Your VA loan is equivalent to $1M in the bank
Civilian: $1,000,000 required High yield savings (4%) Year 1: $40,000 gained Year 1-10: Added $480,000 to net worth Military: $0 required $1,000,000 VA loan for house (4% real estate returns) Year 1: $40,000 gained Year 1-10: Added $480,000 to net worth