Blacksnake Bytes Ep. 33 - Military Retirement Benefits

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Dalton Triolo, the 122nd Fighter Wing honor guard program manager, describes what it is like to be a part of the honor guard team and shares stories and experiences from his career. U.S. Air Force honor guard teams salute our nation's heroes through precision and ceremony and represent the excellence of Airmen worldwide. (U.S. Air National Guard audio by Tech. Sgt. Kathleen LaCorte)

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Henry Hatfield and Airman 1st Class Joel McChesney discuss the traffic management office (TMO) with Senior Master Sgt. Leslie Kaiser at the 122nd Fighter Wing Fort Wayne, Ind., Feb. 28, 2025. TMO schedules and coordinates passenger and cargo travel and manages inbound and outbound military equipment, aircraft parts and base supplies (U.S. Air National Guard audio by Senior Master Sgt. Leslie Kaiser)

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Joseph A. Lewis, 122nd Fighter Wing command chief, discusses his vision, goals and philosophy in Fort Wayne, Indiana, June 5, 2026. Lewis assumed responsibility at the 122nd FW on March 14, 2026. (U.S. Air National Guard audio by Tech. Sgt. Kathleen LaCorte)

Ben Reusser, the director of psychological health at the 122nd Fighter Wing, Fort Wayne, Ind., discusses resilience, mental health and challenges unique to military members with U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kathleen LaCorte, May 1, 2026. Reusser is a U.S. Army veteran and draws from his former military experiences to support military members and their families. (U.S. Air National Guard audio by Tech. Sgt. Kathleen LaCorte)

U.S. Air Force Maj. David Miller, chaplain, and Tech. Sgt. Rita Jimenez, chaplain's assistant, both assigned to the 122nd Fighter Wing, Fort Wayne, Ind., discuss the importance of airmen understanding and utilizing the support that is available to them through the chaplain's office. Miller also shares stories and experiences from his years serving as a chaplain in both the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. (U.S. Air National Guard audio by Tech. Sgt. Kathleen LaCorte)

Eric Flores, the Northeast Indiana Base Community Council (NIBCC) executive board member and Race for the Warrior co-chair, and Kelly Harrison, the 122nd Fighter Wing family program manager, discuss the upcoming Race for the Warrior 5k fundraiser event which is hosted by the NIBCC. The NIBCC provides grants for service members in the northeast Indiana area during financial challenges. (U.S. Air National Guard audio by Tech. Sgt. Kathleen LaCorte)

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Natalie Sonner, sustainment flight chief, and Tech. Sgt. Christopher Wilkinson, fitness non-commissioned officer, both assigned to the 122nd Fighter Wing, Fort Wayne, Ind., discuss duties, responsibilities and training of the force support squadron, January 9, 2026. Sonner and Wilkinson share stories and experiences from their service in the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air National Guard audio by Tech. Sgt. Kathleen LaCorte)

The Indiana reserve component transition assistance advisor, James P. Smith, discusses retirement benefits with U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kathleen LaCorte. Smith also explains the United States Department of Veterans Affairs disability claims process. (U.S. Air National Guard audio by Tech. Sgt. Kathleen LaCorte)

The Indiana reserve component transition assistance advisor, James P. Smith, discusses education benefits for military families with U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kathleen LaCorte. Smith explains both federal and Indiana state education benefits that are available to military members. (U.S. Air National Guard audio by Tech. Sgt. Kathleen LaCorte)

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Leslie Keiser discusses deployment and public affairs topics with Tech. Sgt. Kathleen LaCorte at the 122nd Fighter Wing, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Feb. 28, 2025. Keiser covers highlights and lessons learned from the deployment as well as what it is like to be a public affairs specialist in the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air National Guard audio by Tech. Sgt. Kathleen LaCorte)