Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

Debunking Spouse Club Myths…

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By Marguerite Cleveland

     So you have arrived at your new duty station and want to meet new friends, should you join the Spouses’ Club? I have always enjoyed my time with Spouses Clubs especially when I had small children at home. It was so nice to go to a luncheon and have “adult” time with other ladies. The best part about spouses clubs are the sub clubs which are where a group of spouses get together to enjoy shared interests. Popular ones include wine club, book club, lunch bunch (how fun to just go out to lunch, so low stress) and fitness or running clubs. Many spouses have misconceptions about the clubs or maybe had a bad experience at another club. Here are some common objections and why you should ignore them.

Photo Credit: ©deagreez /Adobe Stock

Spouses Clubs are run by snooty senior spouses.

     Now clubs are run by a variety of volunteers and senior spouses tend to serve more as mentors. Clubs are now all ranks community clubs not separated for spouses of officers or enlisted members.

Spouses Clubs are cliquey and I won’t know anybody.

     Military spouses are the friendliest people I know. Most clubs have a hospitality chair which helps to welcome new members. At the beginning of a club year usually August or September there is a sign up event. So many people are new each year and looking to make friends just like you are. I’ve always enjoyed the comradery I’ve found with my fellow military spouses. They know what you are going through and are always there for you. It is such a great way to meet new friends especially if you join a sub club. Can you imagine how nice it is to have lunch buddies or a group of friends to sample new wines?

I will have to volunteer.

     Most likely someone will ask you to volunteer as clubs seem to always be short on volunteers but there is no obligation. At one assignment, we lived far from the base so I just attended the monthly luncheons. Also volunteering is not all or nothing. You can volunteer for just a single event or activity. I’ll be honest, I used to be the last person in the world who would volunteer for anything but when my children went to a school that had mandatory volunteer hours. I tried to get out of it due to my husband’s deployment but they wouldn’t budge. It turned out to be such a positive experience for me. Even though it was work, I still feel like I gained much more than I put out. Volunteering forces you to look at someone other than yourself.

     So the next time, you PCS to a new duty station, consider joining the Spouse’s club.

It’s Commissary Sidewalk Sale Time

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     It’s Sidewalk Sale Time at DeCA Commissaries around the world. The events take place in August and September. Visit the Sidewalk Sale Schedule to find when your commissary is having a sale. Most stores will have a two or three day outdoor sale depending on weather.

    “If you need to save money on items for school lunches or after-school snacks, you cannot afford to miss these sidewalk sales,” said Army Command Sgt. Maj. Tomeka N. O’Neal, senior enlisted advisor to the DeCA director. “These events are like experiencing a warehouse club store right outside the commissary.”

     The sale will offer savings on case and club-pack items similar to those you would find in commercial club stores like Sam’s Club or Costco. Savings vary but you can save up to 50% off regular prices on some items. Each commissary selects what items are available. According to Kevin L. Robinson, Public Affairs Specialist, Defense Commissary Agency, “Generally these sales will have detergents, paper products, cereal, box drinks, soda, tea, pet food, cheese, yogurts, body wash, bar soap, shampoo, baby wipes, diapers, and frozen meat. For the fall event, the frozen items are concentrated on frozen hamburgers, chicken, sausage, and ice cream.”

Photo Credit: ©Pavel Losevsky /Adobe Stock

     There will also be items from the following categories:

•       Pet supplies to include bagged and canned food, treats and cat litter 
•       International foods such as Italian, Asian and Hispanic items 
•       Cookies, brownies, pancakes and muffin mixes 
•       Canned fruit and vegetables 
•       Sandwich, storage and freezer bags; paper products and cleaning supplies such as bathroom tissue, fabric sheets and laundry detergent 
•       Health and beauty care including diapers, wipes, soaps and body lotions

     Several commissaries will partner with exchanges for certain promotions linked to this event. In addition to the case lot formats like those found in commercial club stores, commissary sidewalk events also offer “mix and match” packages of similar items in bulk-size cases.

     “Shopping your commissary is always a good deal, but the opportunities to save more during commissary sidewalk sales make a good deal even better,” O’Neal said. Sidewalk Sales take place in the Spring (April-May) and the Fall (August – September) each year.

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

‘Prepare your survival kits’

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Military resale patrons can save money on their critical supplies

By Kevin L. Robinson, DeCA public affairs specialist

FORT LEE, Va. – The Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California, community had no clue before the Independence Day holiday that their celebratory fireworks would be overshadowed by two earthquakes on consecutive days, July 4-5.

Although the commissary reopened in less than a week, and electricity and water were restored to most of the base shortly after the second earthquake, it would be weeks before any sense of normalcy returned to the sprawling desert base.

In September, National Preparedness Month highlights the importance of being ready for emergencies. It’s a message service members and their families should take to heart, said Tracie Russ, the Defense Commissary Agency’s director of sales.

“It’s not a question of ‘if’ bad weather will strike or an unplanned event will leave you without electricity or water,” Russ said. “So apply the lessons of Preparedness Month and take advantage of your commissary and exchange benefits to save money as you prepare your survival kits.”

From April through Oct. 31, DeCA’s severe weather preparedness promotional package is offering various items for those survival kits at reduced prices. This package includes: beef jerky and other assorted meat snacks, soup and chili mixes, canned goods, powdered milk, cereals, batteries, airtight bags, weather-ready flashlights, tape (all-weather, heavy-duty shipping and duct), first-aid kits, lighters, matches, lanterns, candles, hand sanitizer and anti-bacterial wipes. Specific promotional items may vary from store to store.

Photo Credit: ©photka /Adobe Stock

The theme for this year’s National Preparedness Month is “Prepared, Not Scared.” The month is separated into four activities: Sept. 1-7 – save early for disaster costs; Sept. 8-14 – make a plan to prepare for disasters; Sept. 15-21 – teach youth to prepare for disasters; and Sept. 22-30 – get involved in your community’s preparedness.

Generally, emergency preparedness officials suggest having a disaster supply kit that includes the following items:

  • Water – at least one gallon daily, per person (three-day supply for evacuation, two-week supply for home)
  • Nonperishable foods – canned meats, fruits, vegetables, dried fruits, nuts, raisins, cereal, crackers, cookies, energy bars, granola, peanut butter, and foods for infants and the elderly (three-day supply for evacuation, two-week supply for home)
  • Paper goods – writing paper, paper plates, paper towels and toilet paper
  • Cooking items – pots, pans, baking sheets, cooking utensils, charcoal, a grill and a manual can opener
  • First-aid kit – including bandages, medicines and prescription medications
  • Cleaning materials – bleach, sanitizing spray, and hand and laundry soap
  • Specialty foods – diet and low-calorie foods and drinks
  • Toiletries – personal hygiene items and moisture wipes
  • Pet care items – food, water, muzzle, leash, carrier, medications, medical records, and identification and immunization tags
  • Lighting accessories – flashlight, batteries, candles and matches
  • Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA weather radio, if possible)
  • Duct tape, scissors
  • Multipurpose tool
  • Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates and insurance policies)
  • Cell phone with chargers
  • Family and emergency contact information
  • Extra cash
  • Emergency blanket
  • Maps of the area
  • Blankets or sleeping bags

            Commissary patrons can go to commissaries.com for web links to a variety of disaster preparedness resources.

For more information about National Preparedness Month, go to Ready.gov where there are also links to more resources such as the Hurricane Seasonal Preparedness Digital Toolkit. Military families can also find information on emergency procedures specific to their service.

-DeCA-

LinkedIn Premium, Free for Military Spouses

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A useful tool for networking and job search

LinkedIn is a great tool to help you in a job search and networking. Did you know LinkedIn offers a free year of LinkedIn Premium Membership for military spouses? The best part is it is not a onetime deal. It is available each time you PCS, change your career or suffer a job loss.  This benefit is due to a partnership between the Department of Defense Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program and LinkedIn’s Military and Veterans Program.

To get started you need to set up a MySECO account  on Military OneSource. Once you set up the account visit the My Transition page. There are three ways to get access to LinkedIn Premium. You can set up an appointment with a SECO career coach by using Live Chat on the MySECO website or call Military OneSource. The second is to register for an online live webinar and the third is to take the self-paced training course, “Leveraging LinkedIn Premium” on MilLIfe Learning. Once you have completed the training by one of these three methods you will receive a confirmation code that will allow free access to LinkedIn Premium for one year.

 I found the process a little confusing as you have to set up two accounts, one for MySECO and a second one on MilLife Learning. It is all accessed through Military OneSource and would be so much easier to access everything from one account. Once I figured everything out it was a pretty simple process. The training was pretty easy and once complete you get a code for your free year of LinkedIn.

In addition to more features on your account, LinkedIn also has a learning path for military spouses. Once you have access to your LinkedIn Premium account click on Learning in the top menu. Once there, search Military Spouse and the pathway will show in the search results. This is a good place to start. There are 19 hours of content starting with a block of instruction on LinkedIn Premium. The pathway can help you make a career plan and explore options like freelance work and working remotely.

LinkedIn is like Facebook for professionals and has many networking opportunities. One is the Department of Defense Military Spouse LinkedIn group. There are actually recruiters who are looking to hire military spouses and membership in this group lets them know you are a military spouse. It also allows you to connect to your peers to help in your networking.

Photo Credit: ©nd3000 /Adobe Stock

If you are actively searching for a job then LinkedIn is a no brainer to help you reach the contacts you need to meet your employment goals. If you are getting ready to PCS you can start your job hunt online and research companies and job opportunities. Connect with military spouses in the LinkedIn Group to get insight into the job market at your next destination.

Have you had any success using LinkedIn?

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

Should You Homeschool – Why Military Families are Choosing Homeschool Over Public

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By Marguerite Cleveland

     Military families face many challenges with their children enduring frequent school changes. They are either ahead or behind each new school. Many families are turning to homeschooling to provide more stability for their children. I turned to my friend, Mary (name changed to protect families privacy) who homeschool all five of her children. She currently has 3 college graduates who were all accepted to competitive schools and received scholarships, a junior and one in 8th grade. With over 20 years of homeschooling under her belt, she has a track record of success.

Why is homeschooling a great option for military families?

     Living at Ft. Irwin, the school on post was very academically behind the Catholic school we had attended at our last duty station. The “local” catholic school was an hour drive each way on a long, thin, road in the desert.  We still had other small children and felt a 2 hour drive was not something we wanted.  So for us, the start of homeschooling was because we wanted a faith-filled education but it wasn’t accessible.

     We realized our oldest had gaps and holes in her math and science education from changing schools 3 times between Kindergarten & 3rd grade. We found she could complete her entire day of school in 2 hours. This enabled us to travel all over CA, visit family, complete field trips, CA missions, Grand Canyon and see the giant redwoods. Real life became a bonus education.

     For the kids to have any time with their dad, we needed to be available whenever he was available.  This continued through 2011.  So when dad had block leave in October or February, the kids had school vacation.  When dad was gone, we did school through the summer and often on weekends. During this time, we also moved high schoolers in middle of fall and spring semesters.  We would have had to stay behind and miss out on time as a family.

Photo Credit: ©Rawpixel.com /Adobe Stock

     Since 2011, we haven’t lived in one place more than 20-30 mos. Homeschooling has made the moves and transitions smoother.  We started with an academic purpose, but continued because we became accustomed to the freedom of our own schedule.  Additionally, the kids had more time to participate in multiple extracurriculars such as sailing teams, swim teams, scouts, youth groups, etc.

When OCONUS stationed, what makes homeschooling so great?

    When stationed overseas, homeschoolers are able to participate in DODEA classes and sports.  We opted for sports.  Outside of the academics, we traveled to 15 countries in 20 months.  The kids were responsible for directing us to train platforms, airline gates, bus stations, etc.  I would make the itinerary and they would plan the transportation.  They also had the advantage of seeing so much history, culture:   They stood next to Caesar’s burial, walked through Mozart’s childhood home, stood 4 feet from Pope Francis and rode bikes to all the Sound of Music sights. I can’t type enough about the experience living overseas gave them.  All are capable of traveling the world.

What are the keys to success and how do you stay organized?

     Success is measured differently by each family. For us, we wanted our children to have a worldly view of life. We wanted them to know how to crunch numbers and write papers, as well as look people in the eye and speak to anyone of any age, lastly, but most importantly, we prayed they would be faith filled and good citizens.

     In order to accomplish our goals, we needed to be organized and we all needed to have good discipline. The discipline to get up on time (alarms) and do what is needed each day. If they didn’t finish their work due to their own laziness or disobedience, they did not participate in outside activities that day.  Anything not complete by Friday would earn them Saturday school.

     Our rule for curriculum has always been, “If it doesn’t work for mom, it’s not going to work for the child.”  We follow a schedule and a few rules.  We school 8am-1pm, sometimes less, sometimes more.  We have an annual goal for each child. Then we break it down into weekly goals. 

     We started our kids in 8th grade with online classes. They meet weekly or bi-weekly in an adobe classroom with a teacher and 15-18 other students. The teacher goes over the material, gives assignments and deadlines, and grades the work. They’ve had teachers who broke up the class into debate groups. The groups coordinate who is covering which portion, pass information through emails and conduct the debate in class.

     When it came to the upper levels, I did not try to teach subjects I was unfamiliar with. Online classes for some kids included Chemistry, Adv. Chemistry, Calculus, and Physics. Some places we’ve lived the kids took classes with other homeschoolers in a family’s home or a co-op type environment.  Our kids have also been dual enrolled in community college courses. This year, our son will take Chemistry from another homeschool mom who used to teach science at the local university.  Our daughter will take a computer apps class from the same teacher.

So, while we started because one child was missing math topics, we continued because of the freedom it gave our family.  I never thought I would homeschool. Then I never thought I would homeschool high school. But here we are, 21 years later with 5 more years to go.

     If you decide to homeschool your children make sure to visit the School Support Services or Liaison Officer on your installation. They can help you make sure you are in compliance with state laws, for example Washington State regulates home schooling. Also check your local MWR which has many programs for homeschoolers. At JBLM, there are sports programs, art classes, and a school center with a gym, computer room, art room and even a cooking space all available to homeschoolers.

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

Ready for Some Football? Shop the Commissary to Save on Tasty Items for Your Party or Tailgating

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NEWS RELEASE

Defense Commissary Agency

Corporate Communications

1300 E Avenue, Fort Lee, VA 23801-1800

Tel:  (804) 734-8000, Ext. 8-6105  DSN: 687-8000, Ext. 8-6105 

FAX: (804) 734-8248  DSN: 687-8248

www.commissaries.com

Release Number:         62-19                                                                                                                        

Date:                              August 5 2019

Media Contact:             Kevin L. Robinson, public affairs specialist

Tel.:                                (804) 734-8000, Ext. 4-8773

E-mail:                           kevin.robinson@deca.mil

Ready for some football?

Shop the commissary to save on tasty items needed for your watch party or tailgating event

By Rick Brink,

DeCA public affairs specialist

Note: Go to the DeCA website to see the news release online.

FORT LEE, Va. – You name it – from brats, wings and steaks, to chips, drinks and fresh vegetables – your commissary has what you need to make your football tailgate or watch party so memorable that you won’t care if your team wins or loses.

Well, it might not take away the sting of a loss, but it will relieve some of the burden put on your wallet to buy so much food.

“Commissary shoppers have a variety of tastes and traditions when it comes to tailgating and football watch parties. We have what they’re looking for at prices that bring greater enjoyment because they’re spending less for more,” said Tracie Russ, the Defense Commissary Agency’s director of sales.

“And we have what fits their lifestyle,” Russ added. “Whether it’s cooking from scratch, or heating up pre-cooked frozen items, we have it at their commissary.”

Here’s a simple checklist of things to look for at your commissary:

  • Meat – from fresh to frozen, you’ll find a wide variety of chicken, hamburger, steaks, brats luncheon meats and pre-cooked meats.
  • Fruits and veggies – out of the bin or in platters made to order, commissaries are loaded with produce fare to augment that main menu.
  • Beverages – from water to juice to soft drinks, commissaries have something for everybody’s taste buds.
  • Snacks, sides and condiments – any grocery store worth its salt has what it takes to fill a bowl or two with just about any type of salad you can think about, and then there’s a tremendous variety of salty snacks and dips to go with them. Don’t forget condiments and sauces.
  • Paper plates, napkins and utensils – who wants to do dishes after having a blast? Also, get your garbage bags so you won’t leave a mess behind.
  • Sunscreen – even if your tailgate has shade or a canopy, you’ll want to take measures to avoid getting sunburnt.
Photo Credit: ©arinahabich /Adobe Stock

DeCA reminds patrons they can also save on their tailgating supplies by visiting commissaries.com for online access to digital coupons via the Commissary Rewards Card, current sales promotions, information on commissary brands, the current sales flyer, the Your Everyday Savings (YES!) program and more.

Plus, throughout the month, m­ilitary commissaries are offering discounts beyond everyday savings, especially in displays at the ends of the aisles, where stores showcase products with extra-low prices.

-DeCA-

How Will 3 Million More People Shopping at the Commissary and Exchanges Affect You?

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By Marguerite Cleveland

    Beginning January 1, 2020, you may see more shoppers at your local Commissary and Exchange, up to three million more. The FY 2019 National Defense Authorization Act expands the eligibility to former prisoners of war, Purple Heart recipients, disabled Veterans (service-connected) and caregivers for Veterans will now have shopping privileges as well as use of base MWR programs that generate revenue. It is the largest expansion of authorized users in over 60 years authorizing a 50% increase in potential customers.

     On a positive note, more shoppers are a way to reverse the declining revenues for on-base stores. More revenue for the Exchanges means more money towards military quality of life. For the commissary it will help to keep the commissary privilege which is a huge noncash compensation benefit for service members. Three million seems like a lot of new patrons but that will be spread out across all branches of the service and all the facilities in the U.S. making the impact negligible.

     For military families who have grown accustomed to shopping at the commissaries and exchanges and their service member maybe facing a medical board. It will be an added benefit to know that they will still be able to enjoy the discounted prices if their service member is medically discharged.

     The Military Times reported that Homeland Security (Coast Guard facilities), the Defense Department and Veteran Affairs have been working for more than six months to plan for the new expansion. The planning process has looked at which states have high populations of disabled veterans such as Florida, California and Texas. They also looked at high cost areas where new patrons could be drawn by the lower prices such as Hawaii, Alaska, California, D.C., New York, New Jersey and Washington. They will use this analysis to prepare for the additional items which will be needed to keep shelves full and avoid any shortages.

     One issue is how the new shoppers will gain access to the installations so they can shop. According to the Military Times, the Veteran’s Health ID Card will be used for disabled and other eligible Veterans. Once the technology is enabled at the front gate, the cards will be scanned to allow access to the installation. The cards will also be read by commissary systems before checkout. For caregivers, you must be registered in the Department of Veterans Affairs Caregiver Program. Initially there will be a memo you can print out. The goal is to develop a caregiver ID card.

     By law there can be no further expense to the commissary, so new customers paying with a credit card at the commissary will be charged a fee, to cover the commissaries cost for the credit card fee. There is no fee if a new shopper uses cash, check or the military star card.

Photo Credit: ©AntonioDiaz /Adobe Stock

     Do you think adding new shoppers to the commissary and exchanges are a good idea? How do you think it will impact your shopping experience?

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

How to Save on Your Back to School Shopping

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By Marguerite Cleveland

     The first day of school is right around the corner and it is time to get ready. Clothes, shoes, lunch boxes and school supplies can be a large expense. Here are some tips to help you save some money.

Photo Credit: ©zaikina /Adobe Stock
  • Make your first stop your Army & Air Force Exchange, Navy Exchange or Coast Guard Exchange. All offer back to school sales and extra savings come into play with tax-free. Here where I live in Washington State that is almost a 10% savings. Also don’t forget the online versions of each, ShopmyExchange.com, myNavyExchange.com, and ShopCGX.com. Not many people are aware that the Exchanges price match. Last school year one of my children needed an expensive calculator. It was on sale at a local retailer. You will need to bring the item and the local ad to the customer service desk to get the discounted price and then you also save the tax. When you shop at the exchange all the profits go back to the military community so it is always my first stop.
  • Office Depot, Staples and many other retailers offer special deals to get you into the stores hoping you will do all your school supply shopping there. I go in for the deals and buy the max amount of all the .25 cent and .50 cent deals even if I don’t need in. Any excess supplies I donate. Discounts are usually on paper, notebooks, pencils, glue sticks, folders etc. Buy a Sunday newspaper to look at all the ads. Weekly ads are usually available on a store’s website.
  • Take a trip to an Outlet Mall. This is another option for getting some good deals. When arriving head to the customer service desk and ask for the military discount booklet. This will show you every retailer that offers a discount. Some are as much as 25% off. Also see if you have any clearance outlets. This is the last stop for merchandise and the prices are crazy good but the selection is super limited. If you have any family members who wear extra small or xxx large this is a great option.
  • Employee Stores. Check if you are near any major retailers headquarters. We are located near Portland, Oregon and Nike allows military to shop at their employee store a few times a year. Columbia and Under Armor allow military to shop year round. Typically employee stores offer 50% or more off of current and first quality merchandise.
  • Online. Check out sites like Amazon Prime for some great deals with free shipping. It is easy to price compare online and if you hate to shop you can just sit down and order everything.

What are your favorite back to school shopping tips?

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

Help Your Child Get Ready For A New School: Tips to Ease Their Way

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By Marguerite Cleveland

     One of the most difficult parts of a PCS move is helping a child navigate a new school system. I attended six schools from K-12 and in one epic year three schools. My own children have attended six schools as well. It is a rite of passage for military kids and one they will survive. I was a very shy and quiet child and the frequent moves helped bring me out of my shell. I have seen the same positive effects on my eldest who was on the shy side as well.

     One of the best intros to a new school my youngest had was when shortly after we had moved in there was a knock on the door and this confident kid bounced in and said that he heard my son was going to his school and he wanted to meet him. They spent time hanging out over the summer. On the first day of school my son thought he might be abandoned, but his new friend made a point to introduce him to everyone.

Photo Credit: ©candy1812 /Adobe Stock

Even though there are positives it is still tough being the new kid. Here are a few tips to help make the transition easier.

  • Never tell your child how hard it is going to be or put your own fears upon them. Let the child reflect how they are feeling. Listen and acknowledge, but don’t feed their fears with your own.
  • Check to see if your child’s new school offers any summer programs. This will give them an opportunity to meet other children from their school.
  • Look at the Youth Programs on your installation and sign your children up for some fun activities. If you live on a military base chances are they will meet children going to their new school.
  • Sports Camps are another way for your children to meet other kids.
  • Schedule a tour of the new school for your children. Take advantage of any orientations or opportunities to meet teachers before the first day of school. Ask if your school has a program to pair new students with a peer sponsor.
  • Make sure you and your child are prepared for the first day. Read the school handbook and ensure you know all the rules especially the dress code which varies across the country. Purchase all required school supplies. Your child just wants to blend in and not stand out due to wrong clothes, supplies etc. Learn the school lunch policy. If you are going to purchase lunch make sure to set up the lunch account. If packing lunch ensure there are not any forbidden foods. Many schools now regulate lunches due to food allergies.

     With proper preparation you can help your child’s transition to a new school run smoothly. If it is not a new school for your child encourage them to meet and welcome the new kids. What are your tips to help your child adjust to a new school?

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

Army Active Duty Enlistment Bonus Up To $40K

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By Marguerite Cleveland

     In an effort to meet the recruiting mission for infantry training seats for Fiscal Year 2019 which ends on September 30th, the Army is offering a bonus of $40,000 for a six year commitment as an Infantry Soldier. There is a caveat though, you must enlist and ship to basic training by September 30, 2019.

     Plenty of information is available online at www.GoArmy.com but there are so many things that impact whether you are eligible for a certain program or bonus. To get the most accurate information tailored for your needs whether that is a bonus, money for college or a particular job, you should make an appointment to see an Army Recruiter.

     In addition to the bonuses offered to those interested in the Infantry there are others available as well. Some are combinable but the current cap is $40,000. New Recruits are eligible for a bonus is they enlist for a certain job and they must be physically and mentally qualified. This is determined by taking the ASVAB test and a physical conducted at a Military Entrance Station (MEPS). It also depends on availability of training. There are only so many slots each year allocated for training. In addition to enlistment bonuses here are a few more you may not know about.

  • Active Duty Education Bonus (HIGRAD) – Some Army Military Occupational Specialties designated as an incentive skill offer bonuses for civilian education varying from $3000 to $5000 if you have an Associate’s degree or higher.
  • Civilian Acquired Skills Bonus : Active Army applicants who possess civilian skills that the Army needs, such as proficiency in certain foreign languages, X-Ray certification or specialties in animal care, may be eligible for a $5,000 bonus.
  • High Demand MOS : Applicants who enlist for three or more years in the following jobs may qualify for additional seasonal bonuses ranging from $3,000 to $15,000. Current (subject to change based on Army requirements) high demand MOSs include:

              17C (Cyber Operations Specialist)

             35Q (Cryptologic Cyberspace Intelligence Collector)

             18X (Spec Forces; Elementary Lang Proficiency)

             37F (Psychological Operations Specialist)

             25D (Cyber Network Defender)

             35P (Cryptologic Linguist)

             35M (Human Intelligence Collector: Lang Proficiency

             14P (Air Missile Defense Crew Member)

             15W (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) 

  • Middle Eastern Translator Aide Bonus: Individuals who speak certain Middle-Eastern languages and enlist, as Translator Aides in the U.S. Army are eligible for an enlistment bonus up to $40,000 depending on the number of years enlisted for and any other qualifying bonus criteria met.

     Enlistment Bonuses are subject to change at any time. With the new fiscal year approaching on October 1, 2019 bonuses will change based on the new recruiting mission and budget. It is also important to note that you must qualify as well to receive a bonus. For the most accurate and up to date information contact your local Army Recruiter.

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