Interview with Joshua Cushing, October 15, 2020

Partial Transcript: I come from...

Segment Synopsis: Joshua Cushing discusses growing up as a child of military parents and moving from state to state. He talks about his disinterest in joining the military until after his first semester in college when he decided to join the Navy.

Keywords: Army; Ft. Campbell; Golf; High School; Kentucky; Medic; Wright State University

Partial Transcript: So, why the Navy...

Segment Synopsis: Cushing explains choosing the Navy because he wanted to differentiate himself from his Army family and be near the water. He discusses the highs and lows of Boot Camp in Great Lakes, Illinois.

Keywords: Mental Strength; Physical Strength; Training

Partial Transcript: But, from there...

Segment Synopsis: Cushing recalls staying in the Great Lakes area when he attended A School to learn to be a Gunner's Mate. He shares the details of this job, such as taking care of armory, weaponry, and ammunition.

Keywords: Academics; Intelligence Specialist; Navy Reserves; Preventative Maintenance; Self Confidence

Partial Transcript: I ended up in...

Segment Synopsis: Cushing describes moving to San Diego, California with Coastal Riverine Squadron 3 where he acted as a Gunner's Mate Seaman Apprentice (E-2). He discusses some of the coastal duties he was tasked with when assigned to Alpha Company.

Keywords: Bay Patrol; Bravo Company; Charlie Company; Green Boats; Parents Command; Plankowners; Platoons; Riverine Assault Boats; Riverine Patrol Boats; Shore Side Patrol

Partial Transcript: Walk us through...

Segment Synopsis: Cushing shares his experience at Riverine Combat Skills Course at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. He also discusses trainings such as Riverine Crewman Course (RCC) and Riverine Security Team (RST).

Keywords: Confidence Course; Patrolling; Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC); Urban Warfare Training; Weapons Qualifications

Partial Transcript: You complete that course...

Segment Synopsis: Cushing discusses more deployment training he participated in at Camp Pendleton in California and Fort Knox in Kentucky. He also mentions being promoted to Gunner's Mate 3rd Class and enduring harsh winter conditions during training.

Keywords: Boat Crews; Commodore; Green Boats; MTVR (Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement); Riverine Assault Boats; Riverine Patrol Boats; Riverine Security Team (RST); San Diego Bay

Partial Transcript: We had a few weeks...

Segment Synopsis: Cushing describes how his platoon was broken up into two groups for deployment. He talks about his group's assignment, where they provided security for an emergency submarine in Alaska and performed preventative maintenance on boats in Guam. He also shares stories of the leisurely activities his crew was able to take part in while posted at these sites.

Keywords: Hiking; Travel

Partial Transcript: Do you go back...

Segment Synopsis: Cushing talks about his final deployment to Panama in which his group worked with the local Police Force/Presidential Guard and escorted submarines through the Panama Canal. He discusses being stationed with the Special Missions Platoon and training with other special operations groups.

Keywords: 1st Platoon; Central America; Charlie Company; Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI); San Diego, California

Partial Transcript: Of course, that...

Segment Synopsis: Cushing describes his disappointment when finding out that the Navy was defunding his platoon's mission. He discusses the process of having their boats taken away and their team being broken up, which solidified his decision to leave active duty and apply for college. He also explains the role of the military in his life and why he decided to reenlist into the Navy Reserves.

Keywords: Big Navy; Green Boats; Grey Boats; Patrol Missions

Partial Transcript: You pretty much had...

Segment Synopsis: Cushing talks about how his passion for golf remained throughout his time in the Navy, so he ended up attending Miami University in Ohio to study and play golf. He explains how he managed to graduate with a degree in Kinesiology and Health in only 2 years because of factors such as the Joint Service Transcript (JST).

Keywords: College; Education; GI Bill; Mentor

Partial Transcript: Get us to...

Segment Synopsis: Cushing explains applying to Army Officer Candidate School (OCS) multiple times but being denied a required medical waiver. He talks about choosing to attend UGA to pursue his Master's in Business Administration (MBA) and accepting a full-time position with the Navy Federal Credit Union. He offers a final piece of advice at the end of the interview.

Keywords: Analytics; Drilling; Finance; GMAT; Gunner's Mate; Higher Education; IRR (Individual Ready Reserve); Internship; Navy Reserves; Seal Team 17; Special Warfare Support; Washington, D.C.