For the almost 40% of the US military with real jobs.

We talk business, news, and culture for the PART⚡TIME warrior.

This week:

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82nd Airborne heading to the Middle East as buildup accelerates 82nd Jumpy Bois have been tapped Read more →

The Army just raised its enlistment age to 42 — and dropped the marijuana waiver oh good!. Read more →

Simpin’ IS Easy AI Army influencer draws tons of followers and general weird vibes. Read more →

Trump announces active-duty pay and benefits for deployed National Guard members SPOILER ALERT: this is kind of a nothing burger. Read more →

"They're completely diminishing what they're asking the nation to do" The White House’s use of shit-tier memes is giving some the ick Read more →

Every time I rewatch The Civil War by Ken Burns, I’m struck by how less cool our modern day officer corps is than it was back then.

Finally, some history I want to repeat.

The uniforms, the beards, the accessories (pistols, swords, etc), the stone cold killer stare, and the general formality of the settings highlight what’s missing in our lives.

Swag.

I also love that officers back then seemed to just decide they were going to add a cowboy hat or a red sash to their uniform and nobody gave a shit. It’s empowering.

Lastly, the names. Names back then hit ridiculously hard. Here is a list of selected bangers from during the war:

We need to do better. The very fabric of our country and military depends on it.

You can be VA Disability rated and continue to serve and deploy in the Guard/Reserve!

Got knee pain? Anxiety? Peyronie's Disease? You may qualify for VA disability now. And can start collecting now.

Don't wait until you're out and your records are scattered and you have to track a million people down. A VA-accredited attorney like Matt Brooks will assess your case, gather evidence, and build the strongest claim possible.

Former federal prosecutor. Direct VA access. No "claim shark" games. No bullshit.

Boss giving you grief about your military commitments? Call Brian Lawler.

If you’re running into problems with your employer due to your military service, contact Brian Lawler.

Brian’s a former Marine pilot, reservist, and one of the top USERRA attorneys in the country. He knows the law better than your HR department, and he’s made a career out of holding employers accountable.

Free consult. No win, no fee. If your job’s on the line, Brian’s the guy you want in the fight.

MAJ Aydelotte is Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of SnowCrash Labs, an AI safety and alignment startup building model safety routing and safety data platforms for enterprise AI deployments. A former Active Duty Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician, he transitioned off of Active Duty in 2023 and is currently transitioning again to the Acquisitions Branch while continuing his service in the Reserve.

Prior to SnowCrash Labs, MAJ Aydelotte held a federal cybersecurity role at Cisco in the Washington, D.C. area before starting his entrepreneurial journey. He will graduate from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business MBA program in May 2026, where his studies focus on disruptive strategy and early-stage ventures.
He is based in the Washington, D.C. metro area.

SnowCrash Labs is currently raising its pre-seed round to scale AI safety infrastructure for enterprise and government. Interested investors and partners can reach MAJ Aydelotte at [email protected].

The Department of War quietly reissued its Individual Ready Reserve management instruction on March 23rd. The policy itself didn't change much — but the timing did. With 82nd Airborne troops deploying to the Middle East and the IRR explicitly reframed as a "mobilization asset first," this isn't routine paperwork. If you've separated from the Selected Reserve and still have a Military Service Obligation, you're in this pool. Know your status, keep your contact information current, and don't ignore muster notifications. The machinery is being maintained for a reason.

Read the instruction →

A living list of stuff we like—tactical, grooming, whatever, with discounts.

1) Black Wool Cap: Cool black wool caps, use discount code GRAYMAN for 15% discount

2) OTB Boots: Baller tactical footwear company, use this link for discount

If you want to make baller ass unit gear repping our logo suite, check out The Fratty Guard Unit Collab Store.

Or for the GOAT classics, head over to The Fratty Guard.

If you support the work that Friendly Forces does, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help keep the lights on. Every bit helps. Turns out stuff is expensive and we put countless man hours into the work.

Absolutely massive things coming.