In this episode of the Warrior Alliance Spotlight, hosts Scott Munn and Tug Cowart sit down with Dawn Churi, Executive Director of Blaze Sports. Born from the legacy of the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games, Blaze Sports has evolved into a premier organization dedicated to empowering veterans and individuals with physical disabilities through adaptive sports.

Dawn discusses the critical role of "sport as medicine," explaining how activities like wheelchair basketball, archery, and even pickleball are used to combat PTSD, isolation, and physical limitations. Learn how their partnership with The Warrior Alliance provides a holistic safety net for veterans, addressing everything from mental health to housing.

Tune in to hear inspiring success stories, including how one veteran went from a devastating diagnosis to cycling 100 miles, proving that recovery is a team sport.

In this episode of the Warrior Alliance Spotlight, hosts Scott Munn and Tug Cowart sit down with Dawn Churi, Executive Director of Blaze Sports. Born from the legacy of the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games, Blaze Sports has evolved into a premier organization dedicated to empowering veterans and individuals with physical disabilities through adaptive sports.
Dawn discusses the critical role of "sport as medicine," explaining how activities like wheelchair basketball, archery, and even pickleball are used to combat PTSD, isolation, and physical limitations. Learn how their partnership with The Warrior Alliance provides a holistic safety net for veterans, addressing everything from mental health to housing.
Tune in to hear inspiring success stories, including how one veteran went from a devastating diagnosis to cycling 100 miles, proving that recovery is a team sport.

This show takes a deep dive into what actions are working to support success after service for America’s Veterans.  Learn more about The Warrior Alliance impact, the VA and state efforts to improve Veteran care, and Veteran Service Organization’s free programs and services.

This show takes a deep dive into what actions are working to support success after service for America’s Veterans.  Learn more about The Warrior Alliance impact, the VA and state efforts to improve Veteran care, and Veteran Service Organization’s free programs and services.

Working to support success after service for America’s Veterans

The Warrior Alliance Spotlight

Welcome to the multi-media platform that combines radio, podcast, video, and live stream programming to drive awareness and outreach to service members, Veterans, and their families. The Warrior Alliance Network's shows will educate, entertain, and provide resources to XTRA 106.3FM's audience. Be sure to tune in every Saturday from 11am to Noon on XTRA 106.3FM for a new show featuring Veteran care subject matter experts and Warriors that will inspire listeners with their stories and educate them about programs and services available to Warriors and their families!

Welcome to the multi-media platform that combines radio, podcast, video, and live stream programming to drive awareness and outreach to service members, Veterans, and their families. The Warrior Alliance Network's shows will educate, entertain, and provide resources to XTRA 106.3FM's audience. Be sure to tune in every Saturday from 11am to Noon on XTRA 106.3FM for a new show featuring Veteran care subject matter experts and Warriors that will inspire listeners with their stories and educate them about programs and services available to Warriors and their families!

Education on Porgrams and Services Available to Veterans

The Warrior Alliance Network

Welcome to the multi-media platform that combines radio, podcast, video, and live stream programming to drive awareness and outreach to service members, Veterans, and their families. The Warrior Alliance Network's shows will educate, entertain, and provide resources to XTRA 106.3FM's audience.

Be sure to tune in every Saturday from 11am to Noon on XTRA 106.3FM for a new show featuring Veteran care subject matter experts and Warriors that will inspire listeners with their stories and educate them about programs and services available to Warriors and their families!

Welcome to the multi-media platform that combines radio, podcast, video, and live stream programming to drive awareness and outreach to service members, Veterans, and their families. The Warrior Alliance Network's shows will educate, entertain, and provide resources to XTRA 106.3FM's audience.
Be sure to tune in every Saturday from 11am to Noon on XTRA 106.3FM for a new show featuring Veteran care subject matter experts and Warriors that will inspire listeners with their stories and educate them about programs and services available to Warriors and their families!

How Adaptive Sports Save Lives: Inside Blaze Sports Atlanta (1996 Paralympic Legacy)

Legacy of the Games: How Blaze Sports is transforming Veteran Recovery through Adaptive Athletics

In this Warrior Alliance Spotlight episode, Petty Officer First Class Nick Evans, a Coast Guard recruiter and Atlanta native, pulls back the curtain on America’s most misunderstood military branch. Discover the 11 core Coast Guard missions—from maritime law enforcement and drug interdiction to search-and-rescue and environmental protection—and how every role, including IT and logistics, enables mission success.

You’ll learn how the Coast Guard’s unique “non-rate first” pathway lets new enlistees shadow multiple ratings before choosing a career, improving retention and job satisfaction. Nick shares boot camp realities at Cape May, NJ, age limits (up to 41), and why prior-service veterans are prime candidates—including combining service time toward a 20-year pension.

Key benefits covered: GI Bill–funded college, in-service tuition assistance, Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), predominantly stateside duty stations, and quality-of-life advantages for single-income families. Nick also highlights the high-demand Boatswain’s Mate (BM) rating and current recruiting challenges like boot camp seat wait times, plus the new Birmingham, AL training center expanding capacity.

Whether you’re a high school senior, college grad, or veteran considering a return to service, this episode delivers actionable insights on missions, money, and lifestyle.

Key Takeaways:

· 11 missions: law enforcement, SAR, security, environmental protection, aids to navigation

· Non-rate pathway: choose your rating after on-the-job exposure

· Boot camp: 8 weeks at Cape May; lifelong bonds, achievable with commitment

· Age & prior service: recruit up to 41; combine time for 20-year pension

· Benefits: GI Bill, tuition assistance, BAH, stateside stability, family-friendly culture

· Hot rating: Boatswain’s Mate (BM) for small-boat operations and interdictions

· Recruiting update: wait times exist; new Birmingham training center adding seats

In this Warrior Alliance Spotlight episode, Petty Officer First Class Nick Evans, a Coast Guard recruiter and Atlanta native, pulls back the curtain on America&rsquo;s most misunderstood military branch. Discover the 11 core Coast Guard missions&mdash;from maritime law enforcement and drug interdiction to search-and-rescue and environmental protection&mdash;and how every role, including IT and logistics, enables mission success.
You&rsquo;ll learn how the Coast Guard&rsquo;s unique &ldquo;non-rate first&rdquo; pathway lets new enlistees shadow multiple ratings before choosing a career, improving retention and job satisfaction. Nick shares boot camp realities at Cape May, NJ, age limits (up to 41), and why prior-service veterans are prime candidates&mdash;including combining service time toward a 20-year pension.
Key benefits covered: GI Bill&ndash;funded college, in-service tuition assistance, Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), predominantly stateside duty stations, and quality-of-life advantages for single-income families. Nick also highlights the high-demand Boatswain&rsquo;s Mate (BM) rating and current recruiting challenges like boot camp seat wait times, plus the new Birmingham, AL training center expanding capacity.
Whether you&rsquo;re a high school senior, college grad, or veteran considering a return to service, this episode delivers actionable insights on missions, money, and lifestyle.
Key Takeaways:
&middot; 11 missions: law enforcement, SAR, security, environmental protection, aids to navigation
&middot; Non-rate pathway: choose your rating after on-the-job exposure
&middot; Boot camp: 8 weeks at Cape May; lifelong bonds, achievable with commitment
&middot; Age &amp; prior service: recruit up to 41; combine time for 20-year pension
&middot; Benefits: GI Bill, tuition assistance, BAH, stateside stability, family-friendly culture
&middot; Hot rating: Boatswain&rsquo;s Mate (BM) for small-boat operations and interdictions
&middot; Recruiting update: wait times exist; new Birmingham training center adding seats

Coast Guard Careers 2026: Missions, GI Bill, Boot Camp & Pay

Coast Guard Careers: Missions, Benefits & Recruiting Secrets with Nick Evans USCG Recruiter

In this Warrior Alliance Spotlight episode, Dr. Jennifer Selke and Matty Cook of Camp Southern Ground share how Warrior Path, Warrior Week, and inclusive camp programming help veterans, first responders, military families, and youth heal, grow, and thrive after service.

Learn how Camp Southern Ground supports veteran transition, post-traumatic growth, strengths-based development, and belonging through no-cost programs, peer-led care, and community connection. Founded by Zac Brown in Fayetteville, Georgia, Camp Southern Ground is changing lives through mission-driven support.

In this Warrior Alliance Spotlight episode, Dr. Jennifer Selke and Matty Cook of Camp Southern Ground share how Warrior Path, Warrior Week, and inclusive camp programming help veterans, first responders, military families, and youth heal, grow, and thrive after service.
Learn how Camp Southern Ground supports veteran transition, post-traumatic growth, strengths-based development, and belonging through no-cost programs, peer-led care, and community connection. Founded by Zac Brown in Fayetteville, Georgia, Camp Southern Ground is changing lives through mission-driven support.

How Camp Southern Ground Supports Veterans, Families, and Youth | Warrior Alliance Spotlight

Camp Southern Ground Helps Veterans Heal, Transition, and Thrive | Dr. Jennifer Selke & Matty Cook

Discover how the Atlanta Braves Foundation is redefining the role of sports in community impact. In this Warrior Alliance Spotlight, Danielle Bedasse, Vice President of Community Affairs and Executive Director of the Braves Foundation, shares how baseball serves as a powerful platform for veteran support, youth development, and fighting food insecurity across Atlanta.

From delivering nearly 5 million meals to expanding veteran services from 1,000 to 7,000 individuals annually, this episode highlights the real-world impact behind one of Major League Baseball’s most community-driven organizations.

Learn how strategic partnerships with the Warrior Alliance, PGA REACH Georgia, and local nonprofits are creating lasting change—and why collaboration, storytelling, and authenticity are the keys to nonprofit success.

Discover how the Atlanta Braves Foundation is redefining the role of sports in community impact. In this Warrior Alliance Spotlight, Danielle Bedasse, Vice President of Community Affairs and Executive Director of the Braves Foundation, shares how baseball serves as a powerful platform for veteran support, youth development, and fighting food insecurity across Atlanta.
From delivering nearly 5 million meals to expanding veteran services from 1,000 to 7,000 individuals annually, this episode highlights the real-world impact behind one of Major League Baseball&rsquo;s most community-driven organizations.
Learn how strategic partnerships with the Warrior Alliance, PGA REACH Georgia, and local nonprofits are creating lasting change&mdash;and why collaboration, storytelling, and authenticity are the keys to nonprofit success.

How the Atlanta Braves Are Changing Lives | Danielle Bedasse on Veterans, Community Impact & The Warrior Alliance Part 2

Legacy of the Games: How Blaze Sports is transforming Veteran Recovery through Adaptive Athletics

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