Shows
Rebel Vets PodcastTyler Speck, USMC Veteran, Lt. Greeley Fire DepartmentIn 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...
2025-07-1128 min
Rebel Vets PodcastDr. Fred Hogan, US Navy Veteran, Author of Generations Lost 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 e...
2025-07-0940 min
Rebel Vets PodcastRayshawn Williams, USMC Veteran, UNLV Alumnus, Adult Academic Coordinator 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 UNL...
2025-06-2423 min
Rebel Vets PodcastLeeroy Hudson, USAF Veteran, President, UNLV Rebel Vets In this episode of Rebel Vets, host Derek welcomes Leroy Hudson, an Air Force veteran and current graduate student at UNLV studying social work. Leroy shares his journey from a sports-driven youth in Ohio to joining the military for structure and purpose following 9/11. Initially hoping to be a firefighter, Leroy ended up in security forces and later transitioned into a K-9 handler role. He discusses the challenges and rewards of working with military dogs, including intense training, building trust with aggressive dogs, and a harrowing experience where one of his K-9 partners turned on him. Despite the physical scars, L...
2025-06-2030 min
Rebel Vets PodcastJeff Detrick, US Army Veteran, Director, Adult Education Services at UNLVIn this episode of the Rebel Vets Podcast, host Derek sits down with Jeff Dietrich, an Army veteran, UNLV alumnus, and former president of Rebel Vets. Jeff shares his journey from growing up as a military brat with both parents in the Army to joining the service himself in 1999. He recounts his father’s advice to follow his own path, his early years working construction, and the moment he decided to enlist. Jeff reflects on the shift in military culture post-9/11, his time in training commands, and eventually deploying to Iraq as a senior medic for a scout company. He...
2025-06-1733 min
Rebel Vets PodcastEric Herman, USAF Veteran, UNLV alumnus, Rebel Vets SecretaryIn this episode of the Rebel Vets podcast Derek sits down with Air Force Veteran Eric Herman. Eric shares his journey from life as a military brat from Georgia to his enlistment into the Air Force at the suggestion of his father. Eric was trained as a Aircraft Armament Technician and was responsible for loading munitions onto aircraft. Eric's military career took him all over the world but he developed a love for Germany during his time there. Eric found that he had a love for solving technical problems during his time in the Air Force, and this led him...
2025-06-1729 min
Rebel Vets PodcastRandy Ogozalek, USAF Veteran, Former Crew Chief In this episode of the Rebel Vets Podcast, host Derek sits down with his longtime friend Randy, a newly retired Air Force veteran. Randy shares his journey from growing up in Hazlett, New Jersey, to enlisting in the Air Force in 2001, just before 9/11. Originally drawn by a desire to travel and work with his hands, Randy's career took him across the globe—from Okinawa and South Korea to Italy and England. He reflects on learning aircraft maintenance, embracing life abroad, meeting his wife, and adapting to various assignments. The two discuss the challenges of his final post in Mountain Hom...
2025-06-1228 min
Rebel Vets PodcastBecca Watt, US Coast Guard Veteran, UNLV undergrad, Psychology MajorIn this episode of the Rebel Vets Podcast, host Derek sits down with Becca Watt, a psychology student at UNLV and a U.S. Coast Guard veteran. They reminisce about their first meeting in Journalism 107—where an unusual coincidence involving two redheaded Becca's sparked a lasting connection—and dive into Becca’s unexpected path into military service.Originally hesitant about the military lifestyle, Becca shares how a well-timed suggestion from her dad and a persuasive Coast Guard recruiter changed everything. She walks us through the highlights of her three-year service: from grueling boot camp inspired by both the Ma...
2025-06-1125 min
Rebel Vets PodcastDwayne Gordon, Associate Director for Veterans Outreach at UNLV In this episode of the UNLV Rebel Veterans Podcast, we sit down with Dwayne Gordon, an inspiring U.S. Air Force veteran and Associate Director for Veterans Outreach at UNLV. Dwayne opens up about his time in the Air Force, the challenges faced by Veterans as they navigate the challenges of college here at UNLV. We dive into the power of veteran camaraderie on campus, the importance of asking for help, and the role of campus resources like the Military & Veteran Services Center. Whether you're a veteran, student, or ally, this episode offers real insight, encouragement, and practical advice fo...
2025-06-0924 min
Rebel Vets PodcastRoss Bryant, Executive Director of UNLV Military & Veterans Service CenterIn the debut episode of the Rebel Vets Podcast, host Derek sits down with Ross Bryant, Executive Director of UNLV’s Military and Veteran Services Center and a decorated Army veteran. Ross shares his journey from tank driver in Cold War-era Germany to ROTC Commander at UNLV on the morning of 9/11, and eventually to his leadership role serving thousands of student veterans.Through powerful stories—like handing out Coca-Colas to East Germans as the Berlin Wall fell and mentoring cadets who would later serve in combat—Ross reflects on service, loss, leadership, and building one of the nation...
2025-06-0330 min
Veteran's Affairs Plus W/ David L. WashingtonHonoring Women in Fire Service, Veteran Transitions, and EMT Opportunities: Dave Washington with Chief Mack Travis & Derek TurpenDave Washington hosts "Veterans Affairs Plus" on 91.5 Jazz and More, where he acknowledges Women's History Month and honors trailblazing women in the fire service. He shares personal updates, including a prayer session for his cancer recovery and the resignation of UNLV President Heath Whitfield. Guest Derek Turpen, a post-9/11 veteran, discusses his transition to UNLV, pursuing a double major in Communication Studies and Journalism. Chief Mack Travis from Clark County Fire Department talks about the department's community engagement, the importance of EMT certification, and the new EMT Academy funded by the Recovery Act. The program also highlights the department's...
2025-03-0829 min