Tier1 Podcast: Veterans Day with Eddie Gallagher | Service, Sacrifice, and Brotherhood

Podcast: Tier1 Podcast
Host: Brent Tucker
Date: November 26, 2025
Guest: Eddie Gallagher (Retired Navy SEAL), Drew Tucker (co-host)

Overview

This live Veterans Day special brings together host Brent Tucker (former Delta Force), co-host Drew Tucker, and special guest Eddie Gallagher (retired Navy SEAL) for an in-depth conversation about the meaning of Veterans Day, the brotherhood forged in military service, the challenges and humor of elite military life, and the need to honor all who serve—not just the headline-makers. The episode is rich with personal stories, historical context, camaraderie, and direct engagement with their audience through live super chats.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Understanding Veterans Day vs. Memorial Day

• Veterans Day celebrates all who have served in the U.S. military;

• Memorial Day honors those who died in service.

• Many veterans instinctively think of their fallen comrades on Veterans Day due to the nature of their service and ingrained humility.

• A reminder that every job in the military is vital, regardless of risk level or prestige.

• Quote:

  "If you raised your right hand to serve this country, you have earned your spot in this country, and you should be proud of that. That’s a beautiful thing, without a doubt."
  — Eddie Gallagher [03:30]

• Timestamps:

  • [02:25] Veterans Day vs. Memorial Day clarification
  • [05:12] Historical roots: Armistice Day and its evolution

2. Historical Tidbits: Armistice Day & Military Traditions

• Armistice Day (original name of Veterans Day) commemorates the end of World War I on the 11th hour, 11th day, 11th month (1918).
• Renamed Veterans Day in 1954 under President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
• Soldier Field in Chicago was renamed on Veterans Day, intertwining sports and veteran honors.
• Quote:

  "On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month... if you know, you know."
  — Brent Tucker [06:01]

3. Brotherhood, Sacrifice, and Humor in Service

• Elite units depend on the wide web of military roles—"team effort all the way around."

• Shared hardships forge unbreakable bonds—often recalled through humor and misadventure.

• Funniest and most capable warriors are often also the deadliest—humor as a coping mechanism.

• Quote:

  "Some of the funniest people I’ve ever worked with were also some of the just most prolific killers on target...They’re just good at everything. They’re annoying!"
  — Brent Tucker [11:09]

• Timestamps:

  • [10:04] Importance of humor and shared hardship
  • [13:06] Early Marine Corps hazing stories
  • [16:05] Disgusting but hilarious deployment stories ("Trashville" tales)

4. Story Time: Training, Barracks Life, and Deployment Fails

• Vivid stories from Marine Corps barracks and "Trashville" (USS Nashville), highlighting both misery and laughter.

• Hazing, shared suffering, and filthy living conditions: a rite of passage.

• Quote:

  "I would lay in my bed and just be in the...stare at the corner while guys...this is miserable. But looking back on it now, I mean, it’s hilarious."
  — Eddie Gallagher [18:06]

• Timestamps:

  • [12:59–18:28] Gallagher’s stories of Marine Corps life and first deployment

5. The Unsung Heroes: Infantry and Conventional Forces

• Strong pushback on the narrative that special operations overshadow conventional forces.
• Conventional infantry often face the harshest, most dangerous conditions and are just as worthy of respect.
• Many infantry and conventional veterans feel overlooked, both in services and in civilian recognition.
• Quote:

  "I hold the infantry up above what we do...their job is...ten times more dangerous."
  — Eddie Gallagher [23:40]

• Veteran-to-veteran encouragement: every experience is valuable and every story matters.
• Timestamps:
  • [22:24–24:24] Addressing “us vs. them” between SOF and infantry
  • [25:44–27:27] Why more conventional veterans should tell their stories

6. Audience Q&A and Community Interaction

• Live super chats covered:
  • Equipment questions (LPVOs vs. red dots/magnifiers) and practical preferences per theater ([28:12–31:03]).
  • Family tributes to fallen soldiers ([42:34–43:44]).
  • Humorous and heartfelt audience stories ([33:11], [47:49], [48:03]).
  • Recovery updates from Gallagher (quad tendon surgery) ([33:47–35:04]).
  • Banter about military culture, jokes, and pop culture references ([51:37]—the "Kiss Kamala for $3" running joke).

7. Reflections on Iraq, Afghanistan, and 'Winning' Wars

• Both Brent and Eddie reflect on the goals, costs, and ambiguous outcomes of OIF and OEF.

• Critique of shifting mission objectives and lack of clarity from military leadership.

• Winning looks different in modern conflicts—often more about influence than definitive victory.

• Quote:

  "What does winning look like? When you’re nation building, winning does look different."
  — Brent Tucker [45:07]

• Timestamps:

  • [42:59–47:38] What did Iraq and Afghanistan accomplish? The role of leadership and shifting missions.

8. Camaraderie, Pranking, and Deployment Humor

• The value of pranks and absurdity for morale during combat deployments ([48:03–50:28]).
• Legendary stories: naked Christmas photos, bed pranks, and the hit-and-miss moments of “super soldiers.”
• Quote:

  "You were naked in my bed!"
  — Eddie Gallagher [48:49]

9. On Division and Respect in the Veteran/Military Community

• Calls for unity among veterans and the public—a plea to avoid divisive rhetoric stoked by social media or political tribes.

• “High road” approach to internal veteran disputes (notably regarding fellow SOF veteran Rob O’Neill).

• Quote:

  "If you are constantly adding to the divisive language that is put out by this, the mainstream media, and through our government and everything else, you’re part of the problem."
  — Eddie Gallagher [73:36]

• Timestamps:

  • [71:13–75:57] Handling division—inside and outside the veteran world

10. Honoring Veterans and the Standard They Set

• Encouragement for veterans to own their day and set positive examples for others.

• The legacy of veteran service is carried forward by upholding high standards for the next generation.

• Quote:

  "Hold yourselves to that same standard and just be a shining example to those young men and women who are thinking about joining."
  — Eddie Gallagher [111:00]

• Timestamps:

  • [110:07–111:04] Closing remarks and Veterans Day message

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On distinguishing Veterans Day and Memorial Day:

  "When Veterans Day comes around...I can't even help but thinking of...the veterans who lost their lives. And I think a lot of us do. It's just the way we're built."
  — Eddie Gallagher [03:30]

• On contribution regardless of MOS:

  "Guys like us couldn't have done our job without everyone."
  — Brent Tucker [04:14]

• On the best operators and leadership:

  "What’s easier for me to pick out is the best officer I’ve ever worked for...he came and testified for me at my trial and put his career in jeopardy."
  — Eddie Gallagher [82:43] "He was there for the right reasons, not for careerism, and careerism is what’s ruining...the officers in our military."
  — Brent Tucker [82:54]

• On humor and coping:

  "If you don’t have a sense of humor, you’re not going to make it. Like, it will break you."
  — Brent Tucker [11:09]

• On facing "us vs. them" with conventional forces:

  "Never once showed up and liked the infantry—love those guys."
  — Brent Tucker [23:04]

• On setting an example as a veteran:

  "Today is your day...set the example for others. The standard that they held themselves to."
  — Eddie Gallagher [111:04]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Topic | |----------------|------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:25–05:12 | Veterans Day vs Memorial Day; Armistice Day history | | 10:04–13:06 | Sense of humor, brotherhood in SOF, training stories | | 13:06–18:28 | Barracks life, hazing, and "Trashville" deployment | | 22:24–27:27 | Respect for infantry/conventional forces; call for their stories | | 28:12–31:03 | Audience gear questions (Red dots, LPVOs, practical use) | | 33:47–35:04 | Injury & Recovery update (Eddie Gallagher) | | 42:59–47:38 | Iraq & Afghanistan reflections, 'winning', military leadership | | 48:03–50:28 | Pranks, humor on deployment | | 71:13–75:57 | Addressing division in America and veteran community | | 110:07–111:04 | Final thoughts and message to veterans |

Memorable Moments

• "Trashville" Story: [16:05–18:28]
  Eddie's stories of overflowing toilets, bottom-bunk misery, and silent suffering turned into laughter later.

• Infantry Shout-Out: [23:40]
  Both Brent and Eddie offer unequivocal respect to infantry/conventional troops.

• Live Prayer for Fallen: [64:41]
  Drew Tucker leads a heartfelt prayer for those lost and their families.

• Friendly Banter: [51:37]
  "Would you kiss Kamala for $3?"—the kind of irreverent humor that surfaces among veterans.

Tone & Style

The episode balances reverence and solemnity for the meaning of service with the everyday camaraderie, sarcasm, and frankness that define special operations culture. The language is direct, often self-deprecating, and always authentic. Both sobriety (when discussing loss or internal division) and levity (banter, embarrassing stories, pranks) are held in constant interplay—just like in real military teams.

Call to Action

The episode concludes with a powerful plea:

"Walk proud, hold your head up high...hold yourselves to that same standard and just be a shining example to those young men and women who are thinking about joining."
— Eddie Gallagher [111:04]

In Closing

This Veterans Day special is both an education and an inspiration. Listeners learn what the holiday represents, why humility and team spirit matter, the importance of unity among military branches and generations, and how the daily grind, gallows humor, and shared sacrifice define military brotherhood. Every veteran—no matter their MOS, deployment history, or post-military path—finds themselves honored here.

[END OF SUMMARY]