The Bunker Project

01/11/2026

After 16 years, our doors are finally and officially closed. Farewell.

11/14/2023

ABD!

Today I successfully defended my dissertation proposal, progressing from the status of PhD student to PhD candidate. I am ‘all but dissertation.’

This wouldn’t be possible if I were still self-managing residential real estate. By reinvesting into the OZ Growth Fund, I now have a team with decades of experience to rely on so I can stay focused on completing my academic goals.

Forthcoming dissertation: “Qualitative Analysis of the Influence of Military Culture on the Resocialization of Combat Veterans”

If you’ve ever looked into earning a doctorate degree, you may have come across two similar terms: PhD student and PhD candidate.

01/25/2023

The Bunker Project has been in a dormant state for about 6 months after sustaining many months of heavy losses that couldn’t be sustained without donor support. This week we filed our annual report to keep the nonprofit alive, even if just symbolically on paper for now.

We are unclear about the future but are taking steps to create a funding arm before giving it another shot at creating a model of student housing catered to student veterans utilizing their GI Bill or vocational rehabilitation benefits. We made the mistake before of thinking “if you build it, they will come.” Instead came hate from other nonprofit leaders as they viewed us as a threat to their donor base. A difficult lesson was learned that stable funding must be secured BEFORE implementing any sort of program. It is unfortunate that those focused on prevention are viewed as a threat by the dominant nonprofit model that merely reacts to problems, as reaction ensures a continuous client base since the real underlying issues are never dealt with.

Our board chairman and primary donor sold off his personal residential investments in 2021 and 2022 to reinvest into more stable commercial assets in addition to returning for his final year as a PhD student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. His dissertation will focus on re-socialization from the military culture to the civilian culture, which is the primary goal underlying the Bunker Project’s support of student military veterans.

We’re still alive, just barely. We’ll be back bigger and better within about 2 years. Stay tuned…

08/11/2022

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the death of 2nd Lt. Evan Fitzgibbon and Staff Sgt. George Taber.

During a Ranger School weather-induced training hold August 9 at Yonah Mountain near Dahlonega, Ga., five Ranger candidates were struck by a falling tree.

Fitzgibbon and Taber were pronounced deceased at the hospital. Three other candidates were injured in the incident. Two were treated for non-life threatening injuries and one remains stable under medical care.

Fitzgibbon was an infantry officer assigned to the Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course, 199th Infantry “Leader Brigade” at Fort Benning, Ga. He was a graduate of West Point - The U.S. Military Academy and commissioned in May 2021.

Taber was a Special Forces Medical Sergeant assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. He had served in the Army since his enlistment in March 2017.

Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends, and leadership of these two outstanding leaders who unexpectedly lost their lives in the pursuit of excellence.

08/02/2022

With Ashlye V. Wilkerson, Anthony Glenn II and 7 others, hosted by WIN IN REAL ESTATE

05/19/2022

We are currently in a dormant state and no longer providing services until funding can be secured.

05/11/2022

In the spirit of full disclosure, this is where we’re at for 2022. Our President cannot sustain these losses much longer without public support. Please help. Veterans will end up homeless if we have to shut this down. Thank you.

04/27/2022

Our Founder, Dr. William “Bud” Brown, passed away last week asleep at home among his family.

He was a truly amazing mentor and supporter of our organization after founding and sustaining the Bunker Project himself from 2010-2015. He was the most interesting man in the world and we are doing our best to keep the Bunker Projeft going in his honor.

He was a twice-deployed Silver Star recipient who Volunteered for Vietnam. He was an entrepreneur. He earned a PhD in Sociology. He was an amazing father, grandfather, husband, professor, mentor, and friend. He was loyal and true.

April 2022, California lost William Bud Brown, a dear friend and source of inspiration for many, including the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice. We honor Bud's life and his legacy.

04/04/2022

https://apple.news/A8rT6k1EzRWuGKpfEGkSMmg

Su***de in the military is on the rise, and the problem is most acute in the Army. Nowhere is the crisis more evident than Alaska.

03/30/2022

Thank you to our founder and Silver Star recipient during the Vietnam War, Dr. William “Bud” Brown, for envisioning the Bunker Project 12 years ago.

03/19/2022

FYI for those on or seeking a VA rating, Changes are coming to the Schedule for Rating Disabilities Disorders. Check it out: