The Spacepower Podcast

In This Episode of the Spacepower Podcast, Dr. Jason Womack argues that mission readiness in the Space Force is inseparable from how leaders think, connect, reflect, and learn. Connection is operational. Reflection is strategic. Leadership is not about answers—but about building environments where better questions, better decisions, and better people emerge over time.Mission‑Ready Leadership with Dr. Jason “J.W.” WomackSpace Power Podcast | Host: Bill “Hippie” Woolf
1. Mission‑Ready Leadership Is a Daily DisciplineDr. Womack defines leadership not as inspiration but as an operational practice. Readiness shows up in daily thinking, acting, and adapting—especially when margins for error are thin.Mission‑ready leaders demonstrate:Mastery of Craft: Deep domain knowledge and continuous learning across disciplines.Effective Management & Advocacy: Ability to articulate needs, anticipate requirements, and build sound business cases.Understanding People: Awareness of multi‑generational motivations and adult‑learning principles.2. Reflection Drives GrowthHigh‑performing organizations often rush forward without pausing to learn.Womack stresses structured reflection using three questions:What happened?What happened as a result?What should we do more of—or stop doing—next time?Like the Weapons School model, meaningful debrief time is essential to improvement.3. Connection Is an Operational SkillConnection is not social activity—it’s a deliberate leadership behavior.People need connection to:Self (value & purpose)Mission (why their work matters)Each other (trust)Context (operational picture)Proximity alone doesn’t create trust. Leaders must intentionally connect people to meaning, information, and each other.

Col (ret) Keith Balts, PhD, is the Director of the Leadership Signature Program and Kramer Family Leadership Faculty Fellow at Clemson University. Educational BackgroundPh.D. Engineering and Science EducationClemson University 2024Master of National Security and Strategic StudiesNaval War College 2010Master of Arts in Military Operational Arts and ScienceAir Command and Staff College 2005B.S. MathematicsUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison 1992Keith Balts, Colonel (Retired), USAF, earned his Ph.D. in Engineering and Science Education at Clemson University in 2024. He is a professor of practice and currently serves as the Director of the Leadership Signature Program and Kramer Family Leadership Faculty Fellow in the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business at Clemson University. Prior to his current position, he served as the commander of Clemson’s Air Force ROTC detachment, dual-hatted as the department chair for aerospace studies. He served for twenty-eight years as an Air Force space operations officer after earning a B.S. degree in Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He has deployed four times to southwest Asia and has served as a squadron commander, vice wing commander, wing commander, inspector general, and the Director of Space Forces for the Middle East region. Keith has also earned a Master of Engineering degree in Space Operations from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and two additional master’s degrees related to national security and leadership from Air University and the Naval War College. He is also graduate of the United States Air Force Weapons School.His volunteer service includes Chair responsibilities for two University military-connected alumni clubs and two local Scouting-related committees. He also served as the Vice Chair for the three-county Scout District Committee in the upstate.
In this episode:

Conversation Timeline – Space Power Podcast w/ Col. (Dr.)Keith Balts
00:00 – 05:00
Introductions, background, Montana life, Clemson culture, and militaryappreciation events.
05:00 – 12:00
ROTC origins, Air Force commissioning, early expectations, and the chaoticearly years of space operations.
12:00 – 20:00
Transition from “supporting” to “supported” space missions; building a warriorethos in space.
20:00 – 30:00
Launch operations at Vandenberg, X‑37 landings, Falcon 9’s early days, andhigh-pressure mission stories.
30:00 – 40:00
Deployments, combat integration, CSAR rescues, Silent Sentry SATCOM protection,and the importance of space in the minimum force package.
40:00 – 50:00
Operation Burnt Frost—classification challenges, radar adaptation,organizational lessons.
50:00 – 70:00
Doctoral research: what predicts early career success, data challenges,insights on STEM vs non‑STEM performance.
70:00 – 85:00
Recommendations for Space Force recruiting, selection, training, and leadershipdevelopment.
85:00 – End
Academia vs military culture, experiential learning, AI’s impact on the next generation, and universal leadership principles.

Redwire Corporation (NYSE:RDW) is an integrated space and defense tech company focused on advanced technologies. We are building the future of aerospace infrastructure, autonomous systems and multi-domain operations leveraging digital engineering and AI automation. Redwire’s approximately 1,300 employees located throughout the United States and Europe are committed to delivering innovative space and airborne platforms transforming the future of multi-domain operations.

In this episode of The Spacepower Podcast, host Bill “Hippie” Woolf sits down with siblings Master Sergeant Matthew T. Davis and Lieutenant Hannah Mangum for an inside look at Space Force recruitment, training, and life as a Guardian.Master Sergeant Davis shares insights from his 16-year career in recruiting, breaking down what it really takes to join the Space Force—from qualifications and career paths to the service’s highly selective process, which evaluates roughly 1,000 enlisted applicants each year.Lieutenant Mangum offers a fresh perspective as a newly commissioned officer, reflecting on her transition from civilian life and into the Space Force. She highlights the value of STEM education, leadership potential, preparation, and a willingness to learn for anyone aspiring to serve.Whether you're curious about Space Force opportunities, considering a military career, or simply fascinated by the newest branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, this conversation delivers clarity, candor, and plenty of inspiration.🎧 Tune in to learn:- What Space Force recruiters look for - How enlisted and officer pathways differ - Why leadership and adaptability matter as much as technical skills - What new Guardians can expect on their journey

About ULA: Mission: Save Lives, Explore the Universe, Connect the WorldFocus on our customer’s mission. The technologies we enable protect our country and troops in the battlefield, enable search and rescue, provide a backbone for business and connect families across the globe. They help us explore our city and learn about our solar system and places beyond.Create value through certainty. We deliver the most dependable ride to space by combining our unrivaled legacy, tireless drive to improve and commitment to the extraordinary.