DODReads: What are you reading?

In episode 43, Ryder Ashcraft interviews Lieutenant Colonel Rebecca Patterson, United States Army (Retired). LTC Patterson is the Associate Director of the Center for Security Studies at Georgetown University.

They talk about topics such as gender and disability, overseas service, and the history of nation building in the United States Army. Listeners can also check out LTC Patterson's book, Challenge of Nation-Building: Implementing Effective Innovation in the U.S. Army from World War II to the Iraq War.

Interested in an interview with a particular leader? Have a question you'd like to hear answered? Contact us @DODReads or [email protected].

Finally, head to DODReads for more resources, free books, and interviews with military authors.

The views presented in this episode are those of the participants and do not reflect the views of the Department of Defense or its components.

In episode 42, Brigid Calhoun interviews Father Dominic Legge, a Catholic priest in the Dominican Order of Preachers. Fr. Dominic is an Army veteran, former DOJ lawyer, and director of the Thomistic Institute in Washington, D.C. They discuss the philosophy of Thomas Aquinas and how philosophy can help with military decision-making and taking care of people.

Thomistic Institute: https://thomisticinstitute.org

Aquinas 101: https://aquinas101.thomisticinstitute.org

Interested in an interview with a particular leader? Have a question you'd like to hear answered? Contact us @DODReads or [email protected].

Finally, head to DODReads for more resources, free books, and interviews with military authors.

The views presented in this episode are those of the participants and do not reflect the views of the Department of Defense or its components.

In episode 41, Brigid Calhoun interviews Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA) Michael A. Grinston. SMA Grinston was sworn in as the 16th Sergeant Major of the Army on August 9th, 2019. He has held every enlisted leadership position in artillery, ranging from cannon crewmember to command sergeant major. He is a native of Jasper, Alabama and enlisted in the Army in 1987.

They discuss the enlisted side of the Army Talent Management Program, why Soldiers should be life-long learners with "growth mindsets," and how the Army adapted its recruiting strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Interested in an interview with a particular leader? Have a question you'd like to hear answered? Contact us @DODReads or [email protected].

Finally, head to DODReads for more resources, free books, and interviews with military authors.

The views presented in this episode are those of the participants and do not reflect the views of the Department of Defense or its components.

In episode 40, Eugene Yang and Ryder Ashcraft interview the 15th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, Russell Smith, as part 2 of our 3-part series interviewing Senior Enlisted Leaders from the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. 

They cover topics such as the recent changes to the Sailor of the Year promotion allocations, Navy talent management, and how to learn from different perspectives within our ranks. 

Follow MCPON Russell Smith on Twiter @NavyMCPON

Interested in an interview with a particular leader? Have a question you'd like to hear answered? Contact us @DODReads or [email protected].

Finally, head to DODReads for more resources, free books, and interviews with military authors.

The views presented in this episode are those of the participants and do not reflect the views of the Department of Defense or its components.

In episode 39, Justin Haan and Eugene Yang interview Sergeant Major Troy Black, the 19th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps. They discuss the challenges and conflicts that the next generation of Marines will face, the importance of lifelong education, and the future of Marine Corps talent management.

Follow the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps here on Twitter.

Interested in an interview with a particular leader? Have a question you'd like to hear answered? Contact us @DODReads or [email protected].

Finally, head to DODReads for more resources, free books, and interviews with military authors.

The views presented in this episode are those of the participants and do not reflect the views of the Department of Defense or its components.

In Episode 38, Ryder Ashcraft and Eugene Yang interview Mickey Bergman, the Executive Director at the Richardson Center for Global Engagement. Mickey is a former paratrooper in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and a 2019 Nobel Peace Prize nominee for his work in fringe diplomacy and negotiating the return of American hostages from countries like Iran and North Korea.

They discuss some of Mickey's experiences in the IDF as a paratrooper deployed to South Lebanon, the importance of developing emotional intelligence as a young leader in the military, and steps that one can take to strengthen their own emotional intelligence.

Interested in an interview with a particular leader? Have a question you'd like to hear answered? Contact us @DODReads or [email protected].

Finally, head to DODReads for more resources, free books, and interviews with military authors.

The views presented in this episode are those of the participants and do not reflect the views of the Department of Defense or its components.

In episode 37, Brigid Calhoun interviews Colonel Kevin W. Farrell, USA (Ret.) president and CEO of Battlefield Leadership, LLC, a consulting firm that prepares today’s business leaders for tomorrow’s challenges through the lessons of history. He served over 30 years in the U.S. Army as an Armor officer, commanding at the platoon, company, and battalion levels during combat in three different wars. 

They discuss what we can learn from military history, why discipline and standards matter, and what it was like advising Brad Pitt on the set of the film Fury.

Listeners can also check out COL Farrell’s book, The Military and the Monarchy: The Case and Career of the Duke of Cambridge in an Age of Reform. 

Interested in an interview with a particular leader? Have a question you'd like to hear answered? Contact us @DODReads or [email protected].

Finally, head to DODReads for more resources, free books, and interviews with military authors.

The views presented in this episode are those of the participants and do not reflect the views of the Department of Defense or its components.

In episode 36, Justin Haan interviews Mr. Robert Richer, currently a senior partner at International Advisory Partners. 

Mr. Richer served for over 40 years in the national security apparatus as a Marine officer and in the CIA. He retired in 2004 as the Assistant Deputy Director of Operations for the CIA after 20 years in the national clandestine service. Mr. Richer has been an advisor to every President since Ronald Reagan and remains actively engaged in the formulation and execution of US foreign policy in the Middle East. 

Connect with him here on LinkedIn.

Interested in an interview with a particular leader? Have a question you'd like to hear answered? Contact us @DODReads or [email protected].

Finally, head to DODReads for more resources, free books, and interviews with military authors.

The views presented in this episode are those of the participants and do not reflect the views of the Department of Defense or its components.

Thanks for a wonderful Season 1! DODReads: What are you Reading? will be back in February 2021 with new content and new voices for Season 2! If you haven't already, please take the time to leave us a review. Now is the perfect time to give us feedback, contact us @DODReads or [email protected].

Finally, head to DODReads for more resources, free books, and interviews with military authors.

The views presented in this episode are those of the participants and do not reflect the views of the Department of Defense or its components.

In episode 35, Eugene Yang interviews Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, USAF, Superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy. They discuss the benefits of all types of conflict, fostering effective environments for facilitating conversations on diversity and inclusion, and the future of the Air Force and the Air Force Academy.

Interested in an interview with a particular leader? Have a question you'd like to hear answered? Contact us @DODReads or [email protected].

Finally, head to DODReads for more resources, free books, and interviews with military authors.

The views presented in this episode are those of the participants and do not reflect the views of the Department of Defense or its components.