Truth in the Barrel – Veterans’ Affairs with Dr. Kyleanne Hunter | Devil’s Cut

Host: Amy McGrath
Guest: Dr. Kyleanne “Kai” Hunter, CEO, Iraq Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), former US Marine Corps Cobra pilot
Date: September 16, 2025

Episode Overview

This week, Amy McGrath sits down with Dr. Kai Hunter for a candid, in-depth conversation about veteran affairs in America today — with a particular focus on federal policy shifts affecting veterans’ health care, education, and transition to civilian life. Drawing from both their experience as Marine aviators, McGrath and Hunter explore what it means to serve, the challenges veteran women face, and how current political decisions are impacting those who served post-9/11. The episode also takes a hard look at the present and future of the VA, GI Bill, and the outsized role of advocacy organizations like IAVA.

Guest Background: Dr. Kyleanne Hunter’s Journey

[02:54 - 07:16]

• Joining the Marine Corps: Hunter was motivated by the desire for an adventurous, service-oriented career with purpose beyond personal gain.
  • “I wanted something that wasn’t just about me...I was doing good and I was a part of something bigger than myself.” (Dr. Hunter, 03:25)
• Becoming a Pilot: Initially drawn to aviation by a recruiter’s pitch, she quickly realized flying was the most direct way for women to serve “on the tip of the spear” in the Marine Corps at the time.
  • “If I’m going to be a Marine, I should go be a Marine, right? Do the most tip of the spear thing that is possible for me to do.” (Dr. Hunter, 06:36)
• Experiencing Combat: Insights included the value of task-based cohesion and the power of diversity in mission-oriented groups.
  • “If you want to get a group of diverse people working together, give them something hard to do.” (Dr. Hunter, 07:42)
  • The simplicity and unity of purpose in combat were formative, leading to conviction that veterans can tackle difficult civilian challenges, too.

Women in Combat & Military Policy

[06:03 – 22:46]

• Women’s Integration: Both hosts describe how, at their time, aviation was the only “combat” field open to women—a circumstance that shaped their careers.
• Combat Credibility: Respect for women in the Marines increased with demonstrated competence; integrated training and shared hardship were key.
  • “I was one of these few Marines...that was integrated in my training...my belief is that that was always a better way because when somebody is next to you and does the 20 mile hike with you...they see it.” (Amy McGrath, 20:32)
• Myth-Busting with Data: Hunter underscores the gap between emotional, anecdotal opposition to women in the military and the actual outcomes shown by research.
  • “The data show the opposite story...integrated units actually are better at solving complex problems.” (Dr. Hunter, 18:16)
  • Integrated units also show lower rates of harassment: “When you’re working shoulder to shoulder with someone...it becomes a lot harder to actually dehumanize them.” (Dr. Hunter, 19:50)

Why Dr. Hunter Pursued a PhD

[13:33 – 17:14]

• Policy Lessons from the Hill: Hunter’s time as a legislative fellow revealed a critical lack of research-driven policy regarding military personnel.
• Research to Advocacy: She pursued a doctorate to connect personnel data to operational decisions, ensuring voices from underrepresented cohorts would be backed by evidence.
  • “If this research doesn’t exist, I want to go figure out how to do it...data and evidence and research is essential to give voice and support to our most vulnerable in policy debates.” (Dr. Hunter, 14:16)

State of Veterans' Benefits under Current Administration

[22:46 – 50:22]

1. The VA and Veteran Healthcare

[22:46 – 34:37]

• The “Handshake Deal”: McGrath frames veterans’ benefits as a fundamental three-part agreement: healthcare, GI Bill (education), and the VA loan (housing).
  • “I don’t believe those benefits are...super incredible...I think they’re good, but this is kind of the handshake deal.” (Amy McGrath, 25:32)
• VA Healthcare Superiority: Hunter asserts VA care consistently produces better health outcomes due to cultural competence, integrated patient care, and specialized support for diverse veterans.
  • “VA care...does result in much better physical health outcomes for veterans than civilian healthcare does.” (Dr. Hunter, 26:34)
• Current Threats:
  • Systematic cutting of women’s healthcare and reproductive access, including bans on abortions—even post-rape.
    • “We have a real desire for the VA to step in in the post-Dobbs environment...over 70% of our members...said no, we need to ensure that women have access to the full suite of reproductive health care.” (Dr. Hunter, 30:33)
  • Layoffs and hiring freezes at VA centers (including critical support staff) threaten access and quality of care, especially mental health.
  • Opaqueness in decision-making and eroding trust—veterans are already reporting longer delays and missed appointments.
  • “The janitorial staff at hospitals are essential...if you don’t have a fully clean and sanitary and safe medical environment, you can’t practice medicine.” (Dr. Hunter, 33:54)

2. GI Bill & Education Benefits

[34:37 – 40:24]

• Processing Delays: Massive lag in tuition and housing payments, sometimes up to six months, threaten veterans’ ability to remain enrolled.
  • “Veterans are receiving bills for tens of thousands of dollars that they weren’t expecting...your options are: pay and hope...take out loans...or drop out of school.” (Dr. Hunter, 36:13)
• Predatory For-Profit Schools: The rollback of regulations is making it easier for such schools to again tap into GI benefits, harming veterans’ long-term prospects.

3. Veterans’ Confidence and Fear of Retaliation

[40:24 – 43:19]

• Increasing numbers of veterans reluctant to speak out against the system for fear of losing their benefits or facing government retaliation.
  • “He asked that his name not be disclosed for fear of reprisal from federal authorities ... veterans don’t want to say anything bad because they’re afraid that their benefits are going to be ripped away.” (Amy McGrath, 41:24)
  • Hunter remembers an era when veterans could publicly criticize poor VA performance: “If you Google VA 2014...everyone had their name behind it. Nobody said, I’m afraid of what is going to happen to me...” (Dr. Hunter, 42:18)

The Role of Unions in Veterans’ Lives

[43:28 – 46:29]

• Federal and VA unions have played a crucial role in:
  • Preserving quality VA jobs and, by extension, quality care for veterans.
  • Creating clear pipelines from military technical skills (e.g., electrician, CDL) to certification and good civilian jobs.
  • Gutting unions makes it more expensive, harder, and less appealing for veterans to transition to civilian trade professions.
    • “If the ability to get into a ... good job is being undermined, why would you do this to begin with?” (Dr. Hunter, 46:21)

Spotlight: IAVA’s Work and How to Help

[46:29 – 50:22]

• Mission: IAVA is a strictly advocacy-focused organization, working to protect the “deal” made with post-9/11 veterans and amplify their policy needs in Washington.
  • Research-driven advocacy, addressing issues of benefit clawbacks, women’s health, and protection of Afghan/Iraqi allies.
  • Open to both veterans and non-veterans for membership and advocacy training.
• Get Involved: Visit IAVA.org, sign up as a member (free), participate in advocacy, events, and community action.
  • “We need allies, right? We need civilian allies to care about our topics and our issues because they’re the majority, right?” (Dr. Hunter, 46:42)
  • “If we say we care about veterans, we should be listening in and listening to their needs and...holding our leaders accountable...” (Amy McGrath, 50:22)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On Women’s Service:
  • “If I’m going to be a Marine, I should go be a Marine, right? Do the most tip of the spear thing that is possible for me to do.” (Dr. Hunter, 06:36)
• On Task-Based Cohesion:
  • “If you want to get a group of diverse people working together, give them something hard to do.” (Dr. Hunter, 07:42)
• On Policy Change:
  • “Emotion doesn’t actually write good policy or good implementation plans...If this research doesn’t exist, I want to go figure out how to do it.” (Dr. Hunter, 14:16)
• On VA Healthcare:
  • “VA care...does result in much better physical health outcomes for veterans than civilian healthcare does.” (Dr. Hunter, 26:34)
• On GI Bill Delays:
  • “Your options are: pay and hope...take out loans...or drop out of school.” (Dr. Hunter, 36:13)
• On the Stakes for Veterans:
  • “It’s making a lot of us very anxious...He asked that his name not be disclosed for fear of reprisal from federal authorities.” (LA Times, quoted by Amy McGrath, 41:24)
• On Advocacy:
  • “We need civilian allies to care about our topics and our issues because they’re the majority.” (Dr. Hunter, 46:42)
  • “If we say we care about veterans, we should be ... holding our leaders accountable ... to protect veterans and make sure that they get what I feel is sort of the modest benefits that our country owes them.” (Amy McGrath, 50:22)

Key Takeaways

• Federal policies are directly threatening the adequacy of the “veterans’ handshake deal.”
• Women and younger veterans face unique healthcare and transition risks.
• Veteran voices are being muted by fear, highlighting the increased necessity of advocacy orgs like IAVA.
• Community and civilian support are critical for defending veterans’ interests.

For more: Visit iava.org to join, learn, or advocate.