Raven Conversations

In this episode of Raven Conversations, we are joined by SGT Kairhea Gordon, a member of the 2nd Battalion, 146th Field Artillery Regiment. SGT Gordon shares her experience as the first female Fire Direction Center (FDC) Chief.

In this episode of Raven Conversations, Jason Kriess, the original creator of the Raven Conversation podcast says farewell as he leaves the State Public Affairs office after more than 15 years.

In this episode of Raven Conversations, Annie DeAndrea, a Transition Assistance Specialist with the Joint Services Support, discusses filing your VA disability claim and breaks some myths about VA disability specifically for National Guard members. Connect with Annie to start your VA disability claim or to learn more: email- antionette.m.deandrea.ctr@mail.mil DSN- (253) 512-8722 Original music by Meta Essence

In this episode of Raven Conversations, Maj. Gen. Charles Jeffries discusses his experiences in the National Guard and the United States Cyber Command. He also talks about how the National Guard provided him with valuable skillsets that bridged into his civilian career at Microsoft. Original music by Meta Essence

In this episode of Raven Conversations, Leslie Mayne and Jessica Kastrup from the Permission to Start Dreaming Foundation talk about how the foundation was started, the mission of the organization and how their event, Race for a Soldier, has connected them with the Washington National Guard Community. For more information on Permission to Start Dreaming Foundation, please visit PTSDfoundation.org Original music by Meta Essence

In this episode of Raven Conversations, WO1 John Androski, MAJ Joshua Jorgensen and 1SG Nicholas Vankirk, members of the Washington National Guard Biathlon Team talk about the biathlon program and their experiences competing. For more information on the Washington National Guard Biathlon Team, reach out to WO1 John Androski at john.x.androski.mil@army.mil Original music by Meta Essence

In this episode of Raven Conversations, SGT Mike Cummings, a member of the 1-168th General Support Aviation Battalion talks about his experience working at NASCAR and how he came to serve in the Washington Army National Guard. Original music by Meta Essence

In this episode of Raven Conversations, Washington Air National Guard Public Affairs Officer, Lt Col Alyson Teeter talks about Veterans of Foreign Wars. For more information on the Ballard Eagleson Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3063: https://vfwseattle.org/ Learn more about the Veterans of Foreign Wars here, https://www.vfw.org/ Original music by Meta Essence

In this episode of Raven Conversations, CPT Bryan Elliott, a member of the 1st Squadron 303rd Cavalry Regiment talks about his experience serving the community in the Washington National Guard and also as the Kittitas County Auditor. Original music by Meta Essence

In this episode of Raven Conversations, SFC Sarah Braun, a Senior Recruiter with the WA Recruiting and Retention Battalion talks about her journey in education and how she utilized the benefits the Washington National Guard provided. Original music by Meta Essence

In this episode of Raven Conversations, LTC Keith Kosik, State Partnership Program Director talks about the program and the importance of the strong relationship we hold with the Kingdom of Thailand and the Country of Malaysia. See our website for more information: https://mil.wa.gov/state-partnership-program Original music by Meta Essence

In this episode of Raven Conversations, MSgt Aaron and Derek Reese, brothers serving in the Washington Air National Guard talk about how they came to serve in the National Guard and what it's like working together. Original music by Meta Essence

In this episode of Raven Conversations, Lt Col Rex Ayers, Washington Air National Guard talks about Washington Air National Guard's Innovation Team. Want to be a part of or learn more about Washington Air National Guard Innovation Team? Contact Lt Col Rex Ayers at rex.ayers.1@us.af.mil or MSgt Christopher Pavel at christopher.pavel.2@us.af.mil Original music by Meta Esssence

In this episode of Raven Conversations, Chris Acuña, Commandant of the Washington Youth Challenge Academy talks about what the Washington Youth Challenge Academy is and how this program is setting up our youth for success. For more information on the Washington Youth Challenge Academy or to apply now for the program, visit https://mil.wa.gov/youth-academy

In this episode of Raven Conversations, WO1 Catherine Trujillo, a member of the 1st Battalion, 140th Aviation Regiment, C Co talks about her experience in becoming a pilot in the Washington National Guard. Regardless of the hurdles that were set in her path, she was able to overcome those obstacles in order to achieve her lifelong dream to fly. "Don't ever tell yourself that you can't, other people will tell you that enough." -WO1 Catherine Trujillo

Today is May 18th and on this day in 1980 Mt. St. Helens erupted with a force so powerful that it leveled tens of thousands of acres of forest and destroyed hundreds of homes, roadways and railways. 57 people lost their lives in the blast. On duty that day was a young helicopter pilot named Mike Cairns. He and many of his Washington National Guard pilots immediately flew towards the devastation and began the incredibly difficult task of finding survivors. Please listen in as he recounts those terrible days of flying in the most perilous of conditions.

In this episode of Raven Conversations, Hollie Stark, the Outreach Program Manager for the Emergency Management Division talks about being disaster ready in Washington.

CW3 Ryan Schwend and CW2 Eugene Park stop by to tell us the story of how they were able to safely land after they experienced a catastrophic emergency during a routine trip while they were on deployment in Afghanistan. It is truly an amazing story! They walk us through their decision making process, how they communicated with the crew chiefs in the back, and how a ground crew were able to dislodge their broken, mangled cargo.

On the show today we sit down with two members of the Washington National Guard - one Army one Air - who own their own businesses in their local community. Master Sgt. Samantha Stewart who is at the 194th Wing, runs a CrossFit gym with her husband, Joe, who is also an Air National Guardsman. Samantha and I talk about her service in the Guard supports her ability to focus on her small business, how they got started and how they are moving into the adaptive athlete space for people with physical and mental disabilities. We also chat about her yoga classes, they are back and at the 194th Wing auditorium once a week. Once the weekly date is set, we will let you know. We also chat with Sgt. 1st Class Tim Thompson who works at 2nd Battalion, 205th Training Regiment. He is the proud owner of Brother's Pizza and Brew Deployed, a mobile pizza food truck. During the weekends when he is not drilling, he takes his pizza trailer to various events around the state and he usually sells out. We talk about how he got started and how his service in the guard helps him with running a small business.

This episode is a continuation of our conversation with the crew from Rainier Dustoff who recently helped rescue an injured hiker. On the previous episode we talked about the rescue mission itself but on this episode we go into the aviation career field in general - how they got started, what they love about it and where they see their careers going. Send story ideas to: jason.r.kriess.civ@army.mil