Military Matters

Latest Episodes:

Fast Take-Woke with Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy Jul 20, 2021

Show notes

Last week's episode about Woke, Critical Race Theory, and the military has hit a lot of nerves. Jack Murphy and Rod Rodriguez discuss the episode, the feedback, and Jack's perspective on this politically and socially charged topic.

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What is WOKE and Critical Race Theory? Jul 13, 2021

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In this episode, we're getting to the bottom of what exactly is "woke" and "critical race theory" and what any of it has to do with our military! Guests: Brian "BK" Kimber, former AF Pararescueman and host of World News with BK Dr. John Witte, professor emeritus from the University of Wisconsin Madison. And the departments of political science in the Robert Lafollette School of Public Affairs Link to World News with BK

Q-Anon, the murder of an SF soldier, UFO's, and Jim Gant's take on Afghanistan Jun 10, 2021

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Jack Murphy and Rod Rodriguez talk about the stories they covered in Season 3, from the death of SF soldier Mark Leshikar to QAnon and the Terrible Game. We also discuss what Jack thinks of the UFO report coming out in June, and he also shares a special message from Afghan war veteran Jim Gant. All that and more on the season finale of Military Matters.

A former West Point cadet vanishes without a trace May 17, 2021

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Maura Murray's disappearance 17 years ago has left investigators and her family confused and dumbfounded. She was a former West Point cadet with dreams of becoming a nurse. Then one day after exhibiting strange behavior, she vanished.

Jack Murphy talks with her sister, Julie Murray, about one of the first disappearances of the social media age to capture the attention of the public. What happened to Maura Murray?

Fast take: Service members vs. the vaccine May 10, 2021

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Defense One reporter Elizabeth Howe joins Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy to discuss the reaction to last week's episode, some of the strange arguments they've heard against getting the vaccine, and some "conspiracy" theories behind what some think the vaccine REALLY is. Follow us on Twitter @stripesmmpod and don't forget to share this episode.

Service members vs. the vaccine May 03, 2021

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A surprising number of service members have gone public stating they're not taking any of the COVID vaccines. This week, Military Matters talks with an ER doctor and U.S. Army Reserve Lt. Col. Dr. Kamal Kalsi, Defense One reporter Elizabeth Howe and the director of the Bi-Partisan Commission on Biodefense Dr. Asha George. Are you getting the vaccine? Email us at militarymatters@stripes.com.

Artificial Intelligence, coming to a battlefield near you ... Apr 26, 2021

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) and virtual reality are slowly becoming integrated with our warfighters. But what role will AI play on the battlefield of tomorrow? Jack Murphy talks with the vice president and director of studies at the Center for a New American Security, Paul Scharre. Paul is also a former Special Operations reconnaissance team leader in the Army's 3rd Ranger Battalion and the author Army of None: Autonomous Weapons and the Future of War. Follow Paul Scharre on Twitter @paul_scharre

Virtual Reality Warfighters and a $21.9 billion deal Apr 19, 2021

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The Army has signed a $21.9 billion deal with Microsoft to integrate its HoloLens with the Army's Integrated Visual Augmented System, or IVAS. Is this technology going to change the way we fight? Will we forget how to train in the real world? What does the future of VR look like? Guests Palmer Luckey, Anduril Garth Smith and Gareth Seburn, Meta VR Kevin Cornish, Moth+Flame VR Tony Isaacs, PLW Model Works

A Tenant Bill of Rights and dead infants on Fort Bragg Apr 09, 2021

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Does the DOD's "Tenant Bill of Rights" actually do anything for military families living in privatized housing? Is the military just bad at environmental testing, or is there more? Could the deaths of infants on Fort Bragg have been prevented? We talk with Sarah Kline, military housing advocate, and Leigh Tuttle, a military spouse who has seen first-hand some questionable practices. For more information on the Military Housing Network go to https://militaryhousingadvocacynetwork.org/ If you have a tip, lead, or story idea email us at militarymatters@stripes.com

Black mold and lead in military housing, and the law letting it happen Apr 01, 2021

Show notes

Toxic lead and black mold in military housing. A mother's horror story of how her children suffered the effects. Families have been hurt, and the military is locked into 50-year leases with privatized housing companies.

You'll be shocked at the law these companies are hiding behind to avoid lawsuits and their responsibility to our service members.

Jack Murphy unravels this story of neglected military oversight, insane legal loopholes and the families left to suffer the consequences.

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