Former Marine finally home. Let's connect

[Account Closed]

Hey BP, I am a 26 year old former Marine and free at last...well, sorta. I have worked in real estate in the past on the labor side of flipping houses and have been attending school using my GI Bill for real estate and business for the last few years. I absolutely loved being an active duty Marine however, I knew there was more out there than 19K per year. After being in the Sangin Valley in Afghanistan in 2010, my desire to provide and take care of my loved ones is stronger than ever. I intend to supplement that by utilizing every form of real estate I can possibly educate myself on. I grew up just out side of Detroit and have finally come home where I plan to stay and help rebuild. 

My biggest effort being at the beginning stages of investing is networking and educating myself. Just simply surrounding ourselves with likeminded people is what sets us apart from everyone else. I intend to get ahead, and stay there. Please, don't hesitate to connect with me. I'm looking forward to interacting with everyone on BP and meeting new people that share common goals. 

[Michael Boyer]

Thanks for your service, Derek, and as your intro notes, real estate can also have a service side, housing people and upgrading the housing stock. Best of luck!

[Jeremy Hunter]

Semper Fi! Always good to meet another service member who has decided to take up Real Estate!!

I still have over a year left of active service to go before I can really hit the ground running. I am going to see another rehabber's rehab up near Konehoe which is where the Marines are around here this next weekend. I have connected with a couple other rehabbers around here and it is a tough arena to do but not impossible.  Of course my goal is to leverage myself into some rentals that can provide for my family. What school did you go to for real estate? There are a good variety of schools out there and programs that teach real estate and business that are real good. 

[Account Closed]

Thank you Michael Boyer for the kind words, it's nice knowing people that share the appreciation for service members. Best of luck to you as well. Let me know if you are ever in the Detroit area. 

Semper Fi Jeremy Hunter. Being former military has actually given me a special opportunity to focus on real estate without worrying about more income, although I sacrifice luxurious spending for the time being. Having one more year in service can seriously leverage you in the right way, all you need to do is lose a little more sleep and hustle and you will be set. I went to Saddleback College in Mission Viejo CA. They have a really outstanding program there. Do you ever intend to invest out east? There is a lot to choose from in Michigan. 

[Donald Cooley]

Welcome home and welcome to BP! Thank you for your service. Best of luck on your endeavors. Use all the assets on this site there is plenty to learn. 

[Ethan Painter]

Derek Nowicki Welcome to Bigger Pockets! I am a wholesaler and rehab investor from the Lansing area. Let me know if there is any way I can help you! So many people here have answered questions for me and I would love to do the same. Best of luck!

[Account Closed]

Welcome home and welcome to BP @Account Closed glad you made it back! Investing is well and alive here in our lovely state of Michigan! I'm here in Flint and would like to connect. I have a lot of interest in your area. 

[Josh Smith]

Former Jarhead here also, I am working out of Troy, MI right now

[Account Closed]

Thank you guys so much for the welcome home and appreciation. I am looking forward to connecting with you guys in order to contribute to the turn around of Michigan. People give it a bad rep and I intend to capitalize on that and prove to people (including @Joshua Dorkin) that Michigan is an incredible place to live.

[Steve Vaughan]

Welcome to BP @Account Closed!  Fellow former Marines are always welcome!  Glad to have you.  Ooh-rah!

[Account Closed]

Thanks @Steve Vaughan for the welcome. Ooh-Rah and Semper Fi brother. 

[Jack Butala]

Hello @Account Closed. You just took one of the most difficult steps in real estate investment; the first step. Reaching out to seasoned investors in BiggerPockets. Congratulations and I wish you a ton of success. You are not alone in your real estate ambition.

[Account Closed]

Hey @Jack Butala . I look forward to the next hardest step. Thank you for reaching out with a post, I greatly appreciate the good wishes and I wish the same for you. 

[Richard Ball]

@Account Closed Welcome to BP!

[John Moore]

@Derek Nowick  Welcome to the BP family.  Join some local real estate groups and become the fly on the wall.  As you know you learn more from listening than talking.  There are so many areas to become involved in you need to focus on what fits you best.   Learn what is going on in  your area and separate fact from fiction; there may be several real estate groups in your area, explore them to see who participates and are these the types you wish to emulate.   It will take time to become acclimated but as you know it does'nt pay to rush into anything.  Thank you for y@our service.

Semper Fi

[Account Closed]

@John Moore Thank you so much for the advice and appreciation for service. My business partners and myself are going to our local real estate club meeting tonight and then another networking event tomorrow. A fly on the wall is a great way to put it and yes, it takes years to become an overnight success. Thanks again for the strong welcome to BP and if there is anything I can do to help in your endeavors please don't hesitate to ask.  

[Loukas Stoumbos]

Congrats on your new found path. I also started with a meetup group and it helped me learn till I got my first property. Good luck.