FORT KNOX, KY –
The dive into digital continues for Army Recruiting Command with the launch of “Behind the Greens: Serving with Purpose,” a biweekly podcast hosted by the organization’s senior enlisted leader.
Helping Command Sgt. Maj. John Foley kick off the series Oct. 28 was Sgt. 1st Class Astin Muse, an active-duty Soldier whose personality and embrace of digital communication has created a large following for her in the social media world.
The theme of Foley’s first episode was health care, a major benefit of military service and something Muse has become very familiar with while battling cancer.
Muse was diagnosed with two types of breast cancer simultaneously, “because I do everything 100 percent,” she joked, impressing Foley with her perspective while battling serious illness. Her appreciation for the Army’s support during that battle was significantly boosted after undergoing round after round of very-expensive treatments.
“If I had to pay out of pocket for that,” she said, “I wouldn’t even have (my) house right now.”
Muse also talked about her military health care benefiting her son. She shared a story about how, when her son was 7 years old, a playground accident resulted in a broken arm and a medical bill she did not have to worry about.
“It was free; they took care of it,” she said, referring to Tricare, the health insurance provided to Soldiers and their families at no cost. “I didn’t have to pay a dime.”
Foley likewise told his new podcast audience about his experience when his daughter was seriously injured in an automobile accident. He remembered opening bills from his daughter’s resulting medical care that totaled somewhere near $30,000. Tricare paid all of it.
“It’s a good feeling to have,” Foley said. “It lessens the burden.”
Health care benefits as generous as those provided by the Army and the U.S. military are extremely rare, Muse noted. Increasing awareness about such benefits is a main reason Foley started his podcast. The recent surge of interest in the convenience of digital audio offers another way to tell the Army story.
“This podcast is intended to show what it’s like to be a Soldier and what you can gain from a life of service,” Foley said. “Service members only make up one percent of the population. Many don’t know what it’s really like to be in our boots.”
Foley’s guest for the second episode of “Behind the Greens” is Staff Sgt. Archie “ARCHIEzzle” Masibay, another recruiter with a strong social media presence. The discussion, scheduled for a Nov. 11 release, will cover preparing for basic combat training, as well as the power of social media.
Click here to listen and subscribe to BEHIND THE GREENS: SERVING WITH PURPOSE