Vietnam Vet Rand Timmerman: From Combat to Sobriety & Purpose

Veterans Day Special 🇺🇸Today, Coach Rob sits down with Rand Timmerman, a Vietnam veteran, retired Marine JAG officer, attorney, and author of A Spiritual Passage. This is one of the most powerful and honest conversations to ever hit the Battle Harder Podcast.Rand opens up about combat in Vietnam, the trauma of coming home, and the long battle with alcoholism and PTSD that followed. He also shares his comeback story — finding faith, helping others through AA, and hiking 1,863 miles of the Appalachian Trail in his seventies.This episode is about more than war. It’s about resilience, brotherhood, and finding purpose after the uniform.In this conversation:Combat stories and surviving the unimaginableHow Vietnam vets were treated when they came homeNightmares, rage, and the turning point toward sobrietyThe power of faith and service to othersWhy fitness and purpose keep you aliveHiking the Appalachian Trail at 72 years oldLiving a life of service and helping other men find hope🎧 Available on: battleharder.com | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube📘 A Spiritual Passage by Rand Timmerman — available on Amazon#veteransday #BattleHarderPodcast #TurningPainIntoProgress #WarriorMindset #VeteranStrong⏱️ CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Battle Harder Intro01:10 – Introducing Vietnam Veteran Rand Timmerman03:20 – Enlisting in 1966 and heading to Vietnam05:00 – Becoming a Mustang Officer and Marine JAG07:15 – The chaos of combat and surviving under fire10:45 – Coming home: stigma, rage, and a first-class surprise13:30 – The mental aftermath and early signs of trauma16:20 – Nightmares, flashbacks, and alcohol as escape21:10 – Why veterans chase adrenaline after war24:30 – Breaking point: the night that changed everything27:00 – Finding sobriety and faith31:00 – Hiking 1,863 miles of the Appalachian Trail at 7234:15 – Lessons from the trail and brotherhood37:30 – How service to others keeps you grounded40:00 – Why veterans lose their identity after service43:45 – Rebuilding discipline and health48:00 – The role of gratitude and purpose in healing52:10 – Writing A Spiritual Passage and helping others heal56:20 – Why connection matters as we age59:00 – Advice for men struggling with addiction or trauma1:03:30 – Definition of “Turning Pain Into Progress”1:05:15 – Final thoughts and gratitude