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 stor...
Marine Combat Vet Exposes the Militaryās Biggest Betrayal!
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 militaryās most significant failureāits 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 youāve ever wondered about the mental challenges veterans face after service, this is an episode you canāt afford to miss. What do you think? Should the military do more to support transitioning veterans? Comment below!šØ We Need Your Help Improving Veteran Support! šØAndrew 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:š Take the Survey Here: https://alliant.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6yAyHVylSQzoflQYour 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!š Like this video to support and show appreciation.š£ļø Comment your support or ask any questions. Sometimes, our interviewees respond, and we at Urban Valor will do our best to respond as well!ā 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:Ā 01:15 ā Growing Up in a Conservative Household03:45 ā Why I Joined the Marines: A Fascination with Death06:10 ā The Harsh Realities of Boot Camp & Marine Culture09:30 ā Combat Deployment to Afghanistan: Facing Life & Death14:20 ā Returning Home: The Unexpected Struggles of Reintegration19:45 ā Why the Military Fails Veterans After Service24:00 ā PTSD, Depression & The Silent Battle Veterans Fight28:30 ā From Warfighter to Therapist: Helping Veterans Heal32:15 ā How to Fix Veteran Transition: Whoās Responsible?#military #warstories #urbanvalorĀ #marines #mentalhealth #veteranmentalhealth
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45:51
Marines Recover Fallen Comrade Dragged and Hung in Town Square
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.š Like this video to support to show appreciation.š£ļø Comment your support or ask any questions. Sometimes, our interviewees respond, and we at Urban Valor will do our best to respond as well!ā 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:Ā 00:45 - Growing Up Between Two Worlds (South Shore, MA & Amherst, NH)02:10 - Enlisting in the Marine Corps for Validation04:00 - Boot Camp on Halloween Night: A Brutal Introduction06:30 - The Reality of War: Deployment and 9/11ās Impact09:45 - The Mission: Recovering a Fallen Marine12:20 - Entering Nasiriyah: A Dangerous Operation15:40 - Finding Sgt. Fernando Padilla-Ramirezās Body18:30 - Carrying Him Home: A Moment of Brotherhood22:15 - The Aftermath: Returning from Combat25:50 - Struggles with PTSD, Alcoholism & Civilian Life30:10 - Hitting Rock Bottom & Seeking Help35:45 - Mental Health, Recovery & Helping Fellow Veterans#military #warstories #urbanvalorĀ #marines #warstories #veteran
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58:52
Special Ops Medic Rescues Mom and Child Crushed by 110-ft Tree
This weekās Urban Valor episode features Rory Farrell, a retired Navy Special Operations Corpsman (2004-2024), who shares his journey through the military and beyond.Ā 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.Ā 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.š Like this video to support to show appreciation.š£ļø Comment your support or ask any questions. Sometimes, our interviewees respond, and we at Urban Valor will do our best to respond as well!ā 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:Ā š 01:15 - Growing Up in Colchester, CT & 9/11ās Impactš 02:45 - Enlisting in the Navy & Special Ops Trainingš 05:30 - Becoming a Special Operations Corpsman (Recon IDC)š 08:10 - Intense Military Training & Surviving Sleep Deprivationš 11:25 - Near-Fatal Flashbang Accident: Losing Part of His Handš 15:40 - Career Sabotage Attempt by a Superior Officerš 20:50 - Deployments & Life-Saving Medical Interventionsš 27:00 - Rescuing a Mom & Child After 110-ft Tree Crashš 33:15 - How Military Training Prepared Him for Real-Life Emergenciesš 38:00 - The Importance of Veterans' Transition Planningš 42:30 - Lessons in Leadership & Overcoming Adversityš 47:00 - Final Reflections & Advice for Future Service Members#military #warstories #urbanvalorĀ #navy #warstories #veteranpodcast
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1:24:04
Marine Survives Bloody Fallujah Mile and Ramadiās Deadliest Streets
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.Ā 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, Brianās journey is one of resilience, survival, and redemption.š Like this video to support to show appreciation.š£ļø Comment your support or ask any questions. Sometimes, our interviewees respond, and we at Urban Valor will do our best to respond as well!ā 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:Ā 00:46 - Growing Up in California & Family Challenges01:49 - Discovering Jiu-Jitsu & Martial Arts Influence03:27 - How 9/11 Inspired Him to Join the Marines05:00 - Choosing the Infantry & Marine Corps Training07:49 - Boot Camp & Martial Arts Testing in the Marines14:50 - Deploying to Iraq: First Battle of Fallujah17:00 - Surviving the Fallujah Mile ā Intense Combat Stories18:31 - Foreign Fighters in Fallujah & the Reality of War20:33 - Ramadiās Deadliest Streets & The IED Threat27:52 - Coping with PTSD & Post-War Struggles39:33 - Finding Purpose Through Jiu-Jitsu After Combat45:48 - Overcoming Alcoholism & The Road to Recovery51:30 - Opening His Own Jiu-Jitsu Academy53:29 - COVID-19 Setbacks & Rebuilding His Business#military #urbanvalor #warstories #marines #warstories #veteranpodcast
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59:13
Marine's Life-Altering Betrayal by His Recruiter
In this weekās Urban Valor episode, we feature Marine veteran Michael DāAngelo, a Las Vegas native who overcame a turbulent upbringing marked by homelessness and family struggles.Ā Michael shares his journey from running the streets to enlisting in the Marine Corps as a Machine Gunner. He opens up about how a recruiterās 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.Ā This powerful story highlights resilience, perseverance, and the unseen struggles many veterans face during and after their service.š Like this video to support to show appreciation.š£ļø Comment your support or ask any questions. Sometimes, our interviewees respond, and we at Urban Valor will do our best to respond as well!ā 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:Ā 01:12 - Childhood Challenges05:41 - Turning Point: Choosing the Marines11:04 - Recruiterās Deception16:28 - Struggles in the Reserves21:46 - Mental Health Impact29:27 - Finding Resilience and Moving Forward37:34 - Life After the Marines45:24 - Lessons LearnedĀ #military #urbanvalor #warstories #marines #warstories #veteranpodcast
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.comĀ
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