Pioneering Progress: Exploring the Manpower & Reserve Affairs Portfolio with Alex Wagner

This is a Pride Month special episode! We have the rare privilege of speaking candidly with the Honorable Alex Wagner, the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. Join us as we delve into Mr. Wagner's illustrious career, the importance of the Manpower and Reserve Affairs portfolio, and his personal experiences as a political appointee and a trailblazing gay man in his position. Conversation Time Stamps 0:00 - Intro 3:05 - Let’s get after it 3:33 - Who is the Honorable Alex Wagner? 5:18 - Hero’s Gauntlet 5:35 - “What’s a stand-out moment during your trips since joining the USAF?” 10:02 - “Did you volunteer to take the USAF PT Test!?” 13:52 - “What is the strangest thing you oversee within your portfolio?” 19:10 - Defining the MR Portfolio 23:08 - teamwork makes the dream work 24:25 - Sometimes you gotta be the punching bag (and a shout out to Public Health!) 26:50 - Policies for the DoD being worked 32:05 - “Everyday I strive to make the military an employer of choice” 35:45 - A candid discussion on Mr. Wagner’s life and his connection to the LGBTQ+ community 40:05 - The most important thing 42:11 - Why I love Mr. Wagner so much Alex Wagner was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on June 7, 2022, and sworn in as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force on June 10, 2022. He brings a wealth of experience in national security, law, and private industry to his current role. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Wagner served as Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at the Aerospace Industries Association, focusing on talent development in the aerospace and defense industry, workforce diversity, and STEM education. He has also worked as a lawyer specializing in intellectual property law and the First Amendment. Additionally, Mr. Wagner served in various positions in the Department of Defense during the Obama-Biden administration, where he contributed to important policies on human rights, arms control, and non-proliferation. In this episode, we explore the significance of the Manpower and Reserve Affairs (MR) portfolio and its impact on the Airmen and Guardians of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. Mr. Wagner provides insights into the role of a political appointee versus a military member within MR, highlighting the relationship with senior leaders and other Air Staff members. We discuss policies and initiatives that directly affect Airmen and Guardians, including new measures to support their well-being. Additionally, we delve into Mr. Wagner's journey to becoming Assistant Secretary, his past experiences, and the best business practices he brings to his role, emphasizing LGBTQ+ equality and inclusion. Mr. Wagner candidly shares his thoughts on being a gay man in a leadership position, reflecting on progress made and the challenges ahead. His personal experiences add a unique perspective to his advocacy. Team HeroFront wants to express a tremendous amount of gratitude to the Honorable Alex Wagner and his superb team for coordinating/sharing his time and insights. Join us for future episodes as we continue to explore the fascinating individuals shaping the landscape of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. THIS IS A PRIVATE ACCOUNT. IT IS NOT A PART OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OR ANY OF ITS COMPONENTS AND IT HAS NO GOVERNMENTAL STATUS.