Army Emergency Relief CEO Tony Grinston speaks with soldiers at Camp Kosciuszko, Poland, on March 2, 2026. Grinston visited Poland as part of the organization’s 2026 campaign kickoff and the opening of its Camp Kosciuszko location, the first new AER office established in more than 20 years and its 70th overall. (ShaTyra Cox/Stars and Stripes)
POZNAN, Poland — Retired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Tony Grinston kicked off a new campaign for the service’s nonprofit this week by opening the 70th Army Emergency Relief location, its first new site in more than 20 years.
Located at Camp Kosciuszko, headquarters of U.S. Army Garrison Poland, the new office allows soldiers to access financial assistance and counseling locally rather than relying solely on remote support.
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help. We’re here to help, and we always have your back,” said Grinston, who retired as the Army’s top enlisted leader in 2023 to become the chief executive officer of AER.
The new local presence comes as the Army footprint on NATO’s eastern flank continues to expand, moving large numbers of troops through the country.
Types of financial challenges soldiers face on arriving in Poland include upfront housing costs during permanent change of station moves, adjusting to a new currency, the cost of living and managing emergencies while geographically separated from family members.
AER provides emergency financial assistance through interest-free loans, grants and scholarships to help soldiers and families facing unexpected hardship.
The decision to establish a local office was driven by the size of the military population, Grinston said. He credited the opening in part to the persistence of Diane Hupko, U.S. Army Garrison Poland’s personal financial readiness program manager.
Hupko said the personal and financial demands on soldiers do not stop simply because they are placed on orders to Poland.
“The stress of dealing with an unforeseen financial emergency can make it difficult for a soldier to be fully focused on their mission,” she said. “I have seen the program change lives.”
Retired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Tony Grinston speaks with soldiers at Camp Kosciuszko, Poland, on March 2, 2026. Grinston is the CEO of Army Emergency Relief and was in Poland as part of the organization’s 2026 campaign kickoff. (ShaTyra Cox/Stars and Stripes)
But Grinston said a persistent challenge is that many soldiers still don’t know what AER offers or how to access it.
During the campaign kickoff event at Camp Kosciuszko, senior leaders described AER as an operational enabler for troops serving overseas.
Command Sgt. Maj. Alejandro Romar, the U.S. Army Garrison Poland senior enlisted adviser, called the organization a “combat multiplier,” noting that many Americans are “one financial crisis away from hardship.”
Several new initiatives announced during the visit aim to make assistance more accessible.
One major change converts emergency travel assistance from a combination loan and grant to a 100% grant, removing the requirement for soldiers to repay the funds.
The change was influenced in part by Grinston’s own experience traveling home after his mother died while he was serving as the Army’s top enlisted leader.
“You’re going through a tough time,” Grinston said. “Why make a bad situation worse? Just take the loan out of the equation.”
AER has also launched a new online application system designed to streamline the process and reduce wait times. The system allows soldiers to submit documentation electronically and receive the money more quickly, often within hours.
In addition, the organization is expanding assistance to Army Reserve soldiers beginning later this month. Initially, reserve soldiers will be eligible for grants covering basic needs such as food, utilities and transportation.
Grinston also highlighted command-directed options that can provide quick support when soldiers face urgent needs.
“Company commanders and first sergeants can approve up to $2,000 in AER assistance, while AER officers at the garrison can approve higher amounts, with additional authority at the garrison command team level,” he said.
Over the two-day visit, Grinston spoke with soldiers at Camp Kosciuszko and an Army outpost in Powidz, gathering feedback and leading professional development discussions.
The trip was intended not only to increase awareness of AER programs but also to identify gaps and improve services based on soldiers’ experiences, he said.
He said his role with AER has given him a renewed sense of purpose.
“I just help soldiers when they’re going through a tough time,” he said. “I can’t think of a better job.”
Army Emergency Relief CEO Tony Grinston speaks with a soldier in Powidz, Poland, on March 2, 2026. During his visit, AER opened a new office at U.S. Army Garrison Poland headquarters in Poznan. (ShaTyra Cox/Stars and Stripes)
