Podcast Summary

Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Episode 311: Leo Shane III. The Legendary Military Times Reporter…
Date: December 12, 2024
Guest: Leo Shane III, Military Times Reporter

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the shifting sands of U.S. national security, military and veterans' affairs, and Washington politics as 2024 draws to a close. Host Paul Rieckhoff and veteran military reporter Leo Shane analyze major headlines—from the historic fall of Syrian dictator Assad, new Trump administration nominees (especially the controversial picks for VA and Defense), to polarizing proposals to cut veterans’ benefits. The conversation is set against the backdrop of Army-Navy Week, with personal reflections and tributes to lost veterans, plus deep industry insights on the future of the VA.

Major Discussion Themes

1. Historic Global Shifts

• Assad's Departure from Syria ([00:45])
  • After 13 years of civil war and over half a century of dictatorship, Bashar Assad flees Syria, ending his regime. American troops remain in harm's way as the power vacuum could be exploited by ISIS.
  • “At long last, the Assad regime has fallen... The people of Syria will determine their own fate.” —Paul Rieckhoff [01:45]

2. Veterans' Benefits Under Threat

• Musk and Ramaswamy’s Calls to Cut VA ([02:45])
  • Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy identified $119B in VA healthcare cuts as “savings.”
  • Rieckhoff slams these proposals as “radioactively bad politics—even for Trump.”
  • “If they try to come after veterans’ benefits, they’re gonna be in for a fight like they’ve never seen.” —Paul Rieckhoff [04:25]

3. Partisanship and Increasing Politicization

• Fractured Politics on Security and Public Safety ([07:51], [09:25])
  • Heated exchanges over 9/11 memorialization, the Hunter Biden pardon, and the Daniel Penny subway case illustrate how everything is “politicized”—with both parties out of step with most Americans.

4. Trump’s Nominees for DoD and VA: The ‘Culture War Cabinet’

• Pete Hegseth for SecDef ([26:18]–[38:00])

  • Analysis of Trump’s controversial pick—no Pentagon experience, deeply political, and a known “culture warrior.”
  • Leo Shane: “It is shocking to me to see that he got nominated for Secretary of Defense… Running the Pentagon is like nothing else. To put someone with no background in charge—it’s a real surprise, even for Trump.” [26:45]
  • Hegseth excels at media and confirmation battles but faces serious bipartisan doubts about his capacity to run DoD.
  • Possibility that Republican senators (like Joni Ernst) will bide their time, waiting for confirmation hearings or further scandals.

• Doug Collins for VA Secretary ([42:02]–[44:59])

  • Collins is a former congressman and military chaplain, but unknown to most in the VA space.
  • Concerns about his record: “He’s a strong conservative, voted against LGBTQ and women’s rights, not really known for veterans’ issues—a blank slate, but also very ideological.” —Co-host [43:13]
  • Veterans advocates are waiting to see, but expect him to continue or accelerate privatization.

5. Veterans Affairs at a Crossroads

• Privatization and the ‘Veterans Industrial Complex’ ([44:59]–[49:18])

  • Under Trump, the shift toward privatizing VA medical care accelerated and continues, albeit in more muted form, under Biden.
  • Shane: “A little over 25% of VA care appointments were outside VA pre-Trump; now it’s up to 40%. The Biden administration’s been less aggressive, but hasn’t reversed it.” [47:10]
  • The risk: losing VA’s unique expertise in “wounds of war,” PTSD, and military sexual trauma.
  • “If half of all medical appointments go outside VA, you’re just funneling billions… is that the most efficient way? And you risk dismantling what makes VA unique.” —Leo Shane [48:00]

• Would a Trump Admin Actually Cut Benefits? ([46:03])

  • Shane: “I’ll believe someone cuts the VA budget when I see it. No lawmaker wants to be the one who actually does.”

6. Denis McDonough’s Legacy as VA Secretary ([50:14]–[53:32])

• Shane: “Number one job was: don’t have a national scandal at VA. And he did that. Didn't have sexual harassment, wait-time, or management crises—just ran the ship steady and made VA more efficient and welcoming, especially for toxic exposure and new disability benefits.” [50:29]
• Co-host: “I’ve learned to stop grading VA Secretaries on a scale; it’s pass/fail. He passes because he’s still standing by year four.” [53:07]
• Noted improvements in transparency and proactive outreach to veterans.

7. Legislative Fights and Military Pay ([55:10])

• NDAA includes major pay raises for junior enlisted, but inclusion of transgender exclusion policies forces Dems into a tough spot.
  • “In April, a bunch of young troops see a pay raise; in the campaign, Trump hits Dems for not supporting it—even though it came packaged with poison pills.” —Leo Shane [58:17]

8. Army-Navy Week, Brotherhood, and Sports

• Army football’s resurgence and the power of the Army-Navy rivalry, including discussion on sports, recruiting, and cultural symbolism.
• Tribute to the late veteran Edward Schrank, emphasizing the episode’s grounding in service, legacy, and remembrance ([66:02]–[69:40]).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Politicization:

  • “They say never forget, but ‘never forget’ is long gone. Everything will be politicized in 2025.” —Paul Rieckhoff [07:51]

• Hegseth’s Candidacy:

  • “He may be better suited for the confirmation battle than the job itself… He’s good at the fight. But what policies will he actually push? We have no idea.” —Leo Shane [31:05]

• Veterans’ Benefits Cuts:

  • “Nobody up on Capitol Hill wants to be the one to cut VA benefits. So I’ll believe it when I see it.” —Leo Shane [46:03]

• On Transitions and Privatization:

  • “Are you really just funneling money through VA at that point? That’s where the danger is.” —Leo Shane [48:00]

• On Legionaries Like Edward Schrank:

  • “He faced death over and over again, and showed us all how to live.” —Paul Rieckhoff [67:29]

Key Timestamps

• [01:45] Assad’s fall in Syria and implications for US troops
• [04:25] Musk and Ramaswamy propose massive VA cuts
• [09:25] Politicization of high-profile events (9/11, Hunter Biden, Penny case)
• [26:18] Deep dive: Who is Pete Hegseth and why his SecDef nomination matters
• [31:05] Hegseth as a “fighter” but questionable executive for DoD
• [42:02] Doug Collins: unknown quantity, hard-right ideology, VA implications
• [44:59] Privatization: Veterans groups’ fears and data
• [50:14] Grading McDonough’s run as VA Secretary
• [55:10] NDAA: pay raises and the politics of military legislation
• [61:08] Army-Navy rivalry, recruiting, and sports as national service branding
• [66:02] Remembering Edward Schrank—sacrifice, legacy, and inspiration

Tone and Language

The episode maintains Paul Rieckhoff’s trademark frankness, irreverence, and deep care for veterans’ issues. Leo Shane brings an insider's objectivity laced with subtle wit. The discussion is candid, direct, and skeptical of partisanship—anchored by palpable respect for service, country, and truth-telling in politics and media.

Final Takeaways

• The fall of Assad is historic, but US veterans and service members remain in a dangerous and rapidly evolving environment.
• Both parties are out of touch with many Americans on key issues—especially when it comes to veterans.
• Trump’s controversial nominations signal a sharpened “culture war” focus, with real risks for the politicization of the DoD and VA.
• Veterans’ benefits and the future of VA care are not safe from privatization, though outright benefit cuts remain politically toxic.
• Behind every headline are real people making hard sacrifices—vividly remembered in the episode’s closing tribute.
• As always: Stay vigilant, stay engaged, and support those who serve.

For Further Listening

Check out the extra Patreon segment for deep dives on Army-Navy, sports, and more from Leo Shane.
If you know a struggling veteran, reach out. Call 988 or the Veterans Crisis Line.

“Country over party, people over politics… If you’re in the angry middle, you’re not alone.” —Paul Rieckhoff

Go Army, Beat Navy.
Happy holidays—stay vigilant!