One Associate—More Than 700 Sign-Ups in FY25

MILITARY STAR® card ambassador Sharon Ruggles, customer experience associate, is turning everyday interactions into opportunities for education—helping more than 700 Fort Leonard Wood PX shoppers build credit responsibly in FY 2025.

Ruggles, averaging more than 75 sign-ups a month, has contributed to more than half of the store’s 1,230 acquisitions—making her the top ambassador worldwide. Year to date, ambassadors have averaged 35 registrations a month.

Besides informing shoppers about the card’s fair and flexible terms, such as an industry-low APR and no annual, late or overlimit fees, Ruggles said she takes a personal approach with shoppers.

“It’s the personality, smile and being able to relate to the person in so many ways,” Ruggles said. “I try to get as personal as I can. My husband and I have had the MILITARY STAR card for 28 years. We used it in Italy, Germany and Hawaii.”

The MILITARY STAR card is accepted by military exchanges and commissaries worldwide, helping service members and their families strengthen their financial readiness wherever they are stationed. The card is also accepted by Exchange restaurants, Air Force Services and Morale, Welfare and Recreation activities; third-party vendors and concessionaires.

Ruggles said for many shoppers, the MILITARY STAR card is also their first line of credit.

Fort Leonard Wood is home to the U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence. Thousands of Soldiers, as well as Airmen, Sailors, Marines, Coast Guard members and international student from allied countries, receive training at the installation each year for chemical, engineering or military police-related roles. Fort Leonard Wood is also one of five installations providing basic training.

“A lot of the Soldiers are young,” Ruggles said “Sometimes, they’ll tell me they don’t know how to use one, so I do tell them how to use a credit card in a way I’d understand if I were in their shoes. Once you’ve purchased something, you need to pay your bill. That’s where the personal responsibility comes in.”

It’s also important to clear up misconceptions, Ruggles said.

“Sometimes, I’ll get someone who’ll say, ‘Well, I’ve heard this and that about the card, so I’m not getting it.’ I do take the time to ask why and clear up any misconceptions,” Ruggles said. “I’ll ask them to please hear my approach or to hear what I need to say so they can be clear on the situation.”

In 1979, Congress approved military resale credit services to protect service members and their families from predatory lending, rent-to-own schemes and payday loans. Today, the MILITARY STAR card is a valuable tool, helping the military community strengthen its financial health while safely building credit—regardless of credit score.

“I say, ‘This is where the military supports the military,’” Ruggles said. “They want you to build your credit responsibly. Everyone has to start somewhere.”

Ruggles said she gives credit to God for her success and consistency in the ambassador program.

“I give it all to God,” Ruggles said. “God gives me strength and power. And every time I get one, I say, ‘Thank you, Jesus,’ because he’s the one that gets it for me.”