In this week's Urban Valor episode, we're joined by Marine veteran Christopher Cendana. Hailing from Fremont, CA, Chris's journey into the military was inspired by his best friend and the uncertainty he faced after high school. He enlisted in the Marine Corps, specializing as a Diesel Mechanic. Chris shares his experiences from two deployments to Iraq, including a tragic incident where he was compelled to engage with an Iraqi family, resulting in heartbreaking consequences.

Following his military service, Chris found his calling with Six Feet Above, a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting and supporting veterans and service members dealing with mental health challenges through the therapeutic medium of skateboarding.

In this week’s Urban Valor episode, we welcome back retired Marine First Sergeant Randall Parkes. 

A dedicated Marine who served from 2001 to 2021, he recounts his experiences from his early inspirations in California to becoming a drill instructor at Paris Island, South Carolina. 

In this gripping narrative, discover the challenges faced by Marines during training, the discipline instilled in recruits, and the deep bonds formed on the battlefield. The highlight of this video unveils the harrowing tale of an Afghan interpreter's escape from the clutches of the Taliban in Kabul, showcasing the lengths to which servicemen go to protect their allies. 

From the explosion at Kabul Airport to the heartwarming resettlement stories in San Diego, this video provides a raw, unfiltered look into the sacrifices made by our military personnel and the enduring spirit of camaraderie. Join us in honoring the brave souls who ensure peace and safety and understand the profound impact of their service. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more real-life stories from the frontlines.

Randall served in the Infantry, Security Force Battalion, First Reconnaissance Battalion, Marine Special Operations Command, and as a Drill Instructor. Randall is back to give us more insight on being a drill instructor in the Marine Corps and what it’s like building a foundation for recruits to become warfighters. He also walks us through how he coordinated the escape of his Afghanistan interpreter out of Kabul during the evacuation after his interpreter was nearly killed in an ambush from the Taliban.

In this week's episode of Urban Valor, we shine a spotlight on Juan Marquez, a Marine veteran with an inspiring journey. Hailing from a quaint town in Northeast Oklahoma, Juan's upbringing was shaped by its small community atmosphere. His high school graduating class comprised a mere 56 students, a testament to the tight-knit nature of his environment.

Juan's journey was marked by its remarkable distinctiveness, largely shaped by his upbringing as a Jehovah's Witness. This resulted in a lifestyle unlike that of his peers, as he did not participate in the typical experiences such as sports, birthday parties, and holidays. Over time, Juan made the decision to distance himself from the church and pursued a new direction by enlisting in the Marine Corps as a Landing Support Specialist.

Juan's Marine Corps tenure provided him with a wealth of experiences, which he openly shares. From the rigors of military life to the camaraderie forged in service, he paints a vivid picture of his journey. Equally important, Juan offers valuable insights into the process of transitioning back into civilian life - a phase many veterans find daunting.

Tune in to this episode as Juan Marquez recounts his remarkable story, shedding light on the challenges he faced, the lessons he learned, and the wisdom he gained from his time in the Marine Corps. His perspective on preparing for a successful reintegration into civilian society is both enlightening and informative.

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#veteran #military #urbanvalor #marines #marine #usmarine #war

In this deeply personal video, Krishna America Flores, a dedicated member of the US Marines, shares her poignant journey from enlistment to combat deployment. 

Born in New York and having grown up with a backdrop of the El Salvador Civil War, Flores enlisted as a Private First Class and quickly rose through the ranks. Her story takes us from the bustling streets of New York to the challenging terrains of Okinawa deployment and the war in Iraq. As a female marine, she faced unique challenges, including a harrowing incident where she was assaulted within the military ranks. 

This video sheds light on the experiences of female combat veterans, particularly during their combat deployment in Iraq. Flores' narrative is not just about the challenges enlisted marines face, or about solely E-4 marines in motor transport roles, but also about resilience, recovery, and her mission to improve veteran affairs. Join us, as Urban Valor presents this compelling story, offering an intimate look into the lives of war veterans, the realities of military PTSD, and the indomitable spirit of our military veterans.

#military #veteran #urbanvalor #combatveteran #ptsd #usmarines #marines

In this week's Urban Valor episode, Marine veteran Don Tran takes the spotlight. Don's upbringing was in Long Beach, CA. Despite multiple arrests during his juvenile years, he made a pivotal decision to enlist in the Marine Corps, seeking a transformative path for his life. Don went on his Marine Corps journey as an 0341 Mortarman, gradually progressing to become a part of the Marine Special Operations Community.

Through numerous combat deployments, Don drew upon his training and experiences. These encounters led him to co-found 'Deep End Fitness', an organization that revolves around the principles of movement, breath work, and cultivating mental strength. The organization aims to enhance human performance both in and out of the water, reflecting Don's dedication to optimizing potential!

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#veteran #army #urbanvalor #military #marines

This week's episode of Urban Valor introduces Jesse Galvan, an Army veteran hailing from the Inland Empire of Southern California. Jesse's early life was marked by a deeply challenging experience of childhood sexual trauma, significantly shaping his upbringing. As he approached adulthood, a pivotal decision arose when his father presented him with a choice between pursuing higher education and enlisting in the military.

Opting to embark on a path of service, Jesse joined the Army as a Combat Engineer. However, his journey took an unexpected turn when he was confronted with a cancer diagnosis during his enlistment. The weight of this diagnosis brought forth a wave of emotions, leaving him grappling with feelings of apprehension, fear, and even a moment of contemplating his own life.

Jesse Galvan's remarkable life journey, from overcoming adversity in his formative years to facing the daunting challenges that emerged during his military service. His story is one of resilience, determination, and the enduring human spirit.

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This week’s Urban Valor episode features Marine veteran, Spencer Zeisset, also known as Z. Z grew up in Bethalto, Illinois. As a kid, he and his friends would create fight games and engage in hand-to-hand combat. On one occasion, Z's eye was nearly injured by a sharpened spear during one of these games. He recounts the incident when he was sent flying through a van window as it rolled over and came to a stop on top of him.

Z's inspiration to become a Marine was ignited by playing video games like Halo and Battlefield. Enlisting as an 0311 Infantry Rifleman, he became a part of the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, Charlie Company. Alongside his military service, Z discovered his knack for designing military-themed art. Following his time in the Marine Corps, he established a company named “Phaseline” and elevated his artistry to new heights.

👍 Please LIKE the video so we know you're enjoying our interviews!
✅ Please SUBSCRIBE to Urban Valor So You NEVER Miss a Weekly Episode!
🗣️ Please COMMENT with any questions you have or to show your support for Spencer and/or Urban Valor, we'll answer ASAP. 

This week’s Urban Valor episode features Army veteran, Fernando Arroyo. 
Fernando grew up in Bell Gardens, CA where he witnessed gang violence from a young age. 

Since a kid, he’d been interested in joining the military, but the 9/11 attack on America solidified it. Fernando enlisted into the Army on a paratrooper contract. He’s conducted multiple combat deployments and speaks on the difficulty of transition after his experience in the military. 

Fernando has also written a book called “The Shadow of Death” detailing his experience in Fallujah and battling for his soul upon transitioning.

Fernando Arroyo is a combat veteran and hero who's sharing his story to help other combat veterans and we greatly support him here at Urban Valor.

This week’s Urban Valor episode features retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant, 
Robert Porter aka “Bar.” 

Bar grew up in Albany, New York and was adopted as a child. He talks us through 21 years in the Marine Corps in occupations not limited to Military Police, criminal investigations, Drill Instructor, and Marine Combat Instructor of Water Survival. Upon transitioning, Bar began helping out with Toys for Tots, which led to his festive transformation to Gunny Clause.

#military #veteran #urbanvalor #army #drillsergeant

This week’s Urban Valor episode features Marine and Army veteran Jose 
Valenzuela. 

Jose was born in Mexicali, Mexico. He grew up in poverty and came to the United States around the age of 7. 

In today's episode, Jose shares of his immigrant journey to the United States and the U.S. Military. 

After Marine recruiters visited his high school, he was inspired to join the military. 

Jose spent 13 years in the Marines and 7 years in the Army before retiring as a Staff Sergeant. 

He’s conducted several deployments and worked multiple occupations while in the military. 

Jose leaves us with advice about getting VA benefits upon transitioning out of service.


#military #veteran #urbanvalor #army #marines