In 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 ...
Jul 11, 2025•28 min•Ep. 10
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 a...
Jul 09, 2025•40 min•Ep. 9
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, ...
Jun 24, 2025•23 min•Ep. 8
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...
Jun 20, 2025•30 min•Ep. 7
In 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, ...
Jun 17, 2025•34 min•Ep. 6
In 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 ...
Jun 17, 2025•30 min•Ep. 5
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 ...
Jun 12, 2025•29 min•Ep. 4
In 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 chan...
Jun 10, 2025•25 min•Ep. 3
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'r...
Jun 09, 2025•25 min•Ep. 2
In 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...
Jun 03, 2025•31 min•Ep. 1
