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...
Royal Marine Ambushed, Blown Up, & Nearly Kidnapped By Al Qaeda
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.👍 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.Video Chapters: 00:00 - Ambushed on Patrol04:09 - Growing Up in Swansea07:21 - Early Interest in the Military10:59 - Choosing the Royal Marines14:15 - Passing Commando Selection18:15 - Brutality of Marine Training21:30 - Lessons from Early Marine Life28:25 - Graduation Day & First Posting35:12 - Surviving Arctic Warfare Training38:24 - Deployment to Iraq Begins42:21 - Forming a New Special Forces Unit46:02 - First Missions in Baghdad50:04 - Friendly Fire & Chaos of War53:26 - The Reality of Combat Loss57:24 - Nighttime Snatch Attempt by Al Qaeda1:00:42 - Saved by a US Convoy1:07:37 - Hostage Rescue Training1:11:54 - Helmand Surge Deployment1:15:27 - On the Ground in Afghanistan1:23:02 - “Fix Bayonets” in Live Combat1:26:23 - Jungle Warfare Instructor Course in Brunei1:30:39 - Blown Up by IED in Yak Chal1:34:15 - Continuing the Mission Despite Trauma1:38:17 - Final Stand in the Village of Fad1:46:11 - Training Replacements for Afghanistan1:49:49 - Medical Discharge and the Fallout1:57:45 - Losing Purpose After Leaving Service2:05:54 - Struggles with Alcohol & Isolation2:09:22 - Why Simplicity in Combat is Missed2:13:33 - PTSD vs. Lack of Purpose2:16:51 - Undercover as a Homeless Veteran2:20:45 - Smuggling Into the UK as a Migrant2:24:12 - Rebuilding Life & Staying Sober#military #warstories #urbanvalor #royalmarinecommando #royalmarines
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2:26:23
Marines Face Brutal Combat in Iraq's Bloodiest Warzones
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.👍 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.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
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2:19:22
Hardcore South-Central LA Gangster Rises to Retired Navy Master Chief
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.👍 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.Video Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction: From LA Streets to Navy Master Chief00:44 – Childhood in South Central LA & Early Gang Involvement05:08 – Getting Jumped into a Gang at Age 1111:00 – Living the Gang Life: Violence, Crime, and Survival19:06 – The Turning Point: A Military Commercial Changed Everything23:12 – Facing Obstacles: Tattoos, Waivers & Enlisting in the Navy30:56 – Boot Camp & Military Discipline: Adapting to a New Life38:44 – Challenges at Sea: Deployments, Hazing & Survival46:27 – Combat Operations: Supporting Troops on the Ground52:30 – Retirement & Life After the Navy55:15 – Giving Back: Mentoring At-Risk Youth & Inspiring Change#military #warstories #urbanvalor #usnavy #navyveteran
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59:43
Army Paratroopers Viciously Fight Taliban Trying to Overrun Their Position
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.👍 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.Video Chapters: 00:44 - Childhood and Troubled Family Background09:16 - Teenage Years and Finding Heavy Metal Community17:38 - Joining the Military and Overcoming Fear of Heights25:32 - Airborne Training and Arrival in Italy33:07 - Deployment to Afghanistan and Combat Experience49:05 - First Confirmed Kill and Taliban Execution1:01:03 - Losing a Friend in Battle1:33:28 - Becoming a Drill Sergeant and Leadership Challenges2:10:02 - Mental Health Struggles and Rediscovering Faith2:22:36 - Launching a Veteran Support Project#military #warstories #urbanvalor #marines #taliban
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2:31:03
Marine Combat Vet Exposes the Military’s 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 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_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!👍 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.Video Chapters: 01:15 – Growing Up in a Conservative Household03:45 – Why I Joined the Marines: A Fascination with Death06:10 – The Harsh Realities of Boot Camp & Marine Culture09:30 – Combat Deployment to Afghanistan: Facing Life & Death14:20 – Returning Home: The Unexpected Struggles of Reintegration19:45 – Why the Military Fails Veterans After Service24:00 – PTSD, Depression & The Silent Battle Veterans Fight28:30 – From Warfighter to Therapist: Helping Veterans Heal32:15 – How to Fix Veteran Transition: Who’s Responsible?#military #warstories #urbanvalor #marines #mentalhealth #veteranmentalhealth
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
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