bills while in boot camp?

[Anonymous]

I'm about to ship out in a month and my recruiter told me that they'll make one open a new bank account at Parris I. where the pay will go into. I already have 2 checking accounts and it could be easy to set up automoatic withdrawals (for car, credit card bills) before I leave. Does anyone know why they won't let one use their own bank account? Is there any way one could pay bills with the card they give you at the boot? I won't be able to make 3+ months of car payments in advance before I leave :(

vikingirl07@hotmail.com

[Anonymous]

When I was in boot camp I had a family member entrusted with the responsibility to send payments off for me. I can only venture to guess that they require it to be like it is so that while you are earning money you are also paying for uniforms and the like. I also remember they issued a hard cut check {way back when} at the end of boot camp. Hopefully someone who was more recently in boot camp/enlisted can provide a better answer.


:
: I'm about to ship out in a month and my recruiter told me that they'll make
: one open a new bank account at Parris I. where the pay will go into. I
: already have 2 checking accounts and it could be easy to set up automoatic
: withdrawals (for car, credit card bills) before I leave. Does anyone know
: why they won't let one use their own bank account? Is there any way one
: could pay bills with the card they give you at the boot? I won't be able
: to make 3+ months of car payments in advance before I leave :(


black_knights_angel@hotmail.com

[Anonymous]

: When I was in boot camp I had a family member entrusted with the
: responsibility to send payments off for me. I can only venture to guess
: that they require it to be like it is so that while you are earning money
: you are also paying for uniforms and the like. I also remember they issued
: a hard cut check {way back when} at the end of boot camp. Hopefully
: someone who was more recently in boot camp/enlisted can provide a better
: answer.


The Marine Corps has a deal with Fort Sill National Bank (FSNB), that is why you open an account with them. Once you have made it to your 3rd phase of boot camp, they will take you to an account class. This is where they open the account and tell you what you need to pay. For example, your basic issue (uniforms, skivies...) that totals over $300, is deducted from your account in one lump sum. You will not get your card until later on in the mail. I recommend changing the account to the navy bank. There is one on base and you can change it during liberty day. There are more navy banks then there are FSNB's. As far as you paying bills... You can tell the drill instructors about the situation. Even though they are mean and make you do crazy things, you can ask them for help. They will help you figure out a way to start drafting money to pay your bills. A recruit makes about $1000 a month and by the end, you will have saved $3000 (minus uniform costs). It's actually quite simple. All you have to do is ask. I hope this answered your quesions.

Semper Fi,

Sgt. Morales, A

amorales23@houston.rr.com

[Anonymous]

Thank you for replies, at least I know now how's the process. I wish I had family to take care of the finances while I'm in boot; my hubby is in Afg. for a year :( The 2 ch. accounts that I have are both military - Fed. credit unions. I hope that later they'll let me transfer $$$ over to one of them.

Also, can anyone tell if they take ALL personal belongings away already the 1st day at PI (except paper for writing letters and hygiene stuff, of course)? What about sports bras & socks & underwear? Do they all have to be certain kind and they'll make one buy those over there? I have about 1.5 mo. left before I ship and so many things to take care of :) Any advice would be appreaciated!

vikingirl07@hotmail.com

[Anonymous]

: Thank you for replies, at least I know now how's the process. I wish I had
: family to take care of the finances while I'm in boot; my hubby is in Afg.
: for a year :( The 2 ch. accounts that I have are both military - Fed.
: credit unions. I hope that later they'll let me transfer $$$ over to one
: of them.
:
: Also, can anyone tell if they take ALL personal belongings away already the
: 1st day at PI (except paper for writing letters and hygiene stuff, of
: course)? What about sports bras & socks & underwear? Do they all
: have to be certain kind and they'll make one buy those over there? I have
: about 1.5 mo. left before I ship and so many things to take care of :) Any
: advice would be appreaciated!


The only items I took to boot camp where the following: 5-white/light gray sport bras 5-white (Cotton) panties (No thongs)

That was it. Everything else was taken away. Gel, Hairspray, toothpaste,...becomes community gear. That means that everyone can use it. As far as your civilian gear goes. It get stored in a facility near the "yellow footprints". It is taped up and numbered so you can claim it after bootcamp. As far as paper, envelopes, stamps, socks, sneakers...it's part of your basic issue. So do worry about it. The less you take, the better. I remember a girl in my bus that brought a gigantic suitcase. It was so funny to see her try to pick it up off the deck. It was nearly impossible. Please please please, don't be that girl. LESS IS MORE!!!! Good luck and enjoy the ride!!!!

Semper fi,

Sgt Morales

[Anonymous]

: Thank you for replies, at least I know now how's the process. I wish I had
: family to take care of the finances while I'm in boot; my hubby is in Afg.
: for a year :( The 2 ch. accounts that I have are both military - Fed.
: credit unions. I hope that later they'll let me transfer $$$ over to one
: of them.


If I recall correctly, you don't HAVE to open an account at "Ft. Steal," they just make it sound like you do. I believe you can take a small address book with you when you go, or at least a list of names and addresses, and you might want to write all your bank info in/on that. The most important info you need for setting up direct deposit with any employer are the bank name and address, the routing number, and your account number. The routing number is a 9 digit number you can find on the bottom of your checks (to the far left), along with your account number and check number. Bank of America, for example, is 125000024. Even if you don't have an address, the routing number should get you set up.

Other options you can explore for paying bills include automatic deductions or automatic online payments, plus a credit line with overdraft protection. That way, even if you have trouble getting the deposits set up, your bank will be paying your bills. You should definitely go in and talk to you credit unions about what options they offer. If they can't (or won't) help you, check out a civilian bank -- they definitely want your business! And remember, you can always close the account later.
:
: Also, can anyone tell if they take ALL personal belongings away already the
: 1st day at PI (except paper for writing letters and hygiene stuff, of
: course)? What about sports bras & socks & underwear? Do they all
: have to be certain kind and they'll make one buy those over there? I have
: about 1.5 mo. left before I ship and so many things to take care of :) Any
: advice would be appreaciated!

My recruiter actually recommended that I bring socks, bras, and skivvies, and I'm glad. Yes, they issue you gear, but what with doing community laundry (usually finished, folded, and distributed by firewatch) and the general wear and tear, it's good to have extras. Think white cotton, no frills, durable, doesn't draw attention to itself. And don't get sports bras with underwires! You'll be crawling over obstacles, through the mud, strapped into various protective gear, doing martial arts... You don't want a wire poking you, believe me!

As for hygeine gear, they made us toss (me and another recruit, in fact) a HUGE garbage bag of open stuff. If something is unopened, like shampoo, gel, Skin-So-Soft, toothpaste, deodorant, etc. it gets put in the community pile. So do feminine hygeine products. Some folks recommend that you not bring anything like that, so you don't have to put it in with the group stuff, but I say go ahead -- you don't get to go shopping for a LONG time! It will benefit you and the platoon -- your first lesson in teamwork! :) If you go with that in mind, it's not so bad to see all your "personal" stuff get thrown into the pile.

Best of luck to you and, no matter what, KEEP MOVING FORWARD! Never stop -- attitude is everything and YOU CAN DO IT!

Blessings and Semper Fi,

Katrina :)

petite_angel_@hotmail.com