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Urban Valor: the podcastAuthor: Urban Valor
Welcome to Urban Valor, where we hear the stories of our veteran heroes in their own words. Within these vet interviews, you'll hear everything from combat stories, life stories pre/post military, military transition, and everything in between. Our interviews aren't just war stories or combat veteran interviews, but interviews from any military veteran willing to share. Our mission is to educate the masses with what military veterans go through while serving their country and how life has been since their military transition back to civilian life. Join our cause, online community, and show your support for Urban Valor at https://urbanvalor.com Language: en-us Genres: Film Interviews, History, TV & Film Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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33 Marines Killed in Fallujah - The Scout Sniper Who Survived the Aftermath
Episode 214
Monday, 12 January, 2026
The war didn’t end overseas. It followed them home.Justin Governale joined the U.S. Marine Corps at 17, driven by the aftermath of 9/11 and a chaotic upbringing in Laredo, Texas. What he found wasn’t just military structure—it was trauma, hazing, chaos, and survival. This raw episode pulls no punches as Justin exposes what it was like to deploy to Iraq in 2005 and 2007 with 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines—one of the units hardest hit in Fallujah, losing 33 men.From becoming a Scout Sniper, surviving an IED, and earning a Purple Heart, to battling the mental scars that followed, Justin shares the brutal honesty most veterans never say out loud.In this episode or Urban Valor, you’ll hear:- How childhood trauma primed him for chaos- The insanity of Marine boot camp under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”- Why pretending to be gay was a strategy to escape service- The twisted coping mechanisms Marines used post-combat- How war turned a battalion into walking time bombs- His journey through combat, loss, and eventually—comedyIf you want real Marine stories, raw Iraq War truths, or insight into the long-term cost of combat—you found it.🔥 This isn’t the Hollywood version of war. It’s the truth.🔔 Subscribe for more unfiltered veteran stories.📩 Know a veteran with a story? Reach out via our website.👍 Like this video to support and show appreciation.🗣️ Comment your support or ask any questions. Sometimes, our interviewees respond, and we at Urban Valor will do our best to respond as well!✅ SUBSCRIBE to support Urban Valor and the courageous Veterans who tell their stories AND so you NEVER miss a weekly episode of our veteran stories. New stories every Sunday!Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.Chapters: 00:00 – Intro: Meet Justin Governale01:10 – Growing Up in Laredo: Chaos, Violence & Zero Structure04:40 – Getting Caught Stealing & a Police Escort to School06:25 – Losing His Best Friend in a Tragic Accident08:00 – Post-9/11 Enlistment: “I Needed Purpose”10:30 – Why He Chose the Marines Over SF13:15 – Boot Camp Under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”17:00 – Pranked by Drill Instructors + Hazing Culture20:00 – First Deployment to Iraq in 200522:45 – Joining a Unit Still Shattered by 33 Killed in Fallujah26:30 – How Trauma Became Normal: Gallows Humor & Chaos29:15 – Pranks, Fights, and Mental Breakdowns in the Barracks32:10 – Becoming a Scout Sniper35:00 – 2007 Deployment as Sniper: Missions & Trauma38:30 – Surviving an IED Attack + Earning the Purple Heart42:00 – Coping with Loss, Rage, and Survivor’s Guilt45:45 – Coming Home and the Emotional Fallout49:00 – The Truth About How Units Carry Trauma52:30 – Transitioning to Civilian Life & Performing Standup56:00 – How Comedy Helped Him Process Pain1:02:00 – Advice to Struggling Veterans1:06:00 – Behind the Scenes: Going Viral on Instagram1:10:00 – Raising His Son After Trauma1:14:00 – Redeployment1:41:46 – On Stage, Healing, and Perspective1:43:24 – Final Sign-Off: “Simplify. Me Too, Man.”#military #warstories #urbanvalor #usarmy #warstories
