Hey, Scuttlebutt listeners. Thank you for tuning in. If you’re like me, the news cycle churns at a dizzying pace, and events come and go off the radar like submarines in The Hunt for Red October. To that, the situation in Venezuela is still very fluid and fraught with hazards. Carrier groups remain in the Caribbean, and there are clearly forces still operating in the Pacific near Central and South America. To help us digest all that has transpired in Venezuela and understand the implications, Ben Connable was kind enough to come down and help us conclude our discussion of Operation Absolute Resolve, the military operation in Venezuela to capture President Nicolás Maduro. Ben was recently on in Episode 219 to talk us through the cautionary tale of military intervention in Venezuela, so it only made sense to have him come and give us his thoughts on the raid and to speculate what’s next. We also talk through how operational and tactical success doesn’t guarantee strategic victory, and what a foreign policy that embraces spheres of influence means to the global community. We made this caveat during our conversation, but it is important to continue to emphasize that none of us are experts on Venezuela, and so we discuss our ideas and theories based on the open-source, unclassified information available at the time, which oftentimes leads to speculation.
By the second Friday in January the jokes start flying. Quitter’s Day. The gym is quieter. The planners are already half ignored. The big New Year energy has faded and people start asking themselves if the goals they set were realistic at all.
As a Marine Corps spouse I see this moment a little differently.
We live in a culture that prizes endurance. We move when told. We adapt constantly. We hold things together through deployments, PCS seasons, unpredictable schedules, and long stretches of carrying more than our fair share. Quitting is not something we are encouraged to talk about. We are taught to push through. Make it work. Figure it out.
And often that mindset serves us well.
But sometimes it does not.
Quitting is not the same as giving up
There is a difference between quitting because something is uncomfortable and quitting because something is no longer right.
Military spouse life is full of hard things that are worth sticking with. Building community again after a move. Finding purpose when your career has been interrupted. Showing up when it would be easier to retreat inward. Those challenges shape us.
But there are also things we hold onto simply because we always have. A role that drains us. A volunteer commitment that no longer fits our season. An expectation we never agreed to but somehow inherited. Staying in those spaces out of guilt or habit is not resilience. It is exhaustion.
Knowing when to let go is not weakness. It is judgment.
Why I recommend Quit
This is why I often recommend Quit by Annie Duke. The book helped me put language around something many spouses quietly wrestle with. Persistence is not automatically virtuous. Quitting is not automatically failure. What matters is whether continuing still aligns with your values, your capacity, and your long term goals.
A few ideas from Quit that especially resonate in the spouse space
• Past effort does not obligate future sacrifice • Identity can trap us into roles that no longer fit • Staying busy is not the same as staying purposeful • Quitting well creates space for better yeses
This is not about opting out of service. It is about choosing where your service actually matters.
Questions worth asking this January
If Quitter’s Day hits a nerve this year, pause before you judge yourself. Ask a few honest questions instead
• Am I doing this because it still serves my family or because I would feel guilty stopping • Does this role reflect who I am now or who I was five duty stations ago • If a newer spouse came to me with this situation, what advice would I give her • What could I say yes to if I let this go
Those answers usually tell the truth faster than motivation speeches ever will.
A different kind of reset
January does not need to be about grinding harder or proving toughness. Military spouses already know how to endure. What we sometimes need is permission to be strategic.
Sometimes the right answer is recommitment. Sometimes it is adjustment. And sometimes it is a clear, calm decision to quit something with no bitterness and no apology.
Quitter’s Day does not have to be a joke. It can be a checkpoint.
Letting go of the wrong thing can feel scary. Letting go of the right thing can feel like relief.
That is not failure. That is leadership.
Marta Sullivan is a veteran and spouse of an active-duty Marine. She is passionate about programs and initiatives that support and promote the well-being, quality of life, professional development, and economic opportunity of military spouses, veterans, and their families. She currently serves as Vice President, Marine and Spouse Programs at the Marine Corps Association.
In Episode 2 of Season 5 of Behind the Camouflage, the team—alongside our first guest host, Hope Fiorvanti—sit down withSuzanne Dana, Marine Corps spouse and author, to discuss her book, The General’s Wife.
The conversation centers on Suzanne’s journey as an author and how her experiences as both a General’s daughter and a General’s wife shaped who she is, her perspective, and the stories she tells in her writing. Give a listen!
Hey, Scuttlebutt listeners. Thank you for tuning in and your continued support. This week, we continue our discussion of Operation Absolute Resolve, the military operation in Venezuela to capture President Nicolás Maduro, with the editor-in-chief of the Gazette and Leatherneck Magazine, Col Chris Woodbridge. Whereas last week we dove into the implications of Absolute Resolve for Taiwan and great-power competition in the first island chain, this week we zero in on, what we know, of the Venezuelan military operation. Col Woodbridge discusses the history of Marine Corps operations in Latin and South America, what it means for a military operation to be legal, what may lay ahead for US-Venezuelan relations, and finally what the implications operations like this and those in Iran and Nigeria have on the Marine Corps’ Force Design. We made this caveat during our conversation, but it is important to continue to emphasize that at the time of this recording, the situation was still very fluid, and so we discuss our ideas and theories based on the open-source, unclassified information available at the time.
Season 5 of Behind the Camouflage is kicking things off with an episode all about positivity — and why it often gets a bad rap. In this conversation, we sit down with Leigh Conant, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), couples therapist, and military spouse, to explore how being “too positive” is frequently misunderstood and why that perception can be harmful.
Leigh defines toxic positivity, discusses how positivity impacts mental health, and shares how to build a healthier, more sustainable mindset. The key takeaway is her practical framework — Recognize, Reframe, and Resource — a system that helps people acknowledge emotions honestly, shift perspective when appropriate, and identify the support they need to move forward.
This episode sets the tone for Season 5 with an honest, grounding conversation about resilience, emotional awareness, and using positivity as a tool — not a weapon. Give a listen!
You can connect with Leigh through her website at leighconant.com
Hey, Scuttlebutt listeners. Welcome to 2026 and thank you for listening and your continued support. We hope you all had fun holidays and a safe New Year’s Eve celebration. This week, we kick off 2026 with another Strait Talk with Dr. Michael Hunzeker. Earlier this week, the US executed Operation Absolute Resolve, the military operation in Venezuela to capture President Nicolás Maduro. Mike is here to talk to us about the implications this operation has on cross-Strait relations. Being that China just finished its military demonstration/exercise in the Taiwan Strait, named Justice Mission 2025, at the end of last month, what does the unilateral US action in South America signal to our allies and adversaries? Mike also discusses his efforts in establishing the Taiwan Security Monitor, a student-driven initiative using a range of satellite imagery, mapping, and data visualization tools. He has also recently published the book, America’s Taiwan Dilemma: Allies’ Reactions and the Stakes for US Reputation, which offers a rigorous open-source analysis of how America’s key allies—Japan, South Korea, and Australia—would respond to US intervention or inaction in a Taiwan conflict. It goes without saying that he has been a busy guy so we’re really happy that he was able to make some time for us to talk about the ripple effects of recent events.
QUANTICO, Va. — The Marine Corps Association (MCA) held its sixth annual national meeting on Dec. 4, 2025, at Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Va.
The featured speaker for the event was Marine Corps Lieutenant General James Adams, Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources. During his remarks, LtGen Adams touched on the vital role that the MCA plays to keep Marines educated and ready to fight tomorrow’s battles.
“While much remains rooted in tradition, the Corps is moving forward with urgency, adapting, modernizing and preparing for the challenges ahead, and the Marine Corps Association remains central to that effort,” LtGen Adams said. “Your role as a convenient hub for ideas, innovation and professional growth is more important now than ever before.”
Founded more than 100 years ago by General John A. Lejeune, the MCA is dedicated to professional development, recognition of excellence and building awareness of the rich traditions, history and esprit of the United States Marine Corps. During the event, which featured lunch and an awards ceremony, MCA president and CEO, Lieutenant General Charles G. Chiarotti, USMC, took the time to thank the donors for their contributions to MCA.
“You are not simply contributors to an organization, you are investing in Marines, families and the professional future of our Corps,” Chiarotti said. “Your generosity fuels our publications, our PME programs, our spouses initiatives, battlefield studies and awards.”
The MCA also recognized several individuals that made a difference in the Marine Corps community in 2025. Six spouses—Dr. Soyini “Soy” Garvey, Kandi Hart, Jennifer Hall, Berlinda Castillo, Lindsay Swoboda and Vincent Toth—were honored for their behind-the-scenes work at installations across the nation and Japan. Winners of the Marine Corps Commandant’s Rapid Response Essay Contest on the MEU of 2035 were also recognized.
Retired Marine colonel Joe “Pappy” Papay took first place with his essay “The Floating Forward Operating Base MEU.” Second and third-place awards went to Major Patrick Healy andLance Corporal Caroline Perkins, respectively. Authors Gunnery Sergeant Jeremy Kofsky, USMC (Ret), and Lieutenant Colonel Greg Thiele, USMC (Ret), were also celebrated for the contributions to the MCA’s monthly publication Marine Corps Gazette.
Awards for spouses were divided into two categories: Changemaker of the Year, honoring those who drive innovative, tangible change; and Community Catalyst of the Year, recognizing leaders who build connections across the Corps. The awards were given to a recipient in each region—the eastern United States, the western United States and the Pacific—and were selected by a prestigious committee of Marine Corps spouses and senior leaders.
Garvey took home the Changemaker of the Year award for the eastern U.S. for her work on Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, Ga. As chairperson for the Month of the Military Child “Purple Up” Spirit Week at Lake Park Elementary School, she developed a now annual event celebrating the resilience of military kids while educating teachers, parents and students about the unique challenges of military life.
Garvey also chaired the inaugural Dubber’s Oak Leadership Seminar, the first two-day leadership event of its kind in the region, empowering Marine Corps spouses through education and mentorship. Her behind-the-scenes research and advocacy even informed official recommendations to Headquarters Marine Corps regarding dependent dental care in the area.
Kandi Hart of Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., won the award for the western United States. As the Military Spouses Association (MSA) president at Twentynine Palms. Hart revitalized scholarship and grant programs, organizing monthly fundraisers that both connected the local community and raised thousands of dollars for military families.
2025 MCA Spouse & Community Award Winners
Hall of Okinawa, Japan, was the Pacific recipient. As a founding member of the Okinawa Food Pantry, Hall helped transform a grassroots idea into a sustainable network supporting hundreds of military and local families each year on Marine Corps Base Camp Butler.
Her work led to the creation of a hybrid distribution model serving northern bases and the establishment of a second pantry location at Camp Kinser—expanding access and efficiency.
The Community Catalyst of the Year award honors those who bring people together—inspiring collaboration and growth. Castillo of Camp Lejeune, N.C., took home the award for the eastern United States. As president of the Camp Lejeune Leadership Seminar (CLLS), Castillo has elevated one of the Marine Corps’ most respected spouse leadership programs. The three-day seminar empowers spouses with tools for confidence and connection. Beyond CLLS, Castillo has volunteered extensively in Family Readiness programs, organizing inclusive events that reflect the diversity of Marine Corps families.
Swoboda of Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, was named the recipient for the western United States. A writer, mentor and podcast host, she founded “The Choosing Brave Podcast” and “The Uplift” newsletter, platforms that bring authentic stories of resilience to military spouses around the world. Swoboda’s workshops and collaborations—from the InDependent Wellness Summit to programs with the Rick Herrema Foundation—use storytelling as a form of connection and healing.
Toth of Okinawa, Japan, was recognized in the Pacific region. As president of the North Island Okinawa Spouses’ Club (NIOSC), he transformed the organization into the island’s first all-inclusive club—welcoming spouses of all ranks, branches and backgrounds.
Under Toth’s leadership, NIOSC launched new engagement platforms, sub-clubs and outreach events that foster genuine connection and break down traditional barriers. He also helped bring TEDx to Okinawa, providing a stage for spouses and servicemembers to share their stories of service, resilience and identity.
Hey, Scuttlebutt listeners. Thank you for joining us. We hope you are having a wonderful holiday season and pray that you will be safe as we enter into the new year. This week, we welcome the founder and executive director of History Flight and honorary Marine, Mark Noah, to the show. This is our last episode of 2025, and we are ending the year on a high note with Mark Noah. Mark talks to us about how he came to start History Flight, its mission’s impact not only on the force but on American society, and his feelings on becoming an honorary Marine.
Also, we at the MCA know how stressful and challenging the holiday season can be. Mental health challenges and suicide continue to take far too many of our active-duty service members and veterans. We want you to know that you are not alone. If you need help, please ask for it. And if you think of someone you haven’t heard from in a while, please reach out to them. You cannot dismiss the power of contacting someone, even in a text, asking how they are doing. Do your comm checks, and if you need help, please reach out. We all want to see you in 2026 and beyond.
Hey, Scuttlebutt listeners. Thank you for joining us and your continued support. This week, we welcome Michael Jerome Plunkett to the show. Michael is a former machinegunner, EMT, co-founder and executive director of the Literature of War Foundation (with friend of the show, LtCol Tom Schuemann) and host of The LitWar Podcast. He was also a Virginia Center for the Creative Arts Fellow in 2021, was a scholar in the 2024 Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program at the George W. Bush Presidential Center and was a 2025 resident in the Edith Wharton Writing Residency. He also led the PB Abbate Book Club for veterans. And if that wasn’t enough, he is the author of the amazing book, Zone Rouge, which was published in September of this year and has received high praise for his beautiful prose. Michael talks to us about his journey from a teenager in New York during 9/11, to stepping on the yellow footprints, to becoming an author. This was such a fun conversation and we totally nerd out on the beauty of good writing and the value veterans bring to the art. We have to get him back on, but we hope you enjoy this episode as much as we do.
In our Season 4 finale of Behind the Camouflage, we sit down with 1stSgt Stacie Black, USMC (Ret) to explore her extraordinary journey through service, leadership, and life in the Marine Corps community. Stacie reflects on her own time in uniform, her transition into becoming a Marine Corps spouse, and the unique perspective gained as the wife of the 19th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Troy Black.
She shares how she and Troy met, what those early years of marriage and military life looked like, and the lessons that shaped her as both a First Sergeant and a leader within the spouse community. Stacie also talks about balancing service, family, and entrepreneurship — and what her business has taught her along the way.
We close with reflections on the moments that defined her resilience, her advice for today’s military spouses, and what’s bringing her joy now.
A powerful, heartfelt finale celebrating purpose, identity, and the strength found behind the camouflage. Give a listen!
Hey, Scuttlebutt listeners. Thank you for hanging out with us. We’re excited to have Gunnar Spafford from Toys for Tots back on the show this week. Gunnar first came on the show with John Haehn this spring during Modern Day Marine, and it was great that we had a chance to catch up with him. As we jump into the holiday season with both feet, it’s really easy for our focus to turn inward and, whether intentionally or unintentionally, ignore the struggles of those to the left and right of us. Toys for Tots is the balm for our holiday season tunnel vision. One of Toys for Tots’ slogans is, “It’s more than just a toy,” and having personal experience supporting Toys for Tots, I can say that is totally true. Gunnar talks to us about the ways that a toy is so much more than just a toy, Toys for Tots year-round and disaster-relief initiatives, and ways for both individuals and corporations to give. I can’t emphasize enough what an amazing charity organization Toys for Tots is and I’m happy that Gunnar was able to carve out some time during this busy season to come hang out with us to get the word out about Toys for Tots.
Also, we at the MCA know how stressful and challenging the holiday season can be. Mental health challenges and suicide continue to take far too many of our active-duty service members and veterans. We want you to know that you are not alone. If you need help, please ask for it. And if you think of someone you haven’t heard from in a while, please reach out to them. You cannot dismiss the power of contacting someone, even in a text, asking how they are doing. Do your comm checks, and if you need help, please reach out. We all want to see you in 2026 and beyond.
