Gaming the System

Host Rob Couture is joined by Mike Figlioli, Ryan Gallucci, and Brittany Dymond Murray for a dynamic episode covering Veterans Day events, Combat Tested Gaming, and the VFW's ongoing fight to Honor the Contract. The team reflects on a meaningful Veterans Day weekend with Commander-in-Chief Carol Whitmore, highlighting ceremonies at Arlington, community engagements, and their nearly 21-mile Warrior YOMP with the Allied Forces Foundation. In the featured segment, the panel welcomes Lynn Rolf, Tim Stocker, and Rob Caudle to discuss VFW Combat Tested Gaming: a thriving online community connecting thousands of veterans and service members. They share how gaming strengthens camaraderie, supports mental health, and offers real-time access to VFW service officers on platforms like Discord and Twitch. The episode also celebrates a major milestone: $16.2 billion in earned benefits recovered for veterans last fiscal year through VFW National Veteran Service. Episode Highlights: 0:00 – Intro and Roll Call 5:00 – Veterans Day recap begins 8:50 – Allied Forces Foundation Warrior YOMP experience 14:30 – International veteran participation & community impact 16:30 – VFW Department of Virginia & Maryland engagements 19:20 – Commander-in-Chief Whitmore's schedule & Arlington ceremonies 21:40 – USO and Washington Commanders Salute to Service 24:00 – Washington Post reporting & "Honor the Contract" response 33:00 – Invisible disabilities, stigma, and misconceptions 39:00 – Veterans' lived experiences with service-connected conditions 48:48 – VFW National Veteran Service: $16.2B in benefits recovered 51:55 – Featured segment: Combat Tested Gaming introduction 58:00 – How gaming builds camaraderie & supports mental health 1:10:00 – Tabletop gaming, community nights, and program growth 1:22:00 – Outreach, youth engagement, and future expansion 1:28:00 – Government reopening & impact on veterans' services 1:31:00 – "Good of the Order" Thanksgiving reflections 1:39:00 – Final thoughts and sign-off For more information or to continue the conversation, please visit: Veterans of Foreign Wars Website VFW Podcast Page @VFWHQ on Twitter VFW on Facebook @RobCoutureVFW on Facebook Call 1-888-JOIN-VFW Text "NEEDS" to 20222 to donate to the Unmet Needs Program. Today's VFW — Share Your #StillServing Story Sports Clips Help A Hero — Text HERO to 71777 to donate online