MENTAL PEACE
Technical Sergeant Dalia Burns joined the Air Force 13 years ago to secure a better future. She has been extremely grateful for her years of service and has…
A Nine-Year-Old Warrior
Nine years ago, Rebecca Sundhagen and her former spouse Lieutenant Colonel Chad Grondahl adopted their daughter, Lauralei, when she was five weeks old. Lauralei was…
Support and Appreciation
Master Sergeant Giles M. Dame joined the Air Force so that he could serve his country. Now, over 20 years later, he continues to serve as a First Sergeant, taking care of…
Catching Her Breath
Assistance from AFAS allowed an Airman to breathe easier Staff Sergeant Kayla Gonzalez was introduced to the military culture through her aunt and uncle, who both retired from the Air Force. She then developed a passion for serving, and she knew that she wanted to belong to a family that only the Air Force could give her. After starting her own family as a young Airman, SSgt Gonzalez was at her first duty station when she and her husband hit a rough patch both financially and personally. Trying to balance caring for their two-year-old child, a car payment, rent and other bills, SSgt Gonzalez felt trapped by all of the stress. Always there for fellow Airmen and Guardians, SSgt Gonzalez’s First Sergeant told her about the assistance programs available through the Air Force Aid Society (AFAS). To her relief, SSgt Gonzalez received a Falcon loan, an expedited, no-interest loan for financial emergencies. The loan helped SSgt Gonzalez stay afloat, letting her catch up financially and budget for the future. “It was like I could breathe again because I knew my son and I were going to be okay,” she recalls. In addition to taking control of her budget, the assistance allowed SSgt Gonzalez to be “an attentive Airman,” letting her focus on her job and the mission instead of her
In a Better Place
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…
Avoiding a High-Interest Loan
An interest-free loan from AFAS allows an Airman to maintain his savings. When Master Sergeant Kenneth Williams joined the Air Force almost 21 years ago…