MILES (Military Installment Loan and Educational Services), a program to assist military service members with reputable vehicle financing, reaches the West Coast this month. Employees are setting up new dealerships in the Fort Lewis, Wash., area.

In an effort to better serve dealerships and remain open during peak hours on the West Coast, the MILES Assistance Center (MAC) extended its hours beginning May 1. The new hours are Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-11 p.m. ET; and Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. ET.

MILES said its National Certified Dealer Network is growing rapidly with the MILES Program currently located in 10 states. Fourteen major military base communities are currently served.

During 2002, MILES plans to expand into Fort Carson, Colo.; Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas; Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.; Fort Drum, N.Y.; and Fort Sill, Okla.

According to MILES, military personnel commonly face a myriad of obstacles when attempting to purchase automobiles. With virtually no credit history, limited income and worldwide duty assignments, they are unable to qualify for traditional bank financing. Many are forced into interest rates exceeding 30 percent for vehicles of questionable quality.

MILES is offered as a solution for vehicle financing for these military personnel. Firstar Bank, N.A., offers a fixed rate plan to help build a foundation for members for a future positive credit rating.

"Our goal is to assist young service members in acquiring quality transportation at an affordable price within financial terms that assist in building their future credit rating," said Joseph Minor, one of the principals of MILES. "We owe this to our young service members and they have not had this outlet until MILES."

MILES includes numerous protective features, including a service contract and GAP protection at below market prices as well as pricing restrictions.

To qualify for the MILES program, the service member participates in a free, 45-minute online financial class created by Dr. Gwen Riechbach, director of the National Institute of Consumer Education at Eastern Michigan University. The course helps determine what kind of vehicle and monthly payment fits the service member's budget.

The program then directs them to a member of the MILES National Certified Dealer Network. The NCDN adheres to pricing, maintenance and service obligations within the program guidelines. The service member can access this network of dealerships online at www.usmiles.com.