The military does have the authority to mandate that service members undergo financial training/counseling.  Family members cannot be required to attend financial training or counseling, but they are highly encouraged to do so.  Typically, only junior enlisted service members or service members who have encountered financial troubles are required to attend counseling.

The military does have the authority to mandate that service members undergo financial training/counseling.  Family members cannot be required to attend financial training or counseling, but they are highly encouraged to do so.  Typically, only junior enlisted service members or service members who have encountered financial troubles are required to attend counseling.

MilitaryHOMEFRONT can provide installation service providers with up-to-date links to policy and legislation concerning the personal financial management program, updates and news concerning the program, and information on a number of organizations and agencies that have partnered with DoD to provide financial management resources and tools to service members and their families.

MilitaryHOMEFRONT can provide installation service providers with up-to-date links to policy and legislation concerning the personal financial management program, updates and news concerning the program, and information on a number of organizations and agencies that have partnered with DoD to provide financial management resources and tools to service members and their families.

Military OneSource provides a comprehensive service to assist with virtually any quality of life question.  Consultants are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week by phone, online, or via email.  Military OneSource can help provide information and assistance on a number of topics including financial benefits for members of the military, planning and managing a budget, planning for major purchases such as a car or home, education on consumer issues, credit and collections, and information on saving and investing. 

Military OneSource also offers twelve free in-person counseling sessions per person, per issue.  These sessions are short-term and problem-focused and can address a number of non-medical counseling needs including financial counseling. Active duty, National Guard and Reserve service members, DoD civilian personnel designated as Civilian Expeditionary Workforce members and their families are eligible to receive counseling services from Military OneSource and MFLCs.  Military OneSource counselors are licensed, credentialed, and experienced.  They also understand the military culture and its unique challenges.

In an effort to further increase access to support, Military OneSource now offers online consultations and Short-Term Solution-Focused Telephonic (STSF-T) Consultation. While referrals to non-medical, face-to-face counseling sessions continue for those stationed in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the new expanded service provides an online or telephonic consultation option for those who are unable to attend face-to-face counseling sessions due to their overseas location or other circumstances.

Military OneSource provides a comprehensive service to assist with virtually any quality of life question.  Consultants are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week by phone, online, or via email.  Military OneSource can help provide information and assistance on a number of topics including financial benefits for members of the military, planning and managing a budget, planning for major purchases such as a car or home, education on consumer issues, credit and collections, and information on saving and investing. 

Military OneSource also offers twelve free in-person counseling sessions per person, per issue.  These sessions are short-term and problem-focused and can address a number of non-medical counseling needs including financial counseling. Active duty, National Guard and Reserve service members, DoD civilian personnel designated as Civilian Expeditionary Workforce members and their families are eligible to receive counseling services from Military OneSource and MFLCs.  Military OneSource counselors are licensed, credentialed, and experienced.  They also understand the military culture and its unique challenges.

In an effort to further increase access to support, Military OneSource now offers online consultations and Short-Term Solution-Focused Telephonic (STSF-T) Consultation. While referrals to non-medical, face-to-face counseling sessions continue for those stationed in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the new expanded service provides an online or telephonic consultation option for those who are unable to attend face-to-face counseling sessions due to their overseas location or other circumstances.

Each branch of service has an associated private nonprofit organization that assists service members and their families in times of need.  They offer grants and interest-free loans to service members and their families who have demonstrated a valid need for emergency financial assistance.  Emergency financial assistance does not include paying bills for non-essentials, vacations, legal expenses, or taxes.  The relief societies do provide financial assistance for emergency transportation, funeral expenses, medical/dental bills, food, rent, utilities, disaster relief assistance, child care expenses, essential vehicle repair, or any other unforeseen family emergencies.  For more information on the relief societies, please contact the Army Emergency Relief (AER), the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS), the Air Force Aid Society (AFAS), or the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA).

Each branch of service has an associated private nonprofit organization that assists service members and their families in times of need.  They offer grants and interest-free loans to service members and their families who have demonstrated a valid need for emergency financial assistance.  Emergency financial assistance does not include paying bills for non-essentials, vacations, legal expenses, or taxes.  The relief societies do provide financial assistance for emergency transportation, funeral expenses, medical/dental bills, food, rent, utilities, disaster relief assistance, child care expenses, essential vehicle repair, or any other unforeseen family emergencies.  For more information on the relief societies, please contact the Army Emergency Relief (AER), the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS), the Air Force Aid Society (AFAS), or the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA).

Part 232 of Title 32, Code of Federal Regulations prohibits creditors from making payday loans, vehicle title loans, and tax refund anticipation loans to service members and their families at annual percentage interest rates of over thirty-six percent.  Any credit agreement subject to this regulation that fails to comply with this regulation is void from inception.

Part 232 of Title 32, Code of Federal Regulations prohibits creditors from making payday loans, vehicle title loans, and tax refund anticipation loans to service members and their families at annual percentage interest rates of over thirty-six percent.  Any credit agreement subject to this regulation that fails to comply with this regulation is void from inception.

The SCRA is a law protecting active duty service members, Reservists, or members of the National Guard while in federal active duty from civil actions.  The SCRA allows service members to terminate residential leases that were entered into before going on active duty or when receiving permanent change of station (PCS) orders without fear of penalty.  In some cases, the SCRA also allows service members to terminate automobile leases, allows service members to seek protection from being evicted from their leased housing, and provides certain protections against repossessions for installment loans (such as automotive leases).  Financially, the SCRA helps service members when their military service has impacted their ability to pay financial obligations such as credit cards, mortgages, loans, etc.  In these cases, the SCRA allows service members to cap their interest rates at 6% for the duration of their military obligation.  For comprehensive information about SCRA, contact the installation legal assistance office.

The SCRA is a law protecting active duty service members, Reservists, or members of the National Guard while in federal active duty from civil actions.  The SCRA allows service members to terminate residential leases that were entered into before going on active duty or when receiving permanent change of station (PCS) orders without fear of penalty.  In some cases, the SCRA also allows service members to terminate automobile leases, allows service members to seek protection from being evicted from their leased housing, and provides certain protections against repossessions for installment loans (such as automotive leases).  Financially, the SCRA helps service members when their military service has impacted their ability to pay financial obligations such as credit cards, mortgages, loans, etc.  In these cases, the SCRA allows service members to cap their interest rates at 6% for the duration of their military obligation.  For comprehensive information about SCRA, contact the installation legal assistance office.

The Military Saves Campaign is the result of a partnership between DoD and the Consumer Federation of America (CFA).  The Military Saves Campaign is part of the CFA's America Saves Campaign and is a major part of the DoD Financial Readiness Campaign.  CFA developed and tested the Military Saves Campaign from 2003 to 2006 and launched the campaign throughout DoD on February 25, 2007.  The campaign strives to persuade, motivate, and encourage military families to save money each month and to convince leaders and organizations to promote automatic savings among their service members.  The Campaign consists of a network of organizations and individuals committed to helping service members and their families build savings to provide for immediate and long-term financial needs.  More information on the campaign can be found on the Military Saves website.

The Military Saves Campaign is the result of a partnership between DoD and the Consumer Federation of America (CFA).  The Military Saves Campaign is part of the CFA's America Saves Campaign and is a major part of the DoD Financial Readiness Campaign.  CFA developed and tested the Military Saves Campaign from 2003 to 2006 and launched the campaign throughout DoD on February 25, 2007.  The campaign strives to persuade, motivate, and encourage military families to save money each month and to convince leaders and organizations to promote automatic savings among their service members.  The Campaign consists of a network of organizations and individuals committed to helping service members and their families build savings to provide for immediate and long-term financial needs.  More information on the campaign can be found on the Military Saves website.