In this episode of STARRS & Stripes, host Commander Al Palmer, USN ret, talks with the Chairman of the STARRS Board of Advisors, Colonel Bill Connor, USA ret, whose family members have served in the Army for five generations.
They discussed a wide range of topics regarding military recruiting, retention, and readiness and how these rise or fall with trust in leadership and a real commitment to merit based standards.
- Vietnam era perspective on warrior skill and professionalism
- Military families as a stable recruiting base
- Military discipline and long term service produces steadier citizens and stronger communities
- Recruiting collapse under the Biden administration
- Extremism stand down fallout under former SecDef Austin and how it hit morale
- Meritocracy versus DEI in promotions and jobs
- Combat arms realities and physical standards
- Shrinking eligibility rates among 18 to 24 year olds
- Obesity, mental health, and the case for stronger school PE
- Lowered entry standards creating nondeployable troops
- Military spouse burdens
- Lost club traditions, camaraderie, and coping after trauma
- Training realism, lawful orders, and hesitation in combat
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Colonel Bill Connor, USA Army (Ret.) was commissioned as an Infantry officer after Graduation from The Citadel in 1990. After Infantry Officer Basic Course and Ranger School, Bill was assigned as Platoon Leader in 2-7 Infantry, and later as Executive officer of two companies. Bill deployed on multiple operations to the Middle East. He served as commander in the 4th Ranger Training Battalion at Ft. Benning and was later selected as the Aide-de-Camp to the Infantry Commandant and commander of Ft. Benning. Later he transitioned from Regular Army to the Reserve Component to attend law school at University of South Carolina, and was mobilized for 15 months to Afghanistan as an Infantry combat adviser to Afghan National Security Forces. Bill was Distinguished Graduate of the US Army War College and retired in 2020 with over 30 years of service. He is the author of countless articles in sources including Infantry Magazine and Army Magazine and National and International publications. He is currently an national security contributor to Newsmax speaking on military issues and owner/founder of National Defense Consultants. In 2021 the Governor of South Carolina awarded Bill the state’s highest award, The Order of the Palmetto. Bill owns and operates a law firm and helps veterans with various military related legal issues. He is a member of the Board of Visitors of The Citadel.
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