I'm a retired Navy Officer and Iraq Vet looking for advice on which local CNY banks are the most motivated to work with somewhat blemished financial backgrounds. 

I'm a Navy vet and use our benefits whenever possible. 

Navy Federal Credit Union

She is working with the Navy to get move set up through a non-standard program. 

Navy is very stylish right now, but not so dark it doesn’t “accent.”

I am also former Navy and understand the need to get it right.  

As a former VA employee and a mother of a son who is a Navy veteran taking advantage of the post 911 GI bill for schooling, I have to say at least some of what your tenant is claiming in terms of not being able to pay the rent sounds like what comes out of the south end of a horse going north.Depending on what your rent is, the BAH from his GI bill should, alone, cover the rent. 

I'm an active duty US Navy Chief Petty Officer, brand-new BPer and real estate enthusiast, I got turned on to this whole game (and BiggerPockets) at the suggestion of a coworker shortly after I moved to Tampa back in July. 

As for getting a HELOC, I have had success with Navy Federal Credit Union.

I called my credit union, Navy Federal and asked them some specific questions about their mortgage programs.