What This Form Is Used For
This checklist gives unit commanders a structured way to assess the support needs of soldiers and their families. It documents which services were discussed and whether the family agreed to a voluntary referral. Commanders typically complete it when a family reports financial hardship, stress related to deployment or separation, medical concerns, or a need for legal advice. The standardized approach ensures every support category is reviewed consistently, so no applicable program is overlooked during the interview. The document also serves as a record for the unit file, showing that the commander fulfilled the welfare-check duty required under Army Europe guidance.
Key Support Sections in the AE 55-46A
The checklist is divided into five service areas, each with specific sub-programs the commander reviews with the family:
- Army Community Service (ACS): Financial readiness counseling, relocation assistance, deployment readiness support, the ACS Exceptional Family Member Program, and the ACS Volunteer Corps. ACS also administers the Army Emergency Relief application process for families facing immediate financial crises.
- Chaplain Services: Marriage and family counseling, grief and bereavement support, substance abuse referrals, and spiritual wellness programs for soldiers and dependents stationed overseas.
- Medical Services: Behavioral health referrals, TRICARE enrollment assistance, family wellness screenings, and coordination with mental health units for soldiers showing signs of combat stress or adjustment disorder.
- Legal Assistance: Access to JAG attorneys for drafting wills, powers of attorney, landlord disputes, child custody arrangements, and other family law matters that commonly arise during overseas assignments.
- Financial Readiness Programs: Budget counseling, debt liquidation assistance, financial education workshops, and referrals to the Army Emergency Relief (AER) fund for emergency cash grants or interest-free loans.
How to Complete the AE 55-46A
- Open or print the form using FormsPal's online PDF tool above.
- Enter the unit designation and the date the interview was conducted at the top of the page.
- Record the soldier's full name, rank, and unit identifier in the header fields.
- Work through each support category with the service member or family member, checking the relevant service boxes for each area that applies to their situation.
- Note any specific programs the family agreed to accept referrals for, and record any programs they declined under the Privacy Act.
- Obtain the soldier's or authorized family member's signature on the voluntary disclosure acknowledgment line at the bottom of the form.
- Route the completed document to the appropriate Army support agency or retain it in the unit file per the command's records management guidance and local privacy act procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who completes this checklist?
Unit commanders or their designated representatives complete it during family readiness interviews, pre-deployment briefings, or whenever a support need is identified within the unit. The commander works through each section alongside the soldier or family member, ensuring all available programs are discussed before any referral is made.
Is participation in the listed programs mandatory?
No. The Privacy Act of 1974 makes all disclosures and referrals on this document voluntary. Families may decline any listed service without penalty or adverse action. The signature line at the bottom of the checklist acknowledges only that the interview took place, not that the family agreed to use any specific program.
What other AE forms are used alongside the 55-46A?
Army Europe uses several companion forms for administrative and welfare documentation. You can find the AE Form 190-1AA, the AE Form 3, and the AE Form 7 on FormsPal. Soldiers who need broader financial support paperwork can also access the Financial Assistance Application form.
Where is the official version published?
The official checklist is published by U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR) through the AE Publications system. FormsPal provides a printable PDF version of the document above, alongside a full library of related Army administrative forms available for free online access.