Meet Richard Aviles, a U.S. Army Veteran and former Military Policeman whose story is as raw as it is remarkable. In this Urban Valor episode, Richard recounts growing up in Puerto Rico, navigating culture shock in the U.S., and enlisting in the Army to escape homelessness and pursue purpose.

Within months, he found himself deployed to Iraq, running combat missions, clearing houses, and collecting biometrics in high-risk environments. But the weight of war wasn’t left overseas. Richard opens up about his experiences with domestic violence calls, soldier suicides, and the haunting cases he faced while working the road stateside.

This is a story about survival, service, trauma—and healing. It’s about chasing validation, confronting your past, and learning to live with the scars you carry. Whether you’re a veteran, military family member, or civilian seeking to understand the true cost of war, this one will hit home.

🪖 Watch to hear Richard’s brutally honest account of Army life, combat in Iraq, and the battles he still faces today.

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Video Chapters: 
00:00 - Opening: Responding to a Crisis
00:21 - Introduction to Richard Aviles
01:18 - Growing Up in Puerto Rico
02:08 - Strict Parenting & Early Lessons
03:03 - Community Respect & Culture Shock
06:28 - Homelessness and Enlistment
09:26 - Basic Training Realities
13:03 - Arriving at Fort Leonard Wood
18:11 - Picking His Job: Military Police
23:32 - Volunteering for Iraq Deployment
25:43 - Missions, IEDs, and Reality Sets In
28:17 - Getting Reassigned After Article 15
30:54 - Raids & Detention Operations
35:28 - Challenges Working with Iraqi Police
38:00 - Transitioning Back Stateside
39:15 - Working the Road as an MP
40:28 - Responding to Suicides & K2 Abuse
47:49 - Crazy Cases & Barracks Life
50:07 - Deciding to Leave the Army
53:52 - Struggles with Civilian Reintegration
57:49 - Life Now: Family, Podcast & Purpose
59:25 - Final Message to Veterans

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