What is the primary purpose of Army Emergency Relief (AER)?

The primary purpose of Army Emergency Relief (AER) is to relieve distress of Army members and their dependents. AER is designed to offer financial assistance to soldiers and their families who face unexpected emergencies or hardships. This includes providing funds for essential needs such as housing, food, medical care, and other critical expenses that may arise due to unforeseen circumstances. The focus of AER is on immediate and genuine needs, ensuring that service members and their families can maintain stability during challenging times. Thus, the emphasis is on providing direct support to alleviate distress rather than on broader programs such as scholarships, combat support, or veteran reintegration, which have different goals and target populations.