Oh Six Answers

John Bilal comes to us from Dallas, TX, where he currently leads supply chain for American Trailer World (ATW). We revisit our Academy days - from our “All Systems Go” courses, to his time managing the Army basketball team. He reflects on building camaraderie through the shared hardship as cadets, then shares about his journey to West Point. John opens up about navigating mental health post-Army,...

Dan Parker joins us from Fort Campbell, KY where he currently serves on active duty as a developmental test pilot with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne). We begin our conservation reminiscing about “Breakfast on a Stick”, before turning to (perhaps) unpopular opinions on corn chowder and cigars on The Plain. He recalls honing his time management skills at the Academy, while...

Steven Davis comes to us from East Lansing, MI where he currently works as an Amazon Operations Manager. He thinks back to his Howitzer Firstie entry, Team Handball memories, the nine cumulative days spent on Central Area, before sharing how military commands still echo throughout his house. He recalls his impactful Buckner detail and the stress leading up to graduation week at Michie. Steve opens...

Justin Burgess joins the podcast out of Atlanta, GA where he serves as the Director for Commercial Construction for J.R. Hobbs Company. He shares his journey as an author: ranging from writing to a historical fiction novel based around the first British-Afghan war, to contributing to Task and Purpose and The Duffel Blog organizations. He emphasizes how West Point reinforced manic preparation, befo...

Sean Supon comes to us from Austin, TX, where he currently serves as CEO and co-founder of Iron Neck. Originally from Kauai, HI, he compares the shift from island life to the regimented Hudson River confines. He shares origins of the “IV Musketeers” from his Howitzer entry, then reveals his initial career aspirations of becoming an Army diver. After discussing Sean’s time on active duty, he reflec...

Lindsay Hartig joins us from Fort Dix, NJ, where she serves as a supervisor for the Philadelphia Eagles. Originally from Orlando, she reflects on meeting her husband/fellow classmate and shares fond memories from her sports team and company days at West Point. Lindsay discusses how a service-minded upbringing and early exposure to the Academy shaped her path, carrying through her transition out of...

Jon Bate comes to the show from Colorado Springs, CO where he's currently serving as the battalion commander for the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment out of Fort Carson. Originally from Dallas, he recalls F-1 plebe duties and shares a bit about his unconventional path to West Point. Jon is proud of his experience with the Advanced Strategic Planning and Policy Program (ASP3), which allowed hi...

Matt Pride joins us from Boonton, NJ where he's currently assigned to New York City as a professor of military science. Originally from Staten Island, he shares about his path into the sport of boxing and a related lesson in humility during the cadet years. Matt reflects on a formative NATO work experience, as well as holding intention to be kind to others. When answering the question about hi...

Jamie Hickman comes to us from Navarre, FL as a former infantry officer, turned school teacher, and Army spouse. He reflects on finding his place as a cadet, to include reminiscing on the bonds he made as a Beast company commander. We learn of how a Korea assignment reshaped his understanding of leadership, leading back to a path towards becoming a chaplain, and eventually to his current role in e...

Dash Ballarta joins us from Pflugerville, TX to talk about his memories from his academic adventures to his sailing club experiences. Reflecting on lessons from the cadet days, he underscores the importance of simply being a good person throughout life. Dash recalls his career journey since leaving active-duty, which led him to his current role with the Texas A&M Health Science Center. We discuss...

Craig Bonham comes to us from Dover, NJ where’s he currently serving in command an active duty lieutenant colonel. We talk about memories from the cadet (and prepster) days and learn about his journey in to West Point. Craig reflects on his family and the influence they’ve had throughout his life. He shares of his creative pursuits, one of which includes being a budding photographer. Craig answers...

Joe Weston joins us from Pittsboro, NC to relive his Sosh Run experience, before turning to West Point’s influence on sharpening his efficiency with time. A signal officer by trade, Joe shares of his initial Army experience as a Sapper PL and subsequent civilian career path - with stops at McKinsey, Qualtrics, and a number of startups. We examine his concept of leading with cautious optimism, then...

Connor Crehan comes to us out of Westfield, NJ where we begin our conversation discussing Howitzer bio entries. He then reflects on his Army football memories before talking about his career path leading to Unite Us. Connor shares the origins of co-hosting Zero Blog Thirty, a popular podcast within the military veteran community. One to lead efforts in keeping people connected, he is also active i...

Kate Migliaro joins us from Ringoes, NJ to share her journey from the class ring and crest committee days to her current role at Blackstone. We hear about she first met her husband/fellow classmate (Chris) at Camp Buckner. She also talks about overcoming gender biases which initially hindered her cadet leadership aspirations. Kate highlights the importance of networking and mentorship in her trans...

Mike Wisser hails from South Carolina where we discuss his cadet barracks preference, as well as reminiscing about an infamous water balloon drop. He talks about the uphill battle getting into school and overcoming a feeling of not belonging. Mike brings us back to the day he learned a critical lesson as a new fire support officer, to his current endeavors with Bank of America and the National Gua...

Taylor Justice joins us from New York City where he starts our conversation reflecting on his Army football experience then and now. He reveals how he overcame academic struggles early on through persistence and building relationships. Taylor reflects on his unique journey post-graduation, both full of emotion and lessons learned that he shares with others. He harnesses both his grit and creativit...

Jure Himelrajh comes to us from Carlisle, PA where he’s currently studying at the U.S. Army War College. Originally from Slovenia, he continues to serves in his home country’s armed forces and shares his overall 47 month experience as an international cadet. Jure is most fond of his battalion command time, then reflects on his evolution as a student over the years. He’s excited about his upcoming...

Jake Massacci joins us from Aledo, TX where he begins our conversation recalling of a Mess Hall culinary experience. He shares a story involving a phrase associated with the Cadet Honor Code, before reflecting on revealing moments in his post-Army career. Always one to find strength in his faith, Jake looks to the future in his new venture as CEO of mPact Consulting Partners. He answers the previo...

Ryan Gardner comes to us from the Tucson, AZ area to share several core West Point memories, ranging from a Beast Barracks chewing to a Branch Night surprise. We talk about pivotal career moments which eventually led to his current role as a Regional Healthcare Engineer with the Department of Veteran Affairs. Ryan reveals what it’s like working for the VA while also being a stakeholder who still s...

Patrick McCarthy reveals what life is like for the contingent of classmates living (or temporarily stationed) in the Centennial State. He joins us from Monument, CO to share the beginnings of his career journey and knowing he wanted to be an environmental engineer early on. Overcoming challenges, whether at the Academy or during post-deployment recovery, is a testament to Patrick’s perseverance as...

Peter Cacossa comes to us from Fresno, CA where he currently serves as Fire Academy Director for the Fresno City College Fire Academy. He shares of his prior service background and unique MOS, before talking of defining moments and mentors at West Point. Peter has always been driven to prove people wrong with an underdog mentality. We learn of his path to his current role, before looking to the fu...

Chris Blackburn joins us from Orange County, CA and begins our conversation by recalling the peer leadership challenges serving on cadet regiment staff. He shares a remarkable story involving the service academy exchange program and serendipitous factors which led to meeting some important people in his life. Chris currently serves as President of Airborne Systems and has been with TransDigm since...

Clarisa Horton recounts her R-Day and Beast Barracks experience from nearly twenty plus years ago. Currently serving as a battalion commander out of Fort Campbell, she shares her the challenges of overcoming plebe year with the support of her TAC team. Clarisa recalls the life-changing orders to Fort Riley, the ensuing career moves, and eventually meeting her now spouse. She discusses her early ye...

Wei Chou joins the podcast from halfway around the world, where he currently serves as the Assistant Army Attaché out of South Korea. We discuss his passion for languages before reminiscing on Top Gun watch parties in the cadet barracks. He recalls the decision to become a foreign area officer and the unique journey he has embarked on throughout his career. While not surprising to his peers, his e...

Kyle Hoedebecke currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer for Juna Health and also Partner at 1836 Ventures out of Spring, TX. We talk about the AIAD decision that eventually led to meeting his future wife in Paraguay. Shifting to another part of the globe, Kyle reflects on his Seoul experience as a medical services officer. A competitor by nature, he hones that passion by striving to improve...