What does it take to win the next war before it's ever fought? This week, Garrett Smith, Dave Caudle, and Simon Coon sit down with Aaron Flint—Army combat veteran, longtime radio host, and candidate for Congress—for a wide-ranging conversation on defense technology, military leadership, and the future of American deterrence. Drawing on his experience serving in Ramadi during the height of the Iraq War and later supporting special operations missions, Aaron reflects on how technology has transformed the battlefield—from sensitive site exploitation to AI-powered tools that put capabilities once carried in backpacks into the hands of individual operators. The crew also explores the accelerating race for AI, quantum computing, autonomy, and defense innovation, why America's greatest military advantage remains its empowered junior leaders and NCOs, and how veteran-led startups are reshaping the national security ecosystem. Along the way, they unpack defense venture capital trends, the changing relationship between startups and traditional defense primes, and why technological superiority remains the foundation of peace through strength. Whether you're building defense technology, serving in uniform, or following the future of American national security, this episode explores the people, technology and ideas shaping tomorrow's battlefield. In this episode Aaron Flint's journey from Capitol Hill staffer to Army infantry officer after 9/11Combat lessons from Ramadi and the evolution of sensitive site exploitation (SSE)Why AI, quantum computing and autonomy represent the next strategic competitionHow companies like Reveal are shrinking battlefield capabilities from backpacks to handheld devicesWhy empowered NCOs remain America's greatest military advantagePeace through strength—and why better technology helps prevent wars before they beginDefense bureaucracy, acquisition reform and empowering operators instead of organizationsVeteran entrepreneurship and the growing defense innovation ecosystemDefense venture capital, autonomous systems and the rise of next-generation prime contractorsBoeing, Archer Aviation and what the future relationship between startups and traditional defense companies could look likeFeatured Guest Aaron Flint Army Combat VeteranFormer Special Operations OfficerRadio HostCandidate for U.S. Congress (Montana)Former U.S. Senate Staffer@AaronFlintMT Chapters 00:00 Cold open: military culture, tattoos & life after 9/11 05:20 Aaron Flint's military background and service in Iraq 12:05 AI, quantum computing and the next space race 18:10 Why America's NCO corps remains a decisive advantage 24:15 Peace through strength and preventing future wars 31:00 Government bureaucracy, empowering operators and getting out of the way 36:40 Defense venture capital, autonomy and the future of military technology 47:40 Congress, veteran leadership and solving national security challenges 54:50 Closing thoughts & Fiddlehead shirt defense Connect with Goat Rodeo If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone interested in national security, defense technology, or the future of warfare. Our Podcast National security, defense tech, and geopolitics; serious topics, but that doesn't mean we have to be boring about it. The Goat Rodeo Podcast brings you three military veterans turned defense insiders, breaking down the biggest stories shaping the future of warfare. Expect sharp insights, unfiltered debates, and the occasional defense industry hot take, because let's be honest, this space can be a total goat rodeo. Listen on other platforms: https://linktr.ee/GoatRodeoPodcast
