Episodes
Published 03/23/24
What's up to all the NorCal Bad Boys out here for this episode with the man, the myth, the legend, TSgt Mark "Funky" Bunkley.  In this conversation, Mark Bunkley discusses his transition from being an operator to a special operations recruiter. He highlights the challenges and misconceptions of recruiting for special warfare and emphasizes the importance of educating the public about the benefits and skills gained in these career fields. Mark shares his strategies for selling special warfare...
Published 03/23/24
Welcome back to the team room! We have some exciting news. Our team member, Connor Matthews, is fighting in the UFC on March 30th. Ones Ready is proud to be one of his sponsors for this incredible journey! In this episode, Connor shares his journey to the UFC and the challenges he has faced along the way. He highlights the importance of maintaining focus, making sacrifices and the mindset needed to overcome setbacks. Connor also discusses his role as a T3I developer and how he imparts...
Published 03/23/24
In this inspiring conversation, Col "Vice" Fallon talks about his journey in the Air Force and the importance of staying connected with one's tactical roots. He emphasizes the exciting adventure and endless opportunities that come with serving in the Air Force and living overseas. The conversation also covers the harsh realities of combat and highlights the importance of teamwork and staying in a flow state during high-stress situations.  Col Fallon stresses the significance of training and...
Published 03/16/24
You could say that Ones Ready *REALLY* puts the FUN in FUNctional manager, you know what I'm saying!!!! We have fun here.  Combat Control Trainees- listen up, this one is for you. Combat Controller, Chief Master Sergeant Geoff Ikert has a 20 year career full of accolades. Chief Ikert sat down with Aaron and Peaches to talk about every single update you need for the pipeline.  Thanks to Chief Ikert for providing the ground truth on what's happening in the world of Combat Control, both...
Published 03/13/24
This week, buckle up as Aaron and Trent duke it out over the last remaining brain cell they share. It's a showdown you won't want to miss! In this episode, Trent and Aaron dive into a wide range of military and personal topics. From debunking stereotypes about ciders and beers to waxing nostalgic about mixtapes and cassette recorders, they cover it all. They also get real about the impact of age on self-perception and the importance of focusing on the journey rather than the...
Published 03/09/24
Welcome to "The Ones Ready Podcast," your ultimate source of inspiration and guidance on the journey through the Air Force Special Warfare community. This week, join Aaron, Peaches, and Trent as they dive into crucial life skills essential for your success not just in the military, but specifically in the rigorous assessment and selection process of Air Force Special Warfare. We've observed a common trend among candidates, and in this episode, we unpack the importance of seemingly mundane...
Published 03/02/24
Welcome back to the team room! Today, we're excited to share an inspiring conversation between Peaches and MSgt Jared "Diesel" Harrison, a Remotely Piloted Aircraft Sensor Operator.  In this conversation, Jared shares his journey of joining the Air Force and the incredible career growth opportunities he has experienced as a sensor operator. His passion for his job is truly infectious as he highlights the critical thinking skills and trust required to be successful in his role.  Jared...
Published 02/28/24
When we called on the listeners to recommend a T3i developer for the podcast, one name came up immediately and often- Aaron May.  Aaron May is a legend in the Combat Control career field, and he's still giving back to AFSPECWAR as a T3i developer. His career spans more than 26 years in the Kentucky Air National Guard and Air Force, and his immense skill and knowledge is on full display in this podcast!  From intense missions to mentoring, Aaron discusses the power of storytelling and...
Published 02/24/24
Welcome back to the team room! This week is special because Trent and Peaches had the opportunity to sit down with former SOF TACP, Wes Bryant. In this conversation, Wes shares his journey from joining the Air Force, to operating at the highest levels of SOF, to transitioning out and finding a new way to serve. His book, "Hunting the Caliphate: America's War on ISIS and the Dawn of the Strike Cell" is live now on Amazon and Wes has been hitting on all cylinders.  Wes discusses his...
Published 02/21/24
This one ought to make some people feel some type of way! Welcome back to the Team Room- buckle up. Peaches and Trent lay out exactly how they'd fix the pipeline.  In this high-energy episode, these dynamic hosts share their vision for a streamlined, no-nonsense pipeline that sets crystal-clear standards for our future warriors. With their expertise and passion, they discuss how they would fix the pipeline if they were kings for a day! 🛠️💪 But that's not all! The Ones Ready Podcast shines a...
Published 02/17/24
Welcome back to the team room! Today we have a special guest, Ramiro "V-Speed" Villalobos, a former Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Airman. V-Speed has been on our show before to talk about his transition to civilian life financial preparation, how to find meaning, and lots more. Make sure you check out that episode as well, here on our channel!  Peaches and V-Speed explore the critical roles of the TACP Association, helping veterans transition successfully to civilian life, SEI ProDev...
Published 02/14/24
Delve into the world of elite United States Air Force Combat Controllers, unmatched in modern warfare. Join the electrifying Ones Ready podcast episode as Peaches interviews battle-hardened SNCO, Rylan Neely. They discuss Rylan’s journey, emphasizing purpose, evolving special warfare training, and vital traits like stress tolerance and focus. The discourse continues with insights into candidate qualities, teamwork, humility, and Peaches' media and special warfare involvement. He highlights...
Published 02/10/24
Welcome back to the Team Room with the whole squad! This week we have Air Force Special Operations Combat Systems Officer (CSO), Lt Col Chris Lott! In this conversation, Chris shares his journey in the Air Force, from his entry into the ROTC program to becoming a Combat Systems Officer, and his experiences in various different aircraft during his career. He discusses the challenges he faced and the decisions he made along the way. Chris also talks about the mission and role of the U-28s and...
Published 02/07/24
Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman #3 served 37 years in the United States Army and achieved things that are beyond description.  SEAC Troxell has a combat jump, achieved the pay grade of E-9 and the rank of SEAC, and has continued to lead hard with his nearly 4 decades of experience at all levels of the military.  In this conversation, he shares his experiences in combat during Operation Just Cause and Desert Storm, highlighting the need for aggressive decision-making and a focus on...
Published 02/03/24
In the Air Force Special Warfare pipeline and beyond, you will be wholly immersed in training every day you show up to work. So, how do we design training? What's the science behind how we train?  We brought on Dr. Preston Cline, founder of the Mission Critical Team Institute (MCTI), to discuss the importance of cultivating and developing instructors in the military. He highlights the challenges of transitioning from operator to instructor and emphasizes the need for humility, curiosity, and...
Published 01/31/24
Welcome back to the team room!!! This week, Aaron and Peaches talk about all sorts of things related to leadership. Not just in the military, but in the civilian world and life in general.  In this conversation, Peaches and Aaron discuss the overuse and misconceptions surrounding the term 'leadership.' They explore the different roles and levels of leadership within organizations and the importance of being a supportive number two. They also highlight the significance of expertise and...
Published 01/27/24
Welcome back to the Ones Ready Team Room! This week, Aaron and Peaches talk with TACP Legend Tim "Chachi" Pachasa. Chief Pachasa has a storied career and has focused on developing future leaders long after he decided to hang up the Active Duty uniform.  Chachi, a military veteran, shares his experiences and introduces the Pachasa 8 leadership philosophy, emphasizing the importance of understanding and caring for the human side of leadership. He discusses military leadership evolution, NCOs'...
Published 01/24/24
Welcome back to the Ones Ready team room! This is a conversation for the record books, as Chief Pietras and Jarred Taylor sit down and cover a lot of ground. Make sure you're following  @JtArticle15 everywhere you can find him on socials or in the real world!  All of JT's episodes spur conversation, and this one is no different. What was your favorite part of the podcast? Drop it in the comments!!! Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Hated Guest 00:47 Conspiracy Theory: Air Force Against...
Published 01/20/24
Welcome back to the Team Room! Make sure you catch the first part of this episode here on our YouTube channel or wherever you download your podcasts!  The intro says it all. Chief Peaches sits down with former TACP, current librarian and scholar, part-time historian, and full-time awesome dude Morgan Huston.  We hope you enjoy!  00:00 Jared steals the intro from himself  01:00 The Shift in the Pathfinder Mission 02:30 The Formation of Combat Control Teams 05:28 The Role of Combat...
Published 01/13/24
In this special episode marking the fifth anniversary of our podcast, the hosts gather for their first in-person recording to reminisce and look forward.  They delve into the early days of podcasting, sharing insights on how their production process has evolved. A key focus of the conversation is the crucial role of first sergeants in the Air Force, emphasizing the significance of non-combat roles in the military. The hosts discuss the imperative of being prepared for the unexpected and the...
Published 01/12/24
In this inspiring episode of the Ones Ready Podcast, we're honored to host a special guest, the Commander of Air Mobility Command (AMC). As he approaches the final stretch of his tenure, the Commander shares his insightful perspectives on leadership, innovation, and the future of AMC. We delve into the significant contributions and relentless efforts that AMC has made in advancing the capabilities of the Combat Air Forces, particularly through exercises like Mobility Guardian and the...
Published 01/11/24
In this engaging episode of the Ones Ready Podcast, we have the pleasure of chatting with Mrs. Ashley, known affectionately as the five-star commander of AMC. As a seasoned military spouse, Ashley shares her unique journey alongside her husband through his military career. The conversation begins with a lighthearted query about their early days and quickly delves into the realities of military life, exploring the challenges and joys of being part of a service family. Ashley reflects on the...
Published 01/10/24
Welcome back to Air Force Special Warfare's OFFICIAL (unofficial) podcast!  In this episode, retired TACP, history buff, and librarian discusses the importance of history in the military and shares some fascinating stories from the history of Air Force Special Warfare. He talks about the origins of combat control and the role of pathfinders in World War II. He also highlights the heroic efforts of para doctors in Burma and the covert operations of weather teams in Yugoslavia. Overall, Morgan...
Published 01/10/24
In this insightful episode, we sit down with Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne Bass, to discuss the evolution and future of the United States Air Force. As she nears the end of her tenure, CMSAF Bass reflects on her journey, the importance of family programs, and the Fortify the Force Initiative. She shares her pride in seeing Air Force leaders in top DOD positions and emphasizes the ongoing need for resilience and readiness within the force. Additionally, CMSAF Bass touches on...
Published 01/09/24