Escaping Mexican Mafia Hit List to Fighting Taliban in Afghanistan

Decorated Army officer turned warrior‑advocate Rudy De La Rosa opens up like never before: marked for death by the Mexican Mafia as a teenager, pulled into gang violence, homeless, and staring down his own destruction—before trading bullets for a uniform and fighting for something bigger than himself. In this Urban Valor Podcast episode, we dig into generational trauma, gang warfare in East LA & the 605 freeway corridor, the “green‑light” hit list, then military service in the U.S. Army, combat in Afghanistan, lifting the weight off his family’s legacy, and rewriting his story. 👍 Like this video to support and show appreciation. 🗣️ 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 tell their stories 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: 00:00 – 00:19 | Knife from the Kitchen: Childhood Horror 00:19 – 00:53 | “We’re Going to War”: Realizing Violence at Home 00:53 – 01:28 | Origins: Santa Monica to Whittier, Early Life 01:28 – 03:08 | Generational Trauma: Grandfather in WWII, Father in Vietnam 03:08 – 06:52 | War‑Scars Passed Down: Navy, PTSD & Family Violence 06:52 – 09:13 | A Father’s Advice: “If You Don’t Go to War You’re Not a Man” 09:13 – 12:49 | Teenage Years: Gang Culture, Identity Crisis & Survival 12:49 – 16:17 | The Neighborhood, Vultures of Divorce & Facing Harsh Reality 16:17 – 19:36 | High School Years: Gang Affiliation, “Green Light” Hit List 19:36 – 24:16 | Targeted, Stalked, Almost Killed: The Green Light Turns Real 24:16 – 27:15 | Homelessness, Dropping Out & the Turning Point 27:15 – 30:23 | Joining the Army: From Gang Life to Uniform 30:23 – 36:04 | Military Career Begins: MP to Officer Candidate School 36:04 – 43:12 | Combat Tour & Afghanistan: Facing War on a Global Stage 43:12 – 47:42 | Leadership, Family Sacrifice & Choosing What Matters 47:42 – 54:06 | 9/11 Moment: From Barracks to Battle 54:06 – 58:59 | Deployment Realities & Mission Focus 58:59 – 1:04:30 | The Policy Fight: Military Kids, Mental Health & Advocacy 1:04:30 – 1:10:52 | Homecoming, Reflection & The Afghan Exit 1:10:52 – 1:16:06 | Career End, Civilian Life & Legacy 1:16:06 – 1:24:26 | From Soldier to Advocate: Changing the System 1:24:26 – End | Final Thoughts: Purpose, Service & True North #military #warstories #urbanvalor #usarmy #warstories