Financial Counselor ready to aid 185th ARW

Gary Swalve has hopes of helping to eliminate debt for service members and will enjoy doing so as the new Personal Financial Counselor for the Iowa National Guard in Northwest Iowa.

Swalve’s primary responsibility will be for the members of the 185^th Air Refueling Wing but is eager to help all Iowa National Guard members and their families.

    “My hope is to help Service Members develop realistic and wise financial goals and then to coach them to achieving those goals. One of my personal goals has been to get out of debt and stay out of debt. Helping as many people as I can to be free from the burden of debt is one reason I do this job,” said Swalve.

Swalve said that personal finance is 80% behavior and 20% head knowledge. He said can teach the head knowledge and if an individual can get their attitude about money straight, it will help them straighten out almost every other area of their lives.  

According to Swalve, he can provide services such as face to face counseling for those who are in financial trouble, help with credit management and budgeting and Advocacy information and support.

When it comes to deployments, Swalve can offer advice for service members and their families during all stages deployments, which can have some added benefits for service members such as tax free pay.

    “Helping Service Members become free from financial stress of any kind allows them to concentrate on their duties, and then the mission is accomplished and they are free to excel in their careers,” stated Swalve.

Swalve also provides training and workshops for a number of subjects such as the Thrift Savings Plan, the blended retirement system and tax preparation.