Podcasts about military support

On April 22, 2025, gunmen in the town of Pahalgam, located in the disputed region of Kashmir, killed 26 people—mostly Indian tourists. A four-day military clash between India and Pakistan ensued, bringing both countries to the brink of a full-blown war, before a ceasefire was reached on May 10, 2025. During the India-Pakistan clashes, Beijing urged both sides to deescalate and called for a “political settlement through peaceful means.” But China did not play a neutral role in the conflict. Consistent with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's purported statement to his Pakistani counterpart that “China fully understands Pakistan's legitimate security concerns and supports Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty and security interests,” China reportedly provided intelligence, satellite equipment, and other forms of support to Pakistan before and during the clashes.To analyze China's role in the conflict, host Bonnie Glaser is joined by Andrew Small. Andrew is a senior transatlantic fellow with GMF's Indo-Pacific program, and author of two books on China, including “The China-Pakistan Axis: Asia's New Geopolitics,” which is now ten years old, but remains an insightful and relevant study. Timestamps[00:00] Start[01:46] China's Diplomatic Response to the India-Pakistan Clashes[05:58] Beijing's Offer of Playing a “Constructive Role”[10:56] A Testing Ground for Chinese Weaponry and Equipment[14:03] China's Cautious Approach to Sino-Indian Relations[18:10] Military Support and the Sino-Pakistan Relationship[23:44] Implications for Chinese Arms Exports[26:27] Indian and Pakistani Assessments of Chinese Involvement[30:06] Influence of US-China Rivalry on India-Pakistan Relations

Send us a textIn this episode, Richard Fleek and Farrer discuss various initiatives aimed at supporting veterans, including sporting events and scuba diving classes. They introduce Robert Olivarez Jr., the national commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, who shares his military background, experiences, and the mission of the organization. The conversation highlights the importance of community support for veterans and the various programs available to assist them. In this engaging conversation, Robert Olivarez Jr. shares his experiences as a Purple Heart recipient and his commitment to supporting fellow veterans. He discusses the importance of community involvement, family-friendly events, and collaboration with other veteran organizations. The conversation highlights the significance of the Purple Heart Trail, legislative advocacy, and the need for unity among veterans to ensure their voices are heard. Olivarez also reflects on personal triumphs during his military service and the ongoing efforts to honor the legacy of Vietnam veterans.Support the show

Shona Murray, Europe Correspondent for Euronews

Legal Efforts by "Taxpayers Against Genocide" to Halt U.S. Military Support to Israel The post Legal Efforts by “Taxpayers Against Genocide” to Halt U.S.... appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

In this episode, Music Legend Lee Greenwood discusses the inspiration behind his iconic song 'God Bless the USA,' its cultural significance, and his commitment to supporting wounded warriors and military families. He shares insights into his personal journey, family values, and evolving political perspectives, emphasizing the importance of patriotism and community support. The Tudor Dixon Podcast is part of the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Podcast Network. For more visit TudorDixonPodcast.com Fore more info on Lee Greenwood CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amir Tsarfati and Pastor Barry Stagner expose the disturbing resurgence of Nazi ideology in Europe and the Arab world, the spiritual roots of modern antisemitism, and the failure of progressive narratives. They'll also break down Israel's military gains in Gaza and Lebanon, growing civilian calls for relocation, unprecedented U.S. military support, and where prophecy fits into it all.Connect with us on social:Telegram: @beholdisraelchannelInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amir.tsarfati/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beholdisrael/X: https://x.com/beholdisraelYouTube: https://youtube.com/@beholdisrael

AP correspondent Charles de Ledesma reports Britain announces more support for Ukraine's fight against Russia.

Europe needs to upscale its support for Ukraine as Donald Trump continues to shift towards Moscow, but EU member states find it challenging to agree on a fresh military aid to Ukraine One of the main discussions at the EU summit on March 20 was on defence - particularly about what is known as the Kallas plan. The plan, based on the idea that larger countries would provide larger donations to finance military expenses, has encountered strong disagreements. According to bruxelles2 editor Nicolas Gros-Verheyde, the primary reason for the dispute is the big jump on the proposed amounts of donations for several countries. "It is not an increase. It is the double of the triple (of the previous amounts)," says Gros-Verheyde regarding the proposed amounts for France, Spain and Italy. In today's episode Radio Schuman also takes a look at the historic vote today in the German upper House on a law that exempts defence and security expenditures from Germany's debt rules. The episode also explores the happiest countries in Europe according to the latest World Happiness Report. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Thomas has over a decade of experience in the gritty, high-stakes world of veteran recovery, Tim brings an unparalleled depth of insight, forged through lived experiences in mental health, wellness, research, and breathwork.#breathwork #ptsd #veteranAbout my Guest Tim Thomas:Meet Tim Thomas—a man on a mission to transform lives and uplift the world, one night of quality sleep at a time.With over a decade of experience in the gritty, high-stakes world of veteran recovery, Tim brings an unparalleled depth of insight, forged through lived experiences in mental health, wellness, research, and breathwork. Alongside his team, he has raised over $1 million for impactful charities like the Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation, driving advancements in veteran health, and the Queensland Brain Institute, a global leader in neuroscience and mental health research.Tim's personal passion lies in helping people access the transformative power of rest and connection, showing how they fuel resilience, clarity, and fulfillment. He's not just a storyteller—he's a catalyst for change, inspiring audiences to unlock the hidden potential that comes with better sleep and a generous heart.Tim's energy is contagious, his insights are actionable, and his message will leave you empowered and excited. Get ready to hear stories that will captivate, strategies that inspire, and a perspective that will challenge everything you thought you knew about wellness.Let Tim take you on a journey you'll never forget.What we Discussed:  00:10 Who is Tim Thomas04:30 The Education System and should it Embrace Breathwork07:45 I failed as I realised my teachings were not permanent11:30 How he got into the Military and what he experienced13:30 No allowed to see his son born 20:20 Dropping the Ego21:45 Does the Military Support people with PTSD26:20 Everyone is fighting an Internal Battle33:45 Do Not be Afraid to talk about your failures37:00 Different Types of Breathwork39:15 Craving the Breathwork Buzz41:45 When he Created Breathwork in Bed45:30 Your Breath outranks your thinking Mind46:30 How Breathwork helped my Public Speaking49:00 We are in an age of Marketers when we need a Healer52:30 Understanding your Sovereignity56:30 The Power of Generosity59:00 The Take MenalityHow to Contact Tim Thomas : These links are for immediate and natural sleep improvement; They're  my company's online resource called - The ‘Breathwork in Bed' app. The app will guide you to sleep with peace and out of bed with power.Links are for Apple/Smart phones & Google/AndroidsApple link: https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id6575362285?pt=127061224&ct=BIB50K&mt=8Google Link:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.breathworkinbed.bibsleepapp20&hl=enwww.breathworkinbed.com.auhttps://www.instagram.com/breathworkinbed/https://www.facebook.com/breathworkinbedFree for the first 20 clicks! This is my Breathwork in Bed audio book, narrated by myself;https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V98IW0DdoH_-k4xZGRpokolXMLXhwEP4/view?usp=drivesdkThis is the tutorial for the breath of PEACE and POSSIBILITYhttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1ttGHSAQwIuJ8hUrpdHu0SGoX53Fsv_3V/view?usp=sharing --- ------------------All about Roy / Brain Gym & Virtual Assistants at ⁠https://roycoughlan.com/⁠ ___________________

At just 36 years old, Rajiv Shah got a call from Hillary Clinton. Days later, he was running USAID. Less than a week into the job, a massive earthquake leveled Haiti. He had no time to prepare. He had to act. That was one of many high-stakes bets in his career. From launching a $5 billion vaccine program with the Gates Foundation to fighting Ebola and leading global humanitarian efforts, he has tackled some of the world's biggest challenges and won. In this episode, Rajiv joins Ilana to share how he makes big bets, leads through crisis, and asks the right questions to solve impossible challenges. Dr. Rajiv Shah is a physician, economist, global development leader, author, and President of the Rockefeller Foundation. Known for achieving the impossible to drive global change, he led U.S. responses to crises like the Haiti earthquake and Ebola outbreak as USAID Administrator.. In this episode, Ilana and Rajiv will discuss: (00:00) Introduction  (01:55) From Immigrant Kid to Global Leader (04:02) A Life-Changing Service Trip to India (07:00) Leaving Medical School for Politics (11:22) Joining the Gates Foundation (13:10) A 'Big Bet' That Saved 20 Million Lives (15:00) How Strategic Questions Unlock Big Solutions (19:31) Leading USAID Through Haiti's Earthquake (26:38) Earning Obama and Biden's Trust in a Crisis (30:22) Fighting the Ebola Outbreak with Military Support (33:22) Tackling Energy Poverty at the Rockefeller Foundation (38:54) Why Real Change Requires Big Risks (44:38) How Great Leaders Balance Change and Stability (47:08) The Power of Connection and Shared Values Dr. Rajiv Shah is a physician, economist, global development leader, author, and President of the Rockefeller Foundation. Known for achieving the impossible to drive global change, he led U.S. responses to crises like the Haiti earthquake and Ebola outbreak as USAID Administrator. Previously, at the Gates Foundation, he helped expand childhood vaccinations and led health and agriculture initiatives. His book, Big Bets, explores bold solutions to the world's toughest challenges. Connect with Rajiv: Rajiv's Website: rockefellerfoundation.org/  Rajiv's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drrajivjshah/  Resources Mentioned: Rajiv's Book, Big Bets: How Large-Scale Change Really Happens: https://www.amazon.com/Big-Bets-Large-Scale-Change-Happens/dp/1668004380  Leap Academy: Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time. Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training

Hello to you listening in Jasper, Indiana!Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Thoughts on Thursday and your host, Diane Wyzga. In the early 1990s a cellist in Sarejevo, Vedran Smajlovic, went out into the square when the bombs were dropping and started playing his cello. A journalist asked him, "Why are you out here playing your cello while the bombs are dropping?" The cellist replied, “Why are they dropping bombs while I'm playing the cello?”In the face of tragedy art and beauty might be all some of us have to offer. Art and beauty give us hope, remind us of our humanity even when someone else denies it, as well as help shape the stories of the society they reflect.Walking life's path can be made a bit more hopeful when we have art, music and brave souls to walk along with us.Whether the voice of a child singing a tune from the movie, Frozen; Vera Lytovchenko, violinist and teacher playing in a bomb shelter dressed in an evening gown; a piano player outside a train station; or men singing their country's anthem.Click HERE to listen a 2 minute broadcast from 2 years ago. It's the voices and music of a determined nation fighting for its unbowed Ukranian soul and winning albeit at great cost. But music alone won't do it. Hear us, world leaders: if Ukraine maintains its determination and gets necessary external military support, it can win this war of attrition!  NOTE: During the nearly four-year siege of Sarajevo that ended in 1996, Vedran Smajlovic played Albinoni's Adagio in G Minor on his cello in ruined buildings, including the Vijecnica, the Bosnian capital's destroyed city hall. He also played at funerals despite the threat of sniper fire. His powerful music became a sign of resilience and of the triumph of humanity over brutality. You're invited: “Come for the stories - stay for the magic!” Speaking of magic, I hope you'll subscribe, share a nice shout out on your social media or podcast channel of choice, (including Android, Amazon Music, Audible & Pandora Radio) and join us next time! Remember to stop by the Quarter Moon Story Arts website, check out the Services I offer, arrange a Discovery Call, and Opt In to stay current with Diane and Quarter Moon Story Arts as well as on LinkedIn and Substack as Wyzga on Words Stories From Women Who Walk Production TeamPodcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer's Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicAll content and image © 2019 to Present: for credit & attribution Quarter Moon Story Arts

On the GZERO World Podcast, we're bringing you two starkly different views on Ukraine's future and European security. First, Ian Bremmer speaks with Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže about the growing security threats facing the Baltics—from cyberattacks and disinformation to undersea sabotage in the Baltic Sea. When an oil tanker linked to Russia's shadow fleet recently severed a vital power cable between Estonia and Finland, it was a stark reminder of how hybrid warfare is playing out beyond the battlefield. Braže warns that Putin's ambitions extend far beyond Ukraine, aiming to weaken US alliances and destabilize Europe. She also pushes back against claims that Ukraine's NATO ambitions provoked the war, calling them “complete nonsense,” and outlines why Latvia is boosting its defense spending to 5% of GDP.The conversation then shifts to Moscow, where Bremmer speaks with former Russian colonel and ex-Carnegie Moscow Center director Dmitri Trenin. Once considered a pro-Western voice, Trenin's views now align closely with the Kremlin. He argues that the fate of Ukraine should be decided primarily by Russia and the United States—not Ukraine or Europe.Host: Ian BremmerGuest: Baiba Braže & Dmitri Trenin Subscribe to the GZERO World with Ian Bremmer Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform, to receive new episodes as soon as they're published.

On the GZERO World Podcast, we're bringing you two starkly different views on Ukraine's future and European security. First, Ian Bremmer speaks with Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže about the growing security threats facing the Baltics—from cyberattacks and disinformation to undersea sabotage in the Baltic Sea. When an oil tanker linked to Russia's shadow fleet recently severed a vital power cable between Estonia and Finland, it was a stark reminder of how hybrid warfare is playing out beyond the battlefield. Braže warns that Putin's ambitions extend far beyond Ukraine, aiming to weaken US alliances and destabilize Europe. She also pushes back against claims that Ukraine's NATO ambitions provoked the war, calling them “complete nonsense,” and outlines why Latvia is boosting its defense spending to 5% of GDP.The conversation then shifts to Moscow, where Bremmer speaks with former Russian colonel and ex-Carnegie Moscow Center director Dmitri Trenin. Once considered a pro-Western voice, Trenin's views now align closely with the Kremlin. He argues that the fate of Ukraine should be decided primarily by Russia and the United States—not Ukraine or Europe.Host: Ian BremmerGuest: Baiba Braže & Dmitri Trenin Subscribe to the GZERO World with Ian Bremmer Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform, to receive new episodes as soon as they're published.

It was meant to pave the way for a ceasefire in Ukraine. But the public meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy turned contentious. And the US president has threatened to withdraw his support. What does this mean for the war in Ukraine? And will Washington force a settlement with Moscow? In this episode: Michael Bo-Sir-Queue, Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center. Scott Lucas, Professor, US and International Politics, Clinton Institute, University College Dublin. Glenn Diesen, Professor, International Relations, University of South-East Norway. Host: James Bays Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!

AP correspondent Laurence Brooks reports on foreign leaders attending events in Kyiv to mark the third anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war.

AP Washington correspondent Sagar Meghani reports on foreign leaders visiting Ukraine on the war's third anniversary.

Three years into the invasion of Ukraine, and amid the Trump administration's rapid shift in US-Russia relations, can European and NATO allies continue to rely on the United States for support? On the GZERO World Podcast, Ian Bremmer is on the ground in Germany on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference for a hard look at the future of European security with US Senator Elissa Slotkin. World leaders and diplomats gathered at the annual conference to discuss global security challenges, but the biggest story, by far, in Munich was the news of President Trump's 90-minute phone call with Vladimir Putin, which upended three years of US-led efforts to isolate Russia diplomatically. The Trump administration is emphatic: it wants an end to the war and that Europe is responsible for maintaining peace in any ceasefire deal. But can Europe guarantee Ukraine's security without US support? Later in the episode, GZERO's Tony Maciulis speaks with Alina Polyakova, President and CEO of the Center for European Policy Analysis, to discuss the reaction to the Trump-Putin call and growing fears that NATO allies will be left on the sidelines of peace negotiations in Ukraine.Host: Ian BremmerGuest: Elissa Slotkin Subscribe to the GZERO World with Ian Bremmer Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform, to receive new episodes as soon as they're published.

Three years into the invasion of Ukraine, and amid the Trump administration's rapid shift in US-Russia relations, can European and NATO allies continue to rely on the United States for support? On the GZERO World Podcast, Ian Bremmer is on the ground in Germany on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference for a hard look at the future of European security with US Senator Elissa Slotkin. World leaders and diplomats gathered at the annual conference to discuss global security challenges, but the biggest story, by far, in Munich was the news of President Trump's 90-minute phone call with Vladimir Putin, which upended three years of US-led efforts to isolate Russia diplomatically. The Trump administration is emphatic: it wants an end to the war and that Europe is responsible for maintaining peace in any ceasefire deal. But can Europe guarantee Ukraine's security without US support? Later in the episode, GZERO's Tony Maciulis speaks with Alina Polyakova, President and CEO of the Center for European Policy Analysis, to discuss the reaction to the Trump-Putin call and growing fears that NATO allies will be left on the sidelines of peace negotiations in Ukraine.Host: Ian BremmerGuest: Elissa Slotkin Subscribe to the GZERO World with Ian Bremmer Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform, to receive new episodes as soon as they're published.

Officials from nearly one-hundred countries are meeting in Paris to discuss Artificial Intelligence, including Canada's Prime Minister. The risks associated with AI are top of mind -- but so are the opportunities. Also: U.S. President Donald Trump is proposing a trade to Ukraine - military support for rare earth resources. We'll look at why Trump wants these resources so badly, and the other countries he's eyeing to get them.And: Toxic drugs have killed tens of thousands of Canadians, but drug dealers are rarely charged directly in those deaths. Now there is a push to hand down tough punishments on drug dealers whose customers die from overdoses.Plus: Court challenges to Donald Trump's executive orders, Canadian doctors scrutinize the Lucy Letby case, and more.

Latest news from 30 January 2025, as reported in the Ukrainian media. Easy ways to support us: Subscribe to our Patreon to give monthly support https://www.patreon.com/highlightsfromukraine Send us a one-time 'thank you' tip via PayPal at: highlightsfromukraine@gmail.com Out YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3oH111z Special thanks to our top Patreon supporters - Helena Pszczolko O'Callaghan,  krissi, Jared and Dick Warner!

In this episode Brian Hancock talks with Kurt Dykstra and Joshua Weikart to discuss the 38 Golf Program, the Functional Specialty Team Construct, and the recent Functional Specialty Team Symposium. Major Dykstra and Captain Weikert, welcome to the show. Thank you very much. Wonderful to be here. --- One CA is a product of the civil affairs association  and brings in current or former military personnel, diplomats, development officers, and field agents to discuss their experiences on the ground with the people and leadership of a partner nation. We aim to inspire anyone interested in working in the "last three feet" of U.S. foreign relations.  To contact the show, email us at CApodcasting@gmail.com  or look us up on the Civil Affairs Association website at www civilaffairsassoc.org --- Special thanks to Art Music for a sample from the song "January | Instrumental Background Music." Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0orz_C33I --- Transcript 00:00:03 INTRODUCTION Welcome to the 1CA Podcast. This is your host, Jack Gaines. 1CA is a product of the Civil Affairs Association and brings in people who are current or former military, diplomats, development officers, and field agents to discuss their experiences on ground with a partner nation's people and leadership. Our goal is to inspire anyone interested in working the last three feet of foreign relations. To contact the show, email us at capodcasting@gmail.com or look us up on the Civil Affairs Association website at www.civilaffairsassoc.org. I'll have those in the show notes. 00:00:39 BRIAN HANCOCK I'm Lieutenant Colonel Brian Hancock, and I will be your host for this session. Today, we have with us Major Kurt Dykstra and Joshua Weikert  and  Joshua Weikert  and Captain Joshua Weikert to discuss the 38 golf program and the recent Functional Specialty Team Symposium. Major Dykstra and Captain Weikert, welcome to the show. Thanks very much. Wonderful to be here. Thank you, sir. 00:01:26 BRIAN HANCOCK A quick disclaimer while we're here that the remarks of myself and the participants are solely ours. All right, gentlemen, let's jump into it. From the beginning, what attracted you to U.S. Army civil affairs? Well, I can start that answer. So I'm a bit older, as you might have gathered from my bio. 00:01:43 KURT DYKSTRA a bit older, as you might have gathered from my bio. And at various points in my adult life, I had thought about entering into military service. And for one reason or another, It just didn't happen. And it was always a great regret in my life that I had not served and saw it as something that I wish I would have done. And then about four or so years ago, I got a call from a friend of a friend who at the time was a major who was recruiting for this new golf program. And we really didn't know each other, but we sort of had moved in similar circles and knew the same people and those sorts of things. And my wife and I were hiking the Appalachian Trail and I was having breakfast one morning and got a phone call from Colonel Koinga, as he retells the story, I think within an hour or two, I said something like, sounds good to me, let's do it. Of course, I did talk with my wife and those sorts of things, but that's my pathway in and a bit unique perhaps, but I think a story that has some resonance with many of the other gulfs, particularly those who were not prior service, that this was fulfilling an opportunity that they had, that they had wished that they had taken earlier, which was to serve the country through the military. 00:02:51 BRIAN HANCOCK the country through the military. Well, first of all, Kurt, you're not that old. You look very young and healthy to me. And so you're doing something right. So good for you. I'm thrilled that you have chosen to give both the Army and civil affairs a chance. We definitely need the type of skills that you bring to the table. Now, let me turn to you, Captain Weicker. Tell me a little bit about your journey getting here. Well, I was a prior service soldier. 00:03:16 JOSHUA WEIKERT  prior service soldier. Also being the pre -law advisor at my university, I had a pre -law student who was interested in the Army JAG program. And she had asked me to look into direct commissioning programs in the Army in general, knowing that I was a veteran and had some experience in this area. And I stumbled across the 38 Gulf page on the Army Talent Management website. And it was such an immediately obvious fit because I teach politics, but I also do politics. I work for the House of Representatives. And for that matter, when I go out looking for faculty members to hire, I like looking for people who are practitioners as well as being scholars. And this really dovetailed very nicely into that model. And it struck me as something with a very clear need. It also struck me as something that, especially as we think about lessons learned from Iraq and Afghanistan and 20 years of deployments, that this was an area where the Army could really bone up its skills and get more into capacity building both within our formations and also the places where we operate. So it struck me as something that was both important and extremely interesting. 00:04:13 BRIAN HANCOCK Well, very glad that you're here. The background that you both have in politics and helping. do governance on an almost daily basis. It makes me wonder, how would we train something like transitional governance? This is one of our core capabilities. I don't know if the program does things like that. I think there's a big future for us in this area. And both of you have the background to help us move in that direction. Well, in the early 2000s, 00:04:44 JOSHUA WEIKERT  the DOD had... conducted a review of all the civil administration and civil affairs tasks that were out there that the Army engages in. And they came up with a list of something like 1 ,400 different tasks. And they combed through this list and started identifying things that are not currently met. So where are the areas where the Army needs help? And out of that derived these 18 skill identifiers within the 38 Gulf program, covering a broad range of civil skills. And these include things like... finance, education, and border security, and law, regulation, and policy, and this cultural heritage and property protection. And the goal of the program is essentially to enhance a commander's ability to operate in a stable civil environment, to foresee and address any likely challenges that should crop up, so that commanders can focus on accomplishing their primary image. 00:05:33 KURT DYKSTRA AND  JOSHUA WEIKERT  Yeah, if I might jump in a little bit on that as well, either read the book or see the movie Monuments Men, then that gives you a little bit of a sense. In World War II, The U .S. were heading across Western Europe. They needed help to identify certain things, whether it's art, whether it's the significance of structures. And those are skills that the Army just didn't have. So the George Clooney's of the world, who at the time were art historians and museum curators, were brought into the Army's orbit to assist in those tasks. And that's kind of the history of the program that goes way back when, and then it was recently restarted in many ways and broadened as Captain Weigert. has been describing. So in some ways, I describe our role as consultants with specific civilian side expertise that the Army simply does not have to assist the Army to be able to do things that it otherwise might not be able to do. So we get called upon to assist in some of those areas that are more specialized than what the Army generally might have. And in other ways, like other civil affairs officers, you know, we're kind of the Army's diplomatic corps. So it's really those combinations, but the Gulf program specifically brings a very specific and in -depth civilian skill set to be used for Army purposes. 00:06:47 BRIAN HANCOCK set to be used for Army purposes. It sounds a little bit similar to some of the specialists we have with surgeons and lawyers, but also different at the same time. When we were deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, we definitely could have used these capabilities in all of these special functional areas. The Department of State tries their best to fill that gap, but the reality is that they're a relatively small organization that isn't necessarily equipped to go to non -permissive environments for extended periods of time. So for transitional governments, I think the heavy lift tends to fall on the military, and you really can't rebuild a government without trying to rebuild the economy and those other threads that tie into that tapestry. I'm very excited for the future with you guys on board. One of the initial challenges is that there wasn't necessarily a clear career progression through every rank for these soldiers. They couldn't follow the 38 Alpha career progression. Has that been relooked at? We do have a quasi -path through your military education. 00:07:57 JOSHUA WEIKERT  a quasi -path through your military education. We do not yet have a basic officer leadership course, though we are currently piggybacking on Medical Services Bullock down here at Fort Sam. which is actually where they both are right now. But my understanding is that a 38 golf at CA Bullock course is in development, and I volunteered some of my time doing some of the course materials for that. And of course, we do have the civil affairs captain's course as well as an option. Beyond that, I'm not certain at all. But for Major Dykstra, if he has more information on that. 00:08:26 KURT DYKSTRA AND  JOSHUA WEIKERT  Much of this has been like jazz. There's been a certain underlying beat that's there, and there's a lot of improvisation that happens along the way. And Captain Weikert is exactly correct that we do DCC largely with the JAG DCC. And then we sort of peg on BOLIC, either AG or AMED, and AMED seems to be the preferred course right now. And to me, this is an area for improvement. We've gone through two school experiences without having any sort of direct training for what it is that we do. And that feels to me like an area that we can improve upon. And I think that is in process, as Captain Weikert mentioned with. With large organizations, particularly the U.S. Army, all that sort of thing takes time. Yeah, it does. But I do think that as the program matures, as there are more people within it for longer periods of time, a lot of the questions about career path and specifics along those lines, frankly, either be worked out by doctrine or they'll be worked out by the process of having people going through these programs and through the ranks and getting OERs and those kinds of things. So I'm not as concerned about that. A ladder piece is what I think that it would be beneficial for the golf program to have better formal education laid out sooner as we see with most other MOCs. 00:09:37 BRIAN HANCOCK other MOCs. It makes sense to me. It is clever, though, to piggyback on a professional MOS. Many reservists have a similar challenge who aren't 38 golfs because a lot of the professional military education that we funnel through. is geared towards combat arms. And of course, for reserve soldiers, what we do is largely support. But in terms of professional military education, understanding some of these other professions like medicine and pieces of logistics and information operations, professional military education historically has not been geared to advance the tradecraft of those individuals. So I think there's a larger movement within the Army at large, though, to create more specialized training. Unlike the Marine Corps, where they have fewer MOSs and folks have to be a little bit more of a generalist, the fact that we have so many specialty MOSs in the Army, I think, lends itself to the ability to stand up individual branches that can run its own training. And within the functional specialties of the 38 golf program, you might even need an entire course dedicated. to each of those functional areas because they're really quite different. 38 golfs are contained within the functional specialty team construct, like the building where they live within a civil affairs unit. Some folks tend to conflate the 38 golf program with the functional specialty team, not the same. But let's take it a step further. Since the functional specialty team which houses the 38 golf program is a military unit, It, of course, has non -commissioned officers in it as well as officers. Three of us happen to be officers, but non -commissioned officers are very important for us to get things done in the Army. What right now is the role of the non -commissioned officer within functional specialty teams? And gentlemen, where do you see that going? Go ahead, Captain Martin. I think that's exactly right. 00:11:40 JOSHUA WEIKERT  right. And in addition, the just traditional roles that NCOs play in almost any unit in formation in terms of like training plan development and... upward input and things like that. I think the role of NCOs is all the more valuable and important in an FXFB section that includes a significant number of direct commission officers. You need that reinforcing experience even more in that set. And also, as we found out at the symposium in April, many of we had NCOs in attendance, and many of these NCOs are themselves fairly accomplished within their careers on the civilian side. So they have SI. contributions to make as well. So they're an essential part of this formation. 00:12:19 KURT DYKSTRA AND  JOSHUA WEIKERT  Yeah. One of our NCOs was a lawyer of 35 plus years, had done really remarkable things in the civilian side. So the idea that I, as a newly commissioned officer, would come in as the experienced person on the civilian side and he was more experienced on the Army side was true on the one hand, but it also was so much more than that because his civilian expertise was also first rate and really quite impressive. 00:12:41 BRIAN HANCOCK first rate and really quite impressive. That's amazing. And I don't know if the functional specialty teams will select for that type of talent. It certainly exists, at least within the Army Reserve. We're very skill -rich. That is exciting to me. Now, prior to the establishment of the 38 golf program, who was manning the functional specialty teams? 00:13:03 JOSHUA WEIKERT  There is great talent in our formations already. So we had, for example, veterinarians. We had public health practitioners. and people that have civil affairs and what we now think of as sort of 38 Gulf skill sets. With the 38 Gulf program, you have subject matter experts who can get a little further into the weeds in areas where we don't have as much expertise. If someone came up to a practicing JAG lawyer and said, look, we need to design a judiciary system because we're about to massively disrupt the civil administration of this country, they're going to be in the ballpark. They understand courts and civil and criminal procedure and things like that. but they might clearly consider things that I would think of in terms of governmental engineering around separation of powers, how those are selected. And that is what I think 38 Gulfs add to that functional specialty. It lets us accomplish a lot more within the same formation. That makes sense to me. 00:13:51 KURT DYKSTRA AND  JOSHUA WEIKERT  Yeah, I completely agree with that. And clearly the civil affairs units and the FXSPs in particular were doing tremendous work prior to the visioning of the 38 Gulf program. In many cases, it seems as though it might be because of the particular and unique skill sets of those officers and NCOs. I think the Gulf program is trying to actually more systematically identify and bring into the Army persons who have depth to skill. 00:14:17 BRIAN HANCOCK to skill. What I'm hearing is that 38 Gulfs bring out more capability and apply it to the often very complex civil social problems that we work on in the civil affairs community. I read a fair amount of peer -reviewed literature, and I can tell you from that standpoint, since the 38 Gulfs have entered the community, I've seen a lot more peer -reviewed literature coming out. So I think there definitely is some effect from this program, and I'm really excited to see where it's going to lead. Now, at the end of April, the 304th Civil Affairs Brigade, which is commanded by Colonel Toby Humphries, convened the first -ever functional specialty team symposium. How did that come about? What's the history there? Colonel Daniel Fletcher is the FXSP chief of the drill fourth. 00:15:03 KURT DYKSTRA AND  JOSHUA WEIKERT  chief of the drill fourth. So I was as green as they come. And Colonel Fletcher, he was incredibly helpful and kind to me to help me figure out some things. And through that, he learned that there was an onboarding and utility gap of how are we supposed to use these golfs? And he asked around up and down the chain in other units and found out that lots of people were having the same kind of question. So this, I think, was the impetus that he had then to say, well, let's get some people together to talk about some of these issues and see if we can't find solutions to some of these challenges. And then he and our CEO, Colonel Humphreys, talked. And Colonel Humphreys was, as I'm told, immediately enthusiastically on board for this effort. And then through lots of laboring hours and the work of many good officers and NCOs, we put together this symposium. It was a really rich learning experience, let alone a great networking opportunity. 00:16:01 BRIAN HANCOCK That sounds amazing. I almost wish I had been there. I know one of my mentors, Colonel Bradford Hughes, was there, and probably some of his team as well. What were some of the topics you guys discussed, and did you come to any conclusions or lessons learned that you'd like to share with the community? We had essentially three large chunks. 00:16:19 JOSHUA WEIKERT  three large chunks. One was around organization and operations of 38 golfs and ethics SP sections. One was around training and doctrine. And then we specifically also discussed recruitment and personnel and lengthy discussions around accessions and initial onboarding. And we covered a lot of ground in three days. The white paper that is just about ready to be disseminated details the findings and does make some recommendations. But I think far more important than any particular recommendation that came out of it was the fact that we were able to draw all these discussions into one place and one location at one time. I have to believe, greatly increases the likelihood that they are ultimately acted upon because we were able to draw from everyone's best practices and identify where our collective gaps were. And as we sort of pass this up to USKPOC and the command level, this is something that is going to be a little more valuable simply because we were able to reach consensus on even just our concerns. 00:17:17 KURT DYKSTRA AND  JOSHUA WEIKERT  Exactly. It was a tremendously rich experience and a breadth of topics. And you mentioned Colonel Hughes. And he and his team have, I think, sort of set the pace for many of the KCOMs in terms of how they're using gulps in particular. And so I was a bit familiar with him through the literature and through various email types of things, but I'd never really talked with him before. Unfortunately, he couldn't be there in person, so he was presented by a team. But then got the chance to meet him this summer in Madison, Wisconsin, at a training event at the University of Wisconsin. And you want to talk about officers who are... just stellar in terms of their knowledge, but also stellar in terms of character and quality of person. Carl Hughes is right up there as well. So it was just an incredible experience to learn from other KCOMs and to understand history and some of the doctrine issues that arise and to identify road bumps or landmines and avoid them or fix them. But a really great experience that I think was appreciated by all who attended. 00:18:17 JOSHUA WEIKERT  all who attended. One of the things that came out of the symposium for me in terms of like genuinely new things that I learned, is that at one point there was the establishment of this Institute for Military Support to Governance, which was formed specifically to identify and support reservists with civilian acquired skills that were applicable to these functional areas. And it sounds like it was a forerunner in many ways to what we think of as the 38 Gulf program today. And it still exists, at least as far as we can tell, absolutely unclear what current status is. But this is something that came up several times during the symposium, is that that could be something that could function as a vehicle to address some of the coordinating. challenges we face and maybe even some of the accessions on board be challenged. And it will just remain to be seen if that's something we can vitalize or revitalize. I love the way you're thinking. 00:19:01 KURT DYKSTRA AND  JOSHUA WEIKERT  Sir, this is part of the benefit of having an academic like Captain Weikert in the planning team. He thinks institutionally and thinks strategically in terms of the doctrine aspect of things. It's not just operational or tactical. The other thing I would mention is Captain Weikert mentioned The white paper from the symposium is soon to be published, but there was an article in the latest edition of The Shield that gives a more thinner or more popular description of what the symposium did and what it accomplished and who was there. So I would encourage any listener who is at least somewhat curious about the symposium to check out The Shield article and then be able to look out for the upcoming white paper. 00:19:40 BRIAN HANCOCK Let me ask you, gentlemen, a test question now that I've got you both warmed up and unsuspecting here. Field manual, three -tack, five -step, civil affairs operations, our Bible, recently updated. It added this new task of civil network development and engagement, or CNDE, which in itself is pretty complicated because we're talking about mapping and engaging interrelated complex adaptive systems. Okay, so mathematically, at least, it's already very complicated. Now, considering how deep the expertise is, within the 38 Gulf community, I would suspect that those folks with those credentials in those communities are probably in a very good position to advance civil network development engagement within their specialty areas. Now let's talk about that concept within the broader Army concept. We're all professionals at this level of our career. How are we as an institution, in your opinion, measuring the strength of the professional networks that we are bringing with us, which are an asset for both civilian and the military? How could we include the strength of someone's network as, say, part of their promotion or board packages? Do you have any thoughts how the Army as an institution could take a better measure? of our professional networks and ability to leverage them to achieve commander's effects. I can say that it did come up at the symposium among that group of 38 Golfs and FXSP members in attendance that this was an essential part of just understanding what our own capabilities were and how do we track and map where everyone lands in terms of their skill sets. 00:21:13 JOSHUA WEIKERT  that it did come up at the symposium among that group of 38 Golfs and FXSP members in attendance that this was an essential part of just understanding what our own capabilities were and how do we track and map where everyone lands in terms of their skill sets. So it was something of general interest at the symposium, and it also came up in the context of how we developed training. for 38 golfs and for civil affairs units more generally. And those efforts are likely to be ongoing. But in terms of how to do it, I think it should be relatively straightforward because we already have some of these things sort of populated in the soldier talent profile at HRC, for example. And if we simply adapt that and augment it to specifically identify for civil skills and civil networks, it shouldn't be too challenging to at least get that on paper. Now, how you operationalize that and put it to work is a more challenging question, obviously. 00:22:03 KURT DYKSTRA But it does seem to me as though there is a lot of ad hoc -ness to the way this is happening so far. The point and purpose of the Gulf program is to really get into uniform persons with skills that the Army was lacking. And if we simply have them but don't know about them and don't utilize them and leverage them and execute on them, then maybe to put it in a more concrete way, if we're simply relying upon, I know a guy or I know a gal who has that experience and they happen to be over there. in the 352, well, that's better than not having that information. But it's not really how you want to be running a program like this. Better to have a much more institutionalized, formalized means of understanding networks so that we can affect the broad array of a civil society. Because as we all understand, if a civil society breaks down, it's not just one thing that needs to be addressed. It's about 175 things that need to be addressed. in order for civil society to work. So there's still work to be done there, but I am heartened by the fact that the Gulf community is a robust one intrapersonally and continuing to be more so. And these topics of more institutionalizing that kind of knowledge is absolutely on the topic of conversation for many people who are thinking more seriously about how to do that. 00:23:18 BRIAN HANCOCK people who are thinking more seriously about how to do that. I love the fact that this community is actually thinking about these difficult questions that not only affect the army, but... affect the force as a whole and strategically affect our ability to compete and deter, ideally avoiding conflict altogether. And these are things that we have to understand. What networks, how do we invest in them? How do we, if necessary, appropriate them to steer the world away from costly conflict? That is something that needs more attention, 00:23:49 JOSHUA WEIKERT  more attention, is there is a very, very, very robust peace mission for 38 Gulf. And I think it's important to remember, too, as we think about how we exploit these talents. For example, the same way our conservationists and cultural property protection folks have a partnership with the Smithsonian, we would want to see that within every skill identifier, that institutional partner becomes a potential warehouse of understanding what their aside people can do and how they can contribute as well. So I think at present, it is very interpersonal, and it's great that we do have that network of folks. But I also think that that is something that will get augmented once we have everything built out to its fullest expression. Carty, do you have a thought on that? 00:24:26 KURT DYKSTRA  I was just going to say that we want to be in a spot to have those networks built out and an understanding of the places in which we operate before any hostilities break out. These things are happening and they're happening because of the good work of a whole lot of people, but the program is still pretty young. So we're still gaining our legs and still building it out. And with the kind of caliber of people we have in uniform now through this program, I have no doubt that the future is really, 00:24:50 BRIAN HANCOCK have no doubt that the future is really, really bright. That's wonderful to hear. The Army has done conflict for a long time, right? This idea of competition is still somewhat new to us, so we're not going to expect overnight our doctrine and schooling to change to be able to help us secure that win in competition. But I'm seeing encouraging signs, and I know we're going to head in that direction, and I really believe the 38 Golfs are going to have a very big role as we look to maximize our return on investment and competition, ideally avoiding conflict altogether. Now, at the symposium, I imagine maybe behind closed doors, a very professional and upfront group who's not afraid to talk about challenges. Within those conversations, what... at present, do you see as the single greatest challenge that needs to be overcome within the 38 Golf community? And what are your suggestions to do so? I'll say one thing. 00:25:52 KURT DYKSTRA  To a person who was there, yes, there were some frustrations or constructive criticism ideas, but there was not a person in that room who was not enthusiastic about the program and grateful to be a part of it. So I think part of the challenge in a twofold piece, and both of these things have to do with the program being relatively new. The first one I would say is the accession process and the identification process. How does someone go from never having worn a uniform in the history of their life to commissioning? And how does that process work? And how long does it take for that to happen? Part of the challenge that we see, and I think it's getting better, I was maybe second class of Gulfs that came in, is that it was an on -again, off -again process for close to two years. And if we are trying to identify highly skilled, highly talented, highly experienced civilian personnel to come into uniform, a two -year process is problematic. 00:26:51 BRIAN HANCOCK is problematic. It's strange to me because my recruiter had me in boots before I left his office. And that was actually part of the discussion. 00:26:59 KURT DYKSTRA AND  that was actually part of the discussion. In so many other areas, Army recruiting is really, really strong, and there's a clearly established path that you do. And because of the newness and kind of quirkiness of this program, there's less of that, and we're sort of building the ship as we're sailing. Yesterday in the hotel here at Fort Sam, I met a thoracic surgeon who was newly commissioned. And some of those areas that maybe have experience with highly skilled civilian practitioners. coming newly into the Army that have paths that are a bit more developed than what the golf program is. So again, I think it has gotten much better, but it takes time. 00:27:36 JOSHUA WEIKERT  time. I think as the program grows and we sort of meet our staffing benchmarks and as we get more practice and more reps in the process, I do believe a lot of this will hire. I think it will as well. The other thing I would say is having the ability for a civil affairs bullet to come into play. 00:27:49 KURT DYKSTRA  having the ability for a civil affairs bullet to come into play. We latched on with mainly the JAG officers for GCC and there's... a lot that's great about that, especially as a lawyer. It was very strange. So there were about 100 of us in our Bolick class. All but five of us, I think, were JAG officers. But I was the lawyer who wasn't the JAG. And I was the old guy. So it was really, it was a fascinating couple of months and a lot of fun. But we were sort of sitting along the side as they were talking lots of things about JAG school and what happened next for them. And then to be at AMED Bolick, again, it's a similar sort of thing. And there's, especially for someone new to the Army like me, being around people in the Army is invaluable, regardless of whether it's directly related to my MOS or not. But at some point, it would be helpful to get some specialized training about what it is that the Army expects me to do, apart from the civilian experience that I bring to the table. 00:28:45 JOSHUA WEIKERT  In terms of challenges within 38 Gulf, I also find that, organizationally speaking, is how we connect 38 Gulfs with commanders and missions. Because at present, we are relying on these informal networks to pass information along about we need six Delta to go to Poland in two weeks. Who's available? You know, things like that. That's always going to be inefficient, for one thing. We realize a little too much on that ad hoc communications network. And it also means that commanders can't go looking for 38 Gulfs either. So what I think will have to happen sooner or later is having some kind of centralized. repository of mission and or task information that 38 Gulfs can go to and look at ongoing missions or missions in planning. And at the same time, some kind of searchable database where commanders can go find those people. And there are institutions and organizations that have this set up in existence. So it's not something we need to reinvent. It's just something we need to consolidate because it is just very unlikely that every formation in a civil affairs unit will happen to have the right people for their region and their missions. We need to be better to get good information down to every individual 38 golf and up to every commander. And that's just going to take time and awareness to them. 00:29:51 BRIAN HANCOCK time and awareness to them. That makes perfect sense. So that would help you grow in your skill set and mature your capability as well for everyone's benefit. Totally sold on that. And I think in time, as you mentioned, that's probably going to be developed and roll out. We've talked a lot about the 38 golf program today. Very exciting. I think certainly the best thing that's happened to civil affairs in decades. And I believe over time it'll be one of the best things that's ever happened to the Army and to the military at large. Very exciting. Those in the audience who are listening, who are interested in learning more and perhaps going through that application process, which will shrink in time, of course, what are those steps they need to take? If someone raised their hand and says, sign me up to 38 Golf, what do they do? 00:30:44 JOSHUA WEIKERT  the Army and Hound Management website. If you just Google 38 Gulf Army, I believe the first tip that you'll see. And it's been built out over the past three years, adding more context, more information about the steps. But it essentially begins with laying out the basic requirements for the program, which is at least a master's degree in a relevant SI field, and at least professional experience in that as well. Once you've cleared those hurdles, you're then looking at developing your packet, and it does provide good guidance on that. I have already fielded some inquiries from interested NCOs and officers, and there are also some groups that you find on LinkedIn and Signal as well that are very active in discussing this process and how it's going. 00:31:18 BRIAN HANCOCK it's going. Professional football teams don't just recruit from their neighborhood. They go all over the place to get the right specialties, to put them together in the right combination for the right missions and matchups. I love the way you're thinking about putting something together like that. I've honestly felt that... As an institution, one of the things that we should do a little bit better job with in general is knowledge management within the military. If you have deep subject matter expertise, if it's in a very tight area like tech support, they have knowledge bases that you can search. We don't have a lot of tools like that, and we spend a lot of our money on human capital who are producing intellectual property, some of which is lost when a unit rips out or when there isn't a good continuity plan. And of course, the deep knowledge that you're describing, we definitely need a better way to collect, analyze, maintain, and make that accessible. So thinking about 38 Gulfs, and it was described as a consultancy within the Army. 00:32:12 JOSHUA WEIKERT  it was described as a consultancy within the Army. So essentially, a staff officer or commander pauses and says, wait, how do I fill in the blank? That should trigger a call at an RFI down to some kind of 38 Gulf to fill that need. Yeah, and two more comments on that. One, this isn't unique to the Army. 00:32:29 KURT DYKSTRA AND  JOSHUA WEIKERT  to the Army. Any organization of any size will sort of talk about knowledge walking out the door. So this is not a unique situation to the Army, though, of course, it's magnified given the size, scale, and scope of what the U .S. Army does. The second thing I would say is, and this was part of the discussion at the symposium, the Colonel Hughes panel, what the 351st does is they house all of their goals at the KCOM level, as opposed to embedding them in brigades or battalions. And that way... Whether it's the ultimate solution or whether it's a matter of a way to actually get their arms around it, they have a sense as to what their capacity is within the 351st because they're all at the KCOM level and can understand that, oh, we have this issue of an agricultural thing happening in the Philippines. Wonderful. We know who we can send to help out on that mission. As things continue to get better, and they clearly have gotten better. But as this program is longer and more experienced and has more people in it and more knowledge shared through it, I fully expect that the process will get better and the knowledge that we're able to share in social life. 00:33:31 BRIAN HANCOCK I definitely think it will. We're approaching our time for the show. I wanted to give you a few last minutes for each of you. Do you have any final thoughts that you would like to share with the community? First of all, thanks for having us on, 00:33:46 KURT DYKSTRA AND  JOSHUA WEIKERT  on, sir. It's been a real treat to be able to talk with you. In addition to the great resources that Captain Weikert mentioned, feel free to reach out to us if you have questions on the golf program. We may not have all the answers, but we can probably be a good conduit into the network to help get you the answers, or at least the right people who would have the answers. So happy to field any phone calls or emails about the golf program. Awesome. 00:34:07 JOSHUA WEIKERT  And I would just say to anyone who's currently in the pipeline or is thinking about applying or has recently commissioned and is very sort of new to the process, patience is the key. I know it seems like it's taking forever. It has gotten better with every iteration. It seems like the sort of processing time is getting smaller and smaller and all these things. So just hang in there and it does reach a conclusion eventually. 00:34:26 BRIAN HANCOCK a conclusion eventually. Well, thank you both very much, Major Dijkstra and Captain Weikert for coming on the show. That concludes this issue of 1CA Podcast. 00:34:37 Close Thanks for listening. If you get a chance, please like and subscribe and rate the show on your favorite podcast platform. Also, if you're interested in coming on the show or hosting an episode, email us at capodcasting@gmail.com. I'll have the email and CA Association website in the show notes. And now, most importantly, to those currently out in the field, working with a partner nation's people or leadership to forward U.S. relations, thank you all for what you're doing. This is Jack, your host. Stay tuned for more great episodes. One CA Podcast.

  UNDERSTANDING SPECIAL OPERATIONS (Ratcliffe 1999), CHAPTER 1 I came on duty before the beginning of WWII, an ROTC cavalry unit Active duty with the 4th Armored Division July 10th 1941 I reported to Creighton W. Abrams from my own home town I began flight training in Maxwell Field in Alabama about May of 1942 In February of 1943 I was in Africa with the Air Transport Command We flew General Smith into Saudi Arabia to meet representatives of Standard Oil That's the first clandestine exercise I was ever involved in We established an operating base during the Cairo Conference In Teheran, Churchill had no ID, the Russians weren't going to let him through Success at Teheran enabled Chiang Kai-shek to put more pressure on the Japanese American generals supported Ho Chi Minh against the Japanese A few miles below the Turkish Syrian border, 750 American former prisoners of war I realized that some of my passengers were Nazi intelligence officers This group did contain men who had been selected by Frank Wisner of the OSS I never saw devastation equal to what I saw in the Soviet Union January of '45 I began flying the Pacific, four-engine transport work The atom bomb had been used, this was mid-August, the Japanese had quit We flew up to Tokyo on September 1st, 1945 At Atsugi air base, here were our enemies, they came over and helped us Equipment for 500,000 men going to Hanoi in Indochina Hiroshima, I flew very low over the area and had a good look at it The decision had been made to establish an Air Force ROTC I taught a very interesting course called "The Evolution of Warfare" I visited Werner Von Braun to write about rockets and missiles The Korean War broke out in June of 1950 I was one of five officers selected to initiate a new Air Defense Command A difficult period, because of the enormous devastation power of the atom bomb Spring of '52, I was the Military Manager of Tokyo International Airport Out of Tokyo we ran a regularly scheduled Embassy Run Civil Air Transport, were delivering supplies to the French, fighting Ho Chi Minh I met Colonel Lansdale and his organization in Vietnam I was selected to attend the Armed Forces Staff College, in Norfolk, Virginia One of the courses was a hypothetical NATO confrontation through Europe It just shocked the whole group, the impact of what nuclear weapons could do The hydrogen bomb would wipe out any city, you cannot fight war with that I went to the Pentagon from that schoo, to the Air Force Plans Office, in July of 1955 General Thomas White told me NSC had published Directive Directive 5412, in 1954 The Department of Defense would provide support for clandestine operations "Military Support of the Clandestine Operations of the United States Government" I was the "Chief of Team B," in charge of clandestine operations, for the Air Force The Economy Act of 1932 became the heart of the covert program We created literally hundreds of false military organizations The 1234 Logistics Squadron really belongs to CIA This clandestine system we established, we called "Tab-6" Mr. Dulles sent me around the world to many of his stations In Athens there was a camp for people we call, "mechanics" (hit men, gunmen) Thousands of ex-Nazis were being brought to the US for their various skills We could paratroop people in following a massive nuclear attack "Special Forces" were created for that post-strike purpose Hitler's chief of intelligence, Reinhardt Gehlen, became a U.S. Army general European command began looking on CIA as a "Fourth Force" in nuclear warfare From 1945 until 1965, CIA was the operating command for military forces in Vietnam CIA had quite an air force, operated and maintained under "Air America" New Year's Eve of 1958-59, I waited for CIA orders to go into Cuba Senator Kennedy understood events going on in Vietnam ...

In this episode of the New England Endurance Podcast, host Art Trapotsis speaks with Tough Ruck race director Sarah Sweeney and five-time participant Jeffrey Paolino about the unique endurance event known as Tough Ruck. They discuss the basics of rucking, the history and significance of the event, the experience of participants, training tips, and the impact of the event on military families. The conversation highlights the camaraderie, community support, and the mission behind Tough Ruck, which honors fallen service members while promoting physical fitness and mental health.Key Takeaways:Race date is day before the Boston Marathon! (Sunday, April 20, 2025)Rucking is a weighted walking or jogging activity.Tough Ruck started in 2012 with 18 participants.The event honors fallen military and first responders.Participants carry the names of fallen heroes during the event.The event has grown to over 1,000 participants.Finishers receive Boston Marathon medals.Funds raised go to support military families.Participants experience camaraderie and motivation throughout the event.Tough Ruck is accessible to anyone who can walk. Enjoy the episode and follow us on Instagram at @NewEnglandEndurance.Art & Eric embark on a journey to showcase and celebrate the endurance sports community in New England.

Can mindfulness—a practice often associated with calm and stillness—really make soldiers more resilient, focused, and mission-ready? This week we're joined by Lieutenant General Walter Pyatt, a fervent advocate for mindfulness in the military, and Dr. Amishi Jha, a celebrated neuroscientist whose research unveils the life-changing benefits of mindfulness practices. Together, they illuminate how mindfulness is reshaping military training and operations, offering tools for mental resilience, enhanced focus, and calm amidst the storm. Our guests share compelling anecdotes from their journeys, highlighting how mindfulness can transform the lives of service members and veterans, fostering a new understanding of mental strength and preparedness. The conversation underscores mindfulness as a powerful tool for optimizing human performance, offering soldiers a renewed sense of purpose and enhancing their ability to navigate the psychological impacts of military life. Listen in to discover how these practices are being integrated into the fabric of military culture, fostering better operators and individuals from within. (00:00) - Mindfulness in the Military (04:45) - Benefits of Mindfulness in the Military (12:06) - Mindfulness and Military Preparedness (20:03) - The Warrior's Path (29:12) - Performance Enhancement in Military Mindfulness (41:12) - Mindfulness in Military Transition and Recovery (46:42) - Supporting Veterans Through Mindfulness (51:20) - Advancing Mindfulness in the Military --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mentalkingmindfulness/support

Welcome to America's Heroes Group podcast, a platform dedicated to providing vital information and resources to empower veterans, military members, and their families. Join us as host Dr. Damon Arnold, U.S. Army flight surgeon and retired Colonel, speaks with Glenda Smith, our Executive Producer, about the importance of unity in honoring the new President-Elect Donald J. Trump. They share insights into the military, the challenges veterans face, and how leadership can enhance the VA and veteran support systems. As we approach Veterans Day, we reflect on the sacrifices made by veterans and the hope for improved resources and support under new leadership.

7:20 a.m. - Dr. Mark Keenum - President, MS State University Topic: Update from the university, the work that they are doing with students who were impacted by recent hurricanes, and their partnership with Ingalls and other companies across the state. 8:05 a.m. - Col. Jeremy Parker - Director of Military Support, MSNG Topic: Update about their recent mission successes of the MSNG in support of our neighboring states impacted by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. 8:35 a.m. - Riley Gaines - All-American champion swimmer - Outkick host, ‘Gaines for Girls' and Director, The Riley Gaines Center at the Leadership Institute. Topic: Her fall tour, Ole Miss Visit; Project BOYcott, and why Title IX and keeping men out of women's sports, locker rooms, and spaces is a civil rights issue of our day.

The letter amounts to the strongest known written warning from the US to its ally. Also: fake vintage wine gang busted in France and Italy.

Joe Biden warns Israel to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza or risk losing some of its military support. 

Joe Biden warns Israel to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza or risk losing some of its military support. 

In this episode, Lisa talks about the federal government's slow response to Hurricane Helene. Hung Cao, a retired Navy captain running for the U.S. Senate in Virginia, shares his views on leadership, immigration, and foreign policy. He emphasizes the need for prioritizing American citizens and discusses his motivations for running for office. The Truth with Lisa Boothe is part of the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Podcast Network - new episodes debut every Monday & Thursday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2024-09-16 | Russia has received new ballistic projectiles from Iran, prompting the US and Europe to impose new sanctions. The supply of weapons by Iran to its ally Russia has major implications and ought to place a greater burden on allies to protect Ukraine, but are they doing anything meaningful, apart from the usual condemnations and reiterations of ‘unenforced' red lines. ---------- Russia has received new and highly deadly ballistic weapons from Iran and is likely to use them in Ukraine said the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken. This statement was made during his trip to London last Tuesday, as he prepared to travel with UK foreign secretary, David Lammy, to Kyiv. An announcement on long range weapons for Ukraine to counter this threat was expected, but never came. Iran's supply of weapons is a genuine escalation of the conflict. Ukraine's defense of its sovereign territory usually gets accused of escalation, but what Iran and China are doing is the real escalation of the conflict, and the West's reaction is dithering and timidity once again. It's thought that these new munitions may have huge significance to the battlefield balance ahead of the winter, which of course is intense in this part of the world. The US and Europe have imposed new sanctions on Iran, but these have not had any deterrent impact either on Russia's aggression of Iran's close support of its ally. Pressure is building on the US to end its restrictions on Ukraine using British-supplied Storm Shadows to strike targets deep inside Russia and not just in occupied parts of Ukraine. But so far, the Biden administration has stubbornly refused to relent, showing them in the same light as Scholz's dogmatic intransigence around the Taurus system. When asked about a decision, Blinken defers and obfuscates, citing Ukraine's ability to maintain the systems, training and their strategic purpose. He also questions the fallacy of seeing them as a ‘silver bullet'. ---------- Sources and recommended reading: https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/sep/10/antony-blinken-russia-ballistic-missiles-iran-ukraine https://www.voanews.com/a/iran-denies-delivering-ballistic-missiles-aid-to-moscow-s-ukraine-war-effort/7783007.html https://kyivindependent.com/what-irans-ballistic-missiles-in-russian-hands-could-mean-for-ukraine/ https://www.politico.eu/article/united-states-accuse-china-help-russia-war-kurt-campbell/ https://www.ft.com/content/44ad9fc5-6ccf-47f0-b075-8bef0a9a1cd9 https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-ukraine-war-putin-iran-nuclear-kharkiv-latest-news-b2613402.html https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-war-latest-dozens-injured-in-strike-on-apartment-block-zelenskyy-attacks-russian-terror-as-he-pleads-for-help-12541713 ---------- SUPPORT THE CHANNEL: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain ---------- TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND: Save Ukraine https://www.saveukraineua.org/ Superhumans - Hospital for war traumas https://superhumans.com/en/ UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukraine https://unbroken.org.ua/ Come Back Alive https://savelife.in.ua/en/ Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchen https://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraine UNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyy https://u24.gov.ua/ Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation https://prytulafoundation.org NGO “Herojam Slava” https://heroiamslava.org/ kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyśl https://kharpp.com/ NOR DOG Animal Rescue https://www.nor-dog.org/home/ ---------- PLATFORMS: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSilicon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/ Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain ----------

Headlines for August 30, 2024; From Decriminalization to Border Crackdown, Harris Defends Hard-Line Shift in 1st Interview as Nominee; No Policy Change: In CNN Interview, Harris Refuses to Condition U.S. Military Support for Israel; “Opportunity Economy”: Kamala Harris Promotes Expanded Child Tax Credit, Regulating Price Gouging; No Ban on Fracking: Kamala Harris Doubles Down on Fossil Fuels in Shift from 2019; “Master Plan”: New Lever Podcast Series Traces How Oligarchs “Legalized Corruption” in U.S.

Headlines for August 30, 2024; From Decriminalization to Border Crackdown, Harris Defends Hard-Line Shift in 1st Interview as Nominee; No Policy Change: In CNN Interview, Harris Refuses to Condition U.S. Military Support for Israel; “Opportunity Economy”: Kamala Harris Promotes Expanded Child Tax Credit, Regulating Price Gouging; No Ban on Fracking: Kamala Harris Doubles Down on Fossil Fuels in Shift from 2019; “Master Plan”: New Lever Podcast Series Traces How Oligarchs “Legalized Corruption” in U.S.

On today's show: From Decriminalization to Border Crackdown, Harris Defends Hard-Line Shift in 1st Interview as Nominee No Policy Change: In CNN Interview, Harris Refuses to Condition U.S. Military Support for Israel “Opportunity Economy”: Kamala Harris Promotes Expanded Child Tax Credit, Regulating Price Gouging No Ban on Fracking: Kamala Harris Doubles Down on Fossil Fuels in Shift from 2019 “Master Plan”: New Lever Podcast Series Traces How Oligarchs “Legalized Corruption” in U.S.   The post Democracy Now 6am – August 30, 2024 appeared first on KPFA.

In our news wrap Thursday, the Defense Department will provide the Secret Service with military support for presidential and vice presidential candidates, Russian missiles and drones rained down on Ukraine for a third time this week, two editors of a now-defunct news outlet in Hong Kong were convicted of sedition and a listeria outbreak connected to Boar's Head meats has killed nine people. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In our news wrap Thursday, the Defense Department will provide the Secret Service with military support for presidential and vice presidential candidates, Russian missiles and drones rained down on Ukraine for a third time this week, two editors of a now-defunct news outlet in Hong Kong were convicted of sedition and a listeria outbreak connected to Boar's Head meats has killed nine people. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

A round-up of the main headlines in Sweden on August 15th 2024. You can hear more reports on our homepage www.radiosweden.se, or in the app Sveriges Radio Play. Presenter: Alex MaxiaProducer: Michael WalshCorrection: The headline to an earlier version of this podcast said the Chinese ship in question had hit a pipeline in the Gulf of Finland. This was incorrect, the ship hit underwater cables in the gulf.

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: Hamas has announced October 7th mastermind Yahya Sinwar will become its new political leader, just weeks after its last political leader was involuntarily retired by a Mossad bomb. We'll take a look at the terror groups' new boss. In the latest signs of deepening ties between Moscow and Tehran, Russia is reportedly transferring advanced weaponry to Iran ahead of its expected retaliatory strike on Israel. More bad news for opponents of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as the nation's top military official reaffirms his loyalty to the socialist despot. In today's Back of the Brief, an update on the Ukrainian incursion into the Kursk Region, with Russian President Vladimir Putin offering his first comments on the invasion To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. Email: PDB@TheFirstTV.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Latest news from 07 July 2024, as reported in the Ukrainian media. Easy ways to support us: Subscribe to our Patreon to give monthly support https://www.patreon.com/highlightsfromukraine Send us a one-time 'thank you' tip via PayPal at: highlightsfromukraine@gmail.com Out YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3oH111z Special thanks to our top Patreon supporters - Helena Pszczolko O'Callaghan, mattg629, krissi, Jared and Dick Warner!

In today's episode, Andy & DJ discuss the GOP calling out 51 intel officials over Hunter Biden's laptop, President Biden and Zelensky to ink a 10-year deal for U.S. military support for Ukraine, and Spokane pride's crosswalk being vandalized days after teens were charged with felonies for leaving scooter skid marks on the rainbow pavement.

Your daily news in under three minutes.   Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

The House blocks a bill that would have reauthorized the feds to spy on Americans like President Trump without a warrant. Plus... congress remains divided over further funding the war in Ukraine, as Mitch McConnell now says that starving Ukraine of military support is 'strategic and moral malpractice.' And finally, will TikTok be banned? The debate rages on.Guest Host: Dana AlexaGuests:Anthony Bellotti | Founder & President, White Coat Waste ProjectDavis Younts | Military Defense AttorneyBobby Eberle | Republican Strategist & Host, The 13-Minute News HourJackson Gosnell | Independent Journalist

WWE GOAT & 16x World Champion John Cena joins the boys to discuss why Logan Paul is the next Roman Reigns, comes clean on botched move Vs Batista at 2005 Royal Rumble **exclusive**, why he hates when people film him in public, retirement, why calling out The Rock was “f**king stupid”, his random posts on Instagram, friendship w/ Dua Lipa & Margot Robbie, donating sperm to Logan, getting annoyed by ‘you can’t see me’ jokes, Logan’s deep secret about The Rock & more…   SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST ► https://www.youtube.com/impaulsive   Use code LOGAN for $20 off your first SeatGeek order. https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/LOGAN   Watch Previous (Chris Hansen On Catching Predators, Jeffrey Epstein’s Island, Students Hooking Up w/ Teachers) ► https://youtu.be/AnVCycnzOfo   ADD US ON: INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/impaulsiveshow/   Timestamps: 0:00 Welcome John Cena!

6PM ET 12/12/2023 Newscast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Lisa Boothe and retired army infantry captain, Sean Parnell, discuss the current situation in the Middle East, focusing on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Biden administration's actions. Parnell criticizes the delay in Israel's ground invasion, arguing it allows Hamas to prepare and potentially increase IDF casualties. He also criticizes the media's portrayal of terrorists and the Democratic Party's stance on the conflict. Parnell emphasizes the need for moral clarity, self-defense, and preparation in the face of domestic and international threats. He also suggests the U.S. should continue supporting Israel militarily, but not at the expense of its own defense. The Truth with Lisa Boothe is part of the iHeartRadio Podcast Network - new episodes debut every Monday & Thursday.Follow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuckSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Lisa Boothe and retired army infantry captain, Sean Parnell, discuss the current situation in the Middle East, focusing on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Biden administration's actions. Parnell criticizes the delay in Israel's ground invasion, arguing it allows Hamas to prepare and potentially increase IDF casualties. He also criticizes the media's portrayal of terrorists and the Democratic Party's stance on the conflict. Parnell emphasizes the need for moral clarity, self-defense, and preparation in the face of domestic and international threats. He also suggests the U.S. should continue supporting Israel militarily, but not at the expense of its own defense. The Truth with Lisa Boothe is part of the iHeartRadio Podcast Network - new episodes debut every Monday & Thursday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.