Ian J. Gates, ChFC®, is a Financial Advisor and Paraplanner at Bastion Fiduciary, a veteran-owned, fee-only Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) firm. The firm focuses on fundamental analysis investing, proactive financial planning, and addressing the unique needs of military families. This will be Ian’s third MilMoney Con and his second time presenting. Prior to his finance career, Ian served as a Military Intelligence Officer in the Maryland Army National Guard (2014–2022), including three years on active duty at U.S. Africa Command J2 (2017–2020). He holds an M.A. in Spanish from Villanova University and previously taught English as a Second Language. Ian married his wife, Kim, a U.S. Coast Guard Academy graduate, in 2012. She is currently stationed near Beaumont, Texas, where they reside with their two children, a dog, and a turtle Ian got for his ninth birthday.