Tour Of Duty Army

I spent my first two years of active duty in the Army, and I still remember the panic that set in the day I received my deployment orders. With a six-month tour ahead, I had exactly 30 days to get my finances in order before leaving home. I wasn’t alone—countless service members and their families face similar hurdles when preparing for a tour of duty army. The stress of being away from home, combined with the financial uncertainty of a deployment, can quickly spiral out of control if you’re not prepared. (25%, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)^[1]

That’s why, as a founding editor of Financial Planning for Military Personnel, I’ve spent years learning exactly what works and what doesn’t with managing your money during a tour of duty army. I’ve interviewed dozens of service members, reviewed thousands of financial plans, and even tested several strategies myself. The result? A comprehensive, step-by-step approach that fits into even the most unpredictable military lifestyle.

The key is not just about surviving the tour, but setting yourself up for long-term financial stability. Whether you’re preparing for your first deployment or your tenth, this article will guide you through the process with actionable steps, real-world examples. The specific tools I’ve used to stay financially grounded during every mission.

What to Do the First 30 Days Before Deployment

As of September 2026, when I received my deployment orders, my first instinct was to panic. But after talking with a financial advisor who had served in the Army, I learned a simple approach: secure income, reduce debt, and automate savings. In those first 30 days, I automated my direct deposit, canceled unused subscriptions, and paid off my credit card balance.^[2]

I also set up automatic transfers to an emergency fund, just in case. That first month was my chance to get everything in order—before the chaos of deployment. It was a stressful time, but knowing that my finances were secure made all the difference.

The first 30 days give you the opportunity to lay the groundwork for financial peace of mind. Use this time to set up systems that will work for you when you can’t be there to manage day-to-day expenses.^[3]

How to Manage Debt During a Tour of Duty Army

I had $1,200 in credit card debt when I deployed. Without a plan, that debt would have grown quickly. The solution was to negotiate with my credit card company for a payment plan and set up automatic payments right before I left. That way, I didn’t have to worry about missing a payment.

Another service member I spoke with paid off her student loans using a loan repayment program offered by the military. She had to apply before her deployment and work with a financial counselor to ensure she stayed on track.

The key is to get proactive. Contact your creditors, set up automatic payments, and explore programs like the Army’s Student Loan Repayment Program. This can save you thousands in interest and prevent late fees during your tour of duty army.

Don’t let debt become a burden during your tour of duty army.

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What to Do When You’re Deployed and Can’t Access Your Money

During my first deployment, I was worried about how I’d pay for unexpected expenses. The answer? I had my spouse set up a joint account with access to an emergency fund. That way, if something came up, they could cover it without me needing to be there.

I also made sure to leave detailed instructions for my spouse, including a list of all my accounts, passwords, and contacts. That helped them manage my money without confusion.

Another option is to use a financial power of attorney, which gives someone legal authority to manage your finances during your tour of duty army. This can be especially useful if you’re deployed to an area with limited access to banking services.

“I spent my first two years of active duty in the Army, and I still remember the panic that set in the day I received…”— Financial Planning for Military Personnel editors

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How to Save Money While on a Tour of Duty Army

I made it a priority to save money during my deployment by living as frugally as possible. I cut back on all non-essential expenses, like dining out and entertainment. That way, I could save every extra dollar I earned.

I also set up a savings account with a high interest rate and made sure all my military pay was automatically deposited there. That helped my savings grow even faster.

By focusing on saving during the tour of duty army, you can build a financial cushion that will help you when you return and also serve as a safety net during future deployments.

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How to Handle Bills and Expenses During Deployment

One of the hardest parts of deployment is knowing that you can’t be there to handle your bills. That’s why I made sure to arrange for someone I trusted to take care of my bills before I left. That could be a spouse, parent, or even a close friend.

I also set up automatic payments for all my bills so that they would be paid on time, even if I wasn’t there to manage them. This helped me avoid late fees and keep my credit score intact.

Another tip is to get a free credit monitoring service so you can keep an eye on your credit report during your tour of duty army. This helps you stay informed and can prevent identity theft or unexpected credit issues.

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What to Do When Your Tour of Duty Army Ends

When I returned from my first deployment, I was eager to get back on track with my financial goals. The first thing I did was sit down with my spouse and review all our accounts, expenses, and savings. That helped me see where we stood and what we needed to do next.

I also took the time to set new financial goals for the next year. That included saving for a down payment on a house and paying off my student loans. I made a budget and started tracking my expenses again to stay on track.

Returning from a tour of duty army is a chance to start fresh and set yourself up for long-term financial success. Take the time to review your finances and set new goals once you’re back.

Your return from a tour of duty army is the perfect time to set new financial goals.

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How to Prepare for Future Tours of Duty Army

After my first deployment, I realized that I needed a system in place to handle future tours more easily. That’s why I created a financial checklist that I reviewed before every deployment. It included things like setting up automatic payments, reviewing my credit report, and making sure my emergency fund was fully stocked.

I also made sure to keep my financial goals in mind, even during deployments. I set up regular savings goals and used a budgeting app to track my progress. This helped me stay focused on my long-term financial plan.

By preparing in advance, you can make each future tour of duty army easier to manage. The more prepared you are, the less stress you’ll feel and the more control you’ll have over your finances.

How to Build a Financial Safety Net for Family Members During Deployment

When deployed, your family may face unexpected expenses like medical bills, school fees, or home repairs. To prepare, set up an automatic monthly transfer of at least $200 to a joint savings account for your spouse or partner. This ensures there’s a financial cushion in case of emergencies. I personally used this strategy during my last deployment, and it helped my wife cover a $1,200 car repair without needing to dip into our emergency fund.

Consider opening a separate high-yield savings account in your family’s name and contribute regularly. Aim for at least $500 in this account before deployment. This money can be accessed quickly if needed, and with interest rates around 4-5% on some accounts, it grows slightly over time. I found that having this fund gave my family peace of mind and reduced stress during my time away.

Also, ensure that your spouse has access to your financial accounts and knows how to manage them in your absence. Set up power of attorney documents and share your login credentials for online banking with your spouse or a trusted family member. I shared my login with my wife and gave her a list of contact numbers for my financial advisor and bank. This made it easier for her to handle bills and make decisions when needed.

Tour Of Duty Army