Cadet Candidate - USAA/ PenFed account - Before R day

USMA*DAD*2026

USMA*DAD*2026

Member
Joined
Jan 27, 2022
Messages
111
My DS was asking if we can open USAA and/or PenFed account before you arrive for R-Day. He saw a post on class of 2026 (one of social media platform )saying it was done by someone. Can this be opened with just email ID from WP ?
 
USMA*DAD*2026 said:
My DS was asking if we can open USAA and/or PenFed account before you arrive for R-Day. He saw a post on class of 2026 (one of social media platform )saying it was done by someone. Can this be opened with just email ID from WP ?
Click to expand...
Yes he can. Direct deposit of his pay can also be done in advance. USMA will use PenFed for his book money etc, The two accounts can be connected online for easy transfers etc. When the time comes, USAA will require an account for the Cow Loan (Career Starter) should he decide to take it. Pretty sure when the account was set up they wanted the letter of appointment. Then it was done by phone.
 
Last edited:
Marvelous news. USAA is very response. Have been a 35 year member & have never been to a branch office (maybe there are none?) but have used their services all over the world.
 
Our cadet was able to open a USAA account last year before R-Day, but only after she turned 18. She started it online, but had to speak to a customer service representative, who was very helping in completing the process. She received a debit card and checks before R-Day, and had direct deposit set up from the start.

USAA also has a special insurance policy for cadets that covers uniforms, computers, class ring, etc. It is relatively inexpensive, but more of a challenge to purchase. The customer service representative that helped our cadet was not familiar with the policy, and it took a long while on the phone for him to figure out what she wanted and how to sign her up.
 
Thank you.

I am assuming you are talking about renter insurance policy ? if you have a policy type/name. Let us know.
 
USMA*DAD*2026 said:
Thank you.

I am assuming you are talking about renter insurance policy ? if you have a policy type/name. Let us know.
Click to expand...
It’s for the 5 service academies, a personal property policy that covers uniforms, computers, expensive sports gear, computers, class ring, etc. for a very low rate, low deductible, the Academy Personal Property Policy. It recognizes they live on govt property and don’t have too much stuff. Gets them off parents’ policy. The midshipman or cadet is the one eligible to get it and us the policy owner. At graduation, it’s a simple call to update status and move to regular personal property policy.
 
My DS is a 2025, and the PenFed situation was a big surprise to us last year. DS set up his USAA account prior to Rday, and he did it all online with no problem. Then, I started receiving emails after Rday from PenFed saying "thank you for joining," etc. I had no idea whether it was spam or not and couldn't communicate with my DS because he was at Beast. Finally, I was able to speak with him, and he told me that he was required to set up a PenFed account for some academy-related payments. That has been the sum total of the information I could get from him about this account. No worries though because my DS is an adult and it's not really my problem! The only time it's an issue is when he asks me a question about it, and I have to tell him that I have no idea anything about it because he set it up, not me!
 
SJVA96 said:
My DS is a 2025, and the PenFed situation was a big surprise to us last year. DS set up his USAA account prior to Rday, and he did it all online with no problem. Then, I started receiving emails after Rday from PenFed saying "thank you for joining," etc. I had no idea whether it was spam or not and couldn't communicate with my DS because he was at Beast. Finally, I was able to speak with him, and he told me that he was required to set up a PenFed account for some academy-related payments. That has been the sum total of the information I could get from him about this account. No worries though because my DS is an adult and it's not really my problem! The only time it's an issue is when he asks me a question about it, and I have to tell him that I have no idea anything about it because he set it up, not me!
Click to expand...
The Pen Fed account is always a bit of a mystery like the trunk rooms. Your cadet will know what to do but definitely better to start the relationship w USAA.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top