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 Veteran Reveals the Silent Deadly Battle Within Service
In this Urban Valor episode, we sit down with Kristine Phanthavilay, a former U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant (E6) and Motor Transport Mechanic (2006-2010). Born and raised in San Diego, CA, Kristine joined the Marine Corps after struggling in college, looking for something more. She shares what it was like growing up as a first-generation American from Laotian refugee parents, knowing little about the military until 9/11 changed everything.Kristine opens up about the mental and physical challenges of boot camp, the pressure of being a female Marine, and the difficult leadership she faced during her service. She also speaks candidly about the emotional toll of military life, including the loss of fellow service members and the struggles veterans face transitioning back to civilian life. After leaving active duty to raise her child, she realized how much she missed the Marines and returned to the Reserves, balancing military life with single motherhood.This conversation sheds light on the real mental health challenges that veterans face, the gaps in military support, and the resilience it takes to keep pushing forward. Kristine’s story is one of strength, heartbreak, and finding purpose despite the struggles. If you or someone you know is dealing with mental health challenges, reach out—support is available.👍 Like this video to support to show appreciation for Kristine and/or Urban Valor.🗣️ 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:04:33 - Boot Camp Struggles & Proving Herself10:58 - Toxic Leadership & Mental Health Battles16:34 - Life After the Marines & Returning to the Reserves20:21 - Losing Friends to Self-Inflicted Wounds & Coping with Grief#military #urbanvalor #warstories #usarmy #usarmyveteran #warstories #veteranpodcast
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39:08
What It Really Takes to Survive Navy SEAL Hell Week (And Why Most Fail)
This episode of Urban Valor highlights the incredible life of U.S. Navy SEAL veteran Johnny Collins. Growing up in Sykesville, Maryland, Johnny overcame personal challenges, including his parents' divorce, to pursue his dream of becoming a SEAL. Enduring six grueling BUD/S classes and three Hell Weeks, he demonstrated determination to earn the coveted SEAL Trident. Johnny shares powerful stories of rigorous training, deployment experiences, and how he transitioned his tactical skills into civilian success.👍 Like this video to support to show appreciation for Johnny and/or Urban Valor.🗣️ 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:00:47 Impact of Parents' Divorce 01:21 Becoming a Navy SEAL04:19 Pre-Navy Life07:53 First Phase of BUD/S: Physical and Mental Challenges12:25 Hell Week: The Ultimate Test of Endurance16:15 Tight Timelines and Training Routines in BUD/S20:33 Overcoming Setbacks and the Journey Through Medical Rolls24:15 Hell Week Revisited: Grit and Determination32:31 Pool Comp and Facing Personal Fears40:25 Transition to Second Phase and Underwater Training57:15 Returning to BUD/S After Medical Setbacks1:13:20 Earning the SEAL Trident and Graduation Day1:36:09 Deployment Experiences and Working with Service Dogs2:07:36 Transition to Civilian Life and Reflections on the Navy2:23:13 Current Role as Safety Director and Life Beyond Service#military #urbanvalor #warstories #usarmy #usarmyveteran #warstories #veteranpodcast
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2:30:36
Army Units Collide in Blue-on-Blue Firefight & MRAP Crash in Iraq
This week on Urban Valor, we sit down with Army Veteran Daniel Perez. Born in Riverside, CA, Daniel grew up in a challenging childhood marked by his parents' separation and lack of supervision. His early years were consumed by fighting, drug use, and being expelled from high school.Motivated by stories of Iraqi sniper "Juba," Daniel enlisted in the Army National Guard as an 11B infantryman. His deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan brought harrowing experiences, including a blue-on-blue firefight, MRAP crashes, and tense confrontations with civilians in life-or-death scenarios.Daniel's story also discusses the challenges of reintegration into civilian life, from battling mental health struggles to finding his footing after the Army.👍 Like this video to support to show appreciation for Daniel and/or Urban Valor.🗣️ 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:00:31 - Childhood Challenges and Family Separation01:52 - Struggles with ADD and Early School Issues02:59 - Turning to Drugs and Fighting11:25 - Military Inspiration from Childhood War Movies18:37 - Enlisting in the Army National Guard28:34 - Intense Combat and Blue-on-Blue Firefight45:55 - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Challenges56:12 - Life-Altering Decisions in Combat1:24:57 - Survivor's Guilt and Post-Combat Struggles1:45:47 - Transitioning to Civilian Life#military #urbanvalor #warstories #usarmy #usarmyveteran #warstories #veteranpodcast
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2:03:53
First Sergeant Reveals Brutal Truth Behind Training Marine Recruits
In this week’s Urban Valor episode, retired Marine First Sergeant Mark Wheatley shares gripping stories from his 24 years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps (1975–1999). Born at Kirtland Air Force Base, Mark grew up in a military family but broke tradition by joining the Marines instead of the Air Force.Mark reveals truths about his time as a Drill Instructor, the challenges of transforming civilians into battle-ready Marines, and what separates good instructors from the bad. He also opens up about his transition to civilian life, the mental resilience it requires, and his advice for veterans struggling to adapt. 👍 Like this video to support to show appreciation for Mark and/or Urban Valor.🗣️ 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:00:37 - Mark’s Military Roots01:14 - A Life-Changing Decision02:18 - Choosing the Marine Corps04:29 - Broken Recruitment Promises06:36 - Life in Training and Administration10:35 - Yuma Memories and Harsh Realities12:42 - Leadership Lessons from a First Sergeant14:25 - Tensions During South Korean Conflict20:14 - Honoring Fallen Marines24:40 - Life as a Drill Instructor32:13 - Discipline and Compassion in Training45:53 - Confronting Racial Tensions54:00 - Transitioning to Civilian Life1:02:11 - Advice for Veterans on PTSD1:10:16 - Honoring All Who Serve#military #urbanvalor #warstories #marines #warstories #veteranpodcast
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1:12:03
Army Combat Medic & Purple Heart Recipient Enlists in Marine Corps
This week on the Urban Valor Podcast, we meet Cory Carranza, a Purple Heart recipient and Army and Marine Corps veteran. Cory’s story begins in Banning, CA, where he endured heartbreaking childhood trauma. After witnessing a horrific event as a kid, Cory turned to the Army when college didn’t work out, becoming a 91B Combat Medic.In this episode, Cory takes us through his combat deployment to Iraq, surviving a harrowing ambush where multiple RPGs struck his Humvee. Despite his injuries, Cory pushed forward and enlisted in the Marine Corps, attending boot camp as a decorated combat veteran.Cory reflects on how his past shaped him, the toll of his experiences, and the strategies he uses to stay mentally strong.👍 Like this video to support to show appreciation for Cory and/or Urban Valor.🗣️ 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: #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.com
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