Navy SEAL Museum Friendly Fire Podcast

Our Oath and Our Duty Oct 11, 2022

Our Ukraine involvement and what have we ever gained from going to war? The World Order and how nations behave with each other. US military recruitments rates down; how can we make the military a viable option for young people today? The "shiny" image of our military or its dysfunctional one? It's not a social experiment, and the military doesn't reflect the politics of the United States.

Tangible Goods Sep 26, 2022

Welcome to Season 2 of the Friendly Fire Podcast. Navy SEAL Museum COO Rick Kaiser and Duke Professor Tim Nichols come together again to discuss current events and trending topics. Our co-hosts see the world from very different vantage points, but while they do not always agree on the subject matter, they always part as friends. Tune in to hear what they have to say.
We kick off our Second Season of the Friendly Fire Podcast with great discussion! Flourishing in the Free State of Florida. Muster 37 is upcoming, celebrating veterans. Forgiving Student Loan Forgiveness and subsidized public schools. Do we get good values from our parents? Is good not of our own doing? Giving to the common good and getting America healthier.

The Deconstruction of Rick Kaiser Apr 12, 2021

Tim pummels Rick with some tough questions. Up in arms over gun control and qualifying crew-served weapons. Triggering the need for firearms legislation. Maximum liberty, maximum responsibility. Tax laws and Federal programs. Should the Federal Government use tax law to influence State Government behavior? Jack Daniel’s Squires and the Museum’s Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Program. The due diligence of journalists and media bias.

All for the Good of the Country Apr 12, 2021

“Kaiser Family, still in the fight.” Rick’s prosthetic leg: not a WWII amputation. A formula for blade length for amputees competing in running races. Supporting the COVID policy and states all stumbling over it. Criminals versus the mentally ill: alternatives for helping those in a mental health crisis to avoid jail time. The correlation between mass shootings and our country’s deficit in care for the mentally ill. Building cities under sea level, storm surges, and houses on stilts.

On the Shoulders of Giants Apr 06, 2021

Florida’s “common sense governor” and Miami’s bikini-clad beaches. “The Compact” at Duke University and misbehavior. Rick, a person of the people. Gold Star Families visit the Museum’s Memorial Garden and its healing impact. The “non-crisis” at the border and FEMA’s involvement. “Walls don’t work” while COVID continues to crush businesses. BUD/S in quarantine times. Admiral Sands, innovation, and SOCAFRICA.

Chasing Symptoms Apr 02, 2021

Retired Master Chief Museum Assistant Executive Director Ken Corona joins the conversation. A whole buffet of stupidity and shutting down young SEALs. Tim’s tenure at Duke with motivated students, Millennials before there were Millennials, believers in democracy, vitriol over the immigration crisis at the border. Precious Memorial Day at the Museum. Speaking about the struggles of our Special Operations Forces and suicide.

Only the Dead Have Seen the End of War Mar 22, 2021

The complicated issue of immigration at our border and the need for reform with policy. How much power do citizens have over governance? The “distasteful” position of politicians. Rick’s time at Great Lakes as a cadre for Naval Special Warfare recruitment. Today’s challenges recruiting for the military–should the uniform services be presented as a more mainstream career option? Educating the public about the many benefits and responsibilities of the military.

Democracy is Not Easy Mar 16, 2021

Exercising our First Amendment rights and cancellation. Integrating schools with the use of vouchers and the comprehensive cost of public education. “Sending” Tim some tough questions. Is the government inherently inefficient? Connected, demanding, consuming Americans. Amazon, the 800-pound gorilla. The need for diversification of economy.

Thermonuclear Engagement, Accountability, and Ingenuity in The Teams Mar 09, 2021

Authorizing airstrikes and the upper hand–plus hypocrisy. The President’s ultimate authority, a hierarchy of authorities from Congress, and shackling elected leaders. Higher stakes with bigger bombs, breaking rice bowls to reorient the military, and cake-eating officers. Active combat or nothing. The bell curve of anti-authoritarian, curious, problem-solving, decentralized SEALs walking a fine line of productive citizens and criminals. Fostering a creative, harmonious tactical force without creating biker gang criminals.

Museum Musings, Memorial Day, and Military Recommitment Mar 02, 2021

Praise for the Heroes and Legends Lecture Series and more speakers to come. The Museum’s Memorial Day Service on the horizon, including the annual Flag Retirement Ceremony, Beyond The Teams’ beach arrival, the Museum’s Memorial Garden, and the Living Beach Dedication. The Scholarship Program application process opens the end of March for the 2021-2022 academic year. Accountability in the military among leadership and set procedures for addressing sexual harassment.

Grow Up, Get Smart, Give Back Feb 23, 2021

Identifying as a transgender SEAL and the question of confidentiality. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Self Actualization. 1980: a stellar year for SEALs. The primary and secondary weapons of SEALs and the never-ending importance of knives. The future of Special Forces and battles around the world: figuring out how to get the Force to change without harboring the old for the sake of the new. Drinking and axe throwing.

Accountability Across the Board Feb 15, 2021

Navy SEAL Xperience coming to San Diego and California politics. A discrepancy in discarded votes from 2016 to 2020? Polarization or populism in Congress? The SEAL Community and secrecy: how SEALs have moved from a blue-collar force to a white-collar one. The reason for treason? GTMO (Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp), detainees, rough edges, and values. Rick and Tim’s ocean-going Caribbean cruiser ask.

The Machinery of Government and a Multipolar World Feb 04, 2021

A show pony or sweat equity for the Navy? How politics influence us and making exceptions for exceptional people. The might of the military and its ability to move the COVID vaccine to guarantee success for the states–what is the Federal Government’s role? Rick’s concerns under the new administration. Stretching our energy, managing the Middle East, and China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Dealing with America’s Problems in Open Conversation Feb 01, 2021

The pursuit of impeachment for a past president–a waste of time or compelling for accountability? Enhancing the roles of military spouses for their own personal and professional goals: is there a viable future for the military spouse when the system is still stuck in a 1950’s construct? “Brain drain”, “talent drain”, and an elevated divorce rate in the Special Operations Forces community. Typecasting military servicemembers or making the military address America’s sociological concerns? An “ultra-lethal military and nothing else matters” or should the military be authentically reflecting America in its architecture?

A Country That Carries a Swagger Jan 29, 2021

America’s right to free speech, how social media changed the world’s communication, and accountability for censorship. Twitter and technology stretched to extremes. Ongoing discord in our country, listening to understand each other, and the reliability of the news. Minding Mexico and creating consistent immigration policies.

Imminent Insurrection Before Inauguration Day? Jan 20, 2021

Breaking through barriers at the Capitol–and of the underlying hypocrisy. Water cannons, angry dogs, and securing the continuity of government. Inciting violence or inciting the people against The President? The Minnesota Freedom Fund, our country’s black eye in history, and the government's control of communication.

Infringement of the Second Amendment Jan 19, 2021

Two military guys discuss gun control and thoughts on the infringement of the Second Amendment. Investing in law enforcement and backing their service before citizens compensate? “Who’s good, who’s bad?” Embracing protests without arms. Running down groups running roughshod.

Women in Special Operations Forces Jan 19, 2021

Is there a place for women to serve in Special Forces, specifically as Navy SEALs? The right to vote for all–but only with proof of identity? Appointing the Ninth Supreme Court Justice now or later? Can you be both a SEAL and a politician?

COVID Deployment Jan 19, 2021

Is protesting appropriate in the arena of professional sports? More or less guidance and regulations for the “COVID Deployment”? Term limits for Supreme Court Justices in light of the contributions and passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg?

“Humility is Part of Being a Good Warrior” Jan 15, 2021

The Church of Universal Life and Rick’s ordination. Tim’s experience of the clergy in the military and Rick’s change of heart after his role with Casualty Assistance. Extortion 17 and Rick’s “compassion disorder.” The Museum’s Trident House Charities Program: addressing the spiritual health of those in the Special Operations Community. Grounding new SEALs in their heritage. Showing Naval Special Warfare leadership the value of investing in incoming operators with history and heritage. Tim praises the Marine Corps for their approach to legacy education. The fear of letting one’s predecessors down. Blackwater pardons and private military groups resourced inappropriately.

Know Your Neighbors Jan 15, 2021

With special thanks to the Brown Forman family and their support of the Navy SEAL Museum. Hate and destruction and the Nashville bombing. HMEs and the reluctance to report suspicious behavior: where does our civic responsibility lie in heading off potential threats? Know your neighbors. Rick’s new call sign: “Poop Sniper.” The indispensable role of canines in our lives and how service dogs are saving veterans; Baden K9 leading this front in support of the Museum’s K9 Project.

Calming the Chaos Jan 12, 2021

The Senate runoff: Georgia politics and painful lessons learned. The obligation to accommodate citizens with convenient voting and wicker basket ballot collection in the middle of farm fields. Tim’s priorities for President-elect Biden: domestic versus foreign policy themes. Addressing super-spreaders, the Proud Boys, Boogaloos, Antifa, and “the fringe” of society. A fighting retreat and tidying up wars abroad. Investing more in education, constraints in education, and “The Way of the Left.” The Museum’s work with the Special Operations Forces community. Tim’s “Home by lunch wars” versus Rick’s SEAL Team SIX recall cycle.

History, Heritage, and Dive Tower Demolition Jan 10, 2021

Losing the BUD/S Dive Tower at Coronado and the Museum’s mission to save Naval Special Warfare relics. The introduction of the Lambertsen Lung and its impact on underwater breathing. Innovation, artifacts, and lard. Sighting SEAL rifles and advances in tactical technology. Faithfully serving good and bad leaders. Profound leadership without bravado and its lasting legacy.

The Great Debate Over a Social Supplement Dec 29, 2020

A split nation: has America’s prowess degraded? A call for welfare reform and accountability for hand-ups. Taking control of one’s body and Rick’s vasectomy in a military hospital. The middle class: the backbone of this country and education as the pathway to it. More consideration given to “the average American” and the need for greater investment at the working and middle class level. Charisma, a vision, decision making, empowerment, and Navy SEAL Museum momentum.

“Welcome to Special Operations” Dec 29, 2020

The impetus for the Friendly Fire Podcast and the history between Rick and Tim. The needs of the Navy and unclassified communications between couples in the Special Operations community. The Flag Retirement Ceremony at the Museum’s Memorial Day Service and honoring the fallen at the Museum’s Memorial Wall. Vaccinating for COVID and the government’s omnipotent power?

The Churn Doesn’t Stop Dec 25, 2020

Are holidays just a distraction for our military men and women? The level of frenzy in the world of Special Operations–how to reduce the manic? PTSD, depression, drug use, TBI, dysfunctional families, and suicide: the deep scars of Special Operators who have given greatly. Winning hearts and minds or throwing troops at it? Marriage and the military and the motivation to wed. Rick, the Karaoke King.

"I Don't Believe in The System" Dec 22, 2020

Voter fraud or "rubbish, speculation, and fake news"? Skepticism and distrust of the voting system, a fracture in our nation, and how COVID changed the election conversation. "The New Normal" since COVID and never another Snow Day. Classified to the American public no more: the Museum chases additional acquisitions from missions–including the tail section of the Black Hawk from the bin Laden raid.

SEALs in Cages Dec 15, 2020

Pampered military representatives? China training at the Canadian border: reasonability or vulnerability? The SEAL cage mentality, vaccinating for COVID to prevent conditions for spread, Vietnam veterans who served honorably against their desire, and the need for more military recognition award medals.

Complexities of Changing the Legal Drinking Age Nov 30, 2020

Mask Mandates and Muster 35 Success Nov 30, 2020

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