Military Clothing Credit Line Raised for First Time in More Than 40 Years

For the first time in four decades, the MILITARY STAR credit card program—administered by the Army & Air Force Exchange Service—is raising the credit limit on its Military Clothing Plan.

Eligible Warfighters can now purchase up to $1,000 in qualifying merchandise on their MILITARY STAR_® Military Clothing Plan interest free, doubling the plan’s original credit limit of $500.

Effective Sept. 1, the increase is the first to the Military Clothing Plan’s credit limit since 1979. The plan’s payment duration has been extended from eight to 12 months as well.

The Military Clothing Plan is a zero-interest line of credit for uniform purchases. All active-duty Soldiers, Airmen and Marines, as well as Guard and Reserve members, are eligible.

“These changes further enhance the value the MILITARY STAR card provides America’s Warfighters,” said Exchange Credit Program Senior Vice President Tommy Ward. “Service members now have more flexibility than ever to maintain their uniforms, stay mission ready and affordably build credit.”

ECP began exploring the possibility of raising the plan’s credit limit in March 2019, prompted by requests and inquiries from service members.

Before moving forward, the team considered the possible impact of a credit limit increase on service members’ monthly payments. To avoid significant increases in monthly payments, it was decided that the limit increase would be accompanied by an extension of the plan’s payback period to 12 months.

“Warfighters asked, and we listened,” said Kathy Bronkalla, Vice President of Credit Strategy. “It took 18 months of careful planning and coordination, but we are honored to say we have strengthened this benefit for our service members for the first time in more than 40 years.”

Purchases that qualify for the Military Clothing Plan include:

• Defense Logistics and Troop Support (DLAT)-procured issue military clothing items and footwear.
• DLAT organizational clothing and individual equipment items.
• The Army Green Service Uniform, which is procured directly by the Exchange.
• Exchange commercial uniform clothing, undergarments, insignia and footwear to be worn with the uniform.

Military Clothing Plans with an existing balance will continue their current eight-month payback period if no additional purchases are made on the same line of credit. If an additional purchase is made before the existing balance is paid off, the entire balance will move to the new 12-month payback period.

Work in a Military Clothing store? Let your customers know that the credit limit on their interest-free Military Clothing Plan has doubled to $1,000! If they don’t already have a Military Clothing Plan, let them know that eligible service members who are approved for a MILITARY STAR card will automatically be in enrolled in the plan (standalone Military Clothing Plans are also available). Eligible Warfighters can sign up in store or at MyECP.com.