Urban Valor: the podcast

Army Infantryman Will Jones didn’t get a slow start to his military career.
He got thrown into the fire—checking into his first unit mid-deployment… in Baghdad.

No stateside prep. No easing in.
Just boots on ground, rifle in hand, and mortar fire exploding around him.

In this Urban Valor interview, Will shares what it’s like to be a brand new 11B Infantry soldier landing in a war zone without any time to train. His story is one of chaos, trauma, brotherhood, and survival. From Baghdad to Hurricane Katrina relief to a second 15-month deployment in Iraq, this episode is stacked with combat stories, dark military humor, and brutally honest truths about PTSD, reintegration, and what it takes to keep going.

If you’re looking for real veteran stories, Iraq war combat footage-style details, and first-hand experience from an infantry soldier in the kill zone, you’re in the right place.

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🗣️ Comment your support or ask any questions. Sometimes, our interviewees respond, and we at Urban Valor will do our best to respond as well!

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Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.

Video chapters: 
00:00 – Thrown into Baghdad: Will's First Day
01:20 – Life Before Enlisting: Starbucks & 9/11
04:47 – Enlisting as Infantry (11B)
07:38 – Checking Into Baghdad Mid-Deployment
12:26 – First Firefight Experience
18:02 – Learning Through Chaos: No Time to Train
22:45 – Humor Amid War
27:13 – Hurricane Katrina Relief Deployment
33:57 – Back to Iraq: Second 15-Month Tour
40:18 – Combat, Brotherhood & Daily Threats
46:05 – PTSD, Reflection, and Healing
53:41 – Advice to Young Veterans
57:32 – Urban Valor Mission

#military #warstories #urbanvalor #usarmy  #warstories

Air Force veteran Travis MossBarger was tasked with something most of us can’t even imagine — sending over 300 fallen soldiers home. In this  Urban Valor episode, Travis opens up for the first time about the silent, invisible duty that haunted him every single day of his six years in service.

He didn’t pull a trigger — he processed the aftermath.
He didn’t storm a battlefield — he read the death certificates of those who did.
And he didn’t run from RPG fire — he lit a cigarette and walked calmly to the bunker, knowing if it hit, there was nowhere to go.

This is the side of war few talk about.
The trauma of handling flag-draped caskets.
The emotional cost of staying silent.
The guilt of sending soldiers out, and the pain of bringing them home… not the way he hoped to.

Travis shares the breaking point, the buried emotions, the PTSD, and how he eventually found healing through service again — not in uniform, but in community.

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🗣️ Comment your support or ask any questions. Sometimes, our interviewees respond, and we at Urban Valor will do our best to respond as well!

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Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.

Video chapters: 
0:00 - Intro: Meet Travis MossBarger
0:40 - First Combat Experience in Afghanistan
2:00 - Why He Joined the Air Force
5:30 - Grandfather’s Influence & Choosing the Military
8:00 - Basic Training: The Harsh Reality
11:00 - Life as a “Latrine Queen” & Leadership Lessons
16:00 - Getting Assigned to Travis AFB
18:00 - Deployment Games & New Airman Initiations
21:30 - Deployment to Kuwait & Saving the 101st 3 Months
25:00 - First Combat Encounter in Afghanistan
28:00 - Fallen Comrade Ceremonies
31:00 - Haunting MedEvac Aircraft Stories
33:00 - Reading Death Certificates for the Fallen
36:00 - The Emotional Toll of Repetition
41:00 - Sending Soldiers Out, Bringing Them Back
45:00 - The Decision to Get Out
50:00 - The Final Deployment & Lying to Mental Health
53:00 - Coming Home: From Silence to Celebration
56:00 - Post-Military Struggles & Moving Home
58:00 - Recovery Begins: Vet Center & New Life
1:00:00 - Founding a Veteran-Friendly Company
1:02:00 - Final Message to Veterans: Seek Help

#military #warstories #urbanvalor #airforce #warstories

What do you do when your Humvee gets rocked by an IED blast… and a suspicious car creeps toward you through the dust? Most people freeze. Navy Corpsman Noi Dumpit didn't. He confronted the driver — thinking it could be his last moment — and somehow chose not to pull the trigger.

In this episode of Urban Valor, Noi relives the chaos of Fallujah, where life and death blurred by the second. He breaks down the day his Humvee was launched into the air by a vehicle-borne IED, and the surreal moment that followed when he faced a possible suicide bomber.

But the IED blast was only one chapter. Noi also opens up about his post-deployment struggles, the moral confusion of letting terrorists through checkpoints, and how martial arts eventually became his path to healing. From battlefield trauma to rebuilding a business back home, this story is raw, real, and unforgettable.

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✅ SUBSCRIBE to support Urban Valor and the courageous Veterans who tell their stories AND so you NEVER miss a weekly episode of our veteran stories. New stories every Sunday!

Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.

Video chapters: 
00:00 – IED Blast Hits Humvee in Fallujah
00:49 – Struggling With Life After Service
01:33 – Grandfather's Heroic WWII Legacy
07:54 – Entering the Navy Corpsman Pipeline
13:10 – Tense Calls and Close Calls in Iraq
23:37 – Encountering Civilians in a Warzone
31:27 – Tribal Tensions and Healing the Wounded
37:01 – Confronting a Suspected Bomber
45:00 – Training Iraqi Forces Under Fire
50:07 – The Moral Conflict at Checkpoints
57:39 – The Mental War After the War
1:08:22 – Finding Healing Through Martial Arts
1:20:53 – PTSD Therapy and Unfinished Memories
1:26:04 – Rebuilding a Life After Chaos

#military #warstories #urbanvalor #marines #warstories

On August 26, 2021, during the chaotic evacuation of Afghanistan, Marine veteran Christian Sanchez stood at Abbey Gate when a suicide bomber detonated his device—killing 13 U.S. service members and hundreds of Afghan civilians.

Thrown to the ground, barely conscious, Christian opened his eyes to pure chaos. Then came the gunfire—a Taliban fighter firing from a rooftop. Despite being injured, Christian engaged in the firefight, neutralized the shooter, and was later shot himself.

In this Urban Valor interview, Christian details the blast, the adrenaline-fueled battle, and the scars that never fade. You’ll hear the raw details: catching babies thrown over barbed wire, standing face-to-face with Taliban fighters, and the agonizing aftermath that changed his life forever.

This is one of the most gripping episodes of Urban Valor has ever aired.

📌 If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available:
☎️ Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1
☎️ Military OneSource: 1-800-342-9647

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✅ SUBSCRIBE to support Urban Valor and the courageous Veterans who tell their stories AND so you NEVER miss a weekly episode of our veteran stories. New stories every Sunday!

Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.

Video chapters: 
00:00 Bomb detonates at Abbey Gate
02:14 Meet Marine Christian Sanchez
08:40 Riot control with zero training
10:25 Catching babies thrown over barbed wire
16:20 Standoff with Taliban fighters
20:40 Executions outside the barrier
32:30 Intel warns of a suicide bomber
40:12 The explosion hits
45:00 Gunfire erupts—Taliban on the rooftop
50:20 Dragging wounded Marines under fire
57:50 CCP chaos & triage
1:08:20 Hospital scene & triple ketamine trip
1:13:50 Calling families & aftermath

#military #warstories #urbanvalor #marines #warstories

Marine veteran Ralph Sarabia takes you inside the chaos of Iraq...convoys hit by IEDs, RPGs ripping overhead, close-quarters ambushes, and the split-second choices that decide who makes it home. 

In todays Urban Valor Podcast episode, he opens up about survivor’s guilt, hypervigilance, and rebuilding life after deployment with faith, family, and boxing. This is a raw, unfiltered account of Marine combat and the fight to heal.

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🗣️ Comment your support or ask any questions. Sometimes, our interviewees respond, and we at Urban Valor will do our best to respond as well!

✅ SUBSCRIBE to support Urban Valor and the courageous Veterans who tell their stories AND so you NEVER miss a weekly episode of our veteran stories. New stories every Sunday!

Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.

Video chapters: 
00:00 First firefight: RPGs, incoming, “pull the trigger, find peace”
03:32 Father absent, taking care of mom, finding a role model in a Ranger
11:41 Caught stealing as a kid—lesson that stuck
14:46 Enlisting after 9/11; boot camp identity strip, asthma scare
29:24 Unit culture, hazing, and the 48-hour call to war
38:26 Desert staging & push toward Baghdad
41:09 “I don’t want to die” — reality of contact and wounded Marines
53:48 Homecoming numbness; living like a “watchman on the wall”
1:03:13 Ramadi: daily ambushes, IEDs, morale tactics under fire
1:12:53 60 Minutes coverage; nonstop losses & memorials
1:18:49 Close calls, survivor’s guilt after Clifton’s death
1:35:13 High-profile security work, USC, brain health treatment
1:51:05 Boxing, faith, entrepreneurship—turning pain into purpose
1:56:50 Closing thoughts to vets

#military #warstories #urbanvalor #marines #warstories

Marine Corps Veteran Roger Michael Hall pulls no punches in this episode of Urban Valor. From 2017–2022, Roger served as an infantry mortarman (0341) — but this isn’t the recruiting poster version of the Corps. This is the truth about months living on a Navy ship, crammed into tight berthing spaces, working long hours, and finding ways to stay sane in a floating steel city.

Roger shares it all: wild overseas port calls, boot camp fights, grueling Mountain Warfare training, and the mental grind of deployment life at sea with hundreds of Marines shoulder-to-shoulder. He opens up about the moments that made him question why he joined — and the experiences that shaped who he is today.

If you’ve ever wondered what Marine Corps life aboard a Navy ship is really like, this is the story no one tells!

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🗣️ Comment your support or ask any questions. Sometimes, our interviewees respond, and we at Urban Valor will do our best to respond as well!

✅ SUBSCRIBE to support Urban Valor and the courageous Veterans who tell their stories AND so you NEVER miss a weekly episode of our veteran stories. New stories every Sunday!

Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.

Video chapters: 
00:00 Boot camp fights & ship life
01:34 Childhood & family background
04:01 Why Roger joined the Marines
08:11 Brutal boot camp training stories
22:01 Mountain warfare training & fatigue
35:09 Life aboard ship & dark humor
50:34 Wild deployment & barracks stories
1:11:09 Border Patrol mission under Trump
1:19:06 COVID-era deployment in Japan
1:22:04 Civilian life struggles & therapy
1:24:46 Advice for veterans after service

#military #warstories #urbanvalor #marines #warstories

From a young immigrant kid running barefoot in Mexico to serving as a U.S. Air Force veteran in Iraq — this is the incredible untold story of Hector Cabrera.

In this Urban Valor episode, Hector opens up about growing up with a single mother, losing his father, facing cultural identity struggles, and ultimately finding his calling in the U.S. military. His journey takes us through childhood adversity, immigrant resilience, boot camp discipline, and combat deployments in Iraq — where survival was never guaranteed.

This is more than just a veteran story. It’s about family, grit, sacrifice, and finding purpose after trauma. Hector shares raw, unfiltered moments — from his first days in America learning English with a Roberto Clemente book, to working the register at his uncle’s taco shop when armed robbers walked in, to the night mortars rained down on his base in Kirkuk, Iraq.

For veterans, immigrants, or anyone searching for meaning through hardship — Hector’s story is proof that how you do anything is how you do everything.

YouTube Chapters:
00:00 – Life-changing moment in the field
01:28 – Hector’s childhood in Mexico
03:08 – Growing up as an immigrant in America
06:25 – Losing his father & family struggles
07:17 – Learning English and adapting
10:20 – Hard lessons from his mother
11:18 – Working at Roberto’s Taco Shop (and being robbed at 14)
13:08 – First exposure to the military
16:30 – September 11th and the call to serve
19:04 – Enlisting in the U.S. Air Force
22:01 – Boot camp experiences
24:42 – Culture shock & military discipline
29:04 – Defending missions downrange
31:03 – Deployments in Iraq & FOB life
36:35 – Mortar attacks and survival routines
38:10 – Reflections on resilience and mindset

#military #warstories #urbanvalor #marines #warstories #immigrantstruggles #immigrants

Army Chaplain Nimrod Alcala opens up about the hidden war that no one talks about—what it’s like carrying the emotional trauma of soldiers... until it breaks you.

In this Urban Valor episode, Nimrod reveals the unbearable emotional toll of his service—not on the battlefield, but behind closed doors. As a U.S. Army Chaplain, he became the safe place for soldiers fighting silent battles—suicidal thoughts, trauma, PTSD, and moral injury. But what happens when the helper needs help?

From getting fired at Walmart to facing false embezzlement charges, Nimrod’s journey to the Army was anything but typical. But a deeper calling led him to chaplaincy, where he became the last line of emotional defense for soldiers on the brink.

This is a story of loss, burnout, purpose, and redemption.

If you’ve ever wondered what truly happens inside the mind of a military chaplain—or what it's like to lead a memorial service for someone you couldn’t save—this is the video you need to watch.

🙏 Like, comment, and share with someone who needs to hear this.

Video Chapters: 
00:00 – The Hidden Pain of a Chaplain
01:05 – Fired, Lost & Recruited: Nimrod’s Unexpected Start
06:30 – Saying Goodbye to Family for Basic Training
10:00 – How Faith Sparked a New Calling
13:00 – Returning Home a Different Man
16:30 – A False Arrest That Nearly Ruined Everything
20:00 – Becoming a Chaplain: The Road Less Traveled
23:00 – First Counseling: A Triggering SHARP Confession
28:00 – When Burnout Breaks You
32:00 – Inside a Military Suicide Memorial
37:00 – The Murder That Shattered a Unit
39:00 – Losing a Friend You Could Have Helped
45:00 – The Cost of Trying to Save Everyone
50:00 – Therapy, Stigma, and the Fight to Keep Going
57:00 – Rebuilding Marriage and Fatherhood
1:02:00 – Finding Mentorship in Korea
1:10:00 – Hospital Chaplaincy & Civilian Trauma
1:13:00 – Final Words to Veterans and Soldiers in Pain

#military #warstories #urbanvalor #marines #warstories #elchapo #federalcorruption

PTSD. Whistleblowing. Betrayal by your own agency.

Robert Ledogar lived it.

A 32-year career — Navy vet turned U.S. Marshal — shattered when he chose integrity over silence. From chasing fugitives in New York to working the El Chapo and MS-13 cases, Lugar served at the highest levels… until the U.S. Marshals turned on him for protecting a fellow Deputy.

In episode of the Urban Valor podcast, Robert breaks his silence on:
- Corruption inside the U.S. Marshal Service
- The cost of loyalty in federal law enforcement
- PTSD after 3 decades in uniform
- What really happened during his whistleblower battle
- How storytelling helped him begin to heal

We go deep — from his wild CID cases in the Navy to the emotional weight of being cast aside by the agency he bled for. This isn’t polished. It’s real. And it’s one of the most powerful episodes we’ve ever released.

If you care about true crime, government accountability, or raw stories of resilience and justice, don’t skip this one.

👇 Hit the comments — this one deserves to be heard.

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🗣️ Comment your support or ask any questions. Sometimes, our interviewees respond, and we at Urban Valor will do our best to respond as well!

✅ SUBSCRIBE to support Urban Valor and the courageous Veterans who tell their stories AND so you NEVER miss a weekly episode of our veteran stories. New stories every Sunday!

Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.

Video Chapters: 
0:00 Intro – Life-or-death raid and near-fatal shooting
10:00 Inside military investigations during Desert Storm
25:00 Becoming a U.S. Marshal
34:00 Major fugitive arrests & working high-profile task forces
55:00 Involvement in Brooklyn shootout with Oswald Lewis
1:13:00 Exposing harassment and misconduct in the task force
1:30:00 Internal Affairs retaliation and false allegations
1:45:00 Final showdown – how Bobby was fired 70 days before retirement
1:59:00 Mental toll, PTSD, and the fight for justice

#military #warstories #urbanvalor #marines #warstories #elchapo #federalcorruption

This week on Urban Valor, we sat down with Marine veteran Ernesto Menjivar. A man who watched his brother lose both legs to an IED right in front of him. Ernesto was 19 years old when he first hit the ground in Afghanistan, assigned to one of the most IED-infested regions in Helmand Province. The firefights came fast. The first one he was ever in, RPGs were flying over his head, and the next minute they were sweeping for pressure plates in the dirt, praying one of them wouldn’t go off.

But then it did.

His brother, Langston White, stepped on an IED while on patrol, and Ernesto was just feet away. The way he describes that moment — the sound, the dust, the blood, the moment they locked eyes — it’ll sit with you. Langston survived but lost both legs. And that was just one chapter of what became a brutal deployment. Ernesto talks about the emotional toll of trying to stay mission-ready after something like that, the Marines he lost during Operation Deuces Wild, and how that experience changed him forever.

Now years removed from combat, he opens up about the PTSD, the dreams, the random moments where he sees civilians missing limbs and flashes back to war. But he also shares what’s helped him — therapy, music, painting, his faith — and how he’s still working through it. This isn’t a sanitized version of war. It’s the real cost. The kind of story that shows what combat veterans carry with them long after the fighting stops.

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✅ SUBSCRIBE to support Urban Valor and the courageous Veterans who tell their stories AND so you NEVER miss a weekly episode of our veteran stories. New stories every Sunday!

Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.

Video Chapters: 
00:00 - Intro: War Outside - War Inside
01:07 Recruitment & Bootcamp
08:31 Deployment & Military Life
40:11 Beyond the Battlefield
49:23 Share Your Story

#military #warstories #urbanvalor #marines #warstories

Green Beret Terry Wilson faced daily ambushes, IEDs, RPG attacks, and brutal firefights while deployed in Afghanistan’s deadly Helmand Province. But even after surviving the horrors of war, nothing could prepare him for the tragedy that struck back home—the heartbreaking loss of his son.

This week on Urban Valor, we sit down with retired U.S. Army Green Beret Terry Wilson for one of the most emotional episodes yet. From clearing Sangin in chaotic "Wild West" gunfights to surviving recoilless rifle strikes and relentless combat, Terry shares what it truly means to be in a “troops in contact” situation—and how seconds can mean life or death.

But beyond the battlefield, Terry opens up about grief, resilience, and the pain of losing a child while carrying the mental scars of war. This story is not just about combat—it’s about surviving when the war ends, the uniform comes off, and the real battles begin.

👉 If you've ever felt broken, lost, or hopeless… Tom’s journey will show you that it’s possible to rebuild. Stronger. Louder. Unstoppable.

🪖 Watch to hear Richard’s brutally honest account of Army life, combat in Iraq, and the battles he still faces today.

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🗣️ Comment your support or ask any questions. Sometimes, our interviewees respond, and we at Urban Valor will do our best to respond as well!

✅ SUBSCRIBE to support Urban Valor and the courageous Veterans who tell their stories AND so you NEVER miss a weekly episode of our veteran stories. New stories every Sunday!

Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.

Video Chapters: 
00:00 - Intro: The Two Wars Every Soldier Fights
01:30 - First Deployment: The Wild West in Helmand
03:50 - Initial Troops in Contact: Real Combat Begins
06:10 - Combat Survival Skills & Training Kicks In
09:00 - Emotional Toll of IEDs and Recoilless Rifles
14:20 - First Losses: The Cost of War Hits Home
20:00 - Life Before the Army: Rough Upbringing
24:40 - Why He Joined the Military
28:30 - Journey to Become a Green Beret
33:00 - The Hardest Deployment
36:30 - Losing His Team Sergeant: Mitch Young
43:00 - Becoming a Team Leader & Leadership Lessons
47:30 - Tragedy Strikes: Losing His Son
52:00 - Rock Bottom & Rebuilding Through Faith
56:00 - Coaching Veterans Through Life After Combat
58:00 - Final Words & Where to Find Him

#military #warstories #urbanvalor #usarmy #warstories #greenberet

He survived hell—and now he inspires millions.

Tom “Quitproof” Jones, a former U.S. Marine and world-class endurance athlete, endured one of the most traumatic childhoods imaginable: being beaten, terrorized, and even woken with a gun to his forehead. 

In this episode of Urban Valor, Tom opens up about how his abusive father hunted his mom—with Tom as a forced witness—and how that trauma shaped him into the resilient man he is today.

From PTSD and addiction to running 121 marathons in 121 days and paddleboarding 1,250 miles to raise awareness for veterans and abused kids. Tom proves that the human spirit is unbreakable.

This isn’t just another military story. This is about transformation. About becoming “Quitproof.” About finding meaning in pain and lighting a path for others.

👉 If you've ever felt broken, lost, or hopeless… Tom’s journey will show you that it’s possible to rebuild. Stronger. Louder. Unstoppable.

🪖 Watch to hear Richard’s brutally honest account of Army life, combat in Iraq, and the battles he still faces today.

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🗣️ Comment your support or ask any questions. Sometimes, our interviewees respond, and we at Urban Valor will do our best to respond as well!

✅ SUBSCRIBE to support Urban Valor and the courageous Veterans who tell their stories AND so you NEVER miss a weekly episode of our veteran stories. New stories every Sunday!

Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.

Video Chapters: 
00:00 - Intro: Tom “Quitproof” Jones’ story
01:48 - The horrors of his childhood revealed
04:30 - When your father is the threat
07:55 - How the Marine Corps gave him structure
11:42 - Hitting rock bottom post-service
14:15 - The birth of “Quitproof” mindset
17:30 - 121 marathons in 121 days
21:00 - Paddleboarding 1,250 miles for awareness
24:45 - Advice for people who feel broken
27:10 - What he’d tell his younger self
30:00 - Final thoughts

#military #warstories #urbanvalor #usmarines #warstories

Meet Richard Aviles, a U.S. Army Veteran and former Military Policeman whose story is as raw as it is remarkable. In this Urban Valor episode, Richard recounts growing up in Puerto Rico, navigating culture shock in the U.S., and enlisting in the Army to escape homelessness and pursue purpose.

Within months, he found himself deployed to Iraq, running combat missions, clearing houses, and collecting biometrics in high-risk environments. But the weight of war wasn’t left overseas. Richard opens up about his experiences with domestic violence calls, soldier suicides, and the haunting cases he faced while working the road stateside.

This is a story about survival, service, trauma—and healing. It’s about chasing validation, confronting your past, and learning to live with the scars you carry. Whether you’re a veteran, military family member, or civilian seeking to understand the true cost of war, this one will hit home.

🪖 Watch to hear Richard’s brutally honest account of Army life, combat in Iraq, and the battles he still faces today.

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🗣️ Comment your support or ask any questions. Sometimes, our interviewees respond, and we at Urban Valor will do our best to respond as well!

✅ SUBSCRIBE to support Urban Valor and the courageous Veterans who tell their stories AND so you NEVER miss a weekly episode of our veteran stories. New stories every Sunday!

Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.

Video Chapters: 
00:00 - Opening: Responding to a Crisis
00:21 - Introduction to Richard Aviles
01:18 - Growing Up in Puerto Rico
02:08 - Strict Parenting & Early Lessons
03:03 - Community Respect & Culture Shock
06:28 - Homelessness and Enlistment
09:26 - Basic Training Realities
13:03 - Arriving at Fort Leonard Wood
18:11 - Picking His Job: Military Police
23:32 - Volunteering for Iraq Deployment
25:43 - Missions, IEDs, and Reality Sets In
28:17 - Getting Reassigned After Article 15
30:54 - Raids & Detention Operations
35:28 - Challenges Working with Iraqi Police
38:00 - Transitioning Back Stateside
39:15 - Working the Road as an MP
40:28 - Responding to Suicides & K2 Abuse
47:49 - Crazy Cases & Barracks Life
50:07 - Deciding to Leave the Army
53:52 - Struggles with Civilian Reintegration
57:49 - Life Now: Family, Podcast & Purpose
59:25 - Final Message to Veterans

#military #warstories #urbanvalor #usmarines #warstories

A Marine's worst nightmare came true in a split second.

In this episode of Urban Valor, Marine veteran Kyle Hansen recounts the devastating moment his AAV (Amphibious Assault Vehicle) ran over a natural gas line, sparking a massive explosion that left him severely burned and changed his life forever.

Kyle served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2014–2018, starting in Marine Security Forces guarding nuclear assets at Naval Submarine Base Bangor. He later transitioned to 1st Marine Division’s 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, training for overseas deployment. But during his final exercise, the explosion tore through the vehicle, injuring several Marines and a Navy corpsman.

In this interview, Kyle shares the mental and physical aftermath of combat trauma, what it means to lead under fire, and how brotherhood shaped him. He also opens up about recovery, Wounded Warrior Battalion, and reclaiming purpose after being medically retired.

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🗣️ Comment your support or ask any questions. Sometimes, our interviewees respond, and we at Urban Valor will do our best to respond as well!

✅ SUBSCRIBE to support Urban Valor and the courageous Veterans who tell their stories AND so you NEVER miss a weekly episode of our veteran stories. New stories every Sunday!

Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.

Video Chapters: 
00:00 – The Day of the Explosion  
02:12 – Inspiration Behind Joining the Marines  
04:03 – Boot Camp & Culture Shock  
13:30 – Infantry Training Battalion & Leadership  
19:18 – Security Forces & Advanced Combat Training  
28:45 – Assigned to Bangor, WA  
36:15 – Brutal Patrols & Brotherhood Lessons  
43:45 – Transitioning to the Fleet  
54:24 – The AAV Explosion Incident  
56:22 – Recovery & Wounded Warrior Battalion  
1:01:54 – Medical Retirement & Mental Health Struggles  
1:07:47 – Finding Purpose After Service  
1:11:08 – Final Words on Leadership & Giving Back  
1:13:22 – How to Support Recycle for Veterans  

#military #warstories #urbanvalor #usmarines #warstories

What really happens when a U.S. Marine fighter pilot faces off with a Russian MiG-29 at 8Gs? In this week’s episode of Urban Valor, we sit down with Major Ed Rush, a decorated Marine Corps F/A-18 pilot with nearly 2,000 hours of tactical flight time and over 50 combat missions under his belt.

Raised by a legendary basketball coach and an NBA referee, Ed’s journey took him from a high-pressure family legacy to the skies over Iraq and Afghanistan. In this episode, he shares how a lie at a bar landed him in the Marines, what it feels like to be shot at during takeoff, and the second-by-second breakdown of an epic simulated dogfight against a Russian MiG-29.

Ed didn’t just fly F/A-18s—he became the #1 dogfighting instructor in the Marine Corps, helped shape the F-35 training program, and later launched a successful entrepreneurial career by applying fighter pilot tactics to leadership and life.

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🗣️ Comment your support or ask any questions. Sometimes, our interviewees respond, and we at Urban Valor will do our best to respond as well!

✅ SUBSCRIBE to support Urban Valor and the courageous Veterans who tell their stories AND so you NEVER miss a weekly episode of our veteran stories. New stories every Sunday!

Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.

Video Chapters: 
00:00 Surviving 8G Combat Against a MiG-29  
00:18 Meet Ed Rush: Marine Corps Major & F/A-18 Pilot  
01:00 Growing Up in a Family of Legends  
09:29 A Lie That Changed His Life  
16:32 First Steps into the Marine Corps  
30:20 Flying the Legendary F/A-18 Hornet  
44:40 Breaking Down the MiG-29 Dogfight  
59:14 The Most Dangerous Moments in Combat Flying  
1:08:41 Balancing War & Fatherhood  
1:15:10 From Warfighter to Online Entrepreneur  
1:24:13 Ed Rush’s Advice on Finding Purpose After Service  

#military #warstories #urbanvalor #usmarines #warstories

Meet Marine Corps veteran Armando Garcia, a dual-branch warrior who served 30 years in the U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps. In this episode of Urban Valor, Garcia recounts his incredible journey from Desert Storm to Fallujah, including surviving a grenade blast, building military infrastructure, training future Marines, and even serving alongside his own son in Iraq.

From enlisting to escape poverty to being handpicked by General “Mad Dog” Mattis for Ranger School, Garcia’s path includes everything from infantry combat to drill instructor duty to command-level strategy in some of the Marine Corps' most intense operations.

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Video Chapters: 
0:00 – Bomb Crater Crash & Military Beginnings
0:26 – Childhood in Del Rio, Texas
1:34 – First Enlistment in the Air Force
5:07 – Transition to Marine Corps
7:27 – Boot Camp and Early Lessons
10:10 – Infrastructure Design at Camp Pendleton
12:31 – Reenlistment & Weapons Company Role
20:30 – Desert Storm Deployment
30:21 – Life as a Drill Instructor
40:38 – Selected by General Mattis for Ranger School
50:20 – Warrant Officer Commission & Iraq Deployment
58:05 – Battle of Fallujah Prep & Firefight
1:11:00 – Memorials, Sacrifice & Coming Home
1:20:44 – Post-Service Reflections & Mental Resilience
1:26:27 – Final Words on Brotherhood & Purpose

#military #warstories #urbanvalor #usmarines #warstories

Former U.S. Marine Michael Delery joins us on Urban Valor to share a powerful and haunting story from his time in Iraq. During the 2003 invasion, Mike’s unit was approached by a young Iraqi boy who led them to a shallow grave—revealing the remains of four missing American soldiers.

Growing up in South Central Los Angeles, Mike faced nonstop pressure to join gangs. Instead, he chose the Marine Corps and built a life of service and sacrifice. In this episode, he recounts the intensity of Marine Corps Security Forces training, the chaos of combat deployments, and the moment that would stay with him forever.

He also opens up about the emotional weight carried by veterans after service—navigating PTSD, losing friends to suicide, and the harsh reality of returning home. From sleeping on a living room floor weeks after deployment to the frustrations of Marine Corps recruiting, Mike offers an unfiltered look at military life before and after combat.

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Video Chapters: 
00:00 – Iraqi Boy Leads Marines to a Shocking Discovery  
01:12 – Reflecting on the First Ever Urban Valor Interview  
01:29 – Life at Banger: Security Forces & Nuclear Protocols  
03:45 – Peer Pressure and Gangs in South Central LA  
10:12 – Brotherhood and Discipline in the Marines  
20:46 – Losing Friends in Combat & Harrowing Iraq Memories  
26:59 – 9/11 and the Chain Reaction that Led to War  
30:08 – Fast Roping, Field Ops & Overseas Deployment  
43:34 – Coming Home: Homeless with a Family Weeks After Iraq  
50:19 – The Mental Toll of Marine Recruiting Duty  
1:03:10 – Leaving the Corps for His Family’s Future  
1:16:33 – Civilian Life as a Cop: Danger, Trauma, & Tension  
1:33:21 – PTSD, Suicide, and the Tragic Loss of Marco Sanchez  
1:46:28 – Stories of Camaraderie and Marine Brotherhood  

#military #warstories #urbanvalor #usmarines #warstories

This week on Urban Valor, we hear the extraordinary story of Army Staff Sergeant Robert Ham—a combat videographer whose job was to document war through the lens. Serving from 2007 to 2017, Robert captured footage most Americans will never see—graphic, haunting, and real. But it wasn’t until he reviewed the footage later that the emotional weight truly hit him.

In this week's episode of Urban Valor, Robert shares the reality of filming dying Afghans, surviving mortar attacks, and embedding with combat units across Afghanistan. He opens up about the toll that job took on his mental health and what happened after he came home. Despite enrolling at USC’s top-ranked film school, he struggled with depression, identity loss, and nearly took his own life.

Now a filmmaker dedicated to preserving the stories of those who served, Robert is the creator behind Interpreters Wanted and Searching for Bergdahl. His story is one of service, trauma, survival, and healing.

🔗 Watch Robert’s documentaries: https://www.hammrproductions.com
📺 Watch “Interpreters Wanted” on VeteranTV.com

Urban Valor is a platform that honors veterans through real stories, experiences, and lasting legacies.

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Video Chapters: 
00:00 Filming Life and Death in Afghanistan
00:28 Meet Robert Ham – Army Combat Videographer
03:00 Growing Up with Artist Parents
05:01 Witnessing 9/11 and a Shift Toward Service
06:58 Joining the Army and Becoming Combat Camera
08:59 Shocking Experiences in Basic Training
10:45 Saving a Fellow Soldier on the Firing Range
12:52 Discovering Hidden Talents in Fellow Recruits
14:06 First Deployment with the 25th Infantry Brigade
16:00 Winning Trust Through Film
18:30 Why Combat Camera Was Essential
21:00 Missions, Combat, and Creating PG-13 War Films
24:00 Missing His Son’s First Year for Deployment
26:00 The Confusion of the Afghanistan War Mission
28:44 First Outside-the-Wire Mission: EOD Team
30:50 Earning His Place with the Infantry
34:00 Behind the Camera During Chaos and Combat
35:54 CIA's Deadliest Day – Dec 30, 2009
40:00 The Cost of War and Raw Storytelling
42:01 July 4th Base Attack – Telling the Story
45:00 Searching for Bergdahl Documentary
48:00 Remembering the Fallen – Patrick Devoe & Others
51:00 Afghan Interpreters and Their Sacrifice
54:00 What It Took to Leave Afghanistan
57:00 Transitioning to Civilian Life After Service
60:00 Getting into USC Film School on the GI Bill
63:00 Why Telling Veteran Stories Matters
65:00 His Grandmother Survived Genocide – Now He Tells Stories
67:00 Robert’s Films and Work with the VA
69:30 A Final Message to Veterans

#military #warstories #urbanvalor #usarmy  #warstories

Michael Allison is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who survived a devastating VBIED (vehicle-borne improvised explosive device) attack in Iraq—but his toughest battles came after the war. In this episode of Urban Valor, Michael opens up about the trauma that followed his deployment, including PTSD, addiction, and divorce.

Born in Jamaica and raised in America, Michael’s life was marked by adversity from the start. After joining the Marines at just 17, he was deployed to some of the most dangerous combat zones in the Middle East. When his convoy was hit by a deadly car bomb, he was awarded the Purple Heart. But it was life after service that nearly broke him.

From losing close friends in combat to battling mental illness, alcoholism, and the collapse of his marriage, Michael faced rock bottom. In this episode, he shares the raw truth of what it's like to come home broken—and how he rebuilt his life, remarried his wife, reconnected with his children, and found healing through therapy and purpose.

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Video Chapters: 
00:00 – Surviving a Deadly Car Bomb in Iraq
00:30 – Childhood in Jamaica & Immigration to the U.S.
06:39 – Life in Miami’s Overtown Projects
17:40 – Football Dreams Lost & Joining the Marines
23:50 – Boot Camp Struggles & Mental Resilience
32:28 – Honoring Fallen Veterans on Burial Detail
41:17 – Emotional Detachment Before Deployment
53:25 – The Mission That Changed Everything
58:03 – Ambush & Survivor’s Guilt After VBIED
1:14:20 – PTSD Trigger After a Racist Attack
1:21:36 – Job Loss After Seeking Mental Health Help
1:23:53 – Divorce & Rock Bottom
1:26:36 – Starting the Healing Journey
1:28:49 – Remarriage & Rebuilding Family Bonds
1:31:20 – Legacy, Redemption & Serving Others

#military #warstories #urbanvalor #usmarines #marineveteran

Marine veteran George Kite shares his account of close combat in Fallujah, the brutal realities of war, and the lifelong impact of PTSD in this week’s Urban Valor episode. From growing up poor in South Carolina—sometimes homeless—to enlisting on his 17th birthday, George’s journey is one of survival, grit, and raw honesty.

He remembers the chaos of the First Battle of Fallujah, including rooftop firefights, mortar attacks, and moments that still haunt him decades later. George opens up about accidentally shooting a combatant, encountering child soldiers, losing friends in battle, and the emotional fallout that followed. His story captures what so many combat veterans face but rarely share publicly.

George also describes life after war: working with the Army National Guard, battling depression, and discovering a new purpose by supporting fellow veterans through mental health challenges. From sniper school to urban warfare instructor to DC security assignments, George's Marine Corps career is filled with intense and emotional moments that every American should hear.

This is not just a war story. It's a human story. One of courage, trauma, transformation, and the quiet fight that continues long after the battlefield.

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Video Chapters: 
00:00 – Ambushed Before the Stairs
00:22 – Enlisting After a Tough Childhood
04:30 – Living in a Sharecropper’s Shack
12:36 – Joining the Marines at 17
20:22 – Boot Camp Breakdown & Reconnecting in Fallujah
27:54 – Infantry School & Weekend Mayhem
40:00 – DC Assignments & Watching Over the White House
55:52 – “You're Not Going Back to Iraq” (But Then You Are)
1:00:09 – Rockets Hit the Chow Hall
1:08:02 – Close-Range Kill and Emotional Fallout
1:24:36 – Urban Combat and Pigeon Coop Incident
1:33:47 – PTSD, Rage, and Survivor’s Guilt
1:59:27 – Losing His Mom, Betrayal, and Depression
2:12:31 – Living With PTSD Minute by Minute
2:21:02 – Sniper School and Being Ready Again
2:29:58 – A Brief Escape to DC and Seeing the Sights
2:37:47 – Meeting Nancy Pelosi and the Best Sandwich
2:42:18 – Don’t Give Up!!

#military #warstories #urbanvalor #usmarines #marineveteran

Navy Veteran Jesse Swalley shares his story of survival after a brutal knife attack left him paralyzed. Raised in the San Fernando Valley, Jesse enlisted in the U.S. Navy seeking a better life and served as an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate from 1980 to 1986. 

After navigating the dangers of the flight deck and the challenges of military life, Jesse faced his greatest battle on U.S. soil—stabbed multiple times trying to break up a fight. Despite a severed spinal cord, Jesse refused to let paralysis define him. Teaching himself how to skateboard again, he proves that resilience knows no limits. 

In this episode of Urban Valor, Jesse opens up about life at sea, overcoming addiction, surviving near-death, and reclaiming his spirit.

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Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.

Video Chapters: 
00:00 — Jesse Swalley’s Near-Death Stabbing Incident
00:42 — Growing Up Poor in San Fernando Valley
02:16 — Choosing the Navy Over the Marines
05:18 — Life on the Flight Deck: High-Risk Navy Jobs
19:49 — Shipboard Accidents and Realities of Naval Life
22:20 — Hazing Rituals and Crossing the Equator
26:53 — Life After Service: Struggles and Addiction
38:28 — Fighting to Protect a Friend
43:27 — Stabbing Attack and Spinal Cord Injury
55:18 — Learning to Walk Again and Rediscovering Purpose
1:00:21 — Adaptive Skateboarding and Marathons
1:10:02 — Finding Community and Healing Through Sports
1:17:51 — Reflections on Resilience and Inspiration

#military #warstories #urbanvalor #usnavy #navyveteran

Marine veteran Sam Williams reveals the brutal reality of close-quarters combat during the Iraq War, including the infamous Second Battle of Fallujah. In this Urban Valor episode, Sam shares his experiences from the frontlines of Iraq, where he and his unit were forced to retreat from Mosul after engaging a hostile crowd and later thrown into the bloodiest urban battle of the war.

Born in a trailer park and raised on a Northern Michigan farm, Sam joined the Marines seeking a sense of purpose after losing his childhood home to a fire. Over 13 years of service, he faced deadly firefights, watched close friends fall, and learned what it truly means to survive war—and life after it.

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Video Chapters: 
00:00 – Introduction: Grenade Incident & Hearing Loss
00:38 – Childhood & Redneck Upbringing
04:12 – House Fire & Family Struggles
11:35 – Confronting Racism & Early Anger
15:38 – Joining the Marines & Choosing Infantry
27:09 – Boot Camp Shock & Drill Instructor Brutality
58:40 – Grenade Mishap in Combat
1:10:16 – Landing in Iraq Under Cover of Darkness
1:22:16 – Evacuation on Chicken Trucks Under Fire
1:26:21 – Leading the Assault on Fallujah
1:42:49 – Losing Fellow Marines in Battle
2:07:23 – Eulogy & Emotional Reckoning
2:11:45 – Post-Military Identity Crisis
2:28:48 – Radical Honesty & Rebuilding Life
2:32:46 – Helping Veterans Through Business

#military #warstories #urbanvalor #marines #veteranmentalhealth #supportveterans

In this week’s episode of Urban Valor, we sit down with U.S. Army veteran Denny Giamazzo, who was raised in Worcester, Massachusetts, Denny faced unspeakable abuse—abandoned by his drug-addicted mother, burned with cigarettes, and left alone for days as a young child. After entering foster care, he found brief moments of hope, but the scars of his past never left him.

Denny opens up about nearly dying during Army basic training after a routine wisdom tooth extraction went horribly wrong, landing him in the ICU. He later deployed to Afghanistan, where he was forced to pull mangled bodies from trucks and survive gunfire in exposed overwatch positions. Now a mental health advocate, Denny speaks candidly about his struggle with PTSD, self harm thoughts, and how he's working to rebuild his life through veteran brotherhood and mentorship.

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Video Chapters: 
00:00 – Haunting memories from Afghanistan
00:40 – Early life: Abuse, neglect, and abandonment
01:45 – Placed in foster care and finding hope
03:30 – Adopted by aunt, strong sibling bond
06:00 – Struggles with masculinity, fatherlessness
13:00 – Joining the Army after college dropout
19:00 – Nearly dies from wisdom tooth extraction
24:30 – Deployed to Afghanistan: Real combat begins
28:45 – Ambushed in overwatch position
36:00 – Sniper takes out enemy after close call
44:00 – PTSD, trauma from seeing mangled bodies
48:30 – Suicidal thoughts, VA crisis call
52:00 – Struggles in marriage and emotional volatility
55:00 – Healing through therapy and The Forge
1:03:00 – Veteran support and personal growth
1:05:30 – Helping other veterans

#military #warstories #urbanvalor #usarmy #veteranmentalhealth #army

Army veteran George Hayworth faced war in Afghanistan—but his toughest battle came after returning home. In this week’s episode of Urban Valor, we sit down with George, a former U.S. Army Artillery Officer, who opens up about his life before, during, and after combat. From his service with the 101st Airborne Division to struggling with identity, addiction, and nearly losing his marriage, George shares how the trauma of combat followed him into civilian life—and what it took to reclaim his family and rebuild himself from the inside out.

If you're searching for real stories about mental health, veteran struggles, addiction recovery, or military life beyond the battlefield, this is an episode you can’t miss. George’s transparency will resonate with anyone who has fought silent battles in the shadows.

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Video Chapters: 
00:00 – Caught in Combat Without Optics  
00:31 – George's Early Life & Family Challenges  
02:08 – Parental Separation & Emotional Burden  
06:22 – Experiencing 9/11 as a Teen  
12:02 – Joining ROTC & Military Career Begins  
17:22 – Adrenaline, Ego, and Jumping from Planes  
22:44 – Field Artillery Training and Deployment  
30:48 – Failing Ranger School & Learning Humility  
36:12 – Assigned to Afghan Advisory Team  
44:56 – Leadership Lessons & Team Bonding  
49:59 – Operation Strong Eagle 5 Near Pakistan  
55:19 – Responsibility, Near Misses & Moral Weight  
58:21 – Transitioning Home and Identity Crisis  
1:03:54 – Marriage Breakdown & Emotional Spiral  
1:06:22 – On-Site Therapy & Owning the Truth  
1:09:35 – Addiction, Confession & Redemption  
1:17:31 – Reconnecting with Faith & Purpose  
1:23:34 – Emotional Regulation & Family Safety  
1:26:07 – Brotherhood vs. Drinking Buddies  
1:31:52 – Breaking Generational Cycles  
1:35:02 – Message to Men: Start Your Healing 

#military #warstories #urbanvalor #usarmy #veteranmentalhealth

This week on Urban Valor, we sit down with U.S. Marine Rob Martinez, whose unbelievable story of perseverance through Scout Sniper and MARSOC selection is inspiring and heartbreaking. Raised in Kissimmee, Florida, Rob enlisted in the Marine Corps after a rough start in life. Originally signed up as a Motor Transport Mechanic, Rob’s ambition never stopped. While stationed in Kuwait, he qualified for Scout Sniper Indoctrination. Later, he passed all phases of the elite Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) Assessment & Selection—only to be denied selection without explanation.

In this interview, Rob opens up about the emotional toll of being passed over after pushing his body and mind to the limit. He also discusses his journey through divorce, injury, and transition to civilian life. Today, Rob dedicates himself to helping fellow service members through his nonprofit, All Clear Gear.

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Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.

Video Chapters: 
00:00 – Rob’s Emotional Childhood & Troubled Start  
02:38 – First Encounter with the Law  
10:07 – Getting Kicked Out & Moving to Florida  
20:13 – Misled Into Mechanic Role in the Marines  
35:17 – A Life-Changing Piece of Advice  
41:57 – Denied After Scout Sniper Success  
45:30 – Vision Loss and Medical Setback  
51:58 – Pushing Through MARSOC Selection  
58:36 – Deployment & Injuries  
1:04:45 – Altercation & Consequences  
1:07:37 – Choosing MARSOC Over Soccer  
1:13:52 – Surviving the Pool During ANS  
1:23:46 – Feeling Left Behind Without Guidance  
1:30:24 – Divorce & Taking Responsibility for a Child  
1:37:16 – Losing 18 Friends After Service  
1:44:06 – Founding All Clear Gear to Support Marines  
1:50:55 – You're Not Alone

#military #warstories #urbanvalor #marines

Retired Royal Marine Commando Lee West joins us on Urban Valor to recount the moments when he was nearly kidnapped by Al Qaeda at a checkpoint in Baghdad. Lee served from 2003 to 2020, rising to the rank of Color Sergeant, and brings a firsthand account of frontline combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

During his second deployment to Afghanistan, Lee was ambushed and blown off his feet by a massive IED blast. His story includes undercover work in the Calais migrant camps while still on active duty, revealing shocking flaws in UK border security.

Watch as Lee opens up about brotherhood, trauma, and the sacrifices soldiers make—both on and off the battlefield.

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Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.

Video Chapters: 
00:00 - Ambushed on Patrol
04:09 - Growing Up in Swansea
07:21 - Early Interest in the Military
10:59 - Choosing the Royal Marines
14:15 - Passing Commando Selection
18:15 - Brutality of Marine Training
21:30 - Lessons from Early Marine Life
28:25 - Graduation Day & First Posting
35:12 - Surviving Arctic Warfare Training
38:24 - Deployment to Iraq Begins
42:21 - Forming a New Special Forces Unit
46:02 - First Missions in Baghdad
50:04 - Friendly Fire & Chaos of War
53:26 - The Reality of Combat Loss
57:24 - Nighttime Snatch Attempt by Al Qaeda
1:00:42 - Saved by a US Convoy
1:07:37 - Hostage Rescue Training
1:11:54 - Helmand Surge Deployment
1:15:27 - On the Ground in Afghanistan
1:23:02 - “Fix Bayonets” in Live Combat
1:26:23 - Jungle Warfare Instructor Course in Brunei
1:30:39 - Blown Up by IED in Yak Chal
1:34:15 - Continuing the Mission Despite Trauma
1:38:17 - Final Stand in the Village of Fad
1:46:11 - Training Replacements for Afghanistan
1:49:49 - Medical Discharge and the Fallout
1:57:45 - Losing Purpose After Leaving Service
2:05:54 - Struggles with Alcohol & Isolation
2:09:22 - Why Simplicity in Combat is Missed
2:13:33 - PTSD vs. Lack of Purpose
2:16:51 - Undercover as a Homeless Veteran
2:20:45 - Smuggling Into the UK as a Migrant
2:24:12 - Rebuilding Life & Staying Sober

#military #warstories #urbanvalor #royalmarinecommando #royalmarines

In this gripping episode of Urban Valor, we feature Marine Captain Jason Angell, who shares his firsthand experiences from the Iraq War, including brutal combat in Ramadi and Hit. From relentless firefights to life-or-death situations, Jason takes us deep into the chaos of urban warfare, the unwavering courage of Marines, and the brotherhood that kept them pushing forward.

Jason, a former U.S. Marine (1993-2008), served as both an infantryman and an officer. He takes us back to the early days of the Iraq invasion in 2003, leading up to some of the most intense battles Marines faced in Iraq’s most dangerous warzones. His stories reveal the brutal reality of modern warfare, the mental and physical toll on soldiers, and the moments that defined their service.

Through the episode you will hear raw, unfiltered accounts of combat, leadership under fire, and the challenges faced by those who risk everything for their country.

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Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.

Video Chapters: 
00:00 - Explosive Discovery: EOD Marine Finds Live Rounds  
03:50 - Who is Jason Angell? Marine Corps Journey Begins  
07:01 - The Hardest Marines to Deal With in Training  
12:00 - Overcoming Injury & Returning as an Officer  
20:05 - Preparing for War: Deployment to Iraq in 2003  
34:15 - Sadr City: Intense Combat & Unexpected Chaos  
37:40 - Calling in A-10 Air Support Under Fire  
52:04 - First Time Shot At Since the Invasion  
1:02:46 - Partnering with the Legendary 506th Infantry  
1:30:27 - Witnessing a Marine Lose His Leg in Battle  
1:45:10 - Surviving a Sniper’s Bullet by Inches  
2:02:47 - Transporting General Mattis Through a Warzone  
2:10:05 - The Psychological Toll of War & Transitioning to Civilian Life  
2:16:48 - Writing His Story: Honoring the Brotherhood  

#military #warstories #urbanvalor #usmarine #marines

From the violent streets of South Central LA to the highest enlisted rank in the U.S. Navy...this is the incredible true story of Raul Ramos. Drawn into gang life at just 11 years old, Raul had gang tattoos on his face by 13 and was living in one of the most dangerous environments in America. But at 18, he made a life-changing decision: joining the U.S. Navy. Rising to the rank of E9 Master Chief, Raul served for 24 years, overcoming immense challenges both on and off the battlefield.

In this powerful episode of Urban Valor, Raul shares raw, unfiltered stories about his early struggles, the harsh realities of gang culture, and the defining moment that pushed him to change his path. He dives into his military career, the battles he fought—both externally and internally—and how he now mentors at-risk youth, helping them break free from the cycle of violence.

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Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.

Video Chapters: 
00:00 – Introduction: From LA Streets to Navy Master Chief
00:44 – Childhood in South Central LA & Early Gang Involvement
05:08 – Getting Jumped into a Gang at Age 11
11:00 – Living the Gang Life: Violence, Crime, and Survival
19:06 – The Turning Point: A Military Commercial Changed Everything
23:12 – Facing Obstacles: Tattoos, Waivers & Enlisting in the Navy
30:56 – Boot Camp & Military Discipline: Adapting to a New Life
38:44 – Challenges at Sea: Deployments, Hazing & Survival
46:27 – Combat Operations: Supporting Troops on the Ground
52:30 – Retirement & Life After the Navy
55:15 – Giving Back: Mentoring At-Risk Youth & Inspiring Change

#military #warstories #urbanvalor #usnavy #navyveteran

This week on Urban Valor, we sit down with Army Veteran Danny Szczakowski, a former Airborne Infantry paratrooper with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. From enduring a challenging childhood in Hereford, Texas, to facing intense combat in Afghanistan, Danny's story is one of resilience and sacrifice.

In this episode, he recounts multiple gunfights against the Taliban as they attempted to overrun their outpost, his harrowing experience recovering a fallen helicopter that claimed the lives of two pilots, and how his journey as a Drill Sergeant took an unexpected turn. Danny also opens up about the emotional toll of military service and a personal battle that led him into a dark mental space.

His story is one of courage, survival, and the unseen struggles of veterans after service. Watch as he shares firsthand accounts of combat, the lessons he’s learned, and his fight to find peace after war.

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Video Chapters: 
00:44 - Childhood and Troubled Family Background
09:16 - Teenage Years and Finding Heavy Metal Community
17:38 - Joining the Military and Overcoming Fear of Heights
25:32 - Airborne Training and Arrival in Italy
33:07 - Deployment to Afghanistan and Combat Experience
49:05 - First Confirmed Kill and Taliban Execution
1:01:03 - Losing a Friend in Battle
1:33:28 - Becoming a Drill Sergeant and Leadership Challenges
2:10:02 - Mental Health Struggles and Rediscovering Faith
2:22:36 - Launching a Veteran Support Project

#military #warstories #urbanvalor  #marines #taliban

This week on Urban Valor, we sit down with Marine veteran Andrew Higgins, who shares the brutal reality of military transition. After enlisting as an 0311 Rifleman, Andrew deployed to Afghanistan, where he faced life-threatening situations and the psychological conditioning of becoming a warfighter.

Now a Readjustment Counselor and licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Andrew exposes the military’s most significant failure—its lack of support for transitioning veterans. He discusses the emotional toll of combat, the struggles of reintegration, and whether the responsibility for helping veterans transition should fall on the military or outside organizations.

If you’ve ever wondered about the mental challenges veterans face after service, this is an episode you can’t afford to miss. What do you think? Should the military do more to support transitioning veterans? Comment below!

🚨 We Need Your Help Improving Veteran Support! 🚨

Andrew is conducting a research study on veteran reintegration experiences, and your input can help shape future support programs. If you are a U.S. military veteran, please take 8 minutes to complete this confidential survey:

👉 Take the Survey Here: https://alliant.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6yAyHVylSQzoflQ

Your participation is crucial in helping improve resources for veterans. Mental health support resources are provided regardless of completion.

What do you think? Should the military do more to support transitioning veterans? Drop a comment below!

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Video Chapters: 
01:15 – Growing Up in a Conservative Household
03:45 – Why I Joined the Marines: A Fascination with Death
06:10 – The Harsh Realities of Boot Camp & Marine Culture
09:30 – Combat Deployment to Afghanistan: Facing Life & Death
14:20 – Returning Home: The Unexpected Struggles of Reintegration
19:45 – Why the Military Fails Veterans After Service
24:00 – PTSD, Depression & The Silent Battle Veterans Fight
28:30 – From Warfighter to Therapist: Helping Veterans Heal
32:15 – How to Fix Veteran Transition: Who’s Responsible?

#military #warstories #urbanvalor  #marines #mentalhealth #veteranmentalhealth

Marine veteran Chris Mansfield shares his story of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, where he and his unit were tasked with a harrowing mission: recovering Sgt. Fernando Padilla-Ramirez, a fallen Marine who was captured, dragged through the streets, and hung in the town center of Nasiriyah before being buried in a landfill.

In this episode of Urban Valor, Chris reflects on his journey from growing up between South Shore, MA, and Amherst, NH, seeking validation through the Marine Corps, and ultimately serving as an 0351 Antitank Assaultman with the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines. He opens up about the mental and emotional toll of war, the intense bonds forged in combat, and the struggles of transitioning back to civilian life.

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Video Chapters: 
00:45 - Growing Up Between Two Worlds (South Shore, MA & Amherst, NH)
02:10 - Enlisting in the Marine Corps for Validation
04:00 - Boot Camp on Halloween Night: A Brutal Introduction
06:30 - The Reality of War: Deployment and 9/11’s Impact
09:45 - The Mission: Recovering a Fallen Marine
12:20 - Entering Nasiriyah: A Dangerous Operation
15:40 - Finding Sgt. Fernando Padilla-Ramirez’s Body
18:30 - Carrying Him Home: A Moment of Brotherhood
22:15 - The Aftermath: Returning from Combat
25:50 - Struggles with PTSD, Alcoholism & Civilian Life
30:10 - Hitting Rock Bottom & Seeking Help
35:45 - Mental Health, Recovery & Helping Fellow Veterans

#military #warstories #urbanvalor  #marines #warstories #veteran

This week’s Urban Valor episode features Rory Farrell, a retired Navy Special Operations Corpsman (2004-2024), who shares his journey through the military and beyond. 

Growing up in Colchester, CT, Rory was deeply impacted by 9/11, which inspired him to enlist in the Navy. He pursued the Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsman pipeline, undergoing some of the most grueling training in military history to become a Special Ops Medic. 

Throughout his career, Rory faced intense challenges, including a flashbang accident that nearly cost him his hand, and a shocking attempt by a superior officer to sabotage his career. However, one of his most extraordinary moments came when he rescued a mother and her child after a 110-ft tree crushed their car at Yosemite National Park. His quick thinking and elite medical training saved their lives, demonstrating the resilience, sacrifice, and heroism that define special operations forces.

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Video Chapters: 
📌 01:15 - Growing Up in Colchester, CT & 9/11’s Impact
📌 02:45 - Enlisting in the Navy & Special Ops Training
📌 05:30 - Becoming a Special Operations Corpsman (Recon IDC)
📌 08:10 - Intense Military Training & Surviving Sleep Deprivation
📌 11:25 - Near-Fatal Flashbang Accident: Losing Part of His Hand
📌 15:40 - Career Sabotage Attempt by a Superior Officer
📌 20:50 - Deployments & Life-Saving Medical Interventions
📌 27:00 - Rescuing a Mom & Child After 110-ft Tree Crash
📌 33:15 - How Military Training Prepared Him for Real-Life Emergencies
📌 38:00 - The Importance of Veterans' Transition Planning
📌 42:30 - Lessons in Leadership & Overcoming Adversity
📌 47:00 - Final Reflections & Advice for Future Service Members

#military #warstories #urbanvalor  #navy #warstories #veteranpodcast

Marine Veteran Brian Mendez takes us inside the brutal battles of Fallujah and Ramadi, sharing his experiences fighting through the Fallujah Mile, one of the deadliest combat zones of the Iraq War. 

In this episode of Urban Valor, Brian reflects on the mental and emotional toll of war, his battle with PTSD, and how Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu became his saving grace. From enlisting after 9/11 to becoming a Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor, Brian’s journey is one of resilience, survival, and redemption.

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Video Chapters: 
00:46 - Growing Up in California & Family Challenges
01:49 - Discovering Jiu-Jitsu & Martial Arts Influence
03:27 - How 9/11 Inspired Him to Join the Marines
05:00 - Choosing the Infantry & Marine Corps Training
07:49 - Boot Camp & Martial Arts Testing in the Marines
14:50 - Deploying to Iraq: First Battle of Fallujah
17:00 - Surviving the Fallujah Mile – Intense Combat Stories
18:31 - Foreign Fighters in Fallujah & the Reality of War
20:33 - Ramadi’s Deadliest Streets & The IED Threat
27:52 - Coping with PTSD & Post-War Struggles
39:33 - Finding Purpose Through Jiu-Jitsu After Combat
45:48 - Overcoming Alcoholism & The Road to Recovery
51:30 - Opening His Own Jiu-Jitsu Academy
53:29 - COVID-19 Setbacks & Rebuilding His Business

#military #urbanvalor #warstories #marines #warstories #veteranpodcast

In this week’s Urban Valor episode, we feature Marine veteran Michael D’Angelo, a Las Vegas native who overcame a turbulent upbringing marked by homelessness and family struggles. 

Michael shares his journey from running the streets to enlisting in the Marine Corps as a Machine Gunner. He opens up about how a recruiter’s deception left him in the Reserves instead of active duty, leading to years of frustration and mental health challenges as he tried to transfer to active duty without support from his command. 

This powerful story highlights resilience, perseverance, and the unseen struggles many veterans face during and after their service.

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Video Chapters: 
01:12 - Childhood Challenges
05:41 - Turning Point: Choosing the Marines
11:04 - Recruiter’s Deception
16:28 - Struggles in the Reserves
21:46 - Mental Health Impact
29:27 - Finding Resilience and Moving Forward
37:34 - Life After the Marines
45:24 - Lessons Learned 

#military #urbanvalor #warstories #marines #warstories #veteranpodcast

In this powerful Urban Valor episode, Marine veteran Chris Skinner shares his gripping story of courage and quick thinking that prevented a potential tragedy. Serving in the U.S. Marines as a Combat Logistics Specialist from 2016 to 2022, Chris recalls his most pivotal moment—disarming a fellow Marine who was on the brink of taking his life. Through his heartfelt account, Chris discusses the pressures of military life, the bonds forged in service, and the importance of mental health awareness.

Chris also reflects on his journey from boot camp to becoming a Marksmanship Instructor, offering insights into leadership, resilience, and the value of being there for others in their darkest moments.

💬 What’s your biggest takeaway from Chris's story? Let us know in the comments!

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Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.

Video Chapters: 
01:42 - Family Legacy of Service
03:22 - Choosing the Marine Corps
10:31 - Harsh Realities of Boot Camp
13:12 - Rising Through the Ranks
40:30 - Disarming a Comrade in Crisis
52:53 - Transitioning to Civilian Life
54:35 - Lessons in Resilience and Recovery
57:34 - Reflections on Service and Brotherhood

#military #urbanvalor #warstories #marines #warstories #veteranpodcast

In this gripping episode of Urban Valor, we sit down with U.S. Army Green Beret and Special Forces Medic, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jacek “Jack” Waliszewski. A political refugee from Poland, Jack’s life was shaped by his father’s role in co-founding the Solidarity Movement, one of the most successful anti-communist revolutions in history.

Jack takes us deep into his world as a Green Beret, revealing the extreme trauma he faced in combat, the life-threatening situations he endured, and how these experiences impacted his mental health and family life. From war zones to near-death encounters, Jack opens up about the realities of serving in Special Forces and what it means to survive both on and off the battlefield.

💬 What’s your biggest takeaway from Jack’s story? Let us know in the comments!

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Video Chapters: 
04:27 - Family Legacy & Political Influence
08:14 - Loss of Faith & Personal Struggles
16:13 - Early Life, Adventures & Military Decision
24:04 - Surviving Combat & Military Training Challenges
40:11 - The Reality of Battlefield Medicine
47:08 - Witnessing Death & Emotional Toll
51:52 - Survivor’s Guilt & Lessons from War
55:45 - The Psychological Toll of Combat
1:00:02 - Near-Death Experiences & Escaping Fate
1:15:20 - Military Camaraderie & Brotherhood
1:31:28 - Balancing Family & Military Life
1:35:29 - Preparing for Another Mission
1:39:28 - Integrating Into Special Forces Teams
1:43:39 - Documenting War & The Retrograde Film
1:51:14 - The Complexities of War & Diplomacy
2:07:59 - PTSD & The Challenges of Coming Home
2:12:05 - Hitting Rock Bottom & Seeking Help
2:24:34 - The Healing Process & Moving Forward
2:33:27 - Accountability & Personal Growth

#military #urbanvalor #warstories #army #warstories #veteranpodcast

In this Urban Valor episode, we sit down with Kristine Phanthavilay, a former U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant (E6) and Motor Transport Mechanic (2006-2010). Born and raised in San Diego, CA, Kristine joined the Marine Corps after struggling in college, looking for something more. She shares what it was like growing up as a first-generation American from Laotian refugee parents, knowing little about the military until 9/11 changed everything.

Kristine opens up about the mental and physical challenges of boot camp, the pressure of being a female Marine, and the difficult leadership she faced during her service. She also speaks candidly about the emotional toll of military life, including the loss of fellow service members and the struggles veterans face transitioning back to civilian life. After leaving active duty to raise her child, she realized how much she missed the Marines and returned to the Reserves, balancing military life with single motherhood.

This conversation sheds light on the real mental health challenges that veterans face, the gaps in military support, and the resilience it takes to keep pushing forward. Kristine’s story is one of strength, heartbreak, and finding purpose despite the struggles. If you or someone you know is dealing with mental health challenges, reach out—support is available.

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Video Chapters:
04:33 - Boot Camp Struggles & Proving Herself
10:58 - Toxic Leadership & Mental Health Battles
16:34 - Life After the Marines & Returning to the Reserves
20:21 - Losing Friends to Self-Inflicted Wounds & Coping with Grief

#military #urbanvalor #warstories #usarmy #usarmyveteran #warstories #veteranpodcast

This episode of Urban Valor highlights the incredible life of U.S. Navy SEAL veteran Johnny Collins. Growing up in Sykesville, Maryland, Johnny overcame personal challenges, including his parents' divorce, to pursue his dream of becoming a SEAL. 

Enduring six grueling BUD/S classes and three Hell Weeks, he demonstrated determination to earn the coveted SEAL Trident. 

Johnny shares powerful stories of rigorous training, deployment experiences, and how he transitioned his tactical skills into civilian success.

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Video Chapters:
00:47 Impact of Parents' Divorce 
01:21 Becoming a Navy SEAL
04:19 Pre-Navy Life
07:53 First Phase of BUD/S: Physical and Mental Challenges
12:25 Hell Week: The Ultimate Test of Endurance
16:15 Tight Timelines and Training Routines in BUD/S
20:33 Overcoming Setbacks and the Journey Through Medical Rolls
24:15 Hell Week Revisited: Grit and Determination
32:31 Pool Comp and Facing Personal Fears
40:25 Transition to Second Phase and Underwater Training
57:15 Returning to BUD/S After Medical Setbacks
1:13:20 Earning the SEAL Trident and Graduation Day
1:36:09 Deployment Experiences and Working with Service Dogs
2:07:36 Transition to Civilian Life and Reflections on the Navy
2:23:13 Current Role as Safety Director and Life Beyond Service

#military #urbanvalor #warstories #usarmy #usarmyveteran #warstories #veteranpodcast

This week on Urban Valor, we sit down with Army Veteran Daniel Perez. Born in Riverside, CA, Daniel grew up in a challenging childhood marked by his parents' separation and lack of supervision. His early years were consumed by fighting, drug use, and being expelled from high school.

Motivated by stories of Iraqi sniper "Juba," Daniel enlisted in the Army National Guard as an 11B infantryman. His deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan brought harrowing experiences, including a blue-on-blue firefight, MRAP crashes, and tense confrontations with civilians in life-or-death scenarios.

Daniel's story also discusses the challenges of reintegration into civilian life, from battling mental health struggles to finding his footing after the Army.

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Video Chapters:
00:31 - Childhood Challenges and Family Separation
01:52 - Struggles with ADD and Early School Issues
02:59 - Turning to Drugs and Fighting
11:25 - Military Inspiration from Childhood War Movies
18:37 - Enlisting in the Army National Guard
28:34 - Intense Combat and Blue-on-Blue Firefight
45:55 - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Challenges
56:12 - Life-Altering Decisions in Combat
1:24:57 - Survivor's Guilt and Post-Combat Struggles
1:45:47 - Transitioning to Civilian Life

#military #urbanvalor #warstories #usarmy #usarmyveteran #warstories #veteranpodcast

In this week’s Urban Valor episode, retired Marine First Sergeant Mark Wheatley shares gripping stories from his 24 years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps (1975–1999). Born at Kirtland Air Force Base, Mark grew up in a military family but broke tradition by joining the Marines instead of the Air Force.

Mark reveals truths about his time as a Drill Instructor, the challenges of transforming civilians into battle-ready Marines, and what separates good instructors from the bad. 

He also opens up about his transition to civilian life, the mental resilience it requires, and his advice for veterans struggling to adapt. 

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Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.

Video Chapters:
00:37 - Mark’s Military Roots
01:14 - A Life-Changing Decision
02:18 - Choosing the Marine Corps
04:29 - Broken Recruitment Promises
06:36 - Life in Training and Administration
10:35 - Yuma Memories and Harsh Realities
12:42 - Leadership Lessons from a First Sergeant
14:25 - Tensions During South Korean Conflict
20:14 - Honoring Fallen Marines
24:40 - Life as a Drill Instructor
32:13 - Discipline and Compassion in Training
45:53 - Confronting Racial Tensions
54:00 - Transitioning to Civilian Life
1:02:11 - Advice for Veterans on PTSD
1:10:16 - Honoring All Who Serve

#military #urbanvalor #warstories #marines #warstories #veteranpodcast

This week on the Urban Valor Podcast, we meet Cory Carranza, a Purple Heart recipient and Army and Marine Corps veteran. Cory’s story begins in Banning, CA, where he endured heartbreaking childhood trauma. After witnessing a horrific event as a kid, Cory turned to the Army when college didn’t work out, becoming a 91B Combat Medic.

In this episode, Cory takes us through his combat deployment to Iraq, surviving a harrowing ambush where multiple RPGs struck his Humvee. Despite his injuries, Cory pushed forward and enlisted in the Marine Corps, attending boot camp as a decorated combat veteran.

Cory reflects on how his past shaped him, the toll of his experiences, and the strategies he uses to stay mentally strong.

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Video Chapters: 


#military #urbanvalor #warstories #marines #warstories #veteranpodcast

This week on Urban Valor, we highlight the incredible journey of Marine Veteran William Kaisen. Born and raised in Paterson, NJ, Will grew up in a challenging environment just miles from New York City. At just 15 years old, he witnessed the tragic events of 9/11, which deeply influenced his decision to serve his country.

Driven by a lifelong dream to become a Marine, Will enlisted as an infantry rifleman. In this emotional episode, he shares the harrowing details of January 7, 2006—the worst day of his life. That day, three of his Marine brothers were killed in action, and later, while on post in Fallujah, Will was shot in the head by an enemy sniper. Despite his critical injury, Will and his teammate bravely fought their way through the kill zone.

Will also opens up about the emotional toll of his second deployment to Fallujah, how combat trauma shaped his life, and his eventual decision to leave the Marine Corps.

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Video Chapters: 
02:00 - Early Life and Upbringing
07:00 - Joining the Marines
15:00 - Life as a Marine
33:00 - The Car Accident
45:00 - Deployment to Fallujah
57:00 - Combat and Loss
1:17:00 - Mental Health and Recovery
2:00:00 - Reflection and Purpose

#military #urbanvalor #warstories #battleoffallujah #marines #warstories

In this Urban Valor episode, Navy Corpsman veteran Clint Peyton shares his journey from Corpus Christi, TX, to serving in the Navy. Raised in San Diego, Clint left high school early to work construction before enlisting as a Hospital Corpsman. 

Assigned to a Marine Corps helicopter squadron, he flew missions during deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, providing critical medical care in some of the war's deadliest battles, including Al Nasiriyah and the Second Battle of Fallujah. Clint reflects on his intense combat experiences and how they shaped his transition back to civilian life.

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Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.

Video Chapters: 
03:11 - Life Before the Navy
06:05 - Enlisting in the Navy
14:31 - Becoming a Hospital Corpsman
20:24 - Deploying to Iraq
34:51 - Battle of Al Nasiriyah
41:18 - Second Battle of Fallujah
56:24 - Losses in Combat
1:09:56 - Struggles with Transition
1:37:47 - Therapy and Recovery
1:46:41 - Finding Purpose After Service

#military #urbanvalor #warstories #battleoffallujah #usnavy  #warstories

Marine veteran Darnell Golden shares his incredible journey from a troubled neighborhood and early life in Baltimore to the battlefield of the Second Battle of Fallujah, the bloodiest Marine Corps battle since Vietnam. 

Darnell credits his grandfather for molding him into the man he is today and for the reason he enlisted in the Marine Corps.  Darnell enlisted as a Radio Operator and never expected to see combat during his time in the Marines. . In this episode, Darnell also gives a detailed account of his Marine Corps boot camp experience.

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Video Chapters: 
00:39 - Growing Up in West Baltimore
05:28 - Finding Strength in Adversity
13:00 - Joining the Marine Corps
20:22 - Boot Camp Challenges
43:05 - Deployment to Iraq
55:55 - Facing Life and Death
1:13:15 - The Battle of Fallujah
1:23:00 - Coping with Loss
1:30:32 - Returning Home

#military #urbanvalor #warstories #battleoffallujah #usmarine #warstories

This week’s Urban Valor episode features retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant and Navy Cross recipient Aubrey McDade Jr. Aubrey was born in Pasadena, CA, but grew up in Fort Worth, Texas. 

He lived in a rough neighborhood and witnessed a lot of violence at a young age. Aubrey enlisted into the Marine Corps as a Machine Gunner. In this episode, he shares his experience in The Second Battle of Fallujah, where he made several trips under intense enemy fire during an ambush to save the lives of two Marines. 

Aubrey received the Navy Cross for his actions on that day of 11/11/2004. He also shares his experience of his time as a Marine Drill Instructor.

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Video Chapters: 


#military #urbanvalor #warstories #battleoffallujah #usmarine #warstories

In this Urban Valor episode, we sit down with Army Blackhawk Pilot Veteran Josh Halu, who shares his journey from a challenging childhood to serving as a Battle Captain in Afghanistan. 

Born in Jerusalem and raised in Denver, Josh faced unimaginable hardship at a young age, with his father’s tragic death marking a pivotal moment in his life. Fueled by resilience, he set his sights on West Point, ultimately becoming a US Army Blackhawk pilot.

Join us as Josh opens up about his experiences in Afghanistan, where he led critical rescue missions for downed aircraft, known as “Fallen Angels,” in hostile territory. Josh also discusses his path to healing and the methods he's used to cope with trauma.

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Video Chapters: 
07:38 Joining West Point
47:20 Intro Afghanistan 
1:19:49 Wounds and Trails
1:27:28 New Opportunity 

#military #urbanvalor #warstories #usarmy

In this episode of Urban Valor, Marine veteran Brandon Hagar, a former U.S. Marine Infantryman (2017-2021, E4/Corporal), shares the tragic story of the Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) mishap that resulted in the deaths of 8 Marines and 1 Navy Corpsman. 

Brandon, from Turlock, CA, opens up about the toxic leadership within his command, describing how constant micromanagement and leadership failures contributed to this tragic event. The AAV sinking marked one of the darkest moments in his military career, with Brandon reflecting on how it highlighted severe Marine Corps leadership issues.

Brandon’s journey didn’t end there. Despite the trauma of his enlistment, he found a new purpose in life after leaving the Marines. Today, he helps veterans rediscover their purpose through nutrition coaching and powerlifting, supporting those struggling with their post-military lives.

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Video Chapters: 

00:00 - The Tragic Amphibious Assault Vehicle Incident
00:39 - Brandon Hagar's Rough Upbringing
03:25 - Struggles with Confidence and Social Anxiety
04:18 - A Life-Changing Decision: Fitness and Discipline
06:30 - Joining the Marine Corps Infantry
08:05 - Challenges in Boot Camp and Infantry
11:24 - Marine Corps Camaraderie and Early Impressions
14:04 - Command Structure Changes and Hazing Issues
20:32 - Stress and Lack of Accountability in the Marines
28:22 - Quarantine and COVID-19 Challenges
32:57 - Leadership Failures in the AAV Incident
39:03 - Deployment, Frustration, and Resentment
45:12 - Post-Marine Corps Struggles with Mental and Physical Health
48:00 - Finding Purpose: Helping Veterans as a Coach


#military #urbanvalor #warstories #marines #usmarine

In this episode of Urban Valor, we welcome back Army and Marine veteran Harry Martinez. Last week, Harry shared his journey growing up in Brunswick, NJ, joining the Army National Guard, and later transitioning to the Marines where he became part of the 1st Battalion 6th Marines Sniper Platoon as a PIG (Professional Instructed Gunman). 

This week, Harry reflects on his combat deployments. Still, the focus shifts to a powerful story about how he and his two Marine combat veteran sons teamed up with the Peshmerga to fight ISIS in Iraq as civilians. 

Harry how, after overhearing his sons' plans to join the fight, he felt compelled to go with them, unable to let his bloodline face the danger alone. In the end, this experience impacted his mental health, fighting alongside his sons.

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Video Chapters: 

00:44 - Harry’s Military Career and Background
02:21 - Volunteering for Deployment to Afghanistan
07:41 - Reassigned to Company Intel Support Team
11:46 - Leadership and a Paradigm Shift
18:39 - Ambush and Survival Tactics
25:50 - Snider’s Brave Retrieval of Supplies
29:31 - Cultural Conflicts and Tensions with Afghan Soldiers
36:37 - Struggles with the Afghanistan War and AWOL
44:08 - Returning to Fight ISIS with His Sons
54:04 - The Battle of SAR and Humanitarian Crisis
1:04:36 - Seeking Air Support in the Fight Against ISIS
1:12:10 - Reflections on His Sons and Combat
1:18:58 - Focused Combat and Protecting His Sons
1:55:44 - Returning Home and the Struggles of Transition

#military #urbanvalor #warstories #marines #usmarine #usarmy

In this week's Urban Valor episode, Army & Marine Corps Veteran Harry Martinez shares his incredible journey from growing up in New Brunswick, NJ, to serving in the Army National Guard and the Marines. 

With roots in Colombia, Harry’s upbringing instilled high standards that shaped his military career. He started with the Army National Guard, later becoming a Marine rifleman and joining the 1st Battalion 6th Marines Sniper Platoon as a PIG (Professional Instructed Gunman). 

After his honorable discharge, Harry served as a police sniper and instructor before deploying as a Sniper Section Leader to Ramadi, Iraq. In this episode, Harry opens up about his experiences and his sniper teams' impact in Iraq. Get ready for one of the most gripping, detailed interviews yet, packed with mind-blowing stories you won't want to miss.

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Video Chapters: 
00:55 Early Life
08:28 The Army
20:01 First Task Force
21:26 The Invasion
34:55 Becoming A Pig 
57:20 Ramadi & Back 
1:13:13 3rd ID 
2:01:47 Christmas in Ramadi 
2:34:53 Scars of Combat



#military #urbanvalor #warstories #marines #usmarine #nationalguard #usarmy

This week’s Urban Valor episode features retired Marine Sergeant Major Juan Hidalgo, a native of National City, CA. Inspired by his neighbor, a WWII veteran who shared stories of his service, Juan enlisted in the Marine Corps as a Tanker and joined the 1st Tank Battalion at Twentynine Palms, CA. 

In this episode, Juan reflects on his experiences leading Marines during the 2003 invasion of Iraq and his second deployment. His humility and dedication are evident as he speaks about the Marines he served with and the bonds they formed in combat.

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✅ SUBSCRIBE to support Urban Valor and the courageous Veterans who take the share and tell their story, AND so you NEVER miss a weekly episode of our veteran stories. New stories every Sunday!

Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.

Video Chapters: 
05:13 Military Career and Bootcamp Experience 
10:05 Leadership and Brotherhood in Combat 
25:50 Combat Reflections and Emotional Impact 
50:27 Post-Service Life and Commitment to Service

#military #urbanvalor #warstories #marines #usmarine