The Gap We’re Closing

Transitioning from military to civilian life can feel like stepping off a moving train. The speed changes, the rules change, and—surprise— and no one issued you a manual. That’s where mentorship and camaraderie step in. This episode digs into how Veterans can leverage local programs, especially county VSOs and groups like IN Vets and FreedomSystem.org, to build a real support network that lasts.

Why Mentorship Works

Mentorship isn’t a buzzword; it’s a battle buddy in peacetime. Peer mentors get the culture, the tempo, and the unspoken stuff. They help decode resumes, demystify interviews, and translate “I was NCOIC” into something hiring managers recognize. More importantly, they restore the rhythm of teamwork we miss after ETS/retirement.

• Trust: Shared experience builds instant credibility.
• Navigation: From VA claims to first civilian job, someone’s already walked that path.
• Belonging: The feeling of “I’ve got your six” doesn’t have to end at the gate.

Making Your County VSO Work for You

A VSO—Veteran Service Officer—is one of the most overlooked resources in a county. They’re trained to help you navigate VA claims, connect to benefits, and point you toward organizations that can support you. But here’s the catch: they can only help if you actually sit down with them.

1. Show up: Schedule an appointment and bring your DD214.
2. Be specific: Tell them what you need—healthcare, education, housing, claims.
3. Follow up: Paperwork isn’t glamorous, but persistence wins the day.

IN Vets (and leaders like MSgt (Ret.) Victoria Molnar) partner with VSOs and employers to turn “good ideas” into working pipelines—mentors, job placements, and community supports that actually answer the call.

LDRSHIP: Values that Still Punch Above Their Weight

From the early 2000s playbook, the Army Values still apply off-duty and off-base. The full acronym is LDRSHIP:

• Loyalty
• Duty
• Respect
• Selfless Service
• Honor
• Integrity
• Personal Courage

These aren’t just posters on a wall—they’re a roadmap for building trust in a world that doesn’t run on rank structure. Carrying these values forward keeps the uniform’s spirit alive in civilian life.

One Team, One Fight

There’s a reason “One Team, One Fight” sticks. No matter the branch, service era, or MOS, we share the same struggle in transition. It’s not about competing for resources; it’s about linking arms and reminding each other that camaraderie is still the mission. Whether you’re talking to your VSO, plugging into IN Vets, or sitting across from a fellow Veteran at the bar, remember: none of us do this alone.

The Truth: Adulting is Dumb

Paying bills, juggling insurance, and learning how to “network” doesn’t hold a candle to a field exercise or a deployment tempo. Civilian life can feel like death by paperwork. But mentorship, VSOs, and camaraderie soften the blow. It may still be dumb—but it doesn’t have to be lonely.

The Toast We Missed

Somewhere in the episode, we forgot our toast—classic. So here it is now: "To the mentors who guide, the VSOs who fight the paperwork battles, and the friends who keep us grounded. One Team, One Fight. Cheers!"

Till Next Time

So whether it’s through ⁠IN Vets⁠, your local ⁠VSO office⁠, or simply reaching out to a buddy who might need it, remember: none of us have to do this alone. With a little help from our friends, we can continue to live with purpose, pride, and community.Until next time: PEACE

Married to a Veteran – The Spouse Episode

Season 3, Episode 10 of The Common Veterans

When we think of service and sacrifice, it’s easy to focus on the Veteran — but what about the ones who held the line back home? In this episode of The Common Veterans, Jeff Schrock sits down with two of those very people: Sarah Holmes (wife of Army Veteran Kenny Holmes) and Katy O'Toole (wife of Marine Veteran Adam O'Toole). And when Jenn Schlorke couldn’t make it, her husband — and our own Fred Schlorke — stepped up to represent their marriage and share his perspective on the Veteran-spouse dynamic.

This isn’t just another military conversation — it’s the real, unfiltered experience of the military and Veteran spouse. From the stress of deployments to the chaos of solo parenting, from missed milestones to the small victories of surviving the homefront, these conversations give us a candid look into what it truly means to be married to a Veteran.

The Other Side of Service

Jeff opens with a toast to the ones who made sure there was still a home to come back to. While the service member was away, training or deploying, these spouses became the cook, the disciplinarian, the financial planner, the home repair expert, and the emotional anchor for their families.

Meet the Guests

• Sarah Holmes – wife of Kenny Holmes, Army Veteran
• Katy O'Toole – wife of Adam O'Toole, Marine Corps Veteran
• Fred Schlorke – filling in for his wife Jenn Schlorke, sharing the Veteran’s side of marriage dynamics

Each guest shares stories of family life, marriage, and the challenges and triumphs that come with balancing service and home life.

Life Behind the Scenes

What happens to a marriage under the strain of military life? How do kids process having a parent deployed to a war zone? How does a spouse stay connected to someone on the other side of the world — and keep a family running in the meantime?

We explore all of these questions and more. The spouses — and Fred — discuss the long nights of worry, the exhaustion of being "everything to everyone," and the surprising moments of pride that come from being part of a military family.

Reintegration and Post-Service Life

What happens after the uniform comes off? The conversation shifts to the complexities of reintegration — reconnecting as a family, adjusting to civilian life, and redefining family roles after years of deployments and duty stations.

Real Talk and Reflections

From funny stories about miscommunications and military quirks that never die, to heartfelt reflections on personal growth, each guest offers insights that any military family — or civilian curious about military life — will appreciate.

Final Thoughts

The episode wraps with reflections on what people often misunderstand about military and Veteran spouses, along with what each guest is most proud of from their family’s journey.

Whether you’re a Veteran, a spouse, a family member, or just someone curious about military life, this episode offers a perspective rarely shared but deeply important.

Listen now to Season 3, Episode 10: Married to a Veteran — only on

The Common Veterans

.Up Next on The Common Veterans:

Episode 11: The VFW Episode — The Common Veterans dive into the VFW, the American Legion, and the DAV. What works, what doesn’t, and the quirky traditions that come with them.

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.