Why Veterans Create Their “Second War at Home” | Juan Perez | The Bunkhouse #18
(Above the fold: first two lines)
A Marine Scout Sniper turned Chicago cop explains why veterans chase chaos after service, and what finally helped him stop. Juan Perez shares his story with honesty, including 15 years of survivor’s guilt.
Juan Perez grew up in Chicago, enlisted in the Marines, deployed to Afghanistan in 2010, and served as a Scout Sniper. After the Corps, he worked as a police officer for ten years, and in many ways it felt “too seamless.” In this episode, he and Jon talk about the identity trap, the pull of chaos, and the people and practices that helped them find their way back.
If this one hits home, share it with a veteran who needs to hear it.
CHAPTERS
0:00 Welcome and intro
0:15 Juan’s story: from Chicago to the Marines
5:12 Infantry, Afghanistan, and the Scout Sniper platoon
8:08 “It should have been me”: 15 years of survivor’s guilt
14:12 Transition: “a playbook of mistakes”
18:45 Jon’s burnout and isolation
25:37 From the Marines to the police department
30:33 “If you make what you do your identity...”
35:58 Fear of failure and getting comfortable with discomfort
39:02 The military raises you, but doesn’t teach adulthood
48:21 What taking care of yourself looks like now
55:02 What Juan would tell his younger self
59:50 Jon’s return to faith
1:06:06 Advice for anyone who needs hope
1:13:04 “Let guilt be your guide”
1:18:50 What Juan is building now
1:24:13 Closing
If you or someone you know is struggling: The Veterans Crisis Line is free and available 24/7. Dial 988 then press 1, text 838255, or chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net.
JUAN PEREZ
IG: @juan_perez_peace
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