Veterans | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for the ‘Veterans’ Category

In Memoriam – LtCol Joseph Edward Murphy Jr (USAF, Ret)

Saturday, March 13th, 2021

I just found out about the loss in February of an old friend and mentor. Many knew him as “Two Dogs,” a nickname picked up in his younger days from a bawdy joke. I call him the father of Special Tactics Intelligence. All of the rest of us who served in that community worked in his shadow.

Lieutenant Colonel Murphy was my first boss in the Air Force as a Lieutenant right out of Goodfellow. By that time he was long retired and was DAF Civilian at the 720th Special Tactics Group at Hurlburt Field where he served as Director of Intelligence. I was the second officer he hired for ST and for me, the process started while I was still an NCO in the Army. As soon as I found out I had been selected for USAF Officer Training School I started calling around to units looking for possible assignments as an Intel Officer. Joe and I hit it off and he worked behind he scenes over the next year to steer me towards the 720th while I completed my training. It worked out and I ended up being assigned as Joe’s assistant for intelligence programs, although I spent most of my time on the road going to schools and supporting units. I did a short stint down at the 23rd STS, mostly deployed to Operation Desert Thunder, before Joe had me reassigned to Pope as the Chief of Intelligence for the 21st STS. He steered the careers of quite a few of us, officers and NCOs alike, building the ST Intel community from scratch.

Special Tactics owes a lot to that guy. So do I. He always had the wildest stories of his active duty time and pushed me to produce quality intelligence products. He taught me a great deal and was the most supportive boss I ever had. I will miss him.

My heart goes out to Sally and his kids.

Here is Two Dogs’ obituary…

LtCol Joseph Edward Murphy Jr.

1941 – 2021

Fort Walton Beach – Lt. Col. Joseph Edward “Two Dogs” Murphy, Jr. passed away on February 4, 2021 in Fort Walton Beach, FL. Joe was born September 14, 1941 in St. Louis, Missouri to Joseph Edward Murphy and Evangeline Marie Kelly Murphy both of whom predeceased him. Joe grew up in St. Louis, attended St. Louis University High School and St. Louis University where he was a member of AFROTC and was commissioned into the U.S. Air Force on August 23, 1963. He married his high school sweetheart, Sandra Jean Mason, in St. Louis in May, 1964. Together they embarked on an Air Force career that spanned 3 continents, 10 assignments and 28 years. They welcomed a daughter, Kathi, while stationed at Shaw AFB, South Carolina, and a son, Jay, at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. Traveling to and living in countries all over the world was a tremendous thrill for the family. Together, they worked to absorb as much international experience as possible through travel and engagement with local communities.

Joe began his Air Force career as a cartographer, then spent 8 years as a targeting officer followed by more than 15 years as an intelligence officer. Joe Murphy loved his work in the Air Force, especially working with US and allied Special Operations Forces. He was an enthusiastic mentor to many, including young “troops” who were as sharp-minded and as committed to the U.S. and the Air Force as he was. Joe developed a strong affinity for and connection with Special Operations activities and was privileged to work closely with USN SEALs, USAF Special Tactics, USA Special Forces and similar units from Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia. Over the years, he was given the nickname “Two Dogs” because of an off-color joke he frequently told. His combination of Intel skills and Special Operations interest led to the practice of intelligence-trained operators being inserted into the teams on the ground. This initiative of providing relevant information to operators in the field has undoubtedly saved lives and improved the effectiveness of countless missions. As such and rightfully so, many consider “Two Dogs” to be the “Grandfather of Special Operations Intelligence”. His major awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, the AF Commendation Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, the AF Achievement Medal, The AF Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device and Four Oak Leaf Clusters, The Vietnam Service Medal with Three Stars and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.

Shortly after completing his 28 year active duty service in 1991, Joe returned to Hurlburt Field, where he continued his service to our country for another 23 years as a civilian intelligence expert for a number of AF Special Operations organizations. A patriot and true servant, Joe finally retired from civil service in 2016, after giving a total of 51 years of service to the U.S. Air Force, a record few have ever achieved.

In 1990, Joe was remarried to Maria (Sally) Balaoro from the Philippines who survives him and lives in Mary Esther, Florida. Their son, Joey, provided Two Dogs with many years of enjoyment as a soccer dad and #1 fan of Joey and his friends. Joey lives locally and continues to be involved in soccer.

In addition to Sally and Joey, Lt. Col. Murphy is survived by his daughter, Kathi Heapy and husband, Gary of Shalimar FL, and son, Jay and wife, Terri, of Keystone Heights Florida. He is also survived by sister, Mary K. and husband Mick McGuire of Somerset OH, and sisters-in-law Marisa Lopez and husband Jaime of Ft. Walton Beach, Nimfa and Ramon Bilasano, and Nancy and Gener Baylon of the Philippines. His grandchildren are Nicholas Heapy (Allie), Mary Flores (Daniel), Renee Murphy, and Erin Heapy, and one great- grandson, William Edward Heapy. Joe has several adored nieces and nephews in Ft. Walton Beach, Ohio, and the Philippines. Joe will be missed by all, but most certainly by his very special friends, Sally and Ted Quarles, Chief and Linda Jennings, Sheila and Dennis Quirao, his AF Intel ‘partner in crime’ Jay Clanton, and the worldwide AF SOF and Stray Goose International communities.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Hurlburt Field Memorial Air Park on March 17, 2021 at 2:00pm. This will be an outdoor event which will offer the safest way that we can gather to honor him during this time. Interment of Lt. Col. Joseph Murphy will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia at a future date.

To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.

Posted in AFSW, Air Force, ISR, Memorial, Veterans | 3 Comments »

Study Identifies Potential Link Between Soldiers Exposed to Blasts, Alzheimer’s

Sunday, February 28th, 2021

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — Research shows that Soldiers exposed to shockwaves from military explosives are at a higher risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease — even those that don’t have traumatic brain injuries from those blasts. A new Army-funded study identifies how those blasts affect the brain.

Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke in collaboration with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, now known as DEVCOM, the Army Research Laboratory, and the National Institutes of Health found that the mystery behind blast-induced neurological complications when traumatic damage is undetected may be rooted in distinct alterations to the tiny connections between neurons in the hippocampus, the part of the brain particularly involved in memory encoding and social behavior.

The research published in Brain Pathology, the medical journal of the International Society of Neuropathology, was funded by the lab’s Army Research Office.

“Blasts can lead to debilitating neurological and psychological damage but the underlying injury mechanisms are not well understood,” said Dr. Frederick Gregory, program manager, ARO. “Understanding the molecular pathophysiology of blast-induced brain injury and potential impacts on long-term brain health is extremely important to understand in order to protect the lifelong health and well-being of our service members.”

The research team tested slices of rat hippocampus by exposing the healthy tissue to controlled military blast waves. In the experimental brain explants (tissue slices maintained alive in culture dishes), the rapid blast waves produced by the detonated military explosives led to selective reductions in components of brain connections needed for memory, and the distinct electrical activity from those neuronal connections was sharply diminished.

The research showed that the blast-induced effects were evident among healthy neurons with subtle synaptic pathology, which may be an early indicator of Alzheimer’s-type pathogenesis occurring independent of overt brain damage.

“This finding may explain those many blast-exposed individuals returning from war zones with no detectable brain injury, but who still suffer from persistent neurological symptoms, including depression, headaches, irritability and memory problems,” said Dr. Ben Bahr, the William C. Friday distinguished professor of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at UNC-Pembroke.

The researchers believe that the increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease is likely rooted in the disruption of neuronal communication instigated by blast exposures.

“Early detection of this measurable deterioration could improve diagnoses and treatment of recurring neuropsychiatric impediments, and reduce the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease later in life,” Bahr said.

UNC-Pembroke is a minority-serving institution.

By U.S. Army DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory Public Affairs

Posted in Guest Post, Medical, Veterans | 4 Comments »

Is CBD Oil Right For Me?

Saturday, February 20th, 2021

I’m going to preface this article with a short introduction. Over the past few years, the national dialogue on marijuana has shifted significantly and particularly for CBD. While still banned for use with DoD and by many other agencies, CBD has offered relief for several complaints such as PTSD.

Some swear by its properties while others brush it off as a placebo. Let’s use this testimony by my friend and former SEAL Will Branum to open a respectful dialogue. And yes, Will believes CBD so much, he founded a company.

-Eric Graves

The transition from military to civilian life was the toughest military mission I had ever been on. I went from being surrounded by a TEAM of World Class Professionals who challenged me every day to NO TEAM, NO PURPOSE, and NO MISSION.

I’ve spent my entire adult life in the military and 23 of those 26 years as a Navy SEAL. As a SEAL, every morning I woke up, knew what I was going to do and with whom I would do it. I was surrounded by a badass team with a badass mission. And then in the summer of 2018, it was gone.

My nightly routine consisted of just one glass of Vodka on the rocks to turn off the noise in my head. One glass turned into another, and another and so on. Eventually the noise would reduce enough for me to go to sleep. This habit started before my retirement, but had definitely intensified after I retired. I had to drink myself into a drunken stupor to quiet my mind, slow down, and be able to rest.

I had heard of CBD Oil while I was on active duty but wasn’t about to risk putting my final years in the military or my Top Secret Security Clearance in jeopardy. I am also a child of Nancy Reagan’s War on Drugs, “Just Say No!” Campaign, so I was hesitant to try it. A year after my retirement, I was in Virginia and had lunch with a former SEAL Team mentor. I told him about my interest in CBD and discussed purchasing it while I was in town. I was still unfamiliar with its benefits but was curious to know more. Coincidentally he owned some and gave me a bottle.

That night I noticed that I slept a little better and woke up a little pissed off as I had in the previous months. Over the next 30 days, with continued use of the CBD Oil, I felt small increments of improvement in my attitude as well as unexpected improvements in pain management. Some of the sharp stabbing pain I had been experiencing began to decrease in intensity and become more dull. Additionally, when I ran out of CBD Oil, much of the pain and ailments and my internal anger started to resurface.

CBD helped me turn off the anxiety and noise. To illustrate, we know that water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit and, likewise, I often felt like I was living at 210, just under my boiling point. Taking CBD helped bring down that internal emotional temperature; 208, 205, 200. It helped me get out of the RED ZONE that I was living in and moved me into something closer to ORANGE or YELLOW, a much more relaxed mental and emotional state. That new headspace allowed me to practice better self-talk so I could work on myself, and simultaneously start to quiet the noise in my head without the need for alcohol. CBD isn’t a magical cure-all, but it is an essential tool in my tool box.

CBD had such a life changing effect on me that I started my own CBD Company to share the highest quality CBD available to Veterans and First Responders. Naked Warrior Recovery’s mission is to help you recover from Mental and Physical Trauma, no matter how big or small.

How CBD works: CBD is a non-psychoactive (you don’t get high) molecule from the Hemp Plant. It has been shown to have many medicinal effects on all mammals. CBD supports the Endocannabinoid System, a giant neuro receptor connected to every other system in the body (ie. Central Nerves System, Digestive System, Immune System, Respiratory System, etc.).

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is supported by endogenous cannabinoids that all mammals create. Sometimes the body does not produce enough natural cannabinoids to support the ECS. CBD works like a multivitamin to support the ECS to help bring it back into balance. When the ECS is in balance, it helps bring the other systems into balance. A few other benefits that have been observed from CBD use are reduced chronic inflammation, elliptic seizures, pain, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, acne, and Parkinson’s.

There is still a lot that to be learned about this natural remedy, but the future looks bright! There are studies coming out daily on PUBMED about CBD and the Endocannabinoid System.

For more information on CBD go to www.nw-recovery.com.

Posted in Guest Post, Veterans | 35 Comments »

Federal Ammunition’s Support of Injured Veterans Approaches $250,000

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2021

ANOKA, Minnesota – February 3, 2021 – Federal Ammunition is committed to empowering our nation’s injured veterans. Since 2011, Federal Ammunition has supported Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) and the nonprofit’s free programs and services with an annual contribution to the Minnesota Wounded Warrior Charity Golf event. To date, the total contribution is just shy of $248,000 dollars.

Wounded veterans face significant challenges when they return to civilian life, and through the generous support of donors and corporate partners, WWP provides support during their recoveries, wherever they are in that journey.

“I’m proud of this program,” said Rick Stoeckel, Federal Ammunition’s Shotshell Product Director. “When our wounded heroes return, the needs are great and Federal is proud to assist in any way that we can, and the consumers have responded by purchasing the product that supports Wounded Warrior Project in our backyard of Minnesota and throughout the United States.”

Through our financial contribution, Federal Ammunition is directly supporting the programs and services that give warriors access to independence, mental and physical health, career counseling, peer support and connections to other veterans, and family support—free of charge.

Even the most challenging targets are no match for consistent, hard-hitting Federal Top Gun target loads. High-quality lead shot produces even patterns that crush clays. These loads also feature consistent, reliable Federal primer; an eight-segment crimp; and an unique wad column for consistent patterns.

Federal ammunition can be found at dealers nationwide or purchased online direct from Federal. For more information on all products from Federal or to shop online, visit www.federalpremium.com.

Posted in Ammo, Charity, Industry, Press Release, Veterans | Comments Off on Federal Ammunition’s Support of Injured Veterans Approaches $250,000

Support the Gideon’s 300 Fundraiser Raffle

Monday, February 1st, 2021

An old squadron mate, Ish V, who recently retired sent me this fundraiser for Gideon’s 300, a Veteran’s 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization charity he is involved with. The more they raise, the more Vets they can take on hunts.

RAFFLE!!!

To raise money for military veterans across this nation we are raffling off this amazing Glock 19 customized by 903 Tactical Arms Co. Tickets are only $10 a piece or 6 for $50. Ticket will be drawn in April at our annual turkey hunt. You can buy a ticket by making a donation on our website g300veterans.org/donate or you can send money though CashApp to $G300Vets. Just make sure you include your name and phone number.

Cash app is under our current presidents name, Daniel Ritchie. Just let him know Ish V. sent ya.

If you have any questions feel free to ask.

Posted in Charity, Fundraising, Veterans | Comments Off on Support the Gideon’s 300 Fundraiser Raffle

Clint Emerson Debuts Fourth 100 Deadly Skills Book

Saturday, January 30th, 2021

DALLAS, TX (January 26, 2021) – Retired Navy SEAL and New York Times best-selling author, Clint Emerson, released his newest book, 100 Deadly Skills: COMBAT EDITION this week for physical sale. The book has already topped the charts in several categories for digital download ahead of this launch. His sixth book overall and fourth in the 100 Deadly Skills series, COMBAT EDITION is Emerson’s guide to defeating your enemy, fighting for your life, and embracing your inner badass.

With more than 20 years of service conducting special ops all over the world, Emerson continues to serve by empowering good people with safety and security skills at home, at work and abroad. His experience attached to his time serving on SEAL Team Three, the National Security Agency (NSA), and a Special Mission Unit provides a unique perspective to professional and civilian protection.

“The first volume in the 100 Deadly Skills series delivered clandestine hacks designed to allow readers to escape and evade threats at home and abroad. The second book, my Survival Edition, provided a blueprint to surviving chaos, misadventures, and fatal disasters.” Emerson continues, “Now, with the Combat Edition, I’ve created the most comprehensive on-the-ground combatives manual ever assembled—traveling the country to learn the most effective combat techniques from some of the deadliest characters on Earth. The goal remains the same: allowing good people to defeat evil, fight for their lives, and survive another day.”

This is the first-ever three-dimensional self-defense book. All tactics and techniques provided are presented in the narrative, with engaging illustrations and action-packed videos QR coded to each skill. The techniques rely on no-nonsense combative techniques, including weaponizing your non-violent posture, delivering damaging body strikes, accurately throwing a knife, quick drawing and shooting a handgun, tactically deceiving your enemy, surviving a multi-threat ambush and understanding non-lethal and lethal options.

There’s an old saying that you can’t learn to fight from a book, 100 Deadly Skills: COMBAT EDITION challenges that statement. 100 Deadly Skills: COMBAT EDITION is available for sale now and can purchased on Amazon.

For a behind the scenes look at Emerson and what went into the creation of 100 Deadly Skills: COMBAT EDITION, watch: youtu.be/JudClZds9IE. For updates from Clint and 100 Deadly Skills, follow the story on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Posted in Media, Press Release, Veterans | Comments Off on Clint Emerson Debuts Fourth 100 Deadly Skills Book

Celtic Shield Wallet

Saturday, January 9th, 2021

Founded by an Air Force Veteran, Celtic Shield makes really cool minimalistic wallets.

It is assembled with eight special machined screws and two mil-spec elastic bands.

There are five basic configurations:
• Clip / Slick – Featuring one slick plate and one clip plate
• Coin / Clip – Featuring one 1.5″ coin holder and a money/belt clip with enough space for your small custom image
• Slick / Slick – Featuring two large slick plates, perfect for displaying two large custom images, one on each side of your wallet
• Slick / Clip – Featuring one large slick plate for that perfect for that large custom image and a money/belt clip with enough space for your small custom image

They can do laser engraving and have been purchased as going away gifts as well as reenlistment incentives.

Made from aluminum, the front and rear panels can be had in different colors, in many combinations. There are also several options like integration of a challenge coin or pocket clips, so go check them out.

shop.celticshield.com

Posted in Morale, Veterans | 2 Comments »

Take Me Home Huey: Honoring American Heroes Through Art

Sunday, January 3rd, 2021

Take Me Home Huey: Honoring American Heroes Through Art

By Steve Maloney and Clare NolanThe arts can be a bridge to healing, as multimedia artist Steve Maloney discovered when he conceived a sculpture to honor the 2.7 million Americans who served during the Vietnam War. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, Maloney transformed the fuselage of a boneyard Medevac helicopter, to create what has become the multimedia project, Take Me Home Huey. The progression of Maloney’s brainchild, from artistic concept to a cross-country mission of healing for veterans living with post-traumatic stress, has now been captured in a stunning book. TAKE ME HOME HUEY: Honoring American Heroes Through Art by Steve Maloney and Clare Nolan will be released on National Vietnam War Veterans Day—March 29, 2021.

STEVE MALONEYThe book follows Maloney’s artistic journey as he, aided by his team of veteran advisors, volunteer mechanics and art assistants, deftly molded the wreckage and reimagined the aircraft that became a therapeutic tool for Vietnam veterans still living with ravages of post-traumatic stress. TAKE ME HOME HUEY documents, through the artist’s narrative and captivating photographs, the story of the chopper, dubbed Huey #174, and originally conceived as an artistic tribute, helped veterans open up, tell their stories and begin the healing process. The cross-country tour of Huey #174 inspired a song and an Emmy Award-winning documentary. All the elements stand alone, but combined they create a powerful message.

Maloney, a widely recognized artist and Vietnam-era National Guard veteran, is justifiably proud of what his sculpture has accomplished. “Once an artist releases a work into the public sphere, it can take on a new purpose. I had initially conceived Take Me Home Huey as a thank you and a welcome home for my contemporaries. But in their eyes, the sculpture became something more — a public acknowledgement that some of them, while physically at home, were mentally and emotionally still on the battlefield. I could not be more proud of what this project has accomplished and the reception it received. It is the proudest thing I’ve ever done.”

TAKE ME HOME HUEYBy Steve Maloney and Clare NolanTake Me Home Huey Publishing; March 29, 202145.00; 216 pagesISBN: 978-0-692-11780-4

takemehomehuey.org/take-me-home-huey

Posted in Press Release, Veterans | 1 Comment »