Old Grad Podcast

Episode 13 - Chris Smith Company B-3

Chris recalls his time as a B-3 Bandit and talks about his journey from Korea, to Hawaii, to New York City, to London, Columbia and Washington DC. We recall the two units in which we served together, the 2nd Engineer Battalion, 2ID and the "Fighting 411th" also nicknamed the "Archie Bunker Brigade." Chris served at a senior level in the Department of Energy and is now a Senior VP of Policy and Government Relations for Cheniere Energy. Chris talks about his family's pain of losing his cousin Lieutenant Emily Perez USMA '05; as well as losing his B-3 Bandit brother Bill Hecker. Chris also tells the story of his plebe year roommate Derrick Wright who sustained a traumatic brain injury while serving for a military contractor; and the inspiring and courageous journey he and his wife Cindy have endured since the event. 

Episode 12 - Scott Feight (C2) - Executive Director, Foundation for Hospital Art

Scott Feight lives in Georgia with his wife Tina and two identical twin daughters Megan and Morgan who are both seniors at the University of Georgia. Scott served 8 years as an Army aviator before leaving to join General Electric. He worked at GE for 9 years before accepting the role as ED at the Foundation for Hospital Art. The Foundation was started by Scott's Father in 1984. Scott tells the story of the healing power of art for those who are suffering. The mission of the Foundation is to give comfort and hope to patients, families, medical staffs, and visitors by providing artwork to hospitals and nursing homes. 

Episode 11 - Brigadier General Omuso George (F1)

In this episode we learn about the journey of Omuso and Monica George. They met at the beginning of cow year and were married on graduation day 1991. Mus ("Moose") recounts his bar pinning ceremony that was hastily done in the mirror of his cadet room right before he headed up to the West Point Chapel to marry Monica. We talk about the Army, overseas assignments in Germany and Korea, what it was like to make general, and trying not to fall asleep at his promotion ceremony. We recount a particularly trying plebe and yearling year where Mus was confronted with the death of a close family member, racism at West Point, and discovering that his father passed away in Nigeria. 

Episode 10 - Ted Russ (E4)

In this episode we talk to Ted Russ who is author of Spirit Mission.   The book is a true account of how he and company E-4 stole the Navy Goat our Firstie Year; it connects to a fictional story of stealing a CH47 Chinook in Iraq. As a philosophy major, Ted is deeply analytical and introspective about the unique bonds we forged at West Point. On the podscast he remembers the "jarring experience" the first time going to Pete Gaudet's house where he got to see fellow company mates wearing civilian clothes. He reflected on the very different styles and how that might have made them less likely to be friends "on the outside." At West Point, appearances are without the visual cues of civilian clothes, friendships are formed based on proximity, mutual hardship and a common code. 
 
 
 

Episode 9 - Becky Kanis Margiotta (A2)

Becky Kanis Margiotta  served an 11 year career in the Army as a Signal Officer. During that time she was stationed in Ft Bragg and Schofield Barracks. She was the first female company commander of a special operations signal company supporting special forces. 
In this episode we trace Becky's career back to her cadet experience and the conflict she faced as an "in the closet" gay service member. She describes the challenges she faced with "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"; as well as her advocacy as a founding member of Knights Out.  After a rocky transition out of the Army, Becky worked briefly as a stock broker where she was effective, but not fulfilled. A chance phone call to her former Sosh P COL Jay Parker landed her in a new field working to reduce street homelessness in Time Square, New York City with Community Solutions. This would be lead to an 11 year journey with community solutions that culminated with leading a national effort of 186 communities to get 100,000 people housed in four years. She was profiled on 60 minutes for her work. 
Becky is the founder and CEO of The Billions Institute that is focused in training global leaders in the techniques to drive large scale change. 
Its in Becky’s DNA to lead, educate, support, and encourage others to go beyond the expected and the safe. She has a bias toward productive action. She sets ambitious and specific goals, with deadlines that she actually meets. She uses real-time (or as close to real-time as she can get) data to make continuous improvements. And she is always on the lookout for new and better ways to get the job done.
Becky had the tools, the know-how, and the experience to show individuals and organizations what they can and must do if they want to solve problems, rather than remain an endless loop of just managing them. And, being people with a bias toward action and seemingly boundless enthusiasm, she created an organization called the Billions Institute.
The kinds of problems the Institute looks to tackle—and solve—are some of the biggest and most urgent: the environment, violence, disease, and poverty. “We think that for a lot of these problems, small-scale solutions may already exist. But they’re not widespread…it’s a question of scale.”

Episode 8 - COL (Ret.) Rafael Paredes (C4)

Ralph recently retired in August of 2017, and did not waste a second getting back in service of our country. We talk about the Army, being a Tac at West Point, 9-11 stories, Korea and more. 
Rafael A. Paredes was born in El Salvador. At the age of 11, his family fled from the civil war and immigrated to the United States. Looking for opportunities to repay the country that provided his family safety, Rafael became a naturalized U.S. citizen when he turned 18 and attended the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated in 1991 (C4) and was commissioned as an Infantry second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He retired as a colonel after 26 years of service, leading people and organizations at various levels. He served as a company commander in the 82d Airborne Division and battalion commander (OPFOR CDR) in Germany. His last leadership position in the Army was the Deputy Commander for Operations at US Army South in San Antonio, TX. Throughout his career, he led by example, building teams and partnerships, developing processes and systems that improved organizational effectiveness, and developing the next generation of leaders within the organizations he served. Rafael served overseas in Korea, Egypt, Somalia, England, Germany, and Afghanistan. His experience overseas and working with a variety of groups and organizations helped him gain an appreciation others’ cultures and diverse points of views.
Rafael earned a master of science degree in counseling and leadership development from Long Island University, C.W. Post, as part of the Tactical Officer Education Program (TOEP). He then served as a TAC for Company G4.
As he changes careers, Rafael is working to promote national service, getting Americans to serve our country and make positive contributions to their communities. His passion for service that stems from a sense of gratitude and responsibility. To this end, he has been volunteering for organizations like Service Year Alliance, The Mission Continues, Team Rubicon, New Politics Leadership Academy, Military Officers Association of America, community organizer at COPS/METRO, the Parent Teacher Association, and San Antonio Food Bank.
He currently lives in San Antonio, but eventually plans to move to the Northeast with his sons, Zachary (9) and Alexander (7), and his wife Kathy.
 

Episode 7 - Carlisle Barracks and lots of Scotch. Ken Mintz (G2), Doug Winton (A2), Chris Hart (D2), Dave Morrow (G1), Jeff Settle (D1)

Episode 7: Chris Hart, Doug Winton, Jeff Settle, Craig Morrow and Kenny Mintz talk about West Point, the Army, Relief in Place with classmates downrange, dressing up as the OC as cadets and so much more. 

Episode 6 : Our mystery guest is revealed to be "EZ PETE" - Peter Gaudet, Company E-4

We talk to EZ Pete Gaudet, company E-4 "GO NAKED" - He tells the story of first coming to West Point at 10 years old and feeling an immediate connection to the place. As he will learn later in life, his biological roots run deep to West Point. EZ Pete reflects on the close relationship his parents had with all of our E-4 classmates - as was the case being from Westchester County NY, the Gaudet home was a frequent place of respite. They had a toga party where Pete's father dressed up in a toga. Pete remembers company mate Dr. Rusty Davidson who is one of our classmates who suffered from depression and died by suicide. Rusty was a leading spinal surgeon in the Army, he literally saved lives and limbs in his work. The tragic event of Rusty's death was pivotal in Pete's life as he directed much of his energy and financial resources toward combating veteran suicide.
Pete is co-founder of Provetus a peer mentoring program that helps Veterans and Service Members successfully transition from the military to the civilian sector within five critical domains: Employment, Housing, Family/Legal Issues, Social/Community/Physical, Medical. We were joined by USMA '98 grad Dr. Joe Geracci who is also a Provetus co-founder. Together, we face into the challenges of veteran suicide and what it means for our class. We learn there are 3 primary risk factors to compound the danger of suicide: 1) Lack of connection to a purpose/mission 2) Loss of cammraderie 3) Mental Illness.   

Episode 5 - Scott Clemenson (B2)

In this episode we interview our class President Scott Clemenson. We celebrate Army Sprint Football's 21-17 triumph over Navy, and we recount the impressive effort of the "Big Boys" in taking #5 Oklahoma into overtime.  We talk about escaping dysfunctional family dynamics, Army Foreign Language School with Dan Clevenger, being in Alpha Company at the Prep School, being a "Duck Hunter" with Brent Crabtree in Korea. We remember fallen classmate Shannon Beebe who had a knack for getting people to volunteer for challenging tasks like running 500th night and the cadet car show. Scott recallse his last ditch effort to get Fleetwood Mac to come to West Point. We face into a troubling statistic that several of our fallen classmates committed suicide and grapple with how we might be of service to friends in need. 

Episode 4 - Monique Washington (F2)

In this episode, we speak to the motorcycle riding, heat-packing, never to be messed with Monique Washington. Who tells her story going back to the first day of prep school and meeting her lifelong battle buddy Ingrid Powell Dawkins. Monique had a conflict with the F2 Zoo tactical officer who was reassigned after an inexplicable situation; We also learn of her need for speed on her pink and gold Honda CVR-RR Racing Bike - and the rolling roadblock that followed. Ingrid calls in, fellow prepster Scott Clemenson also calls in. Together they all remember Andy Clements. 
Her brief bio: 
Although nursing is not my first career, it is my first love. I served my country as soldier and now my community as a nurse. I was a cardiac progressive care charge nurse at Texas Health Resources in Fort Worth for about 3 years. Now I am VA Acute Med Surg Nurse at Dallas North Texas VA. I have a 2013 BSN from The University of Texas at Arlington and am currently enrolled in their Family Nurse Practitioner Program. I have a board certification in medical surgical nursing. I hail from a family of nurses: Granma was med/surg; mom was pediatrics; dad was OB; brother is psych; cousin is OR; niece will graduate in May from ODU with her BSN. A ‘military brat’ to proud Army nurses, I began my journey as a cadet at the US Military Academy at West Point, NY. After graduating in 1991 with a degree in Mathematical Economics, I served in the Army as a logistics officer. After receiving a Master’s in Human Resources, I transitioned to corporate America and eventually became a senior project manager at TXU. I continued on in the Army Reserves. My military unit was mobilized for about 5 years to support Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. I volunteered to cross train as a Medical Operations Officer to care for injured or ill servicemen and women. This inspired me to join the family business of caring after completing my military obligation.