He grew up farming and breaking horses in a town of a few thousand people in Texaco, New Mexico. He graduated with 28 classmates, turned down a full-ride college scholarship, and walked into a Navy recruiter's office with one question: "Got anything where I work with my hands?"

25 years later, Frankie Ortiz retired as an aviation mechanic — having served on frigates, cruisers, and destroyers, survived 10 deployments, been aboard the USS Lincoln during the filming of Stealth, and transitioned from fixing helicopters to teaching drone warfare tactics used on today's modern battlefield.

But this episode goes deeper than sea stories.

Frankie opens up about missing his grandmother's funeral while deployed, the divorce that followed 15 years of marriage, and the moment his "compartmentalized boxes" finally overflowed. He talks about what it really feels like to hand over your security badge after 25 years — and the identity crisis that no one warns you about.

He also shares the phone call that landed him a job within a week of retirement, why he deleted social media over a decade ago, and what raising his kids as a single father has taught him about structure, grace, and showing up with a smile.

Whether you're active duty, a veteran navigating transition, or someone searching for purpose on the other side of a major life change — this one's for you.

🎙️ "Early is on time. On time is late. Late is in trouble."

What happens when a Navy sailor gets written up for nursing her baby in her car — and decides to fight back? Chief Quartermaster Joanna did more than push back; she changed the culture. In this episode, Joanna opens up about 17+ years of navigating ships across the world's oceans, raising three kids while serving, and discovering something unexpected in the middle of the open sea. Her story is raw, real, and full of moments that will make you rethink what it means to serve, sacrifice, and find purpose in the most unlikely places.

Topics covered:

• Advocating for pregnant women in the military
• Balancing motherhood and active duty
• Finding faith at sea
• What 17+ years in the Navy really looks like

Subscribe for more authentic military stories and hit the bell to catch the next episode of The Barracks Life - where boots hit the deck, stories take flight.

Senior Airman Skylar Phillips takes us from the sun-soaked streets of California to military bases overseas in Italy and Spain, where he spent four years isolated from everything he knew during the height of COVID-19. Fresh out of high school and thrust into military life overseas, Skylar found himself battling more than just the challenges of service—he was fighting depression, anxiety, and a darkness he couldn't shake on his own.

But somewhere between the loneliness of deployment and the weight of mental struggles, everything shifted. In this episode, Skylar opens up about the two friends who kept him from losing his mind, the moment he realized he couldn't do it alone, and the faith journey that transformed him from someone who made others smile to hide his own pain to someone who found genuine peace. He shares why he wouldn't change a single thing about his journey—even the darkest parts—and delivers a powerful message about embracing the suck, finding the people who can keep up when you run to Christ, and why every trial was shaping him into who he needed to become.

A raw, unfiltered conversation about military life, mental health, faith, and the friendships that save us.

Subscribe for more authentic military stories and hit the bell to catch the next episode of The Barracks Life - where boots hit the deck, stories take flight.

The Barracks Life - Episode 7: Networks and The Truth - Featuring Former IT1 Jyro Francisco

What happens when the guy handling emergency action messages—the ones that "put warheads on foreheads"—discovers the most important message he'll ever transmit is the Gospel?

Former Navy IT1 Jyro Francisco takes us from the rowdy "Club 159" bootcamp division to Pearl Harbor's message centers, through the ballistic missile scare that had Hawaii running for cover, and into a faith journey that transformed everything.

This isn't your typical military story. It's about a man who built networks for the Navy—both digital and human—but didn't realize the most important connection was the one he'd been avoiding: a personal relationship with God.

• The Hawaii ballistic missile scare from inside the wire—texting final goodbyes while waiting by a window
• Being on duty during the Pearl Harbor active shooter incident few people know about
• From Catholic fear to Christian freedom: "God made hell for those who don't want to be with Him—that's how much He respects our choice"
• Getting forced out after 8 years and discovering it was God's plan all along
• The terrifying freedom of civilian life: "What do you mean 'my pace'?"
• Why bringing coffee and donuts made him a better leader than any manual could

"Their spirit and soul is more important than this 20-year career."

Jyro didn't just upgrade ship networks—he upgraded lives. Now as a civilian contractor, he's still connecting sailors to what matters most.

Perfect for: Anyone navigating faith questions, transition struggles, or wondering what it means to truly surrender control.

🎧 Where boots hit the deck, stories take flight.

#TheBarracksLife #NavyVeteran #FaithJourney #MilitaryPodcast #VeteranStories #TransitionLife

From the island life of Guam to the skies above Fort Knox, Sgt. Frank Chaco’s journey through military service is a story of resilience, faith, and family. In this episode of The Barracks Life, host Sgt. Khit Lovan dives deep with Frank as they share memories of bootcamp, aviation missions, and the bonds that carry long after service. Together, they reflect on sacrifice, finding purpose, and how faith shapes the path forward.

🎧 Whether you’ve worn the uniform or just want to understand the stories behind it, this conversation will remind you of the strength it takes to serve—and the people who stand beside us.

👉 Be part of our community:

• Follow and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube to never miss an episode.

• Share your story or nominate someone whose journey we should feature—email us at [email protected].

• Join the conversation with fellow listeners and veterans online.

Your voice matters. Your story matters. Let’s keep marching forward together.

From hitchhiking the Pacific Northwest to welding aboard a Navy submarine tender in Italy — host Khit Lovan sits down with former Petty Officer Second Class Adam Nuncio as he shares the raw, real journey that reshaped his life. It's a story of transformation, accountability, and the quiet power of purpose.

In this episode of The Barracks Life, you'll hear:

• How Adam went from hitting rock bottom to finding purpose in Navy boot camp

• Life aboard a submarine tender — no sea time, but plenty of impact

• What it meant to be a Hull Technician (HT) — the "ship's surgeon" of the sea

• How a lunch table full of “Jesus freaks” led to a life-changing spiritual awakening

• The unexpected joys and challenges of raising a family as a Navy man

• Post-service life: teaching, traveling, and staying grounded in purpose

• Honest reflections on discipline, patriotism, accountability — and how those values carry over into civilian life

This episode is packed with insight, humor, and the kind of unfiltered storytelling only a veteran can deliver.

In this episode of The Barracks Life, former Marine Sergeant Charles Burd takes us on a powerful and personal ride through his military journey — from growing up in the housing projects of Oahu, Hawaii, to working on the iconic CH-53 Delta helicopters. Charles reflects on his faith, family, and finding purpose in uniform. He shares stories of heartbreak, boot camp breakdowns, life-changing deployments, and a transformative brotherhood forged on and off the flight line. Raw, honest, and faith-filled — this episode dives into the unexpected turns that shape a Marine’s identity.

Find Charle Burd's food videos on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/solidusnake87

What does it take for someone with no military background, no family legacy, and no clear plan to step up and become one of the U.S. Air Force’s Defenders? In this raw and insightful episode, we sit down with Airman First Class Armando Sanchez — a young reservist who shares how a high school teacher, a passion for law enforcement, and a surprising mission trip led him down the path of military service.

From growing up in Chula Vista to navigating Air Force bootcamp during COVID, Armando opens up about overcoming fear, breaking stereotypes, and finding his voice — both in uniform and on a guitar. We dive into the unexpected truths of Security Forces life, the culture shock of basic training, and the struggle of maintaining identity in a system built on structure.

Whether you're a fellow veteran, a curious civilian, or someone considering the military, this episode offers a refreshing and honest perspective on what it means to serve.

Find Armando on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@CoolPickles

In this candid and deeply personal episode of The Barracks Life, former Navy SEAL and recent retiree shares his powerful journey from elite-level youth hockey player to one of America’s most demanding special forces roles. Through raw storytelling, he discusses the mental and physical rigors of SEAL training, the cost of combat, and the challenges of fatherhood, marriage, and faith — both during and after his military career.

The conversation dives into his struggles with toxic culture in the SEAL teams, navigating single fatherhood after a family crisis, and how a personal faith transformation helped him rebuild from the inside out. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the full human cost — and healing — behind the uniform.

Honorable Mentions:

• Learn more about Blake Low and his company - Trident Contracting Inc
• Shout out to The Honor Foundation
• The Frog And The Hog Podcast

In this powerful first episode of The Barracks Life, host former Sergeant Khit Lovan sits down with retired Gunnery Sergeant Jose Manuel Valdez to unpack his incredible 20-year journey in the United States Marine Corps.

From growing up in Tijuana and San Diego to serving aboard CH-53s—the legendary “Hurricane Makers”—Jose reflects on pivotal deployments, leadership moments, and lessons learned from combat, training, and transition to civilian life.

He shares unforgettable stories about reenlisting at iconic locations like the USS Arizona Memorial, Iwo Jima, and even the ruins of Babylon. Along the way, the conversation touches on the discipline of daily habits (like their 100-push-up challenge), mental health, camaraderie, and what it means to find purpose after the uniform comes off.

Editorial Notes:

• The Air Force base mentioned during the Pearl Harbor discussion is Bellows Air Force Station, a key but lesser-known site attacked on December 7, 1941.
• The correct name of the movie mentioned here is Tora! Tora! Tora!, a 1970 epic war film that dramatizes the events leading up to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, from both American and Japanese positions.

• At the time of recording, Khit (the host) and Jose (the guest) are doing 100 push-ups a day challenge. The goal is to build discipline, consistency, and a little physical toughness along the way. They were on day 34 of their 100-push-up-a-day challenge, totaling 3,400 push-ups each.