Raven Conversations

In this episode of Rave Conversations Sara Morris and Joe Siemandel sit down with Lt. Col. Jason Kramer, 194th Wing director of plans integration and execution, to talk about the unique and diverse structure of the 194th Wing. They also talk about the Wing’s vision, mission and the current priorities of: never failing and Airman, building and sustaining readiness, and developing the future.

If you would like to co-host or have a topic you would like to see covered on an episode of Raven Conversations please email us: [email protected]

In this episode Steven Friedrich and I sit down with Capt Hans Zeiger, a Public Affairs Officer with the 194th Wing and a Washington state senator from district 25. We talk to Hans about his experience as a guardsman, member of the state legislature and author.

If you have an idea for the podcast or are interested in guest hosting please email us: [email protected]

In this episode Sara and Joe sit down with a new recruit, a recruiter and the Recruiting and Retention battalion commander to discuss why you should join the Washington National Guard and what challenges are out there. If you want more information on how to join the Washington National Guard please visit: mil.wa.gov/national-guard find them on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/washingtonguardrecruiting/ or visit a recruiter near you.

If you have an idea you'd like to hear on the podcast please email: [email protected]

On this episode we talk with Maj. Keith Kosik, the state partnership program director and three members of the Washington National Guard on their experience with the program.

The National Guard State Partnership Programs (SPP) are designed to establish long term relationships in which U.S. States and their partnered nations share best practices and expert knowledge in a range of areas. The SPP is a Department of Defense joint security cooperation program administered by the National Guard Bureau that links a state's National Guard with the armed forces of a partner country in order to build long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with U.S. allies around the world.

The Washington Military Department and our partner countries share best practices for military support to civilian authorities, emergency management, disaster planning, port security, HAZMAT/WMD response initiatives and airport security, among others. The SPP also facilitates economic, commercial, social and cultural government interactions in addition to military-to-military expert exchanges. Multi-level Army and Air Force familiarization exercises provide yet another platform to share effective practices and techniques.

In 2002, Washington Gov. Gary Locke and The Adjutant General, Major General Tim Lowenberg, established Washington State’s SPP to establish a long-term relationship between the Washington Military Department and the Kingdom of Thailand.

In 2017, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and The Adjutant General, Major General Bret Daugherty, signed the agreement with the country of Malaysia, pledging each other’s commitment to build enduring relationships through sustained cooperation on areas of mutual interest.

If you have an idea for a future episode of the podcast or something you would be interested to hear please contact us at: [email protected]

In this episode of Raven Conversations Joe Siemandel sits down with SGM Tyr Symank to talk about what makes Special Forces special and how there training translates to real world missions. If you are interested in Special Forces with the Washington National Guard please message us and we will get you in touch with a National Guard recruiter.

As always if you have something you'd like to talk about on the podcast or a suggestion on a new topic please message Sara: [email protected]

This week Raven Conversations talks to three members of the 133rd Army Band on earning their PhD in Musical Studies. Chief Warrant Officer Three Scott Pierson, the band master, recently defended his dissertation, earning his doctorate of musical arts in wind studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Sgt. 1st Class Steve Friel, an instructor of music at Eastern Washington University recently completed his doctorate of musical arts in saxophone performance from the University of North Texas. Staff Sgt. Joey Castilleja, the superintendent of the Mabton School District, finished his PhD in philosophy in education, specializing in training and performance improvement.

Following this conversation Sara talks with Connie Ozmer, a recent Elizabeth Dole Foundation Fellowship recipient about what the fellowship means and how she is working with military care givers. To learn more about the foundation go to: www.hiddenheroes.org

If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to guest host please contact Sara at: [email protected]

This week brings our first guest host Steven Frederich, a Washington Military Department Communications Consultant, and Brian Terbush from the Emergency Management Department. Brian is a volcanologist and goes over information and tips about volcanoes. We have five active volcanoes here in Washington so it is necessary to always be prepared. Visit the volcano page of the Washington Military Department to learn more: https://www.mil.wa.gov/emergency-management-division/hazards/volcano

If you would like to guest host, be interviewed or have an idea for a future podcast please email us at: [email protected]

This podcast is set up a little different than normal, where Jason and I bring you interviews from two different training events. First up Jason travels to Malaysia and speaks with Ret. Marine Col. John Reilly. Next up Sara takes you to Boise for Idaho Response 2019. These exercises provide a glimpse in the types of training opportunities afforded to Washington Guardsmen.

Below are some articles released from those exercises if you'd like more information. Also, if you have any ideas for future episodes or something you'd like us to cover please email: [email protected]

https://www.dvidshub.net/news/313627/malaysian-armed-forces-host-exercise-bersama-warrior

https://www.dvidshub.net/news/314476/washingtons-homeland-response-force-participates-joint-exercise-idaho

On this episode we talk to Maj Eric Flowers, the state education programs officer. If you are interested in learning more about the Army National Guard education programs please visit their web page: https://www.mil.wa.gov/national-guard/army-guard/education

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WAARNGEducationIncentives/

You can also contact their office at these numbers:

State Education Services Officer (253) 512-1324

State Incentives Manager (253) 512-8984

State GI Bill Manager (253) 512-8435

State Education Services Specialist (253) 512-8931

If you're interested in guest co-hosting the program please email Sara: [email protected]

Did you know that April is Financial Literacy Month? This week Jason Kriess and Sara Morris sit down with Personal Financial Counselor Dana Twight from the Joint Service Support office at Camp Murray. We talk everything from how to save, how much you should save and how to take risks in your TSP. If you want more information or you would like to make an appointment with a PFC their emails are listed below.

[email protected] or [email protected]

If you have a story that you think should be told on the podcast please email the Public Affairs Office: [email protected]