<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>