Investments and Personal Finances
Building wealth while serving requires understanding the unique financial tools available to you. The military offers investment vehicles that most civilians do not have access to, including the Thrift Savings Plan with its incredibly low expense ratios (as low as 0.043%), the Savings Deposit Program with a guaranteed 10% return, and VA-backed real estate opportunities. Whether you are a junior enlisted member just starting out or a senior officer planning for retirement, investing early and consistently is one of the most impactful financial decisions you can make during your military career.
Good to know: Financial readiness is reviewed as part of security clearance investigations. Maintaining healthy finances is not just good practice -- it is part of your military obligation. If you need help getting started, every installation has free Personal Financial Counselors available through Military OneSource.
