In Episode 3 of The OP Podcast, Ray Hickey and 1SG David “Martin” break down three topics shaping today’s force: Glock’s new Gen 6 / V-Series pistols, recent Coast Guard policy changes around standards and culture, and why education matters for Soldiers staying in and veterans preparing for life after service. From firearms training and leadership clarity to college, benefits, and long-term planning, this episode delivers real talk from both sides of the uniform. If you care about competence, standards, and building a future beyond the next formation, this one’s for you.

In this episode of The OP Podcast, Ray finally introduces his long-time friend, brother-in-arms, and official co-host: First Sergeant David “Martin”. From their early days as young Cavalry Scouts in Afghanistan to Martin’s rise through the ranks across Fort Polk, Fort Stewart, Fort Jackson, JBLM, and beyond — this episode dives deep into the leadership lessons, mistakes, growth, and experiences that shaped him over 15 years of service.

Martin shares what he brings to The OP: real leadership from real life, the truth about Army culture, the weight of responsibility, and the mindset required to lead Soldiers in today’s force. Together, Ray and Martin reflect on brotherhood, training, standards, the importance of hard schools, and why competence is the foundation of every good leader.

This episode sets the tone for the future of the show — honest, unfiltered conversations from two veterans dedicated to building community, inspiring growth, and keeping the watch together.

In This Episode:

• Ray and Martin’s origin story in Afghanistan
• Martin’s journey across multiple duty stations and leadership roles
• Why NCO schools and standards matter
• The difference between authority and influence
• Lessons learned from Drill Sergeant duty, Sniper Platoon leadership, and First Sergeant responsibilities
• How The OP became a shared mission

In the debut episode of The OP Podcast, host Ray Hickey introduces himself and the mission behind the show. Ray shares his journey from Cavalry Scout to veteran creator and Range Safety Officer, and explains why The OP exists as a place for real talk, leadership, and building community on both sides of the uniform. This episode sets the foundation for everything to come — honesty, brotherhood, and purpose.

Show Notes

Welcome to the very first episode of The OP Podcast. In this debut, host Ray Hickey sets the foundation for what this show is all about: real veteran stories, leadership, mindset, and the culture of service both in and out of uniform.

Ray shares his journey from Cavalry Scout to veteran content creator and Range Safety Officer, opening the door to honest conversations about purpose, identity, and community. He breaks down the mission of The OP, the types of episodes listeners can expect, and introduces the show’s future co-host, 1SG David “Martin”, who will soon bring active-duty insights to the table.

In This Episode:

• Ray’s military background and path after service
• Why The OP was created
• The role of connection and brotherhood after the Army
• Upcoming segments like The SitRep, Range Report, and Field Stories
• A look ahead at the arrival of co-host 1SG David Martin

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