Popaditch The American Hero - a podcast by Dolores Williams

This Weeks episode, Dolores Stands up with Retired USMC Gunnery Sergeant Nick Popaditch.  Nick Popaditch was born on July 2, 1967, in East Chicago, Indiana, graduated from North Vigo High School, and enlisted in the Marine Corps on May 6, 1986. Following recruit training, he was assigned as a Tank Crewman and served the next 4 years in Okinawa, South Korea, and California with the 1st Tank Battalion, during which time he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He served as a Tank Commander on Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, participating in the breaching of two minefields and numerous offensive operations against Iraqi forces. In 1992, Sgt Popaditch was honorably discharged. During the next few years, Nick worked as a civilian. He worked construction in San Diego, then as a Correctional Officer in Indianapolis, Indiana until he re-enlisted back into the Marine Corps in 1995, returning to 1st Tank Battalion, serving as a Tank Commander until 1998. Popaditch next served as a Drill Instructor from 1999 to 2002 at MCRD San Diego, during which time he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant and achieved the billet of Chief Drill Instructor.  Following his tour as a Drill Instructor, he returned to 1st Tank Battalion to serve as a Tank Commander and Platoon Sergeant on the march up to Baghdad in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He participated in numerous offensive operations against Iraqi forces and was present at the fall of the Saddam regime in Baghdad, where he participated in security and stabilization operations in the historic city. After returning stateside, Popaditch was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. He volunteered to return with the first Marine units to redeploy back to Iraq for counter-insurgency operations He was redeployed to Fallujah, again as a Tank Commander and Platoon Sergeant. He was awarded the Silver Star Medal for his actions against enemy forces during the first nettle for Fallujah. On April 7, 2004, he was wounded in action. GySgt Popaditch was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds sustained in combat. He was medically retired on June 30, 2005. Nick Popaditch attended San Diego State University and graduated Magna Cum Laude. While in college, he authored 2 books, Once a Marine and The Ultimate Marine Recruit Training Guidebook. Once a Marine was the 2009 Military Writers Book of the Year and has been selected for the Commandant’s reading list for 4 consecutive years. Popaditch was a candidate for the United States Congress in the 2010 and 2012 General Elections.  Following his graduation from college, Nick briefly took a position teaching Algebra in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Finding the role of a teacher not what he expected, Nick left education and took a position with Tesla Motors in Silicon Valley, California. He worked as a Supervisor there for 3 years before returning to Chula Vista, California. In 2021, Nick and April Popaditch relocated to Texas. They celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary there while awaiting the construction of their new home in Bulverde, Texas. They have 2 grown children, Nick Jr is a graduate of San Diego State University and Richard will graduate from Mesa College in December.

Nick currently works part time as a consultant and continues to write.

Thanks to our sponsor Coach Kim with Peak Performance Coaching. If you are feeling stuck and want to get unstuck, schedule a complimentary strategy session today at:
Calendly.com/KimYeater
It's okay to be stuck, but its not okay to stay there.

Further episodes of DW

Further podcasts by Dolores Williams

Website of Dolores Williams