Episode 87

full
Published on:

3rd Jun 2026

CIA Officer Rachel Cuda on Sexual Assault, Military Service, and Fighting for Accountability

Summary:

What happens when your dream job becomes the place where you have to fight to be believed?

In this powerful episode of Dog Tag Diaries, Captain Kim sits down with Rachel Cuda, a former undercover CIA officer, military contractor, Navy SEAL daughter, and SEAL spouse. Rachel shares what it was like growing up in the military community, marrying back into the SEAL world, and stepping into her dream role at the CIA. After experiencing sexual assault at CIA headquarters, Rachel faced fear, pushback, and isolation from the system she had trusted. With support from her husband, family, coworkers, and legal team, she took her story to law enforcement and Congress. Her courage helped move major reform forward for survivors inside the intelligence community.

In this episode, we cover:

  • Rachel Cuda’s childhood as the daughter of a Navy SEAL
  • Meeting and marrying her husband, a Navy SEAL officer
  • The unseen sacrifices of military spouses
  • Advocating for her husband’s health during his SEAL career
  • Rachel’s dream of serving at the CIA
  • What CIA culture felt like as a woman
  • The sexual assault Rachel experienced at CIA headquarters
  • Reporting the assault and being told not to go outside the agency
  • Going to law enforcement and Congress
  • Her message to survivors: you did nothing wrong

Notable Quotes & Moments:

  • “There’s no way in which we get to an appropriate reasoning to strangle a woman in her workplace ever.” Rachel Cuda on the assault she experienced at CIA headquarters [00:23:49]
  • “I do not feel safe.” Rachel Cuda on asking for basic protection after reporting the assault [00:32:44]
  • “You do not quit that place. You hold every single last one of them accountable.” Rachel’s father encouraging her to keep fighting [00:36:09]
  • “If not you, then who?” Rachel’s attorney before she briefed Congress [00:39:17]
  • “I’m never out of the fight.” Rachel on the words she repeated to keep going [00:42:58]
  • “There is no shame in this. You didn’t do anything wrong.” Rachel’s message to survivors [00:55:38]

Episode highlights:

  • 00:02:04 - Meet Rachel Cuda and her story of service, identity, and accountability
  • 00:03:21 - Growing up as the daughter of a Navy SEAL
  • 00:04:30 - Marrying a Navy SEAL and returning to the SEAL community
  • 00:07:09 - Life as a SEAL spouse while keeping her own identity
  • 00:11:38 - Advocating for her husband’s health during his SEAL career
  • 00:15:21 - Rachel’s path to her dream role at the CIA
  • 00:19:47 - The assault at CIA headquarters
  • 00:28:01 - Being told not to go to law enforcement
  • 00:37:47 - Taking the case to Congress and pushing for accountability
  • 00:48:29 - Retaliation, being fired, and continuing the fight for survivors

About Rachel Cuda:

Rachel Cuda is a former undercover CIA officer, current military contractor, Navy SEAL daughter, and SEAL spouse. Her life has been shaped by service, family, and a deep belief in doing what is right. After experiencing sexual assault at CIA headquarters, Rachel reported what happened, pushed back against institutional silence, and took her case to law enforcement and Congress. Her testimony helped drive major legislative reform for sexual assault reporting inside the intelligence community. Today, Rachel continues to speak for survivors and reminds them that they are not alone, they are not to blame, and their stories matter.

Connect + Learn More

  • Instagram: @rachel.cuda
  • LinkedIn: Rachel Cuda
  • RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline
  • Call 800-656-HOPE (4673)
  • Or chat online at rainn.org (24/7, confidential)
  • Safe Helpline (for military service members)
  • Call 877-995-5247
  • Or visit safehelpline.org (24/7, confidential)
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline
  • Call 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788
  • thehotline.org (24/7 support)
  • Veterans Crisis Line
  • Dial 988, then press 1
  • Or text 838255
  • veteranscrisisline.net (24/7, confidential)
  • Emergency: If you are in immediate danger, call 911

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Dog Tag Diaries wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about the Reveille and Retreat Project:

reveilleandretreatproject.org

Instagram: @reveilleandretreatproject

Facebook: Reveille and Retreat Project

You aren’t alone.

If you’re thinking about hurting yourself or having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veteran crisis line: Dial 988 then press 1, chat online, or text 838255.

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About the Podcast

Dog Tag Diaries
Sharing True Stories from Women in the Military
Dog Tag Diaries provides a platform for military women to tell their stories and speak their truths. We are not only raising awareness about military trauma, and mental health but fostering a supportive community where women can find strength and inspiration in each other's stories. It's an informative way to reduce stigma and promote healing through open dialogue and exploration of therapeutic modalities. Our goal is to increase connections among women to offer empowerment, encouragement, and a sense of belonging as we each navigate the unique challenges and experiences faced by women in the military.
Each week we’ll invite a woman who has served in the military to share her experience and how it has impacted her, or we will bring in a guest who can speak about the healing abilities of specific therapeutic methods. This is a podcast you don’t want to miss.

About your hosts

kimberly Liszka

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Kim served in the United States Army/Reserves as a Combat Medic, Combat Nurse, Flight Nurse Instructor and one of the Top Female athletes in the Army.

Kim worked 20+ years as an ER nurse and decided to explore the world as a travel nurse. She's an Advanced Wilderness Expedition Provider and Chief Medical Officer for numerous endurance/survival expeditions in different countries.

Kim has a son, Jace and a daughter in law, Sammy and 2 grand animals, Joey & Bear. Her dog Camo is her best buddy. Camo is the sweetest yellow Labrador Retriever to walk this earth. He loves licking snow, riding the ocean waves, visiting carnivore food trucks and loves belly rubs and treats.

Fun Facts: Kim's lived in the Reality TV World! Fear Factor, American Ninja Warrior-Military Edition, American Tarzan, Spartan Namibia and more to come!

Dakota Olson-Harris

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Dakota is currently serving in the Army National Guard and has been for the past 15 years. She enlisted as a tank mechanic then earned her commission as a Combat Engineer Officer. She has two deployments, Iraq and United Arab Emirates.

On the civilian side Dakota works as a counselor providing readjustment counseling for Veterans, current service members, and their families.

Dakota is a wife and a bonus mom to four kiddos. They have recently added to their family with a baby girl, totaling five kids. They also have two dogs, Paco and Elsa.

Her family loves to go on adventures whether it's walks, hiking, camping, or just going on a road trip to visit family.