Enlistment Question

[Anonymous]

I'm interested in joining the Marine Corps Reserves, however there is one question that I cannot find the answer to.

What happens to your bills when you go to boot camp? I know I don't have enough money money to pay for the next 3 months in advance. I have heard mention of the Sailor's & Soldier's Act.....that basically only applies if you are called out to active duty, not for boot camp. My recruiter swears businesses will be lenient and allow you to miss for those 3 months & that you really don't have to pay in full each month. According to him I could pay only $5 a month & they can't take legal action because I am making an effort. He also swears he has never had a problem & my lenders will absolutely give me a break. Well, I spoke with the financing company who provided the loan for my car, they said this in untrue & they will absolutely repossess my car if I miis a payment. I don't want to ruin my credit with failure to pay or late marks. I have already been to MEPS & aced everything but I do not want to sign a contract until I know for sure. I think this guy will tell me anything & then once I sign its too late.

My question......anyone who has already been to boot camp or anyone else who feels they know the real deal, what is the truth?

Thank you, Heather

servo34@aol.com

[Anonymous]

Heather,

Technically, they say your bills should be paid ahead to cover your time in boot camp, although this is sometimes, if not often, impossible.

However, the Soldiers & Sailor's Relief act is a FEDERAL LAW. If your financing company tries to reposses your car while you are on active duty and protected by the soldier's & sailors relief act, they will be breaking the law, no matter what they tell you over the phone. Businesses will 'allow' you not to pay your monthly payments because they have to, it's the law.

Heather, boot camp *IS* considered active duty, I mean, you're there 24 hours a day and you're getting paid by the government--sounds like active duty to me... You will be on active duty from day 1 of boot camp to the last day of your MOS school.

If you are hesitant about this, *make* your recruiter or his SNCO (senior NCO-his boss) explain to you *in detail* what it covers. It doesn't cover everything...Just tell them if you can't get S&S to put a 'hold' on your bills, you cannot go to boot. They USMC doesn't expect you to ruin your credit or go bankrupt to join the service. Your recruiter(s) are going to have to get the paperwork going for you and probably certify you are entering active duty & send the stuff out to the appropriate people. (I havne't gotten that far yet).

I don't have the particular website offhand, but do an internet search on the S&S act, there is an official website out there, also try www.usmc.mil I think they have something there too, in the for & about Marines section.

Good luck, I hope this helps.

Semper Fidelis- M. Anderson


:
: I'm interested in joining the Marine Corps Reserves, however there is one
: question that I cannot find the answer to.
:
: What happens to your bills when you go to boot camp? I know I don't have
: enough money money to pay for the next 3 months in advance. I have heard
: mention of the Sailor's & Soldier's Act.....that basically only
: applies if you are called out to active duty, not for boot camp. My
: recruiter swears businesses will be lenient and allow you to miss for
: those 3 months & that you really don't have to pay in full each month.
: According to him I could pay only $5 a month & they can't take legal
: action because I am making an effort. He also swears he has never had a
: problem & my lenders will absolutely give me a break. Well, I spoke
: with the financing company who provided the loan for my car, they said
: this in untrue & they will absolutely repossess my car if I miis a
: payment. I don't want to ruin my credit with failure to pay or late marks.
: I have already been to MEPS & aced everything but I do not want to
: sign a contract until I know for sure. I think this guy will tell me
: anything & then once I sign its too late.
:
: My question......anyone who has already been to boot camp or anyone else who
: feels they know the real deal, what is the truth?
:
: Thank you, Heather

[Anonymous]

One addition: let people get the wrong idea, the S&S Act does not mean that during your entire active duty time (say for exampple, 4 years) you are exempt from paying your bills. It only applies under certain circumstances and for a certain amount of time. Again, the recruiter knows--check with him or her.

M.

[Anonymous]

FYI: My loss of income while I attended Boot Camp would have placed financial strain on my family. Therefore I would qualify for what used to be a special option of direct deposits immediately beginning on my first pay period on the Island. BUT I was informed about 3 months ago that it is possible for anyone who has already established an account to use that account while at Parris Island (provided that you have a check card). I do not claim to be an authority on the subject, I am just sharing my experience with you. Hope it helps. Ellis


:
: I'm interested in joining the Marine Corps Reserves, however there is one
: question that I cannot find the answer to.
:
: What happens to your bills when you go to boot camp? I know I don't have
: enough money money to pay for the next 3 months in advance. I have heard
: mention of the Sailor's & Soldier's Act.....that basically only
: applies if you are called out to active duty, not for boot camp. My
: recruiter swears businesses will be lenient and allow you to miss for
: those 3 months & that you really don't have to pay in full each month.
: According to him I could pay only $5 a month & they can't take legal
: action because I am making an effort. He also swears he has never had a
: problem & my lenders will absolutely give me a break. Well, I spoke
: with the financing company who provided the loan for my car, they said
: this in untrue & they will absolutely repossess my car if I miis a
: payment. I don't want to ruin my credit with failure to pay or late marks.
: I have already been to MEPS & aced everything but I do not want to
: sign a contract until I know for sure. I think this guy will tell me
: anything & then once I sign its too late.
:
: My question......anyone who has already been to boot camp or anyone else who
: feels they know the real deal, what is the truth?
:
: Thank you, Heather


usmo@hotmail.com