Army Special Forces Green Beret Medic Endures Multiple Brushes with Death

In this gripping episode of Urban Valor, we sit down with U.S. Army Green Beret and Special Forces Medic, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jacek “Jack” Waliszewski. A political refugee from Poland, Jack’s life was shaped by his father’s role in co-founding the Solidarity Movement, one of the most successful anti-communist revolutions in history.
Jack takes us deep into his world as a Green Beret, revealing the extreme trauma he faced in combat, the life-threatening situations he endured, and how these experiences impacted his mental health and family life. From war zones to near-death encounters, Jack opens up about the realities of serving in Special Forces and what it means to survive both on and off the battlefield.
💬 What’s your biggest takeaway from Jack’s story? Let us know in the comments!
👍 Like this video to support to show appreciation for Jack and/or Urban Valor.
🗣️ Comment your support or ask any questions. Sometimes, our interviewees respond, and we at Urban Valor will do our best to respond as well!
✅ SUBSCRIBE to support Urban Valor and the courageous Veterans who tell their stories AND so you NEVER miss a weekly episode of our veteran stories. New stories every Sunday!
Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.
Video Chapters:
04:27 - Family Legacy & Political Influence
08:14 - Loss of Faith & Personal Struggles
16:13 - Early Life, Adventures & Military Decision
24:04 - Surviving Combat & Military Training Challenges
40:11 - The Reality of Battlefield Medicine
47:08 - Witnessing Death & Emotional Toll
51:52 - Survivor’s Guilt & Lessons from War
55:45 - The Psychological Toll of Combat
1:00:02 - Near-Death Experiences & Escaping Fate
1:15:20 - Military Camaraderie & Brotherhood
1:31:28 - Balancing Family & Military Life
1:35:29 - Preparing for Another Mission
1:39:28 - Integrating Into Special Forces Teams
1:43:39 - Documenting War & The Retrograde Film
1:51:14 - The Complexities of War & Diplomacy
2:07:59 - PTSD & The Challenges of Coming Home
2:12:05 - Hitting Rock Bottom & Seeking Help
2:24:34 - The Healing Process & Moving Forward
2:33:27 - Accountability & Personal Growth
#military #urbanvalor #warstories #army #warstories #veteranpodcast

[@georgecoull1883]

This is one of the best episodes I've heard on this channel. Very good story, amazing human and I'll bet my balls his brothers love and value him immensely. Thanks for your service

[@everettlindell7230]

This is one of the best interviews on the channel to this date.

[@Pillroy]

This has to be the most impactful and fervent episode I’ve seen on this channel, my god

[@jetobey5656]

The humanity described here, is a lesson to all of us.

[@michaelsojka3265]

Watched from beginning to end. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for your story. Glad we have people like you in this world.

[@dougmay2957]

This gentleman has an amazing story! One of the main things that struck me is his willingness to be humble. An example is how he dealt with that nurse who didn’t understand that he was far more qualified at everything than she was. From one veteran to another, I salute you sir! Thank you for sharing your story!🫡

[@troyallen9344]

This man is an amazing storyteller, his ability to recount and tie in situations speaks to his passion and openness

[@rugerred8659]

Green berets have to be the toughest special operations unit, far behind enemy lines with no support and working with partner forces that can turn on you is not for the weak

[@ike890]

This is a helluva monologue, man. Thank you for your service & even more, thank you for your insight.

[@laocyum]

52:05 I feel his pain. Heart of gold

[@1Buckluck]

One Brave American Hero!!! Thank you Sir for protecting us!!!

[@teflonmusk11B]

Proud to say I served with 7th group and was medically retired as a 18C . I served 11years the majority with 10th mountain division but from my first deployment we worked with a ODA from 3SF and I knew I that was my goal go to SFAS and make it . When I first when to basic in 07 I didn’t make it through RIP due to a tibia stress fracture. DOL RLTW

[@burnttoaster6313]

Where you doing combat tours in South America or mainly in the Middle East?

[@MaxxStaxx]

this episode was one of the best for sure.

[@Bourbon101LRSD]

This guy was in the ODA that was featured in the documentary of the pullout from Afghanistan. RETROGRADE

[@williamgrant2289]

​@gregorya1780 Retrograde is the title, looks like it's on Hulu

[@laocyum]

​@@gregorya1780 RETROGRADE by National Geographic.

[@laocyum]

They made that very clear in the video, but thank you

[@janhorton5197]

Thank you Jack for sharing your story.

[@UrbanValorTV]

Thanks for listening

[@AssassinAgent]

Dude's a great story teller.

[@devrooffline]

badass, thankyou for being an amazing dude fighting for our country

[@G.Harley.Davidson]

Thanks for your story Chief. The SF guys were the absolute coolest in WOCS back when it was at Rucker. Sure your interview will help others faced with the trials of serving that you mentioned.

[@dadanger7581]

I agree, we had a few in my class back in 2007. Quite and humble warriors.

[@UrbanValorTV]

Thanks for listening

[@teetedm1]

Thanks for telling your story, Sir. I think the saddest part of the video is that we did - in fact - know who the “good guys” and the “bad guys” were amidst the tribal dynamics and all. They were lost in decades of shared drives and PowerPoint presentations stored gods know where after 20-something 02XX Intel types built them and briefed them a single time. As an Afghan vet (and analyst) myself, I felt your frustration in that moment

[@UrbanValorTV]

Thanks for sharing your perspective, appreciate you checking it out!

[@BlueWaterSTAX]

Thanks for your service Jack. Awesome channel 👍

[@UrbanValorTV]

Thanks 👍

[@jetobey5656]

The Army rejected me for a "medic" contract. T had already learned quite invasive medical care (Boy Scouts) and I had advanced far beyond that. But, they had the records relating to a severe low-back injury in high school. They insisted I could not carry a wounded comrade. All downhill from there..

[@drssbajwa7077]

Protect this man…

[@inquisitorvuln]

52:05 that silence was...very sad.

[@anaxis]

I got sent to 1/10th too, straight from AIT as a mechanic in '04; and was there for a couple months until PERSCOM decided they fucked up and I got sent to a torn-up transportation company in Mannheim instead. My career never recovered from that, but my short time at Panzer was highly educational and entertaining. Edit: this is one of the most excellent interviews, definitely going to check out the Nat Geo movie, never heard of it until now. Good job, algorithm lol.

[@tropicsm3584]

Great storytelling on this one . AATW

[@Unomaximus]

'Idk how he learned English so fast'...

[@angelawaliszewski4595]

That’s my dad😢😢😢

[@angelawaliszewski4595]

I have same last name and I’m Harrison Waliszewski

[@goatram1]

We all have closets that we must keep . Locked. We can visit them. Remember what we experienced when things happened in that closet. Feel our sorrow. We have to know when to leave that closet and lock the door behind as we leave it. Pain is Temporary, Agony is Forever, Live for today and tomorrow! Life must move on. God does test us, up to us to choose how we respond. Peace be with you Sir!

[@charleslennon1]

Well, some things never change... RIP E.D. Case 5th SF, James Lee 75th Rangers, and MSGT Charley L. Baker 25th Infantry.

[@zoenieuwenhuijs2029]

❤

[@uwillnevahno6837]

I've never heard the compartmentalization we all develop while serving described as a shield; however, I served between conflicts. Is the Marine that stepped on an IED that received over 200 units of blood still alive? I'd want to have a DNR for such a situation. Man it's hard listening to his account of "potato sack" a second time.

[@corydougherty850]

Does the AF not realize that an 18D pipeline is practically a battlefield surgeon?

[@Ripper-eu6wu]

Awesome video. Can you interview Steve Ortiz from Inglewood ca.

[@Juicejunkie409]

Absolutely love your story you are a one of a kind at the end of the day with the tribes in Afghanistan and even the Middle East there against each other, regardless no matter what same thing with the Indians back when America became America it’s in human nature to conquer what we’re trying to do now as men is to not have that happen and work together would be the key, but we can’t have people. what do you call it money hungry over the income that’s coming in for the people of the world if it comes to that point I’m pretty sure it would work out. Great if we all just work together and leave your egos at home and emotions and feelings and whatever else you wanna throw in that basket, just be a good individual treat people as you want to be treated at the end of it.

[@barryrush4435]

Holy shit that was interesting.

[@teflonmusk11B]

The amount of ads In this video is a disrespect to Jack. I would have loved to just sit back and listen but then I have a childish Chinese mobile game ad pop up every fucking 3 minutes. As much as I love the content I am so sick of KZbin 😡

[@louismccomack9524]

Get KZbin premium it comes with KZbin music as well

[@ENOCHSZUNXXXL]

Talks like Jeff Goldblum.

[@Unomaximus]

Tried to find retrograde, cant find it anywhere

[@MaxxStaxx]

found it on a movie site google “hurawatch cc”

[@williamwilson9283]

👍🇺🇸🤘🏾

[@harst8963]

1:15:56 coffee saved your life, crazy. 😳

[@joshgarza2158]

Supervisor

[@FullyLaidBack]

The volume is so low I can’t even listen to this one.

[@ChrisS-e8l]

An SF guy scared of death lol skip

[@christopherbench1513]

Alright...I'm just going to say what everyone else is thinking. I don't like this guy.

[@Ellooooeeh]

I just started this video but can I ask why maybe I’ll see why soon

[@christopherbench1513]

@Ellooooeeh he just comes off as a pompous arrogant wind bag

[@MetallurgicalChemist.02]

Why ? Just curious

[@xdscorpoinz6394]

Stay mad, he accomplished more than you ever will my friend

[@teflonmusk11B]

This guy has a awesome story, I am assuming there isn’t enough combat being talked about and he cares more about the humanitarian aspect of his story and wanted to help the people of Afghanistan. I wish I had more of his perspective during my time in the army. DOL RLTW

[@0311-z2c]

Didn't know Chris bumstead shaved his head and joined the army . Solid

[@marvinmorales1665]

Bruh

[@0311-z2c]

@marvinmorales1665 lmao

[@royalautodetailing5092]

Definitely gay

[@louismccomack9524]

Okay?