Military Bottom Line

Brent Bowers is a real estate investor, coach, and former Army Officer who transitioned out of military life after realizing he wanted more time with his wife and children. After first getting interested in real estate in 2007, Brent built a successful investing business with a primary focus on buying and selling vacant land—an approach that allowed him to scale, hire a team, and reclaim time with his family. Today, he helps aspiring and experienced investors learn the ins and outs of land investing through coaching and education, guided by a people-first philosophy that prioritizes service, impact, and long-term success over quick wins.

It has been a hot minute - but we're still out here.I was fortunate enough to pick David Pere's brain and ask hime some questions I have pertaining to business, real estate and content creation.Hope you find some of this discussion helpful!

Mark Burnett’s father was stationed at camp Lejeune back in 1957. As Mark put it, he was conceived in-utero and born in Camp Lejeune. His family stayed there for two more years. Before moving the cherry point, but that did not get him away from the contamination. After his diagnosis, Mark spent months sifting through thousands of pages of old news papers to identify as many people as he could who may have been impacted by Camp Lejeune's contaminated water. In this episode, we discuss Mark's story, details of Camp Lejeune's water contamination and the ongoing litigation with details on how you can get involved. Learn more at https://chemicalcasualties.com/ If you find a name you want to gather evidence for, use the CODE M27QUXBY FOR 33% OFF

Joseph Malone is a former Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) Marine with seven total deployments who's now on a mission as a personal safety consultant. Join us as we delve into Joseph's journey in and out of the military TWICE, what made him try out for MARSOC and what ultimately helped him put the pieces of his life back together after transition. Joe now operates his own business teaching others how to protect themselves and the ones they love. Discover the essence of the "Lethality Lifestyle" as Joe advocates, for self-defense skills, positive mindset, and discipline for collective empowerment and peace. Connect with Joe: https://www.instagram.com/joseph_malone_official/ Joe Malone Training: https://joemalonetraining.com/

I was recently a guest on Talia Rhea's podcast (who was on episode 16 of my show). Please enjoy the discussion we had on military transition, career pivots, leadership and much more. What does it mean to you reinvent yourself? What are the lessons to be learned from running your own business? In this episode, Talia sits down with USMC veteran and real estate appraiser, Jason Burds, to talk all things entrepreneurship, pivoting careers, and why identity is often the most neglected component of a military (and major life) transition.

Blake Dailey is an Air Force Veteran turned entrepreneur and real estate investor. Blake attended the USAFA from 2015-2018 where he played football as a middle linebacker. Early in his Air Force career as a Contracting Officer, Blake started investing in real estate with a single Airbnb unit and has, over the last five years, scaled his business to operate in four states with a team of 30 employees, both virtual and domestic. He now manages over 150 short-term rental (STR) listings, generating an annual income of $3 million. Blake shares his expertise on growing and scaling STR businesses to earn passive income and offers investment opportunities for passive investors seeking similar success. Connect with Blake: Website: https://blakedailey.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BlakeDailey IG: https://www.instagram.com/blakejdailey/ Other Resources: https://www.bestplaces.net/

In this episode, we sit down with Lisa Benson, an Army veteran who transformed personal and professional adversity into a story of triumph. After enlisting in 2000 to overcome financial hardship and pay for college, Lisa navigated the challenges of deployment, returning home to pursue a career as a massage therapist dedicated to helping fellow veterans. With a Bachelor's in Management and a Master's in Public Administration, Lisa then sought to impact the VA, but found a more fulfilling path as an entrepreneur, founding DeBella DeBall Designs to support veteran-owned businesses. Join me as we explore Lisa’s journey through PTSD, the therapeutic world of roller derby, and the invaluable veteran programs like Team RWB, The Pink Berets, and the VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program. This episode is a testament to resilience, the power of community, and the enduring Veteran spirit. Connect with Lisa: Website: www.debelladeball.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-benson-12dbdb  IG: https://www.instagram.com/debelladeballdesigns/  Other Resources: Team RWB: https://teamrwb.org/  The Pink Berets: https://thepinkberets.org/  Video on VR&E: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj_786kQm2s 

Two months ago, I took the leap and bought a business. Here are the first four things I’ve learned that no one tells you about being your own boss: - Being Your Own Boss Isn’t Total Freedom While it’s great to be in charge, it doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want. Unlike before, I can’t completely detach even on vacations. - The Challenge of Too Little Work Stressing over too little work is a new experience. As an employee, slow periods didn’t bother me. Now, the financial pressure is real, and I’d rather be too busy than not busy enough. - Mindset Shift as an Owner Ownership changes your perspective. Productivity, profitability, and resources become your primary focus. It’s a good shift but beware of becoming a micromanager. - Work Becomes More Enjoyable There’s a unique thrill in knowing your hard work directly impacts your success. It’s more fun and exciting to “eat what you kill,” but it requires a different way of thinking.

I used VR&E to get a master's degree, but that's not how I started...At first I thought I was going to use it for an accelerated BSN. But right before starting, I switched over to completing my MS in Project Management. We don't all go in straight lines...I was surprised at the work required to apply for and be approved for VR&E. Here is what I learned. VR&E Application Assignment includes: Career Exploration Guide: - Find 10-15 job postings for the career you are pursuing in your area that required the degree you want - Include school curriculum for the program you want to do - Discuss your disability restrictions for said career path and how your injuries relate to your current role vs desired role - Discuss job postings and if you’re willing to move, need anything extra etc. - Answer several questions about your current role, desired role and VA ratings - Research 2-3 schools with a program that you could attend to complete goal - WRITE a career proposal about your research and why you want to pursue said job This isn't as straightforward as applying to use the GI Bill. Good luck!

In this episode of, we delve into the gripping journey of David Hopkins, a former Marine Corps Infantryman who enlisted on a five-year contract to escape his turbulent past. On a kinetic Afghanistan deployment with 3rd Battalion 5th Marines, David faced the horrors of combat just three weeks into his deployment when he stepped on an IED. But David's story doesn't end on the battlefield. Despite his intense experiences, he refused to let his dreams crumble in the dust. Through sheer determination and the support of programs like the GI Bill, VR&E, and VA Disability, David embarked on a grueling eight-year mission to carve out a new path for himself. Tune in as David shares his remarkable journey from the frontlines of war to the halls of academia, where he pursued a degree in Mechanical Engineering against all odds. His story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the unwavering resolve to persevere, no matter the obstacles. David shared the following video taken during Afghanistan deployment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wObO3xb_OdQ

Bill spent 8 years in the Army Infantry. After a disabling injury Bill opened his own security company and retail store selling military and survival products in Alaska. It was during this time that he began working with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies initially in undercover operations and later as an analyst specializing in counter domestic terrorism. Bill was also involved in the getting the Veteran Small Business Enhancement Act passed to allow certified veteran owned businesses to benefit from government surplus equipment. Bill currently spends his time on a small holistic, sustainable farm in New England with his wife and two children.  Connect with Bill: https://www.instagram.com/dzbillfulton/?hl=en Bill's book "The Blood of Patriots"

Trying to recreate the momentum I had. No editing, just action. Hope you all are well.

Adit Shah is a real estate devemoper and private equity syndicator. After separating honorably from the US Navy, he worked for a developer for FREE for 1 year which led to him founding Housebender Inc, his own development company. Adit also co-founded Tempest 22, a private equity company which raised $3.2M and acquired $18M in assets in under 1 year. Connect with Adit: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/housebender/ Website: https://housebender.com/

A lot of veterans find themselves struggling academically after they leave the service. There are a myriad of problems that can come from failing classes while using your GI Bill. After 3 degrees, I have compiled my tried and true methods to ensure success in every college class. Hope these help!

Tune in to hear Bill's story - how/why he enlisted in the Navy and ultimately found a back door entry into the U.S. Naval Academy. Bill shares details on how to replicate this path, details no one talks about, flight school upset and Navy life as a whole.

If you joined the National Guard or Reserves, you're not going to want to miss out on the opportunity that is the Post 9/11 GI Bill. While it's nearly a guarantee for active duty veterans, it's far from a guarantee for National Guard and Reservists.   Some order count for eligibility and some don't. If you serve 90 days of qualifying orders, you'll receive 50% of the GI Bill. If you serve 36 months of qualifying orders, you'll receive 100% of the benefit and there are incremental eligibility levels in-between. Stay tuned to learn the specifics.

If you're considering going to graduate school to become a counselor, this could be the perfect opportunity for you!  2 years of free graduate school in exchange for guaranteed employment and an adventurous place to live?  Sounds like a deal!   For more info: https://www.vetcenter.va.gov/Vet_Center_Scholarship_Program.asp

As a highly-successful entrepreneur, Douglas James has seen over-and-over how fellow business owners have amazing ideas which deserve to succeed. This knowledge inspired Douglas to empower budding entrepreneurs on how to acquire, close and retain amazing clients, so they can finally experience the lives of their dreams.   Douglas decided he wanted to help others to succeed during his time in the Navy. In 2015, he was deployed on a humanitarian mission that allowed him to assist some of the most impoverished communities in the world. It was then and there that Douglas knew he wanted to live his life with great purpose and do everything he can to raise others up.   After returning home, Douglas launched his career as an entrepreneur and immediately experienced the power of certain digital marketing and advertising techniques and how they can positively impact virtually any business.   Douglas also immersed himself in the world of Facebook Ads and YouTube Ads, learning all he could about this effective marketing platform to reach global audiences. He has used Facebook Ads to help numerous local businesses to succeed, and then expanded his scope to online coaching so he can help other business owners do the same. Known as “The High-Ticket Client Guy”, Douglas has already trained and coached over 5,000 entrepreneurs on how to turbo-charge their earning potential with his proven sales and marketing strategies.   Douglas James has been aired on Live TV and featured in major publications like FOX, Entrepreneur, Yahoo, NBC and ABC to name a few. He is a 2-Time Inc. 5000 Entrepreneur, meaning that his company is one of the fastest growing companies in the United States today. Douglas will never forget his time working with the people of Papua, New Guinea and other countries, many of whom were lacking basic essentials like shoes. As a result, he focuses on being a for purpose business, giving back to non profits like Pencils of Promise who build schools for kids in Mexico and RIP Medical who eradicate Military and Veteran Medical Debt.   Connect with Douglas  Linktree   Military Wealth Summit 

Staff Sergeant John H. Davis is a decorated combat veteran with two tours in Afghanistan. John is a veteran advocate, Harvard Graduate and author of Combat to College. Every service member that is preparing to get out, or is already out using their GI Bill, needs to hear what John has to say. Find John’s book here  

There is a lot of pressure to maintaining good grades while in college, but is it really worth the effort?  It all depends on how competitive your goals are. The more competitive, the more things like your GPA matter. Either way, a ding to your GPA isn't the end of the world.

After separating from the military twice, I narrowed down the two most important factors for a successful transition.  The sooner you start working on these, the better prepared you will be to move from the military sector to civilian.  Build that runway!

Kyle joined the Marine Corps in 2011 and worked as a helicopter mechanic as part of HMX, the presidential helicopter squadron. After 5 years of being on call and traveling the world, Kyle called it quits after his first contract. Following his enlistment, Kyle returned to the midwest to finish his college education. Like most others, Kyle began his exit using the GI Bill, that is until he learned about VR&E. Since then, Kyle has been able to get his private pilot's license, study abroad, move on to grad school and continue maximizing his benefits 6 years later. Kyle is also the only person I have ever met who has kept track of how much the VA has paid him/schools towards his education... Listen to the full episode to find out how much he's earned via his education benefits.   Connect with Kyle on LinkedIn  

Ali is a commissioned USAF officer - despite obtaining the rank of Major and being over halfway to retirement, she’s on her way out of the Air Force. Throughout the episode we talk about why Ali joined the military in the first place, failing out of pilot training and the impact it had on her and how she found the career of her dreams.  We also talk about how she was able to double her paychecks during the last year of her military career and how that has prepared her for the infamous military transition. Connect with Ali Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwr0AabqTv5QGEw05mNhoCw IG: https://www.instagram.com/ali_the_agent/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ali_the_agent

Building credit early will provide lower mortgage rate later on when you use your VA loan to buy a multi-unit property. Lower interest rate means you save money on a mortgage payment. Lower mortgage payment on a multi-unit means you make more money. It's that simple.   Start early, use responsibly, and follow my three credit card rules.

Scott is a recently retired Army Command Sergeant Major with 30 years of military service. After his military retirement, Scott started working for Army Emergency Relief (AER) and has been doing amazing things to help current and transitioning service members. This episode highlights the benefits of Career Skills Program (CSP) for transitioning veterans and how any and all soldiers who participate in CSP are eligible for grant money - this can cover moving expenses, tools, uniforms, etc. - ranging from $500-$1500! Scott shares so much valuable information about applications, timelines, and everything else you need to know about the grants available through AER. Connect with Scott [email protected] Army Emergency Relief

David grew up in San Francisco and commissioned via OCS while attending Princeton University. He served as an artillery officer in the Marine Corps and completed two deployments before separating in 2021. In this episode, we focus on David’s creative pursuits and his encouragement for other veterans to do the same. We talk about the community David is building known as League of Veterans and how he hopes to get veterans involved in the NFT space and to ultimately provide grants and scholarships for veterans pursuing their creative passions.    Connect with David:  Twitter Instagram  

The habits your build early in your military career have a massive impact on how your transition plays out. Start your first year in the military by building strong habits that will pay dividends in the future.

Despite this being a joke, I regularly see people take these steps when transitioning out of the military. If you want to make it hard on yourself, follow these steps.

Not every state as equal benefits for its guard members. Some states offer as little as $4,500/year towards tuition, while other offer a tuition waiver that allows you to attend school for free as long as you're in the guard.  The guard unit you  you join has a massive impact on your overall ability to achieve your educational goals affordably.   Combining the state education benefits with the federal Chapter 1606 Selected Reserve Montgomery GI Bill can really set you ahead.

You have two choices if you're failing a class using the GI Bill. Either you drop the class, or you keep going and take the F.  Don't miss the dangers of both of these options.

Before you buy your first investment property with the VA Loan, it is critical to make a list of what you DO and DO NOT want in your property.   The more you can define your criteria the better.   Make sure your deal is going to make you money! Use www.rentometer.com to find out if the deal is a good investment or not.

The VA Home Loan is arguably the most valuable benefit for veterans if used correctly. The standard method if getting into home ownership is proving harder and harder. The VA loan allows you to get into a home without paying 20% down or hundreds of dollars a month in PMI.   The best part - the VA loan can be used to purchase a property with 1-4 units, giving you the opportunity to become a real estate investor with nearly no money out of your pocket.  

Juliet joined the Army National Guard after graduating from college in order to take advantage of the Student Loan Repayment Program, which offered to pay back up to $50,000 worth student loans!   In this episode, Juliet and I discuss her experiences in the military to include pandemic relief missions, training, and the regular drill schedule. In addition to that, Juliet brings valuable advice to anyone considering taking advantage of the Student Loan Repayment Program. Learn what she learned over 6 years in the next hour.   Enjoy!   Check out Juliet's YouTube channel here

Whether you're looking to use your GI Bill for college, studying abroad or getting your way into employment. This toll should be tried and tested to ensure your maximizing your GI Bill Benefit. GI Bill Comparison Tool

In this episode, we discuss the two ways to use your GI Bill abroad. There are: 1. Do a semester abroad while enrolled in an American University 2. Attend a foreign university for the entirety of you higher education. There are pros and cons to both as well as warnings to be aware of. Going into this with the right information will help you get the most out of the opportunity. As suggested in the episode, check out the GI Bill Comparison Tool

Victor is a first generation American. His parents fled a war-torn country in southeast Asia, so when he told them he was dropping out of college to join the Army, they weren’t exactly thrilled. Victor has spent over 13 years in the Army, between Active Duty and Reserves. We talk about his motives for joining, heavy lessons learned during the transition, civilian employment, and his current pursuit of an MBA at a top university. In this episode, Victor lays out step-by-step how he got accepted into a top 20 MBA program. Connect with Victor Linkedin   Helpful Links Subscribe to the Military Bottom Line YouTube Channel Follow Military Bottom Line on Instagram

I spent 4 years pursuing this and it didn't work out. Everything happens for a reason. Thanks for sticking around and supporting me.

The Non-Paid Work Experience Program through VR&E is a great way to kickstart your career in federal, state or local government. Take advantage of this sure fire way to get hired and prove yourself once you're in.

The VA VR&E program provides eligible Veterans an opportunity to obtain training and practical hands-on experience concurrently through the Special Employer Incentives program. The VA  determines if a Veteran is eligible for the SEI program. Veterans approved for the SEI program are hired by participating employers. The SEI program is beneficial for both Veterans and employers.   EMPLOYERS WHO HIRE VETERANS RECEIVE:  • Reimbursement of up to 50 percent of the Veteran’s salary during the SEI program, which typically lasts up to 6 months, to cover: ™™ Expenses incurred for cost of instruction ™™ Necessary loss of production due to training status ™™          Supplies and equipment necessary to complete training  • VA-provided tools, equipment, uniforms and other supplies  • Appropriate workplace accommodations based on individual needs of the Veteran  • VA support during training and the placement follow-up phase, in order to assist with Veteran work or training-related needs   VETERANS WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM RECEIVE:  • Immediate income and benefits as an employee  • Increased likelihood of being hired as a result of the SEI program  • Valuable skills and learning in a practical setting that meets the employer’s specifications  • Opportunity for continued employment following successful completion of the SEI program  • One-on-one support from a VA Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor or Employment Coordinator to assist with training or work-related needs

The Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program has been around since 2007 and has updated to include military service as program eligible employment.   Does this mean you should stay in the military to get your loans forgiven? Probably not.   The program does not have a good record for accepting applicants. There are far better ways to go about getting your loans paid off.   See article here 

VR&E Independent Living track is for veterans with serious employment handicaps that need assistance with setting up their independent living needs.  For more Info visit Here

As service members, you are protected under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). However, this doesn't mean you will not run into trouble with your civilian employer as a result of your military service.   It can be a difficult battle that you should not go at alone. If you need this assistance from VR&E, go ahead and apply.   For more information and to apply, follow the link 

Wondering how to get a job after the military? If you don't want to go back to school after you get out and prefer to go straight to work, this benefit is for you.   Don't miss out on the opportunity of applying to and using VA benefits you have earned. Use VR&E and the Rapid Access to Employment track to get the help you need landing the job that will support you and your family.  For more information Click Here

Veteran Rehabilitation and Employment has many tracks to assist veterans become independent.  In this episode we discuss the Self-Employment Track.  If you are a veteran that DID NOT receive a dishonorable discharge and was rated at 10% or more by the VA, you are eligible for this program.   This program assists eligible veterans start their own business and become self employed.   For more information, check out the VA website VR&E Regs

Veteran Rehabilitation and Employment is an incredible benefit with many updates. In this video we are going to focus on the Employment Through Long-Term Services track.   Check out the VA site for more information on this benefit 

For veterans, submitting a FAFSA application can literally be the difference of a million dollars tax free.   *** I am not a legal, finance or tax professional. All videos and information is for entertainment purposes only. Check with a legal or tax professional before acting on any entertainment from this channel.

The INDIVIDUAL MOBILIZATION AUGMENTEE (IMA), is an incredible way to continue service after your initial military contract.    I stumbled on this opportunity when I met other IMA Marines that came down intermittently from their full time NY State Police jobs to avoid the winter months in upstate New York.   The IMA offered tremendous flexibility to avoid active duty and the standard one weekend a month, two weeks a year schedule. As long as you meet the annual training requirements and maintain good relationships and accountability, you can use the IMA as employment while focusing on your civilian career or education.   ☎️ FOLLOW MILITARY BOTTOM LINE ON INSTAGRAM    ☎️FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM 

In this video were are going to discuss two routes for staying in the military directly after active duty. You can do this via the Army/Air National Guard or the military reserves.    Some great reasons to go from active duty to national guard are as follows:  -You want to serve local to your home of record (or a specific area)  -You want to get a new MOS (military occupational specialty)  -You want to take advantage of a national guard (state specific) education benefits  -You’re ok with the one weekend a month, two weeks a year schedule  -You want to take advantage of guard bumming (state activation, deployments, schools, etc)    Some great reasons to continue serving in the reserves:  -Going from active duty to the reserves can be a relatively seamless transition  -You don’t want to change your MOS -You want to stay in your branch (this mostly applies to Navy, Marines and Coast Guard as crossing over may require relearning rank structure and culture)  -You live near a reserve base or aren’t leaving the area of your last duty station   BUT, the greatest reason of all, NO commitment!   For those in their first contract, after 4 or 5 years of active duty, you will still have an IRR obligation. Within your IRR obligation, you have the ability to effectively ‘try out’ the reserves to see if you like it. At any point in time, you have the ability to drop back to the IRR with no consequences.    At the end of the day, both are great options depending on what you’re looking for. Both allow you to keep serving and build federal time, both allow you to maintain adventure and travel/deployment opportunities (for better or worse) and both enable you to take advantage of healthcare needs and other insurances.  One of the biggest differences that MUST be pointed out is that if you go to the national guard - you will have a SIX YEAR COMMITMENT.    Compare that to utilizing your already existing IRR obligation to try out the reserves in a branch and job you’re already familiar with with no obligation.  My recommendation and strategic play in this if you are considering keeping your foot in the door after active duty is to first spend some time in the reserves. Take advantage of the no obligation service and focus on school, a new career or whatever you left active duty to work on.    At the point you’ve completed school or gotten settled into a career, you’ve likely made up your mind about continuing service. At this point, you’re more informed and know more about the guard/reserve life. You can now decide between getting out entirely, staying reserves or moving over to the guard without getting stuck in a 6 year contract.

Is it worth using your GI Bill for online programs?   In this episode we're going to discuss the reality of using your veteran education benefits for online school.   We'll cover: Who should and should not be using their GI Bill for online programs, Pros and Cons of using the GI Bill online, BAH, and Strategy on how to make the most of your GI Bill while using it online

You will grow up! The military will force you to leave your comfort zone and grow up, especially if you go active duty where you’re forced to leave home and all the comforts and security that you may have been used to.   College (TA, GI Bill, etc) While your counterparts will graduate highschool and go on to take out tens of thousands of dollars in debt to complete a college degree, you’ll get paid to go to school instead. Starting out your career/life with no student loans, will put you decades ahead of your peers. You can get paid to go to college while you’re in the military or you can get paid to go to college after you separate from the military. Either way, delaying college in order to do it for free is well worth it!  Start earning ASAP Again, while your counterparts will start earning a living at 22/23 years old in the hole $20-50k, you’ll start earning at 18 years old. When you begin earning at an earlier age from a position of no debt, this enables you to start investing earlier. While it may seem like nothing now, it could be the difference of hundreds of thousands of dollars when it comes time for retirement  VA Loan While your counterpart will be scrounging to save for a downpayment on a home, you will have the ability to get into your first home or better yet, rental property without having to worry about a down payment and you’ll be able to keep that retirement fund invested  Camaraderie  Hands down, you will make the best friends of your life. These relationships will be worth far more than any of the other benefits we discussed before.   At the end of the day, I am a big advocate for joining the military and taking advantage of the cheat codes it offers. There is no better way for the average Joe or Jane American to get ahead financially and professionally at a young age.    ☎️ FOLLOW MILITARY BOTTOM LINE ON INSTAGRAM ☎️FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM  💰Get $10 FREE Bitcoin when you buy or sell $100 of Crypto