This Army Officer’s Green Beret Father Did the Unthinkable to Her!
4/27/20261 hr 53 min
In today's Urban Valor Podcast, a former U.S. Army Captain opens up about the dark truth about military life, what it’s really like being a woman in the Army, and the experiences no one talks about.
From growing up in a chaotic and abusive environment to navigating misogyny, harassment, and leadership challenges in the military, this story exposes the reality behind the uniform.
She shares her journey through:
- The reality of being a female infantry officer
- Toxic leadership and military culture issues
- Personal trauma and overcoming adversity
- What actually happens behind the scenes in the Army
- How she rebuilt her life through discipline and resilience
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Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsJosh· Host0:00
Hey everyone, this is Josh, host of the Urban Valor podcast. This week's episode features former Army infantry officer Riley Gruppo. Riley didn't grow up in a normal household. Violence, alcohol, and instability were part of everyday life. Arguments didn't just end in yelling, they escalated. At times, firearms were involved in the home. The person she looked up to the most was her father, a Green Beret. To her, he represented strength, discipline, and everything the military stood for. But as she got older, that image started to break. What she experienced at home forced her to grow up fast, something no teenager should ever have to endure. Despite all of it, Riley chose to follow a similar path. She joined the United States Army, became an officer, and entered the infantry, stepping into one of the most demanding roles in the military, and doing it as part of the early generation of women moving into combat arms. That came with its own challenges, proving herself, earning respect, and navigating leadership in an environment that hadn't been built for her. If you enjoy this episode, go give us a five-star rating and leave a comment to help support our veterans. The bigger the community, the bigger the impact. If you'd like to contribute your story to Urban Valor and know anyone else who may, you can email me at josh@urbanvalor.com. Enjoy the show.
Riley Gruppo· Guest1:13
Hi, I'm Riley Gruppo. I served in the Army from 2016 to 2024, and I was a captain or an O3 when I got out. I am from mostly Texas. I am an Army brat, generations