Ron Toppi 

Ron Toppi enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1983. Thirty years later, he bicycled across the United States – from Seattle to Washington, DC– three times to protest the war in Iraq. In sharing his military experience, Toppi states that he is not trying to talk anybody out of joining the military or to talk anyone into joining it. However, he does warn would-be recruits about some misconceptions – and outright lies – that he says military recruiters tell young prospects. For example, Toppi notes that military contracts are not guaranteed – the military is not obligated to place recruits in their chosen career field or to give them the training they request. 

Recorded: April 7, 2016