According to Pete Hegseth and Shawn Ryan, the Department of Veterans Affairs is more focused on maintaining its bureaucracy than providing effective healthcare for veterans, with many veterans opting to seek healthcare outside the VA system.

The VA is a bureaucratic system that prioritizes its own operations over providing effective care for veterans.

The VA's large budget is used to maintain a massive bureaucracy with high-paying, stable jobs that are difficult to fire from, rather than focusing on delivering quality healthcare to veterans.

Hegseth describes the VA as a "permanent feeding trough" with high-paying, secure jobs that are hard to lose, even with misconduct or neglect of duty. He observes that the VA's upper echelon is paid more than the military's chairman of the joint chiefs. Despite many VA jobs going remote since COVID, there's a perceived lack of accountability within the system. Hegseth argues that the VA bureaucracy is resistant to reform; efforts like the Accountability Act and the Choice Act during the Trump administration aimed to enable the firing of ineffective VA employees haven't led to significant change due to strong civil service protections and opposition from bureaucracy and government unions. Under the Biden administration, according to Hegseth, reforms are not being utilized optimally and bad employees are not being fired as they should be by law.

Despite having a massive budget—twice the size of the Marine Corps and making it the second-largest federal department—veterans still face long wait times and feel treated like a number, Hegseth claims.

Veterans advocacy groups like the VFW and American Legion often defend the status quo at the VA in order to maintain their influence and funding, even when their members express dissatisfaction with the poor quality of care.

Hegseth states that traditional veterans advocacy groups, with large offices in Washington, D.C., focus on securing a bigger VA budget rather than providing quality care for veterans. He suggests that these groups defend the status quo because it benefits them in terms of funding and power. Despite officially representing their members, many at the post level express dissatisfaction with long drives and waits for appointments.

Veterans often choose to seek healthcare outside the VA system due to long wait times, difficulty accessing services, and a lack of personalized, veteran-specific treatment.

Many innovative treatments and therapies that could benefit veterans, such as psychedelics and alternative approaches to PTSD, are not being developed or utilized within the VA system.

Ryan shares his personal decision to buy his own hea ...

Pete Hegseth and Shawn Ryan express their concerns over the emerging "woke" ideology within the U.S. military, asserting that there is a shift away from readiness and lethality towards diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), which they believe is undercutting traditional military values.

Senior military leaders have allowed ideological agendas like diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to take precedence over the military's core mission of readiness and lethality.

Hegseth discusses the concept challenging the insertion of DEI agendas into the military's framework. He criticizes the senior military leadership for allowing a shift in focus from traditional military values of unity and lethality to diversity and equity. The podcast highlights moments such as the George Floyd riots and January 6th events where DOD political appointees and figures like Generals Milley and Austin seized the opportunity to go all-in on DEI, and Critical Race Theory (CRT).

The push for women in combat roles during the Obama administration is mentioned as altering military operations and unit cohesion. Furthermore, Hegseth takes issue with senior leaders only recently suggesting that the military is riddled with racism after high-profile events. He also disapproves of the subsequent actions taken, such as stand-downs for extremism and the introduction of DEI advocates to the ranks.

The erosion of traditional military values and the intrusion of political agendas into the armed forces have contributed to recruiting and retention challenges.

Hegseth and Ryan discuss a perceived disconnect between the military's recruitment messages aimed at a more diverse demographic and the alienation of its traditional support base. Such messaging and policies potentially contribute to recruiting and retention challenges.

Hegseth contemplates whether he and his peers would recommend military service to their children, given the institution's shifting culture and priorities. Ryan emphasizes that recruiting issues stem from a dissonance with the traditional demographic that joins the military, not a lack of a ...

The discussion centers on restoring traditional military values and focusing on combat readiness to rebuild the military’s capabilities and public trust.

Restoring the military's focus on readiness, lethality, and mission accomplishment

Hegseth argues that the military must return to its roots in meritocracy, readiness, and mission accomplishment by removing leaders who have focused on social engineering rather than combat effectiveness. He prescribes a return to traditional military values by replacing these leaders with dedicated warfighters. Hegseth points out the problematic nature of ideological issues and decrees, such as the recent military vaccine mandate, which he believes have led to the departure of many service members with traditional values.

A change in leadership at the highest levels is deemed essential for this refocusing. Hegseth implies that the replacement of senior leaders — including the Secretary of Defense and those who prioritize ideological activism, diversity, and inclusiveness over combat effectiveness — with experienced warfighters who are committed to the military's core objectives is needed.

Removing social engineering elements from the military

Hegseth calls for the removal of influences that have favored diversity and inclusion over war-fighting abilities. He suggests firing the chairman of the joint chiefs, along with generals and admirals who are involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. He argues for the reinstatement of rigorous combat standards previously in place, discarding any lowered standards or diversity quotas, and specifically addresses the integration of women in combat roles by suggesting a return to former standard levels to ensure unit readiness and effectiveness.

Rebuilding the military's credibility and public trust

Retaining individuals who embody traditional military values is seen as a way to maintain the military's credibility. Hegseth proposes shifting recruitment and retention strategies to focus on patriotism and duty rather than social justice ideologies.

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Pete Hegseth and Shawn Ryan discuss the effects of the current education system on young people’s preparation for military service and advocate for alternative education models that emphasize traditional values and patriotism.

The progressive takeover of the K-12 education system has undermined the development of traditional military virtues

Critical theories and removal of historical content impacting military preparedness

According to Hegseth, the state of education in America, as described in his book "Battle for the American Mind," implies that the current K-12 system, infiltrated by critical theory and race-based ideologies, does not encourage the ethos and values typically sought after in military service. The removal of traditional American and Western history from school curricula has created a generation he considers ill-prepared for the rigors of military life. Additionally, the emphasis on social engineering and identity politics in schools has contributed to a decline in both interest and respect for military service among the youth.

Providing alternative education options for cultivating military virtues

Educational models focused on classical learning and character development

Pete Hegseth has personally sought a school in Tennessee that aligns with conservative, classical Christian values for educating his children. This action embodies the desire for an education system that inculcates the patriotic and moral virtues traditionally associated with military service.

Shawn Ryan, on the other hand, speaks about establishing an alternative form of education through collective real estate investment aimed at creating an educational space. This private arrangement can function independently of government influence, supporting community efforts and potentially offering different values or curriculums than public schooling. Such models may emphasize practical skills, like finance, which are often overlooked in traditional educational systems.

Empowering parents through school choice

The growth of homeschooling represents another avenue for parents to impart education founded on character development and a strong understanding of history and traditions. Hegseth points out that while there are forces that oppose homeschooling and private education, the right to homeschool remains strong and secure.

Parents' attraction to alternative education stems from maintaining cultural integrity and installing shared beliefs. Educational tax credits or educational savings accounts are mechanisms suggested by Hegseth to empower p ...