Dear Reader,
I sometimes get thanked for my service on Veterans Day. And it can feel a little cringe. But “thanks” is always better than a random stranger asking, “have you ever killed anyone?” (The correct answer: “No, but I’m willing to make an exception.”)
Whether past or present, If you've ever donned the uniform, I want to say thank you — genuinely, from one veteran to another. It’s Veterans Day, no need to make this awkward. And hey, I also want to express my appreciation for letting Duffel Blog into your inbox. It's like being part of an exclusive club where the secret handshake is knowing the real meaning behind "mandatory fun." So, thank you for being a reader! Having you here is truly what keeps this whole dream alive.
Duffel Blog started 11 years ago as a humble website with zero readership and a mission to make service members and veterans laugh by relentlessly mocking generals and poking fun at misguided military policies. Today, we are read by top officials in the Pentagon and thousands of troops around the world. Wild!
Three years ago this month, we switched to an email newsletter format so we could better connect with our readers. And fortunately, it’s been a success: No longer constrained by social media algorithms, we see your comments and email replies on stories every day. “This sounds like a Duffel Blog article,” is a common refrain from fans when confronted with bizarre, yet real-life events from military life. And we hear you, loud and clear.
The people reading your messages are probably best described as a lovable band of military misfits. We are service members and vets from many ranks and every service branch who gather online to talk about the news of the day — often turning outrage into productive, biting, and funny satire. Sometimes, we are fortunate to even meet up in person and get insanely drunk before coming up with some of our best headlines.
The point of all this is to say that the community that has formed around Duffel Blog is amazing, and I am so thankful for it. I never expected this when I founded Duffel Blog in 2012, but it has truly changed my life.
So thank you for joining us on this journey. And for those who are paid subscribers, we especially appreciate your support in keeping this humble dream alive another day. Happy Veterans Day.
Semper Fi,
Founder of Duffel Blog
P.S. I recently found a bunch of Duffel Blog stickers that desperately need to find a good home on cars, laptops, and SIPR workstations. I’d like to send these to our paid subscribers as a small token of my appreciation. If you are a premium subscriber and would like a sticker (while supplies last!), please fill out this form with your address by Nov. 15. Thank you!