Leaving the military isn’t just a career change — it’s an identity shift. In this deeply personal episode of The Military Wallet, Ryan Guina sits down with Dane Gibson, an Army veteran turned realtor, property manager, and entrepreneur, to talk candidly about transition, addiction, mental health, faith, and finding purpose after service.

Dane shares his journey from active-duty field artillery to struggling through civilian life, battling addiction, surviving suicidal thoughts, and eventually rebuilding his life through faith and real estate.

Note: If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, dial or text the helpline at 988.

Along the way, he explains how military discipline, resilience, and problem-solving skills helped him succeed in a commission-based business — and why real estate can be a powerful (but challenging) career path for veterans.

This conversation goes far beyond money and careers. It’s about identity, healing, and redefining success on your own terms — whether that’s through entrepreneurship, faith, or simply learning to live with less pressure and more meaning.

🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• What Dane’s military transition really looked like after ETS
• How alcohol culture in the military followed him into civilian life
• Recognizing addiction, hitting rock bottom, and asking for help
• Why identity loss is one of the hardest parts of leaving the military
• How faith helped Dane rebuild his life and redefine success
• Why real estate can be a strong (but demanding) career path for veterans
• The realities of commission-based income and entrepreneurship
• How property management creates more stable, predictable income
• The military skills that translate best into business and real estate
• Financial lessons for transitioning service members
• Why success isn’t about money — it’s about waking up without pressure

⏱️ Episode Timeline

00:00 – Introduction
Ryan introduces Dane Gibson and his background.

00:43 – Army Service & Early Challenges
Life as a field artillery soldier in Korea and Fort Hood.

03:12 – Alcohol Culture & Coping Mechanisms
How drinking became normalized — and destructive.

05:47 – Transitioning Out of the Military
College, travel, and searching for identity.

11:28 – Rock Bottom & Suicidal Thoughts
A pivotal moment and asking for help.

15:49 – Camino de Santiago & Self-Discovery
Seeking meaning outside the military.

16:58 – Living at Home & Career Uncertainty
Struggling to translate military skills.

18:11 – Discovering Sales & Real Estate
Why real estate became a natural fit.

26:02 – Addiction, COVID, and a Breaking Point
The moment everything changed.

30:51 – Faith, Recovery, and Sobriety
A slow but lasting transformation.

32:51 – Money, Identity, and Losing Everything
Why tying self-worth to income fails.

36:11 – Redefining Success
Living with purpose instead of pressure.

39:23 – Real Estate Paths for Veterans
Sales, property management, building, and investing.

47:42 – Advice for Transitioning Service Members
Financial discipline, identity, and long-term thinking.

51:15 – Final Message
You’re not alone — help is available.

🎯 Who This Episode Is For

• Veterans struggling with transition or identity loss
• Service members considering real estate or entrepreneurship
• Anyone battling addiction or mental health challenges
• Military families supporting a loved one through transition
• Listeners seeking purpose beyond rank, income, or career

Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most service members will ever make — and doing it with a VA loan adds an extra layer of complexity. In this episode of The Military Wallet, Ryan Guina sits down with Jared Reichel, Director of Agent Relations and a veteran himself, to reveal the real-world insights every military homebuyer and seller needs to know.

From choosing the right real estate agent to navigating VA loan myths, negotiating in hot or slow markets, and even leveraging VA loan assumptions, this conversation pulls back the curtain on how experienced agents protect military buyers and sellers from costly mistakes.

Whether you’re PCS’ing, buying your first home, upgrading, downsizing, or preparing to sell, this episode explains why the right real estate agent is your “boots on the ground” expert — and how they can save you time, money, and stress throughout the entire process.

🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why VA loans are different — and why agent experience matters
• How to vet and interview real estate agents when moving to a new area
• Why using the seller’s agent can work against you
• Major industry changes that affect buyer agency agreements
• How real estate agent commissions and fees work now
• How agents help you negotiate price, concessions, and closing costs
• VA loan myths around appraisals, inspections, and closing timelines
• Why VA loans can still compete in hot seller’s markets
• How agents protect buyers during inspections, disclosures, and contracts
• What sellers need to know about pricing, marketing, and negotiations
• How VA loan assumptions can benefit both buyers and sellers

⏱️ Episode Timeline

00:00 – Introduction
Ryan welcomes Jared Reichel and introduces the topic.

00:25 – Why VA Loans Require Specialized Agents
How VA loans differ from conventional financing.

01:29 – How to Vet a Real Estate Agent
What military buyers should ask before hiring.

03:45 – Finding an Agent in a New Area
Why “test driving” agents matters.

06:17 – Buyer Agency Agreements Explained
New regulations and what buyers must know before signing.

09:21 – Who Pays the Real Estate Agent?
How commissions and negotiations work post-lawsuit.

11:28 – What a Buyer’s Agent Really Does
Negotiations, inspections, disclosures, and protection.

13:45 – VA Loan Myths & Seller Concerns
Why sellers shouldn’t fear VA financing.

16:29 – Inspections, Experts, and Due Diligence
Why your agent’s local network matters.

17:03 – Negotiating Offers & Seller Concessions
How experienced agents structure winning offers.

22:27 – Contract Terms & Protecting Buyers
Appraisals, contingencies, and earnest money strategies.

25:34 – Closing Day: What Your Agent Does
From lender coordination to signing the keys over.

28:32 – Selling a Home as a Military Member
Why listing agents matter just as much as buyers’ agents.

32:47 – Evaluating and Comparing Offers
How agents help sellers choose the best deal.

39:17 – VA Loan Assumptions Explained
A powerful but often overlooked VA benefit.

43:02 – Final Advice for Military Buyers & Sellers
Why experience, trust, and VA knowledge are non-negotiable.

🎯 Who This Episode Is For

• Active-duty service members PCS’ing
• First-time VA loan users
• Military families buying in a new market
• Veterans selling a home with a VA loan
• Anyone considering a VA loan assumption

Many veterans file VA disability claims believing the process is straightforward—only to be denied, underrated, or stuck in years of appeals. In this episode, Ryan Guina of The Military Wallet sits down with Chad Armstrong of ACE Veteran Consulting to unpack why so many VA disability claims fail and what veterans can do differently.

Chad shares his personal journey from National Guard service and combat deployments to a complex medical board, medical retirement, and ultimately helping other veterans navigate the VA system. Together, they break down the real rules behind VA ratings, the importance of CFR Title 38 language, medical evidence, nexus letters, lay statements, and why “throwing everything at the wall” often backfires.

If you’re filing a VA disability claim—or thinking about it—this episode explains what the VA is actually looking for, how to avoid common mistakes, and how to ethically and effectively present your case.

Whether you’re separating, medically retiring, or helping another veteran, this is an essential listen.

⏱️ Episode Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction
Ryan Guina introduces the show and guest Chad Armstrong, VA disability consultant.

00:38 – Chad’s Military Background
From construction work to the National Guard, airborne school, and contracting in Iraq.

02:50 – Life as AGR (Active Guard Reserve)
Benefits, stability, and why AGR differs from active duty.

03:54 – Injuries, Surgeries, and Burnout
Six surgeries, combat wear-and-tear, and the physical toll of service.

05:47 – Entering the Medical Board Process
Why AGR med boards are different—and harder—than active duty cases.

07:50 – Being Sidelined During Med Board
Loss of mission, identity struggles, and mental health impact.

11:08 – Medical Board Findings & Appeals
How DOD ratings work, appeals, lawyers, and combat-related determinations.

14:28 – Chad’s First VA Claim Mistakes
Why his initial VA claim failed—and what he didn’t know at the time.

16:06 – VA Claims Are a Test (CFR Title 38 Explained)
How the VA actually grades claims and why language matters.

18:41 – Why Claims Get Denied
Missing documentation, poor wording, and overwhelmed VA raters.

21:30 – Ethics of VA Disability Claims
Why lying or exaggerating backfires—and hurts everyone.

22:25 – The 3 Requirements for a Successful VA Claim
Service connection, current diagnosis, and a medical nexus.

23:57 – Lay Statements & Real-Life Impact
How to explain limitations beyond medical jargon.

26:15 – Transitioning Out & Financial Reality
VA compensation, income planning, and early retirement decisions.

32:36 – CRDP vs. CRSC Explained
Key differences and who qualifies.

35:17 – Medical Retirement Pay vs. VA Pay
How offsets work and why most veterans must choose one.

39:23 – Why Military & VA Ratings Differ
Readiness vs. total disability explained.

41:49 – Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC)
How combat injuries can unlock both VA and military pay.

44:38 – Financial Impact of CRSC
Using compensation to build long-term financial stability.

45:47 – Final Advice for Veterans Filing Claims
Why education, preparation, and patience matter most.

46:04 – Closing Thoughts