Tom McCollum's guest appearances

Tom McCollum

PenaltyBoxRadio

STRIVECast

From The Newsroom: The Fayetteville Observer

Phil Smith

Jeff Taylor

Hugh Jackman

Morgan Freeman

Austin Smith

Chris Martin

Scott Taylor

Kathryn Sargent

KEVIN SCHNEIDER

Mike Nicholas

Joe Reardon

Emily Wright

Eric Hughes

Chris Harper

Rebecca Williams

OwlTail

On a VERY exciting episode of the #STRIVECast, Jeff and Noel sit down with the Maine Mariners’ goaltender, Tom McCollum! Tom tells the guys all about what life is like as an ECHL player, and about why he feels it’s important to give back to the community. This year, Tom selected STRIVE to be the beneficiary of the “Goalie’s Who Give” Program – and in doing so donated four season tickets to STRIVE, with the opportunity for STRIVE members and their families to meet Tom and the whole team at each home game! Thanks so much to Tom for joining us. Later in the episode, stick around for the funniest #SusiesQs yet, where she gives us some great Christmas-themed jokes! Happy #PodcastTuesday!

On a VERY exciting episode of the #STRIVECast, Jeff and Noel sit down with the Maine Mariners’ goaltender, Tom McCollum! Tom tells the guys all about what life is like as an ECHL player, and about why he feels it’s important to give back to the community. This year, Tom selected STRIVE to be the beneficiary of the “Goalie’s Who Give” Program – and in doing so donated four season tickets to STRIVE, with the opportunity for STRIVE members and their families to meet Tom and the whole team at each home game! Thanks so much to Tom for joining us. Later in the episode, stick around for the funniest #SusiesQs yet, where she gives us some great Christmas-themed jokes! Happy #PodcastTuesday!

Season 2, Episode 11: STRIVECast Slapshot with Tom McCollum of the Maine Mariners!

When Tom McCollum transitioned from the 82nd Airborne to Special Forces, he knew the training would be tough. The Special Forces Qualification Course, or Q Course, can take up to two years to complete, depending on a soldier's area of expertise. As a former company commander with ample leadership experience, McCollum was ready for the challenge. Still, he found himself struggling to adapt to a new role. "All of a sudden, I found myself in SERE school, where I was the senior ranking officer, but no matter what I said, no matter what I did, was wrong," said McCollum. SERE school, focusing on survival, evasion, resistance and escape, teaches soldiers what to expect if they become prisoners of war. Students must try to keep their wits during grueling mock interrogations designed to test their resolve. "I had gone from a position where people looked to me for guidance, where I was taking care of them, to people looking at me hoping I wouldn't say anything, said McCollum. "It was a complete shock and reversal from everything I was used to. I remember I had a hard time dealing with that." The experience forced him to see himself in a new light. McCollum said it was the biggest mental challenge he faced in his Army career. "I think that was a good thing. At the time I wouldn't have said that was a good thing, but it's one of those lessons that you learn that dawns on you years later."

When Tom McCollum transitioned from the 82nd Airborne to Special Forces, he knew the training would be tough. The Special Forces Qualification Course, or Q Course, can take up to two years to complete, depending on a soldier's area of expertise. As a former company commander with ample leadership experience, McCollum was ready for the challenge. Still, he found himself struggling to adapt to a new role. "All of a sudden, I found myself in SERE school, where I was the senior ranking officer, but no matter what I said, no matter what I did, was wrong," said McCollum. SERE school, focusing on survival, evasion, resistance and escape, teaches soldiers what to expect if they become prisoners of war. Students must try to keep their wits during grueling mock interrogations designed to test their resolve. "I had gone from a position where people looked to me for guidance, where I was taking care of them, to people looking at me hoping I wouldn't say anything, said McCollum. "It was a complete shock and reversal from everything I was used to. I remember I had a hard time dealing with that." The experience forced him to see himself in a new light. McCollum said it was the biggest mental challenge he faced in his Army career. "I think that was a good thing. At the time I wouldn't have said that was a good thing, but it's one of those lessons that you learn that dawns on you years later."

Fort Bragg Stories: Tom McCollum