Advertise on podcast: Behind the Camouflage Podcast

Mental health matters, and knowing where to turn for support can make all the difference. In this episode of Behind the Camouflage, hosts Krista and Heather sit down with LCDR Chelsea Larro to discuss the OSCAR (Operational Stress Control and Readiness) program and the many resources available to support Marines and their families. Together, they explore how stress impacts readiness, how OSCAR-trained personnel help identify and address concerns early, and why seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. From practical stress management tips to mental health resources, chaplain support, counseling services, and programs available through the Marine Corps community, this conversation is packed with valuable information for Marines, spouses, and family members alike. Learn how small steps, strong connections, and the right support can make a big difference. Give a listen! The post OSCAR: Supporting Mental Health and Readiness – Behind The Camouflage Episode 4 | Season 7 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.

What does it mean to lead, serve, and build community as a military spouse? In this episode of Behind the Camouflage, we’re joined by the presidents of leadership seminars from Camp Lejeune, Albany, Iwakuni, and Okinawa for a conversation about volunteerism, personal growth, and the power of connection. Together, they share how these spouse-led organizations are helping military spouses discover their strengths, develop leadership skills, and find purpose through service and community. From inspiring stories of resilience to the lasting impact of mentorship and volunteerism, this episode highlights the incredible work happening across the Marine Corps community and around the globe. Give a listen! https://www.facebook.com/CLLSLejeune https://www.facebook.com/OkinawaLeadershipSeminar https://www.facebook.com/IwakuniLeadershipSeminar https://www.facebook.com/DLS29 https://www.facebook.com/mscalbanyga The post Building Community through Leadership Seminars – Behind The Camouflage Episode 3 | Season 7 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.

Welcome to BTC Unscripted, a new Behind the Camouflage series where the BTC crew trades the script for real conversations about life as military families. In this first installment, Marta, Krista, Heather, and Kayla share stories from years of school transitions, PCS moves, homeschooling adventures, and sending kids off to college. Along the way, they’re sharing laughs, lessons learned, and reassurance that no matter where this school year finds your family, you’re not navigating it alone. Military kids are adaptable, military parents are resourceful, and every family finds their own way to make it work. Give a listen! The post BTC Unscripted: Back to School – Behind The Camouflage Episode 2 | Season 7 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.

Behind the Camouflage is back! Season 7 is here, and we’re kicking things off with one of the most talked-about topics in Marine Corps life: orders. BTC sits down with Major General Fridrik Fridriksson, Director of Manpower Management, for an inside look at how assignments are made, what factors drive manpower decisions, and how the Marine Corps is working to better support Marines and their families through PCS moves and career transitions. From common myths about orders to new initiatives aimed at reducing family stress, this episode takes listeners straight to the source.  Be sure to stay until the end for a sneak peek at what’s coming up this season. Give a listen! The post Behind the Orders – Behind The Camouflage Episode 1 | Season 7 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.

Behind the Camouflage wraps up Season 6 with a special season finale episode of our summer series, “Home is Where the Marine Corps Sends You,” proudly sponsored by ROGER Bank. This week, the BTC team takes a trip down memory lane as we share our favorite (and least favorite) duty stations from throughout our military journeys. We talk about the places that truly felt like home, the communities that welcomed us, and the experiences that made each location memorable. We also reflect on some of the challenges that came with certain duty stations and how those experiences shaped us as military families. To close out the season, we’ve also got a round of  “In the Box”. From finding the right fit for your family’s needs to balancing commute times, schools, amenities, and community connections, we share our thoughts and personal experiences navigating some of the biggest decisions that comes with every PCS. Whether you’re reflecting on a favorite duty station, preparing for your next move, or looking for tips on making a new place feel like home, we hope you join us for this conclusion to our Season 6 journey. Give a listen! The post Home Is Where The Marine Corps Sends You: Season Finale “In the Box” – Behind The Camouflage Season 6 | Episode 12 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.

Behind the Camouflage returns with Episode 11 of our Season 6 summer series, “Home is Where the Marine Corps Sends You,” proudly sponsored by ROGER Bank. This week, we’re heading to the “Crossroads of the Marine Corps”to talk all things Quantico. Our guest, Jessica Rudd, shares what it’s like to be stationed at Quantico and how to make the most of life in the surrounding area. From exploring local attractions and hidden gems to getting connected with the community, Jessica offers a helpful look at what makes this duty station unique. Whether you’re preparing for orders to Quantico, settling into the National Capital Region, or simply curious about life at one of the Marine Corps’ most well-known duty stations, this episode is full of insight, local perspective, and encouragement for making the most of wherever the Marine Corps sends you. Give a listen! The post Home Is Where The Marine Corps Sends You: Quantico with Jessica Rudd – Behind The Camouflage Season 6 | Episode 11 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.

Behind the Camouflage returns with another episode of our Season 6 summer series, “Home is Where the Marine Corps Sends You,” proudly sponsored by ROGER Bank. This week, we’re diving into the practical side of PCS season with a conversation all about tips, tricks, and lessons learned from military moves. In this episode, the Behind the Camouflage team shares real-world advice for making your next move a little less stressful. From surviving “house camping”, to working with packers, and figuring out how to safely transport those pesky 1,000-piece LEGO sets, the conversation covers some of the most common PCS challenges military families face. The team also turns to our listeners, highlighting some of the creative and helpful recommendations they’ve gathered through years of military moves. Whether you’re preparing for your first PCS or you’re a seasoned pro with multiple moves under your belt, this episode is packed with relatable stories, practical strategies, and plenty of crowd-sourced wisdom to help make your next transition a success. Give it a listen! The post Home Is Where The Marine Corps Sends You: PCS Tips – Behind The Camouflage Season 6 | Episode 10 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.

Behind the Camouflage returns with another episode of our Season 6 summer series, “Home is Where the Marine Corps Sends You,” proudly sponsored by ROGER Bank. This week, we’re heading to Southern California to talk all things Camp Pendleton. Our guest, Raxel Phillips, brings a wealth of knowledge and firsthand experience to the conversation. As a Marine Corps spouse who has lived aboard Camp Pendleton since 2020 and as a Deployment Readiness Coordinator for Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Raxel offers a unique and well-rounded perspective on what it’s like to call Pendleton home. From preparing for a move to Camp Pendleton to exploring all that this Southern California duty station has to offer, this episode dives into the community, resources, lifestyle, and opportunities that make Pendleton such a desirable place for military families. Whether you have orders to Camp Pendleton, are curious about life on the West Coast, or simply love learning about different Marine Corps duty stations, this episode is full of helpful insight and local perspective. Give a listen! The post Home Is Where The Marine Corps Sends You: Camp Pendleton with Raxel Phillips – Behind The Camouflage Season 6 | Episode 9 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.

Behind the Camouflage returns with another episode of our Season 6 summer series, “Home is Where the Marine Corps Sends You,” proudly sponsored by ROGER Bank. This week, we’re talking about a duty that can look very different from life near a major Marine Corps installation: recruiting duty. Our guest, Sasha Rentfro, shares what it’s like to navigate military family life while geographically separated from the built-in support systems many families rely on. From finding community outside the gates to creating connections in unfamiliar places, Sasha offers an honest look at the unique challenges and opportunities that come with being stationed away from the natural rhythms of installation life. For families preparing for recruiting duty, currently living far from a major base, or looking for new ways to build community wherever the Marine Corps sends them, this episode offers helpful perspective, encouragement, and real-life insight. Give a listen! The post Home Is Where The Marine Corps Sends You: Recruiting Duty – Behind The Camouflage Season 6 | Episode 8 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.

Behind the Camouflage returns with another episode of our Season 6 summer series, “Home is Where the Marine Corps Sends You,” proudly sponsored by ROGER Bank. This week, we’re talking about one of the biggest parts of any PCS: finances. Our guest, Jill Castilla, nationally recognized banking leader, financial technology innovator, community banking advocate, and President and CEO of ROGER and Citizens Bank of Edmond, joins us for a conversation packed with information every military family should hear. Together, we dive into the financial side of moving, from PCS costs and transaction fees to credit cards, VA loans, and the importance of having a personal connection with your banker. Jill brings her expertise and practical insight to help families better understand how to prepare financially, ask the right questions, and make informed decisions during a move. Whether you’re gearing up for your next PCS, trying to get a better handle on your money, or simply want to feel more confident navigating the financial pieces of military life, this episode is full of valuable takeaways you won’t want to miss. Give a listen! https://roger.bank The post Home Is Where The Marine Corps Sends You: PCSing and Finances – Behind The Camouflage Season 6 | Episode 7 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.

Behind the Camouflage returns with another episode of our Season 6 summer series, “Home is Where the Marine Corps Sends You,” proudly sponsored by ROGER Bank. This week, we’re heading to the nation’s capital to talk about the unique experience of being stationed in Washington, D.C. Our guest, MCA’s very own Silha Bess, shares what it’s like to trade the traditional base setting for city life, navigating the pace, opportunities, and challenges that come with living in and around D.C. From finding community in a busy metropolitan area to making the most of everything the city has to offer, Silha gives listeners an inside look at what makes this duty station so different from many others. For families preparing for orders to the National Capital Region or simply curious about what military life looks like in Washington, D.C., this episode offers a helpful and honest perspective on embracing city living while staying connected to the Marine Corps community. Give a listen! The post Home Is Where The Marine Corps Sends You: Washington D.C. With Silha Bess – Behind The Camouflage Season 6 | Episode 6 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.

Behind the Camouflage returns with Episode 5 of our Season 6 summer series, “Home is Where the Marine Corps Sends You,” proudly sponsored by ROGER Bank. This week, we’re heading overseas to explore one of the Marine Corps’ most unique duty stations: Guam. Our guest, Andrea Magrath, shares what it’s like to prepare for and embrace life on this small but unforgettable island. From the important pre-PCS details like health checks and household goods shipments to the realities of settling in far from the mainland, Andrea offers helpful insight for families navigating the move to Guam. She also takes us beyond the logistics, sharing the must-do experiences, local spots, and island adventures that make Guam such a special place to call home. For families preparing for a PCS, curious about overseas duty stations, or dreaming of island life in the Pacific, this episode offers a thoughtful and practical look at what makes Guam a truly memorable chapter in a Marine family’s journey. Give a listen! The post Home Is Where The Marine Corps Sends You: Guam with Andrea Magrath – Behind the Camouflage Season 6 | Episode 5 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.

Behind the Camouflage continues our Season 6 summer series with a special “In the Box” episode proudly sponsored by ROGER Bank. This week, we shift from place to policy as we sit down with Amanda Watkins, Headquarters lead for the USMC PCS Advocacy Council, whose work directly supports Marine Corps families navigating the challenges of PCSing. Amanda brings clarity, candor, and hard‑earned expertise to the questions families ask most—from the etiquette of tipping your movers to the critical steps to take if your shipment arrives with mold. Her guidance blends policy insight with practical, real‑world advice that every military family deserves to hear. Whether you’re preparing for an upcoming PCS or simply want to better understand the systems that shape Marine Corps moves, this episode delivers essential information that can make your next transition smoother, safer, and far less stressful. A must‑listen for every military household. Give a listen! .ugb-f13c13d hr.ugb-divider__hr{margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important} Resources from this episode:Personal Property Helpline for Personal Property Activity: 833-MIL-MOVE PCS Advocacy Facebook The post Home Is Where The Marine Corps Sends You: “In the Box” with Amanda Watkins – Behind The Camouflage Season 6 | Episode 4 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.

Behind the Camouflage returns with Episode 3 of our Season 6 summer series, “Home is Where the Marine Corps Sends You,” proudly sponsored by ROGER Bank. This week, we explore the quiet beauty and community spirit of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. Our guest, Demi Arias, shares what it’s like to call Coastal North Carolina home—from the peaceful pace of this “sleepy” town to the deep sense of connection that forms among families stationed there. Demi offers thoughtful insight into the rhythms of daily life, the support networks that make Cherry Point unique, and the unexpected joys of living along the Crystal Coast. For families preparing for a PCS or simply curious about life at MCAS Cherry Point, this episode offers a heartfelt look at a place that often becomes a favorite chapter in a Marine family’s journey. Give a listen! The post Home Is Where The Marine Corps Sends You: MCAS Cherry Point With Demi Arias – Behind The Camouflage Season 6 | Episode 3 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.

Behind the Camouflage continues Season 6 with another installment of our summer series, “Home is Where the Marine Corps Sends You.” In Episode 2, we’re headed to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, where the base motto says it all: “We Make Marines.” This week, we’re joined by Shelby Bateman to talk about what makes MCRD Parris Island such a special and unique duty station. From the pride and tradition of living and working at the depot to the challenges that come with the fast pace and mission-focused environment, Shelby shares an honest look at life in a place unlike any other. We cover the questions military families often ask before a move, including housing, schools, community, and what day-to-day life can look like while stationed at Parris Island. This is an episode you won’t want to miss – Give a listen! The post Home Is Where The Marine Corps Sends You: MCRD Parris Island with Shelby Bateman – Behind The Camouflage Season 6 | Episode 2 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.