This week, the boys sit down with Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Lieutenant Joseph Fitzgerald, a Marine Corps veteran turned lawman whose career spans the Marine Corps, the range, and the front lines of California policing. Fitzgerald began his adult life as a machine gunner with 2/4 Marines before earning a spot as a Pig in the Scout Sniper Platoon. After his first enlistment, he stepped away to work as a carpenter, only to return to the Corps in 2002 and later transition into law enforcement — a path that would define the next few decades of his life.As a young deputy, Fitzgerald cut his teeth in custody before moving to patrol at the Moreno Valley Station. He was soon selected for the Emergency Services Team (SWAT), where he spent 10 years working proactive enforcement, off‑road operations, and cross‑sworn fugitive work with the U.S. Marshals Service. Promoted to corporal, he returned to proactive enforcement before taking on assignments at the Sheriff’s range. By 2020, Fitzgerald had risen to sergeant, leading patrol teams, POP units, and gang enforcement before his promotion to lieutenant in 2023, where he served as a regional Watch Commander covering Hemet, San Jacinto, and Cabazon stations.The episode turns personal as Fitzgerald reflects on the transitions between military and civilian life, the toll of high‑risk assignments, and the lessons learned from a decade on SWAT. He speaks candidly about officer wellness, the signs of burnout he’s seen in his teams, and the leadership choices that shape resilience in the face of trauma. Away from the badge, Fitzgerald is an avid hunter — a pursuit that grounds him outside the uniform and connects him back to the discipline and patience forged in the Corps.This isn’t just a story about tactical calls and promotions; it’s about the human side of service, the quiet routines that sustain a career, and the bonds that carry officers through the hardest moments. From sniper platoons to watch command, Fitzgerald shares hard‑won lessons on survival, leadership, and the balance between toughness and vulnerability.🎯 For the veteran wondering how military grit translates to policing.🎯 For the deputy navigating the stress of high‑risk assignments.🎯 For anyone curious about the resilience behind the badge.Pull up a chair, pour a glass, and join the conversation.🔔 Subscribe for more real stories from the front lines.#WhiskeyAndWarStories #JosephFitzgerald #RiversideSheriff #USMC #SWAT #OfficerWellness #Leadership #Resilience #Podcast