The Jedburgh Podcast

<p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The </span><a href="https://www.westpoint.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">United States Military Academy at West Point</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> is the foundation of the US Army. Along the cliffs, through the halls, and on the fields America’s best and brightest are trained to lead not just soldiers, but America. But behind the tradition and pageantry, West Point understands that athletics of any level create disciplined warriors prepared to lead in any situation.&nbsp;</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">In this episode, </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/francisracioppijr/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Fran Racioppi</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> sat down with </span><a href="https://goarmywestpoint.com/staff-directory/tom-theodorakis/856" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Tom Theodorakis</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, Director of Athletics at West Point, to discuss how one of the most respected athletic programs in the country directly supports the mission of the United States Military Academy and helps develop the next generation of Army leaders.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">With more than 30 Division I programs and over 1,200 cadet-athletes, Tom explains what makes Army West Point different from every other program in college athletics. Cadet-athletes are not just balancing Division 1 sports and rigorous academics; they are simultaneously preparing to become officers in the United States Army where they will lead soldiers and shape national security strategy for decades to come.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We discuss the demanding reality of being a cadet-athlete, the recruiting process, and what it takes to attract elite competitors to an institution built around service before self.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Tom also addresses the realities behind funding Army athletics, correcting the misconception that the program is fully government funded, and explaining how external support and partnerships help sustain the mission of Army West Point Athletics.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Finally, we discuss the opportunities available to cadet-athletes after graduation, including pathways to world-class and professional athletics, and most importantly serving as officers in the United States Army.</span></p><p><br></p><p>Highlights</p><ul><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">0:00 Introduction</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">2:09 Welcome to the Jedburgh Podcast</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">3:43 Athletic Director Responsibility</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">6:01 Recruiting Athletes to West Point</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">8:31 Competing at the D1 Level</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">11:14 Funding Athletics</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">12:06 NIL Impact</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">13:08 Defining Sustainability</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">14:04 West Point Cadet-Athlete Experience</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">18:18 West Point Pro Athletes</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">19:58 Coaching Cadet-Athletes</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">22:54 Creating Warriors</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">25:26 Defining Success</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">26:50 Cadet to Lieutenant</span></li></ul><p><br></p><p>Quotes:</p><ul><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">“It’s very humbling and also a tremendous responsibility .”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“We want to win. If we’re going to keep score we want to win.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">“That atmosphere of winning is something that’s paramount.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">“We need to continue to just recruit and put ourselves on the biggest stage possible.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">“We want to make sure to create the best area, the best resources for our athletes to just grow.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">“The idea is that when someone comes here, they say ‘they care about athletics.’”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">“We need to continue to be innovative.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">“We sell not the transactional experience, but it’s the transformational experience.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">“What are we doing now to make sure we’re in a good position in the future?”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">“This place is about challenging our athletes.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">“Every cadet here is an athlete.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">“The key word here is ‘path.’”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">“You have to fully embrace this place and love this institution.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">“You got to win too. Results matter.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">“These are all things athletics can teach you on the field.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">“There’s so many things that we do here at West Point that now more than ever help us.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">“That’s the best part of the job.”</span></li></ul><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by </span><a href="https://www.onebrief.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">OneBrief</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">; enabling military leaders to make innovative, informed and deliberate decisions faster than ever before. Superhuman command wins wars.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">Follow the </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jedburghpodcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Jedburgh Podcast</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);"> and the </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/greenberetfoundation/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Green Beret Foundation</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);"> on social media. Listen on your </span><a href="https://pod.link/1558608802" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">favorite podcast platform</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">, read on our </span><a href="https://greenberetfoundation.org/the-jedburgh-podcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">website</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">, and watch the full video version on </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@jedburghpodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">YouTube</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);"> as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.</span></p>

<p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Modern warfare is no longer defined by who has the biggest force, but by who can adapt the fastest. The battlefield is changing in real time through artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cyber capabilities, and the speed of information. But even in the most advanced operating environments, victory still comes down to disciplined leaders, trusted teams, and soldiers prepared to make decisions under pressure when everything is on the line.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The responsibility for America’s rapid response to any crisis belongs to the Army’s XVIII Airborne Corps.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">From their headquarters at Fort Bragg, NC, </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/francisracioppijr/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Fran Racioppi</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> sat down with </span><a href="https://home.army.mil/bragg/7117/3990/8409/Lieutenant_General_Andersons_BIO.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Lieutenant General Greg Anderson</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, Commanding General of the </span><a href="https://home.army.mil/bragg/units-tenants/xviii-airborne-co" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">XVIII Airborne Corps</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, to discuss how he is preparing America’s Contingency Corps for combat in an increasingly dangerous world.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Leading more than 80,000 soldiers across the 3rd Infantry Division, 10th Mountain Division, 82nd Airborne Division, and 101st Airborne Division, and other subordinate commands, LTG Anderson explains how the Corps balances readiness, speed, and innovation while maintaining the fundamentals that have always defined military success.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Our conversation explores the role of Noncommissioned Officer, the importance of mastering the basics, and why leadership development remains America’s greatest asymmetric advantage. We also discuss the integration of conventional and special operations forces, the concept of compound warfare, and the difference between interoperability and true integration on the battlefield.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">LTG Anderson breaks down the Corps’ push toward innovation through initiatives like the Joint Innovation Outpost and experimental exercises that incorporate artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data-driven decision-making into operational planning. But even as technology changes warfare, he makes one thing clear; there must always be a human in the loop.</span></p><p><br></p><p>Highlights</p><ul><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">0:00 Introduction</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">2:17 Welcome to the Jedburgh Podcast</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">4:01 The role of XVIII Airborne Corps</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">9:57 Empowering NCOs</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">14:58 Joint Innovation Outpost</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">19:00 Speeding the Acquisition Timeline</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">22:53 Keeping A Human in the Loop</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">25:41 Integration vs Interoperability</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">29:13 Guiding the Tactical Level Leader</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">32:48 Compound Warfare Today</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">37:22 Generational Warfighting Differences</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">42:00 The XVIII Airborne Corps Formation</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">45:04 Daily Habits</span></li></ul><p><br></p><p>Quotes</p><ul><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“What operational problems do they expect us to solve for them?”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“If I’ve got a strong team…we’ll typically prevail.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“Certainly what I’ve learned of any value has come from non-commissioned officers that raised me up.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“The role of the non-commissioned officer is to become the technical tactical experts in the application of violence at the tactical level.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“What are we doing to get the NCO corps to that point where they are the Army?”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“How do we use advanced computing to allow us to make decisions more informed and faster than our opponents?”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“The advantage of war fighting is not replacing humans with machine decision making. It’s now creating superhumans that are enabled by it.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“Interoperability is our ability to work together in an efficient, effective manner.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">“Compound Warfare is the blending of regular and irregular capabilities to create a host of dilemmas for your enemy.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“You’ll never be able to tell that tactical level leader when things are going to change and shift if you haven’t done the operational level rigor.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“My role as the general is not to solve the problem or be the hero that comes in, but to think and understand the problem we’re trying to solve.”</span></li></ul><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by </span><a href="https://www.onebrief.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">OneBrief;</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> enabling military leaders to make innovative, informed and deliberate decisions faster than ever before. Superhuman command wins wars.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">Follow the </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jedburghpodcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Jedburgh Podcast</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);"> and the </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/greenberetfoundation/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Green Beret Foundation</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);"> on social media. Listen on your </span><a href="https://pod.link/1558608802" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">favorite podcast platform</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">, read on our </span><a href="https://greenberetfoundation.org/the-jedburgh-podcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">website</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">, and watch the full video version on </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@jedburghpodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">YouTube</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);"> as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.</span></p>

<p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Some people don’t just pass through your life. They leave a mark that stays with you long after they’re gone. Not because of what they did in a single moment, but because of how they lived every day, how they showed up for people, and how they made others feel.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">From the </span><a href="https://greenberetfoundation.org/stars-and-stripes-classic/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">2nd Annual Stars and Stripes Classic</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/francisracioppijr/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Fran Racioppi</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> sat down with Pam Patton and Tom Schneider to honor the life of </span><a href="https://majorjefftoz.com/about-jeff/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Major Jeff Toczylowski</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, a Green Beret whose impact on the people around him is still felt nearly two decades later. A letter Jeff left to his family and friends in the event of his death defines the character of a Green Beret; a warrior and a man who cared more about others than himself. Jeff’s last wish…take everyone to Vegas to celebrate his life.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Today, his legacy lives on through the </span><a href="https://majorjefftoz.com/golf-tournament/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">annual memorial golf outing</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> in his honor, now approaching its 20th year. What started as a way to cope with loss has become something much bigger. A reunion. A celebration. A community built around a single person who continues to be the common thread connecting hundreds of people who gather not to mourn, but to celebrate a life well lived.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Join the </span><a href="https://greenberetfoundation.org/event/annual-major-jeffrey-toczylowski-foundation-memorial-golf-outing/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Green Beret Foundation</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> and all of Toz’s family and friends this August 1st, at the Five Ponds Golf Course in Warminster, PA to celebrate his service and support all Green Berets past, present and future.</span></p><p><br></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">HIGHLIGHTS</strong></p><ul><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">0:00 Introduction</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">1:48 Welcome to the Stars &amp; Stripes Classic</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">2:27 Who was MAJ Jeff Toczylowski</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">5:47 The 20th Annual Memorial Golf Tournament</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">8:51 Vegas Time</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">13:19 Honoring Toz’s Legacy</span></li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">QUOTES</strong></p><ul><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“He literally lived every day like it was his last…to the fullest.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“He impacted a lot of people.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“It really is like a reunion.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“The celebration of life is really why everybody comes back.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“It changed him forever.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“No matter what’s going on in life, be good to the people around you and live each day to the fullest because today could be it.”</span></li></ul><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by </span><a href="https://www.onebrief.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">OneBrief</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">; enabling military leaders to make innovative, informed and deliberate decisions faster than ever before. Superhuman command wins wars.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">Follow the </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jedburghpodcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Jedburgh Podcast</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);"> and the </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/greenberetfoundation/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Green Beret Foundation</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);"> on social media. Listen on your </span><a href="https://pod.link/1558608802" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">favorite podcast platform</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">, read on our </span><a href="https://greenberetfoundation.org/the-jedburgh-podcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">website</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">, and watch the full video version on </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@jedburghpodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">YouTube</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);"> as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.</span></p>

<p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Green Berets are built over time. Special Operations Truth #3: SOF cannot be mass produced. America’s most elite warriors are developed through experience, through leadership, and through the responsibility of developing others. This is the job of the Special Forces Noncommissioned Officer.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">In this episode, </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/francisracioppijr/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Fran Racioppi</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> sat down with retired Command Sergeant Major </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-abernethy/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Rob Abernethy</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> to dissect the evolution of the Green Beret NCO, and their officer counterparts, to show how that development shapes the effectiveness of Army Special Operations and national strategy.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">CSM Abernethy served nearly four decades in the Army and across special operations from a junior 18E communications sergeant, to the Command Sergeant Major of US Army Special Operations Command and United States European Command. Rob breaks down the role of the NCO as the backbone of the Regiment, the importance of regional alignment in building partner forces, and where Special Forces fits into military strategy from the pre-9/11 period, through the Global War on Terror and into today’s Large Scale Combat Operations.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We also explore the rapid evolution of technology and the challenge of integrating new tools without losing the fundamentals of leadership and warfighting. From artificial intelligence to modern battlefield systems, Rob emphasizes that technology must support the force, not replace the mindset that defines it.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Finally, after retiring as one of the longest serving Green Berets in the Army, CSM Abernethy shares his perspective on transition after service and his current role continuing to develop soldiers through his work at </span><a href="https://www.ausa.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">AUSA</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">This is a conversation about leadership, evolution, and the responsibility to prepare the next generation of Green Berets for the fight ahead.</span></p><p><br></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">HIGHLIGHTS</strong></p><ul><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">0:00 Introduction</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">2:00 Welcome to the Jedburgh Podcast</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">5:20 From junior to senior NCO on an ODA</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">15:31 Role of the Team Sergeant</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">18:52 The culture of a Special Forces team</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">25:02 Importance of Regional Alignment</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">32:08 Bridging the generation gap</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">43:14 American Military Technological Advantage</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">49:00 Biggest Threat to America</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">52:18 Remembering Service</span></li></ul><p><br></p><p>QUOTES</p><ul><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“The average age on the teams was much older.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“Nobody says, ‘Hey, I’m going to join the Army and my goal is to be a sucky soldier.’”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“The Team Sergeant is one of the most critical parts of the team.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“Over time, what you do is build confidence with the team.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“The Officer’s success is really the Team’s success and the Team’s success is based on the Officer.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“Our confidence as a Team Sergeant needs to be projected through the team leader.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“You have to have a lot of confidence in the team you’re selecting.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“The administrative stuff makes a difference.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“The little things absolutely matter.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“The more astute you are to the environment in which you’re going to operate, the better you’re going to be.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“In the next 10 years, it’s going to be phenomenal what we actually bring to the battlefield because AI is going to make us that much better.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“The Department of War is crushing the acquisition process now.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“Our relationship with our NATO allies has been strong and needed, and still will be needed.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“One thing that stayed consistent was my desire to be good, to be an expert, and lead by example.”</span></li></ul><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by </span><a href="https://www.onebrief.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">OneBrief</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">; enabling military leaders to make innovative, informed and deliberate decisions faster than ever before. Superhuman command wins wars.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">Follow the </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jedburghpodcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Jedburgh Podcast</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);"> and the </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/greenberetfoundation/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Green Beret Foundation</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);"> on social media. Listen on your </span><a href="https://pod.link/1558608802" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">favorite podcast platform</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">, read on our </span><a href="https://greenberetfoundation.org/the-jedburgh-podcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">website</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">, and watch the full video version on </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@jedburghpodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">YouTube</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);"> as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.</span></p>

<p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The conditions service members live in directly affect Military readiness and national security. It’s the responsibility of Congress to authorize military funding to ensure the warfighter has what they need in combat and at home. Every decision impacts the strength of the force and their families.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">In this episode, </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/francisracioppijr/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Fran Racioppi</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> sat down with </span><a href="https://levin.house.gov/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Representative Mike Levin</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, who serves California’s 49th District and sits on the House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs to discuss the policies and decisions shaping today’s military bases. From investments in infrastructure at Camp Pendleton to broader oversight of Veterans Affairs, Congressman Levin outlines why improving living conditions, facilities, and support systems is essential to maintaining a ready and capable force.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Our conversation explores the responsibility of leadership to develop a culture where reporting substandard conditions is encouraged. We also discuss the broader role of Congress in overseeing military operations, and the importance of transparency, strategy, and accountability when American forces are deployed.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Congressman Levin shares his perspective on the war with Iran, his views on the need for checks and balances, and the growing divide that has made bipartisan governance more difficult. He emphasizes that strong institutions require leaders willing to put mission over politics and to ensure that the constitutional framework guiding military action is upheld.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">This is a conversation about leadership, accountability, and the systems that support those who serve. It is about ensuring readiness not just on the battlefield, but across the entire force.</span></p><p><br></p><p>Highlights:</p><ul><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">0:00 Introduction</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">1:53 Welcome to the Jedburgh Podcast</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">3:19 California’s 49th District</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">6:34 Improving Military Housing</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">14:25 Status of the Iran War</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">19:37 Is Iran A Direct Threat To The US?</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">22:08 Iran’s State Sponsorship of Terrorism</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">25:20 Negotiating with Iran</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">28:41 Bridging the Gap</span></li></ul><p><br></p><p>Quotes:</p><ul><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“It is imperative that we treat our veterans and military families with absolute respect.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“We’ve got real issues with barracks.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">“We’re not looking for the Ritz Carlton. We’re just looking for a decent place.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“The average member of the military needs a decent place where they can live.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“The challenge is the lack of clarity about what they’re being asked to do.”&nbsp;</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“They didn’t brief us on what the plan was going to be.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“It’s a war that is unauthorized. It is a war without a clear exit plan.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“What damage have we done to our allies around the world? A lot.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“We know less today than we did before the war began.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“The question is whether or not the military has actually made it a worse problem or has it actually ameliorated the problem.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“The Iranians have been a horrible regime.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“I don’t think the President has enough people around him telling him what he needs to hear, not what he wants to hear.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“Use of military force should be last resort always.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“I am personally never going to see the other side as my enemy. I see them as my political opponent.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“Running the United States is not an easy challenge.”</span></li></ul><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by </span><a href="https://www.onebrief.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">OneBrief</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">; enabling military leaders to make innovative, informed and deliberate decisions faster than ever before. Superhuman command wins wars.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">Follow the </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jedburghpodcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Jedburgh Podcast</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);"> and the </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/greenberetfoundation/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Green Beret Foundation</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);"> on social media. Listen on your </span><a href="https://pod.link/1558608802" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">favorite podcast platform</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">, read on our </span><a href="https://greenberetfoundation.org/the-jedburgh-podcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">website</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">, and watch the full video version on </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@jedburghpodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">YouTube</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);"> as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.</span></p><p><br></p><p><em style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">The opinions presented on the The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of guests and host Fran Racioppi. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy, nor does Green Beret Foundation endorse any political candidate or any political party.</em></p>