10 Must-Listen Military Podcasts
The term "podcasting" was first used in 2004, and soon every Tom, Dick and Harry with an MP3 player began to record and listen to audio and video snippets across the Internets. Six years later, podcasters are still doing their thing, and us, the listeners, are still enjoying the end product.
Unfortunately during that time many podcasts ceased to exist and therefore won't be bringing you something new to listen to daily, weekly or even monthly. We weeded those ones out, and present to you the best military podcasts still in existence.
Military Channel Video Podcast – While there hasn't been an update in 2010, this behind-the-lines view of war stories throughout time is an excellent video podcast.
Military History Podcast – As history repeats itself, war is often a common theme. This podcast explores those wars from the beginning of time through our current conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Military Spouse Talk Radio – If you're a mil-spouse and feeling all alone, this radio show podcast is here to help. They cover everything from how to make supportive spouse friends to the latest military news.
Military Times – A weekly rundown of the top Military Times stories will help you stay on top of breaking news and current events.
The History Network – This bi-weekly show also covers military history. Its last episode recounted The Battle of Actium in ancient Rome.
Pritzker Military Library Podcast – From a library in Chicago that hosts an extensive collection of military history and fiction, this podcast is meant to build awareness of the importance of military in society.
Secrets and Military Programs – Time to break out those tin foil hats! This podcast might not be essential but it might be entertaining since it speculates on secret projects and policies that may or may not be taking place in our government.
War News Radio – If you're tired of the current news coverage of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, War News Radio offers an alternative with in-depth reporting, historical perspective and personal war accounts.
You Served - A weekly fill of military news and views from host CJ Grisham, founder of A Soldier's Perspective. Politics, history and current events are all game for discussion.
Veterans Chronicles – An hour-long podcast that recounts the lives of great American heroes in their own words, including eyewitness accounts from D-Day, Iwo Jima, Bagdad and more.
(Image via Flickr)
Photo Contest: Why Afghanistan Matters
Spring is here, and apparently photo contests are in the air. 'Tis true!
With two days left of the Converse Military Boots for Life Contest, many are scurrying to show off their oldest pair of boots. Despite similarities, the photo above isn't a contest entry for boots for life, but for another picture-based giveaway.
Taken by Senior Airman Kenny Holston of the U.S. Air Force, it shows an Afghan National Army soldier in an attention formation in southern Afghanistan. According to the photo caption, this soldier has worn the same pair of boots for five years while serving for the Afghan National Army.
The photo contest "Why Afghanistan Matters" seeks original photos of the country at war. Sponsored by the Joint Forces Command Burnssum in the Netherlands, it is determining the winners by four categories including beautiful Afghanistan, ANSF in action, people of Afghanistan and JSAF in Action.
Previously, the group held a YouTube contest where entrants made a short video explaining why Afghanistan matters. These contests are used to "promote transparency by empowering those who have seen the situation in Afghanistan first-hand to explain why the work we are collectively doing there is so important."
What do the winners of the photo contest receive? The grand prize is a Nikon D90 SLR with Nikon 18-200mm lens (a $1,500 value!). Four runners-up will each take home a digital compact camera worth $350.
The only downside is that this contest ends today! So, if you happen to have amazing, high-resolution photos in Afghanistan, e-mail it to afghanistanmatters [at] gmail [dot] com immediately. Be sure to include contact information and a short caption describing the photo.
Haven't been to Afghanistan lately? No worries. You can journey through its rugged terrain by viewing and voting on more than 300 contest photos. You get to help pick the winner, so be sure to vote for only the best. Voting ends April 30.
(Image via Why Afghanistan Matters)
125 Years of Bates
Bates Men's Tactical Sport Boots
Bates Footwear is celebrating 125 years of boot making this year. Through its long journey, the boot manufacturer has seen the kind of highs and lows that has created one of the most recognizable brands in military gear. Bates lives up to its legacy and continues to produce high quality boots for the military and law enforcement industries.
- 1885 – AJ Bates & Co. is founded by Andrew Jackson Bates.
- 30,000 – Pairs of boots Bates manufactured for the Army in 1918.
- 1.4 million – The number of shoes Bates made for the government during WWII.
- $4.60 – The average selling price for a Bates boot in 1945.
- 1964 – The year when Bates' Floaters were worn as parade shoes in the Olympics.
- 40 – Number of years ago Bates launched a TV commercial and national advertising campaign.
- $1 million – Amount spent on an expansion in 1979.
- 1989 – Bates headquarters are relocated to Rockford, Mich., this year.
- 60 – Number of countries Bates boots are sold worldwide.
- 1 – Glossy magazine cover featuring a major celebrity sporting Bates boots.
Wanted: Magnum Boot Field Testers
In the digital age, expressing your opinions (the good and the bad) is almost a requirement. And when you mix in social media sites like Twitter and Facebook, the opinion-less can easily be overshadowed by a billion other oh-so-sassy Tweets.
Magnum Boots is seriously embracing this trend. So much so, it's launched an area on its site totally dedicated to this type of interaction. It allows customers to not hold back and tell Magnum what they *really* think about their new boots. Seriously.
One of the first reviews we read on the site from Matt Prochaska said "I loved these boots but did have some issues with them. The zipper kept getting caught and I would have to take the boots off to fix it. I wish that the boots were waterproof." Now, that's honesty!
The reviews are meant to help customers with purchasing decisions, but it will also assist Magnum designers with future innovations. Because how are you supposed to know what someone wants when you don't provide an open forum for them to do so?
With more than 24 products already reviewed, Magnum has just tapped into what could be an excellent resource for both them and boot fans circling the globe. You do have to sign up to be a field tester. But once you're in, you can leave reviews, testimonials and videos on any product. Field testers also have unique pages that display each tester's reviews, testimonials, comments, videos and photos.
Moreover, Magnum rewards the best field testers with free gear as well as the title of "Official Field Tester." Here is a sample of an excellent product review video -- the precise thing a superstar field tester would submit.
Bronzing Your Military Boots
Whether you've scaled the mountains of Afghanistan or weaved your way through the chaotic streets of Iraq, chances are the boots you wore during those times hold some sentimental value. And if they do, you might want to preserve and maybe even display them.
By bronzing combat boots, your former footwear transforms into a keepsake that can be passed down for generations. The process keeps the boot from disintegrating and gives it a polished antique look. It also creates something that can be put on display for many years to come.
So, where does one go to get boots bronzed? There might be some local shops that specialize in creating these items.
The ABC Bronzing Co. makes it easy to get boots bronzed online. You just mail your boots to the company, and six to eight weeks later you will receive a perfectly bronzed pair. For adult boots, it costs $199.95 per pair (or $102.95 unmounted) and a little extra if the boot needs shoe laces.
And for those DIY-ers out there, you can also try to bronze the boots yourself, though it might be a little on the messy side.
You can care for your bronzed boots by wiping them with a soft, dry cloth. ABC Bronzing Co. recommends not using polish on cleaners as they will destroy the layer that preserves the finish. Although this video (below) isn't about bronzing combat boots, it takes you through the same step-by-step the boots undergo. And it also has marvelous background music.
(Image via Flickr)
10 Days Left of The Converse Military Boots For Life Contest
As many of our loyal Military Boots Blog readers know, we are giving away a lifetime supply of Converse Military Boots.
Not just to any average Joe though. Oh no. We're holding out for the owner of the oldest, grimiest pair around. In order to prove it, we want you to take a few pictures of those grungy things, and send it our way.
The deadline to submit pictures of your most worn-out boots is quickly approaching. Since the contest ends March 31, that means there's only 10 days left to submit boot snapshots.
By the way, when we say lifetime supply, it means the winner will get one pair of Converse military boots per year -- for the next 20 years!
Our inbox has already been stuffed with some stellar entries. If you think your boots are withered enough to compete, send great photos of it to contest [at] militaryboots [dot] com. For more contest information, please visit the Boots for Life contest page.
We'll be announcing the big winner on April 5 as well as posting his or her story right here. So stay tuned!
Boots to Suits
Last year Drew Peneton launched a blog that focuses on giving tips to military veterans interested in returning to civilian work.
Peneton is an Army National Guard veteran who now works at a Fortune 50 corporation. After witnessing the difficulty others have had entering the job market, he wanted to give back what he learned from his own transition. That's why he dispenses his free advice through a blog and also offers guidance via email.
Updated about once every two months, Boots to Suits offers tips for those looking to either go back to school or jump right into the job market. Peneton is a big social media enthusiast, and he pushes visitors to get their resume out on Linkedin, Facebook and even Twitter.
Some of Peneton's most popular posts include a job search action plan, social networking for veterans and five things every veteran should know for success. Through the posts he explains how to network online, how to target opportunities, how to maximize opportunities, how to continue your education and more.
Gerard Butler’s Boots
It's not often that a pair of military boots shows up on the cover of a magazine. Aside from the usual suspects, glossy mags usually prefer Prada or Gucci to Danner or Oakley.
Yet that didn't stop Scottish actor Gerard Butler (300, P.S. I Love You) from striking a pose on the April issue of W Magazine in a pair. Wearing Bates U.S. Navy DuraShocks Steel-Toe Boots, Butler promote his most recent flick The Bounty Hunter with costar Jennifer Aniston.
Hat tip to @batesfootwear for the picture. Watch The Bounty Hunter trailer below, which will be in theatres this Friday.
Apps for the Army Contest
Nowadays you'll be hard-pressed to find something there isn't an app for.
Wanna quit smoking? How about warming up those hands? And then there have been apps that do absolutely nothing.
Well, the Army has high hopes there's still some untapped innovation out there. They've launched an app challenge called "Apps for the Army." Open to all soldiers and Army civilians, the contest is seeking the best mobile applications developed by and for military personnel.
"Digital natives have arrived in the Army, and what we need to do is give them an opportunity to show their skill set; show their capabilities," Lt. Gen. Jeff Sorenson, the Army chief information officer, was quoted by Stars and Stripes as saying.
By participating, you not only get to assist your peers, you get a chance at winning cash awards -- the total prize pool is $30,000. However, the Army is limiting enrollment to the first 100 applicants. So, if you want to compete (and have the software development skills to back it up), click here.
(Via Not Your Average Brooklynette)