Episode 157 | "How Wicked Are These Wickets?"

⚠️ Trigger Warning This episode includes a discussion of suicide and loss within the military community. Listener discretion is advised.

If you or someone you know is struggling:

• Veterans & Service Members: Dial 988, then Press 1 (24/7 Veterans/Military Crisis Line)
• Text: 838255 (Veterans/Military Crisis Line)
• Chat: VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat
• Military OneSource (24/7 confidential support): 1-800-342-9647 | MilitaryOneSource.mil

 

You are not alone. Reaching out is a sign of strength.

 

Damon and Damo open with real life: parenting a clingy toddler while trying not to be the “threat dad.” He then walks through a packed few weeks—starting turnover, a Ceremonial Guard recruiting run at Great Lakes, and a whirlwind week working at the Guard. From there the fellas pivot to military news and leadership shifts: the 12-hour fire aboard USS New Orleans; Fleet Master Chief John Perryman’s selection as the 17th MCPON and how alignment with the boss accelerates trust; a string of high-level shakeups (Air Force Chief Gen. David Allvin’s retirement; VADM Nancy Lacore and RADM Jamie Sands relieved; USNA’s change of command to LtGen Michael Borgschulte); and a look at the Fort Stewart workplace shooting response. They sit with harder headlines too: the reported suicide of recruit Kayshawn Wilkerson at Great Lakes and the loss of Aviation Boatswain’s Jose Antonio Rivera Lynch IV during operations in the Timor Sea. Closer to home, they clock the National Guard presence in D.C., react to the phrase “last rank in which he served honorably,” and note USMC LtCol (ret.) Stuart Scheller’s new role. Inside the Mess, Damo flags that MCPON has added “Get Real, Get Better” training into CPO Initiation—and asks if the culture shift is actually landing. The guys respond to a few listeners: do reenlistments still mean something or are we just signing paper; advice for clashing peers; why folks ghost in TAP; “have you ever taken your blouse off to drive home;” and young Sailors in race cars. In the Chief’s Initiation (no longer Season) block, they talk non-select morale, the low numbers this year, and where leaders must step up for those who didn’t pin—plus the moment you were when you got the call. The “Do Better” segment (Damon on clips; Damo on Chiefs in housing). These topics and more are covered in this episode.

 

 

 

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Additional Credits: Soundbite from It Is What It Is featuring Cam’ron and Ma$e, used for illustrative purposes in explaining the “pause” game. All rights belong to the original creators.

 

PTSF “Theme Music” - Produced by Lim0