Camo & Crayons

Most military families look the same on paper: the soldier is the dad, and the stay-at-home parent is the mom. Not this time. In Episode 17, Laurie and the Camo & Crayons panel sit down with James and Amanda. Amanda is a National Guard soldier and trauma therapist. James is an Australian-born business owner and military spouse who stayed home with the kids while she went through training.They met through a video game. Years later, James's drinking pushed their marriage to the edge. In 2024 he broke a promise to Amanda and had a seizure in a hotel lobby, and he's been sober for over two years since. They share how they got there, including:What it's like to be the military spouse dad, from boot shopping to writing a letter every day during basic trainingThe night that changed everything, and how trust was rebuilt one step at a timeHow faith, mentors, boundaries, and forgiveness shaped their marriageHow sobriety changed life at home with their kidsWhy boredom, suppressed emotions, and moral injury push service members toward substances, and why talking to someone is always okayThe two organizations they started: James's coaching framework, The Rebuild, and Amanda's Warrior Refuge Georgia, built on the idea that breaking bread breaks barriersFind James and AmandaThe Rebuild (James): theraybuild.comWarrior Refuge Georgia (Amanda): warrior-refuge.comToday's SpotlightWe're honoring Laurie's son, Phil. Phil, thank you for your service!Want your service member featured?Nominate someone for a Military Spotlight: https://forms.gle/pw8cHq58N6oEmD6s9Connect with your hostsLaurie: https://linktr.ee/laurietrahanSherry: https://linktr.ee/sherrydavis69.sdContact us: [email protected] you or someone you love is struggling, you're not alone. Behavioral health support is available 24/7, and reaching out is a strength.

This week, a panel of active-duty service members, recruiters and military moms answers real questions from our TikTok community. The panel is Sergeant Butterworth, Adam, Berek, Brian, Sherry, Annika and Laurie. They don't sugarcoat anything.In this episode:How phone plans work when you're stationed overseasWhich branch a 17-year-old should enlist in (hint: talk to all of them)Advice for a new service member who's nervous about senior leadersWhere to get confidential help with a drinking problemMedical and moral waivers, explainedWhat happens when a service member goes AWOLHow to help a service member who feels overwhelmedCan you change your orders?TSP, 401(k) and who can help with your financesLeave, 96s and 4-day weekendsRe-enlisting: advice from the panelMilitary Family SpotlightWant your service member featured on a future episode? Fill out our form:https://forms.gle/pw8cHq58N6oEmD6s9Connect with your hostsLaurie: https://linktr.ee/laurietrahanSherry: https://linktr.ee/sherrydavis69.sdConnect with our pannelAdam: https://www.tiktok.com/@cao.boo.blue?lang=enBerek: https://www.tiktok.com/@casgamer82ps?lang=enSSG Butters: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsbutters93King of Pogs: https://www.tiktok.com/@king_of_pogsContact usCamo & Crayons: [email protected] you or someone you know is struggling: The Military Crisis Line is free and confidential, 24/7. Dial 988 then press 1, or text 838255.Recorded and produced by SWA Creative Media.SWA Creative Media: [email protected]

Do you call your son "son" or "sir" when he makes Colonel? 🎖️Marine veteran Ruben and Marine and Army veteran Dennis "Sarge" sit down with Laurie, Sherry "Army Mom" Davis and Annika for an honest, funny and emotional conversation about service, family and coming home.In this episode: • Ruben on watching his son become a Marine Colonel • Dennis's "Heritage Room," with sand from Iwo Jima and dirt from WWI and WWII battlefields • What Vietnam-era veterans want today's service members and their families to know • Getting through the transition to civilian life, and why it's okay to ask for help • 52 years of marriage that started with a snow coneConnect with us 🎙️ Host, Laurie Trahan: https://linktr.ee/laurietrahan 🪖 Host, Sherry "Army Mom" https://linktr.ee/sherrydavis69.sd🪖 Guest, Ruben:https://www.tiktok.com/@ruben57borrego?lang=en 🪖 Guest, Dennis "Sarge":https://www.tiktok.com/@sarge.dt?lang=en 📧 Podcast email: [email protected] 📧 Military Spotlight Form: https://forms.gle/oSrqDxTSjcQB86ca6If you or a veteran you know is struggling, call the Veterans Crisis Line: dial 988, then press 1.Produced by SWA Creative Media.#CamoAndCrayons #Veterans #MilitaryFamily #Marines #Podcast

Grab your drink, your sweater, and your slippers, because it's girl talk time! In Episode 14 of Camo & Crayons, Laurie, Sherry, and Annika answer questions from you, our followers, about military moves. They also cover how to help military kids through them.Annika is joining us live from Okinawa, where she just got her household goods after months of waiting. She compares her stateside PCS with her overseas move to Japan. She covers:What changes when you go from a domestic move to an international oneMedical clearance and waiting in limbo while your service member goes aheadHousehold goods that travel by boat across the ocean, and why she hid AirTags in hersThe housing crunch in Japan and families stuck in hotelsHow the government travel charge card worksHelping kids adjust to a new placeHard conversations to have at home before a deploymentTravel questions about boot camp and military leaveHow parents can support a child in the militaryHave a question for a future episode? Send it to us!Follow and connect:📱 TikTok: @camoandcrayonspod📘 Facebook: Camo & Crayons on Facebook▶️ YouTube: Watch on YouTube✉️ Send us your questions: [email protected] with the hosts:🌲 Laurie: linktr.ee/laurietrahan🌲 Sherry: linktr.ee/sherrydavis69.sd📱 Annika on TikTok: @annika_lyonRecorded on Riverside. Produced by SWA Creative Media.

Laurie and Sherry sit down with CPT Will Aldana, known on TikTok as Seasoned Soldier. He has served for over 23 years in the Air Force, the Army National Guard, and active-duty Army. He worked as a career counselor, went through Officer Candidate School, and is now an ROTC instructor at the University of New Mexico.In this episode, he talks about:His path from airport security on 9/11 to commissioned officerWhy he says to find the job you want before you choose a branchHow OCS, ROTC, and JROTC work, and how they can ease the move into military lifeStaying physically fit, speaking up for yourself with recruiters, and earning certifications and education to prepare for life after the militaryThis one is useful for future service members, parents, and military families.Connect with CPT Will AldanaTikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@seasoned_soldierConnect with Camo & CrayonsEmail: [email protected]: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61593425550543Laurie: https://linktr.ee/laurietrahanSherry: https://linktr.ee/sherrydavis69.sd#562856016?viewRecorded and produced by SWA Creative Media.