JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. –
As an E-2 stationed an hour from my hometown, it was very easy to fall back into the routine of helping my family if they called me.
The random, "hey, can you..." calls came as if I had never left.
Driving back and forth, sometimes multiple times a week, began to take a toll on my budget. Then my father fell on hard times and I wanted to do what I could to help. This all but eliminated my savings and I was living paycheck to paycheck.
I had heard about the Air Force Assistance Fund, but I was not keen on the idea of asking for help; and I know I'm not alone.
If this sounds familiar to you, or if you have felt like you too needed help and didn't know where to turn, here's what I found out.
Each of the military branches has their own relief funds: the Army Emergency Relief, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society and the Air Force Aid Society.
"All of us try to plan for emergencies, but even the best plans may fall short," said Bobbie Seidel, 87th Force Support Squadron MFSC lead work and life consultant. "This is where the relief agencies come through."
These resources provide funds to help with a wide range of financial needs. Common situations, like mine, include extra money for food, rent or mortgage, utilities, vehicle expenses and essential home repairs.
Service members can also turn to their relief organization for help with medical expenses, pay shortages, delayed entitlements and funeral expenses, to name a few.
On the joint base alone, assistance was provided to 167 service members between January and March 2015. Aid to these members totaled $157,396.34 and was made possible by those donating to the relief funds.
"The society provides financial assistance and education, as well as other programs and services, to members of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps and their eligible family members," said Al Chuderski, NMCRS chairman of volunteers. "Our main goal is to help each person who comes to us get support for their immediate needs. These relief funds offer interest-free loans to military members in financial stress."
While Chuderski spoke on behalf of the NMCRS, these resources are available through each organization.
The relief programs held their annual campaigns from March through May, during which base members are given the opportunity to donate to support their fellows in need. Both donation and member-reach goals at JB MDL were at almost 100 percent.
"Without the relief societies, service members would be forced to find help elsewhere," said Wanda James, AER officer. "Most likely, they would be forced to go outside the gate and deal with high-interest, high-fee lenders, payday lenders, a title loan company or a pawn shop."
According to James, some companies have interest rates higher than 30 percent, and it could take military members years to pay off even a small loan.
While many folks like me are apprehensive about seeking help, there are resources available to help you. Talk to your supervisor, first sergeant, commander or reach out to the MFSC for information.
We don't have to feel trapped in our own worlds if something happens to hinder our financial assets. The
Army Emergency Relief,
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society and
Air Force Aid Society are here for us in times of need.