MCO 1700.37 requires units to have qualified Command Financial Specialist (CFSs), 1 CFS: 75 Marines, readily available to provide FEAP training, education, information and referrals. The MCCS Personal Financial Managers (PFMs) train selected Marines and upon completion of the 40 hour course the CFS is expected to serve as the command’s principal advisor on policies and matters related to personal finance.

MCO 1700.37 mandates the following criteria:

• Minimum pay grade E6, WO, O1
• Highly motivated and financially stable
• Be designated in writing by the Commanding Officer/OIC
• Have at least 1 year remaining with current command, command waiver available
• Participate in quarterly continuing education (forums/refresher training)

The CFS is trained to teach basic financial courses, Financial Education Action Point training, or one-on-one financial counseling, for PCS, marriage, 1st child, and divorce FEAP training for their command. Each command designates a lead CFS to coordinate command trainings, collect CFS quarterly reports, and maintain CFS Inspector General checklist compliance.

January 2020 update, all CFS material is available to CFS on MarineNet. Contact your PFM to get access.

Courses CFS are able to teach:

Basic:

1. Exploring Your Financial Values and Habits
2. Communicating about Money
3. Setting Financial Goals and Recordkeeping
4. Introduction to Credit
5. Introduction to Debt Management
6. Addressing Excessive Debt
7. Establishing Savings
8. Recognizing Consumer Fraud
9. Protecting Yourself against Consumer Fraud
10. Choosing a Financial Institution
11. Introduction to Insurance
12. PCS Allowances and Entitlements
13. Financial Planning for PCS (FEAP)
14. Financial Implications of Caring for Aging Parents
15. Expanding Your Family (FEAP)
16. Raising Financially Fit Young Children
17. Raising Financially Fit Tweens and Teens
18. Raising Financially Fit Young Adults
19. Introduction to the Command Financial Specialist (CFS) Program
20. Developing a Spending Plan
21. Getting Married (FEAP)
22. Divorce (FEAP)
23. Death of an Active Duty Spouse
24. Death of a Family Member
25. Introduction to SBP
26. Managing the Survivor Benefit Plan