Urban Valor: the podcast

Growing up in Los Angeles, Alex Aguilar joined the Army at 21 to get his life on a better path. He became an elite Army Ranger, one of the toughest soldiers.
In this Urban Valor episode, Alex shares his intense combat experiences hunting down and trying to capture or kill high-value targets in their own homes overseas. He talks about the life-or-death decisions he had to make on these dangerous missions.
Alex also opens up about getting shot while deployed in Afghanistan. He describes recovering from his injuries and pushing himself to get back into the fight.
Perhaps most powerfully, Alex discusses the challenges he faced transitioning to civilian life after an honorable discharge from the Army. Going from battlefield to home isn't easy.
Get ready for a real and relatable look at the battles Alex fought as a Ranger - both overseas in combat and within himself upon returning home. His story shows the true grit and heart of our military's finest.
👍 Remember to LIKE this video if you found it informative, enjoyable, or just to show your support to Alex and/or us at 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 take the share and tell their story, 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.
#military #marines #urbanvalor #warstories #veteran #usmc #unitedstatesmarinecorps #combatveterans

In this Urban Valor episode, we sit down with Army Blackhawk Pilot Veteran Josh Halu, who shares his journey from a challenging childhood to serving as a Battle Captain in Afghanistan.
Born in Jerusalem and raised in Denver, Josh faced unimaginable hardship at a young age, with his father’s tragic death marking a pivotal moment in his life. Fueled by resilience, he set his sights on West Point, ultimately becoming a US Army Blackhawk pilot.
Join us as Josh opens up about his experiences in Afghanistan, where he led critical rescue missions for downed aircraft, known as “Fallen Angels,” in hostile territory. Josh also discusses his path to healing and the methods he's used to cope with trauma.
👍 Like this video to support to show appreciation for Josh 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:
07:38 Joining West Point
47:20 Intro Afghanistan
1:19:49 Wounds and Trails
1:27:28 New Opportunity
#military #urbanvalor #warstories #usarmy

This week’s Urban Valor episode features retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel Jay Kopelman. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Jay grew up in what many would consider a privileged environment. He initially enlisted in the Navy's Aviation Officer Candidate School and earned his wings in 1987.
Seeking new challenges, Jay transitioned to the Marine Corps through an inter-service transfer, becoming a forward air controller and later earning his gold wings. In 2004, Jay took on the Special Operations Forces Liaison Officer role and deployed to Iraq, where he trained Iraqi Special Forces and faced intense combat in Fallujah. During this time, he met a stray dog named "Lava," embarking on a challenging journey to bring him back to San Diego, eventually making Lava his rescue dog.
Jay is also the author of two books: From Baghdad, With Love: A Marine and a Dog Named Lava and From Baghdad to America: Life After War for a Marine and His Rescued Dog. In this episode, Jay shares his experiences with trauma, his healing journey using psychedelics, and the impactful work he's doing within the veteran community.
👍 Like this video to support to show appreciation for Jay 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 take the share and tell their story, 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.
#military #urbanvalor #warstories #usmarine #marines #marineveteran

On today's episode of Urban Valor, we feature retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant Ryan Kuperus, whose story takes us from the dairy farms of Newark, New York, to the intense battlefields of Afghanistan. Inspired by his grandfather, a Korean War veteran, Ryan chose to serve his country as a Marine, using the work ethic instilled in him since childhood.
Ryan details his experiences as a Reconnaissance Marine in Afghanistan. The relentless combat his recon platoon faced gives you a glimpse into the realities of modern warfare. Ryan brings to life the challenges, dangers, and split-second decisions that define combat operations.
The episode explores Ryan's progression to Force Reconnaissance and his role as an instructor, where he helped shape some of America's most elite warriors. It then explores his transition out of military service, a journey familiar to many veterans. He shares his current efforts to serve the veteran community, showing the ongoing commitment many former service members have to their fellow warriors!
Tune in for a powerful exploration of sacrifice, skill, and the spirit of service that defines many of our nation's veterans.
👍 Remember to LIKE this video if you found it informative, enjoyable, or just to show your support to Ryan and/or us at 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 take the share and tell their story, 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:
00:35 Early Life
04:22 Boot Camp
09:32 Hitting the Fleet
19:18 9/11 Attacks
20:33 First Deployment
22:28 Invading Iraq
29:53 On to Okinawa
32:08 Break In Service
39:07 Road Bump
44:19 Back on the Ground
55:49 Power of the Javelin
1:07:49 Close to Home
2:08:38 Training Commandos
2:10:51 Turn & Burn
2:21:00 Hostage Rescue
2:26:48 The Ball
2:39:25 Red Lights
2:53:15 Becoming an Instructor
2:56:12 Court Marshall
#military #urbanvalor #warstories #martines #marineveteran

In this powerful video, former U.S. Marine Austin Hancock shares a chilling tale from his boot camp, experiences with drill instructors, and much more. As an Anti-Tank Assaultman who served from 2006 to 2010, Austin witnessed a shocking moment when a recruit attempted to take his own life by jumping out of a third-story window. What followed was a reaction from a Drill Instructor that left Austin stunned.
Austin's story delves into the intense and often brutal reality of Marine Corps boot camp, where recruits are physically and mentally pushed to their limits. He describes the Drill Instructors as "salty bastards" who have been through the most demanding challenges the Marines have, including combat deployments and earning prestigious awards like the Purple Heart.
Through his gripping narrative, Austin sheds light on the extreme pressure and psychological toll that recruits face during their training, which can sometimes lead to drastic actions like the one he witnessed. His account also highlights the complex and often controversial role of Drill Instructors, who mold raw recruits into battle-ready Marines.
As you watch this eye-opening video, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and sacrifices that Marines like Austin endure during their service. His story is a testament to the resilience and fortitude required to make it through one of the world's most demanding military training programs.
Don't miss this incredible firsthand account from a Marine veteran who lived through the intensity of boot camp and emerged as a Lance Corporal. Subscribe to our channel for more powerful stories from those who have served, and join the conversation in the comments below.
Table of Contents:
00:01 Introduction
00:30 Early Life
06:03 Finding The Corps
22:04 School of Infantry
46:19 Finding a Place
#marines #military #urbanvalor #veteran #war #combatveteran #combat