Urban Valor: the podcast
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
Urban Valor: the podcast
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.
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Video Chapters:
00:31 - Childhood Challenges and Family Separation
01:52 - Struggles with ADD and Early School Issues
02:59 - Turning to Drugs and Fighting
11:25 - Military Inspiration from Childhood War Movies
18:37 - Enlisting in the Army National Guard
28:34 - Intense Combat and Blue-on-Blue Firefight
45:55 - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Challenges
56:12 - Life-Altering Decisions in Combat
1:24:57 - Survivor's Guilt and Post-Combat Struggles
1:45:47 - Transitioning to Civilian Life
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