AFAS helps an Airman out of a dark place
Without much direction after high school, Technical Sergeant David Guy followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Air Force. Serving for the last 18 years has allowed TSgt Guy to grow and become a better individual. It has also meant being part of a family with people you know will have your back.
Not only do Airmen and Guardians have each other’s back, they also have the support of the Air Force Aid Society (AFAS), an organization whose mission is to support Airmen, Guardians and their families.
When TSgt Guy joined active duty from the Reserves, he received a Permanent Change of Station order. With the change in his duty status, TSgt Guy’s pay schedule was off. Combined with the move order, he found himself in a financial bind.
Knowing they would have his back, TSgt Guy turned to AFAS to help ease the burden. With their assistance, he was able to buy gas, food and necessities for his family to hold them over until his regular pay started.
The support from AFAS relieved a tremendous amount of stress from TSgt Guy. “Being able to feed my wife and children and get to work – it meant everything,” he recalls. “I wasn’t stressing as much about how to survive or care for my family with their assistance.”
To the Society’s donors, “your generous contributions pulled me out of a really dark place,” he states. “I can’t thank you enough!” He now encourages other Airmen and Guardians to seek help from AFAS if they need it. “Don’t let your pride stop you from reaching out,” he tells them.
Today, TSgt Guy says that his family is in “a great place finally,” becoming more stable and even finding a new house. For this, he partly credits AFAS. “It was a huge help for getting me to where I am today.”
Incorporated in 1942, the Air Force Aid Society continues to meet the unique needs of Airmen and Guardians. AFAS works to support and enhance the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force missions by providing emergency financial assistance, educational support, and community programs to Air Force and Space Force families. In 2022, AFAS provided over $12.5 million in assistance to more than 17,000 Air Force and Space Force families. Visit www.afas.org to learn more, apply for assistance, or to donate.