In this powerful episode of the Rebel Vets Podcast, host Derek sits down with his oldest friend, Marine Corps veteran and Iraq War veteran Tyler Speck, for an unforgettable conversation about service, sacrifice, and life after combat.

Tyler shares his journey from growing up with a deep-rooted family legacy of military service to the life-altering moment he witnessed 9/11 unfold as a college student. Inspired to serve, Tyler joined the Marine Corps infantry, deployed to Iraq, and took part in the legendary push into Baghdad—including clearing Saddam Hussein’s palaces and living through grueling conditions like spending six weeks in full MOPP gear.

With raw honesty and dark humor, Tyler recounts wild moments from the battlefield—including being attacked by a bat in Babylon and getting caught on an ammo crate during a Scud missile attack.

After the Marines, Tyler pursued a fire science degree and became a firefighter in Colorado, determined to serve his community in a new way—by saving lives instead of taking them. He opens up about the challenges of transitioning to civilian life, the burden of trauma, and how having a clear purpose helped him rebuild.

In this episode of Rebel Vets, host Derek sits down with Dr. Fred Hogan, a Navy veteran and Desert Storm participant, for an engaging and candid conversation. Dr. Hogan shares his journey from a small town in Georgia to joining the Navy at just 17 years old. He recounts his experiences as an aviation machinist mate, including intense deployments aboard the USS Fife during Operation Desert Storm and the challenges of ship life, such as constant rotations and limited family communication. Hogan also opens up about the moment he realized he needed to pivot, which led him to pursue higher education while still in the Navy. After earning a his Bachelors Degree in Business Administration, he transitioned to civilian life, motivated by a desire to be more present for his daughter. Dr. Hogan experienced the boom and bust of the Dot-com Era that led him into a career with the Social Security Administration. During that time he entered into the PhD program with Southeastern University and completed his PhD in Education.

In this episode of Rebel Vets, host Derek speaks with Rayshawn Williams, a Marine Corps veteran and Las Vegas native who served during the initial invasion of Iraq. Rayshawn shares his powerful story of joining the military through the Delayed Entry Program, deploying twice to Iraq, and the struggles he faced after leaving the service. He opens up about battling addiction, experiencing incarceration, and overcoming personal setbacks. Through resilience and the support of VA education benefits, Rayshawn turned his life around—earning multiple degrees, including in criminal justice and social work, and now works as an academic coordinator at UNLV’s Sullivan Center. He’s currently pursuing an MBA in Healthcare Leadership with plans for a Doctor of Social Work degree. Rayshawn's story is a compelling journey of redemption, education, and dedication to helping others facing similar struggles. His experience is a testament to the strength and potential of veterans finding new purpose through higher education.