Episodes

  • Letters from Baghdad Fatima's Story Part 2

    Letters from Baghdad Fatima's Story Part 2
    Jul 1 2026
    Letters From Baghdad. Fatima’s story Part 2.

    In this episode of The Military Historian, Lloyd Shellenberger sits down with former Iraqi war refuge and Widow Fatima Al Abase turned proud American.

    We dive deep into her new life and the struggles she has endure to crave out a life in America for her family.

    We discuss the newfound freedoms and what Iraq still means to her in a post war era. Fatima Al Abase, and Ahmed Al Abase, native Iraqis talk about what they have seen in their recent visits to Iraq and the future of their beloved country and 21 years later since they left Iraq.

    Ahmed and Fatima remember the days when Iraq wasn’t so friendly a place to be and the dangers he and his family navigated to leave Iraq and escape certain death.

    Fatima talks about the murder of her sister by the Iraqi regime and Saddam. Both Fatima and Ahmed believe she is dead and will never be seen again.

    Fatima discusses January 16, 2005, the day her husband was murdered and her son Omar was also believed to be dead.

    Her initial reaction and her call to action to save her family and children from certain death. Despite the lingering US "Do Not Travel" advisory, the city's physical appearance has shifted dramatically in the last 3 years.

    Since this time, Fatima and Ahmed have visited family members back in Iraq. They give us their impression of Iraq today and where it may be going in the future.

    Fatima speaks directly to the people of Iraq asking them to have patience and believe in the process and to keep hope alive for the future of Iraq while progress slowly erases T-barriers and U.S. military bases.

    👉 Like & Subscribe if you value honest, ground-level military stories. 💬 Comment: What do you think? 🔔 Turn on notifications so you don’t miss future episodes. 🔗 Links & Resources 🎥 Watch more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_rz7hFJGQ8&list=PL1rLt9IdAnJ8_q7EV9VKt6FMoguD5uVim 📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themilitaryhistorian/ 🎬 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@themilitaryhistorianpod IHEART RADIO SPREAKER LINK BELOW https://www.spreaker.com/show/7001526/episodes/feed

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    29 mins
  • Guarding Nuclear Weapons in Cold War Germany | Crystal Turner’s Untold Army Story

    Guarding Nuclear Weapons in Cold War Germany | Crystal Turner’s Untold Army Story
    Jul 1 2026
    What was it like to guard declassified nuclear weapons during the Cold War — while officially “not existing”? In this episode of The Military Historian, host Lloyd Shellenberger sits down with Crystal Turner, a former U.S. Army Military Police officer whose service in Germany placed her at one of the most secretive and dangerous assignments of the era.






    1. Crystal shares her journey from growing up in Milwaukee to joining the Army nearly five decades ago, becoming a female MP in a male-dominated MOS, and serving at isolated nuclear sites that never appeared on any map.
    2. She opens up about racism in basic training, the pressure of 24-hour nuclear security shifts, facing armed responses even while in uniform, and living under constant Cold War threat from terrorist groups like the Baader-Meinhof Gang.
    3. This episode explores: - Life at classified nuclear sites in Cold War Germany -
    4. Being the only woman on isolated military assignments -
    5. Armed encounters, strict security protocols, and constant drills -
    6. Racism, resilience, and breaking barriers as a Black female MP -
    7. The reality of Cold War terrorism targeting U.S. forces -
    8. Faith, service, and Crystal’s lifelong motto: “God First”
    🕒 Timestamps
    00:00 – Introduction to Crystal Turner and her Army service
    01:10 – Why Crystal joined the Army as a single mother
    02:45 – Choosing a male-dominated MP MOS
    04:30 – Basic training at Fort McClellan and early challenges
    06:10 – Racism and leadership pressure during training
    08:20 – Assignment to isolated nuclear weapons sites in Germany
    10:50 – “We were never on the map” — life at classified locations
    12:05 – Guns drawn on Crystal while in uniform
    13:45 – Constant drills, heightened alerts, and nuclear security
    15:00 – Cold War terrorism and the Baader-Meinhof threat
    18:10 – Living near active terror cells while pregnant
    20:55 – The pressure that broke many soldiers
    22:30 – Faith, strength, and surviving the mission
    25:10 – Breaking barriers as a Black female MP
    26:45 – “God First” — Crystal’s lifelong motto
    28:30 – Closing reflections and final thoughts

    👉 Like & Subscribe if you value real military history told by the people who lived it. 💬 Comment: What part of Crystal’s story surprised you the most? 🔔 Turn on notifications so you don’t miss future episodes. 🔗 Links & Resources 🎥 Watch more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_rz7hFJGQ8&list=PL1rLt9IdAnJ8_q7EV9VKt6FMoguD5uVim&pp=gAQB0gcJCaIEOCosWNin 📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themilitaryhistorian/ 🎬 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@themilitaryhistorianpod

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    30 mins
  • The Dire Straits of Hormuz

    The Dire Straits of Hormuz
    Jun 23 2026
    On this episode of the Military Historian Host Lloyd Shellenberger does a deep dive into the Hormuz Conflict and the severe long-term friction over nuclear and proxy activities. What events led up to the military conflicts within the region? The Irgc is believed to have killed 30-50 thousand of its own citizens. While actual numbers may never be verified, the mass genocide of its own people has been verified.Pathway Defunct: Iran's primary potential source for weapons-grade plutonium was the heavy-water research reactor at Arak. Under the original 2015 JCPOA, under this framework, the core of this reactor was rendered inoperable (filled with concrete).Focus on Uranium: All mid-2026 U.S. intelligence and IAEA tracking data focus strictly on Iran's enriched uranium stockpiles. As of early 2026, Iran held an estimated 440 kg (970 lbs) of uranium enriched up to 60% (near-weapons grade)Declassified U.S. intelligence assessments and statements from the IAEA continue to state that while Iran possesses the technical capacity to produce fissile material quickly via uranium, there is no evidence the Supreme Leader has ordered the resumption of a structured, systematic nuclear weaponization program.What was the deal that Trump made with Iran yesterday and do we get the enriched Uranium and was there money exchanged?On Wednesday, June 17, 2026, President Trump officially signed a 14-point temporary framework and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the G7 summit in France. What are the particulars?The details regarding the uranium and the financial terms of this preliminary deal outline a distinct shift from the administration's initial demands:The Retaliation (March 4, 2026): Within 48 hours, Iran officially declared the Strait of Hormuz "closed," immediately targeting civilian merchant shipping. Major global shipping conglomerates suspended all routine operations.The Counter-Blockade (April 13, 2026): While Iran initially tried to continue exporting its own oil while denying passage to others, the U.S. Navy implemented a strict "blockade of the blockaders," systematically stopping and disabling unauthorized tankers.The Tactical Hardware: Asymmetric Warfare vs. Naval SupremacyThe battle in the Strait of Hormuz is a classic conflict between high-tech conventional defense and cheap, distributed, asymmetric offense.Loitering Munitions (Drones): Anti-Ship Ballistic & Cruise Missiles Swarming Fast Attack Craft (FAC) Smart Sea Mines Dusting off the A-10 Warthogs for duty. AEGIS Combat System: Deployed on Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. "Naval Overwatch" & Omani Coastal Escorts Phalanx CIWS & RIM-116 Rolling Airframe MissilesKharg Island is the single most important geographic location to understand regarding the economic leverage of this war. . Kharg Island handles over 90% of Iran's total crude oil exports. It holds massive storage tank farms, loading docks, and deep-water berths capable of loading massive Supertankers (VLCCs).The 5,000 personnel ordered to the Middle East by Defense Secretary Pete HegsethRegional Strategic Hubs: Elements are tasked with supporting U.S. Central Command objectives, which includes reinforcing the U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and securing maritime transit corridorsThe Broader Macroeconomic Ripple Effects. The closure of the Middle East's primary maritime corridors—with both the Strait of Hormuz blocked and the Suez Canal disrupted by simultaneous drone warfare—has triggered a global economic supply shock.The Veins of Global Commerce If the global economy has a circulatory system, maritime chokepoints are its major arteries.The Other Global Chokepoints: Economic & Military ProfilesWith upcoming Midterms a few months away, only time will tell if this conflict remains in the forefront of American voters minds come election time. here’s what's at stake: Voters will decide the composition of Congress, including all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 33 of the 100 seats in the Senate, alongside numerous state and local offices. • Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2026. • Scope: All 435 House seats, 33 Senate seats, and 36 gubernatorial races. • As of June 18, 2026 this is where standThe Enriched Uranium (Nuclear Terms) Please leave a comment at ThemilitaryhistorianPod@gmail.com If you would like to see more of our continuing leadership series, email me at the above address and I will try to accommodate my listeners. 👉 Like & Subscribe if you value honest, ground-level military stories. 💬 Comment: What do you think? 🔔 Turn on notifications so you don’t miss future episodes. 🔗 Links & Resources 🎥 Watch more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_rz7hFJGQ8&list=PL1rLt9IdAnJ8_q7EV9VKt6FMoguD5uVim 📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themilitaryhistorian/ 🎬 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@themilitaryhistorianpod IHEART RADIO SPREAKER LINK BELOW https://www.spreaker.com/show/7001526/episodes/feedBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://...
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    36 mins
  • “I Wasn’t Ready for Iraq” — Josh Klundt on Fear, Brotherhood & Combat Reality

    “I Wasn’t Ready for Iraq” — Josh Klundt on Fear, Brotherhood & Combat Reality
    Jun 17 2026
    What goes through your mind when you find out you’re deploying to Iraq — and you’re not sure you’re ready? In this episode of The Military Historian.

    1. Lloyd Shellenberger sits down with Josh Klundt, a former Army specialist with B Company, 141st out of North Dakota, who deployed to Iraq alongside Grant Wills and Shane Beckert, serving as Shane’s driver. Josh opens up about:

    2. Receiving the news that he was going to Iraq The fear and disbelief that set in before deployment Life in miserable, unfamiliar conditions overseas Brotherhood forged through shared hardship Learning fast in a combat zone with no room for mistakes.

    3. The reality of war versus expectations back home This episode captures the raw, unfiltered perspective of a young soldier thrown into a war zone — not as a hero from a movie, but as a human being learning to survive, trust his team, and do his job under pressure.

    🕒 Timestamps
    00:00 – Introduction to Josh Klundt
    00:42 – Meeting Josh and confirming his unit and role
    01:12 – Deploying with Grant Wills and Shane Beckert
    01:15 – Serving as a driver in Iraq
    03:13 – Miserable living conditions and early experiences
    03:23 – Finding out about deployment to Iraq
    03:27 – Fear, disbelief, and mental preparation
    05:10 – Equipment shortages and harsh realities
    07:45 – Brotherhood and reliance on teammates
    10:30 – Adjusting to life in a combat zone
    13:15 – Lessons learned early in deployment
    16:40 – The emotional weight of war
    19:20 – How Iraq changed Josh permanently
    22:05 – Reflections on service and brotherhood
    24:00 – Closing thoughts

    👉 Like & Subscribe if you value honest, ground-level military stories. 💬 Comment: What do you think is the hardest part of deploying for the first time? 🔔 Turn on notifications so you don’t miss future episodes. 🔗 Links & Resources 🎥 Watch more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_rz7hFJGQ8&list=PL1rLt9IdAnJ8_q7EV9VKt6FMoguD5uVim 📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themilitaryhistorian/ 🎬 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@themilitaryhistorianpod

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    50 mins
  • Escaping a War Zone_ Zuheer’s Childhood Story of Survival

    Escaping a War Zone_ Zuheer’s Childhood Story of Survival
    Jun 13 2026
    What does it mean to grow up in the middle of a war zone? In this episode, I sit down with Zuheer, who shares his powerful story of survival, displacement, and the search for safety as a child caught in the chaos of conflict.

    Through his eyes, we see the reality of:
    1. Life as a child during wartime The dangers and struggles of escaping a war zone
    2. The lasting impact of displacement on identity and growth
    3. How resilience and hope can carry us through the darkest times
    4. This conversation contrasts the perspective of a child enduring war with that of a veteran who lived it from the other side, creating a raw, human dialogue about struggle, resilience, and the will to survive.

    👉 If Zuheer’s story moved you, hit like and subscribe for more unfiltered conversations that reveal the human side of history. 💬 Share in the comments: what part of Zuheer’s journey resonated most with you? 🔔 Don’t forget to turn on notifications so you never miss an episode.



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    23 mins
  • The Omar Al-Abase-Interview Jan 2026

    The Omar Al-Abase-Interview Jan 2026
    Jun 10 2026
    On this episode of The Military Historian, Lloyd Shellenberger sits down with Omar Alabase, one year after the original interview.

    1. What has happened in that year, the triumphs and tragedies!

    2. He was just 13 years old when terrorists ambushed his father in Iraq.

    3. Omar was left covered in his father’s blood, and presumed dead — only to survive and return home to protect his family.

    4. Omar delves in deeper than ever before about the day his father was ambushed and murdered.

    5. Covered in his father's blood he was left for dead as a child.

    6. Eventually, becoming the protector of his family at 13. Living under constant threat and learning survival early.

    7. How Jordan and his children have helped him move on.

    8. His hopes for the future and starting over in America. Building a life rooted in gratitude, responsibility, and faith.

    9. This is a human story — about loss, resilience, and what it means to grow up far too soon.


    👉 Like & Subscribe if you value real stories of survival and truth. 💬 Comment: What part of Omar’s story impacted you most? 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss an episode.

    Like and share the latest edition of The Millitary Historian. I can be reached at

    Themilitaryhistorianpod@gmail.com

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    38 mins
  • Why “Woke” Has No Place on the Battlefield | Standards, Fitness & Readiness

    Why “Woke” Has No Place on the Battlefield | Standards, Fitness & Readiness
    Jun 6 2026
    On this episode of The Military Historian:

    Why woke can be fatal on the battlefield. A full breakdown of the direction of the Department of War and its new directives!



    1. In September, Pete Hegseth addressed senior military leaders with a message that shook the system: woke ideology, DEI programs, and lowered standards have no place in combat.
    2. In this episode of The Military Historian, Lloyd Shellenberger explains why that statement isn’t political — it’s reality.
    3. Drawing on 43 years of military experience, Lloyd breaks down why physical fitness, discipline, and apolitical service are non-negotiable on the battlefield.
    4. Using real-world examples from Fallujah, military fitness standards (APFT vs ACFT), and the evolution of readiness requirements, this episode explains what actually keeps soldiers alive — and what puts them at risk.
    5. This episode covers: Why combat is the ultimate equalizer How lowered standards endanger lives
    6. Why physical fitness is inseparable from leadership The danger of social engineering inside the military APFT vs ACFT and what combat readiness really means
    7. Why the military must remain apolitical Brotherhood, trust, and why ideology breaks unit cohesion
    8. The real cost of abandoning standards — measured in lives, not feelings This is not about hate. This is not about politics.
    9. This is about protecting the men and women who serve.
    🕒 Timestamps (Clean / No Transcript Links)
    00:00 – Intro: why this conversation matters
    00:50 – Pete Hegseth’s message to military leadership
    02:20 – Why “woke” equals failure in combat
    03:30 – Fallujah example: moving with purpose saves lives
    04:36 – “Bullets are equal-opportunity killers”
    05:25 – Why lowered standards endanger soldiers
    06:17 – How social engineering infiltrated the military
    07:40 – What social engineering really means
    08:47 – The military’s true mission: lethality and readiness
    09:28 – Trust, brotherhood, and covering your sector
    09:47 – Why physical fitness standards exist
    10:58 – APFT explained
    11:05 – ACFT explained and why it matters
    12:44 – Body fat standards and combat effectiveness
    13:50 – Why appearances can be deceiving
    15:45 – Why the ACFT predicts battlefield performance
    16:57 – Policy shifts and social influence over time
    17:53 – Why taxpayers should care
    19:41 – Progress vs ideology: where the line is
    21:23 – Cost to taxpayers and readiness impact
    22:41 – Readiness decline and recruiting challenges
    24:09 – Military careers and transferable skills
    25:40 – Leadership, accountability, and moral courage
    26:22 – Protecting soldiers — even at personal cost 27:53 – Brotherhood and what veterans miss most
    28:42 – Final warning: combat has no room for ideology
    29:06 – Thank you to viewers and supporters
    30:45 – Closing thoughts and call to action

    👉 Like & Subscribe for unfiltered discussions on military service, leadership, and history. 💬 Comment: Do standards still matter in today’s military? 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss an episode. 🔗 Links & Resources 🎥 Watch more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_rz7hFJGQ8&list=PL1rLt9IdAnJ8_q7EV9VKt6FMoguD5uVim 📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themilitaryhistorian/ 🎬 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@themilitaryhistorianpod 📧 Contact: themilitaryhistorianpod@gmail.com

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    33 mins
  • The VA, PTSD & Alternative Healing — Dr. Kathleen Rosenblatt on Treating the Root

    The VA, PTSD & Alternative Healing — Dr. Kathleen Rosenblatt on Treating the Root
    Jun 4 2026
    In this powerful and deeply informative episode of The Military Historian Podcast, host Lloyd Shellenberger sits down with licensed acupuncturist Dr. Kathleen Rosenblatt to explore PTSD, alternative healing, and the limits of medication inside the VA system.Y

    1. Dr. Rosenblatt shares decades of experience working with trauma, acupuncture, electromagnetic medicine, and holistic recovery.


    2. This conversation dives into what really happens inside the nervous system after war — and why many veterans remain trapped in fight-or-flight long after returning home.

    3. In this episode, you’ll learn about: Why PTSD is rooted in both the brain and the body.

    4. How acupuncture and electromagnetic therapy help reset the nervous system Why certain psychiatric medications have been linked to fatal heart risks

    5. The truth behind “dead in bed” cases tied to PTSD drugs

    6. How trauma imprints across generations. Why veterans struggle to deactivate hyper-focus after combat

    7. The role of diet, breath, posture, and emotion in long-term healing. Why real recovery must address the root — not just the symptom

    8. This episode is not anti-medicine — it’s pro-truth, pro-healing, and pro-veteran.


    Like and share this important episode with fellow service members searching for real answer, not just prescriptions and plattitudes!

    You can find Dr. Kathleen Rosenblatt & Brain Body Bliss: https://brainbodybliss.com/ Is modern medicine truly healing our veterans — or just masking the symptoms?


    Like and share the latest edition of The Millitary Historian. I can be reached at

    Themilitaryhistorianpod@gmail.com

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    53 mins