The U.S. Armed Services recently disclosed that a significant number of service personnel cannot be deployed overseas because of their personal debts. The military says that excessive debt both distracts from job performance and makes the G.I. vulnerable to corruption.

Civilians buried in debt try, to their credit, to soldier on through debt, reluctant to recognize that they can’t ever pay off the debt they have. They would do well to recognize, as the armed services do, that debt is debilitating. It impacts families. It sucks energy, optimism, and focus from the debtor. It stands between the consumer and the savings necessary for a secure retirement.

Cathy Moran