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.


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Rob Laucius is a podcast intern with the VA’s Digital Media Engagement Team. He is an undergraduate History student at Hillsdale College.

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4 Comments

  1. David Matthews July 9, 2020 at 13:42

    Ben, I too am a Dad and have a podcast, maybe we can do a show together?

    Spirit to Serve,

    Dave Matthews
    Jr. Vice
    Veteran Service Officer
    Post #10139

  2. Montez Jones July 9, 2020 at 07:58

    Hello,
    I am an Air Force Veteran. I would like to be on the Borne the Battle Podcast. What do I need to do to submit a package?

    • Tanner Iskra July 14, 2020 at 15:24

      Hey Montez,

      Submit your pitch to podcast@va.gov

      V/R,
      Tanner

  3. Clarck Jeantinord July 8, 2020 at 23:07

    Ben How are you? This subject is close to my heart. I always think that I am a good Dad until my first divorce and dealing with it through out my military career and Family court System. My experience with the military couple with family court put a really affect my career and my way of life. I always think this is something our Chain of Command and IG must handle carefully without alienated Soldiers. Does anyone knows because you are a Soldier and even though you re- married and meeting all the financial requirements Family Court won.t give the children. Just because you are in the military.

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