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Contact information for key programs and services at this installation.
Resources are available to help you understand and manage your finances, including one-on-one financial counseling to assist you and your family with financial readiness. Services are designed to focus on money management issues throughout your active-duty lifecycle and into retirement. Financial readiness educational opportunities range from basic planning to long-term investing. Check out the information below to see what’s available at your installation.
Any reassignment can be costly, but coming to an overseas assignment like Aviano Air Base can be very expensive. Typical moving-in expenses are between $5,000 to $10,000. Planning ahead is vital. If you will not have the money saved when you arrive, here are some options: Air & Space Forces Aid Society. They provide 0% interest loans (paid back via an allotment), and can help with expenses like getting a rental car while here, vehicle/Pet PCS costs, first month’s rent, and more. Another option is a pay advance or BAH advance. Both take time to route through the appropriate agencies, and have to be paid back. Before applying for an AFAS loan or taking an advance, it is recommended that you speak with the financial counselor at your current installation’s M&FRC and the Aviano M&FRC when you arrive.
There are two U.S. financial institutions: Global Credit Union and DOW Community Bank. Aviano has a number of ATMs located at the Shoppette, Lodging, the Global Credit Union, the Community Bank and the Base Exchange. For a predetermined ATM fee, you should be able to use your stateside ATM card in Italian/Global/Community Bank teller machines. It is advisable to speak to your current bank about the fees and accessibility prior to your departure. Checks can be written at the base exchange and Club Complex (for club members). The euro rate changes slightly daily. For current exchange rates, consult major newspapers and banks.
It is advisable to maintain your bank accounts in the United States until you become familiar with options available at Aviano Air Base. You may also want to bring along the web addresses and have your financial institution set you up with the ability to bank electronically. Many U.S. banks require a U.S. phone number for two-factor authentication, so if you do not keep your U.S. number, you may have a hard time logging into your bank and investment accounts.
Be sure you understand the appropriate use of a government travel card. If you have questions, visit the customer service desk at your local Finance Office.
New investment accounts cannot be opened while you are stationed overseas unless you have a physical address on a military installation; only dorm residents will have a physical address. It is advisable to open investment and/or educational accounts before you leave the U.S, even for a small dollar amount, and then you will be able to continue to contribute to them while stationed at Aviano.
The Air & Space Forces Aid Society is a non-profit organization that provides assistance to service members and their dependents in time of need. The assistance is in the form of an interest free loan or grant depending on the need. There are many different categories of assistance. Some are basic living, vehicle, funeral, travel, medical and child care. There are also free community programs such as Bundles for Babies, Child Care for PCS, Moving out of the Dorms Assistance, Give Parents A Break and educational grants.
If you have questions, contact the Military and Family Readiness Center and they can help you with submitting your application for AFAS assistance. The M&FRC is located in Building 1431 in Area F and can be reached at DSN 314-632-5407 or Commercial 011-39-0434-30-5407.
Cost of Living Allowance
A cost of living allowance is a non-taxable allowance paid to service members to partially offset high costs when stationed overseas, including Alaska and Hawaii. COLA helps maintain purchasing power so you can buy about the same amount of goods and services overseas as in the United States.
The cost of living index is based on data furnished by service members assigned to each overseas location. The Per Diem, Travel and Transportation Allowance Committee uses two surveys to determine the relative cost of living, a living pattern survey and a retail price schedule. You can find out about each of these online.
The purpose of the Temporary Lodging Allowance is to partially reimburse a military member for expenses incurred while occupying temporary lodgings. TLA should be filed with the Base Housing Office.
Military members may be eligible for entitlements for their families back in the United States. Please contact the Finance office for more information DSN 314-632-3161 or Commercial 011-39-0434-30-3161.