Old Grad Podcast

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."

Traci Fisher (D2)

Traci Cisek Fisher was recruited to play soccer at West Point directly from high school. She didn't know much about West Point before showing up the night before R-day to meet her soccer teammates at Holly Fishburne's house. This was the start of the very strong bonds she would form with the other women on the soccer team.  She strongly considered resigning during Beast, but was talked out of it by her D2 company mates. She has very fond memories of her 3 years on corps squad soccer as well as her times as a D2 Dragon. She was commissioned in Aviation and served her first assignment at Ft Stewart. She talks about her transition out of the Army as being one of her toughest challenges. "It totally sucked. I Went from landing in a 2 min window on an LZ to picking up cheetos in a mini-van.  Rough, rough time for me."  One of her outlets for dealing with the stress of transition was to focus on physical fitness and emotional wellness. This experience formed the basis for her life's work.  After creating the Wellbeingness® Model, specifically to take leaders through a scientifically based, concise and clear process to develop both mindset and health, Traci has combined leadership and wellness to give teams a new approach to health, leadership and outstanding personal, professional and organizational performance.