PAST HOSTS

Marcus Antonellis

Marcus is from Groton, MA. He attended the College of the Holy Cross, getting his undergraduate degree in Mathematics and commissioning via the NROTC unit. A Naval Surface Warfare Officer, he has served as the Auxiliaries Officer on USS FREEDOM (LCS 1) and as the Damage Control Assistant on USS JOHN PAUL JONES (DDG 53). His assignments had him deploying to the 5th Fleet AOR and participating in multiple Missile Defense Agency test missions.

Episodes Hosted: Episode 25 June 10, | Episode 22 February 2, | Episode 21 January 13, | Episode 16 April 30

Michael Gannon

Michael Gannon grew up in Dayton, Ohio and enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2007. He deployed twice to Central Command Area of Operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He commissioned through the Marine Enlisted College Education Program (MECEP) Graduating from the University of Maryland College Park in 2016, with a bachelor’s degree in Military History and diplomacy, graduated from Norwich University in 2019 with a Master’s degree in United States military history. He deployed two more times to Central Command in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. He is a Manpower Officer and will graduate in March of 2022 with a degree in Manpower System Analysis. His thesis research is focused on the cost effectiveness and efficacy of leveraging Computer Aided Instruction in DoD schoolhouses.

Episodes Hosted: Episode 26 June 10, Episode 24 March 23, Episode 18 October 6, Episode 15 April 5

Michael Morris, Co-host

Mike grew up in Coal Valley, Illinois. After high school, he attended the Air Force Academy, commissioning in 2009. During his career, he’s worked mainly as an airfield operations officer, focusing on air traffic control and airfield and airspace management. He has operated airfields at various locations in the U.S. and abroad, including the UAE, Iraq, and Honduras. Most recently, he staffed combat airspace for Air Force Special Operations Command, developing training programs and new combat fires integration capabilities. Currently, Mike is a student in the National Security Affairs department at NPS, preparing to be a Foreign Area Officer in European Command. This is his first podcast.

Episodes Hosted: Episode 11 August 19, | Episode 6 July 10, | Episode 10 June, | Episode 5 June 30, | Episode 7 June 29

Joe Novak, Creator and Host

Joe is from Cleveland, Ohio and went through ROTC in central NY State. He went on to a “NATO” pilot training program (ENJJPT) and then flew F-15Cs. He then went to medical school in Chicago and did an Emergency Medicine residency in Texas. He flew CCATT missions (“flying ICU’s”) between Afghanistan, Germany, and the US and then became a flight surgeon. Just prior NPS, he was stationed at a remote rural multinational C-17 unit in Hungary as the sole western MD for over a hundred miles.

Episodes Hosted: Episode 9 July, | Episode 8 July 16, | Episode 4 June 30, | Episode 3 June 30, | Episode 2 June 23, | Episode 1 May 8

Brian Pajarillo, Campus Outreach

Brian is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. He is the President of the NPS President’s Board of Student Advisors. He is currently studying Manpower Systems Analysis at NPS and his research thesis subject is on Human Behavior Analysis on Naval Personnel. As a Human Resources Officer, Brian served as Student Services Officer as part of the staff at NPS. His next assignment will be as a Manpower Analyst.

Episodes Hosted: Episode 11 August 19

Mike Wish, Host and Senior Producer

Mike is from Colorado Springs, CO. He attended the United States Naval Academy, commissioned in the Marine Corps, and serves as an artillery officer. He has served in rocket and cannon artillery units, instructed gunnery at the officer’s artillery school, and deployed four times to combat and aboard Marine Expeditionary Units. Prior to NPS, he commanded Battery G, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines on Camp Pendleton, CA.

Episodes Hosted: Episode 29 June, 29 | Episode 23 March 1, | Episode 19 November 9, | Episode 14 March 25, | Episode 13 March 26, | Episode 12 March 8