About this episode
On today's episode of Urban Valor, we feature retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant Ryan Kuperus, whose story takes us from the dairy farms of Newark, New York, to the intense battlefields of Afghanistan. Inspired by his grandfather, a Korean War veteran, Ryan chose to serve his country as a Marine, using the work ethic instilled in him since childhood. Ryan details his experiences as a Reconnaissance Marine in Afghanistan. The relentless combat his recon platoon faced gives you a glimpse into the realities of modern warfare. Ryan brings to life the challenges, dangers, and split-second decisions that define combat operations. The episode explores Ryan's progression to Force Reconnaissance and his role as an instructor, where he helped shape some of America's most elite warriors. It then explores his transition out of military service, a journey familiar to many veterans. He shares his current efforts to serve the veteran community, showing the ongoing commitment many former service members have to their fellow warriors! Tune in for a powerful exploration of sacrifice, skill, and the spirit of service that defines many of our nation's veterans. 👍 Remember to LIKE this video if you found it informative, enjoyable, or just to show your support to Ryan and/or us at Urban Valor. 🗣️ 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 take the share and tell their story, 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. Video Chapters: 00:35 Early Life 04:22 Boot Camp 09:32 Hitting the Fleet 19:18 9/11 Attacks 20:33 First Deployment 22:28 Invading Iraq 29:53 On to Okinawa 32:08 Break In Service 39:07 Road Bump 44:19 Back on the Ground 55:49 Power of the Javelin 1:07:49 Close to Home 2:08:38 Training Commandos 2:10:51 Turn & Burn 2:21:00 Hostage Rescue 2:26:48 The Ball 2:39:25 Red Lights 2:53:15 Becoming an Instructor 2:56:12 Court Marshall #military #urbanvalor #warstories #martines #marineveteran