Military Mutual is a mission-driven personal and professional development platform built for active-duty service members, veterans, their families, veteran-owned businesses, and veteran service organizations.

We exist because too many people in the military community are expected to navigate life, transition, leadership, and business without the structure, clarity, and support they once relied on. Resources are often fragmented, impersonal, or difficult to trust. Military Mutual was built to change that.

Our Purpose

Military Mutual was created to meet people where they are and help them move forward with clarity, consistency, and confidence.

We believe growth does not come from consuming more information. It comes from structure, application, accountability, and community. Our platform brings those elements together into one trusted ecosystem designed to support mental, personal, professional, and financial growth over time.

What We Do

Military Mutual combines education, coaching, AI support, and community into a single platform that works together as a system.

Members engage through:

• A structured daily routine that builds consistency and awareness

• On-demand courses across ten core areas of life and professional development

• AI-powered guidance to document progress, capture insights, and support reflection

• Coaching through group sessions, cohorts, and one-on-one support

• A community built for accountability, shared experience, and growth

• Events, resources, and directories that connect members to trusted organizations and businesses

Everything inside the platform is designed to connect, so progress is not lost and growth is not isolated.

Our Approach

Military Mutual is grounded in practical application, not hype.

We focus on:

• Responsibility and ownership over outcomes

• Awareness and emotional regulation as foundations for growth

• Leadership as a way of life, not a title

• Education that translates into real-world action

• Community that supports without noise or pressure

Our approach respects military culture while recognizing that growth continues long after service.

Who We Serve

Military Mutual serves:

• Active-duty service members preparing for what’s next

• Veterans navigating transition, leadership, and entrepreneurship

• Military families seeking balance, stability, and support

• Veteran-owned businesses building sustainable operations

• Veteran service organizations expanding their impact

While built for the military community, our principles apply to anyone who values structure, growth, and purpose.

Technology With Intention

Our platform uses AI to enhance clarity, not replace human judgment.

AI supports members by helping them navigate the platform, capture reflections, document course work, and revisit insights over time. It is a tool for continuity and awareness, not a substitute for coaching, community, or professional support.

A Platform That Grows With You

Military Mutual is designed to grow alongside its members.

Whether someone is just starting to explore personal development, navigating transition, building a business, or leading at a high level, the platform adapts to where they are and where they are going.

This is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It is a system built to support long-term growth.

Our Commitment

We are committed to building a platform that is trustworthy, structured, and mission-aligned.

We will continue to evolve, listen, and improve while staying grounded in why Military Mutual exists: to support the military community with clarity, respect, and real-world value.

* Military Mutual is more than a platform. It is a system for growth, a record of progress, and a community built to move forward together.

Founder’s Statement

Military Mutual was founded by Derek Barksdale, a retired Naval Officer, entrepreneur, and longtime advocate for veterans, military families, and mission-driven organizations.

After years of service and leadership across military, business, and community environments, Derek saw a consistent gap: people were being offered information, but not structure; resources, but not continuity; and support, but not systems that worked together over time.

Military Mutual's platform was created to solve that problem.

This platform was not built to sell motivation or take advantage of those seeking help. It was built to provide a trustworthy, structured environment where individuals can grow personally and professionally, veteran-owned businesses can build sustainably, and veteran service organizations can expand their reach and impact.

As Military Mutual grows, its commitment remains the same: to operate with integrity, transparency, and respect for the military community it serves. Every feature, partnership, and program is developed with long-term value and responsibility in mind.

 Derek Barksdale

Founder

Derek Barksdale, LDO-6490, USN (Ret.), is a distinguished military and civilian motivational leader renowned for his unwavering commitment to our military veterans and their family's education and development. With a remarkable career spanning over four decades, Barksdale has demonstrated exemplary leadership and success across various domains, including active duty military, government civil service, non-profit and multiple entrepreneurial sectors.

A native of Oakland, CA, Derek Barksdale enlisted as an E-1 in 1989, embarking on a distinguished military career that culminated in his retirement in 2011 as a naval officer designated as Force Protection Officer (FPO) in the Limited Duty Officer (LDO) community. Throughout his tenure, Derek progressed through nine ranks in service and oversaw critical force protection programs, ensuring the safety and security of thousands of personnel, including dignitaries, VIPs, and High-Value Assets crucial to national defense. 

Transitioning from his military career, Derek served as a senior government service employee, directing operations for over 350 civilian and military personnel. His leadership ensured the personal and professional success of his team, incorporating workforce education and development into routines.

Derek earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Workforce Education and Development from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Recognized as "the expert who trains the experts," Derek is a certified National Association of Realtors Instructor and an active member of numerous local and national non-profit organizations dedicated to empowering individuals to make informed decisions.

As the Founder of Military Mutual and the Founding Director of Lending at Ensure Lending, Derek Barksdale leads nationwide companies and non-profit organizations with a focus on supporting military personnel, veterans, and their families. These organizations provide essential resources, programs, services, and financial assistance, empowering members to make informed decisions and achieve their goals. Today, Military Mutual stands as the premier relocation organization exclusively employing military personnel, veterans, and their families, reflecting unwavering commitment to giving back to those who serve our nation.

As Regional Director of VAREP (Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals), Derek Barksdale spearheads initiatives that revolutionize the way veterans and their families are served. Under his guidance, VAREP educates not only veterans and their families, but also the industry leaders, fostering meaningful connections and driving positive change in the way veterans are served through real estate.

A founding board member of the Eagle's Organization, Derek ensures the mentorship of young adults facing challenging environments. Through influential leadership and support from successful community leaders, the Eagle's Organization empowers young individuals to adapt and overcome obstacles, instilling values of resilience and determination.

Derek served as a board member of the Navy League of San Diego, bridging the gap between the civilian community and the US Navy. His dedication to fostering understanding and collaboration strengthens the bond between these two vital communities, ensuring mutual support and respect. Derek has served on four different San Diego based Commissioning Committees, as either a director and most recently served as Chief of Staff, preserving naval tradition and upholding the values of the United States Navy and our great nation!

Lastly, Derek, also serves as an active member of the San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC), dedicated to community empowerment, embracing the local military community by advancing the partnership and communication between the military, elected officials, and the business community.