Podcasts about Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Nick Lavery, an active-duty Green Beret in the US Army Special Forces, a combat-wounded warrior, an author, keynote speaker, and entrepreneur joins me on this episode. Nick's awards include the Silver Star, three Purple Hearts, two Bronze Stars, Bronze Star with “V” for valor, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, the OSS Society Peter Ortiz Award, the Bruce Price Leadership Award, and the Special Operations Command Excalibur Award. Nick's list of clients includes the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Tool, Sherwin Williams, The FBI, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Habitat for Humanity, and many others.

Just after 2 a.m. on April 11, the U.S. Senate confirmed retired Air Force Lieutenant General Dan Caine as the 22nd Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. As it turns out, Ryan had the opportunity to interview Gen. Caine a few years ago as part of The Daily Stoic Leadership Challenge.In honor of his recent confirmation, today's episode is Ryan and Gen. Caine's powerful conversation. Gen. Caine reflects on being one of the first pilots in the air on 9/11, the core traits every great leader must embody, and how to effectively inspire and guide a team toward a shared mission.General Dan Caine is the 22nd Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He has flown more than 100 combat hours in F-16 aircraft. His total flight hours are 2,800. Throughout his career he was awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.

This week I was honored to sit down with Nick Lavery. Nick was so gracious with his time, the most humblest of men, he and I had a conversation you absolutely don't want to miss. We didn't get into the events of 2013 that shaped his life. We instead focused on his "why", and the lessons he has learned from a lifetime of never quitting. Come away a better version of yourself for listening to this amazing human being. Even with my limited interaction with Nick, he's inspired me to be a better version of John. Until next week, take care of yourself and each other, God Bless, Johnhttps://www.teammchn.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-lavery-a691871ba?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BrRTvGiNITaG8dmFlRtAPVQ%3D%3DChief Warrant Officer Two (CW2) Nick LaveryNick, born and raised in Massachusetts, is an active-duty member of The United States Army Special Forces. Commonly known as the Green Berets, the Special Forces perform critical missions including direct action, counterinsurgency, foreign internal defense, special reconnaissance, and unconventional warfare.In 2013, while deployed to Afghanistan, he and his Detachment fell victim to an insider attack ultimately resulting in the loss of his leg. Following a year of surgeries and initial recovery including the use of a prosthetic at Walter Reed National Medical Military Center, he returned to his unit. Refusing a military medical retirement, Nick set his sights on returning to operational status. In 2015, at the conclusion of a challenging, comprehensive assessment designed to evaluate Nick's abilities to operate, he returned to his Detachment and was subsequently deployed once again to Afghanistan conducting full spectrum combat operations. Nick is considered the first Special Forces operator to return to combat as an above-the-knee amputee.Nick is currently serving as a Special Forces Warrant Officer and is widely recognized as an experienced subject matter expert in special operations, intelligence fusion, mission planning and complex problem solving across all operational continuums. He is also the first amputee in military history to complete the Special Forces Warrant Officer Technical and Tactical Certification course, the Special Operations Combatives Program Instructor course, and the Special Forces Combat Diver Qualification course.Nick's awards include the Silver Star, three Purple Hearts, two Bronze Stars, Bronze Star with “V” for valor, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, the OSS Society Peter Ortiz Award, the Bruce Price Leadership Award, and the Special Operations Command Excalibur Award.Nick is a warrior, leader, speaker, author and most importantly a husband and father of two young boys.Thank you for taking the time to give this podcast a listen. If you would like more information on other Law enforcement Life Coach initiatives, our "Sometimes Heroes Need Help" wellness seminar or our One-On-One life coaching please visit :www.lawenforcementlifecoach.comJohn@lawenforcementlifecoach.comAnd if you would like to watch the interview you can view it in it's entirety on the Law Enforcement Life Coach YouTube Channel : https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCib6HRqAFO08gAkZQ-B9Ajw/videos/upload?filter=%5B%5D&sort=%7B%22columnType%22%3A%22date%22%2C%22sortOrder%22%3A%22DESCENDING%22%7D

Andrew (Sully) Sullivan, retired Navy SEAL and DEVGRU operator, and founder of BlueForce Strategies and Community First Project joins me on this episode. Andrew's combat commendations include the Silver Star Medal, two Bronze Star Medals with combat valor, the Purple Heart Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, six Joint Service Commendation Medals with combat valor, two Navy and Marine Commendation medals with valor, three Presidential Unit Citations, and numerous other joint and individual awards. Andrew is a subject matter expert in Special Operations and law enforcement training, instructing, leading, and mentorship, with a passion for service. Topics we cover include being a lifelong learner, growing up with patriotism, the moment that changed the trajectory of Andrew's life, leadership, the transition back to civilian life, training law enforcement officers, and more. Get connected with Andrew: Website: https://c1p.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551444688279 Twitter: https://twitter.com/C1Porg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/community_first_project/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-sullivan-647826175/ Donate to Community First: https://c1p.org/donate Leave a 5-star review with a comment on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/business-minds-coffee-chat/id1539014324  Subscribe to my Business Builder Newsletter: https://bit.ly/32y0YxJ  Want to learn how you can work with me to gain more clarity, build a rock-solid foundation for your business, and achieve the results and success you deserve? Visit http://jayscherrbusinessconsulting.com/ and schedule a 1:1 discovery coaching call. Enjoy, thanks for listening, and please share with a friend!

Lt. Col. Bernard House is a distinguished U.S. Army officer, decorated with honors like the Bronze Star (with three Oak Leaf Clusters), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal (with a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster). In addition to his military career, he serves as a professor of military science at the University of Tennessee at Martin, where he also directs the ROTC battalions at both UT Martin and Murray State University. Lt. Col. House is also an honoree at the upcoming 2025 Discovery Awards. In this episode, Lt. Col. House reflects on his inspiring journey from growing up in the small town of Lexa, Arkansas, to rising through the ranks in the U.S. Army. He discusses his leadership experiences in diverse roles, including as a company fire support officer in Germany, paladin platoon leader in Kosovo, and battalion operations officer in Afghanistan. Lt. Col. House offers invaluable leadership insights—relevant not just for those in the military, but also for professionals in the private sector. This episode is sponsored by Final Flight Outfitters.

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in San Antonio, TX on June 11th & 12th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ David Baska is a dynamic leader with expertise in operations, finance, and strategic planning. As Chief Operating Officer at Swift Brands, he spearheads the company's mission to revolutionize military-branded apparel and the broader apparel industry through innovative technology and U.S.-based on-demand manufacturing. A former officer in the U.S. Air Force, David served in space and military operations, earning honors such as the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and later contributed as a program manager in the U.S. Space Force. An academy graduate and former collegiate baseball player, he brings a strong foundation in leadership and teamwork to his professional endeavors. David's passion for innovation and dedication to excellence continue to drive meaningful advancements across industries, leaving a lasting impact.   In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with David about: The Vision for Swift Brands: Revolutionizing apparel with a vertically integrated tech and e-commerce platform. Innovative Solutions: Addressing supply chain issues with U.S.-based on-demand manufacturing for youth sports, schools, and military sectors. David's Journey: From academy grad and baseball player to leader of Swift Brands and MadeinVSA.com. Simplifying Customization: Empowering schools, military units, and affinity groups to create and manage custom apparel lines effortlessly. Challenges and Future Goals: Tackling industry obstacles and aiming for impactful milestones in 2025. Ways to Collaborate: Opportunities to partner with Swift Brands and connect with David for support.   Timestamps: 00:25 Overview of Swift Brands 03:23 Understanding VSA and Its Market 09:46 Military Market and Vision 18:06 Future Goals and Challenges   Connect with David : LinkedIn - David B. www.madeinvsa.com   If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today.   Make sure you never miss an episode—subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to David for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01

In this special episode, we welcome two distinguished leaders, COL Caryn Vernon and COL Sabrina Thweatt, both serving as Medical Brigade Commanders. They share insights into the challenges and rewards of leadership in Army Medicine, their journey to command, & how they balance high-stakes careers with family life. From leading teams in complex environments to prioritizing personal well-being, these accomplished officers provide invaluable leadership lessons and career advice for aspiring leaders, working parents, and military professionals. A Virginia State University graduate, COL Thweatt holds M.S. degrees in Human Resource Management (University of Maryland University College) and National Resource Strategy (National Defense University). She has served as Chief of Staff, Medical Readiness Command, East, and previously commanded Troop Command, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and the 10th Field Hospital, Fort Carson. Her key roles include Deputy G-1, 44th MEDCOM, Chief, Personnel Services (Task Force 44, OIF 08-10, Iraq), J1-Chief, JTF Cap Med, Deputy G-1, Europe Regional Medical Command, Brigade S-1, 30th MED BDE (Germany), and Deputy Commander, Task Force Medical Afghanistan (Bagram). She also served as Executive Assistant to The Surgeon General and CG, U.S. Army Medical Command. Her military education includes AMEDD Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, CGSC, The Eisenhower School, and multiple HR and healthcare administration courses. Her awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Legion of Merit (1OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4OLC), Army Commendation Medal (7OLC), Army Achievement Medal (2OLC), and multiple campaign and service medals. She is a member of the Order of Military Medical Merit and serves as the 70F Consultant to The Surgeon General. A University of Arizona graduate, COL Vernon earned an M.A. in Health Services Management (Webster University) and an M.S. in Strategic Studies. She has held diverse leadership and operational roles, including Evacuation & Treatment Platoon Leader (261st ASMB, Fort Bragg), XO, 2nd ACR Forward Surgical Team, Commander, C Co, 702nd MSB (Korea), S3, 261st ASMB (OIF 2004-2005), Ops Officer, U.S. Army Special Operations Command Sustainment BDE, J4 Health Service Support Division (Joint Staff), Plans Officer, 1st MED BDE (Fort Hood), Battalion Commander, 232nd MED BN (JBSA-Fort Sam Houston), and Commander, MEDDAC Fort Knox & Ireland Army Health Clinic. She most recently served as Director, Strategic Initiatives Group, Office of The Surgeon General before joining the 44th Medical Brigade. Her military education includes U.S. Air Force Air War College, CGSC, Medical Strategic Leadership Program, and Joint Medical Planners Course. Her awards include the Legion of Merit (2OLC), Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (8OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (4OLC), Army Achievement Medal (4OLC), and various campaign medals. She holds the Expert Field Medical Badge, Parachutist Badge, Army Staff Identification Badge, and Joint Staff Identification Badge. She is a member of the Order of Military Medical Merit and holds the AMEDD 9A Proficiency Designator. COL Vernon is the 70H Consultant to the Army Surgeon General. Tune in for an inspiring conversation with two outstanding commanders!Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are the guests and host's alone and do not reflect the official position of the Medical Service Corps, the Department of Defense, or the US Government. All information discussed is unclassified approved for public release and found on open cleared sources.For more episodes listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube @ Be All You Can Be MSC For more information, suggestions, or questions please contact: beallyoucanbemsc@gmail.com

In the Line of Duty: Rodney Magallan's Legacy in Protective Operations In this week's Team Never Quit episode, Marcus and Melanie welcome Rodney Magallan, a distinguished expert in protective operations and personal security with an unparalleled career spanning over 35 years. From his early days as a Navy SEAL to his pivotal roles with the U.S. Marshals, CIA, and corporate executive protection, Rodney has operated in some of the world's most challenging environments. Join us as Rodney shares his journey through completing BUDS (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL) training, his deployments with SEAL Team 4 and later SEAL Team 6, where he became a leader in cutting-edge maritime capabilities, transitioning into federal law enforcement as a U.S. Marshal and training protective agents with the CIA's Global Response Staff. Leading executive protection teams in both corporate and private sectors. Commanding special operations teams in high-stakes, non-permissive environments.  Rodney's extensive accolades include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, multiple Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and the CIA's Exceptional Performance Award. Beyond his operational expertise, he's a certified firearms instructor, a martial arts apprentice, and a mentor to the next generation of security professionals. Rodney brings to the table leadership lessons from a career built on discipline, adaptability, and service. Tune in for a riveting conversation with one of the most seasoned experts in the field of personal security and protective operations. Whether you're in the industry or simply intrigued by high-stakes security, this episode is a must-listen. In This Episode You Will Hear: • People don't believe me when I tell them that the first time that live bullets were coming my way – it was uneventful. (6:27) • When I went to Jumpmaster school, it was easy because 18 Delta just drove that process into me. (11;07) • In 2000, we found out that my mother was one of 17 heirs to 160,000 acres of land and gold. (13:40) • I thought being on the Teams and running hard was what I was supposed to do. I realize now that family matters. (16:49) • We're all gonna do a swim test to qualify for SEALS or diver. Hey, we're gonna do the sidestroke. And I'm like “What's the sidestroke?” I'd never even heard of the sidestroke. (22:34) • I don't see myself as cool. I just see it as something I did. Every time I do something else, I'm not gonna quit. If I commit to it, I'm gonna do it to the best of my ability. (28:22) • You matter, and you can do it. You choose if you're gonna let them beat you down, or motivate you. You can do it. (32:17) • No one could hurt me more than my mom. (32:26) • I actually lied and said I spoke Spanish. That's how I got to Team 4. (36:19) • AIDS was huge back in the 80s and 90s. AIDS is gonna kill you. You couldn't do mouth-to-mouth unless you had a pocket mask. (43:44) • [Melanie] Q: Your total service time is what?  A: 35 ½ years. (65:44) • II you go make and look at all the decisions I made, all but one, to go to the CIA, that was the only one where “I gotta get back to war. My brothers are there. “All the rest of ‘em were, “I wanted to provide. I wanted to be a good husband. I want to be a good dad. (81:05) • When I interviewed with Walmart, there's five of ‘em sitting there, and they're asking me questions. And they're like “What are your goals here at Walmart?” And I'm like “Well, I want to be a soccer dad.” And they started laughing. (81:22) • [Marcus] Some guys have to switch into the life. We're always in it. (91:34) • You don't have to be like me. Just be the best at what you say you are. (94:38) • Don't take a space that someone else wants, if you have no intentions on going and doing what you took the oath to do. (94:51) • [Some guys get it the easy way, just living they get it. Some of us have to go out and bleed for it. (95:21) Socials: - Website: https://ballastbooks.com/purchase/tip-of-the-spear/ - IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13 -  https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit Sponsors:    - Navyfederal.org           - GoodRX.com/TNQ    - ghostbed.com/TNQ [TNQ]   -  kalshi.com/TNQ    - PXG.com/TNQ   -  joinbilt.com/TNQ    - Tonal.com [TNQ]   - greenlight.com/TNQ   - PDSDebt.com/TNQ   - drinkAG1.com/TNQ   - Shadyrays.com [TNQ]   - qualialife.com/TNQ [TNQ]   - Hims.com/TNQ   - Shopify.com/TNQ   - Aura.com/TNQ   - Moink.com/TNQ   - Policygenius.com   - TAKELEAN.com [TNQ]   - usejoymode.com [TNQ]   - Shhtape.com [TNQ]

This week on The Resilient Show, Chad Robichaux is joined by Jason Redman, retired naval officer and U.S. Navy SEAL. In this episode, Jason recounts his early days as a young leader and how a series of small mistakes amounted to a larger leadership failure. He shares practical advice about how to prepare yourself for opportunities, and how to develop personal resilience to overcome challenges. Jason Redmanis a retired Navy Lieutenant who spent eleven years as an enlisted Navy SEAL and ten years as a SEAL officer. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, the Purple Heart, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, five Navy Achievement Medals, and two Combat Action Ribbons, along with earning the US Army Ranger Tab. After being severely wounded in Iraq in 2007, Redman returned to active duty before retiring in 2013. He is the author of the memoir The Trident, which was a New York Times bestseller. We hope you enjoy this interview and, of course, encourage you to engage with us here and on our social channels. Pre-Order Your Copy of Jason's new book Mission Invincible Marriage & learn more about Jason: https://jasonredman.com Follow Jason on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonredmanww RESILIENT: Follow Us On Patreon: https://patreon.com/theresilientshow Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resilientshow Follow Us On Twitter:⁠ https://twitter.com/resilientshow Follow Us On TikTok:⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@resilientshow Follow Chad: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/chadrobo_official Shawn Ryan's PETITION: ⁠https://www.change.org/p/invite-commander-ahmad-massoud-to-testify-and-cease-financial-support-to-the-taliban SPONSORS: Smith & Wesson: ⁠https://www.smith-wesson.com/⁠ Vortex Optics: https://vortexoptics.com Gatorz Eyewear: ⁠https://www.gatorz.com/⁠ Allied Wealth: https://alliedwealth.com BioPro+: ⁠https://www.bioproteintech.com/⁠ BioXCellerator: https://www.bioxcellerator.com —------- The Resilient Show is a proud supporter of military and first responder communities in partnership with Mighty Oaks Foundation.

Send us a textThe FTGN Merch Store is Live!! Help Support the site with official FTGN Gear!In this episode, Joe Byerly talks with CSM Walter J. Zajkowski, Senior Enlisted Leader of Special Operations Command Pacific. With 30 years of service, CSM Zajkowski reflects on his journey from young Ranger to senior leader, sharing lessons on leadership growth, feedback, and learning from both great and challenging leaders.Key topics include:The role of ego in leadership and how embracing tough assignments can lead to transformation.The importance of supplementing formal education with reading and self-reflection.How to give people what they need, not just what they want, to develop strong, capable teams.The power of identifying and living your "why" to stay aligned with purpose.This conversation is packed with actionable advice and reflections for leaders at every level. Command Sergeant Major Zajkowski is the Command Senior Enlisted Leader,Special Operations Command Pacific (SOCPAC), headquartered at Camp H.M.Smith, Hawaii.Prior to his assignment at SOCPAC, he served as the Command Sergeant Majorof 3rd Operational Support Group (2021-2022). Previous positions of responsibilityinclude Battalion CSM, Force Generation Directorate SGM, Selection and TrainingSGM, Company SGM, Operations SGM, Training Instructor/Writer, TeamSergeant, and Team Member. CSM Zajkowski began his Army career in 2ndBattalion 75th Ranger Regiment (1994-1999) where he served as a Rifleman,Team Leader, and Squad Leader.He enlisted in the Army in 1994 and served in multiple leadership positions withinthe joint special operations community. Command Sergeant Major Zajkowski deployed in support of multiple combat operations to include Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Inherent Resolve.His awards and decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit w/C device, Bronze Star w/Valor, Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal w/Valor device,Combat Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, Combat Diver Badge, Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Badge.A special thanks to this week's sponsors!Veteran-founded Adyton. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process here!Exray a veteran-owned apparel brand elevating the custom gear experience. Exray provides free design services and creates dedicated web stores for unitsMy favorite coffee is veteran-owned Alpha Coffee and I've been drinking it every morning since 2020! They make 100% premium arabica coffee. Alpha has donated over 22k bags of coffee to deployed units and they offer a 10% discount for military veterans, first responders, nurses, and teachers! Try their coffee today. Once you taste the Alpha difference, you won't want to drink anything else!  Learn more here

From Navy SEAL to AI Innovator: Protecting Kids Online with Josh Thurman In this week's Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus and Melanie sit down with Navy SEAL veteran and tech entrepreneur Josh Thurman. As the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Angel Kids AI, Josh is at the forefront of using artificial intelligence to create a safer, age-appropriate internet experience for children. Josh shares insights into his 12+ years of service as a SEAL officer, where he completed 11 overseas deployments in support of the Global War on Terror and was awarded three Bronze Stars, a Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Two Joint Commendation Medals, Three Navy Commendation Medals, a Navy Achievement Medal, a Presidential Unit Citation, and a Joint Meritorious Unit Award as well as multiple combat and valorous distinctions. Following his transition to civilian life in 2018, Josh applied the leadership and problem-solving skills he honed in the military to the tech world. His groundbreaking platform, Angel Kids AI, empowers parents to protect their children online by enforcing parental guidelines across the digital landscape. In this episode, Josh talks about the challenges of building a tech startup, the future of AI in safeguarding children, and his personal journey from the battlefield to the boardroom. Tune in to hear about his incredible story, the vision behind Angel Kids AI, and how he's making the internet a safer place for kids. In This Episode You Will Hear: • Riding my bike home; car doesn't see me. Pulls out and we crash at 20 mph. I fly over the hood, my right leg hits, immense pain. I had broken my hip. But now I'm starting to think about the military. I crutch my way to the recruiter's office. • Every generation, since the beginning of America has fought to preserve our freedom. • [Marcus] When you're checking into BUDS, check in on Friday after 4:30pm.  • Always choose the hard things because even if you fail, you're gonna learn a ton. • Things are gonna hit you in life that you have almost no control over, and you're gonna want to have those experiences that you build up doing the things you chose to be hard, so you can survive those moments. • My wife's a nurse practitioner, she's tracking the baby on the Doppler. As she's laboring, our son passes away. Been through all this stuff: Training, deployments… I'm grateful for those things, because they all sort of prepared me for this thing that happened in life that I had no control over. •There's suffering to be dealt with and that loss – you've gotta get through it, assigning meaning to that suffering. I'm not suffering for nothing, I'm suffering for something. • [Marcus] A lot of times, you just go though it with them, and not talk ‘em through it. • Recognize that God gives us that pain to keep us close to that person so that we don't forget ‘em. • I always knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur. In many ways, I wanted to serve as long as I could, as hard as I could, but I knew on the other side this is what I wanted to do. • You may have thousands of followers on whatever platform it, but do you have someone you can call to move a couch? • Social media is a democracy killing force. It wields way too much power in our lives. • Technology should be a tool to help us fulfill the dreams of our lives. It's totally inverted right now. • AI has been working for big tech, it serves their purposes. It serves up products to advertisers. This is the big machine. Frankly, we're getting played by it. • If you want this incredible thing called America to persist, you've gotta be part of the solution. • We're all getting played, and the house always wins. • There's value in getting information, organizing, shopping, people finding love on line. But it shouldn't be massively destructive. • Kids have access to this online virtual world all the time that's terrible for their mental health. It's teaching them that the most important things in life is how many likes and followers you get. • The surgeon general put out a warning: If kids are spending 3 or more hours on social media, they're 50% more likely to be depressed. • At Angel Kids, our mission is to use AI to make the internet safe for kids.  Socials: - IG: jpthurman        - https://www.angelkids.ai/ - IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13 -  https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit Sponsors:    - Navyfederal.org           - Tonal.com [TNQ]    - PXG.com/TNQ    - GoodRX.com/TNQ   - greenlight.com/TNQ   - PDSDebt.com/TNQ   - drinkAG1.com/TNQ    - ghostbed.com/TNQ [TNQ]   - Shadyrays.com [TNQ]   - qualialife.com/TNQ [TNQ]   - Hims.com/TNQ   - Shopify.com/TNQ   - Aura.com/TNQ   - Moink.com/TNQ   - Policygenius.com   - TAKELEAN.com [TNQ]   - usejoymode.com [TNQ]   - Shhtape.com [TNQ]   - mackweldon.com/utm_source=streaming&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=podcastlaunch&utm_content=TNQutm_term=TNQ

Christopher grew up and attended school in Norman, OK. Earned his MBA in 1990 and his MA in National Security and Strategic Studies in 2004 (recertified in 2013). Joined the US Navy and went active on 14 Feb 1993. Deployed with the US Marine Corps twice, including Iraq in 2006. Served on the 7th Fleet Staff during 9/11. He served on 3 Combatant Command staffs: US Forces Korea (Subunified), USSTRATCOM, and USAFRICOM. His last duty was with NATO HQ ACT in Norfolk, VA. After retirement, he moved to East Tennessee in 2021. Loric earned multiple military awards, including Defense Meritorious Service Medal (4x), Meritorious Service Medal (2x), and Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4x), along with other service and deployed awards. Married to a wonderful Lady, Sirirug.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-x-zone-radio-tv-show--1078348/support.

Send us a Text Message.My next guest needs no introduction for many of you. His crew's presence this past year in the Red Sea was highly publicized. Not only that, he is part of a new era of “influencer” senior leaders, taking his leadership lessons outside the skin of the ship, and helping the public better understand our Navy! “Chowdah” Hill is a native of Quincy, Massachusetts. He is a 1996 graduate of Tufts University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, magna cum laude; a 2006 graduate of Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service with a Master of Arts in Security Studies, with honors; and a 2016 graduate of the Naval Nuclear Power Training program. Hill was commissioned through the Navy ROTC program and received his wings of gold as a naval flight officer in 1997. Operational tours include Airborne Command & Control Squadron (VAW) 126 from 1998-2001, participating in Operations Southern Watch, Desert Fox, And Deliberate Forge; VAW-124 in 2004 as a weapons and tactics instructor; VAW-115 from 2007-2009 as a department head, participating in patrols in the Western Pacific; VAW-124 from 2012-2014 as the executive officer and commanding officer, participating in Operations Enduring Freedom and Inherent Resolve; the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) from 2017 to 2019 as the executive officer, participating again in Operation Inherent Resolve; and the USS Arlington (LPD 24) as the commanding officer. He received the MacArthur Foundation Award for writing as a student at the Joint Forces Staff College in 2014. Hill assumed command of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) on March 23, 2023.Unit awards include the 2014 and 2017 Battle “E” Award, the 2014 Frank Akers AEW Excellence Award, and the 2014, 2017 and 2020 CNO Safety “S” Award. He was selected as the E-2C Hawkeye Naval Flight Officer of the Year in 2001. Hill has more than 2,700 hours of flight time primarily in the E-2C Hawkeye. His awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, four Meritorious Service Medals, four Air Medals, four Navy Commendation Medals, and one Navy Achievement Medal.Find ChowdahVisit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTERRead my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.comWatch episodes of my podcast:https://www.youtube.com/c/TheresaCarpenter76

Dr. Dale Comstock served 10 years in 1st SFOD-D (The Delta Force) as an assaulter, explosives, mechanical, ballistic,and manual breacher, Team Leader, 3rd Special Forces Group (Green Berets) as a light and heavy weapons expert -Team Sergeant, and in the 82nd Airborne Division 325th Infantry. He also worked 9.5 years as a paramilitary operative for USG and concurrently worked as a contract security specialist, COO, Vice President, and President for various security companies applying his skills and knowledge on a myriad of security challenges around the world.  ​ https://wealthfit.com/podcasts/get-wealthfit/dale-comstock-a-conversation-with-the-american-badass/ ​ https://youtu.be/VfROu7_UIR4 ​ https://youtu.be/0X6N3g190pY ​ https://youtu.be/FcAD5wuxOkE ​ ​ Dr. Dale A. Comstock, N.D., M.A., President,"The only sovereign you can allow to rule you is reason." ​ Dale Comstock has given 35 years of service to the United States combating U.S. enemies abroad. He served in every campaign from Grenada to the present conflicts that the United States is involved in as a frontline combatant directly engaging the enemy, either as a Paratrooper, Green Beret, Delta Force Operator, or Paramilitary contractor. He has been decorated twice for Valor in combat and is also the famed breacher that explosively breached the Modelo Prison in Panama during the 1989 U.S. invasion and rescue of Kurt Muse. You can read more about his life and combat experience in his book American Badass.Dale has 6th degree Black Belts in American Open Karate and Extension Fighting, with a 1st degree Black Belt in Ju Jitsu. He is a former professional boxer, kickboxer, and MMA fighter, who authored the 3rd Special Forces Group combatives manual in 1997, instructed the Delta Force combatives program and the 3rd Special Forces Group combatives program. He is a competitive Bodybuilder and actively trains and competes alongside his son. In the world of self-defense Dale has globally managed bodyguard details for high net worth businessman, celebrities, and Politicians.In addition to martial arts training and knowhow, Dale has a Doctorate Natural Health and Alternative Medicine, a Masters Degree in Business and Organizational Security Management, with a Baccalaureates degree in Education. He is fluent in German, with a working knowledge of Spanish and Portuguese.He is a certified Locksmith, Special Security and Anti-Terrorist Driving Instructor, Evasive and Defensive Off-road Driving, Professional K-9 trainer and handler, Combat Tracker, U.S. Army Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape (SERE), DOD High Risk level-2 Resistance to Interrogation trained, Delta Force firearms and Close Quarter Battle instructor, FBI Firearms instructor, Mid-South Institute firearms instructor, NRA firearms instructor, NSA Operational Security Manager, Waterborne Insertion Expert, and Advanced Urban Warfare/ Unassisted Asset Recovery trained.In September 2011 Dale was featured on Discovery Channel's “One Man Army,” and in September 2012 he was featured on NBC's “Stars Earn Stripes” alongside Terry Crews. Since that time Dale has participated in numerous Hollywood productions and has authored his book “American Badass,” which is his life story from childhood to present day that talks about his journey through virtually every ground campaign from Grenada to Afghanistan as a Delta Operator, Infantryman, and Paramilitary Operative.AWARDS/HONORS: Bronze Star with “V” device (For Valor), Joint Service Commendation Medal with “V” device (For Valor), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards), Army Commendation Medal (3 awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal w/ Spearhead device (3 awards), Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze Service Star (2 awards), Kuwait Liberation Medal, Saudi Arabian-Kuwait Liberation Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Master Parachute Badge, Special Forces Tab.

Episode 57 - METOC ME-talks with Maritime Space Officer (MSO) Flag Lead RADM John Okon. In this METOC ME-talks episode, hosts LCDR Alanna Youngblood and LT Daniel Petersen swap leadership outlooks for every occasion and hard-won life transitions with RADM Okon. This episode was recorded on March 6, 2024. Rear Adm. John A. Okon is a native of Syracuse, New York, and graduated from the State University of New York Maritime College at Fort Schuyler in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology and Oceanography. He holds Master's Degrees in Meteorology and Physical Oceanography from the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California, and in National Security Studies from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. Upon commissioning, he initially served as a surface warfare officer and transferred to naval oceanography in 1995. He now serves as a member of the Navy's Information Warfare Community. At sea, Okon served aboard USS Ticonderoga (CG 47) as first lieutenant, administrative officer and navigator and aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) as meteorologist and oceanographer Ashore, he served as optimum track ship router at the Naval Atlantic Meteorology and Oceanography Center; aide to commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command; operations officer and executive assistant to the deputy director for regional operations, Joint Staff; senior oceanography assignment and placement officer, Navy Personnel Command; and executive assistant to the deputy chief of naval operations for information warfare and director of naval intelligence. Okon commanded Naval Oceanography Antisubmarine Warfare Center in Yokosuka, Japan, and Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center in Monterey. As a flag officer, Okon commanded Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command and served as the oceanographer of the Navy, navigator of the Navy, and hydrographer of the Navy. Personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal and various personal, campaign and service awards. The Trident Room Podcast is brought to you by the Naval Postgraduate School Alumni Association and the Naval Postgraduate School Foundation. http://www.npsfoundation.org For comments, suggestions, and critiques, please email us at TridentRoomPodcastHost@nps.edu, and find us online at nps.edu/tridentroompodcast. Thank you!

Hey there, listeners! Have you ever wondered what it takes to shape the leaders of tomorrow? Or how a military school experience can impact a young man's life beyond just preparing him for armed service? Well, you're in for a treat with Episode 117 of the "Carlsbad: People, Purpose, and Impact" podcast!This time around, we sit down with an exceptional guest, Lieutenant Colonel Roland Miraco, commandant of cadets at the prestigious Army Navy Academy. Roland isn't just a decorated military veteran with tours in Iraq and Bosnia Herzegovina under his belt; he's also a proud alumnus of the academy and has been instrumental in nurturing the next generation of changemakers.In this episode, we'll dive into the academy's rich history, its mission to mold young men of character, and the diverse futures its cadets pursue—from Ivy League halls to innovative industries. Roland will share how the school's unique all-boys boarding model, small class sizes, and new programs like culinary arts and aviation are setting students up for success.But that's not all! Roland gets personal, sharing his own journey from cadet to commandant, and how his family is continuing the legacy. Plus, we'll bust some myths about military schools and hear heartwarming success stories of students who've thrived under the academy's guidance.Curious to learn more? Roland extends an invitation to explore the Army Navy Academy's offerings. Tune in to this insightful conversation and discover a community dedicated to excellence right here in Carlsbad. Don't forget to check out the academy's website or call the Admissions Department at 760-729-2385 for more info. Listen, learn, and be inspired—right here on "Carlsbad: People, Purpose, and Impact."Roland Miraco's Bio:Lieutenant Colonel Miraco graduated from Army and Navy Academy in 1990. After attending the Academy, he moved on to New Mexico Military Institute. He received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army.Roland served in the United States Army for 29 years. He was an Artillery Officer in Germany, Bosnia, and Fort Sill. He taught ROTC at the University of Southern California and was an Academic Chair at the Naval Postgraduate School. As an Information Operations Officer, Roland served with the Department of the Army Staff, and the Undersecretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict at the Pentagon, Division Staff at Fort Bliss, TX, and Branch Manager at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He also completed two tours in Iraq, from 2005-2006 and 2009-2010.He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from California State University Long Beach. His military education includes the Field Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Combined Arms Service Staff School, the Basic Cyber Planners Course, the Electronic Warfare Planners Course, the Military Deception Planners Course, and the US Army Command and General Staff College. Roland's awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Achievement Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal with three stars, the Office of the Secretary of Defense Staff Badge and the Army Staff Badge. He also earned the Joint Meritorious Unit Award with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Army Superior Unit Award with Oak Leaf Cluster. Did this episode have a special impact on you? Share how it impacted youCarlsbad Podcast Social Links:LinkedInInstagramFacebookXYouTubeSponsor: This show is sponsored and produced by DifMix Productions. To learn more about starting your own podcast, visit www.DifMix.com/podcasting

From the archive: This episode was originally recorded and published in 2021. Our interviews on Entrepreneurs On Fire are meant to be evergreen, and we do our best to confirm that all offers and URL's in these archive episodes are still relevant. Brian Reese is a leading expert on and advocate for U.S. veterans' benefits. A former active-duty Air Force officer, he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and received the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. He is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy and earned his MBA as a National Honor Scholar from the Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University. He is the Founder and CEO of VA Claims Insider, a coaching and consulting company whose mission is to educate and empower Veterans to get the VA disability benefits they've earned for their honorable service. Top 3 Value Bombs 1) 75 percent of Veterans alive today don't get anything from the VA at all. 2) We all experience things that change who we are for the rest of our lives. 3) It's ok not to be ok. It's a sign of strength to admit that you're not ok and ask for help. Your path to help you celebrate life starts by looking in the mirror, admitting to yourself that you are not ok and that you need help, and then taking action. Brian's FREE BOOK Reveals 100+ Nearly SECRET Veteran Benefits You Deserve It Sponsor HubSpot Scale support and drive retention and revenue all in one place with HubSpot's all-new Service Hub. Visit HubSpot.com/service to learn how this all-new solution can help you deliver for your customers

From the archive: This episode was originally recorded and published in 2021. Our interviews on Entrepreneurs On Fire are meant to be evergreen, and we do our best to confirm that all offers and URL's in these archive episodes are still relevant. Brian Reese is a leading expert on and advocate for U.S. veterans' benefits. A former active-duty Air Force officer, he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and received the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. He is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy and earned his MBA as a National Honor Scholar from the Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University. He is the Founder and CEO of VA Claims Insider, a coaching and consulting company whose mission is to educate and empower Veterans to get the VA disability benefits they've earned for their honorable service. Top 3 Value Bombs 1) 75 percent of Veterans alive today don't get anything from the VA at all. 2) We all experience things that change who we are for the rest of our lives. 3) It's ok not to be ok. It's a sign of strength to admit that you're not ok and ask for help. Your path to help you celebrate life starts by looking in the mirror, admitting to yourself that you are not ok and that you need help, and then taking action. Brian's FREE BOOK Reveals 100+ Nearly SECRET Veteran Benefits You Deserve It Sponsor HubSpot Scale support and drive retention and revenue all in one place with HubSpot's all-new Service Hub. Visit HubSpot.com/service to learn how this all-new solution can help you deliver for your customers

In this episode, we had the distinguished honor of hosting Charlie Garcia, a distinguished figure whose life journey is a testament to the power of service, leadership, and love. With a multifaceted background spanning public service, military accolades, and impactful contributions to the intelligence community, Charlie's story is one of unwavering commitment to bettering society. Charlie's accolades speak volumes about his dedication to public service, as evidenced by his receipt of the Distinguished Public Service Medal for his efforts to enhance candidate diversity across military service academies during the administrations of Presidents Obama and Bush. Additionally, his commendable work in war-torn Central America in the 1980s earned him the prestigious Defense Meritorious Service Medal. Beyond his illustrious career in public service, Charlie is a prolific thought leader, having founded R360, a community of centimillionaires that are creating massive impact in the world. Charlie also authored two best-selling leadership books that have resonated with readers globally in over ten languages. Charlie shares valuable insights into effective leadership principles. His leadership philosophy serves as a guiding light for aspiring leaders seeking to make a positive impact in their respective spheres of influence. At the core of Charlie's ethos lies a profound commitment to service, underpinned by an abiding love for his country. Each day, he renews his pledge to utilize his gifts for the betterment of society, embodying the essence of true leadership and selflessness. Join us as we delve into Charlie's remarkable journey, uncovering invaluable insights into the art of service, leadership, and living a life driven by purpose and love. In this episode, we talked about: His background, distinguished career in public service, and transformative work in business and entrepreneurship Wealth beyond financial assets, encompassing elements such as family, relationships, and personal fulfillment R360's archetypes framework for understanding investors' risk profiles and behaviors The significance of family as a source of true wealth and fulfillment Connect with Charlie: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlespgarcia/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlespgarcia/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/charlespgarcia  Website: https://www.r360global.com/  Email: hello@r360global.com  Company Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/r360global/     Connect with Pantheon Investments:  Join the Pantheon Investor Club: https://pantheoninvest.com/investor-signup/   Website: www.pantheoninvest.com   Podcast: www.pantheoninvest.com/podcast   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PantheonInvest   Instagram: www.instagram.com/pantheoninvest   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pantheon-invest   Twitter: https://twitter.com/Pantheon_Invest    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8EsPFlwQUpMXgRMvrmbAfQ   Holistic Wealth Strategy Book: https://www.amazon.com/Holistic-Wealth-Strategy-Framework-Extraordinary-ebook/dp/B0BX4SDMS7/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=holistic+wealth+strategy&qid=1681472301&sprefix=holistic+wealth%2Caps%2C99&sr=8-1   Email: info@pantheoninvest.com     Get your FREE copy of the book here: https://holisticwealthstrategy.com/   

In this episode of NucleCast, Major General (Retired) Chris Adams shares his experiences flying the B-36 and B-52 aircraft and serving in the Strategic Air Command (SAC) during the Cold War. General Adams discusses the unique features of the B-36, including its three-pilot configuration and powerful engines. He also highlights the transition to flying the B-52, which he describes as a significant upgrade. General Adams then talks about his experience as a Minuteman missile crew commander and the disciplined culture of SAC. He emphasizes the importance of a strong military deterrent force, a stable society, and the preservation of the United States.Chris Adams is a retired U.S. Air Force Major General, former Chief of Staff, Strategic Air Command, former Associate Director, Los Alamos National Laboratory, industry executive, and author. He has traveled the world extensively and in particular, Russia and the former Soviet States, making some 23 extended visits there alone.His military honors include The Distinguished Service Medal, The Department of Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Two Legions of Merit, Two Air Medals for service in combat and numerous others. He was also awarded the Daughters of the American Revolution National Medal of Honor for 2011.He has been honored as a Distinguished Alumnus of Tarleton State University and Texas A&M University - Commerce, and has been listed in Who's Who In America each year since 1982.In developing his books, Adams draws on his extraordinary knowledge and experience in strategic air operations, intelligence activities and the culture of Russia and the former Soviet Union. Each work is historically based and alludes to actual events that occurred in the former Soviet Union and the United States.

To influence for good, character paired with strong leadership skills is paramount. Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Dana Born '83 brings the two together in Ep. 8 of Long Blue Leadership. ----more---- SUMMARY Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Dana Born discusses the importance of character and leadership in the Air Force Academy's mission. She shares her background and career, including her time as the Dean of Faculty at the Academy. The General reflects on her class reunion experience and the impact of her family's military background. She explores the concept of leaders being born vs. made and highlights the value of curiosity and courage in leadership. Gen. Born emphasizes the importance of seeking help and mentorship and shares recommended readings for developing leadership skills.   OUR FAVORITE QUOTES "Character and leadership are paramount for Air Force Academy graduates to influence for good." "I think that if I were to say there's two really important takeaways, those for me have been, be curious, be more curious. And that is just really asking a lot of questions." "I think leading with your heart and leading with, like the recognition that things that are hard, make your heart rate go up. Courage, you know, our heart rate goes up when we're in danger physically, morally, psychologically. And I think leaning into that to where our heart rate goes up a little bit is how we learn and grow." "I think there's that keeping the both and in the integration of that is what helped me in some of those tough decisions. I mean, I remember having to take a security clearance away from a lieutenant colonel, for all the right reasons, but trying, you know, that person then was going to lose their position in the Air Force, because it required a security clearance. And, and it wasn't a situation that I put that person in, right, they put themselves in that position, but what I didn't want to do was deliver the news in a way that then the individual would feel like they have nothing left right to or would ultimately, you know, take their life, right, that always was present to say, uh, don't want this person to go away with anything other than, you know, your life is not over." "I think courage, you know, the root word of courage is heart. And I think leading with your heart and leading with, like the recognition that things that are hard, make your heart rate go up. Courage, you know, our heart rate goes up when we're in danger physically, morally, psychologically. And I think leaning into that to where our heart rate goes up a little bit is how we learn and grow."  - Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Dana Born '83   SHARE THIS EPISODE FACEBOOK  |  LINKEDIN  |  TWITTER  |  EMAIL     CHAPTERS 00:00  Introduction: Character and Leadership 01:22  General Bourne's Background and Career 05:36  Early Life and Decision to Attend the Air Force Academy 08:19  Becoming the Dean of Faculty at the Air Force Academy 11:49  Challenges and Lessons as Dean 22:59  Discovering Leadership Abilities 24:24  Lessons from Friction Moments 26:19  Pivoting and Overcoming Challenges 27:49  Best Attributes of Leaders 29:46  Seeking Help and Mentorship 32:06  Balancing Compassion and Difficult Decisions 34:26  Family's Influence on Leadership 38:12  Developing Leadership Skills: Curiosity and Courage 40:04  Purpose and Passion 41:53  Recommended Readings 44:42  Conclusion     GEN. BORN'S BIO Dana H. Born (Co-Director, Center for Public Leadership (CPL); Faculty Chair, Senior Executive Fellows (SEF) Program; Lecturer in Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School of Government) is a retired Brigadier General with 30 years of service in the United States Air Force. Prior to coming to Harvard, from 2004-2013, she served two terms as the Dean of the Faculty at the United States Air Force Academy where she was also the Professor and Head of the Behavioral Sciences and Leadership Department. Previously, Dana served as an Exchange Officer with the Royal Australian Air Force, Assistant Director for Recruiting Research and Analysis for the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Force Management Policy), Deputy Chief of the Personnel Issues Team for the Department of the Air Force (DC/Staff Personnel), Aide and Speech Writer to the Secretary of the Air Force, Squadron Commander for 11th Mission Support Squadron at Bolling AFB, DC and in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. A graduate with distinction of the United States Air Force Academy, Professor Born received her B.S. in Behavioral Sciences (1983), M.S. in Experimental Psychology from Trinity University, TX (1985), M.A. in Research Psychology from University of Melbourne (1991) and Doctorate in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Penn State University (1994). She received Penn State University's Alumni Fellow Award (2012) and Distinguished Alumni Award (2018) and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Simmons College in Humane Administration (2007). Born is the recipient of the Secretary of the Air Force's Eugene M. Zuckert Award for Outstanding Management Achievement, Air Force Association's Hoyt S. Vandenberg Award for outstanding contributions to Aerospace education, Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit and Defense Meritorious Service Medal. She has been honored with the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) Annual Teaching Awards as well as the Harvard Kennedy School of Government Innovation in Teaching Award in 2017. Dr. Born is a Trustee on the United States Air Force Academy's Falcon Foundation – serving on the Strategy, Governance and Scholarship Committees; Supporting Director on the USAFA Endowment Board, Past President of the Massachusetts Women's Forum; Senior Consultant for the Core Leadership Institute; Peer Evaluator for the Higher Learning Commission; Member of the Women Corporate Directors, International Women's Forum and Council on Foreign Relations; Council Member on Boston Mayor's Pay Equity Workforce; Advisory Board Member for “With Honor;” and “A Child's Guide to War” documentary, “Blue Star Families,” Senior Officer for Mission: Readiness; Past-President of the American Psychological Association (Society for Military Psychology) and previous Independent Director on Board of the Apollo Education Group having served on Compensation, Audit and Special Litigation Committees.  - Copy and image credit:  Harvard University         Gen. Born is a member of the HOW Conversations video (and podcast) series hosting team, bringing together a varied group of experts and leaders to discuss timely issues of our reshaped world through the lenses of moral leadership, principled decision-making, and values-based behavior. VIEW THE VIDEO SERIES  |  LISTEN TO THE PODCAST  - Copy and image credit:  Harvard University     ABOUT LONG BLUE LEADERSHIP Long Blue Leadership is a production of the Long Blue Line Podcast Network, drops every two weeks on Tuesdays, and is available on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Spotify and all your favorite podcast platforms. Search @AirForceGrads on your favorite social channels for Long Blue Leadership news and updates!          FULL TRANSCRIPT   SPEAKERS Our guest, Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Dana Born '83  |  Our host, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz   Gen. Dana Born  00:06 Through mentorship and wise counsel, in early days actually and magnified through the time at the Air Force Academy, that character is paramount. It's also not enough, because you want to be a person of strong character that also has leadership, qualities that help influence for good. We can have leadership where people are able to influence but maybe not for good. And we can have character but have people of great character that aren't able to mobilize the influence. And so, I have just been, I guess, embracing that character and leadership aspect of our mission.   Naviere Walkewicz  01:19 My guest today is retired Brigadier General Dana Born, a 1983, graduate of the Air Force Academy. I'm excited to host this conversation with General Born, a recognized and widely respected expert in moral leadership, serving as a lecturer in public policy at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. We're going to explore the trajectory of General Born's own development as a leader. Our conversation will begin with her days as a cadet at the Air Force Academy, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Behavioral Science and Leadership. General Born began building her body of work then, first as a student, then analyst and researcher, now writer, teacher and speaker on public policy and society in the field of moral leadership as a How Institute for Society Distinguished Fellow through her distinguished 30 year military career, and since her retirement from the Air Force in 2013, she has been formally recognized more than 20 times for her exemplary service and academic excellence. In 2004, she became the first female Academy graduate to return to her alma mater as the Dean of Faculty, a role she held for two terms. Her work has been published more than 40 times and she has delivered nearly 200 presentations. General Born has endorsed more than a dozen books on leadership and public policy, and has contributed to five others. In addition to her work at Harvard, she hosts a video podcast series called HOW Conversations during which she discusses the tenets of moral leadership. Her guests include nationally and internationally recognized leaders from the private, military and public sectors. General Born. Welcome, and thank you for being here today.   Gen. Dana Born  02:54 Thank you so much for the wonderful introduction. And it's great to be in the Long Blue Line conversation with you and all our other members of our tremendous extended family in our Air Force. So glad to be here.   Naviere Walkewicz  03:07 Thank you so much, ma'am. And you know, you recently were just here for a reunion. How was that experience?   Gen. Dana Born  03:13 It was spectacular. The only way I can describe it is like going to see family members that you haven't seen for a while. And even after 44 years, since our induction day, it was like just picking up where, you know, we left off in terms of the connection, the common bond, it was probably better than I anticipated. And I can't actually explain why. But it was just so special. It was poignant as well, because certainly during those times, we spend time reflecting on those that are no longer with us. And it was very powerful in terms of the way that our class decided to do that with. We don't call it a yellow cap, right, because there's nothing yellow in the military, but with our gold caps. And classmate who remembered our fallen friend, and lit a candle on behalf of them. And it was too many hats. It was too many candles, it was too many people that we have lost. But it was something that was spectacular in another way because we had such great stories to share that sort of brought back you know, the legacy and the person of our classmates. And so I think we left with a little bit more spring in our step in terms of let's make our lives and the lives of those we love count each day. So it was really inspiring and quite an amazing time.   Naviere Walkewicz  04:41 I love hearing that. I get to come back for my 25th next year and even though I'm, you know, here working in this capacity, there is something so special that's timeless. With graduates, when they come together, we really do just kind of pick up where we left off and so I'm looking forward to that as well.   Gen. Dana Born  04:57 We got together with our what we call "dooley squadron," but you know, with our classes that we were with for the first two years, and then also with the last two years, because we transitioned after our three-degree year, and there was one individual that was in my, like, all four years together. And so that was kind of fun as well, yes.   Naviere Walkewicz  05:18 What our listeners love to do is kind of get to know our speakers as well. So if we could travel back to maybe your childhood and early days before the Academy. We'd really like to get to know what Gen. Born was like back then, you know, where did you grow up? What were you like? What were you into? Maybe you can take us back.   Gen. Dana Born  05:36 That's going back aways because I entered the Air Force Academy in 1979. So it really is going back decades here. But I grew up in a small town in upstate New York called Penn Yan. And, you know, we maybe had two or three thousand people. It was a very small town. If you think of Norman Rockwell, that is kind of, you know, the the old world, maybe even American Graffiti. That is my hometown. Everybody knows everybody pretty much still to this day. And I graduated from high school, the same day that I flew out to start basic training the next day. I literally didn't get to stay for my whole high school graduation. Because on the East Coast, graduations tend to be late June and of course, that's when basic Cadet training begins. So I hopped on a commercial airplane for the very first time, the day I graduated from high school. I flew airplanes before I drove a car. But I flew with my flight instructor actually to the nearest airport and then flew commercially, for the first time in my life, to go start basic training. I'd never been west of Ohio, and of course, people think about Ohio as the Midwest. So it was really going into a brave new world for me, certainly.   Naviere Walkewicz  06:58 So, were you always someone very courageous looking at new things. I mean, you said you were flying before you got into a car. So that's a bit telling there. What are their characteristics? Would you say you had as a young girl?   Gen. Dana Born  07:11 Yeah. I think that's, I wouldn't have characterized it actually as courageous. But I was certainly enjoyed adventure and the outdoors. I mean, some of my favorite activities. My dad was the vice president of a local college. And we grew up on a lake. So you know, waterskiing sailing, you know, boating, I loved to run, I love to fly, I love to ski. So there was that adventurous spirit. And certainly, I think that was part of the selection to go to the service academy. But it was also my dad, being a college professional and administrator, he took me to a college fair at the University of Vermont, I still remember this. And my dad had been enlisted in the Coast Guard, and right after World War Two, but he taught me how to salute. And I was always just kind of enamored with that part of his life. And I saw a Coast Guard Academy booth at this fair. And I got really excited. I went back to my father who was at his booth for his college and I said, "Dad, I know where I want to go, I want to go to the United States Coast Guard Academy." And then, when I applied, they said, "Oh, you missed the application date for this year, you'll have to come next year." And I was not wanting to wait to go to college. Right? I was ready. And so they said, well, there's these other academies. And I went back and talk to my track and cross country coach, and he did some exploration for me. And he said, "What about the Air Force Academy?" And I said, "Where is that?" And they said, "Colorado," and I thought, okay, skiing, mountains, you know, running. And that really was, it was his kind of helping me search through, okay, if this isn't an option, you know, what are your other options? And it turned out to be serendipity, just a very good fit and very grateful to this day, you know, for his mentorship.   Naviere Walkewicz  09:07 Well, I was going to ask how the Air Force Academy came into the picture. And it was by chance from the US Coast Guard Academy timing being off.   Gen. Dana Born  09:16 It was meant to be, I think, and, you know, I've had fun, you know, with over the years certainly while I was the dean working closely with the leadership at the Coast Guard Academy, you know, just kind of puns you know, they've changed their application date, I think to be more aligned now, but it was it was funny in talking with them about that, but it worked out really for the better. Well, you're also aware I have a mixed family in terms of you know, having Marine Corps and Air Force and Navy and Coast Guard. So we're all really in the same profession.   Naviere Walkewicz  09:56 We went kind of back in the early childhood days, but you just about your family kind of having mixed roles in different services. What does that all look like?   Gen. Dana Born  10:05 Yeah, I actually just recalled, as you were asking that question, I thank you for digging deeper there, because I forgot to mention Army as well and certainly my brother in law was a West Point graduate.   Naviere Walkewicz  10:16 We did that for him.   Gen. Dana Born  10:19 So appreciate that. You know, it's interesting, because I did not other than my dad's Coast Guard service really did not have a lot of military in my family. And but when I met my now husband, who is a Naval Academy graduate, when we were assigned to the Pentagon, it opened up a whole like military side of the family, because he does have a brother that went to VMI, one that went to West Point, he went to the Naval Academy, his father was a WWII aviator, who retired from the Navy. And so I and my family was primarily all educators, right? So I must say that it was providence, right, to get to the dean of the faculty position where I think it was keeping both sides of the family happy the educators as well as blended military service. And then of course, we have two daughters who are serving now, and one of them is 2020, graduate from the Air Force Academy, whose IP instructor pilot in helicopters and our youngest, who's a Naval Academy graduate who is in the Marine Corps now and just heading over to serve in Okinawa for three years as a comm. strat. officer in the Marine Expeditionary Forces. So we are certainly in a family business of of military service.   Naviere Walkewicz  11:41 Ma'am, you just shared a little bit about your time at the Academy as dean, first female graduate to become dean and then you serve two terms. What was that like?   Gen. Dana Born  11:50 It's interesting, that you asked that question and, of your, I know your own background in working a lot of issues, particularly women in leadership issues in diversity, equity inclusion, I find it actually paradoxical to think of myself as kind of the, you know, the first female dean because it is a fact, I'm just really grateful that we have a currently serving dean who's also a female. And it's interesting, because we just want to fit in, right, and just be the dean. And yet, if we don't say female dean, then we're invisible. And so it really is paradoxical. Anytime you're a minority of having a an adjective that caveats or clarifies, you know, that your your role. So I recognize that, but I'm really just so thrilled that I had the opportunity, and again, through a lot of mentors, encouraging and supporting through that journey, because I think I like many others, particularly women, take ourselves out of the running, because we haven't seen somebody go into that kind of an authority position before that look like us or are like us. So it was really people telling me, you know, don't you think it's your duty, you know, to offer to serve in that capacity, you know, why take yourself out of the running, if the Air Force thinks you're the right person at the right time, and you're willing to, then it's your duty to put your name in. And, and that was really the thinking that drew me to apply. And I'm really glad to have had that opportunity, not just for one term, but for to, and to see that, you know, there's more behind me that are more, you know, diverse, that is really good for our Academy.   Naviere Walkewicz  13:36 I'm glad you brought that up, because I actually struggled in asking that question for the similar reasons of saying first female to do something and at the same time, having been walking in those paths, understanding that sometimes people need to see people who have walked in those shoes that look like them, etc. So I'm glad that you kind of talked about the importance of recognizing those things, even though at the same time we see ourselves as I'm the qualified person to be doing this. So I appreciate you showing that.   Gen. Dana Born  14:01 It's hard to do though, too, because, you know, if you think about the generation of the first several classes to go through the academy, it was really a token time. I mean, I think we had 8.4% women that came in in our class. And so we didn't want to be seen as anything other than fitting in. And so it is hard for us also. And I remember when General Desjardins and I were serving together as the comm and the dean, right the first time you had two females in those two roles. And we had to kind of get over that. We had many conversations to say, hey, if the current population is wanting to have conversations, you know about women in the military, we need to have those conversations. Those are, you know, part of what we bring and it was and we had to listen a lot, right, because there was so much we didn't know about how the experience is similar and we're different for the now cadet, right, while we were in those positions.   Naviere Walkewicz  15:03 And that was actually one of the questions I had, from your experiences as a cadet, the highs and lows. And then what did that look like for you in the role then if dean, how did that change your perspective? Or, you know, looking at how you improved things, or made a difference?   Gen. Dana Born  15:17 I'm gonna go back to the highs and low question because the high was clearly meeting some of the most amazing, talented, diverse people that I had been exposed to, if you think about coming out of this small town, to the cadet wing that was twice the size, much more diverse representing countries around the world. I was, I was so in awe of look at who I'm here with, I was also very scared because we all got that, you know, warning that look left look, right, one, one or two of you aren't going to be there, right, at graduation. So it was a little, a little bit of a fire, right to say I better stay giving it my best, but I really think that's a high. And to this day, that's and even as the dean, it was always a wow moment to look around and see the incredible people that we got to be in the kind of common cause with and gave me great hope always for the future, both while I was a cadet and as the dean and now serving, you know, with the Air Force Academy Foundation, it's really inspiring and elevating, and provides hope during times that, you know, can be very daunting. The low, I would just want to get that out of the way, right? The low is always hard to talk about. But I think one of my low points, but it didn't last long. Because I I really had a love of flying, and a love of the air, I lost my pilot qualification probably because I was not studying properly. And, you know, my flashlight under my covers trying to pass that "EE" test or something. And so I did not have the opportunity to fly upon graduation. And that was hard. Because one the culture, you know, we're so oriented towards, "What you're, you're not going to fly?" And I couldn't, it was just not an option for me. And so I really just had to pivot in terms of what are the other needs and ways that I might be able to serve. But that that was a hard time to do that. And it was actually right before commitment. And so people were asking, you know, are you still gonna stay? And I thought, "Well, why wouldn't I am sure the Air Force has other, you know, ways to serve." So, but that was that was kind of a low. And I think another I don't know is if it's a low, but it might be one that I look back on. I was intercollegiate for 12 seasons. And so I had a whole lot of depth of really athletics, and really close friendships because of that, and a lot of travel to places I've never traveled to. But I also then think I didn't get as much breadth of experience of because time was so precious and trying to keep up academically. You know, and I think as I look back, you know, I had participated in theater when I was in high school, but I didn't have time for you know, Blue Bards or anything outside of really athletics and some of the military work that we got to do and keep up with academics and, you know, try to do well there and in my major.   Naviere Walkewicz  18:50 So ma'am you mentioned something about the pivot you had to make and you know, some of the disappointment that came with that. How did you kind of get to that positive headspace when your plan changed so dramatically.   Gen. Dana Born  19:02 It's hard for me to go back and put myself in what did it there. But I can think of examples like right now what comes to mind for me is the iRobot or the I don't know what how you refer to it, but those, you know, round circular vacuums that if yes, if they get up against a wall, they know that they're there to clean the floor, and they just find a redirect and they keep going. And that's sort of what I think it's been for me, you know, when you kind of stay oriented on your purpose and what you are passionate about. It's easy to not give up but to find another way. And that happened to me when I was fortunate enough to be in a PhD program sponsored by the Air Force Academy in the Air Force to go to Penn State University and right after my second year, the Air Force was downsizing and trying to provide opportunity for people to not have a commitment to school and to be able to basically give up that commitment and not come into the Air Force. And I got that letter that said, "Hey, you can you know, we're sorry. But right now we have an option if you'd like to, you know, get out of the Air Force, you can." And I remember thinking like, you've invested in me to be here for this PhD program. And, you know, I'm hopeful that there's something with this I can do for my Air Force. And so no, I don't want to get out. And so it was kind of like that same iRobot response of I'm here to do this. And so I'm going to figure out a pivot to be able to stay and contribute in a way that might be valuable.   Naviere Walkewicz  20:44 That is a great analogy, ma'am. That's fantastic. Well, I know this is not new to you, ma'am. Because with you're hosting other podcasts on leadership, there's questions that you know, our listeners love to learn about, that you're very familiar with. So I'd like to start with one that you ask often about leaders being born versus made. And I know your thoughts on this, that they are both born and made. But I'm hoping you might be able to share a little bit more about what led you to that perspective.   Gen. Dana Born  21:12 I think it's through mentorship and wise counsel, in early days, actually, and magnified through the time at the Air Force Academy, that that character is paramount in terms of us being effective humans. And it's also not enough, because you want to be a person of strong character that also has leadership, qualities that help influence for good. And I remember, during my time, even as the dean when we were developing the character and leadership center, and talking about do we call it the in because it used to be the Center for Character Development? Or do we call it the Center for Leadership Development? And are they the same, and I was fascinated with those conversations, because we really got to a point where it is both and and we need to call out character and leadership. Because we can have great, or I won't say great, but we can have leadership where people are able to influence but maybe not for good. And we can have character, but have people of great character that aren't able to mobilize the influence. And so I have just been, I guess, embracing that character and leadership aspect of our mission, primarily, from the time at the Air Force Academy to present day research and investment in teaching and working with executives, graduate students, undergraduates and boards.   Naviere Walkewicz  22:50 Was it would you say at the Air Force Academy is when you knew yourself to be a leader? Or, when did you have the desire to lead?   Gen. Dana Born  22:59 Interestingly enough, I think about that back at my small town of Penn Yan, New York, and some of that, I have to attribute to the fact that we didn't have many people. I mean, my school had 1,000 people but bused in from 20, or 30 miles in every different direction. And so the because the town wasn't that big, so we had a chance. Matter of fact, I was like, I was Miss Flying Club, you know, for the parade. I was, you know, the head of women's athletics for my school, I got to be on Student Council and be a treasure for my class, and, you know, captain of the cross country team and the track team, it really did stretch me into places that I might not have sought out myself. But people kind of put me in those positions, and then helped me to learn through those positions. But I must say, most of my learning was when things didn't go so well, you know, how come you know, people aren't buying into this, you know, motto. And, you know, what is the dynamic that's happening? You know, we're, we're fractured as a team, you know, how can we fix this? And so it was really through some of those friction moments that I probably learned the most and really loved the opportunity have an input and an influence?   Naviere Walkewicz  24:19 Can you share some of those because I think some of our listeners are certainly in parts of their leadership journeys, where they're, they may be facing some of those, you know, friction moments or their early parts of their leadership lessons. You know, what were some of the early lessons that you took on that you might share with them if they experience something like that?   Gen. Dana Born  24:38 I think what came to mind for me, more recent examples, clearly, because they're still pretty fresh. But what came to me when you were talking about maybe early years, was I think we're I may be let myself downs nd we're I didn't feel as though I did well enough to be considered a leader. Right? You have to, you know, it's the hero's journey. And I think that I've learned over the years that you don't need to be perfect as a leader. Quite the contrary, right people can relate and, and really be on their own development journey more when we are human and imperfect. And that took me a long time to really embrace because there is that pressure, right, that we feel like we have to be perfect. And we have to know so much, and do so well. And I think that that's, that's not people know that humans aren't perfect, right? So if you're coming across perfect, right? People look for the chinks in the armor. And the higher you are, the higher you fall. So I think that I had that experience at the Air Force Academy, I shared recently in a Sabre Society, talk that, you know, I had been a commander during 9/11, at Bolling, Air Force Base. And it really, I was so proud of how my unit did, and the people that were recognized for just excellence, and we were prepared, and we were responsive. And it was really exciting. And I chose to stay in and ended up at the Air Force Academy as a department chair. And I brought my same self and my same, you know, you know, command energy and I failed miserably in the first, you know, several months, we were going through the sexual assault and sexual harassment crisis, and I was being fairly directive, which worked well with the population I was leading in Washington, DC during 9/11 did not work as well, when you have a very small but mature, you know, mostly PhDs, professional faculty, that I needed to listen to more and not be directive, and it took not long, you know, for what we call it, the Air Force Academy, the blanket party for quite respectable people to come in and say, ma'am, this isn't working and to swallow that humility pill, and, and realize, okay, we need to, I need to adapt here, not lose myself, but adapt to this new environment and situation,   Naviere Walkewicz  27:11 Maybe you can share some of the best attributes that you've you've come across in leaders, because, you know, everyone leading from the authentic selves, brings it forward in their own ways. But what are some of the ones that you see time and true, and again, that are really spoken with you as best attributes?   Gen. Dana Born  27:27 I think what I have grown to really value is people who probably listen well, and who are curious, and, and I've, I've, I've also found people who see the individual in each person, like, what makes Naviere tick, what is it that's important to you personally, and professionally? You know, what are the ways that you are at your best, and that I think is, is really helpful. I also, I don't know why it just came to me, but I'm kind of led to share it is, I heard some great advice. When I was a younger officer, and for where people were not performing to expectations, instead of blaming the individual or feeling as though you know, they're no good, we need to their poor performer label and move them on. It's really better when we asked three questions, when somebody's not meeting, a standard, you know, have I been as a person, you know, leading? Have I been clear in the expectations? And if I have, then the next question is, have I prepared them? Or given them the right training? Or, you know, opportunity to be good at what I'm asking them to do? And then the third is, if the answer to the first two is I have, I did, then what else is happening in their lives that for whatever reason, they're not meeting, you know, the expectations or standards. And if there's nothing there, then you start the performance plan. But, that was, I think, when people are like giving you space to learn and grow and taking kind of a co collaborative ownership of performance. I've, I've, I've thrived in those situations more than and I hope people in my leadership have thrived in those situations more as well, because it is more of a approach that is a shared approach to getting the mission accomplished and taking care of people.   Naviere Walkewicz  29:38 That's an amazing nugget that you shared. I mean, I'm just I can think back throughout my career and times when I probably should have leveraged something like that, and I might have been more effective. Thinking about what pieces have I not maybe done as well or have I done those things, as you said, kind of do a reflective piece from a leadership perspective, to be able then to collaborate in a you know, a better way forward. That's awesome, ma'am. Thank you.   Gen. Dana Born  30:02 Yeah, I had a couple of terrible times of moral discernment, I would say, in decision making when those situations came up, particularly when, you know, you're having to make a decision where somebody's going to be incarcerated. And, you know, I, I had one of those situations where, you know, I was actually eight months pregnant, and the individual was a failure to show up for he was an honor guardsman failure to show for several funerals. And his, his wife was eight months pregnant. And here I was sitting, as you know, the summary court official having to decide if I'm going to throw, you know, him in a situation where he's absent from his family, and, you know, and what kind of financial, leeway will I have in order to help the family but still hold him accountable. And that was very, very difficult because of my own, you know, situation and empathy. But at the same time, it hit me during that decision that there are a lot of airmen who are not there for the birth of their kids or for special events and are deployed in harm's way. And they're doing the mission, not A.W.O.L.. And so I ultimately decided to, you know, incarcerate him for his failure to go and being A.W.O.L. and also try to protect with some leniency, his family situation.   Naviere Walkewicz  31:39 Leading with compassion, but always being accountable, ma'am, that's, it's tough. And I think, you know, we have many listeners that find themselves in those situations. And I've often been asked, you know, I'm a mom, how can I advance my career professionally, I have to do all these other things as well. And so maybe a question that I might tie to that a little bit. You know, how do you how did you balance, that compassion side of leadership and still be able to make some those difficult decisions in the moment? And you know, what would you share with others and how they might do that and think through things when it maybe feels a little bit too hard or too daunting?   Gen. Dana Born  32:15 It is very hard and is daunting. And you use the term balance, and I, I love the word balance. You know, I'm a middle child, and I'm a Libran. You know, I like balanced, but I have found balance to be very difficult. There's a term called. "balance is bunk." And I like that because it's anytime I feel like I've had anything in balance, it's about ready to go on tilt. And so I try to change out the word balance with the word integrate, that works better for me or Harmonize How do I bring together those things and the Airforce in the time that I was working at the in the Chief of Staff's personnel office came up with a motto, "People First in Mission Always," and it can be, "Mission First." And people always, but it's sort of like the chicken and the egg, they both actually go together. And they're very important. And so I think there's that keeping the both and in the integration of that is what helped me in some of those tough decisions. I mean, I remember having to take a security clearance away from a lieutenant colonel, for all the right reasons, but trying, you know, that person then was going to lose their position in the Air Force, because it required a security clearance. And, and it wasn't a situation that I put that person in, right, they put themselves in that position, but what I didn't want to do was deliver the news in a way that then the individual would feel like they have nothing left right to or would ultimately, you know, take their life, right, that always was present to say, uh, don't want this person to go away with anything other than, you know, your life is not over. But you know, this is a very serious trajectory that you have to decide how you're going to go forward from this point. And that was hard, very hard, but it's both people and mission that I think we have to embrace in the way that we carry on what we're responsible for, for our nation.   Naviere Walkewicz  34:25 Well, I think about you know, some of those stories that you shared and some of the experiences you had, I mean, you probably had to go home and, and your your network at home, your family was there with you through all of the journey. How has your family influenced you as a leader and maybe what role do they play in that?   Gen. Dana Born  34:40 I talked a lot with my family, like the time around the dinner table was really sort of transparency. And that bothered my children because I started to hear things back that I thought they shouldn't have to be hearing some of this, and so I also kind of drew inward and decided that that I, "Who can I talk with," right, because I don't want to bring work home, so to speak, that weighs down the family. I want to focus on them. And so I went through a period where I suffered in silence. And I think many leaders and many people, as particularly when you have, you know, security issues that you can't talk about certain things with others. I think we need to find a way and I ultimately did find someone that I could go to and say, I need some advice. And that was monumental, because it helped me understand that I had not been doing that with with great mentors. And I thought about it. And it shocked me that I was not asking for advice. And I thought, How do I feel like if Naviere or someone comes to me and ask for advice, I feel like, wow, if they think I have, yeah, exactly. They're including me, I have something to offer. They care about what I have to say. And so I really had an epiphany that said, I need to do that more. And I started to reach out. And in one case, I reached out to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, you know, having talked with the superintendent first. And it was phenomenal. Because I had such a different perspective on something I was ruminating over. And I thought Why did I wait so long?   Naviere Walkewicz  36:26 What advice would you give to some that are suffering in silence, and maybe can't see that next step? And to doing that what actually helped you to go seek help and ask for help or ask for guidance and mentorship?   Gen. Dana Born  36:39 I think recognizing, well, in some cases, vulnerability is a strength. And, you know, Brene Brown, who I really do love her work. And her, her, her YouTube or, you know, Netflix, a lot of great science and also practice, but she said, What makes you vulnerable, makes you beautiful. And I think that that is part of it is to recognize that, you know, we're all vulnerable, or we're all broken in maybe different places, right to quote some history. And so I think it connects us and builds trust when we are willing to be vulnerable. And I think it takes courage as well, to let ourselves be seen for all, you know, we have a saying that's warts and all. And, you know, to let ourselves be really fully seen,   Naviere Walkewicz  37:33 That resonates with so many people. I think a lot of times people when they're listening to podcasts, and they're, they're just trying to learn and get better in their professional career in their personal lives. Just a can take one little thing that someone really resonates with. And I think you sharing that bit about being reflective and not necessarily suffering in silence, but but looking for helping others I think is going to be really powerful for some. So thank you for sharing some of that.   Gen. Dana Born  37:56 I think the key takeaway is, is just building on what we just talked about, like if I had a foot-stomper, right from our Air Force Academy days, that's like, if you're starting to fall asleep, right? I use that at Harvard. And I'm like, "Does anybody know what foot stamper actually means?" It means, you know, this, is it pay attention. And I'm, I'm really motivated by the John F. Kennedy quote, "Leadership, well, learning and leadership are indispensable from each other." I think that if I were to say there's two really important takeaways, those for me have been, be curious, be more curious. And that is just really asking a lot of questions. Leaning into not judgment, but leaning into really digging into and trying to understand. And that gets us, I think, in a whole different place. That is a good place. And so I haven't always done that. Well, curiosity is like a growth mindset. And I think that is something that I really would recommend to our listeners, be more curious. And I think that's being helped by Chat GPT and Generative AI because it's all about the questions you ask. And, and then it kind of gets at what answers you get. And I think that's maybe training us to be, you know, more curious and careful in how we're asking and being curious. The other is courage. And you brought this up earlier, but I think courage, you know, the root word of courage is heart. And I think leading with your heart and leading with, like the recognition that things that are hard, make your heart rate go up. Courage, you know, our heart rate goes up when we're in danger physically, morally, psychologically. And I think leaning into that to where our heart rate goes up a little bit is how we learn and grow and how we basically can make positive change. So, those two things together, curiosity and courage, under the umbrella of learning and leading go, you know, they're indispensable to each other is the takeaway. I thought you might ask me like, you talked about purpose earlier. What is your purpose? What is it that gets you out of bed in the morning? And what is it that keeps you going through the tough times? And what is it at the end of your, you know, last breath that will have been your dash in your life, your purpose, your why, and mine actually is a simple phrase to myself. I use the term, "kick chocks", and "kick chocks" is, you know, the bricks in front of the wheel of the airplane, and when you're ready to go, you gotta get, gotta get rid of them, or you can't take off. But sometimes you have to kind of have the chocks there, to pause and to, you know, refuel and to do things. So kick chocks, to me has sort of been a way that I am channeled. Some call it your true north, or your Polaris, your compass, and it speaks to me because I can, I can go, go, go, go and never put chocks in front. I also can keep chocks in front of myself and, and limit myself and, and I'm passionate about what is it that somebody needs to have a break? You know? And when is it when somebody has got something in the way or team or organization that's holding them back? And how do I help identify that and kick chocks with them so we can take off. So, it speaks to me. But yeah, the purpose I think, purpose and passion and the individualization of that, so because everybody is so different comes from our life stories, and I love learning about people's purpose.   Naviere Walkewicz  41:51 General born, might you share with us, you know, maybe what you're reading, watching or listening to that's helped you develop your leadership skills.   Gen. Dana Born  41:59 I love to listen to everything. I mean, I am a listener, you know, we all know how we we learn best, I'm really auditory. So podcasts I pick up, I really do a lot with the Council on Foreign Relations. I do listen also to a lot of leadership podcasts, because I just find the whole topic of leadership fascinating for so many different approaches to what we think we're all talking about the same, it just really is expansive of my understanding. And I also now there are so many ways that you can have, you know, auditory books, and or listen to even academic journal articles. So usually, it's a treadmill thing to listen. And I just, I think that is my approach. I also I do like to read, and I think my favorite leadership book is going to shock you. But it's it's sort of got a nautical theme, I think, not an Air Force theme, but its endurance about Shackleton and Antarctica. And there's so many leadership lessons in that book, endurance is one of my favorites. And another one of my favorites is and they're both kind of historical, is Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl, written in 1946. I've read that so many times, and he wrote it in nine days, but it's because he wrote it while he was a prisoner in the Nazi prison camp. And then he rewrote it after it was burned. And he was liberated. And it's just an amazing, timeless evergreen read about life and about leadership, about purpose about meaning. And then most recently, for a current one is True North, and that is emerging leaders by Bill George and Zack Clayton. And I just think that that is a great pedagogy of thinking about ourselves. Put our own oxygen mask on first so that we can better care for the mission and the people that are entrusted to us and the change we want to see in the world. So, that's a current reader TrueNorth for emerging leaders.   Naviere Walkewicz  44:24 It's been amazing. Thank you so much for taking the time, ma'am. It's been a pleasure and an honor.   Gen. Dana Born  44:28 It's a pleasure and an honor. And I thank all our listeners for listening in and we wish you well.   KEYWORDS Air Force Academy, leadership, people, Air Force, talk, family, dean, work, leader, serve, flew, cadet, Academy, Coast Guard Academy, recognized, years, terms, leading, long, podcasts       The Long Blue Line Podcast Network is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association and Foundation      

LTC Joetta Khan was born in New Mexico and was raised in a farming community on the southern boarder of New Mexico until she attended New Mexico Military Institute for high school graduating in 1999. She earned her Bachelor of Science  Degree in Dietetics from The University of New Mexico in 2004 and completed her  Internship at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in 2005. She earned a Master's Degree in Public Health—Global Health and Infectious Disease from New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY in 2010, and her PhD in Public Health—Health Education and Behavioral Science from Rutgers, University of New Jersey in 2017.  LTC Khan currently serves as both the Interim Program Director for the U.S. Army Baylor Master's Program of Nutrition at Medical Center of Excellence in San Antonio, TX and  the Research Lead for the SP Corps and 65C corps. LTC Khan's prior assignments include Deputy Chief, Nutrition Services Department and Chief, Education and Research for the Nutrition Services Department at Walter Reed (WR) National Military Medical Center, Assistant Professor for the Baylor-Army Graduate Program of Nutrition and leads the WR Phase 2 research program, WR IRB Vice Chair, Chief Food Service of Food Service at Tripler Army Medical Center; Chief, Nutrition Services and US-Army Dietitian Southern Iraq, 86th Combat Support Hospital; Chief, Nutrition Care Division, Keller Army Community Hospital; Commander, Charlie Company, William Beaumont Army Medical Center; and Chief, Outpatient Nutrition, William Beaumont Army Medical Center. LTC Khan's focus areas include: Nutrition Services Operations & Optimizing Patient Care, Nutrition  Professional Education and Nutrition Research. Her contributions in these areas include development of the Competency Focused Master's Program of Nutrition Curriculum, Designing and Collaborating on multiple studies related to Body Composition, Cardiovascular Risk, Performance, etc.; Nutrition Subject Matter Expert for the Department of Defense (DoD-VA Clinical Practice Guideline Member; Physical Health and Readiness Working Group Member, JBSA—FSH, Committee Member for Multiple Student Research Projects in a variety of nutrition topics. She has multiple publications, poster and platform presentations at local and national level.   LTC Khan's awards include, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, one Army Commendation Medal, three Army Achievement Medals, the Meritorious Unit Citation, the Army Superior Unit Award, Nation Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Air  Assault Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.  LTC Khan is married to LTC Saleem Khan, Acquisitions Corps, and they have two daughters, Mina (11) and Liv (5). 

  Dr. Becky Porter discusses meeting the needs of military-connected families through programs and initiatives such as our Military Student Consultants, and advocacy of Purple Star Schools through the new and popular MCEC 360 Summits. We also look ahead to what the new year holds.   This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Fort Gregg-Adams Spouses' Club. To learn more, visit https://www.gaspousesclub.com/.   Show Notes:   Resources: MCEC 360 Summits The MCEC 360 Summit is a community-wide, multi-faceted event that brings insight and understanding for the unique challenges and needs of military-connected students. The 360 model includes components for students, parents, and youth-serving professionals and is tailored to the needs of each community. https://www.militarychild.org/360summits Military Student Consultants Military Student Consultants (MSCs) are highly specialized education professionals who provide personalized concierge support directly to students, parents, or professionals who serve military-connected families. An MSC personally responds to every phone call or submission on our MCEC website at https://www.militarychild.org/MSC   Professional Learning Community ECHOs Find a community of learners to help you support the needs of military-connected kids using the Project ECHO® model. Our Purple Star Readiness ECHOs are being held now through May 2024 and meet monthly online. The benefits of ECHO include collaboration, idea sharing, and problem-solving with subject matter experts and peers. Join a cohort today at https://www.militarychild.org/purplestarschools#echo     Bio: Dr. Becky Porter joined MCEC® as the President and CEO in 2019 following her retirement from active duty service with the U.S. Army. Becky is a 1983 Distinguished Military Graduate from the University of Washington and holds a Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in clinical psychology from Fielding Graduate University. She earned her Master of Arts in counseling psychology from Chapman University and a Master of Science in national security and strategic studies from the National War College. She also earned an executive certificate in nonprofit management from the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy in 2020. She is a board-certified clinical health psychologist, a fellow of the American Psychological Association, and a member of the Order of Military Medical Merit. Her awards and recognition include: The Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society for Military Psychology, the Legion of Merit (3 awards), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal (6 awards). Additionally, she also holds the Army Surgeon General's “A” Proficiency Designator as recognition of her significant contributions to the U.S. Army Medical Department. Becky's military career spanned more than 30 years, and she served in all three components of the U.S. Army with the Washington National Guard, the U.S. Army Reserves, and on active duty. She retired at the rank of colonel. She is a Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and former special assistant to the U.S. Army's 34th Chief of Staff, Gen. Eric Shinseki. Her assignments included: Germany; Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii; the Pentagon; the United States Military Academy; Walter Reed Army Medical Center; and the Joint Task Force National Capital Region Medical, Bethesda, Md. She commanded the Dunham U.S. Army Health Clinic, Carlisle, Pa.; the DiLorenzo TRICARE Health Clinic at the Pentagon; and Public Health Command Europe. Becky and her husband John, also a retired U.S. Army officer, live near Fort Cavazos, Texas.

Sergeant Major of the Army, Sergeant Major Michael Weimer joins the show to discuss what he's learned from his decades of experience in the Army and how family, mentors, and self-reflection have helped him grow into the leader he is today. Joe and Weimer also talk about:Why the military can be "the family business"Weimer's biggest obstacle in his careerThe importance of being present at work and at homeManaging the tension between family and professional obligationsBalancing accountability with empathyWhy tough conversations lead to growthThe power of self-reflectionand much more!Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael R. Weimer was sworn in as the 17th Sergeant Major of the Army on Aug. 4, 2023. Weimer's most recent assignment was serving as the Command Sergeant Major for U.S. Army Special Operations Command at Fort Liberty, North Carolina. Throughout his career he has served in a variety of positions from team member to Command Sergeant Major of Special Operations Joint Task Force Afghanistan, to Command Senior Enlisted Leader of U.S. Special Operations Command Central.As the Sergeant Major of the Army, Weimer is the Army chief of staff's personal adviser on matters affecting the enlisted force. He devotes the majority of his time traveling throughout the Army to observe training and interact with Soldiers and their Families. Weimer is the public face of the U.S. Army's Noncommissioned Officer Corps, representing the NCO Corps to the American people in the media and through business and community engagements. He enlisted in the Army in 1993 and successfully completed Special Forces Assessment and Selection in 1994. He graduated the Special Forces Weapons Sergeant Course and earned his Green Beret in 1996. His previous assignments include tours with 7th Special Forces Group, and nearly 20 years in Special Mission Units.Weimer's military education includes all levels of the Noncommissioned Officer Education System, Sergeants Major Course, Executive Leader Course, Summit Course, Military Free-Fall Jumpmaster Course, Static Line Jumpmaster Course, Equal Opportunity Leaders Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (HIGH RISK), and Air Assault School. Weimer is a graduate of Norwich University receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Strategic Studies and Defense Analysis.His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal (2nd award) with Combat device (1st award), Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with Valor (2nd award), Bronze Star Medal (5th award), Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor, Joint Service Commendation Medal with "C" device, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal (8th award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (3rd award), Iraq Campaign Medal (3rd award), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (5th award), NATO Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Special Forces Tab, Combat Infantry Badge, Military Freefall Jumpmaster Badge, and Air Assault Badge.Weimer is married and has two children.Today's Sponsors:Veteran-founded Adyton. Connect Leadership With Action Across Distributed Formations With Mustr by AdytonExray a veteran-owned apparel brand elevating the custom gear experience. Exray provides free design services and creates dedicated web stores for units

Andrew (Sully) Sullivan, retired Navy SEAL and DEVGRU operator, and founder of BlueForce Strategies and Community First Project joins me on this episode. Andrew's combat commendations include the Silver Star Medal, two Bronze Star Medals with combat valor, the Purple Heart Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, six Joint Service Commendation Medals with combat valor, two Navy and Marine Commendation medals with valor, three Presidential Unit Citations, and numerous other joint and individual awards. Andrew is a subject matter expert in Special Operations and law enforcement training, instructing, leading, and mentorship, with a passion for service. Topics we cover include being a lifelong learner, growing up with patriotism, the moment that changed the trajectory of Andrew's life, leadership, the transition back to civilian life, training law enforcement officers, and more. Get connected with Andrew: Website: https://c1p.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551444688279 Twitter: https://twitter.com/C1Porg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/community_first_project/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-sullivan-647826175/ Donate to Community First: https://c1p.org/donate Leave a 5-star review with a comment on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/business-minds-coffee-chat/id1539014324  Subscribe to my Business Builder Newsletter: https://bit.ly/32y0YxJ  Want to learn how you can work with me to gain more clarity, build a rock-solid foundation for your business, and achieve the results and success you deserve? Visit http://jayscherrbusinessconsulting.com/ and schedule a 1:1 discovery coaching call. Enjoy, thanks for listening, and please share with a friend!

Welcome back to The Criminal Justice Evolution Podcast. Thank you for listening to the show. If you are a first time listener - Welcome. Long time listener - Welcome back. Thank you all for the support.  A big thank you to YOU. For what you do everyday as a first responder and criminal justice professional. Remember you are honored, cherished and loved. Please be safe. I struggled. I was in a dark place for a long time. I was in pain, and I masked it with alcohol.  I was contemplating hurting myself.  I finally decided to reach out and ask for help, and I am grateful I did. FHE Health and The Shatterproof Program saved my life. If you are struggling, you don't have to stay there. We can and will help you. Reach out today at 303.960.9819. https://fherehab.com/ https://www.cjevolution.com/shatterproof/ Every time I have a Special Warfare Operator on I am always amazed by their humility, dedication and devotion to this great country. I had the honor of having Andrew "Sully" Sullivan on the show recently. Andrew is the CEO of Community First Project and BlueForce Strategies. They provide law enforcement organizations with no-cost training in areas such as de-escalation, stress mitigation and management, target identification and other critical skills, Community First Project can give police officers the confidence and critical skills to continue safeguarding our communities. Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Andrew Sullivan medically retired from the US military in 2020 after nearly two decades of service in the Special Operations community, including six years at SEAL Team Two and eleven years at Naval Special Warfare Development Group.  His many combat commendations include the Silver Star Medal, two Bronze Star Medals with combat valor, the Purple Heart Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, six Joint Service Commendation Medals with combat valor, two navy and Marine Commendation medals with valor, three Presidential Unit Citations and numerous other joint and individual awards. Following his time in service, Andrew started BlueForce Strategic Action Group, a SDVOSB that provides tactical, security, and leadership consulting to the DOD, Federal, and Law Enforcement Agencies. Additionally, Mr. Sullivan has consulted with several organizations advocating for mental health treatment for Veterans and First Responders. He is a board member at One Summit, a 501c3 that provides resilience training for pediatric cancer patients.  Andrew has a MS in Strategic Leadership from the University of Charleston, West Virginia, and currently resides in Virginia Beach, VA, with his two daughters.  You can find Andrew here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-sullivan-647826175/ https://c1p.org/about-us Check out more great episodes on The CJEvolution Podcast. www.cjevolution.com   Patrick

CDR Landers is a native of Macon, GA. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Business Administration (Finance) from the University of Alabama. In the spring of his senior year, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He later received a commission as an Ensign after completing Officer Candidacy School in Pensacola, FL. He went on to complete flight training and was selected to fly the F/A-18 in January of 2005. He reported to the Flying Eagles of VFA- 122 shortly thereafter. In January of 2006, he reported to the Jolly Rogers of VFA-103, where he was involved in combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom onboard the USS Dwight D Eisenhower. He also took part in a Partnerships of Americas (POA) tour onboard the USS George Washington. CDR Landers reported to Air Force Special Operations Command in January 2009 where he was involved in combat flight operations in multiple theaters while attached to a special operations task force in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He would return from deployment in January of 2010 and report to the Gladiators of VFA-106 as an F/A- 18 Flight instructor. Following his time as a flight instructor, CDR Landers was selected and successfully screened for duty as a member of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group. From 2012 to 2014 he would return to combat multiple times attached to a Navy SEAL team in direct support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In March of 2014, CDR Landers affiliated with the Squadron Augmentation Unit of VFA-106 as an F/A- 18 flight instructor. On September 1st of this year, he officially retired after 20 years of service. CDR Landers has accumulated over 2700 flight hours in the F/A-18 and other special operations aircraft. His personal decorations include the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (7), Joint Commendation Medal (2), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal as well as other Campaign and Unit awards. CDR Landers is married to Haley Rayford Landers '99 and they are proud parents of Wrenn Jr. ' 27, Thomas '28, and Louise '30! He is employed by Uniti Fiber as the Vice President, Deputy of Network.

Charles Strange: Seal Team 6 Deaths "Extortion 17" Osama Bin Laden RaidCharles and Mary Strange join The Opperman Report to discuss their son Michael. Michael was part of the SEAL team that raided the Osama bin Laden compound. Three months later he dies in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan.This interview covers the families suspicions regarding the official accounts of these events. Their struggle to uncover the truth and their experiences of being targets of govt surveilance and harassment.We discuss the Afghanistan poppy trade, Taliban 'sex boys" their experience with Pres Barack Obama , the suspicious circumstances surround their sons death. Also discussed is an incredibly bizarre "Ramp Ceremony" where a Muslim Imam was allowed to perform an act of desecration over the coffins of these US soldiers.MichaelStrangeFoundation.orgCryptologic Technician (Collection) Petty Officer First Class Michael J. Strange was born on June 6, 1986 in Philadelphia. He attended St. Bartholomew Catholic School in the Wissinoming section of the city. He enjoyed the life of a typical Philadelphia kid surrounded by a loving family and great friends who he stayed close to all of his life. Michael had a great sense of humor and a kind and generous heart. As a little boy he loved spending summers with his dad, brother and sisters in Rehoboth Beach at his grandmothers house where he spent his days fishing and crabbing and playing in the pool.After graduating from North Catholic High School in June of 2004, Michael joined the United States Navy. After basic training in the Great Lakes he reported to the Naval Technical Training Center in Pensacola FL where he attended Cryptologic Technician (Collection) “A” School. He graduated second in his class.His first assignment was Naval Information Operations Command (NIOC) in Hawaii. At NIOC, Petty Officer Strange worked in several high profile signals intelligence gathering offices and became a first line supervisor in charge of multiple analysts. He completed a nine month deployment to Iraq with Seal Team TWO. During this deployment he earned the Expeditionary Warfare qualification. After an arduous screening process, Petty Officer Strange volunteered and was selected for duty at Naval Special Warfare Development Group.While stationed in Hawaii, Michael met his girlfriend. They enjoyed spending time after work surfing and touring the beautiful islands. After completing his tour of duty in Iraq, Michael and his girlfriend moved to Virginia Beach, VA where they made their home with their dog Schmayze.Cryptologic Technician (Collection) First Class Michael Strange was a highly decorated combat veteran with numerous awards, including the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, Purple Heart Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, and other campaign and unit decorations.Michael is survived by his proud and loving family, his parents, his brother, sisters and his niece. He is also survived by his grandmother and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, his girlfriend and many close friends.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/1198501/advertisement

Charles Faint currently serves as the Chair for the Study of Special Operations and an assistant professor in the Defense and Strategic Studies program for the Modern War Institute at West Point. A retired military intelligence officer, he commissioned into the military intelligence branch of the US Army through the ROTC program at Mercer University and claims Alabama as his home state. After completing a branch detail to the infantry in the 101st Airborne Division, he subsequently served as an intelligence officer in a variety of units, including the 2nd Infantry Division, the 5th Special Forces Group, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, and the Joint Special Operations Command. His most recent operational assignment was at Fort Shafter, Hawaii, where he served as the Chief of Intelligence – Plans and Exercises and then Chief of Intelligence – Operations on the G2 staff of US Army Pacific.In addition to his role as MWI Deputy Director, he teaches the Comparative Defense Policy course. During a previous tour at West Point, he was the course director for MX400, the superintendent's capstone course on officership, for two years. He also instructed international relations, American politics, comparative politics, conflict and negotiation, and intelligence and national policy for three years in West Point's renowned Department of Social Sciences.He earned his doctorate in business administration through Temple University. He also holds five undergraduate and graduate degrees, the most recent of which is from Yale University. Educated in fields ranging from engineering to communication to international relations, his research interests include special operations, civil-military relations, and small business entrepreneurship.Over the course of his career, Lt. Col. Faint earned the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal (4 awards), the Meritorious Service Medal (six awards), the Combat Action Badge, and the pathfinder, airborne, and air assault badges. He has earned seven combat stripes for his service in Iraq and Afghanistan and also served in Egypt, Korea, and the Philippines.Early in his career, he served a six-month peacekeeping tour with the Multinational Force and Observers in Sinai, Egypt, an experience that began a career-long interest in the region. That interest prompted his involvement in the Peace and Dialogue Leadership Initiative (PDLI), a joint Yale/West Point endeavor that selects high-performing students from both schools for a yearlong fellowship that includes two weeks on the ground in Israel and Palestine. Faint was a cofounder of PDLI and served as its security advisor, accompanying the group to the Levant for each of the first five years of the PDLI's existence.Published in a number of blogs and professional journals, his most significant publication is coauthorship of the book Violence of Action: The Untold Stories of the 75th Ranger Regiment in the War on Terror. He was also the editor-in-chief of West Point's Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, is the owner of the military-themed blog The Havok Journal, and is the executive director of The Second Mission Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, US Army COL John Agnello discusses the Army's pursuits related to Information Advantage. Our conversation traverses the meaning of Information Advantage, the functions of Information Advantage, how Information Advantage fits within the larger Information Environment, as well as related initiatives. One such initiative is the Theater Information Advantage Detachment (TIAD) concept which will be Army theater-level teams that influence and inform–especially during the competition continuum phase of operations. Research Question: John Agnello suggests an interested student examine ways to help commanders “see” the information dimension; take every piece of information, bring them together into a decision space which enables speed and accuracy. Resources: Cognitive Crucible Podcast Episodes Mentioned #24 John Davis on Modern Warfare, Teamwork, and Commercial Cognitive Security #125 Journey from conception through JP 3-04 #131 Brian Burbank on the Ghost Team, Transparent Battlefield Concepts and Multi-Domain Operations FM 3-0 Operations 3.0 (October 2022) Like War by Peter Singer Army of None: Autonomous Weapons and the Future of War by Paul Scharre Art of Invisibility: The World's Most Famous Hacker Teaches You How to Be Safe in the Age of Big Brother and Big Data by Kevin Mitnick Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio:  Colonel John Agnello is a United States Army Cyber Branch officer currently stationed at the United States Army Cyber Center of Excellence (CoE), at Fort Gordon, GA, as the Director of the Army Program Office for Information Advantage, where he oversees the development and implementation of Information Advantage across elements of DOTMLPF-P for the CCoE. Prior to that assignment, COL Agnello was the Director of the Commander's Planning Group, where he was responsible for Public Affairs, Protocol, strategic engagements and planning on behalf of the Commanding General. Prior to his assignments to the Cyber CoE, COL Agnello was assigned to United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM), in Fort Meade, MD, as the Chief of the Development Branch in USCYBERCOM's Acquisition and Technology Directorate (J9), responsible for all offensive and defensive tool development as well as data science and data analytics. Prior to that, he was a Joint Cyber Operations Team Leader in USCYBERCOM; responsible for supporting Combatant Commanders' objectives include planning, coordinating, directing, and executing daily cyber missions through four separately focused cyber teams, in addition to maintaining infrastructure, training, capability development, mission execution, and support services.  Prior to his assignments at USCYBERCOM, COL Agnello was stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany as the Research & Development subject matter expert for the Defense Science and Technology Center – Europe, where he reviewed international technologies on behalf of the US DoD; followed by the Deputy Director of the Ground Intelligence Support Activity – East; where he was responsible for managing nine different networks at over 45 various locations throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, and established the first Intelligence Support Cell for Defensive Cyberspace Operations in US Army Europe (USAREUR).  Prior to his cyber specific roles, COL Agnello was a Field Artillery Officer and spent nine years in the 3rd Infantry Division in roles including Sustainment Automation Systems Management Officer, Rear Detachment Commander, Company Commander, Assistant Operations Officer, Battalion Fire Direction Officer, and Division Fire Control Officer. Prior to his assignments at Fort Stewart, GA, COL Agnello was a Battalion Fire Direction Officer, and a Battery Executive Officer at Fort Sill, OK. John is a combat veteran of Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn, and his various military decorations include the Bronze Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Combat Action Badge, and Basic Parachutist Badge. His military training includes the Joint Network Attack Course, Joint Computer Network Operational Planners Course, the Information Systems Management Course, and many more. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Dr. Becky Porter discusses the changing needs of military-connected children over the years, and how MCEC's mission to support them through education, advocacy, and collaboration has evolved over their 25-year history.   This podcast is made possible by generous funding from Maxwell Gunter Spouses' Club.  To learn more, visit https:  http://www.maxwellgunterspousesclub.com/.   Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.   Show Notes: Learn more about MCEC's 25-year history on our website: https://www.militarychild.org/history     Bio: Dr. Becky Porter joined MCEC as the President and CEO in 2019 following her retirement from Active Duty service with the U.S. Army. Becky is a 1983 Distinguished Military Graduate from the University of Washington and holds a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in clinical psychology from Fielding Graduate University. She earned her Master of Arts in counseling psychology from Chapman University and a Master of Science in national security and strategic studies from the National War College. She also earned an executive certificate in nonprofit management from the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy in 2020. She is a board-certified clinical health psychologist, a fellow of the American Psychological Association, and a member of the Order of Military Medical Merit. Her awards and recognition include: The Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society for Military Psychology, the Legion of Merit (3 awards), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal (6 awards). Additionally, she also holds the Army Surgeon General's “A” Proficiency Designator as recognition of her significant contributions to the U.S. Army Medical Department. Becky's military career spanned more than 30 years, and she served in all three components of the U.S. Army with the Washington National Guard, the U.S. Army Reserves, and on Active Duty. She retired at the rank of colonel. She is a Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and former special assistant to the U.S. Army's 34th Chief of Staff, Gen. Eric Shinseki. Her assignments included: Germany; Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii; the Pentagon; the United States Military Academy; Walter Reed Army Medical Center; and the Joint Task Force National Capital Region Medical, Bethesda, MD. She commanded the Dunham U.S. Army Health Clinic, Carlisle, Pa.; the DiLorenzo TRICARE Health Clinic at the Pentagon; and Public Health Command Europe. Becky and her husband John, also a retired U.S. Army officer, live near Fort Cavazos, Texas   Resources: https://www.militarychild.org/

Chief Administrative Law Judge Hon. Brian Weinthal joined the Illinois Human Rights Commission as the Chief Administrative Law Judge in February of 2022. Prior to serving as Chief Administrative Law Judge, Mr. Weinthal spent nearly twenty years in private practice, appearing as a litigator in both commercial and employment cases in courts around the country. Although he has extensive experience trying cases as a "first-chair" lawyer, Chief Judge Weinthal is also a trained advocate who previously represented clients at a broad range of alternative dispute resolution ("ADR") proceedings, including both mediations and arbitrations. He is a member of the bars of Illinois, California, and the District of Columbia (where he previously served as a mediator for the D.C. Superior Court). Before working in private practice, Judge Weinthal spent six years on active military duty with the United States Navy's Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG). Eventually rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander, Judge Weinthal defended clients at contested court-martials involving allegations of inchoate, pecuniary, and violent crimes. As his final duty with the U.S. Navy, Judge Weinthal served as prosecutor for the Office of Military Commissions—the litigating unit responsible for indicting suspected terrorists confined by the Department of Defense at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Chief Judge Weinthal received his law degree from Northwestern University, with a concentration in "Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution." He also holds an advanced law degree (an LL.M.) in "Litigation and Dispute Resolution" from the George Washington University School of Law. Judge Weinthal is admitted to the Trial Bar of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and was previously awarded several high honors by the United States military, including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. Chief Judge Weinthal is a strong proponent of personal relationships and mentoring, and a staunch advocate of greater diversity and equality in all settings.

How do you advocate without being an activist in the military? Are they separate?  Can you rock the boat without tipping it over? How do you move the needle on inclusion in spaces that are dead set against your presence?  How do you criticize a policy and maintain your obligation to the chain of command from leadership?  How do you use media to tell your story when seeking a broader change?We will address these critical topics as I chatted with Blake Dremann about how he succeeded on active duty and became a face of a cause. At the same time, the politicians debated what was then (and still is) a controversial issue. He has taught me so much in my advocacy journey and how to push for change correctly. Commander Blake Dremann serves as the Supply Officer and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul – Logistics Deputy Director at Fleet Readiness Center – East in Cherry Point, NC. Commander Dremann is a native of St. Louis, MO.  He is a 2003 graduate from Ozark Christian College, received his commission through Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, FL, in 2006, and attended Navy Supply Corps School in Athens, GA. Dremann's operational assignments include Supply Officer, USS Maine (SSBN 741), earning Maine's second Logistics Excellence Award and recipient of the 2015 Vice Admiral Robert F. Batchelder Award and division officer afloat as Food Service Officer, Disbursing Officer and Assistant Supply Officer, USS Denver (LPD 9). Dremann's personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2), the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals (4). He is qualified as a Submarine and Surface Warfare Supply officer and an Acquisition Corps member.  Commander Dremann received the 2018 Department of Defense Pride Military Leadership Award, Modern Military Association of America's “Outstanding Advocate” Honoree for their 25th Anniversary, and was named a 2019 Out in National Security Next Generation Leader.In 2019, he testified before the HASC Personnel Committee along with four other trans service members and the current President of the American Medical Association Jesse Ehrenfeld. He was also president of the non-profit SPARTA from 2016-2019, whose mission is to advocate for inclusive military policy, provide peer support and develop transgender military service educational resources.Visit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTERRead my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.com

Nick Lavery is an active-duty Green Beret – The US Army's Special Forces. He currently holds the rank of Chief Warrant Officer. He considered the military while still in high school, but football scholarships took him to college. 9/11 happened in his sophomore year at college and as angry as he was, he chose to finish college before enlisting in the Army. Nick knew he wanted to be a member of the Special Operations community and it was the Army who offered him the immediate contract option. In 2013, while deployed in Afghanistan the base he team was operating out of was attacked, both from inside the wire and outside the base. Nick was shot in the legs from a PKM machine gun, he ultimately lost 90% of his right leg. Nick refused a medical retirement and in 2015 fought his way back to full active duty. Nick's awards include the Silver Star, three Purple Hearts, two Bronze Stars, Bronze Star with "V" for valor, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, the OSS Society Peter Ortiz Award, and the Special Operations Command Excalibur Award. Nick is a few years from transitioning out of the military, but he is already putting pieces in place for his after-military career. In 2022 put out his first book – Objective Secure. From his story of injury, recovery, and resilience he also started doing public speaking engagements. Nick has done a Ted talk and regularly speaks on the importance of resilience and the warrior mindset.  PODCAST - LISTEN, WATCH, AND SUBSCRIBE https://linktr.ee/TransitionDrillPodcast CONNECT WITH NICK https://www.machinenick.com/ https://www.instagram.com/nick.machine.lavery/

Welcome to Fight in Progress!   Today we are joined by Executive Director for the National Guard Association of Arizona, Colonel Paul Aguirre. We learn about the differences between our different branches of military, along with what sets the National Guard apart from the rest.    About our guest: Colonel (Ret) Paul R. Aguirre is the Executive Director for the National Guard Association of Arizona. In this capacity, he represents over 1,100 Officers of the Arizona National Guard supporting the approximately 8,000 Soldiers and Airmen of the Arizona National Guard. Prior to retiring in 2020, Aguirre served over 33 years in the both the Army and Air Force. His military assignments included Counter Drug Task Force (CDTF) Commander for the Arizona National Guard; Commander Logistics Readiness Squadron, 161st Air Refueling Wing; Chief of Staff, 161st Air Refueling Wing; Public Affairs Officer, AZ Department of Emergency and Military Affairs; and Comptroller, 161st Air Refueling Wing. He also has enlisted experience in logistics, aircraft maintenance and air traffic control. Col Aguirre deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and has served in Germany, South Korea and South America. He directly supported several homeland missions including relief efforts for Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, Operation Jump Start (the original border mission for the Arizona National Guard), and implemented the Substance Abuse Prevention program for the Arizona National Guard supporting drug prevention efforts statewide. The program emphasized fentanyl poisoning prevention and was the largest in the nation. He was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and the NATO Medal. Colonel Aguirre completed a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. His military education includes the Air Force War College, Air Force Command and Staff College, Air Force Squadron Officers School, National Guard Bureau's Commanders Course, Army Air Traffic Controller Course, Army Telecommunications Center Operator Course, Army National Guard Primary Leadership Development Course, Army Basic Training, Air Force Logistics Officer Course and the Department of Defense Information Public Affairs Officer Course. He was born in Peoria, Arizona and currently lives in Phoenix, Arizona with his son Jackson and daughter Alanna. Aguirre has served his community as the Executive Director and board member for the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Board of Trustees for Ashford University; member Phoenix Sports Commission Champions Circle; Board Member National Guard Association of Arizona; University of Phoenix Alumni Board; and has worked with or volunteered for numerous other local organizations including Vet Tix, Pros vs GI Joes, Honor Flight, Patriot Guard Riders, Joy Bus Diner and Special Olympics.   Description: Fight in Progress with Susan Simons aims to discuss problems and difficulties our officers face every day from sleep deprivation, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and adrenal fatigue, to depression, isolation, physical illnesses, emotional distress, divorce and all too often suicide. Fight in Progress looks to cover these topics and discuss their solutions to help these warriors navigate these threats through education and preparation. We speak to experts, officers and their families from around the country to have hard discussions on what challenges this community faces, and what we can do to strengthen our men and women in law enforcement. About the Host- Susan, President and founder of Under the Shield, is a leading subject matter expert in First Responder Stress/PTSI, and has been an instructor for 26 years in many major military and law enforcement installations around the country including, FBI Academy Quantico VA, US Marine Corps 3rd Battalion 23 Marines Lima Company, US Air Force Europe, consulting clinician NYPD/FDNY post 9-11, National Tactical Operators Association, and Luke AFB in Arizona (current). In these trainings she provides resilience training for all first responders and takes a head on approach to the issues of suicide, divorce, and Post traumatic stress, with solutions to the real issues affecting those in the first responder community. Through her non-profit, Under the Shield Inc., she has created the only Stress Coach Certification in the United States specifically for law enforcement, first responders, military and their families. Susan holds a M.S. in Counseling and Human Development from Troy University and is a Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress as well as a Fellow with the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress.  Contact a stress coach near you at Under The Shield: (855)889-2348 You can also reach out to the hosts directly for help at: Susan Simmons (334) 324-3570 or susan.simons@undertheshield.com Tom The-Bomb-Dot-Com (480) 861-6574 or Thaubold@undertheshield.com If you want to share your story on our Podcast, reach out to: Tracy “Mrs. The-Bomb-Dot-Com” - Spousal Stress Coach (480) 518-3775 Visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Media/Fight-In-Progress-100743441735923/ Find us on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2tadjn3I4OC75lGmqZL7sc THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US!

"Never again" has turned into "Again and Again", or "Never Happened". In the wake of the holocaust, the world committed to never forgetting the atrocities and never letting something like this happen again. 75 years later, the world continues to see new genocides begin and concerted efforts to deny that these atrocities ever even happened. As hate rises around the world, the conditions necessary for mass atrocities has ripened, allowing for more than ten current and ongoing genocides to flourish today. In this episode, we talk about the ways in which the world, and individual, can work to better prevent, respond to, and recover from genocides. While this area of international affairs is very difficult to deal with, that does not mean there is nothing to do. The first step is knowledge and awareness. Where countries can shroud their actions behind secrecy and a disinterested global community, this is where governments are able to act with impunity against perceived threats to their authority. Listen today to better understand the ways a genocide gets started, how the world can respond, and why these horrible atrocities continue to occur today. Michael C. Pryce is the founder and CEO of COA Consultants and COA NonProfit, both organizations dedicated to developing pragmatic planning tools to prevent or intervene in a mass atrocity. From 2007-2009, Pryce was the Professor of Conflict Resolution at the Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute (PKSOI) of the US Army War College, and Director of the Mass Atrocity Response Operations (MARO) Project, a partnership between PKSOI and the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.He used his expertise in military planning and conflict resolution to recruit and lead a group of fellow planning experts in developing the MARO Project's documents. He also coordinated the project's initial evolution throughout the Department of Defense and the US Government. He has formally presented the MARO Project to international military audiences as well as organizations such as the UN and the Pearson Peacekeeping Center in Ottawa, Canada.From 1999 until 2007, Pryce worked in Stuttgart, Germany at the US European Command Plans Division as the lead or deputy planner in stability and combat operations. While there he helped develop plans and strategies for military cooperation with non-defense agencies of the US Government, as well as NATO and EU organizations, and was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. He specialized in guiding small, diverse groups of executives and academics through analytical processes designed to clarify strategic and operational problems and develop feasible solutions. DONATE TODAY

The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Vic Garcia and Mike Berger of Peraton give a deep dive into IO-related challenges facing the United States and allied nations, plus dynamics between the intelligence and the operations communities, and the importance and current state of IO assessments. Research Question:  Vic Garcia suggests: How are the Chinese leveraging the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in order to build influence across the globe? What are the implications on US foreign policy? [Expanding off of the question above] Mike Berger asserts: What are examples of strategic competitor (Chinese and Russian) efforts to build influence* in different information environments across the globe? How successful have they been in these efforts, and what challenges do they present to US national interests? Resources: Cognitive Crucible Podcast Episodes Mentioned #82 John DeRosa and Alex del Castillo on Measuring Effectiveness of Operations in the Information Environment #81 Cassandra Brooker on the Effectiveness of Influence Activities #115 Russ Burgos on Information Supply, Demand, and Effect #129 Eliot Jardines on Open Source Intelligence Axis of Disinformation: Propaganda from Iran, Russia, and China on COVID-19 by Andrew Whiskeyman, Michael Berger The Hundred-Year Marathon: China's Secret Strategy to Replace America as the Global Superpower by Michael Pillsbury and Malcolm Hillgartner Case Studies and Theory Development in the Social Sciences by Alexander George and Andrew Bennett (2004). Like War: The Weaponization of Social Media by P.W. Singer and Emerson Brooking (2018). Intelligence Support for Operations in the Information Environment, by RAND—authors include Michael Schwille, Anthony Atler, Jonathan, Welch, Christopher Paul, Richard C. Baffa (2020). Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-137 Guest Bio:  Colonel (Ret) Vic Garcia culminated his 30-year Army career after having served as the J39 Information Operations Division Chief at two separate combatant commands: U.S. Special Operations Command (2016-20) and U.S. Central Command (2013-16). During his tenure at SOCOM he oversaw the creation of the Joint MISO Web-operations Center (JMWC), and helped lead organizational change for the PSYOP, Civil Affairs, Cyber and Space communities within the SOF enterprise. Prior to this, while at CENTCOM, Vic led the command's IO efforts against ISIS/Daesh propaganda, leading to improved web operations including development of a team directly supporting JSOC. Vic served in a variety of infantry and PSYOP assignments, including command of information warfare task forces in Iraq for Multi-National Forces -Iraq, and in Qatar for Special Operations Command – Central. He also saw service in Kandahar, Afghanistan as an infantry deputy Brigade commander; and as a MIST Team leader supporting Joint Task Force Liberia, created to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in that country. His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (2 awards), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), the Expert Infantryman's Badge, Ranger Tab, Senior Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and others. His education includes a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point; a Master of Science in International Relations from Troy University; and a Master's of Science in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College. Vic currently works for Peraton supporting information warfighting capability development. Dr. Mike Berger is Chief of Research for the Information Warfare organizational unit (OU) in Peraton's Cyber Mission Sector. In this capacity, he serves as the lead for analysis and assessments for the Operational Planning, Implementation, and Assessment Services (OPIAS) contract—the largest information warfare support contract in the US Government (USG). Dr. Berger oversees primary source research, personnel, and operational assessments supporting information operations (IO) / irregular warfare (IW) activities across OPIAS's supported Geographic Combatant Commands (GCCs) and USG agencies. Through the course of his work, Dr. Berger has established and successfully managed the most expansive foreign audience opinion research portfolio in the Department of Defense, including over 700,000 survey interviews, 600 focus groups, and 2,000 elite interviews in a variety of sensitive locations across the globe. A central focus of his research includes illuminating the current challenges faced by America and its partners in the information environment. Dr. Berger holds a PhD in International Relations from the University of St. Andrews (Scotland, United Kingdom). He enjoys establishing new research projects, leveraging new technologies to enhance data analysis, and developing operational assessment teams in support of forward deployed warfighters. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain.

You wanna hear an unbelievable story by an amazing story-teller? Then you need to read Nick Lavery's book, Objective Secure: BUY IT HERE!Nick Lavery is a warrior, leader, speaker, author and most importantly a husband and father of two young boys. He is an active-duty member of The United States Army Special Forces.In 2013, while deployed to Afghanistan, he and his Detachment fell victim to an insider attack ultimately resulting in the loss of his leg. Refusing a military medical retirement, Nick set his sights on returning to operational status.Nick is currently serving as a Special Forces Warrant Officer. He is also the first amputee in military history to complete the Special Forces Warrant Officer Technical and Tactical Certification course, the Special Operations Combatives Program Instructor course, and the Special Forces Combat Diver Qualification course.Nick's awards include the Silver Star, three Purple Hearts, two Bronze Stars, Bronze Star with “V” for valor, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, the OSS Society Peter Ortiz Award, the Bruce Price Leadership Award, and the Special Operations Command Excalibur Award."The Line between Determination and Madness" - Nick LaveryFollow us on Social Media! Like/Subscribe/Share!MerchandiseSponsor: Warriors for Freedom[INTRO/OUTRO]“Stomp It Away” by Silent Partner is licensed under CC-BY-NC 2.5“Ever Felt pt 2” by Otis McDonald is licensed under CC-BY-NC 2.5

Nick Lavery, born and raised in Massachusetts, is an active-duty member of The United States Army Special Forces. Commonly known as the Green Berets, the Special Forces perform critical missions including direct action, counterinsurgency, foreign internal defense, special reconnaissance, and unconventional warfare. In 2013, on Nick's second combat rotation to Afghanistan, he and his Detachment fell victim to an insider attack ultimately resulting in the loss of his leg. Following a year of surgeries and initial recovery including the use of a prosthetic at Walter Reed National Medical Military Center, he returned to his unit. Refusing a military medical retirement, Nick set his sights on returning to operational status. In 2015, at the conclusion of a challenging, comprehensive assessment designed to evaluate Nick's abilities to operate, he returned to his Detachment and was subsequently deployed once again to Afghanistan conducting full spectrum combat operations. Nick is considered the first Special Forces operator to return to combat as an above-the-knee amputee. Nick is currently serving as a Special Forces Warrant Officer and Assistant Detachment Commander and is widely recognized as an experienced subject matter expert in special operations, intelligence fusion, and mission planning and execution across all operational continuums. He is also the first amputee in military history to complete the Special Forces Warrant Officer Technical and Tactical Certification course, the Special Operations Combatives Program Instructor course, and the Combat Diver Qualification course. Nick's awards include the Silver Star, three Purple Hearts, two Bronze Stars, Bronze Star with “V” for valor, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, the OSS Society Peter Ortiz Award, the Bruce Price Leadership Award, and the Special Operations Command Excalibur Award. Nick is a warrior, leader, athlete, student, author and most importantly a husband and father of two young boys.Check out Nick's book, Objective Secure: The Battle-Tested Guide to Goal Achievement, here!In this episode you will learn:The steps it takes to become a great leader.Why gratitude is your greatest tool to overcoming adversity. The significance of having a meaningful mission for your life.Methods you can implement to achieve any goal. For more, go to lewishowes.com/1359

This week, we're celebrating Veteran's Day and all those who have served! To honor our Veterans across the country, we're having a conversation with commander (CDR) Jeanette Arencibia, a Plans, Operations, and Medical Intelligence officer for the Marine Corps Forces Reserve Command and the Marine Corps Forces Southern Command. Today CDR Arencibia will discuss her definition of leadership and the dynamic relationship that exists between the military and rural healthcare. “I really look forward to a time when I can dedicate myself to what's going on in the civilian sector and utilizing some of my military experience to practice that in our own country” -CDR Janette Arencibia CDR Arencibia is an accomplished Plans, Operations, and Medical Intelligence (POMI) officer. A native of Lexington, Kentucky, she graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in 1995 with a Bachelor's degree in Health Science Education and a Master's in Public Administration–Public Health as a Patricia Roberts Harris Fellow Awardee in 1996. Upon a direct commission to Lieutenant Junior Grade in 2003, CDR Arencibia earned a Master's Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Navy War College and is a graduate of the Marine Corps University. CDR Arencibia is as well a graduate of the Global Health Strategies for Security program at the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, Maryland. Commander Arencibia's initial assignment at the Naval School of Health Sciences(NSHS)was as Officer in Charge of Healthcare Facilities. Upon transfer, she completed her first of several Individual Augmentee tours in support of the Oregon Army National Guard 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team; Operation Enduring Freedom and was assigned Chief, Joint Visitor's Bureau (JVB) for Task Force Phoenix V-Afghanistan. She served as Officer in Charge of the first Female Afghan National Army Security Unit. In September 2006, she reported to NRD New England and then to the National Naval Medical Center as Department Head for Contingency Operations. CDR Arencibia assumed lead medical planning roles in support of Operation Unified Response (USNS COMFORT) and Continuing Promise 2010 (USS IWOJIMA). She was selected as a Plans, Operations, and Medical Intelligence Officer to the Joint Chiefs of Staff/Joint Staff Surgeon Internship program at the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. During her Joint Staff tenure, she completed Verification, Validation, and Accreditation of the Joint Medical Planning Tool, now a required casualty estimation tool per the Joint Strategic Capabilities Plan. CDR Arencibia was subsequently assigned as the Lead Medical Planner for NORAD/NORTHCOM followed by her assignment to Marine Forces Central Command whereby she instituted Global Health Engagements resulting in noted capability improvements to international bilateral agreements between the United States and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Follow-on assignments include U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. Fourth Fleet (USNAVSO/FOURTHFLT) and USNS COMFORT GlobalHealth Advisor in response to the 2019 Venezuelan Crisis. As Deputy Medical Director and interim Medical Director, she completed her assignment at Naval Amphibious Force, TF 51/5thMarine Expeditionary Brigade, Crisis Response having instituted the R2LMERSS Playbook for continuity of operations during COVID-19. A Joint Qualified Officer, CDR Arencibia is recently returned as Deputy Surgeon, United Forces South Korea. Commander Janette Arencibia's personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, and the Navy-Marine Commendation Medal (two awards) along with various individual and unit decorations.

Former Delta Force Operator was my guest on this episode of Inside the War Room.Links from the show:* American Badass: The true story of a modern day Spartan* Dale's website* Connect with Dale on Twitter or Instagram* Connect with Ryan on Twitter or Instagram* Join the conversation in the newsletterAbout my guest:Dr. Dale Comstock served 10 years in 1st SFOD-D (The Delta Force) as an assaulter, explosives, mechanical, ballistic,and manual breacher, Team Leader, 3rd Special Forces Group (Green Berets) as a light and heavy weapons expert -Team Sergeant, and in the 82nd Airborne Division 325th Infantry. He also worked 9.5 years as a paramilitary operative for USG and concurrently worked as a contract security specialist, COO, Vice President, and President for various security companies applying his skills and knowledge on a myriad of security challenges around the world. Dale Comstock has given 35 years of service to the United States combating U.S. enemies abroad. He served in every campaign from Grenada to the present conflicts that the United States is involved in as a frontline combatant directly engaging the enemy, either as a Paratrooper, Green Beret, Delta Force Operator, or Paramilitary contractor. He has been decorated twice for Valor in combat and is also the famed breacher that explosively breached the Modelo Prison in Panama during the 1989 U.S. invasion and rescue of Kurt Muse. You can read more about his life and combat experience in his book American Badass.Dale has 6th degree Black Belts in American Open Karate and Extension Fighting, with a 1st degree Black Belt in Ju Jitsu. He is a former professional boxer, kickboxer, and MMA fighter, who authored the 3rd Special Forces Group combatives manual in 1997, instructed the Delta Force combatives program and the 3rd Special Forces Group combatives program. He is a competitive Bodybuilder and actively trains and competes alongside his son. In the world of self-defense Dale has globally managed bodyguard details for high net worth businessman, celebrities, and Politicians.In addition to martial arts training and knowhow, Dale has a Doctorate Natural Health and Alternative Medicine, a Masters Degree in Business and Organizational Security Management, with a Baccalaureates degree in Education. He is fluent in German, with a working knowledge of Spanish and Portuguese.He is a certified Locksmith, Special Security and Anti-Terrorist Driving Instructor, Evasive and Defensive Off-road Driving, Professional K-9 trainer and handler, Combat Tracker, U.S. Army Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape (SERE), DOD High Risk level-2 Resistance to Interrogation trained, Delta Force firearms and Close Quarter Battle instructor, FBI Firearms instructor, Mid-South Institute firearms instructor, NRA firearms instructor, NSA Operational Security Manager, Waterborne Insertion Expert, and Advanced Urban Warfare/ Unassisted Asset Recovery trained.In September 2011 Dale was featured on Discovery Channel's “One Man Army,” and in September 2012 he was featured on NBC's “Stars Earn Stripes” alongside Terry Crews. Since that time Dale has participated in numerous Hollywood productions and has authored his book “American Badass,” which is his life story from childhood to present day that talks about his journey through virtually every ground campaign from Grenada to Afghanistan as a Delta Operator, Infantryman, and Paramilitary Operative.AWARDS/HONORS: Bronze Star with “V” device (For Valor), Joint Service Commendation Medal with “V” device (For Valor), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards), Army Commendation Medal (3 awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal w/ Spearhead device (3 awards), Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze Service Star (2 awards), Kuwait Liberation Medal, Saudi Arabian-Kuwait Liberation Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Master Parachute Badge, Special Forces Tab. Get full access to Dispatches from the War Room at dispatchesfromthewarroom.substack.com/subscribe

“I don't wanna work at a company for 30 years, and then my entire identity is gone. So I ended up writing four books. And my officemates would say, ‘How do you do all this stuff?' You gotta find the intersection points.” Kabir Sehgal is a many things: A bestselling author of sixteen books (across nonfiction and fiction). A multi-Grammy-winning jazz musician. A producer and writer of documentaries on immmigration an work. Kabir and his work have been featured in The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, CNN, PBS, NPR, C-SPAN, National Geographic and many more places. He's done work with the late Congressman John Lewis, Muhammad Yunus, Andrew Young and many more. Sehgal is a US Navy veteran and reserve officer who served on active duty with special operations in the Middle East, and he received the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. He served as a speechwriter on presidential campaigns. But despite NOT being related (that we know of), Raman discovered him years ago...when someone gifted his daughter the book “The Wheels on the Tuk Tuk” - a book that has become a family favorite, and that we've gifted to friends with new kids around the world. So how does someone go from Wall Street and the Military to jazz music and kids books? One cup of chai and samosa at a time.  LEARN ABOUT KABIR Kabir.cc instagram.com/kabir.cc // twitter.com/kabirsehgal FILM PRODUCER https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8903549/ MUSIC PRODUCER: https://www.allmusic.com/artist/kabir-sehgal-mn0002637161/credits AUTHOR: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1285051.Kabir_Sehgal BOOK: The Wheels on the Tuk Tuk: goodreads.com/en/book/show/24885579 HBR: “Why You Should Have (at Least) Two Careers” https://hbr.org/2017/04/why-you-should-have-at-least-two-careers ALBUM: American Dreamers Project (won 3 Grammys:): https://open.spotify.com/album/2mAJfyyvdfRuraIVqjUQJA MENTIONS TV: Succession - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7660850/ BOOK: Bullshit Jobs (David Graeber) - https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/34466958 BOOK: Daily Rituals: How Artists Work (Mason Currey) - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15799151-daily-rituals BOOK: The Omni-Americans (Albert Murray) - https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/174142 PERSON: Trey Young (Atlanta Hawks) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trae_Young PERSON: Lebron James - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LeBron_James Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nick is an active duty member of The United States Army Special Forces. Commonly known as Green Berets, the Special Forces perform critical missions including counterinsurgency, unconventional warfare, foreign internal defense, and special reconnaissance. In 2013, on Nick's second combat rotation to Afghanistan, he and his Detachment fell victim to an insider attack ultimately resulting in the loss of his leg. Following a year of surgeries and initial recovery including the use of a prosthetic at Walter Reed National Medical Military Center, he returned to his unit. Refusing a military medical retirement, Nick set his sights on returning to operational status. In 2015, at the conclusion of a challenging, comprehensive assessment designed to evaluate Nick's abilities to operate, he returned to his Detachment and was subsequently deployed once again to Afghanistan conducting full-spectrum combat operations. Nick is considered to be the first Green Beret to return to combat as an above-the-knee amputee. Nick is currently serving the United States citizens as a Special Forces Warrant Officer / Assistant Detachment Commander and is widely recognized as an experienced subject matter expert in special operations, intelligence fusion, and mission planning and execution across all operational continuums. A former Special Forces Weapons Sergeant, Nick is Airborne and Combat Diver qualified, holds instructor certifications in Modern Army Combatives (MACP) and Special Operations Combatives (SOCP) programs, and is a graduate of both the Network Development Course and Unconventional Warfare Operational Design course. Nick is the first amputee to complete the Special Forces Warrant Officer Technical and Tactical Certification course, the SOCP Instructor course, and the Combat Diver Qualification course in military history. Nick's awards include the Silver Star, three Purple Hearts, two Bronze Stars, Bronze Star with “V” for valor, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the Special Operations Command Excalibur Award. An extensive world traveler, Nick provides training and motivational speeches to private sector corporations, schools and universities, sports teams, and a variety of different non-profit organizations. In his TED Talk ‘Living by an Ethos,' Nick speaks about the Warrior Mindset and the importance of sacrifice, determination, and selflessness. Born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, Nick is a husband, father, athlete, student, and author. He speaks multiple languages including Dari, Farsi, and Russian, and has earned a Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

 Suzi is joined by Retired Colonel Loren Weeks to talk about some of the issues and possible solutions within the VA Healthcare system. Some of the questions are: Why is the Veterans Affairs Hospital system not mapped out to serve veterans as efficiently as they are served when on active duty? Why is it that when veterans go to a VA hospital no matter where the location, the EMR system cannot retrieve medical records from another VA location? Why does a veteran have to enroll when they come into the Emergency Room before being seen? So many questions? Listen in to Suzi and Loren's perspectives on issues and solutions to create a better system for our veteran community.BioColonel Loren A. Weeks enlisted in the Army Reserve on June 6, 1983 as a 13B, Cannon Crewman, with the C Battery, 4th Battalion, 75th Division Artillery.  He served three years as an enlisted soldier with the U.S. Army Reserve and the Illinois Army National Guard before receiving a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant on May 10, 1986.  His service continued with the Illinois Army National Guard as a Platoon Leader with Company A, 3rd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment and Chemical Officer for the 106th Aviation Battalion.  In September 1987, he transferred to the U.S. Army serving as Chemical Officer with the 1st Battalion, 508th Airborne Infantry, 193rd Infantry Brigade stationed in the Republic of Panama.  During this tour, he participated in 28 named Joint Operations concluding with Operation Just Cause.  In 1990, he was transferred to Fort Campbell and served with the 63rd Chemical Company, 101st Airborne Division and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.  Colonel Weeks returned to the Illinois Army National Guard in March 1991 with service in the   66th Infantry Brigade, 34th Infantry Division as Brigade Chemical Officer and HHC Company Commander.  Branch transferring into the Quartermaster Corps, he was assigned duties within the Department of Logistics, State Area Command as the Defense Movement and Supply Management Officer. His last duty assignment within the Illinois Army National Guard was as Support Operations Officer, 232nd Corps Support Battalion.  He transferred to the California Army National Guard in 2003 and served as the Support Operations Officer, XO and the Battalion Commander of the 340th Forward Support Battalion and 1/149 Armor Battalion until his first Operation Enduring Freedom deployment.   As part of Task Force Phoenix, the 40th ID Embedded Training Team mentored the 5th Kandak (CSS Battalion), 2nd Brigade, 201st Corps at Forward Operating Base Fiaz, Kunar Province supporting ANA combat operations in the Kunar, Pech, Waterpor, Waygal, and Korrengal Valleys.Colonel Weeks returned to the CAARNG in 2009 to command the Pre-Mobilization Training Battalion, Task Force Warrior, with the primary responsibility for training assistance and certification of mobilizing units. In 2012, he conducted his second OEF Deployment assigned to the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Afghanistan.  Upon return, he was assigned as the Army Division G-4.  In May 2015, he deployed to Afghanistan as commander of the 224th Logistics Mentor Team.Colonel Weeks' military education includes the Chemical Officer Basic Course, Quartermaster Officer's Advanced Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Command and General Staff College. His civilian education includes a Baccalaureate of Arts Degree in Political Science from Southern Illinois University in 1987.Colonel Weeks' military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with one Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Me

Charles Strange: Seal Team 6 Deaths "Extortion 17" Osama Bin Laden Raid Charles and Mary Strange join The Opperman Report to discuss their son Michael. Michael was part of the SEAL team that raided the Osama bin Laden compound. Three months later he dies in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan. This interview covers the families suspicions regarding the official accounts of these events. Their struggle to uncover the truth and their experiences of being targets of govt surveilance and harassment. We discuss the Afghanistan poppy trade, Taliban 'sex boys" their experience with Pres Barack Obama , the suspicious circumstances surround their sons death. Also discussed is an incredibly bizarre "Ramp Ceremony" where a Muslim Imam was allowed to perform an act of desecration over the coffins of these US soldiers. MichaelStrangeFoundation.org Cryptologic Technician (Collection) Petty Officer First Class Michael J. Strange was born on June 6, 1986 in Philadelphia. He attended St. Bartholomew Catholic School in the Wissinoming section of the city. He enjoyed the life of a typical Philadelphia kid surrounded by a loving family and great friends who he stayed close to all of his life. Michael had a great sense of humor and a kind and generous heart. As a little boy he loved spending summers with his dad, brother and sisters in Rehoboth Beach at his grandmothers house where he spent his days fishing and crabbing and playing in the pool. After graduating from North Catholic High School in June of 2004, Michael joined the United States Navy. After basic training in the Great Lakes he reported to the Naval Technical Training Center in Pensacola FL where he attended Cryptologic Technician (Collection) “A” School. He graduated second in his class. His first assignment was Naval Information Operations Command (NIOC) in Hawaii. At NIOC, Petty Officer Strange worked in several high profile signals intelligence gathering offices and became a first line supervisor in charge of multiple analysts. He completed a nine month deployment to Iraq with Seal Team TWO. During this deployment he earned the Expeditionary Warfare qualification. After an arduous screening process, Petty Officer Strange volunteered and was selected for duty at Naval Special Warfare Development Group. While stationed in Hawaii, Michael met his girlfriend. They enjoyed spending time after work surfing and touring the beautiful islands. After completing his tour of duty in Iraq, Michael and his girlfriend moved to Virginia Beach, VA where they made their home with their dog Schmayze. Cryptologic Technician (Collection) First Class Michael Strange was a highly decorated combat veteran with numerous awards, including the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, Purple Heart Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, and other campaign and unit decorations. Michael is survived by his proud and loving family, his parents, his brother, sisters and his niece. He is also survived by his grandmother and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, his girlfriend and many close friends.

Charles Strange: Seal Team 6 Deaths "Extortion 17" Osama Bin Laden Raid Charles and Mary Strange join The Opperman Report to discuss their son Michael. Michael was part of the SEAL team that raided the Osama bin Laden compound. Three months later he dies in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan. This interview covers the families suspicions regarding the official accounts of these events. Their struggle to uncover the truth and their experiences of being targets of govt surveilance and harassment. We discuss the Afghanistan poppy trade, Taliban 'sex boys" their experience with Pres Barack Obama , the suspicious circumstances surround their sons death. Also discussed is an incredibly bizarre "Ramp Ceremony" where a Muslim Imam was allowed to perform an act of desecration over the coffins of these US soldiers. MichaelStrangeFoundation.org Cryptologic Technician (Collection) Petty Officer First Class Michael J. Strange was born on June 6, 1986 in Philadelphia. He attended St. Bartholomew Catholic School in the Wissinoming section of the city. He enjoyed the life of a typical Philadelphia kid surrounded by a loving family and great friends who he stayed close to all of his life. Michael had a great sense of humor and a kind and generous heart. As a little boy he loved spending summers with his dad, brother and sisters in Rehoboth Beach at his grandmothers house where he spent his days fishing and crabbing and playing in the pool. After graduating from North Catholic High School in June of 2004, Michael joined the United States Navy. After basic training in the Great Lakes he reported to the Naval Technical Training Center in Pensacola FL where he attended Cryptologic Technician (Collection) “A” School. He graduated second in his class. His first assignment was Naval Information Operations Command (NIOC) in Hawaii. At NIOC, Petty Officer Strange worked in several high profile signals intelligence gathering offices and became a first line supervisor in charge of multiple analysts. He completed a nine month deployment to Iraq with Seal Team TWO. During this deployment he earned the Expeditionary Warfare qualification. After an arduous screening process, Petty Officer Strange volunteered and was selected for duty at Naval Special Warfare Development Group. While stationed in Hawaii, Michael met his girlfriend. They enjoyed spending time after work surfing and touring the beautiful islands. After completing his tour of duty in Iraq, Michael and his girlfriend moved to Virginia Beach, VA where they made their home with their dog Schmayze. Cryptologic Technician (Collection) First Class Michael Strange was a highly decorated combat veteran with numerous awards, including the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, Purple Heart Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, and other campaign and unit decorations. Michael is survived by his proud and loving family, his parents, his brother, sisters and his niece. He is also survived by his grandmother and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, his girlfriend and many close friends.

Hunter Scott is a Naval Officer and helicopter pilot since 2007, and currently serves the Pentagon as the Protocol Officer for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He specializes in matters of aviation along with national and cyber security. Scott has accumulated several military and civilian awards, including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal in 2016. He has earned two masters degrees, one from Harvard, and earned an undergraduate degree was from North Carolina where he was also varsity cheerleader.  In 2000, he helped draft legislation in that exonerated the unjustly court-martialed Captain of the USS Indianapolis. Charles McVay III was the only captain to be court-martialed out of over 700 ships that sank. What began as a history project as a 12 year old turned into a major quest. Our guest has been recognized in Florida on August 24th every year, as Hunter Scott day.  6:05 Quint's soliloquy in Jaws. 7:45 Interviewing the first survivor. 9:51 Writing 40 more letters. 11:34 Treasure hunting on the USS Indianapolis. 14:40 Delirium and survival: a memoir. 18:02 Telling their stories 20:14 “It was unfathomable.” 23:16 The response from the president. 25:02 Disqualified. 26:12 “I knew the message was sent.” 29:38  Testifying at 14 years old.   33:28 Believing it was the captain's fault. 34:51 What happened with the SOS messages. 36:40 The Swiss Cheese model. 38:01 “The angel from heaven.” 40:26 Admiral King's responsibility.  42:08 Called to serve in the Navy.  42:54 Continuing to tell their story. 45:12 The future of service.  47:24 The mental toughness to do what was meant to be. 49:45 Being a “dream-builder.” 51:13 The benefit of being disqualified. Download The Best Mental Toughness Quotes That Will Make You BETTER https://drrobbell.com/quotes-on-mentaltoughness  If you enjoyed this episode on Mental Toughness, please subscribe and leave a review! Dr. Rob Bell

During this episode, COL Mike Taylor discusses the US State Department's Global Engagement Center's (GEC) hub & spoke model for directing, leading, synchronizing, integrating, and coordinating the efforts of the Federal Government to recognize, understand, expose, and counter foreign state and non-state propaganda and disinformation efforts aimed at undermining or influencing the policies, security, or stability of the United States, its allies, and partner nations. Our wide ranging conversation covers the major components of the GEC, its data-driven approaches, and the importance of coordination within the US government and with allies and partners. Links: Cognitive Crucible Podcast Episodes Mentioned #99 Roger Carstens on Hostage Negotiations & Diplomacy Active Measures: The Secret History of Disinformation and Political Warfare by Thomas Rid The Fortunes of Africa: A 5000-Year History of Wealth, Greed, and Endeavor by Martin Meredith Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World by Gen. Stanley McChrystal Al-Mawla Tactical Interrogation Reports: Report A Report B Report C Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-106 Guest Bio:  Colonel Mike Taylor, U.S. Army, is the Director for Counter-terrorism at the Global Engagement Center (GEC), U.S. Department of State, in Washington, D.C.  He serves as the principal advisor to the GEC's Special Envoy and Coordinator on countering foreign Violent Extremist Organization's (VEO) propaganda and disinformation (CPD) activities.  In this role he is responsible for overseeing GEC CT operations and planning to include interagency and international coordination such as with the Communications Working Group of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.  Prior to the assumption of this assignment, Mike served as the Director, CJ39 Information Operations (IO), Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Operation Resolute Support (RS) and US Forces Afghanistan (USFOR-A). In previous assignments, Taylor served as the U.S. Army's Integrated Joint Special Technical Operations (IJSTO) Force Modernization Proponent Chief and as the U.S. Army Service IJSTO Chief, Operations and Technology Division, Operations, Readiness, and Mobilization Directorate, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7, Washington, D.C.; Branch Chief, Deputy Director for Global Operations (DDGO), J-39, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.; Information Operations Field Support Team Chief, 1st Battalion, 1st IO Command, Fort Belvoir, Virginia; and J39 IO Chief, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force Arabian Peninsula (CJSOTF-AP), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Balad, Iraq.   Earlier in his career, Taylor served in multiple tactical command and staff assignments to include as military advisor to the G-3, 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division, OIF, Tikrit, Iraq; Commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 24th Infantry Division and the United States Army Garrison, Fort Riley, Kansas; Commander, HHC, 1st Battalion, 34th Armor, 1st Brigade Combat Team (BCT) “Devil Brigade,” 1st Infantry Division (ID), Fort Riley, Kansas and OIF, Khalidiyah, Iraq; Commander, Cobra Company, 1st Battalion, 34th Armor, 1st BCT, 1st ID, OIF, Iraq; Plans Chief, 1st BCT, 1st ID, Ft. Riley, Kansas; Commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop (HHT), 3d Squadron, 16th Cavalry (CAV) Regiment, Fort Knox, Kentucky; and Executive Officer and Tank Platoon Leader with 2d Battalion, 72d Armor, Camp Casey, Korea.  Taylor enlisted in the United States Army Reserve and served as Wheeled Heavy Equipment Operator, 892d Transportation Company, Belleville, Illinois and Operation Desert Shield/Storm, Saudi Arabia.  Taylor's awards include the Bronze Star Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal, the Valorous Unit Award, the Meritorious Unit Citation, the Combat Action Badge, Basic Parachutist Badge, and was also awarded the U.S. Armor Association's Bronze Medallion of the Order of St. George.    Colonel Taylor holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer and Operations Management from Eastern Illinois University, a Master's in International Public Policy from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Washington D.C., and is a graduate of the U.S. Army's Command and General Staff Officer's Course and the U.S. Army Information Operations Qualification Course.  Colonel Taylor was born in Biloxi, Mississippi and is the eldest of three children of a retired U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sergeant.  Taylor resides in Lake Ridge, VA, married to the former Constance (Connie) Lorraine Bremer, has two daughters Madison (Maddie) and Elizabeth (Ella), and enjoys cheering on the Green Bay Packers. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

In this episode, Sgt. 1st Class Jake Braman sits down with Brig. Gen. Derek Lipson to learn more about our DCG-S and to get his thoughts on where the command is heading.Brigadier General Derek Neal Lipson was commissioned an infantry officer in 1990, following his graduation from Midland Lutheran College, in Fremont, Nebraska, where he received a bachelor's degree in Journalism. He completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in 1994.Brigadier General Lipson commanded at all levels within 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne), culminating as the Group Commander from 2015-2018. Non-combat deployments included Colombia, Bolivia and Grenada, and he responded to numerous natural disasters in the South East United States, to include Hurricane Katrina.Brigadier General Lipson has deployed multiple times, serving in Afghanistan in 2002, as the    Advanced Operations Base Tikrit Commander in Iraq from 2006-2007, the senior advisor to Iraqi Special Operations in 2008, Special Operations Task Force – North Commander in Iraq in 2010, senior advisor to the Afghan National Army Special Operations Command, 2nd Brigade in 2014 and as the Special Operations Command Forward – Central Africa Commander in 2016. Following Group Command, he served as the Team KSA Commander in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 2018-2020.Before being named as the Deputy Commanding General Support, 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne), he served as the Deputy Commanding General U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School.  He has also served as a Special Assistant to the Director of the Army National Guard in Washington, D.C.Brigadier General Lipson is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Command and General Staff Officer Course, and the U.S. Army War College. He holds master's degrees in Adult and Continuing Education from Kansas State University and in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star with three oak leaf clusters, Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters. He has been awarded the Combat Infantryman, Military Free Fall Parachutist, and the Senior Parachutist badges.Brigadier General Lipson is married to the former Jennie Engelhaupt. They have two daughters and two grandchildren.

Business Law & Military Service Jeffrey Lieser, Lieser Skaff Alexander   – The Sharkpreneur podcast with Seth Greene Episode 790 Jeffrey Lieser A co-founder of Lieser Skaff Alexander, Jeff concentrates his practice on complex business and real estate litigation. Jeff also serves as class action counsel and as a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator. From 2017 to 2021, Jeff was named to the Florida Legal Elite roster. The select lawyers on this prestigious list represent fewer than 1.5% of active Florida Bar members. Jeff has also been selected as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers® magazine each year from 2013-2017, and a Super Lawyer in 2021. In addition, Jeff is a Reserve Judge Advocate in the U.S. Army J.A.G. Corps, where he holds the rank of Major. He previoulsy deployed to Iraq with the First Heavy Brigade Combat Team, First Infantry Division (“Devil's Brigade”) and served as the Brigade's Legal Representative in arresting and jailing violent extremists who attacked against U.S. Forces. Jeff prosecuted such terrorist defendants in Iraqi criminal trials, and obtained record-breaking results, including five convictions. Jeff has received multiple awards for his military service, including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. Jeff attended law school at the University of Florida in Gainesville where he clerked at one of that city's oldest and largest law firms. After law school, he served as the Finance Director of a successful statewide political campaign and subsequently worked at prestigious, full-service, and statewide law firm. While there, Jeff litigated in state and federal court on behalf of multiple Fortune 500 companies, including insurance companies and financial institutions. In addition to law, Jeff maintains an interest in politics and government. In 2012, Jeff was selected as one of only six delegates who traveled to Australia on behalf of the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL). The ACYPL is a bipartisan, Washington, D.C. based organization that works with the Department of State to organize international political delegations comprised of individuals who exhibit strong leadership traits in their public or private service careers. Listen to this illuminating Sharkpreneur episode with Jeffrey Lieser about business law and military service. Here are some of the beneficial topics covered on this week's show: - Why attorneys want to have clients that will respect their time. - How getting you the best result possible may not happen overnight. - Why business owners should invest in legal services on the front end. - How business owners shouldn't wait to seek legal help until they have a fire to put out. - Why making speaking appearances is a good way for attorneys to get clients. Connect with Jeffrey: Guest Contact Info Twitter @lieserskaff Facebook facebook.com/LieserSkaffAlexander LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/lieser-&-skaff   Links Mentioned: lieserskaff.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices