PitBull214 Podcast | Veteran Stories & Support

Rick Perales
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Welcome to the PitBull214 Podcast, hosted by Rick Perales. Air Force veteran, commander, public servant, and advocate for the veteran community. This is the audio version of the original PitBull214 Podcast, designed for those moments when you're on the move. Whether you're driving, cutting the grass, working in the garage, exercising, or simply going about your day, you can stay connected to the conversations that matter most to veterans and their families. This podcast is dedicated to veterans, military families, and the people who support them. Through honest conversations, real-life experiences, and practical resources, each episode explores the challenges and victories that come after service. Topics include veteran transition, mental health, leadership, PTSD, military family life, career development, VA benefits, recovery, and the organizations making a real difference in the veteran community. PitBull214 is more than a podcast. It's a mission to inform, connect, and support veterans while honoring the stories that deserve to be heard. Real Stories. Real Support. For the Veteran Community.

  1. Sep 14

    Pitbull 214 Podcast | Ep. 13, Rafi Rodriguez, From Air Force Colonel to a New Mission

    What happens when a 26-year military career comes to an end, but the mission doesn't? In this episode of Pitbull 214, host Rick "Pitbull" Perales sits down with retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Rafi Rodriguez to talk about his remarkable military career, his transition to civilian life, and the purpose that continues to drive him today. Rafi shares how growing up in Puerto Rico and his fascination with the space program led him to the Air Force, where he became a missileer, worked on the Titan IV space launch vehicle, served in joint operations and intelligence, and ultimately retired as a Colonel after 26 years of service. Along the way, he reflects on the mentors who helped shape his career and why finding the right mentor can make a lifelong difference. After retirement, Rafi applied the same principles he learned in the military—planning, setting goals, reviewing progress, and executing—to build a new career helping others prepare for their financial futures. He also shares an important lesson for veterans preparing for transition: start planning before you leave the military. Today, Rafi continues his commitment to service through Rafi's Amigos Golf Outing, raising funds to give local Junior ROTC cadets opportunities to attend Air Camp and explore STEM, aviation, leadership, and their potential futures. His message is simple but powerful: find a mentor, follow your passion, develop a plan, and use your God-given gifts to serve others. Because retirement may mark the end of your military career, but it doesn't have to mark the end of your mission. Ask Rafi: https://www.askrafi.com/ Rafi's Amigos Golf Outing Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpAuz_1_OCU #Pitbull214Podcast #RafiRodriguez #AirForce #Veterans #MilitaryTransition #Mentorship #VeteranSuccess #MilitaryRetirement #JROTC #STEM #Leadership #Service #supportourveterans  SUBSCRIBE NOW: http://youtube.com/@Pitbull214podcast?sub_confirmation=1 Thank you for listening to the Pitbull214 Podcast, where veterans, service, resilience, and real conversations come first. If this episode helped you, inspired you, or made you think differently, please share it with another veteran, friend, or family member. Follow, rate, and review the podcast to help us reach more people who need these stories and resources. Website: https://www.pitbull214.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Pitbull214podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rckprls/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pitbull214/

  2. Sep 14

    Pitbull 214 Podcast | Ep. 14, Chris Cravens, From the Battlefield to Better Leadership

    What happens when the battlefield teaches you that leadership is about far more than giving orders? In this episode of Pitbull 214, host Rick "Pitbull" Perales sits down with Marine veteran and leadership speaker Chris Cravens to talk about his military service, his experiences in combat, and the leadership lessons that continue to shape the way he serves others today. Chris shares how watching 9/11 as a teenager inspired him to serve in the Marine Corps, eventually leading him to combat deployments in Fallujah and Ramadi. He reflects on the realities of combat, the loss of fellow Marines, and the challenges veterans can carry with them long after they return home. Chris also opens up about one of the most important leadership lessons he learned in the Marines: taking responsibility when things go wrong. From equipment failures in combat to the difficult decisions leaders have to make, he explains why great leaders don't point fingers—they take ownership and learn from their mistakes. After leaving the Marine Corps, Chris spent years in the corporate world and became frustrated with leadership focused more on numbers and results than on people. That experience inspired him to start the 3C Foundation, with a mission to help organizations develop leaders who genuinely care about the people they lead. For Chris, leadership isn't a title or something you turn on at work. It's a lifestyle. It's knowing your people, supporting their families, showing up when it matters, and doing everything you can to help others succeed. His message is simple but powerful: take care of your people, take responsibility, show up, and help others become better than they were before. Because true leadership isn't about being above others—it's about serving them. Adjacent To Marine Corps Greatness: A Memoir of Servant Leadership -  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G8K67V7Z?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_FLQYQD99Y404Y8X0V0ZE_2&bestFormat=true “Let Us Never Forget” Scholarship Dinner - https://www.yellowribbonsupportcenter.com/events/letusneverforgetscholarshipdinner/ 3C Foundation - https://3cfoundation.com/ #Pitbull214Podcast #ChrisCravens #MarineCorps #Veterans #Leadership #ServantLeadership #MilitaryLeadership #VeteranTransition #LeadershipLessons #3CFoundation #USMC #Service #VeteranStories #SupportOurVeterans SUBSCRIBE NOW: http://youtube.com/@Pitbull214podcast?sub_confirmation=1 Thank you for listening to the Pitbull214 Podcast, where veterans, service, resilience, and real conversations come first. If this episode helped you, inspired you, or made you think differently, please share it with another veteran, friend, or family member. Follow, rate, and review the podcast to help us reach more people who need these stories and resources. Website: https://www.pitbull214.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Pitbull214podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rckprls/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pitbull214/

  3. Aug 21

    Pitbull 214 Podcast | Ep. 12, Part 1, Ed Mechenbier, Life on a $5 Bet: The Story of a Vietnam POW

    What does it take to survive six years as a prisoner of war—and come home with your faith, purpose, and sense of humor intact? In this episode of Pitbull 214, host Rick "Pitbull" Perales sits down with retired U.S. Air Force Major General Ed Mechenbier, whose extraordinary life story began with a simple $5 bet from his father that led him to the U.S. Air Force Academy, a career as a fighter pilot, and ultimately one of the most remarkable journeys of resilience in military history. General Mechenbier shares his incredible path from growing up in a hardworking Catholic family to flying combat missions over North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. After flying more than 113 combat missions, he was shot down over Hanoi in 1967 and spent nearly six years as a prisoner of war in the infamous Hanoi Hilton. He recounts the harrowing day his aircraft was hit, his capture, years of isolation, interrogation, torture, and the unbreakable bond that united American POWs through faith, leadership, and unwavering commitment to one another. He also reflects on the moment he finally realized he was going home, his return to military service, and the full-circle experience of piloting the legendary "Hanoi Taxi" aircraft back to Vietnam decades later. Beyond his military career, General Mechenbier shares how forgiveness, family, and service shaped the rest of his life, including adopting three children and continuing to inspire generations of Americans through his story. This episode is a powerful reminder that courage isn't defined by the absence of fear—it's found in perseverance, faith, and the determination to never give up, no matter the circumstances. If you know a veteran, active-duty service member, military family, or anyone who appreciates stories of resilience, sacrifice, and service, share this episode with them today. #Pitbull214Podcast #EdMechenbier #VietnamWar #POW #HanoiHilton #AirForce #Veterans #MilitaryHistory #PrisonerOfWar #VietnamVeteran #FighterPilot #MilitaryStories #Resilience #NeverGiveUp #SupportOurVeterans SUBSCRIBE NOW: http://youtube.com/@Pitbull214podcast?sub_confirmation=1 Thank you for listening to the Pitbull214 Podcast, where veterans, service, resilience, and real conversations come first. If this episode helped you, inspired you, or made you think differently, please share it with another veteran, friend, or family member. Follow, rate, and review the podcast to help us reach more people who need these stories and resources. Website: https://www.pitbull214.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Pitbull214podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rckprls/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pitbull214/

  4. Aug 21

    Pitbull 214 Podcast | Ep. 12, Part 2, Ed Mechenbier, Life on a $5 Bet: The Story of a Vietnam POW

    What happens after surviving nearly six years as a prisoner of war? In Part 2 of this episode of Pitbull 214, host Rick "Pitbull" Perales continues his conversation with retired U.S. Air Force Major General Ed Mechenbier, as he shares the final chapters of his extraordinary journey, from enduring years of captivity in the Hanoi Hilton to the long-awaited moment he finally returned home. General Mechenbier reflects on the resilience, faith, and brotherhood that sustained American POWs through years of isolation and uncertainty. He recounts the emotional experience of learning he was finally going home, returning to military service, and eventually flying the legendary Hanoi Taxi back to Vietnam decades later, a full-circle moment few could have imagined. Beyond his military career, General Mechenbier shares how forgiveness, family, and a lifelong commitment to service shaped the years that followed. His story is a powerful reminder that our greatest challenges don't have to define us, they can become the foundation for a life of purpose, leadership, and hope. If you missed Part 1: https://youtu.be/f2HCa03ql9I, be sure to watch it first, then join us for this inspiring conclusion to one of the most remarkable stories ever shared on the Pitbull 214 Podcast. #Pitbull214Podcast #EdMechenbier #VietnamWar #POW #HanoiHilton #AirForce #Veterans #MilitaryHistory #Leadership #Resilience #Faith #supportourveterans  SUBSCRIBE NOW: http://youtube.com/@Pitbull214podcast?sub_confirmation=1 Thank you for listening to the Pitbull214 Podcast, where veterans, service, resilience, and real conversations come first. If this episode helped you, inspired you, or made you think differently, please share it with another veteran, friend, or family member. Follow, rate, and review the podcast to help us reach more people who need these stories and resources. Website: https://www.pitbull214.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Pitbull214podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rckprls/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pitbull214/

  5. Aug 4

    Pitbull 214 Podcast | Ep. 11, Valerie Mulikin, Operation Veteran & Caregiver Support

    Some of the most important people serving our veteran community never wore the uniform themselves. They stand beside those who did. My conversation with Valerie Mulikin is a reminder that behind every veteran is often a family, a caregiver, or an advocate fighting just as hard to navigate life after service. After years of helping her husband through serious medical challenges following his military career, Valerie chose not to let that experience end with her own family. Instead, she built Operation Veteran & Caregiver Support to help veterans and their families find the resources, guidance, and community they deserve. What stood out to me most wasn't just the organization she created. It was her commitment to serving others, even after years of personal hardship. That's the kind of leadership and resilience I hope more people get to hear about. If you're a veteran, caregiver, family member, or someone who simply believes in taking care of those who served, I think you'll appreciate this conversation. Thank you for listening to the Pitbull214 Podcast, where veterans, service, resilience, and real conversations come first. If this episode encouraged you or you know someone who could benefit from these resources, please share it with a veteran, friend, or family member. Follow, rate, and review the podcast to help us reach more people who need these stories, conversations, and resources. Website: https://www.pitbull214.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Pitbull214podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rckprls/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pitbull214/ Thank you for listening to the Pitbull214 Podcast, where veterans, service, resilience, and real conversations come first. If this episode helped you, inspired you, or made you think differently, please share it with another veteran, friend, or family member. Follow, rate, and review the podcast to help us reach more people who need these stories and resources. Website: https://www.pitbull214.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Pitbull214podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rckprls/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pitbull214/

  6. Jul 28

    Pitbull 214 Podcast | Ep. 10, Darrel Whitcomb, A Raven's Story: Combat, Brotherhood, and Survival

    I've always believed one of the most important things we can do is preserve the stories of veterans while we still have the chance to hear them firsthand. Some of those stories made the history books. Some didn't. My conversation with Colonel Darrell Whitcomb falls into that second category. Like many veterans I've met over the years, he served, did his job, and came home without asking for recognition. But the missions he flew and the experiences he shares offer a glimpse into a part of military history that many Americans still know very little about. What struck me most wasn't the danger or the combat. It was the sense of duty. The commitment to the people beside you. The responsibility of bringing others home. The willingness to keep going when the mission demanded it. Those values don't belong to one generation of veterans. They carry forward. If you enjoy hearing veterans tell their own stories, and you want to learn about a chapter of service that often gets overlooked, I think you'll appreciate this conversation. Thank you for listening to the Pitbull214 Podcast, where veterans, service, resilience, and real conversations come first. If this episode helped you, inspired you, or made you think differently, please share it with another veteran, friend, or family member. Follow, rate, and review the podcast to help us reach more people who need these stories and resources. Website: https://www.pitbull214.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Pitbull214podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rckprls/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pitbull214/

  7. Jul 21

    Pitbull 214 Podcast | Ep. 9, Brian Yolitz, How Veterans Can Find Their Next Mission

    One thing I've seen happen to a lot of veterans is this: They spend years serving something bigger than themselves. Then one day the military chapter ends, and they're left trying to figure out what the next mission looks like. That's why I enjoyed this conversation with Colonel (Ret.) Brian Yolitz. We talked about life after service, the challenges that come with transition, and why purpose doesn't disappear when the uniform comes off. What I appreciated most is that Brian doesn't just talk about helping veterans. Through the Big Fish Foundation, he's helping create opportunities for veterans to reconnect, serve, and be part of something bigger than themselves again. I've said it before and I'll say it again: veterans do best when they're connected to other veterans. Not because anyone understands everything you've been through, but because they understand enough. If you're a veteran trying to find your next mission, or you know someone who is, I think you'll get a lot out of this conversation. Thank you for listening to the Pitbull214 Podcast, where veterans, service, resilience, and real conversations come first. If this episode helped you, inspired you, or made you think differently, please share it with another veteran, friend, or family member. Follow, rate, and review the podcast to help us reach more people who need these stories and resources. Website: https://www.pitbull214.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Pitbull214podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rckprls/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pitbull214/

  8. Jul 14

    Pitbull 214 Podcast | Ep. 8, Elizabeth Harding, Entrepreneurship Bootcamp For Veterans

    Over the years, I've met a lot of veterans who have talked about starting a business. Most of them don't lack motivation. What they're missing is a roadmap. They have the work ethic. They have the leadership experience. They know how to solve problems under pressure. What they don't always know is where to start. That's why I wanted to talk with Elizabeth Harding about the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans at Wright State University. What caught my attention about this program is that it isn't just another class where people sit around talking about business ideas. It's designed to help veterans take an idea and turn it into something real. I've always believed that veterans have the skills to be successful business owners. Sometimes they just need the right people around them and the right opportunity to get started. If you've ever thought about owning a business, or know a veteran who's been kicking around the idea, I think you'll find a lot of value in this conversation. Thank you for listening to the Pitbull214 Podcast, where veterans, service, resilience, and real conversations come first. If this episode helped you, inspired you, or made you think differently, please share it with another veteran, friend, or family member. Follow, rate, and review the podcast to help us reach more people who need these stories and resources. Website: https://www.pitbull214.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Pitbull214podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rckprls/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pitbull214/

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About

Welcome to the PitBull214 Podcast, hosted by Rick Perales. Air Force veteran, commander, public servant, and advocate for the veteran community. This is the audio version of the original PitBull214 Podcast, designed for those moments when you're on the move. Whether you're driving, cutting the grass, working in the garage, exercising, or simply going about your day, you can stay connected to the conversations that matter most to veterans and their families. This podcast is dedicated to veterans, military families, and the people who support them. Through honest conversations, real-life experiences, and practical resources, each episode explores the challenges and victories that come after service. Topics include veteran transition, mental health, leadership, PTSD, military family life, career development, VA benefits, recovery, and the organizations making a real difference in the veteran community. PitBull214 is more than a podcast. It's a mission to inform, connect, and support veterans while honoring the stories that deserve to be heard. Real Stories. Real Support. For the Veteran Community.

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