True story. Years ago, I had no idea what Everly Stock was. I couldn't pronounce it. I didn't know they made bags, and the one day I came to work, and the teammate that was in charge of buying bags for everybody had chosen Everly Stock bags, which looked kind of weird to me. It wasn't what I was used to, and I don't like new gear.

But no kidding. I put that bag on my back, loaded it up with weight, and I've never worn another bag since Everly Stock. They make not only the most comfortable gear, but the best gear. They're always trying to get better. I love that about them.

And if you head over to their website and check out all of their bags and all of their apparel, which is always being updated with the latest and greatest stuff, put in the ones ready code. You're going to need a 10% discount.

So since then, we've gotten to know the company. We had Glenn Everly on the podcast. He's a fantastic person, veteran, former Olympian, and innovator.

So make sure you head over there, Everly Stock.com, put in the code ones ready, and get yourself some of the best gear that I've ever seen and or used in my life.

Hey, everybody. Welcome back to the ones ready podcast. It is my pleasure to actually host one of my long term, long term mentors in combat control.

Actually, somebody who put me through combat control school as a comment on when I first showed up, retired chief, Michael, Monica, better known as LA. Thanks for joining us.

Thank you, brother. Thanks. I appreciate it. Happy to be here. Yeah.

What? Believe me. Between, you know, we had chief lampion last week. We've had a toning to groan on as well, like to have you as somebody who, you know, actually put me through combat control school.

And I kind of followed. I mean, you were at another organization while I was still on base, but.

We ran into each other in Iraq. And you've been a long term mentor for me. So I really appreciate everything that you've done for me and combat control as a whole.

That goes both ways, but you've. Yeah, yeah.

You and your entire area have just inspired me.

I got to watch you guys take combat control to a whole other level and it's been awesome to see.

But that's what we do, right? That's right. I mean, you're supposed to constantly improve things and build upon things and evolve. So.

And believe me, we're going through that now, which I do want to hit here a little bit. But first, like we normally do, I want to kind of talk about, you know, who you are, what you're about.

And I give people a little bit of background about you so that, you know, people actually understand who, who they're actually getting to listen to.

So why don't you deep dive into yourself a little bit.

Thanks for that. So, you know, clearly, Michael Monica, I joined the Air Force in August of 1987.

And I did for a variety of reasons.

Like, you know, I wasn't going to go to college.

I knew I wanted to join the military since I was very young. All the people who I admired growing up were people who had a military background.

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