5 Quick Credit Score Wins for Military Members

Your credit score follows you through your military career and beyond. Whether you’re eyeing that next duty station apartment or planning for life after service, a strong credit score opens doors. Here are five quick wins you can implement today.

1. Set Up Automatic Payments

Payment history makes up 35% of your credit score. With deployments and PCS moves disrupting your routine, automatic payments ensure you never miss a due date. Set them up for at least the minimum payment on every account.

2. Check Your Free Annual Reports

Active duty service members can request free credit reports weekly from AnnualCreditReport.com. Review them for errors, especially after PCS moves when address changes can cause mix-ups.

3. Keep Old Accounts Open

Credit history length matters. That credit card you opened at 18? Keep it open and use it occasionally. Closing old accounts shortens your credit history and can hurt your score.

4. Request a Credit Limit Increase

Lower credit utilization improves your score. If you’ve had a card for at least six months with on-time payments, request a limit increase. This lowers your utilization ratio without changing your spending.

5. Become an Authorized User

If your spouse or parent has excellent credit, becoming an authorized user on their account can boost your score. Just ensure they have a low balance and perfect payment history.

These simple steps can add 50+ points to your credit score over the next few months. Start with one action today.