Sergeant First Class Corey Pogue, with 593rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, said the AER program was an incredible asset to him when he was just starting his military career in 2006 at Fort Hood, Texas.

“Open up and be authentic with them,” Carns said. Now, Mason said that has dwindled to 5 percent.Ĭommand Sergeant Major Shawn Carns, I Corps command sergeant major, encouraged JBLM leadership to engage with their Soldiers in an effort to encourage them to not only donate to the program, but so they feel comfortable asking for help. The program was initiated in 1942, and in its early years saw an average of 70 percent of Soldiers donate to the cause. Mason said for every dollar donated, 91 cents goes to helping Soldiers. Army, the AER operates through donations from fellow Soldiers and retirees to provide grants, interest-free loans, and scholarships to promote readiness and help relieve financial distress Soldiers and their families may be experiencing. At JBLM alone, Mason said on average the AER provides about $3 million in loans, $350,000 in grants and almost $400,00 in scholarships for spouses and children each year.Īn official nonprofit organization of the U.S. The AER campaign runs annually from March 1 to May 15, but the program provides year-round support to Soldiers in financial need. “Not just about the program itself, but about the impact from contributing.” “Our primary mission this year is to reach 100 percent informed,” Mason said. Mason stressed the importance of connecting with Soldiers across the installation and educating them on the program for it to succeed. Raymond Mason, AER director, visited JBLM and provided key remarks at the campaign’s kickoff event at Carey Theater March 22. – Joint Base Lewis-McChord is aiming for 100 percent participation from the JBLM community in this year’s Army Emergency Relief campaign.

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