[1] First Command provides personalized services through locally based trained and licensed Financial Advisors and through its Home Office in Fort Worth, Texas.

First Command states its Mission as “coaching those who serve in their pursuit of financial security.”[3] The current president and CEO is Mark Steffe, who originally joined the company in March 2010.

Payne wanted to create a company that recognized and dealt with the unique circumstances applicable to United States military personnel.

[7] In 1963, USPA began offering financial plans to its clients, designed to promote long-term saving and investing.

[9]In 2004, a New York Times investigative report by Diana B. Henriques named First Command as being one of several investment firms engaged in deceptive marketing of financial instruments aimed at military veterans.

"[11] In an independent investigation, the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) charged First Command "with inappropriately confronting a customer who complained, failing to maintain e-mail, failing to maintain adequate supervisory systems and procedures and filing an inaccurate Form U-5 regulatory report".

[14] As part of the settlement, First Command agreed to offer restitution to all clients who had purchased and sold a systematic plan between 1999 and 2004, establishment of educational programs, and monitoring or prefiling.

In 2004, the SEC report noted "The great majority of the firm's agents are former commissioned or non-commissioned military officers.

[11] As of August 2006, Mary Schapiro, the NASD Vice-Chairman and President of Regulatory Policy and Oversight continued to be critical of First Command, calling it an "unscrupulous organization" with an "awful" product.

First Command's new president, Marty Durbin, responded to her criticism by stating, "It’s unfortunate that settling these charges still doesn’t mean it’s behind us.

[20] Later that year in December, First Command announced it had signed on as a corporate partner with the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl.

It assesses trends among the American public's financial behaviors, intentions, and attitudes through a monthly survey of approximately 530 U.S. consumers, ages 25–70, with annual household incomes of at least $50,000.

[31] Survey results have been reported by national news organizations including the Wall Street Journal,[32] The New York Times,[33] McClatchy-Tribune News Service,[34] USA Today,[35] and Financial Planning magazine[36] First Command established the First Command Education Foundation (FCEF) in 1983 and presently operates as an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity that is "dedicated to improving financial readiness through education and scholarship opportunities".