The Proceedings Podcast

Host Emily Abdow and Brian Kerg discuss why General Charles Barrett’s portrait is missing from the wall at the headquarters of the III Marine Expeditionary Force—and the answer may lie in the controversial circumstances surrounding his death.

The Chair and Co-Chair of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission talk with host Bill Hamblet about the commission’s soon-to-be-released annual report and the state of play in the undersea domain, Chinese shipbuilding, and China’s economy.

Host Emily Abdow sits down with Captain Sam Tangredi, U.S. Navy (Retired), to discuss Sir Walter Raleigh’s lost manuscript, The Art of Warre by Sea, including what experiences might have inspired Raleigh to write about sea power.

Martin Kröeger, the President of the German Shipowners Association, talks with host Bill Hamblet about how the Hormuz crisis, dark fleets, and other security concerns are affecting the global shipping industry.

Host Bill Hamblet talks with Naval Postgraduate School Professor Tom Hamrick about his October Proceedings article on ways the military can avoid being lured into complacency by AI.

Host Bill Hamblet talks with Sam LaGrone about the latest news from the fleet.

In 1972, the destroyer USS William R. Rush (DD-714) deployed to the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf at a moment of profound change. Britain was withdrawing from its traditional role in the region, new nations were emerging, the Soviet Union was expanding its naval presence, and political unrest was simmering from Iran to the Horn of Africa. Joseph Melton was a young Navy lieutenant (junior grade) aboard the Rush, serving as the ship’s combat information center and intelligence officer. In this episode, he looks back on a deployment that took the destroyer from Bahrain and Iran to Pakistan, Ethiopia, and the waters off Yemen—and the signs of instability the crew encountered along the way. More than 50 years later, many of those same waterways remain at the center of global competition and conflict. Melton joins the Naval History Podcast to discuss what the Rush witnessed in 1972 and how a seemingly routine Cold War deployment offers a revealing window into the Middle East and Indian Ocean of today.

Host Bill Hamblet talks with John Andreas Olsen, the author of the new book about General Horner and the 1991 air campaign that defeated the Iraqi military.

Host Emily Abdow sits down with Charles Robbins to discuss his article "The Capture of the Paquete Habana," the story of how the U.S. Navy's seizure of Cuban fishing boats in 1898 led to a landmark Supreme Court ruling still cited today.

China will study the U.S. military campaign against Iran intently, but there are also opportunities for the Pentagon.

Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander Keith Blevins, winner of the first and third prizes in our 2026 Coast Guard Essay Contest, talks about Mare Island Shipyard, National Security Cutters, and the Navy’s Future Frigate Program.

On September 11, 2001, as smoke rose from the Pentagon, U.S. Marine Corps Major Daniel P. Creighton and the Marines of HMX-1 were called into action. Twenty-five years later, Creighton, now a retired lieutenant colonel, shares his firsthand account of flying a CH-53E Super Stallion into the Washington airspace with Emily Abdow, host of the Naval History podcast. He also reflects on HMX-1’s extraordinary response that day, including the Marine One mission that returned President George W. Bush safely to the White House. In this special 25th-anniversary conversation, the U.S. Naval Institute remembers those lost on 9/11 and preserves the stories of the Marines who answered the call during one of the darkest days in American history.

Go behind the scenes of Mayday with writer-director-producer duo John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein. They join Naval History podcast host Emily Abdow to discuss the Cold War history behind the film, the inspiration for its story, and how they transformed one of history’s most dangerous eras into a Hollywood adventure comedy. Mayday is now streaming on Apple TV.

Host Bill Hamblet is joined by the Air Boss—Vice Admiral Doug Verissimo, Commander, Naval Air Forces and Commander, Naval Air Forces Pacific. As the U.S. Navy’s top aviator, Verissimo is in charge of keeping the Navy’s carriers and aircraft combat ready. Join us as they discuss maintenance challenges at a time of unprecedented demand. #Tailhook26 #Hook26 #NavalAviation

Host Emily Abdow talks with Will Sofrin about the history of Coast Guard cutter Eagle—from her origins as a Nazi training ship to her second life as America's tall ship, including diplomatic missions, milestone anniversaries, and visits from celebrities.

As the conflict stretches into its sixth month, Vice Admiral John Miller, U.S. Navy (Ret.), joins us to assess reopening the Strait of Hormuz, impacts on global maritime security, and how the conflict should end.

Host Emily Abdow sits down with Capt. Kristopher Ensley, commanding officer of USCGC Eagle (WIX-327), and Cadet First Class Finley Rauscher to explore the Eagle's remarkable history, the timeless value of sail training, and the unforgettable experience of participating in SAIL250 events up and down the East Coast. Discover how a ship built nearly a century ago continues to prepare the Coast Guard's future leaders while serving as one of America's most recognizable maritime ambassadors.

Bill Hamblet, Sam LaGrone, and Brian O’Rourke talk about the Navy’s budget, shipbuilding, Operation Epic Fury, and recruiting and retention.

Host Bill Hamblet interviews John Cordle about the Navy's new shaving policy and its potential impact on sailors affected by pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB). They discuss the medical condition, readiness, retention, leadership, and whether changes to grooming standards could unintentionally affect recruiting, careers, and the fleet's overall effectiveness.

Host Bill Hamblet sits down with Captain Robert Niewoehner, U.S. Navy (Retired), and Jefferson D. Grubb, head of the Operations Research Division at the Naval Safety Command, to examine lessons from recent F-35 mishaps, the evolution of naval aviation safety, and how institutional learning can help build a safer, stronger fleet.