Description

MILCOM Founders Podcast - Episode 34: Kamar Perkins, Army Veteran Building Businesses That Create Jobs and Serve Veterans

Join host Rod Loges and guest Kamar Perkins as he shares his journey from being a ward of state to Army veteran to founding multiple businesses focused on creating jobs and making community impact.

In this episode:

• Kamar's path from ward of state in Prince George's County, Maryland to Army paratrooper with the 3rd Special Forces Group
• How his mother's tragic death when he was five shaped his mission to help others overcome addiction
• The story of getting recruited by the Army after the Air Force told him he was "too fat"
• Building ProTech Consulting Group, a service-disabled veteran-owned IT firm delivering AI and software solutions to federal agencies
• Opening Divine Medical, a treatment center that will provide free addiction services to North Carolina veterans
• Why he spent a year responding to 20 RFPs per month without winning anything, and what changed

Key takeaways:

• Your network is your net worth. Client acquisition is about cultivating relationships, not just responding to RFPs.
• If you're still in uniform, use that access to meet the people you'll need to know as a business owner. It's much harder to get those meetings once you're out.
• Two brains are better than one. There's nothing wrong with saying "I don't know" and figuring it out together.
• Work should support your life. Your work should not be your life.
• The NCO corps is the backbone of the military. That operational efficiency translates directly to running a successful business.

Guest: Kamar D. Perkins, Founder and President of ProTech Consulting Group, Army Veteran, Author

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamardperkins/
• Business Website: https://protechconsultinggroup.com/

Kamar D. Perkins is a retired U.S. Army veteran, entrepreneur, and author who brings military-grade discipline and strategy into modern business and technology. He is the Founder and President of Protech Consulting Group, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned and HUBZone-certified firm delivering secure IT, cloud, and technology solutions to government and industry partners.

A former paratrooper with the 3rd Special Forces Group and later a Logistics Officer in the North Carolina Army National Guard, Kamar earned multiple competitive distinctions during his service, including recognition as the U.S. Army’s Best Warrior. His military background continues to shape his leadership style, decision-making, and mission-driven approach.

In addition to technology consulting, Kamar has held leadership roles in healthcare management and is a strong advocate for mental health, mentorship, and veteran transition. His work centers on helping veterans and founders translate discipline, resilience, and lived experience into sustainable success.

Looking ahead: Kamar is opening Divine Medical in Durham, North Carolina, which will provide free addiction treatment to military veterans. His five-year goal: create 1,000 jobs per year through impactful work that boosts local economies and provides sustainable wages.

The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from successful veteran entrepreneurs.

Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com

Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at https://www.milcomfounders.com/