Old Grad Podcast

Episode 33 - Bernard Seeger (D4)

Bernard Seeger is a modern-day Marco Polo. After graduating from West Point, he spent 8 years in the Army as an Infantry Officer. We share some stories of Ranger School, Korea and Germany.  Upon leaving the service, he embarked on a 12-month adventure that took him across the world before entering grad school for Public Administration. His journey took him to interesting places such as the basecamp of Mount Everest, the Serengeti national park, New Zealand, Thailand. Moscow, Mongolia, and Mexico. He has served as a public administrator for several communities for the past 20 years. He recently left the role of public administration to focus on Climate Change full time. We talk further about his journey from a reticent cadet candidate, to a dedicated Army Officer and future public servant. Bonus footage of our conversation after the call. 

Episode 32 - Dan Clark (C1)

Dan Clark hails from a military town in Rhode Island. He grew up wanting to become an aviator. He and his brother were raised in a single-parent household where money was always tight. When he graduated from high school he joined the Army to become an aircraft mechanic - a stepping stone on pursuant of his dream (as told by his recruiter). He attended basic training with Pat Burton (G2), and they were both identified as potential future officers. Dan spent a year in Germany living the good life as an E-3 before going to prep school in the fall of 1986. He served right up to the 20 year mark in 2010 and retired. Along the way he flew in Panama, Honduras and Egypt. Dan talks about his role as an instructor and tac officer at OBC as well as a recruiter back in Rhode Island. While serving as a recruiter he paid a visit to his estranged father and shared a beer with him. In 2016 Dan took a 10,000-mile motorcycle trip across the country to break bread with numerous classmates including Dave Mathison and Scott Clemenson. 

Episode 31 - Libby Boggs Schott, Julie Wood Nelson, Sharon DeCrane Bull, Stephanie Southard Dullea (F1)

The F-1 women were an elite military unit, they always had each other's back and were always standout performers. Not surprisingly, they remain life-long best friends to this day. We chronicle their journey and call attention to the fact that it was a great challenge to be West Point's 11th class with women. We talk about awkwardly tolerating sexist behavior to fit in as "one of the guys"; passing out at a blood drive; grabbing the Mic to announce "Donuts are In"; navigating the physical barriers of barracks set up as divisions, balancing careers with spouses, and being faced with the challenges of breast cancer.  Whether serving a career as an Army Officer (Libby), DoD civilian contractor (Julie), FBI Agent (Sharon), community volunteer and board member (Stephanie) - the F-1 women continue to set the example of selfless service to the nation. Duty Shall be Done. 

Episode 30 - Brad Woods (A-2)

Brad is an ER Doctor in Topeka KS where he lives with his wife Julie and his step-daughter. On this podcast, Brad remembers getting hazed for tripping in a parade in front of President Reagan; posing nude on the Supe's porch; plebe boxing and butchering a german chocolate cake. He remembers our fallen Classmate Andy Clements and reflects on how important it is to appreciate every day. This was a particularly timely podcast as we are currently in the middle of the Covid19 Global Pandemic. Brad reflects on how his time at West Point and in the Army have prepared him for this exact moment: leading medical teams in what is proving to be our nation's greatest challenge. Stay Safe ... DSBD

Episode 29 - John Coogan (F3)

We talk to John Coogan about his journey. From being medically discharged in 1994 to the present. He has led an entrepreneurial life starting in Telecom as an IT strategist, to supply chain logistics from South America to non-profit leadership with the Wounded Warrior Project, to Children of Fallen Patriots, to Folded Flag Foundation. His most recent venture MD Vets is an in-home veterinarian service. John reflects on his time at West Point and in the Army as the bedrock foundation of what has gotten him through tough times in his life. Special Bonus footage with Nancy Lynn Green at the end of the podcast as she gets ready to depart back to China in the midst of the Covid-19 Coronavirus outbreak in the USA. 

Episode 28 - Mike Mayweather (H3)

Mike talks about his journey from humble beginnings in urban St. Louis.  He grew up one of ten children in a single-parent household.  He talks about the work of divine intervention in his life: the opportunity to attend a private school, opportunities related to football, being a Heisman Trophy finalist, and especially reconnecting with his childhood sweetheart who is now his wife of 23 years. We have some very honest conversations about the complexities of fatherhood and the impact of father-daughter relationships. We learn that Mike's greatest challenge at West Point was not on the gridiron or in the classroom - in fact it was the swimming pool. 

Episode 27 - Ingrid Powell Dawkins (B1)

Ingrid talks about her journey from Newark NJ to the prep school to West Point. She has 3 daughters and 1 son and lives in the Cleveland Ohio area. Ingrid has lived up to her nickname "GRITS" by living a life full of Grit and Determination. Her 2nd daughter Kendra has autism which requires everyone in the Dawkins family to pitch in. Ingrid is a part-time model and a full-time awesome human being. She talks about the importance of appreciating every single day. 

Episode 26 - Sam Yingst (F3)

Lieutenant Colonel (ret.) Sam Yingst lives with his wife Katie and 4 daughters in Zambia. His job is Chief of Laboratory Infrastructure and Support, US Centers for Disease Control in Zambia. He talks about the role of the US mission in Zambia and the long-lasting impact of the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) started under President George W. Bush. Sam recalls critical times in his Army career when his role in monitoring and fighting infectious were a global priority. Sam's daughters attend international schools and his wife Katie works for an NGO focused on women and infant health issues in Afghanistan. Sam reflects on the values he learned at West Point and the enduring influence they have had on his life. 

Episode 25 - Scott Halstead (E1/I2)

Scott is currently stationed at Ft Benning where he is attached to the Infantry school. He recently finished up a 4.5 year tour at West Point where he headed up the Simon Center for professional military ethic. He recounts highlights from his 28 year career including tough deployments to Iraq  and Afghanistan where he was side by side with other classmates including Mark Bieger, D.A. Sims, Brynt Parmeter, Ken Mintz and Greg Anderson. In the spirit of this Thanksgiving Week, Scott talks about his extreme gratitude for our classmates.  

Episode 24 COL Ken Mintz (G2)

Ken talks about some of the critical moments and people in his life's journey. In 1974, his single mom headed across the country from Washington DC to California with just a suitcase and her young son Kenny. Her steely resolve and courageous spirit helped to define the man that Ken is today. Ken continues to serve after 28 years as an Infantryman. His most defining leadership moment was serving as a Battalion Commander in combat. Ken talks about the pain of losing soldiers killed in combat. Most notably the soldier pictured here Specialist Jordan Morris being awarded his Combat Infantryman's Badge... he was killed in action the next day. We learn that Morris was actually a West Point Cadet serving time in the Army under the Army Mentorship Program. Had he not been killed in action, he would have returned to West Point as a cadet in good standing. Ken looks forward to a day when he will road-march across the country retracing the journey his mom took with him from Washington DC to San Diego.