On a troop ship off the coast of Beirut a helicopter pilot tells us what it was like to watch and wait for the moment when it was time to leap in the air and into action. Written by Rob Paylor.

Not every military recruit is up for the challenges of basic training. Our second story describes in frightening detail the consequences and dangers of Army basic training, and what kind of raw material the US Army must have in order to make a warrior. Written by John Price.

The Mighty Pen Project is a free writing program for military veterans, offered by the Virginia War Memorial Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit. If you’d like to learn more about the Mighty Pen or send us your thoughts, email us at mppodcast@vawarmemorial.org.

For more information about the Mighty Pen Project or to apply online: https://vawarmemorial.org/mightypen/ 

To access the Mighty Pen Project archives: https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/mighty_pen_archive/ 

To support the Virginia War Memorial Foundation and the Mighty Pen Project: https://vawarmemorial.org/support/ 

Hosted by: David L. Robbins

Voice Actor: Harry Kollatz Jr. & Alan Sader

Produced by: David L. Robbins, Ben Lovelace

Edited by: Ennis Kristiansen 

Music by: Jackson Albrecht