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)
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)
7 Horrendous Covers of Nancy Sinatra’s ‘Boots’
The song "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" is the most well-known tune about boots. And you know how we feel about boots (especially those of the military variety!). It became a quasi-feminist anthem in the 1960s when Frank Sinatra's daughter coyly sang "One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you!" and that legendary bass line kicked in.
Since that time a countless number of musicians and "musicians" have decided to stomp on Nancy Sinatra's signature hit. From sweet-as-sugar Jessica Simpson to scare-your-parents Megadeth, here's a list of seven artists who decided to walk all over it.
1. Jessica Simpson - One of the most recent and most worst (yes, that's right, MOST WORST!) is when Daisy-Dukes wearin' Jessica Simpson took a stab the song -- and killed it. And not in a good way.
2. Amanda Lear - She might be a French singer, lyricist, composer, painter, TV presenter, actress and novelist (according to Wikipedia), but Amanda Lear probably should have just stuck with one of those careers -- preferably not the one where she sings. We can't decide what's worse: The skin-tight, high-waisted spandex brown pants, her husky, man-like voice, the amateur karaoke performance or the bizarre-o background effects.
3. Geri Halliwell - Most adults didn't really care for the Spice Girls as a plural, so when it turns singular, you know there's gonna be trouble. And while Geri Halliwell (a.k.a. Ginger Spice) performs "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" to a screaming crowd (screaming for her, not because of her), the goofy-looking backup dancers pretty much ruin the show.
4. Lil' Kim - We understand that Lil' Kim is better known for her rap and dance skills. However, the fact that this cover was the intro to Growing Up Gotti is utterly repulsive. We apologize to any fan(s) of that short-lived reality show, but we never made it past the opening credits.
5. Billy Ray Cyrus - Before Billy Ray was riding on the coattails of his daughter's success, he broke our achy break hearts over and over (and over and over…). A hidden "gem" from that album is this cover of 'Boots', which makes ears bleed only a little. Again, a sincere apology to Cyrus fans out there, but this one has to go.
6. Megadeth - Comprised mostly of instrumental, ear-piercing guitar riffs, this cover will have you headbanging in your boots (as opposed to walking). And if you're down with that sort of thing, you'll love it.
7. Eurythmics - OK, "horrendous" might be too harsh a word to describe this Eurythmics cover. Or is it? We can't decide, but they definitely get an "E" for effort ... and for electronica.
Soldier Jogs into Guinness Book of World Records
Army 2nd Lt. Sophie Hilaire
Clad in military boots, an Army combat uniform and a combat helmet, Army 2nd Lt. Sophie Hilaire stomped her way into the Guinness Book of World Records last November. Surrounded by runners in white sneakers and airy, brightly colored Nike duds at the Philadelphia Marathon, Hilaire plowed through the crowd wearing 30 pounds of gear, according to North Texas e-News.
"I just happened to look at the Guinness Book of World Records for marathons," she told the newspaper, "and saw an entry for the fastest time with 'full battle rattle' -- Army combat uniform, boots, Army combat helmet and the protective vest with full body armor. A British soldier owned the record with a time of 5 hours, 11 minutes."
Although her original goal was to blow away that record, Guinness officials opened up a women's category instead. Her record? 26.2 miles in 4 hours and 54 minutes, which Hilaire set that sunny fall day.
Read more about her journey here.
Meanwhile, there are some other pretty amazing (non-military related) feats highlighted on the Guinness World Records' website:
- Greatest Distance Walked With a Milk Bottle Balanced on the Head
- Fastest Time to Eat a 12" Pizza
- Most Snow Angels - Multiple Venue
- Largest Human Logo
- Longest Lawn Mower Ride
- Side Wheel Driving Through Smallest Gap
And now, the world's fastest banjo player:
(Image via North Texas E-news)
By the Numbers: Converse Boots
Converse Men's Sage Green Stealth Boots
Long before Converse began cranking out combat boots, the brand became world-famous for its "Chucks." Nowadays the American shoe company provides much more than a basic black basketball shoe.
Here's a CliffNotes history lesson of more than a century of Converse.
- 1929 – The year Converse Rubber filed for bankruptcy, along with legions of others companies.
- $5 million – Despite earning more than $450 million in revenues in 1997, Converse posted a $5 million loss because shoppers moved away from athletic shoes, opting for work boots or casual footwear instead.
- 1 – Times basketball star Chuck Taylor complained that his feet hurt before Converse outfitted him in their brand and, in turn, created a lifetime spokesperson.
- 1970s – The year Converse began producing industrial boots.
- $305 million – The amount Nike paid for Converse in 2003.
- 11 – Nicknames Chuck Taylor All-Star shoes acquired through the years, which includes "Chucker Boots," "Chucks" and "Cons."
- 7 – Number of figures in the amount Converse paid for a five-year sponsorship of FIBA, or Federation Internationale de Basketball, in 1990.
- 1985 – The year its "Chucks" are named the official footwear of the National Basketball Association.
- 60 – Percentage its international business increased from 1987 to 1988 because of expansions in Europe, Asia and North America.
- 2 – YouTube slideshows featuring Converse military boots paired with horrific background music. Check out the better of the two below!
Not enough Converse history for you? Visit Funding Universe for the entire backstory.
Study: Immigrants Play Key Role in Military During Wartime
A new report from the Immigration Policy Center shows that the U.S. military does rely somewhat on foreign-born recruits to meet goals and serve as translators.
Essential to the Fight: Immigrants in the Military, Eight Years After 9/11 investigates the current state of America's armed forces after almost a decade of war. According to the study, changes were made to military policies after Sept. 11, 2001 to give enlisted immigrants U.S. citizenship eligibility, and that naturalization is always at its highest during wartime.
The study points out that just one year after Sept. 11 in 2002, there were 2,434 members in the military that were naturalized in the United States. That number has increased every year since, except in 2007. In 2009, that number was four times higher than it was in 2002 with 10,505 members of the military naturalized in the U.S. and abroad.
Some other highlights from the study:
- About 8 percent of the 1.4 million military personnel on active duty are foreign born.
- About 90 percent of foreign‐born service members were naturalized U.S. citizens, while approximately 13 percent were not U.S. citizens.
- As of October 2009, more than 53,000 immigrants had taken advantage of this provision to become U.S. citizens.
To read Essential to the Fight: Immigrants in the Military, Eight Years After 9/11 in its entirety, click here.
Weekly Drill-Down: The Warrior Song, Fort Hood Coverage and More
- Hey veterans: Don't miss out on these awesome Veterans Day deals! (Bouhammer, Paycheck Chronicles)
- Ah, memory lane: One of the most prolific military bloggers recalls his 10 favorite experiences doing what he does best -- blog. (Milblogging)
- So long, A Soldiers Perspective. You will be totally and completely missed!! (A Soldier's Perspective)
- Today the Marine Corps turns 234 years old. Happy Birthday, Marines! (SpouseBUZZ)
- Photo essay: See Afghanistan through the eyes of a U.S. Army National Guard member. (DoD News via Milblogging)
- Attack of the droid armies? Perhaps. (Custom Gear Report)
**Special Fort Hood Coverage**
- What Fort Hood did for Muslims in the military. (Stars & Stripes)
- A look at a gun -- aptly dubbed a "cop-killer" gun -- that has killed so many. (Danger Room)
- Want a minute-by-minute account of the horrible events as they transpired? (Vet Voice)
Roots: Back in the Boot Game
Roots Desert Suede Boots
Roots is going back to its, uh, roots. The Canadian shoemaker has reissued a line of classic desert boots that were made when the company started in 1973.
While its not the first shoe Roots made (the first was one with a negative heel), the desert boots ($173) are constructed with 100% latex rubber, which makes it slip resistant, as well as with flexible, vegetable-tanned leather. Desert boots are handmade in Canada, of course, like everything else Roots produces.
In addition to the desert boots, Roots is also launching a “Tuffer” brand boot ($218), which will feature the identical rubber soles from Soucy Baron Inc. that can be found on Canadian military boots, as well as a sheepskin boot ($288) specifically for women.
"We feel it's the finest sole we've ever had," Michael Budman, the company’s co-founder, told the Canadian Press. "We think we have something nobody else has on the commercial market.”
Let’s hope that along with footwear, Roots brings back this A-mazing ad campaign from 1983 shown below. Saxophone solo, anyone?
Belleville Boots: By the Numbers
Belleville 800 ST
There’s nothing quite like slipping on your first pair of Bellevilles. But before you get too comfortable, get to know your protective footwear in a quantitative way.
- 1 million – The number of pairs Belleville Shoe Manufacturing Co. currently produces every year.
- 1917 – The year Belleville landed its first military order.
- 50 – Employees who worked at the first Belleville Shoe factory, which was founded in 1904.
- $2.5 million – Cost of Belleville’s new plant in 1986 (and its current home).
- 1997 – The year “Belleville” was printed on the outside of military boots.
- 6 or 7 – Pairs baseball legend Stan Musial, Belleville’s best customer, normally used a season.
- $6.3 million – Amount the Defense Logistics Agency is contracted to pay Belleville for Army, Navy and Air Force boot orders through 2010.
- 23.1 – Miles Belleville’s headquarters in Belleville, Ill., is from St. Louis, Mo.
- 1 – Times a guy on YouTube squishes a lemon with his Bellevilles (see below).
11 Military-Inspired iPhone Apps
Last April Newsweek wrote that the iPod Touch and iPhone were quickly becoming the preferred handheld device to assist deployed soldiers. Although the Pentagon would not disclose how many iPods were on the ground, it’s evident by the growing number of military apps that many in uniform are making good use of Apple's popular toys.
C-17 Duty Day Calculator - $.99
Know when you should put down the bottle? Or when your scheduled takeoff should be? The C-17 Duty Day Calculator does. Made for active duty, reserves and guard crew members, the application will show you each and every duty day limitations.
iSurvive - $1.99
Soldiers often find themselves in life or death situations. While some circumstances escalate quickly, and there’s no time at all to pull out an iPhone, iSurvive provides an exhaustive guide for those moments when you can. Its nine chapters cover evasions, navigation, radio communications, recovery, medical, personal protection, water, food and induced conditions.
U.S. Military Handbook - $9.99
Your pocket guide to all things military starts here. This app features reference material that covers everything from base pay to fitness and testing matrixes. The latest version includes base information for CONUS/OCONUS on a scrollable map.
BulletFlight - $29.99
Turn your iPhone into a ballistics calculator, created (and used in Iraq and Afghanistan) to assist snipers in hitting a target from up to 1,000 yards away. Its bullet database boasts most major brands, and the program utilizes the device’s built-in accelerometer, which is able to detect your angle for improved accuracy.
PerDiemCalc - $.99
Perfect for temporary-duty assignments, this per diem calculator will keep your spending right on track. It can be used for one-day trips or longer journeys and includes seasonal per diem rates.
US Military Acronyms and Abbreviations - Free
Released just last week, this pint-sized guide to abbreviated words is great for decoding all sorts of jargon. With it, you’ll know more military terminology common within the DOD (Department of Defense) than you’ve ever imagined possible.
Fart Army - $.99
Considering how many fart apps there are out there, this one was bound to happen. Touting itself as “just not another boring Fart Machine iPhone App,” Fart Army can sputter unfortunate, yet funny noises that sound like air rockets, bazookas, machine guns, mess calls, sonar, sleeping soldiers and more. To hear samples of these and others, view the Fart Army promotional video below.