You work hard to make the most of your financial situation, but sometimes, due to unexpected expenses or other unforeseen circumstances, you may find yourself facing financial difficulties. Army Emergency Relief (AER) helps servicemembers in times of financial need by providing zero-interest loans and grants — assistance that can be used to cover emergency travel, temporary lodging, medical co-pays, childcare, home repairs, and other expenses.

Sarah Bumgardner, AAFMAA Director of Partnerships and Member Engagement, spoke with Tony Grinston, 16th Sergeant Major of the Army (Ret) and CEO, Army Emergency Relief (AER), about how the organization helps members of the military stay financially prepared for military life.

Grinston served in the U.S. Army from 1987 up until his retirement in 2023. He was deployed on many battalions and on missions including Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, among others. He served as command sergeant major for the United States Armed Forces Command and later, as the sixteenth Sergeant Major of the Army. Grinston completed all levels of the Non-commissioned Officer Education System and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Maryland Global Campus. Grinston and his wife Alexandra have two children.

To learn more about Army Emergency Relief, visit their website and watch the discussion below.