2007 Outstanding AFCPE Conference Paper Assessing the Use and Usefulness of Current Financial Resources for Civilian Military Spouses

Abstract

Most military installations have the resources available to operate as an independent community. However, immediate access to these resources tends to promote societal disconnection for the civilian military spouse (CMS). This disconnection leaves the CMS with many misconceptions when it comes to certain life skills. The Department of Defense (DoD) has attempted to answer these concerns with the introduction of well being plans to open the door for the CMS to seek personal financial assistance. However, this study found that CMSs preferred to seek financial assistance from formal, nonmilitary resources such as professional financial planner/counselor and informal financial resources such as family and other military spouses. The findings provided implications for marketing, financial literacy program consistency, and military retention.

Keywords: civilian military spouses, financial help, seeking, military finances