On this Warrior Wednesday with Chad Ray, we honor the service and leadership of Sergeant First Class (Ret.) Justin Mayes, a 21-year U.S. Army veteran whose career was shaped by duty, adaptability, and people-first leadership. Raised in Wichita Falls, Texas, Justin’s path to service began in high school as he watched the events of 9/11 unfold, eventually leading him to enlist while in college. What started as a short-term plan quickly became a career marked by rapid deployments, global service, and constant movement. Justin served as a reservist, deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, worked at Walter Reed, and later transitioned into the Active Guard Reserve program. His longest and favorite assignment was with the 412th Theater Engineer Command in Vicksburg, Mississippi, where strong teamwork and camaraderie carried his unit through the challenges of COVID. Justin retired out of Fort Hood with the 120th Infantry Brigade, helping certify Guard and Reserve units for overseas deployments. Now serving the community through the City of Abilene’s Human Resources Department, Justin continues his mission by supporting veteran hiring and workforce development—proof that service doesn’t end with the uniform.

On this Warrior Wednesday with Chad Ray, Navy veteran Viron Smith shares the story that took him from small-town Winfield, Louisiana to a life of service—and a career that literally put him in charge of saving lives. Viron talks about leaving college football behind, joining the Navy at 19, and reporting to an aircraft carrier—USS George Washington—as an undesignated fireman assigned to damage control, the Navy’s frontline firefighters and “keep-the-ship-alive” team. He recounts a jaw-dropping early-career moment: being selected (without volunteering) to ride a helicopter to a sinking civilian vessel, getting lowered onto the deck alone, and running the dewatering pump that helped bring the ship safely to port. Byron also reflects on traveling the world, later shifting into substance abuse counseling to help active-duty members rebuild their lives, and how the Navy helped fund his education all the way to doctoral work. A powerful reminder: you never know what you’re capable of until you step up.

On this post-Veterans Day edition of Warrior Wednesday with Chad Ray, Retired Master Sergeant Chris Ferguson shares the remarkable journey that took him from a Navy-brat childhood to two decades in the U.S. Air Force. After growing up on bases around the world, Chris joined from Houston, following a dream to work on aircraft and serve his country. From Hurlburt Field in Florida to Mildenhall in England, and later Misawa Air Base in Japan, he built a career in aviation maintenance and Special Operations Command that forged unbreakable bonds and lifelong friendships. In this conversation, Chris reflects on deployments, teamwork, leadership, and why he believes volunteering—and trusting the people on your left and right—is the secret to a great military career. A story of family, faith, and service, it’s a heartfelt salute to those who raise their hand for something bigger than themselves.