The Everyday Veteran Podcast

In today’s episode, we sit down with Retired Navy Seal, Rick Winters. Rick has 30 years of combined experience in Hostage Rescue, Counter Terrorism, SWAT Operations, and Executive Security. A decorated combat veteran of the US Navy, Rick served 14 years as a SEAL operator, instructor, and training supervisor with SEAL teams 1 and 4, SDV team 2, and the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU). Rick made numerous deployments overseas working alongside other Tier-1 assets as well as training foreign Special Operations Forces around the world.

As a police officer, Rick served with the West Sacramento/Davis SWAT team from 2004-2018 before retiring as a detective and was the senior breacher and primary tactical training instructor. He has provided tactical instruction in SWAT Operations to dozens of Law Enforcement Agencies throughout the State of California and is a recognized expert in tactical breaching.

During his tenure, he was selected by name, along with other local SWAT operators, to assist the U.S. Secret Service for the George W. Bush Presidential visit to West Sacramento. Additionally, he was identified to assist in the security detail of the official visit to the U.C. Davis Campus by the President of Soviet Georgia

Rick’s professional experience also includes Technical Climbing, Air Operations, Maritime Interdiction Operations, and Combat Trauma Medicine. Rick has also been formally trained by the U.S Dept. of State in Diplomatic Security and Dignitary Protection.

In addition to Military and Law Enforcement experience, Rick has worked professionally in the private sector. As a Security Supervisor with Apex Security Group, Rick managed numerous high-level security details, including a four-year assignment with the San Francisco 49ers. Under Rick’s leadership, his team provided personal security for NFL players, visiting owners, celebrity VIPs, and government officials. Rick also serves as an instructor and Subject Matter Expert for Pinnacle Tactical Solutions, Inc. He is a Basic SWAT Instructor and provides instruction in Tactical Breaching, Firearms, and Hostage Rescue tactics.

In 2017, Rick formed his own company, Tier-1 Concepts, which provides elite tactical training and consulting to Law Enforcement and private sector professionals.
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@Facebook: @Everyday Veteran
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@Twitter: @EVERYDAYvetrn

In this episode we talk with Retired Air Force Major Bill Young. Bill had an amazing career in the Air Force as a Meteorologist taking part of some historic events. One event that Bill talks about is when he was the head Meteorologist for the very first NASA Space Shuttle mission and it's safe return to Earth. Bill is an extremely humble man who does great work in the Coachella Valley supporting Military, Veterans, and their families. Below is a brief bio of Bill.
William (Bill) Robert Young

Born December 27, 1947 in Foxboro Massachusetts

Family moved to California in Fall of 1959.

Graduated High School ... Santiago High, Garden Grove, Calif in 1965

AFROTC at Colorado State

Graduated in January 1970 with degree in Social Studies (Mechanical Engineering Major most of time at CSU but switched majors to start studying meteorology for Air Force) and commissioned as a Second Lt in Air Force

Spent all of 1970 at Texas A&M in basic meteorology program

1971 to 1974: Dobbins AFB, Georgia. Forecaster/worked with C-5 program. Many of the original astronauts passed through our weather station during this time.

1974-1976: AF Global Weather Center, Offutt AFB, Nebraska. Assistant weather team chief. Forecast weather for bases all over the world including support to resources in Viet Nam

1977: Back to Texas A&M to get Master’s Degree in Meteorology

1978-1981: Los Angeles AFS, California. Working with Space Division. Meteorologist in charge of support to the Space Transportation System (STS) more commonly known as the Space Shuttle. At Edwards AFB for landing of STS-1 in April 1981. Put together weather support plan for the Space Shuttle.

1981-1984: Commander of the weather station in Giebelstadt Germany in support of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (Wurzburg) Staff weather officer to commanding General of 3rd Infantry Division. Many field exercises during this period.

1984-1990: Current Operations Officer for the 5th Weather Squadron located at Ft McPherson, GA in support of Army bases in USA and FORCES Command. While there was a briefer for General Collin Powell. Lots of assistance visits to Army Posts all across America.

Retired in January 1990 and started working for a private weather company (Strategic Weather Services later changed to Planalytics) in July/August. Company headquartered in Valley Forge Pennsylvania but with a weather forecast office in Palm Springs which was just starting and I was asked to head up. Worked for them until about 2006. Spent 2 years at company headquarters including 2001 where I was located at the time of 9/11. Weather forecasts for big businesses, helping them plan their long range sales projections.

Since retirement, I have been on the Advisory Board of the local Salvation Army (about 14-15 years) and active in the Air Force Association and the American Legion. Also been blessed to be on the veterans committees for Congresswomen Mary Bono Mack and then Congressman Raul Ruiz as well as Supervisor Manuel Perez. While working with the Salvation Army, we started the Veterans Easy Access Program (VEAP) and accomplished 9 live Veterans Expos and a monthly e-mail newsletter, the ReadBack which updates local veterans on what is happening locally and on a national level. Hope to return to having live veterans expos once again in 2022.

Married since 1982 to Deanna/ no children

In today’s episode, I sit down with Marine Corps Spouse Nikki Wilkinson. Nikki has been a military spouse for about 6 years, and together with her husband Mike for a total of 9 years. Nikki and Mike are an Active Duty family currently stationed aboard Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, California. Nikki currently works at MiraCosta College in the Veterans Services Department. In her current role, Nikki can assist a lot of active duty, veteran, and transitioning military members and their spouses/family members in pursuing their educational goals (specifically using VA Education benefits). Prior to being stationed at Camp Pendleton, Nikki and Mike spent 3 years in Okinawa, Japan, where she was able to do a lot of traveling around Asia. Soon, Nikki plans on going to nursing school and is able to do so with the help of Mike’s GI Bill, which was gifted to her. Nikki loves being a military spouse and being able to support Mike while he serves our county.

Contact us:

@email: [email protected]
@Facebook: @Everyday Veteran
@Instagram: @theeverydayveteran
@Twitter: @EVERYDAYvetrn

In today’s episode we sit down with Marine Sergeant MadJack Floyd. Jack grew up in small town USA in the mountains of North Carolina. Shortly after his seventeenth birthday, the summer before high school graduation, he joined the Marine Corps delayed entry program. A year later he entered MCRD Paris Island where he spent his eighteenth birthday. Fulfilling his childhood dream of being a Marine Jack continued his service for four years and eight months completing two years in Marine Corps Security Forces Company as part of the CQB Team and two years and eight months in 1st Battalion 2nd Marine Infantry where he also became a Small Arms Weapons Instructor. Jack and his wife Nikki have five children, one boy and four girls (Jacob, Shelby, Gracie, Sophie, and Savanna)! He and Nikki currently live in the foothills of North Carolina where they enjoy fresh air and clean water.

After departing Marine Corps active duty Jack made a career working in Energy Management and Building Automation. Despite battling Alcoholism for many years, with the help of God and his family, he has excelled in building strong relationships in the community and with other veterans. Working with others in need and helping them overcome adversity is where he spends a lot of his personal thoughts and time. Today he is the president of ASI Controls, a global manufacturing company helping companies around the world lessen their carbon footprint. During his service he received two Navy Achievement Medals, two Meritorious Unit Citations, Good Conduct medal, National Defense medal, and overseas service deployment. He also earned the Expert Rifleman and Expert Pistol with multiple awards.