Retired Major General Matt Smith joins Scott to unpack why veteran transition isn’t just a “feel-good” topic—it’s a long-term national security issue tied directly to readiness and recruiting. They discuss Emory University Goizueta Business School’s Master of Business for Veterans (MBV) Program, the importance of community during transition, and how veterans can translate military leadership into the “language of business.” This is a tactical conversation for leaders leaving uniform—and for employers who want to actually harness veteran talent.

Key Takeaways

Why how we treat the GWOT generation directly impacts future recruiting and readiness.

What the MBV is (and isn’t): “half an MBA,” built to give senior leaders the core business foundation.

The underrated value of grad school for vets: time, perspective, and exposure to “what’s possible.”

Why in-person cohort/community can be a force multiplier during the 1–2 year transition window.

How veterans should think about GI Bill ROI (and why everyone wants your benefits dollars).

The veteran “secret sauce” businesses miss: disciplined initiative + relentless after-action review mindset.

Why the chain of command often gives well-intentioned but wrong transition advice—and how to recalibrate.

“A PhD in the human condition”: the leadership dataset vets carry into any organization.

Quotes

“Transition is a process, not an event… it takes about two years.”

“Graduate business education exposes you to what’s in the realm of possible—and what you don’t want to do.”

“If you’re spending other people’s money, they won’t give it to you unless you know how to run a business.”

“Veterans bring disciplined initiative—the secret sauce of the American military.”

“You have a PhD in the human condition.”

Chapters

00:00 Why veteran transition is a national security issue

03:16 MG Matt Smith’s background + what the MBV is

06:58 Classroom dynamics: experience, discipline, and veteran accountability

13:12 2001 vs now: how academia’s view of veterans has changed

15:43 The “three buckets” of MBA value (skills, translation, time) + what’s missing

19:52 Timing grad school with retirement + the power of an in-person support system

24:28 “It’s okay not to know”—transition goals and changing plans

29:41 GI Bill ROI, reality checks, and why location/industry matters

31:03 “Business as a language course” + the PMP as translation

34:13 Doing anything you want (and failing fast) after service

39:49 “PhD in the human condition” and why vets don’t see their own value

44:15 Advice to employers: how to actually utilize veteran talent

47:14 MG Smith’s personal transition at the one-year mark

49:29 What Emory could do next + why society needs vets at places like Emory

54:22 Closing thoughts: GWOT ended quietly; transition didn’t—plus gratitude to Vietnam vets

🎙️ Episode Description

In this episode of At the Water’s Edge, Scott Kelly is joined by former Air Force pilots, Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) veterans, and military scholars to take on one of the most contentious debates in U.S. defense policy: should the A-10 Warthog be retired?

Drawing on combat experience from Iraq and Afghanistan, Pentagon planning, and military history from World War II to Ukraine, the panel makes a clear case that retiring the A-10 isn’t about obsolescence—it’s about priorities. They break down what close air support (CAS) actually requires, why multi-role fighters like the F-35 cannot replace a dedicated CAS platform, and what is lost when institutional knowledge and CAS culture disappear.

This is a ground-truth conversation about war as it is actually fought—low, slow, close, and unforgiving—and why the A-10 still matters in an era of great-power competition.

Steve Call — Former B-52 pilot, Pentagon strategist, military historian, author of Danger Close

Nathan Bachand — Former TACP, Air National Guard, PhD historian, founder of the TACP Foundation

Conan Higgins — Former TACP with 25 years of service, former law enforcement officer, PhD in international law, author on crisis leadership

What the A-10 was actually designed to do—and why that mission still exists

The difference between dedicated CAS and “CAS as a checkbox”

Why speed, stealth, and altitude don’t replace loiter time, visibility, and survivability

The limits of the F-16 and F-35 in real close-air-support scenarios

CAS as an offensive enabler, not just a defensive backstop

Lessons from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Taiwan war games

Why drones and light attack aircraft are not true A-10 replacements

Institutional incentives, budget priorities, and the Air Force–Army divide

What ground troops lose when CAS culture disappears

Close Air Support is not obsolete—it has been deprioritized

No existing aircraft replaces the A-10’s combination of survivability, loiter time, and firepower

CAS requires people, culture, and repetition, not just sensors and software

Future wars will still put soldiers in the mud—and they will still need air support they can trust

“You can atomize terrain from the air forever—but if you want to keep it, you put young men in the mud.”

“The sound of the A-10 gun is the hand of God saying: don’t worry, I’ve got you.”

“If the F-35 had outperformed the A-10, you’d already know about it.”

CAS — Close Air Support

TACP — Tactical Air Control Party

JTAC — Joint Terminal Attack Controller

FACA — Forward Air Controller (Airborne)

In this episode, Scott and LTG (ret.) Walt Piatt discuss the critical issue of supporting veterans as they transition from military to civilian life. They explore the role of the Wounded Warrior Project in providing essential services, the challenges veterans face in reintegration, and the importance of finding purpose after service. The conversation also delves into the complexities of navigating the VA system, the future of veteran support, and the pressing need for mental health resources. Walt emphasizes the importance of community support and the need for veterans to connect with one another to overcome their struggles.

Takeaways

Veterans face significant challenges when transitioning to civilian life.

The Wounded Warrior Project plays a vital role in supporting veterans.

Finding purpose is crucial for veterans after service.

The VA system can be complex and difficult to navigate.

Community support is essential for veterans' mental health.

Veterans should not feel alone in their struggles.

There is a need for better mental health resources for veterans.

The stigma around seeking help is decreasing.

Veterans are valuable members of society and should be supported.

Trustworthy organizations are essential for helping veterans.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Connections

03:13 Wounded Warrior Project: Mission and Impact

04:11 Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life

07:15 Challenges Veterans Face in Reintegration

10:03 Finding Purpose After Service

13:17 Navigating the VA System

16:14 Bureaucratic Challenges and Solutions

23:12 The Importance of Supporting Veterans

25:18 Transitioning from War: The Future of Veteran Support

27:56 The Ongoing Battle: Mental Health and Suicide Among Veterans

33:23 Finding Purpose: The Path to Healing

36:39 Addressing Mental Health: The Need for Immediate Support

46:31 Navigating the Veteran Service Organization Ecosystem

53:08 A Message to Veterans: You're Not Alone

takeaways

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Trade Negotiation

02:26 Negotiation Tactics and Challenges

07:25 Political Dynamics in Trade Negotiations

14:05 Evolution of U.S. Trade Policy

19:52 Economic Security vs. National Security

28:41 The Role of Allies in Trade

33:38 Lessons from NAFTA and Future Trade Agreements

38:08 Advice for U.S. Trade Policy

Chapters

00:00 A Dog's Emergency and a Viral Moment

13:53 Media Attention and Career Opportunities

16:34 Preparing for the Tonight Show

19:43 The Journey to New York City

22:26 Unexpected Media Engagements

24:48 The Impact of Viral Fame

25:11 Preparing for the Tonight Show

27:59 Navigating the Green Room Experience

30:54 The Anticipation of Going Live

33:52 Going Off Script on National Television

36:55 Meeting the Jonas Brothers

40:05 Transitioning to Fox and Friends

43:01 The Aftermath of Fame

46:28 Returning to Reality

The conversation with Logan Harris, CEO of Spotter Global delves discusses how radar combined with other sensors are critical to detecting threats in real time and enable decision makers to counter the threat of drone. The risks of drone used by nefarious actors is matched by the risk of inadvertent civilian use and Logan shares his recommendations for policy makers to protect our critical infrastructure.

takeaways

00:00 Introduction to Douglas Holtz-Eakin

04:49 Government Shutdown Dynamics

07:57 Impact of Shutdown on Fiscal Health

12:49 The Deficit Dilemma

17:44 Entitlement Programs and Structural Deficits

22:46 Potential Solutions for Social Security

26:47 The Role of AI and Sovereign Wealth Funds

30:57 Tariffs and Global Supply Chain Fragility

32:15 Supply Chain Resilience Post-Pandemic

34:02 Government's Role in Supply Shortages

35:30 Long-Term Thinking in American Politics

36:51 Congressional Accountability and Military Actions

38:25 Influence of Special Interests in Politics

38:49 Understanding the Congressional Budget Office

41:54 The Future of the Dollar and Global Trade

44:40 The Federal Reserve's Independence and Its Importance

48:58 Comparing Monetary Policies: U.S. vs. Other Countries

53:54 National Security and Fiscal Policy

57:43 Bipartisan Solutions for Economic Reform

07:58 European Perspectives on China

11:04 Understanding the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

14:03 China's Long-Term Goals with the SCO

16:56 China's Vision for Global Governance

20:15 The Significance of the Recent SCO Summit

23:12 China-India Relations and Their Implications

25:57 The Future of the SCO and Regional Dynamics

30:23 China's Growing Influence in Asia

36:10 Contrasting Development Models: China vs. the West

41:03 The SEO and Alternative Financial Systems

46:58 Turkey's Role in the SEO and Its Complex Relations

54:19 Navigating US-China Relations: Strategies and Outcomes

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 Scott and Jake Dyal, CEO of Certus Core, discuss the intersection of AI, data integration, and national security. They explore the challenges faced by government agencies in managing and utilizing data, particularly in the context of drone and sensor data. Jake shares insights from his experience transitioning from government service to the private sector, highlighting the bureaucratic hurdles and the need for innovative solutions in government contracting. The conversation also touches on the importance of small bets in defense innovation and the evolving role of the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU).

takeaways

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Certus Core and Its Mission

03:08
The Challenge of Data Integration in National Security

05:59
Philosophical Foundations of Data Communication

09:05
Transitioning from Government to Private Sector

11:56
Navigating Bureaucracy in Government Contracting

15:03
The Role of Innovation in Defense

17:48
Barriers to Effective Government Acquisition

20:58
The Future of Defense Technology and Partnerships

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In this episode of 'At the Water's Edge,' host Scott interviews Alex Tarascio, a pollster from Cygnal, a private GOP polling firm known for its accuracy. They discuss the intricacies of polling, the differences between private and public polling, and the impact of partisanship on polling results. Alex shares insights on current voter sentiment, the role of corporate clients, and the challenges of polling on national security and foreign policy issues. The conversation also touches on the disconnect between military perspectives and public opinion, the future of national security issues in polling, and the importance of political accountability in democracy promotion. As they look ahead to the midterms, they explore key trends and issues that may influence voter behavior.

Contact the Show: [email protected]

Cygnal Polling: https://www.cygn.al/

Magpie Spice Co: https://www.instagram.com/magpiespice/

takeaways

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Polling and Alex Tarascio

04:45
The Evolution of Polling Post-2016

07:47
The Impact of Partisanship on Polling

10:41
Confidentiality and Trust in Polling

13:39
Public vs. Private Polling Approaches

16:35
National Voter Trends and Current Polling Insights

19:33
Sampling and Its Importance in Polling

22:37
Corporate Clients and Political Affiliations

25:39
Trump's Favorability and Public Perception

28:36
Tariffs and Public Opinion

30:35
Understanding Partisan Dynamics in Polling

32:42
The Impact of Tariffs on Public Opinion

34:47
National Security and Foreign Policy in Polling

38:07
Public Sentiment on Foreign Policy Issues

41:02
The Shift in American Foreign Policy Perspectives

44:01
The Role of Political Diversity in Democracy Promotion

49:20
Challenges in U.S. Foreign Assistance Programs

53:12
Polling Insights for Upcoming Elections

01:01:29
Engaging with Signal's Work and Personal Projects

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