Episode description

In this episode of, we delve into the gripping journey of David Hopkins, a former Marine Corps Infantryman who enlisted on a five-year contract to escape his turbulent past. On a kinetic Afghanistan deployment with 3rd Battalion 5th Marines, David faced the horrors of combat just three weeks into his deployment when he stepped on an IED. But David's story doesn't end on the battlefield. Despite his intense experiences, he refused to let his dreams crumble in the dust. Through sheer determination and the support of programs like the GI Bill, VR&E, and VA Disability, David embarked on a grueling eight-year mission to carve out a new path for himself. Tune in as David shares his remarkable journey from the frontlines of war to the halls of academia, where he pursued a degree in Mechanical Engineering against all odds. His story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the unwavering resolve to persevere, no matter the obstacles. David shared the following video taken during Afghanistan deployment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wObO3xb_OdQ