shaafes did not get into streaming because he was chasing content. It started with a simple question from someone he trusted.
“What are you going to do now?”
After years in the Army that included deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, along with time across Europe, that question carried weight. He had worked as a Chinook mechanic and crew member before moving into unmanned aviation, later becoming an instructor and working in quality control before finishing his career.
When that chapter ended through medical discharge, there was no clear next step.
“You’re going to play video games anyway, right?” he recalled a friend telling him. “Why not stream it?”
That was enough to get started.
Gaming had already been part of his life for years, especially during deployment cycles. It was consistent, something that did not change even when everything else did.
“Hands down, it was Destiny,” he said. “Destiny, Destiny, Destiny.”
But it was never just about logging in. It was about who was on the other side.
“We got together, did raids, did PvP, knocked out milestones,” he said.
Those sessions carried a familiarity that felt similar to military life in a different setting. Teamwork, communication, and shared goals, just in a different format. 
When he started streaming in 2019, that same dynamic carried over, but the audience expanded. By the time COVID-19 changed how people interacted day to day, his channel had already become a place where people could check in.
“We had people in the hospital, people stuck at home,” he said. “We started making a difference little by little.”
That experience shaped how he sees streaming now. It is not built around performance metrics or growth targets. It centers on being present and creating a space where people can show up without pressure.
Through ALG, that mindset found a larger audience.
Already connected to The American Legion, he was introduced to the stream team through mutual contacts in the gaming space. The decision to get involved came quickly.
“If there’s anything we can do to help Veterans, even if it’s just spreading awareness digitally, that’s a huge win,” he said.
He also stays active in other communities focused on Veteran support and mental health, which feeds into how he runs his stream. The goal is not just to entertain. It is to create a point of access.
“It’s a stress reliever,” he said. “It helps with mental health, and it gives me a way to make a difference.”
That includes making space for conversations that are often avoided.
“It’s okay not to be okay,” he said.
He understands that not every Veteran is going to walk into a traditional setting for support. There is still hesitation around organizations like The American Legion, especially for younger Veterans.
He had that same perception at one point.
“You think it’s just a bunch of older Vets sitting around telling stories,” he said.
But that changed once he experienced it firsthand.
“When you actually go in and connect with people, it’s completely different,” he said.
Gaming helps close that gap. It removes formality and replaces it with something familiar. A match, a mission, or even just sitting in a lobby can open the door to real conversation without forcing it.
His streams follow that same idea. The games change, whether it is Destiny, Fortnite, or something new, but the focus stays on interaction and keeping people engaged with each other.
Even his name comes from a moment of improvisation. During a maintenance job, a quick fix using a shop towel turned into a nickname that stuck.
“That’s the cheapest thing I’ve ever seen,” he remembered hearing. “And it just stuck.”
Outside of streaming, his life has shifted overseas, where he now lives with his family. Travel has become a major part of that chapter, something he actively encourages.
“Get out and see the world,” he said.
For Veterans considering streaming, his advice is direct and practical.
“Do it,” he said. “You’ve got a story. Someone out there wants to hear it.”
For shaafes, that is the through line. The platform matters less than what you do with it.
Stay consistent. Stay open. And use it to reach someone who might be looking for a way to connect.
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