Posted on Jan 4, 2019
Do you feel basic training should include a class on personal finance?
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A lot of recruits are fresh out of high school, and may have no idea about banking and money management. It's been a long time since I was in boot camp, so I don't know if such training exists. I saw a lot of my peers bounce checks and hastily finance cars because they were 18, on their own, and didn't understand money management. What would your opinion be on a one day class towards the end of basic?
Personal Finance
Basic Training
Recruit
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 20
Cpl Kevin Henderson Boot Camp is set up as training to become a Marine, so it should not have a class on personal finance. The schedule is tight as it is, so money management can be taught later on.
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Cpl Kevin Henderson because the service is available once you get out of IET, just like the other services. https://usmc-mccs.org/services/career/personal-financial-management/
When you add a block of instruction to Army IET, it means something's else is shortened or deleted. I'm sure the Corps faces similar decisions in their pipeline.
When you add a block of instruction to Army IET, it means something's else is shortened or deleted. I'm sure the Corps faces similar decisions in their pipeline.
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No. This is something that should be taught in high school or a focus of good parenting.
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SGT Joseph Gunderson
Cpl Kevin Henderson - There's just so much that already needs to be taught at basic training that isn't even being done to standard presently. How about we focus on creating soldiers to standard again before we try adding anything else.
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MAJ (Join to see)
I agree but we can reinforce those lessons. The average person needs to hear this over and over, especially an 18 year old kid who can't think past using his next paycheck for buying a Ford mustang at 20% interest and new games for his Xbox.
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SGT Joseph Gunderson
MAJ (Join to see) - and we already do that. I don't know a single NCO that doesn't attempt to impress on their Joes the importance of not being stupid with their money. Alas, it falls on def ears. For those that make those mistakes, perhaps the pain of screwing up their finances will teach the lesson that they refuse to learn growing up or from their leadership.
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The basic training and AIT / qualification schools have very tight schedules as is. This would be a great in-processing class at a first duty station and I imagine it could easily be taught in an online format for our reserve service members.
I agree that it's definitely something that our younger servicemembers struggle with, but basic and job qualification training should be focused on service needs.
I agree that it's definitely something that our younger servicemembers struggle with, but basic and job qualification training should be focused on service needs.
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Back in the mid 80's during AIT and at permanent party they offered classes on finance. I didn't attend I had paid my own way since I was 12 but it did help out a few
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In the Army, I was directed to counsel one of the Soldiers in my fire team before he bought his first car so that he would understand the fundamentals of the process beforehand. That was fairly typical back then. I think Army Community Service might have offered personal finance classes as well.
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Suspended Profile
Most AITs do.
2LT (Join to see)
Advice abou TSP and Thrift is not all that encompasses financial advice. Most private’s blow their debt to income ratio through the ceiling in one auto loan and screw up their credit. They do not have major obligations like other bills and family but spend most of their money on junk food, partying, strippers, get credit cards, cigarettes, and alcohol. Some of them do save but it would be better if they had a wholistic program that focuses on immediate financial consequences apart from investing in military stocks.
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Good morning, and thank you for your responses. I've attached a link that has an article about military and finances. Any input would be appreciated.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/http://www.cnbc.com/amp/2014/07/03/oldiers-financial-smarts.html
https://www.google.com/amp/s/http://www.cnbc.com/amp/2014/07/03/oldiers-financial-smarts.html
Military families' hidden risk: Finances
Members of the military face challenges every day. Beyond the obvious, they also contend with unique financial hurdles.
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Sgt (Join to see)
Cpl Kevin Henderson Money Management is a skill like any other, that you can learn. You have to be receptive and want to learn before it will do any good.
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