In this episode of The Naval Aviation Ready Room podcast, host  Ryan Keys is joined by Sterling Gilliam, Director of the National Naval Aviation Museum, to share insights from his 30-year naval aviation career, the preservation of naval aviation heritage, and the museum's mission to inspire future generations.

What You’ll Learn:

• Sterling's journey from accounting student to naval aviator
• The critical role of mentorship in naval aviation and why "setting the example" remains the cornerstone of leadership
• Why the Landing Signal Officer (LSO) program develops both technical expertise and leadership skills
• How naval aviation responded to 9/11
• The art of scaling leadership
• How the National Naval Aviation Museum preserves history while inspiring future generations
  
  

Captain Sterling Gilliam is the Director of the National Naval Aviation Museum, bringing over 30 years of distinguished naval aviation experience to this role. A retired naval aviator with more than 4,600 flight hours and hundreds of missions, Gilliam has commanded naval squadrons, led Carrier Air Wing Nine, and served as an instructor at the highest levels of naval aviation training. Since 2015, he has overseen one of the world's largest aviation museums, managing a collection that includes over 150 aircraft on-site and nearly 1,000 aircraft displayed across 50 states and six countries.

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Highlights and YouTube Chapters:

• [00:00] Introduction
• [03:05] From CPA to Naval Aviator
• [08:18] Recalling 9/11
• [14:32] Letting Go to Lead Better
• [19:33] Why LSOs Matter
• [31:04] From Flight Deck to Museum Director
• [31:50] A Living, Breathing Legacy
• [47:06] What’s Next for Naval Aviation?

In this powerful episode of The Ready Room Podcast, host Ryan Keys speaks with Commander Hunter Scott, USN, whose childhood curiosity evolved into a national campaign that reshaped naval history. At just 12 years old, Scott launched a school project investigating the tragic sinking of the USS Indianapolis, the Navy’s worst sea disaster, and the controversial court-martial of its captain, Charles McVay.

Motivated by a brief mention in the film Jaws, Scott’s research turned into a years-long quest for justice. He gathered survivor testimony, navigated political resistance, and ultimately influenced Congress to pass a resolution exonerating McVay. His advocacy also resulted in the awarding of a Naval Unit Commendation to the ship’s final crew.

Now a seasoned naval aviator and executive officer, Scott reflects on how his pursuit of truth not only honored forgotten heroes but also shaped his own leadership philosophy and naval career. His story is a testament to the impact one determined individual can have on military legacy and institutional change.

What You’ll Learn:

• How a sixth-grade project inspired by the movie Jaws uncovered a major injustice in naval history
• The true account of the USS Indianapolis: its top-secret mission, sinking, and the court-martial of its captain
• How personal persistence and public advocacy led to congressional action
• The importance of mentorship and leadership in building confidence and purpose
• Why building networks of “dream builders” is essential for long-term impact
• How a passion for history transformed into a career in military service
• The role of storytelling and testimony in preserving and correcting historical memory
• What Scott’s journey teaches about resilience, service, and leading with integrity

Commander Hunter Scott is more than a naval aviator, he’s living proof that curiosity, courage, and conviction can make history. Long before he ever set foot in a cockpit, Scott demonstrated the kind of leadership the Navy prizes most: the moral courage to ask difficult questions and the determination to pursue truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. That mindset has stayed with him throughout his 18-year career in uniform.
Today, Scott serves as Executive Officer at the consolidated brig at MCAS Miramar, where his role centers not just on enforcing standards, but on guiding people through accountability and transformation. His experience as both a leader and a listener allows him to approach military service with a unique blend of discipline and empathy.
What sets Scott apart isn’t just what he accomplished as a student, it’s how he continues to lead with integrity, invest in people, and use his platform to inspire a new generation of service members to act with purpose and principle. Whether in the air, at the podium, or behind the scenes, his career reminds us that leadership begins the moment you decide to speak up for what’s right.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do so are here.

Highlights and YouTube Chapters:

• [00:00] Intro: A Middle School Project That Changed Naval History
• [02:06] From Jaws to Justice: The USS Indianapolis Story Begins
• [08:35] Persistence Through Research: Finding the First Survivor
• [15:20] The Untold Story of the USS Indianapolis Sinking
• [27:00] Building Networks of "Dream Builders" for Change
• [34:50] Navigating Legislative Challenges and Senate Hearings
• [45:43] Victory: Congressional Exoneration and Recognition
• [48:19] From Advocacy to Service: Choosing Naval Aviation
• [58:11] Leadership Lessons: Investing in People and Building Teams
• [01:07:16] Final Thoughts: The Power of Military Service and Making a Difference

Episode Resources:

• US Navy Website
• Ryan Keys on LinkedIn
• Naval Aviation Museum Foundation Website

The Ready Room Podcast is the official podcast of The Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, offering in-depth stories from the past, present, and future of naval aviation. Through compelling interviews and immersive storytelling, the podcast brings listeners into the world of naval aviators, engineers, and leaders who have shaped aviation history.

From the Battle of Midway to modern-day international flight training, each episode features firsthand accounts from veterans, aerospace experts, and global partners. The series explores the human side of aviation—courage, innovation, leadership, and the enduring spirit of service—while highlighting the STEM principles that drive progress in air and space.

Produced in Pensacola, Florida, home of the museum and the Blue Angels, The Ready Room Podcast is a tribute to the people and missions behind one of the world’s largest and most respected aviation museums.