About this episode
Army Chaplain Nimrod Alcala opens up about the hidden war that no one talks about—what it’s like carrying the emotional trauma of soldiers... until it breaks you. In this Urban Valor episode, Nimrod reveals the unbearable emotional toll of his service—not on the battlefield, but behind closed doors. As a U.S. Army Chaplain, he became the safe place for soldiers fighting silent battles—suicidal thoughts, trauma, PTSD, and moral injury. But what happens when the helper needs help? From getting fired at Walmart to facing false embezzlement charges, Nimrod’s journey to the Army was anything but typical. But a deeper calling led him to chaplaincy, where he became the last line of emotional defense for soldiers on the brink. This is a story of loss, burnout, purpose, and redemption. If you’ve ever wondered what truly happens inside the mind of a military chaplain—or what it's like to lead a memorial service for someone you couldn’t save—this is the video you need to watch. 🙏 Like, comment, and share with someone who needs to hear this. Video Chapters: 00:00 – The Hidden Pain of a Chaplain 01:05 – Fired, Lost & Recruited: Nimrod’s Unexpected Start 06:30 – Saying Goodbye to Family for Basic Training 10:00 – How Faith Sparked a New Calling 13:00 – Returning Home a Different Man 16:30 – A False Arrest That Nearly Ruined Everything 20:00 – Becoming a Chaplain: The Road Less Traveled 23:00 – First Counseling: A Triggering SHARP Confession 28:00 – When Burnout Breaks You 32:00 – Inside a Military Suicide Memorial 37:00 – The Murder That Shattered a Unit 39:00 – Losing a Friend You Could Have Helped 45:00 – The Cost of Trying to Save Everyone 50:00 – Therapy, Stigma, and the Fight to Keep Going 57:00 – Rebuilding Marriage and Fatherhood 1:02:00 – Finding Mentorship in Korea 1:10:00 – Hospital Chaplaincy & Civilian Trauma 1:13:00 – Final Words to Veterans and Soldiers in Pain #military #warstories #urbanvalor #marines #warstories #elchapo #federalcorruption