First Command Financial Advisor Qualifications

Choosing the right financial advisor requires two types of trust.

The first is that they have your best interests at heart.

The second is that they’re capable.

But how can you know? When you pick a financial advisor — and expose your finances to their scrutiny and opinions — you deserve to have confidence in their guidance, because your money is hard-earned, personal, and essential to maintaining your lifestyle.     

At First Command, integrity and competence aren’t optional. They’re baked into our planning process.

Financial Advisor Standards

When you meet with a First Command Financial Advisor, they’ll ask you some questions to gain a clear understanding of your expectations and objectives. Are you looking for one-time guidance on a specific decision, or an ongoing relationship with regular check-ins? Do you want help choosing individual investments, or broader advice that covers long-term planning and risk management?

These types of questions aren’t just small talk — your answers will help your Advisor determine what type of relationship is the best fit for you. This, in turn, will shape how our advice is delivered, how your Advisor is compensated, and which standard of care will apply.

If you proceed with a commission-based brokerage relationship, your Advisor will operate under the Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI) standard. This means they will act in your best interest when making recommendations, disclose material facts, and exercise diligence and care.

Advisor services that fall under the Reg BI standard include:

• Recommendations to buy, sell, or hold securities
• Recommendations for investment strategies
• Recommendations about account types (brokerage vs. advisory accounts, fee-based or commission based, IRA and 401k rollovers)
• Any communications that could be considered a recommendation

However, if you and your Advisor determine a fee-based advisory relationship is more appropriate, your Advisor will operate under the fiduciary standard. Under this standard, Advisors must put the clients’ needs ahead of their own, avoid conflicts of interest, provide unbiased recommendations, and disclose any potential conflicts.

Advisor activities that require the fiduciary standard include:

• Providing ongoing, personalized investment advice
• Managing assets on a discretionary basis
• Creating or updating a financial plan
• Monitoring a client’s portfolio
• Charging an advisory fee

First Command has both a Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) firm and a registered Broker-Dealer regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Our Broker-Dealer is also a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member firm. Our Advisors are registered with both firms. The SEC and FINRA are regulatory bodies that hold First Command — and other registered financial firms — to rigorous standards that promote transparency, ensure compliance, and safeguard the best interests of clients.

Every First Command Financial Advisor is a fiduciary — and they’re all trained and qualified to meet both the Reg BI and fiduciary standards. This versatility allows us to provide the level of guidance and support that best aligns with your evolving financial situation and needs.

Competence: Licenses and Credentials That Actually Matter

First Command Advisors are legally required to behave ethically and transparently, but that doesn’t tell you what they’re trained or licensed to do. To help provide that confidence, all First Command Financial Advisors also hold and maintain the appropriate and required combination of these licenses to perform their duties:

• A Series 6, to sell mutual funds and variable annuities
• A Series 63 license, a state-level securities license typically paired with Series 6
• A Series 65 license to provide investment advice for a fee and also typically paired with a Series 6
• A Series 7 license, to sell individual securities of all types, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs and UITs
• A Series 66 license, to provide investment advice for a fee and typically paired with a Series 7
• A health insurance license, which authorizes them to sell health plans, disability insurance and long-term care insurance
• A life insurance license, to sell term life, whole life, final expense policies and annuities

Earning and maintaining these licenses demonstrates a distinct level of proficiency — because each one requires formal testing, meeting regulatory requirements and ongoing education. Advisors must thoroughly understand financial products, comply with state and federal regulations, and meet ethical standards to maintain these credentials.

These licenses and credentials are not an exhaustive list of the qualifications First Command Financial Advisors hold. Many go above and beyond by obtaining additional series licenses and  specialized training and certifications, like CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Retirement Income Certified Professional® and Chartered Financial Consultant®.

Some have also attained the specialized Certified Military Financial Advisor designation, to further solidify their commitment to offering tailored financial advice for military service members and their families.  

Advisors also receive ongoing training from First Command on a wide range of topics, from evolving product offerings to updates in military benefits. This continuous education helps them stay current and better equips them to serve the needs of military families.

Military Coaching: Specialized for Service Members and Veterans

Even beyond these standards and credentials, First Command Financial Advisors are uniquely well suited to serve military families. Three out of four are former service members or military spouses. They are intimately familiar with and knowledgeable about military pay and benefits, as well as the challenges and opportunities that are part of the armed-forces lifestyle.

This unique perspective allows them to offer more than sound financial advice. They strive to serve as personal financial coaches to  clients, helping them define specific and meaningful goals, motivating and encouraging them, providing practical everyday financial advice, and ensuring that their financial plan stays closely aligned with their circumstances and objectives.   

Luis Muniz, a Senior Vice President of Advisor Operations at First Command, sums it up this way: “If we do our job correctly, we can make generational differences in our clients’ lives.”

Choosing the Right Financial Advisor

Choosing the right financial advisor starts with finding someone who listens before offering recommendations. Knowledge matters — but so do trust and clear communication. You deserve an advisor who can help you set meaningful and realistic goals, explain strategies in plain language, and provide steady guidance as your life and priorities evolve.

Ready to get your financial life squared away? Get started with a First Command Financial Advisor here.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I verify a financial advisor’s credentials?

You can verify a financial advisor’s licenses, registrations, and disciplinary history through FINRA BrokerCheck and the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure system. For insurance licenses, each state’s Department of Insurance provides an online lookup tool.

What red flags should I look for when choosing an advisor?

An advisor should be able to clearly state the standard of care they’re applying in plain language. If their compensation structure is confusing or hidden, if they push products aggressively, avoid tough questions, and make promises of ‘guaranteed returns’, reconsider working with them.

Why do military families need advisors with specialized training?

Military families face financial situations that civilians almost never encounter: frequent moves, deployments, combat-zone tax rules, Tricare decisions, VA benefits, and the complexities of transitioning to civilian life. The ins and outs of these subjects aren’t just ‘nice to know’ — navigating them with confidence can substantially influence a family’s financial outcomes.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.

First Command and its affiliates do not provide legal or tax advice. This material is for informational purposes only and should not be relied on for legal or tax advice. You should consult your own legal or tax advisors before engaging in any transaction.