Camo & Crayons Military Life & Family Support Podcast is a podcast dedicated to the military community—bringing together service members, veterans, military spouses, parents, and experts for honest conversations about military life. From boot camp to deployments, PCS moves to homecomings, we share real stories, practical advice, and the lessons learned along the way.
Whether you're preparing to send a loved one to basic training, navigating military life, or simply looking to better understand those who serve, Camo & Crayons offers encouragement, education, and a reminder that no military family walks this journey alone.
Vet on the Mic: Turning 23 Years of Service Into a Mission of Motivation
In this episode of Camo & Crayons, Laurie, Annika, and Sherry sit down with Vet on the Mic — a 23-year retired U.S. Air Force veteran and one of TikTok's most motivational voices. From growing up idolizing his Vietnam-veteran father to a 23-year career in Aerospace Ground Equipment that took him from Tinker AFB to Korea, Germany, Okinawa, and beyond — this conversation is packed with heart, humor, and hard-won wisdom.
We talk about:
🎖️ What it's really like to serve 23 years and retire as Senior Master Sergeant
✈️ Life on the flight line as Aerospace Ground Equipment (AGE)
🌍 Duty stations around the world — Korea, Japan, Germany, and more
👨👩👧 Raising a military family across four continents
😂 How humor became his tool for fighting depression and anxiety after service
🎤 Building a following on TikTok as "Vet on the Mic"
If you're a veteran, military spouse, military kid, or just need a dose of motivation today — this episode is for you.
Important Links:
Email: camoandcrayons@gmail.com (https://camoandcrayons@gmail.com)
Hosts: Laurie (https://linktr.ee/laurietrahan) & Sherry (https://linktr.ee/sherrydavis69.sd)
🎙️ Follow Vet on the Mic: https://linktr.ee/VetOnTheMic (https://linktr.ee/VetOnTheMic)
Project Healing Waters (https://projecthealingwaters.org/)
23 Sept 2026
The Inside Scoop from a Marine Corps Drill Instructor
Laurie, Sherry, and Annika discuss GySgt Cruz’s experiences and time
throughout his Marine Corps career. Discussing topics from leaving home, to
being in the Marine Corps, as well as serving as a Drill Instructor.
Email Camo & Crayons (https://camoandcrayons@gmail.com)
Hosts:
Laurie's Linktree (https://linktr.ee/laurietrahan)
Sherry's linktree (https://linktr.ee/sherrydavis69.sd#562856016?view)
Guest Links:
Jonas The Mad Hatter on TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@jonas_the_mad_hatter)
Irreverent Warriors (https://www.irreverentwarriors.org/)
16 Sept 2026
You Asked, They Answered: Live Q&A with Berek & Brian
This episode is all about YOU. Every question answered today came straight from the Camo & Crayons community — pulled directly from Laurie's Saturday and Sunday TikTok Lives, where followers ask their real, unfiltered questions about military life, love, and everything in between.
To help tackle them, Laurie and Sherry brought in two special guests for a panel-style sit-down: Berek T. Krehmeier, a retired Marine Corps Staff Sergeant (20 years of service, now a Career Services Specialist & SkillBridge Coordinator), and Brian, "King of POGs", an active-duty Army Sergeant and Religious Affairs NCO marking his 10-year milestone. (Annika's sitting this one out — she just landed in Okinawa after 27 hours of travel!)
One of the top questions submitted by followers: is getting married right out of boot camp a good idea or a bad one? Berek and Brian dig into it with total honesty, covering:
🗣️ Why communication — not timing — makes or breaks a military marriage
📋 Brian's "100 Questions" checklist he gives service members before they say "I do"
⚓ How certain MOSs (like Marine Security Guard) restrict spouses and communication
🏕️ What being a "Geo Bachelor" means and how deployments test relationships
❤️ Berek's candid take after three marriages on what he wishes he'd known
If you submitted a question during one of Laurie's TikTok Lives, this could be the episode where you get your answer. Follow along for future Lives to get your own questions featured!
Email:
camoandcrayons@gmail.com (mailto:camoandcrayons@gmail.com)
Hosts:
Laurie Trahan
https://linktr.ee/laurietrahan (https://linktr.ee/laurietrahan)
Army Sherry
https://linktr.ee/sherrydavis69.sd (https://linktr.ee/sherrydavis69.sd)
Guests:
Berek T. Krehmeier (USMC, Ret.)
Berek.krehmeier@yahoo.com (mailto:Berek.krehmeier@yahoo.com)
Brian, King of POGs (US Army)
billz84@gmail.com (mailto:billz84@gmail.com)
Military Spotlight:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_qH1ak2vl6Fy8MccvRSKJh0hzYgWiapBPkEgB3wzXLIobig/viewform (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_qH1ak2vl6Fy8MccvRSKJh0hzYgWiapBPkEgB3wzXLIobig/viewform)
9 Sept 2026
Navigating Change in Military Careers: Insights from Master Sergeant Vasquez
In this episode, we sit down with Master Sergeant Vladimiro “Isaac” Vasquez, an active-duty Army leader with nearly 18 years of service and more than a decade in Army retention and career counseling.
We talk about Army careers, retention, leadership, mentorship, and helping Soldiers make informed decisions about their military careers and life after service. MSG Vasquez also shares lessons from his deployment to Afghanistan, years of leadership, and his upcoming transition toward retirement.
camoandcrayons@gmail.com (mailto:camoandcrayons@gmail.com)
https://linktr.ee/laurietrahan (https://linktr.ee/laurietrahan)
https://linktr.ee/sherrydavis69.sd (https://linktr.ee/sherrydavis69.sd)
https://www.tiktok.com/@overtimedadpartyof6 (https://www.tiktok.com/@overtimedadpartyof6)
Military Spotlight
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_qH1ak2vl6Fy8MccvRSKJh0hzYgWiapBPkEgB3wzXLIobig/viewform (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_qH1ak2vl6Fy8MccvRSKJh0hzYgWiapBPkEgB3wzXLIobig/viewform)
2 Sept 2026
Understanding Mental Health Support for Military Families
In this episode of Camo & Crayons, we delve into the vital topic of mental health for active duty members and veterans, guided by Lori Cross, a mental health expert and the mother of a recruit at Paris Island. Lori shares her extensive experience working with military personnel and offers invaluable insights into the mental health landscape.
camoandcrayons@gmail.com (mailto:camoandcrayons@gmail.com)
https://linktr.ee/laurietrahan (https://linktr.ee/laurietrahan)
https://linktr.ee/sherrydavis69.sd (https://linktr.ee/sherrydavis69.sd)
Laurie Cross BSW, M.Ed, LPCC
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569069470624&rdid=NdWH71yIP7bejEVJ&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1DTkLZZs6f%2F# (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569069470624&rdid=NdWH71yIP7bejEVJ&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1DTkLZZs6f%2F#)
Clearer Minds Mental Health
clearermindsmentalhealth@gmail.com (mailto:clearermindsmentalhealth@gmail.com)
Military Mental Health Support | Military OneSource
https://www.militaryonesource.mil/health-wellness/mental-health (https://www.militaryonesource.mil/health-wellness/mental-health)
988 Lifeline - If you need emotional support, reach out to the national mental health hotline
https://www.militaryonesource.mil/health-wellness/mental-health (https://www.militaryonesource.mil/health-wellness/mental-health)
https://988lifeline.org/ (https://988lifeline.org/)
Tricare Mental Health Care
https://www.telemynd.com/tricare (https://www.telemynd.com/tricare)?
Objective Zero - Free Mental Health APP
https://www.objectivezero.org/ (https://www.objectivezero.org/)
26 Aug 2026
A Drill Sergeant on Preparing Your Recruit
In this episode, Laurie, Sherry, and Annika sit down with Sergeant First Class George — a 9.5-year Army veteran, tanker (19K), and former drill sergeant at Fort Benning — to pull back the curtain on basic training. SFC George breaks down the culture shock recruits face on day one, the personal and financial prep families should handle before shipping out, and why nicotine and social-media withdrawal hit "iPad kid" recruits harder than expected. The hosts also dig into the Army's evolving phone-call policy during training and what it means for parents craving connection with their soldier. A must-listen for any parent, spouse, or future recruit gearing up for basic.
camoandcrayons@gmail.com (mailto:camoandcrayons@gmail.com)
https://linktr.ee/laurietrahan (https://linktr.ee/laurietrahan)
https://linktr.ee/sherrydavis69.sd (https://linktr.ee/sherrydavis69.sd)
Spotlight
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_qH1ak2vl6Fy8MccvRSKJh0hzYgWiapBPkEgB3wzXLIobig/viewform?usp=publish-editor (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_qH1ak2vl6Fy8MccvRSKJh0hzYgWiapBPkEgB3wzXLIobig/viewform?usp=publish-editor)
19 Aug 2026
Army Life and Recruiting
Laurie, Sherry, and Annika discuss SSG Butter’s experiences and time
throughout his Army career. Discussing topics from leaving home, to being in the army, and now serving as an Army recruiter.
Contact Camo & Crayons
camoandcrayons@gmail.com (mailto:camoandcrayons@gmail.com)
https://linktr.ee/laurietrahan (https://linktr.ee/laurietrahan)
https://linktr.ee/sherrydavis69.sd (https://linktr.ee/sherrydavis69.sd)
Military Spotlight
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_qH1ak2vl6Fy8MccvRSKJh0hzYgWiapBPkEgB3wzXLIobig/viewform?usp=publish-editor (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_qH1ak2vl6Fy8MccvRSKJh0hzYgWiapBPkEgB3wzXLIobig/viewform?usp=publish-editor)
ASVAP Study Guides
https://a.co/d/0d5VP8tk (https://a.co/d/0d5VP8tk)
https://www.purplemath.com/ (https://www.purplemath.com/)
https://www.youtube.com/@GrammarHero (https://www.youtube.com/@GrammarHero)
https://www.khanacademy.org/ (https://www.khanacademy.org/)
12 Aug 2026
From Farm Life to United States Marine Corps Infantry
Laurie, Sherry, and Annika discuss SSgt Hobaugh’s experiences and time
throughout his Marine Corps career. Discussing topics from leaving home, to
being in the infantry, and now serving as a Marine Corps recruiter.
camoandcrayons@gmail.com (mailto:camoandcrayons@gmail.com)
https://linktr.ee/sherrydavis69.sd (https://linktr.ee/sherrydavis69.sd)
https://linktr.ee/laurietrahan (https://linktr.ee/laurietrahan)
3 Aug 2026
A Life of Service within the United States Navy
Laurie, Sherry, and Annika discuss Skip’s very successful career in the
United States Navy. They discuss his mentorship, career decisions, his
advice to families and young individuals discussing joining the military, and his time involving joint operations.
camoandcrayons@gmail.com (mailto:camoandcrayons@gmail.com)
https://linktr.ee/laurietrahan (https://linktr.ee/laurietrahan)
https://linktr.ee/sherrydavis69.sd (https://linktr.ee/sherrydavis69.sd)
3 Aug 2026
A Woman Navigating A Military Career
Laurie, Sherry, and Annika discuss Annika’s career in the Marine Corps.
They discuss any gender challenges she faced, what shaped her into the
leader she became the longer she stayed in, and what advice she would give her younger self as well as young women trying to decide to take on the challenge of becoming a United States Marine.
camoandcrayons@gmail.com (mailto:camoandcrayons@gmail.com)
https://linktr.ee/laurietrahan (https://linktr.ee/laurietrahan)
https://linktr.ee/sherrydavis69.sd (https://linktr.ee/sherrydavis69.sd)
31 Jul 2026
Meet the Women Behind Camo & Crayons
Welcome to the very first episode of Camo & Crayons — a podcast built for military families, by military families. In this introduction episode, hosts Laurie, Sherry, and Annika sit down together for the first time on the mic to share who they are, why they decided to start this podcast, and what led them to create a space specifically for the military community.
You'll get to know each host individually — their history with military life, their families, and the personal moments that made them realize this podcast needed to exist. They also give you a preview of what's ahead: the topics they'll be covering, the kind of guests they hope to bring on, and the tone you can expect episode after episode — honest, supportive, and never short on humor.
If you're a military spouse, parent, service member, or just someone who wants a front-row seat to real conversations about real life — this is your welcome mat. Grab a coffee (or a juice box, let's be honest) and get to know the girls behind Camo & Crayons.
🎧 New episodes drop weekly. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube so you never miss one.
camoandcrayons@gmail.com (mailto:camoandcrayons@gmail.com)
https://linktr.ee/laurietrahan (https://linktr.ee/laurietrahan)
https://linktr.ee/sherrydavis69.sd (https://linktr.ee/sherrydavis69.sd)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
8 ratings
Contact Camo & Crayons
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