"Military Saves" campaign kicks off

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Steven Goetsch
  • Air Combat Command Public Affairs
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (ACCNS) --  The 2009 Military Saves Campaign kicks off Feb. 22 and runs through March 1. Military Saves is a Department of Defense financial readiness program. It was adopted by the Air Force to promote personal financial readiness among all Airmen and their families to "build wealth, not debt." 

This year, the campaign is expanded to include the Military Youth Saves program geared to topics unique to youth, beginning at an early age. 

Every Air Combat Command installation will participate in the campaign by offering programs that help Airmen develop personal financial plans, establishing good credit, saving and enrollment in savings mechanisms such as the Thrift Savings Plan, and the Savings Deposit Plan. 

The SDP was established to provide members of the uniformed services, serving in designated combat zones, the opportunity to build their financial savings. 

Regardless of the return on investment, ACC Command Chief, Chief Master Sgt. Steven Sullens, says that every Airman needs to properly plan their financial future.
"Any Airman, particularly one wearing chevrons, is wise to plan early for life's unforeseen financial challenges, and in the long term, for retirement." 

The chief also added that a common practice of Airmen is being passive about their futures.
"Too many watch the years go by and "hope" that a line of credit or social security will take care of things. That is dangerous thinking, and will not survive contact with the enemy-bills, or future quality of life." 

The cornerstone of the Military Saves Campaign is the "Saver Pledge", a commitment to exercise good financial habits and encourage other Americans to do the same. Savers who enroll online receive electronic newsletters and e-wealth coach advice. 

Military Saves also invites defense credit unions and military banks to aggressively promote automatic deposits to savings accounts, and asks military and private organizations to promote saving and debt reduction to members, employees, and customers. 

Past campaigns have yielded enrollments of more than 25,000 individuals and stimulated more than 100,000 positive financial actions such as putting money in savings or investment accounts. 

In addition, more than 80 credit unions and military banks participated in a wide variety of activities to promote personal financial readiness. 

Whether you are single, or have a large family, there is a need to provide financial stability in these times of economic turmoil. 

"In addition to the obvious advantages of saving for the future, a regular saving habit, even in small amounts, can provide a sense of stability and security which can be almost addictive," said Jean Michel, ACC Airman and Family Readiness chief. 

"Most importantly, having an emergency savings account in these trying economic times is imperative," he added. "There is no better time to start saving than during Military Saves Month; think allotment." 

To see a video about Military Saves, click here 

You can receive additional information about the Military Saves Campaign at www.MilitarySaves.org or calling your local Airman and Family Readiness Center.