[00:00:00] Scott DeLuzio: Thanks for tuning into the Drive On Podcast where we’re focused on giving hope and strength to the entire military community. Whether you’re a veteran active duty guard reserve or family member, this podcast will share inspirational stories and resources that are useful to you. I’m your host, Scott DeLuzio.

[00:00:18] Scott DeLuzio: And now let’s get on with the show.

[00:00:21] Scott DeLuzio: Welcome back to the Drive On Podcast. Today, my guest is Martha LaGuardia-Kotite. Martha was introduced to me by a mutual friend, Ashlee Leppert, who has been a guest on this podcast a couple of times now. And Martha served as one of the first female officers to serve a board to Coast Guard cutters. With all male crews and she led teams during numerous disasters for 29 years at sea and ashore.

[00:00:51] Scott DeLuzio: Martha is also the award-winning author of several books, which we’ll talk about a little bit later and she’s here today to discuss her [00:01:00] career and how she was able to overcome various obstacles in her path throughout her career. So welcome to the show, mark. I’m really excited that.

[00:01:09] Martha LaGuardia-Kotite: Thank you so much, Scott.

[00:01:10] Martha LaGuardia-Kotite: I’m glad to be here.

[00:01:11] Scott DeLuzio: Yeah, absolutely. So for the listeners who maybe aren’t familiar with you and your story and your background, why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself?

[00:01:20] Martha LaGuardia-Kotite: Thanks, Scott. I I grew up in a fishing village called Destin, Florida, and it’s actually the same place where I received my appointment to go to the Coast Guard academy.

[00:01:30] Martha LaGuardia-Kotite: And so from there, I did go to the Coast Guard academy and served over 29 years in the Coast Guard. And then. Subsequently retiring there, which was so cool. And the mass chief and his crew did a phenomenal job. Sending me off on my way. And during those 29 years, I was blessed and honored to have served in such a great service, the United States Coast Guard.

[00:01:53] Martha LaGuardia-Kotite: And. Paved the way in some new areas for not only for myself, but for the Coast Guard. [00:02:00] And like to think that I made a difference.

[00:02:02] Scott DeLuzio: Well, absolutely. And I’ve had several Coast Guard veterans on the podcast before Ashlee included and a couple others. But one of the things that sort of surprises me is when I start talking to these people who were in the Coast Guard and hearing about all these.

[00:02:20] Scott DeLuzio: But you guys have done around the country. And a lot of times it goes without a lot of fanfare, when there’s troops getting deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq, it’s headline news. It’s, that’s what everyone’s talking about for weeks and weeks or months and years on end. It’s talking about the war.

[00:02:38] Scott DeLuzio: It’s talking about all the combat troops and all this stuff, but. You have people in the Coast Guard who are rescuing boaters, who are stranded out at sea or in a lake or whatever it may be, or rescuing during a natural disaster, hurricanes and floods and all that kind of stuff. Those people [00:03:00] are out there, yourself included, Ashlee other people I’ve talked to out there and you’re making a difference in these people’s lives.

[00:03:09] Scott DeLuzio: Literally....