Men’s “Goodnight” call to colleague Marine takes an unexpected turn (exclusive)

A lighter trend has made their rounds online-en where people call their friends to wish them a “good night”, and capture the troublesome and often fun reactions to video.

While most conversations end in laughter or playful confusion, a recorded interaction stood out for viewers after taking a completely unexpected turn.

What started as a joke between Gunnery Sergeant Austin J. Otto, 37, and his friend Juan D. Gutierrez, 28, shifted to a true moment of vulnerability.

The conversation, simple as it was, revealed how easy the moment of connection can reveal emotions that are often unspoken – especially among men, who rarely have room to express them.

On May 20, 2025, Otto’s wife, Becky, shared a video series of her husband who called five of her colleagues Marines as part of the “Goodnight” trend. However, it was his discussion with Gutierrez who went viral on Tiktok to pull the viewers’ heart.

“When I called Staff Sergeant Gutierrez, I assumed that because of our history to work together and check in on our marine soldiers regularly, it would be a pretty benign answer,” says Otto exclusively. “Apart from my wife and children, I have never really called many people simply to say” good night “without any other context for the conversation.”

The conversation began as expected – respectfully and professionally on both sides. But the conversation quickly took a ride when Gutierrez admitted that he had never received such a call from anyone before.

“I think this is the most heartwarming thing anyone has ever done for me,” Gutierrez is heard to say over the phone. “Not even my dad calls me to say goodnight.”

Although Otto is seen trying to contain his laughter in the video, he admits that he only agreed to participate in the trend because of its meaningful message.

“(Gutierrez) is an outstanding navy known to take care of its marine soldiers regularly, so getting such a call would be assumed to meet a” soft place, “Otto explains.

Yet he was fully aware of the “potential damage or the” red flag “message as a phone just to say that goodnight could send.” So after discussing his plan with Becky, if any of the conversations took a trip to the worse, he would stop the trend and deal with any problems directly.

Fortunately, shortly after the conversation, Otto got a text from Gutierrez who read: “Have a good night Gunny 💜.” After both been stationed at Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 364, the purple heart is used – the color of their squadron – to show care for each other and to represent the unit’s pride and friendship.

Otto entered Marine Corps back in August 2007. After being deployed five times to places including Kuwait, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, he is currently stationed in San Diego, California in July 2025, he will be promoted to First Sergeant on 2D -Departing Battery.

He and Gutierrez met seven years ago on a weapons and tactics instructor course while they both served in the marinas and have been in contact ever since. The phone call between the two occurred just a few days before Gutierrez went to Yuma, Ariz., By opening the door to continued friendship in addition to their time to work together.

“Since that phone call took place, he and I have talked or texted every day during his move, the purchase of his first home, has been resident and furnish his home,” Otto tells People. “It opened a door that I am convinced that we both needed on our way out of the unit.”

With many people struggling with loneliness, depression, sadness or other emotional challenges, something as simple as a phone call can really make a difference.

“I do not feel that my staff sergeant knew any of the above -mentioned feelings, but I could certainly say with his answer that he quickly realized that it was something he had not had before and it meant a lot to him,” says Otto.

“I wholeheartedly believe that this message has opened millions of eyes, including mine, to which small documents in keeping contact can do for people for all purposes.”