Late For Changeover

Operation What Now? Space Politics and Underwater Weirdness (Nov 13 24)

This week on Late For Changeover, we ask the big question: is Boeing ghosting the space game? With rumors of them ditching their space division, we break down what that means for the future of aerospace, Starliner, and corporate “we tried” energy. Then we dive into what a second Trump administration might do for NASA, and whether Space National Guard might finally become a real patch you can wear while playing Halo in uniform. Spoiler: the future’s looking… weird.

Colorado might lose U.S. Space Command, and no one’s happy—except maybe Alabama. Plus, a Navy Rear Admiral is set to testify about underwater UFOs, which is probably the most 2025 sentence ever spoken. We also play the Military Operation Name Game (because someone really did greenlight “Operation Urgent Fury”), and close with a salute to the first woman to fly a U.S. combat mission, back on November 15, 1994. If you like your space podcasts with a side of conspiracy, chaos, and News for Vets, welcome aboard.

$150K for Soap? Must Be Space-Grade (Nov 6 24)

This week on Late For Changeover, the VA swears it’s not $15 billion in the hole—turns out someone can actually read a spreadsheet. Meanwhile, a VA employee leaves a spicy voicemail for a veteran that kicks off an investigation faster than a barracks inspection on payday. Over in Defense Department drama: Boeing bills the Air Force $150K for soap dispensers, which raises the obvious question—was the soap made of moon rocks?

Then we break down the alleged mid-air elbow drop from a CENTCOM commander to an unsuspecting airman (no word yet on if it was a tactical shove), and the Air Force Academy gets pranked by West Point—because inter-service trolling is eternal. We also test our commander-in-chief knowledge in a Presidents + Military quiz (spoiler: we make Lincoln proud), and rewind to 1777 when the Articles of Confederation got slapped together like a first-draft op order. It’s bureaucracy, brawls, budget blunders, and News for Vets—served with irreverence and just enough accuracy to get flagged by your old squad leader.

ISS Evac Drills, F-16 Fails & the Ghosts of Black Week (Oct 30 24)

This week on Late For Changeover, the crew breaks down the high-stakes moment astronauts on the ISS prepped for an emergency evac—because nothing says “happy orbiting” like the phrase abandon ship. We also salute a Marine in the Philippines who took “flexing on the water” to a new level by sinking a boat with a Stinger missile—which is definitely not what that thing was designed for, but hey, it worked.

Meanwhile, the Air Force racks up a $30 million oops after a parked F-16 ends up looking like it lost a bar fight, we swap spooky military ghost stories just in time for your next barracks campfire, and we dig into the brutal WWII saga of B-29 “Black Week” in October 1943. It’s a full-spectrum ride: orbital drama, missile mayhem, financial disasters, flying ghosts, and war history—aka your one-stop shop for space news podcast vibes and News for Vets with way more edge than NPR could handle.

S4E10 Police Sergeant Graham Dunne

I’m joined today by Former Marine Corporal and retired Police Sergeant Graham Dunne.  Graham was born in Liverpool, England.  His family immigrated to the U.S. when he was 10.  He graduated from high school in Colorado in 1987.  After a few semesters in college, he decided to join the Marines reserve as an MOS 0844 Field Artillery Fire Control.  His first assignment was to the 5th Battalion, 14th Marines in Colorado.  He was also hired as a Deputy Sheriff.  After 18 months, he applied and was accepted into the Police Department in 1994.  Graham retired 25 years later in 2019.  He has written a book about his Police experiences called “The Jagged Blue Line”, and he currently owns and operates RagnarTactical.com. 

For Graham’s book, “The Jagged Blue Line”, go to https://thejaggedblueline.com/.
If you want to improve your shooting skills, please visit Graham’s website at https://ragnartactical.com/.

Miss America Meets a Military Dog and the Brig Gets a Marine (Oct 16 24)

This week on Late For Changeover, we kick things off on a somber note as Jake honors the life of his uncle, Marine Major Benjamin Franklin Collins III—a true warfighter and American original. From there, it’s back to the regularly scheduled chaos: SpaceX flexes its sci-fi muscles by catching its Starship booster with giant metal chopsticks. Yes, really. Elon’s out here playing orbital Jenga, and we are so here for it.

Meanwhile, the Navy launches an investigation into welds that apparently didn’t hold up to the "boat floats, don’t sink" standard, a Marine recruiter gets brig time (and no, it’s not for bad PowerPoint slides), and Miss America suits up in a bite sleeve to experience military working dog training firsthand. We close with a look back at the 1983 Marine barracks bombing in Lebanon—one of the deadliest days in Corps history. It’s space tech, sea trials, bite training, and battlefield memories—served with a shot of dark humor and zero apologies. This is your go-to space news podcast for real talk and News for Vets who know the difference between a good weld and government optimism.

Hallucinogens, Heroics & Military Humor We’ll Deny Later (Oct 9 24)

This week on Late For Changeover, the FAA tells SpaceX to cool its jets—literally—with permission to launch just one Falcon 9. (Somewhere, Elon’s eye is twitching.) Then it’s off to Schriever Space Force Base, where troops are bringing their own Tupperware because apparently the chow hall missed the memo about providing food and the things to eat it with. Peak Space Force news, folks.

We also get into the absolute madness faced by Vietnam vets who were unknowingly dosed with nerve agents and hallucinogens (because why not test that on your own people?) and are still fighting for their back pay. Then, it’s time for some of the finest military dark humor you probably shouldn’t laugh at—but absolutely will. And finally, we salute Alvin York, the WWI legend who went full solo-op and wiped out a German machine gun battalion on October 8, 1918. It's war stories, bad decisions, bureaucratic brilliance, and a whole lot of News for Vets—served with sarcasm and zero filter.

Falcon 9 Takes Off, F-16 Gets Cut Off (Oct 2 24)

This week on Late For Changeover, the crew breaks down a SpaceX milestone as Falcon 9 launches a new ISS crew from SLC-40—the first crewed liftoff from that pad, and a big win for Elon’s space résumé (as if he needed another). Meanwhile, a Russian fighter decides to cosplay as Maverick and cuts off an F-16 mid-NORAD intercept—because what’s international diplomacy without a little aerial road rage?

Back on Earth, the Marine Corps is overhauling its marksmanship training, likely causing every range NCO in the Corps to scream into a sandbag. We also dive into how an Air Force special ops squadron managed to damage three Ospreys in five days—yes, three. Then we head down the history rabbit hole with a nod to the USS Nautilus, the Navy’s first nuclear sub, and the activation of the 1st Cavalry Air Mobile in Vietnam. Whether you’re into space podcasts, tactical trainwrecks, or just excellent News for Vets, this episode’s got the lift, the drift, and a whole lot of dark humor in between.

The Late For Changeover Show 25 Sep 2024

Today, the Late Crew talks about First non-government spacewalk goes off without a hitch for Polaris Dawn crew (13:10), Polaris Dawn astronaut plays 'Star Wars' song in music video beamed from space (17:51), the U.S. military investing in reentry vehicles for space-to-Earth cargo delivery (24:23), the Soldier who deserted to North Korea sentenced to year in prison, released immediately for time served (30:38), protein shakes pulled from military base GNC stores because they contained hemp seeds (42:18), and Operation Magic Carpet in September 1945 (53:00).

The Late For Changeover Show 11 Sep 2024

Today, the Late Crew talks about where you were for 9-11 (04:26), Starliner lands safely in New Mexico (13:49), Vets’ benefits checks could be delayed without a VA funding fix soon (18:57), Army inks $1 billion deal for Switchblade portable munitions (28:50), Navy's innovative programs pay off as it meets recruiting Goal  (39:10), first submarine fully integrated for coed crews to join Navy fleet next week (46:25), and The Battle of Lake Erie on 10 Sep 1813 (54:00).

The Late For Changeover Show 4 Sep 2024

Today, the Late Crew talks about how Starliner’s return from ISS is set for Sept. 6 (08:06), NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore reports 'strange noise' coming from Starliner (10:20), the 310th Space Wing at Schriever prepares for inactivation (14:55), new Tinker Air Force Base motto immediately lampooned by airmen (29:52), 100,000 veterans who later qualified for VA disability benefits must repay old bonuses for leaving the military early (37:57), and the first time the American flag went into battle on 3 September 1776 (51:45).