@WakeUpCall – 3rd Annual Guardian Arena Finals

Amy talks with Major Andrew Donlin of the United States Space Force about the 3rd Annual Guardian Arena Finals.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Let's say good morning now to Major Andrew Donlan of
the United States Space Force, who's working at Space Systems
Command right here in El Segundo. And in case you
didn't know, there was a Space Command in El Segundo,
that's the home base for Major Donlin who's getting ready
to head to Florida to compete in this year's third
annual Guardian Arena Finals. That sounds exciting. Good morning, Major Donalin, Good.

Speaker 2 (00:26):
Morning Amy, thanks so much for having me, Thanks.

Speaker 1 (00:28):
For coming on. I know you're getting ready to head
down to Florida. So tell us what are the Guardian
Arena Finals and who participates?

Speaker 2 (00:36):
Yeah, so the Guardian Arena Finals, as you mentioned, this
is the third annual event across the Space Force, and
it's a competition designed to test us as guardians. That's
what we're called in the Space Force. Are our abilities
and skills, not only physically, but academically and mentally as well.

(00:58):
So it's a combination of physical challenges as well as
academic and focused on the mission. And so there's teams
from thirty five different units across the country. Earlier in
the world that are going to be coming to Florida.
We had a regional competition a couple of months ago.
So we had a competition among the units at Space

(01:20):
Systems Command, and three of us now will be going
to represent Space Systems Command down in Florida next week.

Speaker 1 (01:26):
Okay, so there was a regional competition. I mean that
means you're already a winner.

Speaker 2 (01:30):
Right, I guess. So it was a stiff competition, but yeah, yeah.

Speaker 1 (01:36):
So major Donald tell us because it's not only brawn
but brains. And I love that aspect of it because
you know, it's not just going out and competing physically
but mentally, so like, what are some of the challenges
that you have to do? And again then what's the
purpose of having you guys compete in these challenges?

Speaker 2 (01:57):
Yeah? I like the term use brains and ron. I
think we're a unique service in the Space Force. You know,
as you mentioned earlier, not a lot of people even
knew that we had a base here in El Segundo,
but not many folks around the country or the world
know that we have a Space Force. It's a relatively
new force. But a huge part of it is, you know,
we're very different than the Army and the Navy, even

(02:18):
the Air Force. You know, so much of what we
do is done you know, kind of behind closed doors
and done to keep our country safe up in the
space domain. And so with that, with the competition, a
lot of it is is academic and knowing about our
space systems that we utilize, what types of things we
would use in different scenarios, learning about cybersecurity, you know,

(02:43):
space systems, intelligence, all those things come together as part
of our mission. So this competition, Oh.

Speaker 1 (02:50):
I'm just gonna say, it sounds like you're taking tests.

Speaker 2 (02:53):
Yes, yeah, so it's tests, but done as a team
in the midst of physical competitions as well.

Speaker 1 (03:00):
Oh okay, so combining it. I love that. And then
what's at stake? Major Donlin. Is it just bragging rights
or is or something else?

Speaker 2 (03:06):
Yeah? Mostly just bragging rights for us. That's enough in
our world.

Speaker 1 (03:12):
I love it. I love it. Okay. So we have
our friend Colonel mckaigu, who we got to know before
and during and after his trip to the International Space
Station because he was on loan from the Space Force.
So what are your goals with being a member of
Space Force?

Speaker 2 (03:27):
You know a bit? So I started in the Air
Force and switched over to the Space Force when it
stood up about five years ago, and my goal then
and continues now is just to contribute to something bigger
than myself. It was an exciting opportunity to be a
part of a new service, something that hasn't happened since
the stand up of the Air Force, and I really
do believe in the mission that we're doing. You know,

(03:49):
space impacts everything we do on a day to day basis.
You know, from GPS to ATM machines to almost half
of our infrastructure in the US is relying on space,
and so protecting that and protecting our way lives is
something that's really important to me, and I feel grateful
to get to contribute to that on a day to
day basis, just going to work every day.

Speaker 1 (04:10):
Okay, so you're helping to not only keep us safe,
but also keep us connected, such important stuff. Major Donlin,
thank you so much for coming on. I hope you'll
let us know how you do with The competition is
next week or over the weekend.

Speaker 2 (04:24):
Him Monday and Tuesday next week.

Speaker 1 (04:26):
Okay, so we're expecting to hear big things and we
want you to come back with the trophy or whatever
award you do. You get a trophy.

Speaker 2 (04:33):
I think so okay, so all right.

Speaker 1 (04:36):
Representing southern California, it's Major Andrew Donlin of the US
Space Force at Space Systems Command in Elsa Gundo.

Speaker 2 (04:44):
Best of luck, thank you very much, a good day.

Speaker 1 (04:47):
I love that, how fun, and I love that they
do that for bragging rights.