Joining the United States Army is a massive transition. For many new soldiers, this is the first time they’ve experienced true independence after living with their parents and graduating high school. With this newfound freedom, it’s easy to make mistakes—some of which can be costly, both financially and personally. While mistakes are a part of life, understanding common pitfalls can help you avoid major regrets.
Here are some of the most common mistakes new soldiers make and how to steer clear of them:
1. Getting Trapped in a High-Interest Car Loan
One of the most well-known mistakes soldiers make is rushing to buy a car with a sky-high interest rate.
Many new soldiers arrive at their first duty station and quickly realize that relying on others for rides is frustrating. Without much credit history, they head to the nearest dealership and sign a loan with an insane interest rate just to get a set of wheels. Some dealerships near military bases even prey on young service members who don’t understand finance.
How to Avoid It:
- Be patient. Try saving money first before rushing to buy a vehicle.
- Consider a used car. Buying an older, cheaper car with a low-interest rate (or cash) is a better option than taking out a massive loan.
- Ask for advice. Take a squad leader or experienced soldier with you to the dealership to help you navigate the process.
- Shop around. Credit unions often have lower rates than dealership financing.
Many soldiers, including myself, have fallen into this trap. The first car I ever bought in the Army came with a 16% interest rate—I learned the hard way.
2. “Dating” a Stripper (Or Thinking You Are)
Before I dive into this, let me be clear: There’s nothing wrong with someone choosing exotic dancing as a profession or choosing to be in a relationship with someone in this profession. However, there’s a big difference between dating a stripper and thinking you’re dating one.
Many young soldiers, often lonely and experiencing independence for the first time, go to a strip club and mistake professional attention for genuine affection. The job of a dancer is to make you feel wanted so you’ll keep coming back and spending money. Some soldiers fall for this illusion, believing they’re in a real relationship—when, in reality, they’re just a paying customer.
How to Avoid It:
- If the only time you see them is at their workplace, you’re not dating them.
- Be cautious about emotional attachment when money is involved.
- Recognize when you’re being manipulated.
Again, there’s nothing wrong with dating someone who happens to be a stripper, but if you’re only interacting with them at the club, that’s not dating—that’s just spending money as a regular customer.
3. Developing a Drinking Problem
Barracks parties, clubs, and bars are part of the military culture. While having a few drinks can be fun, some soldiers take it too far and turn it into a lifestyle.
Some drink heavily every weekend. Others make bad choices while drunk—getting into fights, racking up DUIs, or making financial mistakes. Drinking problems in the military are real, and many soldiers develop alcohol dependencies without realizing it.
How to Avoid It:
- Watch your frequency. If you’re drinking every weekend (or every day), it’s time to rethink your habits.
- Avoid peer pressure. Just because your friends are drinking hard doesn’t mean you need to.
- Know your limits. You don’t have to get blackout drunk to have a good time.
- Make responsible choices. If you’re drinking, don’t drive. Use a designated driver or rideshare service.
There’s a difference between enjoying a drink and making drinking your main weekend activity. If partying is your only plan every Friday and Saturday, it might be time to find a new hobby.
4. Spending Too Much Money Too Quickly
For many soldiers, their first Army paycheck is the most money they’ve ever had. And with that money comes temptation.
It’s common for new soldiers to splurge on expensive gaming consoles, big-screen TVs, brand-new clothes, and gadgets the moment they see a little money in their account. The problem? They don’t budget, end up living paycheck to paycheck, or worse—fall into credit card debt.
How to Avoid It:
- Make a budget. Set aside money for savings, bills, and essentials before spending on luxuries.
- Don’t try to keep up with others. Higher-ranking soldiers might have more money to spend—but that doesn’t mean you need to match their lifestyle.
- Buy in stages. Instead of buying everything at once, prioritize and save for each purchase over time.
- Beware of the Military Star Card. This credit card is easy to get, but debt adds up fast. It’s a great card to build some credit, but you need to be responsible about what you use it for and not let the balance build up too high.
Being smart with money early on can set you up for financial success rather than struggle.
Mistakes are part of life, and every soldier will make some. However, by recognizing these common pitfalls, you can minimize the impact they have on your career and well-being.
If you’re currently serving or a veteran, what mistakes have you seen soldiers make that could have been avoided? Drop your experiences in the comments!
Also, if you want to test your knowledge, take the quiz and see how well you do.
You can watch the video version of this vlog by clicking on the YouTube video thumbnail below.
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