<p>COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – When Security Service Federal Credit Union's Mobile Service Center pulled up at a remote military training site in Pinon Canyon recently, one soldier reportedly was seen shaking his head, asking, "What will they think of next?" On temporary duty at the remote training site, soldiers from Fort Carson and other stateside Army installations were able to access cash from their accounts with SSFCU's Mobile Service Center. Equipped with ATMs, the SSFCU mobile unit traveled more than 150 miles away from its usual service area to offer more than 4,000 soldiers payday account access in the remote area. "Although we serve military personnel on a daily basis at our Fort Carson location, we are pleased to have been able to meet their financial needs even if they are far away from our service center," said John Aug, SSFCU Senior Vice President of Public Affairs. "Security Service has a close affiliation with the military and this deployment provided an excellent opportunity for us to step up and demonstrate our support to the soldiers." Troops had easy access to the credit union's mobile unit as it was open for business from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on two separate paydays, stationed near the cantonment area where the post exchange, headquarters and sleeping quarters are located. SSFCU's Colorado mobile unit regularly makes visits to select employee groups and others within the field of membership requesting on-site service, including stops at a somewhat removed Fort Carson airfield, but this was the first time the credit union was able to conduct sustained transactions in field conditions. Ordinarily the mobile unit operates from a laptop computer via cell phone connection and even has its own generator, but microwave towers are too far away from the desolate Pinon Canyon site for reliable use. So, the Army pitched in to provide SSFCU with a dedicated land line and power. Wally Jones, SSFCU's driver and operator of the mobile unit, received a warm reception from the troops. "They were very enthused. Many of them had used the mobile unit before at Fort Carson, so they knew what it was," Jones said. Although troops at Pinon Canyon were primarily interested in accessing cash from their accounts, the mobile units generally perform most functions that would be available at a full-service credit union branch. "These training endeavors are designed to provide realistic combat experience," said Jones. "The soldiers carry in their own bed and blankets, their only rations are MREs (meals ready to eat that come in a bag), and they usually just have an ATM card or maybe a credit card with them. They're glad to get cash. I saw a lot of guys walking around with sodas and snacks, like Oreo cookies, after they visited the ATM." The visit to the training site required Jones and the armed guard who traveled with him to stay the night. Jones said the Army offered him a bed in the barracks, but he declined. "Having served in the military for 22 years, I opted to sleep in the mobile unit instead," he laughed. The Colorado mobile unit is installed in a van. The $2.3 billion Security Service Federal Credit Union has six Colorado facilities located in Colorado Springs and Pueblo. SSFCU also operates an ATM-outfitted Winnebago out of its San Antonio, Texas headquarters. What will they think of next? How about a mobile credit union branch inside a camouflaged Hummer! -</p> <p>[email protected]</p>