We’re not starting Season 4 quietly. We’re not easing in with a polite “welcome back.” We’re kicking off 2026 with a full-throttle “that’s bullsh*t!” and we’re doing it the only way we know how — loud, honest, and unfiltered.

Welcome to Common Veterans Season 4.

This season is going to be bigger, bolder, and more unapologetically real than ever. And we’re starting with the topic that every veteran, service member, and military family knows all too well:

Not all of it. Some of it makes sense. Some of it’s necessary. But let’s be real — a lot of it is just nonsense. And we’re not afraid to call it out.

In Episode 1, “That’s Bullsh*t!”, we dive into the stuff that makes you roll your eyes, laugh, and wonder how anyone ever thought this was a good idea.

• Pointless bureaucracy
• Training that exists just to fill time
• Orders that make no sense
• Traditions that are outdated but still mandatory
• Leadership decisions that are so ridiculous they’re almost impressive

And yes — we talk about the moments when you just have to embrace the suck because fighting it would be a full-time job.

Because the military experience isn’t always heroic speeches and perfect discipline. It’s also:

• laughing at the absurdity
• surviving the nonsense
• learning how to keep your sanity intact
• even when everything around you feels like it’s falling apart

This episode is a reset. A “we’re back” moment. A reminder that we’re not here to sugarcoat anything.

We’re here to tell the truth.

Without spoiling everything, here are a few highlights that made us laugh and cringe at the same time:

• The paperwork that somehow takes longer than the job itself
• Training requirements that don’t apply to anything you’ll ever do
• Rules that exist just because they always have
• Moments where you realize the “plan” was made by someone who has never been in the room

If you’ve ever been in the military, you know exactly what we’re talking about. And if you haven’t — you’re about to get a front-row seat to the most honest version of military life.

Here’s the thing — we can’t fix all the nonsense. We can’t change the system overnight. But we can control how we respond.

In this episode, we talk about what actually works:

• When to push back
• When to shut up and do the job
• When to laugh so you don’t lose your mind
• How to keep your head above water when everything feels ridiculous

It’s not a guide to “winning” the military. It’s a guide to surviving it — with your sanity intact.

This season is about real experiences, real voices, and real truth. So if you’ve got a BS story — we want it.

Send us your wildest, funniest, most ridiculous military moments and we’ll feature them in upcoming episodes. Whether it’s a short voice clip or a text message, we want to hear it.

If Episode 1 is any indication, Season 4 is going to be louder, funnier, more honest, and more unapologetic. We’re not holding back. We’re not censoring the truth. We’re just telling it the way it happened.

Season 4 of Common Veterans is available now on all major platforms:

• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts
• Google Podcasts

If you’ve ever said “that’s bullsh*t” in uniform — this season is for you.

Welcome back. We’re starting Season 4 with a bang, and we’re not stopping.

Veterans of different eras come together to share how military life and reintegration have evolved across generations. From early conflicts to modern warfare, this episode explores what has changed, what hasn’t, and how camaraderie continues to bind Veterans together.

I. Introduction

The episode opens with reflections on how service differs by decade while the core experience of wearing the uniform remains the same.

Toast

“A toast to those who came before, those who serve now, and those finding their way home.”

Special guests from different services and generations are welcomed into the conversation to help bridge the generational gap.

II. Boot Camp to Battle – Then vs Now

Veterans discuss enlistment periods spanning several decades and how the military experience has evolved over time.

What Has Changed

• Discipline and leadership styles
• Living conditions and military pay
• Equipment and uniforms

Communication Home

• Letters versus phone cards versus smartphones
• Basic training calls home
• Communication from combat zones
• The shift from handwritten letters to emails

Dining Facilities and Food

• C-Rations
• K-Rations
• MREs
• Modern DFACs

III. Coming Home – Then vs Now

Reintegration into civilian life is examined across different wars and eras, highlighting how each generation faced unique challenges when returning home.

Conflicts discussed include:

• World War I
• World War II
• Korea
• Vietnam
• Grenada
• Iraq
• Afghanistan
• Iraq (post-9/11)
• Modern conflicts and emerging global tensions

Gear, Tech, and the Evolution of War

• Protective gear and survivability
• The role of media in shaping public perception
• Weapons systems and ammunition
• Communications, GPS, and battlefield awareness

IV. The Common Thread: Camaraderie

Despite generational differences, one constant remains — camaraderie. Veterans discuss how brotherhood has endured while the way it’s expressed has changed between older and newer generations.

V. Closing

The episode wraps up with announcements and reminders about upcoming Veteran-focused events.

• Poker events
• Battle of the Bands (including sign-ups)
• InVets Summits
• Remembering and honoring those who served

VI. We Are The Common Veterans

No matter the era, the mission, or the uniform, the bond of service endures. This is The Common Veterans.

Veteran Homeless

Veterans face unique housing challenges that ripple through lives and families. In Michiana, the gap between need and available, affordable units is painfully real. This episode explores practical steps to find stable housing and rebuild the sense of home many of us carry with us from service.

We begin by laying out the common barriers: rising rents, credit challenges, lingering service-related injuries, and the mental health struggles that complicate steady employment and stable tenancy. Rural and urban landscapes create different roadblocks—transportation and isolation in smaller towns, competition and higher costs in cities. Transitional moments like ETS, post-deployment, and retirement are high-risk periods where small setbacks can become long-term instability.

Next we take a close look at local supports. Organizations like FreedomSystem.org and Mishawaka Troop Town work to connect Veterans to immediate shelter, case management, and community. Miller’s Veterans program at the South Bend shelter provides structured support that helps people regain footing, though funding, space, and staffing remain constant challenges.

We also offer practical actions. Veterans should connect with county VSOs and nonprofit case managers who know HUD-VASH, SSVF, and local voucher systems. Consider creative housing: shared homes, micro-housing units, and modular builds can provide quicker, affordable options. Family and support networks remain vital—sometimes the path to stability is a shared roof while benefits and income get sorted.

For property owners and neighbors, the episode outlines how small measures make a difference: flexible lease terms, willingness to accept alternative documentation, and partnering with local groups to vet applicants. Community volunteers can help with move-in assistance, furniture drives, and mentoring.

Finally, we reflect on what “home” means: it’s more than shelter. Home is routine, safety, dignity, and a place to reconnect with purpose after service. The episode closes with resources, encouragement, and a call to action: build bridges, not barriers, and help Veterans find a place to belong.

Listen, share, and join the conversation—because when a Veteran finds a home base, the whole community is stronger.

Additional practical tips:

Start with documentation: pull together DD-214, ID, proof of income, and any medical records that support disability claims. These documents speed up eligibility reviews for VA and local programs. If your credit report has errors, dispute them early; small clerical fixes can open rental doors.

Emergency funds and stabilization: SSVF and local charities can provide short-term payments for deposits and first month’s rent. Ask about budgeting help and connections to employment supports to reduce future risk.

Housing alternatives to explore: contact community land trusts, faith-based housing cooperatives, and nonprofit developers focused on affordable units. Shared housing networks, where Veterans rotate responsibilities, can reduce costs and build peer support. Tiny home villages and modular units are increasingly used as transitional or permanent solutions.

Longer-term strategies: work with VSOs to pursue service-connected benefit claims, apply for supportive housing like HUD-VASH, and enroll in employment or training programs tied to stable income streams. Advocate for local policy changes: inclusionary zoning, landlord incentives, and funding for supportive services.

Community involvement: volunteer at shelter programs, support fundraisers for local Veteran housing initiatives, and encourage local leaders to prioritize Veteran homelessness prevention. Landlords can partner with nonprofit case managers to mitigate perceived rental risks.

Closing encouragement: finding a home base takes teamwork. If you’re a Veteran, reach out—help is available. If you’re a neighbor or community leader, consider how small, concrete steps can change a life, and let's make a difference!