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What does true character look like? For Brad Budzynski, a former US Marine Corps infantryman who served during the initial invasion of Iraq, the answer came through the crucible of combat. His journey from small-town Michigan to the frontlines reveals how military service strips away pretense and exposes who we really are under pressure.

Brad's candid conversation takes us through his transformation from a teenager in Hazlitt to a Marine squad leader responsible for 12 men in combat. His description of Marine Corps training—from the "melting pot" of boot camp to advanced combat preparation—illuminates how the military builds both individual resilience and unbreakable team cohesion.

The raw reality of warfare comes alive through Brad's firsthand account of the Iraq invasion. Living in amphibious assault vehicles for weeks without showers, wearing stifling chemical protection gear in 120-degree heat, and navigating the chaos of firefights—particularly the intense battle at the Bridge at Taramiya—Brad paints a picture far removed from Hollywood portrayals. His observations about who steps up when bullets fly challenge conventional expectations about leadership and courage.

Perhaps most powerful is Brad's reflection on the enduring brotherhood forged through shared hardship. Two decades after service, these bonds remain stronger than ever, demonstrating how the military experience continues to shape veterans' lives long after they've hung up their uniforms. When health challenges following his father's passing forced Brad to reevaluate his post-military career in corrections, it was these relationships that helped anchor him.

Brad's story isn't just about war—it's about discovering what truly matters when everything else is stripped away. His parting wisdom to "put good into this world" and surround yourself with people who elevate you resonates as both a personal philosophy and the distilled essence of his military experience.

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