Join “Granny” Lisa Kraft and Peggy “The Enforcer” Jones as they interview Michael Madsen (Military Mike).
Michael Salvatore Fisichella, Dec 1st, 1964 in New Britain, CT. to a strong Sicilian family.
Moved to Georgia, in 1968, along with 2 older brothers, after my parents divorced.
His Mother remarried and changed my name to Michael S. Madsen.
Mike’s stepfather, an Army Veteran, passed in 1976 from complications from an artificial kidney transplant.
His Mother went on to become a U.S Marshall, then after obtaining a law degree from John Marshall Law School in Atlanta became a criminal litigator.
She was killed while representing a client in December of 1980.
After graduating Stone Mountain High School in 1982, immediately joined the U.S. Army. After Infantry training and Airborne training at Ft. Benning Ga.
Was accepted to the J.F.K Special Warfare School to become a Weapons Sergeant and was assigned to 10th Special Forces Operational Group.
While awaiting assignment was selected to become Major General Albert Ackers Personal Bodyguard.
Upon completion of the security detail, Mike applied and was accepted to the Initial Entry Rotary Wing (Helicopter Flight School).
While in Flight school, Mike was awarded aircraft qualifications in the TH-55, UH-1, OH-58A, OH-58C, and the AH-1.
Assigned to Giebelstadt NATO Airbase in Germany, while assigned to 3rd Infantry Division (3ID).
Further assignments include 10th Mtn Division but stationed at Griffiss A.F.B. Rome, N.Y. as the Flight Operations Officer of an Attack Helicopter Battalion, during Desert Storm/Desert Shield and Mogadishu, Somalia. Served active for 12 years.
Then served in the U.S Army Reserves for 12 years.
Then in 2008 joined the Ga. State National Guard as a full-time citizen soldier.
Serving in both the 78th Troop Command and the 48th Infantry Combat Brigade.
Deployed with the 148th Brigade Support Battalion S-3 Tactical Operations Center in support Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) as the NATO/ISAF Liaison for Aviation and Personal Security Detail (PSD) operations in and around Kabul, Afghanistan.
Acted as the Team Liaison during VIP and General Staff functions at International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) HQ, US Embassy and Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) functions.
Coordinated all Air movements (Rotary and Fixed Wing) for all executive staff and support personnel in and around Afghanistan. Retired in 2014, as a Chief Warrant Officer 2 I am the Vice President of the Valkyrie Initiative, a non-profit organization that supports Veteran Alternative Therapies in Birmingham, Alabama.
Mike is the current CEO and owner of the Foxhole Internet Radio Network, LLC.
They own and operate 4 Internet Radio Stations, host numerous websites, podcasts and manage multiple Veteran based membership organizational programs.
Began working with the American Legion Post 233 as a Veteran Service Officer (VSO) November 2020.
Also working with the Vector Program to support the growing homeless Veterans in and around Atlanta, Ga.
Was awarded the 2021 Legionnaire of the Year and 2021 Quilt of Valor.
Currently, the Program Coordinator and Veteran Service Officer for Operation Rally point located IN Monroe, Ga. Operation Rally Point focuses on providing immediate housing assistance for Veterans and their families facing homelessness.
Operation Rally Points’ goal is to support them during the critical period before major programs take effect, helping them gain traction on the path to recovery. Dedicated to eradicating Veterans homelessness, ORP is a vital resource in ensuring temporary housing solutions. More on Operation Rally Point: https://oprallypoint.org/
Host of Vets Chatting with Granny Lisa, Co-Hosts on Vets Coming Clean, Left-Overs, and has appeared on several other podcasts.
She currently has co-authored 'Leave No Veteran Behind'
