The Day I Told My Gang I Was Leaving to Join the Marines episode artwork

EPISODE · Jul 13, 2026 · 10 MIN

The Day I Told My Gang I Was Leaving to Join the Marines

from Our American Stories · host iHeartPodcasts

On this episode of Our American Stories, born in San Salvador, El Salvador, Carlos Aguilar arrived in Chicago, Illinois, as a refugee after his family fled the country's civil war. By his teenage years, he was caught in gang life and headed down a dangerous path.Then a Marine recruiter unexpectedly pulled into his driveway. Carlos shares how that chance encounter, his grandmother's unwavering faith, and one heartbreaking promise led him to become a U.S. Marine and transformed his life. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jul 13, 2026

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The Day I Told My Gang I Was Leaving to Join the Marines

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