It’s estimated that as many as one in three veterans experience financial stress within the first year or two after leaving the military. For many, that transition can feel sudden, overwhelming and, at times, isolating.
For Ricky Montgomery of Mount Holly, New Jersey, the change was stark.
Montgomery retired sergeant first class in the Army in 2023 after more than a decade of service. Looking back at photos and mementos from his military career, he reflected on the discipline and pride that defined those years.
“To make it to the senior non-commission officer ranks as a sergeant first class, it is not an easy feat,” Montgomery said.
But once he returned home, he found himself navigating a completely different kind of challenge.
“There…