So Ya Wanna Be THE Chief?!
This podcast is based on Chief Bob Vásquez's book, So Ya Wanna Be THE Chief?! It consists of interviews with leaders who have experience in each of the twelve areas discussed in the book. Each week, Chief Vásquez and a guest will discuss additional thoughts and ideas (all belong to the interviewees themselves) that will help you empower yourself to become a better leader, a Chief! Good luck! Be GREAT! You ARE!
Episodes
34 episodes
CMSgt Jacob Simmons
Chief Master Sergeant Jacob “Jake” Simmons is the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for United States Space Command at Peterson Space Force Base Colorado. U.S. Space Command is the Unified Combatant Command responsible for conducting operations in...
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Season 5
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Episode 8
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32:15
CMSgt Troy Davis
Chief Master Sergeant Troy Davis serves as the Chief Enlisted Manager for Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs – Space Force. He advises the Deputy Director for Space on matters related to morale, welfare, recognition, and career progressi...
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Season 5
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Episode 7
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29:41
Captain Jacob Bleymaier
Jacob Bleymaier is a Captain in the U.S. Air Force. He grew up a military brat as his father was a career Maintenance Officer. Captain Bleymaier joined the Air Force in 2019 after commissioning through ROTC at Liberty University where he earned...
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Season 5
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Episode 6
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29:18
CMSgt (Ret) Alan Weary
Chief Master Sergeant (Ret) Alan Weary hails from Alamogordo, New Mexico. He enlisted in August 1999 as a Biomedical Equipment Repair Technician. Throughout his career, he has completed 11 assignments, including three overseas, with his final p...
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Season 5
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Episode 5
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32:01
CMSgt (Ret) Laten Tony Williams
Chief Master Sergeant, Retired, Laten Tony Williams was born in Kingston, Jamaica. His family moved to Port Salerno, Florida when he was 11 years old. After graduating from high school in 1982, he attended Indian River Community College before ...
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Season 5
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Episode 4
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27:26
Colonel (Ret) Kurt Pfitzner
Colonel (Ret) Kurt Pfiztner is a Prior Enlisted Officer who served as an enlisted member in the United States Air Force from 1976 to 1979 and as an officer from 1982 through 2008. He began his career as a Law Enforcement Specialist and retired ...
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Season 5
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Episode 3
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30:37
CMSgt (Ret) Maryann Navarro
Maryann Navarro is a retired Chief Master Sergeant who served as a key resource and adviser to senior leadership and staff on human resources and operational activities at the Air Force’s second-largest training installation with a workforce co...
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Season 5
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Episode 2
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33:20
CMSgt (Ret) José Lugo Santiago
Dr. José A. Lugo Santiago, ASQ CMQ/OE, PMP, CSSMBB, is an accomplished Senior Executive Leader, U.S Air Force Veteran, Published Author, Entrepreneur, and Keynote Speaker with +20 years of experience living abroad, managing and ...
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Season 5
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Episode 1
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30:36
CMSgt (Ret) Manny Martinez
Manny Martinez hails from Olympia WA. He’s the President of Relentless Leadership LLC., a Crestcom International authorized agent. Crestcom delivers interactive learning experiences in leadership and management which help people produce real bu...
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31:02
CMSgt (Ret) Dan Roby
Danny Roby is Vice President, AMU Business Development and Student Success. He oversees AMU Brand Management encompassing the B2B, Military/Veteran and International markets. He has been with the university since 2005.Prior to join...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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29:12
MSgt Andrew Livingston
Master Sergeant Andrew Livingston is a seasoned entrepreneur and veteran, with a graduate-level education and a distinguished 20-year career in the United States Air Force, where he earned multiple awards across four different AFSCs, including ...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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32:27
CMSgt (Ret) Sarah Sparks
Chief Master Sergeant (Retired) Sarah Sparks served as the Command Chief Master Sergeant at the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado. She advised the Academy’s Superintendent and senior staff in the direction of a premier...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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33:07
SMSgt Mealinda Koory
Senior Master Sergeant Mealinda M. Koory is the Superintendent of the Commander Support Staff, 302nd Aeromedical Staging Squadron, United States Air Force Reserve, Peterson SFB, CO. Her team is responsible for coordinating administrative and op...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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31:57
CMSgt (Ret) Todd Salzman
CMSgt (Ret) Todd Salzman is a 30-year Air Force veteran.He logged over 2700 hours of instructor and evaluator time in KC-135R and deployed globally in support of numerous operations and contingencies.Todd served as Command Chief a...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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30:20
CMSgt Jeff Trottier
Chief Master Sgt (Ret) Jeffrey J. Trottier served as the Command Chief of the 109th Airlift Wing, Stratton Air National Guard Base Scotia, New York. Stratton is home to the ski-equipped LC-130H cargo plane whose primary mission is to support Na...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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29:24
MSgt Faith Donavon
Originally from Bellevue, Nebraska, MSgt Faith Donavon has served in the USAF for over 18 years in Services career field. She has worked as a DFAC Manager, Fitness Center NCOIC, Mortuary Affairs Dress and Restoration Section Lead, as well...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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33:50
MSgt Pete Ruiz
MSgt Pete Ruiz, who is an Academy Military Trainer at the Air Force Academy and who has served as an Exec for several Command Chiefs, shares his thoughts on Acknowledging Presence, You Don't Know Everything, and Network lessons in the book.
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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28:16
SMSgt (Ret) Nicole Brown
SMSgt (First Sergeant/Retired) Nicole Brown shares her thoughts and perspectives on how effective Chiefs realize that they "don't know everything" (lesson # 2), based on her experience.
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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23:33
CMSgt Sharla Kostielney
CMSgt Sharla Kostielney is the Command Chief Master Sergeant for the 341st Missile Wing, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana. She is the primary advisor to the commander on matters concerning the readiness, training, morale, health, welfare, effe...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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29:09
CMSAF #19 JoAnne Bass
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass represents the highest enlisted level of leadership, and as such, provides direction for the enlisted force and represents their interests, as appropriate, to the American public and to thos...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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27:07
Lesson 12 - Seek Help! with CMSgt Phillip McAlpin
Chief Master Sergeant Philip B. McAlpin Jr., is the Senior EnlistedLeader for the 100th Civil Engineer Squadron, Royal Air ForceMildenhall, United Kingdom. Chief McAlpin serves as thecommander’s principle advisor on all enlisted mat...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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33:45
Lesson 11 - Think Backward! with CMSgt James Pope
Chief Master Sergeant James Pope is the acting CommandChief of the 316th Wing at Joint Base Andrews-Naval AirFacility Washington, Maryland. In this role, he advises thecommander on all enlisted matters and on issues regardingthe...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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34:06
Lesson 10 - Get Out of the Way! with CMSgt Carlos Sanchez
Chief Master Sergeant Carlos Sanchez is assigned to the 56th Civil Engineer Squadron, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, as the Chief Enlisted Manager of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Flight. He leads 54 military and civilian Airmen in...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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31:29
Lesson 9 - Gratitude is Everything! with CMSgt Rey García
Chief Master Sergeant Reynaldo Garcia, Jr., is the Senior Enlisted Leaderfor the 96th Communications Squadron, 96th Test Wing, Eglin Air ForceBase Florida. He leads 345 military, civilian and contract personnelperforming Cyber Defen...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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32:18