Raven Conversations

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@mi...

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...

In this episode Sara sits down with the members of the G5 staff, Lt. Col. Joshua Daily, Maj. Steven Riley, Capt. Jack Meeker. We talk about planning, how the Washington Army National Guard developed their strategic plan, and how they are measuring success and adjusting the plan as they go. If you are interested in the strategic plan you can find it here: https://issuu.com/wanationalguard/docs/wash...

In this episode Jason and Sara sit down with Lt. Col. Bruce Simpson, Task Force Medical Surge to talk about the mission for Task Force Medical Surge, Lt. Col. Simpson’s unique COVID experience, and the way ahead. If you would like to tell your story on the podcast or if you have a tip for a good story, please send an email to Jason Kriess at the Public Affairs Office at jason.r.kriess.mil@mail.mil

In this episode Jason and Sara sit down with Col. James Perrin, Commander of the 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team. During our chat we focus on the year ahead for many of the 81st SBCT members, with multiple mobilizations coming up while still maintaining a large presence in the COVID response missions.

Sara sits down with Angela Taylor and Sgt 1st Class Sarah Cowart to talk about Sexual Assault Awarness and Prevention Month. We give a overview as to what a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator does, what a Victim Advocate does, and issues that come up outside the realm of annual training requirements. I hope you find this informative, and if you need to use these resources please check out the inf...

April is the month of the Military Child and recognition of the sacrifices military children make. In this episode Sara and Jason sit down with members from the Washington National Guard Youth Council, Mackenzie Hale, Ethan Warner and their sponsor Robbin Seeberger. In this discussion we talk about some events the Youth Council has going on in support of the month of the military child and other w...

In this episode Sara and Joe sit down with Capt. Brady Plunkett, the Operations Officer for the 10th Civil Support Team. We caught up with the CST to talk about their recent deployment to the nation's capitol to assist with the Presidential Inauguration, some exercises they have coming up and checking in on missions we’ve seen in the past. If you have any suggestions for future topics or are inter...

In this episode Sara and Joe sit down with Maj Charles Parsons commander of the 242d Combat Communications Squadron. Maj Parsons explains the mission of the 242d Combat Communications Squadron, and their dual purpose to also provide a Joint Incident Site Communication Capability (JISCC) for specific exercises and events. We also talk about the JISCC’s recent deployment to the nation's capitol to a...

In this episode Sara and Joe sit down with Col. Adam Iwaszuk, the Director of the Construction and Facilities Management Office. We talk about how the Washington National Guard prioritizes its construction projects, the life cycle management of existing buildings and what the long term projects and locations look like in the future. If you have any suggestions for future topics or are interested i...

In this episode Sara and Jason sit down with Master Sgt. Amanda Bergquist from the 141st Air Refueling Wing. MSgt Bergquist is a dental hygienist that has been chosen from a pool of applicants to attend Ranger school later this year. We talk to her about the application process and what training she has been doing to prepare for Ranger school. This interview is again recorded through Teams so plea...

In this episode Joe and I sit down with Lt. Col. Angela Gentry, Washington National Guard G2/J2, Lt. Col. Casey De Groof, commander 341st Military Intelligence Battalion, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Andrew Rose, Washington Army National Guard Senior Military Intelligence Warrant and Command Sgt. Maj. Tim Harris, command sergeant major 56th Theater Information Operations Group to speak about the Washin...

In this episode we continue our holiday families in the guard theme from last year and Joe and I sit down with the COL (RET) Gerald Dezsofi. During our conversation we talk about his experience in the Washington National Guard, as a leader at all levels through his career as a Military Intelligence Officer. We also talk about how the Information Operations environment has changed throughout his ti...

In this episode we continue our holiday families in the guard theme from last year and Joe and I sit down with the COL Jonathan Beddall, PVT Jordan Beddal, and CDT Joshua Beddall. During our conversation we talk about what made the Beddall’s join the Washington Army National Guard, what it’s like having a high ranking father and what they would say to other families that are considering the guard....

In this episode Sara and Joe sit down with the Washington Air Guard Education and Retention office, MSgt Sarah Swann, MSgt Jessica Evans, MSgt Jonathan Rivera, and TSgt Roman Watson. During our conversation we talk about joining the Washington Air Guard, the new Beta Federal Tuition Assistance Program and the new Washington State Grant available to members of the Washington National Guard. To reac...

In this episode Sara and Jason sit down with Col. Kevin McMahan and Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Sandland, from Joint Task Force Steelhead. JTF Steelhead has been the Washington National Guard’s main element in support of the COVID-19 response, and during our conversation we work our way through the response from March to present day. If you have any suggestions for future topics or are interested in co...

In this episode Sara and Jason sit down with 1SG Andrew Larkin, with the 176th Engineer Company. We talk about their recent build in the town of Northport, and their company’s unique missions throughout Washington. If you have any suggestions for future topics or are interested in co-hosting please contact us: sara.m.morris7.civ@mail.mil

In this episode Sara and Jason sit down with CPT Donnavon Smith and SGT Shannon Sullivan from the Washington State Guard. In this episode we talk about the history, standards and mobilizations of the Washington State Guard. For more information you can find their website below. https://mil.wa.gov/state-guard If you have any suggestions for future topics or are interested in co-hosting please conta...

In this episode Sara and Joe sit down with Brig. Gen. Gent Welsh, Washington Air National Guard Commander. In this episode we talk about what the Washington Air Guard is, what missions they currently have and his vision for the future. Follow the WAANG Commander on Facebook: facebook.com/WAANGCC If you have any suggestions for future topics or are interested in co-hosting please contact us: sara.m...

In this episode Sara and Jason sit down with Lt Col Josh Barrow and Command Sgt. Maj. Kelly Wickel, the command team of the 898 Brigade Engineer Battalion. In this episode we talk about what the battalion is, how their mission supports the Brigade and their vision for the future. If you have any suggestions for future topics or are interested in co-hosting please contact us: sara.m.morris7.civ@mai...

In this episode Sara and Jason sit down with Lt Col Matt Braddock and Command Sgt. Maj. Tim Durr, the command team of the 2nd Battalion, 146th Field Artillery Regiment. In this episode we talk about what the battalion is, how their mission supports the Brigade and their vision for the future. If you have any suggestions for future topics or are interested in co-hosting please contact us: sara.m.mo...

In this episode Sara and Jason sit down with Lt Col Craig Broyles and Maj Josh Brown, the commander and S3 of the 3rd Infantry Battalion and 161st Regiment. In this episode we talk about what the battalion is, their upcoming deployment to Poland and their vision for the future. If you have any suggestions for future topics or are interested in co-hosting please contact us: sara.m.morris7.civ@mail....

In this episode Sara and Jason sit down with Col. Paul Sellars and Command Sgt Maj Carter Richardson, the command team of the 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team. In this episode we talk about what the Stryker Brigade is and what their vision is for the future. If you have any suggestions for future topics or are interested in co-hosting please contact us: sara.m.morris7.civ@mail.mil

In this episode Sara and Jason sit down with Brig. Gen. Dan Dent and Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Honeycutt, the command team of the Washington Army National Guard. In this episode we cover the Big Six tenets that they have put out to the leaders of the Washington Army National Guard and the philosophy behind it. If you are interested in tackling the reading list here is the first six books: 1. Hesselbe...

In this episode Sara and Joesit down with Staff Sgt. Markeyces Wadley, the Washington Army National Guard Retention NCOIC, and Spc. Stephanie Tyler, the 56th TIOG Retention personnel. In this episode we highlight some of the ways we can improve retention of soldiers across the board and discuss the major problems that the retention office has seen. This conversation tries to be an honest and open...