Mandatory Fun

If you've ever moved to a new city or transitioned to a different school as a kid, you may have experienced culture shock. The ordeal could be disorienting, but it probably wasn't long before you made new friends and adjusted to your environment. Now amplify that times 100, that's what it's like for some troops visiting foreign countries for the first time. In this episode of the Mandatory Fun podcast, we discuss why partying in the Middle East is so darn hard.

Before they were big-name celebrities, the veterans on this episode of the Mandatory Fun podcast were everyday Joes in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. Some — like Montel Williams — were among the those who made full careers out of their time in service. Others were not cut out for the military and were eventually kicked out. Regardless of their experience, one thing's for sure — their military careers didn't determine how famous they'd become after the service.

Firearms technology has advanced by leaps and bounds over the last 20 years. While civilians and law enforcement have taken advantage of new designs, the military hasn't been as quick to adjust. In this episode of the Mandatory Fun podcast we discuss the military's plans to find a pistol replacement, the role of today's battle rifles, and why ammo matters. Hosted by: Blake Stilwell: Air Force veteran and Managing Editor Tracy Woodward: Benevolent smartass and Social Media coordinator Orvelin Valle (AKA O.V.): Navy veteran and Podcast Producer Guest: Christian Lowe: Executive Editor at We Are The Mighty

A nickname is a revealing character indicator. Whether it's bad or badass, it's usually determined by peer evaluation unless there's an obvious appearance quality. In this episode of the WATM podcast, we discuss our favorite military leader nicknames and how they earned their labels. Some leaders wear it with pride, while others resent their moniker.

With the conflicts in the Middle East and America's tumultuous relationships with Russia and China, it's not hard to imagine the final chapter in the World War trilogy. While fighting a conflict on the World War scale won't be fun, there's sure to be plenty of fireworks. Luckily, America and NATO-affiliated countries have prepared for such a scenario. In this episode of the We Are The Mighty podcast, we discuss which American forces will be the first on the scene when World War III erupts.

For the past 40 years, the United States and South Korea participate in a joint military training exercise simulating a war against the Communist north. The exercise mobilizes around 20,000 U.S. and South Korean troops in land, sea and air maneuvers. In return, North Korea typically responds with missile launches and nuclear tests — increasing tensions and the potential for conflict on the peninsula. In this episode of the We Are The Mighty Podcast Mark Harper and Shannon Corbeil — two former Air Force officers — share their experience with these war games and what you need to know about the threat from the DPRK.

Now that the conventions are over and Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are the official presidential nominees for their respective parties, how will the incoming Commander-in-Chief handle the turmoil around the world? Will America be led down the path of imminent war, or will the new president avoid these chaotic scenarios? Join us for part two of the potential wars that could break out in the next four years.

America's relationship with Russia wasn't always as bad as it is now (or was during the Cold War). Thanks to help from Czarist Russia, for example, England had a tough time controlling the colonial rebellion during the Revolutionary War. And who can forget the alliance with Stalin during World War II? In this episode of the Mandatory Fun podcast, our hosts explore the on-again, off-again relationship with the Ruskies.

The incoming Commander-in-Chief has a full plate of foreign and domestic issues come January 20th. His or her first term is filled with potential flare-ups around the world. Some include the usual suspects, like Iran and Russia but also some newcomers. In this episode of the Mandatory Fun podcast, our veteran hosts discuss the potential wars our next Commander-in-Chief will have to avoid or engage.

Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) can be a debilitating condition and often referred to as the silent killer of veterans. Alarmed by the 22 veteran suicides per day statistic, Jake Clark founded Save A Warrior, a warrior-led healing experience to save active duty service members, veterans, and first responders from committing suicide and improve their lives. In this episode of the We Are The Mighty podcast Jake Clark and Raychad Vannatta—Save A Warrior's executive director—stop by to discuss their mission and tactics for curbing PTS.