Centurion Lounge Podcast

In this special episode of The Centurion Lounge , we sit down with Command Sergeant Major Kissee as she reflects on an extraordinary career spanning more than three decades of dedicated military service, just ahead of her retirement. From her early life and entry into the Army to shaping policy, mentoring Soldiers, and helping lead the force toward greater inclusion, CSM Kissee shares powerful ins...

In Episode 13 of The Centurion Lounge Podcast, we sit down with Mr. Steve R. Ortiz Jr., Staff Operations Training Officer (SOTO) at the 311th ESC, for a powerful conversation on service, leadership, and mindset. With three decades of experience, Mr. Ortiz shares his journey from the Army Reserve to becoming a Department of Defense civilian, offering insight into his day-to-day responsibilities and...

In Episode 13 of The Centurion Lounge , we sit down with Brig. Gen. Sparks, former Commanding General of the 311th ESC, for an open and powerful conversation about leadership, family, service, and the mindset that shapes great Soldiers. From his early motivations to join the Army to the values that guided his command, Brig. Gen. Sparks reflects on character, integrity, and the pursuit of a “Cultur...

Episode 13 of The Centurion Lounge recaps our conversation with Command Sergeant Major Kristy Hawkins of the 311th ESC. She shares her journey from the Marine Corps to the Army Reserve, the lessons that shaped her leadership, and her perspective on serving soldiers at every stage of their careers. This episode offers a rare look into her path, her purpose, and the mindset behind leading one of the...

In Episode 11 of the Centurion Lounge, the panel examines readiness across mental, spiritual, medical, and personnel areas. 311th ESC Chaplain Yoon leads the discussion with Col. Zschaschel, Command Surgeon for the 79th TSC; Mr. Garcia, 311th Human Resources Officer; and Mrs. Martinez, Suicide Prevention Manager at the 311th ESC. . They discuss the importance of medical and dental readiness, break...

In this episode of The Centurion Lounge, we sit down with Col. James G. Osowski, whose journey goes from enlisting as a Private in the Marine Corps to becoming a Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve. With decades of experience connecting military service and aerospace engineering, Col. Osowski shares a unique perspective shaped by leadership on the front lines of both fields. Tune in as we explore his...

Episode 9 of The Centurion Lounge brings you a powerful conversation with Lt. Col. Don Sheppard, Professor of Military Science at UCLA, and Cadet Alex Chavez. Hosted by Capt. Stroud and Staff Sgt. Kanangwe, this episode dives into leadership, service, mentorship, and life in the UCLA ROTC community, providing valuable insights for aspiring officers and anyone interested in ROTC opportunities in th...

In Episode 8 of The Centurion Lounge, we sit down with Master Sgt. Felipe Pacheco to explore his journey from Colombia to New York and the experiences that shaped his leadership style. Serving as the G4 DMC NCOIC for the 311th ESC from 2021 to 2025, he played a key role in enhancing logistical operations and readiness. Known for his passion for fitness and dedication to mentoring others, Pacheco r...

This episode welcomes the talented 92G teams from the 79th TSC and 311th ESC as they share insights from the Culinary of the Year Competition, discuss the future of Army Food Services, and dive into topics like performance evaluation, team dynamics, and more. 👉 Like, subscribe, and drop your thoughts in the comments! . (Video by Staff Sgt. Kanangwe & Jean-Baptiste) . ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – In...

The Centurion Lounge panel sat down with Maj. Gen. Del Rosso, commanding general of the 79th TSC, to talk family, movies, leadership, readiness, and the upcoming Operation Mojave Falcon—the largest and most comprehensive training exercise ever conducted by the U.S. Army Reserve. 🎙️ Click the link below to watch the full episode on YouTube. . (Video by Staff Sgt. Kanangwe, Jean-Baptiste) 

We’re honored to welcome Brigadier General Brandi Bryan Peasley—currently serving as Chief of Staff for the U.S. Army Reserve Command, headquartered at Fort Bragg, North Carolina—to this episode of The Centurion Lounge. A West Point graduate, top-tier logistics expert, and one of the most approachable and people-centered leaders in the Army Reserve, Brig. Gen. Peasley brings over three decades of...

Juan C. Valencia is the Nutrition Services Director for Romoland School District and a passionate advocate for school nutrition across Southern California. With over 22 years of leadership in the U.S. Army and more than a decade in food service, including time as a restaurant executive chef, Juan brings a wealth of experience and heart to every plate. Juan Valencia holds a B.S. in Culinary Managem...

In this episode of The Centurion Lounge, we sit down with Command Sgt. Maj. Melissa Walker to discuss her extraordinary military journey, from the Navy to the Army Reserve, and through diverse leadership roles in culinary operations, human resources, and equal opportunity. She shares insights on resilience, adapting to change, and balancing service with family. Command Sgt. Maj. Melissa Walker als...

Join us as Captain Jackson, Commander of the 311th ESC HHC, sits down with Captain Stroud and Staff Sergeant Kanangwe. They dive into his Army journey, key lessons learned, the importance of mentorship, taking care of Soldiers, and more. Don’t miss this insightful conversation!

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Brig. Gen. Earl Sparks as he shares insights on family, his vision for the future, and his priorities for the 311th ESC