Indoc prep Advice requested

joriebelle said:
Is it common for the parents to be on the account? Why is that helpful? I'm just curious why the parents need to be on the account.
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Your DD/DS will need money for incidentals while at school and at sea. Having a joint account provides an easy way for you to make deposits when needed.
 
joriebelle said:
cousmma5280 said:
Very Important! Opened a Navy Federal Credit Union account for our DS before he left home.
Just tell them that your DS/DD (Dear Son/Dear Daughter) will be attending the US Merchant Marine Academy.
That way we were on his Account. He has found that this was the best/safest way for him to get Cash at the ATM on campus.
He also had a USAA Account that he has found most useful while traveling.
Again just tell them that your Plebe has an Appointment to the US Merchant Marine Academy.
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I'm wanting to make sure I understand this correctly. Does DS open the Credit Union Account and USAA account or we, his parents, open it with him on it too?
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We were introduced to Navy Federal Credit Union while visiting during Parents Weekend. They will have a table set up on campus to assist with applications and answer questions. Very helpful, free gifts, and they gave our mid $50 in his account when we opened one as well. Be sure to seek them out; well worth the time....
 
Hi guys. So reading the list of gear needed for indoc I want to bring my own undergarments and not buy at NEX shop. From reading threads all underwear is stenciled so should I write my name on all my articles of clothing I am bringing to indoc? How does this work for things plebes bring from home? I did order the PT gear and the person item kit for $400.
I just got my TWIC card in the mail today and I am getting all 4 of my wisdom teeth removed the end of this month. GREAT!!!
I am getting excited and a little nervous.. but a good nervous and people tell me lay low and I will be fine. Just finished up lacrosse season so I think I am pretty fit but still playing on travel team for soccer to keep in shape. Looking to try out for soccer at KP .. if there is a team... as a walk on. See you guys very soon. Enjoy prom, graduation and GET READY!
 
cruzinKP--There is a soccer team. It had some difficulties, but is active for only 4c (I think that is the last I heard) currently and is supposed to be fully back in the fall. Bringing your own undergarments is fine. The stencil will be given to you. You will have something like a "party in the hall" during indoc where you sit in rows and have your stuff piled around you just so, and you will stencil everything you have, whether you bring it or it is delivered to you. if you are not following, both mens and womens LAX had an outstanding season this spring.
 
Thank you Golfindad! Awesome.. I was ready to get the sharpie and do it. Can you also tell me the difference and why I should obtain a USAA and a Navy Credit Union accounts? Is one better for ATM transactions and other one for something different things?
 
Both USAA and NFCU are good at what they do. I do not have a NFCU account or card, but DS does and I am on it so I can deposit easily if/when needed. NFCU is on campus. It has the ATM on campus. It is simply most convenient for the cash account to be NFCU, and unlimited free atm use on campus since it is NFCU's machine. USAA fsb as indicated above is a membership required bank. Their CC interest rates are very competitive, and their foreign exchange rates and charges are good. They are also used to deployments, travel, etc. We have USAA accounts simply because we have had them for years and years, and kids have had them since when they were born. Getting the CC from USAA was just a phone call so it was experience as well as ease. But, for the cash account, NFCU is the way to go
 
cruzinKP2022 said:
Thank you Golfindad! Awesome.. I was ready to get the sharpie and do it. Can you also tell me the difference and why I should obtain a USAA and a Navy Credit Union accounts? Is one better for ATM transactions and other one for something different things?
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I would also add that the stencil kit is part of your ordered personal items kit and the stencil you apply to almost everything you have at KP will have your company number on it as well so definitely do not do it yourself before you go. Plus, those 'parties in the hall' probably make for some good bonding times! One thing that a seasoned KP parent suggested was to provide plebe candidate (you) with additional Sharpie pens. I want to say that they suggested a silver, two black, and possibly a white Sharpie. My son said they were a great addition and well used. Congratulations and savor the celebrations over the next month. :groupwave:
 
cruzinKP2022 said:
Thank you Golfindad! Awesome.. I was ready to get the sharpie and do it. Can you also tell me the difference and why I should obtain a USAA and a Navy Credit Union accounts? Is one better for ATM transactions and other one for something different things?
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I have had an NFCU account since the 80s and USAA since the 90s. I use NFCU for banking and USAA for insurance and I could not be happier with both. Every so often I have shopped around for elsewhere for mortgages and credit cards but in the end I stick with those two and have been 100% satisfied. Which you use for what would be personal choice based on your own life, but I have found both to be very easy when applying for loans, moving money around and just general banking. I do think NFCU tend to have slightly better interest rates on car loans and mortgages but its been a while since I got either.
 
azmilmom said:
cruzinKP2022 said:
Thank you Golfindad! Awesome.. I was ready to get the sharpie and do it. Can you also tell me the difference and why I should obtain a USAA and a Navy Credit Union accounts? Is one better for ATM transactions and other one for something different things?
Click to expand...

I would also add that the stencil kit is part of your ordered personal items kit and the stencil you apply to almost everything you have at KP will have your company number on it as well so definitely do not do it yourself before you go. Plus, those 'parties in the hall' probably make for some good bonding times! One thing that a seasoned KP parent suggested was to provide plebe candidate (you) with additional Sharpie pens. I want to say that they suggested a silver, two black, and possibly a white Sharpie. My son said they were a great addition and well used. Congratulations and savor the celebrations over the next month. :groupwave:
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I STILL have some stuff (books, mostly) with my Plebe year stencil. . . .
 
Regarding Navy Federal, I guess I was under the impression that DS could open an account before he left for the Academy, but he just called now and they told him he can't open an account until he is "active"? Does this sound right to you?
 
Definitely does not sound right. Both my kids opened their accounts at Navy Federal as soon as they were accepted to USMMA. I would call back and talk to a supervisor or go in person (if you live close enough) or upload and email your acceptance letter from the academy. We have had nothing but very positive experiences with NFCU. You may have just gotten someone new who does not understand the service academy thing.

You should get your name on their account too as it really makes things easier to move money for them, particularly during sea year. I also sent you a PM.
 
Son took his Orders to Report to our local NFCU and had no problems. I went along with and opened my own as well as being a signer on his account. It has made it very easy to move money around for him to have access to funds. The $50/each referral may be only available on campus. At Indoc and Parents Weekend, NFCU has a tent and it's the best way to open one and each person (referral and new account) each get $50 in their accounts. It's a great deal!
 
azmilmom said:
each person (referral and new account) each get $50 in their accounts. It's a great deal!
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I am then officially hereby referring ALL Service Academy Forums users, current and future, to Navy Federal Credit Union. I will furnish my account information for deposit of my referral fees in a later post.
 
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