No products in the cart.
Snackin' & Yakkin'
If you are looking for a clean line between veteran mental health and Vienna sausages, Big Ben Kennedy and Brandon Johnston are not interested in drawing one. Their latest sit-down on Snackin’ & Yakkin’ jumps from haunted studio stories to memories of military service, then lands on a stand-up comedy tour built to help veterans.
What ties it all together is Johnston himself, who is funny, blunt, and fully committed to doing things his own way. That commitment to veteran comedy matters, because it explains both OFP Comedy and the unique lane he is carving for himself right now.
Key Takeaways
- The Meaning of OFP: Brandon Johnston defines OFP as “own effing program,” a philosophy that drives his independent approach to comedy, bypassing traditional industry gatekeepers to elevate veteran voices.
- Comedy with a Cause: The Combat Zone 360 tour blends live stand-up with a charitable mission, raising critical funds for veteran suicide prevention while prioritizing performers who are often overlooked, such as military spouses.
- Authentic Storytelling: Johnston utilizes his background in rural Appalachia and his Marine Corps service to build a bridge with his audience, using dark humor to tackle gritty, relatable topics that foster genuine community connection.
- Prioritizing Resilience: Beyond the stage, Johnston is expanding into film and television, maintaining a commitment to work-life balance that reflects the lessons learned during his time in the military and his 20-year marriage.
The episode that looked cursed, and the meaning of OFP
Johnston’s first visit is still remembered as the weird one. Episode 13 had shaking cameras, a missing camera feed, and footage that looked like it was filmed on a boat in rough water. Ben jokes that the studio may be haunted. Johnston’s answer is simpler and funnier, maybe the equipment needed better intestinal fortitude.
That mess led straight into the story behind OFP Comedy.
“OFP” means “own effing program.”
In the Marine Corps, that is what you call somebody doing their own thing, usually not the approved thing. Johnston took the phrase and turned it into a banner. Post-military, he is doing comedy his way, with veteran voices, local rooms, and no interest in waiting around for permission.
His approach is built on a foundation of dark humor, which helps bridge the gap between his service and the comedy club stage. That irreverent humor also explains why Johnston clicked so well with Ben in the first place. The conversation moves fast, leans heavily into military humor, and never tries to sound polished when a better joke is sitting right there.
Combat Zone 360 puts the mission first
Johnston’s next move is a veteran-focused tour with Jay Lawrence of Combat Zone 360 on Instagram. The series of live comedy shows will hit American Legions, VFWs, and select comedy clubs, culminating in a final theater date with a documentary crew along for the ride. This inaugural run is tied to America’s 250th anniversary, and Johnston hopes it evolves into a staple annual summer event.
The mission is clear and impactful. Veterans carry heavy burdens, and Johnston believes that even an hour of laughter serves as a vital form of therapeutic entertainment. Beyond the stage, the proceeds are funneled directly into support efforts, with a significant focus on veteran suicide prevention rather than administrative overhead.
He actively prioritizes booking talented veteran comedians, as well as military spouses who are finding their way into the craft, because that part of the veteran community does not always receive the stage time it deserves. Johnston has played at fraternal halls across South Carolina, including Goose Creek American Legion Post 166 and a Summerville area VFW, and he finds a natural synergy with those crowds. The veteran audience shows up ready to laugh, eager to contribute to the cause, and prepared to support the people in the room.
That connection matters because these are not just random bar stops dressed up as charity. These venues already possess the trust, candor, and dark humor that veteran comedians and their peers know by heart.
Vienna sausages, potted meat, and a 50-person hometown
The snack choice was sweet tea, Vienna sausages, and a side quest into potted meat. Johnston calls them “bayanis,” which sounds more honest than the label. The lineup included original, barbecue, chicken, and hot and spicy. Barbecue won, chicken tasted like ramen seasoning, and hot and spicy hit like straight Tabasco. This taste test served as a perfect vehicle for his dry military humor, highlighting the shared, often gritty reality of rations that many veterans recognize.
That little can came with a whole childhood. Johnston grew up poor in the Appalachian foothills and remembered those snacks as cheap, quick, and always around. He said he did not realize how poor things were until he visited a friend’s house and saw a fridge that dispensed water through the door. Fridge water felt fancy. By sharing these humble roots, he helps a civilian audience understand the foundation of his worldview before he even entered the service.
His hometown in South Carolina had about 50 people, two stop signs, and no quick trip to anywhere. He measures rural growth with perfect country logic: no store means tiny, a Dollar General makes you a town, and a Walmart makes you a city. He joined the local fire department at 15 and heard enough rooster only farm stories to know country life can get weird in a hurry. These formative years were the precursor to his military experience, providing the resilience and perspective that would later define his time in the service.
Marine stories, marriage, and the next act
Johnston almost joined the Navy, one of several military branches he considered before 9/11 changed his plans. He headed to Parris Island for the Marine Corps instead, and he still thinks Full Metal Jacket captured the intensity of boot camp better than most movies. Officially, his MOS was 2311 ammo technician. During his active duty service in Iraq, however, he spent more time as a provisional rifleman, handling security, convoys, route clearance, and maintenance. That disconnect between a title and the daily reality of his role is one reason he pushes so hard for combat veterans and other creators. People bring far more to the table than the job description printed on their discharge papers.
His marriage story moves even faster. He met his wife at a hospital, asked if she was happily married, and received the all-time answer:
“Ask me in an hour.”
They married within six months and have been together 20 years. Because deployments kept him away, and because his wife later battled cancer, he prioritizes daily effort over grand anniversary theater. He loves the stage, but screen work fits a husband and father who has already spent enough time away from home. Expanding into film and television is next on his list, whether through a burgeoning military streaming service or by developing original sketch comedy to diversify his output. His philosophy is plain: make the work, then make the opportunity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is OFP Comedy?
OFP stands for “own effing program.” It represents Johnston’s commitment to creating comedy on his own terms, focusing on veteran-led content and local venues rather than waiting for permission from traditional entertainment industry gatekeepers.
What is the goal of the Combat Zone 360 tour?
The tour aims to provide therapeutic entertainment for veterans while raising money for suicide prevention efforts. By performing at venues like VFWs and American Legions, Johnston creates a space where veteran comedians and audiences can connect through shared experiences and dark humor.
How does Johnston incorporate his military background into his comedy?
Johnston uses his experience as a Marine Corps ammo technician and his time serving in Iraq as a foundation for his routines. He finds that military humor serves as a bridge, allowing him to discuss challenging topics and the reality of service in a way that is both honest and approachable for his audience.
What kind of projects is Brandon Johnston planning next?
Johnston is looking to expand his reach beyond live stand-up by developing sketch comedy and pursuing opportunities in film and television. He intends to focus on projects that allow him to balance his creative ambitions with his responsibilities as a husband and father.
Why Brandon Johnston’s story lands
Johnston’s episode works because the laughs never hide the serious part. They sit right next to it, sharing the same table and the same can opener. That is also why the Combat Zone 360 tour makes sense. Veteran comedy can raise money, give those who served a much needed breather, and remind a room full of people that somebody else truly gets it.
His approach is essentially parody with a purpose, using his unique military experience as the foundation for stories that resonate with everyone. When you see him perform stand-up comedy, you realize the humor is simply a bridge to a deeper connection.
You can keep up with the show on the Snackin’ & Yakkin’ YouTube channel. If canned meat, Marine stories, and honest comedy are your speed, this one hits the mark.
