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In this episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, host John Scardena sits down with LTG (Ret.) Dr. Jody Daniels, former Chief of Army Reserve and former Commanding General of the U.S. Army Reserve. Daniels walks through the leadership lessons she carried from early service in Kosovo, intelligence work in Iraq, and later senior roles guiding Reserve Soldiers at home and abroad.

Daniels explains her unexpected path into senior leadership, emphasizing that she never set out to be “the one in charge.” Instead, she focused on doing the job well, supporting others, and staying open to new opportunities. That mindset shaped her approach as she led Soldiers across diverse missions, including major domestic disaster support operations. Throughout the conversation, she shares how she learned to identify talent, communicate clearly, and maintain humility without lowering expectations.

A major portion of the discussion centers on the structure and capabilities of the U.S. Army Reserve. Daniels clarifies what the Reserve actually provides during large-scale disasters—logistics, engineering, medical support, transportation, civil affairs, and other essential functions that complement civilian response efforts. Scardena and Daniels talk through the practical realities of integrating military support with local, state, and federal partners, highlighting the value of experienced liaison officers and thoughtful coordination.

They also dive into organizational culture: how teams function, why trust matters, and how leaders cultivate an environment where people feel comfortable speaking honestly while maintaining professionalism. Daniels outlines the difference between being “in a position of impact” and “being influential,” reinforcing that titles alone don’t create effective leadership.

Toward the end of the episode, Daniels shares one of her guiding principles: choose purpose over passion. Passion can shift with time, but purpose—anchored in service, responsibility, and long-term commitment—creates clarity throughout a career. It’s the mindset that carried her from junior officer to her final role leading the Army Reserve. This episode offers a grounded look at leadership, service, and the realities of military support to disaster operations, delivered with the straightforward clarity Dr. Daniels is known for.

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