Raven Conversations

In this episode Sara and Joe sit down with two of the authors of Images of America, Washington National Guard William Andrew Leneweaver, Richard G. Patterson. The book tells the story of the Washington National guard in photographs and stories. It is offered not only for history buffs but also for the thousands of current and past National Guard members, families, friends, and neighbors touched by...

In this episode Sara and Joe sit down with some of the G1 staff for the Washington Army Guard to learn more about IPPS-A, The Integrated Personnel and Pay System-Army. IPPS-A looks to modernize Army Human Resources and develop a system for managing talent, reduce IT and military pay costs, and improve Soldiers’ lives through transparency and mobile capabilities. If you have any questions about IPP...

In this episode Sara and Joe sit down with Brigadier General Bryan Grenon, Land Component Commander for the Washington Army Guard. We visited him at the Seattle Police station where he is the Chief of police for a district. We talk to Grenon on how he has been able to manage his career through the ranks as a traditional guardsmen, and how he has been able to balance his military obligations with h...

In this episode Sara and Joe sit down with three senior noncommissioned officers with the Washington Army National Guard, Command Sgt. Major Bruce Ecclestone, Senior Enlisted Leader, Command Sgt. Major Brandt Gibbons, Command Sgt Major 3-161 Infantry Regiment, and 1st Sgt. Brandy Potter, 96th Aviation Troop Command. They talk about the leaders that have influenced them, what they wish they could h...

In this episode Sara sits down with Maj Kelly Sowder with the 420th Chemical Battalion. They talk about how the battalion trains for both domestic and army missions to maximize their CBRN capabilities year round. If you are interested in more information about the 420th Chem take a look at their unit page: https://mil.wa.gov/420th-chemical-battalion If you would like to co-host or have an idea for...

In this episode Sara and Joe travel to the Yakima Training Center to speak with members at the Mobilization and Training Equipment Site and the Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems unit. We talk about what these two have to offer those training at YTC and beyond. If you are interested in MATES or TUAS please contact us: sara.m.morris7.civ@mail.mil

In this episode Sara sits down with CW5 Timothy Gordon and CW2 Bridget Crosby to discuss the how-to's associated with becoming a Warrant Officer in the Washington National Guard. They also go through some requirements and the training necessary to complete Warrant Officer Candidate School. If you are interested in more information please contact the warrant officer recruiter, CW3 Jason Hartley; ja...

In the final installment of the holiday family episodes Sara and Joe sit down with three of the Brathovde family that are currently serving in the Washington National Guard. However, their Grandfather, father, two uncles, a spouse and one child all also have served or are also currently serving in the Washington National Guard. We talk about the family legacy of service and what it means to them....

Continuing on with our family episodes Sara and Joe sit down with the Trakel family, mom Sgt. Maj. Dana Trakel, Operations Sgt Maj with the 96th Aviation Troop Command, and her two sons; WO1 Jarin Trakel, 1-145th Aviation Regiment, and Private 1st Class Tanner Trakel, 168th General Support Aviation Battalion. If you have an idea for a future podcast or are interested in co-hosting please contact u...

Join us this episode as Sara and Joe continue the holiday family conversations and sit down with Chief Master Sgt. Mark Soulier, 194th Wing, and his daughter Sr. Airman Brianna Soulier, 252d Cyberspace Operations Group, as we talk about the dynamics of being a guard family. If you have an idea for a podcast or would like to co-host in the future please contact us: sara.m.morris7.civ@mail.mil

In this episode Sara and Joe continue the holiday family conversations and sit down with sisters serving in the Washington Army National Guard, Privates 1st Class Maria and Daria Aleshina. The sisters are Russian immigrants who came to the United States as children and enlisted in the Guard on the same day. Daria is also a former Washington Youth Academy Graduate. If you have an idea of something...

In this episode Sara and Joe continue the holiday family conversations and sit down with dual military couple Master Sgt. Naziroh Brockman, Headquarters Washington Air Guard, and Master Sgt. Shay Brockman, Western Air Defense Sector. If you have an idea of something you'd like to hear on the podcast or are interested in co-hosting email us: sara.m.morris7.civ@mail.mil

In this episode of Raven Conversations Sara and Joe sit down with two Specialists from the 1st Cavalry Squadron, 303rd Regiment. They have been best friends since seventh grade and are gearing up for a deployment together in support of Operation Spartan Shield. If you have any suggestions on topics you'd like to hear in the future or are interested in co-hosting please email us at: sara.m.morris7....

In this episode Sara and Joe sit down with Sarah Schmidt from the Washington Army National Guard Education and Incentives office to talk about the new credentialing assistance program. If you are interested in the program and want more information here are some resources: https://mil.wa.gov/education phone: 253-512-8931 email us at ng.wa.waarng.list.per-education@mail.mil CA Fact sheet: https://mi...

In this episode Sara sits down with an all Washington Army National Guard member band, “Faultline." The members are: MAJ Adam Hanisch - rhythm / lead guitar CW3 Stuart Welborn - lead / rhythm guitar 1SG Laszlo Cosorus - bass guitar SSG Christopher Coutsouridis - drums SPC AJ Pickard - vocals Links: https://www.facebook.com/pg/faultlinecoverband/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFCXbM1sU_zM0SPjhWo...

Sara sits down with Maj. Jimmy McInerney and MSgt. Justin Murner from the 111th Air Support Operations Squadron to talk about the mission of the Tactical Air Control Party, the new designation of the Joint Terminal Attack Controllers and how the Air Force is enhancing their Airmen's ability to perform. If you are interested in learning more about the the two ASOS units in the Washington National G...

In this episode Sara sits down with members from the Washington National Guard's Youth Council to talk about how the Child and Youth Services program is making a difference. The Washington National Guard Child & Youth Services mission is to positively impact Soldier and Family readiness, resilience, retention and quality of life by providing secure, timely, flexible, and high-quality youth develop...

On this episode of Raven Conversations Sara and Joe sit down with Maj Ty Clark, commander 194th Logistics Readiness Squadron, to talk about leadership. They talk about the qualities of a good leader, adapting to new generations of service members and how experiences has impacted their own leadership styles. If you have an idea for an episode of Raven Conversations or would like to guest host pleas...

In this episode we talk to Capt. Ben Seims an instructor at the Master Fitness Trainer Course and lead ACFT Coordinator for the Washington Army National Guard. We talk about a variety of fitness and health related topics, and Seims gives us an update on the ACFT. If you have an idea for a podcast please let us know: sara.m.morris7.civ@mail.mil

In this episode of Rave Conversations Sara Morris and Joe Siemandel sit down with Lt. Col. Jason Kramer, 194th Wing director of plans integration and execution, to talk about the unique and diverse structure of the 194th Wing. They also talk about the Wing’s vision, mission and the current priorities of: never failing and Airman, building and sustaining readiness, and developing the future. If you...

In this episode Steven Friedrich and I sit down with Capt Hans Zeiger, a Public Affairs Officer with the 194th Wing and a Washington state senator from district 25. We talk to Hans about his experience as a guardsman, member of the state legislature and author. If you have an idea for the podcast or are interested in guest hosting please email us: sara.m.morris7.civ@mail.mil

In this episode Sara and Joe sit down with a new recruit, a recruiter and the Recruiting and Retention battalion commander to discuss why you should join the Washington National Guard and what challenges are out there. If you want more information on how to join the Washington National Guard please visit: mil.wa.gov/national-guard find them on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/washingtonguardre...

On this episode we talk with Maj. Keith Kosik, the state partnership program director and three members of the Washington National Guard on their experience with the program. The National Guard State Partnership Programs (SPP) are designed to establish long term relationships in which U.S. States and their partnered nations share best practices and expert knowledge in a range of areas. The SPP is...

In this episode of Raven Conversations Joe Siemandel sits down with SGM Tyr Symank to talk about what makes Special Forces special and how there training translates to real world missions. If you are interested in Special Forces with the Washington National Guard please message us and we will get you in touch with a National Guard recruiter. As always if you have something you'd like to talk about...

This week Raven Conversations talks to three members of the 133rd Army Band on earning their PhD in Musical Studies. Chief Warrant Officer Three Scott Pierson, the band master, recently defended his dissertation, earning his doctorate of musical arts in wind studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Sgt. 1st Class Steve Friel, an instructor of music at Eastern Washington University recentl...