D.W. Steele Chapter Hosts Financial Readiness Bootcamp for Airmen, Students

AFA’s D.W. Steele Sr. Chapter in Arlington, Va., hosted a “Financial Readiness Bootcamp” for 25 Arnold Air Society students, Airmen from the 317th Recruiting Squadron, and more on April 2, 2025. The event was held in recognition of National Financial Literacy Month, observed each April to promote smart money habits and lifelong financial well-being.

Military members face unique financial challenges including frequent moves, complex pay structures, and the stress of deployments, all of which can all lead to financial strain. Many young Airmen and Guardians enter service with limited financial education and are vulnerable to predatory lending or poor money habits. This makes early financial readiness training critical for both individual well-being and mission success.

Among the 25 attendees was a strong turnout from the Arnold Air Society squadrons at the University of Maryland and Howard University. Members of the Steele Chapter and the 317th Recruiting Squadron were also in attendance, including Brig. Gen. Houston Cantwell, USAF (Ret.), a senior resident fellow at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.

The event was hosted at Nighthawk Pizza, a Community Partner of the Steele Chapter located downstairs from AFA’s national operations center.

Chapter Secretary Bob Hill, a 25-year Air Force veteran and former financial advisor for 24 years, led the workshop. His session focused on military-specific financial topics such as basic pay, special pay, allowances, TRICARE, SGLI, and the Thrift Savings Plan. He then introduced key personal finance principles: budgeting, saving, debt management, and long-term investing.

“You need to focus the same Airman’s discipline expected of you as a professional to your personal finances,” Hill emphasized. He encouraged cadets to “pay yourself first,” live below their means, and always plan for the unexpected. Hill also reminded participants that the most important word in the event’s title is “Readiness.”

“The Air Force and Space Force expect you to lead, to serve, and to complete the mission. You can’t do that if financial stress is holding you back,” he said.

Programs like the Financial Readiness Bootcamp equip future Airmen and Guardians with the tools to make smart decisions, reduce stress, and stay mission-ready. As one student said, “Every cadet needs to hear this important information and take action.”

The chapter plans to offer more Financial Readiness Bootcamps in the future to support the next generation of Airmen and Guardians.