Urban Christian Veterans

“Should everyone have to do a stint in the military?” sounds like a simple yes-or-no question until you start naming what you really want society to produce: disciplined adults, resilient kids, stronger communities, and citizens who understand the cost of freedom beyond slogans. We start with strong pro-mandate arguments, including the idea that a required term of service would make sacrifice tang...

Unity is one of those words everybody loves until you ask what it actually costs. We start with a blunt question: is unity in the Black community even possible today, especially when so many of us feel there’s no trusted leader to galvanize people the way Malcolm X and Dr. King once did? From a Christian veteran's perspective, we talk about why “famous” doesn’t equal “chosen,” how token repre...

A kid looks you in the eye and says he is only in school to eat. That single sentence forces a different kind of leadership, the kind that starts with survival and still refuses to give up on purpose. We sit down as Urban Christian Veterans and ask a question that can make people uncomfortable: do older Black veterans have a real obligation to advise younger generations, or is it simply a personal...

The news feels louder than ever, but some of the most important questions are still quiet: Who benefits when we stay distracted, divided, and afraid? I sit down with Reggie Adams and Greg Henry for a wide-ranging, honest conversation that only Christian veterans of color can really deliver, moving from war headlines to personal calling without losing the thread of what real life looks like on the...

The Epstein files force a question most of the country keeps dodging: if crimes were committed and victims have spoken, why does accountability move like it’s trapped in slow motion. We sit with that discomfort and follow it where it leads, including the unpopular idea that the people with the most to lose may exist on every side of the political aisle and far beyond politics. When power is the co...

Orders come down fast, but the emotions hit faster. We’re back with Retired 1st Sgt. Reginald Adams for an unfiltered talk about what service members and their families carry when a deployment is looming, and the purpose feels hazy. Reginald pulls from his time as a first sergeant to explain the headspace troops live in: anxiety, faith, responsibility, and the quiet mental math of “what if I don’t...

A veteran’s cadence meets a TEDx stage, and the message lands with force. We sit down with Sgt. Roy to unpack a provocative thesis: our culture is being coached into division, confusion, and emotionalism, while the antidote is older and tougher, consisting of truth, discipline, and connection. From the barracks at Fort Jackson to the bright lights of a university TEDx, Roy shares how a clear messa...

A shy soldier who never wanted the Army. A first-day love that turned into three decades of marriage. A devastating loss that changed how she sees medicine, paperwork, and the quiet ways systems fail people. Jennifer Harris sits down with us to share a candid, moving journey through service, grief, perseverance, and the kind of faith that refuses to give up. We start with training at Fort Leonard...

What if the safest seat isn’t behind a wall but at a table set in full view of your enemies? Dr. Dennis A. Rose Jr. walks through Psalm 23:5 with a soldier’s memory from Desert Storm and a fresh word study that changes how we see preparation, presence, and power. The picture isn’t retreat; it’s a royal meal where God orders specific provision on a king’s table while opposition can do nothing but w...

A veteran’s origin story rarely starts where you expect. Ours opens with Gomer Pyle, a folded flag at a funeral, and a seventeen-year-old who thought honor was simple—until basic training taught him what that flag really costs. From there, we ride with a retired Black first sergeant through three decades of infantry life, where discipline arrives early, identity gets tested often, and promotions c...

A powerful conversation unfolds as Gregory Henry joins D Allen Rose to explore the complex terrain of military moral injury — that profound emotional wound that occurs when service members face actions contradicting their deepest moral beliefs. Drawing from their Desert Storm experiences, they share raw memories that still resonate decades later: close calls with enemy combatants, witnessing civil...

Join the conversation with Sergeant Major Roy Lewis, a US Army veteran with a riveting 36-year legacy, as he traverses the poignant realities of military life, its effect on home, and the wisdom gained along his impressive journey. With an infectious blend of humor and profundity, Roy guides us through his transformation from a music and theater aficionado to a life of service, sharing potent less...

As the sun sets on battlefields, the hearts and minds of those who've served often linger in a space where faith and duty collide. Air Force veteran Leola McNeill, alongside other brave service members, opens up about the spiritual odyssey they've embarked on through their time in combat. From the internal tug-of-war between military values and religious beliefs to the profound moments w...

Facing the uncharted waters of prostate cancer treatment, I take you through the ebbs and flows of my journey with radiation therapy on the Urban Christian Veterans Podcast. Imagine the rigorous precision of preparing for each session, where even the state of your bladder and bowels plays a critical role. I walk you through the nerve-racking simulation, the hum of the dual-purpose PET scan and rad...

Sitting across from retired First Sergeant Reginald Adams, I couldn't help but feel the weight of his 27 years of service, a testament to the discipline and resilience he carried throughout his military career. Our conversation, rich with personal stories and laughter, takes you on a journey through Reginald's life—highlighting how his steadfast faith was both his armor and compass. From...

In this profoundly personal and enlightening episode of our podcast, Dennis Rose, a courageous US Army Desert Storm veteran, opens up about his ongoing battle against prostate cancer. Following up on our last episode, where Dennis discussed his biopsy experience, today, he takes us through the preparatory steps leading up to his first radiation treatment. This includes undergoing a PET Scan, MRI,...

In this powerful episode of "Urban Christian Veterans," we dive into the heart and soul of D. Allen Rose, a proud US Army, Desert Storm veteran, as he opens up about his formidable battle with prostate cancer. From the daunting diagnosis to the gritty details of his biopsy experience, Dennis shares his story with raw honesty, illuminated by his unwavering faith and the incredible support...

In this introductory episode, US Army - Desert Storm Veteran D. Allen Rose opens up about events that led up to him receiving his #ProstateCancer diagnosis. Tune in to this unforgettable episode of "Battlefields to Battling Cancer: D. Allen's Story" and be moved by the power of resilience and the human spirit's capacity to face life's most significant challenges head-on. #...

In this episode, we have a discussion with Army Veteran Sonia Vaird and Army Veteran and Accredited Claims Agent Anthony Burton. The topic of discussion is "The Challenges that Veterans of Color Face in Society". As part of the discussion, issues were discussed such as the Taboo associated with mental health challenges, discrimination through dissemination, and general challenges with fi...

US Army Gulf War Veteran and VA Accredited Claims Agent Anthony Burton shares his thoughts about why he joined the military and his experience with the Veterans Administration that motivated him to pursue his VA Claims Accreditation.

In this episode, US Marine Corps Veteran Darris Rollins shares his views on politics and the current political landscape on both the local and national levels. Darris also speaks about advice he would give to young people who may be seeking guidance regarding next steps in their spiritual journeys.

In this episode, Army Officer Taddeus McNeal talks about what it was like to transition from the Marine Corps to the Army. He also discusses some of the obstacles he has faced as an Officer of Color in today's military. Finally, he shares his thoughts on the issue of gun violence in America.

In this episode, I had the great opportunity to interview a gentleman I met in 1989 at the Army Signal Training Corps while attending AIT (Advanced Individual Training). US Army, Desert Storm Veteran - Gregory Henry shares valuable lessons he learned while in the military, that helped him to both overcome difficult situations he face in life, and equip his sons with the necessary tools to be succe...

In this episode, US Army - Signal Corps Veteran Neil Hill (My Squad Leader in Basic Training) shares the methods he uses to remain calm in stressful situations and when dealing with difficult people. Neil also gives us a glimpse of what it was like to deal with racism while working his first job after completing his military service. 

In this episode, US Army Veteran Sonia Vaird shares how her military experience prepared her for how society would treat her as an Urban Christian Veteran. She also shares a story of how she was treated as a woman of color holding a leadership position in a male dominated environment. Lastly, she shares some great advice and wise words for veterans out there that may be experiencing difficulty in...