Service Academy Sorority Podcast

This episode features Deanna Franzen, a  2010 graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy. In this episode, you’ll hear why Deanna pivoted away from a lifelong dream of owning a dance studio to instead developing a desire to serve and join the military; how a small mistake her first year at the Academy altered the trajectory of her entire career; and how she’s used her clarity and determination to find her dream job as a lawyer back in her home state of Texas. Enjoy the show!

This episode features the host of this podcast, Victoria Adams, formally Victoria Gigante, a 2004 graduate from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. In this episode, Victoria dives deep into why the majority of her time at the Academy and in the military was spent living in survival mode, and how she was eventually able to turn her struggles at the Academy into the strong foundation necessary to build a life in which she's now thriving. As a side note, when you hear Victoria's story you’ll understand why she has very few photos from her time both at the Academy and in the military. If you visit the show notes page, however, you’ll get to see the one fun photo someone sent to her many years after graduation. Enjoy the show!

This episode features Jennifer-Ruth “Romper” Green, a 2005 graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy. In this episode, you’ll learn why Jennifer-Ruth considers herself a bit of a “late bloomer” in life; how she often felt like she struggled to find her way at the beginning of each new chapter on her journey; but how ultimately these twists and turns led her to find deeper meaning in both her training as a pilot and her experiences at the Academy. Enjoy the show!

This episode features Leslie (Stein) Riley, a 1997 graduate from the U.S. Military Academy. In this episode, Leslie dives deep into the many struggles she had, both at the Academy and in the Army. Usually these struggles surrounded her weight and the negative messages she received about her femininity and being a woman in the military. Ultimately, Leslie found strength in adversity and built a career out of helping people communicate more effectively. Despite all the hardships, Leslie also had some major highlights and views her time at the Academy as a foundational step on her journey towards who she is today. Enjoy the show! 

This episode features Kellie Hall, a 2014 graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy. In this episode, you’ll learn how Kellie’s identity as a fun, bubbly, outgoing woman was challenged from day one at the Academy; how she eventually found ways to express this side of her personality in a male dominated industry while also being respected for her many strengths as an officer and leader; and how this journey ultimately led her to become the first runner up at Miss California while also maintaining her career in the Navy. If you’ve struggled with finding outlets to express the more feminine and creative sides of your personality, this is the episode for you. Enjoy the show! 

This episode features Jennifer Leong-Luik, a 2004 graduate from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. In this episode, you’ll learn how Jen’s desire to get out of Chicago combined with a drive for financial freedom and an interest in service led her to choose the Academy; and how her openness and willingness to listen to those around her guided her on a path that informed her decision to join the pistol team, pursue an Operations Research and Computer Analysis major, pursue a position in Alaska, and ultimately start her own defense contracting company. Enjoy the show!

This episode features Krysia Pohl, a 1997 graduate from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. In this episode, you’ll hear how Krysia was initially drawn to the Academy as a way to fulfill a lifelong dream of going to the Olympics for dinghy sailing; how she balanced her career and training post graduation; and why she eventually left the Coast Guard only to ultimately recommission years later with a new desire to serve. Enjoy the show!

This episode features Abigail Robson, a 2007 graduate from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. In this episode, you’ll hear how Abby grew up around ships and knew she wanted to join the merchant marine from a very young age; her struggles adjusting to the military lifestyle at Kings Point; how her priorities evolved and changed, both at the Academy and during her career; and how she ultimately decided to pivot away from sailing towards a new career as a pastry chef. This episode is a lot of fun, especially as Abby dives into the ways in which she’s been able to transfer her skills from sailing to baking. Enjoy the show!

This episode features Patty Stoll, a 1996 graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy. In this episode, you’ll hear about Patty’s unwavering commitment to becoming a Marine, including how she spent a year at junior college and a year at the Naval Academy Prep School prior to being accepted into the Academy; and how she used her focus and determination to not only make it through the Academy, but to also build a vibrant career that ultimately has her working in aerospace engineering and building space suits for NASA. Patty’s story illuminates the power of having clarity of your goals and the discipline to overcome any hurdles that may pop up along the journey towards achieving them. Enjoy the show!

This episode features Michelle Thibeau, a 2014 graduate from the U.S. Military Academy. In this episode, you’ll hear Michelle talk about some tough lessons she had to learn about integrity and honor very early on during her time at the Academy, how she was able to overcome these hardships - not let them define her - and graduate on a high note, and how she relentlessly puts herself out on a limb to pursue her interests and goals - both in the Army and beyond. Enjoy the show!