Cleared Hot: Full Auto Friday — 12/19/2025

Host: Andy Stumpf
Date: December 19, 2025

Episode Overview

In this Full Auto Friday installment, Andy Stumpf fields listener questions touching on heavy themes—coping with hate and burnout in law enforcement, intra-special forces rivalry, longstanding military trauma, and reconciling the “why” of service after 20 years of war. Andy brings his direct, unfiltered style to each question, blending empathy with realism and drawing from his extensive background in the military and law enforcement communities. The show is a mix of grounded advice, personal anecdotes, and memorable analogies, tackling topics that resonate deeply with veterans, first responders, and those wrestling with the purpose and aftermath of service.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Law Enforcement Burnout & “Hating Criminals”

Listener’s Dilemma:
A police officer with a solid career and home life confesses to harboring a deep, growing hatred for repeat offenders and “degenerates,” wondering if viewing criminals as subhuman is dangerous or motivating.

• Andy’s response:
  • Confirms this is a widespread yet rarely voiced feeling among U.S. law enforcement due to the repetitive exposure to recidivism and a broken justice system.
  • Identifies the “revolving door” phenomenon and lack of impact even when resources are available.
  • Emphasizes the risk of letting hatred take root, using the “teabag” analogy:

    “Imagine that you are a teabag… The longer you steep in that environment, the darker you become… How could it not change your perspective?” (44:25)

  • Draws parallels to the military, explaining why demonizing the enemy wasn’t necessary or helpful in his experience:

    “I didn’t hate my enemy… I respect the fact that anybody is willing to go to that point and fight for what they believe in. Hate doesn’t help any aspect of that.” (38:40)

  • Warns of losing one’s humanity:

    “You are not Batman… It is your job to do your job. Don’t lose your humanity, because your fiancé and your future family are going to need that.” (50:00)

  • Encourages seeking guidance—either from professionals or experienced peers—rather than self-diagnosing:

    “Let somebody who specializes in these things be the deciding factor… bet you if you talk to someone who’s been on the job longer, they have strategies to help.” (53:10)

  • Note that law enforcement alone can’t solve structural issues like lenient bail and justice reform:

    “That problem is not going to be solved by law enforcement… it’s going to be solved by citizens who have finally had enough and vote people out or do something meaningful.” (55:00)

2. Military “Shit Talking” between Special Operations Forces

Listener’s Question:
Why is the rivalry/disparagement between SEALs, Delta, Rangers, SAS, etc. so personal and public? Is any of it legitimate, or is it just bravado?

• Andy’s response:
  • Asserts most of what’s seen online is amplified by social media algorithms—engagement determines exposure.

    “If you engage with it… you’re going to see more of it… All these platforms are designed to keep you online, monetize your attention.” (63:00)

  • Argues that most differences between units are marginal—the vast majority of the mission “Venn diagrams” overlap.

    “Are we going to have the CQB Olympics? Most jobs have a vast overlap… so if you think you’re the best, awesome, go be the best. I don’t give a shit.” (68:40)

  • Accountability vs. drama:
    • It’s valuable to hold veterans accountable for exaggeration or stolen valor, but petty sniping “degrades trust and the institution.”

    “Does it help when it degrades to just talking smack about your brothers and sisters in arms? No, it erodes trust and integrity.” (74:00)

  • Final word:

    “Humans are humans, specifically dudes who are kind of idiots… But in general, don’t point fingers, take ownership. If consequences come from your choices, own them.” (77:25)

3. Delayed Trauma, Addiction, and Seeking Help

Listener’s Story:
A Navy vet from the late ‘70s–’80s wrestled with the murder and suicide of shipmates—processing trauma through years of addiction. After decades sober, terminal illness and the fentanyl death of his son reawaken old wounds. He wonders if seeking VA mental health help is “impostor syndrome.”

• Andy’s insights:
  • Trauma is not linear; unprocessed pain resurfaces in new crises.

    “If you don’t deal with your stuff, your stuff will deal with you… this highlights that something that happened 30 years ago can come back up in the worst moments.” (82:40)

  • Everyone’s “cup” for trauma is a different size:

    “Some people’s cup is overfilled by a murder or suicide, others only halfway; every person processes trauma differently.” (84:50)

  • Impostor syndrome is for actual impostors—don’t self-dismiss:

    “Don’t be the judge yourself. Go to somebody who specializes in these things and let them make the determination for you.” (90:40)

  • VA services are deserved and valid, regardless of time elapsed; seeking help is not exploiting the system.
  • Encourages honestly facing pain—bottling it up only ensures it will hit hardest in vulnerable times.

    “These things really hurt and drag you to the bottom of the pool when you’re on the way down. That’s where you can lean on others—professionals, friends, family. Don’t be quiet.” (92:30)

4. “Why Did We Go?” — The Veteran’s Search for Meaning After Endless War

Listener’s Struggle:
A veteran of the Iraq invasion is now a successful civilian, but finds himself speechless when his son asks, “Why did you go to war?” The patriotism of his youth feels lost; the cost and dubious results of two decades at war cast doubt on whether it “meant anything.”

• Andy’s candor:
  • “Blind patriot” is dangerous and easily manipulated; the loss of that naivety is actually a sign of growth.

    “I’m glad the blinders came off… Blinded by your beliefs, you can be told things you can’t see for yourself.” (96:35)

  • The imperfection of America is not new:

    “Please point to me at a day in our history where there were no arguments, no contention, no disparity. We were never perfect to begin with.” (98:43)

  • Decisions at the strategic level are far beyond individual soldiers:

    “I was never involved in strategic planning… At that level it was about doing my job for the people to my left and right. That’s what it was for.” (104:21)

  • Execution of the wars, especially Iraq and Afghanistan, was a “galactic failure” at senior levels—blame should not be pushed to those who served with integrity.
  • When feeling the weight of futility, remember even small impacts—“helping good Iraqis, giving Afghan girls schooling”—matter.

    “But I don’t spend time telling myself my own personal actions weren’t worth it… For a generation, we changed trajectories… that has impact.” (107:54)

  • Concludes with the lighthouse analogy:

    “If the US is a lighthouse, remember, every lighthouse also throws a shadow. Acknowledge the shadow, do your best to keep building a better version.” (101:45)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Law Enforcement Burnout:

  “You’re not Batman. It’s your job to do your job… But protect your humanity, because your fiancé and future family need that too.” (50:00)

• On Intra-Military Rivalry:

  “There is no Olympic gold every four years in special operations, so it’s all just hypothesis and conjecture… easiest way to end the argument is just agree with whoever. Who cares?” (69:19)

• On Trauma and Seeking Help:

  “If you don’t deal with your stuff, your stuff will eventually come back and deal with you… usually at the worst time.” (82:40)

• On the Purpose of Service:

  “The blind patriot has long since died… and that’s a good thing. Because blind people can be manipulated.” (96:35)
  “I cared most about making sure I didn’t make a mistake for the people to my left and right… that’s what it was all for, in the end.” (104:21)

• Philosophical Closer:

  “If the US is a lighthouse… remember, every lighthouse casts a shadow. It’s okay to acknowledge that shadow—do everything you can to make it smaller.” (101:45)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [07:20] — Main questions begin (after story and setup)
• [08:00] — Law enforcement question: hate and burnout
• [38:40] — Andy addresses demonizing the enemy and hate in military context
• [44:25] — “Teabag” analogy for immersion in negativity
• [50:00] — Protecting humanity in service jobs
• [63:00] — Military shit-talking and special operations rivalry
• [74:00] — Holding frauds accountable vs. stirring drama
• [82:40] — Trauma returns, seeking mental health help
• [96:35] — “Blind patriot” analysis—growing past naive patriotism
• [101:45] — The “lighthouse and shadow” analogy
• [104:21] — For whom/what was the service?
• [107:54] — Meaningful small impacts of deployments

Tone & Language

Throughout, Andy maintains his “no bullshit,” candid tone—empathetic but unsparing, using humor and vivid metaphors (“teabag in darkening water,” “CQB Olympics,” “lighthouse and shadow,” “kick in the ball sack”) to keep heavy conversations relatable. He’s unafraid to challenge listeners but always stresses self-care, humility, and perspective.

For Listeners: Key Takeaways

• Many struggles—hate, trauma, doubts about the purpose of service—are shared, common, and survivable.
• It’s not weak or wrong to seek help, guidance, and mentorship—from peers or professionals.
• Hatred and burnout dehumanize the one who harbors them, not just the target.
• In service, the “why” is rarely answered by grand strategy; it’s in the day-to-day loyalty and contribution to the people around you.
• Acknowledge imperfection, whether in yourself, your profession, or your country, and focus on being part of the incremental solution.

(Ads, sponsor messages, and show intro/outro were omitted from this summary.)