Sound Off: Leadership Lessons with the Airmen of Troy

S5E1: Pilot Trainee (1LT Giovanni Flores)

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 17:00:00 +0000

1LT Giovanni Flores, a Det 060 alumni, graduated USC with a degree in Astronautical Engineering and commissioned in 2021. He joined us to discuss some of his most profound experiences and favorite memories ranging from his time in ROTC through his first couple of years as a commissioned officer. 1LT Flores also shares what he has learned from his time in ROTC and some advice for cadets who are interested in a rated career field in the future.

S4E1: Security Forces Officer (Capt. Justin Asendorf)

Sun, 27 Feb 2022 16:24:19 +0000

Join us as we speak with Capt. Justin Asendorf about his experiences as a Det 60 Alumni and Security Forces Officer (3P0X1). You will not want to miss this episode as Capt. Asendorf gives us a sneak peak into a variety of topics from what it means to be Defenders of the Force, to maneuvering through family life within the military, to his experiences working in joint mission sets. We are so excited to hear his advice and invaluable insight.

S3E4: Enterprise Level Supply Chain Manager (Maj. Dean Kazi)

Fri, 19 Nov 2021 13:21:56 +0000

Join us as we speak with Maj. Dean Kazi about his life before joining the Air Force, his experiences with AFROTC, and his Air Force life as a supply chain manager. You will not want to miss this week's podcast as Maj. Dean Kazi gives great advice on how things operate in his field!

S3E3: Instructor Pilot (1LT Nathan Legaspi)

Mon, 08 Nov 2021 07:36:44 +0000

Join us as we interview 1LT Nathan Legaspi, a Det 060 alumni and now a T-6 Instructor Pilot in the U.S. Air Force. Cadets who are thinking of becoming pilots will not want to miss this episode of Sound Off, as 1LT Legaspi describes his experience becoming a pilot and gives valuable tips to how you can be successful in the Air Force when trying to become a pilot.

S3E2: Retired Captain Jesus Acuña-Perez (Captain AP)

Sat, 23 Oct 2021 00:01:08 +0000

Join us as we listen to the incredible journey that Captain AP embarked on since childhood. From being enlisted to completing OTS, Captain AP shares some important lessons that he has learned both through his career and throughout his life in general.

S3E1: 2018 Alumni (1LT Torrian Dibartolo)

Sat, 02 Oct 2021 01:29:52 +0000

Join us as we chat with 1st Lt. Torrian Dibartolo, an alumni from 2018. Tune in as 1st Lt. Dibartolo tells stories of when he was a cadet, and tips and advices that could be useful to current cadets.

S2E4: Group Commander and Installation Commander (Col. Becky Beers)

Sat, 01 May 2021 03:25:52 +0000

Join us as we speak with Col Becky Beers, the current Group Commander and Installation Commander at Los Angeles AFB. After graduating from USC in 1998, Col Beers commissioned as a Communications Officer. Since then, she has transitioned to becoming a Cyberspace Operations Officer and has worked at bases all across the country. In this episode of Sound Off, Col Beers discusses topics ranging from struggles she faced during her AFROTC years to characteristics of some of the greatest leaders she’s had the opportunity to work with.

S2E3: Intelligence Officer (Capt. Maddie Smith)

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 20:22:45 +0000

Join us as we interview Capt. Maddie Smith, a Det 060 alumna and now an Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Air Force. She graduated from USC in 2013 and is currently stationed at Ramstein Air Base. From learning how to balance ROTC as a college student to understanding your wingmen’s strengths and weaknesses, Capt. Smith reflects on her experiences and offers guidance to those seeking to become better leaders.

S2E2: CV-22 Pilot (Capt. Nick Zimmerman)

Fri, 26 Mar 2021 19:42:58 +0000

Capt. Nick Zimmerman, a CV-22 pilot in Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) who graduated from CSU Fullerton and was commissioned in 2013, joins in this episode of Sound Off. Capt Zimmerman brings insight into the Special Operations and the career fields within. He also highlights how “empowering people of all levels” is an eye-opening lesson in the active-duty Air Force.

S2E1: Aircraft Maintenance, and Civil Engineer (Capt. Daphne Caballero, Capt. Jeannette Ghent)

Sat, 20 Feb 2021 00:07:09 +0000

In this episode, we interview Capt. Jeannette Ghent, Civil Engineer at Andersen AFB, and Capt. Daphne Caballero, Director of Operations at Charleston AFB. They commissioned together in 2014. Captain Ghent graduated from Cal State LA and now serves as an Civil Engineering Officer while Captain Caballero graduated from Cal State Fullerton and is now an Aircraft Maintenance Officer. The two shine light on life in AFROTC and on active-duty by discussing topics such as finding motivation during low points and building relationships with noncommissioned officers.

S1E4: Missileer and Deputy Chief (Lt Col Michael Yamzon)

Sat, 23 Jan 2021 00:45:45 +0000

Tune in on another episode of Sound Off where Lt. Col. Michael Yamzon provides us with valuable advice for all Airmen. Commissioned in 2001, with over 19 years of experience in the Air Force, Lt. Col. Yamzon is currently a Missileer and Deputy Chief of the Nuclear Plans Branch at Offutt AFB, NE. He believes that mistakes are okay because they mean that you are learning to operate outside your comfort zone, and that it’s “attitude over aptitude” in any learning situation. From discussion of his mindset to describing how he balances personal and professional life, he urges Det. 060 to “test the boundaries” and become a humble leader who is respected just as much as their rank.

S1E3: C-17 Pilot (Capt. Jake Bandaruk)

Sun, 20 Dec 2020 03:49:55 +0000

Capt. Jake Bandaruk, a C-17 pilot who graduated from Biola University and commissioned in 2016, joins us in this episode of Sound Off. Capt. Bandaruk emphasizes the need to be active and involved as a cadet, and he advises future Airmen to communicate with others in difficult situations. He also gives us a little insight into some of his missions, one of which involves lavatories under the hot African sun! Capt. Bandaruk lives by the principle that you should “be that person that people want to be around” and treat others how you want to be treated - something we should all keep in mind.

S1E2: Engineer (2LT Alex Botello)

Sat, 21 Nov 2020 07:05:42 +0000

In this episode, we interview 2nd Lt. Alex Botello, an electrical engineer at Tinker AFB. 2nd Lt. Botello graduated from Cal Poly Pomona, and was commissioned in 2018 as a Det. 060 cadet. He relives hilarious moments with fellow Airmen, from a POC yelling at a GMC who cannot stop smiling, to a mechanic accidentally creating a bomb on the job. Having received the highest leadership award in the Air Force - the Lance P. Sijan Award - he stresses the importance of being straightforward, open-minded, and approachable in order to become a good leader. 2nd Lt. Botello says that respect must be earned through your own efforts, not your rank, and he serves as an excellent example of what cadets and wingmen should strive to be.

S1E1: Pilot (2LT Justin Thompson)

Sat, 07 Nov 2020 01:00:00 +0000

In the first episode of SOUND OFF, we speak with pilot trainee 2nd Lt. Justin Thompson who is a USC alumni who commissioned in 2019 and is currently stationed at Travis Air Force Base. He discusses his experience with Detachment 060 where he learned how to become a successful leader. 2nd Lt. Thompson reflects on the difference between ROTC and active duty, highlighting the importance of leading horizontally rather than vertically. He describes his life on the job in light of COVID-19, the inner workings of flying culture, and his responsibilities as a pilot trainee. 2nd Lt. Thompson clearly loves his job, staying motivated through such a high performance environment with other highly driven people.