Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Antonio Bonfiglio, GWOT Iraq combat veteran, in Episode 231 of the Transition Drill Podcast explores transition and identity for veterans and first responders navigating the messy middle between “who I was” and “who I’m becoming.” You’ll hear Antonio on combat deployments, what it takes to rebuild your life, and working for the Wounded Warrior Project.
He was born in New Jersey, raised in South Florida, then got pulled back to New Jersey at 13 and hated it. Hockey was his identity in Florida, and when that fell away, he started chasing status in the wrong places. He talks about a going-away party, getting caught with weed when the cops showed up, and how fast one “stupid decision” can change how your parents see you and what doors stay open.
In 2003, he enlists in the Marine Corps on an open contract and ships off to Parris Island. He goes from boot camp to Marine Combat Training to combat engineer school, then hits his first unit in November 2003: 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division. His first deployment is January 2005, was to Fallujah right after Operation Phantom Fury. To the question “where did you grow up,” Antonio often says, “Iraq.” He shares the kind of stories that sound funny until you feel what’s underneath them.
After the Marines, Antonio runs into the next kind of fight: school, work, relationships, and trying to fit into normal life while still acting like everything’s a mission. He talks about using education benefits, clashing with a professor, trying to get hired by the NYPD, and watching his life drift into dead end jobs, partying, gaining weight, and a layoff in the 2009 economic collapse. The throughline isn’t perfection. It’s the honest look at how a “tough guy” identity can protect you early, then trap you later, until you finally decide to change how you’re living.
Today he’s turned his life around, he’s now married and has a couple children. He’s been working for the Wounded Warrior Project for the past 6 years, and though he’s helping other’s who, “raised their right hand” as a physical fitness instructor, he’s found his own treatment helping others through their journey. His new passions are sailing and jiu-jitsu, both he found through veteran non-profits.
The best podcast for military veterans, police officers, firefighters, and first responders preparing for veteran transition and life after service. Helping you plan and implement strategies to prepare for your transition into civilian life. Follow the show and share it with another veteran or first responder who would enjoy this.
CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST:
Instagram: instagram.com/paulpantani
WEBSITE: transitiondrillpodcast.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/paulpantani
SIGN-UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER:
transitiondrillpodcast.com/home#about
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS:
paul@transitiondrillpodcast.com
EPISODE BLOG PAGE AND CONNECT WITH ANTONIO:
transitiondrillpodcast.com/post/transition-drill-podcast-marine-corps-combat-engineer-to-wounded-warrior-project-antonio-bonfiglio
SPONSORS:
GRND Collective
Get 15% off your purchase
Link: thegrndcollective.com
Promo Code: TRANSITION15
Blue Line Roasting
Get 10% off your purchase
Link: bluelineroasting.com
Promocode: Transition10
Frontline Optics
Get 10% off your purchase
Link: frontlineoptics.com
Promocode: Transition10
#transitiondrillpodcast #militarytransition #firstresponders
Antonio Bonfiglio, GWOT Iraq combat veteran, in Episode 231 of the Transition Drill Podcast explores transition and identity for veterans and first responders navigating the messy middle between “who I was” and “who I’m becoming.” You’ll hear Antonio on combat deployments, what it takes to rebuild your life, and working for the Wounded Warrior Project.
He was born in New Jersey, raised in South Florida, then got pulled back to New Jersey at 13 and hated it. Hockey was his identity in Florida, and when that fell away, he started chasing status in the wrong places. He talks about a going-away party, getting caught with weed when the cops showed up, and how fast one “stupid decision” can change how your parents see you and what doors stay open.
In 2003, he enlists in the Marine Corps on an open contract and ships off to Parris Island. He goes from boot camp to Marine Combat Training to combat engineer school, then hits his first unit in November 2003: 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division. His first deployment is January 2005, was to Fallujah right after Operation Phantom Fury. To the question “where did you grow up,” Antonio often says, “Iraq.” He shares the kind of stories that sound funny until you feel what’s underneath them.
After the Marines, Antonio runs into the next kind of fight: school, work, relationships, and trying to fit into normal life while still acting like everything’s a mission. He talks about using education benefits, clashing with a professor, trying to get hired by the NYPD, and watching his life drift into dead end jobs, partying, gaining weight, and a layoff in the 2009 economic collapse. The throughline isn’t perfection. It’s the honest look at how a “tough guy” identity can protect you early, then trap you later, until you finally decide to change how you’re living.
Today he’s turned his life around, he’s now married and has a couple children. He’s been working for the Wounded Warrior Project for the past 6 years, and though he’s helping other’s who, “raised their right hand” as a physical fitness instructor, he’s found his own treatment helping others through their journey. His new passions are sailing and jiu-jitsu, both he found through veteran non-profits.
The best podcast for military veterans, police officers, firefighters, and first responders preparing for veteran transition and life after service. Helping you plan and implement strategies to prepare for your transition into civilian life. Follow the show and share it with another veteran or first responder who would enjoy this.
CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST:
Instagram: instagram.com/paulpantani
WEBSITE: transitiondrillpodcast.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/paulpantani
SIGN-UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER:
transitiondrillpodcast.com/home#about
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS:
paul@transitiondrillpodcast.com
EPISODE BLOG PAGE AND CONNECT WITH ANTONIO:
transitiondrillpodcast.com/post/transition-drill-podcast-marine-corps-combat-engineer-to-wounded-warrior-project-antonio-bonfiglio
SPONSORS:
GRND Collective
Get 15% off your purchase
Link: thegrndcollective.com
Promo Code: TRANSITION15
Blue Line Roasting
Get 10% off your purchase
Link: bluelineroasting.com
Promocode: Transition10
Frontline Optics
Get 10% off your purchase
Link: frontlineoptics.com
Promocode: Transition10
#transitiondrillpodcast #militarytransition #firstresponders
