Top Game Podcast

In this episode of Top Game Podcast , we sit down with MSgt Jeff Averette, the Senior Enlisted Leader at the Marine Corps Software Factory, to explore the intersection of Marine Corps traditions and cutting-edge software development. MSgt Averette shares his journey of adapting to leadership in a technical environment, the role of the Software Factory in shaping the future of the Marine Corps, and...

Discover the intricate dance of leadership and camaraderie within the Marine Corps as we sit down with Top Le, the senior enlisted leader from Company H, MCSB. Listen to tales of navigating various assignments, including SIOC instructor duty and recruiting, and balancing the dual responsibilities of independent mission execution and leading a team of 48 Marines. Our guest shares how previous profe...

In episode 33 of Top Game , I had the distinct honor of sitting down with my brother in arms, Master Gunnery Sergeant Jeff Rooke. Over the past 24 years, Jeff and I have shared a bond forged through the challenges and triumphs of our Marine Corps careers, as well as our shared roots as fellow Texans. During his tenure as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader at the Presidio of Monterey, Jeff left an...

In this insightful episode of Top Game, host Sammy Castro sits down with Chief Warrant Officer Trebor Whitehead to explore the multifaceted world of military leadership and the evolving landscape of warfare technology. Join us as we delve into personal growth, mentorship, and the importance of staying ahead in the dynamic field of military operations. Key Highlights: Introduction to Chief Warrant...

Nate & I sat down at my basement bar in Virginia to connect. We never had the opportunity to serve together in the same unit, so we took advantage of a conference to set time aside to record this interview. Initially, he was reluctant because he thought he had nothing to offer the audience. I knew better. His views on agency, mindset, and leaving it all out on the field are crucial takeaways. Our...

Episode 30 has been a long time coming. Top Bailey & I first "met" on Reddit when he reached out to say thanks for creating a forum for us to discuss to us. Since we've been in contact, he's been a great sounding board to help provide insight into what our community needs to hear: "Intimate conversations with Marines exploring their journeys, perspectives & experiences." Nate & I discuss courage,...

Marshall Troy is a close personal friend and Jiu Jitsu Black Belt. He is a stalwart ambassador for jiu jitsu as therapy, particularly for veterans battling ptsd and struggling to cope with suicide ideation. Marshall & I met back in August 2019 at the in Maine at the Origin Immersion Camp. Hailing from the great state of Oklahoma, we shared an Uber from Portland to Camp Laurel and established an im...

Episode 28 brings us to SSgt Antuan Martin. We first met in Hawaii when I was visiting as an evaluator for a 3d Radio Bn field exercise in 2017. He was a Sgt at the time, and an adage I learned from the dog men I grew up around fit perfectly. "There were some big paws on that pup." Since that initial encounter, we've stayed in contact. It was immediately apparent during subsequent conversations th...

Following a hectic PCS move from Okinawa to the Pentagon, we're finally back up and running with plenty of high value targets in the vicinity to link up with. Thanks for all your support. Thanks for your patience.  Fortitudine. JP 3-85 JEMSO Gen Krulak's 1997 Speech on the Marine Corps' Future Top Game Podcast Patreon

Episode 26 is one of the first episodes I ever recorded during a trip to San Angelo for an OCCFLD working group. The delay was primarily technical and partially content. I deliberated quite a bit about what, if anything, I needed to pull from the interview. What you hear in this conversation is all Tom, unfiltered…mostly! Tom promoted me to Sgt back in 2002 before I even hit the Fleet. During our...

In Episode 25, I finally sit down with the outgoing Operations Chief of III MEF Information Group, MGySgt Rich Deuto. As he heads back to familiar territory as the incoming Senior Enlisted Leader for Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion, we investigate his passion for history, the impact of growing up as a Marine brat, as well as the impact that has had on his won family as his son later joined th...

Episode 24 highlights Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion's Senior Enlisted, MGySgt Leon Ransom, Jr., a single father currently preparing his family for assignment overseas in Okinawa, Japan. In the course of the interview, MGuns highlights the dangers of Retirement On Active Duty (ROAD), key considerations to bring to bear when a Marine engages with the monitor, and the significance of advocacy...

Episode 23 brings us to Saul and Claudia Barajas. Saul was my Military Language Instructor back in 2000 as I was going through the Spanish Course at DLI. Our paths diverged for many years but the bond remained intact. Tragically, his family suffered the devastating loss of their daughter, Caprice, in 2011. What followed was a combination of denial, anger, and depression coupled with redemption and...

In Episode 22, I sit down with MGySgt John Tiffany to dive into the wave tops of his 26 year career. We met in passing at Ft. Meade back in 2015, regrettably never having the opportunity to be stationed together. It could have been his wild eyed intensity or our shared love of science fiction but an immediate bond was established. Indicative of the intimacy of our OCCFLD, we're never really more t...

In Episode 21, I interview one of my closest friends in the Marine Corps, MGySgt Vince Quinteros. In the exchange, we cover a timespan from the beginning of our careers to his current billet as the Operations Chief of Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion. During our conversation, he highlights the complexity inherent to being a linguist in uniform and having to balance competing priorities. We dis...

In Episode 20, I sit down for the first time one on one with MGySgt John Stancel, one of our 2659s currently serving on the staff of the Deputy Commandant for Information. His insight into the modernization of our occupational field along with his experience at MARFORCYBER brings to light some of the challenges we face as disruptive technology continues to erode how we've historically conducted op...

In Episode 19, I sit down with Jenn Cocco as she explains to the audience what this podcast has meant to her. She details some of her personal medical and family history and how the Marine Corps experience helped prepare her for all she's had to endure. Her lessons learned over the course of a career include the challenging nature of lat-moving into the 2600 occupational field and her transition f...

In Episode 18, we host our first 0261, MSgt Conor Mahoney. Currently serving as the Data Strategist for the Marine Corps, we get into topics ranging from professional military education, augmented intelligence, data stovepipes, philosophy and science fiction. More than anything, Top Mahoney expresses his inner resolve towards the relentless pursuit of excellence.

In episode 17, I sit down with one of my favorite Marines, Sara Clark. In only the way she can, she highlights some of the battles and issues she's struggled with in her attempt to balance out privacy versus transparency, as well as motherhood against professional obligations. She also grants us key insight into her "combative nature" and why it's important for each of us to become invested in the...

In Episode 16, I sit down with my wife to discuss some key issues facing military families, to include overseas assignments, family readiness, spousal employment & access to education. At the suggestion of another guest, we started off asking one another questions, but I took this opportunity to highlight her nomination for the Armed Forces Insurance sponsored 2019 Military Spouse of the Year awar...

In Episode 15, SgtMaj Marquez & I sit down at his dinner table and shoot straight on a range of topics from his approach to leadership, his brush with adversity, the formative influence of his SNCO leadership to taco rice and the command climate on Okinawa. A recognized and seasoned leader, SgtMaj reflects on the changes he has personally witnessed during his career and the rays of hope that he ca...

Long overdue, Episode 14 finally brings the CWO community front and center with none other than CWO5 Jim Musch. As the senior SIGINT Marine in the OccFld, he provides unique perspective in several areas. Chief amongst them is the role the CWO fulfills in the command structure. He also delves into the intricacies associated with assignment to HQMC. Further, he touches on the significance of a stron...

Episode 13 of Top Game finds us in San Angelo, Texas with the Marine Corps Detachment Goodfellow's Senior Enlisted Advisor, MGySgt Kyle Cornett. A MARSOC veteran and key leader in the community, we had the opportunity to cross paths for the first time at a working group earlier this year. With a measured approach to leadership and a keen eye for slicing to the heart of any friction points, MGuns C...

Episode 12 of Top Game brings us to 1st Radio Battalion's Operations Chief, Master Guns Scott Daubert. A dedicated teacher and mentor, he highlights several key takeaways critical to his success, particularly getting the buy in of your fellow SNCOs.  He discusses his broken service time and the influence toxic leadership had upon him early on in his career.  During the discussion, we cover the imp...

Episode 11 of Top Game drops today with the highly anticipated MGySgt Sean Nakao, MARSOC veteran and current Operations Chief of America's Radio Battalion. In our conversation we explore not only the importance of caring about the life we lead in uniform, but more specifically, how we can transfer that attitude to those around us. He also covers the significance of making career decision based on...