Tales from the Corps

Join Mike Francis, Neal Fauver, and special guest Scott Gibson in an extraordinary episode of Tales from the Corps that delves deep into the lives and legacies of World War II veterans Don Graves and Allan Chatwin. Recently, these veterans shared their harrowing and heroic experiences from Iwo Jima at a memorable event in Fredericksburg, Texas. The episode captures the essence of their stories, revealing untold moments of bravery, ...

Welcome, everybody, to a special edition of *Tales from the Corps*! Today’s episode is unique and exciting as fellow 3-6 brother Neal Fauver and I, Mike Francis, join retired Lieutenant Colonel Mitch "Taco" Bell on his podcast, *Tall Tales with Taco*. This live Facebook session, also available on YouTube, dives deep into our Marine Corps experiences, sharing hilarious anecdotes and heartfelt moments.

We kick off ...

Join host Mike Francis as he sits down with Marine veteran Matt Harper. Dive into Matt's incredible story, from growing up in a family of Marines to finding his own path in the Corps, and eventually transitioning into civilian life. Hear about the challenges and triumphs of sobriety, the humorous and heartfelt moments that define Marine camaraderie, and the valuable lessons learned along the way.

In this episode, Matt...

Dive into a profound and emotional episode of "Tales from the Corps" with host Mike Francis as he sits down with Tracie Hunter, the groundbreaking founder of Beyond the Call and the show's first female guest. Tracie's captivating mission to document and celebrate the lives of World War II veterans takes us on a heartwarming journey from her roots as an Army brat to her Emmy award-winning documentaries that prese...

Get ready for a side-splitting episode of "Tales from the Corps" with your Host Michael Francis! He’s bringing back Robert Eunice, Lima company's own resident prankster, and introducing Bart Lewis, the legendary mischief-maker. These two veterans are here to share their most outrageous and hilarious stories from their time in the Marines. Expect tales of prank calls gone awry, pizza deliveries to jail, and canteen cu...

Join host Mike Francis on an unforgettable episode of Tales from the Corps as he welcomes Anthony Perez, a passionate traveler and content creator currently spending time in American Samoa. Anthony’s extraordinary video on the World War II battle of Peleliu captured Mike’s attention, leading to a deep dive into Anthony’s journey of storytelling. Discover how Anthony’s immersive travel experiences across the Pacific Islands, from do...

Join hosts Mike Francis and Neal Fauver, as they sit down with James Badge Dale, famously known for his role as Robert Leckie in the acclaimed series "The Pacific." 

In this gripping episode, hear firsthand accounts of the visceral transformation that actors undergo to portray real heroes and the profound connections they form with the characters they play.  As well as, the hilarious moments and revelations the a...

What binds Navy corpsmen and Marines so tightly together? Join us for a special episode of "Tales from the Corps" as we kick off the month with our first Navy corpsman guest, Doc Frantz. We also give a truly heartfelt shout out to all our Corpsmen as they celebrate their birthday on 17 June. 

Reliving the camaraderie from last year's reunion, we reminisce about the contrast of the unforgettable barracks part...

Join us for a special Memorial Day episode as we are joined by Jake "The Snake," Lybrook and Jon Stough from 3/6 Lima Company. We're not just recounting Marine Corps tales; we're honoring the brotherhood that sustained us through boot camp antics, overseas adventures, and the solemn remembrance of our fallen brothers. Our conversation weaves together the lighter moments of youthful mischief with the poignant exp...

Join Mike Francis and Neal Fauver on our latest podcast episode delving into the profound connections between the Tales fromthe Corps boys and a guy named Nathan Pinter in Washington, Missouri. Dive into tales from Nathan Pinter, Pinto, founder and curator of the 1944 War Museum, exploring unforgettable gatherings of veterans and "Band of Brothers" and "The Pacific" cast and crew. Discover Sterling Ward's W...

Dive into the enthralling world where military valor meets Hollywood glamor in this episode of our podcast, "Semper Hollywood: Marines on the Silver Screen." Join us as Marine Corps veterans Freddie Joe Farnsworth and Robert Garcia share their incredible journeys from the battlefield to the film set. With a mix of gritty determination and infectious humor, they discuss how their military discipline shapes authentic portra...

Have you ever found yourself instantly connecting with someone as if you've known them for years? That's the magic Neal Fauver and I experienced during our first real-life meet-up, a testament to the power of the genuine Marine Corps connection. We unpack the whirlwind of travel, the disorienting dance with time, and the anticipation of a restful May amidst the chaos. Our discussion brings you into a space where vulnerabi...

We had the pleasure of chatting with Leighton Hughes from the Royal Air Force about his passion for military history and the road it inevitably led him down. We indulged in stories comparing the culinary cultures of the U.S. and U.K. military, especially during overseas deployments, with Leighton sharing intriguing tales about the 'pay as you dine' system versus the American military's "mess" hall experienc...

Join me, Mike Francis, along with fellow veterans Neil Falver and Andrew "A Train" Alexander, as we reunite and reminisce about our experiences during the 2007 Iraq campaign in a heartfelt episode of "Tales from the Core." We share gritty, humorous, and touching stories that define our bond forged in the military. Transitioning back to civilian life brings its own set of challenges, and we discuss our personal s...

Sergeant Michael Sylvester returns with “Tales from the Corps,” blending chuckles and earnestness in his Marine Corps journey. Our conversation starts with a humorous mix-up, leading to insights into Michael’s pre-service life and the family legacy guiding him into the infantry. We explore the unexpected paths that draw individuals into military service, with stories showcasing the twists of fate guiding them to duty.

Michael offers...

Join Mike Francis, Juan Ramirez, and Neal Fauver for a heartfelt journey through sobriety milestones and the unexpected blessings of clear-minded living. With each of us on our own sobriety path – Neal at a year, Mike approaching six months, and Juan since a notable November day – we delve into life after alcohol, strengthened by our Marine community.

This isn't just swapping war stories; it's about the life-affi...

 Ever felt like you're in a comedy sketch when your last name becomes a drill instructor's punchline? Well, Joshua Bitton from "The Pacific," Neil Fauver, and I sure did, and boy, do we have tales to tell! Join us for a rollercoaster ride from boot camp blunders to Hollywood hijinks, where the line between Marine and actor gets blurred.

We dish on the behind-the-scenes grit of military movie magic, from sweating ...

Join us for a unique journey through Marine Corps history with a retired Master Sergeant as our guide, slicing through military jargon with ease. We'll explore everything from quirky terms to the deep impact of military life, including the personal challenges Marines face from nicknames to unpredictable assignments. Delving into the heart of the 2nd Battalion 7th Marines in addition to our 3/6 tales, we uncover stories of resi...

Time doesn't dim the bonds of the Marine Corps. In this episode, we are joined by our former platoon sergeant from the 3/6 Lima Company weapons platoon, The Hurricane, and share a flood of emotions and memories. We talk about leadership, camaraderie, and life after service. Marines train hard, always pushing for better, and we share stories of passing that ethos on. We bust stereotypes about veterans, showing their smarts and ...