The Ready Room Podcast

Part 2. What true leadership looks like. One Marine’s story on holding the line against the DOD COVID 19 vaccine mandate. With USMC F-35 Test Pilot and former Top Gun instructor, LtCol. ”Sonny” Duncan

In August 2021 the DOD issued a mandate that all service members receive the COVID 19 vaccine. Failure to do so would result in punitive action and removal from military service. In the wake of that mandate over 7000 active duty service members amongst thousands of National guard and reserves have been separated from military service. Of those who stood their ground against the COVID 19 vaccine mandate, a large group represented by all services have banded together to fight back. On today’s episode I welcome Marine Corps, LtCol Sonny Duncan. An F-35 operational test pilot and former Top Gun instructor that has helped lead the charge and hold the line for those younger service members who haven’t had a voice. This is his story.

Part 1. What true leadership looks like. One Marine’s story on holding the line against the DOD COVID 19 vaccine mandate. With USMC F-35 Test Pilot and former Top Gun instructor, LtCol. ”Sonny” Duncan

In August 2021 the DOD issued a mandate that all service members receive the COVID 19 vaccine. Failure to do so would result in punitive action and removal from military service. In the wake of that mandate over 7000 active duty service members amongst thousands of National guard and reserves have been separated from military service. Of those who stood their ground against the COVID 19 vaccine mandate, a large group represented by all services have banded together to fight back. On today’s episode I welcome Marine Corps LtCol "Sonny" Duncan. An F-35 operational test pilot and former Top Gun instructor that has helped lead the charge and hold the line for those younger service members who haven’t had a voice. This is his story.

”No excuses 101. Combat, marriage, motherhood, and business, with US Army UH-60 Blackhawk pilot and American badass, Lacey Szekely”

Starting business is no joke, especially as a mother of two kids, 2 dogs, a cat, and is married to a fighter pilot husband who travels half the month. However, if you were a seasoned combat veteran, that has dealt with death and stress on a daily basis, balancing kids, marriage and business, might just be a welcome challenge. On today’s episode I welcome US Army UH-60 Blackhawk pilot, and small business owner Lacey Sczekely. We talk about her time flying medevac chase in Afghanistan, the importance of standing your ground, and how she leverages her combat experience in her daily life as a wife, mother, and business owner, as well as short story on $1 engagement rings, and every girls dream of being proposed to in a FedEx parking lot. I am your host, SUSAN, and this is the Ready Room Podcast.

Want to become a fighter pilot? This is all you need to know, in less than 9 minutes. You’re welcome!

Did you know that fighter pilots make only the best life decisions? Did you know that fighter pilots are not affected by economic change and have pretty much figured out the secret of life? Yes, folks, it's true. On this very special 8 minute mini-episode, I present to you a Pulitzer Prize level research project written by a very young future fighter pilot. This upcoming aviation ninja covers down on all thing’s fighter pilot, and will offer you some insight into becoming one of what the well know scholarly journal Uncyclopedia.com refer to as Zipper Suited Sun gods. If you think this all sounds absolutely ridiculous, you would be correct. Enjoy!

The most savage women alive? Maybe. Fighting ISIS along-side the all-female YPJ, with Ret. USAF MSgt Eric Ballester

When you were 16 years old, what was your biggest fear? Not passing your drivers test, not having a date for the school dance, or maybe it was just getting through that damn chemistry class. Well, what if you were born in Syria, and at 16 yrs old, your daily routine was war, and your biggest fear was watching your friends die. And what if your reality was so dire, that you would choose to end your own life, rather than be captured and forced to experience a death most people cannot comprehend, at the hands of an evil most people can’t even imagine. This is the life of the YPJ, the Women's Protection Units of Syria and their fight against ISIS. On today’s episode I welcome back Ret. AF CCT MSgt Eric Ballester, who served with a team of US Army Delta Force operators as advisors to the YPJ and witnessed first hand the dedication, sacrifice, and ferocity that is manifested when a group of young Syrian girls fight for their home.

Recommend you buckle up for this one. 

The Paddles Factor and LSO Culture, with legendary Marine Corps LSO, Maj Brad ”Barf” Byers

 

Can you remember the rules to live by? Or how about ECAT fly away? Well if you’ve ever landed a jet on an aircraft carrier, this episode is for you. You know what its like to be just a few feet from death on a regular basis, and can laugh about it like it’s no big deal. On this episode we break down the Paddles culture and what it means to be an LSO. We talk stories, feats of strength, history, and scary moments that we will never forget. I welcome back my LSO mentor and great American “Barf” Byers. We discuss the perks of being a paddles, his experience and highlights as an LSO school instructor, and how he connects “the Paddles culture” to every day life. Then we finish it all off with a fun little game called “how to throw Barf under the bus”. Enjoy!

”Earning the Medal of Honor, crazy ex-girlfriends, and stories you just can’t make up”, with Medal of Honor recipient and legendary story teller, Ret US Army Command SgtMaj, Bob Patterson

The Congressional Medal of Honor is the United States government's highest and most prestigious military decoration. The stories associated with earning such an award are often inspiring, sad, and in many cases, down right unbelievable. If you ever have the chance to sit down with one of these individuals, I highly recommend you do. On todays episode I am humbled to welcome Medal of Honor recipient, and legendary story teller, Ret. US Army Command SgtMaj Bob Patterson, who, after his HS girlfriend pissed him off, decided to join the Army. We talk about his adventures in Vietnam, the day he earned the Medal of Honor, and plenty of stories that you just cant make up, like seeing two WWII legends in their annual fist fight. Enjoy!

”Blue Angel keys to success, and jumping out of airplanes”, with Marine Corps F/A-18 Pilot and former Blue Angel, Maj Jeff ”DARYL” Mullins

Most 11 year old’s don’t jump out of air planes, most families don’t have “life flight” on speed dial, and most kids don’t grow up on an airport. However, if you've jumped out of a plane over 5000 times before you got your drivers license, and lived long enough to watch each of your 4 siblings hit the ground, and live, you just might have a story.

On today’s episode I welcome one of my bros, Marine Corps Major Jeff “DARYL” Mullins. An F/A-18 Hornet pilot, skydiving ninja, Top Gun graduate, and former Blue Angel. We talk about the benefits of remembering to pull your parachute, lessons from being a new guy in combat, and what it’s like behind the scenes as a Blue Angel. Along with a cool story about SEAL team 6 and Tom Brady, as well as a fun life lesson on how to not get hit by a car. Enjoy!

”Playing Cold War chess against Russian nuclear submarines”, with Ret. Navy CDR Mike ”Chippy” Quinlan

Chess is a game of thinking, of maneuvering, and of planning. When someone wins, both players go home. Well, what if you were playing chess against Russian Nuclear Submarines at the heart of the Cold War. What if your job, was to sink a Russian nuclear sub if the situation called for it? Could you do it, could you launch that torpedo, could you handle the stress of potentially having your finger on the WWIII start button? On today’s episode I welcome Ret. Navy CDR Mike “Chippy” Quinlan. A 27 year veteran who actually lived the “Hunt for Red October”. We talk about his enlisted days tracking Iranian subs during the Iran hostage crisis, and his time as a P-3 AC commander playing chess against Russian nuclear subs, as well as a brief story on potentially the best port call in Naval history. Enjoy!

Robert Kiyosaki, ”Gun running and helicopter dates”, with the best selling author and Marine Corps gunship pilot.

Many people are born with the entrepreneurial gene. However, rarely does someone realize they are meant to be their own boss and find their knack for business while flying combat missions in Vietnam. For a select few, the demands of war elevated their minds to new and slightly illegal levels of business creativity. With us today is best-selling author, finance ninja, and Marine Corps gunship pilot and Vietnam vet, Robert Kiyosaki. A successful entrepreneur whose first swing at business was selling $5 45 Cal pistols for $45. We talk about his childhood, his combat experience in Vietnam, and the unwritten brotherhood that comes with being a Marine. Along with some court martial shenanigans, some tough lessons in leadership, and how flying a helicopter can even get you date. Buckle up, folks, this is the lighter side of Robert Kiyosaki. Enjoy!