Service leaves marks that never completely fade. Some are visible. Most aren’t.
Brothers In Arms is a collection of military stories, veteran issues, service memories, combat experiences, and the lifelong bonds shared by those who served. From boot camp to retirement, from Vietnam to modern conflicts, these are stories about duty, sacrifice, humor, loss, and the people who carried the load.
🎖 The Setup After Biden wandered off at Camp David and was found three days later feeding deer Doritos, Congress passed the Presidential Tracking Chip Act of 2024. Every president since then is fitted with a subdermal GPS tracker (next to the pacemaker slot). So when Air Force One went down over Moronica, they knew … Read more
The Defense Information School (DINFOS) Life at DINFOS was nothing like the Corps. There were no inspections, no formations, no drill. Just classrooms and the broadcast studio. They crammed what was essentially a two-year journalism program into twelve weeks. It was intense, and it kept you on your toes. But it was also fascinating. We … Read more
Some wounds don’t come from shrapnel, Agent Orange, or poisoned water. Some of the deepest scars come from betrayal inside the ranks — from the so-called “brotherhood” itself. The Rank Over Right Crowd Every Marine knows the type. The careerists. The “Rank over Right” crowd. The ones brainwashed into thinking a chevron or rocker makes … Read more
A story of betrayal and brotherhood as fake as the Navy SEAL impostors Don Shipley loves to expose. Prologue: The Calm Before the Betrayal February 2022. The world was limping out of COVID exile, and I felt lucky: a wife I loved, a cat to amuse me, a blog, and a hobby shop where I … Read more
Former Navy SEAL Don Shipley has exposed thousands of military impostors. A look at stolen valor, fake heroes, and why veterans consider wearing unearned medals and fabricated service one of the greatest acts of dishonor.
Some guys are influenced by rock stars. Some by coaches. Me? I was influenced by a Marine — my uncle Jack Rice. Jack wasn’t just any Marine. He was a WWII combat correspondent, a writer, and a man connected to the higher-ups in the Corps. But more than that, he was like a father to … Read more
Content note: War trauma, substance use, racism, and suicide. Personal recollection; details are from my memory and perspective as a young Marine in 1969–70. Other Marines’ experiences varied. Boot camp taught me that if I ever touched marijuana, or any other illegal substance, as a Marine, I’d probably end up serving a long stretch in … Read more
We all have that one track that teleports us back to a barracks radio, a convoy night, or a PX jukebox. Drop yours below—artist, song, and the moment. Where were you? (base/ship/FOB, year) Who was there? (names if you want) Details (smells, sounds, price of a beer, the weather) More prompts from Together We Served: … Read more
PTSD isn’t just a diagnosis. It’s the reality of living with memories that refuse to stay in the past. A Marine shares what it’s really like—and the strategies that have helped him keep moving forward.
Stand By to Stand By: The Fine Art of Sleeping at Attention In the Marine Corps, “Stand by to stand by” isn’t just a phrase — it’s a lifestyle. We learned to master the art of sleeping while standing, nodding off mid-hurry-up-and-wait, and running full speed into the next delay. Orders came down like weather … Read more