Michelle Volkmann MilitaryShoppers Page 8

Guard, Reservists Can Shop at Commissary On-Site Sales This Summer

06/15/2015 By Michelle Volkmann

One of the challenges of National Guard life is not living near a military commissary.

Since November 2003, members of the Guard and Reserve–including the Ready Reserve, Selected Reserve, Individual Ready Reserve, Inactive National Guard, Guard and Reserve retirees and their authorized family members–have had unlimited access to commissaries.

But just because they have the access, doesn’t mean they are always able to use it. Some Guard and Reserve families are not able to use this benefit because of the location of commissaries in relation to where they live.

That’s why DeCA created the Guard/Reserve On-site Sales Program. The Guard/Reserve On-site Sales Program provides the commissary benefit to National Guard and Reserve members and their families that live in areas that are not close to an existing commissary store.

We bring the benefit directly to you at these sales which provide patrons savings of 30% or more; the same as active duty military and their families who shop the commissaries on a regular basis.

—Commissaries.com

How does it work?

National Guard or Reserve units with at least 150 members stationed in an area can have a on-site sale, if the host commissary agrees. The host commissary selects the items for the sale. In some cases, patrons may pre-order products and then pay for those items at the on-site sale.

How can my unit get an on-site sale?

Contact your unit representative. This person can request the on-site sale through the nearest commissary. In the past, the commissary has brought the items to a warehouse for sale on a weekend.

Here is the 2015 schedule for on-site sales:

June 19-20

205th Engineer Batallion

1025th Eng CO Vertical

1320 N. Columbia St

Covington, LA 70433

June 26-27

HQ 1015 Maintenance Co

5015 N 34th St, Bldg 900

Forest Park, GA 30297-5122

1072nd Transportation PLS

Hammer Field Armory

5575 E. Airways Blvd

Fresno, CA 93727

July 9-11

482nd Fighter Wing

Homestead ARB, Bldg 920

Homestead, FL 33030

July 12-13

222nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Battalion

1065 N Airport Lane

Cedar City, UT 84721-8410

Sept. 11-12

308th Medical Logistics Co

3323 Deseret Drive

St George, UT 84790

These commissary on-site sales are not only for Guard and Reserve members. Any authorized shopper can buy items at an on-site sale.

For more information about the Guard/Reserve On-site Sales Program visit commissaries.com. Check it often because additional sale dates are regularly added to the schedule.

Will Our Children Be Too Fat to Serve?

06/12/2015 By Michelle Volkmann

Childhood obesity is a national epidemic that plagues both civilian and military families.

DoD launched a program called 5210 to encourage military children to eat healthy and be active.

According to the report, Too Fat to Fight, 75 percent of all young Americans 17 to 24 years of age are unable to join the military because they failed to graduate from high school, have criminal records or are physically unfit.

This 2011 report also notes that the Army’s Accessions Command, which carries the responsibility for recruiting and the initial training of new Army recruits, estimates “that more than 27 percent of all Americans 17 to 24 years of age—over 9 million young men and women—are too heavy to join the military if they want to do so.”

That’s right, 27 percent of the next generation is unable to qualify for military service because of their physical conditions.

Besides being unable to follow in their parent’s footsteps of volunteering to serve in the military, obese military children are more likely to experience certain health risks such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancer. An overweight child or teen today is likely to become an obese adult in the future.

Knowing this, DoD recently launched a program called 5210 to encourage military children to eat healthy and be active. The 5210 campaign recommends 4 strategies for military families to engage in a healthy lifestyle. The 5210 campaign breaks down like this:

5: Eat 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables

2: Limit screen time to 2 or less hours

1: Engage in physical activity for at least 1 hour

0: Avoid sweetened drinks including soda, sports drinks and fruit drinks

When I read these guidelines, I think it’s pretty obvious that 5210 makes sense. If we all engaged in these behaviors, we will all be healthier and more active.

How do you encourage your children to be active and eat healthy?

But with school out for the summer and my husband on deployment, when I look closely at my children’s behavior, I have to admit that I struggle to achieve these daily goals. For example, I have one child who prefers fruit and vegetables and won’t eat meat. In contrary, my other child won’t eat any vegetables…unless you count French fries as a vegetable. But she will eat fruit. Does that mean I feed her a lot of fruit and cross my fingers that she gets 5 servings?

Now let’s talk about that screen time recommendation. My daughters love their Disney movies and when I’m working from home, I tend to use the television as a tool for me and a distraction for my children so that I can get my work done. My children definitely watch more than 2 hours of screen time when they are home with me. But if I have them run around the playground for 2 hours every day, does that offset their time watching PBS Kids?

The 5210 campaign is a helpful reminder of things that I already know as a parent. My children need to eat more produce and spend more time outside this summer. I’m trying to see 5210 as a welcomed excuse to hit the pool and go for afternoon bike rides together. As long as I can be strong enough to shut off the television.

How do you encourage your children to be active and eat healthy? Tell us in the comments section.

Want to Buy a House Using a VA Loan? 4 Things You Need to Know

06/05/2015 By Michelle Volkmann

Summertime is prime real estate time. Many military families are moving to new duty stations located in communities where it may make more sense to buy instead of rent a house. Other military families are separating from service and they are looking to buy their forever home this summer.

Are you thinking of buying a house? What’s your financing plan for your mortgage? Does your service member want to use his or her VA loan? Do you qualify for a VA loan?

4 Things Military Families Need to Know about VA Loans

With a VA loan, military families are not required to make a 20 percent down payment when buying a house.

The VA loan is a benefit for military service members that you might not know a lot about. Unlike the commissary or Tricare, which you use reguarly, a VA loan is a one-time or maybe twice in a lifetime benefit.

With a VA loan, veterans may qualify for a mortgage loan guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The loans aren’t issued by the VA, but instead the agency provides a guaranty on each qualified mortgage loan. Since the loan is guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, financial institutions do not require homeowners to buy Private Mortgage Insurance (a monthly fee when you don’t make a 20 percent down payment), as required with conventional loans.

With a VA loan, homeowners are not required to make a large down payment. Since most conventional loans required a 10 to 20 percent down payment, a zero down payment is a huge advantage for young military families. You might not have the cash for a down payment today, but you can start building equity with a VA loan.

Here are four additional things you need to know about buying a home using a VA loan.

You must use a lending institution that participates in the VA loan program. There are also a lot of extra forms involved with a VA loan, so be prepared for that. VA loans aren’t quick loans. They are money-saving loans.
VA loans aren’t a one-time deal. Veterans are entitled to use the program repeatedly as long as they pay off the loan each time. So you can buy a house when you are young service member and then use your VA loan a second time for your retirement home.
You can’t use a VA loan to buy a farm, restaurant or a vacation home. The program is designed to be used for primary residences only.
VA loans do save you money, but there’s also a mandatory fee. This fee is called the VA Funding Fee. It’s normally 2 percent of the loan amount and it is required for both purchase and refinance loans.
But in good news, VA loans don’t have a prepayment penalty. When you earn extra cash through a deployment or get an reenlistment bonus, you can put that money toward your mortgage. This can save you a lot on interest over the life of your loan.

Since 1944, the VA Loan program has helped more than 20 million veterans and their families buy a house. It’s a benefit that veterans have earned through their service. Make sure you take advantage of it.

Have you used a VA loan to buy a house? What was your experience with the program?

Why We Serve

05/13/2015 By Michelle Volkmann

“I didn’t choose this life. He did,” I casually joked to a fellow military spouse once.

“But when you choose him, you choose it to. By marrying him, you said yes to the Navy,” she said.

Wow. Up until that very moment, this idea that I picked military life for me never entered my brain.

Up until that moment, I felt like I didn’t have a choice in the matter. Up until that moment, I felt like military life was tossed upon me and I had to accept it and move on.

Now I see things a little differently.

My husband volunteered for military service one month before I met him. He raised his right hand and took the oath in August 2001.

He volunteered to serve in the Navy for a few practical reasons:

He needed in-state tuition to afford his out-of-state college.
He needed cash to pay for college.
He wanted an adventure.
He wanted to help people.

I joke that a Navy recruiting poster that said “Our Engineers don’t work in cubicles” was the REAL reason he joined the military.

Now nearly 14 years later, the 4 reasons he decided to stay in the Navy aren’t exactly the same. Every time he accepts new orders and we PCS, we, as a military family, are choosing to serve and sacrifice for our country. We are answering the call to serve.

Why do we serve? Why does my husband stay in the Navy?

The reasons for my husband’s military service are still simple and practical. He serves today because:

We have health care coverage for us and our children.
TSP is the best retirement investment plan. Period.
We get the adventure of living in different parts of the country for short periods of time.
He is able to work with many dedicated service members who have taught him how to be a leader in his community.
He is able to be a leader for young service members.
His job is challenging and rewarding.
He has a lot of responsibility in his job.
He helps people.
People help him.
People help our family.
We meet and get to know military friends who become our instant family.
And for a thousand more abstract reasons that are difficult to put into words.

During some challenging moments, I often ask myself “why do we do this? Why do we continue to move every 2 years? Why does my husband deploy and leave his children to help people in another country? Isn’t there an easier way?”

Of course, there is an easier way.

But that way isn’t the way for us. This complicated life, military life, with its highs and lows, quirks and uncertainty, is the way for us.

That’s why we serve.

Why did you or your service member choose to join the military? Why do you choose to stay in the military? Share your inspiring story of military service with MilitaryShoppers.

Share Your Favorite Mother’s Day Recipe to Win in May

05/06/2015 By Michelle Volkmann

Mother’s Day is right around the corner.

Share Your Favorite Mother's Day Recipe to Win in May

Submit your favorite Mother’s Day recipe to MilitaryShoppers today.

What are your plans for this Mother’s Day? Did you make reservations at a fancy restaurant? Are you hoping your husband will surprise you with breakfast in bed? (Here’s a little tip, if you want that surprise, be sure to tell him. Don’t drop hints. Tell him. Directly.)

Many people head out to eat on Mother’s Day, so that Mom doesn’t have to cook on her day of rest.

But for the rest of us, we’ll be enjoying our Mother’s Day at home with our families. We may celebrate with brunch or a special dinner.

Is that your plan? What’s on the menu? Have you browsed the recipes in the MilitaryShoppers database?

In honor of Mother’s Day, MilitaryShoppers is encouraging its readers to share their favorite Mother’s Day recipe in May. The recipe could be for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. You can even submit your favorite dessert recipes.

What are you making for brunch this Mother’s Day?

Don’t wait until Sunday! Submit your favorite Mother’s Day recipe to MilitaryShoppers today.

Enter to Win Our Military Spouse Appreciation Photo Contest Today

05/04/2015 By Michelle Volkmann

Faithful. Flexible. Encouraging. Understanding. Amazing. Inspiring.

What word best describes today’s military spouses? Can a single word sum up the emotional roller coaster that ranges from the loneliness of deployment to the joy of that first kiss at a military homecoming? Is there any way to describe the enduring encouragement required on the home front so that our soldiers, Marines, sailors and airmen can carry out their orders without personal distractions?

No. There isn’t a word that captures the military spouse experience. But there are hundreds of photos that come pretty darn close.

May is National Military Appreciation Month and Friday, May 8 is Military Spouse Appreciation Day. This day recognizes the contributions of military spouses.

This month, MilitaryShoppers wants to showcase military spouses through its monthly photo contest. Added bonus:

This month’s photo contest winner will win $150!

Readers are encouraged to submit a photo that showcases military spouses. That could be you. That could be your mother, if you were a military brat. That could be your friend.

The photo could be from a military life highlight. Or a military event. Or it could be a simple photo inside your home right before a PCS. The choice is up to you.

In order to be eligible for this contest, entrants must submit a photo that showcases military spouses through this link and new registrants must check “yes, I would like to receive emails of offers, savings and contests for the military community.”

Already registered with MilitaryShoppers?

Use this link to enter the photo contest. Check your profile and make sure you have selected “Yes” on your profile where it asks if you “would like to receive coupons and special offers exclusively for military families via e-mail.”

One winner will be selected at the end of the month. The winning photo will be announced in June.

Enter to win MilitaryShoppers’s Military Spouse Appreciation Photo Contest today.

Resiliency Starts with Resources: 4 Resources for Military Kids

04/29/2015 By Michelle Volkmann

Military children aren’t naturally resilient. They aren’t born with a distinct skill set that leads them to be confident in new situations, to be understanding during separations and to be grateful for this unique life.

Yet, military brats are often described as resilient. Why?

I believe it’s because of their military parents. Resilient military children are that way because of their parents. Their parents show them the ropes of military life in a positive light. Their parents take the time to listen to their frustrations about the new school, missing their old friends, making new ones and saying goodbye to Daddy right before Christmas.

But as a military parent how do you know when to apply tough love and when to hug your way to happiness? Lucky for us, there are plenty of valuable resources to help us know how to talk to our children about military life and how to listen when they want to talk.

Here are 4 resources to utilize as parents of military kids.

FOCUS: Family Resilience Training for Military Families

You’ll recognize FOCUS (Families OverComing Under Stress) by its purple materials. FOCUS is available to families in all branches of the military and its training is based on more than 20 years of research. FOCUS says its mission is to provide “resiliency training to military children and families. It teaches practical skills to help families overcome common challenges related to a parent’s military service, to communicate and solve problems effectively, and to successfully set goals together and create a shared family story.”

One thing I love is their emotion thermometer magnet. It helps my preschooler explaining that she’s feeling “a little red” when she doesn’t have the vocabulary to identify her exact feelings.

Sesame Street Talk, Listen, Connect Kits

With Elmo as the central character, small military children can feel like another little person understands their situation. Talk, Listen, Connect is a “a multiphase outreach initiative to help kids through deployments, combat-related injuries, and the death of a loved one.”

As a parent, I really enjoyed the conversation starters in the workbook. It had a short story I could read to my daughter and then questions I could ask her. The workbook also provides suggestions and strategies to help ease the transitions during the deployment.

With You All the Way- USO

When my husband deployed, my kindergartner received a With You All the Way support kit from the USO. This kit includes a video, a teddy bear, and a deployment journal. My child enjoyed writing in the journal about her adventures while Daddy is gone.

School Liaison Officer

Switching schools can get complicated quickly for military children and their parents. Just trying to figure what paperwork needs to be submitted to a new school district in the middle of the semester can be a frustrating experience. School Liaison Officers around the world work to ease this transition for military children.

My military children are young and I’m still trying to figure how I can best support them. Do they want to talk through their feelings? Do they want to draw Daddy a picture? Do they want to cry? Navigating these moments as an occasional solo parent and military spouse, I truly appreciate the information from the resources listed above.

What resources have you used as a parent to a military child? Which ones would you recommend?

Hot Topic: Should We Use the Flag as a Photo Prop?

04/20/2015 By Michelle Volkmann

Veterans, service members, photographers, civilians and military spouses have separated into 2 groups lately. Those who are offended by photos using the U.S. flag and those who feel some patriotic photos are touching and beautiful.

The online discussion started with this image.

Should The Flag Be Used as a Photo Prop?

Photo Credit: Vanessa Hicks Photography

The Navy Times reported last month that a Navy veteran, now professional photographer was proud of her photo of a newborn cradled in a flag held by his active-duty father.

“I took a stand by not taking the picture down as this group wanted me to do because I did not feel I was disrespecting our flag in any way,” Vanessa Hicks said in an interview with the Navy Times. “Service members, veterans and their families saw the photo, saw the intent behind, and respect it. They have shown overwhelming support. And I think the group that first threatened me now realize they messed with the wrong group.”

The photo, which some call controversial, isn’t that original. Military babies are often photographed with their serving parent’s uniform, including cover, boots and dog tags. Look at all the cute baby photos that have been submitted for MilitaryShoppers monthly photo contests. I’ve seen countless baby photos on Facebook that feature newborns sleeping on a military uniform, usually near the patch with their surname.

Is the flag a photo prop?

But on Facebook, Hicks’ photo, which was featured on Fox News and ABC’s Good Morning America, ignited a debate about respect for the U.S. flag and who gets to wrap themselves in Old Glory.

The U.S. Flag Code is often quoted in this debate. Here’s the line that everyone refers to:

The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery.

That’s most likely the line that managers of the Facebook group, “You Call Yourself A Photographer?” were referring to when they posted the controversial photo.

The flag is not a prop. I repeat: The flag is not a prop,” the group posted. “To use the American flag in such a way is disrespectful, rude, tacky, disgusting and against the U.S. Flag Code.

So what about athletes? They wrap themselves in a flag after a victory. They are frequently photographed with the U.S. flag for photo shoots.

Photo Credit: Nike

What about women wearing the flag and nothing else? A quick Google search will give the results I’m referring to. You can also purchase these types of pictures on many popular stock image websites.

Are you offended by these images?

What about wounded veterans?

The U.S. flag belongs to every American, regardless if they volunteered for military service or not. We can say that we don’t want the U.S. flag to be used as a photo prop, but the fact of the matter is that this prop is not the same as a pink tutu, white angel wings or a miniature teddy bear. The U.S. flag is an extensive of our country. It represents the USA. Its stripes and its stars trigger a sea of complicated emotions in many people, but especially among veterans and military families.

Is the flag a prop? Yes.

Is that OK? Yes.

As military families we deeply understand the emotions of the U.S. flag. That’s why it’s so near and dear to our hearts. That’s why we photograph our military children with it. And that’s why we will continue to photograph our children with it.

What do you think? Are you offended by these images? Should the American flag be used as a prop in photographs?

Purina® Partners with MilitaryShoppers to Support Dogs on Deployment

04/08/2015 By Michelle Volkmann

Have you seen this adorable military homecoming video?

For the last week, every time I scroll through my Facebook news feed, I see a friend liking, commenting and sharing this video. I can’t help but watch it repeatedly and smile to myself. This video reminds me that spouses, parents and kids aren’t the only ones to say goodbye during a deployment. Ever wonder when you deploy, where does your pet go?

Our loyal pets also feel the void when their soldier, sailor, airman or Marine isn’t at home. These dogs miss their owners. And their owners miss their companionship during the lengthy separations.

That’s why nonprofit organizations, like Dogs on Deployment , are necessary for today’s military families. Since its inception in 2011, Dogs on Deployment has successfully placed more than 600 pets with foster families. That’s 600 pets that experienced the joy of a homecoming, like Mara in the video above.

But providing care for these military pets isn’t easy. Besides constantly searching for responsible and dedicated foster parents willing to share their homes, the organization also needs financial support and help getting the word out about its mission.

That’s why Purina® has partnered with MilitaryShoppers.com to support Dogs on Deployment. Like Dogs on Deployment, Purina® has a passion for pets.

Our passion for pets goes beyond pushing pet nutrition forward, and into forging partnerships in the pet welfare world and raising awareness of what pets truly need. After all, we’ve seen firsthand how powerful the bond with a pet can be, and the many unique ways that pets can strengthen our families and bring our communities closer.

Through this partnership Purina® is supporting and creating awareness for this incredible nonprofit organization and service to our military pet owners.

Find out what Purina® products are on sale now!

Dogs on Deployment is a national nonprofit which provides an online network for service members to search for volunteers who are willing to board their pets during their owner’s service commitments. Dogs on Deployment promotes responsible, lifelong pet ownership by military pet owners by advocating for military pet owner rights, providing educational resources and granting financial assistance for military pet owners during times of emergency.

Are you planning to deploy and need a foster home for your pet? Plan ahead by registering with Dogs on Deployment today.

Visit Dogs on Deployment on Facebook and be sure to like their page to follow along with all of their amazing efforts!

Want to watch more heartwarming homecoming videos from Dogs on Deployment?

Month of the Military Child Photo Contest

04/05/2015 By Michelle Volkmann

Dressed in dress blues for a local Daddy-Daughter Dance. Trying on momma’s boots to clomp around the house as a soldier. The tightest hug you’ve ever seen, with those small arms wrapped around their heroes’ necks. Those heartfelt moments tug at the heart strings of today’s military children.

Military children have a special place in my heart. My daughters are among the nearly 2 million children who were simply born into the military life. They didn’t choose this life. Yet they embrace it. Do they do it because they love military life? Nah. They do it because they love their parent who serves in the Armed Forces.

April is the Month of the Military Child. This month, MilitaryShoppers readers are encouraged to submit photos of their favorite military child. The winner will receive a $50 shopping spree.

The deadline for photo entries is April 30. Don’t delay. Enter to win the MilitaryShoppers Month of the Military Child photo contest today.

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