Michael Allison is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who survived a devastating VBIED (vehicle-borne improvised explosive device) attack in Iraq—but his toughest battles came after the war. In this episode of Urban Valor, Michael opens up about the trauma that followed his deployment, including PTSD, addiction, and divorce.
Born in Jamaica and raised in America, Michael’s life was marked by adversity from the start. After joining the Marines at just 17, he was deployed to some of the most dangerous combat zones in the Middle East. When his convoy was hit by a deadly car bomb, he was awarded the Purple Heart. But it was life after service that nearly broke him.
From losing close friends in combat to battling mental illness, alcoholism, and the collapse of his marriage, Michael faced rock bottom. In this episode, he shares the raw truth of what it's like to come home broken—and how he rebuilt his life, remarried his wife, reconnected with his children, and found healing through therapy and purpose.
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Video Chapters:
00:00 – Surviving a Deadly Car Bomb in Iraq
00:30 – Childhood in Jamaica & Immigration to the U.S.
06:39 – Life in Miami’s Overtown Projects
17:40 – Football Dreams Lost & Joining the Marines
23:50 – Boot Camp Struggles & Mental Resilience
32:28 – Honoring Fallen Veterans on Burial Detail
41:17 – Emotional Detachment Before Deployment
53:25 – The Mission That Changed Everything
58:03 – Ambush & Survivor’s Guilt After VBIED
1:14:20 – PTSD Trigger After a Racist Attack
1:21:36 – Job Loss After Seeking Mental Health Help
1:23:53 – Divorce & Rock Bottom
1:26:36 – Starting the Healing Journey
1:28:49 – Remarriage & Rebuilding Family Bonds
1:31:20 – Legacy, Redemption & Serving Others
#military #warstories #urbanvalor #usmarines #marineveteran
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