Colin and Reed explain their reasons for ending the podcast and what they plan to do next. Music provided by Carlos Rivera. Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlos_r15/ Send inquiries to: carlos.a.rivera15@gmail.com Audio production by Stephan Sanchez. Send inquiries to: steve@transductionpost.com Email your questions and comments to …

Colin and Reed pull back the curtain on three years of podcasting episodes, data, lessons learned, and what's coming up next. Music provided by Carlos Rivera. Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlos_r15/ Send inquiries to: carlos.a.rivera15@gmail.com Audio production by Stephan Sanchez. Send inquiries to: steve@transductionpost.com Em…

While it won't replace the annual Cyber Awareness Challenge, Jeff approves of Maj Brian Thorn's continued discussion of the Cyberspace Warfare Officer career field. Contact Brian at airforceofficerpodcast@gmail.com. Music provided by Carlos Rivera. Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlos_r15/ Send inquiries to: carlos.a.rivera15@gmail…

Cyberspace doesn’t follow the same rules as the other war fighting domains; in fact Maj Brian Thorn argues it is the Wild West. Thankfully, he wrote the curriculum for how to operate and lead operators in the cyber domain. Contact Brian at airforceofficerpodcast@gmail.com. Music provided by Carlos Rivera. Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.…

Goodness gracious great balls of fire! Colin and Reed react to Top Gun: Maverick. Resources: - Fighter Pilot Podcast: https://www.fighterpilotpodcast.com/ - Real flying: https://www.gq.com/story/top-gun-maverick-aerial-stunts - Lockheed Martin SR-72 “Darkstar”; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin_SR-72 - Chuck Yeager speed test and crash;…

It's an election year. Social tensions and political rhetoric are heating up, so it's once again necessary to address the topic of freedom and the restrictions placed on members of the military. Resources: - AFI 51-508: https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_ja/publication/afi51-508/afi51-508.pdf - DODI 1325.06: https://www.esd.whs.mil/…

The importance of logistics to Air Force operations and our way of life cannot be overstated. In this interview with Maj Joseph Strabley it becomes clear why it is said that "amateurs talk tactics, but professionals discuss logistics." Contact Joe at airforceofficerpodcast@gmail.com. Music provided by Carlos Rivera. Follow on Instagram: https://www…

'Tis the season. There is much ado about Changes of Command in the Air Force. Colin and Reed describe the ceremony and how to make your role within it a success. Music provided by Carlos Rivera. Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlos_r15/ Send inquiries to: carlos.a.rivera15@gmail.com Audio production by Stephan Sanchez. Send inquiri…

Reed interviews Lt Col Tyson "Gorilla" Wetzel about the right lessons Air Force officers should learn from the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Contact Gorilla at airmindedpodcast@gmail.com. Music provided by Carlos Rivera. Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlos_r15/ Send inquiries to: carlos.a.rivera15@gmail.com Audio production by Stephan …

This episode features a rebroadcast of the Airminded Podcast wherein Lt Col Tyson "Gorilla" Wetzel interviews Dr. Kelly Grieco about the Ukraine air war. They explore lessons we can and should take from the first month of the conflict. Check out the Airminded Podcast here. Contact Gorilla at airmindedpodcast@gmail.com. Music provided by Carlos Rive…

Welcome to the rest of your career. Everything is different now. Music provided by Carlos Rivera. Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlos_r15/ Send inquiries to: carlos.a.rivera15@gmail.com Audio production by Stephan Sanchez. Send inquiries to: steve@transductionpost.com Email your questions and comments to airforceofficerpodcast@gma…

The culture of the Air Force has been shaped over the years by those who lead it, often Fighter Pilots. Colin explores the culture of Fighter squadrons with Lt Col Nicholas "Spike" Jurewicz, including naming ceremonies and piano burning. Contact Spike at nicholas.jurewicz@us.af.mil. Music provided by Carlos Rivera. Follow on Instagram: https://www.…

Colin and 1st Lt Haley McClain Hill discuss how Air Force officers are busy, but some can still find time for a side hustle. The knowledge and experience gained can be applied back to the profession of arms or even provide options for work upon leaving the Air Force. Contact and follow Haley on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iam_haleymarie/ M…

Colin and Reed share what they learned from the interviews with Lt Col Glojek, Lt Col Scheffler, Lt Col Ferris, Col Rubio, and Col Zuhlsdorf, specifically the contrary nature of command. They also lament the things that they didn't cover about command. Music provided by Carlos Rivera. Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlos_r15/ Send …

Col Michael Zuhlsdorf has commanded six different times at the squadron, group, and wing levels of the Air Force. This experience has changed his perspective of character and how commanders should act. This episode features a rebroadcast of episode 019 - Foundation of character. Contact Mike on the global or at airforceofficerpodcast@gmail.com. Mus…

Col Stuart Rubio is the Commander, 403rd Wing at Keesler AFB, MS. His many responsibilities as a wing commander include creating an environment and culture of innovation. This episode features a rebroadcast of episode 018 - Improving the unit. Contact Stu at on the global or at airforceofficerpodcast@gmail.com. Music provided by Carlos Rivera. Foll…

Lt Col Phillip Ferris is in his second command of a security forces squadron and joins Colin to provide commentary on his responsibility to manage resources effectively. This episode features a rebroadcast of episode 017 - Managing resources. Contact Phil at on the global or at airforceofficerpodcast@gmail.com. Music provided by Carlos Rivera. Foll…

Lt Col Timothy "Chef" Scheffler not only makes his second guest appearance, but is also in his second tour as a squadron commander. Needless to say, he's had ample opportunity to develop and practice his leadership philosophy. This episode features a rebroadcast of episode 014 - Leading airmen and fresh commentary from Chef's command experience. Co…

Colin and guest, Lt Col Fritz "Plugger" Glojek, kick off the new year with the series on commander responsibilities. This episode features a rebroadcast of episode 013 - Executing the mission and fresh commentary from Plugger's command experience. Contact Plugger on the global or at airforceofficerpodcast@gmail.com. Music provided by Carlos Rivera.…

The end of the year—and an unexpected promotion—have Colin and Reed doing some pontificating and reflective assessment. They feel confident that we’re in the middle of an inflection point and big things are coming soon for the Department of the Air Force. Music provided by Carlos Rivera. Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlos_r15/ Se…

Lt Col Matthew Hoyt returns to explain the critical role of the 48G Flight Surgeon in Air Force operations. Whether called a flight doctor, “doc,” or by their call sign, they are the expert on all things aviation medicine, as well as medical standards for the Air Force as a whole. Contact Matt at airforceofficerpodcast@gmail.com. Music provided by …

The Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) is designed to cover the costs of medical school. In today's episode. Lt Col Matthew Hoyt explains the basics of HPSP, how and when to apply, and why it's such an amazing opportunity for medical students. Contact Matt at airforceofficerpodcast@gmail.com. Music provided by Carlos Rivera. Follow on In…

I always hesitate to create “must read” book lists, but at my drill weekend this month I did just that. The situation is that one of my NCOs is interested in commissioning. They’ve already completed their degree, so what’s left for them to do now is their application and oral interview. To help them prepare, I put together a list of AFIs and books …

We like to read. In today's episode Colin and Reed share the books they've read recently and how those books are changing the way the think and act professionally. Purchasing these books via the links below may result in a small commission and is a great way to support the show. Thanks! Rogue Heroes by Ben McIntyre Lucky 666 by Bob Drury The Great …

Commander’s number one responsibility is to execute the mission but for a number of reasons that we’ve explored in last week’s episode and in many others, they cannot do it alone. They have to rely on others to make the mission happen. AFI 1-2 specifically says that “commanders have the responsibility and authority to act, and to trust subordinates…

One AFI to rule them all; plus every other one that exists. That's what commander's do. Even so, there's value is exploring AFI 1-2 Commander's Responsibilities a little more closely, especially with respect to their legal authority and commander's intent. Music provided by Carlos Rivera. Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlos_r15/ S…

I have two thoughts that I’d like to share and have a discussion on. The first is that Developmental Teams are really powerful and important for not only influencing the professional development of individual officers, but shaping the entire career field. I don’t know that I fully grasped that until now. Yes, I’ve known about how they vector office…

Beyond flight command, there is a deliberate process for selecting officers for command. As Colin and Reed explore in this episode, this involves developmental teams (DTs), central selection boards, hiring authorities, as well as all the unwritten rules of the game. Music provided by Carlos Rivera. Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/car…

Discussion topic for 107 - What is a commander? 10 USC § 8583 says: “All commanding officers and others in authority in the Air Force are required: (1) to show in themselves a good example of virtue, honor, patriotism, and subordination;” GEN Milley provided an example that helps to demonstrate the idea of subordination in a commander. When questio…

Command is unique to commissioned officers, but why? And what is a commander in reality? Colin and Reed kick off this series on command by answering these questions and more. Music provided by Carlos Rivera. Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlos_r15/ Send inquiries to: carlos.a.rivera15@gmail.com Audio production by Stephan Sanchez.…

The Air Force Officer Podcast turns two years old! Colin and Reed reflect on the goals they set last year, the data for who and where people are tuning in, what they've learned in the process of creating content, and plans for Year Three. Music provided by Carlos Rivera. Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlos_r15/ Send inquiries to: …

Maj John "Rain" Waters returns to the podcast to reflect on 20 years since the attacks on 9/11/2001, the Global War on Terror, and the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Contact and follow Rain on Instagram @rainwaters27 or on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theafterburnpodcast. Music provided by Carlos Rivera. Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram…

Maj Jim Nardelli and Lt Col Josh Hawkins return to share the process of developing and the reasons for the Airman Leadership Qualities. More importantly, they discuss the role of feedback in developing the kind of officers the Air Force needs. Contact Jim at james.nardelli.2@us.af.mil. Contact Josh at joshua.hawkins@us.af.mil. Music provided by Car…

The 38F Force Support Officer is the only officer career field in the military dedicated to people sustainment. Maj Jim Nardelli and Lt Col Josh Hawkins explain their role in providing manpower, personnel, and services operations to ensure that all Airmen and their families have what they need to complete the mission. Contact Jim at james.nardelli.…

The law is everywhere. Civil, criminal, fiscal, armed conflict, and so on. In today's episode Capt Karina Osgood shares her experience and the importance of the JAG officer in interpreting those laws and providing advice to commanders. Contact Karina by email to airforceofficerpodcast@gmail.com. Music provided by Carlos Rivera. Follow on Instagram:…

Imagine being in charge of protecting nuclear weapons and 50+ 18-24 year olds armed to the teeth with only six months of training. According to Capt Johnny Jopling, just another day for the Security Forces Officer in the world’s greatest Air Force. Contact Johnny by email to airforceofficerpodcast@gmail.com. Music provided by Carlos Rivera. Follow …

For our 100th episode, we want to say thank you! We could not have made it this far with you, our incredible audience. We'd love to hear from you. Share with us your favorite episode so far and what you're working on. Also please consider sharing the podcast with your network. THANK YOU! Music provided by Carlos Rivera. Follow on Instagram: https:/…

With only 250 officers in the Total Force, the Airfield Operations Officer career field is one of the smallest. Yet as you'll hear from Capt Jennifer Tilton, if it has the word "air" in it, they're involved, to include joint, civil, and coalition operations. Contact Jennifer at airforceofficerpodcast@gmail.com. Music provided by Carlos Rivera. Foll…

Mentorship is central to the professional development of an Air Force officer. Today's toolbox comes from a meeting of the Society of American Military Engineers where Colin and Reed had been invited to speak. Music provided by Carlos Rivera. Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlos_r15/ Send inquiries to: carlos.a.rivera15@gmail.com A…

In today’s episode Lt Col Tim “Chef” Scheffler shares his experience and why the 32E Civil Engineering Officer is the best career field in the Air Force. Contact Chef at tscheffl@vt.edu. Music provided by Carlos Rivera. Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlos_r15/ Send inquiries to: carlos.a.rivera15@gmail.com Audio production by Step…

Being an Olmsted Scholar is one of the most rare and rewarding experiences available to Air Force officers. In this episode Maj John Boswell shares his preparation for, the unwritten rules of, and what surprised him about the Olmsted. Resources: Air Force Olmsted Scholar Program: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18sdEVqOVEW09YqI6StaXL5ejBbI2VqE0/vie…

In this conclusion of the fitness series, Matt Reynolds and Colin explore how Matt has built a culture of trust with the clients and coaches at Barbell Logic Online Coaching, as well as how the production of a coach aligns with the officer's commission. Resources: Learn more about Barbell Logic and its pilot study here: https://barbell-logic.com/mi…

In this rebroadcast from the "Military Series" on the Barbell Logic Podcast, Matt and Colin discuss the fitness arc of servicemembers and Reed and Colin share their thoughts of what the Air Force’s fitness program should look like. Resources: Learn more about Barbell Logic and its pilot study here: https://barbell-logic.com/military-and-first-respo…

In this rebroadcast from the "Military Series" on the Barbell Logic Podcast, Niki talks to Colin about physical requirements, physical training, and physical fitness tests for the Air Force, Space Force, air crews, and pilots. Resources: Learn more about Barbell Logic and its pilot study here: https://barbell-logic.com/military-and-first-responders…

In this rebroadcast from the "Military Series" on the Barbell Logic Podcast, Matt talks to Colonel Scott Conway—this time about leadership and resilience, and how strength training and physical training in general—can make people better leaders, managers, and parents and help them better face difficult situations and events. Resources: Learn more a…

In this rebroadcast from the "Military Series" on the Barbell Logic Podcast, Matt Reynolds and Niki Sims talk to Colonel Scott Conway, a Marine Officer, who shares his experiences of service, leadership, and combat. Resources: Learn more about Barbell Logic and its pilot study here: https://barbell-logic.com/military-and-first-responders/ Music pro…

Looking ahead to the upcoming Memorial Day holiday, Colin and Reed pontificate on the idea of Air Force heritage and how the Air Force institutionalizes it. Resources: Profession of Arms Center of Excellence: https://www.airman.af.mil Music provided by Carlos Rivera. Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlos_r15/ Send inquiries to: carl…

What do beeps and squeaks, paperwork, and ancient Chinese texts on war have in common? Capt Johnny Snyder understands and regularly uses them all on behalf of the Air Force as an Electronic Warfare Officer. Contact Johnny at j.snyder800@gmail.com. Resources: Offutt AFB flooded by Missouri River: https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/202…

Trigger Warning: The Air Force is not all sunshine and rainbows. In today's episode, Capt Jason Steed shares his experience as a special agent for the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. Tune in to learn all about this critical career field and how to get selected. Contact Jason at airforceofficerpodcast@gmail.com. Resources: Officer select…

From patching bullet wounds as an Army combat medic in Iraq to now transporting patients around the globe as a flight nurse, Capt Megan Thieme is all about saving lives. Check out today's episode as she shares her experiences and advice on how to find success in the Air Force. Contact Megan at meganthiemepnp@gmail.com. Music provided by Carlos Rive…