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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Hegseth kills investigation into pilots who buzzed Kid Rock's house. Army opened a formal review Monday — Hegseth shut it down Tuesday via personal X post. Read more →

Hegseth blocks promotions for 4 Army colonels — all Black or female..sources call the move highly unusual and possibly illegal Read more →

Pentagon drawing up plans for weeks of raids inside Iran Kharg Island and Strait of Hormuz coastal sites on the target list — Trump hasn't signed off yet. Read more →

Trump threatens National Guard deployment as airport lines stretch for hours. an emergency order to pay TSA agents — 42 days and 500 resignations into the shutdown. Read more →

If you've been following along, you know I made the executive decision to kick Zyn to the curb. Full transparency: there's one in my lip right now as I type this. We're all works in progress.

My issue was never really about enjoying it — it was about the dependence, and the nagging awareness that mainlining nicotine into my system around the clock probably isn't doing me any favors. My body is a temple, after all. A temple that apparently still accepts nicotine offerings, but a temple nonetheless.

So I went looking for a nicotine-free alternative that could scratch the physical or psychological itch. Here's where I landed:

VELO Zero — I can't fully explain it, but this stuff is revolting. So is regular VELO, for what it's worth. Hard pass.

Sett — A reader recommended this one, and the company was kind enough to send me a free five-pack to try. It's got some herbal blend in it that does produce a tingle, which at least made me feel like something was happening. Unfortunately, "something happening" also included nearly vomiting on multiple occasions. I found myself genuinely longing for the warm, familiar embrace of a Zyn.

So yes, I have temporarily fallen off the wagon. That said, the first attempt wasn't a total failure — going Zyn-free was easier than expected at first. A few days of mild jones-ing and then I leveled out. The problem is situational: boredom, long drives, and anything requiring sustained focus all seem to whisper my name in nicotine.

The search continues. I have to believe the perfect product exists out there somewhere — healthy, effective, and not actively trying to make me sick. I'll report back when I find it.

One more thing: if you vape, maybe give that some thought too. It looks ridiculous, and the jury is increasingly not out on whether it may cause cancer.

If you’ve been paying attention to recent news, the government is itching to “cut costs”, cut down on “fraud”, and generally make it much harder for veterans to get the benefits they are entitled to.

Do something about it now.

You can apply for VA Disability benefits even if you're still in the Guard or Reserve.

Whether you have knee pain, anxiety, or Peyronie's Disease, you might qualify for VA disability benefits now and start receiving them immediately.

It's better to start the process while you're still serving, so you don't have to deal with scattered records and tracking people down later. A VA-accredited attorney, like Matt Brooks, can help evaluate your case, gather evidence, and create a strong claim. He is a former federal prosecutor with direct VA access, and he doesn't play games or waste your time.

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.

From the bedside to the briefing room, J.R. Arce’s career has been defined by service and communication. After transitioning from Army Nurse Corps Officer on active duty to Public Affairs in the Army Reserve, J.R. sharpened his digital strategy skills at the highest levels of the Department of Defense and Veterans Benefits Administration.

Now, he’s swapped the federal desk for the agency life as co-owner of WazaMedia. Partnering with Marine veteran Andrew Milner, J.R. uses three decades of "in the trenches" marketing and PR experience to help service-based businesses dominate their local markets through digital ads

We love stuff like this. The best tools and knowledge comes from the bottom up, and it’s pretty cool when people take it on their own to create them for the community.

Consider it for your next training plan or general hip pocket training.

Check it out at medeor.app

If you have thoughts or feedback, you can reach out to [email protected] and let him know.

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.