Semper Try

In Part 2 of my conversation with Marine veteran Erik Monarca, the real test begins.

After losing nearly 80 pounds just for the chance to become a Marine, Erik quickly discovered that earning the title would demand even more. Boot camp brought setback after setback, including a devastating rope-climb injury that tore the skin from both of his hands. Most people would have seen those moments as reasons to quit. Erik chose to keep going.

In this episode, Erik shares the physical and mental challenges that tested his determination, the lessons he learned through adversity, and the unforgettable moment he finally earned the title United States Marine.

This isn't just a story about Marine Corps boot camp. It's a story about perseverance, resilience, and proving to yourself that you're capable of more than you ever imagined.

In Part 3, Erik takes us beyond boot camp to his service with 5th Marines, the injury that ended his military career, and how he found a new mission helping veterans tell their stories through the Chat 62 Podcast.

Because every story matters... and most stories die unheard. These won't.

What happens when doubt becomes fuel?

For Erik Monarca, that moment changed the course of his life.

In Part 1, Marine veteran and Chat 62 Podcast host Erik Monarca, USMC, shares how an overweight teenager with little confidence made the decision to earn the title United States Marine. After being told he wasn't ready, Erik committed himself to losing nearly 80 pounds to make his dream a reality.

Bill and Erik also talk about podcasting, preserving veterans' stories, and why every veteran has a story worth telling. It's an honest conversation between two Marines who believe that every veteran's story matters and deserves to be heard.

This is only the beginning.

In Part 2, Erik takes us inside Marine Corps boot camp, including his time in Physical Conditioning Platoon (PCP) and the determination it took to finally earn the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor.

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Semper Try Podcast

Most stories die unheard. These won't.

Because Trying Beats Quitting.

What happens after the shooting stops? In Part 2 of my conversation with Army veteran Buford Johnson, we go beyond the battlefield and into the lessons he carried home from Vietnam.

Buford shares why he left active duty, continued serving for more than two decades in the Army Reserve, taught military leadership, and developed a lifelong passion for American history and the U.S. Constitution. Along the way, he reflects on military strategy, leadership, politics, and the importance of understanding history to prepare the next generation.

You'll also hear stories you won't find in most history books, including his experiences in Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, and Germany, how he almost became a monk before joining the Army, and why he believes preserving our nation's history matters just as much as preserving the stories of those who served.

Thank you to Brainerd American Legion Post 255, the biggest sponsor of the Semper Try Podcast, for helping us preserve the stories of America's veterans.

Listen and subscribe:

Because Trying Beats Quitting.

Sometimes the best conversations happen when you least expect them.

I attended a Memorial Day ceremony simply to record the event. I had no idea who the guest speaker was or that I was about to meet someone whose story deserved to be shared.

After hearing Buford Johnson's powerful speech, I introduced myself and asked if he would sit down for a conversation. Thankfully, he said yes.

In Part One, Buford shares an incredible journey that begins in a seminary where he was studying to become a monk before life took him in a completely different direction. He takes us through ROTC, the Army, Special Forces, Cold War Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam, sharing firsthand stories, lessons on leadership, and the moment he realized his military career was about to change forever.

This is more than a military interview. It's the story of a life shaped by service, sacrifice, and purpose.

Guest: Buford Johnson

Part Two continues next week.

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🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, Podbean, and wherever you get your podcasts.

At just 14 years old, Heinz Langbein found himself standing in a foxhole with four Panzerfausts, facing advancing Soviet T-34 tanks during the final weeks of World War II.

In Part 2 of my conversation with Heidi Langbein-Allen, she shares the incredible true story of her father's first battle, the split-second decisions that saved his life, his capture by American forces, and the emotional journey that followed after discovering the truth about the Holocaust.

This isn't just a story about survival. It's a story about indoctrination, courage, redemption, and the lifelong pursuit of democracy after experiencing one of history's darkest chapters.

If you enjoy military history, World War II stories, or powerful conversations about the human cost of war, this is an episode you won't forget.

📘 Get Heidi's book, Save the Last Bullet: Memoir of a Boy Soldier in Hitler's Army

🌐 Learn more about Heidi and her work:

Heidi Langbein-Allen Official Website

📚 Save the Last Bullet

Be sure to watch 029 P1 to hear how a 13-year-old German boy was taken from his family, indoctrinated by the Nazi regime, and prepared for a war he never chose.

At just 13 years old, Heinz Langbein was taken from his parents by the Nazi regime.

What began as a promise of safety from Allied bombing quickly became a systematic effort to turn German boys into soldiers. Indoctrinated through the Hitler Youth, separated from his family, forced to endure starvation, and trained for war, Heinz watched his childhood disappear one day at a time.

In Part 1 of this unforgettable conversation, author Heidi Langbein-Allen shares the incredible true story of her father's journey from an ordinary German schoolboy to a 14-year-old child soldier during the final months of World War II.

This isn't a story about politics.

It's a story about what war does to children.

As America celebrates 250 years of freedom, stories like Heinz's remind us why freedom is precious—and why history must never be forgotten.

Heidi's book, Save the Last Bullet: Memoir of a Boy Soldier in Hitler's Army, tells the complete story and is available here:

📖 Official Author Website: HeidiLangbeinAuthor.com

📚 Order the Book: Save the Last Bullet – Pen & Sword Military

Thank you to the Brainerd American Legion Post 255 for supporting the Semper Try Podcast and helping preserve stories that deserve to be remembered.

Because everyone has a story.

Because Trying Beats Quitting.

n Part 3 of our conversation with John Pietruszewski, we explore a side of service that often goes unnoticed the service that continues long after the military career ends.

From earning the Green Beret to mentoring young people through Scouting, coaching youth sports, serving in the American Legion, and honoring veterans through the Color Guard, John shares how purpose, leadership, and commitment don't end when the uniform comes off.

This episode is about giving back, building future leaders, supporting fellow veterans, and answering the call to serve in new ways throughout life.

Because the mission doesn't end at retirement.

It continues.

Topics include:

Because Trying Beats Quitting.

#SemperTryPodcast #JohnPietruszewski #ServiceOverSelf #Veterans #AmericanLegion #ColorGuard #Scouting #Leadership #GreenBeret #VeteranStories #BecauseTryingBeatsQuitting #BrainerdMN #VeteransHelpingVeterans #TheMissionContinues

In Part 2 of my conversation with John Pietruszewski, we continue his incredible journey from Green Beret to community leader.

John takes us inside life at Fort Bragg, shares what day-to-day service in Special Forces was really like, and tells the story of earning a chance to try out for the Army's elite Golden Knights parachute team. Competing for just five spots, John completed 50 jumps during the selection process and came remarkably close to making the team.

But as John reflects, not every dream ends with selection.

After active duty, he continued serving through the National Guard, built a successful engineering career, and eventually found a new mission through the American Legion, Honor Guard, and Color Guard. Today, he helps honor veterans, support military families, and ensure the stories of those who served are never forgotten.

This episode is a powerful reminder that while the uniform may come off, the commitment to service can last a lifetime.

Because Trying Beats Quitting.

In 1971, John Pietruszewski faced a reality many young Americans knew all too well—the Vietnam draft. With a draft number of 26, he knew his chances of being called were high. Rather than wait, John made a decision that would change the course of his life: he enlisted in the Army with one goal in mind—earning the Green Beret.

In Part 1 of this conversation, John shares his journey from growing up in Northeast Minneapolis to Basic Training at Fort Knox, Infantry School at Fort Ord, Airborne School at Fort Benning, and eventually the path that led him to Special Forces. Along the way, he talks about military life in the early 1970s, jump school, drill sergeants, KP duty, and the determination it took to chase a dream that few ever achieve.

This is the beginning of an incredible story of service, perseverance, and a young man who refused to leave his future to chance.

Semper Try Podcast

#SemperTry #GreenBeret #SpecialForces #ArmyVeteran #VietnamEra #Airborne #MilitaryHistory #VeteranStories #BecauseTryingBeatsQuitting #Podcast

At 19 years old, Julie Becker returned home from a trip to Mexico and found a voicemail waiting for her.

It was from a Navy recruiter.

What started as a simple phone call led Julie from Phoenix, Arizona, to boot camp in Great Lakes, intelligence training in Pensacola, and eventually aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG-78) as a Cryptologic Technician and plank owner.

In this episode of Semper Try, Julie shares stories from life at sea, intelligence operations, counter-drug missions, the aftermath of the USS Cole attack, and what it was like serving in the Navy during the events surrounding 9/11. She also reflects on the friendships, challenges, and unexpected moments that shaped her military career.

Today, Julie owns Better Days Acupuncture in Brainerd, Minnesota, where she helps people heal from pain, trauma, stress, and the challenges life throws their way.

This conversation is filled with humor, military history, life lessons, and a reminder that sometimes one small decision can change the entire course of your life.

And yes, you'll hear the story of how a handsome Navy recruiter and a voicemail helped launch it all.