Airmen gain consultants for families, finances Published Oct. 2, 2011 By Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith 139th Airlift Wing ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- In what could have cost them money on the outside, citizen-Airmen here recently made use of life and financial consultants offered at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, for free. For the past few months, the base's Airmen and Family Readiness Program Office provided professional guidance for Airmen and their families, which included military family life counselors for adults and youth as well as a military financial consultant. They are: Sandra Holt, personal financial counselor; Phil Pringle, director of psychological health; Amy Bledsoe, military and family life consultant; Michelle Hartman, director of psychological health. The contracted providers are certified experts in their fields who are helping military members plan for, or meet, life and financial challenges. Their meetings are confidential. "It's been very good," said Jane Gabriel, office manager, about the turn-out. Some of those using the professional services are recruits. Gabriel said consultation helps prepare new enlistees for the financial challenges and the lifestyle changes that come from joining the military. Still others on base are getting free financial advice or are seeking a professional on managing youth or family matters, handling stress from deployments or in getting through the holidays. The counselors are located at Building 51 during the drill weekends, but they can be scheduled outside those weekends, at another location. Airmen and their families should call Gabriel at 816-236-3511. Gabriel plans to request the services as long as needed. "Throw us the challenge and we will find the answer," said Gabriel. "It's just a matter of finding the resource to match your need ... we can guide you to resources available for you for different crisis or issues that come up throughout life."