Lawrence B

In over ten years of providing financial literacy classes to military audiences, Drew Stamp has worked with servicemembers of practically all ranks, ages, and backgrounds. He’s seen Sergeants with six-figure IRAs and General Officers with a negative balance sheet. In his experience, Drew has met with dozens of active duty and veteran families who have fallen victim to the predatory sales tactics of a class of financial advisors who, being armed only with hammers, see nothing but nails. The firms targeting these transitioning servicemembers are equipped with robust marketing budgets, charismatic salespeople, and often a veteran bona fides. How do we equip servicemembers with the tools needed to prepare them to face the inevitable “end-of-service” pitch for products designed to benefit the salesperson but neglect to address the veteran family’s genuine needs and planning gaps? Why are we so reluctant to call a spade a spade?