The Mess Deck Chronicles

Unsat Observations with Eric Wolf

This episode of The Mess Deck Chronicles features Eric Wolf's personal and professional journey from aspiring Navy SEAL to aviation ordnanceman. He recounts the hardships of training, the bonds and rivalries within his squadron, and the often harsh realities of deployment, including experiences in places like India and Bahrain. The conversation expands to broader issues in military life, such as leadership challenges, recruitment and retention struggles, and the evolving culture of bootcamp.
Eric also shares his transition to civilian life, the beauty of Washington state, and the difficulties of career changes. The discussion shifts into entrepreneurship with the founding of Unsat Observations, a business rooted in military culture. Topics include branding, morale patches, balancing production methods, and leveraging AI and social media for growth.
The episode explores themes of creativity, marketing strategies, and the shared experiences of veterans, including the impact of social media, financial challenges, and dynamics in military life. Personal stories highlight the importance of community, identity, and adaptability in both military and post-military environments.
You can check his site here : https://unsatobservations.com/ and Instagram here : https://www.instagram.com/unsat.observations/ 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Eric Wolf and His Background02:31 Transition from Navy SEAL Aspirations to Aviation Ordnance04:58 Life in the Squadron: Challenges and Experiences07:35 Deployment Stories: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly10:03 Port Visits: Expectations vs. Reality12:11 Life After the Navy: Career Transitions and Reflections19:06 The Challenges of Military Life21:04 Retention Issues and Leadership Dynamics24:53 Changing Military Culture and Bootcamp Experiences34:41 The Birth of Unsat Observations41:48 Future Aspirations and Social Networking42:43 Navigating Marketability and Business Opportunities44:02 The Birth of a Brand: Morale Patches45:01 Outsourcing vs. In-House Production46:10 The Business of War and Capitalism49:10 Self-Taught Entrepreneurship51:22 Utilizing Resources for Business Growth53:44 The Role of AI in Creative Processes56:42 Building a Brand Identity and Engagement01:01:55 The Power of Marketing and Merchandising01:04:04 Creative Collaborations and Artistic Endeavors01:05:58 Navigating Business Opportunities in Military Communities01:08:57 Challenges of Online Marketing and Engagement01:09:57 Experiences and Anecdotes from Military Life01:14:05 Humorous and Cautionary Tales from Deployment01:17:54 Life Aboard a Naval Vessel: Heat and Humor01:23:37 Consequences of Relationships in the Military01:26:13 The Value of Friendship and Support01:29:22 Navigating LGBTQ+ Dynamics in the Military01:31:35 Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life01:39:05 Taxation and Financial Insights Post-Military

Tommy C First Class Navy Diver

In this episode of The Mess Deck Chronicles, we interview Thomas Commander, a first-class Navy diver with extensive experience in Naval Special Warfare. Thomas shares his journey from wanting to be a diver to navigating the complex cross-rate process, preparing for dive school, and the rigorous training he underwent. He discusses the challenges faced during dive prep and dive school, including the physical and mental demands, and the importance of achieving high scores in the Physical Screening Test (PST). The conversation also touches on the additional training required after dive school, including expeditionary combat school. In this segment, Tommy Commander shares his experiences and insights from dive school, detailing the rigorous training and challenges faced by Navy divers. He discusses the various stages of training, including scuba qualifications, advanced techniques, and the use of specialized equipment. The conversation also touches on the transition from training to real-world applications, including operations with SEAL delivery vehicles and the camaraderie among divers. Tommy emphasizes the importance of physical fitness and mental resilience in the demanding environment of military diving. In this segment, the conversation delves into the responsibilities of rescue operations, the thrilling experiences of diving in Alaska, and the cultural exchanges that occur during military collaborations. The speakers share anecdotes about their experiences, including the challenges faced during rescue missions, the excitement of underwater adventures, and the humorous interactions with international military personnel. In this conversation, the speakers delve into various themes surrounding military life, particularly focusing on the experiences of Navy divers. They discuss cultural misunderstandings between Australians and New Zealanders, share personal diving stories, and reflect on a harrowing experience of surviving a heart attack. The conversation also provides valuable advice for aspiring Navy divers, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and self-investment. Finally, they reflect on their military memories, highlighting the camaraderie and unique experiences that shape their lives.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Navy Diver Thomas Commander02:29 The Journey to Becoming a Diver07:17 Navigating the Cross-Rate Process11:40 Preparing for Dive School18:22 The Rigorous Dive School Experience30:53 Post-Dive School Training and Expeditionary Combat School31:28 Diving into Dive School36:10 The Rigorous Training of Navy Divers41:44 Advanced Techniques and Equipment in Diving47:52 Transitioning to Real-World Applications52:39 Life After Dive School: Commands and Operations01:01:39 Rescue Operations and Responsibilities01:10:02 Diving Adventures and Experiences01:19:12 Cultural Exchanges and Military Collaborations01:24:01 Cultural Misunderstandings: Australia vs. New Zealand01:27:02 Diving Stories and Experiences01:28:29 Surviving a Heart Attack: A Diver's Tale01:36:04 Advice for Aspiring Navy Divers01:48:58 Reflections on Military Life and Memories
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Helicopters with 2nd LT Grayson Trogdon

Join us as Grayson Trogdon, a second lieutenant in the United States Army, shares his inspiring journey to becoming a National Guard pilot. Growing up with a father in the National Guard, Grayson initially considered a career as a military police officer before finding his true calling in aviation. He discusses the challenges of flight school, the significance of mentorship, and the transition from flying the Lakota to the Apache helicopter. Tune in to hear about his experiences, the intricacies of military aviation, and valuable advice for aspiring aviators and those navigating military life.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background02:14 Selecting Aviation as a Career04:27 From Criminal Justice to Flight School07:15 Preparing for Aviation09:16 The Academic Challenges of Flight School14:08 The Rewards of Becoming a Pilot16:01 The Wait and Preparation for Flight School20:09 The Academic Side of Becoming a Pilot22:08 The Importance of Discipline and Study Habits26:48 The Achievement of Becoming a Pilot29:01 The Progression System in Flight School32:31 Different Weapon Systems on the Apache46:47 Types of Aircraft in the Military49:07 Paths to Becoming an Aviator54:23 The Minuteman Scholarship56:41 Pros and Cons of Being a Warrant Officer01:04:16 Marriage in the Military01:06:00 Possibility of Seeing Action as an Apache Pilot
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Commercial Diving with Alex Baker

Alex Baker, a Navy veteran, shares his journey in the Navy, from initially planning to be a commercial diver to choosing a different path. He discusses selecting overseas assignments and the dynamics within different divisions on the ship. The conversation offers insights into the experiences and challenges faced by Navy personnel, including intense schedules, camaraderie, and unique lifestyles. It also touches on the drinking culture in the military, the transition to civilian life, and the benefits and opportunities in the trades industry, emphasizing stability, camaraderie, and potential for success.
00:00 Introduction and Background
08:33 Selecting Overseas Assignments
36:26 The Navy's Sense of Community
46:04 Drinking for Coping vs. Drinking for Fun
56:04 Exploring the Commercial Diving Industry
01:07:25 Finding Purpose and Camaraderie
01:17:23 The Importance of Mental Health and Staying Engaged
01:33:39 The Challenges of Financial Stability in the Military
01:42:46 The Potential for High Earnings in the Trades
01:50:38 The Trades as a Path to Personal and Professional Growth
 
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Adventures Abroad

Embark on a thrilling journey as we share tales of international travel. From Guam's unique attractions to Singapore's strictness, we explore shooting range escapades, and humorous anecdotes from naval ships. Join us for a whirlwind ride through the joys and challenges of globetrotting!
00:00 Introduction and Discussion of Traveling Abroad
09:01 Exploring Guam and Korea
32:06 Navigating the Districts of Singapore
43:11 The Walled City in Hong Kong and Living Conditions
51:17 Maintenance Issues on Naval Ships
58:02 Frustration with Lack of Accountability and Training
 
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Movies

In this episode, military movies take the spotlight as we critique their accuracy and share personal insights as veterans. From intense dramas like The Hurt Locker to humorous takes on Navy life in McHale's Navy, we cover a wide range of films. Spielberg and Hanks' attention to historical detail in Saving Private Ryan earns praise, while the lack of World War I cinematic coverage is noted. Tune in for a deep dive into the portrayal of military life on the big screen.
 
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Motor Mania

Join us as we discuss climate change, the food industry, electric vehicles, and automotive trends. From skepticism towards environmental warnings to the evolution of car manufacturers.
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So You Want to Enlist.. Special Guest Preston Murphy

The week we cover joining the military, boot camp experiences, life aboard the USS George Washington, transitioning out of the military. Preston Murphy shares his decision to leave the military.
 
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