Show notes
This week on Urban Valor, we hear the extraordinary story of Army Staff Sergeant Robert Ham—a combat videographer whose job was to document war through the lens. Serving from 2007 to 2017, Robert captured footage most Americans will never see—graphic, haunting, and real. But it wasn’t until he reviewed the footage later that the emotional weight truly hit him.In this week's episode of Urban Valor, Robert shares the reality of filming dying Afghans, surviving mortar attacks, and embedding with combat units across Afghanistan. He opens up about the toll that job took on his mental health and what happened after he came home. Despite enrolling at USC’s top-ranked film school, he struggled with depression, identity loss, and nearly took his own life.Now a filmmaker dedicated to preserving the stories of those who served, Robert is the creator behind Interpreters Wanted and Searching for Bergdahl. His story is one of service, trauma, survival, and healing.🔗 Watch Robert’s documentaries: https://www.hammrproductions.com📺 Watch “Interpreters Wanted” on VeteranTV.comUrban Valor is a platform that honors veterans through real stories, experiences, and lasting legacies.👍 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 Filming Life and Death in Afghanistan00:28 Meet Robert Ham – Army Combat Videographer03:00 Growing Up with Artist Parents05:01 Witnessing 9/11 and a Shift Toward Service06:58 Joining the Army and Becoming Combat Camera08:59 Shocking Experiences in Basic Training10:45 Saving a Fellow Soldier on the Firing Range12:52 Discovering Hidden Talents in Fellow Recruits14:06 First Deployment with the 25th Infantry Brigade16:00 Winning Trust Through Film18:30 Why Combat Camera Was Essential21:00 Missions, Combat, and Creating PG-13 War Films24:00 Missing His Son’s First Year for Deployment26:00 The Confusion of the Afghanistan War Mission28:44 First Outside-the-Wire Mission: EOD Team30:50 Earning His Place with the Infantry34:00 Behind the Camera During Chaos and Combat35:54 CIA's Deadliest Day – Dec 30, 200940:00 The Cost of War and Raw Storytelling42:01 July 4th Base Attack – Telling the Story45:00 Searching for Bergdahl Documentary48:00 Remembering the Fallen – Patrick Devoe & Others51:00 Afghan Interpreters and Their Sacrifice54:00 What It Took to Leave Afghanistan57:00 Transitioning to Civilian Life After Service60:00 Getting into USC Film School on the GI Bill63:00 Why Telling Veteran Stories Matters65:00 His Grandmother Survived Genocide – Now He Tells Stories67:00 Robert’s Films and Work with the VA69:30 A Final Message to Veterans#military #warstories #urbanvalor #usarmy #warstories