Sailor Pulse

A weekly podcast featuring analysis of issues critical to Sailors with experts currently serving in and retired from the U.S. Navy.

The Reality of Being a Navy Test Pilot 08/04/2025

The Reality of Being a Navy Test Pilot The public's exposure to test pilots stems largely from NASA or brief allusions in Hollywood. Cmdr. Greg "Domino" Ewing is a naval aviator who is a weapons and tactics instructor, naval test pilot graduate, and has led both in operational squadrons as well as within the acquisition world. In this episode, he details what Navy test pilots are, what test pilot school is like, and how the program fits within the larger Navy ecosystem. Image: Erik Hildebrandt via /episode/index/show/cdb9cb6c-a446-4ab1-a7a7-0a829198832a/id/37692970

What to Expect as the Number Two on a Nuclear Submarine 07/21/2025

What to Expect as the Number Two on a Nuclear Submarine This week, Andrew "Kramer" Tenbusch is joined by Cmdr. Will Spears, the second-in-command of a nuclear-powered submarine, one of the most demanding jobs in the U.S. military. They break down Spears's career, the role of an executive officer, and best practices for the role that any sailor can incorporate into their routine. Will has a forthcoming book, . Image: U.S. Navy via /episode/index/show/cdb9cb6c-a446-4ab1-a7a7-0a829198832a/id/37692975

Leading and Succeeding in the U.S. Navy Reserve 07/07/2025

Leading and Succeeding in the U.S. Navy Reserve This week, host Andrew Tenbusch is joined by Rear Adm. Jeff Jurgemeyer, vice commander U.S. 5th Fleet and Rear Adm. Jason Naidyhorski, vice commander U.S. 6th Fleet and director of maritime partnerships — two U.S. Navy Reserve admirals who have enjoyed distinguished civilian careers in government and finance alongside their service in the Navy Reserve. They discuss their respective careers, the leadership opportunities available to reserve personnel, and how the U.S. Navy Reserve integrates into the active duty component to provide "strategic depth" to the U.S. Navy enterprise. Image: via DVIDS /episode/index/show/cdb9cb6c-a446-4ab1-a7a7-0a829198832a/id/37692980

So You Want to Go to Flight School? 06/23/2025

So You Want to Go to Flight School? This week, host Josh Portzer is joined by Capt. Ron "Rummy" Rumfelt, the commanding officer of Naval Aviation School's Command to discuss all things flight school and the pipeline from "street to fleet." Capt. Rumfelt offers his recommendations on what it takes to be a successful flight school student and earn your coveted wings of gold. Image: via DVIDS /episode/index/show/cdb9cb6c-a446-4ab1-a7a7-0a829198832a/id/37692985

Modern Fleet Command and Control 06/09/2025

Modern Fleet Command and Control In this episode, Andrew “Kramer” Tenbusch sits down with Josh Tallis, Ph.D. and Justin “Tinkles” Cobb to explore the evolving role of Maritime Operations Centers as the U.S. Navy’s engine for fleet-level command and control. Together, they confront the growing “say-do gap” between the doctrinal ambitions of Maritime Operations Centers and their operational realities. Image: /episode/index/show/cdb9cb6c-a446-4ab1-a7a7-0a829198832a/id/37692990

Women, Peace, and Security and the U.S. Navy 05/28/2025

Women, Peace, and Security and the U.S. Navy This week Lyla Kohistany is joined by Joan Johnson-Freese, Ph.D. and Ms. Andrea Goldstein, two leading experts on Women, Peace, and Security. They discuss the origins, current state, and future of the Women, Peace, and Security framework and why sailors should care. Image: /episode/index/show/cdb9cb6c-a446-4ab1-a7a7-0a829198832a/id/37692995

A Navy Career in Anti-Submarine Warfare 05/12/2025

A Navy Career in Anti-Submarine Warfare Josh Portzer sits down with Mike Glynn, a Navy veteran who previously served as a patrol plane commander and mission commander for an airborne ASW squadron, a jet fighter pilot instructor, and ultimately a theater ASW battle watch captain before transitioning to the civilian sector. In this episode, he reflects on his experiences in each of these unique phases of military service, his closest brush with a mishap, and why someone might want to join naval aviation or the intelligence communities. Image: U.S. Navy . /episode/index/show/cdb9cb6c-a446-4ab1-a7a7-0a829198832a/id/37693000

Lessons from the Red Sea in the E-2 Hawkeye 04/28/2025

Lessons from the Red Sea in the E-2 Hawkeye Lt. Cmdr. Nate "Buzz" Sawyer joins Andrew Tenbusch to discuss his experience as an air battle manager on the E-2 Hawkeye in the Red Sea fight against the Houthis. They break down what the E-2 brings to naval aviation and Sawyer's thoughts on how to apply his experiences in combat to training and tactics in naval aviation. /episode/index/show/cdb9cb6c-a446-4ab1-a7a7-0a829198832a/id/37693005

Enlisted to Officer Career Paths in the U.S. Navy 04/14/2025

Enlisted to Officer Career Paths in the U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Jonathan "Duck Duck" Gosselin joins host Joshua Portzer to recount his naval career from an enlisted machinery repairman to a naval flight officer, where he currently serves as the operations officer of a P-8A maritime patrol squadron. /episode/index/show/cdb9cb6c-a446-4ab1-a7a7-0a829198832a/id/37693010

Cybersecurity and the U.S. Navy 03/31/2025

Cybersecurity and the U.S. Navy This week, Lyla Kohistany is joined by Anne Marie Schumann, the principal cyber advisor to the secretary of the Navy, the chief of naval operations, and the commandant of the Marine Corps. They discuss Schumann's background, responsibilities, and how sailors and marines can contribute to the Department of the Navy’s cybersecurity mission. /episode/index/show/cdb9cb6c-a446-4ab1-a7a7-0a829198832a/id/37693015

Why Space Matters For Sailors 03/17/2025

Why Space Matters For Sailors On this episode of Sailor Pulse, Josh Portzer sits down with Capt. Will Toraason to discuss why space matters for sailors and how the Navy integrates space capabilities to support maritime missions. They explore current and future roles for sailors in space-related operations, the growing influence of commercial space innovation, potential logistical uses of space, and concerns about adversary activity and capability gaps in a rapidly evolving domain. /episode/index/show/cdb9cb6c-a446-4ab1-a7a7-0a829198832a/id/37693020

Keeping Players on the Field 03/03/2025

Keeping Players on the Field On this episode of Sailor Pulse, Andrew “Kramer” Tenbusch hosts an insightful discussion with senior CF-18 and F-35 test pilot Billie Flynn and F/A-18 pilot Trevor “Mrs.” Phillips-Levine about the remarkable impact of the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System in preventing controlled flight into terrain incidents. Over the past decade, this groundbreaking technology has safeguarded Lockheed Martin aircraft and their aviators. However, the Navy’s failure to implement a similar system across its Boeing strike-fighter and electronic attack aircraft has raised critical questions about its commitment to “keeping players on the field” and maintaining operational readiness. /episode/index/show/cdb9cb6c-a446-4ab1-a7a7-0a829198832a/id/37693025

Maritime Surveillance and the Next Conflict 02/17/2025

Maritime Surveillance and the Next Conflict Most everyone knows of the TOPGUN fighter weapons school. However, the Naval Air Warfare Development Center (NAWDC) hosts multiple Weapons and Tactics Instructor Programs, including the newest Maritime Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) weapons school. MISR WTI Director CDR Tim "Havquick" Bierbach shares his personal thoughts on the program, what it is doing in the Fleet, and what the future of warfare might look like with 6th-generation warfighters. /episode/index/show/cdb9cb6c-a446-4ab1-a7a7-0a829198832a/id/37693030

Did Someone Say Fires? 02/03/2025

Did Someone Say Fires? On this episode of Sailor Pulse, Andrew “Kramer” Tenbusch engages in a wide-ranging conversation with Mr. Matt Matter, Chief of Staff to the Commander of the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center (NAWDC), and Steve “Sonic” Hejmanowski, former Commander of Air Wing NINE and Deputy Commander of NAWDC. Together, they explore the rapidly evolving maritime fires enterprise and NAWDC’s pivotal role as the original warfighting center of excellence, driving innovation, synchronizing fleet and joint fires capabilities, and advancing the training of the human component: the cornerstone of effective warfighting. /episode/index/show/cdb9cb6c-a446-4ab1-a7a7-0a829198832a/id/37693035

Navigating Your Navy Life: The Power of Mentorship 01/21/2025

Navigating Your Navy Life: The Power of Mentorship January is National Mentoring Month. On this episode of Sailor Pulse, Lyla Kohistany sits down with to discuss how mentorship can help every sailor navigate their Navy journey and achieve both personal and professional success. Johnson is a former U.S. Navy officer and professor of leadership and psychology at the U.S. Naval Academy. With decades of experience teaching leaders across the fleet, Johnson has written extensively on the power of mentorship — including 130 articles and 14 books — and how it transforms careers and lives. /episode/index/show/cdb9cb6c-a446-4ab1-a7a7-0a829198832a/id/37693040

SEALs in a Post-Afghanistan World 01/08/2025

SEALs in a Post-Afghanistan World Significant in many ways, the American withdrawal from Afghanistan marked a shift from an era of America's direct involvement in the Middle East to one in which most eyes are towards the Pacific— certainly at least in the public eye. Matt, who is a current active duty SEAL, discusses his personal thoughts on the SOF community's shift from the Middle East to the Pacific as a main line of effort, as well as other topics like training, mental health, and upcoming challenges for the SEAL community. /episode/index/show/cdb9cb6c-a446-4ab1-a7a7-0a829198832a/id/37693045

Navy Think Tanks: Delivering Strategic, Operational, Tactical, and Administrative Value 12/18/2024

Navy Think Tanks: Delivering Strategic, Operational, Tactical, and Administrative Value On this episode of Sailor Pulse, Andrew “Kramer” Tenbusch sat down for an insightful conversation with Dr. Joshua Tallis, scientific analyst to the Chief of Naval Operations and a senior research scientist at the Center for Naval Analyses. Together, they explore the critical role that Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, like the Center for Naval Analyses, play in delivering unbiased operational analysis and expertise to support and enhance decision-making throughout all levels of Navy leadership. /episode/index/show/cdb9cb6c-a446-4ab1-a7a7-0a829198832a/id/37693050

The Integration of Naval Aviation Culture, Command Climate, Safety, and Readiness 12/11/2024

The Integration of Naval Aviation Culture, Command Climate, Safety, and Readiness On this episode of Sailor Pulse, Andrew “Kramer” Tenbusch sat down with Capt. Scott “Mongo” Janik to discuss the integration of naval aviation culture, command climate, aviation safety, and aviation readiness, and why a successful integration of these elements is essential to “keeping players on the field.” /episode/index/show/cdb9cb6c-a446-4ab1-a7a7-0a829198832a/id/37693055

The Silent Service and DEI 12/04/2024

The Silent Service and DEI Josh Portzer sits down with Lt. Cmdr. Andrea Howard to discuss the "Silent Service" and the prospects of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Navy. /episode/index/show/cdb9cb6c-a446-4ab1-a7a7-0a829198832a/id/37693060

Beginning with the End: Preparing for Your Transition 11/27/2024

Beginning with the End: Preparing for Your Transition Sailor Pulse host Lyla Kohistany spoke with U.S. Navy SEAL Capt. Matt Stevens (Ret.), CEO of , who shares his transition journey and describes - a fully online, free transition course available to all active duty, reserve, national guard, and veterans. It's never too early to think about your transition so tune in to hear advice, gain access to an educational program, and set yourself and your family up for future success. /episode/index/show/cdb9cb6c-a446-4ab1-a7a7-0a829198832a/id/37693065

Surface Warfare Officer Work-Life Balance 11/20/2024

Surface Warfare Officer Work-Life Balance On this episode of Sailor Pulse, Claude Berube sat down with Lt. Cmdr. Emma Manzi to discuss some of the challenges of juggling a naval career and personal life as well as ways to maintain a healthy work-life balance. /episode/index/show/cdb9cb6c-a446-4ab1-a7a7-0a829198832a/id/37693075

The Chiefs’ Mess and the Next Conflict 11/13/2024

The Chiefs’ Mess and the Next Conflict Master Chief Air Traffic Controller DeAndre "Dre" Byrd has served in the Navy for 27 years, and is the senior enlisted air controller in the Navy, as well as the senior enlisted advisor to the Deputy CNO for warfighting capabilities and requirements. In this episode, he explores the role of the Chiefs' Mess today, and how it might change if the U.S. entered into a major conflict. He also offers his take on the Chief - Officer dynamic, and what the next generation of Sailors can offer the Navy. /episode/index/show/cdb9cb6c-a446-4ab1-a7a7-0a829198832a/id/37693080

The Role of the Naval War College in Human Force Development 11/06/2024

The Role of the Naval War College in Human Force Development In this episode of the War on the Rocks’ Sailor Pulse podcast, host Andrew “Kramer” Tenbusch records in person on the breezy deck at the Officer's Club onboard Naval Station Newport with Dr. Don Chisholm, the Steven B. Luce Professor of Naval Strategy at the U.S. Naval War College, and Capt. Jim FitzSimonds, U.S. Navy (retired), the Director of the Halsey Alfa Advanced Research Group at the U.S. Naval War College. They discuss the Naval War College's pivotal role in the human force development and design of the naval officer corps, emphasizing the importance of war college students studying and reflecting on contemporary classified operating concepts to ensure alignment and guide force design throughout the Navy. /episode/index/show/cdb9cb6c-a446-4ab1-a7a7-0a829198832a/id/37693085

Parental Leave Policy 10/30/2024

Parental Leave Policy On this episode of Sailor Pulse, Josh Portzer sat down with Lt. Cmdrs. Jordi Torres, Joe Dowdalls, and Joelle Portzer to discuss their personal perspectives about parental policies and how the Navy could continue to evolve to optimally balance work and personal lives for the Fleet. /episode/index/show/cdb9cb6c-a446-4ab1-a7a7-0a829198832a/id/37693090

Women in Aviation 10/23/2024

Women in Aviation While the Navy continues to promote and make strides in diversity and inclusion, Naval Aviation's major milestones are relatively recent. The first six women Naval aviators were winged in 1974, and it was not until 2021 that a woman commanded an aircraft carrier. CDR Carolyn "Sulu" Peterson and CDR Emily "ABE" Stellpflug reflect on their careers thus far as recent commanding officers of aviation squadrons, and provide thoughts on various policy matters that could close the gender gap within Naval Aviation. /episode/index/show/cdb9cb6c-a446-4ab1-a7a7-0a829198832a/id/37693095

The Alarming Rate of Suicides Amongst Naval Aviators 10/16/2024

The Alarming Rate of Suicides Amongst Naval Aviators On this episode of Sailor Pulse, host Andrew “Kramer” Tenbusch is joined by retired naval aviators Scott “Timmeh!” Timmester and Alan “Snap” Greer, as well as Dr. Joe Bonvie, a retired Navy operational psychologist. They delve into the critical issue of rising suicide rates among naval aviators, exploring the importance of psychological safety, the impact of organizational culture, and the benefits of mental performance coaching. /episode/index/show/cdb9cb6c-a446-4ab1-a7a7-0a829198832a/id/37693100

Navy Professional Education 10/09/2024

Navy Professional Education On this episode of Sailor Pulse, Andrew Tenbusch spoke with Capt. Robert "Barney" Rubel (Ret.) about the ins and outs of professional education at the Naval War College. /episode/index/show/cdb9cb6c-a446-4ab1-a7a7-0a829198832a/id/37693105

Unmanned Systems 10/02/2024

Unmanned Systems On this episode of Sailor Pulse, Josh Portzer sits down with CDR Mike "Twitch" Minervini to talk about unmanned platforms and their implications for the Navy. CDR Minervini is the former commanding officer of VUP-19. /episode/index/show/cdb9cb6c-a446-4ab1-a7a7-0a829198832a/id/37693110

Navy Energetics 09/25/2024

Navy Energetics On this episode of Sailor Pulse, Claude Berube (Ret.) is joined by Bob Kavetsky, the CEO of Energetics Technology Center, to talk about Navy Energetics. /episode/index/show/cdb9cb6c-a446-4ab1-a7a7-0a829198832a/id/37693115

Digital Warfare and the Next Conflict 09/18/2024

Digital Warfare and the Next Conflict In this episode of Sailor Pulse, Josh Portzer sat down with Navy Captain Andy Newsome to discuss the role of digital warfare in the next conflict. /episode/index/show/cdb9cb6c-a446-4ab1-a7a7-0a829198832a/id/37693120

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