topic Re: Navy Federal now allows honorably discharged Veterans to apply directly for membership in Personal Finance

Navy Federal now allows honorably discharged Veterans to apply directly for membership

nolamike — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 15:29:53 GMT

Hi all,

In the past Veterans who were NOT annuitants (meaning those that did 20 plus years and retired) were not allowed to directly join NFCU.

Combat veterans like myself who were medically retired versus regular retired were not eligible to join directly once we had left the service.

I found out today this changed in 2017 sometime.

Veterans can directly join, according to the csr and "how to become a member" at NFCU's website which distinctly list Veterans as eligible.

They will ask for DD214's as proof.

I submitted my proofs again today, the csr re-activated my previous information so I just had to send in DD-214's again. They say 2 business days to process so I will wait until tuesday next week to check on the status.

I will update if there are any stumbling blocks

No more Navy League San Diego hoops for Veterans!!! yahoo!

Re: Navy Federal now allows honorably discharged Veterans to apply directly for membership

K-in-Boston — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 16:39:42 GMT

That is great news! I joined NLSD last summer but never got around to going through all of the hoops to actually submit my application. I will try ASAP before my new accounts ding my score a bit.

Re: Navy Federal now allows honorably discharged Veterans to apply directly for membership

nolamike — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 16:51:19 GMT

awesome, glad the new info will help someone.

The reason I actually called today was I had been jumping through those NLSD hoops and finally after 6 months got someone from membership services to actually call me.

The reason turned out to be is that their system, despite me selecting the SD Council, put in the 'unattached' category which does not allow membership to NFCU, only SD does.

Once I got that straightened out I called NFCU and first asked if they changed the rules allowing vets to join directly and the CSR said they had and then I looked at the website page i listed above and there it was at the bottom.

I will post any further roadblocks or successes, and I hope you will too.

Mike

Re: Navy Federal now allows honorably discharged Veterans to apply directly for membership

AverageJoesCredit — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 18:04:25 GMT

Congrats on getting in and thanks for serving . Grateful

When i joined recently, i did not have to send any proof of service,( though i do have it ) was actually quite simple and fast. Very grateful for them allowing veterans to join. About time

Re: Navy Federal now allows honorably discharged Veterans to apply directly for membership

nolamike — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 18:14:26 GMT

AverageJoe,

thanks.

no dd-214? were you still on AD or are you a 'normal' retiree? otherise how would they prove you are a vet? very interesting situation considering the run around us other vets have been given over the years.

Mike

Re: Navy Federal now allows honorably discharged Veterans to apply directly for membership

iowe — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 19:08:49 GMT

I just discovered this two weeks ago and joined the second that I noticed I was now eligible to sign up directly. It's about time. I wanted to join NFCU a year ago and I passed on it because I didn't want to go jumping through the hoops to get in.

Re: Navy Federal now allows honorably discharged Veterans to apply directly for membership

nolamike — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 19:10:41 GMT

iowe,

I totally understand not wanting to jump through the hoops, but once i started the process I was determined to see it through. If I hadn't I would never have found out that NFCU finally started doing right by veterans vis-a-vis direct membership access.

Re: Navy Federal now allows honorably discharged Veterans to apply directly for membership

K-in-Boston — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 20:18:37 GMT

nolamike thank you again very much for this. I'm in!

Re: Navy Federal now allows honorably discharged Veterans to apply directly for membership

nolamike — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 20:21:42 GMT

your in? meaning your application has been approved for membership? if so that is awesome K just awesome...

Mike

Re: Navy Federal now allows honorably discharged Veterans to apply directly for membership

AverageJoesCredit — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 20:29:12 GMT

Hi Nola!

Id imagine with my social they could access my Navy records so all i did was put all my relevant info, service time served and im sure it checked out . Im not AD and was actually discharged by admin, not sure how to spell the full word lol, so though wasnt a honorable discharge, it wasnt negative. . If they ever need my dd214, its only a fax or email away lol

Re: Navy Federal now allows honorably discharged Veterans to apply directly for membership

nolamike — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 20:36:33 GMT

AverageJoeCredit,

see that makes it weirder and weirder. NFCU is NOT a government agency and has NO LEGAL access to you military records.

Think about it, if the Military or Government ageed to let NFCU directly access your records, every bank and shyster loan company on the planet would be suing for similar access.

as for the discharge type, technically the requirement is the same as for getting benefits and is worded as a "discharge that is something other than a dishonorable discharge", which means BCD's etc.

Administrative discharges and Discharged for Needs of Military would both be acceptable for benefits and admission to NFCU as a veteran.

no matter what allowed it, you have access to NFCU and that is great for you!

mike

Re: Navy Federal now allows honorably discharged Veterans to apply directly for membership

K-in-Boston — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 20:41:46 GMT

In as in membership immediately approved. Pending Approval within 24 hours for Flagship Rewards. I would assume that it's easy for them to note that I have a VA Mortgage on my credit report (errr 3 with refis). Also there are some companies that do have access to service verification. ID.me is one such company. I put in my ETS date and social to verify and get discounts with Microsoft and others.

Re: Navy Federal now allows honorably discharged Veterans to apply directly for membership

nolamike — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 20:49:35 GMT

congrats~ that is great! I am so happy that I decided to post that and you decided to read it.... I could not be happier that someone gets benefit out of the information.

ID.Me is one of TWO companys contracted with the U.S. Government to provide Single Sign On services for American Citizens across all Government websites.

It is a limited scope contract for identity only. That is significantly different than banks in general being able to directly access military records.

Now NFCU (and others) could theoretically contract with ID.ME for sign ups, but as of now they have not.

I have ID.ME for several categories but primarily as a Veteran.

congrats again! keep sharing the good news with other veterans!

Mike

Re: Navy Federal now allows honorably discharged Veterans to apply directly for membership

iowe — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 20:56:16 GMT

It was a smart move by NFCU to expand to allow veterans in. That opens up a huge potential for more happy customers putting their money into NFCU.

Re: Navy Federal now allows honorably discharged Veterans to apply directly for membership

nolamike — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 20:59:09 GMT

iowe,

you would think but it has been a long road.

The whole NLSD backdoor comes from a deal to buy a failing credit union in SD, which by the way let veterans join directly, but NFCU would only honor the agreement for NLSD not for veterans. Then they moved to allow BAE Systems employees to join, but not veterans...then a dozen other big civilian companies and any government workers were allowed to join, but not veterans.

it has been pretty insulting.

Re: Navy Federal now allows honorably discharged Veterans to apply directly for membership

AverageJoesCredit — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 21:00:01 GMT

Thanks Mike!

Yeah im stumped but happy to be in . My dad just joined and he really put in the time, 30 years Navy, Master Chief , Vietnam and all. Im really happy for him and am trying to get him to go for the personal loan to help ease his debts. From what ive read here hes got a great shot so i want him to take advantage of a great union. Idont think he had to send in any paperwork either. We both did it online. Again, thanks for your service and hope Navy trwats you well

Re: Navy Federal now allows honorably discharged Veterans to apply directly for membership

nolamike — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 21:01:58 GMT

AJC,

good luck to both of you and please jsut keep letting other veterans know the option is now available to them!

mike

Re: Navy Federal now allows honorably discharged Veterans to apply directly for membership

K-in-Boston — Sat, 01 Apr 2017 01:21:46 GMT

Again, I really want to thank you for this. I got a text message earlier asking me to call in regarding my application and due to my "very high reported income" (her words, not mine) they just needed copies of stubs. Fingers crossed.

Re: Navy Federal now allows honorably discharged Veterans to apply directly for membership

nolamike — Sat, 01 Apr 2017 01:23:53 GMT

I;'m rooting for ya. I am sure that once they get the stubs you will be golden. .

keep us informed and tell us nosy folks what CL they give you too

Mike