WEBVTT 00:00.129 --> 00:02.185 Welcome to Kitchen spoons and Combat 00:02.185 --> 00:04.185 Booth here with our special guest , 00:04.185 --> 00:06.185 Adjutant General Carter . Certainly 00:06.185 --> 00:08.185 from my chair and having deployed 4 00:08.185 --> 00:10.185 times , we know what it's like . We 00:10.185 --> 00:12.407 want to make sure that the families are 00:12.407 --> 00:14.685 aware of the things that are out there . 00:14.685 --> 00:13.970 They can come and participate . They 00:13.970 --> 00:15.914 can always reach out for support . 00:16.204 --> 00:18.426 Yellow Ribbon does a really good job at 00:18.426 --> 00:20.482 trying to help the soldiers out . We 00:20.482 --> 00:22.704 don't know if they're struggling unless 00:22.704 --> 00:22.004 they communicate , though the big thing 00:22.004 --> 00:24.226 is communication . Definitely . I think 00:24.226 --> 00:26.115 communication is something that's 00:26.115 --> 00:28.171 really hard for people , so vital in 00:28.171 --> 00:30.337 every situation . We can't help you if 00:30.337 --> 00:32.171 you don't allow us to help you . 00:32.171 --> 00:32.084 Exactly , Gabby . 00:47.799 --> 00:49.855 Welcome to Kitchen Spoons and Combat 00:49.855 --> 00:52.021 Boots . I'm your host , Gabby Bor here 00:52.021 --> 00:53.910 with our special guest , Adjutant 00:53.910 --> 00:56.840 General . Major General Harter . Yes , 00:57.700 --> 00:59.922 I'm happy to be here with you , Gabby . 01:00.139 --> 01:02.139 Alright , yeah , Major General Hank 01:02.139 --> 01:04.361 Harter , the brand new adjutant general 01:04.361 --> 01:06.472 of Vermont . Alright , let's get into 01:06.472 --> 01:09.540 some questions . So as adjutant general , 01:09.819 --> 01:11.819 what are your goals for making sure 01:11.819 --> 01:13.597 soldiers and their families are 01:13.597 --> 01:15.930 supported , especially over deployments ? 01:15.930 --> 01:17.930 Really good question , uh , because 01:17.930 --> 01:20.152 we're constantly working really hard to 01:20.152 --> 01:22.263 support our airmen and our soldiers , 01:22.263 --> 01:24.041 and deployments can be a stress 01:24.041 --> 01:25.875 producing time . Uh , the family 01:25.875 --> 01:28.152 separation and that kind of thing . Uh , 01:28.152 --> 01:30.319 the good thing is we have incredible , 01:30.319 --> 01:32.430 as you know , family readiness , uh , 01:32.430 --> 01:34.486 folks in both the Army guard and the 01:34.486 --> 01:36.708 Air guard . So they're there to support 01:36.708 --> 01:36.639 the families , to educate them through 01:36.639 --> 01:39.510 the yellow ribbon program before a 01:39.510 --> 01:41.732 soldier and an airman deploys , uh , to 01:41.732 --> 01:43.899 let them know about the resources that 01:43.899 --> 01:46.066 are there . Um , and a lot of it comes 01:46.066 --> 01:48.343 down to the unit level , that the unit , 01:48.343 --> 01:50.566 uh , and the loved ones from , uh , the 01:50.566 --> 01:52.510 soldiers and airmen , loved ones , 01:52.510 --> 01:54.677 getting together as a family readiness 01:54.677 --> 01:56.899 group , uh , to make sure that they are 01:56.899 --> 01:58.732 supporting each other . Um , but 01:58.732 --> 02:00.954 certainly from my , my chair and having 02:00.954 --> 02:03.010 deployed 4 times , we know what it's 02:03.010 --> 02:05.010 like . Uh , so we want to make sure 02:05.010 --> 02:06.954 that the families are aware of the 02:06.954 --> 02:09.066 things that are out there , um , that 02:09.066 --> 02:11.121 they can come and participate in . I 02:11.121 --> 02:10.360 think we're going to talk about some of 02:10.360 --> 02:12.789 those things later . Um , but also just 02:12.789 --> 02:14.678 to know that , uh , that they can 02:14.678 --> 02:16.845 always reach out for support because , 02:16.845 --> 02:19.011 um , they may not have all the answers 02:19.011 --> 02:21.233 and , uh , but we don't know if they're 02:21.233 --> 02:23.345 struggling unless they communicate to 02:23.345 --> 02:25.622 us . So the big thing is communication . 02:25.622 --> 02:27.733 Definitely . I think communication is 02:27.733 --> 02:30.067 something that's really hard for people , 02:30.067 --> 02:32.233 but it's so vital in every situation . 02:32.233 --> 02:34.178 We can't help you if to help you . 02:35.729 --> 02:38.000 Exactly , Gabby . Yeah , it , it , um , 02:38.169 --> 02:40.449 and it is , you're right . It's hard 02:40.449 --> 02:42.505 sometimes , especially New England , 02:42.505 --> 02:45.429 New Englanders have a reputation for 02:45.889 --> 02:48.529 being self-sustaining , doing , doing 02:48.529 --> 02:50.196 it themselves , they're doing 02:50.196 --> 02:52.307 everything themselves . Uh , but when 02:52.307 --> 02:54.307 you have a situation where you have 02:54.307 --> 02:56.307 soldiers or airmen and part of your 02:56.307 --> 02:58.529 family is gone , uh , everybody needs a 02:58.529 --> 03:00.640 little helping hand . And so you have 03:00.640 --> 03:02.640 to reach out for that help . On the 03:02.640 --> 03:04.473 same topic , how can spouses and 03:04.473 --> 03:06.751 families help out their soldier ? Yeah , 03:06.751 --> 03:08.973 I think once again , you know , we're , 03:08.973 --> 03:11.140 I think communication is going to come 03:11.140 --> 03:13.307 up a lot in uh in this podcast because 03:13.307 --> 03:15.307 it is so vitally important . Uh , I 03:15.307 --> 03:17.251 know communicating with each other 03:17.251 --> 03:19.029 about , you know , how long the 03:19.029 --> 03:20.973 deployment's going to be , what to 03:20.973 --> 03:23.140 expect , you know , certainly for some 03:23.140 --> 03:25.196 of our soldiers and airmen for their 03:25.196 --> 03:27.196 first time . They don't really know 03:27.196 --> 03:29.140 what to expect . So , some of that 03:29.140 --> 03:31.362 communication within the unit , so that 03:31.362 --> 03:33.196 the soldier and the airman is is 03:33.196 --> 03:35.418 talking to their leadership , uh , some 03:35.418 --> 03:35.179 of their senior non-commissioned 03:35.179 --> 03:37.457 officers who've done this once , twice , 03:37.457 --> 03:40.259 3 times before , even more . Um , so 03:40.259 --> 03:42.370 they know how to anticipate what some 03:42.370 --> 03:44.537 of the challenges are . And then we do 03:44.537 --> 03:47.220 a really good job of , um , making sure 03:47.220 --> 03:49.442 that soldiers and airmen are prepared . 03:49.869 --> 03:51.536 Uh , for what they need to do 03:51.536 --> 03:53.702 administratively before they leave , a 03:53.702 --> 03:55.536 la , you know , making sure that 03:55.536 --> 03:57.710 everything is set up for getting bills 03:57.710 --> 04:00.270 paid and just to try to , to make the 04:00.270 --> 04:02.360 family life as smooth as possible in 04:02.360 --> 04:04.300 their absence . Uh , and a lot of 04:04.300 --> 04:06.633 different families have different roles , 04:06.633 --> 04:08.744 but just making sure that with , um , 04:08.744 --> 04:11.149 with one person gone , what is going to 04:11.149 --> 04:13.260 be those gaps that they need to cover 04:13.260 --> 04:16.450 while they're gone , day to day basis . 04:16.950 --> 04:19.730 Here's how it's going to go . And then 04:19.730 --> 04:21.880 getting back into a routine with 04:21.929 --> 04:24.739 reintegration as soon as their family 04:24.739 --> 04:26.739 member is back , like Yellow Ribbon 04:26.739 --> 04:28.739 does a really good job at trying to 04:28.739 --> 04:30.906 help the soldiers out before and after 04:30.906 --> 04:33.072 and even mid deployment . Absolutely . 04:33.072 --> 04:35.017 And and that reintegration piece , 04:35.017 --> 04:36.906 Gabby , is it can be hard because 04:37.019 --> 04:39.075 particularly our Army guard soldiers 04:39.075 --> 04:41.241 deploy longer than the Air guard , but 04:41.241 --> 04:43.130 really the , the amount of time , 04:43.130 --> 04:45.820 whether it's 3 months , 6 months or a 04:45.820 --> 04:49.339 year . Uh , families get into a , 04:49.369 --> 04:51.660 um , rhythm of doing things without 04:51.660 --> 04:54.019 that , uh , soldier or airman home . 04:54.279 --> 04:56.279 And so that can be a challenge 04:56.279 --> 04:58.446 sometimes because , uh , for example , 04:58.720 --> 05:00.831 when I was deployed , my wife kind of 05:00.831 --> 05:02.887 had the house running . Without me . 05:02.887 --> 05:04.942 And so we want to come back and lend 05:04.942 --> 05:06.887 that helping hand . And we kind of 05:06.887 --> 05:08.942 upset the apple cart a bit . They're 05:08.942 --> 05:10.942 very happy we're home , but it does 05:10.942 --> 05:13.164 take a little bit of um getting used to 05:13.164 --> 05:15.387 being back home for both the family and 05:15.387 --> 05:17.859 the soldier and the airman . So moving 05:17.859 --> 05:20.529 on to more family programs , events . 05:20.619 --> 05:22.841 What are some events that you'd like to 05:22.841 --> 05:25.008 see more of in the future ? Yeah , you 05:25.008 --> 05:27.063 know , our family programs do such a 05:27.063 --> 05:29.175 great job of offering , um , offering 05:29.175 --> 05:31.230 up different events for our families 05:31.230 --> 05:33.286 and , um , and , you know , military 05:33.286 --> 05:35.341 families are special because Their , 05:35.341 --> 05:37.230 their soldier or airmen are doing 05:37.230 --> 05:39.570 something special . But things like the 05:39.570 --> 05:41.730 apple picking , uh , and the other 05:41.730 --> 05:43.730 outdoor activities , uh , blueberry 05:43.730 --> 05:46.059 picking at our various Vermont farms 05:46.059 --> 05:48.226 that they're able to visit , those are 05:48.226 --> 05:50.281 wonderful . I think the lake monster 05:50.281 --> 05:52.337 baseball games are really fun , uh , 05:52.337 --> 05:54.281 you can go out and , uh , the lake 05:54.281 --> 05:56.448 monsters do such a great job with some 05:56.448 --> 05:58.670 of their marketing and , and , uh , the 05:58.670 --> 06:00.781 champ , um , the champ mascot there . 06:00.809 --> 06:02.809 Uh , and then they're just before , 06:02.809 --> 06:05.290 before game and during game events that 06:05.290 --> 06:07.401 just make it fun for the whole family 06:07.401 --> 06:09.346 to do . And , you know , Vermont , 06:09.346 --> 06:11.401 we're in a , in a small state , uh , 06:11.401 --> 06:13.568 with not a big population center , but 06:13.568 --> 06:15.679 our , our Lake Monsters baseball team 06:15.679 --> 06:17.846 does such a great job of welcoming all 06:17.846 --> 06:20.179 Vermonters there , but particularly the , 06:20.179 --> 06:20.089 the military family night . So those 06:20.089 --> 06:22.256 are all great events . One thing I was 06:22.256 --> 06:24.478 thinking about when I knew that you and 06:24.478 --> 06:26.533 I were going to be chatting , is the 06:26.533 --> 06:28.089 Vermont Green soccer , uh , 06:28.089 --> 06:27.850 professional soccer . The soccer team 06:27.850 --> 06:30.970 has begun such a big force here in 06:30.970 --> 06:33.192 Vermont . Uh , they've done very well . 06:33.192 --> 06:35.940 I believe they won their semi-pro , um , 06:36.000 --> 06:39.089 league last year . And so if we get can 06:39.089 --> 06:41.145 get our family programs , and that's 06:41.145 --> 06:43.311 something that I will certainly try to 06:43.311 --> 06:45.533 help out with , get in with the Vermont 06:45.533 --> 06:47.533 Green , our our professional soccer 06:47.533 --> 06:49.700 team . Um , and soccer , as you know , 06:49.700 --> 06:52.033 is such a popular sport here in Vermont . 06:52.033 --> 06:51.559 That'd be something else I'd be 06:51.559 --> 06:53.670 interested in . I think that would be 06:53.670 --> 06:56.130 really awesome . It's a different way 06:56.130 --> 06:58.730 to get kids outdoors into activities 06:58.730 --> 07:01.309 like soccer , even baseball too . Like , 07:01.730 --> 07:03.970 I think athletic athletics is such an 07:03.970 --> 07:06.809 important part of life as an athlete 07:06.809 --> 07:08.809 myself . I think it's a really good 07:08.809 --> 07:10.920 opportunity to get kids interested in 07:10.920 --> 07:12.753 like a hobby . I think that'd be 07:12.753 --> 07:14.976 awesome . No , and you bring up a great 07:14.976 --> 07:17.142 point because being busy , obviously a 07:17.142 --> 07:19.087 lot of the kids that are at home , 07:19.087 --> 07:21.031 they're going to have school , but 07:21.031 --> 07:23.142 sometimes deployments happen over the 07:23.142 --> 07:25.142 summer . But keeping busy is really 07:25.142 --> 07:24.940 important because it helps make the 07:24.940 --> 07:27.630 time go by . So when you're looking 07:27.630 --> 07:29.852 forward to your loved one coming home , 07:29.970 --> 07:32.500 uh , being busy really helps all of us 07:32.500 --> 07:34.829 for sure . Definitely . I think when my 07:34.829 --> 07:37.149 stepfather was deployed , I had a 07:37.149 --> 07:39.371 softball and like camping stuff I could 07:39.371 --> 07:41.316 do . And that really helped me not 07:41.316 --> 07:43.538 focus on like , OK , he's been gone for 07:43.538 --> 07:45.705 so long . It's , it was more of , OK , 07:45.705 --> 07:47.871 I have this many things to do and like 07:47.871 --> 07:49.929 he'll be back soon . Like , Softball 07:49.929 --> 07:52.151 season ends and then he'll be back like 07:52.151 --> 07:54.207 a month after , like school starts , 07:54.207 --> 07:56.151 and then he'll be back soon , like 07:56.151 --> 07:58.262 having that timeline of , OK , I have 07:58.262 --> 08:00.318 this thing to do , and then he'll be 08:00.318 --> 08:02.262 back instead of I have nothing but 08:02.262 --> 08:04.262 thinking about when he'll be back . 08:04.262 --> 08:06.318 Yeah , I think the way you put it is 08:06.318 --> 08:08.373 really great is having these kind of 08:08.373 --> 08:11.089 benchmarks or um time objectives as 08:11.089 --> 08:13.256 opposed to counting each and every day 08:13.256 --> 08:15.478 and looking at the calendar every day , 08:15.478 --> 08:17.533 making through those those series of 08:17.533 --> 08:19.645 events . I think that's a really good 08:19.645 --> 08:21.867 way to do it . For these events , if we 08:21.867 --> 08:23.922 want to do new ones or like even the 08:23.922 --> 08:26.145 ones we already have planned , like the 08:26.145 --> 08:28.256 Thunder Road in June . How can we get 08:28.256 --> 08:30.367 that information out to families more 08:30.367 --> 08:32.589 effectively ? That's a great question . 08:32.589 --> 08:34.756 I think our family readiness is really 08:34.756 --> 08:36.478 good at thinking about new and 08:36.478 --> 08:38.700 innovative ways to communicate with our 08:38.700 --> 08:40.922 families . So you have to run the whole 08:40.922 --> 08:42.978 gambit , in my view , you know , the 08:42.978 --> 08:45.089 good old , for older people like me , 08:45.089 --> 08:46.922 the good old snail mail , I love 08:46.922 --> 08:48.922 looking at the the family readiness 08:48.922 --> 08:51.256 newsletters , and they , that's one way , 08:51.256 --> 08:53.367 um , because you'll have the calendar 08:53.367 --> 08:55.311 of events there . Obviously social 08:55.311 --> 08:57.422 media is going to be important , uh , 08:57.422 --> 08:59.145 because so much of , uh , your 08:59.145 --> 09:01.256 generation and my generation now . On 09:01.256 --> 09:03.367 our devices . So that's a good way to 09:03.367 --> 09:05.311 get information out . And then the 09:05.311 --> 09:07.311 emails , you know , I think we do a 09:07.311 --> 09:09.367 good job of collecting with families 09:09.367 --> 09:10.978 that want to to provide that 09:10.978 --> 09:10.969 information , their , their cell phones 09:10.969 --> 09:12.858 and emails . So there's all those 09:12.858 --> 09:15.080 different ways of communicating , but I 09:15.080 --> 09:17.136 think we just have to run the gambit 09:17.136 --> 09:19.302 because some people are kind of dialed 09:19.302 --> 09:21.469 into technology , and others less so . 09:21.469 --> 09:23.636 I think also making sure that the unit 09:23.636 --> 09:26.049 leaders have that information ready and 09:26.049 --> 09:28.160 available and like have the details . 09:28.160 --> 09:30.160 That's so important because they're 09:30.160 --> 09:32.382 able to push it out to their people and 09:32.382 --> 09:34.327 word of mouth is really powerful . 09:34.327 --> 09:36.382 Gabby , that , I mean , I can't wait 09:36.382 --> 09:38.382 until you're , we get you signed up 09:38.382 --> 09:40.327 because you're going to be a great 09:40.327 --> 09:39.809 leader in the guard should you choose 09:39.809 --> 09:42.087 to serve . But you're absolutely right , 09:42.087 --> 09:44.253 because that unit fabric , that is the 09:44.253 --> 09:45.753 folks that they're already 09:45.753 --> 09:47.642 communicating to the other family 09:47.642 --> 09:49.698 members of that particular unit . So 09:49.698 --> 09:51.753 that's brilliant and that's probably 09:51.753 --> 09:53.920 the best way to communicate . Speaking 09:53.920 --> 09:56.087 of leadership , in your opinion , what 09:56.087 --> 09:58.253 makes a good leader ? You know , there 09:58.253 --> 10:00.253 are so many aspects of being a good 10:00.253 --> 10:02.365 leader , that the probably one of the 10:02.365 --> 10:04.476 biggest things is having a caring , a 10:04.476 --> 10:06.531 caring leader , um . Most all of our 10:06.531 --> 10:08.698 leaders , whether they're a senior NCO 10:08.698 --> 10:10.630 or an officer , uh , or a senior 10:10.630 --> 10:13.219 officer , they've Like I said earlier , 10:13.299 --> 10:15.466 I've deployed , I've I've gone through 10:15.466 --> 10:17.577 that family separation . So , knowing 10:17.577 --> 10:20.200 what a soldier or airmen are going 10:20.200 --> 10:22.144 through , having experienced it is 10:22.144 --> 10:24.200 really important . And then I talk a 10:24.200 --> 10:26.367 lot about being a servant leader , you 10:26.367 --> 10:28.422 know , for me , my job is to support 10:28.422 --> 10:30.367 the soldiers and the airmen of the 10:30.367 --> 10:32.700 Vermont National Guard in any way I can . 10:32.700 --> 10:34.922 Um , and the biggest The way to do that 10:34.922 --> 10:37.144 is give them the time and the resources 10:37.144 --> 10:39.256 they need to do their jobs . And then 10:39.256 --> 10:41.830 also highlight the work-life balance , 10:41.900 --> 10:44.880 you know , life is busy and complicated 10:44.880 --> 10:47.270 and stressful . Uh , so for us as 10:47.270 --> 10:49.326 leaders to try to make things simple 10:49.326 --> 10:51.437 for our soldiers and airmen . Uh , to 10:51.437 --> 10:53.820 not overcomplicate things , uh , and 10:53.820 --> 10:56.098 then really lead by example , you know , 10:56.098 --> 10:58.440 if we talk a lot about our core values , 10:58.530 --> 11:00.809 uh , and so the army and the air , we 11:00.809 --> 11:03.919 all have core values . Uh , the number 11:03.919 --> 11:06.030 one thing is integrity . Uh , I think 11:06.030 --> 11:08.252 for all , you have to start with that . 11:08.330 --> 11:10.608 Uh , and then service before self . Uh , 11:10.650 --> 11:12.817 all of our soldiers and our airmen and 11:12.817 --> 11:14.650 their families are serving too . 11:14.650 --> 11:17.049 They're serving a a a greater um 11:17.049 --> 11:19.216 calling , uh , and they've volunteered 11:19.216 --> 11:21.271 to do something to serve the greater 11:21.271 --> 11:23.729 good . So that service mindset , and 11:23.729 --> 11:25.840 then excellence in all we do . We try 11:25.840 --> 11:28.640 to do um our best job with every , with 11:28.640 --> 11:30.729 every , um , event we do , every 11:30.729 --> 11:33.450 mission , um , and , um , and we're 11:33.450 --> 11:35.561 always not going to be the best , but 11:35.561 --> 11:37.561 as long as we're giving in our 100% 11:37.561 --> 11:39.506 effort , that's the most important 11:39.506 --> 11:41.506 thing . With the family serving , I 11:41.506 --> 11:43.672 think that's why military kids Vermont 11:43.672 --> 11:45.728 and like the child and youth program 11:45.728 --> 11:47.783 and family programs as a whole is so 11:47.783 --> 11:49.728 important because the families are 11:49.728 --> 11:51.929 serving with their soldiers . Like , 11:52.229 --> 11:55.070 I'm a military kid myself . It's hard , 11:55.150 --> 11:57.919 like deployments are hard . Like I'm 11:57.919 --> 11:59.752 gonna be going to college and my 11:59.752 --> 12:01.697 stepdad's going to be deployed and 12:01.697 --> 12:03.863 that's going to be difficult . So it's 12:03.863 --> 12:05.975 important to get those kids and those 12:05.975 --> 12:08.086 families into programs where they are 12:08.086 --> 12:10.197 with other military kids , especially 12:10.197 --> 12:12.475 in Vermont , where we're so spread out , 12:12.475 --> 12:14.697 getting that community that like family 12:15.099 --> 12:18.580 is vital for support and 12:18.580 --> 12:20.747 for understanding . Yeah , and Gabby , 12:20.747 --> 12:22.913 the way you're talking about that is , 12:22.913 --> 12:25.247 is really profound because it is , it's , 12:25.247 --> 12:27.247 it's other folks that can relate to 12:27.247 --> 12:29.413 what they're going through . And , and 12:29.413 --> 12:31.413 that can be so helpful because Uh , 12:31.413 --> 12:33.524 whether they're a child of a military 12:33.524 --> 12:35.413 member is in high school , middle 12:35.413 --> 12:37.524 school , or in college , um , you may 12:37.524 --> 12:39.358 have great friends , but if they 12:39.358 --> 12:41.524 haven't , uh , they , if they're not a 12:41.524 --> 12:41.270 military family , they may just not be 12:41.270 --> 12:43.381 able to relate the same way as , as a 12:43.381 --> 12:45.437 family of a military member . Yeah . 12:45.437 --> 12:47.437 It's very interesting talking to my 12:47.437 --> 12:49.326 friends , whether they're down in 12:49.326 --> 12:51.492 Maryland . I have friends who are Navy 12:51.492 --> 12:53.869 kids , like Coast Guard kids , marine 12:53.869 --> 12:56.469 kids , all of that . And I have friends 12:56.469 --> 12:58.691 who just don't know anything about it . 12:58.691 --> 13:00.525 In our dynamic talking about the 13:00.525 --> 13:04.260 military just . It's completely new to 13:04.260 --> 13:07.700 some people . It's eye opening when I 13:07.700 --> 13:09.700 have those conversations with those 13:09.700 --> 13:11.922 people . And it's like , wow , I didn't 13:11.922 --> 13:14.089 know that you guys did all that , like 13:14.089 --> 13:14.059 went through all that . Like I thought 13:14.059 --> 13:16.299 it was just one thing and it really 13:16.299 --> 13:18.609 isn't . Right . And I think , you know , 13:18.849 --> 13:20.905 having somebody like you that , um , 13:20.905 --> 13:22.905 you know , your stepdad has gone on 13:22.905 --> 13:25.182 deployments before , so you've kind of , 13:25.182 --> 13:27.460 you've lived through that , right ? Um , 13:27.460 --> 13:30.369 and having uh other military kids be 13:30.369 --> 13:32.770 able to share their experiences with 13:32.770 --> 13:36.159 maybe uh uh a peer that is this is 13:36.159 --> 13:38.326 there . and that probably will be very 13:38.326 --> 13:40.130 helpful . I think that's why I 13:40.130 --> 13:41.741 personally like the military 13:41.741 --> 13:43.519 appreciation game with the lake 13:43.519 --> 13:45.686 monsters the most because I get to see 13:45.686 --> 13:47.908 all these military kids . They're a lot 13:47.908 --> 13:50.074 of them are very young . I get to just 13:50.074 --> 13:52.297 kind of be the person I wish I had when 13:52.297 --> 13:54.408 I was their age . I think that's just 13:54.408 --> 13:56.408 something really special . I have a 13:56.408 --> 13:58.574 really Huge privilege of being able to 13:58.574 --> 14:00.741 do . Well , we're really lucky to have 14:00.741 --> 14:02.852 military family members like you that 14:02.852 --> 14:04.852 want to come into the guard and and 14:04.852 --> 14:06.574 help with some of those family 14:06.574 --> 14:08.686 readiness programs . That's awesome . 14:16.359 --> 14:18.409 What's the best lesson that you've 14:18.409 --> 14:21.320 learned in your time in the guard ? Wow , 14:21.440 --> 14:24.020 that's a really great question , and 14:24.359 --> 14:26.526 I've learned so many lessons , and I , 14:26.526 --> 14:28.637 I know it's gonna shock you , but I'm 14:28.637 --> 14:30.803 in my thirty-seventh year of service , 14:30.803 --> 14:33.026 and so I've been around for a while . I 14:33.026 --> 14:36.989 think The culture of the Vermont Army 14:36.989 --> 14:38.822 and Air National Guard , we have 14:38.822 --> 14:40.878 something special going on and , and 14:41.080 --> 14:43.489 ever since I joined right after college , 14:43.849 --> 14:46.330 uh , the amount of support that we give 14:46.330 --> 14:49.090 each other , uh , at that unit level , 14:49.169 --> 14:52.070 um , it is just something special about 14:52.369 --> 14:54.591 the women and men of the Green Mountain 14:54.591 --> 14:56.840 Boys and our history , but we treat 14:56.840 --> 14:59.070 each other with dignity and respect , 14:59.099 --> 15:02.419 uh . And that's what all you can ask , 15:02.450 --> 15:04.729 and you feel like you are entering 15:04.729 --> 15:06.951 another family . And I think that's the 15:06.951 --> 15:09.118 best thing that I've learned because I 15:09.118 --> 15:11.340 look back on my career , and the people 15:11.340 --> 15:13.673 I've served with , the enlisted members , 15:13.673 --> 15:15.785 the officers , the families I've been 15:15.785 --> 15:17.896 able to interact with . Things like , 15:17.896 --> 15:20.062 um , at the unit level , we would have 15:20.062 --> 15:22.489 a squadron , uh , Christmas party every 15:22.489 --> 15:25.739 year , a holiday party , and Um , being 15:25.739 --> 15:27.940 able to see not only the folks that 15:27.940 --> 15:29.940 you're serving with at the time and 15:29.940 --> 15:32.289 their family members , but , uh , folks 15:32.289 --> 15:34.345 that were former members of the unit 15:34.345 --> 15:36.122 continue to come to this , this 15:36.122 --> 15:38.178 Christmas party that we've had . And 15:38.178 --> 15:40.233 it's that kind of thing , uh , and I 15:40.233 --> 15:42.511 think of units like the 40th Army Band . 15:42.511 --> 15:44.678 Um , and you know , that's one thing , 15:44.678 --> 15:46.900 and I know , uh , our family programs , 15:46.900 --> 15:49.067 Family Readiness , they , uh , publish 15:49.067 --> 15:51.122 when our 40th Army band is out there 15:51.122 --> 15:53.345 and playing because music can be such a 15:53.345 --> 15:56.080 great unifier . And so I've now seen , 15:56.260 --> 15:57.871 uh , in , in my role here at 15:57.871 --> 15:59.760 headquarters and , and going to a 15:59.760 --> 16:02.179 number of events , that the smile on 16:02.179 --> 16:04.369 people's faces when they see the 40th 16:04.369 --> 16:06.619 Army band and hear them play and such 16:06.619 --> 16:10.130 talented . Um , uh , both soldiers , 16:10.169 --> 16:12.849 but talented musicians . Um , and for 16:12.849 --> 16:14.905 example , I went to some of the fair 16:14.905 --> 16:16.960 events , and that would be something 16:16.960 --> 16:19.016 else , you know , the , the military 16:19.016 --> 16:21.238 fair nights . I think we do some things 16:21.238 --> 16:23.460 like that . I think you'll find like at 16:23.570 --> 16:25.626 the occasion . There are , there's , 16:25.626 --> 16:27.903 there is a military appreciation night , 16:27.903 --> 16:30.014 uh , and days at the at the Champlain 16:30.014 --> 16:31.959 Valley Fair and other fairs in our 16:31.959 --> 16:33.848 region as well . But back to your 16:33.848 --> 16:36.014 question , I've just , I've learned so 16:36.014 --> 16:38.330 much about Um , myself , and it's 16:38.330 --> 16:40.552 brought my family together , you know , 16:40.552 --> 16:42.774 being part of the Vermont Guard , and I 16:42.774 --> 16:44.774 hope that's the same experience for 16:44.774 --> 16:44.530 everybody , but it's been a wonderful 16:44.530 --> 16:46.640 career and , um , and it's gone by 16:46.640 --> 16:48.473 really fast . But one of the big 16:48.473 --> 16:50.696 elements is just that family connection 16:50.696 --> 16:52.751 to our units . I think that's such a 16:52.751 --> 16:55.029 great answer . I definitely can relate . 16:55.029 --> 16:57.196 Like I think both my parents , like my 16:57.196 --> 16:59.418 mom , my stepdad are in the guard . And 16:59.418 --> 17:01.584 I think it's just such a fun thing for 17:01.584 --> 17:03.570 me to be able to be part of is the 17:03.570 --> 17:06.890 community here is . One that you can't 17:06.890 --> 17:08.612 have anywhere else . Like it's 17:08.612 --> 17:11.369 definitely a second family . Like I've 17:11.729 --> 17:13.951 uncles that I'm not actually related to 17:13.989 --> 17:16.156 an aunts that I'm not actually related 17:16.156 --> 17:18.378 to that I met through the guard or like 17:18.378 --> 17:20.322 my parents met through the guard . 17:20.322 --> 17:22.489 That's wonderful . That speaks volumes 17:22.489 --> 17:24.267 that you're , you , you look at 17:24.267 --> 17:26.489 somebody that is probably a colleague , 17:26.489 --> 17:28.656 a fellow soldier of your parents , and 17:28.656 --> 17:30.767 that's pretty amazing that you have , 17:30.767 --> 17:32.989 you know , both a mom and dad that that 17:32.989 --> 17:35.045 serve . Um , so thank you for that . 17:35.045 --> 17:37.045 Families truly do serve alongside . 17:37.045 --> 17:39.156 They go through the highs and lows of 17:39.156 --> 17:41.322 service with their family member , but 17:41.322 --> 17:43.433 it it is that connection and you do , 17:43.433 --> 17:45.489 you join a bigger family than your , 17:45.489 --> 17:47.600 your nuclear family once you join the 17:47.600 --> 17:49.711 military . It's , it's such a fun and 17:49.711 --> 17:52.030 unique experience . From the mountains 17:52.030 --> 17:55.050 of Vermont to missions around the world . 17:56.380 --> 17:58.770 This is the voice of your Green 17:58.770 --> 18:01.969 Mountain boys . The Green Mountain 18:01.969 --> 18:03.913 Guard podcast takes you behind the 18:03.913 --> 18:06.209 scenes of the Vermont National Guard . 18:07.170 --> 18:10.400 Real soldiers and airmen , real stories , 18:10.770 --> 18:13.680 real impact . Hear from leaders , 18:14.000 --> 18:16.880 athletes , warfighters , and the people 18:16.880 --> 18:19.102 who make it all happen . Whether you're 18:19.102 --> 18:21.599 in uniform , thinking about serving , 18:21.800 --> 18:23.744 or just wanna know what drives the 18:23.744 --> 18:25.760 Green Mountain Boys , this is your 18:25.760 --> 18:28.890 front row seat . The Green Mountain 18:28.890 --> 18:32.050 Guard podcast . Listen now wherever you 18:32.050 --> 18:35.989 get your podcasts . Any 18:35.989 --> 18:37.767 products , services , or brands 18:37.767 --> 18:39.767 mentioned are not affiliated with , 18:39.767 --> 18:41.656 endorsed by , or sponsored by the 18:41.656 --> 18:41.349 Vermont National Guard . All references 18:41.349 --> 18:43.460 are for informational purposes only . 18:44.709 --> 18:47.699 All right , so as tag , how do you plan 18:47.699 --> 18:50.469 on keeping and maintaining retention 18:50.469 --> 18:52.359 among soldiers ? Keeping and 18:52.359 --> 18:54.526 maintaining retention among soldiers , 18:54.526 --> 18:56.359 you're leading right into my top 18:56.359 --> 18:58.692 priorities , Gabby , so I appreciate it . 18:58.692 --> 19:00.748 No , it's something we're working on 19:00.748 --> 19:02.915 every day , every week , every month . 19:02.915 --> 19:04.915 And I think one of the big pieces , 19:04.915 --> 19:06.581 Gabby , is making sure , as I 19:06.581 --> 19:08.748 previously said , is that our soldiers 19:08.748 --> 19:10.692 and our airmen have the time to do 19:10.692 --> 19:12.748 their jobs that they signed up for , 19:12.748 --> 19:14.915 because sometimes other training comes 19:14.915 --> 19:17.137 in that's not directly aligned with the 19:17.137 --> 19:19.248 the job that they really signed up to 19:19.248 --> 19:21.137 do . But the other thing is , and 19:21.137 --> 19:23.303 something that we have talked a little 19:23.303 --> 19:25.526 bit about , uh , so far in this podcast 19:25.526 --> 19:27.692 is the work-life balance . Um , I like 19:27.692 --> 19:29.748 to talk about the three-legged stool 19:29.748 --> 19:31.637 that we all need to be aware of , 19:31.637 --> 19:33.739 whether you're in my position , a 19:33.739 --> 19:36.219 senior NCO , um , or our , our 19:36.219 --> 19:38.739 mid-grade leaders , is , you know , 19:39.260 --> 19:41.316 everybody that serves in the Vermont 19:41.316 --> 19:43.420 Guard , they have a some sort of 19:43.420 --> 19:45.531 outside life here . So their family , 19:45.531 --> 19:47.587 whatever their family composition or 19:47.587 --> 19:49.753 their significant others are , so that 19:49.753 --> 19:51.642 civilian life . They often have a 19:51.642 --> 19:53.698 civilian job outside the guard , and 19:53.698 --> 19:55.976 then they're a military member as well . 19:55.976 --> 19:58.520 And so we need to be cognizant that uh 19:59.109 --> 20:01.276 everybody needs time and space to make 20:01.276 --> 20:03.109 sure that they have that healthy 20:03.109 --> 20:05.331 work-life balance . So that's something 20:05.331 --> 20:07.387 we're working on because if we're in 20:07.387 --> 20:09.220 tune to that , we're going to be 20:09.220 --> 20:11.498 retaining our soldiers and airmen . Uh , 20:11.498 --> 20:13.609 better . And then also our units do a 20:13.609 --> 20:15.665 really good job with this , uh , and 20:15.665 --> 20:17.276 our retention managers , but 20:17.276 --> 20:19.165 communicating , as you and I have 20:19.165 --> 20:21.109 talked to , uh , uh , talked about 20:21.109 --> 20:23.109 during this podcast , communicating 20:23.109 --> 20:23.069 with our soldiers and airmen about 20:23.530 --> 20:25.689 their career goals and aspirations . 20:25.800 --> 20:27.744 And sometimes , uh , a soldier and 20:27.744 --> 20:29.856 airman needs to pivot . They may want 20:29.856 --> 20:32.329 to try a different specialty that will 20:32.329 --> 20:36.079 keep them , um , uh . Engaged and and 20:36.079 --> 20:39.400 really uh make their job uh something 20:39.400 --> 20:41.733 that is meaningful to them so that they , 20:41.733 --> 20:43.956 you know , some soldiers and airmen are 20:43.956 --> 20:46.067 happy being an infantryman or being a 20:46.067 --> 20:48.344 diesel mechanic for their whole career . 20:48.344 --> 20:50.456 Others want to try something a little 20:50.456 --> 20:50.000 different . So I think we need to be 20:50.000 --> 20:52.056 able to present those options . Um , 20:52.056 --> 20:55.270 but it is a constantly challenging 20:55.270 --> 20:58.680 environment for us to make sure that Uh , 20:58.849 --> 21:01.300 they want to be a , a participant in 21:01.300 --> 21:03.411 this great guard , and we need to ask 21:03.411 --> 21:05.467 them , you know , what ideas do they 21:05.467 --> 21:07.578 have ? They want to give their senior 21:07.578 --> 21:10.180 NCOs and their commanders about what 21:10.180 --> 21:12.180 are , what are good nuggets of , of 21:12.180 --> 21:14.236 retention . Uh , and so we do a good 21:14.236 --> 21:16.013 job about it . We're we're very 21:16.013 --> 21:18.069 deliberate about it . Um , but it it 21:18.069 --> 21:20.291 also often comes down to the unit level 21:20.291 --> 21:22.569 and that commander and that senior NCO . 21:22.569 --> 21:24.791 That's a really good answer . Now , I'm 21:24.791 --> 21:24.500 gonna ask you a question that I didn't 21:24.500 --> 21:28.050 really prepare you for , but Why should 21:28.050 --> 21:31.160 someone like my age join the Vermont 21:31.160 --> 21:33.239 National Guard ? There are so many 21:33.239 --> 21:35.239 opportunities . The one word answer 21:35.239 --> 21:37.461 would be opportunity , Gabby , and that 21:37.461 --> 21:39.517 opportunity to join something , uh , 21:39.517 --> 21:41.795 and a team that's bigger than yourself , 21:41.795 --> 21:43.880 uh , the opportunity to go to United 21:43.880 --> 21:46.047 States Army or United States Air Force 21:46.047 --> 21:48.680 training and get top-level training in 21:48.680 --> 21:51.800 things like cyber or medical , um , or 21:51.800 --> 21:55.035 aviation mechanics at any . Number of 21:55.035 --> 21:57.905 jobs , firefighters , um , go off , get 21:57.905 --> 22:00.145 that training , and then come back and 22:00.145 --> 22:02.201 be of service to your state and your 22:02.201 --> 22:04.201 nation . Uh , and then often things 22:04.201 --> 22:07.265 that our soldiers and airmen do , for 22:07.265 --> 22:09.321 let's take the example of of being a 22:09.321 --> 22:11.265 cyber professional , they can then 22:11.265 --> 22:13.625 parlay that out into a civilian career 22:13.625 --> 22:15.785 that can be on their resume , and it 22:15.785 --> 22:18.760 can help them . Um , go forward in life . 22:19.040 --> 22:21.096 And to say nothing of the , I didn't 22:21.096 --> 22:22.984 mention the benefits , you know , 22:22.984 --> 22:25.096 college is expensive . It sounds like 22:25.096 --> 22:27.207 you're going to be a college freshman 22:27.207 --> 22:29.540 next year , is that right ? And so , uh , 22:29.540 --> 22:31.484 being part of the military and our 22:31.484 --> 22:33.651 Vermont National Guard tuition benefit 22:33.651 --> 22:35.707 program . Can help somebody graduate 22:35.707 --> 22:37.429 with an associate's degree , a 22:37.429 --> 22:39.596 bachelor's or a master's , debt-free , 22:39.596 --> 22:41.929 and that's really hard to do these days , 22:41.929 --> 22:43.873 uh , and that can be a real stress 22:43.873 --> 22:45.984 reducer on folks . So there's so many 22:45.984 --> 22:47.984 different reasons to be part of the 22:47.984 --> 22:49.984 guard . I can't wait to link you up 22:49.984 --> 22:52.151 with a recruiter . I know you have two 22:52.151 --> 22:54.151 parents that already serve . Uh , I 22:54.151 --> 22:53.239 think you want to be a physical 22:53.239 --> 22:55.350 therapist , we have those in the Army 22:55.350 --> 22:57.350 guard , so , uh , we're going to be 22:57.350 --> 23:00.560 scheduling that meeting soon . yeah . 23:02.609 --> 23:05.650 OK , now for some fun questions . 23:06.699 --> 23:08.719 So , what is your favorite Ben and 23:08.719 --> 23:11.250 Jerry's ice cream flavor ? That's a 23:11.250 --> 23:13.417 really tough one . There are so many , 23:13.417 --> 23:15.417 as we know , Ben and Jerry's has so 23:15.417 --> 23:17.361 many , uh , likable treats , but I 23:17.361 --> 23:19.694 would have to go back to Fish food , uh , 23:19.694 --> 23:21.583 and I think I was telling you off 23:21.583 --> 23:23.306 camera earlier , I went to the 23:23.306 --> 23:25.361 University of Vermont , and the band 23:25.361 --> 23:27.361 Phish , they actually played one of 23:27.361 --> 23:29.306 their very first gigs in my garage 23:29.306 --> 23:30.972 apartment in the north end of 23:30.972 --> 23:33.194 Burlington , uh , and I'll tell you the 23:33.194 --> 23:36.089 date , it was a long time ago . 1984 , 23:36.339 --> 23:38.660 the fall of 1984 is when they started . 23:38.780 --> 23:41.002 So , but that's why I have a connection 23:41.002 --> 23:43.169 to fish food . That's pretty awesome . 23:43.169 --> 23:44.947 That's really cool . I think my 23:44.947 --> 23:46.947 favorite is the cookie Vermonster , 23:46.947 --> 23:49.002 just so much Vermont pride and I was 23:49.002 --> 23:51.589 like , cookie dough ice cream , Vermont , 23:52.099 --> 23:54.099 Ben and Jerry's . It's just perfect 23:54.099 --> 23:55.932 combination . That sounds like a 23:55.932 --> 23:58.210 wonderful combination . It's delicious . 23:58.210 --> 24:00.432 It's fantastic . Highly recommend it to 24:00.432 --> 24:02.043 everybody . Wonderful . OK . 24:04.640 --> 24:07.469 Sorry , I forgot what I was asking . Do 24:07.469 --> 24:09.580 you want to ask about that what other 24:09.580 --> 24:11.802 sports events ? Oh yes , yes , yes . So 24:11.802 --> 24:15.640 going back to Events for military 24:15.640 --> 24:18.079 kids or which you can find more 24:18.079 --> 24:19.857 information about on the family 24:19.857 --> 24:22.023 programs website and other events that 24:22.023 --> 24:23.579 we can do like the military 24:23.579 --> 24:25.801 appreciation baseball game . What other 24:25.801 --> 24:27.912 events like sporting events would you 24:27.912 --> 24:29.968 recommend that we look into ? Yeah , 24:29.968 --> 24:31.968 Gabby , there's some great ones out 24:31.968 --> 24:34.135 there . I've been to the University of 24:34.135 --> 24:34.040 Vermont hockey games , and they'll have 24:34.040 --> 24:36.151 a military appreciation night , which 24:36.151 --> 24:38.151 is really neat . They're often will 24:38.151 --> 24:40.780 wear Um , special jerseys that are 24:40.780 --> 24:43.060 military uniform centric , so those are 24:43.060 --> 24:45.282 great opportunities , and all of , uh , 24:45.282 --> 24:47.449 a lot of our colleges and universities 24:47.449 --> 24:49.727 in the state do that . So Saint Mike's , 24:49.727 --> 24:51.893 Champlain , Vermont State University , 24:51.893 --> 24:53.949 so be on the lookout for those , and 24:53.949 --> 24:55.893 you are very good at telling . Our 24:55.893 --> 24:58.116 audience about how to get in touch with 24:58.116 --> 24:59.893 our family readiness and family 24:59.893 --> 25:01.893 programs . So , look on the Vermont 25:01.893 --> 25:03.782 Family Programs website , Vermont 25:03.782 --> 25:05.838 National Guard family programs , you 25:05.838 --> 25:08.004 can Google it and it will bring you to 25:08.004 --> 25:07.395 the information you're going to need to 25:07.395 --> 25:09.339 find out to get to all these great 25:09.339 --> 25:12.099 events . Yeah . What's your favorite 25:12.099 --> 25:14.540 sports team ? My favorite sports team , 25:14.619 --> 25:16.619 this isn't going to be very popular 25:16.619 --> 25:18.675 here in Vermont , Gabby . So I don't 25:18.675 --> 25:20.563 know how long I'll be the adjunct 25:20.563 --> 25:22.730 general , but the New York Yankees . I 25:22.730 --> 25:24.952 grew up outside of New York , so I know 25:24.952 --> 25:27.063 this is Red Sox Nation up here . So I 25:27.063 --> 25:28.952 have to put that out there . Just 25:28.952 --> 25:31.175 starting to like you too . I know , I'm 25:31.175 --> 25:33.819 sorry . We , it's too bad . But we'll 25:33.819 --> 25:36.041 see , you know , it's it's early in the 25:36.041 --> 25:38.152 baseball season . I think the Yankees 25:38.152 --> 25:40.152 are doing well . I know the Red Sox 25:40.152 --> 25:42.041 have started off with uh , with a 25:42.041 --> 25:41.739 couple of wins . So , you know , 25:41.859 --> 25:43.970 there's room for all kinds of fans of 25:43.970 --> 25:46.137 the Vermont Guard . I hope we beat you 25:46.137 --> 25:48.192 guys , but that's fair . Good luck . 25:48.192 --> 25:50.415 That's fair . Thank you . You too . All 25:50.415 --> 25:52.248 right , so if you could have any 25:52.248 --> 25:54.303 superpower , what would you have and 25:54.303 --> 25:56.470 why ? Wow , any superpower , this is , 25:56.470 --> 25:59.010 uh , this is thought provoking . I 25:59.010 --> 26:02.369 would say the superpower for um 26:02.650 --> 26:05.089 eternal life and because I like living . 26:05.170 --> 26:07.689 And so , uh , maybe , uh , you know , 26:07.810 --> 26:09.921 some sort of ghost type superpower so 26:09.921 --> 26:12.689 my spirit can live on forever and I can 26:12.689 --> 26:15.199 continue helping people into eternity . 26:15.329 --> 26:17.551 We have very different thoughts on that 26:17.551 --> 26:19.773 one because I was like , I can haunt my 26:19.773 --> 26:21.940 siblings forever . So what your , your 26:21.940 --> 26:25.170 superpower would be . That's really 26:25.170 --> 26:27.281 interesting . I think as an athlete , 26:27.281 --> 26:29.170 I'd love to have like super speed 26:29.170 --> 26:31.226 because home runs every time I hit , 26:31.226 --> 26:33.448 you go , um , like just lay down a bunt 26:33.448 --> 26:35.819 and get home in no time . But if I was 26:35.819 --> 26:38.699 like outside of athletics , probably 26:38.699 --> 26:41.140 like telekinesis , like being able to 26:41.140 --> 26:43.473 move things in my mind , that'd be cool . 26:43.500 --> 26:45.556 All right , you thought about this . 26:45.556 --> 26:47.667 This is this is neat . All right . So 26:47.667 --> 26:49.778 many away game conversations where we 26:49.778 --> 26:52.170 have this question . Good stuff . I 26:52.170 --> 26:54.448 look forward to hearing more . Oh yeah , 26:54.448 --> 26:57.729 definitely . Alright , be honest . What 26:57.729 --> 27:00.062 are your thoughts on pineapple on pizza ? 27:00.062 --> 27:02.589 Pineapple pizza . I like Hawaiian pizza . 27:02.709 --> 27:05.750 I like . OK , thank you . We got over 27:05.750 --> 27:08.069 the baseball . No , Hawaiian is one of 27:08.069 --> 27:10.291 my favorite ones , and then you can add 27:10.291 --> 27:12.347 even a little bacon in there . Bacon 27:12.347 --> 27:14.513 makes everything better . I think it's 27:14.513 --> 27:16.625 overheated . Like I think people just 27:16.625 --> 27:18.569 don't accept that it can be a good 27:18.569 --> 27:20.569 thing . It's a good thing . It is a 27:20.569 --> 27:20.229 good thing . I think we can agree on 27:20.229 --> 27:22.507 that . Let's shake on that . Very good . 27:22.829 --> 27:25.709 I think it's just you get the sweet and 27:25.709 --> 27:28.589 the savory and like ham and bacon and 27:28.589 --> 27:30.689 just . It's such a good thing that 27:30.689 --> 27:32.911 people just , they hate it to hate it . 27:32.911 --> 27:35.189 They need to give it another try . Yes , 27:35.189 --> 27:38.790 I'm all for second chances . OK , last 27:38.790 --> 27:40.790 question . What's the coolest thing 27:40.790 --> 27:42.901 you've checked off your bucket list ? 27:42.901 --> 27:45.012 The coolest thing I've checked off my 27:45.012 --> 27:47.346 bucket list is probably flying the F-16 , 27:47.346 --> 27:49.420 which I did for the military for a 27:49.420 --> 27:51.531 number of years . So it was a goal of 27:51.531 --> 27:53.949 mine , a dream of mine , and um through 27:53.949 --> 27:55.727 a lot of help and a lot of good 27:55.727 --> 27:58.060 mentorship and leadership along the way , 27:58.060 --> 28:00.171 I was able to do that . So still have 28:00.171 --> 28:02.282 very fond memories of being a fighter 28:02.282 --> 28:04.449 pilot . I think that's really cool . I 28:04.449 --> 28:06.505 think that's something that a lot of 28:06.505 --> 28:08.671 people would envy . Willing to sit and 28:08.671 --> 28:10.859 hear you talk about for hours . Well , 28:10.979 --> 28:13.257 I , I'm , I'm willing to do that . And , 28:13.257 --> 28:15.368 uh , and you know , there's a Gabby , 28:15.368 --> 28:17.590 do you ever know how , how to know when 28:17.590 --> 28:19.701 there's a fighter pilot in the room ? 28:19.939 --> 28:23.689 They'll tell you . That's that's good . 28:23.910 --> 28:26.030 Alright . Well , thank you for this 28:26.030 --> 28:28.141 time today . It's been very enjoyable 28:28.141 --> 28:30.197 and I can't wait to link you up with 28:30.197 --> 28:32.419 one of our recruiters . You said you're 28:32.419 --> 28:34.474 how old now ? OK , you can join up . 28:35.130 --> 28:37.130 Believe me , I've been told several 28:37.130 --> 28:39.241 times by previous adjutant generals . 28:39.241 --> 28:41.408 OK , well , we're , I'm going to close 28:41.408 --> 28:43.574 the deal on this one . and I just want 28:43.574 --> 28:45.630 to thank our wonderful civilians and 28:45.630 --> 28:47.463 military folks , Title 5 federal 28:47.463 --> 28:49.519 civilians , everybody in the Vermont 28:49.519 --> 28:51.463 National Guard that works with our 28:51.463 --> 28:53.574 family . and family programs . You do 28:53.574 --> 28:55.630 amazing work and I'm here to support 28:55.630 --> 28:55.474 you and thank you for what you do . I 28:55.474 --> 28:57.696 want to thank my mom because she helped 28:57.696 --> 29:00.354 me be able to do this and germ , who's 29:00.354 --> 29:02.755 an amazing media person . And I guess 29:02.755 --> 29:04.699 like everyone else who's out there 29:04.699 --> 29:06.755 serving whatnot . He already covered 29:06.755 --> 29:08.755 that . And thanks to our members as 29:08.755 --> 29:10.977 well . I appreciate that you raise your 29:10.977 --> 29:12.922 right hand to swear an oath to the 29:12.922 --> 29:15.033 Constitution of the United States and 29:15.033 --> 29:14.949 the Constitution of Vermont . What you 29:14.949 --> 29:17.140 do is incredibly powerful and helpful 29:17.140 --> 29:19.510 and uh and the citizens of Vermont , 29:19.589 --> 29:21.811 thank you , and I thank you . Thank you 29:21.811 --> 29:23.756 for joining me on Kitchen Spos and 29:23.756 --> 29:25.700 Combat Boots . See you next time . 29:44.319 --> 29:46.208 For more information or support , 29:46.208 --> 29:47.986 please reach out to the Vermont 29:47.986 --> 29:49.819 Military Family Support Center's 29:49.819 --> 29:53.439 toll-free number , 888-607-8773 . 29:57.930 --> 29:59.652 The preceding content does not 29:59.652 --> 30:01.319 constitute endorsement by the 30:01.319 --> 30:03.263 Department of the US Army , US Air 30:03.263 --> 30:05.263 Force , Vermont National Guard , or 30:05.263 --> 30:07.486 Vermont Military Family Programs of the 30:07.486 --> 30:09.541 organization's products and services 30:09.541 --> 30:11.430 contained therein . Further , the 30:11.430 --> 30:13.263 Vermont Military Family Programs 30:13.263 --> 30:15.263 assumes no responsibility for the . 30:15.263 --> 30:17.430 Consequences of using the products and 30:17.430 --> 30:19.597 services provided by the organizations 30:19.597 --> 30:21.763 or resources listed . Vermont Military 30:21.763 --> 30:23.874 Family Programs makes every effort to 30:23.874 --> 30:23.630 present our clients with reputable 30:23.630 --> 30:25.750 resources . We cannot guarantee the 30:25.750 --> 30:28.079 validity of said resources and the use 30:28.079 --> 30:30.030 of such resources is voluntary .