CommissionED: The Air Force Officer Podcast - Colin Slade & Reed Gann

Latest Episodes:

036 - In memory of SrA Bryan Bell May 20, 2020

Show notes

In honor of Memorial Day, Colin shares his experience as a new Second Lieutenant and Officer-In-Charge of SrA Bryan Bell's funeral. SrA Bell was killed on 5 January 2012 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan when his vehicle was struck by an IED (see Military Times: https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/air-force-senior-airman-bryan-r-bell/6568079).
Email your questions and comments to airforceofficerpodcast@gmail.com. Join the discussion about the podcast, the Air Force, officership, and the Profession of Arms at https://www.facebook.com/groups/airforceofficerpodcast/.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AirForceOfficerPodcast/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airforceofficerpodcast/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/afofficerpod
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/afofficerpod
Share your officer stories of all flavors using #officerAF.

035 - Toolbox: Professional Reading May 13, 2020

Show notes

Much has been said on this podcast about the importance of professional reading, but never directly addressed. This toolbox episode aims to correct that by providing some reasons for and tips in the pursuit of knowledge through reading.
03:00 - Defining professional reading
06:59 - Common barriers to reading
12:15 - General tips for getting started
24:59 - Reed's personal tips for successful reading
29:33 - Colin's personal tips
Email your questions and comments to airforceofficerpodcast@gmail.com. Join the discussion about the podcast, the Air Force, officership, and the Profession of Arms at https://www.facebook.com/groups/airforceofficerpodcast/.

034 - Senior Enlisted Perspective with Holm Center Command Chief CMSgt Jermaine Evans May 06, 2020

Show notes

CMSgt Jermaine Evans is the Command Chief and senior enlisted advisor at the Jeanne M. Holm Center for Officer Accessions & Citizen Development. In this discussion with Colin and Reed, the Chief shares his experience working his way through the enlisted ranks and how that has shaped his perspective on officer accessions and leadership.
01:27 - The Chief's background and experience in the Air Force
34:01 - Getting hired as the first Chief in AFROTC
39:44 - The differences between officers and enlisted airmen
46:33 - What if we didn't have officers?
58:06 - The Chief's leadership philosophy
01:07:28 - Advice to officer instructors
Contact or follow CMSgt Evans:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HolmCenterCommandChief/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holmcenterccc/
Email: evansjer80@gmail.com
Email your questions and comments to airforceofficerpodcast@gmail.com. Join the discussion about the podcast, the Air Force, officership, and the Profession of Arms at https://www.facebook.com/groups/airforceofficerpodcast/.

033 - Undergraduate Pilot Training with 1st Lt Morgan Curriden Apr 29, 2020

Show notes

In this episode Colin interviews 1st Lt Morgan Curriden on Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT), covering peripheral topics like rated selection, the daily schedule, and tips for success.
05:18 - Morgan's background and experience in AFROTC
13:12 - Changes to improve commissioning sources
32:56 - The process leading up to UPT
44:52 - Broad strokes of UPT
55:45 - A day in the life of the UPT student
01:03:28 - Tips for success at UPT
01:14:04 - Professional development (see Team of Rivals by Doris Goodwin: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0684824906/)
01:20:05 - Hindsight advice to Cadet Curriden
01:24:35 - Commentary
Contact Morgan at morgancurriden@gmail.com.
Email your questions and comments to airforceofficerpodcast@gmail.com. Join the discussion about the podcast, the Air Force, officership, and the Profession of Arms at https://www.facebook.com/groups/airforceofficerpodcast/.

032 - 11F Fighter Pilot (F-15E) with Capt Clark Haymond Apr 22, 2020

Show notes

Capt Clark "Slider" Haymond is an instructor pilot for the F-15E Strike Eagle. In this week's episode he shares his experience and philosophy on training and developing to be an effective aviator.
07:54 - Slider's experience in AFROTC and preparation for ENJJPT
17:25 - What is ENJJPT (Euro-Nato Joint Jet Pilot Training)
25:08 - Some thoughts on the ongoing pilot shortage
31:41 - Why does the 11F Fighter Pilot career field exist?
40:21 - Slider's thoughts on the pilot/WSO relationship
46:14 - Who is the 11F's customer?
56:02 - Slider's deployment experience
01:08:52 - The effects of combat on mental health
01:14:12 - Professional development
01:16:44 - Why are pilots officers?
01:22:18 - Commentary
Contact Slider at clark.haymond@gmail.com.
Email your questions and comments to airforceofficerpodcast@gmail.com. Join the discussion about the podcast, the Air Force, officership, and the Profession of Arms at https://www.facebook.com/groups/airforceofficerpodcast/.

031 - 12X Combat Systems Officer and UCT with 1st Lt Joseph Langford Apr 15, 2020

Show notes

Combat Systems Officers are a much lesser known, but incredibly important rated career field within the Air Force. In this interview, 1st Lt Joseph Langford explains the various aspects of this specialty, the training pipeline, and his approach to success as an officer.
04:57 - Joey's experience in AFROTC and preparation for Undergraduate CSO Training (UCT)
17:15 - What is a Combat Systems Officer?
24:20 - UCT and the training pipeline
38:28 - How to become a CSO?
35:12 - Why does the 11B Bomber Pilot career field exist?
46:17 - Who is the CSO's customer?
01:06:00 - Joey shares some highlights from UCT
01:09:31 - Reading for professional development (see the following:
Deep Work by Cal Newport - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1455586692
Peak by Anders Ericsson - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F4A98WQ/
7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01069X4H0/
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1439167346/
12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0797Y87JC/
Richest Man in Babylon by George Clason - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V3LR2ZZ/
Basic Economics by Thomas Sowell - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PKQMFT8/
1776 by David McCullough - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009S2F0G/
Battle Cry of Freedom by James McPherson - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WOYDOI/
Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S Grant - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004CWFASO/
Winston Churchill biographies - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Winston+Churchill+biographies
Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084D1NZGL
The Mission, the Men, and Me by Pete Blaber - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H7W74MG/
Hal Moore on Leadership by Harold Moore - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078KLYRPV/
Turn this Ship Around by L. David Marquet - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CTDYYG2
Masters of the Air by Donald Miller - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006JSQFYC
Fighter Pilot by Robin Olds - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003H2O946/
01:26:17 - Commentary
Contact Joey at joseph.langford.3@us.af.mil or josephrlangford@gmail.com
Email your questions and comments to airforceofficerpodcast@gmail.com. Join the discussion about the podcast, the Air Force, officership, and the Profession of Arms at https://www.facebook.com/groups/airforceofficerpodcast/.

030 - 11B Bomber Pilot (B-52) with Capt Julian Gluck Apr 08, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Colin interviews Capt Julian "Cosmo" Gluck about his experience joining the Air Force, being a B-52 pilot, and his ideas for addressing the civilian-military gap.
03:26 - Cosmo's high school and USAFA experience (see In the Stairwell: https://youtu.be/q_2_hySQuD8)
12:17 - Preparing for the USAFA application
19:16 - How to get nominated to attend USAFA (see USAFA LEAD: https://www.academyadmissions.com/prepare/enlisted/)
27:40 - Cosmo's experience as a B-52 Pilot (see Jimmy Stewart: Bomber Pilot by Starr Smith: https://www.amazon.com/Jimmy-Stewart-Bomber-Starr-Smith-ebook/dp/B004PLNRL4/ and The Fighter Pilot Podcast B-52: https://www.fighterpilotpodcast.com/episodes/065-b-52-stratofortress/)
35:12 - Why does the 11B Bomber Pilot career field exist?
42:24 - Highlights from Cosmo's career (see Lt Col Dick Cole: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_E._Cole)
50:29 - Cosmo's approach to Squadron Officer School and addressing the civilian-military gap
01:12:58 - Commentary
Follow or contact Cosmo:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julianrgluck/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliangluck/
Website: http://juliangluck.com
Email your questions and comments to airforceofficerpodcast@gmail.com. Join the discussion about the podcast, the Air Force, officership, and the Profession of Arms at https://www.facebook.com/groups/airforceofficerpodcast/.

029 - How to become a pilot in the Air Force Apr 01, 2020

Show notes

The long awaited episode has finally arrived; the definitive guide to the process for being selected as a pilot, CSO, ABM, or RPA pilot. Colin and Reed take turns explaining the respective specifics for Air Force ROTC and OTS, as well as opportunities that exist for the Guard and Reserve and those already commissioned.
04:20 - AFI 36-2105 Applying for Flying Training, Air Battle Manager, or Astronaut Programs
08:10 - What is a rated officer? (see Elon Musk at Air Force Association 2020 https://www.airforcemag.com/elon-musk-the-fighter-jet-era-has-passed/)
13:27 - How to get selected as a pilot or rated officer?
15:41 - Colin explains the Air Force ROTC process
20:43 - What is included in the Order of Merit? (see Rated Medical Requirements
Pilot, CSO, and RPA - http://flightphysical.com/medical-standards/first-class
ABM - http://flightphysical.com/medical-standards/third-class)
27:23 - The role of rated preferences
29:53 - Reed explains the process for OTS, Guard and Reserve, and for officers who are already commissioned
Email your questions and comments to airforceofficerpodcast@gmail.com. Join the discussion about the podcast, the Air Force, officership, and the Profession of Arms at https://www.facebook.com/groups/airforceofficerpodcast/.

028 - 13S Space Operations Officer with Capt CJ Carlisle Mar 25, 2020

Show notes

In this the second part of Capt CJ Carlisle's interview, Colin and CJ discuss the Space Force and role of the space operations officer. CJ further describes his leadership philosophy and how he continues to develop as an officer.
01:41 - CJ's introduction and background (see "The Battle Above": https://static.dma.mil/usaf/csafreadinglist_2017/battle_above.html)
13:11 - Who does the 13S interact with?
18:18 - Developing warrior ethos for the Space Force
26:34 - Space Force culture
28:08 - CJ's approach to professional development
(see "Can't Hurt Me" by David Goggins: https://www.amazon.com/Cant-Hurt-Me-Master-Your/dp/1544512287
"Sell or Be Sold" by Grant Cardone: https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Be-Sold-Your-Business/dp/1608322564, and
"An Everyone Culture" by Robert Kegan: https://www.amazon.com/Everyone-Culture-Deliberately-Developmental-Organization/dp/1625278624)
40:08 - Taking ownership of yourself and your people
42:53 - CJ's advice to himself
51:03 - Commentary
Contact Capt Carlisle at ccarlisle@umass.edu or christopher.carlisle.2@us.af.mil
Email your questions and comments to airforceofficerpodcast@gmail.com. Join the discussion about the podcast, the Air Force, officership, and the Profession of Arms at https://www.facebook.com/groups/airforceofficerpodcast/.

027 - Prior-enlisted Security Forces with Capt CJ Carlisle Mar 18, 2020

Show notes

Colin interviews Capt CJ Carlisle about his experience being enlisted in security forces and the challenges he faced. CJ shares his perspective on overcoming the obstacles of pursuing a commission and asking what he can do for the Air Force.
02:58 - CJ's introduction and background
10:17 - Being a dorm chief at BMT
15:26 - First enlistment at Malmstrom AFB
26:53 - Being an NCO and switching to combat arms
30:48 - Pursuing a commission
46:48 - Officer Training School
49:30 - Space operations and AFROTC
56:16 - Commentary
Contact Capt Carlisle at ccarlisle@umass.edu or christopher.carlisle.2@us.af.mil
Email your questions and comments to airforceofficerpodcast@gmail.com. Join the discussion about the podcast, the Air Force, officership, and the Profession of Arms at https://www.facebook.com/groups/airforceofficerpodcast/.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

CommissionED: The Air Force Officer Podcast – Colin Slade & Reed Gann

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected