What's going on everyone, Welcome to another edition of Confessions of a Native Son, I'm your host Mike Steadman. I'm a Marine Corps Veteran, Entrepreneur, and Aspiring author, who enjoys thought-provoking and engaging dialogue about race, culture, and business.

I've got some exciting news for you. I've decided to wrap up the initial Always Faithful series, where I describe my experience as an African-American Marine Infantry Officer, in the United States Marine Corps. Following the publication of a controversial Marine Corps Times Article by Colonel Thomas Hobbs, where he describes the racial bias towards black & brown officers in the Marines, I decided to leverage my platform to share my experience. After releasing the first episode, I received countless phone calls and text, from black and white Marine officers, expressing their support and sharing similar observations & experiences. Generals and Colonels began reaching out to me on social media wanting to connect and virtually overnight, it was as if my podcast found it's audience. I tried to record Part 2 on multiple occasions to no avail. I don't know if it was the pressure of knowing others were listening, or not wanting to offend my peers. Either way, I couldn't find my voice.

After several months, I've decided to re-attack it, with the support of fellow Marine and confident Colonel Thomas Hobbs, from Episode 15. I called Colonel Hobbs for support up, and together, we work through Part 2, and pick up where Episode 13 left off, including my return from the Rifle Range, the social dynamics of life in an Infantry Battalion, and friction I experienced with my Company commander. This is the first of 4-5 finals episodes of the season, as we begin our slow march to close out season 1 of this podcast. This episode is a bit longer than anything else I've previously recorded, so kick back, strap in, and enjoy the ride. As always I truly appreciate you for sharing your time with me and I hope you enjoy today's show.