[1] At the end of 2019, membership exceeded 85,000[2] AAFMAA was founded in 1879 by a group of Army officers in response to the 1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn to provide financial assistance to the families of deceased soldiers.

[3][4] AAFMAA has since expanded to offer wealth management, trust, and mortgage services to past and present members of the Armed Forces.

[4] AAFMAA was established on January 13, 1879, in response to the 1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn to provide financial assistance to the families of deceased soldiers.

[4] The founding documents of the association were prepared by a committee of Army officers chaired by Brigadier General Roger Jones.

In September 2011, membership expanded to include service members of the Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard.

As of 2020, membership includes all members of the United States Armed Forces who are on active duty, retired, guard, reserves, students of the service academies, ROTC cadets, and honorably discharged veterans.

[2] AWM&T has offices in Fayetteville, North Carolina and Reston, Virginia and representatives located throughout the country, often near military bases, to provide assistance and services to members.