How is the Army Emergency Relief (AER) primarily funded?

The Army Emergency Relief (AER) is primarily funded through voluntary contributions from Soldiers. This means that Soldiers can choose to donate a portion of their pay to AER, which helps sustain the organization and enable it to provide financial assistance to service members and their families in times of need. The reliance on voluntary contributions helps ensure that the AER remains focused on the needs and support of Soldiers rather than being reliant on government appropriations or mandatory fees, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among service members who contribute to helping their peers.

The other methods of funding listed, such as government funding and grants, direct taxation, or membership fees, do not represent how AER is primarily supported. These alternatives do not align with AER's mission to assist Soldiers and their families through a program that is rooted in service members' willingness to support each other voluntarily.