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.

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.

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.