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Financial Readiness Program
384-7509 - Bldg 600 (Rm A-117)  

Mission Statement:
Our mission is to provide timely, relevant and practical financial education, information and personal counseling services to the Soldiers, Family Members and Retirees in the Fort Richardson Community.  Our Goal is to promote financial self-sufficiency, Family well-being, and provide the Army with financially fit warriors able to sustain themselves in any environment.

Financial Education and Training:
The Financial Readiness Program offers a wide selection of courses on various financial topics. The below listed courses are offered throughout the year as part of our regularly scheduled education program, or you can arrange to have the courses presented to your group or organization.

Featured Classes:

  • Banking and Credit Union Services
  • The Basics of Investing
  • What to do with those “Down Range” Dollars
  • Insurance – Understanding the Basics
  • The “First Termers” Financial Readiness Brief
  • Budget Development – Managing your Fortune
  • Debt Liquidation – Removing the Obstacles to Financial Freedom
  • Consumer Rights and Obligations
  • Credit – What is it costing you?
  • Managing a Checking Account – DEBIT Cards are the new checks
  • Saving for the Future Even on Your Salary

If you would like to register for one of our scheduled classes or to arrange to have a course presented to your group or organization please contact Douglas Armon, Financial Readiness Program Manager one of our Professional Instructors.

See full description of featured classes below:

1.   Banking and Credit Union Services:   This course provides information about banks and credit unions and the types of services they offer as well as the differences between the two, so that consumers can make educated decisions about individual banking needs.

2.  The Basics of Investing:  A dynamic course that covers a wide range of investment options, tools, concepts and strategies that are available to investors in today’s economy.  It is designed to give participants a basic understanding of investment principles and the confidence to take action now to secure their financial future

3.  What to do with those “Down Range Dollars”:  A course designed to assist Soldier’s and Families with their financial planning in preparation for deployment. The course covers the source of deployment dollars, several highly effective recommendations on how best to manage the money including savings and investments, debt liquidation, and an open discussion about the importance of a spending plan.

4.  Insurance – Understanding the Basics:  A fast paced course that provides an overview and information about various types of insurance coverage that is available to consumers. The course covers everything from automobile insurance to life, health and even disability insurance and is designed to help participants decide what their insurance requirements are and what is right for their individual situation. Remember “If you can’t afford to lose it you should insure it”.

5.  The “First Termers” Financial Readiness Brief:  This course provides a thorough overview of a wide range of financial topics designed to give the Army’s newest soldiers a fundamental understanding of how to manage their personal finances.  Course topics include budget development, consumer credit, savings and investing, check book management, the military pay system, entitlements, insurance, how to buy an automobile and the implications of personal financial management on Army Readiness.

6.  Budget Development – Managing Your Fortune:  A hands on course designed to help participants analyze their current spending habits, develop a “workable” budget and create a spending and savings plan that provides financial stability in an uncertain economy. The course will provide an answer to the age old question “Where does all of my money go”?

7.  Debt Liquidation – Removing the Obstacles to Your Financial Freedom:  This course features a down to earth approach that provides sound advice and practical assistance to help participants reduce the amount of debt they owe.  The course includes procedures for determining what you owe, strategies for the systematic elimination of your debt, suggestions on how to gain control of and stop debt spending and ways to start saving money to provide stability and financial peace of mind.

8.  Consumer Rights and Obligations:  This course provides a broad overview of Federal Laws that are in place to protect the rights of consumers as they apply to consumer credit, credit reporting, debt collections, and fair billing practices.  It also covers the obligations and responsibilities that consumers have to lenders and creditors and the procedures to report violations of the laws and seek protection from unfair practices.

9.  Credit – What is it Costing You? :  A basic level course designed to provide information to consumers about the true cost of using credit and the potential hazards of living beyond your means. The course covers a wide variety of consumer credit topics including what the true cost of credit is, how to structure effective repayment plans, the dangers of the minimum payment option, getting and understanding your credit report, how credit scores are calculated and how they affect you, as well as tips on gaining control of credit spending and how to repair your credit score.

10.  Managing A Checking Account – DEBIT Cards are the New Checks:  An updated course that tackles the age old requirement to balance your checking account. The course provides participants with a basic understanding of how to reconcile a checking account, proper record keeping practices, tips for keeping your bank account balance positive, how to protect your identity, and the repercussions of post dating checks and overdrawing your account.

11.  Saving for the Future Even on Your Salary:  This course is adapted from the Military Saves Week campaign and is designed to provide participants with the information and skills necessary to start a consistent savings program on any budget. The course covers the budgeting process, how to reduce debt spending, using credit, your credit scores and how they affect you financially, as well as some practical tips on how to save money on everyday expenses.

12.  Personal Financial Readiness – A Comprehensive Overview:  This course provides a thorough overview of a wide range of financial topics designed to give Soldiers, Family Members and Department of the Army Civilians a greater understanding of how to manage their personal finances.  Course topics include budget development, consumer credit, savings and investing, checking account management, the military pay system, pay and entitlements, basic insurance principles, personal financial responsibility to yourself and your dependents, and the implications of personal financial management on Army Readiness. (CURRENTLY UNDER DEVELOPMENT)

Financial Counseling Services:
The Financial Readiness Program offers professional individual financial counseling and assistance to clients to help with a myriad of financial matters; from budget development to help with repairing your troubled credit report and everything in between.  Listed below are the personal financial counseling services offered by the Financial Readiness Program.

Featured Services

  • Budget Development
  • Financial Planning
  • Debt Liquidation
  • Consumer Credit
  • Spending Plan Development
  • Managing Personal Finances
  • Emergency Financial Assistance
  • Consumer Credit Referral Services

If you would like to set up a one-on-one financial counseling session or need assistance with a consumer credit issue please contact Douglas Armon, Financial Readiness Program Manager one of our Certified Counselors.

Emergency Financial Assistance:
The Army Community Service directorate is committed to providing superior education, counseling and emergency assistance to the Soldiers, Family Members and Retirees within the Fort Richardson and surrounding communities. If you are experiencing acute financial difficulties or are in need of some direct financial assistance, please contact Douglas Armon, Financial Readiness Program Managerone of our professional financial counselors and let us help you.  We have several emergency financial assistance programs available, such as the “Army Emergency Relief Program” and the “Emergency Food Voucher Program” that are managed by our staff and are expressly designed to assist Soldiers, Family Members, and our Retirees who are experiencing financial emergencies.  In addition to the programs managed by our staff, we have a host of other community based programs that we can refer you to so you can receive the assistance and support that you require.

Helpful Links:
Compiled below is a list of internet websites and links that are loaded with all sorts of information and programs that may be of great value to you, a member of our military community here at Fort Richardson.  Please take the time to visit some of these websites and see for yourself what services they provide.

Army Emergency Relief                               
Annual Credit Report.Com         
Bank Rate.com                                
Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Anchorage
Defense Finance and Accounting Service
Military One Source                       
MyFICO.com                                     
MyPay                                                 
Thrift Savings Plan                          

The Financial Readiness Program is located in Building 600, Room A117.  To set up an appointment, schedule a class, or for more information, contact the Financial Readiness Program Manager at (907) 384-7509  or
Email Douglas Armon Financial Readiness Program Manager
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