WPAOG Podcast

In this episode of the WPAOG podcast, we are honored to speak with retired LTG. Nadja West, a trailblazing leader and West Point graduate from the Class of 1982. LTG. West shares her journey from cadet to becoming the Army Surgeon General and the first Black woman to achieve the rank of Lieutenant General in the U.S. Army. Her experiences provide valuable insights into leadership, resilience, and the importance of service to others. LTG. West’s career is a remarkable story of firsts. As the Army Surgeon General, she led a vast organization with an $11 billion budget, overseeing 130,000 healthcare professionals who served more than 4 million beneficiaries. Her service included pivotal moments in military history, such as Desert Storm and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. A dedicated mentor, she reflects on how her upbringing and West Point education shaped her approach to leadership and inspired others to achieve their potential. This episode explores themes of perseverance, inclusion, and values-driven leadership. LTG. West discusses the importance of staying grounded, serving with integrity, and helping others succeed. Her reflections on her career and her continued commitment to mentorship offer inspiration to listeners of all backgrounds.   Key Quote: “I think the hardest thing, the hardest lesson I learned, is that I got in my own way more than anyone else could have. That self-talk, that negative voice—'Why am I here? I don't belong here. I shouldn't be here. This is too tough.' A lot of that negative self-talk. As a leader, trying to recognize that in others and bring them out of it is important. You lead a whole diverse group of people, and some won't share or talk because they're probably thinking in their heads, 'What am I doing here?' You don't call them out like that, of course, but you let them know, 'Hey, you're a valuable member of the team. You do belong here. You're here for a reason.' There's a process that selected you to get here. Clearly, you met the standards of that process—someone felt you belonged. No one just said, 'Oh, let's let her in because it would be a nice thing to do.' I had to pass the physical tests, perform well academically, and meet all the criteria. I had to convince myself that I belonged there, and that took a lot of effort, energy, and wasted time.I think that’s one of the hardest lessons I learned.” -LT. GEN. Nadja West Episode Timestamps: (01:49)  Early Life and Family Influence (06:15) Historic Moments at West Point (18:53) The Inspiration Behind a Medical Career (28:51) For the Next Generation of Female Leaders (38:21)  Reflecting on a Distinguished Military Career (44:30) The Meaning of Selfless Service Links: Learn more about LT. GEN. Nadja West [https://www.awfdn.org/trailblazers/lt-general-nadja-west/]

In this episode of the West Point Association of Graduates Broadcast Network, host Ian Faison sits down with General Robert B. Brown, retired four-star general and current President & CEO of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA). General Brown shares his inspiring journey to West Point, where he was recruited by legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski, and delves into his experiences in leadership and service. His stories highlight the impact of mentorship, the complexities of leading both military and civilian teams, and his efforts to build cohesive, mission-driven organizations. With 38 years in the U.S. Army, General Robert B. Brown, a retired four-star general, led from the platoon level to the largest Army Service Component Command in the Indo-Pacific Region, where he commanded 106,000 Soldiers as the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Pacific. A 1981 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, General Brown’s service took him worldwide, with deployments in Haiti, Bosnia, and Iraq. Beyond field commands, he held key roles in U.S. Army Europe, the Pentagon, and the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. General Brown holds advanced degrees in education and national security and now serves as President & CEO of the Association of the United States Army, continuing his commitment to the military community. General Brown also discusses AUSA's mission to educate, connect, and support the Army community, emphasizing the importance of telling the Army’s story and fostering a strong connection between the military and the American public. Through his leadership at AUSA, he continues to champion selfless service and the role of the Army in safeguarding national and global stability.   Key Quote: “Oftentimes, when you're changing, you're fighting. The tradition, you're fighting the people that don't really want to change and you've just got to work it extremely hard. You have to have a strategy. How are you going to get there? What's the vision? You have to be passionate about it. You have to build champions of that and work it. And when it's the right thing to do, it's very, very difficult. And it takes a ton of effort, a ton of energy, but I will tell you, it is worth it when you succeed, and the Army must have it, they must have leaders that are willing to go out and make change where it's needed at the strategic level for certain, and it's the toughest, because it's always the toughest problems.” -General Robert B. Brown   EPISODE TIMESTAMPS: (00:26) Journey to West Point  (08:17) Transition to AUSA (12:04) Challenges and Mentorship in the Army (23:36) Balancing Personal and Professional Lives (36:01) Leading Change in the Army (42:40) Reflecting on Legacy and Future Goals   LINKS: Connect with GEN Robert B. Brown [https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-brooks-brown-1981usma/] Learn More About AUSA [https://www.ausa.org/]

In this episode, we’re joined by Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Toven, Commander of the West Point Band, and Sergeant Major Carla Loy Song, a seasoned member of the band. Together, they dive into the legacy and impact of the West Point Band, an institution that has accompanied cadets through generations of milestones and ceremonies. The band, known as the "soundtrack to the cadet's 47-month experience," not only provides musical support at every significant event at the Academy but also fosters a deep sense of community and pride among cadets, alumni, and visitors alike. Toven, a Pennsylvania native, brings extensive expertise in music and military leadership to his role. With a Bachelor’s in Music Education and Trombone Performance from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Music in Conducting from Eastman, he has dedicated his career to elevating the Army’s musical presence. His achievements include a Master of Military Art and Science from the Command and General Staff College, where he also graduated from several other esteemed courses, earning honors and multiple military awards. Meanwhile, Sergeant Major Loy Song, who joined as a trumpet player, now holds a dynamic position within the band, also singing and guiding groups such as the Benny Havens Band, a favorite among cadets. Listeners are treated to stories of memorable performances, including a vibrant concert at the United Nations and collaborations with the New York Philharmonic. The episode showcases how the band adapts to modern musical demands while honoring its storied tradition, all the while enhancing the cadet experience and extending West Point’s influence within the broader community.   Key Quote: “When the Army was looking at its band structure and trying to figure out what it should look like and how much of that structure we should have, et cetera, and we felt that we needed to articulate in a more concrete way, what bands do for the army. And so, across the army career field, some of us started to get together and who had done some research on our own in different pods, and start putting that together. And out of that was born the idea,’hey, we've got all kinds of research centers here. at the academy, why don't we make one that looks at the effect of music and sound on the human person?’ And so that's the charter of the research center,  which opens us up to, the medical things, the performance enhancement, as well as what does music do to people and how does it motivate and inspire them and how can that be beneficial to the army?”   – LTC Toven EPISODE TIMESTAMPS: (00:16) The History of the West Point Band (02:52) Recruitment and Training of Band Members (13:13) Memorable Performances and Highlights (16:35) Renovations and Future Plans (21:44) Community Involvement and Academic Contributions 25:27 Music Selection Process  and Upcoming Events for the Band – LINKS: Connect with LTC Toven  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-toven-67b7605b/] Learn more about SGM Loy Song [https://westpointband.com/personnel/carla-loysong.html] Learn more about the West Point Band [https://westpointband.com/index.html]

In this episode, we’re joined by Major Floren Herrera, Class of 2013, the recipient of the 2024 Alexander R. Nininger Award for Valor at Arms, an honor recognizing his extraordinary courage and leadership. As a distinguished graduate of the United States Military Academy and an esteemed member of the elite Scout Rangers in the Philippines, we explore the historical connections between the US and Philippine military forces, tracing back to the founding of the Scout Rangers by West Point graduate Captain Rafael Ileto. Major Herrera shares his personal journey, reflecting on his remarkable achievements, including earning multiple Gold Cross Medals for his bravery in combat. He recounts intense battles and daring operations, such as a rescue mission against terrorists and the pivotal Battle of Marawi, emphasizing his profound respect for the ultimate sacrifices made by his fellow soldiers. Serving as the executive officer of the 2nd Scout Ranger Company during the Battle of Marawi, Herrera displayed exceptional bravery while leading his platoon through dangerous open terrain and seizing strategic positions to thwart enemy forces. His strategic acumen and bold maneuvers in the face of intense combat not only resulted in numerous enemy casualties but also saved the lives of many of his troops. Over the years, Herrera has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Star, three Gold Cross Medals, and a Wounded Personnel Medal, marking a career that has embodied resilience, tactical expertise, and a steadfast commitment to his comrades and country. In this engaging episode, Major Herrera also reflects on the importance of resilience and decision-making under pressure, drawing from personal experiences at West Point and in the field. We explore valuable lessons learned from failures and how empowering team members to voice differing opinions can lead to better decision-making and ultimately save lives. The conversation wraps up with a spirited nod to the Army-Navy football rivalry, showcasing Major Herrera's unwavering confidence in his alma mater. Join us for a compelling exploration of leadership, sacrifice, and the relentless pursuit of excellence in the face of adversity. Key Quote: “That was a great training, actually, I failed there, but I'm thankful. I'm thankful. West Point showed me that weakness that I have, I'm thankful West Point brought that up on me, because there were a lot of instances in the Philippine Army where I used that learning, I have to make sure I have a positive ID of the enemy, I gotta make sure there were instances where, you're given, you were informed that, no, those guys are the enemy, so you were given an A1 info, all that stuff, but because of that experience of West Point,I gotta make sure I get a positive ID of the enemy. All that stuff. I gotta make sure you know, I'm not making decisions based on just because I'm getting pressured, just because I'm angry, just because all that stuff. I gotta make sure I gotta make sure that this is the right decision. And that, I shared that to the Philippine Military Academy Cadets.” -MAJ Floren Herrera, 2024 Nininger Award Recipient EPISODE TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Honoring Sacrifices and Leadership Transformation (08:40) Leading From the Front (12:13) Having  Confidence in Combat (30:41) Lessons Learned From Failure (39:57) Empowering Soldiers Through West Point – LINKS: More about MAJ Floren’s 24’ Nininger Award [https://www.westpointaog.org/news/floren-herrera-receives-nininger-award/] Learn more about the Alexander R. Nininger Award [https://www.westpointaog.org/traditions/wpaog-awards/alexander-r-nininger-award/]

In this episode, we dive into the transformative efforts of the Center for Enhanced Performance (CEP) at West Point with our distinguished guests, Colonel Darcy Schnack and Dr. Kat Longshore. Exploring the CEP’s mission, we focus on enhancing cadet performance through their key programs: performance psychology, academic excellence, and athletic academic support coordination. Discover how the CEP’s critical student success course integrates essential academic skills, like time management and organization, with mental skills such as goal setting and stress management to help cadets excel both at the Academy and in their future military careers. Colonel Darcy Schnack, a distinguished graduate of USMAPS (1992) and the U.S. Military Academy (1996), brings a wealth of experience to her role as Director of the Center for Enhanced Performance. With advanced degrees in Sociology from Boston College and extensive service as an Army logistician, including two tours in Iraq, she has also taught Military Leadership at USMA. Currently, she is also the Head Officer Representative for the Army Volleyball team and enjoys family life with her husband, Troy (USMA ‘96), and their three children.  Dr. Kat Longshore joined the CEP in May 2020 as a Performance Enhancement Specialist and Lecturer, where she helps cadets and athletes reach peak performance. With over a decade of experience in mental performance coaching, Dr. Longshore has worked with National Teams, professional athletes, and collegiate programs. She also served as a visiting assistant professor at Lafayette College, teaching courses in sport psychology and related subjects. In addition, we also delve into the extensive support CEP offers to cadets and faculty. Dr. Longshore highlights unique initiatives such as the mental training lab, which features innovative tools like virtual reality and tennis ball machines, and the popular egg chairs designed for deliberate recovery. We also explore the inviting atmosphere of the library’s mental skills lab, encouraging cadets to utilize these valuable resources. Tune in for an engaging and insightful conversation that sheds light on the CEP’s impactful approach to enhancing performance across all aspects of West Point life. -- “Overall, understanding that your well-being is a skill and something that you can affect, you know, what that is, I can take charge of. I can take charge of my own well-being. And I think we are a great entry into accessing wellness resources, that taking care of yourself and your own mental health and wellness is a really important thing to own. And so I think  where CEP is going is helping to contribute to that effort in addition to development in the military, you know, academic and physical pillars.” -Colonel Darcy Schnack EPISODE TIMESTAMPS: (01:07) Overview of the Center for Enhanced Performance (02:39) The Academic Excellence Program (04:55) Performance Psychology and Mental Skills (15:54) Integration with Military Training (23:17) Accessing CEP Resources (29:33) The Future of CEP at West Point – LINKS: Connect with Dr. Kat Longshore [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kat-longshore-ph-d-5643902b/] Connect with COL Darcy Schnack [https://www.linkedin.com/in/darcy-schnack-782b3929/] Learn more about the Center for Enhanced Performance [https://www.westpoint.edu/cadet-journey/academic-support/center-for-enhanced-performance]