How To Guard

6 Episodes

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An Air National Guard Legend!!

2026-02-2448:10

Send a text In this episode of How To Guard, we sit down with an Air National Guard legend, CMSgt (Retired) Denny Richardson. We talk leadership traits that actually work, what setting the standard looks like day to day, and the mindset that separates good troops from great ones. CMSgt (Retired) Richardson shares lessons learned across a lifetime of service, including how to lead people, build culture, and stay consistent when things get hard. Whether you are thinking about joining, you are...

Benefits Explained! Paid College Tuition, Bonuses, and More!

2026-02-1001:01:29

Send a text In this mega episode of the How to Guard Podcast, we sit down with MSgt Lewis, our Retention Office Manager, to answer one of the biggest questions people have. How does the New York Air National Guard pay for college tuition? We break down tuition assistance, college benefits, sign on and retention bonuses, and how Guard pay can work alongside school and civilian life. MSgt Lewis shares real insight on how members can plan for college, avoid common mistakes and take full ad...

Enlisted to Commissioned. Becoming an Officer!

2026-01-3032:16

Send a text In this episode of the How to Guard Podcast, we sit down with 1st Lt Cappadora, a maintenance officer whose career started on the enlisted side before earning a commission. Lt Cappadora shares what it was really like coming in as enlisted, learning the maintenance mission from the ground up, and later making the transition to becoming an officer. We talk about leadership, credibility, and how prior enlisted experience shapes the way he leads Airmen today. This episode is a great l...

Military & Family Readiness Programs!

2026-01-1337:02

Send a text In this episode of the How to Guard podcast, we sit down with Colleen Casey, our Military Family and Readiness Program Manager. Colleen shares her career journey, breaks down the roles and responsibilities of the Military Family and Readiness Program, and explains how it supports Airmen and their families through every stage of service. From resources and advocacy to readiness and resilience, this conversation highlights a different side of the NY Air National Guard that supports ...

Back From Basic Training and Technical School!

2025-12-2951:52

Send a text Episode two of How to Guard takes you straight into the experience of becoming an Airman. We sit down with a newly enlisted member fresh back from basic training to talk honestly about what it was like to leave home, adapt to military life, and push through the challenges of training. He shares what surprised him the most, what he learned about himself along the way, and how basic training shaped his mindset. We also dive into his goals moving forward, including his career plans, ...

Episode 1: Who We Are. What We Do. Why We Do It.

2025-12-0344:31

Send a text In our very first episode of the How to Guard Podcast, we introduce who we are, what we do, and why we chose to serve. We break down the different paths that led each of us to the Air National Guard, from career goals and family considerations to opportunities we never expected. We talk about the realities of different statuses, deployments, and unique missions, including operations with ODF and experiences supporting missions in Greenland and Antarctica. This episode sets the fou...

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