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

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

This week:

• COUNT OFF FROM THE BACK

• THIS WEEK’S BIG 3: Top News

• HUMAN TERRAIN: Get Smart on Drones or Get Pwn’d

• TACTICAL INTEL: The Future is PART⚡TIME: NG Gets Another 4-STAR General

• RESERVISTS YOU SHOULD KNOW: CPT Steele Chadwick

• WHAT WE’RE RUNNING: Gear we like

• PART⚡TIME NEWS ROUNDUP: News you missed

Interested in becoming a featured newsletter sponsor? Want to be highlighted or contribute? Reach out to [email protected]

COUNT OFF FROM THE BACK

THIS WEEK’S BIG 3

I was talking to someone this week and mentioned that I don’t think the National Guard has ever been as relevant or top-of-mind in the public eye as it has been the past few years, starting with COVID. Good news: we’re relevant! Bad news: That generally means things aren’t going great.

• Pentagon prepares 1,500 troops amid potential domestic deployment
  The Pentagon placed ~1,500 soldiers from the 11th Airborne Division on standby to possibly deploy to Minnesota in response to civil unrest linked to anti-ICE protests. The move follows President Trump’s threat to invoke the Insurrection Act, a rare authority to deploy federal troops domestically. Governors and local officials criticized the potential deployment as an overreach, while the state National Guard is also on alert to support public safety if needed. Read more

• Minnesota National Guard mobilized, on standby during unrest
  The Minnesota National Guard announced its forces are on standby amidst intensifying protests in Minneapolis after an ICE-related shooting. Guardsmen are prepared to assist law enforcement if activated, with public posts showing unique reflective gear for distinction. The Guard has not yet been deployed but is positioned as tensions continue in the city. Read more

• National Guard likely to remain in D.C. through 2026
  National Guard troops deployed in Washington, D.C. are expected to stay through at least the end of 2026, according to a U.S. official. A memo signed by the Army Secretary extended their orders past February to support President Trump’s “Safe & Beautiful” mission, which includes crime deterrence, patrols, and support tasks. About 2,429 Guard members—712 from D.C. and 1,717 from 11 states—remain committed to the operation despite legal and political pushback. Critics question the long-term domestic deployment of Guard forces in a civilian setting. Read more
  

HUMAN TERRAIN

Get Smart on Drones or Get Pwn’d

Drones aren’t coming. They’re already here, and they’re wrecking units that don’t adapt. Cheap quadcopters spot formations, cue fires, drop explosives, jam comms, and turn “secure” rear areas into hunting grounds. This is $500 tech ruining million-dollar plans.

Even the Marines get it, and they literally eat crayons. The Marine Corps just rolled out a new, service-wide drone training program to make sure every Marine understands how unmanned systems shape the fight. Under the new framework, Marines of any job specialty can apply through their commands for one of the courses, which include basic drone operator, attack drone operator, attack drone leader, payload specialist, attack drone instructor and payload specialist instructor.

Reservists who shrug this off are making a mistake. You don’t need orders or a school slot to start learning.

Buy a cheap commercial drone. Fly it. Crash it. Learn how fast batteries die, how hard FPV is under stress, how easy it is to lose signal — and how terrifyingly effective a drone is when someone knows what they’re doing. That knowledge pays off whether you’re maneuvering, defending a site, planning logistics, or just trying not to get spotted.

Get Smart — Fast

• Joint Counter-Small UAS University (Fort Sill) — joint threat and counter-UAS courses

• Army Unmanned Advanced Lethality Course — tactical UAS and FPV employment

• Marine Corps UAS training — now embedded across units

• Commercial FPV schools & FAA Part 107 courses — cheap reps, real skills

They’re also just fun. Santa brought me a couple I’ve been running in my backyard to film tactical somersaults.

TACTICAL INTEL

The Future is PART⚡TIME: National Guard Gets Another 4-STAR General

The Senate confirmed Army LTG Tom Carden Jr. as the 12th Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau last week. He's the first person in that job to wear four stars. This signals a real shift in how much clout the Guard has at the Pentagon.

Congress made the vice chief role a four-star position in last year's defense bill, acknowledging that the Guard's mission has grown way beyond what it used to be. Now Carden serves alongside NGB Chief Gen. Steven S. Nordhaus, giving the bureau two four-star generals for the first time ever.

Here's why it matters: the Guard has always had an uphill battle getting the same attention as active-duty forces when it comes to policy, funding, and resources. Having two four-stars puts Guard leadership in the room where those decisions actually happen — advising the Defense Secretary, the Joint Chiefs, and service leaders directly. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, GEN Dan “Raisin’” Caine, is also a part-time hitter of the Air National Guard variety.

What does this mean for the <NG> and <Reserve> batt bois?

• The Guard gets more say in budget fights and policy decisions

• Homeland defense and disaster response missions get elevated attention

• It's a clear signal that the 435,000+ Guard members aren't just backup — they're a core part of how we defend the country

Basically, we’re players now. We have a seat at the table and we’re all going to make over $550K this year.

RESERVISTS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Captain Steele “Danger” Chadwick

Little can be confirmed about this elusive figure. He’s been called “the bad boy of part-timing” by PEOPLE magazine and rumor has it he’s the only living person to have a star on the wall at Langley.

What we know:

• black belt in Ninjitsu

• made well north of $550K last year

• started career as a male model

• bounties on his head in China, Russia, Ohio, the ME, and Venezuela

• founded The Fratty Guard

• abducted by aliens circa 2023; possibly given some kind of super power from the experience

• Managing Partner and thought leader at VC/PE firm Chadwick Capital

Your Job. Your Service. Your Attorney.

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.

Set up a meeting here.

WHAT WE’RE RUNNING

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

MERCH UP WITH THE FRATTY GUARD

Rep the P⚡T Culture or Design Your Own Custom Unit Gear

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.

PART⚡TIME NEWS ROUNDUP

• Trump’s Greenland Gambit Is a Dangerous Military Fantasy

• Trump weighs invoking Insurrection Act amid Minnesota unrest

• U.S. launches another retaliatory strike as Middle East tensions rise

• HIV-positive recruit allowed to continue U.S. military training under new policy

• China could field 1,000 J-20 “Mighty Dragon” stealth fighters within four years

• FAA warns airlines over Central and South American airspace amid security concerns

• Army Secretary pushes ‘Drone Buster’ tech to counter small UAS threats

• Cyber Command and NSA dual-hat role under scrutiny as cyber force evolves

• Pentagon orders major overhaul of Stars and Stripes

• Trump reviews military options as Iran strike preparations intensify

• What’s next for Greenland as U.S.–Denmark tensions grow

Support the Fight

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.

That’s it for this week.

Absolutely massive things coming.