Urban Valor: the podcast

• Army Rangers Dig Up Buried Soldiers After Rescuing POW Jessica Lynch

  This is the stuff they don’t put in documentaries.Seth Ryan’s first combat mission as an Army Ranger wasn’t just historic — it was horrifying. We’re talking chemical suits, pitch-black raids, gunships in the sky, and digging up decomposed soldiers with their bare hands. This is the real story behind the rescue of POW Jessica Lynch — told by the guy who lived it.And trust me... you’ve never heard it like this like you will on today's Urban Valor Episode!In this episode, Seth walks us through:- Growing up surrounded by drugs, prison-bound relatives, and trauma most kids never see.- The fire that burned down his home — and the weird, defining aftermath.- Getting mentally obliterated in Marine Corps boot camp... and reshaped into something tougher.- Switching to the Army Rangers and becoming a punching bag for hazing because of it.- Living in barracks filled with black mold, spitting blood from pneumonia — and not backing down.- Watching new guys break bones falling off rappel towers, or worse.- His first mission ever — a rescue op no one expected to survive.- Digging into a soccer field by hand to recover the rotting remains of American soldiers.The unspoken toll that moments like that leave behind… and why Rangers carry it alone.If you’re here for real special operations history, raw emotional storytelling, and a side of war that doesn’t make it into the headlines… you’re exactly where you need to be.👍 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 – Growing Up in Chaos04:20 – Watching His Home Burn Down07:45 – Becoming a Marine13:05 – Marine Corps Boot Camp: Mental Breaking Point20:10 – 9/11 Changes Everything26:55 – Switching to the Army Rangers33:20 – Hazing, Black Mold, and Ranger Regiment Reality40:00 – Training Accidents and Broken Bodies48:00 – Jessica Lynch Rescue Mission Begins55:30 – Breaking Through the Hospital Wall58:00 – Rangers Dig for the Fallen01:03:45 – The Emotional Weight of Recovery01:10:00 – Reflections on Combat and Sacrifice#military #warstories #urbanvalor #usarmy  #warstories

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• Marine’s Negligent Trigger Pull Took His Best Friend Right in Front of Him

  They said he’d fail. His best friend was shot and killed. Now he’s a White House officer.Lieutenant Commander Alvaro Ramos didn’t take the easy path. He grew up with a tin roof over his head, sleeping on floors in Guam. He joined the Navy to escape poverty — and then watched his best friend, a fellow corpsman, get killed by a negligent Marine on deployment.That moment could have broken him. Instead, it built him.Alvaro went on to serve 23 years in the United States Navy, earned his commission, became a Physician Assistant, and rose to serve inside the White House Medical Unit under Presidents Trump and Biden.In this episode of Urban Valor, Alvaro opens up about:- The fatal moment that changed his life forever- Getting told “I hope you fail” by a senior chief- Why he almost quit the Navy- The identity crisis of becoming an officer- And how Special Boat Team 22 finally made him feel like he matteredIf you’ve ever been underestimated, doubted, or knocked down — this is your reminder to get back up.👉 Watch the full story of Alvaro Ramos now.👍 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: 0:00 – “I Hope You Fail” — The Moment That Changed Everything1:10 – From the Philippines to Guam: Childhood in Poverty3:50 – Why He Joined the Navy Instead of College6:10 – Boot Camp Culture Shock9:00 – 9/11: The Day Everything Changed11:45 – Deployment Confusion and a Heartbreaking Mistake15:00 – The Day Moreno Died17:30 – The Words That Haunted Him in College20:00 – From Corpsman to Officer: Fighting Imposter Syndrome24:00 – Special Boat Team 22: Finally Feeling Valued27:00 – The Jeep. The Seal. The CEO.30:00 – That Random Course at Walter Reed31:30 – The Call From the White House33:00 – What It Really Means to Lead#military #warstories #urbanvalor #usnavy  #warstories

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• Escaping Mexican Mafia Hit List to Fighting Taliban in Afghanistan

  Decorated Army officer turned warrior‑advocate Rudy De La Rosa opens up like never before: marked for death by the Mexican Mafia as a teenager, pulled into gang violence, homeless, and staring down his own destruction—before trading bullets for a uniform and fighting for something bigger than himself. In this Urban Valor Podcast episode, we dig into generational trauma, gang warfare in East LA & the 605 freeway corridor, the “green‑light” hit list, then military service in the U.S. Army, combat in Afghanistan, lifting the weight off his family’s legacy, and rewriting his story.👍 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 – 00:19 | Knife from the Kitchen: Childhood Horror  00:19 – 00:53 | “We’re Going to War”: Realizing Violence at Home  00:53 – 01:28 | Origins: Santa Monica to Whittier, Early Life  01:28 – 03:08 | Generational Trauma: Grandfather in WWII, Father in Vietnam  03:08 – 06:52 | War‑Scars Passed Down: Navy, PTSD & Family Violence  06:52 – 09:13 | A Father’s Advice: “If You Don’t Go to War You’re Not a Man”  09:13 – 12:49 | Teenage Years: Gang Culture, Identity Crisis & Survival  12:49 – 16:17 | The Neighborhood, Vultures of Divorce & Facing Harsh Reality  16:17 – 19:36 | High School Years: Gang Affiliation, “Green Light” Hit List  19:36 – 24:16 | Targeted, Stalked, Almost Killed: The Green Light Turns Real  24:16 – 27:15 | Homelessness, Dropping Out & the Turning Point  27:15 – 30:23 | Joining the Army: From Gang Life to Uniform  30:23 – 36:04 | Military Career Begins: MP to Officer Candidate School  36:04 – 43:12 | Combat Tour & Afghanistan: Facing War on a Global Stage  43:12 – 47:42 | Leadership, Family Sacrifice & Choosing What Matters  47:42 – 54:06 | 9/11 Moment: From Barracks to Battle  54:06 – 58:59 | Deployment Realities & Mission Focus  58:59 – 1:04:30 | The Policy Fight: Military Kids, Mental Health & Advocacy  1:04:30 – 1:10:52 | Homecoming, Reflection & The Afghan Exit  1:10:52 – 1:16:06 | Career End, Civilian Life & Legacy  1:16:06 – 1:24:26 | From Soldier to Advocate: Changing the System  1:24:26 – End | Final Thoughts: Purpose, Service & True North  #military #warstories #urbanvalor #usarmy  #warstories

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• The Funniest and Most F*cked Up Stories From Retired Marine First Sergeant

  This might be one of the wildest Marine Corps stories we’ve ever had on the show. Retired Marine First Sergeant Randall Parkes sat down with Urban Valor to share some of the funniest, most unbelievable, and downright fcked up* moments from his 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. From barracks inspections gone wrong, to combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, to a real-life rescue that helped spark the Abraham Accords — this episode has everything.Randall gets brutally honest about what it’s like to lead Marines, deal with chaos as a First Sergeant, and balance discipline with dark military humor. He shares raw, hilarious, and emotional moments from his time in recon, MARSOC, boot camp, and even his post-military life — from real estate success to landing a job at Anduril.👍 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: 0:00 – Flashlight Incident & Barracks Inspection Chaos2:00 – Marine Corps Wartime Service Overview3:50 – First Deployment & Recon Battalion Life6:00 – Becoming a First Sergeant: The Good, Bad & Absurd10:00 – DUI Drama & Naked Room Inspections16:00 – Life on Ship & Wild Company Commanders20:45 – Djibouti Jump Missions & Mission Cancellations23:50 – Corpsman Save Emirati Prince's Life27:00 – Condom Bowl Fiasco30:00 – Transition to Drill Instructor Life in San Diego34:30 – Depot Life & Suicide Watch Recruit37:00 – Thumbtack Inspection & Culture Shift in Training41:00 – Screwing With Recruits (In Good Fun)44:15 – First Transgender Recruit Experience50:00 – Honest Reflection on Inclusive Boot Camp55:00 – Career Climax & Transition Plans1:03:00 – Battles with Retirement Orders1:10:00 – Hating Corporate Life After Service1:15:00 – Finding New Purpose at Anduril1:17:00 – Final Reflections: From First Sergeant to Civilian#military #warstories #urbanvalor #usmarines  #warstories

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• Army Special Ops Pilot Disarms Himself to Stay Alive in Combat

  What drives a decorated Special Operations pilot to unload his weapon - not in fear of the enemy, but of himself?In this Urban Valor Podcast interview, Army veteran and Night Stalker pilot Nick O’Kelly reveals the mental battle he faced during deployment in Afghanistan. A former Green Beret turned elite helicopter pilot, Nick opens up about the hidden war inside his head — a war with depression, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts that nearly claimed his life.While flying missions in an active combat zone, Nick reached a breaking point. Fearing he might harm himself, he made the chilling decision to empty his pistol and carry it unloaded for the remainder of the deployment. This episode dives deep into the culture of military mental health, the silent suffering many combat veterans endure, and what it means to survive not just physically, but emotionally!👍 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 – Meet Nick O’Kelly02:45 – Special Forces Beginnings07:30 – Transition to Aviation11:05 – Deployment to Afghanistan14:10 – The Toxic Command & Losing Purpose18:30 – The Day He Unloaded His Pistol25:15 – Living in Fear of His Own Thoughts30:00 – Hiding Depression in the Ranks38:20 – Finding Help and Climbing Back44:10 – Life After the Military & Lessons LearnedCheck out https://thenickokelly.com/stigma to follow Nick’s work. #military #warstories #urbanvalor #usarmy  #warstories

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