From Combat to Policy: How Garrett Exner and VOD Are Changing the Game

This episode takes listeners on a deep, immersive journey into the evolving world of veteran leadership, where firsthand combat experience meets high-level national policy. Garrett Exner’s story serves as the backbone of this conversation—a Marine with nearly fourteen years in special operations who carried the lessons of Iraq, North Africa, East Africa, and the South Pacific into the strategic heart of Washington, D.C. His transition from operational missions to shaping U.S. defense policy shows how battlefield realism, tactical understanding, and an intimate knowledge of modern conflict can strengthen legislation, national security decisions, and America’s posture in an era defined by gray-zone threats. We explore how Exner’s time as a counterterrorism advisor in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and later as the military legislative assistant to Senator Ted Cruz placed him at the crossroads of real-world military needs and the political machinery responsible for funding, equipping, and preparing the nation’s armed forces. His insights reveal what’s often missing in policy debates: the grounded perspective of someone who has shouldered responsibility in the field. Now, through his work at the Hudson Institute and as Executive Director of the Public Interest Fellowship, Exner is helping mentor the next generation of public leaders, ensuring that America’s future policymakers understand both the burden of command and the realities of global competition. Alongside Exner’s personal impact, this episode highlights the rise of Veterans On Duty (VOD)—a national advocacy organization dedicated to keeping veteran voices front and center in the country’s defense and readiness conversations. As a 501(c)(4), VOD brings together veterans who believe that service to the nation extends beyond the battlefield. They mobilize grassroots efforts, engage in defense-focused advocacy, and push for policies that strengthen America’s military, protect national interests, and keep the country prepared for emerging threats. Their message is clear: the insights of veterans are indispensable to shaping a strong, capable, and modern defense strategy. Together, Garrett Exner and Veterans On Duty represent a growing movement—one where those who’ve served are stepping into leadership roles beyond the uniform, influencing institutions, mentoring rising leaders, and ensuring national defense remains grounded in experience rather than abstraction. This episode uncovers how combat-tested insight, principled leadership, and veteran-driven advocacy are actively changing the game for America’s security, its policies, and the future of those who serve.