Answers for Airmen

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La., Aug. 31, 2011 — "Talking Money with my Honey", "Troops to Teachers", and "Women Building Wealth", are just some of the workshops to consider participating in at the Airman and Family Readiness Center on Barksdale Air Force Base, La.

Stephanie Reyes, chief of the AFRC, and her predecessors have been providing workshops like these to Airmen and their families here for more than 15 years.

"We provide educational opportunities and services to assist in building resilient Airmen and their families," Reyes said. "It's our job to prepare them for any situation that comes their way."
The workshops range from building strong relationships to accomplishing career and financial goals.

"The Airman and Family Readiness Center is always the right place to call whenever you have a question," said Reyes.

The Air Force's newest Airmen get their first taste of the Barksdale AFRC when they attend the First Term Airmen Center briefings upon their arrival here.

At FTAC, Airmen have the opportunity to interact with staff from the AFRC for eight hours. The Airmen receive an overview of the AFRC, a casualty briefing, participate in a healthy relationship course and receive information on personal financial management.

Todd Makamson, AFRC community readiness specialist, briefs the new Airmen during the personal financial management exercises. He reviews important items like spending plan basics, services of banking and financial institutions, savings and investments, credit and debt management, tricks of the trade for car buying and financial aid services.

"Our main concern at FTAC is giving Airmen the basics," Makamson said. "Those who are interested in gathering more information are invited to come in and speak with us. We also encourage married couples to come in and complete a dual budget together to prevent future financial troubles."

One of the exercises Makamson conducts with Airmen involves inheriting money. If an Airman inherits $75,000, where does he choose to put it?

"They usually put the money in CDs and IRAs, but it's interesting to see if any of them remember they need to pay taxes on that money," said Makamson. "Everything they learn in FTAC is preparation for situations Airmen may find themselves, in all aspects of life."

On top of the workshops and FTAC involvement, the AFRC also works closely with different programs on base, Reyes said.

The Air Force Aid Society is one of the programs the AFRC supports. AFAS is the official charity of the Air Force and provides emergency financial assistance to those in need, on a case-by-case basis. They evaluate personal budgets to determine eligibility for interest-free loans.

"The program is used to prevent Airmen from going to pay-day loans," Reyes explained.

All the programs the AFRC promotes are provided as resources to Airmen, including the Volunteer Resource Program, the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program and the Exceptional Family Member Program, said Reyes.

"We are here to support the Airmen and their families in every way we can," she added.

If you are interested in the different workshops or programs the Airman and Family Readiness Center offers visit barksdaleservices.com or call 318-456-8400.