SHOT Show Diaries: Vodka, ginger ale and the SOFREP Party

As I slid my black slacks on in a rush to make it to the SOFREP party at this year’s SHOT Show, I couldn’t help but feel like they didn’t fit. Not the size mind you, my waistline hasn’t changed all that much since my days as an HR manager, but the style, the feel of something so formal just doesn’t fit me anymore. I’m a work pants and flannel guy, and inside my little Georgia world, most folks don’t even have the internet, let alone read my work.

The SOFREP Party, like the pants, didn’t seem to fit me at first. I walked into the beautiful bar to find more people than I expected, sitting at tables, conversing and having a good time … the idea that all of these people might be familiar with something I wrote, even if they didn’t catch the name on the by-line, was at once both overwhelming and honestly a bit frightening.

The thing about writing (for me) is that I do it with a one person audience in mind. I see the SOFREP readership as a community of peers, perhaps not in experience, but certainly in value of perspective. Much of my work is directed toward that singular concept: I’m writing about what’s interesting or important to tell this faceless community what I’ve been able to learn … but suddenly that community was no longer faceless. It had always been my dream to have people read my writing, but faced with the prospect of having that dream come to fruition, I found myself wishing for more familiar territory.

But then a few Marines approached me and introduced themselves. After a few minutes of conversation, I met another reader, then another. Soon I was starting to associate faces with screen names I’ve seen pop up time and time again in the comments sections below articles I’ve read or written … and it struck me. I WAS in familiar territory. I was among that community of peers, of readers and responders, of the very people who grant me the means to feed my daughter and keep my lights on through their shared interests and willingness to see the world through SOFREP’s lens.

I was among friends.

As the night wore on, and I lost count of vodka/ginger ales (my OMF drink of choice), the party became less a meet and greet and more an opportunity to continue discussions. Area 51, foreign policy, knife techniques — all the things I love talking about through my writing became the subjects of conversations with people whose faces were new, but whose names, beliefs and personalities were familiar.

I was told the next morning that, despite my agoraphobia when it comes to busy, crowded spaces, I “blossomed” amid a sea of SOFREP readers and like-minded folks. That’s not technically true. I was born with the innate ability to compensate for discomfort with feigned extroversion — something my wife calls “being the mayor.” I can pretend to be the life of a party in the same way I can usually mitigate conflict before it comes to blows — and admittedly, that is how the evening began for me. A few hours later, however, I was no longer being the mayor, I was just being Alex. To my surprise, that true-to-life version of me was accepted, even embraced, by a room full of people who were simultaneously strangers and close friends.

Of course, any time you fill a room with veterans and active duty military members, a bit of inter-service rivalry tends to arise. During the SOFREP party, it came in the form of a serving tray covered in extra-large crayola crayons — a snack for the Marines in attendance. Like the other Marines, I chuckled at the joke and went about drinking and conversing … then the jokes arose yet again, and again, we chuckled.

I was among friends.

But the third time I was offered a crayon, I finally decided that it was time to see what all the fuss was about. I accepted the offer (it was green after all) and took a healthy bite. The waitress was mortified as I chewed my way through the wax, and, truth be told, it wasn’t really all that bad. My fellow Marine and SOFREP contributor, Kurt T., not one to leave a brother hanging, reached past me and grabbed one of his own. Marines may not usually eat crayons, but they never leave a man behind.

My experience with SOFREP’s party was entirely a positive one, but the real challenge was still ahead: getting to the convention with a four-alarm hangover the next morning.

Image courtesy of the author.

As someone who’s seen what happens when the truth is distorted, I know how unfair it feels when those who’ve sacrificed the most lose their voice. At SOFREP, our veteran journalists, who once fought for freedom, now fight to bring you unfiltered, real-world intel. But without your support, we risk losing this vital source of truth. By subscribing, you’re not just leveling the playing field—you’re standing with those who’ve already given so much, ensuring they continue to serve by delivering stories that matter. Every subscription means we can hire more veterans and keep their hard-earned knowledge in the fight. Don’t let their voices be silenced. Please consider subscribing now.

One team, one fight,
Brandon Webb former Navy SEAL, Bestselling Author and Editor-in-Chief

Subscribe Now

COMMENTS

There are on this article.

You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article.

VETERAN-FRIENDLY COMPANIES

Barrett Firearms

Barrett is the world leader in long-range, large-caliber, precision rifle design and manufacturing. Barrett products are used by civilians, sport shooters, law enforcement agencies, the United States military, and more than 75 State Department-approved countries around the world.

[email protected]
615-896-2938
Visit Website
PO Box 1077 MURFREESBORO, Tennessee 37133 United States

Scrubba Wash Bag

Our ultra-portable washing machine makes your journey easier. This convenient, pocket-sized travel companion allows you to travel lighter while helping you save money, time and water.

Pyramyd Air

Our roots in shooting sports started off back in 1996 with our founder and CEO, Josh Ungier. His love of airguns took hold of our company from day one and we became the first e-commerce retailer dedicated to airguns, optics, ammo, and accessories. Over the next 25 years, customers turned to us for our unmatched product selection, great advice, education, and continued support of the sport and airgun industry.