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Security Clearance Levels

by MilitaryBenefits

Military Security ClearancesThe issue of security clearances comes up for both military members and civilian employees working for the federal government. Clearances are granted in order to allow troops, employees, and contractors access to sensitive information, facilities, or circumstances and are not granted lightly.

What you don’t know about the security clearance process won’t hurt you by default, but there are some things to be aware of before you submit to the clearance process that will help you better understand the hows and whys of security clearances and how they are granted.


Security Clearance Levels For Federal Employees (Non-Military)

There are three levels of clearance for federal employees. The U.S. Department of State official site lists the federal clearances in order from lowest to highest:

  • Confidential
  • Secret
  • Top Secret (TS)

In addition to these clearance levels, some holding Secret or Top Secret security clearances will also be recommended for Special Access Programs (SAP), which is a strictly need-to-know, limited access for those who are recommended for SAP.

These clearance levels allow employees to have access to classified national security information or other restricted data at the level of clearance and for any clearance level below it, but need to know is always a driving factor in what information or materials a security clearance provides access to.

In other words, just because you have a Secret security clearance level, you are not automatically granted unrestricted access to any classified information at the Secret level. Need to know is a major consideration.


Security Clearance Levels For Military Members

Like civilian federal employees, the security clearance granted will be on a level with the need of the job or the mission. The three security clearance levels military people may be approved to hold are, from lowest to highest:

  • Confidential
  • Secret
  • Top Secret (TS)

Yes, these are identical to the civilian employee clearances. The major difference in getting a military clearance level is that fingerprints and other materials may (or may not) have already been gathered as part of the military enlistment process – some procedures for military members may be a bit more streamlined than for a brand new federal hire in a civilian position.

Like civilian employees, some military members with Secret or Top Secret clearances may also be recommended for Special Access Programs, which are described as “enforced” need-to-know levels of clearance.

Not all who carry Secret or Top Secret clearances are read into SAP, but all who are admitted to Special Access Programs will have a Secret clearance or above. In some cases employees without a clearance may be included after undergoing required background checks and other procedures, but this process is up to the hiring agency.


A “Fourth” Security Clearance Level

Something known as the Interim clearance does not provide a different level of access to classified information, but rather acts as a temporary approval to access the information or facilities permitted by the proposed clearance level the employee or military member is being investigated for.

Interim clearances are usually granted conditionally upon the receipt of the completed clearance questionnaire paperwork and/or other materials as needed.

Interim clearances are not considered routine; the U.S. Department of State describes the conditions under which these interim clearances are issued as “exceptional circumstances”.


5 Security Clearance Levels Misconception

There is a common misconception that there are 5 security clearance levels (Controlled Unclassified, Public Trust Position, Confidential, Secret, and Top Secret (TS)). However, Controlled Unclassified and Public Trust Position are not considered security clearance levels.

Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)

Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) does not represent a clearance designation, but rather a clearance level at which information distribution is controlled. Controlled Unclassified designates information that may be illegal to distribute.  CUI is information that requires safeguarding or dissemination controls pursuant to and consistent with applicable law, regulations, and government-wide policies but is not classified under Executive Order 13526 or the Atomic Energy Act, as amended.

Public Trust Position

Public Trust is a type of background investigation, but it is not a security clearance. Certain positions which require access to sensitive information, but not information which is classified, must obtain this designation through a background check. In the US, Public Trust Positions can either be moderate-risk or high-risk.


Special Access Programs

Special Access Programs are those offered to certain qualifying federal employees or uniformed service members who are recommended and vetter for the program.

You are not automatically approved to participate in a Special Access Program just because you carry a Secret clearance or better. You must be nominated, your security clearance investigation must have taken place it he last five years, and the following are also required:

  • Applicant must take a random CI-scope polygraph examination when required;
  • Must sign a DoD-approved SAP program indoctrination;
  • Must sign a non-disclosure agreement.
  • The applicant must acknowledge that violations of the NDA may lead to termination of access, removal from a position of special confidence, and prosecution;
  • Acknowledges the NDA is in perpetuity.

If you are recommended or nominated for a Special Access Program, approval is dependent on a “favorable” clearance procedure which requires the most current SF 86 within the past 12 months or an updated version if the SF 86 is older than 12 months.)

When working with SAP projects, those granted access are first briefed about the national security implications of negligently or purposefully allowing information associated with the SAP to be disclosed, leaked, etc.

Those working on a Special Access Program may be required to submit their work for security review if reports or other writing contains SAP details, information, etc. In normal cases the government is meant to respond within 30 working days from the submission.

Some may, because of the nature of their jobs, be nominated for SAP during their inprocessing phase, while others may be promoted into a position that requires SAP. The timing of this process will vary from agency to agency, but if you think you may be nominated for such a position it’s a good idea to make sure your last SF 86 information is available in case you need to update it during the SAP process.


Length Of The Clearance Investigation

Regardless of the security level, investigations take approximately 120 days or longer depending on the nature of the investigation and the completeness of the information provided. Those who have done extensive overseas travel may find their process takes longer due to the need to verify those activities.

Who Can Request A Security Clearance?

No military member or potential new hire may initiate the clearance process – this is done by the agency requiring the clearances.

The Security Clearance Questionnaire

No matter what level of clearance you may need, there will be a lengthy form to complete that requires a lot of detail including your past addresses for ten years, explanations of foreign travel, any associations with foreign companies or entities, and more. Civilian employees must complete paperwork that is more than 100 pages long. Military members face similar forms.

The questionnaire should be considered a precursor to a background investigation and an interview where required. The investigation is an important part of the process; military and civilian employees alike should know that filling out the form is basically providing a basic framework for the investigation.

What does this mean?

It means that the background check will use your answers to inform the investigation but may not, and often does not, get limited to following up on the information provided. This is critically important because there are penalties for falsifying or knowingly omitting details asked in this process.

If you omit or falsify information in the clearance process, the investigation will most likely reveal this, and the results can include a loss of the ability to obtain a clearance of any kind. This renders the subject basically unemployable by the agency requesting the investigation.

Security Clearances Are Offered As A Condition Of Employment

That means that you may only participate in the investigation/security clearance background check if you have been offered a job. Potential new hires do not get investigated in this way.


Security Clearance Checks On Family Members or Those Living With The Employee/Military Member

In certain cases, limited records checks may be performed on “a spouse or cohabitant of an individual being processed for a Top Secret level clearance”, with the authorization of the person being investigated. The U.S. Department Of State adds, “Additional investigations may be conducted when the spouse or cohabitant is a foreign national”.

Those applying for a security clearance where this may apply should know “cohabitation” is defined as “sharing a living unit, such as a house or apartment, on a frequent and regular basis, while employed by the Department, without regard to the nature of any interpersonal relationship or reason for sharing living quarters”.


For Those Who Are Denied A Security Clearance

Being denied a clearance can and does happen. New hires and those who are being re-investigated should know that there is an appeals process involved in these situations – don’t assume you have no recourse if you are faced with such a scenario.

What Can Cause A Denial Of A Security Clearance? 

The U.S. Department of State official site lists the following reasons why an applicant may be denied a clearance; note that this is not a complete list;

A lack of candor in the investigation process;

Foreign influence;

“Foreign preference”;

“Sexual behavior”;

Personal conduct;

Financial considerations;

Alcohol consumption;

Substance abuse;

Psychological conditions;

Criminal conduct;

Military members are subject to all the above but may also be evaluated on areas where the Uniform Code of Military Justice may have jurisdiction including domestic political activities, conduct that reflects poorly on the military or the Defense Department, etc.


The Three Security Clearance Levels Do Not “Travel” To Non-Government Employment

Many retired or separated military members or non-military family members wonder about job openings that describe having a security clearance as a plus, or even a requirement. In the case of a non-government job, this is likely a request to know what clearance level the applicant had in government service but federal security clearances themselves do not transfer to non-government jobs.

This means that your clearance may give you an advantage in hiring as a trusted member of the military or as a government employee, but your Confidential, Secret, or Top Secret clearance does not allow you to utilize such clearances in the private sector. They are not applicable.

That does not mean that a future employer doesn’t have their own set of clearances or levels of “classified” information, but it does mean that any such designation in the private sector has no association at all with government service, or access to classified government data.

Security Clearances May Travel Between Government Jobs Or Military Assignments

In general, the ability to use an existing clearance in another federal or military job is dependent on the rules of the gaining and losing agencies, and whether the employee is due for a re-investigation after a certain period of time; five years is not uncommon, but some employees who have left federal service and are returning may be re-investigated on different time frames.

Clearance Expiration After Leaving Government Service

In general, The Department of State will re-validate a security clearance if there has been a gap in federal service for less than two years. Military members who retire or separate may face different requirements than federal employees depending on circumstances, mission requirements, and other factors.


About The AuthorJoe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter for Air Force Television News


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Military Spouse Employment Partnership program

by MilitaryBenefits

When a military family relocates, it can be difficult for military spouses to find employment. According to the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP), approximately 26 percent of military spouses face unemployment. The MSEP helps connect military spouses with jobs or provides them with training to help them enter a new career field.

Military Spouse Employment Partnership ProgramEducation/Training

Military spouses are eligible to receive up to $4,000, or $2,000 a year for up to two years, to cover education and training required to enter a portable career field through a Military Career Advancement Account (MyCAA). Career fields that are considered portable include health care, education, financial services, hospitality management and skilled trades such as carpentry and plumbing.

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Jobs

The Military Spouse Employment Partnership program allows businesses to partner with this DoD benefit to provide jobs to military spouses. In 2020 THE Small Business Administration (SBA) joined the partnership with over 80 others bringing the total program partners to 500.Some of the corporate partners include:

  • 24 Hour Fitness
  • AT&T
  • Amazon
  • Armed Forces Bank
  • Bank of America
  • Citi Bank
  • CVS Pharmacy
  • DaVita, Inc.
  • Dell, Inc.
  • Express Scripts
  • GEICO
  • The Home Depot
  • La Quinta Inn & Suites
  • Lockheed Martin
  • National Military Family Association
  • Office Depot
  • Sittercity
  • Starbucks
  • Time Warner Cable
  • Verizon
  • Walmart

A complete list of companies can be found at Military OneSource

When spouses register with MSEP online, they have access to the program’s Career Portal. This system gives a spouse the opportunity to build an online resume and apply to jobs directly through the portal. A search feature allows spouses to search all available job opportunities in their area and refine the search by job type, company, and industry.

Searches may be saved so that spouses are notified immediately of potential job opportunities in their areas or from favorite companies. In addition to applying for available jobs, individuals may send their resume directly to corporate partners to be considered for future job openings. Resume and cover letter templates are available to help spouses as they apply to jobs through the Career Portal and through other sources. Since 2011, over 175,000 military spouses have been employed by MSEP partners.

Other Resources

Through the MSEP, military spouses also have access to career counseling and advice. The “Ask an Expert” feature in the Career Portal allows spouses to ask their pressing questions related to finding a job and have it answered by some of the program’s career experts. Questions may range from what to wear to an interview to questions about how to get ahead in your current workplace. Articles on the website also provide spouses with valuable career advice.

The Military Spouse Employment Partnership also works with Military OneSource and CareerOneStop to offer career assessments to help spouses find their ideal career. Specially trained consultants help military spouses use the results of those career assessments and other information to develop education and career plans, find financial aid, and determine ways to gain any other necessary skills or certifications. When developing this plan, factor in any upcoming relocation plans, your current MyCAA path, if enrolled, and any relevant experience or credentials if you are prior service.

Spouses who do not have access to a computer or want to talk with a live counselor may also contact Spouse Education & Career Opportunities (SECO) by calling 1-800-342-9647. Through SECO, military spouses have access to career counselors, advice, and other career services. Although MSEP and MySECO have comprehensive online sites, utilizing on-base career centers and education centers can be very helpful. Check out the Military Benefit page links in this article to learn about all of the education and career benefits, scholarships, and programs that you may qualify for.


About The AuthorTia Christopher is a proud US Navy Veteran. Christopher’s writing has focused on explaining military benefits in plain language and helping fellow service members transition from the military. Christopher was recognized in 2013 by the White House as a Woman Veteran Champion of Change.


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Steps for Obtaining a CAGE Code

by MilitaryBenefits

Do you need a CAGE Code? You do if you want to be awarded contracts by the federal government. CAGE stands for Commercial And Government Entity Code and is a five-digit number assigned to companies who want to compete for federal government contract awards.

Steps for Obtaining a CAGE CodeThe only authorized entity that can create and assign CAGE Codes is the Defense Logistics Agency or DLA. While there may be any number of third-party agencies that charge for services associated with “expedited” CAGE Codes, the DLA official site reminds that there is NO COST to be awarded a CAGE Code or to update one. Generally, these codes must be updated every five years.

Companies do not have to be domestic or USA-based to be awarded a CAGE Code. Many foreign entities do business with the United States and require such codes. CAGE Codes don’t have any underlying meaning other than to act as a unique identifier for the company assigned the CAGE Code.

CAGE codes for overseas companies have a slightly different identifier than for stateside contractors. Those located outside the United States are referred to by the NCAGE signifier, which stands for NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE).

Getting Started

The first step for entities toward getting a CAGE Code is to apply for a “Data Universal Number” via the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) official site.

You need this number anytime you wish to enter into a “cooperative, contribution, interagency, partnership agreement, a federal contract, or grant agreement with NRCS and you use an Employer Identification Number (EIN), also referred to as a Tax Identification Number (TIN)”. You are also required to be registered with the System for Award Management (see below).

The rules are different for individuals (as opposed to companies)–those who contract as individuals will use their Social Security number as their Tax Identification Number and do NOT need DUNS or a SAM Code (see below).

Getting A DUNS Number

You can apply for a Data Universal Number (DUNS Number) by calling 1-866-594-2464 or by applying at the official site of Dunn & Broadstreet. This process takes a minimum of 30 business days (not calendar days) for a DUNS Number to be processed and assigned. You may be offered the ability to expedite the process to a 24 hour period–for a fee.

After DUNS

Once you have completed the process to obtain a DUNS number, you will need to set up an account at the SAM database, also known as the System for Award Management (SAM) database. You will need to create or maintain an account at Login.gov in order to use SAM.
All businesses must have an active registration in the SAM database before they can do business with DoD/federal government.

You can register on the SAM official site or call 1-866-606-8220. At a minimum, U.S. registrants will need the following:

  • DUNS Number (see above)
  • Legal Business Name, and Physical Address matching your DUNS record
  • Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
  • Taxpayer Name associated with your TIN
  • Bank routing number
  • Bank account number and account type

After registering for SAM you are ready to apply for a CAGE code via online forms at the DLA official site.

Those Who Need CAGE Codes For A Security Clearance

The procedure for getting a CAGE Code in conjunction with an application for a security clearance are different. Instead of following the steps above, you do not need to apply via SAM.

Instead, fill out DOD Form 2051, Request for Assignment of a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code. Your hiring agency may have already applied on your behalf ahead of time, or you may need to fill out the form (which must be signed by the hiring agency) and submit it via the Defense Logistics Agency.

Your business must have no duplicate registrations. Under normal conditions it takes roughly 10 business days to process the CAGE Code application and you’ll be contacted by phone or email if there is a need for additional information or verification. DLA will send your information to update SAM and make you eligible to compete for contracts or grants.

Do You Need Assistance With CAGE Code Issues?

Those who need assistance with CAGE Code issues should contact the Federal Service Desk at www.fsd.gov (866-606-8220 or 334-206-7828) for assistance in the following areas:

  • Account creation
  • Assigning roles to an account
  • Registering business entities
  • Exclusions
  • Searching for data in SAM

In cases of CAGE Code “failure”, users are directed to get help via the DLA Customer Interaction Center (24 hours a day at 877-352-2255 or commercial 269-961-7766). Once the issue is resolved you can revisit SAM and resubmit registration information.


About The AuthorJoe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter for Air Force Television News


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FBI Agent vs. CIA Officer: What’s the Difference?

by MilitaryBenefits

Many veterans want to continue government service following their time in the military. However, numerous government career options exist, and the differences aren’t always clear. In particular, veterans often ask about the FBI and CIA. As such, we’ll use this article to answer the question – FBI agent vs. CIA officer: what’s the difference?

FBI Agent vs. CIA Officer: What’s the Difference?Specifically, we’ll discuss the following:

  • The Mission of the FBI
  • FBI Agent Overview
  • The Mission of the CIA
  • CIA Officer Overview
  • FBI Agent vs. CIA Officer
  • Final Thoughts

The Mission of the FBI

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, or FBI, is a law enforcement agency. As such, it generally exists to investigate crimes. It also plays a large role in counter-intelligence, protecting the United States from foreign intelligence threats. And, following the September 11th attacks, the FBI’s mission has broadened to include counter-terrorism, as well.

Organizationally, the FBI falls under the US Department of Justice. According to its website, the FBI has a three-part mission:

  • To protect and defend the United States against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats.
  • To uphold and enforce the criminal laws of the United States.
  • To provide leadership and criminal justice services to federal, state, municipal, and international agencies and partners.

Despite its primary law enforcement role, the FBI also has an intelligence collection function. Specifically, the organization’s Intelligence Branch serves as a member of the US Intelligence Community.

FBI Agent Overview

As an FBI agent, you’ll serve in a law enforcement capacity. In terms of day-to-day work, that could mean focusing on any of the above three mission areas – and countless sub-categories within those areas. Depending on your specific job assignment, you could find yourself doing field work, desk work, or some combination of the two.

To apply for a job as an FBI agent, you need to be between the ages of 23 and 36. And, the organization encourages applicants from all sorts of backgrounds. According to recent job postings, the FBI is currently seeking agents with the below skill sets:

  • Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)
  • Foreign language
  • Law
  • Prior military or law enforcement
  • Education/teaching
  • Cybersecurity
  • Medical
  • Psychology/counseling
  • Accounting and finance

The Mission of the CIA

Whereas the FBI focuses on law enforcement, the Central Intelligence Agency, or CIA, exists to collect foreign intelligence for the United States. Accordingly, the Agency is one part of the United States’ Intelligence Community. In that capacity, the CIA’s mission is to preempt threats and further U.S. national security objectives by:

  • Collecting foreign intelligence that matters
  • Producing objective all-source analysis
  • Conducting effective covert action as directed by the president
  • Safeguarding the secrets that help keep our Nation safe

While not a comprehensive list, some of the CIA’s focus areas include:

  • Nuclear nonproliferation
  • Counterterrorism
  • Counterintelligence
  • Foreign organized crime
  • Drug trafficking
  • Arms control

It’s important to note: the CIA does not make policy or policy recommendations. Rather, it provides information to the government officials who do. Furthermore, despite not being a law enforcement organization (like the FBI), the CIA works closely with multiple law enforcement agencies on a variety of complex issues.

CIA Officer Overview

In general, CIA officers collect information through a variety of sources and methods, evaluate intelligence, and coordinate with other organizations to facilitate intelligence collection outside of the United States. However, what an individual officer does will largely depend on his or her assignment within the Agency. More precisely, the CIA includes the following five Directorates, each of which includes different roles and responsibilities:

  • Directorate of Analysis
  • Directorate of Operations
  • Directorate of Science and Technology
  • Directorate of Digital Innovation
  • Directorate of Support

Aspiring CIA officers should also recognize that Hollywood doesn’t always reflect reality. In other words, if you join the CIA, you won’t automatically become Jason Bourne or Jack Ryan. Most CIA officers work in an analysis capacity – not in deep-cover, clandestine operations. While those job types exist, CIA applicants should understand that these “movie-like” jobs are the exception, not the rule.

FBI Agent vs. CIA Officer

Before discussing the differences, it helps to understand some of the general character traits critical to both FBI agents and CIA officers. In both positions, you’ll need strong:

  • Research and analytical skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Work ethic
  • Communication skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Commitment to service

Both the FBI and CIA only hire the best applicants. But, if you possess all of the above characteristics, you need to decide which path best suits your personal goals and desires. While a variety of jobs exist in each organization, determining whether you should apply to the FBI or CIA largely comes down to how you answer the following question:

  • Do I want to investigate and help prosecute criminals, or do I want to help the United States collect foreign intelligence?

If you’re more inclined to law enforcement and want to help put criminals behind bars, serving as an FBI agent makes more sense. On the other hand, if interested in collecting intelligence on foreign threats to the United States, you should consider service as a CIA officer.

However, applicants also need to understand that this isn’t a binary situation. As we’ve outlined above, the lines between the two organizations often blur. In some circumstances, the FBI focuses on intelligence collection. Similarly, the CIA frequently finds itself helping with law enforcement.

As such, if still unsure after reading this article, we recommend doing more research. Plenty of veterans work in both organizations, and they can be great sources of information to help you decide. Additionally, the FBI and CIA offer internships tailored to college students. If using your GI Bill following military service, consider applying for one of these internships to help decide whether a job as an FBI agent or CIA officer best suits your unique situation.

Final Thoughts

If you’d like to continue serving your country following the military, working as either an FBI agent or CIA officer can be a great option. To determine which path makes the most sense, you’ll need to broadly consider where you’d like to focus your career: law enforcement or intelligence collection.


About The AuthorMaurice “Chipp” Naylon spent nine years as an infantry officer in the Marine Corps. He is currently a licensed CPA specializing in real estate development and accounting.


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Transition Mistakes to Avoid When You’re Getting Out Of The Military

by MilitaryBenefits

A good transition out of the military can set you up for civilian success. Similarly, a bad transition can make entering the civilian world a nightmare. As such, we’ll use this article to cover some major transition mistakes to avoid when you’re getting out of the military.

Transition Mistakes to Avoid When You’re Getting Out Of The MilitarySpecifically, we’ll discuss the following:

  • Military Transition Mistake 1: Starting Late
  • Military Transition Mistake 2: Not Having a Real Plan
  • Military Transition Mistake 3: Blowing Deployment Savings
  • Military Transition Mistake 4: Doing the “DD-214 Mic Drop”
  • Military Transition Mistake 5: Not Knowing Where You’ll Live
  • Military Transition Mistake 6: Ignoring Medical and Administrative Paperwork
  • Bonus Mistake: Not Maximizing Your TSP Contributions
  • Final Thoughts

Military Transition Mistake 1: Starting Late

A saying exists: the best time to plant a tree was 100 years ago; the second-best time to plant a tree is today. The wisdom behind this saying absolutely applies to military transitions. You’ll want to start planning your transition as early as possible. Haven’t started planning yet? Start today!

As a rule of thumb, you want to begin your transition planning no later than one year from the date you plan on starting terminal leave. From a military perspective, you’ll have a ton to do. This includes out-going paperwork and other administrative requirements, final medical and dental appointments, gear turn-in, and plenty of other items. For these requirements, your command will provide you a checklist to complete.

However, these military requirements only represent one part of your military transition. The other – arguably more important – part includes planning for what comes next. That is, planning what you’re going to do as a civilian. If you wait until the last minute to take care of all of the above military requirements, you won’t leave yourself any time to focus on planning your personal future.

Unfortunately, the military doesn’t always give troops the time they need to plan their transition, especially if you’re in a deployable unit. This puts a tremendous burden on the individual service member. If your unit isn’t going to give you adequate transition prep time, you’ll need to do a ton of this planning on your own time. Once again, the earlier you begin planning, the better.

Military Transition Mistake 2: Not Having a Real Plan

You may have a plan, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good plan. Officers and enlisted alike are frequently guilty of this. They develop transition “plans” that are really more like half-baked ideas. For example, starting a business is not a plan. On the other hand, developing a concrete business plan and securing funding to execute that business plan is a real plan. Bottom line, you have to ask yourself: do I have an idea, or do I have a real plan? An idea won’t pay the bills and put a roof over your head as a civilian.

Broadly speaking, most veterans take one of three paths as civilians. For each of these paths, you need to do certain things to turn an idea into a real plan:

  • Attend school: If you plan on going to college, make sure that you have applied and been accepted to school before separating from the military. Next, make sure you have a concrete plan for where you’re going to live until school starts. Of note, the GI Bill only pays your housing allowance when you’re actually attending classes.
  • Work: Make sure you’ve secured a job before transitioning out of the military. And, if your terminal leave concludes before you begin your new job, make sure you have a clear plan for where you’ll live until you begin work – and start getting paid.
  • Retire and live on your military pension: If doing this, make sure you first confirm that your new, pension-based budget will cover all of your expenses. As part of this process, you’ll need to confirm exactly where you’ll be living as a retiree. Cost of living can vary wildly throughout the United States.

Military Transition Mistake 3: Blowing Deployment Savings

Even the best military transition plans can hit bumps in the road. When these obstacles inevitably occur, you’ll want to have a financial safety net. This goes back to the idea of starting your planning early.

After deployment, saving money is likely the last thing on your mind. You’ll probably want to go travel, celebrate, and buy things with your deployment cash. While you should absolutely enjoy your post-deployment leave, spending all of your deployment savings can hurt you during transition.

There are few times where you can save as much as you can on deployment – especially in a tax-free combat zone. As such, this savings can provide a key safety net (a.k.a. emergency fund) during your transition period. Once you stop receiving a paycheck every two weeks, bills can add up fast. Having some deployment savings to fall back on can significantly ease the financial stress of a military transition.

Military Transition Mistake 4: Doing the “DD-214 Mic Drop”

We’ve all seen it. A disgruntled troop finally receives his or her DD-214 and “drops the mic,” basically burning every single bridge in the process. While this may provide some immediate satisfaction, it can come back to hurt you for two reasons.

First, regardless of whether you’re going to school or work after the military, you’ll need professional references at some point in time. If you left service on bad terms, you likely won’t have any senior leaders willing to write you a letter of recommendation or serve as a professional reference.

Second, finding a job often depends heavily on networking, that is, meeting people in different fields. You may not realize it at the time, but you may cross paths with military peers or senior leaders in the civilian world. If you burned bridges with these people, they probably won’t help you with introductions to help your job goals.

You never know who you’ll cross paths with in the future. Accordingly, make sure you leave your unit on the best possible terms.

Military Transition Mistake 5: Not Knowing Where You’ll Live

This relates to not having a real plan, but it’s important enough to call out directly.

In the military, we have housing provided. We either live in the barracks, aboard ship, or in other government housing, or the military provides us an allowance to live on our own. Once you separate from the military, you’ll lose both of these options. Yes, the GI Bill will pay you a housing allowance, but that only kicks in when you’re taking classes. Similarly, a job will help you pay rent, but what will you do before you begin working?

You need to do some detailed planning here. Before separating, you need to confirm exactly where you’ll be living when you separate. More specifically, you need to know exactly where you’re living until you start making money – either through a job or GI Bill housing allowances. Once you have money coming in, renting a place becomes straightforward. Until then, make sure you have a detailed plan in place for where you’ll live.

Military Transition Mistake 6: Ignoring Medical and Administrative Paperwork

Transitioning out of the military can be an exciting time – you’re finally wrapping up your service and off to new adventures. But, don’t let that excitement prevent you from focusing on the details. If you ignore problems with your medical and administrative paperwork during transition, you can face major issues in the “outside world.”

From an administrative perspective, you’ll want to make sure all of your awards have been processed. This can directly impact future government work and contracting benefits, as well as VA medical treatment. You’ll also want to make sure all the paperwork for your final military move is accurate. You rate a final move after separating, but if you don’t complete the required paperwork, you may lose out on that money. These are only two examples, but the important takeaway is to make sure all of your administrative paperwork is accurate and complete prior to separating.

Related to administrative paperwork, you’ll want to ensure that all of your medical and dental records are accurate. If you have conditions that merit a VA disability rating, you need to make sure those conditions are actually documented in your medical records. Civilian health insurance can be extremely expensive. If you have service-connected disabilities, you may qualify for VA care. However, if your military medical records are incomplete or inaccurate, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on these benefits.

Bonus Mistake: Not Maximizing Your TSP Contributions

This isn’t a transition mistake, per se, but service members hurt themselves financially if they don’t maximize their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) contributions during their service. With the new Blended Retirement System, the government will match up to 5% of your savings. In other words, if you elect to save 5% of your pay in your TSP, the government will contribute an additional 5%, meaning you effectively save 10% of your pay.

This may not seem like a ton of money, but it can add up quickly. And, it can make a huge difference in your retirement savings. For example, let’s say you separate from the military at 25 with $5,000 saved in your TSP. If you let that grow in the TSP – which you can do once you separate – that $5,000 can grow to ~$53,000 in retirement! (NOTE: Assuming 35 years growth at 7% interest with no additional contributions).

It’s hard to think about retirement when you’re young. But, if you plan on separating prior to full military retirement age, contributing as much as possible to your TSP while still in the service can set you up for financial success as a civilian.

Final Thoughts

Wrapping up your time in the military can be extremely exciting. But, the transition period also includes many potential pitfalls. If you avoid making the above transition mistakes when getting out of the military, you’ll set yourself up for success in the civilian world.


About The AuthorMaurice “Chipp” Naylon spent nine years as an infantry officer in the Marine Corps. He is currently a licensed CPA specializing in real estate development and accounting.


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