Late For Changeover

Marching, Launching, and... Pooping on Beaches? (Mar 20 24)

This week, we raise a Guinness to the ‘Fighting 69th,’ who just marched down NYC for the 173rd year in a row because apparently, they don’t believe in sitting St. Patrick’s Day out. Meanwhile, SpaceX news hits hard with Starship’s third test flight—spoiler: it actually lifted off this time, proving Elon’s big rocket isn’t just for show.

But it’s not all parades and payloads. A new Blue Star Families survey shows a lot of folks are rethinking the military life—because deployments, PCS roulette, and TRICARE headaches don’t exactly scream “five-star Yelp review.” Oh, and California beach camping? Now banned overnight thanks to an excess of... human waste. Yes, really. It’s another day in the life of your favorite off-duty space force podcast, where we break down News for Vets, moonshots, and military absurdity with a wink and a war cry.

Talon Takes Flight, and a D-Day “I Do” (Mar 13 24)

This week on Late For Changeover, we’re flying high and digging deep—literally and figuratively. We break down the ORBITS Act (yes, Congress finally remembered space exists), and Stratolaunch’s hypersonic Talon does its first powered flight. It’s a big flex in the space flight podcast world and a reminder that Mach-whatever is back on the menu. So if you like your space podcasts with a side of supersonic chaos, pull up a seat.

Meanwhile, over in the real world, 1,000 U.S. troops are setting up shop off Gaza for temporary port ops, proving once again we can deploy a floating logistics hub faster than the DMV can schedule an appointment. Also: a WWII vet is tying the knot on the beaches of Normandy like it’s 1944 and love just landed on Omaha. We wrap by saluting the day George Patton leveled up to Lieutenant General in 1943—because no one ever accused that guy of subtlety. It’s News for Vets, hypersonic nerds, and anyone who thinks logistics is sexy.

Military Injustice and the Great Grooming Debate (Mar 6 24)

This week, we break down the Air Force’s latest grooming standards—because nothing screams operational readiness like debating the tactical advantage of a mustache. Meanwhile, someone at the Pentagon confused MREs for Humanitarian Daily Rations and rained down chili mac over Gaza. Not a war crime, but definitely a crime against taste buds.

We also dig into the tough fight some veterans are facing to clear their names from military charges they say never should’ve stuck—because justice doesn't always come with a DD-214. And finally, we raise a cold beverage to the Navy Seabees, born March 5th, 1942, and still out there building, fighting, and making the rest of us look bad with a hammer. It’s another wildly offbeat ride through News for Vets, military mayhem, and regulation-breaking brilliance—powered by your favorite unapologetic space force podcast crew.

Late For Changeover 29 Feb 2024 SBIRS Reunion show

Today we have assembled some of the best NCOs from the early days of SBIRS at Buckley AFB, CO.  Guests include CMSgt (Ret) Robert Cherry, SMSgt (Ret) Derick Lucas, SMSgt (Ret) Jake Wall, MSgt (Ret) Ron Denmon, MSgt (Ret) Kevin Dunaway, MSgt (Ret) Mike Johns, and TSgt (Ret) Kevin Balcom.  Come relive the majesty of the Mission Control Station as we talk about the service members and events that shaped SBIRS!

Moon Landings, Movie Flops, and Our Beef with Hollywood's Worst Military Characters (Feb 28 24)

You know what grinds our gears? Bad military portrayals in movies. This week, we're counting down the top 5 most hated US military characters ever to disgrace the big screen—yes, even you, Lt. Kaffee. But we don’t stop there. From a historic moon landing by Intuitive Machines (Odysseus sticks the landing like a lunar gymnast) to the Marine Corps actually passing an audit—miracles do happen—we’re serving up the weird, wild, and war-fueled news you didn’t know you needed.

We’ve also got a Drill Sergeant out-shooting everyone at the Army’s marksman course (your DI could never), the Navy gets its first-ever Robotics Warfare Specialist (cue the Skynet jokes), and we throw it back to 1864 with a grim milestone at Andersonville prison camp. Whether you’re into space podcasts, Space Force news, or just here for the hot takes and haircuts, this space news podcast has the camo-colored chaos you crave. Reporting live from the barracks of your brain—strap in.

S4E01 Marines LCpl Samuel Myers

Today I speak with Marine Lance Corporal Samuel Myers.  Sam grew up in Ventura, Ca and graduated high school in 1984.  After a brief time at the Philadelphia Phillies camp, Sam took a job in offshore drilling.  He decided that three years of that backbreaking work was enough and went to see the Marines recruiter in Ventura, CA.  In June 1989 went to MCRD Sand Diego for Bootcamp under an open contract.  His MOS became 0811, Field Artillery Cannoneer and his first assignment was to 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment at 29 Palms, CA in 1990.  During his unit’s UDP to Okinawa, Iraq invaded Kuwait.  Sam and his unit were then sent to Kuwait where he saw action in Desert Storm and the Battle of Khafji.  After the Gulf War, and a brief time back home at 29 Palms, his unit was sent to Mogadishu, Somalia for Operation Restore Hope.  After spending 36 months in combat zones, Sam exited active duty in July 1993.

Club 214 & The Cryptologic Sleep Talker (Feb 21 24)

Put down the tiara and back away from the OCPs—we’re diving headfirst into another chaotic installment of Late For Changeover. This week, the gang is joined by former Navy cryptologic tech and founder of Club 214, Ashley Eckert, who’s here to drop insight, sarcasm, and stories about accidentally sleep-speaking Arabic. You’ll also get the lowdown on Navy uniform changes (spoiler: you can now put your hands in your pockets legally), the Marine Corps’ refusal to join the chill club, and the military’s new addiction: Ozempic. Who needs a PT test when you've got semaglutide?

We’re also launching into orbit (pun fully intended) with a nod to John Glenn and Project Mercury—because even salty veterans like us get misty-eyed over space race nostalgia. From Space Force news to space travel podcast vibes, it’s your weekly mix of military absurdity, veteran community vibes, and space geekery. If you're looking for Podcasts about Air Force veterans that also mock eyelash regulations, this is your gravitational pull.

Virtual Vietnam & Super Bowl Shenanigans (Feb 14 24)

This week on Late For Changeover, we’re taking a knee and breaking down the real battle at the Super Bowl—the war for your attention in the commercial breaks. Each military branch brought their A-game (or tried to) with ads that ranged from inspiring to seriously, who greenlit this? And speaking of old dogs doing new tricks, the Air Force wants its retirees back. Yes, back-back. So dust off that uniform and pretend you didn’t just Google “how old is too old for PT?”

We also dive into VR therapy that drops veterans into ‘virtual Vietnam’—because nothing says cutting-edge tech like reliving jungle warfare in high-def. Plus, we rewind all the way to the very first Medal of Honor recipient and ask, “Would he have worn a Space Force tiara if given the chance?” Probably not. But who are we to judge? If you like podcasts about Air Force veterans, awkward military ad campaigns, and weirdly informative detours, this is the space force podcast that boldly goes where no E-3 has gone before.

Space Force Launches a Guardian (and a PR Campaign) Feb 7 24

This week on Late For Changeover, we're aiming high and getting weird—starting with the Air Force’s bold new recruiting strategy: advertising on Call of Duty: Mobile. Because nothing says “join the real fight” like sniping from your phone during bathroom breaks. Meanwhile, Space Force steps up its game and launches its first actual Guardian into orbit. Take that, Coast Guard.

We also dig into some not-so-fun News for Vets: Air Force nuclear bases have been sitting on a toxic time bomb with asbestos and cancer-linked chemicals for years. Combine that with the Navy waiving its high school diploma requirement, and you’ve got a full bingo card of military headlines that feel more sci-fi than space flight podcasts. But hey, if refueling satellites is now a thing, maybe there's still hope for the best podcast about space and stupidity.

Upside Down on the Moon & Other Things We’re Not Explaining (Jan 31 24)

This week on Late For Changeover, we're flipping the script—literally. Japan landed a spacecraft on the moon upside down (on purpose, they claim), which naturally raises the question: has anyone tried turning it off and back on again? Meanwhile, NASA drops its latest toy: the X-59 supersonic jet, which promises to break the sound barrier without also breaking windows or eardrums. Cue the Top Gun: Whisper Edition jokes.

Back here on Earth, we break down the chaos of retirees trying to score their new USID cards (spoiler: it's not going well), and we throw some elbows into the climate change ring as an astrophysicist enters the chat with a spicy counterpoint. Whether you're into space podcasts, veteran gripes, or just need a break from doomscrolling, this episode delivers jet-fueled absurdity and a healthy dose of News for Vets—no GED required.