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The Common Veterans

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The Common Veterans Podcast brings Veterans together for honest conversations about service, transition, faith, failure, humor, healing, and life after the uniform.

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Episode 7 All in the Family

· The Common Veterans explore what it is to be a Veteran and use verbiage like “Brother.” Where blood ties are not necessary to be siblings… --- Send in a […]

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·
The Common Veterans explore what it is to be a Veteran and use
verbiage like “Brother.” Where blood ties are not necessary to be siblings…

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/commonveterans/message

Episode 7: All in the Family

The Common Veterans explore what it is to be a Veteran and use verbiage like “Brother.” Where blood ties are not necessary to be siblings…

 

Family

  • Everyone has a family; not everyone has a brother/sisterhood.
    • No family: the military gives you a new set.
      • Words mean things:
        • Brother/Sister, it’s more than “Hey Buddy.”
          • “Hey Brother” = a bond
            • Civilians should feel privileged.
          • In the military, the sense of brother/sisterhood is brought in from the first training – rather, it is basic training or the delayed entry programs.
            • Active Duty
            • National Guard / Reserves
          • Basic training instills a sense of family in those in the uniform.
            • You go through the “stuff” together.
            • Learn how to be a soldier.
              • Being a brother gives the privilege of trust and integrity.
                • Because you are going through the same rough times, it is a shared experience.
              • Beyond the blood and into camaraderie.
                • Camaraderie definition:
                  • mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together.
                • Represent the family in a positive light.
                  • Often, there is a positive light being the family.
                  • The sarcastic “Brother” is and can be figured out as the antithesis of being a family member.
                    • “Brotha” – precedes a fight.
                      • Watch out for the Infantryman that starts out with that
                    • Fighting among brothers/sisters often are because of being too close to each other for a long time.

Becoming Thicker Than Blood

  • Family life is sometimes not easy to be family.
  • Blood doesn’t necessarily equate to total trust
  • Combat vs non-combat
    • Many times, the combat soldier/sailor/airmen/marine combat soldier becomes angry at the ones that haven’t served.

Next Podcast

Old LA Tonight: Hollywood gets some things right regarding movies and some seriously wrong. The Common Veterans pick apart and discuss their favorite military movies.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A Christian and American, Kenny is a proud Veteran, a devoted father and husband, and a man who places faith and family at the center of his life. He values the roles that have shaped him; friend, brother, son, grandson, and uncle, each reflecting his commitment to connection, responsibility, and service. A lifelong Cubs fan, he appreciates loyalty, perseverance, and the stories that bring people together. Professionally, he works in the digital space, focused on building, creating, and fostering meaningful connections.

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