Do you feel basic training should include a class on personal finance?

Absolutely, you receive soooooo many dumb briefs at basic.
Or ask those PVT's with a brand new dodge challenger, what they think.

If the Army wants to improve soldier readiness, they should consider having a finance seminar at a soldiers first duty station if not at AIT. It wold not hurt the schedule to add a few more days to graduation. The Army has already entertained this possibility of prolonged time with other things in mind.

I, for one consider it insufficient to only give soldiers at 1 hour finance rundown on retirement investments and TSP/Thirft as these do not deal with immediate matters but long term investments.

It would be good to promote responsible finances, just as they promote a healthy diet, EO, SHARP, MilitaryOneSource and other topics. It isn’t a bad surmggestuon since many other things are ma satire and emphasized.

But first, the Army has to see it as a problem numbered wise i.e. lost of clearances across lower enlisted ranks due to bad financial decisions, etc

It is evident that we want to minimize issues so that soldiers can be effective in WTBD and their jobs.

Went I went through basic, we did have a finance class. Do I remember it? Absolutely not because I was exhausted. I don’t think it’s beneficial to have a finance class during basic training. Definitely when you get to your MOS training and after that but not before. You just won’t retain it.

As long as it includes a block on not buying a used car for 24.99% APR while you're at Reception at your first duty station.

Cpl Kevin Henderson - While I'm not opposed to the concept, I believe it would be better to push that to IET or a first duty station. Basic Training is already crammed with needed skills training for a Marine/Sailor/Soldier/Airman that doesn't leave much room for extras like 'how to not be stupid with your paycheck' presentations.

When I was in AIT we had to go to a finance briefing that talked about personal money management. It was on a Saturday and in order to graduate we had to attend it. Otherwise, in my experience, during in-processing at my duty station were told about different services offered at whatever base you’re at as far as financial coaching/money management. Most of these services even offer classes or take walk-in appointments.
Basic training is to prepare you for battle, not worry about personal things such as how you spend money. While I feel it is important that soldiers do learn to manage their money, basic training is not the place to do so.

Ait does.

Definitely. It would be a force multiplier if you can even get a few to be more sensible- that would mean that many more people who are focused on the mission, not on bankruptcy

The Army has a requirement for a 8 hour block of instruction to be conducted in IET on Personal Finance.

During Boot? No... There are other things that are more important, but definitely during IET/AIT. That takes care of the required 1st Financial Readiness class for the member.

Yes!