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.