Friendly Fire

In this episode, we delve into the often overlooked crisis of mental health within the U.S. military. We explore the systemic issues that contribute to high rates of depression, PTSD, and suicide among service members and veterans. We'll also examine the military's approach to mental health, the stigma surrounding it, and the ongoing fight for better mental health services and recognition within t...

In this episode, we delve into the devastating legacy of Agent Orange, a herbicide used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. We explore the long-term health effects on veterans, the military's denial and delay in acknowledging the issue, and the ongoing fight for recognition and compensation. Join us as we unravel this tragic chapter of military history and its lasting impact on the lives...

This episode examines the military's systematic failure to address sexual assault within its ranks, focusing on how the chain of command structure often protects perpetrators while silencing victims. Through documented cases, we explore how the military justice system's handling of sexual assault cases has led to widespread denial of VA benefits for survivors. The investigation reveals patterns of...

In the 1960s, the Pentagon conducted secret chemical and biological warfare tests on unwitting American servicemen through Project SHAD (Shipboard Hazard and Defense). We uncover how thousands of sailors were deliberately exposed to toxic agents without their knowledge or consent, tracking the decades of denial and coverup that followed. The episode examines recently declassified documents reveali...

During Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, massive open-air burn pits exposed thousands of service members to toxic smoke from burning waste, electronics, and chemicals. We investigate how military contractors ran these pits despite known health risks, following veterans now battling rare respiratory illnesses and cancers. The episode details the Department of Defense's initial dismissa...

From 1953 to 1987, nearly one million Marines and their families were exposed to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Our hosts trace how military officials ignored early warnings about chemical contamination, examining the decades-long struggle of veterans facing rare cancers, birth defects, and other severe health conditions. Through interviews and documents, we reveal ho...