Career military, Guard and Reserve families may be caught in a financial fix.

The Department of Defense has issued a stop movement order on domestic travel for all military families until at least May 11.

Before this, many service members under orders signed leases to move to new duty stations. They are now unable to occupy the leased property and must maintain housing at their current location.

As a result, they face the burden of paying rent at 2 properties.

The Department of Justice has encouraged property managers to afford armed forces maximum flexibility to adjust their residential lease obligations.

The DOJ has reminded employers and landlords to be mindful of the responsibilities they have with respect to members of the National Guard and Reserve under federal and state laws.

These laws protect service members’ prompt reemployment and continued pension benefits. These laws also protect service members from discrimination based on their service.

South Carolina is strongly impacted by this strain on the military community.

Lexington County and the state have a substantial military presence: 8 major military installations and more than 55,000 service members.

This puts South Carolina in the top 10 states for active duty military and reserve with about 400,000 veterans and over 9,000 Guardsmen.

Over 300 South Carolina Guardsman have been activated as part of the current pandemic response, with the number likely to increase.

Service families who believe their rights have been violated should visit the DOJ’s website at https://www.justice.gov/servicemembers, email the US Attorney’s Office Service Member and Veterans Initiative Coordinator at usasc.civilrights@usdoj.gov, or visit their nearest Armed Forces Assistance Program Office.