Military

The Former US Marine Corps Scout/Sniper Who Never Quit Looking for a Fight

November 10, 2020Téa Sambuco
justin governale, marine corps, mma, fighting

Photo courtesy of Justin Governale.

Many people go their whole lives never knowing what they want to be when they grow up or what they want to do. Justin Governale, however, always knew he would be a fighter, even if he didn’t necessarily know what it would take for him to get there.


“In kindergarten, the teacher asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up,” Governale said. “I blurted out an onslaught of professions, to include firefighter, policeman, and a soldier.”


After 9/11, there was no uncertainty in his decision. Like many, he was furious after the attack and vowed to join the Marines when he turned 17. In the heat of the Iraq War, he enlisted for the infantry.


“I had to get my mom to co-sign for me,” he said. “She asked [if I was sure]. I said, ‘Yes mom. If you don’t sign, I am leaving when I am 18 anyways.’ Tears poured down her face as she signed. I will never forget for as long as I live how hard she hugged me after.”


justin governale, marine corps, mma, fighting
Photo courtesy of Justin Governale.

Soon after, Governale found himself on his first deployment in Iraq. Like many young people who join the military, he was eager to make his mark. Reality has a way of making itself known, however, and in Governale’s case it came in the form of an improvised explosive device that hit the man beside him.


“The moment my mom signed for me replayed in my head,” he said. “I don’t pray much, but I remember asking God for four more days so I could say bye to her. The brain does funny things when it’s scrambled.”


Luckily for Governale, he never had to say goodbye to his mother and continued with his deployment. Within the same deployment, he witnessed the aftermath of a sniper encounter that sparked a desire in him to further his career.


“It was the most morbid thing I had ever seen as a teenager,” Governale said. “We bagged the bodies and tossed them in the truck. We also had to pick up the snipers that engaged. We didn’t have any more room in the back of the truck, so the individual that shot them sat on top of the bodies as a seat. He honestly had nowhere else to sit. I remember looking at him and thinking, ‘I want to be a sniper.’ I asked questions about the indoc, and they all told me they were going to haze me during. I tried out, and out of 32 that tried out, seven of us made it to sniper school eventually.”



On his second deployment, as much a fighter as ever, Governale would constantly find himself in brawls.


“I was the Marine that came back to work on Monday with a black eye every weekend,” Governale recalled. One of his friends, Cpl. Sean Stokes, took notice and brought up the idea of Governale joining Stokes’ gym upon return from deployment. Governale promised he would.


On July 30, 2007, an explosion changed his life.


“Over the radio we heard an adjacent unit call two friendly KIAs,” he said. “It was the tent that stayed next to ours. When they came back from patrol, we didn’t have to ask who it was. They all walked up with their heads down, and we just looked for who was missing. Cpl. Sean Stokes was killed.”


justin governale, marine corps, mma, fighting
Justin Governale continues to fight in MMA while working in the BRCC marketing department. Photo courtesy of Justin Governale/Twitter.

A promise is a promise though, and while Stokes would never be able to see him complete it, Governale signed up for his first jiujitsu tournament upon his return. Wild and untrained, he was not victorious in any of his matches. His early defeat did not hinder him though, and he persevered. He was noticed by a coach and went on to fight in Bellator, Combate Americas, King of the Cage, and Fury Fighting Championship, in places such as Thailand, Mexico, Israel, and Brazil.


With a pro record of 7-7-0, Governale decided to give the MMA arena one last fight while also working in Black Rifle Coffee Company’s marketing department.


I want to make one last run at fighting,” he said. “I am 34 and know I can still compete at a high level. I don’t hype myself up much, but sometimes I see this pissed-off dude standing across from me. I think to myself, ‘Man, this guy is serious.’ When the bell rings you don’t really feel anything and the only thing that matters is the work you put in. […] The journey hasn’t ended yet, so I am just soaking it all in as I keep crushing it in the business world.”



Téa Sambuco
Téa Sambuco
Téa Sambuco is a freelance writer with a love for history and the great outdoors. When she’s not writing, she enjoys photography, archery, reading, yoga, and drinking a fresh cup of Black Rifle Coffee. Her long-term goals include working with National Geographic and publishing a novel.
More from Coffee or Die Magazine
Coffee Or Die Photo
From the Team Room to Team Room Design: An Operator’s Creative Journey

BRCC partners with Team Room Design for an exclusive T-shirt release!

Coffee Or Die Photo
Get Your Viking On: The Exclusive 30 Sec Out BRCC Shirt Club Design

Thirty Seconds Out has partnered with BRCC for an exclusive shirt design invoking the God of Winter.

Grizzly Forge BRCC shirt
Limited Edition: Grizzly Forge Blades on an Awesome BRCC Shirt

Lucas O'Hara of Grizzly Forge has teamed up with BRCC for a badass, exclusive Shirt Club T-shirt design featuring his most popular knife and tiomahawk.

BRCC Limited Edition Josh Raulerson Blackbeard Skull Shirt
From Naval Service to Creative Canvas: BRCC Veteran Artist Josh Raulerson

Coffee or Die sits down with one of the graphic designers behind Black Rifle Coffee's signature look and vibe.

Medal of Honor is held up.
Biden Will Award Medal of Honor to Army Helicopter Pilot Who Rescued Soldiers in Vietnam Firefight

Biden will award the Medal of Honor to a Vietnam War Army helicopter pilot who risked his life to save a reconnaissance team from almost certain death.

dear jack mandaville
Dear Jack: Which Historic Battle Would You Want To Witness?

Ever wonder how much Jack Mandaville would f*ck sh*t up if he went back in time? The American Revolution didn't even see him coming.

west point time capsule
West Point Time Capsule Yields Centuries-Old Coins

A nearly 200-year-old West Point time capsule that at first appeared to yield little more than dust contains hidden treasure, the US Military Academy said.

  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Careers
Contact Us
Contact Us
© 2024 Coffee or Die Magazine. All Rights Reserved