Military Matters: Recent Episodes
Stars and Stripes
Military Veterans and hosts Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy bring you stories and topics affecting our mlitary, servicemembers, and veterans. Listen to the stories that matter, this is Military Matters.
Final episode of Military Matters. Its been an amazing couple of years and I can't thank you enough, the listener, for your support and listernship. Hopefully we'll meet again! Rod out.
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This episode is brought to you by Homes For Our Troops, a nonprofit helping build and donate homes to injured post 9/11 veterans. Visit HFOTUSA.org for more information.
Now you can hear Military Matters Wednesdays at 5 p.m. ET and Sunday at noon ET on Wreaths Across America Radio available on the iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Audacy apps.
You've probably heard the term "quantum" now at some point in your life from the dizzying numbers of film, television, and podcasts describing worm holes, multi-verses, and time travel. But there is REAL work happening right now at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency that is set to change the way we live. This isn't one of those 50 years from now deals, its happening now! Quantum living could be knocking at your front door sooner than you think!
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This episode is brought to you by Homes For Our Troops, a nonprofit helping build and donate homes to injured post 9/11 veterans. Visit HFOTUSA.org for more information.
Now you can hear Military Matters Wednesdays at 5 p.m. ET and Sunday at noon ET on Wreaths Across America Radio available on the iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Audacy apps.
Rod Rodriguez explores the aftermath of Vanessa Guillen's murder, such as the legal changes to a commander's involvement in sexual assault/harrassment investigations, the Fort Hood independent report, and "cover up" culture in the military. Did anything really change?
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This episode is brought to you by Homes For Our Troops, a nonprofit helping build and donate homes to injured post 9/11 veterans. Visit HFOTUSA.org for more information.
Now you can hear Military Matters Wednesdays at 5 p.m. ET and Sunday at noon ET on Wreaths Across America Radio available on the iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Audacy apps.
In light of recent developments in the Vanessa Guillén case, we're revisiting our Season 2 episode. Host Rod Rodriguez talks with Natalie Khawam, the lawyer for Vanessa Guillén’s family, and Stars and Stripes reporter Rose Thayer, who had been covering the case since its start.
We discover how Guillén’s family first suspected something was wrong the very day she disappeared and how their first push for help the following day included an interaction with her killer. We also discuss how the more questions the family asked about the whereabouts of their daughter, the more roadblocks to answering those questions the Army put down.
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This episode is brought to you by Homes For Our Troops, a nonprofit helping build and donate homes to injured post 9/11 veterans. Visit HFOTUSA.org for more information.
Now you can hear Military Matters Wednesdays at 5 p.m. ET and Sunday at noon ET on Wreaths Across America Radio available on the iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Audacy apps.
Rod Rodriguez talks bidding farewell to Jack Murphy, the end of the season, and potentially the end of the show!
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This episode is brought to you by Homes For Our Troops, a nonprofit helping build and donate homes to injured post 9/11 veterans. Visit HFOTUSA.org for more information.
Now you can hear Military Matters Wednesdays at 5 p.m. ET and Sunday at noon ET on Wreaths Across America Radio available on the iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Audacy apps.
As we wrap up this season of Military Matters we bid a fond farewell to my co-host Jack Murphy. In this episode I sit down with Jack and talk about his career in Special Operations, his journey into journalism, and what's next for Jack Murphy and his podcast the Team House.
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This episode is brought to you by Homes For Our Troops, a nonprofit helping build and donate homes to injured post 9/11 veterans. Visit HFOTUSA.org for more information.
Now you can hear Military Matters Wednesdays at 5 p.m. ET and Sunday at noon ET on Wreaths Across America Radio available on the iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Audacy apps.
Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy discuss last week's interview with Dr. Paul Scharre about the world of defense and artificial intelligence. We also discuss Jack Murphy's foray into showing civilians the SOF side of life as well as our thoughts on AI on the battlefield. All that and more on this Fast Take.
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This episode is brought to you by Homes For Our Troops, a nonprofit helping build and donate homes to injured post 9/11 veterans. Visit HFOTUSA.org for more information.
Now you can hear Military Matters Wednesdays at 5 p.m. ET and Sunday at noon ET on Wreaths Across America Radio available on the iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Audacy apps.
Artificial intelligence is now a tool millions of people are using every day. What does this mean for not only our military but for the militaries of our adversaries and allies? Dr. Paul Scharre, former U.S. Army recon Ranger and now the executive vice president and director of studies at CNAS, talks about his experience with AI, where the military stands on the cutting edge, and what the REAL risks are when using AI. All that and more on this episode of Military Matters!
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This episode is brought to you by Homes For Our Troops, a nonprofit helping build and donate homes to injured post 9/11 veterans. Visit HFOTUSA.org for more information.
Now you can hear Military Matters Wednesdays at 5 p.m. ET and Sunday at noon ET on Wreaths Across America Radio available on the iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Audacy apps.
Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy talk about last week's episode with the folks at Task Force Dagger. We talk charities, PTSD treatment, and you can listen to Rod get 'mythbusted' by Jack in real time! All that and more on this Fast Take!
Also, check out this interview with Task Force Dagger founder Stephen Thompson from USSOCOM's official podcast SOFcast! https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/s4-e6-mark-stephens-retired-smu-operator-and-chairman/id1541155036?i=1000588132887
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This episode is brought to you by Homes For Our Troops, a nonprofit helping build and donate homes to injured post 9/11 veterans. Visit HFOTUSA.org for more information.
Now you can hear Military Matters Wednesdays at 5 p.m. ET and Sunday at noon ET on Wreaths Across America Radio available on the iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Audacy apps.
Task Force Dagger Special Operations Foundation provides assistance to wounded, ill or injured U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) members and their families. They respond to urgent needs, conduct rehabilitative adaptive events (RAE) and provide next-generation health solutions for issues facing our service members.
We talk with Director of Operations, Jessica Houlihan and Marketing/Fundraising Director Courtney Snyder about the work Task Force Dagger is doing with PTSD, stellate ganglion block treatment, and more!
To learn more about TASK FORCE DAGGER, go to https://www.taskforcedagger.org/
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This episode is brought to you by Homes For Our Troops, a nonprofit helping build and donate homes to injured post 9/11 veterans. Visit HFOTUSA.org for more information.
Now you can hear Military Matters Wednesdays at 5 p.m. ET and Sunday at noon ET on Wreaths Across America Radio available on the iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Audacy apps.
Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy discuss last week's episode on the CBS News coverage of veterans seeking discharge upgrades from the "don't ask, don't tell" era. They talk military attitudes toward LGBTQ+ service members, witch hunts, agendas and what the DADT era did to the modern military. All that and more on this Fast Take!
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This episode is brought to you by Homes For Our Troops, a nonprofit helping build and donate homes to injured post 9/11 veterans. Visit HFOTUSA.org for more information.
Now you can hear Military Matters Wednesdays at 5 p.m. ET and Sunday at noon ET on Wreaths Across America Radio available on the iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Audacy apps.
CBS Chief Investigative Correspondent Jim Axelrod and his CBS Producer Jessica Kegu have been covering the story of veterans who were separated from service with dishonorable discharges during the 'don’t ask, don’t tell era' and are now fighting to have the character of their discharges changed. A dishonorable discharge carries with it an unwavering stigma that has cost those veterans jobs, benefits, and some their lives. Is it time to fix what some call a terrible injustice?
Links to CBS stories:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/military-veterans-dont-ask-dont-tell-white-house-vows-reevauluate-process-dishonorable-discharges/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/navy-veteran-discharged-over-her-sexual-orientation-33-years-ago-cant-clear-her-record/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/air-force-veteran-imprisoned-being-gay-endures-stigma-felony-record/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/military-gay-lesbian-service-members-denied-honorable-discharges/
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This episode is brought to you by Homes For Our Troops, a nonprofit helping build and donate homes to injured post 9/11 veterans. Visit HFOTUSA.org for more information.
Now you can hear Military Matters Wednesdays at 5 p.m. ET and Sunday at noon ET on Wreaths Across America Radio available on the iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Audacy apps.
Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy talk about last week's interview with author Don Bentley, the joy of seeing good people accomplish great things, Jack asserts he's ALSO a writer, and Rod laments he hasn't written a damn thing. All that and more on this Fast Take!
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This episode is brought to you by Homes For Our Troops, a nonprofit helping build and donate homes to injured post 9/11 veterans. Visit HFOTUSA.org for more information.
Now you can hear Military Matters Wednesdays at 5 p.m. ET and Sunday at noon ET on Wreaths Across America Radio available on the iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Audacy apps.
Don Bentley is the bestselling author of the Matt Drake series and the man behind the two latest Jack Ryan Jr. books. Like the protagonist from one of his own works, Bentley has lived a pretty interesting life having spent a decade as an Apache pilot, serving as an FBI special agent focusing on foreign intelligence and counterintelligence, then as a SWAT team member, and now he’s not only writing about his own original characters but he’s also charged with shaping parts of the Tom Clancy universe.
Is life getting stranger than fiction? Can reading fiction open your mind up to future decision making? Is Don Bentley really Matt Drake? All that and more on this episode of Military Matters!
You can find out more about Bentley, his books, and what he’s working on go to donbentleybooks.com and of course you can find all of Bentley’s books everywhere books are sold.
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This episode is brought to you by Homes For Our Troops, a nonprofit helping build and donate homes to injured post 9/11 veterans. Visit HFOTUSA.org for more information.
Now you can hear Military Matters Wednesdays at 5 p.m. ET and Sunday at noon ET on Wreaths Across America Radio available on the iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Audacy apps.
Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy discuss last week's interviews with NPR's Graham Smith and Tom Bowman. It all comes down to why do government offficials and military leaders think a cover-up is ever a good idea?
Listen to "Taking Cover" today, https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510368/taking-cover
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This episode is brought to you by Homes For Our Troops, a nonprofit helping build and donate homes to injured post 9/11 veterans. Visit HFOTUSA.org for more information.
Was there a cover-up of the worst Marine-on-Marine friendly fire incident in modern history?
We're talking with NPR investigations senior producer Graham Smith and NPR Pentagon reporter Tom Bowman about their podcast "Taking Cover," which delves into the story of the truth behind the deaths of Marines in Fallujah, the families seeking justice, and just how far some people went to hide the truth.
Listen to "Taking Cover" today, https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510368/taking-cover
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This episode is brought to you by Homes For Our Troops, a nonprofit helping build and donate homes to injured post 9/11 veterans. Visit HFOTUSA.org for more information.
Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy talk about Jack's interview with Dr. Daniel Green and his book "Front Toward Enemy: War, Veterans, and the Homefront."
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This episode is brought to you by Homes For Our Troops, a nonprofit helping build and donate homes to injured post 9/11 veterans. Visit HFOTUSA.org for more information.
With over 2 million post 9/11 veterans in America, the voice of this generation of vets is getting louder and more pronounced in television, film, theater, and in literature. What does this all mean for those vets transitioning back to a society they don't feel understands them? How do they make peace with wars that never really ended?
Jack Murphy talks with Dr. Daniel Green about his book "Front Toward Enemy: War, Veterans, and the Homefront".
This episode is brought to you by Homes For Our Troops, a nonprofit helping build and donate homes to injured post 9/11 veterans. Visit HFOTUSA.org for more information.
Military Matters hosts Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy discuss Jack's interview with Dr. David Walton, the trauma of the Sand Man, VC bros at SOF Week, and what's coming up next week!
This episode is brought to you by Homes For Our Troops, a nonprofit helping build and donate homes to injured post 9-11 veterans. Visit HFOTUSA.org for more information.
Jack Murphy talks with Dr. David Walton, retired US Army Green Beret, about his new book "Ruck Up or Shut Up: The Comprehensive Guide to Special Forces Assessment and Selection." Walton and Jack discuss what it takes to get through the rigorous assessment and selection process, some Green Beret history, and why you shouldn't spend thousands of dollars on "prep courses." You can find Walton's book on Amazon or follow the link above.
This episode is brought to you by Homes For Our Troops, a nonprofit helping build and donate homes to injured post 9-11 veterans. Visit HFOTUSA.org for more information.
It's the first Fast Take of the new season! Jack and I talk about my discussion with Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, his pespective on tech and defense, and next week's episode!
This episode is brought to you by Homes For Our Troops, a nonprofit helping build and donate homes to injured post 9-11 veterans. Visit HFOTUSA.org for more information.
We're kicking off this new season of Military Matters with a conversation with the co-author of "Accessory to War: The Unspoken Alliance Between Astrophysics and the Military," Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson. We discuss the intersection between science and war, why we're racing to the moon once again except this time against China, and whether humanity has learned anything about exploring and colonizing as we venture past our own solar system.
This episode is brought to you by Homes For Our Troops, a nonprofit helping build and donate homes to injured post 9-11 veterans. Visit HFOTUSA.org for more information.
While we're in pre-prodction for next season we're re-releasing episode from our archive, in case you missed its (ICYMI). This week we're revisiting the Bowe Bergdahl story.
Thirteen years ago Army infantryman Bowe Berghdal walked off of Observation Post Mest near the town of Yahya Kheyl in the Paktika Province of Afghanistan. He was held captive for almost five years.
Jack Murphy talks with Michael Ames, co-author of "American Cipher: Bowe Bergdahl and the U.S. Tragedy in Afghanistan." Is there more to the story of Bowe Bergdahl's capture and detention? Over a decade later, new questions are being raised and the answers aren’t what you think.
Military Matters hosts Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy discuss the two part interview with investigative journalist Seth Harp, new names for old forts, Chinese influence, and we recap this season, which comes to an end.
We'll be back in May with a brand new season! Send us your comments, tips, and story ideas to http://linktr.ee/militarymatters or email us directly at militarymatters@stripes.com
This is episode is sponsored by Sabio! If you’re considering a career in software engineering, we recommend checking out Sabio, a coding boot camp and developer community that’s trained veterans since 2013. Visit https://sabio.la/MILITARY for more information!
Jack Murphy continues his conversation with investigative journalist Seth Harp about their shared coverage of the stories that have recently come out of Fort Bragg. In part two, Seth and Jack talk about the fentanyl crises affecting Ft. Bragg soldiers, drug smuggling, and other issues that need to be addressed.
This is part 2 of 2.
You can follow Seth Harp on Twitter @sethharpesq
This is episode is sponsored by Sabio! If you’re considering a career in software engineering, we recommend checking out Sabio, a coding boot camp and developer community that’s trained veterans since 2013. Visit https://sabio.la/MILITARY for more information!
Jack Murphy talks with investigative journalist Seth Harp about their shared coverage of the stories that have recently come out of Fort Bragg. From human trafficking and drugs to mysterious deaths, these stories reveal a darker side of a fort rich in military legacy and prestige.
This is part 1 of 2.
You can follow Seth Harp on Twitter @sethharpesq
This is episode is sponsored by Sabio! If you’re considering a career in software engineering, we recommend checking out Sabio, a coding boot camp and developer community that’s trained veterans since 2013. Visit https://sabio.la/MILITARY for more information!
Military Matters hosts Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy discuss last week's interview with Dr. Richard Meehan, the military's "No Data, No Problem" issue, and Jack shares his thoughts on the the Chinese balloon crises!
This is episode is sponsored by Sabio! If you’re considering a career in software engineering, we recommend checking out Sabio, a coding boot camp and developer community that’s trained veterans since 2013. Visit https://sabio.la/MILITARY for more information!
If you think because you don't smoke and you weren't near a burn pit during your deployment that you're safe from dangerous lung diseases, think again. Dr. Richard Meehan is a rheumatologist at National Jewish Health in Denver, Colo., co-director of the Post Deployment Lung Health Center, and a U.S. Navy veteran. Meehan talks with us about hidden dangers in the air you were breathing while deployed and what you need to know about your future health. This a MUST listen for anyone at all concerned that their next breath could be their last.
This is episode is sponsored by Sabio! If you’re considering a career in software engineering, we recommend checking out Sabio, a coding boot camp and developer community that’s trained veterans since 2013. Visit https://sabio.la/MILITARY for more information!
Jack Murphy and Rod Rodriguez discuss the two-part story about domestic abuse in the military. They also discuss why sociopaths don't make for good soldiers and how this story isn't about Special Forces but about a military problem as a whole.
This is episode is sponsored by Sabio! If you’re considering a career in software engineering, we recommend checking out Sabio, a coding boot camp and developer community that’s trained veterans since 2013. Visit https://sabio.la/MILITARY for more information!
This is Part 2 of the story of Celina, who escaped an abusive marriage to a Special Forces service member. From victims advocates to her ex-husband's chain of command, we listen to the firsthand account of the military's actions and inactions as she struggled to stay safe. Warning: this episode contains descriptions of domestic violence, cruelty towards children, and animal abuse. Listener discretion is advised.
This is episode is sponsored by Sabio! If you’re considering a career in software engineering, we recommend checking out Sabio, a coding boot camp and developer community that’s trained veterans since 2013. Visit https://sabio.la/MILITARY for more information!
Jack Murphy takes us into the horrifying story of Celina, who escaped an abusive marriage and what the miltiary did and did not do to help her. Warning: this episode contains descriptions of domestic violence, cruelty towards children, and animal abuse. Listener discretion is advised.
This is episode is sponsored by Sabio! If you’re considering a career in software engineering, we recommend checking out Sabio, a coding boot camp and developer community that’s trained veterans since 2013. Visit https://sabio.la/MILITARY for more information!
Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy discuss last week's episode, an interview with Navy SEAL and astronaut Chris Cassidy. We also talk about some new slang the kids are using on the streets nowadays, hate mail and Big Bird's close call with death.
This is episode is sponsored by Sabio! If you’re considering a career in software engineering, we recommend checking out Sabio, a coding boot camp and developer community that’s trained veterans since 2013. Visit https://sabio.la/MILITARY for more information!
We had the privilige of sitting down with the amazing Chris Cassidy; Navy SEAL, astronaut and the feature in Disney+'s "Among the Stars." Chris shares his experience joining the Navy, going to BUD/S, getting jettisoned into space, and his recent work making the National Medal of Honor Museum become a reality! Is there a better person to learn stress management from? All that and more on this episode of Military Matters! To learn more about the Medal of Honor Museum and how you can help go to https://mohmuseum.org
This is episode is sponsored by Sabio! If you’re considering a career in software engineering, we recommend checking out Sabio, a coding boot camp and developer community that’s trained veterans since 2013. Visit https://sabio.la/MILITARY for more information!
It's Christmas time! Why are you listening to a podcast? Well, this is our holiday message but IF you need some much needed podcast time away from the festivities check our last episode on SFAS standards or any of our other episodes. We'll help you get through the holidays. We'll be back next week with a new full episode! Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Be Safe!
Jack Murphy and Rod Rodriguez discuss last week's episode about whether or not Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS) standards have changed for the worse, the research behind the conclusion, and Rod tells his own story of failing SFAS! All that and more on this Fast Take!
This is episode is sponsored by Sabio! If you’re considering a career in software engineering, we recommend checking out Sabio, a coding boot camp and developer community that’s trained veterans since 2013. Visit https://sabio.la/MILITARY for more information!
Jack Murphy talks with Dr. David Walton, retired Army Special Forces lieutenant colonel and former director of Special Operations Education, about the rumors surrounding relaxed Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS) standards. Has SFAS become easier? Does the inclusion of women candidates have an impact on standards?
Find out on this episode of Military Matters! https://linktr.ee/militarymatters
This is episode is sponsored by Sabio! If you’re considering a career in software engineering, we recommend checking out Sabio, a coding boot camp and developer community that’s trained veterans since 2013. Visit https://sabio.la/MILITARY for more information!
Hosts Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy discuss women's reproductive health, Japanese culture and the impact Roe v. Wade's repeal is having on the force. That and more on this Fast Take!
This is episode is sponsored by Sabio! If you’re considering a career in software engineering, we recommend checking out Sabio, a coding boot camp and developer community that’s trained veterans since 2013.
Visit https://sabio.la/MILITARY for more information!
Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy wish you the happiest of Thanksgivings!
Remember folks, nothing says family dinner like discussing religion, politics, and podcasts at the dinner table!
Subscribe today!
This is episode is sponsored by Sabio! If you’re considering a career in software engineering, we recommend checking out Sabio, a coding boot camp and developer community that’s trained veterans since 2013.
Visit https://sabio.la/MILITARY for more information!
This year the Supreme Court repealed Roe vs Wade, the 1973 landmark ruling that established the constitutional right to abortion in the U.S. This ruling made an already difficult issue for women service members even more challenging. Compounded by the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits miltiary hospitals and (and TRICARE coverage) from performing an abortion unless it's a case of incest, rape, or if the mother's life is in danger, women service members have found themselves in potentially dangerous situations. We talk with Stripes reporter Nancy Montgomery who covered this topic in a Stripes article, then Air Force reservist and military spouse Bari Wald shares her shocking story of a botched abortion in a Japanese clinic.
Subscribe today!
This is episode is sponsored by Sabio! If you’re considering a career in software engineering, we recommend checking out Sabio, a coding boot camp and developer community that’s trained veterans since 2013.
Visit https://sabio.la/MILITARY for more information!
Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy discuss the North Korea two-parter, how all roads lead to Ukraine, and how the U.S. is reintroducing itself to the world post-GWOT.
Listen and subscribe today!
This is episode is sponsored by Sabio! If you’re considering a career in software engineering, we recommend checking out Sabio, a coding boot camp and developer community that’s trained veterans since 2013.
Visit https://sabio.la/MILITARY for more information!
In our last episode we brought you part one of our Future War series on North Korea. So if you haven’t had a chance to listen to that episode first I’d highly encourage you to go back and listen to that one then return and start up this episode, part two. In this episode Jack Murphy and retired Special Forces Col. Dave Maxwell discuss the modern state of North Korea, the rocky relationship it’s had with the U.S., and how the South Koreans view the hostilities between the U.S. and North Korea.
This is episode is sponsored by Sabio! If you’re considering a career in software engineering, we recommend checking out Sabio, a coding boot camp and developer community that’s trained veterans since 2013.
Visit https://sabio.la/MILITARY for more information!
In this first of a two-part episode, Jack Murphy talks with senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, retired Special Forces Col. David Maxwell about North Korea. Dave takes us behind the DMZ into the history of this country, how it’s evolved militarily, and why he likens the Kim family to a mafia crime-family cult.
This is episode is sponsored by Sabio! If you’re considering a career in software engineering, we recommend checking out Sabio, a Coding Boot Camp and Developer Community that’s trained veterans since 2013
Visit https://sabio.la/MILITARY for more information!
In this first of a two-part episode, Jack Murphy talks with senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, retired Special Forces Col. David Maxwell about North Korea. Dave takes us behind the DMZ into the history of this country, how it’s evolved militarily, and why he likens the Kim family to a mafia crime-family cult.
This is episode is sponsored by Sabio! If you’re considering a career in software engineering, we recommend checking out Sabio, a Coding Boot Camp and Developer Community that’s trained veterans since 2013
Visit https://sabio.la/MILITARY for more information!
Hosts Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy discuss the Season 6 premiere, "Standing Up to Hurricane Ian", what's in store for you in the next episode, and the return of Autumn Man!
This is episode is sponsored by Sabio! If you’re considering a career in software engineering, we recommend checking out Sabio, a Coding Boot Camp and Developer Community that’s trained veterans since 2013
Visit https://sabio.la/MILITARY for more information!
When Hurricane Ian struck Florida, many stood by and sent "thoughts and prayers" over social media. Instead of typing out sentiments, two men decided to take action. Air Force veteran Ryan Hontz and his neighbor Matt Ryan took it upon themselves to deliver much needed aid to the smaller communities devestated by Hurricane Ian.
I joined Ryan on a relief run to Englewood, Fla., a small town in Sarasota County that was almost leveled by this hurricane, to deliver much needed supplies to those in need. You'll hear from surivors on what they've lost, learned, and the painful process of moving forward.
Please, donate to any hurricane relief organization you feel right with, just do it and make a difference today!
This is episode is sponsored by Sabio! If you’re considering a career in software engineering, we recommend checking out Sabio, a Coding Boot Camp and Developer Community that’s trained veterans since 2013
Visit https://sabio.la/MILITARY for more information!
In this episode, we're getting to the bottom of what exactly is "woke" and "critical race theory" and what any of it has to do with our military.
Guests:
Brian "BK" Kimber, former AF Pararescueman and host of World News with BK
Dr. John Witte, professor emeritus from the University of Wisconsin Madison. And the departments of political science in the Robert Lafollette School of Public Affairs
While we're in pre-production on the next season of Military Matters, we're releasing some episodes from prior seasons we think you'll love and might have missed!
With Halloween just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to share this episode from Season 4. In this episode Jack Murphy talks with Dr. Eric Kurlander, author of "Hitler's Monsters: A Supernatural History of the Third Reich" about the Nazi obsession with the occult and how Hitler convinced a country to abandon science for the allure of mysticism. It's a really interesting episode that brings together the discussion of nationalism along with vampires and werewolves.
Leave a review for us at Apple Podcasts, and if you have an idea for an episode email us at militarymatters@stripes.com.
While we're in pre-production on the next season of Military Matters, we're releasing some episodes from prior seasons we think you'll love and might have missed!
With Halloween just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to share this episode from Season 4. In this episode Jack Murphy talks with Dr. Eric Kurlander, author of "Hitler's Monsters: A Supernatural History of the Third Reich" about the Nazi obsession with the occult and how Hitler convinced a country to abandon science for the allure of mysticism. It's a really interesting episode that brings together the discussion of nationalism along with vampires and werewolves.
Leave a review for us at Apple Podcasts, and if you have an idea for an episode email us at militarymatters@stripes.com.
Last year, the world watched as the US began withdrawing it's forces from Afghanistan. As the country fell back into the hands of the Taliban, thousands of American allies and partners desperately sought ways out of the country. This one of the three episodes we did covering the efforts to save Americans and Afghans during the weeks leading to the fall of Afghanistan. The story isn't over yet...
With the Taliban now in control and U.S. forces withdrawing, Afghans desperate to find a way out turned to U.S. veterans they had served alongside for help. Some of those veterans heeded their call and went to their rescue.
Save Our Allies Coalition's Chad Robichaux, Nick Palmisciano, and The Diplomat's Catherine Putz take us into the story of a broken immigrant visa program, a high stakes rescue mission, and the tragic story of how busloads of orphans were left behind...
Military Matters hosts Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy wrap up the season talking about last week's episode, covering a war story in real-time, and this season's stand-out episodes!
Thank you all for an amazing Season 5! We'll see you all ... at Season 6!
It's our season finale and in this episode, we're talking about NATO and nukes! What exactly is NATO and why is it important to the US? What does NATO have to do with the war in Ukraine? Are we on the brink of nuclear disaster? All that and more on this episode of Military Matters!
GUESTS
Dr. Timothy Sayles - author of Enduring Alliance: A History of NATO and the Postwar Global Order
Dr. Jeffrey Michaels - IEN senior fellow for American Foreign Policy and International Security, Barcelona Institute for International Studies
Dr. Ulrich Kuhn - Head of the research area “Arms Control and Emerging Technologies” at the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg (IFSH)
Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy discuss last week's episode, an interview with the co-author of "American Cipher: Bowe Bergdahl and the U.S. Tragedy in Afghanistan."
Why was Bergdahl allowed to even join the military, were CONOPS fabricated, and did we all get the story wrong on Bergdahl?
Thirteen years ago Army infantryman Bowe Berghdal walked off of Observation Post Mest near the town of Yahya Kheyl in the Paktika Province of Afghanistan. He was held captive for almost five years.
Jack Murphy sat down with Michael Ames, co-author of "American Cipher: Bowe Bergdahl and the U.S. Tragedy in Afghanistan." Is there more to the story of Bowe Bergdahl's capture and detention? Over a decade later, new questions are being raised and the answers aren’t what you think.
Check out last week's episode on the death of intelligence professional Michael Froede. Jack Murphy and Rod Rodriguez discuss the secret world of intel, secrets and suicide, and some of the strange issues surrounding Froede's death.
This Episode is brought to you by Tekto Gear. TEKTO Gear is giving 15% off the entire purchase. Go to Tektogear.com and use discount code, Stripes.
Michael Froede was a US Army Human Intelligence (HUMINT) collector working in clandestine special operations programs. After struggling with hallucinations and depression related to PTSD and TBIs, he jumped to his death from a parking garage. His death has left many unanswered questions for his mother, who remains skeptical about the circumstances of her son's death. Then, retired senior intelligence professional Erick Miyares takes us into the world of a clandestine intelligence operator, and the stress, fatigue and pressure that's leading more intelligence service members to suicide.
Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy discuss the war in Ukraine, how a former SOF Commander is making a difference, and what the presence of contractors in a war against Russia could mean for us all.
Why is the former Deputy Commander of Special Operations Central (SOCCENT) in Ukraine?
Jack Murphy brings us an incredible interview with Col. (R) Andrew Milburn about why he decided to join the fight and how his company The Mozart Group is helping "build sustainable capacity in the Ukrainian military and territorial defense units so that Ukraine can defend itself from Russia’s invasion."
Rose Thayer and Rod Rodriguez discuss last week's episode about the insane corruption that is military housing. We talk about the lethargy some folks feel about this topic, a 'strongly worded letter' to the SECDEF, and how many homes could the government have purchased for the price of a general's home in Austin (just curious)?
Commanders are taking the side of Military housing companies against their own service members. Children are falling out of military housing windows at an alarming rate and the fix is not economical for housing companies. If you're in a wheelchair in government housing you're screwed, and much much more.
This episode was written and reported by Stars and Stripes reporter Rose Thayer.
---This episode is brought to you by Tekto Gear. TEKTO Gear is giving 15% off the entire purchase. *Go to Tektogear.com and use discount code, Stripes.*
Next week, Stripes reporter Rose Thayer gives us an update on the tenant bill of rights and whether its working. Before then though, we suggest you listen to two other episodes to help prime you for that update. We suggest
"Black mold and lead in military housing, and the law letting it happen" and this episode, which you're about to hear.
Is the military just bad at environmental testing, or is there more? Could the deaths of infants on Fort Bragg have been prevented?
If you have a tip, lead, or story idea email us at militarymatters@stripes.com.
Jack Murphy and Rod Rodriguez discuss last week's episode on the effects of sanctions against Russia, oil, and cryptocurrency. Do we have to tell you the conversation goes off the rails?
Check out last week's episode!
Russian commodities analyst Nick Trickett talks with Jack Murphy about sanctions against Russia, the squeeze on European oil, and what role China plays in Russia's down-trending economy.
Then cybersecurity and cryptocurrency expert Rick Jordan talks with us about the role cryptocurrency is playing in today's world economy and what any of that matters in war.
Guest Links
Nick Trickett
- TW: @ntrickett16
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-trickett-54b41634/?originalSubdomain=uk
- https://ridl.io/en/auth/nick-trickett/
Rick Jordan
- https://www.rickjordan.tv/
- TW: @mrrickjordan
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrrickjordan/
This Episode is brought to you by Tekto Gear. TEKTO Gear is giving 15% off the entire purchase. Go to Tektogear.com and use discount code, Stripes.
Before you decide to volunteer for the Ukraine Foreign Legion, listen to our conversation with Marine veteran and experienced overseas contractor Tim Lynch about what you need to know before making that commitment. There's more at stake than you might realize...
---This Episode is brought to you by Tekto Gear. TEKTO Gear is giving 15% off the entire purchase. *Go to Tektogear.com and use discount code, Stripes.*
The Russian perspective on the war in Ukraine, the Russian army in urban warfare, and can Putin survive a failed invasion?
GUESTS
Dr. Rita Konaev is an Associate Director of analysis at the Center for Security and Emergent Technology.
Twitter: @RitaKonaev
Dr. Golfo Alexopoulos, professor at the School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies at USF and director of the USF Institute on Russia.
Twitter: @GolfoAlexopoulo
Military Matters hosts Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy talk about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's address to the U.S. Congress, war tourists, and do YOU think Zelenskyy should have worn a suit?
Send your comments to militarymatters@stripes.com or find us on Twitter @stripesmmpod
Tanks, Spetsnaz, "Little Green Men" and information warfare. Jack Murphy takes us beyond the headlines and into Russia's military, strategy, and how they envision victory. This is part two of our Future War series on Russia.
Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
Military Matters hosts Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy discuss last week's episode on the Russia/Ukraine crises. How the collapse of the Soviet Union has everything to do with this war, Putin's slipping power, and whether nukes could play a role in this.
Subscribe today.
Part 2 of our Future War Series on Russia coming soon!
The invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces has sent shockwaves throughout the world resulting in the highest tensions between the East and the West since the Cold War.
Russia analyst Nick Trickett and former Russian FSB Officer Jan Neumann explain how Russia got to this point, what this war could mean for Russia's leader Vladimir Putin, and what could happen next.
Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts
This is our final ICYMI before we kick of season 5!
Former U.S. Special Forces service member and current intelligence professional shares an insider's view of the Taliban's takeover of the country, the chaos at the US embassy, and how it all went so wrong. Follow Military Matters on Twitter and Facebook
The recent deaths of Army Delta Force member William J. Lavigne and Army Veteran Timothy Dumas are being investigated as homicides. Their deaths have brought attention back to another fatal shooting Lavigne was involved in, the shooting of his best friend and Special Forces soldier Mark Leshikar.
Jack Murphy takes us into the life and death of Mark Leshikar. We talk with his sister and widow, uncovering details never before revealed about this mysterious case. Missing evidence, redacted reports, and a witness who's only now able to speak out.
We are revisiting our Qanon episode, in which we explored the murky world of QAnon, the far-right conspiracy theory that falsely claims President Donald Trump is fighting a shadowy cabal of Satanist pedophiles.
To find out how child pedophilia rings, Pizzagate, and the existence of a deep state made their way into the mainstream consciousness, and also to learn about the conspiracy theory’s links to the military and veteran community, we talk with QAnon Anonymous podcast co-host and Washington Post contributor Travis View, as well as with journalist and former Green Beret Jack Murphy.
Does QAnon have the potential for stoking extremist violence? Why do it and other extremist organizations work to recruit service members and veterans?
The story of Vanessa Guillen rocked the military and lead to drastic changes not only at Fort Hood but throughout the DOD. The passing of the Vanessa Guillen bill was one of those major changes that came out of this tragedy.
Stars and Stripes reporter Rose Thayer walks us through what the Vanessa Guillen bill is and an update to the Vanessa Guillen case. Then we're revisiting our Season 2 episode, "What Really Happened to Vanessa Guillen?"
Email us at militarymatters@stripes.com and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
It's our season 4 wrap-up!
Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy discuss the stories covered this season from the Afghan evacuation to our "woke" military story.
Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and send us your thoughts and story suggestions to militarymatters@stripes.com
Mick Mulroy is a former CIA Paramilitary Operations Officer and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for the Middle East. In this interview with Jack Murphy, Mick discusses the CIA's efforts to rescue Afghan allies as the Taliban reseized the country and why it was so important to the agency to do so.
Retired Special Forces officer Scott Mann shares the incredible story of veterans helping their Afghan partners find their way out of Afghanistan as the Taliban retake the country. These veterans accomplished this harrowing task from their kitchens, cars, and front rooms! Find out how in this episode of Military Matters!
For more information on Task Force Pineapple go to www.taskforcepinapple.org
Also, check out SOFcast's episode "Reflecting on 9/11 and Afghanistan", available everywhere you listen to podcasts.
Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy discuss last week's episode about the broken State Department visa program that foreshadowed the debacle that was their NEO operation. Also, the Tim Kennedy situation and why did the military need civilians to do their job for them?
Share your ideas or hit us up with a tip at MilitaryMatters@Stripes.com.
With the Taliban now in control and U.S. forces withdrawing, Afghans desperate to find a way out turned to U.S. veterans they had served alongside for help. Some of those veterans heeded their call and went to their rescue.
Save Our Allies Coalition's Chad Robichaux, Nick Palmisciano, and The Diplomat's Catherine Putz take us into the story of a broken immigrant visa program, a high stakes rescue mission, and the tragic story of how busloads of orphans were left behind...
In order to tell the next story about the recent Afghan evacuations, we need a little more production time, so we won't have a new episode for you this week.
In the meantime, I highly recommend you check out our previous episodes The Battle for Kunduz and its accompanying Fast Take: Kabul Embassy, the Taliban, and the Fall of Afghanistan.
Thank you for your patience!
Jack Murphy and Rod Rodriguez discuss what Great Power Competition or GPC means to the military outside of SOF and why this will matter to you!
Follow us on Twitter @stripesmmpod or send us your feedback to militarymatters@stripes.com
The withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan has signaled a new era in military operations and presence, but we aren't alone. "Great Power Competition" or GPC isn't just some new set of buzzwords, it's a shift in how the DOD will do business in a world of near-peer adversaries.
What does GPC mean for today's military? How will it affect SOF operations? What will tomorrow's war really look like?
Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy talk about the listeners' ghost stories from last episode, talk about their own experiences with the supernatural, and we share three more stories from our listeners!
From lights in the sky to deadly phantoms!
Subscribe today!
It's that time again for another Haunted Military Matters! In this episode, we bring you three real ghost stories from our listeners. From roaming spirits of Japan to a ghostly melody from beyond the veil, listen if you dare...
Follow Military Matters on Twitter @stripesmmpod and visit stripes.com for your daily dose of news!
Military Matters hosts Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy discuss the previous episode, an interview with Dr. Eric Kurlander about the Nazi fascination with the occult. Could the desire to live in a fantasy world happen again?
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What do vampires, werewolves and Nazis have in common?
Jack Murphy talks with Dr. Eric Kurlander, author of "Hitler's Monsters: A Supernatural History of the Third Reich" about the Nazi obsession with the occult and how Hitler convinced a country to abandon science for the allure of mysticism.
Subscribe today and never miss an episode!
Hosts Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy discuss the three-part Future War: China series and how the recent withdrawal from Afghanistan might have changed the game. Does this generation have what it takes to take on a near-peer adversary like China? How will cyberwarfare play into this? All that and more on this Fast Take.
We return to the third of our three-part future war series on China. Jack Murphy talks with Roger Cliff, a research professor of Indo-Pacific Affairs at the U.S. Army War College and the author of "China's Military Power: Assessing Current and Future Capabilities."
You can find Cliff's book on Amazon and everywhere you purchase books.
Follow Military Matters on Twitter @stripesmmpod
Former U.S. Special Forces service member and current intelligence professional, Daniel, was recently evacuated from Afghanistan. Daniel shares an insider's view of the Taliban's take-over of the country, the chaos at the US embassy, and how it all went so wrong.
Follow Military Matters on Twitter and Facebook
You can follow Rod Rodriguez on Twitter @rodpodrod and Jack Murphy at @jackmurphyrgr
Jack Murphy brings us the story of the battle to save Kunduz from the Taliban and why a Doctors Without Borders hospital was destroyed. Jack talks with Special Forces Medical Sgt. Joshua Middleton about the heroic efforts of the Afghan Commandos and the dismal failures of the Afghan National Army that were the precursor to the recent fall of the Afghan government back into the hands of the Taliban.
This story was inspired by the book "Eagle Down: The Last Special Forces Fighting the Forever War" by Jessica Donati.
You can follow Jessica on Twitter @jessdonati
Hosts Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy discuss the recent events of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. There are some serious tie-ins to any future war with China that can't be ignored.
What does a victory over China look like? Is Taiwan the next Iraq or Afghanistan?
Follow us on Twitter at @stripesmmpod and shoot us an email at militarymatters@stripes.com
This is part 2 of 3 in our Future War series on China. Jack Murphy and the co-author of "Chinese Communist Espionage: An Intelligence Primer," Matthew Brazil, tackle the topic of Chinese spies and how the winner of a future war could be determined by our respective nations' spymasters.
You can follow Matthew Brazil on Twitter @matthew_brazil
Jack Murphy and Rod Rodriguez dive a little deeper into last week's episode on the rise of China.
Check out "Future War: The Rise of China and US National Security implications". Leave us a comment on social media!
Like, Listen, Subscribe, and Share!
In our first of three episodes on China, Jack Murphy and our guest, former CIA analyst and China expert Gail Helt, discuss how today's China came to be, why Taiwan is so important, and how the coming years of relations with China will decide whether or not we go to war.
Follow Gail Helt on Twitter @ghelt and Miltary Matters @stripesmmpod
Email us with you questions or comments at militarymatters@stripes.com
Last week's episode about Woke, Critical Race Theory, and the military has hit a lot of nerves. Jack Murphy and Rod Rodriguez discuss the episode, the feedback, and Jack's perspective on this politically and socially charged topic.
Like, Listen, Subscribe, and Share this podcast!
In this episode, we're getting to the bottom of what exactly is "woke" and "critical race theory" and what any of it has to do with our military!
Guests:
Brian "BK" Kimber, former AF Pararescueman and host of World News with BK
Dr. John Witte, professor emeritus from the University of Wisconsin Madison. And the departments of political science in the Robert Lafollette School of Public Affairs
Link to World News with BK
Jack Murphy and Rod Rodriguez talk about the stories they covered in Season 3, from the death of SF soldier Mark Leshikar to QAnon and the Terrible Game. We also discuss what Jack thinks of the UFO report coming out in June, and he also shares a special message from Afghan war veteran Jim Gant. All that and more on the season finale of Military Matters.
Maura Murray's disappearance 17 years ago has left investigators and her family confused and dumbfounded. She was a former West Point cadet with dreams of becoming a nurse. Then one day after exhibiting strange behavior, she vanished.
Jack Murphy talks with her sister, Julie Murray, about one of the first disappearances of the social media age to capture the attention of the public.
What happened to Maura Murray?
Defense One reporter Elizabeth Howe joins Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy to discuss the reaction to last week's episode, some of the strange arguments they've heard against getting the vaccine, and some "conspiracy" theories behind what some think the vaccine REALLY is.
Follow us on Twitter @stripesmmpod and don't forget to share this episode.
A surprising number of service members have gone public stating they're not taking any of the COVID vaccines.
This week, Military Matters talks with an ER doctor and U.S. Army Reserve Lt. Col. Dr. Kamal Kalsi, Defense One reporter Elizabeth Howe and the director of the Bi-Partisan Commission on Biodefense Dr. Asha George.
Are you getting the vaccine?
Email us at militarymatters@stripes.com.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and virtual reality are slowly becoming integrated with our warfighters. But what role will AI play on the battlefield of tomorrow?
Jack Murphy talks with the vice president and director of studies at the Center for a New American Security, Paul Scharre. Paul is also a former Special Operations reconnaissance team leader in the Army’s 3rd Ranger Battalion and the author Army of None: Autonomous Weapons and the Future of War.
Follow Paul Scharre on Twitter @paul_scharre
The Army has signed a $21.9 billion deal with Microsoft to integrate its HoloLens with the Army's Integrated Visual Augmented System, or IVAS. Is this technology going to change the way we fight? Will we forget how to train in the real world? What does the future of VR look like?
Guests
Palmer Luckey, Anduril
Garth Smith and Gareth Seburn, Meta VR
Kevin Cornish, Moth+Flame VR
Tony Isaacs, PLW Model Works
Does the DOD's "Tenant Bill of Rights" actually do anything for military families living in privatized housing?
Is the military just bad at environmental testing, or is there more? Could the deaths of infants on Fort Bragg have been prevented?
We talk with Sarah Kline, military housing advocate, and Leigh Tuttle, a military spouse who has seen first-hand some questionable practices.
For more information on the Military Housing Network go to https://militaryhousingadvocacynetwork.org/
If you have a tip, lead, or story idea email us at militarymatters@stripes.com
Toxic lead and black mold in military housing. A mother’s horror story of how her children suffered the effects. Families have been hurt, and the military is locked into 50-year leases with privatized housing companies.
You’ll be shocked at the law these companies are hiding behind to avoid lawsuits and their responsibility to our service members.
Jack Murphy unravels this story of neglected military oversight, insane legal loopholes and the families left to suffer the consequences.
Go to Stripes.com, use promo code PODCAST and get 50% off your digital subscription.
Katie Chorbak, founder and president of Our Sister's Keeper Movement tells us why she believes the DOD doesn't actually punish sexual predators. She points to a "zero tolerance" policy that has been repeatedly been ignored. Chorbak also shares the current state of the #iamvanessaguillen bill. Is civilian oversight needed? Should veterans and service members be able to sue the DOD over negligence?
Send your ideas and opinions to militarymatters@stripes.com
Follow us on Twitter @stripesmmpod
This episode is also available on YouTube.
We talk with online personality and Army Sgt. 1st Class Astin Muse about her reaction to the Marine TikTok video that rocked the DOD and the Corps. Then Jack Murphy takes us into the bizarre story of a military sexual assault victim who found herself behind bars instead of her perpetrator.
Go to www.stripes.com and use promo code PODCAST to get 50% off your digital subscription.
Leave us a 5-Star review and share this podcast. You can find us on Twitter @stripesmmpod
Lamia Taylor is the wife of Mike Taylor and the mother of Peter Taylor, both currently being held in a Japanese prison awaiting trial. Mike and Peter's case was largely ignored by government officials despite Mike's service to his country as a Special Forces Officer.
Lamia talks to us about her frustrations with the case, how Mike and Peter are doing now, and what's next.
Former auto industry mogul Carlos Ghosn was smuggled out of Japan in true Hollywood heist movie fashion while awaiting trial for corporate fraud. Now Special Forces veteran Mike Taylor and his son Peter have been extradited to Japan in connection with Ghosn's evasion of Japanese authorities.
Japan has a long track record of inhumane and even brutal treatment of foreign prisoners, and the State Department knows this. We take you into the story that has rocked the headlines from the US to Japan.
How did this all start and where could it end?
Jack Murphy and Rod Rodriguez discuss what it means to pass on our military culture and skills to our children, why the explosive formulas for breaching are wrong, and we talk TBIs.
Do you have a tip or story idea? Email us at militarymatters@stripes.com
You can find us on Twitter @stripesmmpod
Dan Tyler Moore knocked out President Theodore Roosevelt's eye, fought Nazis with the OSS and invented a modern-day ballistic helmet. That is to say that Dan Tyler Moore the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd accomplished those feats respectively. Jack Murphy talks with Dan Tyler Moore III about his family's amazing legacy of almost 100 years of service to this country.
We also talk about how to derail a train!
Link to Jack Murphy's article "Special Ops has a broken culture with explosive breaching that can lead to TBIs"
http://bit.ly/Jack-Murphy-Breaching-Story
Follow us on Twitter
@rodpodrod
@jackmurphyrgr
Email us with your comments, feedback, or tips; MilitaryMatters@stripes.com
Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy are joined by forensics expert Paul Ciolino to discuss the death of Special Forces soldier Mark Leshikar. Paul discusses the facts that were shared in our last episode from Mark's sister and widow. We also share new information about Mark's shooter that raises even more questions.
Do you have a tip or idea for a story?
Email us at militarymatters@stripes.com
Follow us on Twitter @rodpodrod and @jackmurphyrgr
Leave us a review and share this podcast!
The recent deaths of Army Delta Force member William J. Lavigne and Army Veteran Timothy Dumas are being investigated as homicides. Their deaths have brought attention back to another fatal shooting Lavigne was involved in, the shooting of his best friend and Special Forces soldier Mark Leshikar.
Jack Murphy takes us into the life and death of Mark Leshikar, we talk with his sister and widow uncovering details never before revealed about this mysterious case. Missing evidence, redacted reports, and a witness who's only now able to speak out.
This episode is brought to you by Navy Federal Credit Union.
Leave us a review and share this episode. Follow us on Twitter!
Here's a link to Jack's original article.
Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy discuss the controversial last episode. We answer your criticisms and feedback.
Also, CEO of Triple Nikel and retired Green Beret Ruben Ayala shares the personal story of his own SF Soldier wearing the Confederate flag. What he did and didn't do about it...
All that and more on this perhaps not so Fast Take...
Find us on Twitter @militarymatters
You can also follow Jack Murphy @jackmurphyrgr and Rod Rodriguez @rodpodrod
Go to Stripes.com use promo code PODCAST and save 50% on your digital subscription This episode is sponsored by Navy Federal Credit Union, go to www.navyfederal.org for more information.
In this episode, we talk with Shannon Foley Martinez, a former neo-Nazi, about radicalization and extremism in the U.S. military. Before leaving the movement, Shannon knew up to thirty soldiers who were part of the white supremacy movement. She discusses how she radicalized, and how service members she knew did the same in this episode of Military Matters.
Follow Jack Murphy on Twitter @jackmurphyrgr and Rod Rodriguez @rodpodrod
Go to www.stripes.com use promo code PODCAST and save 50% on your digital subscription This episode is sponsored by Navy Federal Credit Union, go to www.navyfederal.org for more information.
Military Matters welcomes aboard Jack Murphy! He's our new co-host and producer. We talk about his work on QAnon stories, UAPs, and what we have cooking for Season 3 of Military Matters.
We also have a new email address so shoot us your story ideas and comments at MilitaryMatters@stripes.com
January 6th, 2021 thousands of Trump supporters took to the capital of our nation. What started off as a peaceful protest turned ugly as protests turned to rioting as hundreds of people stormed the Capitol building where the electoral votes were being counted.
Lawyer, veteran and former Department of Homeland Security senior counselor Kevin Carroll takes us into what this means for our nation, will the President be held accountable, and what could happen going forward.
Follow Rod Rodriguez on Twitter @rodpodrod Go to www.stripes.com use promo code PODCAST and save 50% on your digital subscription This episode is sponsored by Navy Federal Credit Union, go to www.navyfederal.org for more information.
In this Season 2 Finale, we revisit the murders at Fort Hood under the light of the Fort Hood Independent Review Committee's report. What we uncovered is tragic and could have been avoided...
Follow Rod Rodriguez on Twitter @rodpodrod
Go to cheap tickets.com/military and get 18% off hotels offer valid for active duty service members, veterans, military reserves, and the national guard.
Save 50% on your digital subscription at Stripes.com, use promo code 'PODCAST'
Stripes reporter Rose Thayer helps us make sense of the "Report of the Fort Hood Independent Review Committee". This jaw-dropping report has already resulted in numerous disciplinary actions. How bad is it?
Worse than you think...
Follow Rose Thayer on Twitter at @rose_lori and Rod Rodriguez at @rodpodrod
As the elections winded down thousands of Servicemembers and Veterans migrated away from Twitter and Facebook to MeWe and Parler, but why? And a recent Tweet from President Trump puts Section 230 back in the spotlight. What is Section 230 and how will that affect social media as we know it?
Guests: MeWe CEO Mark Weinstein, Life Flip Media Co-Founder Eric Mitchell, and actor Vincent "Rocco" Vargas
Go to Stripes.com, use promo code PODCAST and save 50% on your digital subscription!
This episode is sponsored by Cheap Tickets. Go to cheaptickets.com/military and get 18% off hotels, offer valid for active duty service members, veterans, military reserves and the National Guard.
Just a quick message from our family at Military Matters to yours.
Don't forget to go to Stripes.com and save 50% on your digital subscription, just use promo code PODCAST!
In a year of COVID-19, strife and division, there's nothing like some positive news. The inspiring stories, for example, of 2020 U.S. Army Soldier of the Year, Sgt. James B. Akinola, and the brand new National Museum of the U.S. Army.
For more information on The National Museum of the US Army go to https://thenmusa.org
Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Christopher Mellon and the director of the documentary film "The Phenomenon" talk with host Rod Rodriguez about how UAPs aren't just about lights in the sky, they pose a real threat to our national security.
Subscribe to the Military Matters podcast today!
Save 50% on your digital subscription when you use promo code PODCAST at stripes.com
Click here for The Phenomenon Film
Uncertainty over the result of this week's presidential election has given way to legal action, demonstrations and even violence. In this tense time, the Military Matters podcast looks back at interviews from one of last season's episodes on the use of the military to handle episodes of civil unrest.
National Guard units have been called up or put on standby across the country to contend with election-related discontent, just as they were employed in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd while in police custody.
Hosts Rod Rodriguez and Desmon Farris look into why and how elements of the U.S. armed forces were sent to contend with the situation and what the ramifications could be.
To find out more about the impact of those developments on justice, the use of our military and the intersection between civil and military authority, Rod and Des talk to lawyer, veteran and former Department of Homeland Security senior counselor Kevin Carroll.
The hosts also talk with Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston about what he wants his troops to know during tumultuous times.
Stars and Stripes' podcast team is working to get the information that matters to you. Subscribe today!
The full transcript of the podcast can be found here.
Noises in the night. A haunted library. With Halloween right around the corner, host Rod Rodriguez shares more of listeners' own stories of spooky happenings in this eerie fast take episode of Military Matters.
Listen as host Rod Rodriguez relates tales of unsettling events in a World War II-era infirmary and unexplainable phenomena in a library where the reminders of decades-old trauma still linger.
And in a medieval town in Germany famed for malign spirits, soldiers collect evidence of a malevolent presence in a story to make your hair stand on end!
Subscribe to the Military Matters podcast today!
The specter in the Spectre. The terror in Tonga. Just in time for Halloween, host Rod Rodriguez and guests share their own personal tales of frights, spirits and other paranormal events in this eerie episode of Military Matters.
Rod, former Army officer Dean Bundschu, former Marine and "To the Point" host Eric Mitchell, and an Air Force veteran named Mike relate spine-tingling tales of aggressive apparitions, ghosts in a gunship and bivouacs where things go bump in the night.
And Navy veteran Jennifer Marshall, host of the CW's "Mysteries Decoded," shares a lingering, otherworldly experience that began when she investigated a house that was the scene of famous murders.
Poltergeists and other paranormal phenomena rule the night in this episode that will prepare you for this haunted holiday season.
Subscribe to the Military Matters podcast today!
In this fast take episode of Military Matters, host Rod Rodriguez discusses feedback we've gotten since the QAnon episode and explores possible characteristics of veterans and service members that make them so vulnerable to extremism.
Rod talks again with journalist and former former Army Ranger and Green Beret Jack Murphy, who shares his perspective on the QAnon community and his experience with former military colleagues who have become absorbed in the movement.
Rod and Jack discuss the prevalence of extremist ideologies among service members and veterans, particularly within the special operations community.
Does entering military service make a person more susceptible to extremism? What role does racism have in this phenomenon? What are the potential ramifications for national security?
The Military Matters podcast is working to find out the information that is important to you. Subscribe today!
In this episode of Military Matters, host Rod Rodriguez explores the murky world of QAnon, the far-right conspiracy theory that falsely claims President Donald Trump is fighting a shadowy cabal of Satanist pedophiles.
To find out how child pedophilia rings, Pizzagate, and the existence of a deep state made their way into the mainstream consciousness, and also to learn about the conspiracy theory’s links to the military and veteran community, Rod talks with QAnon Anonymous podcast co-host and Washington Post contributor Travis View, as well as with journalist Jack Murphy, who is a former Army Ranger and Green Beret.
Rod and his guests talk about how QAnon started, how it incorporates a wide range of differing conspiracy beliefs, and why it appeals to veterans and members of the military, including those with ties to the special operations community.
Does QAnon have potential for stoking extremist violence? Why do it and other extremist organizations work to recruit service members and veterans? What about those demographics can make them susceptible to QAnon’s message?
The Military Matters podcast is working to find out the information that is important to you. Subscribe today!
The full transcript of the podcast can be found here.
podcast@stripes.com
In the most recent episode of Military Matters, host Rod Rodriguez explored unidentified aerial phenomena and what the Defense Department knows about those unexplained encounters. This week, he finds out from an expert about the facts that can be gleaned from those encounters.
Rod talks with Steve Justice, director of the aerospace division of To the Stars... Academy of Arts & Science. He is an aerospace engineer who spent 33 years at Lockheed Martin's fabled Skunk Works — an elite organization that has been at the cutting edge of U.S. defense technology.
Justice tells how he became involved with the controversial subject of UAPs, and how the subject for years has drawn the attention of other aerospace pioneers — including Kelly Johnson, the founder of the Skunk Works.
How does an engineer break down the information that is presented by a UAP? What factors make the sighting unusual? How does what was observed compare with known technology?
And what effect can fear have? If there is risk of a threat, who is likely to shoot first?
Whether or not we're alone in the universe, the Military Matters podcast is working to find out the information that is important to you.
Thanks for listening to Military Matters. Subscribe today!
UFOs have long been a staple of science fiction: aliens and flying saucers, aerial technology that dwarfs anything that is man-made. But when video footage of unknown objects recorded by Navy fighter pilots was released publicly in 2017, all that changed.
To get to the bottom of what the Pentagon has found out about interactions with unidentified aerial phenomena, or UAPs, Military Matters host Rod Rodriguez talks with Luis Elizondo, the former head of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Intelligence Program, or AATIP, and is now a member of To the Stars... Academy of Arts & Science.
Elizondo talks about his previous work for DOD studying phenomena that exhibited characteristics outside the parameters of conventionally known technology and trying to find explanations for what was observed. He also tells of his struggle within DOD to share what AATIP learned.
What does it mean for the DOD not only to acknowledge UAPs' existence, but to set up a task force to detect, analyze and catalog UAPs? Could those UAPs potentially pose a threat to U.S. national security?
Is this proof of extraterrestrial life?
Whatever truth is out there, the Military Matters podcast is working to find it out for you.
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So far this season, the Military Matters podcast has looked at recent homicides of soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas. This week, host Rod Rodriguez and guest host Christine Bartruff bring you updates with the latest news in all three cases.
Find out about arrests linked to the slaying of Pfc. Brandon Rosecrans, whose body was found May 18 in a town not far from Fort Hood and his burned Jeep was found a few miles away the same night.
In the case of Spc. Vanessa Guillen, who was killed on post in April, a memorial service has been planned and legislation has been proposed that would change the way sexual assault and harassment are reported in the military.
Pvt. Gregory Wedel-Morales had disappeared and had been listed as a deserter before his remains were found in June. His mother had struggled to have him buried with military honors, but he finally was laid to rest last week.
What are Army and Fort Hood officials doing to deal with the recent spate of violence and misconduct at the post? Do trouble spots in nearby towns play a part? Find out in this week's fast take episode.
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Correction: Gregory Wedel-Morales' rank was private, not private first class
Fort Hood, Texas, has seen a shocking number of soldiers killed in recent months and in this episode of Military Matters, the podcast looks at two of those cases — the homicides of Pfc. Gregory Wedel and Pfc. Brandon Rosecrans.
Host Rod Rodriguez talks with Gregory Wedel's mother, Kim, about her struggle to get information from police and Army officials about her son's case, and, after learning of the discovery of his remains, the agonizing effort she has endured to have his classification as a deserter rescinded so he could receive a military burial.
Defense lawyer Stephen Karns, a former Judge Advocate General officer, also helps shed light on the ins and outs of desertion cases and talks why he finds it surprising that Pfc. Wedel's command decided to take that course.
Rod also talks with Thomas Berg, the stepfather of Pfc. Brandon Rosecrans, and why he remains hopeful that authorities will find those who left his son shot and dead in his own burning Jeep.
There remain many questions about slayings at Fort Hood, and the families of Wedel and Rosecrans think their cases largely would have been overlooked had it not been for the months of publicity surrounding the murder of Spc. Vanessa Guillén, the topic of our season two premiere.
We understand that there are many other soldiers' deaths that are unsolved and we hope that by putting a spotlight on these two service members, we can help bring attention to them as well as to the cases we haven’t mentioned.
If you have any information about these or other cases, please call the Killeen Police Department at 254-501-8800 or contact your local law enforcement.
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The brutal killing in April of U.S. Army Spc. Vanessa Guillén at Fort Hood, Texas, has garnered wide attention and has put a spotlight on the military’s continuing struggle to combat the scourge of sexual harassment.
But largely overlooked has been the struggle her family has faced in trying to get help and answers since they first realized something was wrong — within hours of her disappearance.
In this premiere episode of the second season of Military Matters, hosts Rod Rodriguez and Desmon Farris talk with Natalie Khawam, who is the lawyer for Vanessa Guillén’s family, and Stars and Stripes reporter Rose Thayer, who has been covering the case since its start.
The Military Matters podcast team finds out how Guillén’s family first suspected something was wrong the very day she disappeared and how their first push for help the following day included an interaction with her killer.
The hosts also find out how the unusual response her family has gotten at Fort Hood has led to several roadblocks that have impeded their effort to piece together the events of Spc. Guillén’s final hours.
As we make our way through season two, Stars and Stripes’ podcast team wants to cover the stories that matter to you.
Thanks for listening to Military Matters. Subscribe today.
Email: militarymatters@stripes.com
Twitter: @StripesMMPod
Next week, as the Military Matters podcast returns with the start of our second season, we will focus on the case of Spc. Vanessa Guillén, whose disappearance April 22 from Fort Hood, Texas, garnered the attention of officials and celebrities.
Tragically, remains discovered in late June in woods not far from the Army post were determined to be Guillén’s. Her family is devastated, a suspect is dead, and a possible co-conspirator is in custody.
Many questions remain, including how the military handled Guillén’s family’s claim that she was sexually harassed, and how the investigation into her disappearance was conducted.
Efforts by Guillén’s family to bring attention to her disappearance also shed light on the disappearance of other soldiers from Fort Hood.
As we enter season two, Stars and Stripes’ podcast team wants to cover the stories that matter to you.
You may recognize Vincent “Rocco” Vargas from the Article 15 crew and from television and movies. What you may not know about are his struggles to be a dad and an actor and the sacrifice he’s making today in order to fulfill a promise to himself. Rocco opens up about his struggles with PTSD and what keeps him going.
To learn more about Vincent “Rocco” Vargas go to https://vincentroccovargas.com
You can find VetStory at https://connectingvets.com or search for VetStory wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
SEASON 2 of Military Matters is coming soon! Subscribe and share this podcast!
In the wake of protests seeking racial justice following George Floyd's death at the hands of Minneapolis police, Military Matters podcast host Desmon Farris looks into U.S. Army posts that are named for Confederate generals and why the Army continues to honor men who fought against it.
Alongside the protest movement, calls have increased for the removal of Confederate statues, military leaders have moved to ban the display of Confederate imagery, and numerous officials have joined a push to rename installations that honor men who helped lead the armed insurrection against the Union in support of the institution of slavery.
Millions of people of color have served in the military, sometimes at installations that are named for men who tried to keep their ancestors subjugated — Fort Hood, Texas, Fort AP Hill, Va., and Fort Bragg, N.C., are among 10 such installations.
In this fast take episode, Desmon looks into the history of some of those Confederate leaders and how their names were chosen for those Army posts.
Stars and Stripes' podcast team is working to get the information that matters to you. Subscribe today!
Thanks for listening to Military Matters. Season two is coming soon, so stay tuned for updates.
In the wake of George Floyd's death, America continues to be roiled by protests and authorities' response. Military Matters podcast hosts Rod Rodriguez and Desmon Farris look into why and how elements of the U.S. armed forces were deployed to contend with the situation and what the ramifications could be.
To find out more about the impact of those developments on justice, the use of our military and the intersection between civil and military authority, Rod and Des talk to former Green Beret and Connecting Vets journalist Jack Murphy, as well as lawyer, veteran and former Department of Homeland Security senior counselor Kevin Carroll.
The hosts also talk with Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston about what he wants his troops to know during this tumultuous time.
Stars and Stripes' podcast team is working to get the information that matters to you. Subscribe today!
Thanks for listening to Military Matters. Season two is coming soon, so stay tuned for updates.
*Correction: A reference to the number of deaths worldwide from COVID-19 is misstated. Millions have been infected. Hundreds of thousands have died.
Troops could be deployed stateside to cope with the unrest gripping the nation after a Minneapolis man died in police custody. Military Matters podcast host Rod Rodriguez examines the laws that govern the use of troops in peacekeeping efforts on U.S. soil.
What is the Posse Comitatus Act, and what does it allow? What law enforcement roles could federal troops fulfill, and what are the potential dangers? How much authority does the president have to use troops this way?
Stars and Stripes' podcast team is working to get the information that matters to you. Subscribe today!
Thanks for listening to Military Matters. Season two is coming soon, so stay tuned for updates.
In the season finale of the Military Matters podcast, hosts Rod Rodriguez and Desmon Farris shed light on the murky world of information warfare.
Message manipulation can take many forms, it can be employed on any topic and it can be directed at anyone. It is used to alter our decision-making process and can have wide-ranging influence on our choices: what products we buy, which candidates we vote for, how we respond to a health crisis — it even can impact national security.
How can disinformation, misinformation, censorship, social media and news media all play parts in how facts are presented and potentially distorted? To find out, the hosts get insight from industry experts including Dr. Rand Waltzman, deputy chief technology officer of the RAND Corporation, Dr. Michael Shermer, who is a science writer and founder of Skeptic magazine, and Bob Reid, senior managing editor of Stars and Stripes.
What can you do to recognize and protect yourself from disinformation and misinformation? How can you avoid be part of the spread of untruths?
Stars and Stripes' podcast team is working to get the right information that matters to you. Subscribe today!
Thanks for listening to Military Matters. Season two is coming soon, so stay tuned for updates.
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As we near the end of the inaugural season of the Military Matters podcast, hosts Rod Rodriguez and Desmon Farris offer a look at the topic for next week's season finale, information warfare.
Rod and Des examine what message manipulation might look like and find out from industry experts what we should beware of and how we can be prepared.
Stars and Stripes' podcasters are working to get the information that matters to you. Subscribe today!
In this review episode, Military Matters podcast hosts Rod Rodriguez and Desmon Farris talk some more with one of last week's guests, retired Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. Juan Lewis — also known as the Fired Up Chief — about how his recovery from COVID-19 is coming along.
Lewis is continuing to improve, but he's not yet able to go home from the care facility. He talks about his current health status, what it's going to take to be able to go home, how long his doctor says his overall recovery is expected to take and what the full measure of that recovery might be.
Lewis also talks about the value of keeping a positive mindset while battling the disease, as well as the importance of following CDC guidelines as states and communities look to loosen restrictions to restart the economy.
Stars and Stripes' podcasters are working to get you information you need to help you get through this worldwide crisis. Stay safe, and subscribe today!
As Military Matters podcast hosts Rod Rodriguez and Desmon Farris dig further into the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, they find out what it's like to fight the disease; they learn about ventilators — why they're a political lightning rod, why they're needed and what they mean for patients; and they get the story behind an Air Force veteran's innovative, new ventilator.
Rod and Desmon talk with retired Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. Juan Lewis, known as the The Fired Up Chief, who has been receiving treatment since last month after being forced into intensive care with a severe case of COVID-19. Lewis is winning his battle with the disease, but at a cost.
You’ve probably heard about ventilators in the news — how few we have, how badly they’re needed, and that some folks have said we don’t need as many as we think. But what is a ventilator, what does it do, and how is it used to treat patients with COVID-19? Rod and Des talk to a nurse with more than 30 years of experience, but she would talk only under the condition of anonymity, and you’ll hear why.
And finally, the hosts talk ventilators with Air Force veteran and AirMid Critical Care Products Inc. CEO Michael Maguire, whose company developed an innovative, new ventilator answering the Army’s industry challenge.
Stars and Stripes' podcasters are working to get you information you need to help you get through this worldwide crisis. Stay safe, and subscribe today!
Military Matters podcast hosts Rod Rodriguez and Desmon Farris continue to look at the mental health impact of the coronavirus pandemic by talking with Ellsworth Williams, a 24-year Army veteran, about what his organization, Veterans Counseling Veterans, is doing as we maneuver through and beyond the isolation induced by COVID-19.
After seeing shortcomings during his internship at the VA, Ellsworth founded Veterans Counseling Veterans, a network of mental health professionals who are veterans or spouses of veterans, as a way to help fellow veterans in need find assistance from the folks who understand best what they’re going through.
The network also reaches out to and tries to educate the veteran and service member community on the mental health issues that are important to them, such as suicide prevention or sexual trauma in the military.
How can you manage the challenges that arise from the COVID-19 isolation? What challenges could you face when it's over? And where can you go to get help? Find out these things and more in this week's episode.
Stars and Stripes' podcasters are working to get you information you need to help you get through this worldwide crisis. Stay safe, and subscribe today!
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the world indoors with no clear end in sight. Military Matters podcast hosts Rod Rodriguez and Desmon Farris talk to two mental health clinicians, both veterans, about how the isolation and uncertainty have impacted the mental health of veterans and service members across the country.
Rod and Des talk with Dr. Carlos Garcia, a licensed clinical psychologist and Marine veteran, and Dennis Higgins, a mental health counselor and Army veteran, who share what effects they're seeing in the veteran community as the new coronavirus has shaken virtually every aspect of people's daily lives.
Is the tele-health approach to care working? What is being done for people who live in unsafe environments? And what can service members do for their own mental health while we shelter in place? Find out these things and more in this week's episode.
Stars and Stripes' podcasters are working to get you information you need to help you get through this worldwide crisis. Stay safe, and subscribe today!
In this episode of the Military Matters Review, hosts Desmon Farris and Rod Rodriguez dig into the financial impact that the COVID-19 pandemic is having on the military community.
Rod and Des talk to Lacey Langford, a veteran and financial counselor who is known as the Military Money Expert, to find out what service members and their families can do to get through the crisis, which has catastrophic effects around the globe.
Langford offers advice on money management and how to identify good financial practices, particularly for households that have lost income through job loss.
How is the military community adapting to the crisis? What changes should you make to your financial plans? If you’re getting stimulus money, what should you do with it? Learn about all of this and more in this week’s Military Matters Review. Subscribe today!
As coronavirus cases and deaths surge around the globe, Military Matters podcast hosts Rod Rodriguez and Desmon Farris find out what is being done to help service members and veterans amid the pandemic.
Rod and Des talk with top officials of each of the relief organizations of the different service branches — Army Emergency Relief, the Air Force Aid Society, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance. The officials discuss what their organizations have to offer and how COVID-19 has affected the ability of people in need to reach out to them.
The hosts also talk with Connecting Vets reporter Abbie Bennett to find out how much funding the VA is getting from the CARES Act stimulus package and what are they doing with the money.
Stars and Stripes' podcasters are working to get you information you need to help you get through this worldwide crisis. Stay safe, and subscribe today!
In this episode of the Military Matters Review, hosts Rod Rodriguez and Desmon Farris jump back to the topic of military influencers in a visit with one of the earlier personalities to hit the social media sphere, former Army drill sergeant John Burk.
Rod and Des interview Burk, an entrepreneur and influencer known in part for his often-controversial videos, who gives his thoughts on the world of military and veteran influencers.
Burk talks about the evolution of his social media presence, how becoming a public figure has changed his life, why he is careful about what products and brands he endorses, and his take on businesses that make overt appeals to prospective customers’ anger or sense of patriotism.
Rod and Des also talk about Burk’s stance on whether increasing the public's awareness helps address the problem of veteran suicides.
Are you thinking of becoming the next internet star? This week’s guest offers a unique perspective on the matter. Listen as our podcasters find out more. Subscrbe today!
In the Arena Fitness: http://www.inthearenafitness.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnburk1775/
Instagram: @johnburk1
Shellshock CBD: https://shellshockcbd.com/
Tavern Tankards: https://taverntankards.com/
Follow us on Twitter @stripesmmpod
In this episode of the Military Matters Review, hosts Rod Rodriguez and Desmon Farris continue the discussion from last week’s special edition podcast on the coronavirus pandemic.
Rod and Desmon talk with Dr. Asha M. George of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, Connecting Vets reporter Elizabeth Howe, and Stars and Stripes reporter Kim Gamel, who shares what life is like in South Korea, one of the countries hit hardest amid the pandemic.
Rod and Desmon go over the latest stats on coronavirus infections and deaths across the nation and the DOD.
They also find out what this and previous White House administrations could have done better to help safeguard the country against a pandemic. And they learn what this and future administrations need to do to prepare for the next pandemic, because it’s not if, it’s when.
Listen as Stars and Stripes’ podcasters take on this urgent, global issue. Subscribe today!
Links
Bi-partisan Commission on Biodefense: https://biodefensecommission.org/
Connecting Vets: https://connectingvets.radio.com/
Military Matters is on Twitter: @stripesmmpod
In this special episode of Military Matters, hosts Rod Rodriguez and Desmon Farris shed light on the coronavirus that is causing major upheaval around the globe.
What is the coronavirus? Is it as deadly as the flu? What does it look like if you have it? How is it impacting the DOD community?
U.S. Army emergency room doctor Dr. Kamal Kalsi, reporter Elizabeth Howe from the online news organization Connecting Vets, and Max Brooks, the author of “World War Z,” share their expertise and research to explain why the virus is causing concern, what the military and the VA are doing to respond to it, the reasons for its rapid spread and the ways it can make the military vulnerable.
Listen to find out how this virus will affect our military and military families, what it has to do with information warfare, and how you can do your part to help combat what the World Health Organization has declared a pandemic.
Find out about all of this and more with the Military Matters podcast from Stars and Stripes. Subscribe today!
In this week’s episode of Military Matters, hosts Desmon Farris and Rod Rodriguez examine influencers among the military community.
While doing everything from funny skits, political rants, showing off their physiques, lip-syncing and dancing, veterans and service members are becoming increasingly visible on the internet.
Black Rifle Coffee Company co-founder Mat Best, Sgt. 1st Class Astin Muse, and actor and Navy veteran Jennifer Marshall share their experiences and tell of opportunities and potential pitfalls in pursuing internet fame.
Rod and Des find out what it’s like to be the face of one of the most well-known veteran-owned businesses, how being Facebook famous might have saved an influencer’s life, and why you should think twice before you decide you want to be an influencer.
Find out about all of this and more with the Military Matters podcast from Stars and Stripes. Subscribe today!
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Continuing the discussion from the most recent episode of the Military Matters podcast, hosts Desmon Farris and Rod Rodriguez dig more deeply into the military’s outreach into the eSports community..
Rod and Desmon look at whether the U.S. Army eSports Team is having an impact on recruitment and whether the cost is worth it.
They also examine the world of eSports itself and how it is similar to other competitive fields, particularly at its highest levels.
Listen as Stars and Stripes’ podcasters take a deep dive into this fascinating topic. Subscrbe today!
OK gamers, in this week’s episode of Military Matters, hosts Desmon Farris and Rod Rodriguez delve into video games and how the Army is extending its recruitment outreach into the gaming community through its eSports team.
The hosts and the eSports team’s leaders discuss how and why the team was formed, what it can do to engage with gamers.
Also, eSports team members talk about how they joined, their experiences and their training. They come from a wide variety of occupational specialties, and there’s even a Green Beret on the team.
Find out about all of this and more with the Military Matters podcast from Stars and Stripes. Subscribe today!
Continuing the discussion of military physical fitness assessments from the most recent episode of the Military Matters podcast, hosts Rod Rodriguez and Desmon Farris talk with Megan Reed, deputy director of public affairs of the U.S. Army Center for Initial Military Training.
Rod, Desmon and Megan talk about the purpose behind the design of the new Army Combat Fitness Test, its gender-neutral approach and key differences between the ACFT and the fitness test it is replacing.
They talk about the Army’s ongoing effort to integrate the ACFT into a holistic approach toward soldiers’ well-being. They also discuss the reasoning for having different assessments among the military branches, as well as the influence the Army’s effort might have as the other branches develop their own programs.
This topic has a wide impact. Listen as Stars and Stripes’ podcasters take a deep dive. Don’t miss it!
This week’s episode of Military Matters delves into military fitness, particularly the various branches’ efforts to revise their physical training and standards to meet the demands that service members face on today’s battlefields.
Hosts Rod Rodriguez and Desmon Farris talk to officials who have been involved in revamping the fitness programs; they discuss the recent history of the programs and how the science of fitness and the unique demands of each branch have impacted the development of new methods and assessments.
Tailoring fitness programs to occupational requirements also has come into focus, as has a push to prevent fitness training-related injuries.
Which branch is the most fit? Which is the least? How much does it all cost? The answers might surprise you. Subscribe today so you don’t miss it.
Continuing the discussion of red flag laws from the most recent episode of the Military Matters podcast, hosts Rod Rodriguez and Desmon Farris respond to listener email and talk once again with Jake Charles, a lecturing fellow and executive director of the Center for Firearms Law at Duke University.
Hosts Rod Rodriguez and Desmon Farris talk about red flag laws, also known as extreme risk laws, and the implications they can have for gun owners.
Rod and Desmon talk about what red flag laws are, the intent behind them, how they’re being used and the potential for their abuse. They also discuss the Second Amendment, gun control, suicide, and mass shootings.
To separate the facts from the fiction, the hosts talk to experts in firearms law and gun safety, including retired Army Capt. Chris Marvin, who is a founding member of the Everytown Veterans Advisory Council; David Salvin, who is an attorney in California handling firearms-related and criminal-defense cases; and Jake Charles, the executive director of the Center for Firearms Law at Duke University.
This is episode is locked and loaded. Subscribe today so you don’t miss it.
Hosts Desmon Farris and Rod Rodriguez look back at the inaugural episode of Military Matters, which focused on cannabis.
Desmon and Rod talk about the response the episode has received and the misconceptions that persist about the controversial plant, which is being legalized in an increasing number of states.
The hosts also discuss ongoing research into cannabis and why it's so difficult, why the Department of Veterans Affairs and others refrained from weighing in, and the plant's potential medical and addiction complications.
Welcome to Military Matters, the podcast that explores issues important to service members, veterans, contractors, and the communities that support them.
In this debut episode, hosts Rod Rodriguez and Desmon Farris focus on cannabis and shed light on what it is, what it isn’t, and what it could mean for the DOD and for veterans.