Making saving automatic at Yokota

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman David C. Danford
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  Military Saves Week started today with a kickoff ceremony hosted by Col. Neil Richardson, 374th Airlift Wing vice commander, at the Yokota Community Center.

Military Saves Week is an annual event held in part with the Department of Defense's Financial Readiness Campaign. The yearlong campaign is designed to improve mission readiness by encouraging service members and their families to live financially stable lives. This year, Military Saves Week is Feb. 22-27.

"It's never too early to start saving because one day we all have to take off the uniform and it'll be a much nicer life if you have something to lean back on," Richardson said. "This is a big event with life-changing impact if you do it right, so save often and save early."

The Airman and Family Readiness Center is offering additional finance classes and workshops in support of the event. According to Diwata Salomon, 374th Force Support Squadron community readiness consultant, educating the base community through courses provided by the AFRC and Military and Family Life Counseling Program promotes good saving and investing habits.

"Just by saving a small amount each month that will enable them to be ready for anything," Salomon said. "Whether you're separating from the military, getting married or having a child, those savings will help."

Salomon stated that it is vital to ensure that military spouses also receive the training because once the parents are financially responsible it prepares their children by setting a positive example.

This year the AFRC and MFLC will be working with AAFES, the Community Bank and the Navy Federal Credit Union to spread awareness of the program. Organization representatives can be found at an information booth in the Yokota Community Center entry hall throughout Military Saves Week.

Since the launch of Military Saves Week in 2007, over 200,000 individuals have taken the saver pledge.