I work in a government-sponsored credit union department. I deal with approving loans and financing credit availability to soldiers and their military families for big-ticketed retail items like furniture, electronics, or fine jewelry.
I’m manning the credit desk when [Military Wife] comes in. [Military Wife] is dressed to the nines, dripping in jewelry, and sporting a designer handbag.
I then look at the three kids she drags in and gasp to myself. They are so dirty! They have food stuck to their T-shirts and dirt on their faces, and their clothes are not laundered and are full of holes. They look like they could be poster kids for child protective services. As the three kids decide that my office is the place to start beating the crap out of each other, [Military Wife] ignores them and approaches my desk.
Military Wife: “Hello. I need to upgrade my credit by $4,000 because I want to trade in my diamond earrings for bigger ones.”
Me: “Let me see what I can do.”
I check my computer. Meanwhile, the kids are very nearly imitating a bar fight, minus some thrown furniture, and [Military Wife] is doing nothing about it.
Me: “I’m sorry but the extension on the credit offered is only for $1,000. Three months ago, we extended your credit by $5,000 and you’ve already exceeded that amount.”
Military Wife: “Oh, it’s okay. Just have them raise it up another $4,000. My husband’s credit is good. That shouldn’t be a problem.”
Me: “I can’t just do that, ma’am. I have to make some calls because they are allowing up to $1,000 only.”
I call the main branch office and am put on hold. During this time, the kids are now hurting each other, if the screaming and wailing are to be believed. [Military Wife] doesn’t lift a finger to break it up, just tells them to be quieter, as the phone call is important for Mommy’s business. She is ignored.
There’s a very loud crash and I turn around and look her in the eyes.
Me: “Ma’am, you need to physically break up your children or I will hang up and call base police to remove all of you.”
She huffs and finally does so, separating the kids, who look like they’ll have bruises and swelling in the very near future.
The main branch finally gets in touch with the husband who is the main account holder and puts him on the line.
Me: “Hello, General, sir, I apologize for bothering you at work, but your wife is here and wants to raise your credit limit another $4,000, and we are calling you for approval.”
General: *Vehemently* “Tell her no! She’s putting me into the poor house! She’s already putting me in debt! The answer is no!”
I explain this to [Military Wife], who is absolutely not having it and grabs the phone.
Military Wife: “Listen, I want those earrings! I need bigger earrings! The answer is yes! I don’t care what you say! I deserve nice things!”
I don’t hear her husband’s answer, but the rage on her face says it all. Discovering that she is not going to get her way, she hangs up the phone.
Military Wife: “Just ignore him. Just raise it up anyway.”
Me: *Politely* “I’m sorry, but since he is the main account holder, he has to approve the credit increase, so my hands are tied. We won’t be able to grant your request.”
Military Wife: “But I’m the wife! I’m telling you to raise up that credit! You can do something!”
Me: “I’m sorry, but no, we can’t.”
Military Wife: “Fine! I’ll take my business elsewhere. There are other credit unions that will grant me an increase.”
She grabbed her sniffling kids and left in a huff. The office was in shambles, and it was a wonder there was no blood anywhere.
Sadly, I’m all too familiar with scenarios like these. I can’t begin to tell you how many soldiers return overseas and discover that their wives (soon-to-be ex-wives) have run up their credit and put them in debt while they were away fighting.
