#14 Jarhead Jabber - The Official Marine Corps League Podcast; 21 Sep 2026

#14 – Jarhead Jabber: A Conversation with VA Acting Under Secretary for Benefits Margarita Devlin

21 September 2026

Episode Description

Episode 14 of Jarhead Jabber — The Official Podcast of the Marine Corps League brought veterans directly into the conversation with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

AJ Cox and co-host Carlos were joined by Philip Du, National Director of Veteran Service for the Marine Corps League, and special guest Margarita Devlin, Acting Under Secretary for Benefits at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, for an extended discussion about VA benefits, claims, appeals, examinations, technology, and the challenges veterans encounter while navigating the system.

Rather than simply talking about veterans, this episode gave veterans and Veteran Service Officers the opportunity to ask their questions directly.

Devlin discussed the work of the Veterans Benefits Administration and addressed questions surrounding the claims process, VA decision-making, C&P examinations, appeals and the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, and the growing use of automation and artificial intelligence within VBA. She explained the safeguards and human oversight being used as new technology is introduced and discussed ways automation is already being used to help eligible veterans and survivors receive benefits more efficiently.

The conversation also addressed some of the more difficult claims VSOs encounter, including Military Sexual Trauma (MST). Devlin discussed the challenges veterans may face when an incident was never formally reported and the different forms of evidence and behavioral “markers” that can help establish what occurred.

Throughout the episode, one message remained consistent: veterans should not give up on the benefits and services they may have earned. Veterans who are unsure about their claim or believe something did not go right were encouraged to reach out, ask questions, and work with an accredited Veteran Service Officer.

Marine Corps League National Commandant Russ Miller also joined the conversation, adding another voice to a discussion centered on serving veterans and strengthening the relationship between the Marine Corps League, its service officers, and the VA.

On This Episode

Host:Andrew “AJ” Cox