Roll for initiative! In this high-spirited episode, the crew sits down to talk about the games that shaped them—on and off the battlefield. From heated rounds of beer pong in the barracks to late-night strategy battles over Axis & Allies, games have always been a part of the Veteran experience.

But this week isn't just about dice and drinks—we're proud to welcome our keynote speaker for the 2025 Remember Event: John Burk. A no-nonsense Army Infantry Veteran, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and gamer, John brings raw honesty, humor, and energy to everything he touches. Whether you're familiar with his “In the Arena” brand or just hearing him for the first time, you'll understand why we’re fired up to have him speak at Remember.

Games: Then and Now

We talk about:

• Games we played during deployments (some regulation… some not)
• Drinking games that taught us more than just how to chug
• The creative games that built morale when nothing else could
• How gaming has evolved into therapy, connection, and camaraderie in civilian life

John Burk: In His Own Words

In his interview, John shares stories from his time in uniform, insights into why play and laughter matter, and what fuels his passion for the Veteran community. He’s brutally honest, legitimately funny, and deeply committed to serving beyond the uniform.

Gaming Communities & Veteran Nonprofits

We also spotlight gaming orgs doing real work:

• Alpha Nerds Guild – Co-founded by Kenny and John, connecting Vets through gaming
• Warrior Veteran Gamers
• Stack Up – Bringing mental health & gaming together

Looking for Games?

We suggest a few to get the party started at home: Cards Against Humanity, Axis & Allies, Dungeons & Dragons, and a few of our own twisted creations (like Leftdiculous).

Remember 2025 – A Tease

Get ready: this year’s Remember Event is shaping up big.

• Keynote: John Burk
• Live music & community gathering
• Dinner from Chubby Trout & Smoking Fatties – two meats and a dessert

Challenge to Our Listeners

Got a wild game story or a custom Veteran-themed game idea? Send it in! Winners get Common Veterans swag or free Remember tickets.

Next Up: “What Does the Wife Say?”

Next week, we hand the mic to military spouses. Jeff Schrock leads a conversation about their role, resilience, and what it’s really like being married to the military. Don’t miss it.

Cheers to the games that got us through, and the people we played them with.

For those who’ve served, transitioning to civilian life can feel like entering a different world. In Episode 8: You Can’t Do That, the hosts of The Common Veterans take a humorous but honest look at what doesn’t translate from the military to the civilian world—and how Veterans are forced to adjust.

Field Habits Die Hard

From combat parking at Target to scanning rooms like a security team, old habits are hard to break. Military communication styles—direct and loud—don’t always fly in corporate settings. Even eating habits, like wolfing down meals in two minutes, raise eyebrows.

Kenny zeroes in on his biggest pet peeve: posture. “Even my kids. Stand up straight—it’s not that hard!”

Mentality Misfires

It’s not just behaviors—it’s mindset. Mission-first urgency doesn’t always mesh with civilian workflows. Tony admits, “I have trust issues when people say they’ll finish something.” Without structure or hierarchy, projects get lost and leadership gets muddy.

Fred adds, “Too many chiefs, not enough Indians,” calling out a common frustration in decentralized civilian teams. And while vulnerability is encouraged in civilian spaces, veterans are often wired to push through silently.

“We were taught to suffer in silence. Civilians expect you to speak up.”
“In the military, failure meant someone could die. Out here, it just means a reschedule.”

Relearning the Rules

Fred sums up the emotional difference: “Bad things happen and you have to move on.” That kind of resilience is misunderstood outside the military. Dark humor, another survival tool, often misfires in civilian life.

Jeff reflects on the struggle of forming trust and relationships. In a roundtable, each host shares something they’ve had to “unlearn” after taking off the uniform—things that helped in service, but don’t always help after it.

What’s Next

In Episode 9: Game Night, the team shifts gears for a fun night of games and camaraderie. From strategy to laughter, it’s a reminder that joy and bonding still have a place in post-service life.

Whether you served or support someone who did, this episode delivers truth, laughs, and insight you don’t want to miss.

The Common Veterans explores the seven most dangerous words in the world. In this episode, we dive deep into the promises, pitfalls, and realities of government systems affecting Veterans’ lives—blending candid discussions, expert insights, and real-life experiences.

Sponsors

• Winter Oak Studios
• Mission: Communicate

Setting the Stage

Government programs have long been touted as a safety net for Veterans. From the GI Bill and VA Home Loan to the Vet Center and VA Healthcare, they promise opportunity, stability, and care. But how often do those promises match reality?

• What they should do: Provide support, healthcare, and reintegration tools.
• What they actually do: Often underdeliver due to red tape, underfunding, or misunderstanding.

Navigating the Systems VA Healthcare

VSOs can be a lifeline—or a liability. A caring VSO can save lives. An indifferent one can cost them.

Breaking It All Down

We examine the contrast between bureaucracy and humanity. Systems often forget who they are meant to serve. We ask: Who watches the watchers?

We also tackle the civilian-military cultural divide—a source of many of these disconnects.

What’s Working

• Faith-based and nonprofit programs that deliver real community outreach
• Pilot programs unburdened by legacy bureaucracy

Enter FreedomSystem.org & Common Veterans

FreedomSystem.org exists because the system wasn’t enough. Built by Veterans, for Veterans, we focus on:

• Suicide prevention
• Camaraderie
• Real-world solutions

Final Thoughts

• Don’t wait for broken systems to fix themselves—self-advocate or find someone who will.
• Community over complacency: Have your Veteran connect with peers, even if they're Navy.

Final Toast:

“Here’s to the brothers and sisters we’ve lost—may their memories stay sharp and their legacies never fade. And here’s to those still with us—may we share laughter, carry each other’s burdens, and never forget the bond we earned.

Sláinte.

” Next Episode

Episode 8: GAME NIGHT

We mix camaraderie with competition as Veterans and guests connect over games and good times—celebrating the unique bonds of service through joy and play.