Army Veteran Launches Nonprofit to Empower Soldiers with Financial Skills

January 31, 2025 - 22:06

This week, Brendan Duebner, a former platoon leader in the US Army, shared insights on his nonprofit organization, Life Skills for Soldiers, during a podcast episode dedicated to financial education for veterans. Founded in 2019, the organization aims to equip service members with essential financial knowledge to navigate life after military service. Duebner’s journey began when he recognized that many of his soldiers faced financial insecurity, which often led to disciplinary issues.

One soldier’s transformation after attending a budgeting class stood out to him, showcasing the profound impact financial literacy can have on personal behavior and well-being. Inspired by this success, Duebner and his team developed a series of courses covering vital topics like budgeting, credit card selection, and vehicle purchasing. Utilizing a “train the trainer” model, they empower military leaders to teach these skills to their peers, ensuring that the training is relevant and relatable.

Life Skills for Soldiers also offers free entry-level learning modules to military leaders and conducts pilot programs to assess the effectiveness of their educational initiatives. Duebner's vision for the nonprofit is to reach thousands, if not millions, of soldiers, helping them build a foundation for financial stability and success in civilian life.