In this episode of The Line and The Oath, Fred Hawkins—retired firefighter, law enforcement officer, and Senior Drum Major for the State of New Mexico—breaks down what it really means to represent the fallen. With over two decades in the fire service and 26 years in law enforcement, Fred has…
In this episode, Richard shares what that kind of exposure actually does to you over time. From fatal scenes to the responsibility of reconstructing how and why they happened, this conversation goes beyond the job—it’s about the accumulation, the weight, and the things you don’t leave behind when the shift…
Jesse Torres has spent over two decades as a voice in the Dalhart community—but nothing prepared him for the loss of his son, firefighter Brendan Torres, in the line of duty on October 4, 2022. In this episode, Jesse shares what grief really looks like after the funeral ends, and…
In this episode, we sit down with Brandi Carswell, an EMS veteran with over 21 years on the front lines. This conversation goes beyond the job. We talk about the calls that stay with you, the mental toll that builds over time, and the reality of carrying trauma long after…
In this episode, we sit down with retired NYPD detective Tom Smith for a real conversation on law enforcement, investigations, communication, and what it actually takes to work the job at every level. Tom shares how his journey began, how his career took him from street patrol to international counter-terrorism…
In this episode, we sit down with Erica Roberts for a real conversation on dispatch, leadership, communication, and what it actually takes to stay calm when everything around you is chaos. Erica shares how her journey in emergency communications began, what she has learned from more than 20 years behind…
In this episode, we sit down with Bill Owen for a real conversation on honor guard, leadership, discipline, and what it actually takes to perform at a high level. Bill shares how his journey began, how he ended up teaching drill and ceremonies around the world, and why standards, culture,…
In this episode, we talk honor guard, discipline, and what it truly means to carry the standard. Using insight from Doug Swartz the commander of the National Honor Guard Academy, we break down the repetition, precision, pride, and emotional weight behind the role. People often see the final product, but…
Welcome to the very first episode of The Line & The Oath. In this pilot episode, we introduce the rebrand, share what this podcast stands for, and talk about what listeners can expect moving forward. We break down the meaning behind The Line & The Oath and why this name…