First, my family already has a USAA relationship, if you will. We have credit cards, our home & auto insurance through them. Our DS is on our auto insurance policy - in addition he already had a minors savings account and investments through USAA so that might have made it slightly easier, but they should still be able to set one up for your without too much trouble. We called the 800-531-8722 number. Because you are a minor, you need to have at least one of your parents on speaker phone with you. When prompted ask for 'New Checking' and when you get the representative ask immediately for someone with experience in setting up account for Service Academy cadets as you all are coded differently in the system. Once we were put in communication with someone who knew the nuances of Service Academy cadets vs. regular enlisting the process went very smoothly. You will need your letter of appointment, your drivers license and your travel orders (my son uploaded the form RRS-86, which state Department of the Air Force, Special Order and gives instructions about how to make travel arrangements to USAFA. My son was set up with a 'New Recruit' (again as a Service Academy Cadet) which allowed him to open the account without any funds, though putting in a minimum of $25 might be best. Once the representative set up the account and had his email, she recommended he download the USAA app on his phone and sent him links that he then used to upload the previously mentioned required documents right from his new USAA app. It took about 3 days for all his documents to be reviewed and verified. That is when my DS moved money from his USAA savings to the new USAA checking account. Once he verified that the money transferred without issue, he sent his checking account routing info to USAFA. Within a week after the account was verifed, USAA mailed him all his 'Welcome Cadet USAFA' letter and card. About a week after that, he received another letter from USAA with a Tax Certificate (W-9) form that one of his parents had to sign specifically because DS is still a minor.Hi, who did you call? I have called USAA twice and they will not allow me to set up a checking account yet (I don't turn 18 until the end of June). I have heard others have been able to set up their account, but I've had no success
Please keep trying to work with USAA because they really are an awesome company who has your best interest as a military member as top priority. Remember to keep asking for someone with experience working with Service Academy accounts as they are different. Be the respectful future cadet you are, but don't be afraid to ask for the conversation to be escalated to a supervisor who will direct you to the right people whom you need to speak with. This is another benefit of having your parents there with you. Please keep me updated.