What does 13 years in the Army really teach you about discipline, leadership, responsibility, and life after military service?
In this episode of the Unapologetically Strong Army Edition podcast, Army veteran Josh Price shares his journey from joining the infantry after September 11 to serving in the Old Guard, conducting military funerals at Arlington National Cemetery, deploying with the National Guard, and eventually leading a platoon in Iraq. He explains what basic training is actually like, why the mental challenge can be harder than the physical training, and how the Army’s structure helped him manage ADD while developing confidence and discipline.
Josh also reveals the differences between Army life and military movies, what infantry soldiers really do, how military leadership differs from civilian management, and why empathy became one of his most important lessons after leaving the service. This conversation is especially valuable for new Army recruits, military parents, veterans transitioning into civilian careers, and anyone who wants to become a stronger leader.
His biggest advice may surprise you: volunteer for everything. The unpleasant assignments can build the trust that eventually leads to extraordinary opportunities, greater responsibility, and experiences you never imagined possible.
→ Josh explains why being away from home was harder than the physical demands of basic training, how structure helped his ADD, and why having a clear mission made Army life easier for him to navigate.
→ Learn what an Army infantry soldier actually does, how real military service compares with Hollywood, and what it was like conducting hundreds of funerals at Arlington National Cemetery.
→ Josh breaks down the Army’s leadership model of providing purpose, motivation, and direction, and explains how responsibility for other soldiers transformed him from a struggling young soldier into a respected platoon leader.
→ Discover why Josh recommends volunteering for every opportunity, how small assignments build trust, and why the people who do more than the minimum often receive the most valuable military experiences.
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01:47 Why Josh joined the Army after September 11
04:02 Why he chose the Army over other branches
07:36 The hardest part of basic training
09:24 Finding adventure and purpose in the Army
11:20 Why basic training is more mental than physical
12:06 How Army structure helped his ADD
13:10 The camaraderie and discipline he still misses
15:53 What Army infantry soldiers actually do
18:12 Army life versus military movies
19:51 Serving in the Old Guard
20:57 Conducting funerals at Arlington National Cemetery
24:18 The emotional weight of hundreds of military funerals
25:15 Carrying the flag at presidential funerals
27:12 Moving from active duty to the National Guard
27:45 The surprising deployment pace of the National Guard
30:35 Why Josh left the military after 13 years
32:09 Adjusting to civilian workplaces
35:40 Why military leadership requires empathy
38:07 Are today’s Army recruits really softer?
43:06 The Army lesson that shaped Josh’s life
45:31 The promotion that changed his leadership
47:24 Moving from directing soldiers to mentoring leaders
49:17 Purpose, motivation, and direction
50:59 Leading a platoon during deployment to Iraq
53:44 Josh’s advice for every new recruit
54:12 Why you should volunteer for everything
56:30 Where to connect with Josh Price
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