About the documentary

The True Cost of Defense

America's defense budget exceeds $800 billion, but the real cost goes deeper. The True Cost of Defense follows quadruple-amputee veteran Travis Mills, military recruiters, families on overseas bases, and communities shaped by global military commitments. It reveals defense's most profound price: the human one—lives forever changed by service and America's role in world affairs. The documentary is produced by Free To Choose Media.

About the panelists

Jack Segal, U.S. Consul General ret.

Jack Segal is a retired senior U.S. diplomat who served his country at the White House and in challenging overseas posts including Russia, Israel/Palestine, and Afghanistan. Of his many accomplishments, he takes particular pride in being the primary author of the U.S.-USSR Agreement on Nuclear Risk Reduction, and on his work as a negotiator of the START nuclear arms control Treaty. With his wife Karen, they opened the first western diplomatic mission to the 40 million people of Central Russia following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

As a young man, Jack was commissioned through Infantry OCS and was awarded the Bronze Star for service in Vietnam with the 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division during the Tet Offensive, and at the 25th Infantry Division Headquarters. His military experience was life altering, both in terms of combat experience and in deciding to pursue an alternative intellectual path. He has been a voice of calm reason through his 35 years as a diplomat, in part because he witnessed the ravages of war.

Since Jack retired to Traverse City, he has become a popular teacher and speaker, addressing complicated subjects with perspective and humor. He has helped us better understand the human cost of war and to honor those who serve us in the military and in our diplomatic corps.

MajGen Mike Lehnert, USMC ret.

Major General Mike Lehnert is the co-chair of the International Affairs Forum Advisory Board. He retired from the Marine Corps after 37 years of service in 2010. During that time he held thirteen separate commands and participated in military operations in Panama, Kuwait and Iraq where he led 5,000 Marines and sailors during the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003. He ran the Cuban and Haitian migrant camps during Operation Sea Signal in Guantanamo and returned there in 2002 as the Joint Task Force Commander responsible for securing the detainees transferred from the Afghan conflict. In 2010 he was honored with the Peacemaker award by the National Conflict Resolution Center for his work defending human rights at the Guantanamo Detention Facility where his experience was documented in Karen Greenberg’s book, The Least Worst Place. He holds a Masters degree in International Relations from the University of Maryland earned while he attended the Naval War College.

Colonel Steve Briggs, US Army ret.

Colonel (Retired.) Steve Briggs, is the son of Major General Charles F. Briggs and Doris M. Briggs. Steve Briggs was commissioned as a second lieutenant through ROTC in 1980 upon graduation from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He served 30 years as an Army Aviation Officer and senior Operations and Plans Officer in the United States Army, and 9 years as a civilian analyst for the United States European Command in Germany before retiring from government service in the autumn of 2019. In his last tour of military service he served as a Professor for International Security Studies and as the Director of Operations, Plans, and Assessments at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies. Colonel Briggs deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom from Germany where he was responsible for operational surge planning, the development of the Comprehensive Integrated Civil-Military Plan for Afghanistan, and other strategic level planning with US Central Command. During his Army career Colonel Briggs commanded companies in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, the 82nd Airborne Division, and commanded an Assault Helicopter (UH-60 Blackhawk) Battalion in the 101st Airborne Division. Colonel Briggs multiple operational deployments include Operation Prime Chance in the Persian Gulf, Operation Desert Shield/Storm in Saudi Arabia and Iraq, Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and the aforementioned Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He is a Master Army Aviator and Master Parachutist. His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, The Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal (with 4 oak leaf clusters) and the Air Medal. In addition to a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from UNC, Colonel Briggs earned a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University and a Master of Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania.

Steven James Briggs is married to the former Brenda Ann Mallon of Springfield, Virginia, a career educator. They have two adult children, Forrest and Megan; and three granddaughters. Prior to retiring the Briggs made their home in the Bavarian alpine village of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany for 14 years where they enjoyed skiing, hiking, and traveling throughout Europe. The Briggs now reside in in Suttons Bay, Michigan, where they enjoy volunteering, skiing, boating, and hosting family and friends up north. Steve and Brenda are members of the Saint Michael Catholic Church in Suttons Bay. Colonel Briggs is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7731 in Lake Leelanau.

Infantry Marine NCO Jacob Martindale

Jacob Martindale is a 34-year-old combat Marine veteran who was assigned to the First Battalion, First Marine Regiment, First Marine Division during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. His unit was deployed into the Helmand Province to conduct Counter Insurgency Operations. Jacob volunteers with the 22-2-None Program. 22-2 None is a nonprofit focused on preventing veteran suicide. The name comes from the statistic that 22 veterans take their lives each day.