Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

New Commissary Patrons Will Soon Have Access to All the Features on the Commissary Website

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     Disabled Veterans and other new Commissary Patrons will have to wait before they will will have access to all the features on the MyCommissary portal. This does not affect their access to shop at the Commissary. “After the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) deploys changes to the MyCommissary portal, our new customers will be able to register their Rewards Card to access Digital coupons and use CLICK2GO at participating stores,” said Kevin L. Robinson, Public Affairs Specialist, DeCA.

      These features allow Commissary patrons to register a commissary rewards card and upload discounts and deals that are only available to authorized shoppers. The CLICK2GO program is currently being tested and will allow commissary patrons to order groceries online and then be conveniently delivered to their car. This feature will provide a convenience especially for the disabled patrons.

     The influx of 4.1 million new users necessitated changes to the MyCommissary portal. “Work to update the MyCommissary portal could not begin until completion of the new authorized user validation tables, which took longer than expected as the volume of data shared between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Defense Manpower Data Center was massive. The tables are now complete and DeCA is making needed system changes to interface with the new validation tables and must test that the validation process works and is seamless to our customers. DeCA’s system changes are expected to be completed by late February or early March,” said Robinson.

     “We ask our new customer groups to be patient as we update the portal user authentication function. The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) estimates the access will be available by late February or early March. Customers will be able to tell when the new functionality is available because DeCA will remove the access caveats for the new patron group from the website. We will also formally announce when access to MyCommissary is possible. To be clear, this does not affect our new customers’ in-store shopping access or access to many other areas of commissaries.com,” he added.    

     According to Robinson, newly eligible veterans and caregivers currently have access to many other areas of commissaries.com to include:
•       The Savings Center, which includes our basic sales flyer, information on current sales promotions, the Your Everyday Savings (YES!) program, our private label program also known as Commissary Brands and links to coupons.
•       Healthy Living, which includes DeCA’s Nutrition Guide Program, dietitian-approved recipes, healthy living resources and Thinking Outside the Box recipes that offer quick, healthy and economical solutions for busy consumers.
•       Commissary Gift Cards, available in denominations of $25 or $50.
•       Information on scheduled sidewalk sales, Healthy Lifestyle Festival events and Guard/Reserve on-site sales.
•       Food safety and food recall information.

     DeCA will make an announcement when all the features of the MyCommissary portal are available to new patrons. Check back often for commissary news and updates.

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.PeggyWhereShouldIGo.com

Are Expensive Goal Oriented and Content Planners Worth It?

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By Marguerite Cleveland

This year after seeing so many of my friends’ cool planners with everything color coded with motivating stickers, I decided to take the plunge. This was after I got over the sticker shock with most being priced at the $50 mark. So, after looking at these for over two years to decide if the investment was worth it, I finally committed and bought two different ones, a content planner and a goal-oriented planner. There are tons of planners available on Amazon at more reasonable prices and many online planners but here is why I chose the more expensive option.

  • Small Business – I am willing to pay more to support a small business especially woman owned. I was amazed at the ability of these ladies to develop a concept that works and bring a product to market.
  • Training – When you purchase a small business planner these ladies are very savvy about planning especially if it is a niche planner such as a content planner. They developed something that works. Follow them on social media and their websites for useful tips and videos on how to use their products.
  • Paper versus online – I am a paper gal. I like the feeling of writing a goal down in ink. When you commit to ink it is a more thoughtful process. And did I mention colorful pens and stickers? You just can’t get that satisfaction from an online planner. I also like the fact that you can have it in front of you as you work on your computer.

Some things to think about before you purchase one. For a content planner you want to purchase one that is focused on an online business whether it is for products or a blog. The planner should have a section that lists information you can use for planning your content such as a calendar listing all the fun days such as National Ice Cream Day or National Plan Your Vacation Day. This is very helpful planning content especially if you are short on ideas. It should have a section to track your statistics for social media. Goals are important so a section to list track goals weekly and monthly. Suggested themes for the month is also a useful planning tool. I also think stickers are an important motivator, so it is nice if that is included.

Goal Oriented Planners are also a useful tool to plan your year. You want one that gives you space to map out some ideas of things you want to do whether it is business or personal goals. You want instructions on how to come up with goals and break them down into long and short term. I also like the goal planner to be my daily planner with space for daily activities and a monthly layout as well.

One last thing you will want to purchased colored pens, pencils or markers to use with your new planner. You can use different colors for personal or business activities or for different members of your household.

 So, are expensive planners worth the cost? I think so if you are willing to use them. I find using something that’s nice often motivates me and this year these planners are going to help me stay organized and grow my business.

     Do you like to plan? What is your favorite planner?

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.PeggyWhereShouldIGo.com

Facial Hair Exemptions: Everything You Need To Know

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By Marguerite Cleveland

Facial hair except for mustaches is not allowed in all branches of the service but there are a few exceptions. The first is for medical reasons that affect shaving. The second reason is for religious reasons. Some special operators are allowed beards to blend in with local populations. Can you grow a beard in the military, the answer is no unless you have a sincerely held religious belief or you have a medical reason? It is important to note that the reason beards and facial hair are prohibited is due to the fact that respirators and chemical masks do not get a proper seal with facial hair. This can put the service member at risk. That is why it is required to be clean shaven every day.

Photo Credit: ©andranik123 /Adobe Stock

Medical reasons for not shaving usually have to do with razor bumps where hair becomes ingrown due to shaving and primarily occurs in African Americans. In this case the beard is typically limited to 1/4 inch. Some branches of the service will allow a permanent profile for this condition but recently the Navy did away with permanent shaving waivers for sailors diagnosed with razor bumps. The reason being that facial hair hinders the effectiveness of breathing devices.

The Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 1300.17, Accommodation of Religious Practices Within the Military Services prescribes policy, procedures, and responsibilities for the accommodation of religious practices in the military services. DoDI 1300.17, paragraph 4.b, states “[r]equests for religious accommodation will be resolved in a timely manner and will be approved when accommodation would not adversely impact mission accomplishment, including military readiness, unit cohesion, good order, discipline, health and safety, or any other military requirement.” This regulation allows service members to apply for a waiver of grooming standards for religious accommodation.

These requests are evaluated on a case by case basis and there is quite a bit that goes into a decision. The first is evaluating if approved would the accommodation would impair the safe and effective operation of weapons, military equipment, or machinery; pose a health or safety hazard; interfere with the wear or proper function of special or protective clothing or equipment; or otherwise impair discipline, morale, unit cohesion, or accomplishment of the unit mission.

The next step is evaluating if a service member has a deep and sincere belief in a religious faith. The Department of Defense recognizes 221 religions including; heathenry, humanism, paganism, and Wicca. Requests for waivers regarding grooming go all the way up to the Secretary level for approval. Two recent cases one which was approved and one that was disapproved show how each case is unique.

In a case which was approved a soldier who practiced the Norse Pagan faith, a heathen religion received an approval for a beard waiver in accordance with his faith. In 2017, the Army recognized waivers for Sikh soldiers allowing them to honor their religious traditions. The Air Force also approved a waiver for a pagan Airman to allow him to grow a beard.

But not all requests are the same. SPC John Hoskins, a member of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster which are known as Pastafarians, was recently denied a waiver even though he professed a deep and sincere belief in the Pastafarian faith. The reason for the refusal was that he had not demonstrated a sincerely held religious belief.

So although the military has relaxed the grooming standards for medical or religious reasons, the average service member will not be authorized to have a beard or facial hair other than a mustache.

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.PeggyWhereShouldIGo.com

Here’s How One Military Spouse Took Her Job with Her

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As military families we face so many challenges when we move, new schools, new dentists, who is going to do my hair among other things. Another difficult thing is when you found that great fitness instructor you love who really motivates you and is helping you to reach you goals and you must leave it all behind when you move. What if you could take her with you or access her classes at your next move?

Well military spouse Jamie Carbaugh, CPT PTA, Live Streaming Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor has found a solution by offering virtual personal training. Like many military spouses she struggled to find a job with each PCS. “Being a military spouse and moving constantly has its complications in the job market. I was having to wait months to find a job let alone actually starting one, only to move a couple months later. At our duty stations, I grew three fitness communities around the classes that I taught, only to leave them 2-3 years later and start from scratch again,” she said.

Carbaugh was finding the process frustrating when a dear friend reached out asking if she would be willing to train her virtually. “She noted that I was the only person she wanted to go on this journey with. That was the spark that I needed to take action and my client base has only grown from there,” she said. 

Growing up as an athlete, Carbaugh was fascinated by the body and its extraordinary capabilities. “I received my BS in Human Physiology in 2009, became a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor in 2010 and was licensed as a physical therapist assistant in 2015. My first group class grew to 70+ folks and when I realized the power that community could play within a fitness environment, I was hooked,” she said.

As her virtual fitness clientele has grown, she has found it is a good fit for her military spouse clients and for herself as well. “Finding someone that you click with as a civilian is tough, now throw moving every 2-3 years into the mix and it makes it twice as difficult. I believe that finding a group fitness instructor or personal trainer that is able to move with you is a piece that you can count on, which feels secure. It’s a piece that you can somewhat ‘control’ in a life where it sometimes seems like, so little is in our control,” said Carbaugh. “From a professional standpoint, I love that I am building something that can move with me and that I can do from most anywhere.” 

Jamie Carbaugh

Carbaugh is often asked which she prefers more, in person training or virtual. “To be frank, I thoroughly enjoy the mix of the two. A couple of my favorite things about virtual training is the connection I get to make with the individual. Being a part of the fitness industry for so long, it’s my experience that training our physical aspects is never apart from the mental and emotional aspects of us,” she said. “I love being able to get real with the client, meet them in a hotel, basement, garage or their workspace. I feel the virtual setting allows for a chance to open up about things beyond fitness, things that I wouldn’t be able to dive into if we were training in the middle of a crowded gym setting and also that I don’t have to wear deodorant because they can’t smell me (ha!).”

For more information on Jamie Carbaugh or if you have questions about starting your own virtual fitness business, she can be reached via her website or social media.

In laughter & movement

JAMIE CARBAUGH  

fitragamuffin, Live Streaming Personal Trainer

Website: fitragamuffin.com
Instagram: @fitragamuffin
Facebook: fitragamuffin

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.WanderWordsWine.com

PCS Season is Around the Corner – What To Do Now!

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Summer PCS season is right around the corner and it is not too early to start to plan even before you receive those ever-elusive orders. I’ve always been super disorganized and looked with awe at my fellow military spouses with their PCS binders and elaborate coding systems for moving boxes. I even know one friend who tapes down the dimensions of a U-Haul truck on her floor and begins packing in plastic crates and loads them in her fake U-Haul until she packs the real one a few days before the move. It is really a genius system if you can be that organized. Here are a few tips for the less organized to help keep your sanity.

  • Once you know your next duty station see what your options are for housing on post. If the waiting list is long you will need to consider other options. Rentals which will open for the summer are usually listed after the start of the year. The best ones will go fast. I personally do not like to rent sight unseen. What we typically do as a family is at Spring Break if it is close enough to drive to (about an eight-hour drive) we will go check out the new duty station as a family. If you must fly, my husband will spend spring break with the kids, and I will fly to the new location to check out schools and rental options.
  • Important Documents. We don’t use a binder, we keep everything in a fire box and that includes birth certificates, social security cards, marriage certificate, car titles, and passports. You should know where everything is but for the less organized find them and pick a way to keep track of them. I like a firebox because it is difficult to lose.
  • Start the PCS Purge. It is not too early to think about what you can get rid of. We have never gone over our weight limit by doing this. Consider getting rid of stuff in those boxes you have shipped every PCS move and never unpacked. Get rid of outgrown clothes and toys. Your local installation Thrift Shop accepts donations and profits are donated as community grants and scholarships. If you start early this doesn’t have to be stressful. I just do one room a week until complete.
  • I tend to keep a well-stocked pantry. It is too early to stop grocery shopping, but I like to get an idea of what we have and to start planning to use it up prior to our move.
  • Start thinking about how you want to move. We always use movers but a DITY move may be a good option for your family. If you have lots of stuff and especially if it is a cross country move it is just easier to have someone else do the packing and moving. PCS season is super busy so as soon as your spouse has your orders get into transportation to schedule your move. You will have better options and more likely to get the days you want.
  • The Fun Part, dreaming about your new duty station and planning your trip. We always take the full amount of travel time authorized by the military and make it a fun trip. I get online and start reconning pet friendly hotels and activities. Having a pet does limit you but we still have managed to make fun trips. The goal is not to arrive at your new duty station exhausted.

I loved all 30 of my moves (yes, it is a lot, but I was a military brat, served 12 years and became a military spouse. Yes, there are challenges, but I love seeing and living in new places. So, take the time to do some pre-planning and a little organizing for a stress free move. What are your favorite PCS tips? Post below to share.

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.PeggyWhereShouldIGo.com

Why is the National Guard or the Reserves Such a Great Option for High School Seniors?

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Do you have more children then your GI Bill transfer can fund or maybe want to use it for yourself or your spouse? The Army/Air Guard and Military Reserves can be a great job for your high school senior and help to fund a debt free education.

Active Duty is not the only way to go for military education benefits. The Reserves and National Guard offer a variety of educational benefits that make this a great option for any student but especially average students who may not qualify for any scholarships. Here are some opportunities:

  • One Weekend a Month – Do a drill weekend and pick up some extra cash. Enlistments also included access to the commissary, Exchange, and everything MWR offers.
  • As a member of the National Guard or Reserves you have access to health care with a low monthly fee.
  • Tuition Assistance – Currently you receive 100 percent which is up to $250 per semester hour. You can take up to 18 semester hours for a total of $4,500 per year.
  • The Air Force has its own Community College of the Air Force which helps you turn your military education into a degree.
  • Many career fields in the military can lead to college credit. Most schools will give you up to four hours in Physical Education credits for boot camp.
  • Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges Degree Network System (SOC DNS) – This is a great program which allows you to establish a “home college” which will grant the degree. You must take 25% of your degree credits through the “home college”. The rest of your degree can come from transfer credit from other colleges, military experience and through testing like the CLEP tests.
  • CLEP tests – These usually cost $89 each but you can take at the education center for free. This is a great way to earn college credit.
  • The Montgomery GI Bill Select Reserve (MGIB-SR) and Post-9/11 GI Bill maybe options available to you and provide money for education.
  • Student Loan Repayment – Some fields offer this bonus which helps to pay off your student loans.
  • Bonus – Some fields offer bonuses up to $20,000.
  • If you join the Army or Air National Guard, check the state that you live in for more benefits. Many states offer free tuition for members of the Guard.
  • You can check with a recruiter if your child is really interested and wants to start as soon as possible. There is a Split Option program which allows a Junior in High School to go to Basic Training the summer between their junior and senior year. Once completed they will participate in monthly drills and then complete their training the following summer.

     These are all huge educational benefits which can go a long way to paying for a college education. I think military training also helps with maturity level as well and can lead to a more positive outcome when attending college. What ways have you come up with to help your child pay for college.  

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.PeggyWhereShouldIGo.com

No More Fake Service Animals Please

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By Marguerite Cleveland

I think the lady with her dog in a front carrier like a baby carrier in the grocery store was what finally put me over the edge. Don’t get me wrong, I have a dog that I love and like to spend time with, but I would never have the audacity to bring him to a grocery store. We have all heard about the emotional support peacock and other outside the box comfort animals. It really has gotten ridiculous. You can order your own vest for a pet or a simple note from your doctor to have a comfort pet. Why should you care about this? Well now service members with dogs trained to help them are starting to get push back or being denied entry with their Service Animals. So how do you tell the difference?

Under Title III of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and virtually all state laws, a service animal is an animal that has been trained to perform work or tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability. The key word here is trained. A Service Dog has undergone extensive training to perform skills specific to a handler’s disability. In addition service dogs receive training in public access skills. They learn how to sit quietly in public and to remain under control in a variety of settings. Costs of training a dog can be over $25,000 and 50 to 70 percent of dogs fail the training. Under the ADA only dogs or miniature horses can be service animals. In contrast, an emotional support pet can be just ordering a vest for your dog online or getting a note from your doctor. People have claimed peacocks, snakes, ducks, chickens, roosters, a turkey and many other things to be a comfort animal. Another thing to note is the ADA recognizes a distinct difference between a psychiatric service dogs who is trained to resolve an anxiety attack versus an emotional support pet whose presence provides comfort.

So the ADA requires public accommodations for service animals to accompany their handler any where the handler goes. Recently the Department of Justice prohibits service animals from swimming in public pools and they can’t be placed in shopping carts. The only two questions you can ask to determine if a dog is a service animal is 1. Do you need the animal because of a disability? 2. What work or tasks has the animal been trained to perform? If someone can’t answer the second question, then the dog is not a service animal. Emotional support animals can not go into restaurants and grocery stores.

 There are some areas that must accommodate emotional support animals. The Fair Housing Act (FHA) provides protection for emotional support animals so even a non-pet friendly apartment or home may have to accommodate an emotional support animal. Airlines must comply with the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) which covers accommodations for those with disabilities on airplanes. They have typically accommodated emotional support animals but recent abuses (i.e. the Peacock) have resulted in the Department of Transportation reviewing the issue and new rules are pending.

Also be aware that some states have enacted laws which allow more access for emotional support dogs. Don ’t bring pets into areas with food like grocery stores and restaurants. If you have an emotional support dog be respectful of the fact that your pet is not a trained service animal. They do not have the same access or accommodation as protected under Title III of the ADA. Please do not make things confusing or difficult for businesses by taking your animal where it is not authorized. Protect our veterans and those who are disabled rights’ to have a service animal.

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.PeggyWhereShouldIGo.com

Last Minute Holiday Gifts from the Commissary

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Sometimes the holidays can be a little overwhelming and you may be running short on gift ideas. The ones that can be so challenging are Secret Santa gifts, teachers’ gifts and those gift exchanges where you can’t spend more than $10. Your local commissary can be a one stop shop for all these gifts and you can get your grocery shopping done at the same time. That’s a win in my book. Here are a few gift ideas:

Photo Credit: © Brent Hofacker /Adobe Stock
  • Make Your Own Charcuterie. Do you know a wine lover but don’t quite have the knowledge to select the perfect wine? A Make Your Own Charcuterie Board is the perfect gift. Hit the deli section of the commissary and head to the cheese section. Pick out one or two cheeses. Usually in baskets around the deli are a variety of hard salamis so pick a couple out. On a shelf near the deli are Delallo products which are a good addition to the basket. Jars of roasted peppers, bruschetta’s, tapenades and a box of breadsticks add variety. Make sure to grab a jar of fig jam and some fancy crackers and you have a great gift.
  • Pasta Basket. Again, visit the Delallo products and grab a few fancy pasta sauces and some of their authentic Italian Pasta and gnocchi. A box of breadsticks makes a good addition and splurge for a good hunk of parmesan cheese. If you can’t find what you need by the deli, hit the international food section which also has some good pasta ideas.
  • International Candy Basket. The commissary has such a great selection of candy from all over the world during the holidays so stock up. My civilian friends love the alcohol filled candies as they can’t always find them. The German Ritter-Sport candy is so tasty. The commissary has that year-round and it always makes a good gift. Put selections in a basket or gift bag. Keep some on stock for last minute gifts. You can always through leftovers in Christmas stockings (not the alcoholic ones).
  • Oktoberfest Basket – Visit the international section of the commissary and pick up some German products. Get some of the instant sauces in the small packets, some spätzle, potato dumplings, and potato pancakes. You can also add some of the sauces like curry ketchup and pickles. There is also usually a nice selection of German cookies.
  • Beauty items – The commissary carries nice gift boxes for both men and women with things like shampoo, body wash, shaving supplies etc. It makes nice stocking stuffers.

The best time to shop at the commissary is first thing in the morning. Insider Tip: Plan to shop during the early bird shopping. Check out is limited to 15 items but if you are planning a big trip just arrive early and shop the while the store is nearly empty. By the time you are done shopping it should be open for regular hours and you will be able to check out. So next time you are suffering gift-block, visit the commissary for some great ideas.

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.PeggyWhereShouldIGo.com

What Is Going On With Military Housing?

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I must admit my experience with military housing has overall been very positive, but I never lived on an installation until my husband was a more senior officer. Recent news reports have me horrified at what is going on with our military families and the substandard housing they have had to live in. Privatizing housing was supposed to fix all of that. These companies are racking in huge profits at the expense of our military families while receiving long term contracts, subsidies and low interest federal loans. Everything from moldy, rodent filled homes to excessive utility fees are hurting our struggling families especially the junior enlisted military members who do not have the disposable income to move.

These contracts allow companies such as Corvias Property and Balfour Beatty Communities which isn’t even a U.S. company to manage military housing. Most housing is almost always 100% occupied with usually a two-week period to turn the houses over. Only about 30-50% turnover each summer. For a landlord this is an exceptionally high rate of return netting these companies a high profit margin.

Photo Credit: ©Andrey Popov /Adobe Stock

Recently 10 military families filed a lawsuit accusing Corvias Property Management who overseas the housing at Fort Meade, of 14 charges including gross negligence and Fraud. The families say they were stuck in mold-infested, substandard housing and were unable to move because the company received their BAH each month making it difficult financially to move or by charging fees to break the lease. The suit is being closely watched by Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.) who personally had members of his staff visit Fort Meade to report on the conditions.

It is not just Fort Meade either, Corvias was also the subject of a congressional hearing relating to properties they managed in North Carolina. At all the locations families complained how their maintenance requests were rarely fixed or took way to long. Mold and rodents raised concerns about heath with many families suffering severe respiratory and allergy illnesses.

A recent Reuters investigation documented similar allegations against Balfour Beatty Communities which is even more egregious as it is not a U.S. company but based out of the United Kingdom. At multiple bases former employees related how they forged maintenance repair data reports so that Balfour Beatty could collect millions in bonuses from the Defense Department. So outrageous! The employees felt pressured to doctor the reports so they wouldn’t lose their jobs.

There are not any specifics as investigations are ongoing but the FBI and Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI) are pursuing fraud allegations at three bases and OSI is persuing allegations at a fourth base. According to the Reuters report the Army is also investigating the company.

What can you do if you are experiencing some of these issues?

  • Report to housing and schedule work orders. Mold is extremely dangerous and is considered an emergency. These work orders should be addressed immediately.
  • If you are given the run around have the service member talk to their chain of command.
  • Give the system time to work, if not the Inspector General on base may be able to help. You can write your Congressman for assistance.
  • If issues in the home put your family at risk and you wish to move but can’t financially make a visit to organization on your base like Army Emergency Relief who can assist with loans or grants.

I grew up with the saying “Don’t Air Your Dirty Laundry in Public” but when it comes to the safety and health of our military families we need to loudly say enough. Those that are in a position should help younger families who may need a voice to help them resolve and address their concerns. Often those new to the system think they must accept shoddy work. Hopefully with all the attention the substandard housing is getting in the media this will be resolved soon.

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.PeggyWhereShouldIGo.com

The Holidays are Rapidly Approaching and Commissary Gift Cards Make Great Gifts

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One of my favorite Christmas gifts one year came from an Aunt on a limited budget. She gave my Mom $25 for the family and my Mom went out and bought all kinds of treats and fun foods that we didn’t normally get to have. $25 went a lot further in those days. With our family eating nutritiously most of the time, this was a special experience my sisters and I loved. Commissary Gift Cards are a great way to gift a food experience to your family and friends that have access to the commissary. It is very special at this time of year as the commissary brings in special holiday treats from around the world.

Photo Credit: ©hedgehog94 /Adobe Stock

“We like to say that anyone can show their appreciation and support to military service members and their families around the world by giving them the gift of groceries,” said Army Command Sgt. Maj. Tomeka N. O’Neal, the Defense Commissary Agency’s senior enlisted advisor to the Defense Commissary Agency director. To make the gift even more convenient you can order them online and they can be shipped anywhere in the U.S. or to APO, FPO, and DPO addresses for those OCONUS or you can just pick them up at your local commissary.

“The program, featuring cards in denominations of $25 or $50, has been incredibly successful. Since it began in 2011, over 1 million gift cards have been sold, said Bob Bunch, DeCA’s gift card program manager. “A redemption rate that tops 90 percent shows that it’s a gift that’s not only used but is greatly appreciated. This year we’re making it even more attractive to give gift cards through the rollout of new ‘open value’ cards that let purchasers put any amount between $5 and $300 on them.”

With the new ‘open value” cards, you can determine how much you want to give. Only 40 commissaries can load amounts on the cards. If your commissary is not one of the 40, you can buy them online. Eventually all commissaries will have the capability. You will also be able to purchase in Navy Exchanges with a partnership between NEXCOM and DeCA.

“Separations created by the demands of military service are a tough part of military life,” O’Neal said. “Whether it’s a single service member or a family, using commissary gift cards lifts spirits. The commissary’s quality products and services remind them of home and they can save their money to use on other things to make their holidays memorable

Commissary Gift Card Facts

  • Gift cards are available online and at all commissaries worldwide.
  • Cards are good for five years from the date of purchase.
  • Cards purchased online incur a shipping and handling fee. There are no fees when the card is purchased in a store.
  • There is no limit to the number of gift cards that a purchaser can buy. It’s recommended that organizations and activities consider buying their gift cards online if they plan to purchase more than 50 cards at a time.
  • Cards can be shipped anywhere in the United States. When shipping outside the United States, an APO, FPO or DPO address must be used.
  • To check a gift card’s balance, go online and then click the “Check your balance” box.
  • There’s a phone number, 877-988-4438, on the back of the gift cards that can handle customer service questions. Customers can also use this number to check the balance on their card.

The 40 Commissaries that carry the new Open Gift Card

  • Virginia: Fort Eustis, Langley Air Force Base, Fort Lee, Fort Myer, Norfolk Naval Shipyard Scott Center Annex, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, Naval Base Norfolk, Fort Belvoir, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Naval Air Station Oceana, Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren.
  • Maryland: Fort Detrick, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Dover Air Force Base, Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Joint Base Andrews, Naval Support Activity Annapolis, Forest Glen, Fort Meade
  • Connecticut: Submarine Base New London
  • Maine: Bangor Air National Guard Base
  • New Jersey: Picatinny Arsenal, Lakehurst and McGuire Commissaries at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst
  • Pennsylvania: Carlisle Barracks, Tobyhanna Army Depot
  • New York: Mitchel Field, Saratoga Springs, Fort Drum, U.S. Military Academy (West Point), Fort Hamilton
  • North Carolina: Marine Corps Air Station New River, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
  • Massachusetts: Hanscom Air Force Base
  • Washington, D.C.: Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling
  • Rhode Island: Naval Education and Training Center Newport
  • South Carolina: Fort Jackson, Naval Weapons Station Charleston and Charleston Air Force Base at Joint Base Charleston, Shaw Air Force Base


For more information visit more time and money by visiting the online customer portal, My Commissary).

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.PeggyWhereShouldIGo.com