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

Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis serving in Afghanistan. (I Have Your Back/Facebook)

New York Soldier Killed in Afghanistan Will Finally Receive Medal of Honor

Advocates pushed for years for Michael Ollis to receive the nation's highest honor. On Tuesday, their dream became a reality.

The West Pittston United Methodist Church, where hundreds of residents and veterans gathered to honor U.S. Navy veteran Jeffrey Kalnas, who died without immediate family, ensuring he was not buried alone. (Facebook)

Hundreds Turn Out to Honor Navy Veteran Who Would Have Been Buried Alone

Hundreds of strangers filled a Pennsylvania church to ensure a U.S. Navy veteran who died without family received the send...

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.

Cher Ami, the heroic messenger pigeon who saved the Lost Battalion in WWI. (Army Photo)

How a Wounded Pigeon Named Cher Ami Saved the Lost Battalion in WWI

A wounded pigeon named Cher Ami helped save a battalion of American soldiers, becoming one of the most recognized animals in...

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

US Forces Transfer IS Prisoners from Syria to Iraq by Buses

US forces transfer IS prisoners from Syria to Iraq by buses.

Frost Grips Training Grounds of Kyiv Region as Veterans Give Civilians Basic Military Skills

Frost grips the training grounds of Kyiv region as veterans give civilians basic military skills.

World Defense Show Opens in the Saudi capital, Drawing Hundreds of Exhibitors

World Defense Show opens in the Saudi capital, drawing hundreds of exhibitors.

Ukraine POWs Return as Part of Prisoner Exchange with Russia

Ukraine POWs return as part of prisoner exchange with Russia.

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

Fort Leonard Wood Missouri Army Spc. Wooster Rancy sentenced to life in prison in the murder of Sgt. Sarah Roque in 2024.

Missouri US Army Soldier Sentenced to Life for Murder of Sergeant

Fort Leonard Wood Missouri Army Spc. Wooster Rancy was found guilty by a military jury of premeditated murder of a victim...

Trump Turns to US Military Leaders for Diplomatic Efforts on Iran and Ukraine

The White House has not responded to a request for comment about why Trump sent Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central...

Navy News

At 100, WWII Veteran Celebrates a Life of Service Aboard Battleship New Jersey

Aboard the Battleship New Jersey, surrounded by friends, family and the ship’s important legacy, John “Johnny Q” Quinesso Sr...

Trump Turns to US Military Leaders for Diplomatic Efforts on Iran and Ukraine

The White House has not responded to a request for comment about why Trump sent Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central...

Air Force News

Recruits in swim masks line up in the water to start a timed test.

Ask Stew: Swim Portion of the Air Force Special Warfare Initial Fitness Test (IFT)

The process of taking and performing well on a swimming test in the military requires technique first, conditioning second...

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...

Space Force News

POLARIS at NATO Exercise REPMUS 25 in October 2025. POLARIS is a small, gimballed free space optical communication solution for naval vessels and unmanned surface vessels. (Photo source: NATO DIANA, courtesy of Astrolight)

Russian Satellite Activity Exposes Gaps in Satellite Communications Security

Military.com spoke with Astrolight CEO Laurynas Mačiulis on why laser-based optical communications offer a resilient...

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...

Marine Corps News

Lieutenant General Karsten "Hazel" Heckl leads the Combat Development and Integration and Marine Corps Warfighting Lab Marines and sailors on a farewell run, Aug. 8, 2024, aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. (Matthew Krogull)

Marine Warfighting Lab at Quantico Gets $10 Million Boost: 'Top Priority'

"We know the exquisite level of work that it does," Rep. Eugene Vindman told Military.com about a $10 million infusion to the...

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...

Coast Guard News

More than 12,750 pounds of cocaine and marijuana are stacked on pallets aboard USCGC Seneca (WMEC 906) to be offloaded at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Sept. 30, 2025. Seneca is a Famous Class medium endurance cutter homeported in Portsmouth, Virginia. (U.S Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Diana Sherbs)

Coast Guard Seizes 200,000 Pounds of Cocaine in Six Months in Pacific Ocean

Operation Pacific Viper, which began in August, is getting rave reviews from federal officials.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG 106) transits the Philippine Sea. Stockdale is underway and conducting operations in international waters as part of a dual carrier strike force exercise. The U.S. Navy has patrolled the Indo-Pacific region routinely for more than 70 years promoting regional security, stability and prosperity. (U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Connor D. Loessin)

Amid Political Turmoil in Haiti, US Warship Arrives off Coast of Port-Au-Prince

The USS Stockdale is an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, and is now among several warships the Trump...