Michael Komorous
Air Force veteran. Storyteller. Founder of Voice for Valor — long-form interviews with the people who served, and the families who carried the weight with them.
The show
Voice for Valor tells veteran stories through long-form interviews and companion essays. Every episode is one guest, one conversation, no time limit. We feature combat veterans, National Guard leaders, 9/11 first responders, military family stories, and the people who carried the weight alongside those who served.
Whether you found us searching for voice of valor, voices of valor, or veteran valor — this is the home for stories of service, sacrifice, and the legacy that outlasts the uniform.
These are not highlight reels. We go past the biography and into the conviction underneath the career — the moments no one clapped for, the decisions that cost something, and the stories that don't fit inside a medal citation.
The host
Michael Komorous is a retired U.S. Air Force officer, data analytics specialist, and founder of Alpha Zulu Solutions. He built Voice for Valor because the best stories about service aren't the ones that get told on stage — they're the ones that come out two hours into a conversation when the guest finally stops performing.
Mike brings a researcher's instinct and an operator's frame to every interview. He does his homework, asks the questions most interviewers skip, and lets the silence do the work.
The format
- One guest, one conversation. No panels, no co-hosts, no interruptions.
- Long-form only. Most episodes run 45–90 minutes.
- Full transcripts. Every episode page includes a searchable, chapter-anchored transcript.
- Weekly release. New episodes every week on YouTube with a companion essay on Substack.
Press & featured writing
Bylines and features where Voice for Valor and Michael Komorous have appeared beyond the show's own channels.
- We Are The Mighty'The Long Road Home:' Leadership Lessons from the Cockpit to CongressVoice for Valor host Michael Komorous wrote a guest feature for We Are The Mighty on what three years out of uniform taught him about leadership.Guest Contributor · May 2026 — Read on We Are The Mighty →
- Talking With Heroes PodcastDon't Let Anyone Put You in a BoxMichael Komorous joined the Talking With Heroes Podcast to talk through the military-to-civilian transition — why telling your story matters, and refusing to let anyone put you in a box.Podcast Guest · February 2026 — Watch on Talking With Heroes Podcast →
- American Veterans CenterPhotographing American Valor: A Salute to Our Heroes (2025)For a second year, Voice for Valor host Michael Komorous photographed the American Veterans Center's American Valor gala — the 2025 program marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.Event Photographer · November 2025 — Read on American Veterans Center →
- Bill of Rights InstituteService, Mentorship & Civic Engagement with Michael Komorous | Honoring ServiceThe Bill of Rights Institute's Honoring Service series features retired U.S. Air Force colonel Michael Komorous in a conversation on service, mentorship, and civic engagement.Interview · July 2025 — Watch on Bill of Rights Institute →
- Sun 'n Fun Aerospace ExpoPhotographing the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo (2025)Voice for Valor host Michael Komorous returned to photograph the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Florida — capturing the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, fast-jet demos, and the show from daylight to fireworks.Event Photographer · April 2025 — Read on Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo →
- HeroFront PodcastHe Took Lives, And Had to Stay Silent… Until He Lost Someone He Couldn't SaveMichael Komorous joined the HeroFront podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on military leadership, sacrifice, and the storytelling mission behind Voice for Valor.Podcast Guest · February 2025 — Watch on HeroFront Podcast →
- 80th Anniversary of Iwo JimaPhotographing the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima (2025)Voice for Valor host Michael Komorous photographed surviving U.S. Marines of the Battle of Iwo Jima as their accounts were recorded for the battle's 80th anniversary.Event Photographer · February 2025 — Read on 80th Anniversary of Iwo Jima →
- American Veterans CenterPhotographing American Valor: A Salute to Our Heroes (2024)Voice for Valor host Michael Komorous served as an event photographer for the American Veterans Center, documenting its annual conference and the American Valor gala honoring veterans from World War II to today.Event Photographer · November 2024 — Read on American Veterans Center →
- National ArchivesPhotographing the National Archives Fourth of July (2024)Voice for Valor host Michael Komorous worked as an event photographer at the National Archives' annual Fourth of July celebration in Washington, D.C. — home of the original Declaration of Independence.Event Photographer · July 2024 — Read on National Archives →
- Sun 'n Fun Aerospace ExpoPhotographing the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo (2022)Voice for Valor host Michael Komorous photographed the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo air show in Lakeland, Florida — from the Air Force Thunderbirds overhead to the flight line below.Event Photographer · April 2022 — Read on Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo →
- Presidential Visit — Charlotte, NCPhotographing President Trump's Arrival in Charlotte (2020)Voice for Valor host Michael Komorous photographed President Donald Trump's arrival in Charlotte, North Carolina on August 24, 2020 — the first day of the Republican National Convention — from Air Force One's landing to Marine One on the ramp.Event Photographer · August 2020 — Read on Presidential Visit — Charlotte, NC →
- Presidential Visit — Charlotte, NCPhotographing President Trump's Arrival in Charlotte (2018)Voice for Valor host Michael Komorous photographed President Donald Trump's August 31, 2018 arrival in Charlotte, North Carolina — from Air Force One on the ramp to the President greeting Air National Guard members on the flight line.Event Photographer · August 2018 — Read on Presidential Visit — Charlotte, NC →