Joe and Chevy are back for another round—this time diving into what it was like serving in the military during the early 2000s.
From the grit and grind of Iraq deployment to the weird, wild, and often hilarious realities of barracks life, they paint a vivid picture of an era that shaped a generation of service members.
Chevy also shares how the film Black Hawk Down played a surprising role in influencing his decision when choosing his MOS (Military Occupational Specialty)—and how that decision led to a life he never could've predicted.
This episode is equal parts reflection, storytelling, and the kind of candid veteran banter you won’t hear anywhere else.

Host Joe Gelinas brings on his longtime friend and Army veteran Chevy to kick things off with a bang. In this episode, the two dive headfirst into the world of UFOs, UAPs, Chinese spy balloons, and some of their favorite conspiracy theories—military-style.
It’s a lively, off-the-cuff conversation between two veterans who’ve seen a lot, questioned even more, and aren’t afraid to explore the strange, unexplained, and just plain weird.
Whether you’re into classified sightings or skeptical takes, this one’s got laughs, stories, and just enough tinfoil to keep things interesting.
Buckle up—this is Reserve Element Podcast at its most curious.

Welcome to the very first episode of the Reserve Element Podcast. Recorded on the fly during a yearly ski trip, host Joe Gelinas—a U.S. Marine Corps veteran—sits down with three fellow Marines to kick things off the only way they know how: real, raw, and unfiltered.
This episode captures the spirit of the podcast—brotherhood, reflection, and resilience—as these veterans share stories from their time in the service, life after the military, and the bonds that have kept them close through the years.
Please excuse the sound quality—this one’s a little rough around the edges. Parts of the conversation have been narrated by Joe to add context and tie the memories together. It’s a fittingly unscripted start to a show built on honesty, shared experience, and the voices of those who’ve lived it.