Bandermero Muniz Osborne, known as Van to friends and Van Muniz Osborne in the military, was born in Jonesboro, Louisiana to Johnny and Bessie Osborne. He was the youngest of three brothers. His father worked at the Willamette Industries plant for 44 years and Van's mother was a cook at Jonesboro High School for 33 years. His grandfather, Nathaniel Buggs, served in WWII. After graduation, Van joined the military in October of 1987. He attended basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia and then served at Fort Ord, California. In January of 1989 his unit was sent to Panama for jungle training, returned to Fort Ord and was sent back to Panama for Operation Just Cause. The platoon patrolled in Colon, fought the Panamanian army, and was searching for General Manuel Noriega, before he surrendered. After returning to California, Van left the military in 1991 but returned in 1992. At Fort Hood, he served in 312 MI, a military intelligence battalion. In 1993, he was sent to Korea and then to Fort Campbell, Kentucky leaving the service in 1995. In 2007, Van was able to build his financial service business with Primerica.