<p>I have a question regarding establishing a new PFCU or USAA checking account for direct deposit.</p>
<p>I have been offered appointment, and I have sent my card that accepts that spot. My question is; am I considered a cadet now or not until R-Day? I ask because this is an obivious prerequisite to establishing an account with either of these two financial institutions. </p>
<p>Second to this, which I am sure is a lesser issue, is if I am able to establish a checking account in my name while I am still the age of seventeen. I would like to take care of all my clerical work now, so I am trying to get the direct deposit out of the way too. If not I can wait till after my 18th to take care of direct deposit. In any case, thanks for your time.</p>
<p>For the purposes of the PFCU, you will be allowed to establish an account prior to reporting to West Point. You need an account set up and ready to go so there is a place for your first pay to be deposited. When you report for R day you will be asked to provide paperwork showing your account number and bank routing number. As I remember, this paperwork came with the stuff USMA sends to candidates who have accepted appointments. The directions of what to do are with that packet of instructions. You should be able to establish your own account at age 17 but your parents may have to sign the paperwork as well. Call the PFCU and they can give you the details.<br>
As far as the academy looks at it, you are a "candidate" until you are sworn in on R day. Then you are a "new cadet" until the end of Re0rgy week, and then you become a "cadet" after the A-Day parade in August.</p>