In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Brainstorms, we’re joined by Major Montgomery J. Granger, U.S. Army Reserve (Ret.), author, educator, and lifelong advocate for America’s veterans. Major Granger brings lived experience from three deployments in the Global War on Terror, including Guantánamo Bay and Iraq, and speaks candidly about the hidden costs of service—on careers, families, health, and identity. From job loss after deployment to delayed VA care, PTSD, sleep apnea, and the long road to healing, this conversation is both unflinching and hopeful. Together, we explore: Why caring for veterans is an obligation of citizenship, not charity The broken transition from deployment to employment The real human cost behind veteran suicide statistics Why journaling, structure, and personalized transition plans matter How emerging AI mental-health tools may help scale support for those who need it most This episode also previews themes from the upcoming book Guarding Our Guardians: Guaranteeing America’s Veterans a Future from Deployment to Employment—a call to action as we approach America’s 250th birthday. If you care about veterans, leadership, moral responsibility, or the future of how we support those who serve, this conversation matters.

Learn sets with Montgomery J. Granger: Author page: http://sbprabooks.com/montgomeryjgranger/ Heroes of Gitmo documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fjq7qOqfsuk Referenced Research & Discussion: Dartmouth AI chatbot trial on depression & anxiety: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fjq7qOqfsuk