On this episode of the Your Next Mission® video podcast,SMA Tilley welcomes Jessica Manfre, LCSW — Military Events Manager at Recurrent Military, Director of MilSpouseFest, licensed therapist, author of Never Alone, and proud Coast Guard spouse of 21+ years. Jessica oversees 8+ MilSpouseFest events a year (presented by USAA) on bases across the country and now internationally and works alongside founder Curtez Riggs on the Military Influencer Conference (MIC).

In this episode, Jessica and SMA Tilley dig into: The biggest challenges facing Military spouses today (community, child care, mental health, employment). Why the Military Spouse is the ultimate force multiplier. How MilSpouseFest brings free, family-friendly programming to bases nationwide. Upcoming 2026 stops: Norfolk Naval Base May 12, Osan AB & Camp Humphreys South Korea Oct 20–21, and Puerto Rico in December. What MIC 2026 in Tampa really is (hint: "influencer" means LEADER, not TikTok dancer). Real talk on PCS, deployment, isolation, and finding your people. This year the MIC 2026, is September 23–26 at the JW Marriott in Tampa, FL, where nearly 4,000 attendees are expected. Whether you're a Servicemember, Veteran, Milspouse, Milpreneur, content creator, or military-connected brand, this is THE event of the year.

Eligible to attend MilSpouseFest? Active, Guard, Reserve, AND Veteran Spouses — all welcome, kids included.

milspousefest.com | militaryinfluencer.com | yournextmission.org

No Airman Left Behind. Inside the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program, that promise is more than words. It is a mission that never ends. On this episode of the Your Next Mission® video podcast, SMA Tilley goes inside the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program (AFW2) with MSG (R) Marsha Hoskins of AFW2, Leslie Santiago Rodriguez and CMSgt (R) Jason David of Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Federal Employee Program, and to reveal exactly how this program is changing lives and why no Airman is ever left behind.

The Air Force Wounded Warrior Program (AFW2) is the lifeline for wounded, ill, and injured Airmen, Guardians, and their Families. From the moment of injury through every stage of recovery, AFW2 walks alongside warriors with personalized care, advocacy, mentorship, and a community that refuses to let anyone heal alone. And when partners like Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program stand shoulder to shoulder with that mission, the impact multiplies. This is the inside look every Airman, Guardian, caregiver, Veteran, and Military Family needs to hear.

CMSgt (R) Jason David shares the warrior's perspective. Marsha Hoskins breaks down how the program actually works and who it serves. Leslie Santiago Rodriguez explains how Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP partners with AFW2 to extend care and resources to those who served. Three voices. One mission. Zero filters. Because heroes don't heal alone, and no Airman is ever left behind.

LEARN MORE / GET INVOLVED

Air Force Wounded Warrior Program: https://www.woundedwarrior.af.mil

Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program: https://www.fepblue.org

What you will hear in this episode

Inside the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program and exactly who qualifies for AFW2 support

How AFW2 walks with warriors and Families from the moment of injury through every stage of recovery

Why CMSgt (R) Jason David says the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program saved more than just his career

How Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program partners with AFW2 to extend care, advocacy, and lifelong resources

What caregivers and Military Families need to know about the support available to them right now

Why the transition from active duty to civilian life is one of the hardest battles a wounded warrior fights

The role adaptive sports, mentorship, and community play in the healing process inside AFW2

How the partnership between BCBS FEP and the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program is reaching Airmen who did not know help existed

Why corporate America stepping up matters and what real partnership looks like in action

The honest truth about what wounded warriors and their Families need most and how you can be part of the solution

How to connect a wounded, ill, or injured Airman or Guardian to AFW2 today

Why no Airman is ever left behind and what every Veteran should know about asking for help

What is the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program?

Who qualifies for AFW2 support?

How does the Air Force support wounded, ill, and injured Airmen?

What does No Airman Left Behind mean in the Air Force?

How does Blue Cross Blue Shield partner with the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program?

What benefits do wounded warriors get through Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program?

How does AFW2 help with the transition to civilian life?

What support is available for Air Force wounded warrior families?

How do I connect a wounded Airman to the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program?

What is the role of caregivers in AFW2?

How do adaptive sports help wounded warriors heal?

What resources are available for Air Force veterans with PTSD or TBI?

How does the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program work with the VA?

What is the impact of AFW2 on Airmen and Guardians?

How can civilians support wounded warrior programs?

What does Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP cover for federal employees and veterans?

#NoAirmanLeftBehind #AirForceWoundedWarrior #AFW2 #BlueCrossBlueShield #BCBSFEP #FederalEmployeeProgram #WoundedWarrior #YourNextMission #SMATilley

The NCO Corps does not need compliant Soldiers. It needs committed warfighters. On this episode of the Your Next Mission® video podcast, 12th Sergeant Major of the Army (R) Jack L. Tilley sits down with 17th Sergeant Major of the Army Michael R. Weimer to break down exactly what turns compliance into commitment and why the difference is the why. Two SMAs. Zero filters. The truth that every Soldier, NCO, Veteran and Military Family needs to hear right now.

SMA Weimer said it straight. "You could be really fit, really tough, and still be a one trick leader". And in 2026 that is not enough. The NCO Corps needs Soldiers who are adaptive, curious, continuously learning and committed from the inside out. Not because they have to be. Because they understand why they should be.

These two leaders go beyond the manual to discuss merit-based retention, Transforming in Contact, and how the Army is using Artificial Intelligence to update doctrine at light speed. Whether you are an active duty NCO or a Veteran transitioning to civilian life, this is the "No Filter" truth about the state of the force.

What you will hear in this episode

Why SMA Weimer says brilliance at the basics is the only foundation that makes technology lethal

How Transforming in Contact is putting new equipment directly into the hands of Soldiers and taking real time feedback on the spot

Why the Army's new merit-based retention strategy is finally rewarding committed Soldiers instead of treating everyone the same

What the journey from compliance to commitment actually looks like across a 20 to 30 year career

Why adaptability and continuous learning are the most critical skills for the NCO of 2026 and beyond

How Combined Arms Center is using artificial intelligence to update doctrine and training at a speed this Army has never seen before

What SMA Weimer witnessed at minus 20 degrees in Alaska that made him proud of this generation of NCOs

Why the warrior mindset that made you successful in uniform will make you successful the day you take it off

The honest truth about barracks healthcare and food strategy and what Army leadership is doing about it right now

Why leaders who explain the why are the ones who turn compliant Soldiers into committed war fighters

What both SMAs say every young Sergeant must master that is completely different from what was required of their generation

How home station training before CTC rotations is transforming readiness across the entire force

Why you cannot be a one trick leader in today's Army and what that means for your career right now

What SMA Weimer means when he says the Army is on a war path to eliminate ridiculous rules so Soldiers can train and fight

What is the difference between a compliant Soldier and a committed Soldier?

How do Army leaders build commitment in their Soldiers?

What does SMA Weimer say about NCO leadership in 2026?

How do you turn a compliant Soldier into a committed war fighter?

What is merit-based retention and how is the Army changing it?

How does the Army use artificial intelligence in NCO training today?

What is Transforming in Contact and how does it impact Soldiers?

What skills does a sergeant need in 2026 that were never required before?

How do you build trust with this generation of Soldiers?

What is the journey from compliance to commitment in the Army?

How is the Army updating doctrine faster using artificial intelligence?

What did SMA Weimer say about NCO grit and the next generation?

How does home station training prepare Soldiers before CTC rotations?

What is Combined Arms Center doing with artificial intelligence right now?

What does every battalion Sergeant Major need to be doing before a Soldier reaches their ETS window?

How does the warrior mindset translate from military service to civilian life?

What is the Army doing about barracks healthcare and food strategy for Soldiers and Families?

How do you go from one enlistment to 20 plus years of committed service?