Are Soldiers required to contribute to AER in order to receive assistance?

Soldiers are not required to contribute to the Army Emergency Relief (AER) program in order to receive assistance. AER is designed to provide financial support to soldiers and their families during times of need, regardless of their prior contributions. The primary goal of AER is to assist service members facing financial emergencies, such as those stemming from unforeseen circumstances.

While contributions to AER are encouraged to help sustain the program and enable it to assist others in need, the system is structured to ensure that immediate support is available without precondition on the soldier's past financial contributions. Hence, a soldier can access AER services for emergency loans and grants even if they have not contributed to the program themselves in the past. This inclusivity is vital to ensuring that all soldiers have access to financial resources in times of crisis, aligning with the Army's commitment to support its personnel and their families.