IDGA.org’s On Point Podcast Series

IDGA.org is an online social media site and portal for members of the Defense and Government community to add, share and communicate with one another. We act as a medium in the defense community in order to promote and communicate their relevant topic. As a social media site we have contributors from all branches of the military and the defense community in the form of blogs, podcasts, columns and webinars. The host Sean still currently serves as a Rifle Platoon Leader with the 181 Infantry (L) in Cambridge, MA.

Latest Episodes:

On Point with Major Elliot Caggins and Bob Galeazzi of PEO Soldier on the M24 Sniper Rifle Upgrades Mar 17, 2010

Maj. Caggins and Mr. Galeazzi join us to talk about the important upgrades to the M-24 weapons system. The M24 Sniper Weapons System (SWS) has been in the service of the Army for over 20 years and certain upgrades are due to improve the weapon for the warfighters downrange.

On Point with Mr. Dave Hansen, DPM, JPO MRAP Feb 22, 2010

Dave joins us today to talk about how the MRAP is redefining the battlefield. He currently serves as the Principal Civilian Deputy Program Manager, Joint Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicle Program, out of Marine Corps Systems Command. A joint program office, MRAP is an ACAT ID program, responsible for procuring more than 22,000 life-saving vehicles for all four Services and United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Dave also led the Source Selection for the MRAP All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV)

On Point with LTC William Geesey, PM MC4 Feb 19, 2010

LTC Geesey joins us again to give an update on how Medical Communications for Combat Casualty Care have aided soldiers and service members downrange.

On Point with Colonel Chris Carlile, Director, UAS Center of Excellence Feb 18, 2010

Col. Carlile serves as the Director, U.S. Army Unmanned Aircraft Systems Center of Excellence and joins us today to discuss his commands efforts in the UAS spectrum. Col. Carlile is an aviator by trade and brings to the fight his decades of experience in the helo community.

On Point with LTC Ascura of PEO Soldier on the Surge of CROWS Feb 09, 2010

LTC Ascura joins us to discuss the CROWS weapon system.
Since January 2007, Lieutenant Colonel Michael A. Ascura has served as Product Manager, Crew Served Weapons, in the Office of Project Manager Soldier Weapons at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ, under PEO Soldier. In this assignment, LTC Ascura manages the Common Remotely Operated Weapons Station (CROWS), light to heavy machine guns, and the research and development of small arms ammunition.

On Point with Gerry Darsh of Natick Soldier Systems Jan 04, 2010

Mr. Gerald A. Darsch is the Director of the Department of Defense (DoD) Combat Feeding Directorate (CFD) at the US Army Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center, in Natick, Massachusetts and the Executive Secretary of the DoD Combat Feeding Research and Engineering Board. The mission of the CFD encompasses the total life cycle of combat rations, as well as field feeding systems for all Military Services. He holds a Master of Science degree in Food Science and Nutrition from Framingham State College and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Massachusetts. He is a member of the Army Acquisition Corps and is certified in DOD Acquisition Level III Systems Planning, Research, Development, and Engineering - Systems Engineering. Mr. Darsch is currently the Chairman of NATO Research Task Group 154, “Nutrition Science and Food Standards for Military Operations.”

On Point with LTC Chris Lehner and Andrew Cline of PEO Soldier Nov 23, 2009

LTC Lehner has overall responsibility for Individual weapons, from the M9 to
the M4, as well as experimental weapons in development such as the XM25. LTC Lehner was commissioned as an infantry officer in 1990. He completed, Air Borne, Air Assault, and Ranger schools, and has served with Special Forces for the majority of his career, which includes four combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. LTC Lehner became a member of the Acquisitions Corps in 2000. Andrew Cline has served as division chief for 9 years and has worked in various
roles in small arms systems for the past 25 years. He earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Rhode Island and holds a Masters in Management Science from the Florida Institute of Technology.

On Point with Mr. Jeff Parson, Executive Director Army Contracting Command Nov 10, 2009

Jeff Parsons heads up the Army's new Contracting Command based out of Fort Belvoir, VA. Army Contracting Command Soldiers, civilians and contractors support the warfighter worldwide, through the acquisition of goods and services vital to the Soldier's mission and well-being. As the Army's business conduit, ACC offers the contracting expertise of some of the best trained people in the Army, ready to support the warfighter while ensuring responsible stewardship of taxpayers' funds. ACC ensures contracting support to the warfighter as mission requirements emerge and as the Army transforms and moves within the Continental United States and throughout the globe. Mr. Parsons will be discussing the functions of ACC and the day to day operations of his command.

On Point with Commodore Steven Schreiber Oct 29, 2009

CAPT Schreiber is currently assigned as the Commander, Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Atlantic
in Norfolk, VA. Prior to this tour, he was the Chief of Staff, Carrier Strike Group EIGHT and EISENHOWER Strike Group embarked in the DWIGHT D.
EISENHOWER in support of combat operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Somalia.

On Point with Colonel Doug Tamilio - Project Manager for Soldier Weapons Oct 14, 2009

Colonel Tamilio serves as the PM of Soldier Weapons out of Program Executive Office Soldier (PEO Soldier). He is responsible in accordance with the Army Acquisition Management Process for weapons which are assigned to all soldiers across the US Army. Col. Tamilio will be talking about the M-4 Carbine which has been fielded mostly Army wide as the primary weapon assigned to Soldiers deployed in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.