From Flying F-4s to Fighting DEI: A Veteran's Journey to Restore Military Values

STARRS & Stripes podcast host Al Palmer and guest Ron Olds, two veteran F-4 Phantom pilots during the Vietnam War, discuss how political ideologies infiltrated military academies and threatened the warrior ethos that once defined service to country, and how the STARRS organization is fighting to restore military readiness as the primary focus. Ron Olds is a 1969 graduate of the US Air Force Academy.

• Ron Olds shares his journey from a small farming town to the Air Force Academy and combat missions in Vietnam
• How a Black Lives Matter video at the Air Force Academy sparked concern about Marxist ideology infiltrating military training
• The formation of STARRS organization to combat DEI policies that were replacing combat readiness in military education
• Military readiness suffering with operational rates around 60% and maintenance crews cannibalizing parts from museums
• Recent positive changes with the new Academy superintendent restoring focus on the "warrior ethos"
• The fight against embedded DEI continuing despite progress, with concerns about civilian instructors and K-12 education
• Only 25% of young Americans aged 18-25 currently meeting basic military qualification standards
• The critical importance of commitment and family support in maintaining military strength

00:00:12 Introduction to Stars and Stripes Podcast
00:01:39 Ron's Journey to the Air Force
00:05:29 Combat Experience in Vietnam
00:08:55 Transition to Corporate Career at Michelin
00:15:55 The BLM Video and Academy Concerns
00:21:33 Leadership Failures and Military Readiness
00:33:00 Warrior Ethos Making a Comeback
00:36:04 The Fight Against DEI Continues
00:41:34 Maintenance Issues and Operational Readiness
00:48:33 Commitment and Family in Military Service
00:55:15 Closing Thoughts on Military Training
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For more information about STARRS, go to our website: https://starrs.us which now 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.

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