This week on Urban Valor, we sit down with Herb Thompson — the only U.S. Army Soldier to ever earn both the Green Beret and Drill Sergeant of the Year honors.

Herb shares war stories from his time in Afghanistan, what it takes to survive Special Forces selection, and how the very Army that built him later tried to tear his career apart from within.

For 21 years, Herb led from the front...on the battlefield and in the barracks. But it wasn’t combat that almost broke him. It was the fight to defend his name when false accusations and internal politics put everything on the line.

This is the story of a Green Beret who gave everything… and then had to fight harder than ever to protect what he built.

👍 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.

Chapters: 
00:00 – Ticks, War, and Dark Humor in Special Forces
00:38 – Afghanistan Ambush: “I Didn’t Think I Was Coming Home”
01:41 – Growing Up Poor & Joining the Army
05:53 – Discovering the Green Beret Dream
08:31 – Basic Training Chaos & Reality Check
12:20 – First Duty Station: Hawaii
18:54 – 9/11 and the Turning Point
23:57 – Becoming a Drill Sergeant
34:07 – Winning Army Drill Sergeant of the Year
36:31 – Special Forces Selection (SFAS)
45:06 – Green Beret Training Stories
48:17 – First Combat Missions with Afghan Commandos
53:19 – Gunfights, Ambushes, and Leadership Under Fire
59:07 – Losing Teammates & Brotherhood
1:02:50 – Facing Death, Nightmares, and Fear
1:06:07 – Transitioning Out of the Military
1:11:48 – PTSD, Anger, and Hitting Rock Bottom
1:15:54 – Purpose After War & Liberty Speaks

#military #warstories #urbanvalor #usarmy  #warstories