Warfighter Advance: Coming Home At Last

Michael J Arndt, Warfighter Advance
  • 3.0 (2)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Semimonthly

A Podcast by and for Veterans Host Michael Arndt interviews alumni, staff, faculty and mentors of the Warfighter Advance organization which seeks to reintegrate warfighters (veterans, active duty personnel, and first responders) through a non-medical process.

  1. Apr 22

    Dayle Alleyne, WA Mentor; Ryan Daniels, WA Alumni Director

    Host Michael Arndt interviews two Warfighters whose positive experience with Warfighter Advance led them to service for the organization.  Dayle Alleyne served four years with the U.S. Marines in the 1980's. The negative effects of personal grief brought him to Warfighter Advance. Dayle's time at a Warfighter Evolution caused him to volunteer as a mentor for Warfighter. The podcast's second guest is Ryan Daniels. A former Marine who has been deployed across the globe in combat and natural emergency experiences, Ryan serves as the Alumni Director for Warfighter Advance. He discusses the value of the alumni network that checks in with hundreds of alumni each month and supports their needs long after their attendance in person at Warfighter Advance.

    16 min

  2. Mar 21

    Mark Thompson, Army Veteran and WA Chaplain, Bill Cords, Navy Veteran and WA Yoga Instructor

    Host Michael Arndt interviews U.S. Army Veteran, Warfighter Advance alumnus and chaplain, Mark Thompson. Mattingly discusses his over 20 years of service as a military combat chaplain and his journey to Warfighter Advance. Now, as one of the regular chaplains, he is dedicated to giving back on behalf of veterans and first responders because of the changes he has witnessed in the veterans.As part of "A Mindful Minute with a Mentor," Arndt's second guest is Bill Cords. Cords is a retired Navy Captain who began doing yoga as a way of dealing with his own body and mind issues. He has now been the yoga instructor for Warfighter evolutions for several years. He believes strongly in the power of yoga as one of the tools that can assist veterans in their journey to reintegration.

    22 min

  3. Feb 14

    Richard Wong Sing, U.S. Marine veteran and Mike Rothman, U.S. Navy veteran

    Host Michael Arndt interviews two Warfighters whose traumatic wartime experiences many years ago led them to Warfighter Advance.  Richard Wong Sing is a U.S. Marine veteran who served 14 years and in 1983 was stationed in Beirut, Lebanon when a suicide bomber destroyed a Marine barracks where he lost 241 of his comrades. Coming to Warfighter Advance has helped him deal with the effects of that experience and he now serves as a mentor for Warfighter. The podcast's second guest is Mike Rothman. Mike served for 20 years in the U.S. Navy including extensive combat deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He discusses his struggles with years of alcoholism related to the effects of his military experience and the value of Warfighter Advance. He now serves Warfighter as a volunteer.

    25 min

  4. Jan 4

    Endel Lee, RDML U.S. Navy (Ret.) and Mike Norgren RPC U.S. Navy (Ret.)

    Host Michael Arndt interviews twoWarfighters who are plank holders for Warfighter Advance as both were part ofthe very earliest discussions which led to the founding of the organization. EndelLee, RDML U.S. Navy (Ret.) spent decades in service, first in the Marine CorpsReserve as an enlisted man and as an officer including multiple deployments. In1993, Admiral Lee was commissioned as a chaplain in the United States NavyReserve. He deployed numerous times as a Navy chaplain in command positionsincluding supporting rescue and recovery operations following Hurricane Katrinawith the Coast Guard. He discusses his support of Warfighter Advance and theimportance of its mission. Michael’s second interview is with MikeNorgren who served 20+ years as Religious Program Specialist. His close workwith chaplains caring for the combat wounded and dying and assisting theirfamilies affected him deeply. He talks about how Warfighter Advance has givenhim the mission of assisting others as they deal with their reactions totrauma.

    21 min

  5. 11/20/2025

    Wes Holt, Marine Veteran and First Responder; Simone Holt, Civilian working with veterans. Both Holts are Warfighter Advance alumni and serve as WA mentors.

    Host Michael Arndt interviews U.S. Air Force Veteran, Firefighter/First Responder, Warfighter Advance alumnus and mentor, Mike Mattingly. Mattingly talks about his 30 year career as a firefighter in the "busiest fire station in the nation. He discusses how he discovered Warfighter Advance and what it meant for his life. Now, as a mentor and staff member, he is dedicated to giving back on behalf of veterans and first responders.As part of "A Mindful Minute with a Mentor," Arndt's second guest is Sean McElhinney. McElhinney is part of an organization that specializes in teambuilding and leadership development. At Warfighter Advance, he leads outdoor experiences for WA Evolution attendees that restore trust and build teamwork in a safe and enjoyable environment.

    19 min

  6. 10/30/2025

    Mike Mattingly, WA Mentor and Sean McElhinney, WA Instructor

    Host Michael Arndt interviews U.S. Air Force Veteran, Firefighter/First Responder, Warfighter Advance alumnus and mentor, Mike Mattingly. Mattingly talks about his 30 year career as a firefighter in the "busiest fire station in the nation. He discusses how he discovered Warfighter Advance and what it meant for his life. Now, as a mentor and staff member, he is dedicated to giving back on behalf of veterans and first responders.As part of "A Mindful Minute with a Mentor," Arndt's second guest is Sean McElhinney. McElhinney is part of an organization that specializes in teambuilding and leadership development. At Warfighter Advance, he leads outdoor experiences for WA Evolution attendees that restore trust and build teamwork in a safe and enjoyable environment.

    14 min

  7. 10/06/2025

    Mary Vieten, U.S. Navy Veteran, Founder and Executive Director of Warfighter Advance

    Host, Michael Arndt interviews Warfighter Advance founder and Executive Director, Mary Vieten.Mary describes the origin of Warfighter Advance, the process of the training evolutions and how veterans and active duty service members may apply and participate.

    11 min

  8. 09/12/2025

    Tony Zavala: French Foreign Legion and US Army Vet and Mike Dalgetty MD: US Navy Vet and WA Faculty

    Host Michael Arndt interviews French Foreign Legion and US Army veteran, Tony Zavala. Tony discusses how his combat experience in North Africa with the Foreign Legion and in Iraq with the US Army led him to Warfighter Advance. After completing an Evolution, Tony has traveled from his home in Spain for seven years to serve as a mentor with the program because of his belief in its effectiveness for veterans.As part of "A Mindful Minute with a Mentor," Arndt's second guest is Dr. Mike Dalgetty, Mike, a graduate of the Naval Academy, served as a naval aviator before going to Med School and continuing to serve as a Flight Surgeon. Upon his retirement, he gained a specialty in medical acupuncture and now shares this non-pharmaceutical process as a faculty member at Warfighter Advance evolutions.

    13 min
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A Podcast by and for Veterans Host Michael Arndt interviews alumni, staff, faculty and mentors of the Warfighter Advance organization which seeks to reintegrate warfighters (veterans, active duty personnel, and first responders) through a non-medical process.

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