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The area surrounding the Fort Hood Army compound in Texas is filled with pawn shops, jewelry stores, and car dealerships. Approximately 50,000 soldiers are stationed here and they, as well as their counterparts across the country, have become prime targets for predatory auto loan companies.

Some lenders feed off of young members of the armed forces, many who are first time car buyers. This has become such a problem that the Federal Trade Commission is conducting hearings in San Antonio. Discussion agenda surrounds financial issues that affect military car buyers and the lengths that unethical lenders and auto dealers are going to when attempting to get money from these consumers.

According to results released by the Center for Public Integrity, an investigation concluded that senior military leaders fear fallout resulting from bad loans might create stress in members of the military. This could affect readiness and may place security clearances at risk due to destroyed credit scores. Michael Archer, who serves as director of legal assistance for multiple Marine bases, believes that the loan scams occur daily.

Mr. Archer said it is “at least as likely” that a member of the military pays too much for the loan or the car as not. Advocates from the military pushed for more stringent financial protections for consumers regarding used and new auto purchases. However, in the 2010 financial reform bill, auto dealers managed to get an exemption from these stricter regulations.

Whether they use bad credit auto financing or regular car loans, it seems the defenders of our nation are being victimized. It is quite ironic that some of the very people protected by the military are putting the screws to their guardians. What would happen if the military decided to stop providing their services to auto lenders and dealers and instead threw them into the front line of battle?