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.

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For more information about STARRS, go to our website: 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.

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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.

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For more information about STARRS, go to our website: 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.

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"The truth is not for sale, and my integrity is never will be." These powerful words from Dr. Rick Adante capture the essence of this eye-opening conversation about the covert continuation of DEI and Critical Race Theory in American universities despite official bans.

As a former tenured neuroscience professor with 25 years in academia, Dr. Adante reveals shocking undercover footage of university presidents explicitly plotting to circumvent federal and state mandates prohibiting DEI programs. His evidence shows administrators brazenly discussing how they'll "change words but not actions" while laughing about continuing to teach courses like "DEI 101" without consequences. When Dr. Adante exposed these deceptions, he was fired and offered nearly $100,000 in hush money—which he refused.

What makes this particularly alarming is the military connection. With college degrees required for officer advancement and millions flowing from the GI Bill and ROTC programs, these universities function as a Trojan horse that indoctrinates future military leaders against the very country they're sworn to defend. The Florida Tech president specifically mentioned focusing on U.S. Space Force funds while continuing prohibited DEI initiatives, directly linking these practices to national security concerns.

The conversation extends beyond exposing the problem to offering solutions. STARS General Counsel Mike Rose details ongoing efforts to help service members whose careers were destroyed through DEI-driven disciplinary actions, while Dr. Adante challenges the fundamental premise of DEI ideology with a powerful alternative: "Diversity is not our strength. Our strength is what unites us."

Join this crucial conversation about protecting our military readiness and national identity from ideological subversion. If you care about the future of American education and military excellence, this is essential listening that connects dots between academic deception and our nation's security.

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For more information about STARRS, go to our website: 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.

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Support the Mission: Make a tax-deductible donation to STARRS.

STARRS Town Hall meeting unveils the dangerous reality behind DEI ideology as resource extraction through "virtuous victimhood" that divides society into oppressors and victims based solely on race.

• Dr. Stanley Ridgley explains how DEI bureaucracies in universities operate as indoctrination mechanisms using cultic teaching methods
• DEI bureaucrats employ psychological techniques to induce guilt and compliance, particularly targeting white students
• The ideology stems from Paulo Freire's educational theory, which Dr. Ridgley reveals was heavily influenced by Maoist principles
• Maurice Washington shares his direct conversation with BLM leaders who admitted to being "trained Marxists" focused on capturing school boards
• DEI administrators at major universities earn $400,000-$500,000 annually from tuition dollars and taxpayer funds
• Parents describe heartbreaking family divisions caused by college indoctrination, with students returning home accusing parents of racism
• The "white supremacy culture list" labels traits like individualism, perfectionism and empiricism as manifestations of white supremacy
• Despite executive orders to remove DEI from military institutions, implementation remains inconsistent with many cosmetic rather than substantive changes
• Current efforts focus on codifying anti-DEI measures through public law and strengthening constitutional education

Join STARRS in our mission to protect American institutions from ideological capture through education, advocacy, and support of merit-based systems that unite rather than divide. Visit STARRS.US to learn more and become part of the solution.

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For more information about STARRS, go to our website: 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 for our weekly newsletter on this issue.

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Alexander Markovsky, a Soviet immigrant who grew up as the son of a high-ranking Communist Party member, brings his rare and valuable perspective to this episode of STARRS & Stripes podcast hosted by retired Navy Commander Al Palmer. Markovsky offers listeners an insider's view of Marxist ideology and its modern manifestation in American institutions.

Drawing from his degrees in economics and political science from the University of Marxism and Leninism, Markovsky unpacks the fundamental nature of socialism as an "artificial social order" that requires enforcement to exist—making it inherently incompatible with freedom. His most startling revelation comes when he explains that "true economic equality can exist only in poverty," highlighting why every socialist experiment throughout history has resulted in oppression rather than liberation.

What makes Markovsky's warning particularly compelling is his analysis of how modern American socialism has evolved from traditional Marxist-Leninist approaches. He identifies a more subtle, "benevolent" form that doesn't require violent revolution but instead focuses on controlling three vital sectors—healthcare, finance, and energy—allowing for the gradual imposition of socialist policies without triggering immediate resistance. This strategy explains many current government policies that increase oversight in these critical areas.

The conversation takes a sobering turn when Markovsky draws direct parallels between Lenin's strategies and contemporary American policies, particularly regarding currency debasement and using the judicial system as a tool against political opponents. "What the Soviet Union could not achieve through its formidable military and nuclear capabilities is now being realized by duly elected American presidents and legislature," he observes with evident concern.

Listen now to understand how ideologies like Critical Race Theory and DEI policies potentially undermine American institutions, and discover why Markovsky believes the only antidote is a renewed focus on freedom, productivity, and the individual pursuit of prosperity. This episode presents a crucial warning from someone who has witnessed firsthand the destructive power of Marxist ideology.

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For more information about STARRS, go to our website: 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.

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STARRS held its quarterly Town Hall meeting on 9 April 2025 with special guest speakers Sam Shoemate, a retired Army intelligence analyst, and Chase Spears, a retired Army Public Affairs Officer.

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A chilling revelation unfolds as military whistleblowers expose the coordinated resistance against presidential executive orders to dismantle DEI programs within the Department of Defense. Former Army intelligence officer Sam Shumate and former Army public affairs officer Dr. Chase Spears share firsthand accounts of "malicious compliance" and deliberate subversion from within military ranks.

We discover how senior officers openly mock the chain of command while carefully constructed networks of resistance operate through the Judge Advocate General Corps and public affairs channels to undermine reform efforts. The discussion reveals troubling patterns: affinity groups functioning as resistance cells, strategic leaking to embarrass the administration, and an ideological capture so deep that DEI functions "almost as a religion" for adherents within military leadership.

Matt Lohmeier, STARRS Executive Vice President and nominee for Undersecretary of the Air Force, offers a sobering perspective on the challenges facing political appointees attempting to implement change against entrenched bureaucratic resistance. His candid reflections highlight the tremendous pressure to conform rather than speak truthfully about military challenges.

The town hall culminates with STARRS leadership outlining their adjusted mission: monitoring executive order implementation, advancing national defense reform, supporting service members harmed by vaccine mandates, and continuing vital education efforts. The message is clear—while policy changes represent progress, the deeper cultural battle for America's military institutions demands sustained vigilance and commitment.

This episode serves as both warning and call to action for all who believe our armed forces should remain focused on warfighting excellence rather than ideological experimentation. Join us in this crucial fight for the soul of our military and the security of our nation.

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For more information about STARRS, go to our website: 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 for our weekly newsletter on this issue.

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Support the Mission: Make a tax-deductible donation to STARRS.

In this episode of STARRS & Stripes, host CDR Al Palmer, USN ret, interviews retired Brigadier General Christopher Petty who draws from his distinguished 31-year Army career as a West Point graduate, combat helicopter pilot, and battalion commander in Iraq to discuss how CRT/DEI ideology has affected military readiness and what must be done to restore a warfighting focus.

Among the topics he discusses:

• West Point graduate who chose aviation after seeing helicopter pilots during Ranger School
• Discusses how DEI policies introduced under Obama's 2011 Executive Order have undermined military unit cohesion
• Explains how prioritizing demographic quotas has resulted in lowered standards and damaged the meritocracy
• Identifies China's superior industrial production capacity as America's greatest strategic vulnerability
• Argues that senior military leadership failed to show moral courage in pushing back against harmful ideological policies
• Believes the military must return to valuing warfighters who can win conflicts
• Created Battle Digest to help today's military leaders learn from historical battles

Gen. Petty is the author of "12 Battles Every American Should Know" and the creator of Battle Digest (battledigest.com) —described as "Reader's Digest for Warfare"—to explore military history in an accessible format designed for today's officers and military enthusiasts.

Subscribe to STARRS & Stripes for more critical conversations about America's military readiness and the challenges facing our armed forces in an increasingly complex global landscape.

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For more information about STARRS, go to our website: https://starrs.us which monitors the elimination of the CRT/DEI/Woke agenda in the Department of Defense and promotes the return to a warfighter ethos of meritocracy, lethality, readiness, accountability and excellence in the military.

Join our Mailing List for our weekly newsletter on this issue.

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Support the Mission: Make a tax-deductible donation to STARRS.

America faces a maritime crisis that few citizens recognize but that threatens our national security at its core. In this eye-opening conversation, Captain Brent Ramsey, a 40-year Navy veteran and defense writer, provides urgent insights into America's diminishing naval capabilities against China's rapidly expanding fleet and strategic ambitions.

• America's status as a maritime nation with 90% of global commerce traveling by sea
• US Navy has shrunk from 600+ ships during the Reagan era to just 295 ships today China's naval force now numbers 400 combat vessels plus 180 armed Coast Guard ships
• America's shipbuilding capacity is 1/20th of China's current production capability
• Chinese technology theft costs the US approximately $600 billion annually
• US Navy recruitment shortfalls and inability to meet readiness goals
• China's stated intentions to seize Taiwan by 2027 and achieve global dominance by 2049
• Current naval funding represents just 0.5% of the federal budget
• Critical shortage of skilled tradespeople needed for shipbuilding
• Importance of revitalizing America's naval industrial base and defense capabilities

BIO: Captain Brent Ramsey (U.S. Navy, Ret.) served 30 years in the Navy and 23 years in Navy Civil Service. His assignments included Commanding Officer, Cargo Handling Battalion TWELVE, Executive Director, Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, and Mississippi Navy Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer. He served as Senior Advisor, Center for International Maritime Security, and was Member and Secretary of the non-partisan Military Advisory Group for Congressman Mark Meadows (NC-11) for four years. He currently serves in the same capacity for Congressman Chuck Edwards. He is a Vice President with Calvert Task Group (CalvertTaskGroup.org) and on the Board of Advisors for STARRS (STARRS.US) and the Center for Military Readiness. CAPT Ramsey studied at Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, and is a graduate of the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Executive Management Program, the Reserve Components National Security Course, and the FEMA Emergency Preparedness Management Officers Course. He has written extensively on national defense matters since 2017.

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For more information about STARRS, go to our website: 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 for our weekly newsletter on this issue.

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Support the Mission: Make a tax-deductible donation to STARRS.