MCLB Barstow  Military and Family Support Center

The financial management counselor holds virtual and in-person classes through Marine and Family Programs. Workshops are available on various aspects of money management, and one-on-one appointments can also be scheduled. Customers have the option of requesting a face-to-face office visit noted in the sessions or may schedule these appointments over the phone. Appointments can be made by calling the Camp Pendleton Personal Finance Management Program at 760-829-0105 Monday – Friday from 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Most in-person trainings are located in Building 218, McTureous Hall.

The purpose of Advance Pay is to help the service member meet extraordinary expenses incident to relocation during a permanent change of station move. Advance Pay may be drawn up to 60 days prior to your move. Up to three months of Advance Pay can be drawn with PCS orders and the approval of the commanding officer. If you request Advance Pay, you are basically taking a loan from your future paychecks. Advance Pay repayments will be automatically withdrawn from the service member’s pay monthly which, in some cases, can reduce his/her monthly income drastically. Unless you are in a very unique situation and have generated a financial plan to accommodate the repayment, this is not a good idea. For more information regarding military pay, budgeting and saving, please contact the Marine Corps Community Services personal finance counselor at 760-725-9478.

Barstow's cost of living is 7.32% lower than the U.S. average.  Barstow public schools spend $5,461 per student. The average school expenditure in the U.S. is $6,058. There are about 21 students per teacher in Barstow.

The unemployment rate in Barstow is 11.90 percent (U.S. Avg. is 8.50%). Recent job growth is Negative. Barstow jobs have decreased by 6.00 percent.

Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow has a 26.51% cost of living allowance.

The American Red Cross is available for emergencies and their telephone number is usually listed in the telephone directory. You can call their emergency assistance number at 1-877-272-7337.

In Barstow, the American Red Cross is located in Victorville, CA.  They can be reached at 760-245-6511.  If you need to reach your family in times of emergency, call the ARC at 1-877-272-7337.

The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society over Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow is located at Camp Pendleton. It is a private non-profit charitable organization providing financial, educational and other assistance to members of the Naval Services of the United States. The NMCRS works with Air Force Aid Society and Army Emergency Relief. These agencies can provide interest-free loans or grants to help with emergency needs such as:

• Emergency transportation
• Funeral expenses
• Medical and dental bills (patient's share)
• Food, rent and utilities
• Disaster relief assistance
• Child care expenses
• Essential vehicle repairs
• Unforeseen family emergencies 

Quick assist loans of up to $300 are designed to help with emergency needs for basic living expenses such as housing, utilities, food and clothing costs, medical or dental expenses, vehicle or transportation expenses and other costs associated with family emergencies. Like other NMCRS loans, QALs are interest free.

Any active-duty sailor or Marine who has no outstanding loans from the NMCRS and is in good standing qualifies. Their goal is to serve their clients in as little as 15 minutes. To help them with that process, please have your most recent leave and earnings statement and your active-duty identification card ready. You can speed up the short process by filling out the single-page application available online.

QALs are for financial needs of $300 or less. If the need is for more than $300, you should make an appointment with the NMCRS Office for NMCRS standard assistance.

When volunteers are available, MCLB Barstow hosts a NMCRS Thrift Store located at Building 204 to assist families by providing affordable, gently-used clothing, toys and other merchandise. Call 760-577-5870 for location and hours of operation. Free childcare is offered to Thrift Store volunteers.

Liability insurance compensates a person other than the policy holder for personal injury or property damage. Comprehensive or collision insurance does not meet vehicle financial responsibility requirements. Check your policy or talk to your agent or broker to make sure you have sufficient liability insurance coverage for each vehicle you own. State law requires a minimum level of coverage; however, individuals may meet with a personal financial counselor to discuss the level of coverage that is appropriate for their circumstances. Contact the Marine Corps Community Services personal finance counselor at 760-725-9478. Minimum coverage includes:

• $15,000 for injury/death to one person
• $30,000 for injury/death to more than one person
• $5,000 for damage to property 

• Temporary Lodging Allowance rate up to $180 per day
• Continental U.S. – maximum of 10 days
• Transfer outside continental U.S. – maximum of 5 days
• Reimbursement-only benefit
• Keep receipts

Costs for the Oasis Temporary Lodging Facility here at Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow range above $60 per night. For more information on the TLF, please call 760-577-6418. Off-base hotels average about $105 per night. 

Planning for Emergencies

If you happen to experience an emergency while you are en route to a new duty station, contact your new unit. If you are near any military installation, you can contact the Information and Referral department of that installation for guidance and referrals. In Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, I&R is located at Marine and Family Services in Building 126 and can be reached by phone at 760-577-6675. For crisis financial assistance, contact the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society at Camp Pendleton.