No Result
View All Result
Reserve & National Guard
SUBSCRIBE FREE
No Result
View All Result
Reserve & National Guard
SUBSCRIBE FREE
Reserve & National Guard

Deployment readiness starts at home

Jessica Manfre
by Jessica Manfre
April 5, 2022
| SPONSORED
Deployment readiness

Courtesy photo

A soldier who today assists other service members in getting financially ready said hindsight is 20/20.

Army Reserve Lt. Col. Jerry Quinn, chief operating officer at the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association (AAFMAA), remembers what it was like trying to “manage it all” as a young private. He enlisted in 1985, serving six years on active duty before transitioning to the Colorado National Guard.

“I was a National Guardsman from 1991 through 2004 before I moved over to the Army Reserve, where I have been ever since. My deployments have included stateside emergencies, international, and combat zones,” Quinn said.

With his transition between different components of service, he’s learned a thing or two about preparing for the unexpected and ensuring all is squared away before departure. Some of those lessons were hard learned. Quinn shared a story of receiving an unexpected per diem windfall as a sergeant.

“It was certainly a welcome input to my cashflow for sure,” he laughed.

Looking back, he saw it as a wasted opportunity to save and prepare — a mistake he’d like to prevent others from making. “I could have planned and positioned that money for my benefit long term, much better than I did,” he added.

Members of the Guard and reserves are familiar with changing orders, delayed pay and insurance. With these uncertainties, Quinn stressed the importance of thinking far ahead in terms of preparing finances for deployment — proactive planning versus reactive planning. 

“If there’s one thing that I know, it’s not just about being physically fit or maintaining my shots and my health records so that I’m deployable, or keeping my kit bag ready to go. But it’s also about ensuring my family is prepared for a deployment and that my accounts are set up properly,” he explained.

For Quinn, this means having emergency funds for things that will inevitably go wrong, budgeting well and lining up resources to support deployments.

“Take a look at the resources available to you and ask your employer what benefits are available. I work for an organization where we provide many, many resources and tools and tips on how to take advantage of all of your benefits either during periods of active duty transition or as a veteran,” he said.

Established in 1879, AAFMAA is the longest-standing, nonprofit financial solutions provider supporting military families and veterans with advice, information, insurance, financial planning, investments, mortgages, survivor assistance and other benefits.

“Today our mission is to ensure the financial security and financial security and independence of the Armed Forces community,” Quinn said.

He will continue that mission concurrent to his service in uniform.

“I’m doing good, important work. I enjoy fulfilling the role as a reserve officer and as a reserve member,” Quinn said. “I stand ready to answer America’s call on America’s worst day. I take a lot of pride in knowing that this is the way I serve my community.”

Visit the AAFMAA website to learn more about how AAFMAA can help you prepare for deployment.

Read comments
Tags: AAFMAAAmerican Armed Forces Mutual Aid AssociationdeploymentFinancial Readinessmilitary families
Jessica Manfre

Jessica Manfre

Jessica Manfre, LMSW is an author and freelance writer for multiple publications. She is a licensed social worker, earning her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Central Florida in 2020. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Northwestern State University. Jessica is the co-founder and CFO of Inspire Up, a 501c3 nonprofit promoting global generosity and kindness through education, empowerment, and community building. She is the spouse of an active-duty Coast Guardsman and mother of two. When she isn’t working, you can find her reading a good book and drinking too much coffee.

Related Posts

FOX News host Pete Hegseth talks evolution of reserve component

by Jessica Manfre
3 weeks ago
0
Pete Hegseth

FOX News' Pete Hegseth shares his experiences as a soldier in the Army National Guard and his thoughts on the evolution of...

Read more

Reserve airmen ‘bewildered’ as Afghanistan evacuation unfolded

by AmeriForce Exclusive
3 weeks ago
0
Distinguished Flying Cross

Three reserve airmen received the Distinguished Flying Cross for their actions in Afghanistan during Operation Allies Refuge.

Read more

Commander says social media provides ‘valuable outlet’ to connect

by Lori King
1 month ago
0
Red Tails

The Red Tails, or 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, are using social media to stay connected with family and friends while...

Read more

Our Military Kids provides ‘sense of normalcy’ for families

by Bethaney Phillips
2 months ago
0
Courtesy photo

Our Military Kids funds scholarships to reserve and National Guard families, allowing children to participate in an activity of their...

Read more

Promotion potential a key factor in volunteer deployments

by Altasia Johnson
2 months ago
0
Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Hunter, an observer, coach and trainer assigned to 5th Armored Brigade, First Army Division West, talks to Soldiers assigned to the 1776th Military Police Company, Michigan National Guard, during a law enforcement training at McGregor Range, N.M., April 29, 2021. Photo by Staff Sgt. John Onuoha

National Guard and Reserve personnel believe experience and promotion potential are the most important factors for volunteer deployments.

Read more

Guardsmen shoulder lesson plans in New Mexico classrooms

by AmeriForce Exclusive
2 months ago
0
New Mexico

Second Lt. Dayton Harris, of the New Mexico Army National Guard, is currently shouldering a lesson plan instead of a...

Read more

Ads

Let's get social

The RNG Drill

News delivered directly to your inbox

Let's connect!

ABOUT US

  • OUR STORY
  • OUR TEAM
  • OUR WRITERS

MAGAZINE

  • GET PRINT
  • GET DIGITAL

GET RESOURCES

  • VETERAN TRANSITION GUIDE

ADVERTISE

  • GET OUR MEDIA KIT
  • PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT

SUBMISSIONS

  • PITCH US
  • SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Never miss out on the latest stories.

© 2021 Reserve & National Guard by AmeriForce. Privacy Policy | Terms | Site by Swiss Commerce

Thank you for your interest in The Reserve & National Guard Magazine!

Thank you for your interest in The Reserve & National Guard Magazine!

No Result
View All Result
  • NEWS
  • YOUR CAREER
    • UNIT TRAINING
    • DEPLOYMENT
    • PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
    • ENTREPRENEUR
  • EDUCATION
  • MILITARY LIFE
    • MILITARY SPOUSES
    • MILITARY KIDS
    • TRANSITION
  • HEALTH
  • MONEY
  • TRAVEL
  • GET THE MAGAZINE
    • PRINT MAGAZINES
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINES
    • GET THE NEWSLETTER
  • RESOURCES
    • VETERAN TRANSITION GUIDE
  • ABOUT US
    • MEET OUR TEAM
    • OUR AUTHORS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
    • SUBMIT YOUR STORY
    • PITCH US
    • GIVEAWAY
    • CONTACT

© 2021 Reserve & National Guard by AmeriForce. Site by SCBW