Combat photographer turns military experiences into theater - Tango Alpha Lima

Combat photographer turns military experiences into theater - Tango Alpha Lima

Author: The American Legion September 22, 2026 Duration: 54:58

Adrienne Borghoff left a small town in southern Illinois to see the world, following her family into the Air Force as a broadcast journalist. Fourteen years later, she had served in Korea, Iceland and Italy and deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan as a combat photographer, becoming the only member of her family to serve in a war zone.

Now an actor, storyteller and creator in New York City, Borghoff is turning that experience into "No Missions," a play about two women in the military on a day with nothing on the schedule and plenty to argue about. The Air Force veteran talks about why the transition to civilian life is harder than any briefing prepares you for, how interviewing, scripting and editing in the military built the career she has today, and why the hardest story to write is the one you lived.

Also in this episode, co-hosts Adam Marr and Stacy Pearsall tell the story of a 20-year-old Marine combat photographer in Vietnam whose split-second decision saved three Marines and earned him a posthumous Medal of Honor, and dig into how military service shaped the storytellers behind "Platoon," "Training Day," "Fury," "The Godfather" and "Twilight Zone."Your stories.


Your service. Your community. This is Tango Alpha Lima.










Hosted by three veterans of the Global War on Terrorism, the Tango Alpha Lima Podcast from The American Legion is a weekly conversation built on shared experience. Each episode sits down with fellow veterans and influential voices from the military community for discussions that are as substantive as they are engaging. Listeners will hear candid stories about the transition to civilian life, moments of valor, and the ongoing journey toward mental wellness, including frank talk about overcoming PTSD and navigating VA benefits. But this podcast is more than just interviews; it’s a reflection of military camaraderie. The hosts bring a familiar, often humorous dynamic to the table, blending playful joking and vibrant discussion with their takes on current events, interesting trends, and the quirky stories that resonate with those who have served. It’s a mix of heartfelt personal narratives, practical advice, and timely commentary, all delivered with the authenticity only insiders can provide. Tune in for a connection that feels like pulling up a chair with old friends who aren’t afraid to tackle the tough topics or share a laugh about the lighter side of life in and after the uniform.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Tango Alpha Lima Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Military families and the GWOT memorial [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:04
Military veterans and military family members are guiding the concept and design for the memorial that will honor and remember all involved in the Global War on Terrorism. The Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Memorial Foun…
FBI agent’s role in investigating the mafia, human trafficking [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:41
Marine veteran Mark Sewell joined the FBI after his military service, working on cases involving organized crime, human trafficking and more. In the Atlanta FBI office, he was joined by agents who worked on high-profile…
How to find your outdoor adventure passion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:12
Retired Air Force veteran Brandon Fertig has transformed from a conservative, mild mannered civilian to a passionate outdoor adventurer. An employee of Philips, he has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, skydived and whitewater r…