To start with First command holds its self out to pay "you" the advisor the most commission possible. Now that I have worked at another firm and have several friends at other top firms in the industry I have discovered that their pay out multiples are the same in some cases and lower in most cases. The kicker to this is that on top of paying you a lower or average rate for the work you do virtually all other firms cover you technology, office, travel, benefits and education costs. This shows a huge flaw in the payment system alone.
While the First Command Leadership promotes a narrative of empowering families their commission packages, sales competitions and leadership are all geared to selling the highest commission product to clients. The only way to survive in this company is to continually sell insurance products. This model creates a glaring conflict of interest and when it is address you are told "its just the way it is"
In my experience District advisors where either absent or only mildly interested when trying to create a sustainable practice. I was even told I was take bread off of my DA's table after he swept the majority of clients out of my office and into his book so he could get paid more.
Despite have a strong base of clients in the area First command leadership chose to actively not service existing clients and instead promote only new accounts. The scars of this practice where evident when I met with several legacy clients who had been passed from advisor to advisor with little to no notification, service or real planning.
After talking with several other current and training advisors at other firms I discovered First command actually has the shortest training and mentorship period in the industry. where most firms will pay you while you get licensed first command has you do this on your own time. The difference is dramatic when you consider the 6 months you have to "go independent" vs. the 1-5 years most firms use to teach you how to build a sustainable practice.
The culture is very used car sales in fact I even I was even pitched life insurance in my interview. so choose wisely when considering this a career option.
