F*ck Veterans: Dating, Desire & Life After the Uniform with Dave & MJ
An outrageous name might get someone to stop scrolling. What makes them stay is often something more personal: feeling welcome, being noticed, or finding someone who understands them. For MJ and Dave, the founders behind F*ck Veterans, a joke became an unexpected way to bring people together.
On S.O.S. Stories of Service, host Theresa Carpenter speaks with the couple about veteran dating, military humor, and connection after service. Beneath their brand’s provocative language is a community where veterans, service members, and civilians can introduce themselves, flirt, and explore relationships without having to take every interaction so seriously.
How F*ck Veterans Began
The idea started with a Veterans Day joke during a drive in Michigan. MJ delivered the phrase that would eventually become their brand, adding a playful twist that left Dave laughing.
For years, he encouraged her to turn it into something. When they finally pursued the idea, they began with bumper stickers and an Instagram account. Requests for shirts and hats followed, turning a private joke into a small merchandise business.
They describe growing step by step, responding to what people wanted. The community developed alongside the products, eventually becoming a much larger part of their work.
Meet MJ and Dave
Dave describes growing up in a military family before choosing his own path into service. While relatives had pursued officer careers, he enlisted in the Army in 2004 and became an infantryman. He served six years, including two deployments to Afghanistan.
MJ brings a civilian perspective and a professional background in advertising. Raised in Michigan, she met Dave after his military service. Their relationship introduced her to military culture and helped her find a role connecting two worlds.
Together, they combine Dave’s familiarity with veteran experiences and MJ’s humor, creativity, and enthusiasm for helping people meet.
Hooking Up Heroes: Making Introductions Easier
Before launching the brand, MJ had already been introducing single friends through Valentine’s Day posts on her personal social media. Bringing that approach to F*ck Veterans felt like a natural extension.
The resulting “Hooking Up Heroes” content spotlights singles with humor and enthusiastic introductions. Rather than requiring each person to deliver a polished pitch, MJ shares details about them and gives viewers a reason to start a conversation.
She explains that some veterans find talking about themselves uncomfortable. Having someone else celebrate their qualities can make the experience feel less intimidating and more welcoming.
Looking for More Than a Hookup
Despite the name, the couple says many applicants want lasting relationships. During the interview, Dave reports that 68 percent of people submitting applications selected finding a life partner as their goal.
That figure describes their applicants, rather than veterans generally, but it surprised him. It also challenges assumptions about what an irreverent dating community might attract.
MJ shares messages from people who say they have met kind, caring partners through the page. One couple even mentioned a possible future wedding invitation. These personal updates give the founders reasons to continue beyond merchandise sales or follower growth.
Thank You Thursday Creates Another Opening
One recurring feature, “Thank You Thursday,” gives people another way to participate. Veterans can comment that they are open to receiving flirty messages, while civilians can indicate that they would like to send them.
The format offers a clear invitation to interact. It takes an often formal expression of appreciation and turns it into a playful opportunity for conversation.
MJ says participants have sent heartfelt messages about feeling noticed and supported during difficult periods. Those accounts matter to her because they reveal a personal impact behind the jokes, even when an interaction does not become a relationship.
Seeing Veterans Beyond Stereotypes
Carpenter raises the limitations of portrayals that reduce veterans to trauma or place them on a pedestal. Their conversation makes room for a broader picture: people who enjoy humor, want affection, and have personalities beyond their service records.
Dave describes the pleasure of watching someone recognize the joke and immediately connect with it. Shared humor can open a conversation without requiring a formal explanation of military experience.
The page also welcomes civilian participation. MJ’s presence reflects that bridge, showing how curiosity and warmth can create connections between people whose backgrounds differ without making those differences disappear.
Bringing the Community Together Offline
Online introductions are only part of the couple’s vision. They describe hosting an initial Philadelphia event that brought together approximately 55 people, with games, conversation prompts, and opportunities to socialize.
For MJ, the appeal is straightforward: many singles want to meet someone in person, and an organized gathering can help make that happen.
At the time of the interview, they were discussing another event in Las Vegas and exploring possibilities for a dating app. They also acknowledged the financial and practical challenges involved. Their immediate emphasis was creating opportunities for people to gather as a community.
Why Authentic Content Matters
MJ’s advertising background taught her to pay close attention to production details. Running the page required a different approach, particularly while balancing content creation with a full-time career.
She explains that she often records in one or two takes, letting go of perfectionism so she can keep sharing introductions. Her humor on camera, she says, is simply her personality.
That familiarity encourages participation. Followers recognize recurring gestures and jokes, including her enthusiasm for featured pets. The interaction becomes more than browsing dating profiles: viewers return for the shared experience, whether they are seeking a partner or enjoying the community.
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Connection After the Uniform
Giving back also features in their account. They describe supporting Team Red, White & Blue through merchandise proceeds and contributing photos to care packages for personnel aboard USS Abraham Lincoln. These efforts extend their playful approach beyond dating, offering another way for their audience to participate in supporting others.
MJ and Dave’s story shows how an informal idea can grow when people find a place within it. Their work brings together dating, entertainment, friendship, and support, with room for different expectations and experiences.
For some participants, success means a promising introduction. For others, it means a conversation, a memorable event, or the confidence to put themselves forward. Watch or listen to their conversation with Theresa Carpenter on S.O.S. Stories of Service for more about veteran dating and the community behind F*ck Veterans.
Editor’s Note
MJ and Dave’s humor may grab attention, but the connections people build through their community give this story its heart. Their conversation with Theresa Carpenter on S.O.S. Stories of Service offers a warm, candid look at dating, vulnerability, and the desire to feel seen beyond military service. This article reflects their experiences and accounts at the time of the interview.
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🌐 Website: FuckVeterans.com
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