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What happens when military service ends — but the real battles begin at home?
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In this episode of Security Halt!, host Deny Caballero sits down with Merrill Slepica — C-130 Gunner, veteran entrepreneur, and founder of Hammer 41 Leatherworks — to unpack the raw realities of life after the military.
From combat deployments to the quiet struggles of fatherhood, divorce, and mental health — Merrill shares his journey of resilience, recovery, and rediscovering purpose through creativity and community.
Together, Deny and Merrill dive deep into:
- The mental health battles veterans face after service
- The impact of military life on marriage, parenting, and family dynamics
- Financial literacy, divorce, and navigating alimony
- The healing power of entrepreneurship and creating with your hands
- The importance of building community for veteran support
- Lessons learned in leadership, fatherhood, and personal growth
- The journey of Hammer 41 Leatherworks — and how purpose is often found in the struggle
This episode is for every service member, veteran, or family member navigating the challenges of transition, healing, and building a new life after the uniform comes off.
🎧 Listen now — and remember, healing happens in community.
👉 Follow, Like, Share, and Subscribe to Security Halt! on:
- Spotify
- YouTube
- Apple Podcasts
Join us — and help us keep veterans connected, growing, and thriving!
BE A BRO! Support the show!!
buymeacoffee.com/sechaltpodcast
https://buymeacoffee.com/sechaltpodcast
Looking for hand crafted, custom work, military memorabilia or need something laser engraved? Connect with my good friend Eric Gilgenast.
Instagram: haus_gilgenast_woodworks_main
https://www.instagram.com/haus_gilgenast_woodworks_main/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Community Connections
03:04 Entrepreneurial Journeys and Healing
05:49 The Reality of Military Life
09:08 The Impact of Combat Experiences
11:56 Navigating Family Dynamics During Deployment
15:08 Fatherhood and Legacy
18:01 The Importance of Adventure and Exploration
25:50 The Journey of Becoming a Man
28:32 Learning and Teaching: The Father-Son Dynamic
30:53 Navigating Finances and Life Lessons
33:02 Breaking the Cycle: Fatherhood and Presence
36:35 The Struggles of Service Members in Family Dynamics
42:56 Mental Health and Divorce: The Hidden Battles
46:54 The Reality of Alimony and Financial Strain
52:29 The Importance of Advocacy and Awareness
55:54 Finding Your Place in the Military
58:54 Reflections on Military Experiences
01:01:28 The Reality of Military Recognition
01:06:17 Building a Business: Hammer 41 Leatherworks
01:10:09 Community and Support in Entrepreneurship
Instagram: @securityhalt
Tik Tok: @security.halt.pod
LinkedIn: Deny Caballero
Check out Hammer 41 Today!
https://www.hammer41leatherworks.com/
Produced by Security Halt Media
Chapters
1. Episode Introduction (00:00:00)
2. Life After Military Service (00:10:39)
3. Inside the AC-130 Gunship Experience (00:23:05)
4. Fatherhood and Raising Good Men (00:38:23)
5. The Mental Health Recovery Journey (00:54:40)
6. Military Divorce Challenges (01:06:22)
7. Hammer 41 Leatherworks Success (01:16:28)
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