The AirPower Hour

Latest Episodes:

Moving with a Purpose with a Military Training Instructor | TSgt Sarah Giard Mar 17, 2023

Show notes

On this episode of The AirPower Hour, I sat down with United States Air Force Master Military Training Instructor TSgt Sarah Giard.

A 12 year veteran, TSgt Giard started her career in the Air Force as a Security Forces Defender. Originally from Maine, she has been stationed all over the country to include North Dakota and New Jersey. In her current Special Duty position as a Military Training Instructor, TSgt Giard has been pivotal in training civilians to become Airmen or Guardians in the World's Greatest Air and Space Forces.

TSgt Giard shares her insight and perspective on Basic Military Training and provides advice for anyone preparing to start their Air Force journey.

To learn more go to Airforce.com or Spaceforce.com

The Significance of Making Connections | First Sergeant MSgt Anthony Jordan Mar 01, 2023

Show notes

In this episode I sit down with the 347th Recruiting Squadron's First Sergeant MSgt Anthony Jordan.

With 19 years of service, MSgt Jordan has been stationed all over the world in his previously held position as a Flying Crew Chief. After years of dedication to his Country as a maintainer in the Air Force, MSgt Jordan decided to pursue the highly coveted position of a First Sergeant.

A First Sergeant's main responsibilities are to be a primary advisor to a Unit Commander on all things pertinent to mission success.

MSgt Jordan found that the best and most important roles as a First Sergeant were to make connections and ensure that Airmen understood that he was there to work for them. It was a joy to have MSgt Jordan on the show as he is a key part of our Unit's cohesiveness and success.

Learn more at Airforce.com or SpaceForce.com

The Strength of Positivity with an In-Service Recruiter | MSgt Jason Madigan Feb 15, 2023

Show notes

On today's episode, my guest is MSgt Jason Madigan, the In-Service Recruiter for the Air Force Reserves at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa Florida.

I had the pleasure of being office partners with MSgt Madigan while serving as recruiters and we quickly became life long brothers. From being born in New Zealand to moving to Mishawaka Indiana and enlisting into the Air Force as an active duty member, MSgt Madigan started his career as a firefighter.

While stationed in England, Honduras, and Panama City Beach Florida MSgt Madigan learned that leading with your best foot forward and having a positive outlook on life allowed him to have an amazing career in the Air Force.

It was amazing to catch up with my good friend, and he has a great story with a lot of twists and turns. So, without further ado....MSgt Jason Madigan.

Learn more at Airforce.com or SpaceForce.com

Striving for Greatness with an Air Force Honor Guardsman | TSgt Allison Bell Feb 01, 2023

Show notes

In this episode we sit down with TSgt Allison Bell, a former Air Force Honor Guardsman and current Air Force recruiter in Moline, Illinois. She told us her story about how she was selected during Basic Training to join the Honor Guard and then continued her career in Aerospace Medicine. TSgt Bell also explained how she got into competing as a fitness model and her pursuit of her Master's degree.

Learn more at Airforce.com or SpaceForce.com

Globetrotting with a Power Pro Troop | SSgt Bryce Conkle Jan 18, 2023

Show notes

SSgt Bryce Conkle is an Enlisted Accessions Recruiter at the 347th Recruiting Squadron.

With 11 years in the service SSgt Conkle has been stationed all over the United States to include Hawaii and Las Vegas. As an Electrical Power Production troop, he had the opportunity to travel to over 60 different countries.

Now as a recruiter, SSgt Conkle explains that his main goal is to spread awareness to individuals in his community that the Air Force is an amazing career opportunity.

Learn more at Airforce.com or SpaceForce.com

The Power of Resiliency w/ an Enlisted Accessions Flight Chief | MSgt Zachariah Earle Jan 04, 2023

Show notes

On this episode, I sit down with MSgt Zachariah Earle, an Enlisted Accessions Flight Chief with the 347th Recruiting Squadron. Georgia native MSgt Earle talks about his difficult and trying journey entering the Air Force as a young adult with a new child. He also spoke about his time in Baton Rouge Louisiana as an enlisted recruiter and how he had to overcome a natural disaster that completely flooded his home.

After 14 years and four deployments, he shares how much of an impact using gratitude has had on his career. MSgt Earle provides insight into how to be successful and not to take things for granted. He also shares important information for anyone interested in joining the World's Greatest Airpower.

Learn more at Airforce.com or SpaceForce.com

The Heroism of Captain Lance P. Sijan | Janine Sijan Rozina Dec 23, 2022

Show notes

This week's special holiday episode of The AirPower Hour features Ms. Janine Sijan, sister to Medal of Honor recipient Capt. Lance P. Sijan.

During a bombing mission malfunction over Laos in November 1967, Sijan violently ejected from his F-4C aircraft and suffered a fractured skull, compound fracture of his left leg, and a mangled right hand. Despite those injuries and being without food and water, Sijan managed to evade enemy forces for 45 days, before finally being captured by the Viet Cong on Christmas Day.

During the interview with The AirPower Hour's host Tech. Sgt Lee Ciokiewicz, Janine shares the powerful and heartbreaking story of her brother's legacy. She describes in detail those agonizing 45 days her brother spent fighting for his life, his time as a prisoner of war in the infamous Hanoi Hilton, and his eventual death in the arms of his fellow POWs.

Janine discussed getting Lance's class ring back from the jungles of Laos years after he passed away, courtesy of President Reagan. The scratched and dented ring, which she wore during the interview, is now a talisman she cherishes.

Janine said it is her life's mission to share Lance's story with the world. She explains how she has been working for years to create a documentary that honors her brother and his heroic story. She also emphasized how important their hometown of Milwaukee has been to help her efforts, Janine had a plaza built to memorialize her brother at the General Mitchell Airport, and the Team Sijan community offers her unwavering support.

Finally, she explains how her brother's Christmas day capture has shaped what the holiday means to her. She movingly implores listeners to reflect on who they are, what their purpose is in this world, and urges them to consider what they have in common with her brother's "modern day parable."

Learn more at Airforce.com or SpaceForce.com

From Bama to the Frozen Tundra w/ an Operations NCO | TSgt Jason Keith Dec 14, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, I sit down with my office partner and fellow Operations NCO, Technical Sergeant Jason Keith. He tells his Air Force story beginning in the great state of Alabama (Roll Tide).

From his first assignment as an Ammunitions troop in Tucson, Arizona to his time and South Korea and Florida, TSgt Keith shared the importance of having solid leadership and being open to the ever changing journey that the Air Force presents.

Enjoy listening to TSgt Keith's journey!

Learn more at Airforce.com or SpaceForce.com

The Art of Leadership with a Special Operator | Lt Col Jerad Warren Nov 30, 2022

Show notes

Greetings everyone and welcome back to the Air Power hour. TSgt Check here and today I had the opportunity to sit down with Lt Col Jerad Warren, the Air Force ROTC Detachment Commander at Marquette University here in lovely Milwaukee Wisconsin. In his current position he oversees all facets of recruiting, training, and education for about 70 Air Force Officer candidates per year. After graduating from the Air Force Academy in 2003, Col Warren entered the Combat Control pipeline and completed Army Airborne school, Air Traffic Control school, and Special Forces Military free fall school, along with many others. With almost 20 years of military experience and over 10 deployments in support of overseas contingency operations throughout the Middle East, Col Warren shared some amazing advice on how important foundational leadership is to the success of the mission.

Learn more at Airforce.com or SpaceForce.com

Cheese Curds and Changing the World with the Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force | CMSSF Roger Towberman Nov 17, 2022

Show notes

Welcome back to The AirPower Hour!

This week I had the honor to sit down with the highest enlisted member of the newest military branch. Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force, Roger Towberman.

Both being natives of Wisconsin, it’s natural that we discussed Wisconsin sports and the key to the perfect consistency of cheese curds.

With 30 years of service in the Air Force as an Airborne Linguist, 19 deployments, and holding multiple leadership positions. Chief Towberman was selected to become the first senior enlisted leader of the Space Force.

After two and a half years in his current position, Chief explains in this episode that his goal is not to get stuff done but to change the world.

Lastly, Chief Towberman shared how important it is in life to stay true yourself and being present. I can’t thank Chief enough for coming on the show, his love for what he does is truly infectious.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Without further ado, the Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force, Roger Towberman

Learn more at Airforce.com or SpaceForce.com

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