In today's episode, we get to chat with a person who has faced serious adversity, but makes no regrets for the path he was placed.  In fact, this is a story of overcoming, creating generational benchmarks and annihilating the status quo.  If anyone can relate to overcoming childhood homelessness, maternal drug addiction and teenage relocation and then become nothing like their environment, it's today's guest.  There are often challenges that make or break a person and we hear from a real overcomer.  He gets real with us about growing up in an Atlanta environment in the 90's, the culture shock of moving from what is known as America's black mecca to Alaska...North Pole, Alaska that is.  But all is well that ends well, because he understands the value of looking at people for who they and taking care of them where they are.  He has seen alot of disparate treatment, but stays in the "Worlds Greatest Air Force" for one thing...in order to serve people. 

This one hits close to home as he has been a part of story in the Air Force and we share some of the same first mentors...SMSgt (Ret) Kevin Alexander, MSgt (Ret) Jimmy Scott, MSgt (Ret) Derek Carter and our First Sergeant at the time MSgt Gunny.  These leaders took no shortcuts and had great pride in building the bench and instilling legacy!  All the way from across the Korean peninsula, hear real conversation with MSgt Branden Johnson.

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1. Know yourself. 2. Extend Grace. 3. Be true to your 'Why. 4. Form your own opinions about folk. 5. Touch lives We keep it short and sweet on today's podcast; but the convo we have here is not to be missed!   

This South Carolina native, daughter of a single-parent home has made her mark in the Air Force and there is no doubt more to come as she continues to blaze the trails and ignite the fire for other women using her light to climb the ladder.  She is living out her promise to finish what her brother started and takes a minute to talk about bench warmers vs the players. #connected #protected #respected We're a little biased with this guest since she is a fellow personnel Airmen from the Force Support Squadron world (insert resounding round of applause).   Can we say 'we made it' ...all the way to the Wing leadership levels.  

Listen now to my very casual convo with the current 437th Airlift Wing Command Chief, Chief Master Sergeant Charmaine Kelley. 

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"What are you doing here? You're not supposed to be here..." are not words you think you would hear when walking into a recruiting station. But that's exactly what happened to our guest today before she was pushed into learning about officer careers in the military as she sat in the recruiter's chair.

Just in time for Women's History Month we chat with an African American Female, Third-Generation American with a Bahamian background about her experiences in the US Air Force.  This South Carolina native, daughter of an Senior Non-Commissioned Officer talks about her first assignment all the way across the US to a culture that neither she nor it were prepared to experience.  We chat a little about our favorite four-letter word in the military right now...H_A_I_R and how her natural tresses cost her a briefing with a General Officer with no one willing to have that conversation about any of it.  We also talk about the reality of what happens when happenstance is left to determine common occurrences like who works in a section versus doing it with some intentionally and encouraging demographic variety.  She challenges listeners to tell their stories on whatever platform is available in an effort for diversity in all the ways it is available...thought, experience. background, etc...                                                                                                                                        

Major Lenora Alva is a boss, making strides in every circle she touches and brings a real-ness you're sure to enjoy.

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