As we conclude our third season of the Never Stop Serving Podcast, host Olivia Nunn speaks with MOAA member Col. Nicole Malachowski, USAF (Ret). Our season has largely focused on war stories, but in this episode we learn of a dynamic career cut short by a surprising illness. After several deployments flying the F-15E Striker Eagle, Malachowski became the first female pilot in the Thunderbirds, the Air Force's demonstration team. Following several assignments, including command of the 333rd Fighter Squadron, she was named a White House Fellow and Executive Director of the Joining Forces Initiative to support military families. In 2017, Malachowski was forced to medically retire due to the debilitating effects of a tick-borne illness. She has since become an advocate for wounded warriors and patients suffering the effects of tick-borne diseases.

In this episode of the Never Stop Serving Podcast, host Lt. Col. Olivia Nunn, USA (Ret), speaks with Silver Star recipient Maj. Josh Glover, USMC (Ret). During his second deployment to Iraq, Glover, then a first lieutenant, was serving as a Quick Reaction Force platoon commander when they were sent out to secure a downed CH-53 helicopter. During the mission, the QRF platoon was ambushed but able to fight through and return back to friendly lines, inflicting numerous enemy casualties on the way. Later that same day, they were called out to rescue a rifle platoon fighting behind enemy lines. Lt. Glover and his platoon engaged and defeated a company-sized enemy element to reach the besieged Marines.

In this episode of the Never Stop Serving podcast, host Lt. Col. Olivia Nunn, USA (Ret), speaks with Maj. Brian Cillessen, USMC (Ret). In January 2005 then-Capt. Cillessen was attached to a Special Forces ODA as an embedded trainer and Marine adviser for Afghan National Army commandos. While returning from a mission, his convoy was ambushed. Cillessen, now a television producer and host on The Sportsman Channel, details the actions in this battle that earned him the Silver Star.