Old Grad Podcast

Kenny Walks Across America

Interview with Kenny Mintz and Co-host Bernard Seeger. We interview Kenny as he gets ready to depart on April 1st, 2022 to walk across America. We discuss his motivation for taking on such a big audacious goal. Kenny will be walking to support three charities. LINK to charity links - 
In addition to contributing to the various charities, the best way to support Kenny his to link up with him when he's in your area. Connect him to local events and celebrate his service by amplifying his message. 
Link to route and schedule
 

Bret Petkus

Warning - this is a LONG episode. We just had a great time talking through West Point, the Army and Life - Bret lives in Texas with his wife and 4 children. His eldest son Lou is an incoming plebe with the class of 2026. Bret reflects on the ups and down of his journey and makes critical observations about his good fortune. 

Heather Burruss (I-4)

Heather Burruss was a chemistry major at West Point and was commissioned as a Military Police officer. She and the 5 other classmates who branched MP (all female) had to report to OBC in June of 1991 after only a few short weeks of graduation leave.  She served on active duty for 5+ years and worked in an 04 slot as a First Lieutenant. Upon leaving active duty she worked a few years in business running a candlestick factory. She later received her PhD in Analytical Chemistry from Wake Forest University and returned to public service for the FBI. She is recently retired and moving on to her next stage in life which includes making her own wine and brandy. She and her husband reside in Huntsville Alabama. 

BG (ret.) Mike Eastman (E-2)

BG (ret.) Mike Eastman reflects on his transition to civilian life over the past two months after service to our nation culminating with service in Afghanistan charged with shutting down Bagram Airfield.  His operational assignments included a range of artillery and fire support positions with the 25th Infantry Division, battery command in the 4th Infantry Division, battalion command in the 1st Armored Division, and command of the 75th Field Artillery Brigade, III Corps. He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Spartan Shield, and Operation Inherent Resolve. Over the course of the podcast we reflect on many of these challenging assignments, including the challenge of losing his mother to brain cancer while service in Iraq as a Battalion Commander. Mike now continues his service as executive director of the ETS Sponsorship Program - a non-profit serving to assist military members in the their transition to civilian lift. 

General Bramlett

General Bramlett talks about his 38-year career, his own personal cadet experience, and his memorable time being the Commandant of Cadets. 

Alex Rodgers (I4)

Alex Rodgers commissioned a Field Artillery Officer and served 5 years at Ft. Still and Ft. Bragg. We talk about the role of West Point in his life. We talk in detail about his experiences as a black man at West Point, in the Army and in the business world. 

Scott Halstead - Post AT Thru Hike / Reunion Update

Reunion Update and Scott Halstead Post AT Hike. 

Rich Ryan (I-1)

Rich Ryan is CEO and founder of Six-15 Technologies a technology company that designs, develops, and manufactures head-up displays (HUDs) for users operating in the world’s most demanding environments.  He was a lax player at West Point and commissioned as an aviator. Among many things we reminisce about "Lacrosse Tribe", a crazy spring break firstie year, a 125 hour slug, and having his best friend marry his sister.  Rich bravely talks about his own struggles with depression and his to keep healthy despite the pressures of work and life. We also remember our fallen classmate Tom McTigue. 

Tim Burnham (E-2)

Tim Burnham lives in Nashville TN and recently transitioned into his own consultancy business specializing in saving money for small and mid-sized businesses. He bravely tells his personal story dating back to West Point where he began struggling with problems related to alcohol. Today he is 15 years sober with a stable marriage and home life. This is all a function of his grit, determination and humility. 

Laurie Reider-Jabbar (I1)

Laurie Reider Jabbar lives in California with her husband and two sons. We chat about her journey from losing her mother at a young age, to being a corps squad athlete to serving in Germany, to navigating the challenges of being a serial entrepreneur. She has a podcast of her own "She's 10 times 5."