Military Matters

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'...

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 trai...

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 deplo...

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 dev...

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 discre...

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 ch...

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 deve...

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 episo...

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...

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/militar...

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  h...

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...

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...

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....

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 ha...

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...

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://s...

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 Saras...

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" abo...

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... -...

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 M...

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?