Great Big Podcast

Bitter Cold: Health & Welfare Check

In the wake of the 'Storm of Storms' here in Texas, Dave made it into the studio and checked in with the rest of the podcast crew. It appears only Dave's home has been without power throughout the week, but the rest of the crew continued to contend with hazardous roadways, the search for a gas station that still has gas, and lines at the grocery store. Next week, we expect everyone back in the studio, but for now, we HAD to do a health and welfare check-up on our troops. Thanks for listening.  The crew:- Dave Larsen, Fort Hood Public Affairs- SFC Kelvin Ringold, 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command- SGT Melissa Lessard, 504th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade - SPC Brianna Doo, 1st Cavalry Division BandMusic provided with expressed written permission by the following artists:Will Courtney (http://www.willcourtneymusic.com)Justin StokesThis podcast is a production of U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hood and Fort Hood Public Affairs.  Contact us at FortHoodPAO@gmail.comLike us and follow us on Facebook at The Great Big Podcast and III Corps and Fort Hood

Our Valentine’s Day ode to LOVE

The biggest football game of the year is in the history books, but what about the Sunday after that? Kelvin calls it, "The first Sunday without football." But most of us know that it's Valentine's Day. This week, the podcast crew welcomes in Chaplain (MAJ) Ben Hines, who discusses things you can do to enhance your love connection.  The crew:- Dave Larsen, Fort Hood Public Affairs- SFC Kelvin Ringold, 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command- SPC Brianna Doo, 1st Cavalry Division BandGuests:- Chaplain (MAJ) Ben Hines, 166th Aviation Brigade, First Army Division WestMusic provided with expressed written permission by the following artists:Will Courtney (http://www.willcourtneymusic.com)This podcast is a production of U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hood and Fort Hood Public Affairs.  Contact us at FortHoodPAO@gmail.comLike us and follow us on Facebook at The Great Big Podcast and III Corps and Fort Hood

Show me the money, Fort Hood Tax Center!

Yes, folks, it's tax season again. This week, the podcast crew reminds the Fort Hood community that they can get their taxes prepared for FREE at the Fort Hood Tax Center. 1LT Meghan Moore is the officer-in-charge of the tax center. She fills us in on the "how-tos" and "what ifs" of the free tax service offered annually on post. The center is operating a little differently this tax season due to the pandemic. Sentinel Sports/Leisure Editor Blair Dupre is operating her "That's Entertainment" reviews a little differently due to COVID, as well. She still not hitting the theater yet, but comes in to talk about a new MCU series that has her "completely obsessed."  The crew:- Dave Larsen, Fort Hood Public Affairs- SFC Kelvin Ringold, 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command- SGT Melissa Lessard, 504th  Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade- SPC Brianna Doo, 1st Cavalry Division BandGuests:- 1LT Meghan Moore, Fort Hood Tax Center- Blair Dupre, Fort Hood Sentinel Sports/Leisure EditorMusic provided with expressed written permission by the following artists:Will Courtney (http://www.willcourtneymusic.com)The CoronadosThis podcast is a production of U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hood and Fort Hood Public Affairs.  Contact us at FortHoodPAO@gmail.comLike us and follow us on Facebook at The Great Big Podcast and III Corps and Fort Hood

Barracks maintenance? They have an app for that!

This week, the podcast crew discusses how a new app will help expedite work orders for barracks repairs at Fort Hood, and remind everyone that January is, indeed, National Blood Donor Month and the need of blood centers everywhere for blood and plasma. Melissa made it back to Texas from Maine and rejoins the team, while Dave bemoans a loss by his beloved Green Bay Packers in the NFC title game (again). The crew:- Dave Larsen, Fort Hood Public Affairs- SGT Melissa Lessard, 504th  Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade- SPC Brianna Doo, 1st Cavalry Division BandGuests:- Brian Dosa, Director, Fort Hood Directorate of Public Works (DPW) - MAJ Mollie House, Medical Director, Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center Blood Services - MAJ Michele Allen, Deputy Lab Manager, CRDAMCMusic provided with expressed written permission by the following artists:Will Courtney (http://www.willcourtneymusic.com)The HubcatsThis podcast is a production of U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hood and Fort Hood Public Affairs.  Contact us at FortHoodPAO@gmail.comLike us and follow us on Facebook at The Great Big Podcast and III Corps and Fort Hood

Winning the War on COVID-19

While the country continues to battle a worldwide pandemic, there is a light at the end of the tunnel ... in the form of COVID-19 vaccinations. This week, the podcast crew welcomes in the commander of Fort Hood's Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center and the officer-in-charge of the center's vaccination operation. They give us a look at the phased approach being taken to vaccinate the Fort Hood community and an optimistic outlook as they battle on the front lines to kill the virus. If that doesn't get you to listen, Brianna discusses the goings-on at the 1st Cavalry Division Band, Dave shares his weight-loss progress and Kelvin? He missed lunch and is "hangry," but is still nice enough to give a belated birthday shoutout to Betty White. The crew:- Dave Larsen, Fort Hood Public Affairs- SFC Kelvin Ringold, 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command- SPC Brianna Doo, 1st Cavalry Division BandGuests:- COL Richard Malish, Commander, Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Fort Hood- CPT Eduardo Mendez, Officer-in-Charge, CRDAMC Vaccination OperationMusic provided with expressed written permission by the following artists:Will Courtney (http://www.willcourtneymusic.com)The CoronadosThis podcast is a production of U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hood and Fort Hood Public Affairs.  Contact us at FortHoodPAO@gmail.comLike us and follow us on Facebook at The Great Big Podcast and III Corps and Fort Hood

Progress in spite of a pandemic, plus a virtual career fair

This week, the podcast crew welcomes in Fort Hood Garrison Commander Col. Jason Wesbrock and uncover some silver linings from a pandemic-plagued 2020 while looking with optimism into the new year and beyond. Folks reported to work later on Monday this week due to a rare Central Texas snow storm. Plus, Fort Hood hosts its annual Winter Mega Career and Education Fair Jan. 26, but this time it's virtual. Jerry Hernandez gives us the scoop. Brianna made it in for Jerry's sit down in the podcast studio, but duty called her away for most of the show. Dave continues his weight-loss journey, while Kelvin got gassed. What? Listen in and find out more.  The crew:- Dave Larsen, Fort Hood Public Affairs- SFC Kelvin Ringold, 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command- SPC Brianna Doo, 1st Cavalry Division BandGuests:- COL Jason Wesbrock, Commander, US Army Garrison - Fort Hood- Jerry Hernandez, Fort Hood Soldier For Life - Transition Assistance ProgramMusic provided with expressed written permission by the following artists:Will Courtney (http://www.willcourtneymusic.com)The HubcatsThis podcast is a production of U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hood and Fort Hood Public Affairs.  Contact us at FortHoodPAO@gmail.comLike us and follow us on Facebook at The Great Big Podcast and III Corps and Fort Hood

Hindsight is ALWAYS 2020!

Happy New Year, folks! We enter into 2021 with a final look at 2020 with Fort Hood Sentinel News Editor Brandy Cruz and Sports/Leisure Editor Blair Dupre. SFC Kelvin Ringold from the 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command fills in for SGT Melissa Lessard, but two-thirds of the original cast of characters is on hand with Kelvin to ring in the first episode of the year. Dave has resolved to (finally) drop some weight, Brianna is determined to run a half-marathon this year, and Kelvin? He's resolved to skip New Year's resolutions altogether. We enter a new year with high hopes, because, let's face it, 2020 wasn't all that and a bag of chips. The crew:- Dave Larsen, Fort Hood Public Affairs- SFC Kelvin Ringold, 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command- SPC Brianna Doo, 1st Cavalry Division Band- SGT Melissa Lessard, 504th Expeditionary Military Intelligence BrigadeGuests:- Brandy Cruz, News Editor, Fort Hood Sentinel- Blair Dupre, Sports/Leisure Editor, Fort Hood SentinelMusic provided with expressed written permission by the following artists:Will Courtney (http://www.willcourtneymusic.com)The CoronadosThis podcast is a production of U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hood and Fort Hood Public Affairs.  Contact us at FortHoodPAO@gmail.comLike us and follow us on Facebook at The Great Big Podcast and III Corps and Fort Hood

Operation People First

This week's episode catches you up with how the III Corps and Fort Hood leadership is tackling issues uncovered by the Fort Hood Independent Review Committee. III Corps and Fort Hood Commanding General LTG Pat White met with his commanders, met with the media and then met with 1,800 junior enlisted Phantom Warriors at Hood Stadium. This week's podcast takes you there to discuss Operation People First before shifting gears to talk about holiday movies with Fort Hood Sentinel Sports and Leisure Editor Blair Dupre, wishing the podcast a happy birthday and wishing you, our listeners, a very happy holiday season. The next episode drops on Jan. 7, 2021. Happy New Year, y'all!The crew:- Dave Larsen, Fort Hood Public Affairs- SGT Melissa Lessard, 504th Expeditionary Military Intelligence BrigadeGuests:- Blair Dupre, Sports and Leisure Editor, Fort Hood SentinelMusic provided with expressed written permission by the following artists:Will Courtney (http://www.willcourtneymusic.com)This podcast is a production of U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hood and Fort Hood Public Affairs.  Contact us at FortHoodPAO@gmail.comLike us and follow us on Facebook at The Great Big Podcast and III Corps and Fort Hood

’Tis the Season!

 The holiday season is in full swing at Fort Hood! First, we lit up the Central Texas sky with a 50-foot Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, sit down with the post's rabbi about holiday stress (not to mention Dec. 10 is the start of Hanukkah!), meet Charlie and Chelsea Plimpton, two biologists from the Fort Hood AIM Team who tell us about their annual Christmas Bird Count, and close it out with some holiday tunes from the "Christmas with the Cav" concert. Kelvin still fills in for some interview segments, but Brianna is back in the studio this week.The crew:- Dave Larsen, Fort Hood Public Affairs- SFC Kelvin Ringold, 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command- SGT Melissa Lessard, 504th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade- SPC Brianna Doo, 1st Cavalry Division BandGuests:- Chaplain (Capt.) Dovid Egert, 1st Cavalry Division Sustainment Brigade- Charlie & Chelsea Plimpton, Fort Hood Adaptive and Integrative Management TeamMusic provided with expressed written permission by the following artists:Will Courtney (http://www.willcourtneymusic.com)This podcast is a production of U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hood and Fort Hood Public Affairs.  Contact us at FortHoodPAO@gmail.comLike us and follow us on Facebook at The Great Big Podcast and III Corps and Fort Hood

A ’Celebration of Love’

This month, hundreds of Fort Hood military families will benefit from the Celebration of Love, an annual outpouring of holiday cheer by an Austin, Texas-based non-profit organization that has been coming to the Great Place for the past 14 years. In this week's episode, we welcome in Tom Ramsey, the founder of Celebration of Love, and discuss the program, how it has grown over the years, and how he's managed to keep things going despite a global pandemic. We also welcome in a new co-host, SFC Kelvin Ringold of the 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, who is filling in for SPC Brianna Doo. Brianna is busy with her 1st Cavalry Division Band members preparing for holiday concerts. The crew:- Dave Larsen, Fort Hood Public Affairs- SFC Kelvin Ringold, 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command- SGT Melissa Lessard, 504th Expeditionary Military Intelligence BrigadeGuests:- Tom Ramsey, Founder, Celebration of LoveMusic provided with expressed written permission by the following artists:Will Courtney (http://www.willcourtneymusic.com)This podcast is a production of U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hood and Fort Hood Public Affairs.  Contact us at FortHoodPAO@gmail.comLike us and follow us on Facebook at The Great Big Podcast and III Corps and Fort Hood