Our guest today is Richard Diaz, an Army veteran and San Antonio Platoon Leader. Richard's journey is a powerful reminder that the battles we face don't stop once we've taken off the uniform. Growing up in San Antonio, Texas, Richard found himself getting into a lot of trouble. This led to him enlisting in the Army as an Apache helicopter crew chief. Transitioning back to civilian life was not easy for Richard.

Like many veterans, he grappled with the challenges of adjusting to civilian life. Through resilience and the pursuit of healing, Richard found his way back. Now, he's committed to serving his fellow veterans as a beacon of hope and a guiding light on their path to recovery as a master healer, and platoon leader with the San Antonio Platoon of The Mission Continues.

This episode was produced in honor of National Mental Health Awareness Month and discusses sensitive topics related to mental health​.

This episode is just the beginning of Richard's incredible journey. Stay tuned for part two.

We’re on a mission to connect veterans with under-resourced communities. Our programs deploy veteran volunteers to work alongside nonprofit partners and community leaders to improve educational resources, tackle food insecurity, foster neighborhood identity, and more. The Mission Continues’ vision is for all veterans with a desire to continue their service to be part of a movement to transform communities.

On this week's episode of the Boots on the Ground Podcast we explore the inspiring journey of Lester Lumbad, the Las Vegas Platoon Leader for The Mission Continues and founder of the Southern Nevada Chamber of Commerce. Lester's commitment to supporting veteran-owned businesses is deeply rooted in his military background and family legacy. Hailing from San Diego, Lester was inspired by his father, a retired Navy Master Chief who began his service during the Vietnam War era as part of a program for Filipinos to earn U.S. citizenship.

Lester's military career spanned seven years as an electronic warfare technician in the Air Force, with a significant role in intelligence at the Air and Space Intelligence Center at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Recognizing the challenges faced by veteran entrepreneurs, he founded the Southern Nevada Chamber of Commerce with a mission to simplify access to resources for veterans. His work serves as a testament to his dedication to his roots and the veteran community, striving to provide them with the visibility and support needed to thrive in both service and entrepreneurship.

We’re on a mission to connect veterans with under-resourced communities. Our programs deploy veteran volunteers to work alongside nonprofit partners and community leaders to improve educational resources, tackle food insecurity, foster neighborhood identity, and more. The Mission Continues’ vision is for all veterans with a desire to continue their service to be part of a movement to transform communities.

To celebrate over one year of The Boots on the Ground Podcast, The Mission Continues is looking back at some of the best moments from our most listened episodes.

Today, we look back at David Alvarado's interview with Mike Montiel.