This week’s Urban Valor episode features Rory Farrell, a retired Navy Special Operations Corpsman (2004-2024), who shares his journey through the military and beyond.
Growing up in Colchester, CT, Rory was deeply impacted by 9/11, which inspired him to enlist in the Navy. He pursued the Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsman pipeline, undergoing some of the most grueling training in military history to become a Special Ops Medic.
Throughout his career, Rory faced intense challenges, including a flashbang accident that nearly cost him his hand, and a shocking attempt by a superior officer to sabotage his career. However, one of his most extraordinary moments came when he rescued a mother and her child after a 110-ft tree crushed their car at Yosemite National Park. His quick thinking and elite medical training saved their lives, demonstrating the resilience, sacrifice, and heroism that define special operations forces.
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Video Chapters:
📌 01:15 - Growing Up in Colchester, CT & 9/11’s Impact
📌 02:45 - Enlisting in the Navy & Special Ops Training
📌 05:30 - Becoming a Special Operations Corpsman (Recon IDC)
📌 08:10 - Intense Military Training & Surviving Sleep Deprivation
📌 11:25 - Near-Fatal Flashbang Accident: Losing Part of His Hand
📌 15:40 - Career Sabotage Attempt by a Superior Officer
📌 20:50 - Deployments & Life-Saving Medical Interventions
📌 27:00 - Rescuing a Mom & Child After 110-ft Tree Crash
📌 33:15 - How Military Training Prepared Him for Real-Life Emergencies
📌 38:00 - The Importance of Veterans' Transition Planning
📌 42:30 - Lessons in Leadership & Overcoming Adversity
📌 47:00 - Final Reflections & Advice for Future Service Members
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