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In this conversation, Benjamin Mendoza shares his journey from a challenging childhood in Long Beach, California, to a successful military career. He discusses the impact of his family dynamics, struggles with ADHD, and the challenges of balancing personal life with military duties. Mendoza reflects on his experiences with alcohol, the importance of seeking help for mental health issues, and the camaraderie found in military life. He also shares insights on his deployment experiences and aspirations for the future, including continuing his education and career in the military. In this conversation, Jeremy and Ben discuss various aspects of military life, focusing on the dynamics between retention and recruiting missions in the Army, the importance of organizational skills, experiences during joint forces training in the Philippines, career progression within the Army, and personal life after service, including family and pursuing a passion for DJing.

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Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 (Press 1), text 838255, or chat online at [www.veteranscrisisline.net](https://www.veteranscrisisline.net).

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VA provides free, confidential care, including detox, rehab, and counseling.

Call 1-800-827-1000 or find a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) program near you: [www.va.gov/find-locations](https://www.va.gov/find-locations).

Online resources: [www.mentalhealth.va.gov/substance-use](https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/substance-use).

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