OPERATION C.R.E.S.T.

AN EFFORT TO PARTNER STUDENTS AND VETERANS TO LEARN, SERVE & LEAD

Operation CREST is an effort to provide young people with memorable leadership experiences inspired by the heroes of Flight 93 and facilitated by America's Veterans. Focusing on the core leadership attributes of Courage, Resilience, Empowerment, Service, and Teamwork, Veterans and students join forces to unleash a wave of positive impact in their communities through powerful conversations about history, memorable learning activities that inform and inspire, and community service events that put leadership ideas into action. 

HEAR THE CONVERSATION VIA THE OPERATION C.R.E.S.T. PODCAST

The Operation C.R.E.S.T. podcast is a student-led production where Veterans share their memories of Courage, Resilience, Empowerment, Service, and Teamwork during their time while enlisted in the Armed Services. Students are given the opportunity to learn important lessons from these conversations, and are tasked with a service opportunity of their own: the digital preservation of the Veteran experience as a part of the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project. Join our students and veterans as they sit down and engage in important and meaningful conversations, and stay tuned for updates via our newsletter regarding new programs coming soon.

POWERFUL LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS

Through this experience, students design interview questions, lead discussions, select audio tracks, and finalize recordings. In the process, they learn important skills in technology and leadership, and provide an invaluable service by donating all recorded interviews to the Library of Congress to be preserved for future generations.

VETERANS WHO CONTINUE TO SERVE

When given the opportunity to share their memories, participating Veterans are renewed and refreshed. Sharing their stories provides an opportunity to continue to serve the nation even though their enlistments are up. These conversations are just the beginning of a host of ways that we're designing that will allow veterans  to continue to serve America by working with youth.

SEASON 2

SEASON 2 EPISODE 7: SENIOR INTELLIGENCE OFFICER 4 ALAN PLATT WITH ELI & ROHAN

Join Eli and Rohan as they sit down with Senior Intelligence Officer 4 Alan Platt. Mr. Platt is a former Naval Aviator and retired senior CIA officer from the Directorate of Operations with a distinguished career in the Clandestine Service and proven record of integrity, achievement and excellence. During his twenty-five years of service with the CIA, he served in six field assignments, four as Chief of Station. He has been involved in several premier intelligence operations that contributed to national collection objectives and Covert Action goals, many in high risk environments. Headquarters assignments have included Executive Assistant to the DDCI; Deputy Chief, Special Activities Division, where he pioneered the Agency’s UAV program; and Deputy and Acting Chief, Counterintelligence Center, where he helped identify and bring to justice a CIA spy. Alan’s last assignment in the IC was Associate Deputy Director for Operations, NSA. Alan has been recognized with numerous awards for his contributions to US Intelligence, including a Vice Presidential Commendation, CIA’s Donovan Award, NSA’s Exceptional Civilian Service Award, the Intelligence Medal of Merit, the Balkans Service Award, and upon retirement, the CIA’s Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal. Prior to his CIA career, Mr. Platt was a Naval Aviator for six years. He received a BS degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1969, and an MS degree in Aeronautical Systems Engineering from the University of West Florida in 1970, simultaneously completing Aviation Training and receiving his wings. He is married to Linda Buckley Platt, and they have two children, and three grandchildren. Alan and Linda live in Middleburg, VA, and are active in many community activities.

SEASON 2 EPISODE 8: COMING SOON!

Stay tuned for our next episode!

SEASON 2 EPISODE 6: Lieutenant Colonel Steve HENDERSON (RET.) WITH LIZ & JULIA

Join Liz and Julia as they sit down with Lieutenant Colonel Steve Henderson (Ret.). Mr. Henderson is a Senior Data Engineer for the Defense Counterintelligence Systems Agency, where he leads the DCSA Big Data Platform team and advises on large-scale data initiatives. Steve has served as a senior data scientist and systems engineer in the commercial and military cyber operations communities, where he specialized in providing data science and data engineering solutions. This includes positions in Cyberspatial, Merck’s Cyber Fusion Center, Citigroup’s Global Cyber Fusion Center, USCYBERCOM, and the Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon University. Steve has recently held faculty positions at the United States Military Academy Department of Systems Engineering and in the Heinz College at Carnegie Mellon University. Steve is also a 23-year Army veteran who served as an Apache helicopter pilot and Operations Systems Analyst (ORSA) all over the world. Dr. Henderson earned a B.S. in Computer Science from USMA, an M.S. in Systems Engineering from the University of Arizona (UA), and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Columbia University. He lives in New York state with his wife Maria and enjoys traveling, learning new technology, and participating in church activities.

SEASON 2 EPISODE 5: Lieutenant Colonel aaron teller with julia & ava

Join Julia and Ava as they talk with Lieutenant Colonel Aaron C. Teller. LTC Teller serves as the Force Protection Branch Chief within the Full Dimension Protection Division (FDB), Headquarters Department of the Army (HQDA) G-8. He most recently served as a National Security Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He is a native of Hillsville, Virginia, and a graduate of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina. He holds a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. LTC Teller is an Explosive Ordnance Disposal officer and has served over 20 years in the Army. He has multiple deployments including to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait.

SEASON 2 EPISODE 4: CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 4 MIKE COOPER WITH RILEY & LUKE

Join Riley and Luke as they sit down with Chief Warrant Officer 4 Mike Cooper. CW4 Cooper is a native of Hickory, North Carolina. He is the son of Deborah and Clifford Cooper. He followed in his father and grandfather's footsteps enlisting in the Army on August 13, 1997, as an aircraft electrician. CW4 Cooper's initial entry training included basic training, the aircraft electrician course, and Airborne school. He was then assigned to 2/82 AVN 82nd Airborne Division. He deployed with the 82nd to Afghanistan in 2002. In 2003, CW4 Cooper reclassified to Psychological Operations, attended the Special Operation Language Training for Persian Farsi and then assessed for the Psychological Operations Ranger Detachment. While in the Ranger Detachment, Mike served as a team leader and assistant detachment Sergeant. He deployed twice with Ranger Regt., once in 2004 and again in 2005. During this last deployment, Mike realized the impact he could have on mission success as a helicopter pilot. Shortly after returning from OEF in January 2006, Mike applied to Warrant Officer Flight Training. CW4 Cooper graduated from Warrant Officer Flight Training at Ft. Rucker AL. in 2008 as a UH60A/L pilot. He was assigned to 4-101, 159th CAB at Ft. Campbell, KY. where he qualified in the UH60M. CW4 Cooper deployed two more times with 4-101 to Afghanistan in 2008-2009 and in 2011-2012. He attended both the UH60L and UH60M Maintenance test pilot courses in 2012 as well as the Aviation Maintenance Officer Course. Mr. Cooper was then assigned to 2/82 AVN 82nd Airborne Division as a Maintenance Test Pilot. He deployed again to Afghanistan in his role as an MTP. CW4 Cooper then served as an Aviation Warrant Officer Advance Course Instructor on Ft. Rucker. During his assignment, Mike taught over 1200 Army aviators. Following that assignment Mike was assigned as the Quality Assurance OIC in 2-2 Assault Helicopter Battalion in Seoul, South Korea. After his stint in South Korea, Mike was stationed in Ft. Belvoir Va. as the unit's aviation maintenance officer and senior MTP. Currently, CW4 Cooper serves as the senior warrant officer advisory to the battalion commander in 12th AVN BN. In concert with working as an MTP, Mike pursued his civilian education attaining an Associate’s Degree from Fayetteville Technical Community College. CW4 Cooper’s Warrant Officer professional military education includes Warrant Officer Basic Course, Aviation Warrant Officer Advance Course, and Warrant Officer Intermediate Level Education. CW4 Cooper has also attended Airborne, Jumpmaster, US. Army Recruiter Course, the Mobile Force Protection Course, and US Army Pathfinder.

SEASON 2 EPISODE 3: LIEUTENANT COLONEL KATE CLARKE WITH ELI & ROHAN

Join Eli and Rohan as they sit down with Lieutenant Colonel Kate Clarke. LTC Clarke was born and raised in the small town of Macon, Missouri. In 2000, she graduated from Austin Peay State University and Army ROTC where she was commissioned as a second lieutenant. To date, LTC Clarke has completed twenty years of service to the United States Army, Missouri National Guard, and the United States Army Reserves with assignments in Korea, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. LTC Clarke is branch-qualified in Military Police and Logistics and holds a Master of Science in American History from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Currently, LTC Clarke continues her service in the US Army Reserves assigned within the Protection Division of the United States Army Corps of Engineers in Washington D.C. Kate is an author with the publication in 2005 by Penguin Publishing of her memoirs entitled “The Heart of a Soldier.” She has been invited to speak at a variety of events across the nation and presently, Kate is in her final year of PhD work at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, where she is completing original research on the American Revolution. When not studying or hiking in Scotland, Kate resides in Enterprise, Alabama with her husband Michael, and Border Collie, Hawkeye.

SEASON 2 EPISODE 2: SERGEANT FIRST CLASS (RET.) JASON MCNUTT WITH JACOB & EVAN

Join Jacob and Evan as they sit down with SFC (Ret.) Jason McNutt. Mr. McNutt currently serves with the Defense Contract Management Agency as a Program Integrator in Huntsville, Alabama, where he is currently supporting the Missile Defense Agency with the nation’s homeland defense mission. He has previously served in several capacities within DCMA at locations spanning across the country to include the Pentagon in Washington D.C. Prior to his current career with DCMA, Mr. McNutt served in the U.S. Army where he held the rank of Sergeant First Class within the Army's Aviation Branch as an AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopter Senior Maintainer. He is a combat Veteran of the 101st Airborne Division with combat deployments to both Afghanistan and Iraq. Mr. McNutt's military service also includes five years overseas stationed in the Republic of South Korea. His military awards include the Bronze Star Medal and two Meritorious Service Medals. Mr. McNutt has over 25 years of combined military and government experience in his professional career and holds a Bachelor's of Science in Business from Bellevue University.

SEASON 2 EPISODE 1: CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 4 (RET.) JOHN hAMILTON WITH LUKE

Join Luke as he sits down with Chief Warrant Officer 4 (Ret.) John Hamilton, who served for 24 years in the U.S. Army, 22 of those years on active duty. On September 11, 2001, Mr. Hamilton was an AH-64 Apache Pilot in the 101st Airborne Division, and months later, he deployed to Afghanistan. He has also served on the Army Staff in Washington, D.C., and has flown Army airplanes on five continents. He has varied civilian aviation experience, serving as an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) helicopter pilot, corporate airplane pilot, and now as a pilot for a major airline. Mr. Hamilton has a Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration from Upper Iowa University. His favorite thing in the world is to watch his daughter play high school and club soccer. He is the son of Rayford E. Hamilton, a World War 2 Combat Infantryman who served in the 10th Mountain Division, WIA in Italy, 1945. Mr. Hamilton is also a co-founder of The 9:57 Project.

SEASON 1

sEASON 1 EPISODE 10: COLONEL WENDY ODDEN (RET.) WITH JULIA & MATTHEW

Join Julia and Matthew as they sit down with Colonel Wendy E. Odden (Ret.), who served in the United States Air Force (USAF) from 1989 to 2019 as a Bioenvironmental Engineer. Her last assignment was as the Department Chair for the Occupational and Environmental Health Department at the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM), Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio. She was responsible for enhancing human performance and reducing total exposure health risks through occupational and environmental health (OEH) education, consultation, knowledge management, laboratory analysis, and innovation for the Department of Defense. Colonel (retired) Odden received her commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program and degree in Environmental Engineering at Pennsylvania State University in 1989. She served in various roles as a Bioenvironmental Engineer, including flight commander, Chemical, Biological, Radiation, and Nuclear specialist, staff officer, international health specialist, Deputy Command Surgeon, Medical Operations Squadron Commander, Major Command Bioenvironmental Engineer, and Department Chair. Her assignments included Bergstrom AFB, Austin TX; Ramstein AB, Germany; Peterson AFB, Colorado Springs CO; Charleston AFB, Charleston SC; MacDill AFB, Tampa FL; Langley AFB, Hampton VA; Stuttgart, Germany; Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, TX; Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph , TX; and Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton OH. Her deployments took her to Republic of Georgia; Royal Air Force Akrotiri, Cyprus; Al Udeid, Qatar; Kuwait; Iraq; and United Arab Emirates. While not working, Colonel (retired) Odden enjoys spending time with “daughter” Brittany dog, family, and friends, as well as traveling to see new places. Colonel (retired) Odden is married to Chief Master Sergeant (retired) Troy Odden. They live in a cabin in the mountains in Capon Bridge, WV near Wendy’s family in the Washington DC and Northern Virginia area. They also have property in Grand Rapids, MN, where Troy grew up and much of his family still lives.

SEASON 1 EPISODE 9: LIEUTENANT COLONEL CAYTON JOHNSON (ret.) WITH DAKOTA & AUTUMN

Join Dakota and Autumn as they sit down with retired Lieutenant Colonel Cayton Johnson as he shares lessons and memories from his 22 years of service in the U.S. Army. Mr. Johnson is from Isle of Palms, South Carolina, and is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. He served as an Apache attack helicopter pilot with the 101st Airborne Division, 3rd Infantry Division, and 1st Cavalry Division. He also served on Army and Department of Defense level staffs in the Pentagon. Cayton’s service included six combat deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. He is a recipient of the Legion of Merit, three Bronze Star Medals, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, five Meritorious Service Medals, four Air Medals, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Combat Action Badge, Senior Aviator Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Parachutist Badge. Cayton is married to fellow ‘Soldier for Life’ and retired Lieutenant Colonel Robin Johnson. Since retiring in 2021, Cayton spends his time supporting his wife’s career in comedy, parenting their two children, and assisting the Army with one of their talent assessment and selection programs.

SEASON 1 EPISODE 8: LIEUTENANT COLONEL LEE OLYNIEC (RET.) WITH ZACK & EVAN

Join Zack and Evan as they talk with retired Lt. Col. Lee Olyniec. Mr. Olyniec retired from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel with over 22 years of active duty service. He started his career as an engineer supporting flight tests at Edwards Air Force Base. In 2000, he graduated from the Air Force Test Pilot School as a flight test engineer and supported initial testing of the F-22 fighter aircraft. Additional assignments include program offices with the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile, Air Traffic Control and Landing Systems, the E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning And Control System, and various staff positions. Lieutenant Colonel Olyniec deployed to Afghanistan in 2007 with Task Force Paladin and the Counter Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) mission at FOB Shank and Kandahar. In 2011, he deployed to FOB Union III in the Baghdad Green Zone supporting the Iraq Security Assistance Mission. Mr. Olyniec graduated from Texas A&M where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. He also holds a master's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He retired in 2016 and currently works as a technical consultant.


SEASON 1 EPISODE 7: LIEUTENANT GENERAL DEANNA BURT WITH LUKE & AVA

Join Luke and Ava as they talk with Lieutenant General DeAnna M. Burt. Lt. Gen. Burt is the Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear, United States Space Force, the Pentagon, Washington, DC. As the Chief Operations Officer, Lt Gen Burt has overall responsibility for Operations, Sustainment, Cyber, and Nuclear Operations of the United States Space Force. Lt Gen Burt entered the Air Force in 1991 as a distinguished graduate of the Air Force ROTC program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Her career has included numerous satellite operations and staff positions in Air Force Space Command and U.S. European Command. The general has commanded the 2nd Space Operations Squadron, the 460th Operations Group, and the 50th Space Wing. She is a graduate and former instructor of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School and a graduate of the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies. Prior to her current assignment, Lt Gen Burt was the Commander, Combined Forces Space Component Command, U.S. Space Command, and Vice Commander, Space Operations Command, U.S. Space Force.

SEASON 1 EPISODE 6: SERGEANT FIRST CLASS tIM HUGGINS (RET.) WITH MALLORY AND JASLYN

Listen in as Mallory and Jaslyn sit down with Sergeant First Class (retired) Tim Huggins. Mr. Huggins was born in 1981 in the Mount Pleasant Neighborhood of Washington, D.C., and has two kids aged 19 (Anthony) and 11 (Kennedy). He joined the Army in January of 2000 and was sent to the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks in Hawai'i. Tim served as an Infantryman and Aviation Operations Specialist and has deployed to Bosnia, Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Some of his awards include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Combat Infantry Badge. He retired from the Army in 2021.

SEASON 1 EPISODE 5: TECHNICAL SERGEANT TINA LAING (RET.) WITH SHAW & ROHAN

Join Shaw and Rohan as they sit down with Technical Sergeant Tina Laing, who served 15 years of active duty service in the Air Force and two years in the California Air National Guard before she received a medical discharge from the Air National Guard in 2006. After retiring, Sergeant Laing served as a government-contracted financial analyst in Air Force Space Command managing the Air Force’s Cyber Infrastructure 13.1 billion dollar portfolio. In 2014, Sergeant Laing felt a moral obligation to finish serving a full twenty years in uniform and opted to apply to become an Air Force Junior ROTC Instructor teaching leadership to high school students. What was supposed to be a few years' commitment ended up being a true passion and she continues instructing today at Unity Reed High School. She is the back-to-back-to-back three-time Virginia state drill champion coach, as well as a first-place trophy winner at the Air Force JROTC National Drill competition competing against 865 units across the globe. She holds an advanced degree in Business Administration and is married to her husband, Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Charles Laing, and has two children, Kate and Zach.

SEASON 1 EPISODE 4: MAJOR RUDY SALCIDO (RET.) WITH RILEY & MATTHEW

Join Matthew and Riley as they sit down with United States Army Major Rudy Salcido. Mr. Salcido is a veteran with a combined 10 1⁄2 years of active-duty service, and 19 years of Federal Service with the Army National Guard. Born in El Paso, Texas, he was raised in a small town just outside El Paso named Socorro. He graduated from Socorro High School in 2000 while attending the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Academy and was a multi-sport athlete and very involved in extra-curricular activities. After high school, he attended the University of Texas at El Paso and graduated in December 2005 with his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and a Minor in Military Science. In the same month, he received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant with the United States Army National Guard. After graduation and commissioning, he reported to Army flight school and graduated in October of 2007 as an Army Aviator.  While attending flight school, he applied for the United States Border Patrol,  entered on duty in December 2007, and was named class leader. Continue reading...

SEASON 1 EPISODE 3: SERGEANT RICHARD MACHAMER (RET.) WITH MIGUEL & ROHAN

Join Miguel & Rohan as they sit down with Marine Corps Infantry Sergeant Richard Machamer. Richard completed three combat deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During that time he participated in combat operations to expel insurgent forces from Fallujah, Ramadi, Ar Rutbah, and Mosul. During Operation Koa Canyon in Hit, Iraq, Richard's unit was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation. In the latter part of his military career, Richard led an intelligence cell and was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal for operations that resulted in the capture of several key insurgent and Al Qaeda leaders operating in Al Anbar province including Multinational Forces West’s 2nd most wanted insurgent leader. Richard recently founded a corporate intelligence firm that he currently runs in addition to serving on the Board of Directors of The 9:57 Project. In his free time, Rick enjoys touring local wineries and breweries, competitive axe throwing, hanging out with his dog, Freya, and playing video games online with his Marine Corps buddies.

SEASON 1 EPISODE 2: LIEUTENANT COLONEL Rogers "ROGE" STINSON  (RET.) WITH SHAW & LUKE

Join Shaw and Luke as they sit down with United States Army Lieutenant Colonel Rogers “Roge” Stinson. Roge is a veteran with over 20 years of active-duty Service. During his career, he served as a CH-47D “Chinook” heavy lift helicopter pilot and maintenance test pilot. He has served both in combat and in support of peacetime operations around the world. Roge served in Iraq with the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 5/6 where he commanded an Aviation Support Company, leading over 350 Soldiers and Department of Defense contract support personnel. He is a 1995 graduate of Furman University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry and then was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Roge also holds a Master of Arts degree in Human Resources Management from Webster University. Roge retired from active duty in 2015 and is the co-founder of Logistics Associates, LLC, headquartered in Northern Virginia, where he currently serves as Chief Operating Officer and Vice President for Human Resources. He’s a proud father of two children and a professional photographer.

SEASON 1 EPISODE 1: CAPTAIN JASON SMITH WITH AVA & RILEY

Join Ava and Riley as they sit down with Captain Jason Smith. Jason is a 25-year military veteran serving as a pilot and leader in both the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Army. He has served on the National Security Council; as Senior Policy Advisor on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee; and as strategic advisor and communications director for the Commandant of the Coast Guard.

He has led soldiers and sailors during three combat deployments, nine afloat deployments, and in emergency response to several hurricanes, including hurricane Katrina - rescuing more than 200 lives. He has served at the operational and strategic level working with state, federal, tribal, and foreign agencies.

Jason has a Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard, a Master’s in International Relations from St. Mary’s University, and a Bachelor’s in Biology from Sam Houston State University. Jason also serves on the Board of Directors of The 9:57 Project.