#202: Bring Every Dad Home w/ Marine Veteran Ben Killoy, Host of Military Veteran Dad Podcast
Many male Veterans find it difficult to address the challenges of being a husband and a father, during and after their military service. Marine Corps Veteran Ben Killoy was one of these Veterans. He created the Military Veteran Dad Podcast to help men like himself come home “both physically and mentally to their marriage and their family.”
Killoy became interested in the Marines after meeting a recruiter in 2002. He was in the Marine Corps from 2002 to 2007 and served as a generator mechanic stationed in Okinawa, Japan. According to Killoy, his time as a Marine mechanic taught him the value of taking pride in his work. He said he carried that lesson with him in his transition to civilian life.
Killoy struggled with the challenges of being a father. He found online communities of other men going through the same struggle. He spent years learning to blog, write, and connect with other people. Killoy then founded his Military Veteran Dad Podcast in 2018. He shares stories and helps Veteran fathers be more present for their families.
The podcast is not only for Veteran fathers. Killoy features military spouses as well as anyone who has overcome a challenge and learned something from it that he thinks is important for his audience. Killoy said he understands the importance of the father to the household. He said the conversation itself helps people connect to one another and open up opportunities for themselves.
Helping others
Killoy’s favorite Veteran nonprofit is Angels of America’s Fallen, which is dedicated to providing extracurricular activities and positive role models to the children of fallen Veterans.
#BtBattle Veteran of the Week:
Additional Links:
https://www.militaryveterandad.com/988 expansion for National Suicide Prevention Crisis Line and Veterans Crisis Line accessVA receives funding from the US Postal Service for PTSD researchVA launches COVID-19 screening tool