Show notes
Retired Royal Marine Commando Lee West joins us on Urban Valor to recount the moments when he was nearly kidnapped by Al Qaeda at a checkpoint in Baghdad. Lee served from 2003 to 2020, rising to the rank of Color Sergeant, and brings a firsthand account of frontline combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. During his second deployment to Afghanistan, Lee was ambushed and blown off his feet by a massive IED blast. His story includes undercover work in the Calais migrant camps while still on active duty, revealing shocking flaws in UK border security.Watch as Lee opens up about brotherhood, trauma, and the sacrifices soldiers make—both on and off the battlefield.👍 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.Video Chapters: 00:00 - Ambushed on Patrol04:09 - Growing Up in Swansea07:21 - Early Interest in the Military10:59 - Choosing the Royal Marines14:15 - Passing Commando Selection18:15 - Brutality of Marine Training21:30 - Lessons from Early Marine Life28:25 - Graduation Day & First Posting35:12 - Surviving Arctic Warfare Training38:24 - Deployment to Iraq Begins42:21 - Forming a New Special Forces Unit46:02 - First Missions in Baghdad50:04 - Friendly Fire & Chaos of War53:26 - The Reality of Combat Loss57:24 - Nighttime Snatch Attempt by Al Qaeda1:00:42 - Saved by a US Convoy1:07:37 - Hostage Rescue Training1:11:54 - Helmand Surge Deployment1:15:27 - On the Ground in Afghanistan1:23:02 - “Fix Bayonets” in Live Combat1:26:23 - Jungle Warfare Instructor Course in Brunei1:30:39 - Blown Up by IED in Yak Chal1:34:15 - Continuing the Mission Despite Trauma1:38:17 - Final Stand in the Village of Fad1:46:11 - Training Replacements for Afghanistan1:49:49 - Medical Discharge and the Fallout1:57:45 - Losing Purpose After Leaving Service2:05:54 - Struggles with Alcohol & Isolation2:09:22 - Why Simplicity in Combat is Missed2:13:33 - PTSD vs. Lack of Purpose2:16:51 - Undercover as a Homeless Veteran2:20:45 - Smuggling Into the UK as a Migrant2:24:12 - Rebuilding Life & Staying Sober#military #warstories #urbanvalor #royalmarinecommando #royalmarines