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.

Before we dive into the madness, a quick shoutout to our sponsor, Winter Oak Studio. If you’re looking for high-quality custom woodwork, whether it’s for your home, office, or something special, check them out!

Now, let’s talk about why we’re here: Phreaks on a Leash. Yeah, it’s a nod to Korn, but more importantly, it describes the absolute circus that our military has become under weak and misguided leadership.

Pete Hegseth is a former Army officer, Fox News contributor, and a staunch advocate for military tradition. He’s been vocal about the damage done by politically driven policies, calling for a return to warfighting basics.

• Woke Policies in the Military – Hegseth argues that political correctness is undermining combat effectiveness.
• Recruitment Failures – The numbers don’t lie. The military is struggling to meet its quotas.
• Rebuilding Readiness – He’s pushing for a focus on physical fitness, discipline, and warfighting capability over social experiments.

• Lowered Standards – Physical fitness requirements have been adjusted, discipline has weakened.
• Cultural Shift – Military culture has been diluted.
• Public Perception – The military is no longer seen as an elite institution.

• Hegseth’s first 100 days – What immediate changes will he make?
• Recruitment strategies – Will we see a reversal in enlistment trends?

Uncle Pete has a long road ahead, but one thing is clear: change is coming. Whether you agree or disagree with Hegseth’s policies, the military needs a course correction.

We’re diving into veteran organizations like the VFW, DAV, and American Legion. Are they helping vets like they should?

Want to support veteran camaraderie? Visit FreedomSystem.org, check out our upcoming events, and follow The Common Veterans podcast on all platforms.

Until next time—stay sharp, stay strong, and never let the phreaks run wild. Cheers!

By The Common Veterans

Reintegration into civilian careers can feel like slamming your head against a brick wall. For many veterans, translating military experience into civilian job qualifications is an uphill battle. Resumes get overlooked, HR departments misunderstand skill sets, and the struggle to fit into the civilian workforce becomes a frustrating ordeal. But here’s the truth: Veterans bring leadership, discipline, and problem-solving skills that businesses need—if they can recognize them.

One of the biggest challenges veterans face is how military experience is perceived. A squad leader isn’t just someone who “led a team”—they managed logistics, training, crisis response, and personnel development. A logistics officer didn’t just “move supplies”—they coordinated multimillion-dollar operations under extreme pressure. But too often, resumes filled with military jargon don’t translate into terms hiring managers understand.

The key to breaking this wall? Speaking the right language. Veterans need to frame their experience in a way that resonates with civilian employers. Instead of listing an MOS code, break it down into transferable skills:

• Squad Leader → Operations Manager / Project Manager
• Combat Medic → Emergency Medical Technician / Healthcare Specialist
• Logistics Officer → Supply Chain Manager / Procurement Specialist

Veterans don’t have to navigate this alone. Programs like SkillBridge, Hiring Our Heroes, and Onward to Opportunity offer career training, internships, and direct hiring pipelines. Networking is another major factor—most jobs are found through connections rather than job boards. Platforms like LinkedIn can be an invaluable tool for making those connections.

For companies, hiring veterans isn’t about charity—it’s about tapping into a disciplined, adaptable workforce. Employers who understand the value of military experience gain employees who excel in leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving.

The military trained us to complete missions under pressure. Transitioning to civilian careers is just another mission—one that requires the right strategy, tools, and support. If you’re a veteran struggling with career reintegration, remember this: You are not alone. Resources are out there, networks are available, and success is possible.

For more insights and veteran support programs, visit FreedomSystem.org. Let’s break this wall together.

The Common Veterans Podcast is back for Season 3! In The Reintroductions, the hosts reintroduce themselves and discuss their mission alongside the work of FreedomSystem.org.

• Kenny Holmes: Medically retired Army veteran (Iraq 07-08), President of FreedomSystem.org, and a jack-of-all-trades.
• Jeff Schrock: Retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant, former police officer, and author.
• Anthony Buoscio: Navy veteran, IT Director, and Bud Light connoisseur.
• Fred Schlorke: Retired Army Colonel, medical doctor, and FreedomSystem.org Vice-President.
• Casey Hendrickson: Syndicated radio host, former Army, with a background in CNC and 3D printing.

• Helping veterans reintegrate into civilian life
• Bridging the gap between civilians and veterans
• Promoting camaraderie and veteran-focused programs

• Veteran’s Baseball & Softball: Coaching and community engagement.
• Poker Tournaments: Fundraising and camaraderie.
• 4 Vets By Vets: Battle of the Bands, Battle of the Meats.
• Combatives Training: Self-defense and discipline.
• Mountain & Road Biking: Fitness and mental health support.
• Hometown Heroes: Honoring local veterans.
• The Remember Event: Annual gathering to honor fallen comrades.

Strengthening veteran communities and helping civilians understand their challenges.

Discussing the transition from military to civilian careers.

In this episode of The Common Veterans podcast, part of the "Let's Talk About" series, we break the rule: “Never talk politics, religion, or money at the dinner table.” We’ll dive into politics, its intersection with military life, and a political card game for a bit of fun (and maybe some chaos).

Each host shares their perspective, kicking off with Casey explaining the rules of "Leftdiculous", a political card game. Before playing, we discuss what politics means to us as veterans, exploring its personal and military implications.

We explore how politics shapes the military through current events and historical decisions:

• Pete Hegseth: A potential DoD director pick by Trump.
• General Chris Donahue: His career has faced Senate roadblocks.
• Tulsi Gabbard: A former Congresswoman and Army officer as an intelligence pick.

These discussions show how decisions in Washington impact military life.

We play "Leftdiculous", a game blending humor with political scenarios. Our rule is simple: Play the game or lose. It’s a fun way to explore political debates and spark productive conversations.

We address accusations of stolen valor against one of our own. Every veteran here has been vetted, and we stand by their integrity. This segment explores what stolen valor means and how to counter misinformation.

Season 3 will explore life after service, from transitioning to civilian life to advocacy and creative outlets. With 24 episodes, we’ll highlight how veterans thrive beyond their military careers.

Thank you for supporting The Common Veterans. Politics can be divisive, but as veterans, we bring a unique perspective. Stay tuned for more as we wrap up Season 2 and prepare for an exciting Season 3!

Welcome back to The Common Veterans podcast! We’re excited to bring you another episode in our "Let's Talk About" series, where we dig deep into issues that impact Veterans and service members. Today, we’re taking on the complex topic of Ethics and Morality—a subject that touches every part of life, but one that takes on unique meanings in the military and Veteran communities.

Understanding Ethics and Morality in a Military Context

When we talk about ethics and morality, we’re discussing the foundation of how we judge right from wrong and act accordingly. For many of us, these ideas are first shaped at home, through family, school, and community. But in the military, our understanding of ethical behavior often evolves, shaped by rigorous training, the demands of service, and the moral challenges that arise in situations most civilians will never encounter.

In this episode, we’ll explore these foundational concepts and dive into what makes ethical behavior distinct from moral beliefs. For some, ethics are the rules or principles set by society or institutions, while morality often reflects our personal values. We’ll reference insights from our recent discussion on religion to frame these differences and understand how they’re viewed within military life.

Facing Ethical Challenges in Service

One of the most unique aspects of military service is how it presents ethical challenges that are rarely found in civilian life. In the field, service members may face difficult decisions that test their values and beliefs. How do you act when commands or circumstances push those boundaries? When is following an order the ethical thing to do, and when might it conflict with personal morality?

Military codes of conduct are designed to provide structure and guidance during high-stress situations, but real-life scenarios often don’t fit neatly within any rulebook. Whether it’s a decision made in combat, a command that seems morally gray, or the ethical responsibilities of leadership, these experiences create moments that shape a person’s ethics and morality for a lifetime.

Living with Military Ethics in Civilian Life

After returning to civilian life, Veterans often find that the ethical framework developed during service doesn’t always align with what they encounter in the civilian world. The transition can be challenging, as situations that once seemed clear-cut in the structured environment of military life may feel complex and ambiguous back home.

This experience is sometimes referred to as "moral injury," a term for the internal conflict that arises when a person’s actions—or the actions they’ve witnessed—violate their core moral beliefs. For many Veterans, moral injury is one of the hardest wounds to heal, but fortunately, there are resources and communities offering support. In this episode, we’ll touch on some of these resources and discuss ways that Veterans can find healing and adapt to their post-service lives.

Looking Ahead: Politics

To close out today’s episode, we’re excited to announce that our next "Let’s Talk About" installment will focus on Politics. It’s a topic that plays a significant role in military and Veteran life, influencing everything from policy to personal perspectives. In this next conversation, we’ll discuss how political issues impact those who serve, and we’ll share insights on the role of political beliefs within the Veteran community.

Thank you for joining us as we dive into these meaningful conversations. Make sure to subscribe, share your thoughts, and stay tuned for our next episode!