good credit bad credit no problem

[retread09]

I just heard back from the SSgt recruiter who's been working with me and he verified my records were sent and I should get them next week. Now I've got to start thinking what I want to do. I was avionics before, but rather get away from the wing this go round. Got out Sep 03 as a Corporal...My dillema is I think I'm going to be really limited on which mos's I can choose because I have managed to destroy my credit (although not bakrupt I have many charge offs and outstanding debts I haven't been able to pay on in a while)....I understand that credit is checked during secret clearance checks and I've heard that lots of jobs you wouldn't expect actually require at least secret clearance....I wouldn't think infantry would require it, but other than that I don't know what my options would be. I'll take pretty much any job, I just want a second chance in the Corps. What are my options??

[thewookie]

I just heard back from the SSgt recruiter who's been working with me and he verified my records were sent and I should get them next week. Now I've got to start thinking what I want to do. I was avionics before, but rather get away from the wing this go round. Got out Sep 03 as a Corporal...My dillema is I think I'm going to be really limited on which mos's I can choose because I have managed to destroy my credit (although not bakrupt I have many charge offs and outstanding debts I haven't been able to pay on in a while)....I understand that credit is checked during secret clearance checks and I've heard that lots of jobs you wouldn't expect actually require at least secret clearance....I wouldn't think infantry would require it, but other than that I don't know what my options would be. I'll take pretty much any job, I just want a second chance in the Corps. What are my options??

Speaking with my lending hat on, I would do something about those charge-offs and such, and try to make them whole. Just because the lender or credit issuer categorized your account(s) as "charged off" it doesn't mean that the debt is gone. It only means that more then likely, they sold the debt to a collection agency, and they'll be coming for you. Deal with it, Marine. I don't know your story or why you defaulted on your obligations, but it doesn't really matter. Prior service recruiters can cherry pick and they're going to look at the black and white, not they grey in the middle. Retention and enlistment numbers are very high so they don't have to take a person, or waiver that they don't want. I think this matter can and will affect your ability to get a clearance, but more importantly I think it could stop you from getting back in altogether. I know a guy in my MCL that it just happened to. I think credit is very important and it tells a lot about a persons character. Fix the mistakes and then get back in if you want.

Good luck, Marine.

[NoRemorse]

Even if you have a bunch of charge-offs or outstanding debt if you can show that you're working with your creditors or have approached them in the past and that you're being fiscally responsible now you should be able to get a Secret clearance or at least appeal a denial.

Like wookie said, square your trash away before going back in; that's what I'm doing. If you actually call these guys in most cases you can play hardball. You can talk with the collection agencies, the original institution you had an agreement with or their lawyers. Kick ideas around with them and explain your situation (they don't need to know you're trying to go back into the military.)

You should also do your homework regarding the banking or credit institutions you're dealing with so you can prioritize. In a lot of cases you can work with them if they don't have a history of taking people to court. If not, then got on the phone with them and make sure the conversations are recorded.

I live in New York and we're a one party state so I can record my conversations with them and not notify them of such. If I have it on record that I tried to work out a deal or I can only afford x in payments each month then that'll be what determines how much the judge is going to require me to pay if it gets that far.

If the creditors are being boneheads then know your rights (they can't curse at you, use offensive language, take an aggressive posture, etc) and have it on tape. If they want to work with you, keep whittling away at what they offer until you get something good. I told them I could only afford $200 a month because my wife lost her job. They hemmed and hawed and eventually got down to 201.86 a month.

They will start offering stuff if you explain your circumstances to them and don't get combative or aggressive. I had one guy on the phone who I continually told "I can't do that right now" and he kept taking stuff off until the debt was down to around 50% of the original amount (fees, penalities, and interest were all waived).

It will look bad on your credit but you'll be paid off in no time and able to show that you took care of your trash and can fix your own mistakes.

[sscjoe]

Retread09, I agree with the Wook don't ignore those debts. I would also make myself familiar with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. If your accounts were charged off then more than likely some junk debt buyer purchased then for pennies on the dollar. Some of these companies totally disregard the collection laws. PM me for some consumer Advocate websites if you have any questions.

[Rocky C]

Get your Credit reports and see what everything looks like.

TransUnion- 1-800-888-4213
Equixfax- 1-800-685-1111
Experian- 1-888-397-3742

[retread09]

Speaking with my lending hat on, I would do something about those charge-offs and such, and try to make them whole. Just because the lender or credit issuer categorized your account(s) as "charged off" it doesn't mean that the debt is gone. It only means that more then likely, they sold the debt to a collection agency, and they'll be coming for you. Deal with it, Marine. I don't know your story or why you defaulted on your obligations, but it doesn't really matter. Prior service recruiters can cherry pick and they're going to look at the black and white, not they grey in the middle. Retention and enlistment numbers are very high so they don't have to take a person, or waiver that they don't want. I think this matter can and will affect your ability to get a clearance, but more importantly I think it could stop you from getting back in altogether. I know a guy in my MCL that it just happened to. I think credit is very important and it tells a lot about a persons character. Fix the mistakes and then get back in if you want.

Good luck, Marine.

I appreciate the input. I do finally intend on dealing with my mistakes...however I am unemployed and live in a state with the second highest unemployment rate in the nation (thank you nafta). I can't begin to deal with the situation until I have some real income coming again. That's just the facts. The SSgt I'm working with said that there's not a credit check unless you apply for a job requiring clearance. After that I could do some type of debt consolidation and get my **** squared away. The government has worse credit than any one individual and is practically owned by the Chinese now...what a joke.

[thewookie]

I appreciate the input. I do finally intend on dealing with my mistakes...however I am unemployed and live in a state with the second highest unemployment rate in the nation (thank you nafta). I can't begin to deal with the situation until I have some real income coming again. That's just the facts. The SSgt I'm working with said that there's not a credit check unless you apply for a job requiring clearance. After that I could do some type of debt consolidation and get my **** squared away. The government has worse credit than any one individual and is practically owned by the Chinese now...what a joke.

No problem, thanks and good luck. Keep in touch with the lender/ service of the debt and you should be fine down the road once it's paid. Just keep the receipts, forever.

As far as the credit report goes: I'm kinda certain they pull one no matter what you're doing. I'm not in the loop so I don't know for sure but I'd think they would. I'd double check with that SSgt to be sure, best to be honest and keep it all on the table from the get-go so it doesn't come back to bite you in the azz down the road. The guy in my Marine Corps League that got turned away, did so because of bad credit - I don't know if that was due to his MOS or a Corps policy of pulling credit reports prior to enlistment.

Any way, good luck, sh*t happens.

[fallen771]

I am still young into the Corps being only in my first year still and I had a very hard time due to bad credit. I had a couble debts still outstanding and was unemployed before enlistin/going off to boot. As said, you need to just show you're attemtping to correct things. I had to have a top secrect security clearance for my mos and damn near didn't get it. I had to have in writing in agreeance with the debtors that I would setup a plan once I had enlisted.

Since then I've started slowly paying off my debts but I got my cleance, mos, and have had no issues. You just need to get the ball rolling. Since the economy/job market is still pretty low, most creditors are willing to do about anything to setup a payment plan. Especially if you're in any branch of military b/c of the guaranteed paycheck they see.

[retread09]

cool, thanks