S.O.S. (Stories of Service) - Ordinary people who do extraordinary work

A Broken System: One Officer’s Fight for Accountability in the Armed Forces | S.O.S. #200

Theresa Carpenter

Send us a text

***Apologies for the sound. Thankfully, it's fixed after a few minutes in.***

Imagine dedicating 30 years to the Air Force, retiring with honors, and returning to serve again—only to be abruptly terminated without explanation. Publicly shamed, later vindicated, and still left in limbo more than a year later. This is the reality for today’s guest: Doug “Cinco” DeMaio.

Doug’s story is not just about personal resilience—it’s a stark indictment of a broken administrative system within the U.S. military. In this powerful episode, he shares his experience, exposes systemic failures, and explains why transparency and accountability are crucial for restoring trust in our armed forces.

What You’ll Hear:
 • The events leading to Doug’s sudden dismissal
 • His experience navigating the military’s opaque administrative system
 • The emotional and professional toll of being silenced and sidelined
 • Why systemic reform is urgently needed
 • How Doug continues to advocate for integrity and innovation in defense

About the Guest:
Douglas D. DeMaio is CEO of All Domain Solutions LLC, consulting with the DoD, industry leaders, and academia on integrating AI into military operations. A retired Air Force and Alabama Air National Guard officer, Doug commanded at multiple levels, flew over 3,200 hours (including 500+ in combat), and helped shape strategy on space warfare, AI, and multi-domain operations. He holds advanced degrees from the Eisenhower School and SAMS and has authored influential work on defense innovation and strategy.

🎧 Listen or watch for a behind-the-scenes look at military leadership, justice, and one officer’s relentless pursuit of the truth. This will be my second in person podcast at our new home! It warms my heart a few take the time and can come see us! 

🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5449868908953600

Visit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTER
Read my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/
Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.com
Watch episodes of my podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheresaCarpenter76