Sgt. Mike Hendry joined the U.S. Army after deciding college wasn't the path for him. He gravitated to the grittiest assignments and found purpose alongside his brothers in the 82nd Airborne and 10th Mountain Division (light infantry) for "six years and 16 weeks to the day." He served in both Iraq and Afghanistan in two different deployments, and in this episode he talks about serving in Iraq and how his service transformed the man he is today.

Sgt. Mike Hendry joined the U.S. Army after deciding college wasn't the path for him. He gravitated to the grittiest assignments and found purpose alongside his brothers in the 82nd Airborne and 10th Mountain Division (light infantry) for "six years and 16 weeks to the day." He served in both Iraq and Afghanistan in two different deployments, and in this episode he talks about serving in Iraq and how his service transformed the man he is today.

We Happy Few is a podcast created by a veteran, for veterans and it explores the complexities of what military service means through the stories of veterans, their families and their friends. 

The stories span all types of experience, from the monotony of training to the long-term impact of combat to the difficulty in adjusting to civilian life, as well as the challenges families face when one member volunteers to serve in the armed forces. The podcast is hosted by Air Force and Army National Guard veteran Jason Comstock. He offers veterans the chance to tell their stories in hopes of creating an understanding of just how complex and nuanced the issues facing veterans, especially in this modern era, are. With less than 3 percent of the population serving in the military today, it is critical that civilians understand what it means to "thank" a veteran for his or her service. 

The Loudmouth project is proud to offer veterans and their families this opportunity to tell their stories and help create a new, more effective system of support.

We Happy Few

Finding family in 'the suck'

The Oath of Enlistment is something all branches of the military have in common. In this special Veterans Day episode, we invited service members and their families to share their thoughts on what the oath means in their lives. Those who share their feelings are:Tracy Brinkman, Carl Churchill, Lloyd Hicken, Thea Jorgensen, David Buffaloe, Sofia Olds, Jody Hanks, and David Hollingsworth. The Oath is more than a promise to most service members, and the commitment made doesn't end when they leave military service. And while service members swear the Oath, their families also learn they are part of honoring that pledge. It is a guiding light and constant reminder of what binds us together as Americans.

I, (state name of enlistee), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. (So help me God)."

(The oath for officers is slightly different.)

The Oath of Enlistment is something all branches of the military have in common. In this special Veterans Day episode, we invited service members and their families to share their thoughts on what the oath means in their lives. Those who share their feelings are:Tracy Brinkman, Carl Churchill, Lloyd Hicken, Thea Jorgensen, David Buffaloe, Sofia Olds, Jody Hanks, and David Hollingsworth. The Oath is more than a promise to most service members, and the commitment made doesn't end when they leave military service. And while service members swear the Oath, their families also learn they are part of honoring that pledge. It is a guiding light and constant reminder of what binds us together as Americans.
I, (state name of enlistee), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_the_United_States">Constitution of the United States</a> against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Officer_(armed_forces)">officers</a> appointed over me, according to regulations and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniform_Code_of_Military_Justice">Uniform Code of Military Justice</a>. (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/So_help_me_God">So help me God</a>)."
(The oath for officers is slightly different.)

Veterans Day Special: The Oath

David Hollingsworth joined the U.S. Army to get away from a broken heart. But in 1982, there wasn't much "going on" in the military. Still, it was serving in a time of peace that he learned life lessons that still resonate in his life. One of the things he learned as an MP is that there is always a job to be done - even if it's not the job you expect to be doing. This would become more important later in life when a motorcycle accident would change his life.

Read more from David here, and get information about his upcoming book:

http://holliworks.com/

David Hollingsworth joined the U.S. Army to get away from a broken heart. But in 1982, there wasn't much "going on" in the military. Still, it was serving in a time of peace that he learned life lessons that still resonate in his life. One of the things he learned as an MP is that there is always a job to be done - even if it's not the job you expect to be doing. This would become more important later in life when a motorcycle accident would change his life.
Read more from David here, and get information about his upcoming book:
http://holliworks.com/

Lessons Learned Serving during peace time

When Tracy Brinkmann joined the US Army he knew he was carrying on a legacy that started with his grandfather serving in the German Army during WWII. In spite of learning at a young age of the traumatic experiences that both his grandfather and father had, he still wanted to serve and follow their example.

When Tracy Brinkmann joined the US Army he knew he was carrying on a legacy that started with his grandfather serving in the German Army during WWII. In spite of learning at a young age of the traumatic experiences that both his grandfather and father had, he still wanted to serve and follow their example.

Finding family in 'the suck'

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