Service Academy Sorority Podcast

USAFA - 2018 - A Basketball Recruit Striving to Make an Impact

This episode features Erika Chapman, a 2018 graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy. In this episode, you’ll learn about Erika’s constant pursuit to look beyond herself and have a positive impact on the people around her. As a basketball recruit from Texas, she faced a variety of challenges that tested her throughout her 4 years at the Academy, including multiple injuries and a lengthy legal battle that required her to sit out for most of her first two seasons. But Erika views each of these hurdles as an important piece of her development and is now thriving in her career as a Logistics Readiness Officer, while also serving as a support for minorities at the Academy. You’re definitely going to enjoy the positive outlook she brings to the conversation. Enjoy the show!

USNA - 2011 - Riding the Wave of a Navy Career

This episode features Sammie Blea, a 2011 graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy. In this episode, you’ll hear all about how Sammie navigated the shock of moving from a tight-knit family in a rural mountain town in Colorado all the way across the country to the distant East Coast city of Annapolis Maryland; how she managed hearing the devastating news while at the Academy that her mom had cancer; and how she’s been able to reframe her many ups and downs into a form of personal resiliency instead of viewing her time at the Academy as one of pure survival. Enjoy the show!

USAFA - 1982 - Coming Full Circle as a Lawyer and Advocate

This episode features Kathryn Smith, a 1982 graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy. In this episode, you’ll hear why Kate made the decision to be part of one of the first classes of women to attend the Academy, her goals upon entering the Academy and how they changed and evolved over her 4 years in attendance, and why she ultimately chose to leave the military and transition into a law career that eventually took her full circle back to serving Veterans as an advocate. Enjoy the show!

USAFA - 2001 - A Psychologist Helping Military Families

This episode features Dr. Kendra Lowe, a 2001 graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy. In this episode, you’ll hear all about the highs and lows of Kendra’s time at the Academy and how her military career ultimately came full circle with her becoming a psychologist researching and helping military families. This episode illuminates the power of focusing on the positive aspects of your story and the importance of working through your struggles as opposed to letting them define you. Enjoy the show!

USNA - 2005 - From the Navy Life to the Farm Life

This episode features Ashley Grosch, a 2005 graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy. In this episode, you’ll hear all about Ashley’s journey as a soccer recruit from Texas to eventually owning a farm in Virginia. There’s a long and winding transformational journey involving time as a surface warfare officer, many adventures as a triathlete, the roller coaster ride of becoming a mom to 4 little boys, and eventually ending up as the owner of a ridiculous number of chickens. Ashley’s story highlights the importance of taking time and space to press the pause button and reevaluate your life; she’s reinvented herself multiple times and pushes herself to pivot when she knows things aren’t aligned. Enjoy the show!

USNA - 2010 - Google Recruiter by Day, Business Owner by Night

This episode features Lis Reed, a 2010 graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy. In this episode, you’ll hear all about Lis’s lifelong journey towards a career in aviation, including the highs and lows of her time at the Academy, as well as the sudden and difficult transition she had to make out of the military post-graduation. This episode is a great example of perseverance and illuminates how even with the best laid plans, sometimes we have to pivot; Lis does this beautifully and you’ll learn how she picked up the pieces to create an amazing life and business. Enjoy the show!

USMMA - 1987 - Sailing Towards a Career in Employment Law

This episode features Karen Fuller Tynan, a 1987 graduate from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. In this episode, you’ll hear all about what it was like to be a woman at Kings Point in the ‘80’s, how Karen landed a sailing job on tankers with Chevron, stayed there for 10 years post-graduation, and why she eventually felt it was time to move on to something new. Karen also speaks about her transition out of the world of sailing and how she ultimately ended up in California practicing employment law. As a side note, Karen didn’t mention this in the interview but it turns out that when she made the decision to leave Chevron, she was actually the highest ranking woman in the Chevron fleet at the time. So across the board, Karen’s been one of our Academy sisters paving the way. Enjoy the show!

USAFA - 2018 - Launching Into Medical School Post Graduation

This episode features Micaela Cuneo, a 2018 graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy. In this episode, you’ll hear all about Micaela’s decision to attend an Academy as a unique path towards medical school. We explore the many ups and downs she experienced while at the Academy, including preparing for the MCAT while also maintaining her regular academic and military responsibilities, as well as her transition from Service Academy life in the mountains of Colorado to med school at sea level in Florida. Michaela’s story is a great example of how the Federal Service Academies can really set you up for any career path you choose - all you need is persistence and dedication to your goals. Enjoy the show!

USMA - 1987 - Powerlifting Champion Turned Medical Sales Representative

This episode features Lisa Steptoe, a 1987 graduate from the U.S. Military Academy. In this episode, you’ll hear all about how Lisa applied to West Point on a dare, the highs and lows of her time at the Academy including winning her weight class in powerlifting, and the relentless energy she’s put towards building a successful career in medical sales after she left the military. The openness and honesty that Lisa brings to the conversation about both her successes and her struggles provides great insight no matter where you are in your personal journey. Enjoy the show!

USMMA - 2001 - From Cornfields in Indiana to Tankers in Alaska

This episode features Angelina Fuschetto, a 2001 graduate from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, located in Kings Point NY. Angelina, or Angie, or… FU to those that went to school with her… shares all about her journey from the cornfields of Indiana to working with tankers in Alaska. If you don’t know much about Kings Point and the life of a merchant mariner, Angie’s story will definitely give you some great insight. And for transparency, I should mention that Angie was actually a first class midshipman (or senior) at Kings Point when I was a plebe (or freshman). In fact, she was my platoon commander - and while I don’t think this impacted the interview in any way - I just thought you should know. Enjoy the show!