Midrats

Before everyone dives into a week of family and fasting, time to catch up with Sal and Mark on Midrats.From the retention crisis to some stark comments from senior leaders about the Western Pacific, we’ll cover the waterfront and more.ShowlinksFighter pilot burnoutAdmiral Paparo at BrookingsDereliction of Duty: Johnson, McNamara, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Lies That Led to VietnamSummaryIn this episode, Sal and Mark discuss the complexities of national defense, focusing on the importance of personnel in the military, the challenges of recruitment and retention, and the impact of deployment lengths on service members' lives. They explore the zero-sum nature of military personnel management, the strategic decisions that need to be made regarding deployments, and the role of allies in global military dynamics. The conversation critiques current military strategies and reflects on the future of military engagements, emphasizing the need for a reevaluation of military policy and priorities. In this convers