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Do Soldiers Have Access to Their Money While on Deployment? The Truth About Finances Downrange

Yes, absolutely! Soldiers do have access to their money while deployed. Modern military life is far from the image of soldiers cut off from the world. While challenges exist, a robust system is in place to ensure service members can manage their finances effectively, even while serving in remote or hazardous locations. They pay bills online, buy items from websites, and take out car loans. Let’s break down how this works and dispel some common misconceptions.

How Soldiers Manage Their Money While Deployed

The key is understanding the various mechanisms in place. The U.S. military prioritizes ensuring soldiers can handle their financial obligations and access their earnings, regardless of their location.

Electronic Banking: The vast majority of soldiers receive their basic pay via direct deposit to their bank accounts. This allows them (or their designated family members) to access funds through ATMs, debit cards, and online banking platforms. This system is designed to work seamlessly, even from overseas locations.
Online Bill Payment: The internet has revolutionized financial management. Deployed soldiers can pay bills online, transfer funds, and monitor their accounts from anywhere with an internet connection. While internet access can sometimes be limited or expensive in certain deployment zones, it’s generally available to some degree.
Financial Allotments: Soldiers can set up financial allotments from their paychecks to be automatically sent to family members, pay bills, or contribute to savings accounts. This ensures that financial obligations at home are met, even if the soldier is unable to manage them directly. Service members can choose to give a monthly allotment to a spouse or whoever, but the money is deducted from their own pay.
Savings Deposit Program (SDP): For deployments to designated combat zones, the DOD Savings Deposit Program (SDP) offers a unique opportunity. Soldiers can deposit up to $10,000 and earn a guaranteed 10% annual interest rate, a rate far exceeding typical savings accounts. This program is a powerful incentive for saving and building financial security while deployed.
Per Diem and Allowances: In addition to basic pay, soldiers may receive per diem to cover lodging, meals, and certain incidentals. Per diem is paid to service members on some deployments. This allowance varies based on the location, ranging from a few hundred dollars a month to considerably higher amounts for deployments in areas with high costs of living or hazardous conditions. Hardship Duty Pay for Location Assignment (HDP-L) is payable to Soldiers for either permanent change of duty station or temporary/deployed/attached duty of over 30 days duration in specified locations. HDP-L is payable on a monthly basis in the amount of $50, $100 or $150 depending on the location.

Dispelling Common Myths About Deployed Soldiers and Money

One of the most important things to know is that if a soldier asks you for money — even a loan, this is likely a scam.

Myth: Deployed soldiers are cut off from their money and need help accessing it.
- Fact: As explained above, the systems in place ensure soldiers have access to their funds. While there might be occasional logistical challenges, needing to solicit money from strangers is highly unlikely.
Myth: Soldiers need money to come home from deployment.
- Fact: The military covers the cost of transportation for soldiers returning from deployment. Service Members are given a fully paid for transportation to the nearest airport to their home. The Army takes care of their own.
Myth: Soldiers can’t manage their finances while deployed.
- Fact: While deployment presents unique challenges, soldiers are generally financially savvy and capable of managing their affairs. They may use the extra money they receive to pay down debt, save for a goal, or invest for retirement. Furthermore, financial literacy resources are available to them before, during, and after deployment.

Staying Safe from Scams: Red Flags to Watch Out For

Unfortunately, scammers often prey on the goodwill of people by impersonating soldiers. Here are some red flags to watch out for:

Requests for Money: This is the biggest red flag. Real soldiers should not need to ask strangers for money for basic needs or travel expenses. They say they can’t access their bank account, need money to pay for food or housing, or want you to help them get money back into the U.S.
Inability to Meet in Person: Excuses for never being able to meet in person, video chat, or even talk on the phone are suspicious. Are They Asking for Your Request To Get Leave? Do They Have Any Close Relatives?
Romantic Overtures Early On: Scammers often try to establish a romantic connection quickly to manipulate their victims.
Inconsistencies in Their Story: Pay attention to inconsistencies in their rank, unit, or deployment details.
Urgent, Emotional Appeals: Scammers often use emotional appeals and create a sense of urgency to pressure their victims into sending money.

Verifying Military Service

If you are contacted by someone claiming to be a soldier and you have doubts, you can verify their military service through the Defense Manpower Data Center’s (DMDC) Military Verification service. The website will tell you if the person is currently serving in the military. This is a free service available 24/7. This can help determine if the person is genuinely in the military.

It’s crucial to remain vigilant and protect yourself from scams. Remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Deployment and Savings

Deployment can mean extra income, but be smart. Deployment can last from anywhere between 90 days and 15 months, and there are no limits to the number of times that active-duty members can be deployed.

The Importance of Financial Literacy

The military recognizes the importance of financial literacy for its members. Programs are available to educate soldiers on budgeting, saving, investing, and avoiding debt. These programs help soldiers make informed financial decisions and build a secure future.

Staying Connected: Communication and Support

Communication with family is crucial during deployment. If time, planning, and capability exist the couple can create a private chat room and have an electronic conversation. The military also offers various support services for families during deployment, including counseling, support groups, and financial assistance programs.

Educational Resources

The Games Learning Society explores how game-based learning can improve education and training in various fields, including financial literacy. This interdisciplinary research community investigates the design and impact of games in learning environments. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How are soldiers paid overseas?

Overseas pay and allowances are designed to compensate soldiers for the cost of living and housing in foreign countries. Two of the main allowances overseas personnel receive are an overseas Cost of Living Allowance and an Overseas Housing Allowance. Qualifying service members are also able to receive benefits from the Family Supplemental Subsistence Allowance Program program. Basic Pay is electronically distributed on the 1st and 15th of every month, similar to many civilian jobs.

2. Can soldiers access ATMs while deployed?

Yes, in many locations. ATMs are often available on military bases and in larger towns and cities. However, access may be limited in remote or combat zones.

3. What happens if a soldier’s debit card is lost or stolen while deployed?

The soldier should immediately report the loss or theft to their bank. The bank can then cancel the card and issue a replacement. The soldier may also need to work with their command to access emergency funds if necessary.

4. Are there any restrictions on what soldiers can buy while deployed?

Yes, there may be restrictions on certain items, such as alcohol, firearms, and pornography. These restrictions vary depending on the location and the specific rules of the military base or installation.

5. Do military wives get paid while on deployment?

No, there is no military spouse pay or stipend, but the military offers a number of benefits to help service members and their families. Service members can choose to give a monthly allotment to a spouse or whoever, but the money is deducted from their own pay.

6. How much money can I save on deployment?

Amounts up to $10,000.00 may be deposited, earning 10% interest annually through the DOD Savings Deposit Program (SDP).

7. How can I check if a soldier is real for free?

Please use the Defense Manpower Data Center’s (DMDC) Military Verification service to verify if someone is in the military. The website will tell you if the person is currently serving in the military. The site is available 24-hours a day.

8. How long do soldiers stay deployed?

The average military deployment is typically between six and 12 months long. However, deployment lengths vary greatly from branch to branch, are situational and depend on several factors specific to each individual service member.

9. Does the army pay for the soldiers to come home?

No, Service Members are given a fully paid for transportation to the nearest airport to their home.

10. Are US soldiers allowed to use social media?

Soldiers using social media must abide by the UCMJ at all times, even when off duty.

11. How much free time do Soldiers get?

Active-duty service members receive 30 paid vacation days each year as an employment benefit.

12. What benefits do deployed Soldiers get for family members?

Paid Family Leave (PFL) provides benefit payments to workers who need time off work to participate in a qualifying event because of a family member’s military deployment to a foreign country.

13. What is the average deployment pay?

A Deployment in your area makes on average $22 per hour, or $0.16 (6.985%) more than the national average hourly salary of $22.23.

14. How do I know if I’m talking to a real soldier?

How to Check if a Soldier is Real Are They Asking for Money? … Do They Have an Official Email Address and Physical Address? … Are They Claiming To Be Members of the Special Forces?

15. What happens when soldiers are deployed?

Generally, deployment means a scheduled time away from the normal duty station, usually outside of the United States.

Do soldiers have access to their money while on deployment?