Rising Above: Eddie Garcia’s Journey from Ranch Hand's Son to Army Leader and Financial Mentor

FIRE Social Worker Show

Send us a text

How does a ranch hand's son from South Texas rise to become a pivotal figure in the U.S. Army and beyond? Join us as we unpack the incredible story of Eddie Garcia, whose path from the Army Reserves at 17 to serving under General Joe Votel at CENTCOM is nothing short of extraordinary. Eddie's journey is filled with personal anecdotes about his family's rich military history, his deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, and his academic triumphs, including a master's in IT project management. His tale is a testament to the dedication and resilience of veterans committed to serving their country and supporting their fellow service members.
Ever wondered how to build a stable financial future while serving in the military? Eddie Garcia shares invaluable advice on financial responsibility and military benefits, emphasizing strategies like debt stacking and wise investments. We discuss the importance of making smart financial choices, especially for those transitioning out of service. From taking advantage of automatic 5% matching contributions to leveraging career skill bridge internships, Eddie’s insights provide a roadmap for securing financial stability. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to make informed financial decisions and prepare for a prosperous future.
Innovation and community are at the heart of supporting our veterans, and we bring you the stories and solutions making a difference. Learn about the transformative Mil-Vets app, designed to streamline access to critical resources and promote veteran-owned businesses. We also introduce Bas Moreno, host of the Social Worker Rants podcast, who shares his journey into social work and financial education. Together, we emphasize the importance of networking, continuous improvement, and building ecosystems where veterans help each other thrive. Don't miss this dynamic conversation packed with practical advice and heartfelt stories aimed at empowering veterans and social workers alike.

Please join me on my different platforms and follow along my journey towards FIRE.
https://linktr.ee/firesocialworker

Chapters

1. Military Financial Transition and Advice (00:00:00)

2. Financial Responsibility and Military Benefits (00:12:04)

3. Veterans Transition Financial Planning (00:16:43)

4. Veteran Financial Planning and Transition (00:29:36)

5. Veteran Transition App Development and Services (00:40:15)

6. Veteran-Owned Business and Support App (00:47:19)

7. Social Worker Transition and Financial Education (00:59:50)

8. Entrepreneurial Lessons From Social Work (01:03:46)

9. Podcasting as Therapy and Community (01:18:42)

10. Building Networks for Financial Social Work (01:22:20)

11. Financial Social Work and Public Speaking (01:29:25)

12. Supporting Military Radio for Veterans (01:43:29)