Want to see what military readiness looks like up close, not just in headlines? We sit across from Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Adcock at historic Camp Shelby and open the gates—literally—to the nation’s largest National Guard training site. From leadership changes to museum tours and safety tips on active roads, this conversation maps the full experience of a post that trains more than 100,000 people a year and still welcomes the public with a simple ID at the gate.
We walk through concrete dates and details: a ribbon cutting at the MATES facility, a farewell breakfast, and a change of command that brings in Colonel Ashley Sullivan. These milestones aren’t just ceremony; they show how transparent leadership and community ties keep a complex installation grounded. If you’re planning a trip, you’ll get practical guidance on timing, access, and what to see first, including the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum’s rotating exhibits and the oldest structure on post—an original ammunition storage facility that tracks how safety and logistics evolved.
The scale is staggering—about 150,000 acres, often compared to five or six Disney Worlds—yet the tone is personal and focused. Multiple branches, law enforcement partners, and federal teams train side by side, and visitors can witness that ecosystem at work. Thinking about service or the Guard? Adcock, a former Recruiting and Retention Battalion commander, cuts through second-hand myths and lays out why a direct conversation with a recruiter is the smartest first step, whether your journey leads to the Mississippi National Guard or another path entirely.
Come for the history, stay for the perspective. You’ll leave with a clearer sense of how training, leadership, and community fit together at Camp Shelby—and how an open-post policy turns curiosity into understanding. If the story resonates, follow the show, share this episode with a friend who loves military history, and leave a quick review to help more people find it.
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