Andrew Cormier

For the Zoomies

Education EN ↓ 101 episodes

The For the Zoomies podcast is hosted by Air Force Academy cadet Andrew Cormier, with the intention of helping anyone who is thinking about commissioning into the United States Air Force by providing insight into what jobs in this branch are like. Every episode is an interview with an Air Force officer asking questions to get a first-hand, in-depth perspective on what different mission sets are like. Tune in for some insight and a war story or two! The views presented are those of the speaker or author and do not necessarily represent the views of DoD or its components

Author

Andrew Cormier

Episodes

2nd Lt Andrew Cormier '25 - 8 Lessons I've Learned Over the Past 99 Conversations, Final Episode | Perspective Ep 42 16.06.2025 57:54

Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier winds down the show with a 100 episode recap. He goes into how the show started and how it evolved into what it is today, then candidly covers 8 themes that emerged throughout the past 99 episodes that he learned over the past 3 years. The themes are listed below: • The worst career decisions are made with half the information • A perfect record isn’t always a sign of...

Vishaal "V8" Hariprisad '06 - Distinguishing Laws, Policies, and Regulations is the Key to Cutting Through Bureaucracy! | Perspective Ep 41 09.06.2025 44:52

Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier sits down with founder and CEO of the cyber insurance company Resilience V8 Hariprisad to discuss the ins and outs of aligning incentives within an organization and also knowing which rules are okay to break and which ones shouldn't be touched.

Dave Lam '11 - Helping Small Business Owners with Micro Private Equity Buy-Outs | Perspective Ep 40 02.06.2025 53:52

Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier sits down with founder of Phalanx Partners Dave Lam '11 to discuss micro private equity and how carrying the core values into the industry helps small business owners boost their businesses.

Brig Gen (R) Dave Stilwell - Beyond TikTok & Taiwan, How is the PRC Threatening the U.S. Way of Life? | Perspective Ep 39 26.05.2025 2:08:34

Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier sits down with China expert Brig Gen (R) Dave Stilwell to discuss more broadly the attack vectors China has on the U.S. way of life, and how despite their thoughtful plan, they lack the American Spirit. We discuss IP theft, influence on Hollywood, the social credit score, currency debasement and debt, Uyghur slavery and forced labor, TikTok, surveillance, supply chain vu...

Lt Gen Dale White - Deterrence, Venture Capital, and Measuring Risk in Air Force Acquisition | Perspective Ep 38 19.05.2025 50:53

Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier sits down with top AF Acquisition officer Lt Gen Dale White to discuss deterrence in acquisition, the future of procurement with venture capital playing a larger role in defense, and many more topics.

Brig Gen Linell Letendre '96 - A First Principles Approach to Leadership and Multidisciplinary Thinking | Perspective Ep 37 12.05.2025 48:59

Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier sits down with current USAFA Dean Brig Gen Lindell Letendre to discuss the intersection of first principles thinking and leadership as well as the application of the widely disliked by cadets core curriculum.

Nick Co - Building the Veteran Transition Timeline, Creating a Simpler Transition/Retirement Process | Perspective Ep 36 05.05.2025 47:15

Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier sits down with Naval Academy Graduate Nick Co to discuss the challenges he faced with getting out of the military and why he is building the Veteran Timeline, a tool that helps transitioning veterans get out of the military and into their next phase of life. Its never too early to start preparing for the transition! website linked here: https://www.veterantimeline.com

Sarah Broadbent '13 - So Many Travel Opportunities with LEAP, Start Studying a New Language! | Perspective Ep 35 28.04.2025 1:04:50

Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier sits down with Language Enabled Airman Sarah Broadbent '13 to discuss her experience in the LEAP program and all the amazing experiences that came along with it.

Alex Lisot '11 - He Pulled Off the 4-Hour Work Week! A Peak Into the Mind of a Digital Nomad | Perspective Ep 34 21.04.2025 1:02:24

Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier sits down with digital nomad Alex Lisot '11 to discuss his experience living all over the world, why its appealing to him, and how he makes it happen financially.

Jazmin Furtado - Using Intrepreneurship to Create Opportunities in Artificial Intelligence | Perspective Ep 33 14.04.2025 48:47

Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier sits down with Google Technical Program Manager Jazmin Furtado to discuss how she used her skills in ops research to create cool opportunties like working at SpaceX while still on active duty. The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the DoD or its components. Andrew Cormier Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew...

Andrew Costa '11 - Pooling Pro Athletes' & Celebrities' Money to Grow Great Companies | DFM Ep 16 31.03.2025 52:08

Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier sits down with partner at RX3 growth equity to discuss getting into private equity and what its like to invest on behalf of athletes and celebrities. The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the DoD or its components. Andrew Cormier Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-cormier-21841020b⁠ Andrew Costa Linkedin: ...

Jack Gendron '15 - Getting Out of the Country to Shift Your Perspective | Perspective Ep 32 17.03.2025 56:40

Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier sits down with Jack Gendron '15 to discuss how spending some time in Ghana after graduation taught him not to take things in America for granted, his work in intelligence, and his current pursuits. The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the DoD or its components. Andrew Cormier Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/...

Phil Cohen '04 & Kevin Harrison '04 - What Are the Differences Between Being Entrepreneur and Climbing the Corporate Finance Ladder? | Perspective Ep 31 03.03.2025 1:38:12

Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier sits down with Phil Cohen, a serial entrepreneur, and Kevin Harrison, a CFO, to discuss the major differences between the two life paths including how they see risk, time, and overall impact in their work. The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the DoD or its components. Andrew Cormier Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin....

Maj Gordon Broadbent '13 - Integrating Skills and Expertise from Microsoft into the Defense Acquisition Landscape | Perspective Ep 30 18.02.2025 1:15:50

Host of FTZ sits down with the one and only Maj Gordon Broadbent to discuss how he is trailblazing a path to bring expertise from tech companies into the DoD.

Gen (R) Mike Minihan - 7619 Miles of Water to Cover, How Are We Preparing for the Challenge? | Perspective Ep 29 10.02.2025 48:14

Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier sits down with former AMC Commander Gen (R) Mike Minihan to discuss the challenges we face in the Pacific. Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-cormier-21841020b⁠

Casey Wyman - Running a University is Like Running a Small City | Perspective Ep 28 27.01.2025 58:12

Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier sits down with the VP of Business affairs and CFO of UNLV Casey Wyman to discuss his path from being a finance officer in the Air Force, to being the CFO of the Air Force Academy, to CFO of UNLV. Andrew Cormier Newsletter: https://forthezoomies-newsletter.beehiiv.com Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-cormier-21841020b⁠ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@F.T...

Lt Col Graham Auten - Civil Engineering Squadron Commanders Are The Base's Fire Chiefs? Leading a CE Squadron | AFSC Series Ep 39 13.01.2025 53:32

Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier sits down with Andrews AFB CE Squadron Commander Lt Col Graham Auten to discuss what goes into being the leader of a CE Squadron. The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the DoD or its components. Andrew Cormier Newsletter: https://forthezoomies-newsletter.beehiiv.com Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-corm...

Dr. Chris Howard '91 - What Does a University Executive Vice President Do, and How Do They Get There? | Perspective Ep 27 16.12.2024 28:27

Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier sits down with Executive Vice President and COO of Arizona Sate University Dr. Chris Howard to discuss his ascent to university leadership. The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the DoD or its components. Andrew Cormier Newsletter: https://forthezoomies-newsletter.beehiiv.com Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/a...

Capt Garrett Kauppila '19 - How Can Officers Be Smarter With Their Money? | DFM Series Ep 15 25.11.2024 1:07:26

Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier sits down with USAFA investments instructor Capt Kap to discuss his interest in personal finance as well as keeping in mind that having money isn't good in itself. The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the DoD or its components. Andrew Cormier Newsletter: https://forthezoomies-newsletter.beehiiv.com Linkedin: ⁠https...

Maj J Mintzmyer '12 - He Found His Investing Niche in Shipping & Logistics as a Cadet and Has Stuck With It Since! | Perspective Ep 26 04.11.2024 1:23:44

Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier sits down with Founder of Value Investor's Edge and RPA pilot Maj J Mintzmyer '12 to discuss his his experience with higher education including Harvard CSAF Phd and how he started writing investment blogs on seeking alpha while he was a cadet. The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the DoD or its components. Andrew Cor...

Dave Won '10 - Our Money Issues Are Emotional Problems That Can't Be Solved with a Practical Solution | DFM Series Ep 14 14.10.2024 54:59

Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier sits down with founder of Dave Won & Co. Dave Won '10 to discuss his journey with teaching behavioral personal finance. The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the DoD or its components. Andrew Cormier Newsletter: https://forthezoomies-newsletter.beehiiv.com Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-cormier-21...

Dr. Ravi Chaudhary '93 - The Spirit Missions at USAFA Make the Astro GRs Somewhat Bearable, Keeping Your Head Held High as a Cadet | Perspective Ep 25 04.10.2024 1:00:40

Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier sits down with Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Installations, and Environment for the Department of the Air Force, Dr. Ravi Chaudhary '93 to discuss some cadet themes that never seem to go away, spirit missions, and how cadets can feel closer to the fight despite their Astro GRs. The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily repres...

Jake Sortor '15 - How Do You Respond to Losing Your Pilot Qualification? Start a Company | Perspective Ep 24 18.09.2024 1:05:35

Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier sits down with Jake Sortor, founder of Rehydrate, to discuss his time as a cadet, getting a JDMBA, and his start-up. The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the DoD or its components. Andrew Cormier Newsletter: https://forthezoomies-newsletter.beehiiv.com Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-cormier-21841020b...

Maj Gen Pierre Real - Bridging Perspectives of Service Academies Across Countries and Cultures | French Air Force Academy Superintendent | Perspective Ep 23 15.07.2024 47:17

Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier sits down with French Air and Space Force Academy Superintendent Maj Gen Pierre Real to discuss the military-cultural differences between the French and U.S. Air Force Academies. The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the DoD or its components. Andrew Cormier Newsletter: https://forthezoomies-newsletter.beehiiv.com...

Capt Dan Weissenhofer '15 - Acquisitions Officer and Co-Founder of the Ugly Company | DFM Series Ep 13 24.06.2024 53:07

Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier sits down with Innovation Instructor Capt Dan Weissenhofer to discuss his experience helping to build the Ugly company as well as give a breakdown of what Kessel Run does. The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the DoD or its components. Andrew Cormier Newsletter: https://forthezoomies-newsletter.beehiiv.com Linked...