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Mission Ready: The Taft Derby Podcast
This series was created for Taft O. Derby as he prepares for his Service Academy interviews and the next stage of his leadership journey. Each episode captures a focused briefing—part strategy, part reflection—built around the real steps he’s taking: refining his “why,” studying the academies, practicing for congressional panels, and staying mission-ready in the months ahead.
It’s not about publicity or polish. It’s a record of preparation, perspective, and growth—one conversation at a time—as Taft moves from candidate to cadet.
Episodes
24 episodes
Service Academy Destiny: Why It's the Optimal Path for Elite Leaders
A tactical guide through your service academy application journey. Each episode breaks down the admissions process—Whole Candidate Score components, nomination interviews, leadership narratives, physical fitness preparation, and file completion...
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12:44
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Elite Strategy for Acing the CFA: Scoring Tactics
A tactical guide through your service academy application journey. Each episode breaks down the admissions process—Whole Candidate Score components, nomination interviews, leadership narratives, physical fitness preparation, and file completion...
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13:10
Acing the Academy Interview: Master the STAR Method, Nail Your Story
A tactical guide through your service academy application journey. Each episode breaks down the admissions process—Whole Candidate Score components, nomination interviews, leadership narratives, physical fitness preparation, and file completion...
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13:58
How to Conquer the CFA and DoDMERB: The Two Non-Negotiable Gates
A tactical guide through your service academy application journey. Each episode breaks down the admissions process—Whole Candidate Score components, nomination interviews, leadership narratives, physical fitness preparation, and file completion...
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13:38
Honor Code to Overload: Mastering Ethical Choice and Strategic Academics
A tactical guide through your service academy application journey. Each episode breaks down the admissions process—Whole Candidate Score components, nomination interviews, leadership narratives, physical fitness preparation, and file completion...
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10:33
Service Academy Crunch Time: Maxing Your Whole Candidate Score
A tactical guide through your service academy application journey. Each episode breaks down the admissions process—Whole Candidate Score components, nomination interviews, leadership narratives, physical fitness preparation, and file comp...
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14:15
From Applicant to Appointment: Nailing the Academy Nomination Process
A tactical guide through your service academy application journey. Each episode breaks down the admissions process—Whole Candidate Score components, nomination interviews, leadership narratives, physical fitness preparation, and file completion...
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13:45
How Your NJROTC CO Role Maximizes Service Academy Admission
A tactical guide through your service academy application journey. Each episode breaks down the admissions process—Whole Candidate Score components, nomination interviews, leadership narratives, physical fitness preparation, and file completion...
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11:55
Whole Candidate Strategy: How to Offset a Lower GPA and Nail Selection
A tactical guide through your service academy application journey. Each episode breaks down the admissions process—Whole Candidate Score components, nomination interviews, leadership narratives, physical fitness preparation, and file completion...
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12:05
Turning Job Uncertainty into Strategic Strength: You Don't Have to Have ALL the Answers
A tactical guide through your service academy application journey. Each episode breaks down the admissions process—Whole Candidate Score components, nomination interviews, leadership narratives, physical fitness preparation, and file completion...
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11:33
The 8000-Point Formula: How Your ACT Score Banks the Big Win
A tactical guide through your service academy application journey. Each episode breaks down the admissions process—Whole Candidate Score components, nomination interviews, leadership narratives, physical fitness preparation, and file comp...
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11:31
Service Academy Admissions Unlocked: Leveraging Balance and Rigor
A tactical guide through your service academy application journey. Each episode breaks down the admissions process—Whole Candidate Score components, nomination interviews, leadership narratives, physical fitness preparation, and file comp...
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11:16
Gatekeeper to Officer: Service Academy Nomination Strategy and Interviews
A tactical guide through your service academy application journey. Each episode breaks down the admissions process—Whole Candidate Score components, nomination interviews, leadership narratives, physical fitness preparation, and file completion...
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13:50
Military Cyber Warfare Roadmap: Matching Your Technical Genius
Explore the evolving world of military cyber careers in this episode designed for high-achieving STEM students like Taft. Discover what it actually means to serve as a Cyber or Information Warfare Officer across the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space...
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12:48
Engineering Leadership at the Service Academies: Taft’s Guide to Military STEM Careers
This episode is a personalized deep dive for Taft, exploring the engineering and STEM career pathways available at one of the U.S. military service academies. We break down what life is like at the academy, how engineering majors connect to spe...
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12:40
Merchant Marine: Navigating STEM—Engineering Futures at the Merchant Marine Academy
Discover how the U.S. service academies prepare future leaders in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines. This episode is tailored for high-achieving students exploring military pathways, breaking down the unique STEM and...
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10:25
Coast Guard: Maritime Engineering—STEM Leadership at the Coast Guard Academy
Discover how the U.S. service academies prepare future leaders in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines. This episode is tailored for high-achieving students exploring military pathways, breaking down the unique STEM and...
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10:32
Navy: Technical Excellence at the Naval Academy—STEM Pathways for Officers
Discover how the U.S. service academies prepare future leaders in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines. This episode is tailored for high-achieving students exploring military pathways, breaking down the unique STEM and...
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13:23
Air Force: Innovation in Action—Air Force Academy STEM and Engineering Careers
Discover how the U.S. service academies prepare future leaders in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines. This episode is tailored for high-achieving students exploring military pathways, breaking down the unique STEM and...
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10:19
Army: STEM Leaders at West Point—Exploring Engineering Careers
Discover how the U.S. service academies prepare future leaders in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines. This episode is tailored for high-achieving students exploring military pathways, breaking down the unique STEM and...
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11:18
Aggressively Proactive: Master the Military Academy Nomination Process
A tactical guide through your service academy application journey. Each episode breaks down the admissions process—Whole Candidate Score components, nomination interviews, leadership narratives, physical fitness preparation, and file completion...
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13:24
THE Single Best Education in America: Why Service Academies Are Your Optimal Path
A tactical guide through your service academy application journey. Each episode breaks down the admissions process—Whole Candidate Score components, nomination interviews, leadership narratives, physical fitness preparation, and file completion...
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Episode 2
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11:55
Decoding the Five Service Academies: Why Your Specific Choice Matters
A tactical guide through your service academy application journey. Each episode breaks down the admissions process—Whole Candidate Score components, nomination interviews, leadership narratives, physical fitness preparation, and file completion...
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Episode 3
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10:28
Mission Ready - Why This Matters Now
This is Episode 0 of Mission Ready: The Taft Derby Podcast—a strategic reference tool built specifically for your service academy application timeline. Before diving into nominations, interviews, and physical assessments, this episode establish...
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Episode 1
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11:53
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