The Beaten Zone

A political cartoon appeared in a VFW publication. A member of Congress publicly condemned it. The VFW removed it.

That may sound like another minor outrage cycle, but the real issue is larger than whether the cartoon was funny, offensive, or politically smart.

It is about institutional power.

In this episode, John Mark Wilson examines what happens when an elected official uses the visibility and authority of his office to pressure a veterans organization over political speech—and what it means when that organization quickly gives way.

The VFW is a private organization. It has every right to make editorial decisions. Members of Congress also have every right to criticize those decisions.

But veterans should still ask where criticism ends and pressure begins.

Would the reaction have been the same if the parties were reversed? Was the VFW protecting its reputation, avoiding a political fight, or surrendering too easily? And was the outrage itself genuine—or a deliberate way to generate attention in a political culture built around anger and clicks?

This is not a defense of the cartoon.

It is a discussion about free expression, political pressure, institutional courage, and whether veterans organizations can remain independent when powerful people turn up the heat.

Because defending speech is easy when we agree with it.

The real test comes when we do not.

Not every creator is a scammer. Not every sponsorship is bad. People should be able to build audiences, recommend products, and make money from their work.

The problem starts when trust becomes part of the sales machinery.

In Episode 2 of The Veteran Scam Playbook, John Mark Wilson looks at influencer grift and the way fear, frustration, patriotism, shared identity, and community can be used to sell products that might not survive normal scrutiny on their own.

For veterans, this matters because trust carries real weight. We listen differently when someone sounds familiar, speaks our language, shares our frustrations, and says they are looking out for people like us.

That does not make veterans gullible.

It makes veterans human.

This episode breaks down how ads stop feeling like ads, how relationships become sales channels, and how legitimate products can still be marketed dishonestly through inflated prices, hidden incentives, buried sponsorships, panic, and borrowed credibility.

It also offers a practical way to evaluate the pitch:

How does the person get paid?

What emotion is doing most of the work?

Would the product still make sense without the flag, the military language, the familiar voice, and the shared identity?

The goal is not to destroy trust.

The goal is to protect it.

Because the scammer has a playbook.

Veterans should too.

Veterans are not gullible.

Veterans are targetable.

In the first episode of The Veteran Scam Playbook, John Mark Wilson looks at the larger system behind scams and predatory marketing aimed at veterans, military families, and retirees.

Veteran identity can be turned into data. Benefits, transition pressure, trust networks, service history, disability claims, GI Bill eligibility, retirement savings, and patriotic interests can all help marketers identify who to target and which emotional buttons to push.

That does not mean every company serving veterans is dishonest. There are good schools, responsible lenders, legitimate investment firms, trustworthy charities, honest creators, and organizations doing real work.

The problem is what happens when veteran identity becomes a shortcut to trust.

This episode examines how scammers and aggressive marketers use data, fear, patriotism, frustration, brotherhood, and earned benefits to shape a pitch. It also offers a simple set of questions veterans can use before buying, donating, investing, enrolling, or handing over personal information.

The goal is not paranoia.

The goal is discernment.

Because the scammer has a playbook.

Veterans should too.

Today we shift gears.  This episode is our first in a series focused on helping service members and Veterans transition to new roles in civilian life.  

Charles Clevenger built a highly successful career as a US Army medic. With multiple tours of combat under his belt,  he retired as a Master Sergeant and had one of the best transitions to civilian life I’ve seen.  Charles offers great advice on reinventing yourself, networking, approaching job interviews, and working through the most fundamental question we al must answer:  What do I want to do?  

What Charles shares with us today is less about navigating transition and more about enacting transformation.  There’s a huge difference and I think you will benefit from the lessons he shares today, whether you are transitioning from the military or a Veteran who wants to try something new.  

Mike Hastings is a retired Infantry Officer and US Army Paratrooper. He served in Sinai, Kosovo, and Iraq. Notably, Mike was the 173rd Airborne Brigade's Plans Officer who played a central role in its jump into Iraq during the 2003 invasion. Mike gives us an insider's perspective into the planning and execution of that operation, a rare look into a misunderstood event of the war. Mike also talks about his transition and life after the Army. A great chat. I hope you enjoy!

We are joined by Benjamin Sledge, author of the book Where Cowards Go to Die. Ben's personal account of combat in Afghanistan and Iraq is as real as it gets. If you think this is a "shoot 'em up bang 'em up" account of combat, you're wrong. It's a deeply personal account of a young leader trying to make sense of everything. Ben also gives readers a raw and uncompromising look at his life after combat. He shoot straight on his struggles with trauma, addiction, and a loss of purpose. But he also talks about his recovery, faith, and renewed purpose in helping others in need.

During today's episode, Ben talks about his experiences in combat, his road to recovery, and gives us some really good things to think about as we reflect on our lives after combat.

As a reminder, if you like today's episode, please subscribe so you don't miss future episodes. It costs nothing and 100% of all monetization goes to Operation Freedom Paws, a nonprofit that connects Veterans and First Responders with service dogs.

Part 2 of my discussion with retired LtCol Asad "Genghis" Khan, USMC. Genghis was one of the first Americans on the ground in Afghanistan after 9/11. He played a pivotal role in setting the theater and played an unknown but important role in shaping the early days of the campaign. He also reflects on the fall of Kabul and how it inspired him to enter the public space to call for reforms and accountability within the United States military. We cover a ton of ground but he had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish with his candor. A reminder to subscribe, like/dislike, or comment to support the channel. 100 percent of any monetization from this project goes to Operation Freedom Paws, a nonprofit that provides service dogs to Veterans and First Responders living with invisible wounds of service.

We are honored to host LtCol (Ret) Asad Khan, USMC, to The Beaten Zone. "Genghis" commanded 1st Battalion 6th Marines and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit's Battalion Landing Team (BLT) in Afghanistan in 2004. His YouTube Channel, Sentinel, is a powerful platform for thoughtful debate on the profession of arms and I fully endorse his work.

Genghis is a warrior and a Marine's Marine. He talks about his life as an immigrant, career, and combat experience in Afghanistan. Some call him a "throwback" but Genghis argues that his approach to leadership, warfighting, and training are what the Marine Corps should embrace as the standard for all officers today.

Genghis doesn't hold back during this discussion. He believes accountability, particularly for officers, is necessary to win wars. He also talks about how the impact of investigations launched by his chain of command into his command climate destroyed the careers of good officers and undermined the trust of the Marines they led. He also talks about how poor leadership and changes in USMC culture drove him to retirement.

You can say whatever you want about this charismatic and opinionated Marine. But what can't be denied is his genuine love for the Marine Corps, the United States, and those he led. It is wrong-headed to discount Genghis as a bitter man. Bitter men complain and wallow in resentment. Genghis is trying to lead reforms and that is the difference.

A reminder to please subscribe, like, dislike, or comment on this episode. Doing so generate support for Operation Freedom Paws. 100 percent of all monetization goes to this fantastic organization who connects service dogs to Veterans and First Responders suffering from invisible wounds.

As part of our ongoing series focusing on Blackhawk Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment's deployment to Northern Iraq 2003-2004, we welcome Joe Troutman. Joe was a Platoon Sergeant who led his troops through some sharp combat actions. Joe is more than a Veteran. He is also the author of "Gods of War", a detailed account of the Company's deployment. Joe covers a lot of ground in this chat and we were ho …

For episode 3 we welcome Matt Lillibridge who talked about his extensive time in Iraq advising the Iraq Civil Defense Corps and Iraqi Ground Forces in Mosul and Baghdad respectively. Matt spent a lot of time on the ground with our ISF partners and shares a load of nuanced insights about them and and the challenges of building a capable force while engaged in combat. Matt also talks about life after the military and the importance of Veterans facing challenges together.