Fiscus, Ricky [Army] - Indiana

This Drill Sergeant Quit Drinking, Smoked since he was 10, and Once Led 60 Soldiers to a Football Game… Alone.”Meet Ricky Fiscus: former Cold War soldier, reluctant drill sergeant, Girl Scout leader (yep, really), and certified badass. In this episode, Ricky recounts how a few stray bullets from his side hustle as a drug mule’s driver rerouted him straight into the Army—where he’d end up yelling at recruits, dodging Russian shepherds on border patrol, and inventing the left-handed M16 brass deflector (no, seriously).There’s heartache. There’s hilarity. There’s a guy locked in an office because the MPs kept dragging him back. There’s a Girl Scout troop full of daughters from mothers who didn’t want to lead—and Ricky saying, “Fine, I’ll do it.”From lighting cigarettes at 10 to quitting drinking cold turkey after a heart attack, Ricky’s story isn’t just a veteran’s tale—it’s a survival guide told with gravel, grit, and the kind of wisdom you can’t get from a manual.It’s Veteran Story Hour with Ricky. Enjoy.---Resources & Info:→ Learn more about SALUTE of Virginia: https://saluteofvirginia.org/→ Contact: [email protected] | Find flyers and schedules at the Salute building---Listen & Subscribe to Veteran Story Hour: Voices of Valor, Presented by SALUTE of Virginia, everywhere podcasts can be heardEvery veteran has a story worth preserving—stories of courage, sacrifice, humor, and humanity. Veteran Story Hour captures these remarkable personal histories directly from the voices of the men and women who’ve served our nation. Recorded live each week at SALUTE of Virginia in Waynesboro, this podcast creates a living history, ensuring these powerful memories are preserved and shared for generations to come. Hosted by John Fairbanks of the Shenandoah Valley Story Network, join us as we honor those who served by listening, reflecting, and remembering.Because every veteran’s story deserves to be told—and every voice deserves to be heard.