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

• HUMAN TERRAIN: You Need to Become a Kettlebell Boi

• TACTICAL INTEL: Duty Status Reform Bill Proposed to Help the PART⚡TIME Bois

• RESERVISTS YOU SHOULD KNOW: Jon Stresing

• WHAT WE’RE RUNNING

• PART⚡TIME NEWS ROUNDUP

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COUNT OFF FROM THE BACK

Quick poll. Your answers help us dial in the content and eventually figure out in person events.

THIS WEEK’S BIG 3

Who’s Next? Trump Hints at Military Intervention Beyond Venezuela After capturing Venezuelan President Maduro, Trump and top officials warn other nations in the Western Hemisphere could be next targets. Officials discuss "Donroe Doctrine" approach to Cuba, Colombia, Mexico—and even Greenland. Read more

Trump Admin Weighs Preliminary Attack Plans on Iran
The Trump administration is reportedly developing preliminary military plans that include potential airstrikes on Iranian military targets amid rising tensions and domestic unrest in Iran. Officials emphasize planning is routine and no forces have been deployed, but options and target sites are under review as Tehran violently suppresses protests. Read more

Southwest to Pay $18.5M Over Military Leave Lawsuit
Southwest Airlines agreed to a $18.5 million settlement in a class-action accusing the carrier of denying paid short-term military leave while offering paid leave for other absences, raising concerns under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. The deal, preliminarily approved by a federal court, would benefit nearly 2,800 employees and include paid military leave going forward. Read more 

HUMAN TERRAIN

You Need to Become a Kettlebell Boi

I’ve said it many times before (to my dog)…it’s not good enough to have a bunch of Gucci gear, a tricked-out rifle, and be a decent shot.

YOU need to become your primary weapon system.

If you can’t move weight or handle sustained cardiovascular activity, you’re not much good as a ground Soldier/Sailor/Airman/Marine/Guardian.

Whether in combat, an everyday emergency, or the complete breakdown of society as we know it, being even basically fit will pay massive dividends. I think I read somewhere that the average person can’t do 40 pushups or run 2 miles without stopping. That’s garbage.

With it being the start of the new year, and using the gifts Santa brought me, I have begun running kettlebell workouts at home.

I love it because you basically need one piece of equipment—a single kettlebell of adequate weight. There’s a million workouts for kettlebells available online, and they all combine cardio with strength building. You can get a hardcore workout done super quickly. Good for those of us without a lot of spare time.

If you’re a fat, busy POS like me, consider running one for a couple weeks and see how much better you feel and look.

TACTICAL INTEL

Duty Status Reform Bill Proposed to Help the PART⚡TIME Bois

You’ve likely been screwed over by this in the past, whether you realize it (yet) or not.

The current duty status system for National Guard and Reserve members is outdated and unfair. With nearly 30 different duty statuses, service members performing the same work can receive different pay, TRICARE access, GI Bill credit, retirement points, and benefits simply based on how they were activated. These gaps create financial strain, administrative delays, and unequal treatment for citizen-soldiers and their families.

To fix this, Reps. Gil Cisneros (D-CA) and Jack Bergman (R-MI) recently introduced the bipartisan Duty Status Reform Act in the House. The bill would simplify the system into four clear duty categories, ensuring equivalent service earns equivalent pay and benefits, and reducing red tape for commanders.

The proposal has strong support from military advocacy groups and bipartisan co-sponsorship signals legislative traction. While timing and final language are still evolving, momentum is building in both chambers.

Key provisions include standardized duty statuses, equitable benefits eligibility, and streamlined administrative processes, laying groundwork for a fairer Total Force.

More reading:

Duty Status Reform

Reps Introduce Bipartisan Reform to Duty Status

RESERVISTS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Jon Stresing

Jon Stresing is a Senior Account Manager at NVIDIA supporting the DoD, covering the Army and DISA/4th Estate with prior accounts including MITRE, JHU-APL, and USCYBERCOM. He previously worked as a management consultant supporting a wide range of defense, intelligence, and federal clients. Jon recently separated after 21 years in the Maryland Army National Guard, serving as an Infantryman with deployments to Iraq and Egypt. A lifelong learner passionate about problem-solving, AI/ML, and STEM advocacy, he serves as Vice President of AFCEA Central Maryland and actively supports transitioning service members.

He’s also been known to run that front pocket Zyn like a typical <NG> Chad.

Jon is a big advocate for getting involved in things outside of your regular job through nonprofit and other work.

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

• US used powerful mystery weapon that brought Venezuelan soldiers to their knees during Maduro raid: witness account

• Pentagon will begin review of 'effectiveness' of women in ground combat positions

• Fake records, forged signatures: Marines sentenced in recruiting fraud scheme 

• Trump push to politicize US military ‘reminiscent of Stalin’ 

• Pentagon Official on Venezuela War: "Following the Old, Failed Scripts"

• Marine Corps announces 6-pack of new drone courses for all its members

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.