What happens when a system designed to protect our warriors becomes their greatest threat? In this powerful conversation, retired Air Force Colonel Doug James exposes the devastating impact of false allegations in military justice—a crisis he knows firsthand.
As the former President of Save Our Heroes, Colonel James witnessed hundreds of cases where innocent service members faced career destruction from unsubstantiated claims. The patterns were disturbingly consistent: allegations emerging during contentious divorces, after relationship breakups, or when service members sought career advantages. Even more alarming was how the military justice system seemed designed to prevent fair outcomes.
"These general officers are more scared of Congress than they are the bad guys," James reveals, explaining how political pressure created a climate where securing convictions became more important than finding truth. He points to the case of Lieutenant General Susan Helms, whose distinguished career ended after she determined there was insufficient evidence in a sexual assault case—a decision that cost her a fourth star and sent shockwaves through military leadership.
The structural problems are profound. Military courts require only a 75% majority to convict, defense counsel are typically inexperienced compared to prosecution teams, and cases drag on for years before collapsing over basic evidentiary issues. Even after exoneration, many service members face the permanent stigma of "titling," affecting everything from employment opportunities to basic rights.
Colonel James doesn't just identify problems—he offers solutions. Requiring unanimous verdicts, properly resourcing defense counsel, and creating conviction integrity units would restore balance to a system currently failing those it should protect. Until then, his advice to accused service members is clear: "Get a civilian attorney and fight like hell."
This isn't just about individual injustice—it's a national security threat. Talented warriors are being lost to service, others avoid command positions entirely, and the system that should uphold our highest values is undermining trust in the very institutions responsible for our defense. Listen now to understand why military justice reform must become a priority for anyone who values both justice and military readiness.

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