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

Latest Episodes:

056 - Squadron Officer School with Capt Adam Brown Sep 30, 2020

Show notes

Every two months or so, hundreds of Air Force Captains descend on Maxwell AFB to participate in 5 weeks of professional military education. At least until COVID-19. Capt Adam "LEX" Brown explains the purpose of the Squadron Officer School and how the program has been adapted to continue to "enhance air and space minded leaders."
03:50 - LEX shares his background as an Intel Officer in the Air Force
07:49 - What is SOS?
14:24 - Defining air and spacemindedness
21:28 - How is air and spacemindedness developed?
26:34 - SOS in the COVID environment
31:55 - Being an SOS Instructor (see Start with Why by Simon Sinek: https://amzn.to/3jjzxuL and SAASS Reading List: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/145152.SAASS_AY19_20_Part_2)
41:27 - 7am History Podcast
54:46 - Commentary (see Team of Teams by Stanley McChrystal: https://amzn.to/2S9Lrv8)
Contact LEX at 7amhistory@gmail.com.
Check out the 7am History Podcast: https://www.facebook.com/7-AM-History-104789284420666
Music provided by Carlos Rivera.
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlos_r15/
Send inquiries to: carlos.a.rivera15@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.airforceofficerpodcast.com/.

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Share your officer stories of all flavors using #shootthewatch.

055 - USAFA Admissions Liaison Officer with Lt Col Brian Zajick Sep 23, 2020

Show notes

Getting accepted to USAFA is incredibly difficult. In this interview, Lt Col Brian Zajick highlights the hundreds of full-time and thousands of part-time Admissions Liaison Officers (ALO) who help candidates navigate the process, especially those who don't already have a support system. Additionally, Brian provides incredible leadership insights applicable across an Air Force career.
02:21 - Brian shares his AFROTC experience and service as an Air Force officer
17:13 - Gold Bar Recruiter Program
23:07 - What is the ALO program?
29:29 - Evangelism of Air Force officership
32:39 - Total Force recruiting efforts
42:15 - Working with an ALO (see USAFA Admissions: https://www.academyadmissions.com and Leaders Encouraging Airman Development (LEAD): https://www.academyadmissions.com/prepare/enlisted/)
49:43 - What does an ALO look for?
01:01:46 - Nominations for appointment
01:10:20 - Commentary
Contact Brian at brian.zajick.1@us.af.mil.
Music provided by Carlos Rivera.
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlos_r15/
Send inquiries to: carlos.a.rivera15@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.airforceofficerpodcast.com/.

054 - Performance Report: Year One Sep 16, 2020

Show notes

As the Air Force turns 73 years old, CommissionED: The Air Force Officer Podcast also celebrates its first year. In this episode, Colin and Reed talk about the podcast's performance according to the data, what they've learned, as well as what's coming next. Year Two is gonna be awesome!
03:32 - What's happened this year? (see BrainStorm, Inc.: https://www.brainstorminc.com and Barbell Logic: https://barbell-logic.com)
08:13 - We want your feedback!
12:56 - What does the data say?
23:17 - Who is listening and what do they care about?
32:46 - What have we learned over the last year? (see Extreme Ownership: https://amzn.to/3iDBm5p and Dichotomy of Leadership by Jocko Willink: https://amzn.to/2ZHo7Jq)
45:11 - What is coming this next year? (see Accelerate Change or Lose: https://www.airforcemag.com/app/uploads/2020/08/CSAF-22-Strategic-Approach-Accelerate-Change-or-Lose-31-Aug-2020.pdf)
Music provided by Carlos Rivera.
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlos_r15/
Send inquiries to: carlos.a.rivera15@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.airforceofficerpodcast.com/.

053 - September 11, 2020 Sep 11, 2020

Show notes

It's been 19 years since September 11, 2001. Reed reflects on the significance of that day and how it continues to shape him personally and professionally.
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.airforceofficerpodcast.com/.

052 - Naval Aviation with CDR (Ret) Vincent Aiello Sep 09, 2020

Show notes

The Air Force is a joint partner with the other Armed Services, especially the Navy, in providing airpower to combatant commanders. In this interview, CDR (Ret) Vincent "Jell-O" Aiello provides a broad overview of Naval Aviation, TOPGUN, and what Air Force officers need to know about the Navy.
03:48 - Jell-O's background and commissioning into the Navy
08:51 - What is Naval Aviation?
16:58 - Jell-O's career as a F/A-18 Pilot
23:51 - Organization of aviation units in the Navy
35:28 - Jell-O's experience as a TOPGUN Instructor (see How to Present Like a TOPGUN Instructor: https://www.fighterpilotpodcast.com/musing/how-to-present-like-a-topgun-instructor/)
54:06 - Lessons learned from TOPGUN
58:05 - What Air Force officers need to know about Naval Aviation
1:16:51 - Commentary
Contact Jell-O at questions@fighterpilotpodcast.com or vincent@bvrpro.com
Be sure to check out and subscribe to the Fighter Pilot Podcast here: https://www.fighterpilotpodcast.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.airforceofficerpodcast.com/.

051 - Air Force Weapons School with Capt James Reasner Sep 02, 2020

Show notes

Humble, Credible, Approachable. That is the mantra for Capt James "WHAM" Reasner and every other "patch." In this episode, learn all about the Air Force Weapons School and the Weapons Instructor Course that turns officers into critical thinkers and SMEs for their operational platform.
04:57 - WHAM's background and commissioning into the Air Force
09:44 - Highlights from WHAM's operational career
12:49 - Introduction to the Air Force Weapons School
20:10 - Who attends the Weapons Instructor Course?
24:54 - Application process
29:40 - Daily operations at WIC
34:31 - The all important debrief
38:17 - Why WIC is so hard (see Draken International: http://www.drakenintl.com)
43:54 - Being a Patch Wearer
48:43 - Developmental path for Weapons Officer
54:35 - Best practices
1:03:34 - Commentary
Contact WHAM at jpreasner@gmail.com or follow him on IG: https://www.instagram.com/jreasner/
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.airforceofficerpodcast.com/.

050 - Toolbox: Tuition Assistance and Post-9/11 GI Bill Aug 26, 2020

Show notes

Tuition Assistance and the Post-9/11 GI Bill are among the most important benefits you potentially have access to as a member of the Armed Forces. This episode covers actionable information for each program, both for you and your airmen.
01:06 - Introduction to educational benefit programs
11:39 - Tuition Assistance (TA) (see Air Force Virtual Education Center - https://afvec.us.af.mil/afvec/public/welcome)
20:18 - Active Duty Service Commitments from using TA
25:49 - Post 9/11 GI Bill
33:54 - Using the GI BIll for personal educational development (see BAH Calculator - https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/bahCalc.cfm)
42:05 - Transfer of GI Bill Educational Benefits to dependents (see MilConnect - https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect/)
50:44 - Where to get more information
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.airforceofficerpodcast.com/.

049 - Harvard Law School and the GI Bill with Capt Matthew Folks Aug 19, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Capt Matthew Folks shares his experience transitioning out of the Air Force and into Harvard Law School using the GI Bill. Matt takes great care to explain the importance of the GI Bill and how Air Force officers can take advantage of this incredible benefit.
02:05 - Matt's desire to study law
AFROTC Educational Delay program: https://www.airforce.com/careers/specialty-careers/jag/entry-programs/student
Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP): https://www.airforce.com/careers/specialty-careers/jag/entry-programs/active-duty-military
11:59 - Tuition Assistance and the Active Duty Service Commitment
17:41 - GI Bill elibility (see Veterans Affairs website: https://www.va.gov/education/eligibility/)
21:02 - What does GI Bill pay for?
29:03 - Universities want veterans in their programs! (see Service2School: https://service2school.org)
41:27 - Commentary
Contact Matt at MFolks@jd19.law.harvard.edu.
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.airforceofficerpodcast.com/.

048 - 13S Space Operations Officer with Capt Matthew Folks Aug 12, 2020

Show notes

Capt Matthew Folks didn't want to be a Space Operations Officer. Yet he explains in this episode how he ended up enjoying not only working in space lift, but being an instructor for new space operators.
03:16 - Matt's background and getting selected into Space Operations
16:15 - Matt's experience in AFROTC
23:08 - The Air Force's role in space lift (see How to Build a Satellite: https://youtu.be/W-1scVSpwbw)
33:41 - The career progression for the 13S Space Operations Officer
43:10 - Instructing the next generation of space operators
50:17 - AETC Instructor duty is a good thing
52:38 - Commentary
Contact Matt at MFolks@jd19.law.harvard.edu.
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/.

047 - 64P Contracting Officer with Capt Brent Nichols Aug 05, 2020

Show notes

Colin has previously stated that the Contracting Officer should be every other officer’s best friend. In this episode, Capt Brent Nichols explains why. Contracting officers conduct the business of the Air Force, interface with the external world, and spend the Air Force’s money.
05:29 - Brent's background and experience getting selected for OTS (see Air Force OTS Forum: https://airforceots.com/)
09:51 - Being strategic about differentiating yourself
15:19 - 64P Contracting Officers
20:25 - The Contracting Officer should be your best friend
27:49 - Contracting Officer career path and employability (see Defense Contract Managment Agency: https://www.dcma.mil/)
33:34 - Contemplating the transition out of the Air Force
40:12 - Making the decision to transition
49:54 - How to prepare for the transition (see Corporate Captains: https://corporatecaptains.libsyn.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/groups/corporatecaptains/)
01:05:23 - Commentary
Contact or connect with Brent:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentcnichols
Email: corporatecaptains@gmail.com or nicholsgg@gmail.com
Phone: (520) 306-0935
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/.

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

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