Become A Financial Advisor

We’re more focused on hiring leaders who understand and have a passion for serving the military community than we are hiring people with prior financial services experience. So while sales experience and financial knowledge are a plus, thanks to our robust training program they are not a prerequisite.

The depth and breadth of our training program goes a long way toward explaining why prior financial services experience isn’t mandatory. In addition to the support you will receive during the time you’re studying for your securities and insurance licensing exams, you will also receive in-depth instruction on our planning philosophy, the products we sell and how to effectively prospect and sell when you attend our Fast Start Academy at the First Command Home Office.

You will have to prospect for new clients, but we do not advocate cold calling or door-to-door selling. Our Advisors are encouraged to introduce First Command to their friends and associates, engage in local marketing efforts and participate in base recognition and sponsorship events. Once you have built a solid network, you can continue growing your business by earning referrals from your existing clients. For many, this is not an easy task, so we offer extensive training on how to do this and be successful.

For the first three months of the Fast Start Program that will kick off your career, you will be paid hourly, with potential monthly earnings of $2,500. For the final six months of the program, you will be paid a monthly salary of $4,000 plus incentives. Upon completion of the Fast Start Program, you will graduate to Independent Contractor status and be compensated through commissions and bonuses based on your production. You’ll also be eligible to participate in First Command’s generous deferred compensation and bonus plans. Your District Advisor can provide more detailed information.

The amount Advisors earn varies widely and depends entirely on their productivity. Perhaps the most informative way to break it down is by experience level, because as a successful Advisor builds his or her practice over time, their potential for income growth increases. For example, the median income for first-year Advisors is about $60,000. For second-year Advisors, median income is around $75,000, and median income for Advisors with more than five years of experience is greater than $250,000. It should be noted that these income figures are before expenses and that they include commissions and bonuses.

Each of the company’s five divisions has a dedicated Deputy Director Operations (DDO) who is available to advise you on the best way to market your business. In addition, First Command’s Home Office Marketing Department offers a broad array of marketing support – including social media, brochures, presentations, videos, letters and more. 

First Command is proud to partner with national organizations that support military families, including Hiring Our Heroes and the First Command Educational Foundation. We also support the athletic programs of the U.S. military academies: West Point, the Air Force Academy, the Naval Academy and the Coast Guard Academy. 

Just as importantly, our local First Command offices sponsor Morale, Welfare & Recreation (MWR) activities, Family Readiness Groups (FRGs) and base recognition events. First Command has also long been recognized as a military-friendly employer with nine out of ten of our Advisors coming from the ranks of veterans or military spouses.

Leadership development is critical to the long-term success of First Command and it remains one of our strategic priorities. Accordingly, we have developed a Career Path program that establishes career milestones and defines potential career paths in both the field and in First Command’s corporate office. 

Yes, you will be asked where you want to live and work and every effort will be made to place you in the First Command office in or nearest to your desired location.

You will need Series 7 and 66 registrations and a Life and Health Insurance license for the state you will be working in.

First Command provides structure and support to help you through the licensing, orientation and certification process. We pay for your licensing study materials and for your first attempt at each exam. The sooner you pass your securities exams, the sooner you can launch your business. You should expect to spend approximately 220 hours studying and pass your exams in 12 to 16 weeks.