Special Forces Officer Reveals Why He Chose Seminary Over the Military | Evan Perperis

Send us Fan MailWhat does it take to go from a self-described "nerdy drama club kid" to leading Green Beret teams in Iraq? And what kind of man walks away from a 20-year Special Forces career to pursue seminary? This is the story of Major Evan Perperis.Evan spent two decades in the US Army — Ranger School, SEER, Pathfinder, Special Forces Qualification Course, and four combat deployments to Iraq and the Middle East. As a Green Beret team leader with 5th Special Forces Group, he trained elite Iraqi Commandos in the heart of the War on Terror. He earned two Bronze Stars and four Meritorious Service Medals.But that's only half the story.When he wasn't downrange, Evan was running 24-hour obstacle course races, climbing the height of Mount Everest with obstacles for charity (raising over $25,000 for wounded warriors), competing as a professional OCR athlete with 100+ podium finishes, and authoring 10+ books on fitness and combatives.Then he made a decision that shocked everyone: he walked away from the military to become a Greek Orthodox priest.In this conversation, we cover:His childhood and the moment 9/11 changed everythingSix months in Ranger School and refusing to quitLeading platoons and ODAs in combatThe emotional toll of deployment on familyHis extreme endurance challenges and athletic careerWhy he chose Orthodoxy and the priesthoodBalancing warrior mentality with faithThis is a conversation about sacrifice, perseverance, faith, and what it means to truly live a life of purpose.Follow Evan Perperis:🌐 Website: www.UltraOCRman.com📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/ultraocrman📸 Instagram: www.Instagram.com/ultraOCRman💪 Patreon: www.patreon.com/GreekCombatives📚 Books: www.TeamStrengthSpeed.com📖 Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Evan-Perperis/author/B07R1R2J4B🔗 Connect with The Vanguard Wall Podcast Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/ @TheVanguardWall  The Vanguard Wall Merch: ⬇️https://www.thevanguardwall.comSocial Media: ⬇️The Vanguard Wall Podcast Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/thevanguardwallpodcast/The Vanguard Wall Podcast Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569106772297Want to sponsor the show?Email: ⬇️[email protected] Evan Perperis served 20 years in the US Army as a Special Forces officer with 5th Special Forces Group, completing Ranger School, SEER, Pathfinder, and the Special Forces Qualification Course. With four combat deployments to Iraq and the Middle East, two Bronze Stars, and four Meritorious Service Medals, Evan led Green Beret teams training elite Iraqi Commandos during the War on Terror. Beyond military service, he competed as a professional obstacle course racer with over 100 podium finishes, authored more than 10 books on fitness and combatives, and raised over $25,000 for wounded warriors through extreme endurance challenges. After two decades of service, Evan made the extraordinary decision to pursue seminary and become a Greek Orthodox priest. This conversation explores his journey from combat to faith, the sacrifices of military life, the emotional toll of deployment on family, and what it means to live a life of true purpose. Follow Evan's journey at www.UltraOCRman.com and find his books at www.TeamStrengthSpeed.com.🎯 The Vanguard Wall is powered by Hoplite Nutrition — built for those who run toward. No fillers, no fluff, just fuel built for the mission. 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