The nation’s first 4G LTE wireless company focused exclusively on current and former members of the U.S military and their families is officially launching today. With a mission to connect and improve the lives of those who have served, Defense Mobile, based in Stamford, CT, has partnered with the three largest carriers in America to deliver the best 4G LTE wireless coverage at great savings to its members. The company is making it easy for those who have served and their families to switch service to Defense Mobile’s no-contract service by supporting a simple BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) program, with plans starting at just $30 per month and by offering the most popular smartphones from Apple, Samsung, LG and Motorola.
“With lower prices, no activation fees, no credit checks and a simple 100% satisfaction guarantee, the company has checked all the boxes that most customers want, but we go much further. It is a mobile service built by Veterans, supported by a 100% Veteran-staffed member care organization and driven by a mission to do more for those who have served.” said Brendan Reilly, co-founder and chief executive officer.
Defense Mobile members all receive a number of free applications and services designed to improve the lives of service members and Veteran families.
miliSOURCE, a Veteran benefits app that helps Veteran families discover and obtain, potentially, thousands of dollars worth of federal, state, and local benefits and services they may not be aware of.
miliMAIL, a branch branded email account with 25GB of free storage .
miliCASH, a mobile wallet and prepaid MasterCard that opens up a world of meaningful military cash back rewards from merchants nationwide.
For members, it is likely, that the combined value of these free services could be far greater than their wireless bill.
“According to the Veterans Administration only 39% of veterans are collecting benefits. However the VA reports that those collecting benefits receive approximately $13,300 annually. We wanted to build an app that helps the 61% of veterans who are not leveraging the benefits they have earned. The Veterans Administration (V.A.) does great work, we thought it was a good idea to make the discovery of benefits process a little easier by putting it all in the palm of your hand and to help support the V.A.’s mission. miliSOURCE builds a user profile to help quickly identify available benefits specific to each user and shows users how to obtain those benefits,” said Ward Bond, U.S Army Veteran and Head of Value Added Services at Defense Mobile.
“Defense Mobile is presenting a simple choice for current and former members of the armed forces,” said Board Member and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Peter Pace, General, USMC, Retired. “Defense Mobile has a great value proposition. We not only offer wireless services on the best carrier networks at considerable savings, our service is delivered and supported by dedicated Veterans who understand what superior service really means, and we are very proud of the fact that we give 10% of our net profits back to support military families in need. Combine this with our applications and services and we are now the best mobile service for those who have served and their families.”
“Having a positive impact on the lives of those who have served is a team effort. In addition to the largest carriers, Defense Mobile has partnered with a wide array of public, private, and not-for-profit organizations to build the technology and relationships needed to be successful. These partnerships include Apple, MasterCard, Motorola, the VFW, the American Legion, a growing number of both large and small non-profits and various elements of DoD that support service member outreach,” said co-founder Andrew Reilly.
In addition to General Pace, Defense Mobile’s advisory board boasts Hon. Tidal McCoy, who is the retired Acting Secretary of the U.S. Air Force; Admiral Eric Olson, the eighth Commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command and retired U.S. Navy (SEAL); retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General. Theodore G. Stroup, Jr.; retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Richard West; retired U.S. Navy (SEAL) Captain Peter (Bullfrog 13) Wikul, the longest serving Navy Seal in U.S. history (39 years); retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General John Wood; Rear Admiral Robert O. Wray, Jr., retired U.S. Navy; the 13th Sergeant Major of the Army Jack L. Tilley, USA, Retired; Medal of Honor recipient Colonel. Donald “Doc” Ballard, former U.S. Army Captains Dan Rice and Tom Dyer; and retired U.S. Navy Commander Vince McBeth. All of these distinguished Veterans ensure Defense Mobile “stays on point” with its mission to deliver the value that Veterans deserve.
The company’s Board of Directors is similarly impressive and is chaired by co-founder Mr. Peter Lurie, who previously co-founded Virgin Mobile USA. Other directors are longtime energy executive Ray Bartoszek; and venture capitalists Fred Warren the former co-founder of Brentwood Associates and Charles Lax of GrandBanks Capital and former founding General Partner of SOFTBANK Venture Capital.
On the management side, in addition to Messrs. Brendan and Andrew Reilly, Defense Mobile’s executive director is Mr. Phil Prouty. Stan Simpliciano, a U.S. Navy Veteran who was a longtime T-Mobile executive, is head of operations; David Trimble, a former executive with American Express and Sprint, is head of member experience; U.S. Army Veteran and former Blackberry executive Ward Bond is head of value added services; and Ed Walters, U.S. Army Veteran, former ACT executive, and Presidential Appointee as Principal Deputy Asst. Secretary of the U.S. Army, is chief marketing officer.
Brendan Reilly stated, “Defense Mobile’s goal is to become the largest philanthropic giver in the country for military and Veteran families in need. As more Veterans choose Defense Mobile, we can hire more Veterans, provide better service and give even more back to those who need it most.”
