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View Full Version : Can you be in Debt before leaving for bootcamp?



RomanNose
10-30-06, 05:48 PM
Hey poolees, just wondering if poolees can be in debt with loans and cars while going to bootcamp, or outstanding debt???

Echo_Four_Bravo
10-30-06, 07:24 PM
You can have a car loan or whatever, but you'll have to set something up to take care of the payments while you're gone. You won't have the ability to do things like that while you're in boot camp.

RomanNose
10-30-06, 09:30 PM
What about Credit Cards???

Echo_Four_Bravo
10-30-06, 09:59 PM
You can have credit cards, but you have to have a way to make the payments while you're in boot camp. You won't have a chance to deal with things like this, but the payments won't just disappear either.

RomanNose
10-30-06, 10:15 PM
Gotcha, so technically they couldn't bother you either while your in bootcamp demanding payments could they???

Marine Shu
10-31-06, 12:16 AM
My recruiter told me that they have to either defer payments until you graduate from recruit training, or cut the balance down to a certain percent.

Echo_Four_Bravo
10-31-06, 10:55 AM
They don't have to defer payments, and they are not going to cut the balance down. You can try to have this done, and there are laws to help you. That doesn't mean your creditor will follow the rules. They will try to collect while you're in boot camp unless you have an arrangement with them ahead of time. If you decide to just leave and assume they won't bother you, they will do everything they can to collect. Your DI won't enjoy the collection letters being sent to you. If you have a car loan and you don't pay, you can assume it will be repossessed while you're gone. And, it can damage your credit score which has an impact on whether you can get a security clearance or not.

Do the right thing and take care of your bills. This isn't a game. It is far from honorable to run away from your responsibilities, and paying your bills is a responsibility. Don't start your career off in the Marine Corps by breaking one of our Corps Values.

If you still want to shirk your responsibility, call your creditor and tell them you will be going to boot camp, and ask if they can defer the payment. If not ask them about the Soldiers and Sailors Relief Act (which wasn't intended for a situation like this) and see if that helps. Be prepared for them to tell you that they want their money on time.