J.R. Martinez: Going to War at 19 and Sustaining Third Degree Burns

Rebirth With J.R. Martinez

J.R. sits down in this solo episode to talk about his time in Iraq and what it was like to serve the U.S. Military. He shares a little bit about what he learned as a young 19-year-old man being exposed to the world, the war, and more for the very first time. It’s a culture shock, and no one can really — truly — prepare you for the effects war has on your mind and soul. The day J.R got injured was the day he was reborn.

Here is his rebirth story.

Key Takeaways

• Despite experiencing severe burns across his body, J.R’s wrist is not burned.
• J.R decided to tattoo the exact time he got injured when he was in Iraq on his wrist.
• Why did J.R decide to join the military?
• J.R’s mother did not want him to join the military, but he was stubborn.
• J.R’s superiors were trying to warn him that he would deploy soon, but J.R wasn’t processing it.
• When J.R saw Iraq for the first time, his mind was blown. How do people survive out here?
• What were some of J.R’s roles and responsibilities when he was in Iraq?
• Sleeping is optional.
• J.R doesn’t even remember what bases he stayed at because they moved around so much — they also rename them.
• J.R details his experience when his convoy got attacked by insurgents.
• J.R was 3 years old when he heard his mother cry for the first time. It was heartbreaking.
• The doctors got real with J.R and his burn limitations.
• Recovering from the burns was a whole process. It was painful and tedious to get through.
• J.R was questioning what his purpose in life was now that he could not go back to Iraq.
• J.R couldn’t even close his eyes because the burns were so bad!
• Despite all the hardship J.R has gone through, he’s found his purpose in life again.
• People were putting J.R in a box because he was a veteran.
• J.R shares his big break and how he persevered no matter what.
• J.R doesn’t like the word disability. The only thing that should be highlighted is your ability.
• J.R is proud to be Hispanic. He is proud of who he is.

Continue On Your Journey

JRmartinez.com

J.R. on Instagram

J.R. on Facebook

J.R. on Twitter

J.R. Youtube Channel

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