Camp Iron Mountain

About Camp Iron Mountain

Do you enjoy learning about military history? How about listening to stories of individuals who've experienced war and conflict? Have you ever wondered how to research a family member's military service? How do individuals and organizations capture, preserve, and make military history available to the general public? All of these topics and more are explored in the Camp Iron Mountain Podcast! Join our community that looks to inspire people to conduct research, collect stories, and share the military history of veterans, civilians, and military units to honor their memory and service.

Publisher

Gabriel Suarez

Category

education · history

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

16 Feb 2021

Latest episode

7 Oct 2022

Latest episodes

16 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   7 Oct 2022

   016 | Uncommon Journey (Part II) | Mohamed Massaquoi

   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 his own and do not represent the views of the United States Army, nor do they represent the views of the Department of Defense. What You’ll Get From Today’s Show Mo discusses his transition from the U.S. Navy to the U.S. Army and the numerous service culture faux pas he encountered along the way. Mo talks about the various experiences as a company grade chemical officer and how he eventually gets a second chance at being a military aviator. Mo shares stories of his professional growth as a field grade officer after transitioning career fields again to become an army strategist. Mo reflects on some folks who helped him along his journey and how military service has affected his life. Resources Related to the Topics Discussed in Today’s Episode Chemical Corps Past, Present, Future. A short article from the National Museum of the U.S. Army. https://armyhistory.org/the-u-s-army-chemical-corps-past-present-and-future/ CH-47 - The World’s Most Iconic Helicopter. YouTuber and Air Force Public Affairs Officer Sam Eckholm takes viewers through a history and ride on the Army’s CH-47 helicopter. https://youtu.be/g90QUoORmc0 If You Want to Support The Podcast You can help others find the podcast by leaving a positive review on whatever podcast player you’re listening to it on. Please share a link to the podcast with a friend or family member who you think would enjoy listening to it.  https://www.campironmountain.com.

2. 

   3 Sept 2022

   015 | Uncommon Journey (Part I) | Mohamed Massaquoi

   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 are his own and do not represent the views of the United States Army, nor do they represent the views of the Department of Defense. What You’ll Get From Today’s Show Mo discusses his path from civilian life to joining the U.S. Navy as an enlisted sailor. Mo highlights some of his struggles in getting through the Navy’s extremely difficult Nuclear Power School. Mo talks about his transition to becoming a naval officer, facing failure for the first time in his life, and having the courage to follow a lifeline that allowed him to continue his military service. Mo reflects on some folks who helped him along his journey. Resources Related to the Topics Discussed in Today’s Episode USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). Explore the history and images of the USS John C. Stennis from an incredible historical website. NavSource.org was created over 25 years ago to preserve U.S. naval history and is still maintained by a group of dedicated volunteers. https://www.navsource.org/archives/02/74.htm If You Want to Support The Podcast You can help others find the podcast by leaving a positive review on whatever podcast player you’re listening to it on. Please share a link to the podcast with a friend or family member who you think would enjoy listening to it.  https://www.campironmountain.com.

3. 

   11 Nov 2021

   014 | The Significance of November 11th

   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. https://www.iwm.org.uk/ (https://www.iwm.org.uk/) The Canadian War Museum. https://www.warmuseum.ca/ (https://www.warmuseum.ca/) Arlington National Cemetery. https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/Tomb-of-the-Unknown-Soldier A short history of the poem In Flanders Fields. https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/military-history/history-heritage/remembrance-ceremony/4.html If You Want to Support The Podcast You can help others find the podcast by leaving a positive review on whatever podcast player you’re listening to it on. Please share a link to the podcast with a friend or family member who you think would enjoy listening to it.  https://www.campironmountain.com.

4. 

   2 Nov 2021

   013 | Marine Corps Combat Engineer | John Bruzza

   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 attending the U.S. Naval Academy and how it led him to become a Marine Corps officer. A discussion on each of John’s assignments throughout his career from lieutenant to major, including deployments to the Middle East. John shares with us those people, with whom he served, having lasting influences on his life and career. We get John’s thoughts on Marine Corps stereotypes and discuss the, then upcoming, Major League Baseball playoffs. *Disclaimer: This episode was recorded weeks before the Major League Baseball playoffs. Our predictions were totally wrong. Resources Related to the Topics Discussed in Today’s Episode United States Naval Academy. https://www.usna.edu/homepage.php U.S. Marine Corps Operations in Iraq, 2003-2006 (Kenneth Estes). An initial historical look at the first three years in Iraq published by the U.S. Marine Corps Historical Division in 2009. You can download a free copy here on the Federation of American Scientist website. https://irp.fas.org/doddir/usmc/iraq03-06.pdf Marine for Life Transition Services. https://usmc-mccs.org/services/career/marine-for-life-network/ If You Want to Support The Podcast You can help others find the podcast by leaving a positive review on whatever podcast player you’re listening to it on. Please share a link to the podcast with a friend or family member who you think would enjoy listening to it.  https://www.campironmountain.com.

5. 

   19 Oct 2021

   012 | From Friends to Brothers: Operation Urgent Fury

   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 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 Arabia five times, and also supported the invasion of Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Post Army retirement, Kenneth became a licensed Realtor in California and currently holds state licenses for running Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly, Adult Residential Facilities, and Group Homes for children.  He’s the co-owner of New Vision Services Incorporated, a business that provides care for seniors, disabled adults, and children across 15 facilities in the state of California. Joe Paez served in the U.S. Army for 4 years as an infantryman. His active duty military career ended due to an almost fatal parachute jump accident suffered while serving with the 82nd Airborne Division. After his recovery and discharge, Joe returned to California and served five years in the California National Guard. He earned his Bachelor's degree from California State University, Sacramento and eventually got hired as a civil servant with the State of California, serving for 30 years in the Information Technology sector before retiring in 2020. Post retirement, Joe keeps busy by volunteering with his local VFW Post, where he’s currently the Post Commander,  running his own art studio business, Romero Design Studios, and is a Job Developer for the Volunteers of America non-profit organization, where he works with previously homeless veterans to help them find jobs. Dale Comstock is a legendary special operations soldier and warrior. He’s given over 37 years of service to the United States, combating U.S. enemies abroad as a U.S. Army paratrooper, Green Beret, Delta Force Operator, OGA Paramilitary Operative, and as a Mercenary. During his military career, Dale was a renowned weapons expert and fighting instructor.  He was also decorated twice for valor in combat. Since 2001, Dale has been a successful businessman, starting and operating three security companies, selling two of ‘em. He continues to operate the third company, Strategic Outcomes Asia, out of Bali, Indonesia where he resides for half the year. You can read more about his life and combat experiences on his website, DaleComstock.com, and in his autobiographical book, American Badass: The True Story of a Modern Day Spartan. Instagram: Joe Paez - @JoePaez Dale Comstock - @OfficialAmericanBadass Website: Dale Comstock - www.DaleComstock.com and www.Tier1PerformanceCoaching.com What You’ll Get From Today’s Show You’ll hear about our guests' stories of... -Going through the alert process at Fort Bragg prior to deploying to Grenada. -The various missions each of them went on during the combat operations and post-combat periods. -Reflections on their participation in Urgent Fury and their friendship. Resources Related to the Topics Discussed in Today’s Episode American Badass: The True Story of a Modern Day Spartan. Dale Comstock’s autobiography that tells of his “journey from boyhood to manhood into a world of extreme violence where he learns the values of hard work, sacrifice, and love of family.” Dale explored his successes and failures as a Delta Force Operator, Green Beret, husband and father. https://www.amazon.com/American-Badass-story-modern-Spartan/dp/0989483509 Urgent Fury: The Battle for Grenada (Mark Adkin). Mark Adkin was a British military officer who wrote one of the first accounts of the operation based on the limited available information at the time.      https://www.amazon.com/Urgent-Fury-Grenada-Military-Operation/dp/0850520231 The U.S. Invasion of Grenada: Legacy of a Flawed Victory (Philip Kukielski). ‘This book is an overdue reconsideration of Operation Urgent Fury, based on historical evidence that only recently has been revealed in declassified documents, oral history interviews and memoir accounts.”   https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/the-us-invasion-of-grenada/ The Rucksack War: U.S. Army Operational Logistics in Grenada, 1983 (Edgar F. Raines, Jr.). This book provides a detailed account of how Army logistics affected ground operations during Operation Urgent Fury and how combat actions on the ground influenced logistical performance. This publication is available for free as a digital download from the U.S. Army’s Center of Military History.  https://history.army.mil/html/books/055/55-2-1/index.html If You Want to Support The Podcast You can help others find the podcast by leaving a positive review on whatever podcast player you’re listening to it on. Please share a link to the podcast with a friend or family member who you think would enjoy listening to it.  https://www.campironmountain.com.

6. 

   6 Oct 2021

   011 | From Friends to Brothers: Service with the 82nd Airborne Division

   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 Arabia five times, and also supported the invasion of Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Post Army retirement, Kenneth became a licensed Realtor in California and currently holds state licenses for running Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly, Adult Residential Facilities, and Group Homes for children.  He’s the co-owner of New Vision Services Incorporated, a business that provides care for seniors, disabled adults, and children across 15 facilities in the state of California. Joe Paez served in the U.S. Army for 4 years as an infantryman. His active duty military career ended due to an almost fatal parachute jump accident suffered while serving with the 82nd Airborne Division. After his recovery and discharge, Joe returned to California and served five years in the California National Guard. He earned his Bachelor's degree from California State University, Sacramento and eventually got hired as a civil servant with the State of California, serving for 30 years in the Information Technology sector before retiring in 2020. Post retirement, Joe keeps busy by volunteering with his local VFW Post, where he’s currently the Post Commander,  running his own art studio business, Romero Design Studios, and is a Job Developer for the Volunteers of America non-profit organization, where he works with previously homeless veterans to help them find jobs. Dale Comstock is a legendary special operations soldier and warrior. He’s given over 37 years of service to the United States, combating U.S. enemies abroad as a U.S. Army paratrooper, Green Beret, Delta Force Operator, OGA Paramilitary Operative, and as a Mercenary. During his military career, Dale was a renowned weapons expert and fighting instructor.  He was also decorated twice for valor in combat. Since 2001, Dale has been a successful businessman, starting and operating three security companies, selling two of ‘em. He continues to operate the third company, Strategic Outcomes Asia, out of Bali, Indonesia where he resides for half the year. You can read more about his life and combat experiences on his website, DaleComstock.com, and in his autobiographical book, American Badass: The True Story of a Modern Day Spartan. Instagram: Joe Paez - @JoePaez Dale Comstock - @OfficialAmericanBadass Website: Dale Comstock - www.DaleComstock.com and www.Tier1PerformanceCoaching.com What You’ll Get From Today’s Show You’ll hear about our guests' stories of... -How they met and became friends as kids in Sacramento, California. -How they joined the Army together out of high school in the early 1980s and went through basic training, airborne school, and eventually in the same unit at the 82nd Airborne Division. -They talk about their experiences in the early 1980s Army. -How they became a part of the then newly established 82nd Airborne Division Long Range Reconnaissance Platoon. -They talk about particular leaders that stood out to them their first few years in the 82nd Airborne Division. -The guys talk about their participation in the Gallant Eagle 82’ exercise at the National Training Center. Resources Related to the Topics Discussed in Today’s Episode American Badass: The True Story of a Modern Day Spartan. Dale Comstock’s autobiography that tells of his “journey from boyhood to manhood into a world of extreme violence where he learns the values of hard work, sacrifice, and love of family.” Dale explored his successes and failures as a Delta Force Operator, Green Beret, husband and father. https://www.amazon.com/American-Badass-story-modern-Spartan/dp/0989483509 If You Want to Support The Podcast You can help others find the podcast by leaving a positive review on whatever podcast player you’re listening to it on. Please share a link to the podcast with a friend or family member who you think would enjoy listening to it.  https://www.campironmountain.com.

7. 

   21 Sept 2021

   010 | U.S. Army Special Observer Group (WWII) | Rick Anderson, PhD

   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 at West Point, Rick transitioned career fields and became a Functional Area 59 Army Strategic Plans and Policy Officer. In this role he served in Korea and most recently in the Future Operations Branch at U.S. Army South. LTC Anderson holds a PhD in History from the University of Kansas. Disclaimer: The views expressed by LTC Anderson on this podcast are from his own research as an academic and do not represent the views of the United States Military Academy, nor do they represent the views of the Department of Defense. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-anderson-1494a5193/ What You’ll Get From Today’s Show You’ll learn about the mission, accomplishments, and legacy of the United States Army Special Observer Group from World War II including… What was the U.S. Army Special Observer Group. What major planning initiatives activities they were involved in. How they laid the foundation for the creation of the European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army (ETOUSA) and the Allied invasion of Europe. Resources Related to the Topics Discussed in Today’s Episode Special Observers: A History of SPOBS and USAFBI, 1941-1942. Rick Anderson’s PhD dissertation gives an in-depth narrative and analysis of the Army Special Observer Group mission from their creation in 1941 until the establishment of the ETOUSA headquarters. You can download a copy of this work for free on the University of Kansas KU ScholarWorks website. The Origins of the Grand Alliance: Anglo-American Military Collaboration from the Panay Incident to Pearl Harbor (William T. Johnsen). This book, published in 2016 by the University of Kentucky Press, provides the first comprehensive analysis of military collaboration between the United States and Great Britain before the Second World War, which includes discussion of the SPOBS mission. If You Want to Support The Podcast You can help others find the podcast by leaving a positive review on whatever podcast player you’re listening to it on. Please share a link to the podcast with a friend or family member who you think would enjoy listening to it.  https://www.campironmountain.com.

8. 

   22 Jul 2021

   009 | Creating the Vietnam Veterans Memorial

   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 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) (https://www.vvmf.org/). 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 Wall USA. The 4/9 Infantry Manchu (Vietnam) Association started a website that provides a number of detailed facts and statistics about the names that are found on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This site is no longer updated but the association says they will keep the website live. National Park Service - Vietnam Veterans Memorial (https://www.nps.gov/vive/index.htm). Visitors can find the information on the memorial if you look to visit it in person, including a database of all of the names currently included on the wall. Offerings at the Wall: Artifacts from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Collection (Thomas B. Allen). This book, published in 1995, is a powerful book, primarily told through photographs, showcasing a small number of the over 400,000 items left at the Vietnam War Memorial. When available, the author shares pieces of the stories behind the artifacts and how they relate to those killed on the wall. If You Want to Support The Podcast You can help others find the podcast by leaving a positive review on whatever podcast player you’re listening to it on. Please share a link to the podcast with a friend or family member who you think would enjoy listening to it. https://www.campironmountain.com.

9. 

   21 Apr 2021

   008 | Guiding The Next Generation | Wendy Tokach

   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 of the National Guard and how those series of events led to earning an officer’s commission and transferring to active duty. Wendy discusses some of her earlier jobs as part of the Army’s Military Police Branch, including some of her experiences deployed to Iraq. Selected to serve as an Exchange Officer in the Canadian Army, Wendy talks about some of the more memorable events during her time in a foreign army. Wendy talks about many of the joys in leading a college ROTC program as a Professor of Military Science and some of the unique challenges she had in getting many of her young cadets interested in learning about military history. We close the show discussing what of our favorite military museums and movies are. Resources Related to the Topics Discussed in Today’s Episode Canadian War Museum. The Canadian War Museum is Canada’s national museum of military history and one of the world’s most respected museums for the study and understanding of armed conflict. Located in the national capital of Ottawa, it welcomes approximately 500,000 visitors every year. https://www.warmuseum.ca/ (https://www.warmuseum.ca/) National World War I Museum and Memorial. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, this memorial and accompanying museum is dedicated to remembering, interpreting and understanding the Great War and its enduring impact on the global community. https://www.theworldwar.org/ If You Want to Support The Podcast Help others find the podcast by writing a positive review on Apple Podcasts! For more information go to https://www.campironmountain.com

10. 

    8 Apr 2021

    007 | Team Assassin On Point | Stu James

    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 throughout his career. COL James has extensive combat and deployment experience, including three tours to Iraq, one tour to Afghanistan, one tour to Kuwait, and one stability operation in Bosnia. His notable actions with 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division during the Operation Iraqi Freedom ground invasion is the focus of this episode. Resources Related to the Topics Discussed in Today’s Episode On Point: The United States Army in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The initial history that looked at the Army’s role in the ground invasion during Operation Iraqi Freedom in March and April 2003. This book was published by the U.S. Army’s Combat Studies Institute Press in 2004 and is available for free to the public. Thunder Run: The Armored Strike to Capture Baghdad. Pulitzer Prize winning reporter David Zucchino was embedded with the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division during the 2003 Operation Iraqi Freedom ground invasion. This book tells the engaging story of 2nd Brigade’s battles on their march to Baghdad. If You Want to Support The Podcast Help others find the podcast by writing a positive review on Apple Podcasts!

11. 

    2 Apr 2021

    006 | Spearhead Closes the Rose Pocket

    Hear the story of the U.S. 3rd Armored Division's historic and fateful armored drive to capture the German town of Paderborn and help close the southern part of the Ruhr Pocket from 25 March-1 April 1945. Interwoven throughout the story are first hand accounts of soldiers who fought during the operation. This episode is considered part 1 of two looking at two of the longest armored drives in U.S. military history. Resources Related to the Topics Discussed in Today’s Episode 3rd Armored Division History Foundation. This is an online archive of the U.S. Army’s famous “Spearhead” Division that includes a very rich array of information about the Division’s participation in WWII, the Cold War, and Desert Storm. http://www.3ad.com/ (http://www.3ad.com/) The following books were used to develop the story for this episode, most of them can be found online at your favorite book seller. Spearhead in the West Major General Maurice Rose: World War II’s Greatest Forgotten Commander by Steven L. Ossad and Don R. Marsh Reflections of a World War II Infantryman by Malcolm L. “Buck” Marsh, Jr. Another Town, Another River: A Teenage Tank Gunner Comes of Age in Combat - 1945 by John P. Irwin The Incredible Year by Donald J. Willis Spearhead: An American Tank Gunner, His Enemy, and a Collision of Lives in World War II by Adam Makos Death Traps: The Survival of an American Armored Division in World War II by Belton Y. Cooper If You Want to Support The Podcast Help others find the podcast by writing a positive review on Apple Podcasts!

12. 

    16 Mar 2021

    005 | Redleg Soldier | Iven Sugai

    Guest - 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: ivensugai@gmail.com 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. If You Want to Support The Podcast Help others find the podcast by writing a positive review on Apple Podcasts!  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/camp-iron-mountain/id1551075974

13. 

    2 Mar 2021

    004 | Grandpa’s OMPF | Anthony Paez & Andrew Paez

    Guests - Anthony Paez and Andrew Paez Two of my cousins join me in this episode to explore our grandfather, Gregorio Paez’ Official Military Personnel File (OMPF). Both cousins are Army veterans themselves. Anthony served with the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado back in the late 2000s, completing a combat deployment to Iraq. Andrew served with the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas completing a deployment to Kuwait and Jordan in 2016. What You’ll Get From Today’s Show Gabriel describes what an Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) is, what type of information you can hope to find in one, and what type of information you will not find. We learn what branch of the National Archives holds OMPF records and what records are available for request. Gabriel outlines the steps you have to take if you want to request a copy of an OMPF both if you are a next of kin relative or are not next of kin. The links to where someone should go for requesting an OMPF are further below in the show notes. Gabriel welcomes Anthony and Andrew to the show and lays out the goals of this podcast episode. Gabriel, Anthony, and Andrew began going through all the sections of Gregorio Paez’ OMPF starting with the first document, the DD-214. Gregorio’s enlistment packet contains lots of interesting information about his life prior to joining the United States Marine Corps (USMC). DD Form 93 is the Record of Emergency Data that lays out who Gregorio had designated who the USMC should contact in case of an emergency or his death. Gabriel, Anthony, and Andrew take some time to explore the DD98 Loyalty Certificate document which was created in response to the ongoing Red Scare that was happening in the United States during this period of time. The guys moved towards the meat of Gregorio’s OMPF, the NAVMC 188 Personnel Packet which contains detailed information about his service in the USMC. The first of about 20 pages of documents in this packet is a picture of Gregorio at basic training that the guys had never seen before. The final documents in Gregorio’s OMPF    Gabriel, Anthony, and Andrew go over are his discharge paperwork and individual clothing record. Gabriel, Anthony, and Andrew talk about the things they learned after reading through their grandfather’s OMPF. Resources Related to the Topics Discussed in Today’s Episode The National Archives at St. Louis. This is the repository for official military personnel files and other military records. https://www.archives.gov/st-louis Veterans Service Records. This is the link on the National Archives website where you can begin the process to request and order various veterans service records including OMPFs. https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records Burnt In Memory: Looking back, looking forward at the 1973 St. Louis Fire. Link to the article about the devastating fire at the Personnel Records Center written by two National Archives archivists back in 2013. The article details the lessons learned from this tragic cultural disaster and the processes put in place to prevent it from happening again in the future. https://www.archives.gov/files/publications/prologue/2013/spring/stl-fire.pdf Episode 004 Bonus Content. Visit the Camp Iron Mountain Podcast YouTube channel if you’d like to see the contents of Gregorio Paez’ OMPF that were discussed in this episode. If You Want to Support The Podcast Help others find the podcast by writing a positive review on Apple Podcasts!  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/camp-iron-mountain/id1551075974

14. 

    16 Feb 2021

    002 | From Radio Operator to Iraqi Army Trainer | Chris Adams

    Guest - Christopher Adams Chris is a US Army veteran who served 13 years on active duty as a communications specialist before being medically discharged in 2009. During his time on active duty, Chris deployed twice to Iraq. His first deployment was to Anbar Province in eastern Iraq from 2004-2005 and his second was to Baghdad during The Surge from 2006-2007. Email: christophernadams@ymail.com What You’ll Get From Today’s Show Chris tells us a little about his early life growing up and the circumstances that led him to joining the Army. Chris recalls some of his most vivid memories of going through basic training as a slightly older recruit and assignment to his Army career field as a communications specialist. Assigned to a mobile response unit in Washington D.C., you’ll hear Chris’ experience on the scene at the Pentagon in the days following the 9/11 attacks. Chris shares a little of what life was like for a soldier stationed in South Korea in the early 2000s with 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment (1/9IN), 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (2/2BCT). In what was probably a first, 2/2BCT, already forward deployed, was alerted and ordered to deploy from South Korea to Iraq. Chris recalls that period of shock and surprise of getting told the news. Chris relates some of his experiences with 1/9IN in Iraq’s volatile Anbar Province during his unit’s 2004-2005 combat deployment. Fresh from his deployment to Iraq, Chris relates his journey straight to a new home in the United States at Fort Carson, Colorado. 1/9IN transforms from a heavy combined arms battalion with Abrams Tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles to a light reconnaissance squadron, now designated 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment (3/61CAV), equipped with only HMMWV (Humvee) trucks and heavy machine guns. Chris describes his experiences during the train up period with 3/61CAV in Colorado and then back to Iraq for what would eventually become a 15-month long deployment to eastern Baghdad in 2006 during The Surge. Chris shares some of his experiences from his second Iraq deployment, explaining how it was different from his previous deployment a year earlier. Chris reflects back on his Army experiences, some of the strong friendships made, and his sometimes difficult transition back to civilian life after a medical discharge. Resources Related to the Topics Discussed in Today’s Episode 9/11 Inside the Pentagon. A 2016 PBS documentary that tells the story of the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon including interviews with survivors and responders. The U.S. Marines in Iraq, 2004-2005: Into the Fray.  An official publication about the history of the U.S. Marines in Al Anbar Province during 2004-2005 from the Marine Corps University, History Division. The U.S. Army Campaigns in Iraq: The Surge 2007-2008.  An official publication about the history of the Iraq Surge campaign from the Army Center of Military History available to the public for free. Ghost Riders of Baghdad by Daniel Sjursen. A book written by another member of 3/61CAV about his experiences during the same 2006-2007 deployment Chris describes in his interview. If You Want to Support The Podcast Help others find the podcast by writing a positive review on Apple Podcasts! Camp Iron Mountain.

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    16 Feb 2021

    003 | Preserving the Legacy of the Spearhead Doughboys | Dan Langhans

    Guest - Dan Langhans Dan Langhans is the editor of a monthly historical newsletter called The Spearhead Doughboy. The Spearhead Doughboy promotes the World War II service history of Company A, 36th Armored Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Division. This newsletter project has been in continuous publication since the 1980s after it was started by the World War II veterans of Company A. The efforts to establish this newsletter and associated unit archive are some of the main stories we’ll explore in this episode. Email: langhansconsultingllc@gmail.com What You’ll Get From Today’s Show Dan talks about who his father Lewis Langhans was growing up and what were the circumstances of him joining the service during World War II. Dan shares stories of what it was like growing up with his father and how lucky he was to have such caring and loving parents. Not knowing much about his father Lewis’ service during World War II, Dan shares what information he was able to find out over years of conducting research about his father’s experiences. He would eventually learn that his father served in two different units while serving overseas, the 3rd Armored Division and the 1st Armored Division. After his father’s death, Dan learned that Lewis was assigned to Company A, 36th Armored Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Division for part of his overseas service. Company A veterans have been getting together for reunions since the 1980s. Dan discusses attending his first Company A reunion and the great impact it has had on his life. Company A veterans produce a monthly newsletter titled The Spearhead Doughboy that highlights the unit’s participation in World War II. Dan discusses the background of this newsletter and how he came around to eventually taking over the duties of Editor. Dan provides an overview of Company A’s history in World War II from their inception in Louisiana in 1940 through the end of war. Dan talks about some of the projects he’s been able to accomplish in capturing, preserving, and sharing the World War II history of Company A. Dan shares with us a story of how the stories collected over the years have helped family members of Company A veterans learn more about their relative’s experiences. Dan reflects on his time connecting with the Company A veteran “family” and explains how he believes his efforts at preserving and sharing their history are replicable for anyone with the motivation to take on such a project. Resources Related to the Topics Discussed in Today’s Episode Spearhead in the West. An outstanding history of the 3rd Armored Division’s participation in World War II from its formation in Louisiana to the unit’s deactivation in 1945 produced by the Division at the end of the war. Original copies and a later modern reprint can be found for sale online. A few public and college libraries scanned a copy of the original and have posted it online for the public. 3rd Armored Division History Foundation. (http://www.3ad.com/) An online archive of the 3rd Armored Division covering World War II, the Cold War, and Desert Storm. Spearhead: An American Tank Gunner, His Enemy, and a Collision of Lives in World War II. New York Times best-selling author Adam Makos tells the engaging story behind the most famous tank duel of World War II. Company A veteran, Malcolm Marsh, Jr., is one of the key supporting characters profiled in this book. 3rd Armored Division Association Archives. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign holds the 3rd Armored Division Association Archives and is a valuable resource for research, especially studies involving the actions of the 3rd Armored Division and the First Army. The wide range of items donated by veterans of all units within the division has made the Association archives a comprehensive historical record of one of the finest U.S. army divisions in World War II. If You Want to Support The Podcast Help others find the podcast by writing a positive review on Apple Podcasts! Camp Iron Mountain.

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    16 Feb 2021

    001 | Welcome to Camp Iron Mountain

    Host - Gabriel Suarez Website: https://campironmountain.com Email: gabriel@campironmountain.com What You’ll Get From Today’s Show You'll learn the mission and goals behind the Camp Iron Mountain Podcast. Gabriel outlines the three main themes the podcast will focus on: sharing interesting stories from military history, highlighting individuals and organizations “doing history”, and interviewing veterans and civilians who’ve experienced conflict. Gabriel talks about his backstory and his family’s connection to the military. Gabriel shares the genesis of his desire to preserve history and eventually create this podcast, which traces back to his grandfather’s World War II service. Learn about the efforts that Gabriel’s grandfather’s unit took to capture their own World War II experiences. Gabriel tells the audience where they can further connect with the show on it’s social media sites and how they can help grow the show. Resources Mentioned During Today’s Episode Website: https://campironmountain.com Twitter: @CampIMPodcast Facebook: https://fb.me/CampIronMountain Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/campironmountain Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/campironmountain If You Want to Support The Podcast Help others find the podcast by writing a positive review on Apple Podcasts! Camp Iron Mountain.

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