Kate Horrell

Kate Horrell is an Accredited Financial Counselor®, Chartered Financial Consultant®, and Military Qualified Financial Planner® who helps the military community make the most of their pay and benefits. With more than 15 years working with thousands of military families, she helps currently serving, retired and veteran families.

She has been married to a now-retired sailor for 32 years, corralling four girls and two cats across four OCONUS tours and a handful of homes in the U.S. She’s navigated landlording, Overseas Housing Allowances, the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Survivor Benefit Plan decision, and transition to civilian life.

Latest Articles

Understanding All the Deductions on Your 2026 Military Leave and Earnings Statements

Understanding what deductions are coming out of your pay is key to knowing where all your money is going. More importantly...

Should You Let the Military Set Aside Allotments from Your Pay?

Can a military allotment help you manage your money? Probably. Is it the right tool for you? That depends.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Judah Rice, a honor guardsman assigned to the 628th Air Base Wing, gives a facing movement command during military honors simulation for an active-duty funeral, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina.

Monthly Benefits for Survivors of Fallen Active-Duty Service Members

When combined, the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) can offer a steady stream of...

Airmen from the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard and a bugler from the U.S. Air Force Band’s Ceremonial Brass conduct military funeral honors for U.S. Air Force Capt. Wade Holmes in Section 57, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

Lump-Sum Benefits for Survivors of Active-Duty Military Members

Even military families often don’t know what benefits are available to the surviving family of an active-duty service member.

Two airmen carry a heavy dog crate between them.

The Military's New Pet Transportation Policy: What It Means to You

Military service members will be reimbursed for some of the costs of moving one dog or cat when moving on permanent change of...

4 Ways to Get Your Money Back When Military Orders Cancel Travel Plans

If military orders, or world events have canceled your travel plans, here's how you might be able to get a refund

US $100 bills, bent into four sections resembling paper airplanes or birds, fly in a V through the blue sky.

Should You Borrow from Your TSP Account?

Financial experts don’t recommend taking out loans against retirement accounts such as the military’s Thrift Savings Plan...

Six men and women, most in uniform, stand in a row in front of an American flag draped as a backdrop.

4 Things 'Gray Area' Reservists Need to Do When They Turn 60

Finally receiving that hard-earned military retirement pay at age 60 is a big deal, and you definitely want to get that...

MILITARY STAR Card Questions & Answers

The MILITARY STAR Card is an in-store credit card for qualified, authorized military exchange patrons.

A mans arms are pictured taping shut a cardboard moving box.

Personally Procured PCS Moves Are Changing. Here’s What You Need to Know.

If you’re considering a personally procured move (PPM) this year, how can you keep any potential out-of-pocket costs as low...

An orange and black lawn mower pictured from above crossing green grass.

Can I Pack This? The Items You Should and Shouldn't Ship with Your Household Goods This PCS Season

Knowing what can and can’t be shipped, and what probably shouldn't be shipped, can make your move easier.

How to Spend the Money Left in Your DoD Health FSA by Dec. 31

You have plenty of ways to spend DoD Health Care Flexible Spending Account money on eligible expenses. Here are some...

A commissary worker puts pasta on a shelf.

5 Spending Strategies to Fight Bill Creep From Inflation

How do you maintain a spending plan when your bills are creeping up each month?

An arm places a can of oatmeal on a shelf.

Start Preparing for the Next Government Shutdown Now, Before It’s Too Late

Having a plan can make a pay or benefits disruption an inconvenience instead of an emergency.

Tricare Demo in Two Cities Lets Users See a Specialist Without a Referral

Through the demonstration, beneficiaries will receive care through the CareSource provider network instead of the Humana...

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Most Popular Military News

The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Team “Thunderbirds” flyover the Super Bowl LVIII on February 11, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Super Bowl was against the Kansas City Chief and the San Francisco 49ers. (U.S. Air Force photos by Staff Sgt. Breanna Klemm)

‘High Stress, High Stakes’: Behind-The-Scenes Look at Super Bowl Flyover

“Celebrating America 250 and Super Bowl 60, we wanted to go big and really have that majestical display of air power for...

An enlisted soldier's rank insignia on a uniform jacket.

Why Some Disabled Veterans Can't Get Both VA Disability and Military Retirement Pay

Military service members planning medical retirement face a critical decision point at the 20-year mark.

"Mino" Ohye salutes during a party at the West Sacramento VFW. (Submitted)

Veteran Who Served for Both Japanese and US Forces Turns 100

"Mino" Ohye, who pulled off quite a rare feat during his military service, celebrated his 100 birthday on Thursday in West...

U.S. Air Force Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman Ramón “CZ” Colón-López, prepares for takeoff during his fini-flight in Louisville, Ky., Sept. 6, 2023. Colón-López was a career pararescueman, served more than 32 years active duty and was the first SEAC in the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Abbey Rieves)

How Former SEAC Ramón Colón-López Is Redefining Leadership After Service

After serving as the nation’s top enlisted leader, Ramón “CZ” Colón-López explains what real leadership requires—and why his...

James Anderson, Jr., USMC, Posthumous Medal of Honor Recipient. (Wikimedia Commons)

This 20-Year-Old Sacrificed His Life and Became the First Black Marine Medal of Honor Recipient

Every February, Black History Month shines a light on Americans whose contributions shaped the nation. One belongs to Pfc...

Latest Military Videos

Taiwan President Says US Ties 'Rock Solid' After Trump-Xi Call

Taiwan president says US ties 'rock solid' after Trump-Xi call.

Palestinians Recount 'Suffering' of Return to Gaza Through Rafah Crossing

Palestinians recount 'suffering' of return to Gaza through Rafah crossing and its checkpoints.

Zelenskyy Says 55,000 Ukrainian Soldiers Have Been Killed Since Russia Launched Full-Scale Invasion

Zelenskyy says 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since Russia launched full-scale invasion.

Venezuelan Government Supporters March in Caracas

Venezuelan government supporters march in Caracas a month on from Maduro's capture by US.

Investigations and Features

In One of the Marines' Most Iconic Jobs, a Stunning Pattern of Suicide

Marine Corps drill instructors are a national symbol of discipline. But for some, their imposing persona belies a dark...

Army Capt. Jeremy Kuykendall and his wife Kate, cradle their daughter

Unsupervised: Military Child Care Centers Slow to Report Abuse with Little Oversight

A Military.com investigation into military day care centers revealed that service branch rules generally prioritize...

Army News

Pvt. Brian Jones Jr., 24, pleaded guilty on Jan. 29 to one count of unpremeditated murder and will serve his 20-year sentence at the U.S. Army Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. (Fort Rucker Public Affairs Office)

Army Soldier Begins 20-Year Sentence After Killing Comrade in Barracks

"We can only hope that today’s outcome is the first step in allowing Pvt. Latifu’s family to begin to heal,” an official told...

James Sneed poses with a YMCA staff member during his 102nd birthday celebration on Sept. 16, 2024 at the D.A. Turner YMCA in Columbus, Georgia. (Submitted photo)

At 103, World War II Veteran Inspires Others with YMCA Workouts

James Sneed, 103, hits the gym three times a week, showing you're never too old to improve your body and mind.

Navy News

An armed U.S. Navy LTV A-7E Corsair II from Attack Squadron VA-94 Shrikes is launched from the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65) during "Operation Praying Mantis" on 18 April 1988 in the Persian Gulf. (Wikimedia Commons)

Operation Praying Mantis: That Time America Decimated Iran's Navy

On April 18, 1988, the U.S. Navy destroyed two Iranian oil platforms, sunk one frigate and a missile boat, crippled a second...

Navy Pilot From Indiana Going Airborne for Super Bowl LX Flyover

As fans and football teams from the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots gather in Santa Clara, California, this...

Air Force News

Air and Marine Operations pilots with U.S. Customs and Border Protection conduct security flights in AS350 A-Star and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters over Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. in support of Super Bowl LIX, on February 3, 2026. (CBP Photo by Jeff Underwood)

Guarding the Skies: NORAD Defends Airspace Before, During & After Super Bowl

"Just like the players are practicing and training for the game, we're practicing and preparing for our execution in the...

Navy Pilot From Indiana Going Airborne for Super Bowl LX Flyover

As fans and football teams from the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots gather in Santa Clara, California, this...

Space Force News

U.S. Space Force Capt. Erin Davis, 1st Range Operations Squadron range operations commander, maintains situational awareness inside the Morrell Operations Center during support for the Falcon 9 Starlink 6-78 mission, at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, Nov. 20, 2025. The Starlink 6-78 mission marks the 100th launch from the Eastern Range this year. The MOC supports every space launch from CCSFS and Kennedy Space Center. (U.S. Space Force photo by Gwendolyn Kurzen)

US Space Force Turns 6: Has It Met Expectations?

The U.S. Space Force marked its sixth anniversary in December, reflecting a shift from stand-up to sustained operations as...

Space Force basic training candidates undergo inspection.

Space Force Education Programs: What Guardians Need to Know

The Space Force offers guardians multiple education pathways, from automatic enrollment in the Community College of the Air...

Marine Corps News

M50 Ontos during Operation Franklin accompanying 1st and 2d Battalion, 7th Marines in Quang Ngai Province. (Wikimedia Commons)

The M50 Ontos: The Ugly Marine Corps Tank-Hunter That Helped Win the Battle of Hue

By late 1967, the M50 Ontos was just about phased out of military service. The Army had rejected it back in 1953, calling it...