STARRS Podcast

Interview with STARRS Board of Advisors Chairman Col. Bill Connor, USA ret - Military Recruiting, Retention and Readiness in a Culture War

In this episode of STARRS & Stripes, host Commander Al Palmer, USN ret, talks with the Chairman of the STARRS Board of Advisors, Colonel Bill Connor, USA ret, whose family members have served in the Army for five generations. They discussed a wide range of topics regarding military recruiting, retention, and readiness and how these rise or fall with trust in leadership and a real commitment to merit based standards.  * Vietnam era perspective on warrior skill and professionalism * Military families as a stable recruiting base * Military discipline and long term service produces steadier citizens and stronger communities * Recruiting collapse under the Biden administration * Extremism stand down fallout under former SecDef Austin and how it hit morale * Meritocracy versus DEI in promotions and jobs * Combat arms realities and physical standards * Shrinking eligibility rates among 18 to 24 year olds * Obesity, mental health, and the case for stronger school PE * Lowered entry standards creating nondeployable troops * Military spouse burdens * Lost club traditions, camaraderie, and coping after trauma * Training realism, lawful orders, and hesitation in combat _______________________________________ For more information about STARRS, go to our website: https://starrs.us [https://starrs.us] which works to eliminate the divisive Marxist-based CRT/DEI/Woke agenda in the Department of Defense and to promote the return to a warfighter ethos of meritocracy, lethality, readiness, accountability, standards and excellence in the military. Join our Mailing List [https://starrs.us/join-mailing-list/] for our weekly newsletter on this issue. Follow STARRS: X [https://twitter.com/STARRSmission]  |  Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/starrsmission]  | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/stand-together-against-racism-and-radicalism-in-the-services-starrs/]  |  Rumble [https://rumble.com/c/c-5207845]  |  YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@STARRSMission247]  |  Truth [https://truthsocial.com/@STARRSmission]   |  Gettr [https://gettr.com/user/starrsmission]  |  Gab [https://gab.com/STARRSmission] Support the Mission: Make a tax-deductible donation [https://secure.anedot.com/cc36e002-2f15-4c62-9843-eb792934fb62/a14b1aaa-3890-4879-9fe7-08f6f2ef24fb] to STARRS.

Interview with Maj. General Bentley Rayburn, STARRS Chairman of the Board

A fighter pilot’s logbook tells one story; the culture that shaped the pilot tells the rest. STARRS & Stripes host CDR Al Palmer, USN ret, sits down with the new STARRS Chairman of the Board: retired Air Force Major General Bentley Rayburn—F‑4 and F‑16 veteran, former USAFA cadet wing commander (class of 1975), and Air Force Doctrine Center leader—to explore how a lifetime in uniform forged Gen. Rayburn's views on leadership, character, and what truly sets a service academy apart. From early days flying the Phantom over the Mediterranean to directing joint operations and shaping doctrine, Gen. Rayburn shares lessons that connect cockpit decisions to classroom standards and the oath we all take. We get specific about what builds officers who thrive under pressure: a 24/7 military culture, not just lectures; mentors who model integrity; and training that keeps warfighting at the center. Gen. Rayburn makes the case that selection metrics like GPA and test scores are easy to count but miss the trait that predicts the most—character. We talk about how to cultivate and assess it, and why Academy faculty composition and daily squadron life matter more than campus amenities. The conversation moves from the Academy’s changing culture to the practical realities of today’s force: recruiting shortfalls, fitness and academic gaps, and how prep pathways can raise readiness without lowering the bar. We also discuss DEI, politicization, and the fallout from COVID-era policies in the military through a simple lens: merit, mission, and trust. That’s where STARRS "The American Creed Threatened by Radical Indoctrination" presentation comes in, grounding service in a shared understanding of the US Constitution and civic principles. When troops know what their oath means, decision-making under stress gets clearer, and cohesion improves. If you care about military readiness, officer development, and how to rebuild trust without buzzwords, this one’s for you. Hear a seasoned commander explain what to fix, what to keep, and how to align training, talent, and teaching with the mission. If the message resonates, consider being a part of STARRS--read articles on our website, sign up for our mailing list, and financially support our ongoing mission. _______________________________________ For more information about STARRS, go to our website: https://starrs.us [https://starrs.us] which works to eliminate the divisive Marxist-based CRT/DEI/Woke agenda in the Department of Defense and to promote the return to a warfighter ethos of meritocracy, lethality, readiness, accountability, standards and excellence in the military. Join our Mailing List [https://starrs.us/join-mailing-list/] for our weekly newsletter on this issue. Follow STARRS: X [https://twitter.com/STARRSmission]  |  Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/starrsmission]  | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/stand-together-against-racism-and-radicalism-in-the-services-starrs/]  |  Rumble [https://rumble.com/c/c-5207845]  |  YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@STARRSMission247]  |  Truth [https://truthsocial.com/@STARRSmission]   |  Gettr [https://gettr.com/user/starrsmission]  |  Gab [https://gab.com/STARRSmission] Support the Mission: Make a tax-deductible donation [https://secure.anedot.com/cc36e002-2f15-4c62-9843-eb792934fb62/a14b1aaa-3890-4879-9fe7-08f6f2ef24fb] to STARRS.

STARRS Town Hall: "The Threat of the Red-Green Axis" with speaker John Guandolo

In this powerful and eye-opening STARRS Town Hall, guest speaker John Guandolo (USNA '89 grad, former Marine officer and FBI Special Agent) outlined his path from FBI counterterrorism work to training government and local entities on the “Red-Green Axis” — the collaboration between Islamist and Marxist movements. He talked about how the U.S. is engaged in a non-kinetic war primarily in the information and counterintelligence space. He explained how Islamist and communist networks operate together at the local level across the country and view themselves in late-stage victory. John discussed how Sharia is the doctrinal basis for jihad and governance in normative Islam, is taught consistently to Muslim youth, and that Western leaders mischaracterize Islam due to influence operations and deceptive language use. He says U.S. policy fixates on “violent extremism” (a term he argues has no legal meaning) rather than legally defined enemies (e.g., jihadis, communists), which blinds institutions to the true threat and leads to strategic failure. John said Islamic Sharia-based movements seek to replace the US Constitution, so anyone who swore an oath to the Constitution has a duty to defend it against such efforts--foreign and domestic. For more information about John as a speaker and the training he offers, go to JohnGuandolo.com. Follow him on X @JGuandolo54271 _______________________________________ For more information about STARRS, go to our website: https://starrs.us [https://starrs.us] which works to eliminate the divisive Marxist-based CRT/DEI/Woke agenda in the Department of Defense and to promote the return to a warfighter ethos of meritocracy, lethality, readiness, accountability, standards and excellence in the military. Join our Mailing List [https://starrs.us/join-mailing-list/] for our weekly newsletter on this issue. Follow STARRS: X [https://twitter.com/STARRSmission]  |  Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/starrsmission]  | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/stand-together-against-racism-and-radicalism-in-the-services-starrs/]  |  Rumble [https://rumble.com/c/c-5207845]  |  YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@STARRSMission247]  |  Truth [https://truthsocial.com/@STARRSmission]   |  Gettr [https://gettr.com/user/starrsmission]  |  Gab [https://gab.com/STARRSmission] Support the Mission: Make a tax-deductible donation [https://secure.anedot.com/cc36e002-2f15-4c62-9843-eb792934fb62/a14b1aaa-3890-4879-9fe7-08f6f2ef24fb] to STARRS.

The Seditious Six: Military Orders, Outrage and the Law

Hot takes made it sound groundbreaking: elected officials urged service members to “disobey unlawful orders.” Anyone who’s worn the uniform knows that duty already exists—and the harder question is how statements like that ripple through a force that must act fast, trust its chain of command, and still honor the law of armed conflict. In this episode of STARRS & Stripes, host Al Palmer, retired Navy Commander, sits down with a former Air Force JAG Bruce Tucker Smith to unpack what the Uniform Code of Military Justice actually requires, when orders are presumed lawful, and where the bright red lines are in combat. Our conversation moves from the headlines to the hard edge of modern conflict: narco-terror networks, blurred battlefields, and how Geneva Convention criteria apply when adversaries don’t wear uniforms or follow the rules.  We dig into maritime law, whether a disabled smuggling boat is “distressed” or still a legitimate target, and why humanitarian missions and National Guard disaster response are essential to public trust.  Along the way, we tackle recruiting, morale, and the quiet power of the NCO corps—the leaders who turn strategy into action and shape the character of the force. We don’t call for theatrical prosecutions to settle political scores. Instead, we make a case for sunlight: clear language, better civics, and honest dialogue about authorities, constraints, and intent. If critics suggest ongoing operations are unlawful, name the statute, name the order, and bring the debate to the proper venues. Meanwhile, we’ll keep telling the full story of military service—from kinetic strikes to lifesaving airlift—because accuracy beats outrage.  If this conversation sharpened your thinking, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review to help others find it. Your voice keeps the debate honest. _______________________________________ For more information about STARRS, go to our website: https://starrs.us [https://starrs.us] which works to eliminate the divisive Marxist-based CRT/DEI/Woke agenda in the Department of Defense and to promote the return to a warfighter ethos of meritocracy, lethality, readiness, accountability, standards and excellence in the military. Join our Mailing List [https://starrs.us/join-mailing-list/] for our weekly newsletter on this issue. Follow STARRS: X [https://twitter.com/STARRSmission]  |  Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/starrsmission]  | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/stand-together-against-racism-and-radicalism-in-the-services-starrs/]  |  Rumble [https://rumble.com/c/c-5207845]  |  YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@STARRSMission247]  |  Truth [https://truthsocial.com/@STARRSmission]   |  Gettr [https://gettr.com/user/starrsmission]  |  Gab [https://gab.com/STARRSmission] Support the Mission: Make a tax-deductible donation [https://secure.anedot.com/cc36e002-2f15-4c62-9843-eb792934fb62/a14b1aaa-3890-4879-9fe7-08f6f2ef24fb] to STARRS.

What it's REALLY like living in a Communist country under Marxist ideology

A voice that lived through Marxism can strip away illusions in seconds. STARRS & Stripes host Commander Al Palmer, USN ret, sits down with Mihaela Fletcher—born in Romania and grew up under communist dictatorship driven by Marxist ideology fully indoctrinated throughout the country. Mihaela unpacks how grand promises of equality under communism curdled into scarcity, fear, and silence. From ration books and surveillance to Ceausescu’s cult of personality and a violent regime collapse, her story reveals what enforced ideology looks like on the ground. Mihaela expected better when she became a Romanian diplomat at the UN, but found the same familiar communist patterns: a scandal-ridden aid machine that failed the people it claimed to serve. Declared persona non grata after getting engaged to a U.S. officer, she moved to America and started over—earning advanced nursing degrees and rediscovering freedom through competence, accountability, and service. That’s where our conversation turns homeward: school grade inflation, lowered admissions bars, and administrative policies that pressure faculty while pushing ideological litmus tests. In healthcare and the military, diluted standards aren’t abstract; they put patients and missions at risk. We connect her lived experience to the stakes inside our armed forces. Integrity, service before self, and excellence are more than mottos when bullets fly. With a military veteran husband and a son at a service academy, she’s clear about what keeps warriors ready—merit, discipline, and truth. We talk about shielding academies from ideological capture, defending rigorous selection and training, and building environments where every cadet can grow in merit and excellence without demeaning quotas based on divisive identities.  Too many young people today who never lived during the Cold War nor were taught about it have gravitated towards communist ideology (see NYC) out of ignorance and naivety. Share this episode with them and tell them about our nation's fight against Marxist ideology worldview during the Cold War and how to recognize the Marxist push to destroy our country. _______________________________________ For more information about STARRS, go to our website: https://starrs.us [https://starrs.us] which works to eliminate the divisive Marxist-based CRT/DEI/Woke agenda in the Department of Defense and to promote the return to a warfighter ethos of meritocracy, lethality, readiness, accountability, standards and excellence in the military. Join our Mailing List [https://starrs.us/join-mailing-list/] for our weekly newsletter on this issue. Follow STARRS: X [https://twitter.com/STARRSmission]  |  Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/starrsmission]  | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/stand-together-against-racism-and-radicalism-in-the-services-starrs/]  |  Rumble [https://rumble.com/c/c-5207845]  |  YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@STARRSMission247]  |  Truth [https://truthsocial.com/@STARRSmission]   |  Gettr [https://gettr.com/user/starrsmission]  |  Gab [https://gab.com/STARRSmission] Support the Mission: Make a tax-deductible donation [https://secure.anedot.com/cc36e002-2f15-4c62-9843-eb792934fb62/a14b1aaa-3890-4879-9fe7-08f6f2ef24fb] to STARRS.