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
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.
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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
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