Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier sits down with Youtube creator Sam Eckholm to discuss his story from taking pictures of F-22s to building the large USAFA recruiting tool "The Air Force Academy Blueprint"

Time Stamps

(00:00) Introduction

(11:15) Getting PA after graduation

(16:20) Mission of PA, no photography for officers

(17:45) F-22 Demo Team

(22:30) Scratching entrepreneurial itch while on active duty

(28:30) What guided you to separate?

(32:30) What is it like to use emerging tech first?

(40:45) Maintaining creative freedom while advertising someone else's product

(45:25) The Academy Blueprint

(52:40) Advice for cadets

The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the DoD or its components.

Andrew Cormier

Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-cormier-21841020b⁠

Instagram: @for.the.zoomies / @cormier.2

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Sam Eckhom

Youtube: Sam Eckholm0

Instagram: @sameckholm

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sameckholm

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Jake Thibeault 

Donations: https://www.tbo14tough.com

Instagram: jake.thibeault

GoFundme: https://www.gofundme.com/f/jake-thibeault-needs-our-support

Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier sits down with U-28 Pilot Lt Col Phil Miller to discuss his experience with not getting his first choice in aircraft and how he made the most of it with plenty of combat flight hours and being apart of the first weapons school class for the airframe.

Time Stamps

(00:00) Introduction

(05:00) Not getting the first choice of airframe

(11:48) SOF pilots not coming directly from pilot training

(14:03) U-28 Weapons School

(22:50) Fighter lifestyle vs. SOF lifestyle

(30:15) Picking mission over airframe

(35:20) Story of Crew Resource Management

(44:57) Story of being Fired from Command

(48:45) Advice for cadets

The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the DoD or its components.

Andrew Cormier

Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-cormier-21841020b⁠

Instagram: @for.the.zoomies / @cormier.2

Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier sits down with Foreign Area Officer Col Andrew Hamann to discuss the path the becoming a FAO, what you do as one, and the potential for promotion in the position.

The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the DoD or its components.

Time Stamps

(00:00) Introduction

(09:24) Switching from VIP transport to fighter aircraft

(13:25) Flying with coalition forces

(16:21) Can you become FAO from any AFSC?

(21:33) How do FAOs carry out diplomacy?

(28:56) Steering the perception of the US

(35:07) Possibility for promotion

(41:01) Would FAOs make better Generals?

(45:20) Cool opportunities to see the result of your work

(56:58) Advice for cadets looking to do something similar

Andrew Cormier

Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-cormier-21841020b⁠

Instagram: @for.the.zoomies / @cormier.2

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Col Andrew Hamann

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-hamann

Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier sits down with Capt Allison Trueblood to discuss everything a cadet needs to know about Public Affairs.

Time Stamps

(00:00) Introduction

(04:30) Getting a GSP Slot

(06:46) Best Majors to drop PA

(07:32) PA Tech School

(10:28) Mission sets of PA

(14:16) Interacting with news broadcasters

(15:50) Relationship building throughout the Wing

(16:40) Importance of understanding the Commander's Intent

(22:36) Structure of the PA office

(26:16) Public Affairs vs. Info Ops

(27:46) Community engagement

(30:24) Cool opportunities in the career field

(35:18) Career Progression

(38:22) Commander's Action Group (CAG)

(39:40) Deployments

(43:16) Skills that carry over to civilian jobs

(47:22) Advice for cadets

The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the DoD or its components.

Andrew Cormier

Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-cormier-21841020b⁠

Instagram: @for.the.zoomies / @cormier.2

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Capt Alison Trueblood

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-trueblood

Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier sits down with F-22 Raptor pilot Maj Daniel Walker to discuss his time in the jet as well as his current public administration and law pursuits.

Time Stamps

(00:00) Introduction

(03:47) Is the F-22 a deterrence asset?

(09:15) When do you ever get to use the Raptor's full capabilities?

(12:35) What is it like to fly such an expensive asset?

(17:27) How did you accomplish so much at a young age?

(24:32) Did you ever lose respect from people who outranked you because you were more competent?

(30:37) Rewarding times in the Raptor

(31:42) How did your motivation evolve over the course of your career?

(53:52) What are your goals with public administration?

(37:46) Should there be more military representation in public office?

(45:50) Solving problems both at the personal and societal level

(53:53) Advice for cadets

The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the DoD or its components.

Andrew Cormier

Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-cormier-21841020b⁠

Instagram: @for.the.zoomies / @cormier.2

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Daniel Walker

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-m-walker

Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier sits down with Maj Jennifer Walters to discuss the arc of her illustrious career thus far. From flying tankers, studying at RAND, and Speechwriting for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to studying multiple languages, she does it all.

The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the DoD or its components.

Time Stamps

(00:00) Introduction

(05:40) Her experience in the KC-10

(11:40) Do you get nervous refueling?

(16:45) Supt Scholarship to Pardee-RAND

(24:03) How public policy uses data

(28:47) What helps you get accepted for the scholarship

(34:17) Experience as a speechwriter

(39:00) How do you create a certain perception?

(41:30) President Biden Speech

(45:07) Olmsted Scholarship in Active Duty

(55:40) Benefits of Coalition integration

(57:37) Advice for cadets interested in a similar path

Andrew Cormier

Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-cormier-21841020b⁠

Instagram: @for.the.zoomies / @cormier.2

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Jennifer Walters

Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-walters-b9614081

Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier sits down with DFM Personnel Officer Capt Sam Sapita to discuss the path from cadet to instructor at the Air Force Academy.

The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the DoD or its components.

Time Stamps

(00:00) Introduction

(06:40) Paths to Becoming an Instructor

(16:55) Pros and Cons of Instructing

(24:04) Why do instructors teach certain courses?

(28:40) Is it good for career growth to be an instructor?

(31:54) Opportunity cost of instructing

(33:55) Advice for cadets interested in a similar path

Andrew Cormier

Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-cormier-21841020b⁠

Instagram: @for.the.zoomies / @cormier.2

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Capt Sam Sapita

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samsapita

Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier sits down with Eddie Ortiz to discuss both military and civilian contracting jobs as well as some mentorship for cadets!

The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the DoD or its components.

Andrew Cormier

Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-cormier-21841020b⁠

Instagram: @for.the.zoomies / @cormier.2

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Eddie Ortiz

Email: [email protected]

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/e-a-ortiz/

Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier sits down with former CIA operative Andrew Bustamante to discuss his time in the military and how he was able to transition to the CIA without being an Intelligence officer.

The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the DoD or its components.

Time Stamps

(00:00) Introduction

(04:35) Why is OPA invalid?

(06:30) Getting jobs out of the Academy

(09:16) Focus shifting from pilots to cyber

(13:27) What is a "warfighter"

(15:37) Athletics as a cadet

(19:00) Career path after Graduation

(26:00) Moving from AF to CIA

(28:51) How valuable is GPA?

(36:08) What makes you competitive for the CIA

(39:30) What is the baseline concept?

(44:22) What is moral flexibility?

(48:00) Examples of moral flexibility

(50:58) Advice for cadets

Andrew Cormier

Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-cormier-21841020b⁠

Instagram: @for.the.zoomies / @cormier.2

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Andrew Bustamante

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-bustamante-mba-89812a10b

Website: https://everydayspy.com/?homepage=c

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyday-espionage-podcast/id1441789630

Host of FTZ Andrew Cormier sits down with Andrea Henshall at MIT to discuss her time in service and what she has done outside of the military to contribute to national defense. She is a prominent proponent of continued education.

The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the DoD or its components.

Time Stamps

(00:00) Introduction

(07:18) Active duty background

(13:13) Was the U-28 your first pick?

(16:34) Is it difficult to get fighters from ENJJPT?

(20:58) U-28 replacement

(22:34) Humanitarian relief in the Philipines

(27:40) Extra duties as a pilot (Finance)

(36:07) What drives you to continue your education

(45:00) Service to School

(50:30) What should you do with your higher education?

(52:22) How do you balance theory and observation?

(56:22) How to best contribute to National Defense

(59:11) Advice for cadets

Andrew Cormier

Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-cormier-21841020b⁠

Instagram: @for.the.zoomies / @cormier.2

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Andrea Henshall

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-m-henshall

Service2school: https://service2school.org/