Welcome
Military Certified Housing Specialist Course
Thank You!
USA Cares extends its sincere gratitude to
National Mortgage
Professional Magazine
For sponsoring the
USA Cares
Certified Military Housing Specialist Course
USA Cares Mission
USA Cares is a national 501(c)3 non profit whose
mission is help bear the burden of service by
assisting post 9/11 military members and their
families with financial and advocacy support in
their time of need.
What Makes Us Different
• The government isn’t the answer to everything.
We fill the “gaps” for immediate needs.
• We “grant” financial assistance. No repayment
is asked nor expected.
• We directly pay the creditor.
4
USA Cares operates four assistance programs
•
•
•
•
Combat Injured
Emergency
Housing
Jobs
5
Combat Injured
• Provides critical assistance in areas not
covered by a government program.
• It pays essential household bills while a
service member attends prescribed
rehabilitative treatment.
• Over 500 veterans helped with $1 million in
direct assistance.
6
Emergency
• Gives emergency financial assistance for essential
bills. This program keeps the lights on, the car in the
driveway and food on the family table.
• Yearly request keep growing:
– 2007- 4,146
– 2008 – 5,670
– 2009 – 5,877
– 2010 – 5,526
– 2011 – 6,501
7
HOUSING
• Pays the rent/mortgage
• Must complete budget counseling
To Date:
• Over 4,500 homes from foreclosure & eviction
saved!
• Over 6,000 children kept from becoming
homeless.
• Over 2,000,000 in assistance provided
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Jobs
• Reduces joblessness
• USA Cares works directly with public and
private businesses to develop real training that
leads to a real job
• Since the program’s start in 2010, 196 Veterans
employed
• Assistance totaling $262,747
9
Today’s Agenda
USA Cares Overview
• Military 101
• Rank & Language
• Military Pay
• Resources
Section 1: Military 101


Branches of Service
Reserve Components
Branches Of Service
ARMY
AIR FORCE
NAVY
COAST GUARD
MARINE CORP
ARMY
•
Established- June 14th , 1775
•
Main ground force
•
Approximately 76,000 officers & 401,000 enlisted
members in the active duty army
•
Supported by 2 Reserve Forces
•
Army Reserves
•
Army National Guard
Website: www.army.mil
AIR FORCE
•
August 1, 1907 –Aeronautical Division
•
(3 ½ years after the Wright brothers flew the first powered airplane
at Kitty Hawk)
•
The Department of Air Force was Created as a
result of the National Security Act of 1947
•
Delivers global reach, power and engagement
Website: www.af.mil
NAVY
• US Navy Founded October 13, 1775
• Department of Navy Established in 1798
• Three principle components:
•
•
•
Navy Department
Operating Forces
Shore Establishment
• Deter aggression and maintain the freedom of the seas
Website: www.navy.mil
MARINE CORP
• Continental marines
•
•
•
Served in every conflict in U.S. history
Rapidly responds to regional crisis
Important tool for American foreign
policy
Website: www.marines.mil
COAST GUARD
• Five Primary Missions
• 35,000 civilian volunteer branch
• Responsible for approximately
18,000 highways & railway bridges
in the US
Website: www.uscg.mil
RESERVE COMPONENTS
•
39 Days of Military duty per year
•
Guard & Reserves
•
8 Different Reserve Components
Website: www.usar.army.mil
What Have We Learned?
•
Servicemembers need respect for their voluntary
service; knowledge of their pay system
•
As a result of the National Security Act of 1947,
there are five military branches: Army; Air Force;
Navy; Marine Corps; Coast Guard
•
The United States Army is the main ground-force
of the United States military.
•
The Army is the largest U.S. Military Service.
•
The Air Force defends the nation's airspace and
projects combat power in support of national
tasking.
•
What Have We Learned?
 The
mission of the Navy is to maintain, train and
equip combat-ready Naval forces capable of winning
wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom
of the seas.
 The
United States Marine Corps has served in every
conflict in U.S. history.
 The
Coast Guard does not fall under the Department
of Defense, but under the Department of Homeland
Security.
 The
National Guard's -Title 32 Orders refer to a state
mission; -Title 10 Orders refer to a Federal Mission.
Section 2
Rank & Language
Recognizing Military Rank & Status
Ranking Charts
Military Language
Military Status
• Rank
• Commissioned Officers
• Warrant Officers
• Enlisted Personnel
• Rate - Navy & Coast Guard
Enlisted
• Grade- Used for pay functions
Military Language

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










BAH

COLA

DD214

DFAS

EB

ETS

IED

LES

JAG

PCS

SGLI

SCRA

WTU
TBI/ PTSD
Basic Allowance for Housing
Cost of Living Allowance
Department of Defense discharge form
Defense Finance and Accounting Service
Enlistment Bonus
Estimated time of separation
Improvised Explosive Device
Leave and Earning Statement
Judge Advocate General (Military Legal Dept)
Permanent Change of Station
Service Members Group Life Insurance
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
Warrior Transition Unit
Traumatic Brain Injury/ Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder – invisible wounds of war
What Have We Learned?
 Three
General categories of rank/rate: Enlisted
personnel, Warrant Officers and Commissioned
Officers
 “Grade”
is used for Personnel and pay functions
 Judge
Advocate General refers to the military legal
department
 Military
pay receipt is known as the LES - Leave and
Earning Statement
 WTU
 IED
refers to "Warrior Transition Unit"
is an Improvised Explosive Device, found in
war zone
What Have We Learned?
 TBI
(Traumatic Brain Injury) and PTSD (Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder) are examples of invisible wounds of war
 Department
of Defense Discharge Form is DD214
 ETS
is Estimated Time of Separation/Expiration Term of
Service
 SGLI
 The
is Service Members Group Life Insurance
Air Force is the only branch of service that does not have
Warrant Officers
Section 3: Military Pay

Overview & How to Read
an LES

Factors that impact
military pay

Special Pay

Bonuses

Thrift Savings Plans

Who Can Help?

Wounded Warrior
Program

Disability Retirements
Military Pay Overview
•
•
•
•
•
70 types of pay and allowances
The Defense Finance and Accounting
Service (DFAS)
The LES is divided into three major areas:
Entitlement, Deductions and Allotments.
Pay Options (AOP/EOM)
Requesting a VOE and payroll records
Accurate income calculation is imperative
for the positive outcome of any loan.
DEFENSE FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING SERVICE MILITARY LEAVE AND EARNINGS STATEMENT
ID
NAME (Last, First, MI)
SOLDIER, JOE EVERYDAY
SOC. SEC. NO.
*****1234
1
2
ENTITLEMENTS
Type
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
BASE PAY
BAS
BAH
PAY DATE
070827
YRS SVC
05
ETS
140302
3
4
5
6
DEDUCTIONS
Amount Type
2266.50 FEDERAL TAXES
348.44 FICA-SOC SECURITY
912.00 FICA-MEDICARE
SGLI
STATE TAXES
AFRH
SGLI FAM/SPOUSE
TUITION DEBT
AAFES/NEXCARD DEB
MID-MONTH-PAY
10
TOTAL
GRADE
E4
7
PERIOD COVERED
1-30 SEP 12
8
9
ALLOTMENTS
Amount Type
32.48
95.19
32.86
27.00
26.00
.50
5.00
105.00
157.97
687.54
11
20 3526.94
BRANCH ADSN/DSSN
ARMY
4821
DISCRETIONARY ALT
TRICARE DENTAL
BANK ACCT ALLOT
BANK ACCT ALLOT
US DEBT
US DEBT
PRIVATZED HOUSING
SUMMARY
Amount +Amt Fwd
185.95
30.89
250.00
177.00
55.83
58.74
912.00
+Tot Ent
-Tot Ded
-Tot Allt
=Net Amt
-Cr Fwd
=EOM Pay
13
.00
14
15
16
17
18
19
3526.94
1169.54
1670.41
686.99
.00
686.99
12
21 1169.54
22 1670.41
DIEMS
RETPLAN
070821
CHOICE
23
24
LEAVE
BF Bal
26.0
Ernd
30.0
Used
13
Cr Bal
29.0
ETS Bal
72.0
Lv Lost
.0
Lv Paid
.0
Use/Lose
.0
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
FICA
TAXES
Wage Period
2266.50
Soc Wage YTD
20398.50
Soc Tax YTD
856.71
Med Wage YTD
20398.50
39
40
41
42
43
BAQ Type
W/DEP
BAQ Depn VHA Zip
SPOUSE 66027
Rent Amt
.00
Share
1
Stat
R
53
54
55
PAY
DATA
50
THRIFT
SAVINGS
PLAN (TSP)
51
52
FED
TAXES
Med Tax YTD STATE
295.74
TAXES
Wage Period
2266.50
Wage YTD
20398.50
33
34
St
MO
M/S
M
Ex
04
35 36
Wage Period Wage YTD
2266.50
20398.50
44
45
46
JFTR
Depns
0
2D JFTR
BAS Type
56
57
58
59
Add'l Tax
.00
Tax YTD
292.32
37
38
M/S
M
Ex
04
Tax YTD
234.00
47
48
49
Charity YTD TPC
PACIDN
.00
DBWD5QAA
60
61
62
Base Pay Rate
0
Base Pay Current
.00
Spec Pay Rate
0
Spec Pay Current
.00
Inc Pay Rate
0
Inc Pay Current
.00
Bonus Pay Rate
0
Bonus Pay Current
.00
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
Currently not Used
TSP YTD Deductions
.00
Deferred
.00
Exempt
.00
Currently not Used
71
72
73
74
75
REMARKS:
YTD ENTITLE
76
32183.32
77
IF TSP ELECTION AMT EXCEEDS NET AMT
YTD DEDUCT
3038.23
78
OPERATION THAN ANY OTHER CAUSE. DRIVE
DUE, TSP WILL NOT BE DEDUCTED.
SMART-RIDE SMART-STOP THE LOSS.
-REPORTING ALL ABSENCES FROM AN IDP
-PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR COMBINED FEDERAL
LOCATION TO THE SUPPORTING FINANCE
CAMPAIGN GOING ON NOW!
OFFICE. SEE YOUR FINANCE OFFICE FOR
MEMBER'S SGLI COVERAGE AMOUNT IS $400,000
PROCEDURES.
FAM/SPOUSE SGLI COVERAGE AMOUNT IS $100,000
-ROTH TSP AVAILABLE OCT 1. CHECK
TUITION DEBT CURRENT DEDUCT 52.50
OUT
TOTAL DEBT 525.00 BALANCE 210.00
WWW.DFAS.MIL/MILITARYMEMBERS/ROTHTSPFO
TUITION DEBT CURRENT DEDUCT 52.50
RMILITARY.HTML (LOWER CASE) FOR THE
TOTAL DEBT 525.00 BALANCE 210.00
LATEST INFORMATION.
AAFES/NEXCARD DEBT $157.97S OF EOM 1208
-KEEP THE EQUIVALENT OF YOUR ACTIVE DUTY
START US DEBT ALLOTMENT 1209 (245)
PAY WHILE SHAPING THE LIVES OF YOUNG
BAH BASED ON W/DEP, ZIP 66027
PEOPLE. LOOK INTO BECOMING AN ARMY JROTC
$55.83 ALLOT: AER - SECTION 09001
INSTRUCTOR AT WWW.USARMYJROTC.COM. IT
ACCT # 01010101010101101
COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE!
BANK CITIBANK FEDERAL SAVINGS BA
-COMBAT HAS MORE ACCIDENTS FROM VEHICLE
W W W . D F A S. M I L
Factors Which Affect Pay
& Entitlements
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Annual Pay Raise
Promotions
Longevity raises
Basic Allowance for Housing
Basic Allowance for Subsistence
Cost of Living Allowance
Military Special Pays
Military Special Pays
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Aviation Pays
CSRC – Combat Related Special Compensation
CZTE – combat zone tax exclusion
Diving Pays
Foreign Language Proficiency Pay
Hardship Duty Pay (HDP)
Imminent Danger Pay and Hostile Fire Pay
Medical and Dental Special Pays
Special Pay for Nuclear Power Officers
Sea and Submarine Duty Pay
Bonus Entitlements
•
Enlistment Bonuses
•
Reenlistment Bonuses
•
Selective Reenlistment Bonus
•
Bonus Extension And Retraining (BEAR) Bonus
•
Career Service Bonus
•
Critical Skills Retention Bonus
Thrift Saving Plan
•
Federal Government-sponsored retirement
savings and investment plan
•
Established in 1986
•
Floyd D. Spence National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001
•
Participation in the TSP is optional
WHO CAN HELP WITH PAY
QUESTIONS?

"DFAS 411" - 888-332-7411
http://www.dfas.mil/

Military Retirees - 1-800-321-1080
https://ca.dtic.mil/dfas/s-retired/ret-pay.htm

Annuitants - 1-800-321-1080 (U.S.) or
216-522-5955 (Outside U.S.)
https://ca.dtic.mil/dfas/s-retired/ret-pay.htm

Military Former Spouses - 1-888-332-7411
https://ca.dtic.mil/dfas/s-garnish/garnishinquiry.htm
Wounded Warrior Program Pay
Purpose: To Provide accurate, real-time
financial support to servicemembers
Entitlements
•
•
•
•
Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS)
Casual Pay
Pay & Allowance Continuation (PAC)
Traumatic Servicemembers' Group Life
Insurance
Disability Retirements

Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL)

Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL)

Retirement Status
What Have We Learned?
The Leave and Earning Statement (LES) is a comprehensive
statement which shows the service member's leave and earnings
for the month.
The LES is divided into three major areas: Entitlement,
Deductions and Allotments.
Fields 1 - 9 contain the identification portion of the LES.
Basic Pay is established by grade and pay date.
Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) is a cash allowance intended
to enable an equitable standard of living in areas where cost of
living is unusually high.
The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), takes the
responsibility of watching over America's servicemembers'
payroll matters.
What Have We Learned?
When a servicemember transfers, you can bet that their BAH and
COLA will probably change.
Factors that affect military pay and entitlements:
Annual pay raise, longevity, BAS, BAH, COLA, promotions, and
special pays.
The Thrift Savings Plan offers the same type of savings and tax
benefits that many private corporations offer their employees under
401(k) plans.
Certain types of military pay are exempt from taxes.
Who can help with pay problems? DFAS 411 and www.dfas.mil.
Combat Zone Tax Exclusion (CZTE) allows military members to
exclude all or a portion of pay and entitlements earned while serving
in designated combat areas from tax liabilities.
LES Field 77 shows the service member's YTD Entitlements
What Have We Learned?
 The mission of the Wounded Warrior Pay Support
Team is to provide accurate, real-time financial support
to servicemembers who are medically evacuated as a
result of wounds, disease, or injury incurred while
serving in a combat zone.
 A member of the TDRL or the PDRL is a retired member
of the armed forces.
 If a physical evaluation board finds a member unfit to
perform duties by reason of a disability which may not be
of a permanent nature, he or she may be placed on the
Temporary Disability Retired List.
What Have We Learned?
 PAC (Pay and Allowance Continuation) authorizes the
continuation of all pay and allowances (including any bonuses,
incentive pay, or similar benefit) that were being paid to the
member at the time the member incurred a wound, injury, or
illness in the line of duty.
 All soldiers assigned to Army Wounded Warrior (AW2) are also
assigned to a Warrior Transition Unit (WTU) once they leave
the initial stage of hospitalization and begin what is often a long
process of rehabilitation.
 Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) allows certain
military retirees to receive both their military retirement pay and
VA Disability Compensation.
 All members of the uniformed services that have part-time or
full-time SGLI are automatically covered by TSGLI while the
member is in service.
Section 4
Resources
1
2
3
4
FORECLOSURE PREVENTION & HOUSING ASSISTANCE
SERVICEMEMBERS CIVIL RELIEF (SCRA)
THE UNIFORMED SERVICES EMPLOYMENT AND
REEMPLOYMENT RIGHTS ACT OF 1994
STEPS TO FORECLOSURE PREVENTION
5
LOCAL MILITARY SPECIALIST
MFHEP- OPERATIONS GUIDE
6
MFHEP- STANDARDS OF PRACTICE
Foreclosure
Prevention & Assistance
Military Housing Program
USA Cares Assistance Program
Making Homes Affordable Program
www.KnowYourOptions.com
NHS.Org (Neighborhood Housing Svcs)
SCRA Guidelines
& Benefits
Temporarily suspends legal action while on
active duty & for a time thereafter
 Allows for termination of leases:
Home, car, cell phone etc
 Reduction of interest rates
 Free legal assistance for service members
through their nearest JAG office

USERRA*
(38 USC 4301-4335)
*THE UNIFORM SERVICES EMPLOYMENT AND
REEMPLOYMENT RIGHTS ACT OF 1994
•
Who is covered
•
Basic Provisions/Requirements
•
Employee Rights
•
Notices and Posters
Resources









USA Cares
DFAS
USERRA
Department of HUD
Department of Veteran Affairs
Free JAG legal assistance
FDIC Foreclosure Prevention
Neighbor Works America
Homeownership Preservation Foundation
Course Collaterals
•Certificate of Completion-Individual
•Certificate of Completions-Organization
•Certified Military Housing Specialist Seal
•USA Cares Logo
•Press Release Language
Thank you for caring!
Joann Muncey
Director of Emergency and Housing Assistance
joann@usacares.org
1-800-773-0387 ext 113
Website: www.usacares.org