Life Skills for Soldiers

We helped 430 soldiers improve their finances 12% in a matter of hours Life Skills for Soldiers recently did a pilot with a military police Brigade in order to test a train-the-trainer model of improving soldier Financial Readiness. We helped 11 Trainers prepare to teach 430 of their fellow soldiers about Budgeting and the TSP (military 401k). The results were remarkable. The group saw a ??2% ???????????????? ???? ?????????????????? ?????????????????? and ???????????????????????? ???? ?????????? ???????????????? ????????????????. For example, as a direct result of our program there was a 20% increase in the number of soldiers who understand TSP life cycle funds and an 18% increase in soldiers who setup their TSP accounts. More financial knowledge and better financial habits means more stable, ready, and lethal soldiers today and better leaders tomorrow. #MilitaryMoney #Leadership #FinancialReadiness

Was honored to join The Honorable Patrick J. Murphy and Dan Kunze on their Yahoo Finance podcast - Warrior Money. It was great to talk about the work we're doing Life Skills for Soldiers and my experience at The Wharton School. Thanks for having me!

A hack for helping your fellow servicemembers and yourself (For those looking to go military to MBA or SOF) What if there was a way to become a part of a network of top performers, strengthen your MBA application, and help your fellow service members?? There is. It’s called the Life Skills for Soldiers Leadership Cohort. All of our leadership cohort members have been instrumental in helping thousands of soldiers learn invaluable money skills before going on to enroll in top MBA programs like Wharton, Harvard, and Booth. Don’t believe me? Just ask Nicholas Marfongelli, Jack Pinnell, Isaiah S., Christian Ochoa or any of our other alum. Interested or know someone who might be? Message me for details.

Great leadership isn't just about tactical prowess or technical skill - it's also about preparing troops for long-term success. One of the most impactful ways we can support Service Members is by providing them with practical, relevant financial education. Life Skills for Soldiers courses are designed with a simple goal in mind: empower junior leaders to educate their troops effectively. We understand that junior leaders are already balancing numerous responsibilities. That's why we've taken the heavy lifting out of teaching financial literacy courses. LSFS provides the content - leader certification, materials, and instructions - while the leader provides the leadership. Here’s Why It Works: 1. Plug-and-Play Financial Education: LSFS courses are 100% FREE and pre-packaged with everything needed for junior leaders to teach their troops. The step-by-step materials and support make it easy for even a first-time instructor to deliver a valuable, well-structured course. 2. Trusted, Peer-Led Instruction: One of the biggest challenges with life skills education is making the material resonate. When Service Members learn about personal finance from someone they trust - a leader they know and see daily - it significantly enhances the relevance and relatability of the lessons. The result? A greater likelihood of the lessons sticking, and more open follow-up discussions down the road. 3. Building Leadership Opportunities: Teaching an LSFS course is an opportunity for junior leaders to build their own leadership skills while investing in their Service Members’ well-being. It’s a powerful experience to guide troops through financial literacy, seeing them grow more confident and prepared for both their time in service and beyond. 4. A Long-Term Investment in Readiness: Financial stability is a key factor in overall readiness. By giving junior leaders the tools to improve their Service Members’ financial well-being, we’re addressing a core aspect of their personal and professional development. Over time, this contributes to better mental health, reduced stress, and a stronger, more resilient force. At Life Skills for Soldiers, we believe in making life skills education straightforward, accessible, and impactful. We know that senior leaders recognize the value of fostering financial readiness - but sometimes, all that's needed is a framework for how to get there. And that’s what LSFS provides: the resources, the support, and the pathway for junior leaders to lead from the front. If you're a senior leader looking to enhance the life skills of your troops, consider how empowering your junior leaders with LSFS courses could change the game for your unit.

We recently started conducting monthly Live Discord Sessions. Like the talk on 'Budgeting Rules of Thumb' in the image below, these sessions provide a dynamic platform where Soldiers can engage directly with our team members, covering the same valuable content found in our standard LSFS courses on topics like budgeting, car buying, and more. These live sessions allow participants to ask questions on the spot, ensuring they receive tailored, actionable recommendations to improve their financial well-being. To ensure no one misses out, we record these sessions and share them on our Instagram and YouTube channels, reaching a wider audience and offering ongoing access to essential financial guidance. #MilitarySupport #FinancialLiteracy #Leadership

We’re thrilled to share the success of our recent pilot program with the US Army Reserves! With 3 Trainers and 34 Trainees, our Budgeting and TSP courses led to a projected 1-year change in net worth of $70,924 per individual and $2,860,000 for the unit. Participants saw a statistically significant 12% increase in financial literacy, a 21% boost in financial health, and a 17% overall improvement in financial readiness. This is a testament to the power of financial education and its impact on Service Members' futures. #FinancialSuccess #LifeSkillsForSoldiers #FinancialLiteracy #ArmyReserves #Empowerment

Operations Team member Cullen breaks down the 50, 30, 20 rule for effective budgeting. Teach your troops simple, practical advice to help manage their finances better! Catch the full discussion on our YouTube Channel! #MilitaryReadiness #FinancialStability #ArmyLeadership

Next Gen Personal Finance's Tim Ranzetta recently had Brendan Duebner, founder and CEO of Life Skills for Soldiers, on the NGPF podcast to talk about the challenges and successes of embedding financial education within the military!

In this 'Talks with the Team,' Operations Team Volunteer, Grayson, shares his compelling experiences in the Army that led him to join the Life Skills for Soldiers team. From witnessing the financial struggles of his Soldiers to discovering the Life Skills mission, Grayson’s story is one of dedication and empowerment. His firsthand experiences highlight the critical need for financial literacy and the impact it can have on service members’ lives.

From Giving Back to Growing Forward: the LSFS Leadership Cohort can be a powerful stepping stone! We are thrilled to spotlight the remarkable journeys of volunteers from our recent Leadership Cohorts at Life Skills for Soldiers! These dedicated individuals not only contributed significantly to our mission of empowering Service Members with essential financial literacy skills but also took giant leaps in their own careers, thanks to the unique mentorship and networking opportunities our Leadership Cohort provides. Their next chapters are impressive: from securing spots in prestigious MBA programs to embarking on careers with Army Special Operations. These achievements are a testament to the symbiotic power of the Leadership Cohort: where serving others amplifies personal success. These stories underscore the value of joining forces with Life Skills for Soldiers, where volunteers gain unparalleled access to career advancement resources, all while making a lasting impact on the lives of those who serve our country. #SuccessStories #GiveBackGrowForward