Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

Spring into Savings This April at Your Military Commissary

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I’m a foodie. I’m a local food foodie. When my family moves to a new duty station before I ask for recommendations for a hair stylist or a dentist, I always ask my new neighbors for their lists of favorite local restaurants. Local restaurants are the key for this military spouse foodie. That’s how this Iowa girl fell in love with breakfast burritos in Arizona, udon noodles in Okinawa and grits in Mississippi.

But there’s a problem with all these local eating. The PCS.

Moving means that I find myself craving grits when I’m in California and ramen when I’m in Texas. As a solution-oriented military spouse, I’ve taken these cravings and the international food aisle at the commissary and used it as an opportunity to learn to make “local” food no matter where the Navy sends us.

Tex-Mex cuisine is one of my favorite “local” foods to make at home. Actually it’s a staple in our house and we have more than Taco Tuesdays. It’s Taco Tuesdays, Fajita Fridays, Tortilla Soup Sundays and Breakfast Burrito Wednesdays.

Luckily for me, all my favorite Tex-Mex ingredients are on sale this April at the military commissary.

Starting April 16, a 16-ounce jar of Old El Paso Think ‘n Chunky Salsa, mild or medium, is on sale for $0.99. Even if you don’t use it for a build-your-build-taco night, you can always stock up on salsa and be ready for those last-minute potlucks. Chips and salsa are my go-to potluck contribution at FRG meetings when I’m too busy to bake a dessert.

Here’s what other Old El Paso products are PowerBuys in April:

  • Taco Seasoning, Gucamole seasoning and Fajita seasoning mix packets, $0.45
  • Taco shells, $0.99
  • Chopped or whole green chiles, $0.75
  • Refined beans, traditional, fat-free and vegetarian, $0.75
  • Soft taco, beef carne asada and chipotle chicken dinner kits, $2.00

Once you feed your family, don’t forget to feed your furry family members. Several Purina products are on sale for the entire month of April.

Cat owners can buy 3-ounce Fancy Feast cat food cans for $0.53 each. Tidy Cats cat litter, 24/7 performance and instant action, is also on sale. You can buy two 14-pound cat litter containers for $8. Purina One Smartblend cat food is on sale for $9.99.

Don’t forget to pair these great discounts with coupons from coupons.com.

Purina Pro Plan Savor dog  food is also on sale. The price is $20.99 for the entire month of April. Alpo Wholesome Biscuits dog treats are on sale for $2.07, so treat your pet with this great deal.

Finally, as a mother, I prefer to buy detergent that is recommended by dermatologists. That’s the reason I use all® Free Clear detergent to wash our clothes. All all® detergent, dryer sheets and fabric softener are on sale during April at your commissary.

Don’t forget to sign up for the MilitaryShoppers newsletter to get the monthly commissary specials delivered directly to your inbox!

Shipping Your Vehicle? What You Need to Know for Your Next PCS

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I always thought when you move that the military pays to transport 1 vehicle from your former duty station to your new military installation within the United States. Negative. The military is not responsible for the service member’s vehicle during a PCS within the United States. This is a common myth of military life.

When we were PCSing from Maryland to California, I kindly told my husband that we couldn’t drive both cars cross country with our 2 little ones, so just “ask the Navy to ship it for us.” He kindly explained that the Navy doesn’t ship our POVs. We pay for that. So I was stubborn and we drove both cars. Now my daughters HATE road trips. The younger one cries if she’s in the car for more than 90 minutes. Lesson learned.

For our next PCS, we arranged to ship one car and it was well worth the money. But again, it wasn’t without a few hiccups. Again, lessons learned.

Are you considering shipping your POV between CONUS duty stations? Here’s what you need to know for your next PCS.

Shipping Your Vehicle? What You Need to Know for Your Next PCSYou select your shipping company. You have the control, which is wonderful. But there are many options for car transport companies. Do you want closed or open carrier? Do you want door-to-door delivery? Or terminal-to-terminal delivery? If you’re like me and this is your first time shipping your POV, the options can be a little overwhelming.

Tip: Ask in a forum or military spouse Facebook group for recommendations. This research will save you a lot of time looking at different companies. Use this information to narrow down the choices to 3 companies that other service members have already used and been happy with the results.

You need to question the quotes. You will need to get shipping estimates from various companies before selecting one. We got one estimate that was WAY lower than the other ones. After asking a few targeted questions, we found out that we assumed this was a door-to-door delivery option, it wasn’t. Also this company had a reputation among military families for asking for an additional $300 at pick-up. Finally, verify their DOT and MC numbers to ensure they are properly licensed.

Tip: Once you agree to a quote with a selected company, do not give the driver any more money. Even if he asks for it, which he may. Even if you’re fearful that he won’t take your car. Have a name and a cellphone number of the company representative who agreed to your quote. Be prepared to call the company representative if there are any disagreements at any point in the process.

You need to follow the carrier’s rules. Every transportation company has their own guidelines for shipping vehicles. Your car may need to be completely empty and cleaned both inside and out before shipping. Other companies will let you fill the trunk with your belongings. Your service member may be need to show a copy of their orders. Military spouses may need to show a Power of Attorney authorizing you to ship the vehicle. You may need additional insurance to cover any damages occurred during the transportation process. Many companies ask that you pay the driver in cash. Be prepared to pay in cash or with a cashier’s check.

Tip: Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Lots and lots of questions. It will save you a lot of headache when the day comes to ship your POV.

In the end, it was worth the money to ship our vehicle for our last PCS.

Have you shipped a vehicle from one duty station to another? What lessons did you learn from this experience?

3 Things to Consider When Choosing a Family Pet

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My daughter has been asking for a pet ever since the day she could say “dog.” And I think she has been asking every day since then. (Just for your information, dog was her first word following momma and dadda.)

It’s not surprising that she wants a pet. We are the odd military family without a dog, cat, gerbil or turtle. Every other family in our neighborhood has a dog. Heck, even the Marine Corps has a dog. I’m kind of obsessed with Chesty.

But as a child, I never had a dog. I don’t know how to train one, so I certainly don’t know how to pick one. Boston terrier or bloodhound? Which one would be a better fit for my family? Honestly I have no idea. Until I used Purina’s Breed Selector. This interactive online questionnaire walks you through a series of questions that can help identify the best dog breed for your family.

For example, do you want a dog that is good with children? Yes, please. Then a collie would be a good fit for your family. Want one that doesn’t bark? You should consider a pug. Want a dog to be your running buddy? Then you will love the active nature of a boxer.

Here 3 more things to consider when choosing a family pet.

3 Things to Consider When Choosing a Family Pet

Primary Pet Care Giver. We all know that a family pet is a member of the family, but the daily care of this animal generally falls on 1 individual in the house. If that person is Dad and Dad is deployed, then you may want to wait to get a pet. If there’s a newborn in our house, Mom is too preoccupied to care for a dog right now. But a cat may be a nice low maintenance addition to your family. If that primary pet care giver is your 10-year-old son and this is his first pet, ease him into it. Choose an animal that doesn’t require a lot of daily responsibility.

Your Current Schedule. Looking for your current schedule, are you home during the day or are you at work? Would this animal be alone all day? Or would he have a house of kids to play with? Do you like to take weekend getaways? Ask yourself these questions and be realistic. I once had a neighbor whose husband worked long hours and she liked to go out with her girlfriends on the weekends. Hence, her puppy spent a lot of time alone in the backyard. Is that what you want for your pet?

PCS-Friendly Pet. As a military family, you are most likely going to move. And you may move overseas. Think about the logistics of getting your furry friend to your new duty station. If you’re moving to Germany or Hawaii, that can be an extra expense that you want to budget for during your PCS. If you moving from Virginia to Washington State, you need to stay at pet-friendly hotels with Fido. Obviously this isn’t a deal breaker (because many military families have pets), but like everything else in a PCS, you need to plan for it.

Pets are a special part of our families and unlike the rest of our family members, we get to choose them. Take the time to pick a pet that fits with you, your needs and your family’s lifestyle. You’ll be happy you did your research during the first few months of pet ownership.

Are you a proud military pet owner? Share a photo of your family’s pet with the MilitaryShoppers photo contest.

Commission Recommends Combining Commissaries, Exchanges

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Commission Recommends Combining Military Commissaries, Exchanges

What proposed changes do you support for the commissaries?

The commissary. It’s one of those bread-and-butter military perks that comes with having your military ID. The commissary is where military families, old and young, get their milk, meat and cereal. It’s used by active duty families and retirees alike. Shopping and saving money at the commissary is one of the benefits available to our military community.

The commissary also seems to be one of the first benefits discussed every year when Congress, the Department of Defense and lobbyists are debating ways to trim the defense budget. This year isn’t any different.

Tucked in the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission’s 15 recommendations to modernize the military is a proposal to combine the commissary and exchange systems into a single defense resale organization. The commission’s final report was released in late January. You can read the entire report here.

Currently, the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) operates commissaries that provide groceries to authorized patrons (you and me and anyone else with a valid military ID) at cost with a 5-percent surcharge, which covers the costs of building new commissaries and modernizing existing ones. DeCA promotes that commissary shoppers “save an average of more than 30 percent on their purchases compared to commercial prices – savings that amount to thousands of dollars annually when shopping regularly at a commissary.”

On the flip side of military retail coin is the DoD operated exchange system that includes the Army Air Force Exchange System (AAFES), the Navy Exchange (NEX), and the Marine Corps Exchange (MCX). Exchanges have everything from beer to military uniforms and sell their merchandise at a profit. The benefit of the exchange is no sales tax.

Keep in mind that the “gross profits (from the exchanges) are used to support the exchange system, covering operating and other expenses; recapitalize facilities and systems; or are provided as dividends to fund MWR programs.”

When you’re stationed overseas, both the commissary and exchange are vital to your quality of life. Both retail organizations hire military dependents and veterans.

Together, commissaries and exchanges provide goods and services with total annual sales of more than $17 billion in 2013.

Based on an in-depth study that included town hall meetings and quality of life surveys, the bipartisan Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission unanimously recommended a consolidated resale organization.

A consolidated resale organization, with combined resources, increased operational flexibility, and better alignment of incentives and policies, would improve the viability and stability of these systems. It would sustain the benefit while reducing the combined reliance on appropriated funding over time. The increased flexibility and opportunities available to a consolidated organization could enable a deeper level of cooperation to improve quality and drive the efficiencies recommended by numerous studies. The many similarities, overlaps, and redundancies in processes, staffing, and support infrastructures favor the consolidation process. Establishing an executive structure and means of oversight that ensures alignment with the needs and goals of Service members and the Military Services is critical.”

–the 2015 Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission Final Report

The proposal also said that a portion of profits would continue to support MWR programs and the commissaries would keep their current 5-percent surcharge. The surcharge was set at 5 percent in 1983.

This consolidated system would “allow the sale of convenience items in commissaries at a profit, including products and services typically found in commercial grocers.” Food and other “essential items” would still be sold at cost.

The report also said “This expanded commissary product line would include beer and wine, but those sales must align with DoD’s efforts to deglamorize alcohol and reduce its abuse.”

Basically in a nutshell, this proposal is intended to reduce the overhead costs of operating the commissaries and exchanges separately. It’s not expected to affect the costs of shopping at either store and if approved, this consolidated system may make shopping on-base more like shopping at Walmart.

Now it’s your turn: What proposed changes do you support for the commissaries?

Frozen Heart? Photos and Quotes to Melt Away Frosty Feelings About Military Life

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Do you ever need a little military life pick-me-up?

Maybe you’re glued to the news about the Homeland Security budget negotiations or you’re frustrated with the proposals to cut military benefits. Your husband’s homecoming is delayed. Again. Your hairdresser is PCSing across country. Your friend asks how your children are  handling the deployment. When you tell her it’s a struggle, she suggests your husband “leave the service so you don’t have to deal with that anymore.”

Sigh.

Despite these real-life struggles, there are many moments to cherish being married to the military. Despite what you see on the national news, there are many happy military couples. Think of that retired service member and his wife who celebrated 40 years and 25 moves. They know their love is rock solid. Think of those newbie spouses who promise to love, honor and cherish and then say goodbye as their husband goes to Korea for a year unaccompanied. Every day apart is building that rock solid marriage. And for everyone in-between, they are using the tools of date nights and frequent communication to keep their spark alive.

Here are some of my favorite images and quotes that illustrate the love between a service member and their supportive spouse. Let it be your military life pick-me-up today, tomorrow or any day that you need it.

Photos and Quotes to Melt Away Frosty Feelings About Military Life

Photo Credit: Kelly Schwark

 Photos and Quotes to Melt Away Frosty Feelings About Military Life

“Why do I do it? Because nights alone aren’t permanent. Because missing him reminds me that I’m lucky to have someone to miss. Because I am not afraid to make sacrifices for true love.”

“It doesn’t get any easier…You just get stronger.”

“I started missing you the moment you said goodbye.”

“The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.”

“Love isn’t something you find. Love is something that finds you.”

“I didn’t choose to fall in love with someone in the military. But I choose to love him daily.”

Photos and Quotes to Melt Away Frosty Feelings About Military Life

Photo Credit: Photo Art by Lu

“Love is when he gives you a piece of your soul, that you never knew was missing.”

“Tears last for a moment, but memories are forever.”

“You want to know the best thing about a long-distance relationship? Every kiss is like the first.”

You can’t have homecoming photos without those military brats. Little ones screaming, running and hugging their deployed parent always brings a tear to my eye and a smile to my face.

Photos and Quotes to Melt Away Frosty Feelings About Military Life

Does your military family have a favorite photo showing your love and sacrifice? Submit your photo to MilitaryShoppers’ monthly photo contest for a chance to win a $50 shopping spree.

Female Pioneers Breaking the Military Elite Barrier, One Pushup at a Time

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Remember Shannon Faulkner? In 1995, Faulkner was the first woman to enroll at the Citadel following a federal court order. I remember Faulkner. I was a high school student at the time and I closely followed her court case. Even though I personally had no intention of attending a military academy or enlisting in the military, I cheered on Faulkner and her right to try. Her right to follow her dream. Her right to prove herself against the male students.

Twenty years later, I find myself again cheering on those female pioneers in the military. The ones who are working to break gender barriers to prove that they are tough enough, strong enough and smart enough to call themselves Army Rangers.

Should women be able to be Army Rangers?

What do you think of women serving as Army Rangers?

Media outlets, from NPR to Fox News, have been closely following 60 women who volunteered and were allowed to participate in the two-week-long Ranger Training Assessment Course (RTAC) that ended on Jan. 31. This first class was aimed at making the training standard for females. And I’m a big believer in that.

Let’s not sell women short by adopting lower standards to earn the Ranger tab. Every single Ranger should be able to meet the same qualifications.

Out of 122 soldiers who started RTAC, 48 percent passed. There were 43 male dropouts in addition to the 21 women, the Army Times reported. Five women, all officers, completed RTAC, which is considered to be a reliable litmus test for which soldiers are likely to have a chance at passing the Ranger Course.

First Females Competing to be Army Rangers

First Lt. Christel Sacco, executive officer of Company B, 1st Battalion, 61st Infantry Regiment, at Fort Jackson, S.C., is training to earn her Ranger tab.

Last December, for the first time, 3 women passed the Marine Corps’ physical test to become infantry officers. Two dozen female Marines have tried to pass the test since the course opened its doors to women in 2012. Later this year, U.S. Special Operations Command and Naval Special Warfare are expected to announce if the rank of SEAL will be available to women.

All this female integration stems from former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta’s announcement in 2012 to open combat positions to women. In 2013, he lifted the military’s exclusion on women in direct ground combat. By 2016, the military must open all combat jobs to women or ask for special exceptions.

Twenty years after Faulkner’s legal battle, I am even more emotionally attached to integrating females into all aspects of the military. Today I’m a Navy wife and I’ve seen my husband work alongside and under the outstanding leadership of women all the way up to Rear Admiral Katherine Gregory. Gregory is the first female flag officer in the Civil Engineer Corps.

I’m also the mother of 2 young girls who are constantly asking if boys are better than girls. Just last night, my daughter asked if girls can be Seabees. Of course, my husband and I reassured her. Girls can do anything that boys can do. Some day soon, they will even be able to serve as Army Rangers.

Now it’s your turn. What do you think about women serving in elite units on the frontlines?

6 Healthy Heart Practices

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As a military wife, I spend a lot of time worrying about my husband. I’m concerned for his safety and well-being when he’s at a FOB. I worry about attacks, but also about tragic accidents that take the lives of service members during training exercises.

At home, I worry about my small children. Are they eating a well-balanced diet? Do they need more physical activity during the day? How much is too much screen time?

But when it comes to my health, I don’t worry. My health, including daily exercise and eating leafy greens, tends to get pushed to the back burner. “I’m fine,” I tell myself. I’ll stop eating fast food and find time for yoga someday. Like I said, my mental back burner.

6 Healthy Heart Practices to Reduce Your Chances of a Heart Attack

Which healthy heart habits do you practice?

Then I read Angie Ricketts’ memoir “No Man’s War: Irreverent Confessions of an Infantry Wife.” This book opens with Ricketts driving herself to the emergency room because she was suffering an out-of-the-blue heart attack. Ricketts wasn’t a smoker, didn’t have a family history of heart problems and ran regularly.

I put down the book and thought to myself, if this Army wife suffered a heart attack, what’s preventing me from having one?

February is American Heart Month. Cardiovascular disease—including heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure—is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States. I always thought it was breast cancer. Turns out I was wrong. I was also wrong when I thought that there was nothing I could do to prevent heart disease. Turns out, those healthy habits I’m pushing on my daughters– I should be pushing on myself.

A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology shows that researchers determined that three-quarters of heart attacks in young women could be prevented if women closely followed 6 healthy lifestyle practices. Women who adhered to all 6 healthy lifestyle practices had a 92 percent lower risk of heart attack and a 66 percent lower risk of developing a risk factor for heart disease.

Here are the 6 healthy habits to help prevent heart disease.

  1. No smoking. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, now is the time to quit. Tobacco-cessation products are covered under Tricare.
  2. Maintain a normal body mass index. Is your body mass index normal? Or do you need to lose 10 pounds this year? Schedule an appointment with your PCM and ask those questions. Maybe 2015 is the year that you lose the extra weight you’ve been carrying.
  3. Exercise. The study found that a minimum of 2.5 hours of physical activity per week is the workout that your heart needs to keep beating properly. My PCM recommended that I walk at least 30 minutes daily to reduce stress, anxiety and reduce fatigue. When I do it, I always feel energized. When I don’t, I find myself binge watching on Netflix.
  4. Watch 7 or fewer hours of television per week. One hour per day. It’s the same restrictations that I apply to my children. It turns out the same applies to me.
  5. Drink one alcoholic beverage per day. As we know a glass of red wine is good for our hearts. A bottle of red wine, not so much.
  6. Eat a healthy diet. This month, I’m working to incorporate 1 vegetable and 1 fruit into all 3 meals. This means less time in the snack aisle of the commissary and more time selecting fresh produce. Again, it’s something I do for my children. Now I know that these healthy heart habits that I push on my children, I need to push on myself.

What is one healthy heart habit you can start this month?

7 Indoor Activities to Wear Out Your Active Dog This Winter

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Poor Fido. It’s freezing outside. This time of year it seems like the entire nation is under Jack Frost’s finger. The bitter wind. The dropping temperatures. The snow and ice. During the entire month of January, I prefer to sit at home, cuddled under a blanket drinking tea and reading a book. I don’t go outside unless it is absolutely necessary.

Unfortunately for the active dogs in our families, the sedentary nature of winter doesn’t comply with most dogs’ must-be-outside-and-run desires.  Depending on the breed and the age, they need to burn off energy every day. Canine experts agree that pent-up energy can lead to destructive or nervous behaviors from our pets. Ideally we would take our dogs out for a walk for at least 20 minutes every day, even during the winter months. But with below freezing temperatures, you need to consider your pet’s safety and may need to reduce their outside time this month. Here are 7 ideas to keep your dog active inside when it’s too cold to play outside.

7 Indoor Activities to Wear Out Your Active Dog This Winter

Some days it is simply too cold to go outside and play. How do you keep your dog active when it’s stuck inside during the winter?

7 Indoor Activities to Wear Out Your Active Dog This Winter

  1. Build an Inside Obstacle Course. Dogs need to run or at least move quickly for a few minutes every day. Without buying special equipment, you can use household items to challenge your dog’s agility. Have your dog jump over a broom stick and run up and down the stairs. Drape a blanket over a set of chairs to make a “tunnel” for your dog to crawl through. Feel free to test out different challenges. Don’t make the obstacle course impossible for your dog, but you also don’t want it to be too easy. The key is for them to release energy and have fun. Always end the obstacle course on a positive note.
  2. Play Tug-O-War. For the well trained dog, good old fashioned tug-o-war can be a simple way to play together in the living room. I know my brother-in-law does this nightly with his Boxer while watching television.
  3. Schedule Puppy Play Dates. Saturday snowstorm? Invite a neighbor to come over with her dog. The stimulus of another dog (as long as you know that they will play well together) can be another way to release energy without a lot of physical activity. As an added bonus, you get to catch up on the neighborhood gossip over a mug of hot chocolate.
  4. Challenge Them with Puzzle Feeders. The Dane Dame has a wonderful post on ideas for inexpensive DIY puzzle feeders. This moderate level puzzle feeder uses tennis balls, a muffin tin and dog treats.
  5. Invite Children into Your Home. You know your dog best. If you don’t have children, but your dog is well behaved around little ones and enjoys their constant squeals, invite a neighbor and her 4-year-old over to play. After this play date, I guarantee your dog and her preschooler will both need a long winter’s nap. It’s also a good opportunity to teach children how to behave around other people’s pets.
  6. Play Sniff and Find.  This exercise is more mental than physical, but still your dog and her nose will love it. Instead of simply giving your dog a treat, hide their favorite treat under 1 of 3 containers. Don’t let your dog see you do this. Shuffle the containers around and then call your dog. Encourage your puppy to find it. Once they find it, they get to eat their prize– the treat! Once your dog gets the hang of this game, you can play the hide and seek game anywhere in the house. (Again, the stairs are your friend this January. Hide the treat upstairs while your dog is downstairs.) Just give the command “find it” to let your dog know when they can begin their search.
  7. Try Indoor Fetch. Intense indoor fetch with a tennis ball is the easiest way to burn off some energy with your dog. Try different types of balls to keep this activity interesting for your dog.

How do you keep your dog active on cold days?

January’s Commissary Specials Caused Me to Do a Double Take

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I experienced sticker shock in my hometown grocery store last week. Like many military families, I spent the holiday season with my parents in the Midwest. Now places like South Dakota and Nebraska tend to be known for low-cost living. But when my mom asked me to pick up a few essential items (milk, eggs, bread, sugar, graham crackers) on my way to her house, I was stunned by the prices.

My brain worked through a series of thoughts. First there was confusion. This price can’t be right, can it? It must be an error. Followed closely by flabbergasted. Is this some kind of holiday price increase? My mom said “Nope.” And finally I felt grateful. I found myself in the cracker aisle of a locally owned grocery store in my hometown thanking Uncle Sam for our military commissaries.

This month’s commissary specials offer a mix of party food for the big game along with pantry staples that fit with my New Year’s resolution to spend less and save more money in 2015.

Muir Glen organic fire roasted diced tomatoes, the main ingredient in my football playoff chili, are on sale this month. A 14.5-ounce can is only $1.00. One buck. That price made me do a double-take. That’s dirt cheap. That’s cheaper than if I grew my OWN organic tomatoes and canned them at the end of the season. You can guarantee I’ll be stocking up on the Muir Glen diced tomatoes. My family will be eating Spicy Cajun Gumbo on Mardi Gras and Tortilla Taco Meatball Soup for easy, breezy Sunday night dinners.

Winter is the best time of year for soup. Whether you like the Campbell’s Homestyle Healthy Soup (Italian-style wedding or chicken with whole grain pasta) or Campbell’s Chunky Soup (sausage gumbo is my favorite), you can have your pick. Both are on sale this month at the commissary. Serving soup for lunch or dinner is an affordable way to warm up during January.

What to know what other commissary specials made me do a double-take?

  • Old El Paso refried beans, $.75. Save an additional $.30 with this coupon.
  • Green Giant Nibblers 6 mini ears of corn on the cob, $1.50
  • Totino Party Pepperoni Pizza, $.89
  • Pace Chunky Salsa, 2 for $3
  • V8 Vegetable Juice, Healthy Greens, $2.98 Pair that sale price with this $1.00 coupon and they are practically giving the V8 Carrot Mango to you.

In case you were wondering, Pace Chunky Salsa is another ingredient in my football chili.

Are you a fan of Frito-Lay chips? Lay’s Classic Potato Chips ($2.00), Ruffles, original or Cheddar and Sour Cream ($2.09) and Tostitos Scoops ($2.50) along with Doritos ($2.50) are all on sale this month. Don’t forget to stock up on chips for the big game. It’s the ultimatum game day snack. But please, don’t crunch during the commercials.

Pair it with Tostitos Queso Dip, on sale for $2.50, and you’ll be doing a happy dance when you walk out of the commissary. Save more, spend less and do more double-takes with this month’s sale specials at your military commissary.

Want to know the weekly Manager’s Specials? Sign up for the MilitaryShoppers newsletter!

Applications for Commissary Scholarship Now Open

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The Scholarships for Military Children Program, now in its 15th year, provides college scholarships to military dependents. Applications for the 2015-2016 school year awards are now available at each commissary as well as online. This scholarship was “created in recognition of the contributions of military families to the readiness of the fighting force and to celebrate the role of the commissary in the military family community. It is the intent of the program that a scholarship funded through contributions be awarded annually for each commissary operated by the Defense Commissary Agency worldwide.” Every commissary will award at least one $2,000 scholarship and more may be possible based on funding and eligible applicants.

Who is Eligible for the Scholarships for Military Children Program?

The scholarship is only open to dependent unmarried children under age 23 of active duty, reserve/guard and retired military members or survivors of service members who died while on active duty. Dependents whose sponsor died while receiving retired pay from the military are also eligible. Applicants must be enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) database and have a current military ID as well.

Each person submitting an application must be enrolling in a full-time undergraduate degree program at an accredited U.S. college or university for the fall term of 2015. Those who have already attained an undergraduate degree are not eligible.

The scholarship is based in part on academic achievement.  All high school applicants must have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 basis. The requirement for college students however is a minimum unweighted GPA of 2.5, also based on a 4.0 scale. Those currently studying at a community or junior college must be enrolled in a program that transfers into a four-year program.

How to Apply

Applications are available at your local commissary or you can download one . All application packets must be turned in at a commissary or mailed to one. You can look up the contact information for each commissary and contact them to determine who the application should be turned into specifically. The packet should contain the two-page application, school transcript with a cumulative unweighted GPA and a short essay.

This year the essay is:

Choose a woman who during WWII significantly influenced military decisions for either the Allied or Axis forces. Discuss what she did and why, how her actions impacted the war effort, and any unique challenges she may have faced. What lessons can be learned from her actions? Please choose an actual person (i.e., not a representation such as “Rosie the Riveter”). You may choose someone who served in the armed services, a civilian who acted “behind the scenes” or an intelligence spy.

While this subject could be quite lengthy, the essay must be 500 words or less. It needs to be typed, double spaced, and no longer than 2 pages.

The Notification Process

Letters will be mailed to recipients on or about May 15th. Those who applied but were not chosen will not be notified.

While it is a onetime award, it is a great opportunity to receive money for college. The $2,000 scholarship can be put toward any qualified expenses, such as tuition, fees, lab fees and books. The check is issued directly to the college so any other education-related costs, including class equipment or supplies are also allowed.

This is a great scholarship so don’t delay. Apply for a college scholarship through your military commissary today.