WeVett

Buying in High-Cost Areas: Your PCS Homeownership Guide

Anna Luzader — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:59:37 +0000

At each PCS, many active-duty military families face a unique challenge: navigating the homebuying landscape in a high-cost-of-living (HCOL) area. At WeVett, approximately 70% of our clients are active duty, and we frequently guide them through purchasing in places like DC, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Hawaii.

After addressing the buy vs. rent decision, the question then becomes, “How do I navigate buying a home in an expensive market and what factors are most critical?” This guide breaks down the essential considerations to help you make an educated, confident decision.

1. Understanding High-Cost Markets

A high-cost market is characterized by elevated home prices relative to national averages. For military families, this often means areas where the average home price might be $500,000 to $800,000 or more, compared to the national average of around $400,000.

Key Features of a High-Cost Market:

Elevated Prices: Significantly higher purchase prices than the national norm.
Population and Income
Growth: These areas typically experience high rates of population growth, income growth, or both, driving up demand.
BAH Disparity: Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) may not fully cover market rents or potential mortgage payments, which can make purchasing feel intimidating.
Greater Competition & Tight Inventory: High demand means homes sell quickly, leading to greater competition among buyers.

General Market Considerations for Buying

When considering a purchase, especially in an high-cost area, confirm that the market fundamentals are strong:

Growth: Ensure the community’s population or income is stable or growing. Shrinking communities can make selling difficult later.
School Districts: Strong school districts often correlate with higher and more stable property values.
Job Diversification: Look for a robust, diversified employment base, rather than reliance on a single major employer, which generally stabilizes the housing market.

Most major HCOL areas typically meet these metrics, generally making them favorable for buying if the price point works for you.

2. Personal Buying Considerations

Sometimes, personal needs dictate the decision to buy, overriding pure financial comparisons.

Factors That Might Force a Purchase

Large Families: Rentals with four, five, or more bedrooms are rare in many markets, making a purchase necessary for space.
Pets: Specific breeds or multiple pets can make securing a rental extremely difficult or cost-prohibitive due to deposits and fees.
Specific Needs: Requirements like ADA modifications or specific yard/property preferences are often easier to accommodate through ownership than through renting.

If personal considerations push you toward buying, you then need to ensure the financial decision is optimized.

Long-Term Mindset:

Buying in a high-cost area often requires a longer-term perspective:

Willingness to Rent Out: Do you plan to sell or rent? If you are willing to keep the home as a rental property after your PCS, it increases your flexibility. Short-term orders become less stressful if you know you can transition the property to a long-term rental, allowing you to build equity over time.
Future Return: Are you likely to return to this area for a future assignment or retirement? If so, owning now and renting in the interim can be a powerful long-term financial strategy.

3. The Timing Recommendation

For a general, non-math-intensive guide on buying, we recommend considering your ownership horizon.

Basic Timing Recommendation: Will you own the home for at least three years?

Why Three Years? In most markets, owning a home for a minimum of three years allows you time to pay down enough of the principal and ideally capture enough market appreciation to at least break even, even after factoring in the costs of selling (real estate commissions, closing costs, etc.).
Own vs. Live In: “Own” means the property is in your name, whether you live in it or rent it out. Longer ownership periods (four, five, six years, or more) are always better, as they further mitigate market fluctuations.

In high-cost areas, this three-year break-even point is often slightly higher, sometimes four or even five years, due to the larger volume of money involved in selling costs (e.g., 6% of a $700k home is higher than 6% of a $400k home). This is why a detailed financial comparison is especially critical in high-cost markets.

4. The Buy vs. Rent Decision

When you’re heading into a high-cost area, making the decision to buy or rent is all about the data. That’s why we built a Military Buy vs. Rent Calculator designed to factor in BAH, VA loan details, opportunity cost, and more. This powerful tool helps you evaluate your actual scenario with real inputs tied to your orders.

The key is comparing apples to apples. You’ll want to evaluate similar home types, square footage, and bedroom counts so the numbers reflect the lifestyle you’re actually looking for. From there, the calculator shows your projected break-even timeline by generating how long you will need to own the home before buying makes financial sense.

Run your numbers here.

5. VA Loan Limits in High-Cost Areas

If you decide to buy, utilizing your VA loan benefits requires understanding how high-cost areas impact your eligibility.

County Loan Limits:

Standard vs. HCOL Limits: If you have no outstanding VA loans, you can generally get a 0% down VA loan for any amount (with lender approval). However, if you are retaining an existing VA loan, your remaining eligibility is subject to county loan limits.
Higher Limits for HCOL: Many standard counties have a typical VA loan limit (e.g., $832,000 in 2026). High-cost areas, however, often have higher loan limits, sometimes exceeding $1.2 million.

Calculating Remaining Eligibility (Keeping an Existing VA Loan):

To determine your 0% down eligibility when keeping an existing VA loan:

Scenario	Calculation	Example (HCOL)
HCOL County Loan Limit	Maximum limit for the new county	$1,280,000
Original Loan Balance (Loan Kept)	The original loan amount of the VA loan you are keeping	$300,000
Remaining Eligibility	Limit minus Original Loan Balance	$980,000 (0% down eligibility)

Note: If you used a standard loan limit in your calculation, you might mistakenly think you have less eligibility, forcing you to bring a down payment unnecessarily. Always confirm the county loan limit at your new duty station.

The Double-Edged Sword:

While high-cost areas expand your 0% down buying power now, using a large portion of your VA eligibility to buy a $1.2 million home may significantly reduce your remaining eligibility for a future purchase in a lower-cost area. It is vital to understand this impact on your long-term VA loan strategy.

Your Next Move Starts With a Plan

Buying in a high-cost area on military orders isn’t about chasing the market or fearing it. It’s about understanding your timeline, your family’s needs, and how this purchase fits into your long-term financial strategy. When you approach the decision with clear data around ownership length, market fundamentals, and VA eligibility, the price tags become less daunting.

High-cost assignments can absolutely work in your favor, but only if the move supports your broader goals. If you’re weighing whether to buy or rent, unsure how this impacts your next steps, or want a second set of eyes on your homeownership strategy, we’d love to connect.

Check out more resources here, and contact our team to build a personalized game plan.

Elva Resa: Meet the Publisher Who Created the Military Family Books Genre

Anna Luzader — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 18:56:05 +0000

For military children, the question “Where are you from?” doesn’t always have an easy answer.

Those raised within the military community move, on average, six to nine times during their school years, learning to navigate challenging transitions. In the past, there were few resources—for kids or adults—that reflected the realities of military life or that were created especially for those living them. That changed when Elva Resa Publishing stepped in to specialize in creating and distributing books for military families.

This April, during Month of the Military Child, Elva Resa’s work is in the spotlight with Home Moves With Me, selected by United Through Reading as the 2026 Book for the Military Child. Written by Kathy Feedham Raggio, with art by Quinette Cook, and a Spanish edition (Mi hogar se muda conmigo) translated by Gabriella Aldeman, the story follows a child through their move to discover a special meaning of home. It is being distributed to military children in both English and Spanish throughout bases in all 50 states as well as overseas posts.

For nearly three decades, Elva Resa has been bridging the gap between the resources military families have and those they need. WeVett sat down with founder and publisher Karen Pavlicin, as well as her son and director of operations, Alexander Pavlicin, to understand how their work took shape.

Karen’s husband Bob served in the Marines and frequently deployed to high-conflict areas. Early in his service during the Gulf War, support systems for families were limited. “Family centers were just getting started,” Karen said. “A lot of the support came from spouses getting together in person.” This in-person community served as a place to share advice, information, and experiences with each other.

During one particularly difficult deployment, she started collecting stories and practical tips shared during their gatherings, organizing them into something more structured, and sharing them with others. When another spouse asked if she had a book, the idea took root. She mentioned it to her husband on one of their rare phone calls. His response? “You should write it.”

She did.

However, traditional publishers were hesitant to pick it up. The market wasn’t large enough, they said. Not enough people would read it.

Still, Karen continued to push forward. Surviving Deployment was released at the start of the Global War on Terror and quickly found the audience the publishing industry could not yet envision. Then, life shifted again.

Bob, who had survived several deployments and even a helicopter crash, was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. He passed shortly after, when Alexander was three years old.

In the years that followed, the Marine community continued to show up. They visited. They helped Karen raise Alexander. They are still in their lives today. Karen describes the work of Elva Resa as both a tribute to their commitment, and a continuation of their kindness. “Part of what we do is honoring Bob,” she said. “Part of it is a thank you to the Marines who took care of their own.”

“We’ll never be able to repay that kindness,” Alexander reflects. “But we can pay it forward to the next military family.”

That mission is the heartbeat of everything Elva Resa does.

During another season of loss and transition, and amid the growing requests she was receiving from the military community for more resources, Karen wrote a new book about reunion and grew Elva Resa’s core deployment resources, including activity books for kids. In 2027, Elva Resa will celebrate its 30th anniversary and will release new editions of some of those core deployment resources.

Alexander grew up in the business, traveling with his mom to author and publisher events, managing small office tasks, and giving out hugs at trade shows. He became a business partner in January 2025, bringing with him a master’s degree in technical entrepreneurship and management, and a lifetime of watching his mother pave the way.

Together, they run two interconnected arms of the business. Elva Resa Publishing creates original books about military family life, written and illustrated by military-connected authors and artists. Its distribution arm, Military Family Books, operates as a curated marketplace, sourcing titles from a wide range of publishers and delivering them by the case to organizations that support military families. These organizations purchase books then gift them to the people who need them most.

Beyond writing and publishing books, Karen helped build the infrastructure for an entire category of literature that the industry hadn’t acknowledged yet. For instance, there was no BISAC metadata code (the classification system that helps booksellers and readers find books by topic) for military family titles, so she lobbied to create one. Military Spouse magazine affectionately dubbed her the “godmother of the milspouse book movement” for her work elevating voices and creating opportunities for other military-connected writers.

Today, Elva Resa’s catalog spans a wide range of topics and formats: children’s books, memoirs, deployment journals, activity books, career guides, grief resources, personal growth, leadership books, and more. Many have won awards and are used in military and education curricula. Since 2021, Elva Resa has committed to publishing its new picture books in both English and Spanish to support the growing need for Spanish resources in the military community.

“Elva Resa has an incredible author community, responsive to and advocating for what family members need in today’s military life,” Karen said. “Our newest picture book is based on the lived experiences of the military-connected team that created it, and we hope any child going through a move is encouraged by the story.”

Behind the scenes, Elva Resa’s work faces many challenges. Publishing remains a low-margin industry. Government shutdowns and budget delays can interrupt cash flow and disrupt programs. At times, the company has continued distributing books even when funding was temporarily paused. Elva Resa works closely with government buyers, navigating regulations and processes to make it easier, not harder, for families to access the resources they need.

For entrepreneurs in the military community considering taking their own leap, Karen and Alexander offer their perspectives. Alexander’s approach is systems-driven: “Clearly define metrics and processes. Set measurable goals. It will help you track progress and identify ways you can improve and efficiently scale.”

Karen advises entrepreneurs to imagine full success first and map out what it looks like when everything goes right and wrong. She also stresses the importance of understanding your finances before you need to and building a support network of fellow entrepreneurs both inside and outside your field.

In many ways, Elva Resa’s family-first approach mirrors the military community itself. So much about this lifestyle is challenging. However, we operate as a family, leaning on each other, sustaining each other, and continuing to show up for one another time and time again.

Elva Resa creates resources that meet families where they’re at, supporting them through the difficult transitions of military life. During Month of the Military Child, that work feels especially meaningful.

To explore Elva Resa’s collection of resources for military families, visit ElvaResa.com. Home Moves with Me and Mi hogar se muda conmigo are available in their online store: MilitaryFamilyBooks.com/Home.

Your Home, Paid in Full: WeVett’s 20-Year Vision for Active-Duty Military Homeowners

Emma Djordjevic — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 20:56:43 +0000

There’s one thing all service members get used to throughout their military career: change.

Whether advancing in rank, getting orders at the eleventh hour, or transitioning to civilian life, active-duty members all have an honorary degree in Adapting to the Unexpected.

While change can be good, it also brings broader challenges, such as family stress and financial instability. One significant way that we have found to combat those expect-the-unexpected moments, is by having a stable place to call home—even if that changes with each new season.

At WeVett, we’ve been there too. Our team is made up of veterans and military spouses who have gone through (or who are currently in) the PCS life. We understand the stresses involved and that’s why we’ve made it our mission to help guide you through homeownership decisions with a long-term, active-duty focused lens.

In reality, the decisions you face as an active-duty military member are very different from those faced by civilians and even veterans. However, you’re never alone in them.

This is part two of a three-part series where we explain why WeVett is uniquely positioned to help YOU, the active-duty homeowner, make strong real estate decisions throughout your time in the military. In our first piece, we talked through the “why” behind our active-duty focus. Today, the story continues with our 20-Year Client Vision.

What is WeVett's 20-Year Client Vision?

In short, WeVett’ 20-year client vision is to help our clients have a paid for or nearly paid for home by the time they leave the military.

This provides military families the financial freedom to make decisions without the burden of a hefty mortgage (or rent) payment. Decisions such as what job to take, where to live, where to send kids to college, etc. There’s a layer of stress that disappears when the roof over your head is truly yours, free and clear.

The Cost of Constantly Moving without a Plan

Being financially ready for the end of a career is an admirable goal, but balancing long-term financial decisions with short-term assignments can feel like standing on shifting sand.

(You could barely find your can opener during this last PCS, let alone calculate the opportunity cost of buying a home that costs $25,000 more!)

In reality, it’s easy to prioritize the most convenient housing options during a stressful PCS. But over time, those decisions can quickly add up. Missed opportunities to build equity, selling at a loss, or even renting for too long at a single location could mean leaving thousands of dollars on the table.

And sadly, those missing dollars multiply at each new assignment. By the time you are preparing to transition out of the military (whether that’s in 5, 10 or 20 years) you are looking at zero or very little equity in a home, plus a life that you have to maintain on a paycheck that looks a lot different than the one you’re used to.

THEN, to add insult to injury, stack this financial burden on top of a complete identity overhaul (I am in the military vs I was in the military), and you’re suddenly in a place you never expected to be.

Now, let’s rewind the clock and see what happens when we bring in the 20-Year Vision at the beginning of this journey.

A Smarter Path for Military Homeownership

The first thing to understand about the 20-Year Vision is there is no one-size-fits all solution. Military Family A will have a completely different path (and PCS orders) than Military Family B.

WeVett understands this and works with you and your family to provide personalized recommendations based on your unique circumstances.

Unlike local agents or local lenders who are only rewarded for the short-term, immediate deal, WeVett helps you throughout your entire career across every location, advising you at key decision points in the housing process based on your current situation and desired long-term goals.

Let’s look at how this works in real life with the “Joes,” a military family balancing a budding military career with their homebuying journey.

Buy vs. Rent

Early on in his military career, GI Joe and his family are stationed in Norfolk, VA when they receive PCS orders to relocate to Florida in three months. Like most military families facing a move, the Joes reach their first major housing decision point: should they buy or rent at their next duty station?

The assignment is exciting, but there is uncertainty around how long they will remain in the area, especially with the possibility of additional Pentagon assignments or training rotations on the table.

While their ultimate goal is long-term homeownership, they want to be confident they are making the right decision. The Joes turn to WeVett, utilizing the PCS Buy vs. Rent Course as well as the Buy vs. Rent Calculator for an initial analysis, and then connecting with the WeVett team for additional guidance.

After reviewing the likely assignment timeline, home prices in the Florida Panhandle, and the Joes’ long-term plans, WeVett helps them evaluate the pros and cons of buying versus renting. Because this assignment may only last a couple of years, renting provides the flexibility they need while avoiding the short-term risks of buying in an expensive market (WeVett’s baseline three-year-rule).

With confidence in their decision, the Joes choose to rent during their time in Florida while continuing to save and prepare for a future home purchase.

The Homebuying Process

A few years later, the Joes receive PCS orders to San Diego, CA. Once again, a familiar decision point appears: should they rent again, or is this finally the right time to buy?

By this point in their careers, they have built stronger financial footing and are beginning to think more seriously about where they might eventually want to settle down after the military.

San Diego appeals to them for both lifestyle and long-term opportunity, so they begin exploring the idea of buying a home there.

Once again, they turn to WeVett to evaluate their options. Using updated numbers in the Buy vs. Rent Calculator and reviewing San Diego market conditions, the Joes determine that purchasing a home could make sense if they plan to hold the property long term.

Because they have decided to buy, WeVett Realty connects the Joes with a vetted, military-specialized real estate agent in San Diego who understands the unique challenges of PCS moves and VA loans. Their agent helps them find a home that fits their family’s needs while also having strong rental potential if future orders take them elsewhere.

To ensure the Joes get the best possible loan structure, WeVett Home Loans assists them through the VA loan process and helps them close on their San Diego home within 30 days.

Renting vs. Selling

After four great years in San Diego, the Joes receive PCS orders back to the East Coast and face another familiar housing decision: should they rent out their home or sell it?

Knowing WeVett helps guide these decisions throughout a military career, they reconnect with the team and use WeVett’s sell vs. rent resources to evaluate the financial implications of both options.

By reviewing potential rental income, property expenses, and long-term appreciation, the Joes are able to see what makes the most sense for their goals.

Because they may want to return to San Diego someday and like the idea of continuing to build equity, the Joes decide to keep the property as a rental.

Refinancing

As the Joes near the end of their time in service, they begin planning their transition back to civilian life. Their San Diego property has been performing well as a rental, but another financial decision point emerges: does refinancing make sense?

WeVett provides several tools to help them evaluate their options, including the Rate Radar system that monitors interest rate trends and a rapid refinance calculator that estimates potential savings.

After reviewing the numbers, the Joes work with WeVett to refinance using the VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL), lowering their interest rate and reducing the remaining cost of their mortgage.

Military Retirement / Separation

At the end of his service, GI Joe and his family return to San Diego, excited to begin their civilian chapter in a home they already know and love.

Because they made thoughtful housing decisions throughout their career, renting when flexibility mattered and buying when the timing was right, they arrive at retirement with a home that is nearly paid off and a strong financial foundation.

By aligning their housing decisions with WeVett’s 20-Year Vision, the Joes were able to build equity steadily throughout their military career and transition into civilian life with greater financial freedom and flexibility.

GI Joe was able to take the time he needed to transition into a fulfilling civilian career without feeling the financial pressure to take whatever job was available. Instead of a jarring identity shift, GI Joe found pride in his new work and career which helped to cushion the natural challenges of moving from active duty to veteran status.

At the Heart of ‘Home’

The Joes aren’t a unique case among WeVett clients.

Better housing decisions lead to better outcomes, including lower financial burdens and even reduced suicide risk for separated and retired service members who are struggling with those transitional challenges.

At the heart of it all is making the right decisions at the right time, and WeVett is here as your guide from start to finish. As veterans and military spouses, we aren’t outsiders looking in, we’re holding your hand through the deployments, the TDYs and the last minute PCSs, telling you it’s okay—there’s still a place where you can come home.

Do you want to see your own 20-Year Vision come to life? Reach out to us! Our team is ready to help get you there.

Buy vs. Rent: a Data-Driven Guide for PCS Moves

Anna Luzader — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 16:42:08 +0000

Military families know the drill. PCS orders drop, and there’s about 90 seconds to let it sink in before muscle memory takes over. You reach for your phone.

First search: BAH rates at [new duty station]
Second search: Zillow
Third search: Costco near [new duty station]

This is the proper PCS order of operations. We don’t make the rules.

Within hours, what started off as curiosity has spiraled into a high-school math flashback scene. If BAH is this, and homes are going for that… maybe renting makes sense. But, we really want to invest in our future, so this would be a great duty station where we finally make the leap.

Subtract the nine, carry the one, and just like that, you’re there again—the PCS math trap.

For military families, almost every piece of the homebuying process is touched by their lifestyle. Tight timelines, fluctuating BAH, and location uncertainty mean that what may be a steady investment for most carries far more nuance for active-duty buyers. Buying a home isn’t a feelings-based decision, but compiling the facts requires time, energy, and clarity; all of which are in short supply during the transition from one duty station to the next.

The Buy vs. Rent Calculator Made for Military Families

As a company built by and for the military community, WeVett knows the weight of the buy vs. rent decision during a military move. And even though helping you find and finance a home is our thing, we know that buying isn’t the default decision for everyone at every PCS. That’s why we built the Military Buy vs. Rent Calculator.

This isn’t a generic online widget built for the general population, it’s a tool specifically designed for active-duty service members navigating BAH, the VA loan, realistic ownership windows, and the very real possibility of having to pick up and go after only a few years.

At its core, the calculator stands to answer one crucial question: Over the time I expect to be at this duty station, which option leaves me and my family in a stronger financial position?

It doesn’t just compare monthly payments, it evaluates the total cost of ownership versus the total cost of renting while factoring in the VA funding fee, estimated appreciation, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, selling costs, and even the opportunity cost of tying up capital in a home versus investing it in other ways.

The Military Buy vs. Rent Calculator doesn’t push you toward buying or default to renting, it empowers buyers by revealing the realistic tradeoffs. Sometimes, ownership is the clear winner. Other times, especially for short timelines in high-cost areas, renting is the best option. But at the end of the day, clarity is what matters most; especially when orders can change faster than the market.

How to Use the Buy vs. Rent Calculator

First, let’s get this out of the way. The Military Buy vs. Rent Calculator is fun. We don’t judge you one bit for running the numbers on a $2.3 million dollar house in San Diego (for data purposes, of course). With that said however, this tool provides the best information when your inputs are as accurate as possible.

Here’s how to harness its power.

Start with your real pay grade, dependency status, and duty station.

Then, enter rental numbers that are comparable to the type of property you would realistically choose to buy. This is VERY important. For example, if you’re looking to buy a 3-bedroom 2.5-bath new build, don’t enter rental numbers for a studio apartment.

Scroll to the “Buy (VA Loan)” section, and complete the fields. Use current VA loan rates and keep in mind, the VA funding fee can be waived in certain circumstances. Your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) will indicate your exempt status. But, the most important variable here is your ownership timeline. Run the scenario based on your expected PCS window. If you plan to rent your property out after you buy, adjust the timeline accordingly.

The optional Advanced Options section allows you to really get into the nitty gritty. Here, you can enter loan term, other closing costs, property tax, appreciation, selling costs, insurance, maintenance, HOA, and utilities. Again, we encourage accuracy here, but realize none of us can see into the future. Do your best!

Next, select your tax information. If you enable the Opportunity Cost section, you’ll be able to see what would happen if you invest your down payment and any additional monthly savings.

Hit “Calculate” et voila, your Summary and Detailed Results are both available for the taking.

What to Watch Out For

One of the most common distortions in the buy vs. rent conversation happens when the properties being compared aren’t truly comparable. As mentioned earlier, if you’re running the numbers for a 3-bedroom 2.5-bath new build against a studio apartment, you’re comparing apples to oranges.

However, if you’re actively looking for similar properties to rent and finding that there are none, that could be a solid indicator that buying wins out in this scenario.

Another potential snare in running the numbers is leaning too heavily on optimistic appreciation assumptions. If buying only makes sense when appreciation runs hot, you’re placing bets on market performance which could spell trouble in the future.

Finally, resist the temptation to set rent increases to zero or populate maintenance costs with unrealistically low numbers. Both ownership and renting can experience inflation over time. So, best to keep a level head and err on the side of caution.

Remember, the Military Buy vs. Rent Calculator isn’t about building blue sky scenarios, it’s about setting military families up for long-term success.

The Move Before the Move

Home wasn’t built in a day (that’s how the saying goes, right?). Likewise, no PCS happens in one glorious fell swoop. It’s all about balancing short-term decisions for long-term gains, and finding a way to honor both. At the end of the day, what matters more than the best kitchen or shortest commute is whether your housing choice strengthens and supports your financial goals or actively works against them.

Buying with the VA loan is still one of the most powerful wealth-building tools available to active-duty service members and Veterans—especially when timeline and markets align. But renting can also be the strategic choice when flexibility takes center stage. The difference isn’t opinion, it’s math.

WeVett’s Military Buy vs. Rent Calculator serves to stand in that decision gap, revealing the full picture. The result? Transparency, confidence, and valuable time back. In a military career where so much is decided for you, this is one of the few choices where you can have control.

So, run the numbers. Stress-test the timeline. Then, if you want a second set of eyes on what you’re seeing, always feel free to reach out. We’re here to help you build, so the moves you make today support the life you’re building long after your last duty station.

Start your military homebuying journey today!

Recipe for Success: Whipzi Founder Angela Powell on Pivots, Purpose

Anna Luzader — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 05:36:25 +0000

Nothing is more true for military families than the famous saying, “Change is the only constant in life.” One day you’re heading to Japan on international PCS orders, and the next you’re solo-parenting through an unexpected deployment. And while this kind of lifestyle is certainly not for the faint of heart, those who can learn to embrace it unlock a potent power move: the pivot.

Angela Powell has perfected the art of the pivot, and the proof is quite literally in the pudding.

What started as a pandemic pastime turned into a thriving brand, Whipzi, which can now be found on store shelves across the country. In this Q&A, she shares her journey from military spouse to entrepreneur, demonstrating how resilience, creativity, and community can turn even the most unexpected seasons into something sweet.

Let’s start with your military background. What branch were you connected to, what was your role, and how did that experience shape the way you approach work and leadership today?

I immigrated from England to America when I was 18 and always wanted to go into the military. The U.S. Air Force was what I was looking at, so I enlisted as an X-ray tech. Then, while I was waiting to start my career as part of the Delayed Enlistment Program, I met my husband who had just graduated from the Air Force Academy. We knew it would be difficult with us both being active-duty, but I kept thinking, “I’ve always wanted to do this. I don’t want to go through life saying, ‘What if?’”

So, I continued with my plan to serve. A year after we were married, I got an honorable discharge and then became a military spouse for 20 years, following my husband from one base to another. When we got stationed at Nellis in Las Vegas, I started working part-time for Delta Airlines. So throughout all of his deployments, I was working and solo-parenting our two kids.

And when your spouse is deployed, you have to learn to be pretty independent and put out your own fires. I didn’t have any baking or business background, but through the military, you have to learn how to adapt and pivot (and YouTube everything). I think that’s really encouraged me to learn new skills and do things out of my comfort zone which has prepared me for this. It’s made me realize that you can pretty much do anything you set your mind to.

Can you introduce us to your business?

Whipzi is flavored powdered sugars crafted with gluten-free, all-natural ingredients.

While most people immediately think of frosting when they see powdered sugar, Whipzi has so many uses. You can make it into cold foams and syrups for coffee, marshmallows, meringues, and even puppy chow.

When most people are introduced to Whipzi, the most common response I get is, “What is flavored powdered sugar?” because they’ve never seen it before. But once they see how much it simplifies the baking process for them and how versatile it is, they see the benefit.

Where did the idea for Whipzi come from?

I’ve been with Delta Airlines for 16 years, and when COVID hit, I was suddenly at home with my kids wondering how to keep them occupied. So, being from England, I started teaching them how to make British staples like shepherd’s pie and Cornish pasties. From there, we started baking, and one of my coworkers had a birthday coming up. Knowing she struggles with depression, I asked her if we could bake her a cake. She said, “No, I don’t want a cake.” But, I told her she could always let me know if she changes her mind.

And she did. About a week before her birthday she told me, “I want a cake, no particular flavor.” Three days later, “Actually, I want a lemon cake.” Then, the day before, “By the way, it has to be gluten-free.” At that point, I didn’t know much about baking, but I did know that gluten-free is a whole different level of baking. But we made the cake, and it turned out really well. So well, that people asked us to start making cakes for them.

When my friend asked us to make a gender reveal cake, I immediately was thinking pink, blue, cotton candy. I ordered some cotton candy flavoring, and we added too much to the frosting. That made me think, “There has to be an easier way to flavor frostings,” so I started searching for it. After weeks of searching, I couldn’t find it anywhere. So I decided to try and make it myself.

What made you decide to take the leap from idea to launch?

Since my kids are older, I was thinking it would be a fun little hobby to keep me busy after we become empty nesters. So I found a factory that said they could help, and in October 2022 I officially launched Whipzi with a small run of a couple of hundred bags on my website, doing everything by myself while roping my family in to help me fulfill orders and such.

That continued until July 2024, when a World Market buyer reached out. They had found my product online and asked if they could retail it. I had never done anything like that before, but they walked me through every part of the process—how to use their shipping software and accept purchase orders. They were phenomenal, and even to this day they’re so good to work with.

In March 2025, they launched Whipzi’s lavender and lemon flavors nationwide and it sold really well, so they brought in five more pallets. From there, the relationship continued to grow. They added strawberry and vanilla in the summer, and then brought in pumpkin spice, salted caramel, and peppermint for fall. They’ll be bringing in lavender and lemon again this spring as well.

Another watershed moment for Whipzi was last January when I did my first Fancy Food Show as an exhibitor. A friend had mentioned it to me and I thought you know, why not? At the event, a buyer from H-E-B stopped by my booth and was really interested. H-E-B is a dream come true for CPG (consumer packaged goods) and having completed my basic training (and my husband’s pilot training) in Texas – it truly was a dream retailer. So in July, we launched chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla into H-E-B. Then Central Market took chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, orange, and lemon, plus some seasonal flavors. And now you can find Whipzi in World Market, H-E-B, Central Market, Meijer, Albertsons, and more!

Not for one moment did I think it would get this big. I mean, I have no business or baking experience, so I really had no idea. Still, to this day, it’s kind of surreal to walk into World Market on the way to get my English chocolate and see Whipzi on the shelf. It’s just crazy.

How has your military and military spouse experience impacted the way you lead Whipzi?

The military community had always been there when I needed them most. So, it’s really important for me to give back to the community and also highlight Veterans. Whipzi’s blueberry flavor is an example of that.

When we were stationed in Germany, I became really good friends with a fellow spouse who gave birth to her fourth child while we were stationed there. After the military sent us separate ways, we continued to keep in touch. Not long after they moved back to the U.S. for a Pentagon assignment, her son Brodie, who was 14 years old at the time, became ill and was ultimately diagnosed with a brain tumor.

They moved to Colorado to be close to family and the following years were filled with her and Brodie traveling for treatment. Since her husband was stationed in another state, it was really hard on them. Several of us that formed a friendship in Germany came to help often with Brodie and their family.

Brodie passed away at 16. I wanted to do something to honor his memory and he loved the color blue. I always knew if I did a blueberry flavor we would name it after Brodie and donate the proceeds. So we launched a flavor just for him, Brodie Blueberry, and all of the proceeds go to whatever charity the family chooses.

The first year we were able to donate $4,200 to the Pure Hope Foundation, a Texas-based nonprofit that works with victims of human trafficking, using profits from Brodie Blueberry plus funds from a matching donor who doubled the match. Next year, we’ll be donating to a nonprofit for preventing veteran suicide, which is a cause that’s near and dear to my heart.

We want to be able to give back, and being able to support veterans and the military community as a whole is so very important to us.

What’s next for Whipzi?

We have some new flavors coming out this spring, and currently working on a few that are in high-demand because of social media trends (hint-hint). But I also have another product in the works that no one has ever done before. You know, my wheels are always turning.

What advice would you give to active-duty service members or Veterans who want to start their own business but haven’t taken the first step yet?

First, trust your gut. I sat on the idea for Whipzi for maybe a month, and then finally just decided I was going to do it. I’ve always had ideas in the past, but never acted on them. But this time, I trusted my gut.

Second, just go for it. When you PCS and move, a lot of spouses have to figure out how to keep their career intact. For many, what they did at their last duty station won’t translate to the next one, and that’s especially true for overseas posts. But, we’re the most resilient people.

Like I said, I didn’t have any baking or business experience before this, and I think of how little I knew then plus how much I still have to learn now. But, I think out of everyone, military spouses and veterans are the ones that are so good at pivoting and growing simply because of the situations that they find themselves in.

You don’t want to go through life and say, “I should have… If only…” So, I definitely think if you have an idea, go for it.

A huge thank you to Angela for taking the time to share her journey with us. Her story is a powerful reminder that the skills learned through service—adaptability, grit, community—don’t end. They evolve. And when you mix them all together, that’s a recipe for success.

You can find Whipzi products online at whipzi.com and in select retailers nationwide. We’ve also included one of Angela’s favorite Whipzi recipes below so you can experience her product the same way it began—in your home kitchen with the people you care about most.

2 INGREDIENT STRAWBERRY MARSHMALLOWS

Making your own marshmallows couldn’t be easier, especially with our two-ingredient recipe, and let me tell you, they are absolutely delicious. With just gelatin and sugar, you can skip all the complicated stuff in store-bought versions. You’ll whip up some strawberry-flavored marshmallows that are so tasty, you’ll never want to go back to the ones from the store.

INGREDIENTS: MARSHMALLOWS

1 bag (16 oz/1lb) Whipzi strawberry flavor powdered sugar (or any flavor)
25 grams gelatin
1 cup water

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a separate mixing bowl add 1/2 cup of water and sprinkle the gelatin over the top of the water. In a large saucepan add one bag of Whipzi flavored powdered sugar and remaining 1/2 cup of water, bring to a boil on medium heat, stirring occasionally until temperature reaches 240 degrees. Carefully add heated powdered sugar and water mix to the mixing bowl with water and gelatin. Mix on low to incorporate and then medium for about 5 minutes until it starts to get fluffy. Pour into a rectangle baking dish that has been lined with parchment paper or oiled. Allow to sit for at least 6 hours. Sprinkle some more powdered sugar to the top of the marshmallows and cut with an oiled knife.

Which Locations Saw the Biggest Increases and Decreases in 2026 BAH Rates?

Anna Luzader — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 21:59:15 +0000

Calling all military families: it’s finally here! The Department of Defense has officially released 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates, and for most active duty, there’s a welcomed boost on the way.

The 2026 BAH rates reflect shifting housing markets across the country, with the majority of housing areas seeing increases designed to better match local rental trends. But while some duty stations are seeing significant jumps, others are holding steady, and a small handful will even see slight decreases.

To give a quick snapshot of what’s changed, we’ve compiled a list of the five locations with the highest BAH increases and the five locations with the lowest increases, using the rank of O-3 with dependents as an example.

As always, rates are based on rank, location, and dependent status. So make sure to get clear on your BAH rate with our 2026 Military BAH Calculator before finalizing your budgeting or PCS decisions for the new year.

*Rates are calculated based on an O-3 with dependents

Top Five Locations with the Largest BAH Increases

1. Outer Banks, NC

2025: $2,667 | 2026: $3,078

INCREASE OF $420 (15.75%)

2. Terre Haute, IN

2025: $1,737 | 2026: $2,001

INCREASE OF $264 (15.20%)

3. Fayetteville, AR

2025: $2,076 | 2026: $2,355

INCREASE OF $279 (13.44%)

4. Stika, AK

2025: $3,060 | 2026: $3,462

INCREASE OF $402 (13.14%)

5. Houston, TX

2025: $2,388 | 2026: $2,700

INCREASE OF $312 (13.07%)

Top Five Locations with the Largest BAH Decreases

1. Austin, TX

2025: $3,702 | 2026: $3,447

DECREASE OF $255 (-6.89%)

2. Phoenix, AZ

2025: $2,616 | 2026: $2,490

DECREASE OF $126 (-4.82%)

3. Springfield/Decatur, IL

2025: $2,091 | 2026: $2,001

DECREASE OF $90 (-4.3%)

4. Brownsville, TX

2025: $2,247 | 2026: $2,169

DECREASE OF $78 (-3.47%)

5. Beaufort/Parris Island, SC

2025: $2,952 | 2026: $2,856

DECREASE OF $96 (-3.25%)

No matter where this year takes you, these new BAH rates can open the door to fresh homeownership possibilities. If you’re wondering what these changes mean for your next steps, our lending and realty teams are ready to help you explore your options and make the most of 2026.

2026 BAH Rates: How to Make the Most of Your PCS Buying Power

Anna Luzader — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 18:40:16 +0000

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The Christmas trees are glowing and the hot chocolate’s flowing, but for military families, it’s not only visions of sugar plums (whatever those are) dancing through their heads. Every year, this season leaves every military homebuyer wondering the same thing: When will new military BAH rates be released?

BAH Rates Explained

For active duty, few numbers matter more than Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). This tax-free housing stipend is available for uniformed service members who choose to live off base at duty stations located within the 50 U.S. states. But this benefit didn’t always exist.

In the post-World War II era, all service members were expected to live on base. While convenient, this setup quickly led to housing shortages. So, the government developed a benefit called Basic Allowance for Quarters (BAQ) to provide a small, standard stipend for off-base housing. There was a big problem, though. Because BAQ didn’t take local housing costs into consideration, many service members in high-cost areas were left to pay steep out-of-pocket housing expenses.

In the 1990s, Congress stepped in to save the day. Their plan involved a complete BAQ overhaul, creating a system based on data markers instead of standard rates. In 1998, their hard work came to fruition with BAH completely replacing BAQ. For all you history enthusiasts, we delve more into the history and evolution of BAH here. But thanks to the modernization of this system, standard housing rates are—well—history, and the amount of BAH a service member receives is now determined by three factors:

1. Pay Grade
Military BAH increases along with your time in service. So, a newly-commissioned officer completing their first year in the military won’t have the same allocation as someone with 20 years of service—even if they’re stationed at the same base.

2. Geographic Location
BAH rates are based on the local rental market rates and average cost of utilities at each duty station. Every person stationed in San Diego is grateful for this.

3. Dependents
BAH is different for single active-duty military and those with a family in tow. Sadly, furchildren and high-maintenance houseplants don’t count as dependents (yet).

Each year, the DoD analyzes data to track closely with the real cost of living at each duty station. In other words, when markets shift, BAH follows. The new rates then go into effect on January 1st every year.

And don’t worry, military personnel serving overseas still have access to housing benefits with some minor changes. Instead of BAH, overseas active duty receive Overseas Housing Allowance, or OHA, which also includes a move-in housing allowance.

Military BAH has come a long way since the early days, and now allows service members to cover about 95% of their housing costs. Additionally, protections like Individual Rate Protection were added to ensure members never receive less BAH than the previous year as long as their duty station and dependency status are the same. Though not perfect, BAH has been instrumental in transforming military housing support from an add-on benefit to a foundational component of financial health and future stability for military families.

How BAH Impacts PCS Buying Power

As touched on earlier, BAH is based on rental markets, which draws from the assumption that those who use it will be renting at their duty station. But, BAH can also be an invaluable tool to leverage for homeownership—particularly when paired with the VA loan.

New to the VA Loan? Check out our free VA Loan Masterclass here!

For PCS planning, BAH works as your baseline housing budget. So before you start browsing Zillow or asking about neighborhoods in Facebook groups, your expected BAH rate gives you a realistic sense of what’s affordable in that market.

But here’s where BAH really does the heavy lifting: when buying a house, lenders can usually count BAH as qualifying, nontaxable income for VA loans. That means your housing allowance directly affects your debt-to-income ratio, your maximum approved loan amount, and ultimately, the price range of homes you can shop for.

In short, when used strategically (especially at each PCS), BAH doesn’t just cover housing. Instead, it can help set military families up for real wealth. That’s the long game WeVett is building toward: helping families exit the military with a paid for or nearly paid for home.

2026 BAH Rates

Now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for. Though the official BAH rates for 2026 haven’t been announced yet, the DoD has released approximate data. So all you have to do now is plug your duty station’s zip code or location into the WeVett’s 2026 Military BAH Calculator and boom… 2026 BAH rates. The calculator covers all military branches and locations that receive BAH, so you can start the new year with a clearer runway for PCS planning—especially if you’re navigating the PCS buy vs. rent decision.

For active-duty families gearing up for a move in 2026, our tools and team are here to help you plan your next chapter. If you’re looking for guidance in understanding how BAH can shape your military homeownership journey, feel free to reach out to our team of VA loan experts!

VA Loan Limits for 2026 and What They Mean for Buyers

Shannon Kaufman — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 19:07:19 +0000

The end of the year has (almost) arrived, and military and veterans alike are waiting with bated breath for those crucial end-of-year announcements – paychecks, loan limits, BAH rates. And after a very uncertain last two months, it is a relief to finally begin to plan for the future again.

Our first announcement on this list: The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has finally released VA loan limits for 2026. If you’re planning on buying a home next year, new loan limits might adjust your VA buying power.

So, the question of the hour: Will loan limits increase in 2026?

How Do VA Loan Limits Work?

First, let’s get familiar with loan limits and why they matter.

Loan limits are the maximum amount a lender will lend to you without needing a down payment. Although this was not the case prior to 2020, loan limits now only apply to buyers with partial entitlement. That means it’s specifically for those who have already used their VA loan once, and that the VA loan is still active or not yet paid off.

Loan limits come into play when you are seeking a subsequent use VA loan (i.e. a second VA loan). The FHFA then sets limits based on the amount of entitlement already used with that first loan. If you have questions on how much entitlement you have, your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) will be a key piece in helping you and your lender determine how much home you can buy at 0% down.

We’ll walk you through the basic math for determining your entitlement, but if you want the easy button option, reach out to our VA loan team for help.

How to Calculate VA Loan Remaining Entitlement

Here’s the quick-and-dirty formula for calculating your remaining VA loan entitlement if you have an outstanding VA loan. (If you have more than one outstanding VA loan, we suggest going straight to a VA specialized lender calculate your remaining entitlement.)

Step One:
Identify the amount of entitlement already charged.

Entitlement Charged = 25 percent of the original loan amount that is still active
(If a prior VA loan is paid off and entitlement restored, that portion becomes zero.)

Step Two:
Determine maximum entitlement available in the target county.

Max Entitlement in County = County Conforming Loan Limit × 0.25

Step Three:
Remaining Entitlement Formula

Remaining Entitlement = Max Entitlement in County − Entitlement Charged

Step Four:
Maximum No-Down-Payment Purchase Power

This circles back because VA guarantees 25 percent of the loan.

Max Zero Down VA Loan Amount = Remaining Entitlement × 4

Remaining Entitlement Formula
Remaining Entitlement = 0.25 × (County Loan Limit − Existing VA Loan Balance)

Here’s the formula in practice:

Let’s say you want to buy a house in an area with a County Loan Limit (CLL) of $806,500, and you’ve used $50,000 of your entitlement on an existing loan.

$806,500 (CLL) x 0.25 = $201,625
Remaining entitlement: $201,625 – $50,000 = $151,642
Maximum zero-down loan: $151,642 x 4 = $606,568

This means you could get a loan for $606,568 with zero down, based on the remaining entitlement.

Since loan limits are determined by county, you have to find out your county limit before calculating your max entitlement.

As a reminder, if you are using a VA loan for the first time or have no current loans, there’s no loan limit.

Find out more about understanding your entitlement and COE at VA.gov.

VA Loan Limits for 2026

As it turns out, life just keeps getting more expensive – which means loan limits have to adjust annually to reflect rising (or falling) home prices.

Let’s take a quick look back at last year for comparison. In 2025, for most areas in the United States, the conforming loan limit values for one-unit properties were $806,500, increasing 5.2 percent from 2024, according to the FHFA.

However, some high-cost areas (such as Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) may have a higher application loan limit compared to the baseline limit. In areas designated “high-cost counties,” limits can be as high as $1,209,750 (150% of the baseline limit).

Find information about previous loan limits in our 2025 loan limit changes video.

What are the VA loan limits in 2026 for my county?

Alright, now that you are sufficiently learned on all things loan limits, here is what you’ve been scrolling through this article for…

We have compiled a database of all the adjusted loan limits for 2026 by county. You can search using your zip or city (and if you peek at California and Hawaii’s loan limits, we promise we won’t tell). Check out the calculator below!

VA Loan Limits for 2026

Still unsure about how VA loan limits work or how they may apply to you? Check out our resources, or contact one of our va loan experts today.

WeVett Waypoints: The Broadbents

Anna Luzader — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 20:18:15 +0000

What do you get when the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) brings together a tech-forward cadet and an international intel polyglot-in-training? Meet Gordon Broadbent and Sarah “FIGHT” Broadbent (Nickisch)—2013 United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) grads, founding members of WeVett, all-around power couple, and living proof that joining the Long Blue Line is just the beginning of an unforgettable life.

For Sarah, a conversation around the dinner table is what changed her trajectory. “I had started learning Arabic in high school and wanted to continue in college,” she recalls. “My dad randomly said at the dinner table the fall of my senior year, ‘How about a military academy?’ It was one of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received.” However, her time as a cadet wasn’t without challenges. When thinking back on her first day, Sarah says, “I just remember looking in the mirror at the end of the day—headband pulling back short hair, BCGs, and ABUs that were way too big—smiling and thinking, ‘What did I get myself into?’”

Gordon, on the other hand, had a window into the USAFA life before joining, and luckily inherited tips and tricks from his brother who attended the Academy before him. That was enough to brace him for what was coming. “I was just thankful to be there,” Gordon said. “My first day was exactly what I expected. Intense, but exciting.”

Their USAFA years were filled with the usual chaos, camaraderie, and character-building, but they also laid the foundation for an incredibly promising career. Today, Gordon serves as an active duty acquisitions officer (63A & 62E) and is currently taking part in a Department of the Air Force–sponsored Executive Development Program, spending three years at Microsoft while simultaneously pursuing a PhD. Sarah is a Drill Status Guardsman for the Oregon Air National Guard and the Director of Intelligence for the 173rd Fighter Wing. She’s also the founder and COO of ValkyrieTek, a consultancy focused on cyber and intelligence training solutions.

While currently based in Seattle, which they describe as “epic,” the Broadbents are already looking forward to their next chapter at Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB. And while their careers take them all over the globe, the pair has also found ways to give back wherever they may be. “We’re proud to be from USAFA, and strive to serve and pay it forward,” they share. “We’ve recently taken up a few opportunities to volunteer our time by getting involved in the new NextGen Advisory Council to the USAFA Association & Foundation and leading the Air & Space Forces Association Greater Seattle Chapter.”

For the Broadbents, giving back is just one way of staying connected to the community that shaped, and continues to shape, so much of their story. Their closest friendships, their mentors, even their extended family all trace back to the Long Blue Line. “USAFA provided us the opportunity to not only meet each other, but also paved the way for one of each of our siblings to marry incredible people,” Sarah says. Jonathan (’12) and Steph (’14) Broadbent and David (’13) and Sami (Nickisch) Shealy are all part of both the extended Broadbent family tree and the USAFA family, and their collective crew of kids has added more fun to the mix.

It was this strong sense of community that carried them through one of Sarah’s most defining transitions in 2023 when their daughter Ivy was born. “I knew I wanted to prioritize being home with her, but leaving a very promising active duty career was still challenging,” she shares. “I am fortunate to have so many incredible mentors and friends from USAFA and across my career that helped me navigate that crossroad!”

These days, returning to the Academy for events like the WeVett tailgate carries a deeper kind of meaning. It’s a return to the beginning; a full-circle moment where they get to reflect on how far they’ve come, while sharing the lessons of their journey with the next generation.

When asked what they’d say to the cadets or recent grads dropping by the tailgate, they don’t hesitate: “Try new things while you’re a cadet. Engage with your professors… it’s incredible how much they care!” And for the Broadbent’s final piece of advice, they implore, “Enjoy all that CO has to offer, but especially the snowboarding.”

WeVett Waypoints: Maj. Andrew Gorospe

Anna Luzader — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 17:41:13 +0000

Major Andrew Gorospe didn’t grow up with dreams of becoming a cadet. In fact, he’ll be the first to tell you, “My path to the Academy was a bit unconventional.” As someone raised outside of the military community, USAFA wasn’t even on his radar until his senior year of high school when a mentor on his travel soccer team first made the connection. After attending Appointee Weekend, Gorospe ran with it. “Given my interest in computers and computer programming, the Air Force Academy stood out as the best fit for what I wanted to study and the kind of career I wanted to pursue.”

That career has since come to fruition while also bringing him full-circle. After graduating in 2013 with a Computer Science degree, Gorospe and his family have moved across the world and back again. Today, Major Andrew Gorospe serves as Deputy Commander of the 62nd Cyberspace Squadron at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, just 25 miles away from where his career journey first began.

Like many grads, Gorospe describes the Academy as “a great place to be from,” but also admits that he had no idea what he was getting into, and in retrospect, maybe that was a good thing. “The first day was a shocker,” he states. “Basic training turned out to be a mental, physical, and emotional challenge unlike anything I had anticipated.”

Still, Gorospe doesn’t see basic training as his one pivotal moment at the Academy. Instead, it was steady access to the community that helped mold him. “One of the most significant lessons [I learned] came from observing both good and bad leaders at the Academy, some of which were through friendship and some of which were through military chain-of-command,” he shares.” I had never considered myself much of a leader before attending USAFA. Even through my officer years, leadership has been a progressive journey, but it was at the Academy where I first truly took it on.”

That foundation proved critical as his career progressed, and especially as his family navigated one of their greatest challenges yet–a PCS from Write-Patterson AFB in Ohio to Joint Force Command Brunssum in the Netherlands.

“It was easily the hardest transition,” Gorospe said. “Selling our home while planning an international move could’ve been overwhelming. But Evan at WeVett made it monumentally less stressful than it could have been.” Once overseas, the military community continued to show up. “That support system helped us find our footing and create a new normal.”

Now back stateside, Gorospe finds himself back in familiar territory. Each return to the Hill brings back old memories while creating new ones. This is especially true during WeVett Tailgates, which have now become a family affair. “It’s definitely nostalgic—both being on the Academy grounds and going to the tailgate, except I suppose these are at my own free will!” he jokes. But on a more serious note, “Being able to share a little bit of my past with my family and give them a window into that chapter of my life? That means a lot.”

These are the moments where past and present collide. The Academy friendships that started in the crucible of the Doolie days have outlasted continents and careers. “Some of my closest relationships have lasted over a decade,” he says. “Whether classmates are still in service or not, the bond doesn’t really fade.”

Even meeting USAFA grads he didn’t know during school comes with its own instantaneous connection. “Regardless of class year, being a USAFA grad means you start the relationship with a shared experience,” Gorospe says. “That usually leads to mutual understanding and a baseline of trust.”

And maybe that’s the heart of it, knowing that no matter how far you’ve gone, there’s still a place where people just get it. Where the experiences make sense. Where you can swap war stories. Where the past feels both distant and near.

That’s what WeVett Waypoints is all about, celebrating the winding journeys that begin at the Academy, pass through countless zip codes, and circle back with new stories, new roles, and new roots. It’s about how “home” evolves from a dorm room to a duty station to a tailgate.

As we gear up for another game day at Falcon Stadium, it’s stories like Gorospe’s that remind us where we started, how far we’ve come, and what it means to come home again.