Outpost Outspoken

Host Ana Henderson interviews Tropic Regions Test Center Test Support Services Program Manager Mel Nickell about developmental testing military equipment in the world's most punishing jungles. Plus, Host Mark Schauer talks with Information Technology Specialist Sean Franklin about his recent detail supporting the Department of Homeland Security. The next episode of Outpost Outspoken will be released on June 1, 2026.

From the punishing jungle of U.S. Army Tropic Regions Test Center (TRTC), Host Ana Henderson interviews jungle survival expert Eric Nicoliasen about the unique hazards of TRTC’s mission. Plus, Henderson talks with Contracting Officer Representative Mike Jonez, who recently rescued an elderly neighbor in distress thanks to his dog, Eli. The next episode of Outpost Outspoken will appear on May 4, 2026.

From the punishing jungle of U.S. Army Tropic Regions Test Center (TRTC), Host Ana Henderson interviews jungle survival expert Eric Nicoliasen about the unique hazards of TRTC’s mission. Plus, Henderson talks with Contracting Officer Representative Mike Jonez, who recently rescued an elderly neighbor in distress thanks to his dog, Eli. The next episode of Outpost Outspoken will be released on May 4, 2026.

Host Ana Henderson interviews Chief Warrant Officer 2 Melvin Bullard, Officer-in-Charge of YPG's elite Airborne Test Force, about the post's cargo and personnel parachute developmental test mission. Plus, Host Mark Schauer gets to know Chaplain (Maj.) Byron Denman, YPG's recently arrived installation chaplain. The next episode of Outpost Outspoken will be released on April 6, 2026.

Host Mark Schauer interviews Munitions and Weapons Test Officer Esteban Hernandez about countermine testing. Also, Host Ana Henderson talks with Religious Affairs Non-Commissioned Officer Sgt. Victor Villa about the YPG Chapel's importance to community life.

On the season eight debut of Outpost Outspoken, Host Mark Schauer talks with Radiofrequency Support Lead Michael Stoltenberg about the importance of radio spectrum in YPG’s test mission. Plus, Host Ana Henderson talks with Evelyn Eggins-Alston, YPG Child & Youth Services Coordinator, about her years of experience and information about programs on post.

Host Mark Schauer talks with Dr. John Hunter, Chief Science Officer of a private industry customer testing at YPG to ultimately use artillery to launch payloads into low-Earth orbit. Plus, Host Ana Henderson chats with heavy equipment mechanic and crane operator Robert Valencia about his experience running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain. The Season 7 finale of Outpost Outspoken will be released on October 20, 2025.

Host Ana Henderson talks with Engineering Support Branch Operations Research Analyst Peter Lariviere, Yuma Test Center's Mission Support Employee of the Quarter. Plus, Henderson discusses National Preparedness Month with Installation Emergency Manager Alex Villasenor.

Host Mark Schauer talks with Maj. Albert Wheaton, Yuma Proving Ground Deputy Police Chief, about being a non-roster invitee to the 1991 Atlanta Braves' spring training camp. Plus, Schauer chats with Information Technology Specialist Carlos Garcia about his wide-ranging volunteer work, including providing powerful renditions of the National Anthem at multiple official post events.

Host Ana Henderson talks with Staff Sgt. Angel Viveros, a member of Yuma Proving Ground's elite Airborne Test Force who was recently named Army Test and Evaluation Command NCO of the Year. Also, host Mark Schauer chats with Alabama native Cullen Wilkes, an Arizona National Guard Officer whose civilian career as an Air Delivery test officer at Yuma Proving Ground began as an internship. The next episode of Outpost Outspoken will be released on July 28, 2025.

On the 250th Army Birthday edition of Outpost Outspoken, host Mark Schauer talks with YPG Commander Col. John Nelson about the upcoming June 14 celebration at Yuma's Colorado River State Historic Park. Also, Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Millare reflects on more than a quarter century of service. The next episode of Outpost Outspoken will be released June 30, 2025.

Host Ana Henderson talks with Munitions and Weapons Test Lead Jorge Amaya about his experience in the Army's Executive Leadership Development Program. Plus, Henderson chats with Yuma Test Center Mission Support Employee of the Quarter Amanda Chavis, an equipment specialist in the Metrology and Simulation Division who has become a certified master resiliency trainer as a collateral duty. The next episode of Outpost Outspoken will be released on June 2, 2025.

Host Mark Schauer talks with Test Vehicle Operator Harvey Quinn, a Desert Storm Veteran who has been involved in tests of virtually every Army vehicle of the last 20 years across YPG's punishing road courses. Plus, Host Ana Henderson talks with Budget Analyst Steven Tracy, recently recognized as YPG's Garrison Professional of the Year. The next episode of Outpost Outspoken will be released on May 5, 2025.

Host Mark Schauer talks with Daniel Sanchez of Yuma Proving Ground's Technology and Investments Directorate about the future of developmental test. Plus, Schauer talks with Arctic Regions Test Center Security Specialist Guy Lene about Alaska's rugged conditions. The next episode of Outpost Outspoken will be released on April 7, 2025.

From the frozen ranges of U.S. Army Arctic Regions Test Center, Host Mark Schauer talks with Sgt. Maj. Graham Rooney about the importance of testing gear soldiers' lives depend on in the rugged natural environment. Plus, Schauer chats with Allied Trades Lead Seth Brennan about making test fixtures Alaska-tough. The next episode of Outpost Outspoken will appear on March 10, 2025.

On the Season 7 premier of Outpost Outspoken, Host Ana Henderson talks with Desert Committee Chairman Joel Ramirez about the recent volunteer effort to stage YPG's first Army Ball since 2012. Plus, Host Mark Schauer chats with new YPG Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Director Christopher Reitman about enhancing opportunities at the remoted and isolated post. The next episode of Outpost Outspoken will be released on February 10, 2025.

On the Season 6 finale of Outpost Outspoken, hear Host Ana Henderson interview YPG Information Technology Specialist Ron Hansen about his career in active duty and as a civilian. Plus, Henderson talks with YPG Combined Federal Campaign Coordinator Jim Stickney about this year's campaign. Season 7 of Outpost Outspoken begins January 13, 2025.

Host Mark Schauer talks with Combat Automotive test officer Jade Janis about the importance of testing military vehicles in a natural environment. Plus, Schauer chats with program analyst Minda Federmeyer about serving as a suicide prevention specialist as a collateral duty.

Host Mark Schauer chats with YPG welder Andy Pinkerton about supporting the post's developmental test mission for two decades. Plus, Host Ana Henderson talks with YPG firefighter/paramedic Barry Wise about his advocacy on behalf of mental health.

Host Mark Schauer talks with YPG Data Processing Branch Chief Ashley Thompson about using technology for efficiency gains in delivering test data to the Army. Also, Schauer discusses the post's experience with money-saving Intergovernmental Support Agreements with Plans, Analysis & Integration Office Chief Ben Rix.

Host Mark Schauer interviews Range Planning Branch Chief Tim Szymanski about planning the safe operation of numerous inherently dangerous developmental test activities. Also, Host Ana Henderson talks with Family Advocacy Program Manager Mariah Boykin on Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Host Mark Schauer talks with Range Planning Branch Chief Tim Szymanski about coordinating the safe operations of numerous inherently dangerous developmental test activities. Also, Host Ana Henderson discusses Domestic Violence Awareness Month with Family Advocacy Program Manager Mariah Boykin.

Host Mark Schauer talks with Senior Artillery Test Leader Ernest Ballard about his more than three decades of experience in developmental testing. Schauer also chats with Combat and Automotive Systems Test Officer Jose Jaramillo about testing tanks for warfighters.

Host Ana Henderson talks with Joel Ramirez, executive assistant to Yuma Proving Ground’s Command Group, about what led him to YPG and his extensive charitable work. Also, Henderson interviews YPG Police Officer Austin Howard about serving the community he grew up in and why community outreach is important to the YPG Police.

Host Ana Henderson talks with Gilbert Moreno, Senior Test Engineer at U.S. Army Tropic Regions Test Center, about testing equipment in extreme tropical environments. Plus, Henderson chats with Sgt. Bryant Hernandez of the YPG Health Clinic about the scores of volunteer hours he has devoted to supporting the post chapel and the Army Substance Abuse Program.

On the season six premiere of Outpost Outspoken, host Mark Schauer talks with Rick Ramirez, a team lead in YPG’s Maintenance Test Branch who was recently recognized by the Yuma Police Department for helping a police officer being assaulted by a suspect. Plus, Schauer chats with YPG Firefighter Raul Carlos about his extensive community involvement.

On the season five finale of Outpost Outspoken, host Mark Schauer talks with James Branch, former commander of the Military Freefall School at YPG who is now the Senior Army Instructor for Yuma County’s first Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program. Plus, Schauer talks with Sgt. Jason Yang and Pfc. Hardi Patel of the YPG Health Clinic, who as a collateral duty serve as the president and vice president of YPG’s Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program. Season six of Outpost Outspoken begins August 12, 2024.

Host Ana Henderson talks with Yuma Test Center Commander Lt. Col. Shane Dering about his Army career and two years in command.

Host Ana Henderson talks with Aviation Test Officer Gene Walters about his nearly 40 years of service at the proving ground on behalf of the warfighter. Plus, Host Mark Schauer chats with Executive Service Officer Jim Stickney about his collateral duty coordinating the post's participation in the annual Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey.

Host Mark Schauer talks with Tyler Beach of YPG's Threat Systems Target Branch about working on the largest single repository of foreign threat systems in the continental United States. Also, Schauer interviews YPG Plans Division Chief Stefanie Jacobs about deploying to Afghanistan for nine months as a Department of the Army civilian in 2012.

Host Mark Schauer talks with Chief Data Officer Richard Hernandez about utilizing technology to make YPG's chief product even more efficient. Also, Host Ana Henderson interviews Firefighter Heather Banda about her community involvement on and off duty.

Host James Gilbert interviews Department of Public Works Director Luke Bailey about the complexity of YPG's facilities and infrastructure. Also, Host Ana Henderson talks with Army Substance Abuse Program Manager Scott Zaehler about the Army's Employee Assistance Program.

Host James Gilbert talks with Fleet Manager Adam Wood about telematics that are revolutionizing the management of the post’s large support vehicle fleet. Plus, Host Ana Henderson chats with Child and Youth Service Coordinator Sommer Cloinger about Month of the Military Child and the post's youth services.

Host Mark Schauer interviews Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Scott Fenstermacher about Yuma Proving Ground's 'Zero Mils to Safety' initiative. Plus, Host Ana Henderson talks with Army Community Services Director Clarissa Benavides about National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

From the frozen ranges of Cold Regions Test Center (CRTC), Host Mark Schauer talks with Kevin Cummings, a forestry major from Massachusetts whose career at CRTC began by happenstance. Plus, Schauer chats with Hannah Henry, a Delta Junction, Alaska native who didn't know of CRTC's existence prior to working there. Also, Schauer talks with assistant test officer Danielle Schmidt, a Wisconsin native who learned of CRTC from her roommate.

From the frozen ranges of Cold Regions Test Center (CRTC), Host Mark Schauer talks with Steven Prewitt, a Marine Corps veteran and current National Guard NCO working as a test officer at CRTC after years of testing experience in the Marine Corps. Plus, Schauer chats with Expeditor Gene Eggleston, a Vietnam veteran and career Alaska Department of Transportation foreman about his active retirement years supporting CRTC's test mission.

On this volunteer episode, Host Mark Schauer talks with YPG Plans and Operations Director Jeff Tatar, who has devoted countless volunteer hours in the Yuma community over the past three decades. Plus, Host Ana Henderson chats with Adam Ghannoum, a general engineer with YPG's Public Works Directorate who volunteers with the Yuma County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Unit.

Host Mark Schauer talks with Electronic Warfare Team Lead Yogendra Shrestha about the branch’s extraordinarily specialized test mission. Plus, Host Ana Henderson discusses Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month with Army Community Services Director Clarissa Benavides.

Host Mark Schauer talks with Robert Valencia, a heavy equipment mechanic and crane operator who supports the test mission in remote locations across Yuma Proving Ground's vast ranges. Plus, Host Ana Henderson chats with Tammy Ramos of YPG's Education Center about the services the center provides soldiers.

On the season five debut of Outpost Outspoken, host Mark Schauer talks with YPG Chief of Staff Minerva Peters about the Employee Modernization Effort for Relevant Growth and Enrichment (EMERGE) program preparing the workforce for the future test mission. Plus, host Ana Henderson talks with YPG STEM Outreach Manager Janett Rios about the Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science (GEMS) summer program for sixth through eighth grade students.

On the season four finale of Outpost Outspoken, host James Gilbert talks with Randy Ehrlich, supervisor of YPG’s Threat Systems Target Simulations Shop, about the important role targets play testing munitions, artillery, and aircraft. Plus, host Ana Henderson talks with Reba Maxwell, manager of YPG's post commissary, on the store earning the title of second-best small commissary with the Defense Commissary Agency’s Richard M. Paget award. Season five of Outpost Outspoken will begin on January 8, 2024.

Host Mark Schauer talks with Metrology and Simulation Division Chief Brad Cox about his journey from the Marine Corps to Yuma Proving Ground. Plus, Schauer talks with Test Support Branch Chief Nickolas McColl about his service to the community beyond thousands of specialized weather forecasts.

Host Ana Henderson talks with Munitions and Weapons test engineer Mariela Cockburn Ojeda about her road to a rewarding career supporting warfighters. Plus, host James Gilbert chats with Sgt. Dennis Suggs, Religious Affairs Non-Comissioned Officer at the YPG Chapel, about his 14-year semi-professional football career.

Host James Gilbert talks with YPG Fire Department Chief Gerald Ball and Deputy Chief Matthew Kelly about the recently-inked mutual aid agreement with the Martinez Lake Fire District . Plus, Gilbert chats with YPG Chaplain Capt. Ryan Pearse about the recent renovations at the YPG Chapel.

Host James Gilbert talks with geodetic technician Darin Meeks about the importance of accurate geodetic measurement in accomplishing the proving ground's test mission. Also, host Ana Henderson talks with Military Freefall School Sgt. Maj. Matthew Krueger about the school's use of YPG’s vast ranges to train thousands of the military’s most elite paratroopers.

Host Ana Henderson talks with Program Analyst and Engineering Support Branch Team Lead Jose Rodriguez about YPG's summer intern program. Plus, host James hilbert chats with Kylie Kime, a participant in the Army Fellows Program at YPG.

On this special edition of Outpost Outspoken, host Mark Schauer reports from YPG's sister installation Dugway Proving Ground (DPG) as NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft returns soil samples from the asteroid Bennu after a seven-year journey. Hear DPG commander Col. James Harwell, OSIRIS-REx mission leader Dr. Dante Lauretta, and DPG program manager Damon Nicholson on the role the Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC) played in this historic space mission.

Not every child who plays with Legos and building sets becomes an engineer, but that was the case for Quentin Sorenson: Host Ana Henderson talks with the YPG Munitions and Weapons test officer who turned his hobby into a career. Plus, Host Mark Schauer talks with YPG pilot Scott Myers, who in his spare times volunteers extensively in the Yuma squadron of the Civil Air Patrol and teaches science classes at a community college.

Host Ana Henderson speaks with Army Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets Maddy Hippensteal and Lauren Hernandez about how their three weeks at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground gave them great confidence in the equipment the Army provides. Plus, Host Mark Schauer chats with Deric Millis, a second generation YPG employee whose hobby is teaching sales techniques.

Host Mark Schauer talks with Steve Taylor of YPG’s Engineering Support Branch about the Electro-Optical Lab’s maintenance, repair, and design of a variety of test support equipment. Plus, host James Gilbert chats with mission Antiterrorism Officer Robert Barocio about Army Antiterrorism Month.