The High Ground

The High Ground podcast - Episode 15 - U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command's Ronald "Beetle" Bailey goes back to his roots as a ground-based missile defense officer when he speaks with several Colorado Army National Guard Soldiers and long-time friends from the 100th Missile Defense Brigade - Operations Team to learn how they ensure readiness of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense crew members charged with defending the U.S. homeland against intercontinental ballistic missile attack 24/7/365 in support of U.S. Northern Command. They'll discuss the team's primary and secondary missions, how missile crews are evaluated, the level of expertise required to be an MD OPS team member, and why what they do as evaluators matters in defense of the nation. Released February 18, 2022. Produced by Ronald Bailey.

The High Ground podcast - Episode 14 - Host Ronald "Beetle" Bailey and Mikayla Mast highlight the Army's Space and Missile Defense School. School's Director, Daryl Breitbach, talks about the school's mission and relevance on the modern Multi-Domain battlefield. Later, four different Division Chiefs and Course Managers including: Robert Marquez, Brett Witherill, Dustin Lee, and Kale Murray provide a behind-the-scenes look at how courses are taught, what it takes to be an instructor at the SMD School, and how their training is kept relevant amid the rapid advances in technology and adversary capability. All the while dispelling some of the more common myths and misconceptions they hear from students and others about Army Space and the School itself. Released January 11, 2022. Produced by Ronald Bailey.

The High Ground podcast - Episode 13 - Host Ronald "Beetle" Bailey and 1SG Steve Segin talk a brief history of the National Guard, followed by conversation with LTC David McDill, SMDC's Senior Guard Advisor, MAJ Andrew Schaaf, Commander, 1158th Space Support Company - 117th Space Battalion, and CW3 Andrew Knight, BMD Systems Integrator - 100th Missile Defense Brigade, to highlight SMDC National Guard missions and units. Released December 10, 2021. Produced by Ronald Bailey.

The High Ground podcast - Episode 12 - Host Lira Frye talks with James B. Johnson, USASMDC deputy to the commanding general, about his 34-year civil service journey that took him from being a college graduate as an electrical engineer, all the way through becoming a member of the senior executive service and the command's highest ranking civilian. Johnson also provides recommendations to civilians on how to improve their career prospects, how the Army has changed over the last three and a half decades, and the one project he looks back upon with the most pride. Released November 3, 2021. Produced by Ronald Bailey.

The High Ground is the official podcast of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. In this Special Edition episode, released October 19, 2021, USASMDC Chief Information Security Officer Terry Carlson talks about the one year anniversary of the SUCCEED program, the many achievements of the program, and the direction of the program's future.

The High Ground Episode 11 contains several recent U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command news highlights and interviews, history and Cool Jobs segments, updates on changes to the podcast for season two beginning November 2021, and other topics of interest for the Army space and missile defense community. The High Ground is the official podcast of USASMDC. Episode 11, released Sept. 17, 2021, is hosted by Ronald Bailey and Allen Meeks.

The High Ground is the official podcast of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. In this Special Edition episode recognizing the 20th anniversary of the attacks on 9/11, SMDC Technical Center Director Thomas Webber and William (Kip) At Lee of the Special Access Control Office recount what it was like for them on the ground in Washington DC, and how that experience effected them, then and now. Recorded at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama and Colorado Springs, Colorado. Released September 10, 2021

The High Ground is the official podcast of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. Episode 10 of the monthly flagship series, released August 9, 2021, is hosted by SMDC Public Affairs Specialist Ronald Bailey and Sergeant 1st Class Trenton Huntsinger, SMDC G3 NCOIC. The episode contains several recent SMDC news highlights and interviews, a special history and Cool Jobs segment, and upcoming events of interest for the Army space and missile defense community.

The High Ground is the official podcast of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. In this Special Edition episode celebrating the 246th birthday of the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps, July 29, 2021, USASDC Public Affairs Specialist Ronald "Beetle" Bailey talks with SMDC Command Chaplain COL Mark Frederick. Chaplain Frederick discusses his personal journey as a Soldier and chaplain, Chaplain Corps history, what it takes to become an Army chaplain, and what chaplains provide to the Army and its people. Originally released in condensed form as a segment for The High Ground's July 7, 2021 monthly edition, this version contains the full-length interview. Recorded at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.

The High Ground is the official podcast of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. In this Special Edition episode, USASMDC Public Affairs Specialist Ronald “Beetle” Bailey and Allen Meeks talk with Chief Warrant Officer 5 Wesley Klees, SMDC's Command Chief Warrant Officer, to highlight the Army Warrant Officer Birthday, July 9. During the interview Klees talks about the history of the Warrant Officer Corps, the role of warrant officers in the Army, criteria to become a warrant officer, his experiences as a warrant officer, advice to those who are considering joining the cohort; and talks directly to young warrant officers on how to excel in their careers. Originally released in condensed form as a segment for The High Ground's July 7, 2021, monthly edition, this version contains the full-length interview. Recorded at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.

The High Ground is the official podcast of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. Episode 9 of the monthly flagship series, released July 6, 2021, is hosted by SMDC Director of Public Affairs Lira Frye and Public Affairs Specialist Ronald Bailey. The episode contains several recent SMDC news highlights and interviews, a special history and Cool Jobs segment, and upcoming events of interest for the Army space and missile defense community.

The High Ground is the official podcast of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. Episode 8 of the monthly flagship series, released June 7, 2021, is hosted by SMDC Public Affairs Specialist Ronald Bailey and Allen Meeks. The episode contains several recent SMDC news highlights and interviews, a special history and Cool Jobs segment, and upcoming events of interest for the Army space and missile defense community.

The High Ground is the official podcast of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. In this Special Edition episode, released May 20, 2021, USASMDC Public Affairs NCO 1SG Steve Segin talks the history of the Vietnam War and the 53rd Signal Battalion (now part of SMDC's U.S. Army SATCOM Brigade) with special guest Bruce Henschel, who served with the 53rd during the Vietnam War.

The High Ground is the official podcast of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. Episode 7 of the monthly flagship series, released May 10, 2021, is hosted by SMDC Public Affairs Specialist Ronald Bailey and 1SG Steve Segin. The episode contains several recent SMDC news highlights and interviews, a special history and Cool Jobs segment, and upcoming events of interest for the Army space and missile defense community.

The High Ground is the official Podcast of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. In this Special Edition episode USASMDC Public Affairs Specialist Ronald “Beetle” Bailey talks with the command's G8 and senior comptroller, COL Samuel (Sam) Glover, and Farrah Eichwurtzle, an SMDC budget analyst. The interview discusses topics including: the robust “1-stop-shop” composition and structure of the G8 staff at SMDC headquarters, budget and finance lessons learned caused by COVID-19, and how G8 enhances Army readiness by supporting SMDC personnel and organizations conducting their global space and missile defense missions. Originally released in condensed form as a segment for The High Ground's April 1, 2021, monthly edition, this version contains the full-length interview.

The High Ground is the official podcast of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. In this Special Edition episode USASMDC Public Affairs Specialist Ronald “Beetle” Bailey talks with U.S. Army astronaut and Army NASA Detachment commander COL Andrew “Drew” Morgan. Recorded in early April 2021 to commemorate the 1-year anniversary of COL Morgan's return to earth from the International Space Station, the conversation focuses on ways to deal with life and career changes for Soldiers and their families. Morgan shares his experiences as an Army physician, Soldier, and astronaut throughout his 20+ year career and offers recommendations on how Soldiers and their families can deal with both macro and micro changes in their career. Above all, Morgan offers suggestions to service members on how to prepare themselves for the ultimate career change, separation. Be that retirement or ETS, it's something every Soldier will face.

The High Ground is the official podcast of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. Episode 6 of the monthly flagship series, released April 1, 2021, is hosted by SMDC Public Affairs Specialist Ronald Bailey and SMDC Public Affairs contractor Melissa Bullard. The episode contains several recent SMDC news highlights and interviews, listener questions, a Cool Jobs segment, and upcoming events of interest for the Army space and missile defense community.

The High Ground is the official podcast of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. Episode 5 of the monthly flagship series, released March. 5, 2021, is hosted by SMDC Public Affairs Specialist Ronald Bailey and Carrie Campbell. The episode contains several recent SMDC news highlights and interviews, listener questions, a Cool Jobs segment, and upcoming events of interest for the Army space and missile defense community.

The High Ground is the official Podcast of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. In this Special Edition episode, Sgt. 1st Class Aaron Rognstad talks with Lt. Col Scott Nos on the occasion of his retirement about his eclectic 36-year military career with the Navy and Army, completing his last four years with the 1st Space Brigade, Feb. 20, 2021.

The High Ground is the official Podcast of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. In this Special Edition episode, public affairs specialist Ronald Bailey talks with Richard Yu, director, Capability Development Integration Directorate from SMDC's Space and Missile Defense Center of Excellence, Feb. 3, 2021, about his "Cool Job" as the CDID director, roles and history of the senior executive service, and career advice to members of the civil service.

The High Ground is the official podcast of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. Episode 4 of the monthly flagship series, released Feb. 5, 2021, is hosted by SMDC Public Affairs Specialist Ronald Bailey and Staff Sgt. Dennis DePrisco. The episode contains several recent SMDC news highlights and interviews, listener questions, a Cool Jobs segment, and upcoming events of interest for the Army space and missile defense community.

The High Ground is the official Podcast of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. Episode 3 of the monthly flagship series, released Jan. 11, 2021, and hosted by Staff Sgt. Zach Sheely and Maj. William Smith of the 100th Missile Defense Brigade Public Affairs Office, consists of SMDC news, listener questions, a Cool Jobs interview segment, and upcoming events of interest for the Army space and missile defense community.

The High Ground is the official Podcast of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. In this Special Edition episode SFC Aaron Rognstadt, a U.S. Army Reserve Public Affairs NCO currently assigned to USASMDC, talks with Soldiers from 1st Space Brigade who experienced the Jan. 8, 2020 Iranian missile strike an Ayn al-Asaid airbase in Western Iraq.

The High Ground is the official Podcast of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. Episode 2 of the monthly flagship series, released December 1, 2020, consists of SMDC news, listener questions, a Cool Jobs interview segment, and upcoming events of interest for the Army space and missile defense community.

The High Ground is the official Podcast of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. Episode 1 is the inaugural monthly (flagship) episode for November 2020 with SMDC news, listener questions, a Cool Jobs interview segment, and upcoming events of interest for the Army Space and Missile Defense Community.