusetts Secretary of Veterans’ Services
October 28, 2016 12:55 - 27 minutes - 38.1 MBFrancisco Urena is a Marine Veteran and currently serves as Massachusetts Secretary of Veterans’ Services and previously served as the Veterans’ services officer for the cities of Boston and Lawrence, Massachusetts. Covered in Episode Two: The valuable content being shared on our social media platforms Facebook Twitter Instagram Interview with Marine Veteran Francisco Urena Francisco’s decision to join the military. Serving during 9/11. Being posted in Syria and Ky...
#1: Haley Carter - Marine Veteran, soccer player/coach
October 28, 2016 12:27 - 30 minutes - 41.7 MBHaley Carter is a Marine Veteran and retired American professional soccer player who currently serves as assistant coach for the Afghanistan women’s national football team. Covered in Episode One: Value of the Veterans Crisis Line Interview with Marine Veteran Haley Carter Haley’s journey in the military. Her transition out of the Marine Corps. How she started playing soccer in National Women’s Soccer League. How Haley uses VA Basic information on VA Home Loan #Ve...