Through music, the Common Veterans reflect on the songs that helped them survive the suck… and maybe even dance in the rain with a poncho and an MRE.

I. Introduction

In this episode, we dive into how music shaped our military experiences—from boot camp blues to barracks karaoke. Shoutout to our sponsors: FreedomSystem.org, your go-to for veteran support, and whoever left that Bluetooth speaker in the latrine… thank you for your service.

II. Setting the Stage

Music during service wasn't just background noise—it was therapy, a hype man, and sometimes the only thing louder than our senior NCOs. From Metallica to Motown, it helped us cope, push through, and occasionally start unauthorized dance battles.

III. Personal Reflections

The team shares personal tracks that carried them through the chaos. Warning: this part contains feelings… and Nickelback. Judge us, we dare you.

IV. Stories Behind the Music and Needs

• Then and Now: How “Fortunate Son” hit different during field ops. Even though it was a protest song!
• Resonance Today: These tracks still slap—PTSD-approved.
• New Civilian Jams: From war drums to dad rock.

V. Final Thoughts

Music connects Veterans across time and branches. Got a track that got you through it? Send it our way. Unless it’s the Barney theme—then we need to talk.

VI. Closing

Thanks for tuning in, sharing your earbuds, and not judging our playlists (too harshly). Next time, we’re tackling military portrayals in Hollywood—so expect lots of yelling at movie screens.

To close this episode… we raise our canteen cups in a toast: To music, to memory, and to that one guy who thought “Eye of the Tiger” was a lullaby. Hooah.

In this episode of The Common Veterans, we take on Hollywood and its portrayal of the military. What’s real, what’s exaggerated, and what just makes us laugh? Before we roll, check out FreedomSystem.org for upcoming events, including our charity poker night and cook-off fundraiser.

Call to Action: Subscribe, rate, and share. Support Veterans by spreading the word. Sponsored by VFW Post 985, FreedomSystem.org, and local Vet orgs.

• Camaraderie: Films like Band of Brothers show real brotherhood.
• Leadership Stress: Black Hawk Down captures the burden of command.
• Combat Trauma: Lone Survivor highlights emotional strain.
• Tech Advisors: When movies use real Vets, the details shine.

• Combat Scenes: Infinite ammo and bad tactics? Nope.
• Ranks & Jargon: They mess this up constantly.
• PTSD Tropes: Not every Vet is broken or explosive.
• Stereotypes: It’s not all Rambo or sadness.
• Bad Examples: Jarhead 2, we’re looking at you.

Each host shared their favorites and broke them down:

• Full Metal Jacket – Boot camp? Spot on. The rest? Meh.
• Saving Private Ryan – D-Day opening still unmatched.
• American Sniper – Powerful but polarizing.

We also laughed at a few ridiculous ones. Not naming names… yet.

Media shapes public views of Veterans. Unrealistic films cause real harm. We need Veteran voices in film to tell it straight. Honest storytelling helps with reintegration and destroys stereotypes.

Next Episode: Time – A look at the music that got us through it all. From deployment tracks to post-service playlists, it’s going to be deep.

Shoutout to all supporting orgs, listeners, and Vets doing the work every day. Stay strong, stay proud, and share the mission.

Don't worry—we aren’t showing up in boots to ruin their black-tie affairs. But we do see these organizations for what they are, and in this episode, we break down the VFW, DAV, American Legion, and even our own FreedomSystem.org. What do they do well? Where do they fall short? And most importantly, how can they actually help Veterans?

• VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) – Open to combat veterans, great for camaraderie and advocacy, but struggles with modernization.
• American Legion – Open to all who served, active in local events and scholarships, but some posts feel outdated.
• DAV (Disabled American Veterans) – Focused on service-connected vets, excellent for claims assistance but lacks the social aspect.
• FreedomSystem.org – Open to anyone with a DD-214, offering camaraderie programs (Combatives, Mountain & Road Biking, Youth Baseball, Common Veterans), plus unique events like Battle of the Bands and Battle of the Meats.
• Other Notables – AMVETS, Marine Corps League, VVA, and other niche veteran organizations.

• VA Claims & Support – Who actually helps veterans navigate the VA system?
• Camaraderie & Community – Some posts are thriving, others feel like retirement homes. Why?
• Legislative Advocacy – Which orgs are truly fighting for veterans in Washington?
• Financial & Emergency Assistance – What’s out there for vets who need urgent help?
• Employment & Transition Programs – Some are great, others barely exist. Who’s stepping up?

Why do so many of these places feel outdated and unwelcoming to younger veterans? The struggle is real when it comes to engagement, leadership stagnation, and adapting to the new generation of veterans.

• Younger Vets Taking Charge – How can we change these organizations instead of letting them fade?
• Adapting to Stay Relevant – What needs to change to bring these groups into the future?
• FreedomSystem.org Leading the Way – What we're doing differently to keep veterans engaged and supported.

If we don’t step up, these organizations either die out or continue the same cycle of irrelevance. So, what’s the solution? Tune in for our breakdown, share your thoughts, and get involved.

Next Episode: Hollywood – We take on military movies, what they get right, and what they get horribly wrong.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or your favorite podcast platform.