Your military career was stellar. You did everything right. You avoided the Article 15s. Your pee was as clean as they come, every time. It was also clear because you were properly hydrated (That has nothing to do with finance; we’re just all programmed to recognize hydration that way and are really proud of it, even though basic training was decades ago). 

So when you separated, it was an honorable discharge: You turned in your gear and started the next chapter. Then, weeks or months (even years) later, a letter arrives from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service informing you that you owe them money. For thousands of veterans, that letter is not only unexpected, it can also be financially devastating—and yes, it does happen. DFAS isn’t related to the VA; it’s the DoD’s accountant, where you used to get your military paycheck. It’s a separate federal agency, and it operates under its own rules, its own dispute process, and its own collection timeline. As those who served in the military likely know all too well, when you owe DFAS money, you can be certain DFAS is coming for it. And this is one federal agency that will take it out of your hide. Veterans who ignore a DFAS debt letter because they aren’t in the military will find themselves in a deep, deep hole because of it.