Discretionary Funds

[Capri120]

Which is the best form of "money" to bring for the recommended $275 discretionary/spending funds:
- Cash (not real thrilled with this since it can be lost/disappear to easily)?
- Debit card for an existing USAA account?
- Check to be deposited into new Armed Forces Bank account?
- All of the above?
- None of the above?
- Combination of two of the above?

And, yes, I am well aware of the honor code, I lived it as well an still do in civilian life. We left a penny laying on the floor in a common area for weeks, afraid if we picked it up, we would be accused of stealing, figuring the staff had "planted" it to see what would happen. Sad.

 

[BlahuKahuna]

I would bring $50 or so cash and then a debit card if you don't want to bring a ton of cash. From my experience during my own BCT and working BCT last summer, that should be a safe way to handle things.

I wouldn't plan on depositing money into Armed Forces Bank unless you're dissatisfied with your USAA account. Many cadets switch to USAA after BCT, it's a relatively painless switch and I would highly recommend USAA.

 

[Capri120]

Thanks, BlahuKahuna. DD planned on keeping current USAA accounts and switching direct deposit as soon as practical.

 

[FalconsRock]

BK, is it possible to avoid the Armed Forces Bank if one brings a completed direct deposit form from USAA or is it absolutely non-negotiable?

 

[MD2020]

We sent our DD with $50 in cash and the a debit card. Easy because if she needed more we could easily transfer money over to her account? The great thing? We never had to transfer any more money over. She has been there since June and has spent lest than $300 total including buying used books!

 

[BlahuKahuna]

BK, is it possible to avoid the Armed Forces Bank if one brings a completed direct deposit form from USAA or is it absolutely non-negotiable?

You know, I really don't know. You could call your admissions rep and ask-my guess is that it's non-negotiable, but no harm in asking.

 

[Capt MJ]

http://www.military.com/base-guide/united-states-air-force-academy/contact/finance-office/4258

Just a SWAG - if USAFA is roughly parallel in military admin to USNA, which has a Midshipman Disbursing Office who does all the behind the scenes work leading up to I-Day regarding mid pay accounts, there is likely a similar group of civil service folks who have been doing this for years at USAFA. Try calling and saying you have a question about cadet pay and direct deposit bank for an incoming doolie.

http://www.military.com/base-guide/united-states-air-force-academy/contact/finance-office/4258

At the Academies, there are the bear-catchers - the folks who recruit and get the "bears" in - and the bear-skinners, who do everything afterward until commissioning. Admissions will soon be gearing up for 2021 and starting the cycle all over again.

Edit: Given the note below, don't bother calling. Switch can be made later. USNA allows you to send your direct deposit anywhere, you just need the account and routing number info on I-Day.

 

[Capri120]

Probably never hurts to ask about not using Armed Forces Bank, the worst they can say is "no".

However, if you read the "Instructions to Appointees" section on Personal Checking, it states, "You must initially open a checking account...at Armed Forces Bank on USAFA...You may change your direct deposit to a bank of your choice after your pay account is established using the cadet payroll on-line capabilities."

 

[afmom2020]

BK, is it possible to avoid the Armed Forces Bank if one brings a completed direct deposit form from USAA or is it absolutely non-negotiable?

My DD went to the Prep with a USAA account and they never opened an Armed Forces Bank one. I would assume that it's the same at the hill.