I joined Navy Federal Credit Union when I was 19 years old—a kid fresh out of aircrew search and rescue training at HS-10. I was greener than the forests in the Pacific Northwest. Back then, the last thing on my mind was banking, until an old crusty Master Chief insisted I open a Navy Federal account when we made a port call in Hong Kong.
Fast-forward decades, deployments, deployments back home, raising kids, writing books…and I still count Navy Federal as one of my constants. Even better, my oldest son now runs a tech startup—and guess which financial institution he banks with? Yup. Navy Federal.
Membership That Works for Real People
They serve all Active Duty, retired and Veteran Servicemembers in all branches of the armed forces. Also, immediate family members and Department of Defense civilians.
But eligibility is one thing. What truly matters, like in the SEAL Teams, is how they perform.
As the old line from The Dirty Dozen goes, “Very pretty, Colonel, very pretty. But can they fight?”, delivered with that trademark bite by Lee Marvin. And, it still rings true today in a world full of flashy fintechs and polished marketing.
Navy Federal doesn’t just look good on paper; like Marvin’s soldiers, they can fight. They perform when it matters, proving that substance still beats style every time.
Why This Matters for My Son’s Startup
Running an AI tech company is tough and complicated.
You need banking that’s responsive, flexible, and unlikely to blindside you with arbitrary fees. My son and I have seen this.
Navy Federal’s business checking options, credit cards with rewards, and especially the customer-service model built around serving the member first—not an algorithm.
For his venture, having a financial partner where someone actually answers the phone, where problems get solved (instead of ignored)—that matters like EXFIL coordinates in Afghanistan.
From Navy SEAL to Father
Navy Federal isn’t just a financial institution; it’s personal.
Whether you joined when you were 19 like me, or you’re just looking for a bank that doesn’t treat you like a transaction, take a hard look at Navy Federal. For military and family, for business and future, they deliver. I’ve been with them for decades—now my son’s startup is, too.
Thank you, Navy Federal, for standing the watch long after I hung up the uniform.
See if you’re eligible and join Navy Federal.
