Commanders Referral

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Commanders Referral

• AER Test Program

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Commanders Referral
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Commanders Referral
In November 2003, Reader's Digest described AER
as one of The Best Charities in America
who's worth trusting with your donated dollars".
The Army provides much of the administration
requirements thereby insuring that 95 cents of
every dollar you donate goes directly into
programs for soldiers and their families.
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NEED IS GREATER THAN EVER! (62
Years of Assist)

• AER Asst since 1942 870M (2.9M
  Soldiers)
• 2003
  38M
• Category First 51 Years(1942-1992) Last 11
  years(1993-2003))
• Assistance 485 Million
  385 Million (44)
• 2.3 Million Soldiers
  601,178 Soldiers( 21)
  
  

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Commanders Referral

• For 62 years AER programs have given Commanders
  an important tool in maintaining the morale and
  welfare of their soldiers and families.
• AER desires to give Commanders another tool to
  affect an immediate positive impact.
• By authorizing the immediate Commander limited
  authority to provide AER assistance
• - Soldiers will have an additional
  option other than payday lenders.

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Commanders Referral

• AER has always given Commanders considerable
  flexibility in the implementation of local AER
  sections.
• New category is just an extension of that
  flexibility.
• Commanders still required to operate AER sections
  within existing guidelines and procedures in AR
  930-4.
• - While ensuring they distinguish between
  soldiers WANTS and NEEDS
• - and to provide AER assistance to all
  soldiers in a fair and equitable manner.

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Commanders Referral

• HOW IT WORKS!!!

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Commanders Referral

• Active duty soldier lacking the funds to meet
  their monthly obligations may request AER funds
  up to 500 by submitting a completed DA Form 1103
  to their immediate Commander.

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Commanders Referral

• Lack of funds could be for a myriad of complex
  reasons or as simple as overextending themselves
  the previous month.

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Commanders Referral

• Whatever the reason, the Co/Btry Commander
  must be satisfied that the soldiers request is
  reasonable, justifiable, and needed.

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Commanders Referral

• If Commander approves the soldiers request,
  under this category, they complete item 19 of DA
  Form 1103, and write in Commanders Referral next
  to the approved box.

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Commanders Referral

• The request is then taken to the local AER
  section, along with a current LES, and a copy of
  orders if RC personnel, where a check is issued
  and allotment for repayment prepared.
• Immediate Commander is the approving authority
  not AERO

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Commanders Referral Example

• - Soldier request AER assistance of 425 to meet
  monthly BLE. REASON Soldier was given UCMJ
  previous month and received forfeiture of 400 for
  one month.
• Is soldier eligible?
• N0, AER does not reimburse soldiers for
  forfeitures of pay and allowances resulting from
  UCMJ or non-judicial punishment.

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Commanders Referral Example

• - Soldier request AER assistance of 485 to meet
  monthly BLE. REASON Soldier states his wallet
  was stolen and it contained over 500.
• Is soldier eligible?
• Yes, Cdr has several options Can approve
  request based upon soldiers statement or request
  soldier provide a copy of police report filed
  with local authorities

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Commanders Referral

• The following conditions apply
• AERO will confirm eligibility under this category
  prior to issuing a check.
• No more than two such assistance a year.
• Existing loan must be repaid before additional
  assistance under this category is authorized.
• Repayment must be by allotment
• Repayment must be prior to ETS but no more than
  12 months.
• Soldier can not be or AER restricted list.
• Assistance under this category will always be as
  a loan, no grants.
• AERO will inform the Commander of final
  disposition.

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Commanders Referral

• Commanders Referral not designed to replace
  existing categories or procedures.
• Intended as a tool for Commander to have a
  mechanism to assist their soldiers with short
  term problems or BLE.
• Commanders who do not desire to approve
  assistance under the commanders referral but
  believe the soldier still has a valid need
• May recommend approval and forward soldiers
  request to AERO for processing of AER assistance
  under other existing operating procedures.

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PARTNERS IN SUPPORT
62 Years of Helping the Army Take Care of Its
Own
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