MQS All Units

Checking Account

A transactional account held at a bank that allows for withdrawals and deposits. Money held in a checking account is very liquid, and can be withdrawn using checks, ATM’s, debit cards and other methods. This is thought of as ‘your everyday use account.’

Savings Account

A deposit account held at a bank that provides principal security and a low interest rate. It typically pays out better interest than a checking account.

Money Market Account

An interest-bearing account that typically pays a higher interest rate than a savings account, and which provides the account holder with limited check-writing ability. Individuals typically use money market accounts for short term savings and emergency funds.

Certificates of Deposit (CD)

A CD is money borrowed by the bank from individuals or bearer. A CD entitles the bearer to receive interest. The term of a CD generally ranges from one month to 5 years. The longer the terms of the CD is, the better the interest paid out will be. CD’s generally pay out better interest than savings accounts and money market accounts.

Bonds

A debt investment in which an individual loans money to an entity (corporate or governmental) that borrows the funds for a defined period of time at a fixed interest rate. Bonds typically offer better interest rates than bank related services.

Stocks

A type of security that signifies ownership in a corporation and represents a claim on part of the corporation’s assets and earnings.

Brokers

Financial firms that facilitate the buying and selling of securities—such as stocks and bonds—on behalf of their clients. Well-known brokerage firms include Fidelity, Charles Schwab, and Vanguard. Brokers provide trading platforms, investment advice, and access to a wide range of financial products. They are regulated to ensure investor protection.

Index Funds

A collection of company stocks designed to track the performance of a market, such as the S&P 500 or the Nasdaq. Instead of relying on active management, index funds passively mirror the holdings and returns of their chosen index. This allows investors to benefit from broad market diversification. Index funds are popular for long-term investors seeking consistent, market-matching returns. In fact, the S&P 500 actually outperforms most actively managed funds, while having a tiny fraction of the fees.

Mutual Funds

An investment vehicle that is made up of a pool of funds collected from many investors for the purpose of investing in securities such as stocks, bonds, money market instruments and similar assets. Mutual funds are operated by money managers, who invest the fund’s capital and attempt to produce capital gains and income for the fund’s investors.

Interest

Interest is expressed as the charge for the privilege of borrowing or lending money, typically expressed as an Annual Percentage Rate (APR). If you are borrowing money, such as in a loan or from a credit card, you need to understand how much interest you are paying. Likewise, if you are lending, understand how much interest you are making. The higher the interest, the more money you pay or make.

Compound Interest

• Compound interest is charged on the amount borrowed or lent plus the interest it has accrued. Therefore, compound interest can be thought of as “interest on interest/amount,” and will make your debt or investment grow at a faster rate than simple interest would.

Simple Interest

Simple interest does not compound, it is only charged on the amount borrowed or lent.

Explain the SCRA

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). The primary purpose of the SCRA is to ease legal and financial burdens on military personnel and their families.

Therefore, in terms of interest, you can reduce or cap interest rates on any credit card, mortgage, or other loan you acquired before you entered the military to 6% per year for the period you remain on active duty.

Credit score

A credit score is a three-digit number that summarizes how likely you are to repay borrowed money. A good credit score makes it easier to qualify for loans and credit cards, and you’ll likely receive lower interest rates, which can save you money over time. Conversely, a low credit score may lead to higher interest rates or even loan denials. Your credit score can also affect your ability to rent an apartment, get utilities, or secure certain jobs.

What Determines Your Credit Score?

Credit scores are calculated using information from your credit report. While different scoring models exist, the most widely used in the United States is the FICO Score, which ranges from 300 to 850. The higher your score, the better your credit looks to potential lenders.

Payment History

• (35%): Whether you pay your bills on time is the most significant factor. Late payments, accounts in collections, bankruptcies, and foreclosures all negatively impact your score.

Amounts Owed

• (30%): This includes your total debt and your credit utilization ratio—how much of your available credit you are using. Lower utilization rates are better for your score.

Length of Credit History

• (15%): The longer you have had credit accounts open, the better. This includes the age of your oldest account, the age of your newest account, and the average age of all your accounts.

Credit Mix

• (10%): Having a variety of credit types—such as credit cards, installment loans, and mortgages—can help your score, though it’s not necessary to have all types.

New Credit

• (10%): Opening several new credit accounts in a short period can lower your score, as it may indicate higher risk.

Base Pay

This is the core salary for all active-duty service members and is determined by rank and years of service. Base pay is distributed electronically on the 1st and 15th of each month, similar to many civilian jobs. Rates are standardized across all branches, and are updated annually.

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)

Helps cover the cost of housing for those not living in government-provided quarters. The amount depends on rank, location, and whether the service member has dependents.

Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS)

• Provides funds for meals. Service members who eat in military dining facilities may see a reduced BAS.

Special and Incentive Pays

These are additional monthly payments for specific skills, duties, or hardships. Examples include Sea Pay, Hazard Pay, Flight Pay, Sub Pay, Jump Pay, and Foreign Language Pay.

The Blended Retirement System (BRS)

BRS incorporates a defined contribution retirement savings and investment plan, called the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), that offers the same types of savings and tax benefits many private corporations offer their employees under 401(k) or similar plans.

Why should u always contribute 5% to TSP

If you opt into BRS and elect to contribute a portion of your own pay into your TSP account, the military will match up to 5% of your pay. This means that you should always contribute at least 5% of your pay to your TSP, as the service matching will then essentially increase your pay by 5%.

Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA)

An Individual Retirement Account (IRA) is a tax-advantaged investment account designed to help individuals save for retirement.

Traditional IRA

• Contributions: Typically made with pre-tax dollars, meaning they may be tax-deductible in the year they are made.

• Taxation: Earnings grow tax-deferred. Withdrawals in retirement are taxed as ordinary income at your current tax rate.

• Withdrawal Rules: You can begin penalty-free withdrawals after age 59½. However, all withdrawals before age 59½ may incur a 10% penalty, in addition to regular income tax.

Roth IRA

• Contributions: Made with after-tax dollars, so they are not tax-deductible.

• Taxation: Earnings grow tax-free, and qualified withdrawals are also tax-free.

• Withdrawal Rules: You can withdraw your contributions at any time without taxes or penalties. However, earnings withdrawals before age 59½ are subject to taxes and penalties.

Leave and Earnings Statement (LES)

The Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) is the official pay document for U.S. military personnel, providing a detailed breakdown of monthly compensation, deductions, entitlements, and leave balances.

How to access LES

Service members access their LES through the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) online system called myPay.

VA Home Loan

A VA Home Loan is a mortgage option backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help eligible veterans, service members, and their surviving spouses become homeowners. The VA does not directly lend money but instead guarantees a portion of the loan made by private lenders such as banks and mortgage companies. This guarantee reduces the risk for lenders and enables them to offer more favorable terms to borrowers.

Key Features and Benefits VA Home Loan

Key Features and Benefits

• No Down Payment Required: Most VA loans allow qualified borrowers to purchase a home without a down payment, making homeownership more accessible.

• No Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI): Unlike many conventional loans, VA loans do not require borrowers to pay for private mortgage insurance, which can lower monthly payments.

• Competitive Interest Rates: VA loans typically offer competitive interest rates compared to traditional mortgages.

• Limited Closing Costs: The VA limits the closing costs that can be charged to borrowers, further reducing the financial burden.

• Flexible Qualification Standards: While borrowers must meet credit and income requirements, VA loans often have more flexible qualification standards than conventional loans.

• No Prepayment Penalty: Borrowers can pay off their VA loan early without incurring a penalty.

VA Disability Rating

A VA Disability Rating is a percentage assigned by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to indicate the severity of a veteran’s service-connected disability and its impact on daily life and work ability.

The rating is expressed as a percentage, ranging from 0% to 100% in 10% increments. A higher percentage reflects a more severe disability. The higher the rating, the greater the monthly payment.

Importance: so you can get it

Five Basic Responses

Yes, sir/ma'am. No, sir/ma'am. Aye, aye, sir/ma'am. I do not know but will find out, sir/ma'am. No excuse, sir/ma'am.

General Orders

1. Take charge of this post and all government property in view.

2. To walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert, and observing everything that takes place within sight or hearing.

3. To report all violations of orders I am instructed to enforce.

4. To repeat all calls from posts more distant from the guard house than my own.

5. To quit my post only when properly relieved.

6. To receive, obey, and pass on to the sentry who relieves me all orders from the Commanding Officer, Command Duty Officer, Officer of the Deck, and Officers and Petty Officers of the Watch only.

7. To talk to no one except in the line of duty.

8. To give the alarm in case of fire or disorder.

9. To call the Officer of the Deck in any case not covered by instructions.

10. To salute all officers and colors and standards not cased.

11. To be especially watchful at night and during the time for challenging, to challenge all persons on or near my post, and to allow no one to pass without proper authority.

Naval Core Values

Honor, Courage, Commitment

Midshipman Honor Code

A midshipman does not lie, cheat, or steal.

Navy Birthday

13 October 1775

USMC Birthday

10 November 1775

Grand Old Man of the Marine Corps

Archibald Henderson

Father of the Navy

John Paul Jones

Oldest Ship in the US Navy

USS Constitution

First Nuclear Submarine

USS Nautilus

First Ballistic Missile Submarine

USS George Washington

GT Unit Founded

1926

First 6 NROTC Units

Georgia Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Northwestern University, University of California at Berkeley, University of Washington, Yale University

Phonetic Alphabet

Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Golf, Hotel, India, Juliet, Kilo, Lima, Mike, November, Oscar, Papa, Quebec, Romeo, Sierra, Tango, Uniform, Victor, Whiskey, X-ray, Yankee, Zulu

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs

Gen J. Daniel Caine, USAF

Vice-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs

ADM Christopher Grady, USN

Commandant of the Marine Corps

Gen. Eric Smith, USMC

Chief of Naval Operations

ADM Daryl Caudle, USN

Chief of Staff of the Army

Gen. Randy George, USA

Chief of Staff of the Air Force

Gen. David Allvin, USAF (retiring now)

Chief of the National Guard Bureau

Gen. Steven S. Nordhaus, ARNG

Chief of Space Operations

Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, USSF

President

Hon. Donald Trump

Secretary of Defense

Hon. Pete Hegseth

Secretary of the Navy

Hon. John Phelan

Commander, NETC

RADM Gregory Huffman, USN

Commander, NSTC

RDML Matthew Pottenburgh, USN

CO, Atlanta NROTC

CAPT Tony Rodriguez, USN

XO, Atlanta NROTC

Maj. Joshua Perras, USMC

Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman

SEAC David Isom, USN

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy

MCPON John Perryman, USN

Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps

SMMC Carlos Ruiz, USMC

BNCO

MIDN 1/C Xuan Nguyen, USN

BNXO

MIDN 1/C Andrei Khazatsky, USN

BN Master Chief / BN Sgt Maj

MIDN 1/C Sabrina Mejia, USMC

OPSO (Operations Officer)

Responsible for the activities of the Battalion, as well as supervising the Operations Department DIVOs.

ADMINO (Admin Officer)

Responsible for the paperwork of the Battalion, as well as supervising the Admin Department DIVOs.

ATHO (Athletics Officer)

Responsible for creating and executing the Physical Training (PT) plan for the Battalion, as well as setting up the Battalion's intramural team.

MWRO (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Officer)

Responsible for planning fun events and community service events for the Battalion outside of normal ROTC hours, in order to improve unit cohesion and morale.

SEO (Special Events Officer)

Responsible for planning specific events for the semester. Normally, this is the Naval Ball in the Fall semester, and the Dining In for the Spring semester, as well as the Battalion Picnic for both semesters.

SUPPO (Supply Officer)

Responsible for distributing all of the Battalion's uniforms and associated items. Works closely with the unit's civilian Supply Tech to get uniforms ordered as needed.

DECKO (Deck Officer)

Responsible for the cleanliness, decluttering, and decoration of the Battalion's spaces.

PAO (Public Affairs Officer)

Responsible for recruitment and the Battalion's public image.

TRAINO (Training Officer)

Responsible for supervising the 4/C progress through the Midshipman Qualification Standards, ensuring all 4/C complete qualifications on schedule.

Senior Chief

Responsible for enforcing the standards and discipline of their Department, working with their Department Head to ensure all tasks are completed, as well as supervising the Chiefs.

Chief

Responsible for mentoring the 4/C in their Division, preparing them for leadership roles and guiding them through the Midshipman Qualification Standards.

Anchors Aweigh

A Navy song that includes lyrics celebrating the Navy and bidding farewell to college life.

Enlisted Rank E-1

Seaman Recruit (SR) in U.S. Navy and Private in U.S. Marine Corps.

Enlisted Rank E-2

Seaman Apprentice (SA) in U.S. Navy.

Enlisted Rank E-3

Seaman (SN) in U.S. Navy and Lance Corporal (LCpl) in U.S. Marine Corps.

Enlisted Rank E-4

Petty Officer 3rd Class (PO3) in U.S. Navy and Corporal (Cpl) in U.S. Marine Corps.

Enlisted Rank E-5

Petty Officer 2nd Class (PO2) in U.S. Navy and Sergeant (Sgt) in U.S. Marine Corps.

Enlisted Rank E-6

Petty Officer 1st Class (PO1) in U.S. Navy and Staff Sergeant (SSgt) in U.S. Marine Corps.

Enlisted Rank E-7

Chief Petty Officer (CPO) in U.S. Navy and Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt) in U.S. Marine Corps.

Enlisted Rank E-8

Senior Chief Petty Officer (SCPO) in U.S. Navy and Master Sergeant (MSgt) / 1st Sgt in U.S. Marine Corps.

Enlisted Rank E-9

Master Chief Petty Officer (MCPO), SEAC in U.S. Navy and Sergeant Major (Sgt Maj) in U.S. Marine Corps.

1st Sergeant (1st Sgt)

Serves as the senior enlisted advisor at the company, battery, or detachment level, focusing on discipline, morale, and Marine welfare.

Master Sergeant (MSgt)

Provides technical leadership as a specialist in their specific Military Occupational Specialty (MOS).

Warrant Officer W-1

Warrant Officer 1 (WO1) in both U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.

Warrant Officer W-2

Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CWO2) in both U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.

Warrant Officer W-3

Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CWO3) in both U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.

Warrant Officer W-4

Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CWO4) in both U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.

Warrant Officer W-5

Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CWO5) in both U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.

Commissioned Officer O-1

Ensign (ENS) in U.S. Navy and 2nd Lieutenant (2nd Lt) in U.S. Marine Corps.

Commissioned Officer O-2

Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG) in U.S. Navy and 1st Lieutenant (1st Lt) in U.S. Marine Corps.

Commissioned Officer O-3

Lieutenant (LT) in U.S. Navy and Captain (Capt) in U.S. Marine Corps.