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In this mega episode of the How to Guard Podcast, we sit down with MSgt Lewis, our Retention Office Manager, to answer one of the biggest questions people have. How does the New York Air National Guard pay for college tuition?

 We break down tuition assistance, college benefits, sign on and retention bonuses, and how Guard pay can work alongside school and civilian life. MSgt Lewis shares real insight on how members can plan for college, avoid common mistakes and take full advantage of what the Guard offers while focusing on their education.

 Whether you are thinking about joining, already serving, or looking for ways to make the Guard work better for your future, this episode is packed with valuable information you will not want to miss! 

Hit the link below to see more from MSgt Emily Lewis and the Retention Office!

https://www.instagram.com/109awretention?igsh=NXJsZTlsdHRueHE2

If you or someone you know is interested in joining the New York Air National Guard, Hit the link below!

https://aha.cce.af.mil/lead/recruiter/d7e05439-116d-48be-a570-71aa062ff44f

Who knows, you might be able to connect with one of us!

Send us a text

In this episode of the How to Guard Podcast, we sit down with 1st Lt Cappadora, a maintenance officer whose career started on the enlisted side before earning a commission.

Lt Cappadora shares what it was really like coming in as enlisted, learning the maintenance mission from the ground up, and later making the transition to becoming an officer. We talk about leadership, credibility, and how prior enlisted experience shapes the way he leads Airmen today.

This episode is a great listen for anyone considering aircraft maintenance, debating enlisted versus officer paths, or trying to understand the many different ways to build a career in the New York Air National Guard.

Whether you are thinking about joining, already serving, or looking for your next move, this conversation offers real insight, honest perspective, and practical takeaways from someone who has lived both sides of the Guard experience.

If you or someone you know is interested in joining the New York Air National Guard, Hit the link below!

https://aha.cce.af.mil/lead/recruiter/d7e05439-116d-48be-a570-71aa062ff44f

Who knows, you might be able to connect with one of us!

Send us a text

In this episode of the How to Guard podcast, we sit down with Colleen Casey, our Military Family and Readiness Program Manager. Colleen shares her career journey, breaks down the roles and responsibilities of the Military Family and Readiness Program, and explains how it supports Airmen and their families through every stage of service.

From resources and advocacy to readiness and resilience, this conversation highlights a different side of the NY Air National Guard that supports families just as much as our members!

If anyone would like to get in contact with Colleen, hit the link below!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/109th-AW-Wellness-Center/292033837518622

If you or someone you know is interested in joining the New York Air National Guard, Hit the link below!

https://aha.cce.af.mil/lead/recruiter/d7e05439-116d-48be-a570-71aa062ff44f

Who knows, you might be able to connect with one of us!

Send us a text

Episode two of How to Guard takes you straight into the experience of becoming an Airman. We sit down with a newly enlisted member fresh back from basic training to talk honestly about what it was like to leave home, adapt to military life, and push through the challenges of training. He shares what surprised him the most, what he learned about himself along the way, and how basic training shaped his mindset. We also dive into his goals moving forward, including his career plans, education opportunities, and what he hopes to accomplish in the New York Air National Guard. This episode is a real, firsthand look at the start of the journey and what comes next.

If you or someone you know is interested in joining the New York Air National Guard, Hit the link below!

https://aha.cce.af.mil/lead/recruiter/d7e05439-116d-48be-a570-71aa062ff44f

Who knows, you might be able to connect with one of us!

Send us a text

In our very first episode of the How to Guard Podcast, we introduce who we are, what we do, and why we chose to serve. We break down the different paths that led each of us to the Air National Guard, from career goals and family considerations to opportunities we never expected. We talk about the realities of different statuses, deployments, and unique missions, including operations with ODF and experiences supporting missions in Greenland and Antarctica. This episode sets the foundation for the podcast by showing that there is no single reason or single path to joining, just real people with different backgrounds who all found their place in the New York Air National Guard.

If you or someone you know is interested in joining the New York Air National Guard, Hit the link below!

https://aha.cce.af.mil/lead/recruiter/d7e05439-116d-48be-a570-71aa062ff44f

Who knows, you might be able to connect with one of us!