Urban Valor: the podcast

Urban Valor
  • 4.9 (152)
  • 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. 1d ago

    This Soldier Sat on an IED and Watched the Enemy Try to Detonate it

    David Aceron served in the United States Army from 2003 to 2012 as a combat engineer and counter-IED specialist, conducting deadly route clearance missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. His job was simple in theory, but brutal in reality: find the bombs before they found his convoy. As a Husky operator and combat engineer, David spent years hunting hidden IEDs, landmines, command-wire explosives, and roadside bombs designed to kill American soldiers. In this episode, David Aceron shares what it was really like to serve as an Army combat engineer during the Iraq War and Afghanistan War, including the moment he sat directly over an IED while watching the enemy try to detonate it. This conversation goes far beyond war stories. David talks about growing up in Southeast San Diego, joining the Army after 9/11, becoming a 12 Bravo combat engineer, deploying with 10th Mountain, surviving route clearance missions, and the psychological toll of spending every day looking for bombs. He also opens up about the moments most people never hear about: the guilt, the anger, the moral injuries, the loss of innocence, and the terrifying point where hunting IEDs became an obsession. 👍 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:  #military #warstories #urbanvalor #warstories

    1h 41m

  2. May 25

    Marine Says Force Recon in the 90s Was Absolutely Insane

    Marine Recon veteran Rob Blanton sits down with Urban Valor to share one of the wildest, funniest, and most honest Marine Corps stories we’ve ever had on the channel. From growing up in Santa Rosa, California, to joining the United States Marine Corps almost by accident, to becoming a Force Recon Marine. Rob served in the Marine Corps from 1993 to 2014, retiring as a Master Sergeant. In this interview, he walks us through the chaos of joining the Marines on the buddy program, getting stuck on open contract, becoming an 0311 infantryman, earning his way into Force Recon, and eventually deploying into some of the most intense moments of modern military history. 👍 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 - Saddam’s Palace, Tomahawks & Baghdad Chaos 01:18 - Meet Rob Blanton: Marine Recon Master Sergeant 01:35 - Growing Up Around Addiction, Loss & Family Pain 08:09 - Joining the Marine Corps by Accident 14:32 - Boot Camp, Open Contract & Becoming Infantry 22:25 - 3/1 Marines, Blood Stripes & Wanting Recon 38:30 - Failing Force Recon Selection the First Time 48:07 - Coming Back and Earning His Spot 54:25 - Basic Recon Course & Life Inside Force Recon 1:08:41 - Jump School, Dive School & 90s Recon Culture 1:28:23 - Iraq, Saffan Hill & the Start of the War 1:53:11 - Saddam’s Palace, Baghdad Ops & Aftermath 2:33:10 - PTSD, Warfighter Made & Saving Veterans #military #warstories #urbanvalor #marines  #warstories

    2h 50m

  3. May 18

    18-Year-Old Combat Medic Forced to Make Life-or-Death Decisions Under Fire!

    Army Combat Medic Daniel Jimenez served from 2003 to 2023, deploying with the 82nd Airborne into Afghanistan as an 18-year-old medic during the height of the Global War on Terror. In today's Urban Valor's podcast, Daniel shares what it was like to survive Taliban ambushes, treat casualties under fire, face grenades, RPG attacks, firefights, trauma, and the reality of becoming an Army medic in war. This is the real story of a young soldier thrown into Afghanistan, learning fast, carrying an aid bag, and being forced to make life-or-death decisions before most people his age had even figured out who they were. Daniel talks about joining after 9/11, choosing the Army over the Marines, becoming a combat medic, going through Fort Benning, Airborne School, and eventually arriving at the 82nd Airborne — where the real world hit hard and fast. From a nighttime ambush where an RPG hit above his Humvee… To rolling over an enemy body and realizing he was lying on a grenade… To treating wounded soldiers and civilians with limited resources… 👍 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:  #military #warstories #urbanvalor #marines  #warstories

    2h 12m

  4. May 11

    He Was Selling Drugs at 11 Before Getting Into Gunfights In Iraq at 18!

    War changes people. In this episode of Urban Valor, Marine veteran Shawn Reed shares his story growing up in violent neighborhoods in St. Louis, joining the United States Marine Corps, fighting in Iraq during the height of the war, surviving brutal combat, and dealing with the aftermath that followed so many Marines 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! Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories. Chapters:  00:00 – “It Was Like Star Wars” 00:43 – Marines Started Dying By Suicide After Deployment 01:00 – Meet Shawn Reed 01:44 – Growing Up in North St. Louis 05:38 – Selling Drugs at 11 Years Old  08:53 – Watching a Drive-By Shooting Up Close  10:35 – Why He Decided to Join the Military  12:52 – The Marine Recruiter Who Changed His Life 15:18 – Becoming a Marine Infantryman 16:15 – Marine Corps Boot Camp Was Hell 21:14 – Wild Stories From SOI & Infantry Training 29:35 – Arriving at 3/1 Marines 33:59 – Hazing, Fear & Preparing for Iraq 40:40 – Landing in Kuwait Before Iraq 42:01 – First Patrols in Iraq 44:28 – His First Gunfight in Iraq 47:09 – The Night He Was Left Alone in Iraq  51:13 – Trying to Survive Alone at 18 Years Old  53:34 – Reuniting With His Team Leader  1:57:34 – Why PTSD Thrived After Iraq  1:58:46 – “War Was Simpler Than Going Home” 1:59:42 – Deploying Again With the 13th MEU 2:00:56 – EFPs Started Tearing Through Vehicles  2:01:31 – An Entire EOD Team Was Killed  2:02:30 – Walking Through a Minefield to Rescue Marines  2:07:34 – His Corpsman Saved His Life  2:08:43 – Waking Up After Being Shot  2:09:48 – Doctors Said His Marine Corps Career Was Over  2:36:12 – Witnessing Mass Casualties Again  2:37:20 – The Phone Call His Mother Received After He Was Shot  2:38:41 – How the Military Changed PTSD Recovery for Marine #military #warstories #urbanvalor #marines  #warstories

    2h 49m

  5. May 4

    This Soldier Drove Fuel Trucks Through Iraq While Getting Shot at With No Armor

    Iraq War stories like this don’t come from Hollywood… they come from guys who actually lived it. This Iraq War veteran story from a U.S. Army fuel convoy driver who was thrown into Iraq at just 20 years old...no armor, driving fuel trucks, getting shot at, and running missions daily through active war zones. We break down what it was REALLY like on the ground — from entering Iraq during the early invasion, to driving the “Highway of Death,” dealing with gunfire, extreme heat (140°+), and zero resources, to the insane reality of surviving day-to-day when everything around you is unpredictable. But here’s what most people don’t understand… It wasn’t just combat. It was: - Sleeping on trucks near Baghdad Airport - Running missions nonstop with no clear end - Buying black market ice just to survive the heat - Improvising systems to stay alive - Making decisions in seconds that could cost everything And through it all... you just keep moving. “Just drive.” That was the job. No pause. No reset. No guarantees you’re coming back. 👍 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 Iraq War Stories & Crazy Deployment Moments   01:17 Who Is Jonathan Daige?   03:50 9/11 & Joining the Army   07:25 Driving Fuel Trucks in Iraq   11:20 Entering Iraq & First Combat Reality   16:40 Surviving Heat, Hunger & Daily Missions   17:36 Getting Shot At on Convoys   25:11 Life at Baghdad Airport   30:24 Iraq War Changed in 2005 (IEDs & Danger)   60:29 From War to Stage 4 Cancer #military #warstories #urbanvalor #usarmy  #warstories

    1h 29m

  6. Apr 27

    This Army Officer’s Green Beret Father Did the Unthinkable to Her!

    In today's Urban Valor Podcast, a former U.S. Army Captain opens up about the dark truth about military life, what it’s really like being a woman in the Army, and the experiences no one talks about. From growing up in a chaotic and abusive environment to navigating misogyny, harassment, and leadership challenges in the military, this story exposes the reality behind the uniform. She shares her journey through: - The reality of being a female infantry officer - Toxic leadership and military culture issues - Personal trauma and overcoming adversity - What actually happens behind the scenes in the Army - How she rebuilt her life through discipline and resilience 👍 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:  #military #warstories #urbanvalor #usarmy  #warstories

    1h 53m

  7. Apr 20

    Marine Thought His Team Was Still Alive...Until He Looked Around!

    Joshua Shores served in the United States Marine Corps from 2004 to 2008 and deployed to Ramadi during some of the deadliest fighting of the Iraq War. In this interview, Joshua shares what it was like going from a small-town upbringing in Wisconsin to becoming an infantry Marine, attending recon training, joining 1st Battalion 5th Marines, deploying to Iraq, combat in Ramadi, serving with the first MARSOC Bravo Comiany, and fighting in Afghanistan.   He talks about Marine boot camp, School of Infantry, the culture shock of joining the military, combat patrols, intense firefights, clearing mosques, capturing insurgents, and surviving devastating IED explosions. Joshua also reflects on the realities of war, the chaos of urban combat, losing friends, and the lasting memories that come with serving in Iraq during the height of the insurgency. Joshua discusses: - Growing up in Wisconsin in a military family - Joining the Marines at 17 - Marine Corps boot camp and SOI - Recon training and dropping to 1/5 Marines - Deploying to Ramadi in 2005 - The reality of combat in Iraq - Firefights, raids, and insurgent tactics - Capturing enemy fighters - Surviving an IED blast - Losing friends and dealing with trauma after war 👍 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:  #military #warstories #urbanvalor #navyseals  #warstories

    1h 52m

  8. Apr 13

    Navy SEAL Realizes He's About to Kill For the First Time

    Most people think they understand Navy SEAL combat, BUD/S training, and Hell Week… but the real moment that changes everything isn’t during training — it’s before your first mission. In this weeks Urban Valor Podcast, Alex Rogers shares the exact moment he realized he was about to take a life for the first time. While preparing for a deployment, loading magazines like he had done countless times before… something felt different. “This is for human flesh.” That realization hit hard — and nothing after that was the same. If you’re searching for Navy SEAL stories, real combat experiences, BUD/S training insights, or military mindset, this is one of the most raw and honest perspectives you’ll hear. From growing up in a small town to surviving BUD/S and earning his Trident, Alex walks through the mental shift from training… to reality. This isn’t about action. This is about awareness. Responsibility. And the moment everything becomes real. 👍 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:  #military #warstories #urbanvalor #navyseals  #warstories

    1h 47m
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4.9
out of 5
152 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
    235
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Sport of Business, LLC
  • Show Website
    Urban Valor: the podcast

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