In this episode of Micro Journeys, host Daniel Marrujo sits down with Major General Arnold Punaro to explore his extraordinary career spanning the U.S. Marine Corps, Capitol Hill, and the private sector. From his service as a young platoon commander in Vietnam to leading reform efforts in Washington, Punaro shares candid stories of leadership, sacrifice, and national security.
He opens up about lessons from combat, his time as staff director of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and his role in shaping defense policy during pivotal moments in U.S. history. The conversation also dives into his post-military career, including running his own firm, writing multiple books, and advancing defense industrial base reform to strengthen U.S. military readiness.
Ultimately, Punaro lays out a roadmap for sustaining America’s deterrence capabilities—emphasizing people, training, and technology—and why defense reform and innovation are essential to keeping the U.S. ahead of its adversaries.