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Is your credit affecting your career?

  • Published
  • By Capt. John Rossana
  • 38th Aerial Port Squadron
CHARLESTON, S.C. --  Commentary -- What does your security clearance, buying a home, a line badge, Government Travel Card, and a potential career in the Air Force all have in common? Credit! Did you know your credit score can affect all of these? This list can go on and on.

Every ten years your security clearance is reviewed. If your credit score does not reflect a positive number, you can be denied clearance. The same holds true with a line badge and your Government Travel Card. If you don't have a security clearance, a line badge or other necessary items need for your job in the Air Force, your Air Force career may end up in jeopardy.

How can all this be avoided? Be responsible. The first step is to pay your bills on time. I know, it sounds logical but there are some people that don't. Most car, mortgage and utilities companies etc. report to the credit agencies when you are over 30 days late with your payment. So, every time you don't pay your bills on time, you most likely just lowered you credit score.

The next step is to live within your means. This is a pretty basic concept, and if you can't afford it... don't buy it.

Third step is to develop some sort of budget so you know how much money you have coming in compared to how much money you have going out. The more detailed the better. I know some of you went to see Dave Ramsey, and he has a very good budget tool to use if you don't know where to start. Having a budget will make steps one and two easy.

Finally, and most importantly, check your credit. I recommend www.annualcreditreport.com. This is a website that will give you FREE access for 30 days to all three credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). This access is available to you once every year.

Using the website, you can see what is being reported and who has looked at your report. It also allows you to submit corrections to the agencies for adjustments on your report. Included are phone numbers to creditors so you can remit payment and have them clear your report. This report will not give you your FICA score; however, if you need your FICA score you may pay extra for the service.

The bottom line; it's in your hands. Only you can affect your credit worthiness both positively and negatively. In the long run, your good credit will allow you to pay a lower percentage interest rate for items and have a job to pay for it.

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