Delaware National Guard Podcast

In this episode we will be having a discussion with Lt Col. Elliott Leitman, an orthopedic surgeon, who has navigated through three distinct life paths: a practicing physician, a medical consultant for professional sports teams, and a medical officer serving in the military. For the preceding 11 years, he has been an integral part of the medical team at First State Orthopaedics. Lt Col. Leitman has served in medical roles at the World Maccabiah Games in Israel, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Philadelphia Flyers, the Delaware 87ers of the NBA D League and teams at the University of Delaware. This is his story.

A new series entitled “I was there” that focuses on members of the Delaware Air and Army National Guard who have been deployed across the globe during combat or peace keeping missions. This is a chance to hear stories from abroad from the service member’s own experience. This episode features TSgt Matthew Keefer 142nd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (AES) where he describes his experience during the Afghanistan Airlift Evacuation in 2021.

The Delaware Air National Guard celebrated it’s 75th Anniversary in September of 2021. During this celebration, the 166th Airlift Wing Public Affairs team recorded various conversations with active and retired Airmen from the Delaware Air National guard that revolve around the topic of heritage, and proud traditions of family members that have served in the armed forces for generations. Today’s conversation is with Retired Colonel Kennard R. Wiggins Jr. Note: Upon retirement Ken was given an honorary promotion in the state of Delaware to Brigadier General.

The Delaware Air National Guard celebrated it’s 75th Anniversary in September of 2021. During this celebration, the 166th Airlift Wing Public Affairs team recorded various conversations with active and retired Airmen from the Delaware Air National guard that revolve around the topic of heritage, and proud traditions of family members that have served in the armed forces for generations. Today’s conversation is with Retired Brigadier General Ernest G. Talbert. Note: At his retirement, Brigadier General Talbert was given an honorary promotion to Major General in the state of Delaware.

Welcome back to Episode 4 of the Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) Central Delaware Partnership for Hope Podcast. The stories you will be hearing today are coming from real service members who have participated in this mission. This discussion features Brigadier General Carl Danberg, Assistant Adjutant General - Army, Delaware National Guard and the Adjutant General of the Delaware National Guard, Major General Michael R. Berry. We dive into their assessment of what the IRT brings to the local community, as well as the invaluable real world training that is provided to our service members. This discussion was recorded in August 2021.

Welcome back to Episode 3 of the Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) Central Delaware Partnership for Hope Podcast. The stories you will be hearing today are coming from real service members who have participated in this mission to hear their stories and how this type of training has improved their leadership capabilities in the field. This discussion features the 2021 Dover site leadership: Captain Jason Brooks (Officer in Charge), Senior Master Sergeant Jacquelyn Barbeau (Non-Comissioned Officer in Charge) and Commander Melanie Cordoro (Assistant Officer in Charge). All 3 of these service members have multiple IRTs under their belt and have a wealth of information for future leadership who will step into their shoes. This session was recorded in August 2021.

The Innovative Readiness Program, or as we refer to it as IRT, provides Services such as basic medical and wellness exams, optical exams, and single-vision prescription eyeglasses. On some missions, IRT features additional stations including nutrition, which is an integral part of our overall health. The stories you will be hearing today are coming from real service members who have participated in this mission to hear their stories and how this type of training has improved their capabilities in the field. This discussion features Lieutenant Colonel Melissa Davis, 99th Medical Support Squadron (MDSS) out of Las Vegas, Nevada and Major Barbara Sickler of the 153rd Medical Detachment Group (MDG) from Cheyenne, Wyoming. Recorded in August of 2021.

Today we are taking a journey down to Dover Delaware, where the Innovative Readiness Training Program is in full swing. Innovative Readiness Program, or as we refer to it as IRT, provides Services such as basic medical and wellness exams, optical exams, and single-vision prescription eyeglasses. The stories you will be hearing today are coming from real service members who have participated in this mission to hear their stories and how this type of training has improved their capabilities in the field. Today's discussion features Lieutenant Colonel Joni Scott-Weidman of the 413th ASTS based at Robins AFB and Staff Sergeant Scott Foor of the 153rd Medical Group in Wyoming. Recorded in August 2021 in Dover, Delaware.

The Delaware Air National Guard celebrated it’s 75th Anniversary in September of 2021. During this celebration, the 166th Airlift Wing Public Affairs team recorded various conversations with active and retired Airmen from the Delaware Air National guard that revolve around the topic of heritage, and proud traditions of family members that have served in the armed forces for generations. Today’s conversation is with Retired Brigadier General Tom Lauppe and his son Retired Technical Sergeant Eric Lauppe.