Ok, this will be the 3rd question I’ve asked about the AF thus far. I really appreciate y’all’s help here.
My husband has a credit score of 577 (checked today). We are on the Dave Ramsey plan (for those of you familiar with him) for paying off our debts, which means we’ve just been paying our smallest debt first and then working our way up to pay off the rest of them until they’re all paid off. Goal is summer 2009 to be debt free. Question is, my husband has two credit card charge-offs (one we have paid by settling), and a few very small collection accounts that we are taking care of immediately. The charge-off is for about $3000. What should we do about this? Should we continue with our plan and show the recruiter how active we are being in paying these off or will they immediately count us out for bad credit? And if I have a charge-off in my name, too, will it affect my husband’s chances, as well?
Basically, we were very responsible with credit at first. Then we bought a home and lost a job and got behind badly. Now we are making significant progress in catching up and I’m wondering how we need to show the recruiter this or if my husband will just automatically be disqualified because of credit.
Sorry for the lengthy explanation. Thanks in advance.
Christian
Roberta
talk to your congressman and see if he can get a waver to enlist when ever
Comment by David R — September 7, 2010 @ 1:46 am
Melanie
First of all, it’s not up to the recruiter whether to disqualify your husband or not. The Air Force has set standards to go by. Second of all, your credit will not affect your husband’s chances. My husband’s advice to you is to stop your Dave Ramsey plan and pay off the $3000 debt. He also said to join the Army instead.
My husband is a 17+ year member of the Army and soon-to-be disabled vet. Best of luck to you and thanks to your husband for wanting to serve our country!
Comment by emibrittsca — September 8, 2010 @ 10:56 am
Allison
Certain careers in the military call for secret and top secret clearances. They will check credit history, among other things, and use information based on what they find as the determining factors on whether or not he would be eligible for the specific enlisted career. But, his credit would have to be pretty bad to keep him from getting a secret clearance. Good Luck!
Comment by chile31r — September 9, 2010 @ 11:08 pm
Bobby
it can affect, at minimum, his ability to get a Clearance. If bad enough, he may also be unable to enlist period.
Comment by mrsjvb — September 12, 2010 @ 8:14 pm
Maureen
lady..look around you….can u see it????? can you smell it??? that’s right, thats right… is America….this…this is America.
Comment by Dead.Lions.Unit — September 13, 2010 @ 3:11 am
Hazel
Keep your gazelle intensity – don’t give up. If all else fails this summer he could enlist.
Comment by marathonwomen — September 15, 2010 @ 10:00 pm
Jonathan
did someone tell you that your credit affected his chance to enlist? Thats new to me!
I agree with one of the other posters.. go Army not airforce!
Comment by momma mia — September 16, 2010 @ 9:15 am