Tactical Wealth: From Military to Money

In this episode of Tactical Wealth, Air Force Master Sergeant, combat cameraman, Columbia neuroscience graduate, and Bastogne AI co-founder Greg Brook shares the unconventional path that took him from working on the F-22 to documenting combat operations, studying neuroscience, advising defense tech companies, and building a company focused on the future of warfare.

Greg opens up about why he joined the Air Force, how a chance encounter introduced him to the world of combat camera, and what it was like deploying alongside some of the military’s most elite units. He also shares the experience that pushed him toward neuroscience and a deeper understanding of military mental health.

In this episode, we dive into:

Joining the Air Force: Why Greg enlisted in 2006 and initially planned to become a Marine

Working on the F-22: What Greg learned from working with one of the world's most advanced fighter aircraft

Discovering Combat Camera: How a chance encounter introduced Greg to a career documenting frontline operations alongside elite military units

Inside Combat Camera: What it's like to deploy with Special Operations forces and capture some of the most consequential moments of the Global War on Terror

The Cost of War: The experiences that led Greg to question how the military approaches mental health and veteran suicide

Why Neuroscience: How a devastating moment during a deployment pushed Greg toward studying neuroscience at Columbia
The Columbia Experience: How Greg balanced an Ivy League education with continued military service and deployments around the world
From Ukraine to Defense Tech: How working alongside humanitarian and medical teams helped Greg discover the defense technology ecosystem

The Problem With Defense Tech: Why Greg believes too many companies are building technology without first understanding what warfighters actually need
Building Bastogne AI: How Greg and his co-founder identified a critical problem around AI, compute, communications, and infrastructure in modern warfare
The Future of Warfare: Why AI, autonomous systems, and edge computing are changing how militaries operate
Building for the User: Why Greg believes defense companies should start by asking the people on the ground what problems actually need to be solved
Listening to Experience: Why Greg believes entrepreneurs should listen when someone with more experience tells them they're making a mistake
The Mission Behind Bastogne: Why Greg's ultimate goal is to help bring service members home alive and reduce the human cost of war
Advice for Veterans: What Greg would tell service members transitioning into the private sector or considering entrepreneurship

Whether you're a veteran, entrepreneur, technologist, investor, or simply interested in the future of warfare, Greg's story offers a unique look at military service, innovation, neuroscience, and building with purpose.

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Connect with Greg Brook:
🌐 Website: www.bastogne.ai
📸 Instagram: @avantgarde.operator
👤 LinkedIn: Gregory Brook
𝕏 Twitter/X: @BastogneActual

Connect with Kaj Larsen:
🌐 Website: kajlarsen.com
📸 Instagram: @KajLarsen
👤 LinkedIn: Kaj Larsen

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