Permission To Speak Freely

ITCS Troy Johnson pulled up to check the temperature after Aaron’s comments about ATG. Aaron was around so the guys were able to get into a bunch of things. Why would we not open an episode out primary about fitness with recollections of “big back” activities? Is there any feeling better than getting plans cancelled on you? Time to get back on that couch and chill. Speaking of “chilling,” we have to tip our hats to ‘Stranger Things.’ A 10-year run as a culturally iconic show on a streaming platform is not the easiest thing to do. The still could done our boy Caleb a little better. How much value should college have when it comes to Sailor of the Year boards? Are there any unwritten customs in the Navy that grinds your gears? Should Chiefs recite the ‘Chief’s Creed’ the same way we recite the ‘Sailor’s Creed?’ Should Sailors say the creed every day at quarters? The CNO recently held an All Hands Call and spoke about adding logic to leadership; the guys react. Are Meta Glasses authorized for wear in military uniforms? Should hardship rooms be available for Sailors who are dealing with lengthy domestic disputes? Is it time for AI to take over advancement or promotion boards? The guys finally get to these new PFA changes. Fortunately, Troy is here to make sure we don’t stray too far from policy. Can’t be football season without a little football talk. These and more topics are covered in this episode.

 

 

Do you have a “Do Better” that you want us to review on a future episode? Reach out at [email protected]

 

 

 

Stay connected with the PTSF Podcast: https://linktr.ee/Ptsfpodcast

 

Follow Troy on all media outlets, buy his book, and more:

 

https://flow.page/fitnessleadertjay?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleAPYgXtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAac1QJ3CQMKeM-PIJROyn4w1x80mKtHqirZvMJccork19_vsREzL4yg-aT7R3w_aem_VAuRO7um5NpiowvC_Cepig

 

 

 

PTSF Theme Music: Produced by Lim0

Joined by Marc Tinaz, retired Limited Duty Officer Commander, the guys sit down for a wide-ranging conversation shaped by 33 years of Navy service and leadership across multiple eras. Marc reflects on how often the Navy has changed during his career, from uniforms and culture to expectations placed on leaders. The discussion explores the stressors of the retirement process, how senior leaders cope with bad news, and what it means to understand your role as a Command Master Chief fully. Throughout the episode, New Year’s resolutions surface naturally as the conversation touches on the value of awards, fairness versus leadership authority, and how decisions made in uniform stay with you long after the moment passes. Damo shares his NCM story, while Marc talks about his upbringing, early Navy journey, and the experiences that shaped how he leads. The guys also discuss difficult leadership realities, including CACO duty, drinking culture, behavioral health challenges, addressing negative trends, and the long-term effects of deployments, including Marc’s time in Iraq. They talk through why some experiences are rarely shared, how certain decisions become burned into memory, and what leadership looks like when you’re carrying those moments forward. Marc reflects on working with NASA, the highlight of his time as a Chief, the hardest transition he faced, and the best advice he’s received along the way. The episode closes with the Do Better segment, bringing the conversation back to leadership, responsibility, and growth on and off the uniform. These and More Topics are covered in this episode

 

 

 

Do you have a “Do Better” that you want us to review on a future episode? Reach out at [email protected]

 

 

 

Stay connected with the PTSF Podcast: https://linktr.ee/Ptsfpodcast

 

 

 

Marc’s Pick of the Week: No Higher Honor (Bradley Peniston)- https://www.navybook.com/no-higher-honor/

 

 

 

PTSF Theme Music: Produced by Lim0

Happy New Year to all of our viewers, listeners, and supporters.

 

The guys start the year off joined by April Beldo-Lilley, retired Fleet Master Chief of the U.S. Navy. April discusses her transition from uniformed service, her early upbringing, and the influence of her father. She discusses her decision to join the Navy, her early years in uniform, and key moments that shaped her career, including becoming Chief and realizing that the Navy would become a long-term profession. She reflects on serving as a Command Master Chief, including challenging moments, and offers the guys perspective on managing time and controlling their narratives. April also discusses reporting to an aircraft carrier during RCOH and her experiences leading in that environment. The conversation covers her time as Fleet Master Chief, including initiatives such as the eTablet and Sailor 2025, as well as discussions around multicultural committees, DACOWITS, and Chief Petty Officer board feedback. April shares her perspective on observing leaders she previously worked with later face public scrutiny, speaking from the standpoint of experience and proximity rather than speculation. The episode closes with a discussion of legacy, continued work beyond the Navy, and life after retirement, including marriage.

 

 

April’s Pick of the Week: The Let Them Theory (Mel Robbins) - https://www.melrobbins.com/book/the-let-them-theory/

 

 

 

Do you have a “Do Better” that you want us to review on a future episode? Reach out at [email protected]

 

 

 

Stay connected with the PTSF Podcast: https://linktr.ee/Ptsfpodcast

 

 

 

PTSF Theme Music: Produced by Lim0

We had to pull up on y’all this Christmas, but please don’t call this a Christmas special. Damo finds himself in yet another sticky situation, this time it’s with Aaron. Before the results came out, the quotas were released, leaving many Sailors pissed about the low numbers. The guys discuss the disgust and what Billet-Based Advancement has to do with all of this. The Navy recently announced “The Trump Class,” complete with rail guns and laser beams. President Trump was feeling generous this holiday season and gave us two days off and “warrior dividends.” Oh yeah, what the hell are the Patriot Games? Why are people up in arms about the new PFA policy? Be careful what boots you’re stepping in, come Jan 1st, you may be out of regs. Jake Paul took a beating, and Sailors may be fixing their own trouble calls in the barracks soon. The guys try to take a deep dive into the new Sailor of the Year grading sheet. What are your “isms?” Debra Newton was arrested last week, or was her name Sharon? One Navy Sailor was arrested for killing his two roommates, who were also Sailors, in Jacksonville, FL. In our ‘Do Better’ segment, Damo wants some leaders to find some motivation, while Damon wants people to “train and explain.” The guys wrap with entertainment picks of the year. These and more topics are covered in this episode.

 

Pick of the Week: The War of Art (Steven Pressfield) https://stevenpressfield.com/books/the-war-of-art/

 

 

 

Do you have a “Do Better” that you want us to review on a future episode? Reach out at [email protected]

 

 

 

Stay connected with the PTSF Podcast: https://linktr.ee/Ptsfpodcast

 

 

 

PTSF Theme Music: Produced by Lim0

Damon and Aaron are joined by OSC Kenneth Batchler for a conversation centered on his firsthand experience aboard the USS John S. McCain during the 2017 collision. Ken walks through the environment leading up to the incident, including operational tempo, fatigue, and the conditions present in the hours before the collision. The discussion covers what the moment of impact felt like from the deckplate, the immediate emotional response onboard, and how training and watchstanding took over once it became clear this was not a drill. Ken explains the purpose of General Quarters training, what was first heard over the 1MC, and how gaps in training, manning, and experience influenced the situation. The conversation moves into the after-action report, the challenges of forward-deployed operations, service in Japan, and the loss of shipmates. Damon and Aaron explore how the collision changed perspectives on training, accountability, and leadership, as well as how the USS John S. McCain became a reference point for future discussions on readiness. Later segments examine pre-collision versus post-collision operations, watch rotations, fatigue, training on new systems, and questions surrounding accountability. The episode also addresses mental health support after the collision, how the incident was portrayed publicly, whether leaders felt more empowered to speak up, and how the Navy changed following the 2017 collisions. The episode concludes with rapid-fire OS questions, discussion on the unique challenges faced by Operations Specialists, reflections on whether the collision would have occurred with today’s systems, and Ken’s #DoBetter message. These and more topics are covered in this episode.

 

 

Do you have a “Do Better” that you want us to review on a future episode? Reach out at [email protected]

 

 

 

Stay connected with the PTSF Podcast: https://linktr.ee/Ptsfpodcast

 

 

PTSF Theme Music: Produced by Lim0