In this episode of It's A Veteran's Life, hosted by Mike Turbyfill, a veteran guest details their experience before, during, and after their military service. Inspired to join the military after 9/11, the guest shares the motivations and challenges faced, including family reactions and the rigors of basic training at Fort Benning. They discuss multiple deployments, the camaraderie within the service, and the difficulties faced during operations, especially in OIF 1 and later missions. Post service, the veteran talks about the struggles with mental health, homelessness, and the inadequate support received from the VA. They also touch on the transition to civilian life, the significance of support systems, and advice for prospective and current military members. Through personal anecdotes and valuable lessons learned, this episode sheds light on the realities of military life and the importance of mental health awareness and support for veterans.
00:00 Introduction to Foxtrot Uniform
00:33 Deciding to Join the Military
01:37 Family Reactions and Basic Training
05:11 Deployment Experiences and Reflections
09:32 Encounters and Reunions
16:11 Leadership and Command Challenges
24:31 Reflections on Military Service
25:32 Military Influence on Values and Beliefs
25:46 Life Before and After Joining the Military
26:32 Experiences in Arizona and Mexico
27:32 Mental Health Challenges and Military Response
30:44 Struggles with Homelessness and Trust Issues
32:06 Seeking Support and VA Experiences
33:40 Advice for Veterans and Service Members
38:49 Transition to Civilian Life and VA Benefits
43:55 Helping the Next Generation of Veterans
49:41 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Male Room with Dr. Jesse Mills
As Director of The Men’s Clinic at UCLA, Dr. Jesse Mills has spent his career helping men understand their bodies, their hormones, and their health. Now he’s bringing that expertise to The Male Room — a podcast where data-driven medicine meets common sense. Each episode separates fact from hype, science from snake oil, and gives men the tools to live longer, stronger, and happier lives. With candor, humor, and real-world experience from the exam room and the operating room, Dr. Mills breaks down the latest health headlines, dissects trends, and explains what actually works — and what doesn’t. Smart, straightforward, and entertaining, The Male Room is the show that helps men take charge of their health without the jargon.