016 | Uncommon Journey (Part II) | Mohamed Massaquoi
Camp Iron Mountain
Guest - LTC Mohamed Massaquoi Lieutenant Colonel Mo Massaquoi has had an atypical military career to say the least. He started off as an enlisted sailor in the U.S. Navy, before moving up to become a naval officer, and then eventually, transitioning to the U.S. Army where he continues to serve on active duty. Over his ongoing 22 years of service, Mo has been through a number of great challenges and great successes, some of which he’ll share with us during our interview. Part 2 covers his time in the U.S. Army. Disclaimer: The views expressed by LTC Massaquoi on this podcast are...
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015 | Uncommon Journey (Part I) | Mohamed Massaquoi
Camp Iron Mountain
Guest - LTC Mohamed Massaquoi Lieutenant Colonel Mo Massaquoi has had an atypical military career to say the least. He started off as an enlisted sailor in the U.S. Navy, before moving up to become a naval officer, and then eventually, transitioning to the U.S. Army where he continues to serve on active duty. Over his ongoing 22 years of service, Mo has been through a number of great challenges and great successes, some of which he’ll share with us during our interview. Part 1 will cover his time in the U.S. Navy. Disclaimer: The views expressed by LTC Massaquoi on this podcast...
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014 | The Significance of November 11th
Camp Iron Mountain
What You’ll Get From Today’s Show On November 11th, 1918 the guns finally fell silent on the Western Front with the signing of a cessation of hostilities by the belligerents fighting in World War I. The significance of that event started a worldwide adoption of the day for remembrance and celebration that continues today over 100 years later. Resources Related to the Topics Discussed in Today’s Episode The British Imperial War Museum. The Canadian War Museum. Arlington National Cemetery. A short history of the poem In...
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013 | Marine Corps Combat Engineer | John Bruzza
Camp Iron Mountain
Guest - John Bruzza John Bruzza is a 20-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps. A U.S. Naval Academy graduate, John was selected for service as a combat engineer following completion of the Marine Corps Officer Basic School. Over his career he served in a variety of leadership positions and locations both on active duty and as a reserve officer before retiring in 2017 as a Major. In his post-military life John lives in Arizona where he works in the solar energy industry. Instagram: @31_maxx_31 What You’ll Get From Today’s Show John discusses his experience...
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012 | From Friends to Brothers: Operation Urgent Fury
Camp Iron Mountain
Part two of our interview with the three friends who joined the Army together out of high school. This episode focuses on their experiences participating in the invasion of Grenada as members of the 82nd Airborne Division’s Long Range Reconnaissance Platoon (LRRP). Guests - Kenneth Williams, Joe Paez, and Dale Comstock Kenneth Williams served 24 years in the U.S. Army. First, as an infantryman for a little over four years with the 82nd Airborne division before changing over to the Air Defense Artillery career branch. Before retiring as a senior instructor for the Air...
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011 | From Friends to Brothers: Service with the 82nd Airborne Division
Camp Iron Mountain
Guests - Kenneth Williams, Joe Paez, and Dale Comstock Kenneth Williams served 24 years in the U.S. Army. First, as an infantryman for a little over four years with the 82nd Airborne division before changing over to the Air Defense Artillery career branch. Before retiring as a senior instructor for the Air Defense Center (Patriot) Missile and Master Gunner Course, Kenneth served as First Sergeant for Echo Battery, 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery in Ansbach, Germany. In addition to his deployment to Operation Urgent Fury, Kenneth deployed to the Kingdom of Saudi...
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010 | U.S. Army Special Observer Group (WWII) | Rick Anderson, PhD
Camp Iron Mountain
Guest - LTC Rick Anderson Lieutenant Colonel Rick Anderson is an active duty Army officer who currently serves as a History Instructor at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He served six years in the U.S. Army Reserves before earning an officer’s commission from the University of Iowa Army ROTC program in 2002. After entering the Active Duty force as an Aviation Officer, Rick’s held leadership positions in various aviation units stateside and while deployed to combat operations overseas. Following completion of graduate school in 2012 he taught history at West Point. While...
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009 | Creating the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Camp Iron Mountain
What You’ll Get From Today’s Show You’ll hear the story of the challenges and triumphs in building the most visited monument in Washington D.C. Resources Related to the Topics Discussed in Today’s Episode . Since the dedication of The Wall, VVMF has pursued a mission of preserving the legacy of The Wall, promoting healing and educating about the impact of the Vietnam War. They run an incredible website that serves as a launching pad for their various education initiatives. The 4/9 Infantry Manchu (Vietnam) Association started a website that provides a number of detailed...
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008 | Guiding The Next Generation | Wendy Tokach
Camp Iron Mountain
Lieutenant Colonel Wendy Tokach is an active duty Army officer who earned her commission in the Military Police Branch following graduation from the University of Hawaii Army ROTC program. Entering active duty service in 2002, she’s held leadership positions in various military police units, including multiple deployments throughout her career. LTC Tokach is currently the Battalion Commander for the 787th Military Police Battalion (OSUT) at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. What You’ll Get From Today’s Show Wendy shares the story of how she was influenced to join the military as part...
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007 | Team Assassin On Point | Stu James
Camp Iron Mountain
COL Stu James tells the story of his experience as a junior officer leading his company-level combined arms team from Kuwait to Baghdad during Operation Iraqi Freedom from 20 March to 7 April 2003. Key battles explored during this episode are the engagements at An Nasiriyah, Al Kifl, An Najaf, Karbala, and Baghdad. Colonel Stu James is an active duty Army officer who earned his commission as an Armor officer following graduation from West Virginia University ROTC. He entered active duty service in 1996 and has held numerous leadership positions in armored and mechanized formations...
info_outlineGuest - Iven Sugai
Lieutenant Colonel Iven Sugai is an active duty Army officer who started his career as an enlisted soldier before earning an officer’s commission following graduation from college. He recently finished an assignment as the battalion commander of 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery at Fort Riley, Kansas leading his battalion through an operational deployment to Poland.
Email: [email protected]
What You’ll Get From Today’s Show
- Iven talks about his journey growing up in Hawaii on a former sugar plantation and the influence his father had on encouraging him to give back to the country through public service.
- Iven shares the influence other family’s members’ military service had on his decision to join the Army National Guard, especially an uncle who served with the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team in World War II.
- Iven and Gabriel dig a little deeper into the history of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team discussing the differences between the Japanese-American soldiers who came from Hawaii versus those who came from the mainland United States.
- We learn why Iven volunteered for his particular Army career field Branch after earning his officer’s commission.
- Iven shares some of his experiences as a junior officer as part of the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
- With the 101st Airborne Division deployed to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, Iven rejoins the Division after completing Ranger School and is transferred to a new unit in Mosul.
- Iven discusses some of the dangers he and his fellow soldiers faced during the early days of the insurgency that developed after the conclusion of the ground invasion.
- With his wife Courtney also deployed with the 101st Airborne Division, Iven shares some of his feelings of being separated from her for such a long period of time.
- Learning early about the importance of seeking out mentors, Iven is able to leverage their advice for how to chart his career path to seek quality follow on assignments.
- Iven talks about his assignment with the 4th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Bliss, Texas and the various lessons he learned being on staff before transitioning to battery command.
- In Iraq again, Iven shares some of experiences from this second deployment to Mosul, including describing a special mission for the dual military members of his unit.
- Moving into the middle period of his career as a major, Iven weighs the demands of Army life versus prioritizing more time for his family. His follow on assignments provide that balance, allowing him and his wife to start their own family while still being competitive within their career fields.
- Reaching one of the pinnacles of a successful Army career, Iven takes battalion command where he tries to impart many of the important lessons he’s learned through years of service, including an appreciation for the historical legacy of his unit.
- At the conclusion of the interview Gabriel asks Iven to reflect on how he sees the new generation of artillerymen and women carrying the torch of the Fires branch forward into the future.
Resources Related to the Topics Discussed in Today’s Episode
- Go For Broke National Education Center (GFBNEC). A non-profit organization that educates the public on the valor of Japanese American veterans of World War II and their contributions to our nation. Founded in 1989, GFBNEC maintains the Go For Broke Monument and the interactive "GFBNEC's Defining Courage Exhibition" in downtown Los Angeles, as well as extensive oral histories and archives, education and training programs, and other initiatives.
- History of 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment “Hamilton’s Own.” This is an informative article published by America’s Battlefield Trust on the history of 1/5FA.
- Modern Artillery and the Future. A video published by the United States Field Artillery Association as part of its series on the history of the field artillery.
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