raven conversations

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

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.

Washington National Guard armories are old. Built around the turn of the century and on through the 1930’s and 40’s, these large, cavernous buildings have been the assembly location for soldiers and airmen for decades. Countless people have moved through these locations on their way to World Wars I and II and on through the conflicts in the Middle East. Over the years, we have talked to many people who have seen and heard strange goings on in these armories. Slamming doors, footsteps, voices. In the spirit of Halloween, we invited a few people into the studio to tell us their creepy encounters with the unknown. Sit back and enjoy this special Halloween edition of Raven Conversations. Send your story ideas to jason.r.kriess.civ@army.mil

In this episode I speak with Brian Terbush, the Earthquake and Volcano Program Coordinator at the Emergency Management Division. He stopped by to talk about the Great Washington ShakeOut. That's an annual earthquake drill that is observed every October and millions of people around the country stop what they're doing and practice what they would do when an earthquake strikes. Aside from talking about ShakeOut, we discuss some things people can do to prepare for an earthquake or tsunami, becoming two-weeks ready, and we talk about the last big 9.0 earthquake that hit our state, over 300 years ago! Sign up for ShakeOut: www.shakeout.org/Washington Get Earthquake Early Warning alerts on your phone: mil.wa.gov/alerts

In this episode I speak with Brian Terbush, the Earthquake and Volcano Program Coordinator at the Emergency Management Division. He stopped by to talk about the Great Washington ShakeOut. That's an annual earthquake drill that is observed every October and millions of people around the country stop what they're doing and practice what they would do when an earthquake strikes. Aside from talking about ShakeOut, we discuss some things people can do to prepare for an earthquake or tsunami, becoming two-weeks ready, and we talk about the last big 9.0 earthquake that hit our state, over 300 years ago! Sign up for ShakeOut: www.shakeout.org/Washington Get Earthquake Early Warning alerts on your phone: mil.wa.gov/alerts

In this episode we talk to Lt. Col. Jason Kramer with the 194th Comptroller Flight and Senior Master Sgt. Justin Scherer with the 194th Contracting Office. Together, along with Retired Chief Master Sgt. Jason Witts, summited Mt. Rainier in July. We talk about the training that goes into the multi-day climb, the equipment they used, the hazards of traversing glaciers and much, much more.

For this episode we're doing something a little different. I hand the podcast over to Command Sgt. Maj. Dana Trakel as she leads a panel discussion about Women's Equality Day with several trailblazing female leaders in our organization. Women's Equality Day celebrates the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920 which granted women the right to vote. Trakel is joined by five other women who have accomplished many firsts in their years of service. They talk about leadership, mentors and just general topics about being women in the profession of arms.

It's the end of May but we wanted to squeeze in an episode about Mental Health Awareness Month. We all deal with stress in our own ways. It's good to know that you are not alone in your struggles and members of the Guard have so many resources available to them. And we want to normalize help-seeking behavior. Four members of the behavioral health team stopped by the studio to talk about how to reach out for assistance. We talked about the overview of their program as well as breaking the historical stigma for seeking help in the military.

May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month and we invited a few guests to come in and share their experiences growing up in the United States as an Asian American and Pacific Islander. Capt. Laudy Choum, Capt. Tiffany Cadenhead and Sgt. 1st class Lance "Shimmy" Shimamoto talk about the challenges they had to overcome and the importance of observing Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

The Army is changing the way it approaches Soldier fitness. Gone are the days of push-ups, sit-ups and the 2-mile run. Now the Army is expanding fitness beyond physical abilities and into the world of mental health, nutrition and even spirituality with it's Holistic Health and Fitness initiative. The program aims to improve the health and well-being of individual Soldiers by increasing their knowledge, attitudes and behaviors. Capt. Josh Moen is the H2F Program Manager for Washington and he dropped by the studio to chat with us about his vision for the program. We discussed his pilot program as well as the difficulties in implementing the program to a part-time force. If you would like to get in contact with Capt. Moen, reach out via email here: joshua.k.moen2.mil@army.mil As always please send podcast ideas to: jason.r.kriess.mil@army.mil

In this episode we welcome back Jennika Cardenas from the Joint Services Support and we welcome for the first time Staff Sgt. Michelle Claus. We talk about the recent Master Resiliency Trainer Course that Washington recently hosted. We chat about what the course teaches and why these skills are important for one's own well-being as well as how they're important for strengthening relationships with your family and friends. Send story ideas to jason.r.kriess.mil@army.mil

Joe Siemandel, the State Public Affairs Officer, and Karina Shagren, the Military Department's Communications Director, sit down and chat with Adam Wasserman, the manager for the state's Enhanced 911 system. He talks about the history of the E-911 system, how it works and what the future holds with the new Text-To-911 features that are becoming more popular across the country.

Today's episode is a special one. It's Pride Month and we invited a few members of the LGBTQ community to come in and talk about their experiences serving openly in the military and the Washington National Guard. We talked with Chief Warrant Officer 4 Valerie Mariano, 1st Lt. Johanna Lockhart, Capt. Callie Kiaunis and Travis Linares-Hengen, who works in the Emergency Management Division. Travis's story is particularly compelling as he was discharged under the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy - a policy that has since been rescinded and now allows LGBTQ service members to serve without repercussions. This is probably the most open, honest and candid discussion that we've ever had on this podcast. I hope the stories and experiences you will hear in this episode with help enlighten you to the hardships that these service members endured during their careers and still continue to go through. There is much work still to be done. Some of the language you will hear can be offensive to some listeners.

In this episode I sat down with Jeff Hehe and Dakota Ross. Dakota was a student at the Washington Youth Academy and Jeff was his mentor. We talked about the mentor/mentee relationship, how Jeff was instrumental in Dakota's education and how one can volunteer as a mentor. If you would like to get more information on how to apply to be a mentor at the academy, send an email to: elizabeth.bergmann@mil.wa.gov

The month of May is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month. Each year millions of people are diagnosed and live with some sort of mental illness, ranging from stress and anxiety to ADD or OCD. Many of our Guard service members are tasked to serve in extremely stressful situation and that can take a toll on our mental health. Luckily we have a whole slew of professional life counselors at your service to help you get the assistance you need. In this episode, I sat down with Jennika Cardenas from the Joint Services Support, Lanny Harris, a life counselor, Monique Jordan, a Military and Family Life Counselor, and Major Nichole Mogharreban, a Behavioral Health Officer for the State Surgeon. If you find this conversation helpful and you would like to reach out to any of our panel members, please find their contact information below: Maj. Nichole Mogharreban | 253-512-8632 | nichole.l.mogharreban.mil@mail.mil Lanny Harris | o: 253-512-7980 c: 253-273-1769 | lanny.l.harris.ctr@mail.mil Monique Jordan | monique.r.jordan@leidos.com Jennika Cardenas | jennika.m.cardenas.civ@mail.mil | o: 253-512-1357 c: 253-318-9827

This podcast is set up a little different than normal, where Jason and I bring you interviews from two different training events. First up Jason travels to Malaysia and speaks with Ret. Marine Col. John Reilly. Next up Sara takes you to Boise for Idaho Response 2019. These exercises provide a glimpse in the types of training opportunities afforded to Washington Guardsmen. Below are some articles released from those exercises if you'd like more information. Also, if you have any ideas for future episodes or something you'd like us to cover please email: sara.m.morris7.civ@mail.mil https://www.dvidshub.net/news/313627/malaysian-armed-forces-host-exercise-bersama-warrior https://www.dvidshub.net/news/314476/washingtons-homeland-response-force-participates-joint-exercise-idaho

On this episode we talk to Maj Eric Flowers, the state education programs officer. If you are interested in learning more about the Army National Guard education programs please visit their web page: https://www.mil.wa.gov/national-guard/army-guard/education Email: Ng.wa.waarng.list.per-education@mail.mil Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WAARNGEducationIncentives/ You can also contact their office at these numbers: State Education Services Officer (253) 512-1324 State Incentives Manager (253) 512-8984 State GI Bill Manager (253) 512-8435 State Education Services Specialist (253) 512-8931 If you're interested in guest co-hosting the program please email Sara: sara.m.morris7.civ@mail.mil

In this episode we bring you the first in a series of shows dedicated to the different MOSs and AFSCs in the Washington National Guard. We will have a guest on who is in a certain job field to talk all about it, what it's like and what people can look forward to if they are interested in going that route in their careers. Before battles are fought and targets are destroyed, critical information needs to be gathered about our adversaries in order for our military leaders to make informed decisions. The majority of that information is gathered from foreign language sources. Staff Sergeants David Larson and Kurt Erickson are both intelligence professionals with foreign language skills. Larson speaks Japanese and Erickson speaks Russian. We talk about how they train and excel in their language, the different countries they've traveled to for language immersion training, the valuable world-class education they received from the Defense Language Institute, and most importantly how they use their language skills to gather vital foreign intel needed to make critical wartime decisions. For public affairs assistance and support call 253-512-8989 or email jason.r.kriess.mil@mail.mil or joseph.f.siemandel.mil@mail.mil