Urban Valor: the podcast

Urban Valor
  • 4.9 (167)
  • Film Interviews
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Urban Valor, where we hear the stories of our veteran heroes in their own words. Within these vet interviews, you'll hear everything from combat stories, life stories pre/post military, military transition, and everything in between. Our interviews aren't just war stories or combat veteran interviews, but interviews from any military veteran willing to share. Our mission is to educate the masses with what military veterans go through while serving their country and how life has been since their military transition back to civilian life. Join our cause, online community, and show your support for Urban Valor at https://urbanvalor.com 

  1. 4d ago

    This Marine Flatlined Three Times After Being Burned Alive in Iraq!

    In today's Irban Valor Podcast, Octavio talks about combat in Iraq, repeated IED attacks, losing Marines in his unit, being engulfed in flames, the medevac and ICU experience, learning to walk again, adapting to life with severe burns and a hand amputation, and the impact his injuries had on his wife and children. Octavio also opens up about what happened after the uniform came off...struggling with alcohol and drugs, losing his sense of purpose, rebuilding his family life, returning to his faith, and eventually finding a new mission helping other veterans. Today, Octavio serves with Front Sight Military Outreach, where he helps veterans reconnect with faith, community, brotherhood, and purpose after military service. Chapters:  00:00 Marine Survives a Massive IED Attack 01:27 Growing Up in Fontana, California 03:03 Family Roots in Zacatecas, Mexico 04:25 Getting Pulled Into Gang Life 07:39 Expelled From High School 08:01 Getting Jumped Into a Gang 11:37 Sent to Mexico 13:57 Turning His Life Around 16:02 Dreaming About the Military 17:16 Meeting a Marine Corps Recruiter 19:44 Leaving for Marine Corps Boot Camp 24:14 Earning the Title Marine 26:00 Joining 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines 29:12 First Deployment to Okinawa 32:42 Training With Force Recon 33:34 Massive Fight Between Marines 37:24 Zodiac Training Off Australia 40:09 The Lesson He Never Forgot 44:32 Becoming a Marine Corps NCO 46:28 September 11th in Okinawa 49:02 Reenlisting in the Marines 50:25 Becoming a Marksmanship Instructor 55:21 Watching His Marines Go to War 58:08 Joining 1st Battalion, 5th Marines 1:01:46 Preparing for Iraq 1:03:56 Deploying to Ramadi, Iraq 1:07:54 IED Capital of Iraq 1:09:26 Running Quick Reaction Force Missions 1:12:18 The Reality of Combat 1:13:34 His First IED Explosion 1:17:34 Losing Marines in Ramadi 1:18:27 Looking for a Fight 1:20:20 Hunting for IEDs 1:23:54 June 16, 2005 1:25:20 The Mission That Changed Everything 1:28:44 The Roadside Bomb Explodes 1:29:09 Humvee Launched 40 Feet 1:30:39 Trapped Inside a Burning Vehicle 1:31:35 Escaping While on Fire 1:34:34 Medevac Under Fire 1:38:00 Fighting for His Life 1:39:57 Hallucinations in the ICU 1:45:24 Beginning the Recovery 1:46:50 Seeing His Daughter Again 1:48:49 Learning His Marines Had Died 1:50:22 Life Inside the Burn Center 1:53:52 How His Children Reacted 1:56:19 Becoming an Outpatient 1:58:29 Medical Retirement From the Marines 1:58:56 His Wife Never Left His Side 2:00:47 Life After the Marine Corps 2:02:18 Alcohol, Cocaine & Losing Direction 2:02:59 Finding Faith and Purpose 2:04:27 Finding His Veteran Brotherhood Again 2:06:17 The Struggle of Leaving the Military 2:07:42 Front Sight Military Outreach 2:09:13 Final Thoughts

  2. Sep 27

    Inside a Marine Tank Crew's Brutal Fight in Fallujah

    Marine veteran Alex Hernandez survived an RPG blast while fighting in Fallujah, Iraq — an attack that severely wounded his tank commander and left Alex covered in shrapnel and blood. In this episode, Alex tells the story of going from a kid in East LA with no clear direction to joining the United States Marine Corps after 9/11, becoming an M1 Abrams tank mechanic, deploying to Iraq, and finding himself in some of the most intense fighting of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Alex remembers watching the aftermath of the Blackwater contractor killings before Marines were suddenly ordered outside the wire. What followed was hours of combat in Fallujah. Then, on April 7, everything changed. While moving through the city in an M1 Abrams, Alex spotted armed fighters appearing with RPGs and AK-47s. Moments later, an RPG struck the tank commander’s hatch. His tank commander lost his right eye. Alex was hit by shrapnel and badly wounded in both hands. But surviving the battlefield was only the beginning. Alex also opens up about returning home, losing the career and identity he thought he would have, struggling with his mental health years after the war, seeking help, and eventually trying to rediscover a sense of purpose through service and teaching others. This is a story about war, brotherhood, injury, identity, and what happens when the fighting stops but the battle isn’t necessarily over. CHAPTERS: 00:00 — The RPG Attack in Fallujah 01:10 — Growing Up in East LA 06:16 — His Grandfather Inspires Him to Serve 07:33 — 9/11 Changes Everything 09:24 — Proving He Could Become a Marine 11:12 — Injured During Boot Camp 13:27 — The Marine Who Never Made It Home 16:54 — Becoming an M1 Abrams Tank Mechanic 19:07 — Arriving at 29 Palms 22:21 — Preparing for War 25:23 — Heading to Iraq 28:42 — First Incoming Fire 30:04 — Life Inside an Abrams Tank 36:45 — Blackwater Killings and Fallujah 38:09 — The Battle Begins 40:46 — 13 Hours of Combat 44:50 — April 7th 45:30 — Watching an RPG Fly Toward the Tank 47:04 — Drawing Fire Away From the Marines 48:59 — RPG Strikes the Tank 49:21 — “I’m Pissing Out Blood” 50:47 — Escaping the Burning Tank 51:31 — Surgery and Recovery 53:57 — Returning to the Fight 57:43 — His Wife Deploys to Iraq 58:30 — Coming Home 1:02:12 — Losing His Sense of Purpose 1:04:29 — Mental Health Begins to Collapse 1:06:33 — Calling the Crisis Line 1:07:58 — Finally Finding the Right Help 1:09:46 — Learning How to Move Forward 1:11:27 — Finding Purpose Again 1:12:14 — “Pick Your Head Up and Continue to March”

  3. Sep 20

    This Marine Still Has the Bullet That Almost Killed Him in Somalia

    Marine Staff Sergeant Tony Storey served 21 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, including combat deployments to Somalia and Iraq. At just 21 years old, he led Marines into Somalia during Operation Restore Hope, survived a bullet striking the sandbag beside his head, and later endured a monsoon that flooded his fighting position with human remains. In this episode, of Urban Valor, Tony shares what it was like entering Mogadishu, serving as an 0311 Rifleman, training Iraqi security forces, and carrying the memories of combat long after coming home.  👍 Like this video to support and show appreciation. 🗣️ 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! Chapters:  00:00 Marine Still Has the Bullet That Almost Killed Him 01:15 Tony Storey — 21 Years in the Marine Corps 01:44 Childhood, Abandonment & Losing His Grandparents 06:56 Growing Up in the Shadow of His Marine Father 10:45 His Father’s Brutal Combat History in Vietnam 17:02 “He Was the Marine I Wanted to Be” 20:32 Deciding to Join the Marines 26:03 Arriving at Parris Island 31:08 The Recruit Named Batman 33:30 What Marine Boot Camp Taught Him About Himself 38:32 A Massive Recruit Brawl Breaks Out 45:59 Hurricane Hugo Changes His Graduation 49:14 The Moment He Finally Became a Marine 51:03 Early Marine Combat Training 58:20 Instructor Accidentally Shoots Two Marines 01:00:07 Marine Corps Security Forces 01:05:30 Suicide in the Barracks 01:16:06 Joining 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines 01:16:40 America Is Going Into Somalia 01:19:11 Preparing for Operation Restore Hope 01:21:00 First Wave Into Mogadishu 01:24:23 21 Years Old Leading Marines Into Somalia 01:27:36 They Were Digging Inside a Cemetery 01:30:35 The Bullet That Almost Killed Him 01:34:14 Entering Baidoa — “The City of Death” 01:34:43 The Monsoon That Flooded Their Fighting Holes 01:37:36 Human Remains Begin Floating Past Him 01:43:34 Christmas Day in Somalia 01:45:59 The Child Tony Couldn’t Save 01:51:28 Leaving Somalia 01:53:27 The Marine Who Stole a Lotus 02:00:40 Transitioning Back to Civilian Life 02:04:14 Recalled by Name and Sent to Iraq 02:05:43 Training Iraqi Security Forces 02:19:56 Working Alongside SEAL Team 10 02:28:00 Coming Home From Iraq 02:29:12 Fireworks, IED Memories & Combat Trauma 02:30:38 The Things Combat Veterans Can’t Explain 02:33:38 The Faces He Still Remembers 02:35:30 The Calls From Marines Who Are Struggling 02:37:03 “I Wouldn’t Trade a Damn Thing” 02:37:49 What Tony Lives for Today 02:40:45 Final Thoughts & Semper Fi

  4. Sep 14

    This Army Officer Says the Military Poisoned Her Kids Then Came After Her

    Army Major Mandy Feindt says Navy jet fuel contamination from the Red Hill water crisis poisoned her family — and when she spoke out, the military came after her. In this episode of Urban Valor, Mandy breaks down what happened after her family moved onto Ford Island in Hawaii, began getting severely sick, and later learned they had been exposed to contaminated water connected to the Red Hill fuel spill. She talks about her son’s health issues, more than 800 family medical appointments, confronting Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, filing for whistleblower protection, and the retaliation she says followed. Mandy also shares what happened years later when her son was mistreated at a military Child Development Center, the fight to obtain video and records, and why she believes military systems too often protect the institution before the family. This is a story about Red Hill, military toxic exposure, whistleblower retaliation, military families, institutional betrayal, and what happens when a career Army officer decides she can’t stay quiet. Mandy’s message: Take a mess and turn it into a message. If you or your family were impacted by Red Hill, military toxic exposure, or a similar situation while serving, share your story below. Subscribe to Urban Valor for more unfiltered veteran and military stories. Chapters: 0:00 Navy Jet Fuel Poisoned Our Family 1:29 Meet Army Major Mandy Feindt 2:43 Growing Up in a Military Family 4:00 How 9/11 Changed Her Life 6:17 Becoming an Army Officer 8:07 Afghanistan & Casualty Operations 12:48 Command, ROTC & Special Operations 16:25 Moving to Hawaii 18:50 The Dream House on Historic Ford Island 20:19 Her Family Suddenly Gets Sick 21:20 The Red Hill Fuel Spill 24:39 The Navy Said the Water Was Safe 27:54 Her Entire Family Ends Up in the Hospital 29:23 Fighting for Military Children 34:08 Speaking Out as an Active-Duty Officer 38:40 From Hospital Bed to Public Advocacy 41:06 Walking the Halls of Congress 42:45 When the Retaliation Escalated 44:55 Confronting the Secretary of the Navy 46:52 “Nothing in Life Is Pure” 48:31 Investigated After Confronting Navy Leadership 49:08 Filing for Whistleblower Protection 55:22 The Military's Flushing Operation 58:21 More Than 800 Medical Appointments 1:00:48 The Psychological Trauma of Contaminated Water 1:01:15 “An American Military Asset Poisoning Americans” 1:04:47 The Red Hill Lawsuit 1:06:51 Why Long-Term Medical Monitoring Matters 1:09:39 The VA Finally Recognizes Red Hill 1:11:20 “There's the Door” 1:12:39 Why She Refused to Stay Silent 1:14:46 Native Hawaiians & Military Families Unite 1:16:15 How Does This Happen in the U.S. Military? 1:20:26 Why Families Weren't Properly Tested 1:22:39 Institutional Betrayal 1:27:26 Trusting the Military Again 1:28:24 Her Son's Daycare Incident 1:30:00 Discovering the Abuse 1:34:34 The Army Promises to Handle It 1:37:08 The Same Teacher Comes Back 1:38:01 Fighting to Preserve the Evidence 1:41:48 The Military Says It Wasn't Abuse 1:44:03 Why the Secretary of the Army Wouldn't Meet Her 1:46:24 Parents Barred From the Hearing 1:47:16 The Video Evidence Disappears 1:49:39 What the Remaining Video Showed 1:51:28 Military Daycare Oversight 1:53:36 CPS Substantiates Child Abuse 1:56:30 The Teachers Returned to Work 1:59:02 The FOIA Records 2:00:18 “You Poisoned My Kids” 2:01:06 The Fight Is Still Ongoing 2:03:31 Retaliation Over Protecting Her Son 2:06:52 Why Speaking Up Comes With a Cost 2:07:12 Her Whistleblower Case Is Substantiated 2:09:43 Will Her Children Ever Serve? 2:12:36 The Military Recruiting Problem 2:14:14 What Military Families Need to Know 2:14:51 What's Next for Mandy 2:16:13 Turning a Mess Into a Message

  5. Sep 6

    Marine Sent to Replace Drivers Being Killed by IEDs in Iraq

    Marine veteran Peter Caro joined the U.S. Marine Corps expecting to become a mechanic. Instead, he was sent to Iraq as a Motor Transport operator during a time when IEDs were killing drivers across the battlefield. In this Urban Valor interview, Peter shares what it was like serving in Fallujah, driving dangerous roads in Iraq, surviving IED attacks, taking enemy fire, and dealing with the PTSD and survivor’s guilt that followed him home. Peter served in the Marines from 2004 to 2013 and completed multiple deployments to Iraq. During his service, he transported personnel and equipment, trained Iraqi police and military forces, and operated outside the wire in some of the most dangerous conditions of the Iraq War. He also opens up about the moments that stayed with him most — seeing Marines he knew listed as killed in action, watching a vehicle in front of him hit an IED, and struggling with the belief that other Marines deserved to come home more than he did. After leaving active duty, Peter began dealing with hypervigilance, panic attacks, isolation, drinking, and survivor’s guilt. His path to understanding PTSD eventually led him back to school, where he studied psychology and social work. Today, Peter works as a therapist helping other veterans navigate trauma, PTSD, depression, and the difficult transition from military to civilian life. Chapters:  00:00 Marine Boot Camp & Surviving an IED Attack 01:00 Peter Caro’s Marine Corps Story 01:50 Growing Up in a Mexican-American Family 06:34 Why Pete Wanted to Become a Marine 08:34 Watching 9/11 Change Everything 11:31 Feeling Lost Before Joining the Marines 13:44 Walking Into the Marine Recruiter’s Office 16:33 The Reality of Marine Corps Boot Camp 18:32 Choosing to Push Through 19:01 A Recruit Tries to Escape Boot Camp 23:39 The Reality of the Boot Camp Bathroom 25:13 Pete’s Infamous Boot Camp Story 27:00 Marine Corps Graduation & His Father’s Reaction 31:51 Returning Home After Boot Camp 32:59 Getting in Trouble on Recruiting Duty 36:00 The Marine Corps Job He Didn’t Expect 37:30 Joining 9th Communication Battalion 40:02 When Pete’s Roommate Went UA 43:55 Preparing to Deploy to Iraq 45:31 “Dude, You’re Going to Die” 47:00 Training for His First Iraq Deployment 48:47 Accidentally Taking Night Vision Goggles Home 51:58 Deploying to Fallujah, Iraq 53:07 Training Marines & Iraqi Security Forces 54:04 Carrying Iraqi Money Into a Combat Zone 55:53 His First Experience Taking Enemy Fire 56:41 Tracer Fire Over a Marine Convoy 59:24 Becoming Desensitized to Combat 1:00:50 Seeing Marines He Knew on the KIA Wall 1:03:19 The Beginning of Survivor’s Guilt 1:04:28 Secretly Getting Married Before Deployment 1:08:55 Training Iraqi Police & Army 1:10:25 Ambushed During a Convoy Mission 1:15:43 Coming Home From Iraq 1:18:35 Pete’s Second Iraq Deployment 1:20:29 The “Code Brown” Convoy Story 1:24:32 Incoming Fire Nearly Kills Pete 1:28:12 The Mission That Changed Everything 1:31:24 The Truck in Front of Him Hits an IED 1:32:49 Thinking His Marines Were Dead 1:35:00 Guilt After the IED Explosion 1:36:45 Why Pete Decided to Leave Active Duty 1:40:48 Life in the Marine Corps Reserve 1:43:43 Being Reenlisted by R. Lee Ermey 1:45:21 Returning to College After the Marines 1:46:50 “I Hate the Fact That I Came Back Alive” 1:48:46 How Combat Changed Him at Home 1:50:54 Drinking, Isolation & Emotional Numbness 1:51:32 Learning About PTSD in Psychology Class 1:54:50 Refusing to Accept He Had PTSD 1:56:11 The Panic Attack That Changed Everything 1:57:44 His First Experience Seeking Help 1:58:53 The Vietnam Veteran Who Changed His Life 1:59:56 Finding a New Mission Through Social Work 2:00:49 Becoming a Therapist for Veterans 2:02:08 Why Transitioning Out Can Be So Difficult 2:03:18 Why Pete Almost Didn’t Tell His Story 2:05:54 What He Would Tell His Younger Self 2:06:43 “You Are Enough”

  6. Aug 31

    This Navy SEAL Hunted the Taliban on Horseback in Afghanistan

    Navy SEAL Andrew Arrabito sits down to tell the REAL stories behind serving in United States Naval Special Warfare from 2002 to 2012, including time with SEAL Team 5 and SEAL Team 1. In this episode of Urban Valor, he breaks down what BUD/S was really like, the mindset required to survive SEAL training, life as a new guy in the teams, and what combat looked like during deployments overseas. He also tells the incredible story of a nighttime freefall jump where he lost access to his ripcord, began tumbling at low altitude, deployed his reserve chute, survived… and then got back in the aircraft and jumped again. Beyond the military stories, Andrew opens up about growing up in Northern California, losing his father and two older brothers in a plane crash at age seven, and later returning to the crash site in Alaska.👍 Like this video to support and show appreciation. 🗣️ 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. Chapters:  0:00 “I Thought I Was Dead” – Parachute Malfunction 1:25 Meet Navy SEAL Andrew Arrabito 2:07 Growing Up in Northern California 5:20 Faith & Family 6:08 Why He Wanted to Become a Navy SEAL 7:11 Joining the Navy & Getting to BUD/S 14:50 How BUD/S Instructors Targeted Candidates 15:54 The Different Phases of SEAL Training 21:59 Deaths & Danger During SEAL Training 23:09 Joining SEAL Team 5 24:01 Life as the New Guy 25:34 Hazing & SEAL Team Culture 27:25 First Combat Deployment to Iraq 28:42 Combat Missions in Iraq 32:06 Hunting a Sniper in Tal Afar 33:46 Screening for DEVGRU 42:00 Fighting in Afghanistan 43:12 How Taliban Fighters Hid From Apache Helicopters 45:40 A Helicopter Crash That Nearly Included His Team 46:02 Did They Make a Difference in Afghanistan? 46:22 Training Other Navy SEALs 58:27 Losing His Father & Two Brothers 58:38 Returning to the Alaska Plane Crash Site 1:00:06 Losing His Family at Seven Years Old 1:01:08 Building His Business After the SEAL Teams ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ DISCLAIMER: The views and experiences shared in this interview are those of the individual and are recounted from personal memory. #UrbanValor #navyseal #podcast

  7. Aug 23

    Marine Awarded Bronze Star for Valor Reaches Sergeant Major Before Losing Everything

    Marine Corps Sergeant Major Jean-Paul Corville served 22 years in the United States Marine Corps from 1991 to 2013, earning the Bronze Star with Valor and rising to the rank of Sergeant Major. In this episode of Urban Valor, Corville shares Marine Corps boot camp stories, infantry life, combat in Iraq, leadership lessons, disaster response in Japan, and the decision that ultimately changed the course of his career. He talks about growing up shy and overweight in Louisiana, transforming himself through training, choosing the Marines, becoming an 0331 machine gunner, serving at 29 Palms, deploying to Okinawa, becoming a drill instructor, and eventually reaching the highest enlisted levels of Marine Corps leadership. Corville also opens up about combat, loss, mistakes, consequences, and what happened when one decision cost him more than he ever expected. From hilarious Marine Corps stories to some of the darkest moments of his life, this is an unfiltered look at a 22-year military career from someone who lived it at every level. 👍 Like this video to support and show appreciation. 🗣️ 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. Chapters:  00:00 Preview 01:38 Growing Up Shy & Overweight in Louisiana 07:58 Why He Chose the Marine Corps 15:10 Marine Corps Boot Camp & Becoming a Machine Gunner 22:04 Life at 29 Palms & Early Infantry Stories 27:49 Deploying to Okinawa 46:04 Life as a Marine Corps Drill Instructor 1:24:43 Deploying to Kuwait Before the Iraq Invasion 1:33:59 Combat in Baghdad & Losing Marines 1:59:40 The Battle of Karma 2:32:46 The Career Decision That Changed Everything 2:34:34 Retiring as a Sergeant Major After 22 Years 2:43:28 Hiking the Appalachian Trail & Life After the Marines 2:53:19 Motivation, Inspiration & Final Advice ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ DISCLAIMER: The views and experiences shared in this interview are those of the individual and are recounted from personal memory. #UrbanValor #usarmy #podcast

  8. Aug 17

    This Marine Sold Drugs to Save His Family Before Going to War

    Ronald Long is a United States Marine Corps veteran who served from 2009–2013, leaving the Marines as an E-4 Corporal. In this episode of Urban Valor, Ronald shares his incredible story of joining the U.S. Marines, experiencing combat, surviving an IED explosion, losing a fellow service member beside him, and confronting experiences that would follow him long after the battlefield. But Ronald’s story started LONG before the Marine Corps... He grew up in Northern California in a Puerto Rican family that endured financial hardship, his sister’s battle with cancer, his mother’s addiction, abuse inside the home, and eventually the breakup of his family. As a kid, Ronald learned pretty damn quickly how to survive. By his teenage years, that meant helping raise his sisters, trying to help keep his family financially afloat, getting involved in selling marijuana, witnessing violence around his friends, and reaching adulthood without much of a plan for what came next. Then life changed FAST. Ronald began a relationship, discovered he was about to become a father, and suddenly needed a way to provide for a family. Then, seemingly out of nowhere... A Marine Corps recruiter called. Ronald signed the paperwork, went to boot camp, and began a path that would eventually put him into situations very few people can truly understand. And somehow, even surrounded by some incredibly dark moments, Ronald’s Marine Corps stories can also be absolutely hilarious. From doing boot camp practically BLIND because nobody gave him his glasses... ...to Marines breaking into the WRONG barracks... ...to a drill instructor apparently studying World of Warcraft just so he could figure out new ways to destroy the recruits playing it.  But combat was different. Ronald describes transporting bodies, seeing horrific injuries become almost routine, and the moment a pressure plate detonated feet away from him. For a moment, his mind transported him somewhere completely different. Then Abdul came crashing back into his reality. And Ronald realized his friend was dead. Thank you to Ronald Long for trusting us with his story. 👍 Like this video to support and show appreciation. 🗣️ 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. Chapters:  00:00 Preview 01:04 Meet Marine Veteran Ronald Long 02:17 His Sister’s Battle With Cancer 04:19 Addiction and Abuse at Home 10:15 His Family Nearly Loses Everything 12:30 Gang Violence and Losing a Friend 17:55 Life Before the Marine Corps 23:16 Finding Out He Was Going to Be a Father 23:55 The Marine Corps Recruiter Calls 25:50 Leaving for Boot Camp 26:50 Going Through Boot Camp Nearly Blind 28:26 Breaking Into the Wrong Barracks 32:34 World of Warcraft Meets Marine Boot Camp 37:02 Becoming a Squad Leader 39:18 MCT and Becoming a Radio Operator 44:42 Arriving in the Fleet 45:58 A Wild Night With His Corporals 50:53 Becoming a Field Radio Operator 52:10 Preparing for Afghanistan 59:19 Taking Over Communications in Afghanistan 1:00:07 Becoming Addicted to Combat Patrols 1:01:42 The Push Along Route 611 1:03:39 Abdul Steps on an IED 1:04:29 Realizing Abdul Is Dead 1:05:16 Surviving the Blast 1:06:52 Faith, Anger, and Wanting to Die 1:15:20 Returning to Afghanistan 1:15:39 Becoming Desensitized to Death 1:17:00 The True Cost of the Deployment 1:26:14 Surviving Another Major Battle 1:27:22 Coming Home From a Brutal Deployment 1:29:43 Trying to Become a Husband and Father 1:41:19 Getting Married Days After Coming Home 1:42:34 Discovering His Wife Was Unfaithful 1:45:24 Preparing for Another Deployment 1:52:40 Waking Up Injured in Thailand 1:54:19 His Unit Leaves Without Him 1:56:10 Stranded and Trying to Rejoin His Unit 2:00:04 Traveling Through the Middle East 2:06:53 Finally Rejoining His Marines 2:11:02 Deciding to Leave the Marine Corps 2:12:23 Transitioning to Civilian Life 2:13:53 Moving Millions on the Las Vegas Strip 2:24:14 A Fight Changes His Career 2:26:22 Becoming a Counterterrorism Instructor 2:27:04 Finding Purpose Again 2:31:06 Struggling With Suicidal Thoughts 2:31:55 Losing His Purpose Again 2:34:00 Sitting in a Parking Lot With a Gun 2:34:19 The Phone Call That Kept Him Alive 2:35:25 Losing Fellow Marines to Suicide 2:37:16 Finding a New Mission After the Military 2:37:56 Turning Veteran Trauma Into Comedy 2:42:15 Helping Veterans Find Purpose 2:43:02 Stories Over Stigma 2:43:39 Ronald’s Message to Other Veterans 2:44:33 Closing ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ DISCLAIMER: The views and experiences shared in this interview are those of the individual and are recounted from personal memory. #UrbanValor #usarmy #podcast

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4.9
out of 5
167 Ratings

About

Welcome to Urban Valor, where we hear the stories of our veteran heroes in their own words. Within these vet interviews, you'll hear everything from combat stories, life stories pre/post military, military transition, and everything in between. Our interviews aren't just war stories or combat veteran interviews, but interviews from any military veteran willing to share. Our mission is to educate the masses with what military veterans go through while serving their country and how life has been since their military transition back to civilian life. Join our cause, online community, and show your support for Urban Valor at https://urbanvalor.com 

Information

  • Creator
    Urban Valor
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    253
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Sport of Business, LLC
  • Show Website
    Urban Valor: the podcast

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