Since 1982, Averette has tutored Fort Bragg soldiers about financial matters and helped them to stabilize their finances. Soldiers, she noted, single and married, who are junior in years, experience and rank, can be just as susceptible to money mis-management as their civilian counterparts. That's why Averette provides money management classes to post soldiers and their family members, and helps those in financial distress to get back on the right course. Many soldiers I see are very young, and are not educated about financial matters. Financial counselors are trained to help soldiers with financial problems, Averette said.
Counselors first determine why soldiers are in money trouble.
Soldiers experiencing financial difficulties with a need for basic necessities may qualify for modest grants or loans from AER to help them get back on their feet. Other soldiers, she said, usually those with families, may be eligible for food stamps, or the Women, Infants and Children food supplement program. Within the Department of Defense, just under one percent of servicemembers receive food stamps. We also try to put money back into their budget. Averette's agency offers twice-monthly classes in basic budgeting, along with financial counseling, she said.