In many instances, companies will ask for a copy of the military orders before allowing a military suspension on accounts and services. See the link to the right on "Orders (Copy of)" for more information.

NOTE: Car loans, home loans, credit card bills (new or existing), or any other personal loan or consumer credit contract are generally NOT eligible for Military Suspension during combat deployments. Contrary to popular belief, the Soldiers & Sailors act does NOT suspend payments, but rather it may help reduce the interest rate during the deployment. For more information, please see the Soldiers & Sailors Act link to the right.

However, there are many services your Marine may have used while stateside that may be eligible for a "Military Suspension". It would be best for your Marine to suspend these services prior to deployment. However, that may not be possible if the deployment was unexpected or happened so quickly that your Marine did not have time to suspend these services.

Some examples of services that may be eligible for Military Suspension include:

• Cell Phone Service
  All cell phone companies should offer a military suspension for cell phone service irregardless of the contract. Keep in mind, the contract will still be in place, and the Marine will have to re-open the account when he/she returns stateside. Upon return, the contract picks up where it was suspended. For instance, if you Marine was in a 24-month contract, had used 6 months of service prior to deployment, the contract will have an additional 18 months that will be re-instated upon return. If the account is suspended for 8 months, the balance on the contract will still be 18 months rather than 10 months. In some instances, it may be more cost efficient to cancel or buy-out the contract if it's near expiration and the Marine does not want to keep the same cell phone number. Check with the cell phone provider for the most cost-effective solution for your Marine.

• Vehicle Insurance
  If your Marine's vehicle is permanently stored during deployment, and all base locations offer free permanent storage of one personal vehicle, you may be able to reduce the insurance on the vehicle. Consider carrying comprehensive coverage only which could add up to hundreds of dollars in savings. If your Marine has a lien against the vehicle (making monthly payments), you'll need to check with the lien holder or financial institution prior to reducing insurance coverage.

• Lease for Primary Residence
  If your Marine lived in a home or apartment with a lease contract, he/she should notify the landlord as soon as possible about the deployment. If your Marine signed the lease, unless you have a "Durable Power of Attorney", you may not be successful in cancelling the lease.

• Utilities (Gas and Electric Service)
  At the same time the landlord is notified, utility services should be suspended as well.

• Phone Service
  If your Marine is concerned about keeping the same telephone number when he/she returns, check with the telephone company about a "vacation rate" rather than disconnecting the service.