Blacksnake Bytes

Welcome to Blacksnake Bytes! In the military, commanders are tasked with leading people and organizations, which is not as easy as it sounds! In part two, you’ll learn about these commanders’ management styles, changes coming to the 122nd Fighter Wing, managing priorities with limited resources and time, and much more!

Don’t miss part one to get a behind the scenes look of what it’s like to be a commander, how they find mentors and support in learning to do the job, and their favorite self-development books, podcasts, and activities!

01:30 how do you utilize your chiefs and first sergeants?

05:15 lost in translation: working through communication issues

05:55 open door policies

10:25 what is the mission of the F-16?

11:45 Agile Combat Employment (ACE) and Multi-Capable Airmen (MCA)

17:33 how will ACE and MCA change the way we work?

18:45 what qualities do you look for in Airmen?

20:05 managing priorities with limited resources and time

26:01 what great things are your Airmen doing?

31:51 what’s one thing that people might not know about you?

34:07 advice for people who are thinking of joining the unit, or those who want to leave the military

Welcome to Blacksnake Bytes! In the military, commanders are tasked with leading people and organizations, which is not as easy as it sounds! In part one, you’ll get a behind the scenes look of what it’s like to be a commander, how they find mentors and support in learning to do the job, and their favorite self-development books, podcasts, and activities!

Don’t miss part two for a closer look at these commanders’ management styles, changes coming to the 122nd Fighter Wing, managing priorities with limited resources and time, and much more!

02:07 introductions

06:07 the role of a commander

09:31 do commanders receive mentoring?

13:00 making big decisions as a leader

15:13 what is a drill weekend like for a commander?

19:28 how do you become a commander?

21:55 what do you wish someone had told you before you became a commander?

23:41 how do you develop yourself personally?

28:52 what is your vision statement?

Welcome to Blacksnake Bytes! In the military, commanders are tasked with leading people and organizations, which is not as easy as it sounds! In part two, you’ll learn about these commanders’ management styles, changes coming to the 122nd Fighter Wing, managing priorities with limited resources and time, and much more!

Don’t miss part one to get a behind the scenes look of what it’s like to be a commander, how they find mentors and support in learning to do the job, and their favorite self-development books, podcasts, and activities!

01:30 how do you utilize your chiefs and first sergeants?

05:15 lost in translation: working through communication issues

05:55 open door policies

10:25 what is the mission of the F-16?

11:45 Agile Combat Employment (ACE) and Multi-Capable Airmen (MCA)

17:33 how will ACE and MCA change the way we work?

18:45 what qualities do you look for in Airmen?

20:05 managing priorities with limited resources and time

26:01 what great things are your Airmen doing?

31:51 what’s one thing that people might not know about you?

34:07 advice for people who are thinking of joining the unit, or those who want to leave the military

Welcome to Blacksnake Bytes! In the military, commanders are tasked with leading people and organizations, which is not as easy as it sounds! In part one, you’ll get a behind the scenes look of what it’s like to be a commander, how they find mentors and support in learning to do the job, and their favorite self-development books, podcasts, and activities!

Don’t miss part two for a closer look at these commanders’ management styles, changes coming to the 122nd Fighter Wing, managing priorities with limited resources and time, and much more!

02:07 introductions

06:07 the role of a commander

09:31 do commanders receive mentoring?

13:00 making big decisions as a leader

15:13 what is a drill weekend like for a commander?

19:28 how do you become a commander?

21:55 what do you wish someone had told you before you became a commander?

23:41 how do you develop yourself personally?

28:52 what is your vision statement?

Welcome to another episode of Blacksnake Bytes!

Serving in the U.S. military can be a very rewarding experience, but there are many challenges and stressors that come along with taking the Oath to protect your country—enduring physical, mental, and emotional hardship, being separated from loved ones for long periods of time, and sacrificing personal wants and needs for the good of the team. Thankfully for military members and their families, we have a vast network of support that we can turn to in times of need.

In this episode of Military Supporting Services, we speak with Kelly Harrison, with the Airman and Family Readiness program, and Megan Ross, our Director of Psychological Health, to share how they support our Airmen at the 122nd Fighter Wing. Tune in to learn how you or your loved ones can benefit from these programs!

00:25 – Kelly Harrison, Airman and Family Readiness

08:36 – Share the show or leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform!

09:30 – Megan Ross, Director of Psychological Health

Welcome to another episode of Blacksnake Bytes! In this episode we interview a panel of three first sergeants that answer questions from Airmen around the 122nd Fighter Wing. A special duty position that monitors each Airman's health and morale. As members of the triad these first sergeants go into detail about the mission, vision, and their job taking care of each Airmen. The unique perspective gives you a behind the scenes look at what an Air Force First Sergeant gets done in a drill weekend. Guided by the Air Force standards, Commander's intent and AFI 36-2113 their job is people and everyone is their business. Share and enjoy the episode!

In this episode of Blacksnake Bytes, we interview a panel of Airmen who train in small, cohesive teams to support aircraft operations from austere locations with minimal reliance on large, traditional military bases. As Multi Capable Airmen (MCA), each individual is a technical expert in a specific area of aircraft maintenance, and they share these skills within the team so that every member is qualified to support the aircraft's maintenance requirements. This training supports the U.S. Air Force's objective of Agile Combat Employment (ACE)--"launching, recovering, and maintaining aircraft from dispersed forward operating locations in concert with allies and partners". Join us for another exciting episode!

https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Wild-Blue-Yonder/Article-Display/Article/2753756/command-and-control-for-agile-combat-employment/

https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3528864/air-force-introduces-mca-training-framework/

Welcome to another episode of Blacksnake Bytes! In this episode we interview a panel of three chief master sergeant Airmen assigned to the 122nd Fighter Wing Maintenance Group with questions from junior enlisted Airmen. As members of the highest enlisted rank in the Air Force, Chiefs are tasked with the professional development of themselves and those around them, while leading organizations and putting plans into action in order to accomplish the mission. This critical role can be accomplished in many ways, and each panel member brings their own unique perspective and background to this interview.

They answer questions from Airmen, such as:

- How can senior leaders best show the enlisted force that they matter?

- How do you lead people when you don’t have experience working in their career field?

- How does the 122nd Fighter Wing vet candidates for promotion boards?

- What is a toxic work environment, and how should Airmen respond in these situations?

Little Brown Book

https://www.doctrine.af.mil/Portals/61/documents/Airman_Development/BrownBook.pdf

Military Parental Leave Policy

https://www.afpc.af.mil/News/Article/3262484/department-of-the-air-force-releases-policy-on-military-parental-leave-program/

(This episode was recorded on July 11, 2023, prior to the military coup in Niger.)

Welcome to another episode of Blacksnake Bytes! In this edition, we shine a spotlight on two medical professionals, 1st Lt. Barton and Staff Sgt. Sellers, both hailing from the 122d Fighter Wing in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Along with other Indiana Army and Air National Guardsmen, they embarked on several missions to impart life-saving medical expertise to Nigerien doctors and soldiers.

Indiana's state partnership with Niger, cultivated since 2017 through the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program, forms the backdrop for their journey. Initially tasked with providing vital combat care training to frontline soldiers, 1st Lt. Barton and Staff Sgt. Sellers quickly discovered that the actual needs on the ground in Niger were more complex than they had anticipated.

Join us as we delve into their inspiring story, filled with encounters that transcend cultural boundaries, addressing the unique medical training needs of the Nigerien military, and leaving a heartwarming mark by contributing to a local orphanage in Niamey. It's a tale of collaboration, compassion, and bridging worlds you won't want to miss.

Don't miss our debut Blacksnake Spotlight interview! Meet Staff Sgt. Graves from the 122nd Fighter Wing, who went above and beyond her duties in Aircrew Flight Equipment (AFE). As an AFE sergeant, she typically ensures the safety equipment for fighter pilots is in top-notch condition. But her skills and passion didn't stop there. Recognizing the critical need for proper-fitting flight suits for pregnant aircrew, she volunteered for a unique mission - sewing maternity flight suits. The project was a game-changer for pregnant aircrew members who faced life-threatening safety hazards and career obstacles due to ill-fitting gear. With her "Go Get It" motto driving her, Staff Sgt. Graves fearlessly embraced the challenge, impacting the careers of military women across the country. Tune in now!