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).

Today, the Late Crew discusses the Spacesuits of Boeing astronauts are incompatible with SpaceX craft (04:47), Boeing Starliner astronauts will return home on a SpaceX Dragon in 2025 (08:05), Trump pledges to create a Space National Guard if reelected (20:24), Gary Sinise reflects on ‘Lt. Dan’ and his work for veterans on 30th anniversary of ‘Forrest Gump’ (37:34), and Operation Argus on 27 Aug 1958 (43:40).

Today, the Late Crew discusses the heat-related ‘mass incident’ at Pikes Peak Regional Airshow (01:45), Facebook Follies (11:14), Air Force basic trainees required to carry rifle for first time in years (18:40),  Army researchers find electric pulses help soldiers get better sleep (37:27),  experts break down the possibility of astronauts having sex in space (44:12), and the Battle of Fallen Timbers on 20 August 1794 (59:02).

Today, the Late Crew discusses that Gen Whiting is now calling for “Space Fires” (24:38),  Vandenberg’s Military Working Horse program ends (32:19),  how a TikTok video got one military officer court-martialed (42:06), and  the history of VJ Day on 14 Aug 1945 (55:28).

This week on Late For Changeover, the crew gets Olympic-level patriotic as we spotlight military athletes repping the U.S. in the Games—because who else can throw javelins and fix a Humvee in the same day? Then we head back to orbit, where NASA may delay the Crew-9 mission while they figure out how to get the Starliner astronauts back home without duct tape and prayers. It’s a big week in the space news podcast world—because astronauts, like junior enlisted, just want a confirmed ride home.

Back on solid ground, the Air Force launches new “Foundations” courses aimed at enlisted leadership development—because PowerPoint hasn’t finished its reign of terror just yet. Finally, we reflect on two somber anniversaries: the downing of Extortion 17 in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011, and the Hiroshima bombing on August 6, 1945—two moments that shaped military history in ways we’re still reckoning with. It’s grit, grief, leadership, launch delays, and a whole lot of News for Vets with the kind of commentary you won’t find on NPR.

This week on Late For Changeover, we kick things off with a highly classified review of... Facebook posts. That’s right, the crew goes full open-source intel mode on recent social media shenanigans. Then we dig into something that actually matters—Space Force is throwing serious cash at retention with re-enlistment bonuses hitting $180,000. That’s a lot of coin to stay in orbit and keep your mustache regs sharp.

We also cover the latest diplomatic dumpster fire: the U.S. and South Korean defense chiefs telling North Korea to knock it off with the garbage balloon air raids. Yes, we’re at the part of 2025 where trash is a geopolitical weapon. From there, we take on a WWII slang quiz that’ll make you question if you’re a vet or just watched Band of Brothers twice, and we close by honoring the sinking of the USS Indianapolis—a tragic and heroic moment in naval history. It’s News for Vets, dark humor, and space force podcast energy all wrapped up in one glorious mess.

I’m joined today by Air Force MSgt (Ret) Craig Kim.  Craig attended Taylor-Dewitt Middle-High School in Pierson, FL. After graduating in 1998, he spoke to an Air Force recruiter and decided to join at 17 as a 3P0X1 Security Forces. He attended Basic Training and Tech School at Lackland Air Force Base, TX. He was first assigned to the 45th Security Forces Squadron at Patrick AFB, FL. During that assignment he was deployed twice. When he returned he re-trained to Information Management and attended Tech School at Kessler AFB, MS. Upon graduation in 2002, he was assigned to Goodfellow AFB, TX. During that assignment he deployed to Jordan in 2003.

This week on Late For Changeover, we welcome retired Air Force Major Ana Mondragon to help us unpack another round of military madness—starting with NASA’s latest moonshot: giving astronauts the ability to drink their own pee. Science is wild, folks. Meanwhile, troops can now cash in on economic hardship for the whopping bonus of $20 a month. That’s right—two crumpled Hamiltons to offset inflation. Try not to spend it all on one energy drink.

We also break down the true cost of PCS moves (spoiler: it’s your sanity), the heartbreak of military families overseas potentially not being able to ship their dogs home (cue the rage), and we wrap with a hard-hitting look at the Battle of Fire Base Ripcord—one of Vietnam’s bloodiest, least-known showdowns. From astronaut news to bonus pay that barely buys gas, this episode delivers real talk, real history, and real reasons to laugh through the dysfunction. It’s News for Vets with a space podcast edge and zero sugarcoating.

This week on Late For Changeover, we dig into a fresh RAND report that basically says what every salty E-4 mafia member already knew: military transition programs are out here pushing degrees when what vets really need are damn jobs. While Uncle Sam’s busy handing out pamphlets about college algebra, transitioning service members are wondering if anyone’s hiring for “Weapons System Technician with 12 years of classified experience and no LinkedIn.”

We break down how this disconnect hits Space Force veterans, Air Force vets, and anyone who's ever sat through a TAP class thinking, "This is just PowerPoint hell with snacks." It’s real talk about life after the uniform, the civilian skills gap no one wants to fix, and how the system still hasn’t caught up with the modern vet. It’s raw, it's funny, and it’s the space force podcast you didn’t know you needed in your transition toolkit. Welcome to News for Vets—with way more attitude than your VA caseworker.

This week on Late For Changeover, the Sentinel ICBM program blows past its budget like a boot at a PX sale—up 81% and climbing. We unpack why Uncle Sam’s latest doomsday device might need a side hustle to pay for itself. Then it’s over to the Air Force, which is dangling more bonus pay like a recruiter with a new PowerPoint. (Spoiler: they still won’t tell you what your actual job is.)

Also in this week’s chaos buffet: a former Army family scores $10 million after moldy base housing wrecks their kid’s health, Joey Chestnut shows no mercy in a hot dog showdown against four soldiers at Fort Bliss, and a Guam commander turns Independence Day into a full-blown barracks block party. We round things out with the USS Thresher, a Cold War-era attack sub that launched in 1960 and tragically sank less than three years later. It’s mold, missiles, meat sweats, and military madness—aka your weekly News for Vets fix with a side of dark humor and space force podcast energy.