She came to America at five. She became a Marine. What happened next will stay with you.
This week on Urban Valor, we dive into the story of Gunnery Sergeant Kimmy Lamano, a Filipino-American immigrant who rose through the ranks of the U.S. Marine Corps while carrying the weight of trauma, silence, and survival.
From growing up in Manila and Hawaii, to surviving a convoy explosion in Afghanistan while teaching Afghan children, Kimmy’s journey is one of grit, honor, and post-service healing. For 18 years, she served her country in combat zones, humanitarian crises, and as a trailblazing female Drill Instructor.
But it wasn’t just the battlefield she had to fight on. It was the return home, the invisible wounds, and the struggle to find purpose beyond the uniform.
💥 Hear how an undocumented TBI and PTSD nearly took her down — and how she came back to serve again, this time through her nonprofit Fidelis Outreach, helping veterans and communities around the world.
🎙️ This is more than a Marine Corps story. It’s the story of an immigrant who became a leader, a survivor, and a voice for others who suffer in silence.
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Video chapters:
00:00 – Surviving a Convoy Blast in Afghanistan
01:19 – From Manila to the Marine Corps
02:52 – Early Struggles & Learning English
05:29 – Life with Her Marine Stepdad
06:13 – Decision to Join the Marines
09:01 – Brutal First Days of Bootcamp
12:53 – Injury, Rehab & Staying the Course
17:42 – First Deployment: Hurricane Katrina
23:06 – Evacuating Beirut, 2006
26:49 – Becoming a Resilient Leader
30:45 – Combat Deployments & FOB Life
34:42 – Teaching Afghan Kids on Deployment
38:30 – The Blast That Changed Everything
43:39 – Lingering Effects of TBI & PTSD
45:51 – Fulfilling Her Dream: Drill Instructor
49:32 – Transforming Recruits Through Training
53:18 – Behind the Scenes at Parris Island
56:28 – Wrapping Up Her Military Career
59:42 – Civilian Transition & Mental Health
1:04:10 – Founding Fidelis Outreach
1:05:43 – Giving Back Around the World
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