Late For Changeover

Three Launches Enter, One Gets the Contract (Jun 19 24)

This week on Late For Changeover, it’s a full-blown orbital throwdown as three aerospace giants go head-to-head for the Pentagon’s space launch contracts. Think of it as The Bachelor, but with fewer roses and more classified payloads. Then DARPA shows up like the mad scientist it is, dropping six new VTOL drone designs that look like they were sketched during a fever dream in a Top Gun barfight.

But it’s not all rockets and rotorcraft—we also call out military transition programs for doing a C-minus job helping vets find civilian gigs (you can’t just slap “leadership skills” on a résumé and walk away, folks). Plus, we play the Space Movie Game—where the trivia is questionable and the arguments are personal—and take a stroll through the start of the War of 1812, because you can’t spell “freedom” without historical naval beef. If you like space podcasts with a side of chaos and News for Vets, you’re in the right AO.

Maui Says No, Starship Says Splash, and the Space Force Gets a Patron Saint” (Jun 12 24)

This week on Late For Changeover, we’re going full throttle into the weird and wonderful world of military space drama. First up: Boeing’s Starliner crew flight test tries to remind everyone it still exists, while the SpaceX Starship booster cannonballs into the Gulf like it’s competing in a Space Olympics splash event. And Maui? They told the Space Force to take their giant telescope and kindly buzz off. Apparently paradise doesn’t need orbital surveillance.

Also on deck: AF Security Forces hit the final phase of rolling out “Model Defender” gear, and we nominate a Patron Saint for the Space Force—because every good military branch needs its own cosmic guardian (ours might have a mullet). We wrap with the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot of 1944, because nothing says “American airpower” like turning enemy squadrons into confetti. If you’re into space podcasts, Space Force news, and News for Vets served with sarcasm and speed, this is the best podcast about space you’re not listening to yet.

Helicopter Draft Picks and Space Force Power Moves (Jun 5 24)

This week, retired Brigadier General Chris Petty drops in, and things get tactical fast. We kick off with a spicy take on the Space Force proposal to convert National Guard units into active duty. Spoiler: it’s either a brilliant move or a bureaucratic headache wrapped in camouflage. If you’re into Space Force news or just wondering what the heck a “hybrid service” even is, we’ve got thoughts—and probably a few unpopular opinions.

Then we shift gears into full hanger talk as we build the “All-Military Helicopter Team.” Yes, we’re actually arguing which chopper gets the QB slot. Gen Petty rounds out the episode with a strategic deep-dive into the First Battle of the Marne—World War I’s epic “hold the line” moment that changed everything. It's history, heresy, and helmet hair—all in one episode. If you like space podcasts with a side of sarcastic military insight and News for Vets, you’re in the right AO.

The Space Force Comes to Florida, and So Do the Clay Shooters (May 29 24)

This week, the Late Crew takes aim—literally—at the Freedom Hunters clay shoot fundraiser, where shotguns meet service and good causes get loud. Then it’s time for liftoff as STARCOM officially gets the green light to set up shop on the Space Coast. That’s right—Space Force news that doesn’t involve memes or bad recruiting ads. Progress?

We also tackle the most controversial topic since chow hall pizza: military beards. A new Air Force pilot program might finally let airmen rock facial fuzz like it’s 1776 again. Then we find out just how “impenetrable” a SCIF really is (spoiler: not very), and shout out the 134th Air Refueling Wing Security Forces for playing nice with the local sheriff’s department. Finally, we time-hop to The Battle of Cantigny, where America proved in 1918 that it was more than just late to the war—it came to win. If you’re into space force podcasts with tactical insights and sarcastic commentary, this is the space news podcast you didn’t know your playlist needed.

S4E08 Air Force SMSgt (Ret) Kevin Reed

Today my guest is Air Force SMSgt (Ret) Kevin Reed.  Kevin grew up in the Los Angeles area both in Canoga Park and Thousand Oaks.  He attended Westlake High School and graduated in 1998.  After a semester at Cal State Northridge, he met with an Air Force recruiter and signed a delayed enlistment contract, and in May 1999, he attended Basic Training at Lackland AFB, TX as a 1C6 Space Operator.  He then attended Enlisted Undergraduate Space Training (EUST) at Vandenberg AFB, CA.
Kevin’s first assignment was to 1st Space Operations Squadron at Schriever AFB, CO.  In May 2001, he was reassigned to Kapaun, Germany for DSP Missile Warning.  He left Germany in Aug 2002 for assignment to the 2nd Space Operations Squadron (GPS) back at Schriever AFB.  His next assignment was to the 2nd Space Warning Squadron (SBIRS) at Buckley AFB, CO.  There, he was selected to the 2006 SBIRS Guardian Challenge Team.
In 2008, he was reassigned to the 533rd Training Squadron as a SBIRS System Instructor at Vandenberg AFB.  During this time, he completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Liberty University.  After four years he was reassigned back to 2 SWS at Buckley AFB.  In 2014, he took an Active Guard/Reserve position with the 8th Space Warning Squadron.  In 2015, he was promoted to MSgt and earned his Master’s Degree in Space/Planetary Science from American Military University.  In 2018 Kevin was promoted to SMSgt and became the Squadron Superintendent for Det 1, 8 SWS which later reflagged as the 4th Space Warning Squadron. He went on to be selected as a Traveling Instructor for the SNCO Leadership Course for the Air Force Reserve Command in 2019.
Kevin retired from the military on June 1st, 2021.

High on Altitude, Not Weed (But Maybe Soon?) May 22 24

Buckle up, buttercup—we’re launching hot takes and orbital chaos straight from your favorite space force podcast misfits. This week, Starliner’s “Crew Flight Test” pulls another disappearing act (is it a test if it never takes off?), and Inversion Space pitches the bold concept of cosmic Costco: warehouses. In. Space. Because nothing says “future” like stashing space junk like your uncle’s garage.

Meanwhile, back on Earth, the House wants to pull the plug on marijuana testing for new military recruits—finally realizing that a little weed might be less dangerous than sleep-deprived 18-year-olds with grenades. We also salute the last WWII triple ace who just punched out at 102 (we should all be so badass), and give props to the 10th Mountain Division’s newest drone-slaying aces. Yeah, the game’s changed, but the warrior spirit’s still got teeth.

Whether you're here for the space flight podcasts chaos or the News for Vets bite, this episode’s got launch delays, drone kills, and dark humor hotter than a re-entry burn.

The $414M Satellite Flex and a Sick Kid Save (May 15 24)

This week on Late For Changeover, we’re unleashing the untold tales of fur missiles, base mascots, and the four-legged chaos that made life in uniform just a little less soul-crushing. From guard dogs with PTSD to Marines rescuing iguanas from airstrikes, we dig into the pet stories that didn’t make it into the official unit history.

Then it’s a hard pivot into full-on tactical geekery: Millennium Space pockets a $414 million contract to track missiles from orbit (casual flex), DARPA’s building an underwater robo-stingray named Manta Ray (of course they are), and the Navy’s tossing drones into the ocean to see what happens. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard just dropped a casual $185M in seized narcotics like it’s Spring Cleaning Week, and an Air Force pararescue team pulls off the most elite cruise ship rescue since... ever. We even dig into the SS Mayaguez incident because Cold War drama never goes out of style.

From space podcasts and Space Force news to stories that would make even a jaded vet say “WTF?”, this is your go-to space force podcast for chaos, caffeine, and camaraderie.

S4E07 Army CW3 (Ret) Jaime Hernandez

Joining me today is Army Retired CW3 Jaime Hernandez.
Jaime was born and raised in Ponce, Puerto Rico and graduated from Ponce High School in 1989.  He attended Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico pursuing a degree in Accounting.  He enlisted in the Army as an 11B and went to basic training at Fort Benning, GA in 2002.  His first assignment was to B Company, 2/35 Infantry at Schofield Barracks, HI, and deployed to Afghanistan in 2004.  In 2008, he reclassified to MOS 88N Transportation and went to Fort Eustis, VA for training.  After being promoted to E-7, he again deployed to Afghanistan in 2010.  During that deployment, Jaime applied and was accepted into the Warrant Officer program.  He graduated from the Warrant Officer course in 2013 and was next assigned to the 4th ID at Fort Carson, CO.  He was next assigned to Camp Casey, South Korea in 2016 followed by an assignment to Fort Hood, TX.   He completed a Bachelor’s degree in Transportation and Logistics management from American Military University in 2018, and then deployed to the Arabic peninsula in 2019.  Jaime was promoted to CW3 and was assigned to his final duty station back at Fort Eustis.  He retired in 2022.

Starliner Stalls Again (Maybe Try Turning It Off and On?) May 8 24

Strap in for another tactical mess of military mayhem and orbital mishaps. First up: Boeing’s Starliner mission fumbles yet again, delaying its first astronaut launch because someone forgot rocket science is hard. It’s the latest saga in astronaut news that makes you wonder if anyone packed duct tape. Over in grunt country, three Space Force Guardians go full hooah and survive the Army’s Cavalry Spur Ride—because nothing says "modern warfare" like LARPing the Old West.

Meanwhile, the Navy shows up in beast mode to body Army in the annual Best Warrior Competition (cue interservice rage), and the Army opens up its first drone obstacle course—basically Ninja Warrior for killer Roombas. We wrap with a throwback to Cold War tension as Khrushchev holds U-2 pilot Gary Powers hostage and flexes on the world stage like it's 1960 (because it was).

This is the space force podcast that trades polished politics for military sarcasm, space flight podcast thrills, and News for Vets that doesn’t feel like a retirement seminar. You in or what?

Washington Took the Job—No PTO Included (May 1 24)

In this episode of Late For Changeover, we go full throttle from orbit to office hours (or lack thereof). First, SpaceX news is heating up: Starship is now flirting with in-space refueling like it’s a Tinder date with destiny—because nothing says “future of space travel” like gassing up in zero G. Meanwhile, back on Earth, a VA prosthetics chief ghosted nearly 1,000 veteran equipment orders, which is exactly the kind of bureaucratic nightmare that gets blood pressures rising at morning formation.

We’re also saluting one Air Force beast at Kirtland AFB who broke the New Mexico powerlifting record while the 4th ID told its leaders to quit texting troops after hours—because apparently, soldiers like sleep too. And in case history class was too polite, we’re reminding you that on April 30, 1789, George Washington got the worst job offer in American history and took it anyway. From Space Force news to messed-up VA moves, this is your no-filter space force podcast for the galaxy-brained and the grizzled.