MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- They provide fast cash -- and "support for troops," say signs on their storefronts. And they're conveniently stationed right outside the gates of Camp Pendleton.They're payday lenders. Many Marines tap them for quick but costly loans when they're in a bind -- and soon wind up in much worse shape than when they walked through the lenders' doors. One Marine, a corporal who asked that his name be withheld, was going through a "nasty" divorce when he resorted to several payday lenders just to balance his bills.Instead, he fell deeper into debt.Saddled with lender fees, he soon found himself in far worse straights than the financial fallout caused by the divorce.“I went to a payday loan center trying to keep paying for my truck, dog, dirt bike, and my motorcycle that I already had when I was married,” he said.After visiting more payday lenders and spiraling deeper into debt, he sought financial help on base.Months later, he says he has dug himself out of financial trouble — and wishes he’d have sought help on base before visiting payday lenders. That’s why Brig. Gen. Michael R. Lehnert, base commanding general, urges noncommissioned officers to educate Marines about alternatives to payday loans.“I am not telling Marines not to go to the payday lenders, but I am committed to making them informed consumers,” Lehnert said. He pledged to back up the talk with action — namely a Heroes and Healthy Families workshop Aug. 29, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the South Mesa Club, which he says will serve 1,000 NCOs. “Their briefing topic will be financial management,” Lehnert said.Although payday loans can plunge Marines into financial hardship, Lehnert says Marines can’t blame payday lenders.Jansen Lau, a consumer relations representative for a Money Tree outlet in San Diego, called payday loans a “short-term solution.” “Some people borrow over and over and over, and just like credit cards, if you don’t make payments, you’ll owe money,” Lau added.Michael Hire, director, Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society says Marines often tap multiple payday lenders for loans that start at a state-approved 17.65 percent interest rate — which can swell to triple digits with missed payments. “In California, borrowers can only get a maximum of $300, so many Marines find themselves working with multiple lenders,” Hire said. Hire also cited one example of a Marine who borrowed from 11 different lenders and owed more than $3,100.Instead, Marines in need should seek interest-free loans available on base and designed to “fit the budget,” Hire said.Both Lehnert and Hire said Marines would also be better off seeking financial assistance from legitimate financial institutions, such as banks and credit unions, to get a fixed-rate loan, which they can pay off over a longer period of time. Lehnert also said Marines should not be ashamed to get help if they need it through the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society.“Many Marines don’t go to NMCRS because they are embarrassed their chain of command would be (contacted),” Lehnert said.Both Hire and Lehnert agreed that unit leaders should support their Marines in the financial decision making process. Hire urged servicemembers to think of payday loans in terms of high fees and interest.“When payday comes around, they have to make up that $200 they borrowed,” Hire said.Lehnert hopes small-unit leadership will help reinforce that message.“People aren’t born budgeters. They learn from their parents, teachers, supervisors and leaders,” he said.Marines, sailors and their families can contact the NMCRS for financial support at 725-5337.