Today we’d like to introduce you to Gary Brewer Jr.
Hi Gary, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hi, I’m Gary, and I guess my story starts when I joined the United States Marine Corps in 2008 after working at a local restaurant as a waiter. I come from a long family lineage of Marines and other military members, and I decided to see if I could live up to that as well.
I went to boot camp at MCRD San Diego and graduated on 8/8/08. I then attended schooling in North Carolina, where I obtained my Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) as a mechanic, secondary to rifleman, and received orders to Iwakuni, Japan.
Upon arriving in Japan, we were told that no one deployed from there and that we needed to find things to do to stay out of trouble. However, with escalating tensions in Afghanistan, a small team of young Marines with enough time left on the island to train, deploy, and return became eligible for deployment. Four other Marines and I went to Okinawa, Japan, for training for our primary deployment jobs: machine gunners, gunner’s assistants, fire team leaders, and similar roles.
In 2010, we arrived in Afghanistan. After months of security stands, night operations, IEDs, and numerous watches, I was evacuated from the country for sustained injuries following an IED blast. These injuries were not considered significant in nature, but included a 25% perforated right eardrum, blast neurotrauma, and PTSD.
Once removed from that location, I went to another location in Afghanistan before being sent to Germany for 10 days, where I was given $350 to buy necessary items to last those 10 days before being shipped to the next location. I traveled completely around the world and landed at Wounded Warrior Hawaii, where I spent 6 months undergoing treatment and further diagnosis before being released back to my unit.
I was then transferred to Camp Pendleton, California, when I received word that I would be deploying again to Afghanistan. Around that same time, my cousin, Daniel Linnabary II, was KIA, and his burial was 30 days prior to our departure date. My son was only 4 months old when we left.
During that deployment, I led a total of 14 Marines, completing major repair work on all units in the Southern Region. After another 6 months and another trip completely around the world, we returned, and I moved to Pennsylvania, where I was assigned I&I duty over the reserve station. That role included serving as Unit Armory Chief, Maintenance and Operations Chief, Toys for Tots Coordinator, and flag presenter and funeral coordinator for fallen Marines and Sailors, both active duty and veterans. It was also during that time that my second son was born.
After being promoted to Staff Sergeant and receiving numerous medals, including the Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and many others, I decided to separate from active duty. I joined the Reserves in Erie, Pennsylvania, before eventually being medically separated.
After that, I took on positions as a mechanic at local trash and concrete companies before eventually being promoted to Regional Fleet Manager for a corporation, despite having no prior experience or mentorship in that role. That eventually led to me being let go in February 2025.
After that, I decided to return to a more structured schedule as a mechanic at a local shop so I could have more time with my sons. That shift led me toward entrepreneurship, drawing from leadership roles I had held in the military and throughout corporate America.
So, in February 2026, I started Rebel Body Fitness LLC, a fitness supplement warehouse operated out of my home that I use as a distribution point for shipping and local delivery. I also own Raging River of Peace Apparel, an apparel company that designs and creates custom and premium apparel, as well as a wild, glow-in-the-dark streetwear line sold at local markets, craft shows, and comic cons during the summer of 2026.
I am a hopeful entrepreneur and look forward to seeing what this spring and summer will bring to my young but growing businesses.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road at all, and I don’t think it was ever meant to be.
A lot of my path has been built through figuring things out as I go. In the Marine Corps, I dealt with combat, injuries from an IED blast, and everything that comes with that, both physically and mentally. When I got out, I thought things might slow down, but it just became a different kind of challenge.
One of the hardest parts was transitioning into civilian life. I went from leading Marines in high-pressure environments to trying to find my place in regular jobs. I got put into a regional fleet manager position with no real experience or mentorship, and I failed in that role. Getting let go in February 2025 was a wake-up call for me.
On top of that, I’ve had to navigate life changes, raising my boys, dealing with personal situations, and trying to rebuild while still moving forward. That part has probably been just as tough as anything else.
Starting my businesses hasn’t been easy either. It’s been a grind, learning how to build something from nothing, figuring out designs, pricing, customers, and just trying to stand out while taking real risks with my time and money.
But at the end of the day, every struggle has shaped me. It’s made me tougher, more disciplined, and more willing to keep going no matter what’s in front of me.
I don’t expect it to be smooth anymore; I just expect to keep moving forward.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
What I do now is build businesses that reflect who I am and where I’ve been.
I own Rebel Body Fitness LLC, which is a supplement warehouse run out of my home where I handle distribution for shipping and local delivery. I also own Raging River of Peace Apparel, where I design and create custom and premium apparel, along with a more aggressive glow-in-the-dark streetwear line that I take to local markets, craft shows, and comic cons.
What I specialize in is taking ideas and turning them into something real and sellable. Whether that’s a design, a product, or a full setup at a show, I’ve learned how to create things that stand out and actually move. I’m big on hands-on work, I try not to outsource the process, I build it myself and learn as I go.
What I’m known for, especially by people around me, is work ethic and not quitting. I’ve been through enough to know things don’t always go your way, but I don’t sit in it, I adjust and keep moving.
What I’m most proud of is my boys and the fact that I keep showing up for them no matter what’s going on in my life. On the business side, I’m proud that I started everything from nothing, no blueprint, no safety net, and I’m building something that has real potential.
What sets me apart is that I’m not trying to look like everyone else or follow trends. I’m building brands that actually mean something to me, and I’m willing to take risks, learn fast, and outwork most people in the room. I’ve led Marines in combat, I’ve failed in business, and I’ve started over, so I’m not afraid of the process.
At the end of the day, I’m just getting started, but I know where I’m going.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I’m a huge risk taker, always have been.
Most of my life has been built on stepping into things without having it all figured out, from the Marine Corps to deployments to business. Some of those risks paid off, some didn’t. Getting put into a regional manager role with no experience and then getting let go in 2025 was a big one, but it pushed me into building my own path.
Starting my businesses was another major risk, no guaranteed income, no blueprint, just betting on myself.
To me, if there’s no risk, there’s no growth. I’m not reckless, but I’m not afraid to step into something uncomfortable and figure it out as I go.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ragingriverofpeaceapparel.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587373937711
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@gbrewer89
