Military families often pay a financial price for their service to the country - dealing with more credit card debt and owning fewer assets than civilians, according to a new report.

The survey, done for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), found that veterans and active duty personnel - and their families - often face unique circumstances, such as frequent relocation and deployment, which can put a significant strain on their finances.

"Credit card debt can be hard to deal with and take longer to pay off," said the NFCC's Bruce McClary. "Combine that with the fact that they're not building their personal assets and there's not the kind of wealth-building that you have in the civilian sector, where people are able to buy property a little bit easier and save for retirement a little bit easier."

Help is available, specifically designed for military families. And it's often free or low-cost. Programs like Hands on Banking offer education and assistance for active duty service members and veterans.

To find a certified non-profit financial counselor near you visit: http://nfccdebtrelief.org/military/

More Info:Survey: Military Families Carry More Debt, Have Fewer Assets Than Civilians