Late For Changeover

Marty Smith

Late For Changeover is the podcast for anyone who’s ever rolled into guard mount a few minutes late but still got the job done—with a story to tell. Hosted by veterans Marty Smith, Eric “Mr. History” Piarrot, Jake Wall, Ana Mondragon, and rotating guests, this weekly show blends military humor, historical deep dives, space-force-level absurdity, and off-the-rails banter. It’s smart, sharp, and just unhinged enough to keep you coming back. From billion-dollar rocket launches to confederate statue debates, every episode serves up irreverent takes from people who’ve been there, done that, and still remember their shift-change stories. ”Swearing In” is a special interview series from Late For Changeover that explores the moment everything changed: the decision to raise your right hand. Through intimate, one-on-one conversations, each episode dives into the personal stories behind enlistment, capturing the motivations, fears, and defining moments that led individuals to military service. From first-generation soldiers to second-chance enlistees, Swearing In honors the deeply human side of the uniform, offering listeners a raw, reflective look at where the journey really begins. Late For Changeover isn’t just jokes and jargon. Beneath the laughs are reflections on identity, transition, leadership, and what it means to serve—and then move on. Whether you’re a vet, an active-duty listener, or just someone who loves to laugh at acronyms and unpack the weirdness of bureaucracy, you’ll feel right at home. No branch is spared, no topic is off limits, and no one escapes a roast—especially the hosts. Hit subscribe, and join the formation. Just don’t be late. And be sure to join the fun on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrzPMzqLMg05QK9B2tpO4NA

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Future Warfare Is Here: Silent Tanks, Smart Helmets & Tactical Jet Skis 🚀🪖🌊

    First off, the Late Crew plays the “Complete The Headline” game-test your knowledge of recent military news stories! (05:17) Then, out on California’s coast, Vandenberg Space Force Base is revving its engines for a launch-heavy future. More rockets, more missions, more global eyes on the Western Range. But while Guardians see liftoff, some locals see traffic, noise, and a skyline full of contrails. It is a space race playing out at neighborhood level, where orbital ambition meets earthly pushback. (17:57) Meanwhile on the ground, the M1E3 Abrams is creeping into view like a steel panther. The U.S. Army is building a lighter, smarter, hybrid-drive version of its iconic tank. Less fuel guzzling, more stealthy glide. Crews may soon be rolling into position with a vehicle that sounds less like thunder and more like a bad decision sneaking up on you. (32:41) Up in the skies, aviators from the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps are getting next-generation helmets straight out of a sci-fi cockpit. Think enhanced displays, better tracking, and tech that helps pilots process chaos at supersonic speed. The helmet is no longer just protection, it is a flying sensor suite wrapped around a human brain. (42:40) And just when you think you have seen every military vehicle possible, the U.S. Coast Guard pulls up on a tactical jet ski. Fast, nimble, and built for tight maritime chases, these water rockets are turning surf zones and crowded waterways into high-speed chess boards. (45:57) We conclude the show talking about the exploits and adventures of Air Force Colonel John Stapp, “The Fastest Man Alive”. (54:51)  Spaceports expanding. Tanks going quiet. Helmets getting smarter. Jet skis going tactical. The future battlefield is not just evolving, it is upgrading its entire loadout. https://lateforchangeover.com/

    1h 13m

  2. 4 FEB

    Orbiting Data Empires, VA Overhauls, and a WWI Relic ER Visit

    This episode rockets from the edge of the atmosphere straight into the headlines you did not see coming. SpaceX is reportedly sketching out plans for a jaw dropping orbital data center network that could one day blanket Earth with up to a million satellites, turning low Earth orbit into the ultimate cloud server farm (06:06). Space may soon have more traffic than a holiday weekend highway. Back on the ground, major reforms are brewing inside the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, with leadership signaling a shake up aimed at changing how veterans receive care in the months ahead (14:16). What gets streamlined, what gets cut, and what it means for former service members could reshape the system millions rely on. And in the most “history literally repeats itself” story of the week, a man in France landed in the hospital after an unexploded World War I munition turned up in a place no battlefield historian would recommend (21:52). Authorities had to treat the situation like a bomb disposal call, proving once again that old ordnance and bad decisions are a timeless combination. From mega constellations in orbit to system wide veteran care changes to a history lesson no one asked for, this lineup delivers whiplash in the best way. https://lateforchangeover.com/

    35 min

  3. 28 JAN

    A Banned Substance, a Poaching Scandal, the NFL and the military & the Wildest Air Force Experiments Ever

    This episode of  “Late For Changeover” is a full-throttle ride through today’s military headlines and some of the most unbelievable experiments in U.S. history. We kick things off with the Navy and Marine Corps banning kratom (05:14), an herbal supplement some service members have used for pain relief but that leaders now say carries serious risks and abuse concerns. What is it, why was it popular, and what happens next for troops looking for alternatives? Then we head into criminal territory as three soldiers are convicted in a poaching case tied to land on and around an Army installation (18:40). It is a story that mixes wildlife crime, federal land, and very bad career decisions. From courtroom drama to the gridiron, we spotlight the three finalists for the NFL’s Salute to Service Award (27:46), honoring individuals making major impacts for the military and veteran community. These stories are the kind that hit harder than a goal line stand. And for Unheralded History, we blast off into the era when the Cold War made science go full sci-fi: 🚀 Project 1794 tried to build a real flying saucer style aircraft (37:03) 🎈 Project Manhigh sent humans to the edge of space in high-altitude balloons (41:25) 🪂 Project Excelsior featured a daredevil Air Force officer jumping from near space to prove high-altitude bailouts were survivable (47:59) Strap in. This one goes from herbal supplements to near-space freefall in record time. https://lateforchangeover.com/

    1h 5m

  4. 21 JAN

    Moon Rockets, Cold War Experiments & a Pentagon “Gay Bomb” | Military News & History

    This episode of Late For Changeover launches from the Moon and dives straight into the strange, serious, and sometimes surreal corners of military history and modern defense policy. The crew breaks down NASA’s new Moon rocket rolling to the launch pad as astronauts prepare for a return to deep space as early as February (07:49). Back on Earth, we examine why the VA is still awarding disability benefits using medical criteria written nearly 80 years ago, and what that means for today’s veterans (17:32). On the tech front, DARPA wraps up its RACER autonomous vehicle tests, pushing AI-driven ground combat one step closer to reality (32:14). For Unheralded History, we revisit 1945’s Operation Teardrop (42:37) - the last desperate U-boat hunt off America’s coast, and Operation Whitecoat (49:54) from 1954–1973 where soldiers volunteered for controversial Cold War medical experiments in the name of national defense. And because this is Late For Changeover, we close with one of the Pentagon’s most infamous ideas ever uncovered: the 1994 proposal for the so-called “Gay Bomb” (58:02). Real documents. Real funding. Very real questions. Space exploration, veteran policy, autonomous warfare, and the weirdest corners of military history—this episode has it all. https://lateforchangeover.com/

    1h 8m

  5. 14 JAN

    Combat Questions, Cocaine Billions, Online sex ads & Vietnam’s Secret Duo: Salt & Pepper

    This episode swings from the Pentagon’s corridors to the jungle shadows of Vietnam with no speed limits and no safe assumptions. First, we play the “Complete The Headline” Game (01:39). Next, we open with the Pentagon ordering a hard look at the real-world “effectiveness” of women serving in combat arms roles, a review guaranteed to spark debate across the force and far beyond it. From doctrine to data, this conversation cuts straight into the future shape of the military (13:20). Then we hit the high seas, where the United States Coast Guard posts a jaw-dropping stat line: a record-smashing $4 billion in narcotics seized in a single year, revealing how modern drug interdiction has quietly become one of the most kinetic missions outside declared war zones (23:04). Next, the story turns strange and legally radioactive. An active-duty soldier from Fort Bragg claims his involvement in online sex ads was part of a “secret operation.” Was it cover, misconduct, or something else entirely? The details raise uncomfortable questions about accountability, plausibility, and the limits of “classified” explanations (30:07). We close with an Unheralded History deep dive back into the Vietnam War, unraveling the mystery of Salt and Pepper. Who were they, what did they do, and why did their story fade into the footnotes of a war overflowing with secrets? (38:20) From policy and patrols to scandals and shadow operatives, this episode connects the dots the headlines leave scattered. https://lateforchangeover.com/

    55 min

  6. 7 JAN

    From Delta Force Snipers to Nuclear Missile Trains: How Modern Warfare, Fitness Standards, and Forgotten Cold War Tech Collide

    In this explosive deep dive we connect the dots from Operation Absolute Resolve—where U.S. airpower cleared the skies for Delta Force to seize Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro in a breathtaking raid—to the lesser-known heroes and hidden figures you didn’t see in Black Hawk Down 🪖. We’ll also unpack how new waist-to-height ratio body-composition rules are reshaping military readiness in 2026, and why fitness matters as much as firepower in today’s armed forces. Then we rewind to two fascinating bygone experiments: the Peacekeeper Rail Garrison, America’s Cold War plan to launch ICBMs from railroad cars across the U.S. rail network, and the airborne Flying Platform experiments of the 1950s, engineered to levitate soldiers into battle long before drones were in vogue. This is a tour through strategy, strength, and surreal military tech history. 🚁 📏 🚆 ⚙️ https://lateforchangeover.com/

    1h 1m

  7. 31/12/2025

    It’s the Late Crew Year in Review!

    It’s the Late Crew Year in Review!  Join us as we re-visit some of our best stories of the year along with some of our quizzes and games.  We conclude the episode with some hilarious and never before seen outtakes! 2025 was a great year for us and thanks to all for listening and watching! https://lateforchangeover.com/

    53 min

  8. 24/12/2025

    Christmas at War: Miracles, Battles & Brotherhood

    It’s the Late Crew Christmas Episode! This time, history doesn’t take the holiday off. We start in 1776, when Washington made Christmas a night for river ice, surprise attacks, and nation-bending decisions while crossing the Delaware on December 25th (06:29).  Then we jump to Korea in 1950, where the SS Meredith evacuation turned into a Christmas Eve miracle, rescuing 14,000 refugees in freezing seas without a single casualty (14:18).  From there, we hit 1944 for one of the strangest Christmas Eves of WWII, when a German teen named Fritz Vincken hosted a ceasefire dinner between U.S. soldiers and a Wehrmacht patrol in a snow-locked cabin on December 24th (26:17). Finally, we look to the skies for the longest-running holiday operation in military history, Operation Christmas Drop, delivering aid across the Pacific since 1952, and still flying today with C-130s, parachutes, and pure holiday goodwill (37:28). Four stories. Four Christmas Eves/Days. One episode packed with courage, miracles, odd alliances, and the true spirit of service. Grab some cocoa and strap in, this sleigh is a C-130. https://lateforchangeover.com/

    48 min
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About

Late For Changeover is the podcast for anyone who’s ever rolled into guard mount a few minutes late but still got the job done—with a story to tell. Hosted by veterans Marty Smith, Eric “Mr. History” Piarrot, Jake Wall, Ana Mondragon, and rotating guests, this weekly show blends military humor, historical deep dives, space-force-level absurdity, and off-the-rails banter. It’s smart, sharp, and just unhinged enough to keep you coming back. From billion-dollar rocket launches to confederate statue debates, every episode serves up irreverent takes from people who’ve been there, done that, and still remember their shift-change stories. ”Swearing In” is a special interview series from Late For Changeover that explores the moment everything changed: the decision to raise your right hand. Through intimate, one-on-one conversations, each episode dives into the personal stories behind enlistment, capturing the motivations, fears, and defining moments that led individuals to military service. From first-generation soldiers to second-chance enlistees, Swearing In honors the deeply human side of the uniform, offering listeners a raw, reflective look at where the journey really begins. Late For Changeover isn’t just jokes and jargon. Beneath the laughs are reflections on identity, transition, leadership, and what it means to serve—and then move on. Whether you’re a vet, an active-duty listener, or just someone who loves to laugh at acronyms and unpack the weirdness of bureaucracy, you’ll feel right at home. No branch is spared, no topic is off limits, and no one escapes a roast—especially the hosts. Hit subscribe, and join the formation. Just don’t be late. And be sure to join the fun on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrzPMzqLMg05QK9B2tpO4NA

Information

  • Creator
    Marty Smith
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2021 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Late For Changeover