When Duty Calls

Whether you are active military, Reservist, or National Guard, you may be assigned for a year or more to a temporary, unaccompanied tour of duty far from home. As you prepare to protect our national security interests, take some steps to protect your family’s security while you are away.

Make a Family Financial Checklist

Even if you are not deploying immediately, start preparing now for your family’s financial needs. To ensure that you take advantage of all military benefits available to you, meet with the unit or installation Personal Financial Manager (PFM) to make a financial action plan using the checklist below. Be sure to ask your PFM about your savings options, such as the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) and the Savings Deposit Program (SDP).

Printable Checklist

Housing       Mortgage       Apartment or home lease Car       Loan(s) or lease(s) Finance       Credit cards       Loans Student Other       Income Taxes Family Care & Insurance       Child care       Family-care plan       Insurance       Life (SGLI, TSGLI, personal)       Car       Homeowners       Renters Estate       Will       Trust       Power of Attorney       Health-care proxy and living will       Letter of instruction       Issues for Guard and Reserve members Income Health-care insurance Returning to your job Small business owners

Special Military Pay, Benefits, and Allowances The military offers 70 types of special pays and allowances, depending on your deployment and duty status, branch of service, and duty station. To find out what compensation beyond basic pay you qualify for, visit Military.com. Also visit the official Department of Defense site on military pay.