$174 in Pain and Pennies Episode 166

So there I was… with $174 in loose change, one Garande rifle, and a sandpit full of regret. In this unforgettable episode, retired Marine First Sergeant John Crouch returns to So There I Was to share a story so absurd, it should be fiction—but it’s 100% real! From psychological stress at Officer Candidate School to creative punishments involving unsecured wallets and rifles. And you’ll hear how a Medal of Honor dog tag program gave candidates something bigger than themselves to fight for—and how a quiet act of remembrance, years later, brought that message full circle. This one has it all. You’ll laugh, wince, and maybe reconsider ever presetting a lock again. Plus: the mystery of the disappearing platoon, and the officer candidate who DOR’d mid-leg lift (spoiler: she made captain). Whether you’re a vet, a pilot, or someone who just likes your wallets where you left them, this episode is a wild ride through discipline, leadership, and 34 pounds of copper and nickel-based motivation.