RealClearPolitics Podcast Veterans Day and the 250th Anniversary of the Marines
Nov 11, 2025
John J. Waters, a Naval Academy graduate and former Marine, shares his insights on Veterans Day and the Marine Corps' upcoming 250th anniversary. He reflects on the experiences of Vietnam veterans and the importance of military memorials. The discussion shifts to Trump's controversial 50-year mortgage proposal and how it could reshape homeownership in America. The panel also delves into the growing influence of Democratic Socialists in local elections, alongside the internal struggles of the Democratic Party regarding leadership and the filibuster.
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Mike Company Reunion Visit
- John Waters recounts visiting General Paul K. Van Riper and reading 500 pages of his oral histories about Mike Company in Vietnam.
- He recorded an eight-hour conversation about their 1968–69 service and the veterans' reunion speech Van Riper planned to give.
Culture Shapes The Marine Corps
- Waters warns the Marine Corps' spirit and culture can't be dictated from Washington; it's shaped by recruits themselves.
- He cautions that organizational changes risk undermining the Corps' warfighting ethos if culture is neglected.
Enforce Combat Standards
- Waters applauds Pete Hegseth's push to restore combat standards and enforcement across the services.
- He urges leaders to enforce non-negotiable, combat-focused standards to rebuild warfighting ethos.
