Ep 489: Founder of Carolinas for Ukraine - (ret) COL Curtis Lee
Ep 489: Founder of Carolinas for Ukraine - (ret) COL Curtis Lee  
Podcast: Ones Ready
Published On: Mon Jul 14 2025
Description: Send us Fan MailThis episode is a gut punch of clarity and common sense wrapped in Hoist-fueled sarcasm. Aaron and Peaches sits down with retired Marine Corps Colonel Curtis Lee—civil affairs legend, community builder, and founder of Carolinas for Ukraine. From mentoring under three-war combat vets to spearheading grassroots refugee resettlement, Curtis breaks down the real meaning of service after service.And oh yeah—we’re not afraid to poke the bear. Illegal immigration? We say no. Strategic, vetted, value-driven immigration? Hell yes. Curtis’ program resettles Ukrainian families legally—and it might just be the model for how we fix the entire U.S. immigration dumpster fire.We hit topics the media won't touch with a ten-foot boom mic:The Afghanistan withdrawal debacle 💣Weaponizing civil affairs before the first shot is fired 🧠How to actually win in the gray zone war ⚔️The death of assimilation in America 🇺🇸And why your HOA might have more impact than your congressman 🏘️If you want talking points, go watch cable news. If you want real talk that’ll challenge your worldview and maybe even get you off the couch—press play.🔥 Key Takeaways:Curtis Lee dropped nearly 30 years in uniform, then turned around and started winning wars without firing shots.The "Uniting for Ukraine" program is legal immigration done right—screened, vetted, and integrated.“Two things can be true at once” becomes the battle cry of the episode—and it's time America learned that nuance is not weakness.You can be anti-illegal immigration and still pro-humanity. Shocking, we know.Civil affairs isn't just soccer balls and smiles—it's psychological warfare with real-world outcomes.Afghans were left hanging. Ukrainians got help. The difference? Planning, legality, and leadership.Local action > national outrage. HOA boards, school committees, and city foundations are where real change starts.America’s greatest threat isn’t a border crisis—it’s apathy.⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – Aaron Rants About Grape Hoist 01:45 – Hoist IV Hydration and Chaos in a Box 03:00 – Shoutout to Modern Athlete Strength Systems 04:00 – Intro to Curtis Lee: Marine Colonel & Phase Zero Master 06:40 – Why Eighth-Grade Curtis Chose the Corps 09:00 – Irregular Warfare: The Most Regular Thing We Do 13:00 – Mentorship from Three-War Combat Vets 16:00 – Global Access vs. Gunfights: The Civil Affairs Shift 20:00 – From Colonel to Community Builder in Hartsville 26:00 – Afghan Power, Bureaucracy, and Broken Promises 33:00 – Uniting for Ukraine: Legal Resettlement, Local Impact 39:00 – The Magic of Assimilation & American Values 44:00 – Illegal vs. Legal: Stop Pretending They’re the Same 50:00 – El Salvador’s Strategy, Cemeteries, and Gang Psychology 55:00 – What’s Next: Keep Ukrainians Here the Right Way 58:00 – A Final Plea: Be a Good American. Take Action.🎯 Call-to-Actions:👍 Like the episode🔔 Subscribe to the podcast💬 Drop a comment—do you agree with Curtis or think we're off the rails?🌟 Leave a review on Apple or Spotify🪖 Join the Ones Ready Membership for exclusive content👕 Snag gear from the Ones Ready merch store🫶 Visit CarolinasForUkraine.org to learn more or donateSupport the showJoin this channel to get access to perks: HEREBuzzsprout Subscription page:  HERERegister for our Operator Training Summit:  OperatorTrainingSummit.comFind an Air Force Recruiter: AirForce.comCollabs:Ones Ready - OnesReady.com 18A Fitness - Promo Code:  ONESREADY ATACLete - Follow the URL (no promo code):  ATACLeteDanger Close Apparel - Promo Code:  ONESREADYDFND Apparel...