What happens when a Marine JAG officer trades combat zones for campaign trails? Chris Burnett is finding out firsthand as he runs for Maryland's 6th congressional district.

After 22 years in the Marine Corps navigating the complexities of international and operational law across multiple deployments to Iraq, Burnett now faces a different kind of challenge. His military career taught him to translate complex legal frameworks into practical guidance for commanders making high-stakes decisions. Now he's applying those same analytical skills to the regulations strangling opportunity in his community.

The spark for his congressional run came from an unexpected place—his wife's attempt to open a small laundromat. As a military family of six settling in Maryland after his retirement, they discovered that Montgomery County's regulations and requirements made entrepreneurship virtually impossible. "There is just no opportunity for families, small businesses, and farmers to push back on what has become an overbearing county and state government," Burnett explains with the measured precision of someone who's spent decades evaluating risk and identifying solutions.

His campaign strategy mirrors his military approach—systematic, phased, and mission-focused. From securing seed money to building name recognition in a community where he's relatively new, Burnett embraces the challenge with the same attitude that drew him to the Marines: "It's the hardest thing you can do." He's translating military concepts like accountability and transparency into a political context, explaining to voters why these principles matter for effective governance.

For veterans considering public service after military life, Burnett's journey offers valuable insights on leveraging military experience in a political landscape. Despite the challenges—limited community connections, financial constraints, and explaining military expertise to civilian audiences—veterans bring unique problem-solving abilities and leadership experience that can restore trust in government.

Want to learn more about bringing common-sense leadership to complex problems? Visit burnettforcongress.com to connect directly with Chris about his campaign, military experience, or the transition to civilian service.

Chris Burnett for Congress: https://burnettforcongress.com/

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When a nation asks its warriors to defend freedom and uphold justice abroad, shouldn't those same warriors expect justice at home? This powerful episode unravels the harrowing journey of Keith Barry, a decorated Navy SEAL whose 25-year military career crumbled under the weight of a false accusation and a system corrupted by political pressure.

Keith opens up about his transition from elite special operator to facing unimaginable accusations without evidence. His conviction—secured without NCIS testimony and based solely on an accuser's statements—exposes critical flaws in our military justice system. The raw emotion of his 30-month confinement, where he refused to falsely admit guilt even when threatened with solitary confinement, reveals both the personal cost and the remarkable resilience of someone fighting for truth.

What makes this story truly extraordinary is the unprecedented intervention that saved him. A whistleblower's courage combined with a retired admiral's confession of yielding to unlawful command influence ultimately led to Keith's exoneration. Yet even after the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces overturned his conviction and dismissed the case with prejudice in 2018, the Navy has failed to fully honor the court's order to restore his rights and privileges.

Joining Keith are two remarkable witnesses to his ordeal: Jennifer Ballard, former commanding officer of the Naval Consolidated Brig where Keith was confined, and Rodney Johnson, who worked with prisoners during Keith's incarceration. Their perspectives offer a rare inside look at how those within the system recognized the injustice unfolding before them.

This isn't just one man's fight for justice—it's a window into how our military handles due process when political agendas and command pressure collide with constitutional rights. Whether you're active military, a veteran, or a citizen concerned about justice, this conversation challenges us to examine how we protect both victims of sexual assault and the falsely accused while preserving the integrity of the system designed to serve them both.

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Visit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTER
Read my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/
Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.com
Watch episodes of my podcast:
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The aftermath of national tragedy provides a somber backdrop as Navy SEAL veteran Bill Brown joins us to discuss his fight for veteran equality – a battle that extends from courtrooms to state legislatures and strikes at the heart of how America treats those who served.

Bill's journey began at prestigious law firm McCarter & English, where his outspoken conservative views and veteran advocacy allegedly made him a target. While parts of his discrimination lawsuit continue moving forward under federal protections, a New Jersey judge delivered a critical message: comprehensive workplace protection for veterans requires legislative action.

This revelation sparked Bill's current mission – amending New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination to include veterans as a protected class. The irony isn't lost on him: "They have these protected classes... based on haircuts. You won't give men and women who serve this country those same rights?" His frustration deepened when two promising bills stalled despite clearing committee approval.

The contrast is stark. While state laws shield numerous groups from workplace discrimination, veterans – who write "a blank check to put everything on the line" – lack comparable safeguards. This gap proves particularly harmful as veterans already face unique challenges reintegrating into civilian life, from rebuilding professional networks to combating stereotypes about their service.

Our conversation shifts to the New York City Navy SEAL Swim, now in its seventh year, which exemplifies how veterans continue serving long after removing the uniform. The event honors fallen teammates and 9/11 victims while supporting the Navy SEAL Foundation. It brings together diverse communities – SEALs, first responders, survivors, and supporters – in a powerful demonstration of unity.

As we reflect on tragedy and resilience on this September 11th, Bill's advocacy reminds us that supporting veterans means more than symbolic gestures – it requires ensuring they receive the same protections afforded to other Americans. Join us as we explore discrimination law, patriotic service, and one SEAL's refusal to stand down when fighting for his brothers and sisters in arms.

Support the show

Visit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTER
Read my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/
Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.com
Watch episodes of my podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheresaCarpenter76