About
Hosts Rob Couture and Brittany Dymond Murray go hybrid to tackle two urgent themes: real-time support for service members during the government shutdown, and the healing power of rucks and long-distance "yomps."
Retired 16th Sergeant Major of the Army Michael A. Grinston, now CEO of Army Emergency Relief (AER), breaks down grants vs. no-interest loans and how AER surged to meet thousands of requests. Joy Craig from VFW's National Legislative Service explains the "kitchen table" impact of missed pay and why the VFW is pushing Congress to guarantee military pay.
Then Dr. Kelly Brown of the Allied Forces Foundation and Kimberly Pond of Irreverent Warriors preview the Warrior Yomp—a 50-mile, 24-hour challenge in the D.C. area—spotlighting camaraderie, international allies, and recovery through purposeful miles.
Featured Guests:
- Michael A. Grinston – CEO, Army Emergency Relief; 16th Sergeant Major of the Army (Ret.)
- Joy Craig – Associate Director, Service Member Affairs, VFW National Legislative Service
- Dr. Kelly Brown – Chair, Board of Directors, Allied Forces Foundation
- Kimberly Pond – Operational Support Coordinator, Irreverent Warriors (D.C. Chapter)
Episode Highlights
0:00 Intro & hybrid update
1:55 Support, camaraderie & mission focus
9:00 Shutdown impacts with SMA (Ret.) Michael Grinston & Joy Craig
10:54 AER loans vs grants explained
13:10 15K requests, $26M in aid
14:26 AER plans for ongoing support
19:42 Joint-base and online assistance
23:42 Why this shutdown differs & pay protections
27:04 VFW advocacy to "Pay Our Troops"
34:05 Transition & family support gaps
38:36 Grinston: "Ask for help — no stigma"
41:54 Segment wrap-up
48:03 Segment 2 — Healing through movement
49:09 Dr. Brown on the Cateran Yomp
53:15 Irreverent Warriors peer support
1:01:12 Warrior Yomp preview & registration
1:05:09 Event details & embassy checkpoints
1:06:49 Accessibility & support stops
1:09:31 How to get involved or volunteer
1:13:59 Closing thoughts & next events
Resources & Links:
• Army Emergency Relief (AER) — Apply or donate: https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org
• Contact SMA (Ret.) Michael A. Grinston, CEO, AER: michael.grinston@aerhq.org
• VFW Advocacy – "Pay Our Troops" & shutdown updates: https://www.vfw.org/advocacy
• Allied Forces Foundation – Warrior Yomp (Nov. 8–9, 2025; Belle Haven Park): https://www.alliedforcesfoundation.org
• Irreverent Warriors – Silkies Hikes & Volunteer Info: https://www.irreverentwarriors.com
• Military Women's Memorial (Packet Pickup Venue): https://www.womensmemorial.org
💡 Fight together. Heal together. Still Serving.
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For more information or to continue the conversation, please visit:
Veterans of Foreign Wars Website
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