Explore every episode of the podcast The Screaming Blackbird Podcast

Join Cadets Camden Allen and K’Nai Lindsey as they explore the pilot select journey of Cadets Bruce Davis III and Christen Johnson. Discover where their paths began, how they excelled in ROTC to earn this distinguished position, and what their future career aspirations look like as they prepare to enter active duty next year.

Join Cadets Camden Allen and K’Nai Lindsey as they sit down with Cadets Bernadette Scheeler and Emerson Siefken to share insights from their summer ODT experiences. Hear firsthand about the challenges they faced, the lessons they learned through special warfare training, and how these opportunities are shaping their ROTC journey and preparing them for future success in the Air Force.

Join Cadet Jaylin Sellman as she sits down with fellow Cadets Bruce Davis III, Kiara Minter, and Jason Stewart to reflect on the fall semester. Tune in to hear about the challenges they faced, what they enjoyed most, and what they’re looking forward to in the spring!

In this episode, Cadet Emerson Siefken sits down with Cadets Jaxon Willis and William McMahan to discuss the highly competitive ENJJPT fighter pilot program. They share their journeys from AFROTC through the rigorous selection process to being assigned this prestigious flight opportunity in the U.S. Air Force. Gain valuable insights into the challenges, dedication, and achievements required to become part of one of the Air Force’s premier fighter pilot training programs.

Cadets Christian Shelton and Jaylin Sellman speak to Detachment 605's newly appointed commander, Lt Col Charles Berry. Hear about his life in the Air Force, his goals for the detachment, and the goals he has for himself during his time here at Det 605.

Cadet Cameron Agee and Chiara Waddy both were selected to go to the Air Force Academy over the summer and attend the FREEFALL program. This is a few week course where they get to train, prepare, and jump out of a Twin Otter aircraft, parachute themselves, and land successfully five times! If you have any questions, please reach out to airforcerotcdet605@gmail.com

Cadet Kennedy Barnes, A'Thalia Hinton, and Naya Jones took a trip to Baltimore Maryland for the BEYA conference which stands for Becoming Everything You Are. This conference gave them the networking opportunities they have been looking for in the AFROTC program. Detachment 605 sent several cadets to the BEYA to build transformational relationships, learn about leadership and development, and bring that information back to the detachment and teach the next wave of Air Force officers.

Cadet Christen Johnson was selected to represent detachment 605 at the National Character and Leadership Symposium at the Air Force Academy in February of 2024. He traveled with cadets from other detachments to hear form professionals around the world and bring back that knowledge to our detachment. If you have any other questions for Christen or any of our guests, reach out to airforcerotcdet605@gmail.com

Cadet Ryland Brown is an AS250 at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. He was awarded the You Can Fly Scholarship, an opportunity for cadets to get flight lessons in trainer aircraft and help them compete for pilot slots in the United States Air Force out of ROTC. He also talks about his transition from competitive baseball to ROTC, switching colleges, and the effectiveness of the ROTC training program. If you have any questions for Ryland or the show, feel free to email us at airforcerotcdet605@gmail.com

Captain Rodriguez is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is a prior enlisted member of the United States Air Force and has served in England, Utah, Canada, and more. If you have questions for Captain Rodriguez or any staff at Chapel Hill's Air Force ROTC program, reach out to afrotc@unc.edu

Captain Myles Davis is an Intelligence Officer in the United States Air Force and an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. In this episode, we talk about his career as an Intelligence Officer, his assignment, his deployment, his time as a Field Training Officer, and Black History Month. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at airforcerotcdet605@gmail.com

In this podcast, we talk with three cadets who just took a trip to Fort Liberty in Fayetteville, South Carolina. They competed in the GAFPB (German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge), a three day physical and mental competition that the German Armed forces take annually. Two Air Force Cadets and one Army Cadet share their experiences with this challenge. For more information, follow us on instagram @afrotcdet605 or email us at airforcerotcdet605@gmail.com

Major Matthew Spinks is a Navigator for the United States Air Force. His current assignment is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies at UNC Chapel Hill. In this episode, we discuss his career from training in Pensacola all the way to his next assignment, a new initiative brought by AETC. We discuss field training 2023 and so much more. Feel free to reach out to Major Spinks at afrotc@unc.edu

Lieutenant Colonel Meghan O'Rourke and Master Sergeant Travis Ervine were kind enough to stop by detachment 605 on their route spreading awareness about Air Force Special Operations Command and all that goes with it. They are part of the outreach team at Hurlburt Field, Florida. In this episode, myself and Cadet Boyd learn all about their careers, their development, and some cool stories about joint operations! If you have any questions, feel free to email us at airforcerotcdet605@gmail.com and/or follow them @afsoc_outreach on Instagram or Facebook.

Cadet Emma Campsey is an AS400 cadet pursuing a masters degree in Health Promotions at Mississippi State University. She received her undergraduate degree in exercise science from High Point University while also taking Aerospace Studies classes at North Carolina A&T university. In this episode, we discuss her experiences at two different detachments in two different states. She just got married and explains all of the new and exciting experiences that come with marriage.

PT 2 of SBP episode 19 continues on Lieutenant Matthew Redbord's journey through pilot training and dives into what his future could look like. He gives insight into how he changed his mindset to become successful. If you'd like to see part 1 of episode 19, click here https://youtu.be/zahEPc2sUaU?si=uI_HzUwuPl1GhaIk If you have any questions for any of our guests, email us at airforcerotcdet605@gmail.com or DM us on instagram @afrotcdet605 and we would be happy to answer them on our show!

Lieutenant Matthew Redbord is an alumni of Detachment 605 and a student pilot at Columbus Air Force Base. He graduated from High Point University in May of 2022 with a bachelors degree in finance. In this episode, Matt talks about his ROTC career, the mentality it takes to be successful, and how to manage big life changes like getting married and buying a house all while going through pilot training. If you have any questions for any of our guests, email us at airforcerotcdet605@gmail.com or DM us on instagram @afrotcdet605 and we would be happy to answer them on our show!

In this episode, Cadet McMahan and C/Willis discuss their experiences with the Capstones they participated in last summer. Capstones are base visits that allow cadets to experience and meet active duty AF personnel. These vary depending on the desired AFSC of each cadet. C/McMahan went to Sheppard AFB in Wichita Texas and C/Willis went to RAF Lakenheath, England.

*IP stands for Instructor Pilot

Capstones are programs that cadets participate in directly after Field Training, and is a way to introduce cadets to active duty personnel that are within their desired career field. C/Waddy participated in a Capstone that focused on engineering and research at Wright Patterson Airforce Base in Ohio. Her highlight of the trip consisted of a C-17 flight and tour of the cockpit.

In this episode, two crosstown students, C/Morgan and C/Scheeler discuss some challenges and experiences of being a crosstown student. If you are a crosstown student and worried about coming to a new campus to join AFROTC, this episode is for you.

In this episode, C/Morgan and C/Macik converse on their experiences from Project GO. C/Macik spent two summers in Taiwan where he spent majority of his time learning Mandarin and C/Morgan spent one summer in Morocco learning Arabic.

Colonel Aaron Ruona serves as the Commander of the Air Force Reserve Training Corps (AFROTC) in the South East Region. In the past he has served in a variety of positions throughout his career which include Shop Chief, Flight Commander, Assistant Director of Operations, Wing Director of Integration, Wing Chief of Safety, Director of Operations, and Executive Officer to Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR).

Meeting the new Commander at Det 605. Hear about his past assignments, VMI, his pilot experiences, and leadership lessons.

Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast, where Cadet Pugh and Cadet Johnson interview the esteemed Lt Col Phil Fittante (Retired).

Lt Col Fittante has had a remarkable career in the aviation industry, starting as an ENJJPT student and going on to become a flight instructor and pilot on the B1 bomber. He later transitioned into becoming a test pilot on the B-2 bomber along with other aircraft, and now works as an instructor at GTCC, sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience with the next generation of pilots.

Join us as we delve into Lt Col Fittante's journey and explore the challenges and triumphs he faced along the way. From the rigorous training he underwent as a student, to the adrenaline-fueled experiences of flying the B1 and testing new aircraft, there is much to learn from his experiences.

Whether you're an aspiring pilot or simply fascinated by the world of aviation, this episode is sure to provide valuable insights and inspiration. So sit back, relax, and join us as we take to the skies with Lt Col Phil Fittante.

In this captivating episode, Cadets Dennis Alexander and Christian Williams have the privilege of speaking with the illustrious Brigadier General Kueker-Murphy. They delve into the daily life in the military, the abundant opportunities available in the reserves, and gain insight into Brigadier General Kueker-Murphy's remarkable career. They also discuss the overarching goal and direction of the United States Space Force, a newly established branch of the military dedicated to protecting national and allied interests in space. Brigadier General Kueker-Murphy serves as a shining example of exceptional leadership within the United States Space Force and Air Force. Get ready to be inspired and entertained as you enjoy this episode!

In this episode of the Screaming Blackbird Podcast, our Spring 2023 Cadet Wing Commander, Cadet Colonel Hayden Perusek, talks with Colonel William T. Collins, Jr.  Not only is he a senior leader in our Air Force, but he is also a 1997 graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and Air Force ROTC Detachment 605.  This episode details how the day to day mission of a developmental engineer and acquisitions officer can have dramatic and lasting impacts on the overall mission of the United States Air Force.  Enjoy the episode!  

Lt Col Paul "Loco" Lopez is a F-22 Evaluator Pilot and on this day, the 20th of May 2022...he will take command of the 19th Fighter Squadron at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Hawaii. Lt Col Lopez is a North Carolina A&T State University and Det 605 alumni.  During his recent return to our Detachment as the guest speaker at our Dining Out...he shared stories, and lessons learned from his time on active duty and flying the mighty Raptor. C/Hannah Johnson led the interview asking questions about fighter aviation, conflict management, leadership and much more.  Enjoy and please leave a review if you like our content!  

Colonel Patrick O'Sullivan is the sitting Vice Commander of Air Force ROTC. Col O'Sullivan provided valuable insight into headquarter level thinking of the AFROTC enterprise and broke down leadership challenges that he has faced through his career. Cadets Jordan Oliver and Lanagston Kelly were our guest hosts who provided well thought-out questions and commentary for this episode. 

Dr. Nido Qubein is the President of High Point University, a motivational speaker, and sits on the board directors of Truist Financial and the La-Z-Boy company. Dr. Qubein spoke on what it means to be a transformational leader, harnessing a growth mindset, and teaches life skills in this episode. HPU students and Cadets of Det 605, Annabelle Barton, Matt Redbord, and Jaxon Willis, have received mentorship from Dr. Qubein in his "President's Seminar". In this episode, the hosts questioned him on some of topics discussed in this course. 

Lt Col Matt "Frags" Feeman is an F-16 Reserve Pilot and a Fighter Weapons School Graduate. Frags dove deep into fighter aviation covering topics including UPT/ENJJPT, Joint Force combat exercises, and what it feels like to "strap on the jet". Our Cadet hosts are Chase Haley and Jaxon Willis who were inquisitive on how to go about transitioning to the Reserves or Air National Guard. 

Major David Thurber is a Flight Surgeon at Pope Airfield currently filling three roles in Aerospace Medicine. In this episode, Maj Thurber broke down the steps to getting from a Cadet to a Doctor in the Air Force while adding advice learned through his journey. Cadets Emma Campsey and Laila Jones, who are aspiring Air Force Doctors, interviewed Major Thurber, and covered many topics including MCAT, HPSP, Residency, family life, deployment as a Flight Doc and much more. 

Aerospace Medicine Resources: https://www.airforcemedicine.af.mil/Organizations/Physician-Education-Branch/

Captain Geoff Adams is a Cyberspace Operations Officer and is currently a Detachment Cadre serving as the Recruiting Officer and AS100 instructor of Det 605. He spoke on his career story, dove into the 17D training pipeline, and recalled leadership experiences he had as a young officer. Capt Adams provided mentorship from a Det Cadre perspective while being interviewed by Cadet Logan Jolicoeur.

Lt Col George "Ripper" Chapman is a Missileer and is the current Deputy Executive Officer to the Commander, United States Central Command. Lt Col Chapman talked through the old training pipeline for Missileers and what it has developed into today. The Afghanistan exit, the purpose of NATO and other current affairs were all topics discussed from his lens working in CENTCOM.

Major Nicholas "Grizz" Adams is a Weapons Systems Officer (WSO) in the F-15 Strike Eagle. Grizz has had the unique job as an Instructor WSO in the back seat of an F-16 and just recently finished up a major assignment as Director of Operations at Luke AFB, AZ. On this episode he broke down the Combat Systems Officer career field pathways, his training, and offered stories and advice gained from his experience on active duty. C/Ted Thomas and I also discussed what rated career fields are and how to attain them.  

Lt Col Mark "Juice" Whisler is a F-16 pilot and the sitting AFROTC Detachment 605 Commander at North Carolina A&T SU. In this episode we dove in the Fighter Pilot career, current Detachment development and breaking the barriers we put on ourselves. Get ready for take off. 

Welcome to the Screaming Blackbird Podcast where you will be equiped with leadership lessons and career outlook to guide you through your journey to becoming a Military Officer.