Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

5 Pasta Dishes That Aren’t Spaghetti

By

Pasta is an affordable meal that can stretch, but when you are tired of spaghetti, what do you do. You can mix up the pasta type – try a different noodle. Maybe try a veggie or chickpea one to add variety to the flavor and texture.  And then try these other pasta versions.

Farfalle with Chickpeas and Pesto

This is a fun change to a traditional dish. Swap the traditional noodles for farfalle and the traditional red sauce with pesto. The chickpeas add a great crunch to the dish.

Ingredients:

  • Farfalle pasta
  • Garlic
  • Basil
  • Pine Nuts (or walnuts)
  • Salt
  • Lemon Juice
  • Parmesan

Prepare the noodles as stated on the box.

While the pasta cooks, make the pesto sauce by blending 2 cups of basil with two cloves of garlic, ¼ cup of pine nuts (or walnuts if that is what you have on hand), ½ teaspoon of salt, and a squeeze of half a lemon (a little over one tablespoon of lemon juice). Blend until smooth. If you like more lemon, you can do more now or squeeze more lemon on the completed dish.

When the pasta is ready, pull the pasta out into a large bowl with one can of drained chickpeas and pour over the pesto. Mix together and top with parmesan. If you want an extra bite, toss in arugula for an extra zing of pepper.

Cauliflower and Herb Orecchiette

This pasta dish adds in veggies without changing the color of the dish. Cauliflower is a vegetable that can be flavored to just about anything, so add in your favorite spices.

Ingredients:

  • Orecchiette Pasta
  • Olive Oil
  • Head of Cauliflower
  • Garlic
  • Parmesan
  • Parsley
  • Other additional ingredients: olives, capers, chili flakes, anchovies
  • Prepare orecchiette per the box directions.

While pasta is cooking, heat up olive oil in saucepan. Cut cauliflower into small sizes, all of similar size for even cooking. In the saucepan, cook cauliflower until golden brown. Toss in garlic to your heart’s desire. To add extra flavor, consider olives, capers, or chili flakes. Once the pasta is ready, pull pasta over to the saucepan to mix with the cauliflower goodness. Top with shreds of parmesan for and fresh parsley. The cauliflower and olive oil-garlic sauce is light and flavorful.  Want to add more veggies? Wilt some spinach in with the cauliflower and make sure to add pasta water to the cauliflower-spinach mixture to make sure the flavors meld.

Pasta with Artichoke and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

The beauty with this dish is that it is awesome cold the next day too, no need to heat it up. So make sure to make extras for lunch.

Ingredients:

  • Pasta of choice
  • Garlic
  • Olive Oil
  • Red Pepper
  • Sun-Dried Tomatoes
  • Jarred Artichokes
  • Fresh Basil
  • Pepper
  • Salt

Make pasta according to box – choose a small pasta like bow-tie or spirals so that the sauce will get into all the little areas.

Sautee 2 cloves of minced garlic in olive oil over medium heat until the garlic smells, and then add in 1/2-1 cup of diced red pepper. Once the pepper is cooked, add in ¾ cup to 1 cup of oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes (drained) and 1 cup of chopped artichokes to heat them through. Add in ½ cup of fresh basil sliced just before adding the pasta. Sprinkle ground pepper and onto the dish, and if you need it a pinch of salt. The flavors will meld together creating a great tasting, beautiful dish.

Pumpkin and Pecorino Pasta

This one is a fall favorite and comfort food and any pasta type can be used. Make sure to use your favorite pasta.

Ingredients:

  • Pasta of choice
  • Olive Oil
  • Butter
  • Garlic
  • Pumpkin Puree
  • Pecorino
  • Parmesan
  • Cook the pasta to the package directions.

While the water for the pasta is heating, add 1 tablespoon oil and 2 tablespoons butter to a heated skillet. Once the butter is melted, add 2-3 cloves of minced garlic. Once you can smell the garlic smell, stir in 1 cup of pumpkin puree to prevent burning the garlic. Combine the mixture and thin it out with one cup of pasta water. Add in the pasta noodles and sprinkle with nutmeg and saved pecorino and parmesan. This is a luxurious tasting dish without the luxury cost.

Pasta with Edamame

  • Add a pop of color and freshness with some heated edamame.
  • Ingredients:
  • Shelled Edamame
  • Olive Oil
  • Garlic
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Pasta of Choice
  • Lemon Zest

Heat water to warm and cook the edamame beans. You can typically find bags of shelled edamame in the freezer section. Once the edamame is heated through, use the water to cook your pasta of choice. In a large skillet with plenty of oil, heat 2-3 minced cloves of garlic. Add in the edamame to the garlic oil to coat the edamame Once the pasta is ready, put the drained pasta in the oil and top with salt and pepper. If you have a zester and a lemon, get extra fancy and zest on some lemon!

Scholarships for Military-Connected Families

By

If you or your military-connected family member are pursuing a degree or could use funds for certifications, this list is for you.

National Military Family Association – Year Round – Spouses

The organization supports military family members in various ways, and one of them is through scholarships for military spouses. If you are a spouse to a post-9/11 service member and hold a valid military ID, you are eligible to apply to their scholarship program. The program pays for degrees, professional licensures, supervised clinical hours, continuing education courses, and business expenses.  Applications are taken year-round with quarterly awards.

Pat Tillman Foundation – Opens February 2023 – Spouses

The Foundation has a scholarship program open to spouses of active-duty service members, veterans, and surviving spouses. The $10,000 scholarship covers academic expenses, including tuition, fees, and books. Applications are open annually in the winter months, with the next application opening in February 2023.

Fisher House Foundation – Opens September 2022- Spouses and Children

The Fisher House Foundation offers multiple scholarships. The Heroes’ Legacy Scholarship is a college scholarship for children of service members who became seriously injured or died in the line of duty since 9/11. Military Spouses can apply for and receive funds for degrees, certifications, licensures, clinical hours, expenses, and more. The Scholarships for Military Children is a program through the Defense Commissary Agency providing $2,000 for college expenses.

Thanks USA – Opens March 15, 2023 – Spouses and Children

The ThanksUSA program offers scholarships to military spouses and children for use in their first-time undergraduate degree at an accredited 2 or 4-year university or trade school.

Hope For Warriors – Fall and Spring Application – Spouses and Children

The program offers several scholarships. There are scholarships for those pursuing graduate work, associates, bachelors or Master of Social Work. There is also a scholarship for Gold Star Spouses.

MyCAA Scholarship – Spouses of Service Members E1-E5, W1-W2, O1-O2

My CAA – or My Career Advancement- is a scholarship specifically for spouses to provide assistance for licenses, certifications, national tests, or associate degrees to pursue their desired careers.

Navy Marine Corps Relief Society – Annually – Spouses and Children of Sailors and Marines

The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Education Program offers grants for children and spouses of active duty, retired or deceased Sailors and Marines. The grants are for undergraduate or master’s degrees at accredited 2 or 4- year post-secondary, technical or vocational institutions.

Air Force Aid Society – Annually – Spouses and Children of Air Force Service Members

The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) offers ten merit scholarships a year to dependent children and spouses of retired and active-duty Airmen. To apply for an AFAS merit scholarship, completion of the Arnold Education Grant application is required.

Army Emergency Relief – Annually – Spouses and Children of the Army Service Members

There are two scholarship programs from the Army Emergency Relief. The Mrs. Patty Shinseki Spouse Scholarship Program is an annual scholarship for Army spouses pursuing undergraduate degrees or professional certifications. For Army children pursuing an undergraduate degree can apply for the Maj. Gen. James Ursano Scholarship Program.

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) – Annually – Spouses of Coast Guardsmen

CGMA clients can apply for the programs if they are enrolled in college in pursuit of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, vocational program or seeking a correspondence course.

Spouse Clubs

Don’t forget to check the spouse clubs on your current or recent military bases. There are often scholarship programs for spouses and/or children of service members. Check with the local club for eligibility requirements and deadlines.

5 Ways to Make Friends At Your New Duty Station

By

PCS season means that many military families are moving around the world. Many are starting over because they are at new duty stations. Many are starting over because their friends have moved and left them behind. Either way, at some point, military families will have to make new friends, especially for that all-important emergency contact that all the new forms require. It is overwhelming to have so many things to do after a move, here are five ways to get plugged in and make new friends.

Start Digitally

As expected, the first place to start is social media. Look up neighborhood groups or post-specific groups to get a lay of the new ground. Perhaps there is an unofficial unit page where people meet for book club, or there is a kickball league you can join. Finding out about this before you move means you can plan accordingly and get signed up or complete all the required forms.

Don’t neglect other websites beyond the base. Search local travel websites for the best restaurants, museums, zoos, or other attractions in the area. This may lead you to meet other people or be able to plan an outing with new friends you meet.

Say Hello

Once you arrive at your new base, don’t forget to say hi to your new neighbors. It isn’t easy to go next door and ring a doorbell, but if you see your neighbors out and about, don’t forget to say hello and wave. This may lead to a conversation. Make it a goal to say hi to someone new each time you are walking the neighborhood in your first month in your new home. This is usually easier in military housing, where people are used to transient families and want to say hello to learn about the new family. It may be more challenging in civilian or more established neighborhoods, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. Gauge others’ interest and comfort levels in talking as you say hello.

Find Small Groups

If you were involved in a bible study, organized sport, or hobby at your last home, now is the time to look for and establish a link in your new community. Having a common interest is an easy and simple way to get plugged in and find new friends. If your kids are used to doing a certain sport, make sure to find that next group, so you get plugged in there. There may be community groups with fellow parents to help in getting acquainted with the new area.

Check out the events calendar on base through Morale and Welfare (MWR) – there are often trips to local parks or theme parks with cheaper costs and parking! It’s a great way to explore a new area while meeting others with similar interests and backgrounds.

Try Something New

If you have always wanted to learn a certain cooking style, or always wanted to do bonsai cutting, and your new community has a center where you can take those classes – now is your chance! Check out your local library to see if they have adult-only classes or sessions. Check the local community center or recreation center for classes. Local community colleges may even offer a sewing or cooking class.  Having a common interest will bring you together with other people with that interest. The local library may even have classes or sessions for kids that allow for age-appropriate fun and learning where the kids and adults will make friends.

Don’t Forget to Ask

When on social media groups, at community events, or at an information session for your child’s activity session, don’t forget to ask for what you are looking for. Perhaps you are looking for the best farmer’s market or where you can find a martial arts class for adults, your favorite search engine can help, but so can other people. Reach out on the neighborhood page for what you are looking for, that may connect you with others in addition to giving you the information you need. While the urge to unpack all the things is strong after a move, part of settling in is meeting others and getting connected. Add it to your to-do list and make it h

Are Performance Bonuses on the Horizon for the Army?

By

This summer, top leaders of the US Army met for the “Solution Summit.” The group meeting met to discuss the future of the Army, and how to retain the best the Army has to offer. One such policy discussion was on the idea of performance-based retention incentives. The idea behind the discussion was to show belief in those hard-working individuals within the Army. The policy will continue to be a topic of discussion among military leaders throughout the year.

Other ideas that were discussed and will be moved forward for further research are a service-wide mentorship program, peer feedback, the end of alcohol restrictions in the barracks, non-chargeable leave after re-enlistments, added GI Bill benefits, and participation bonuses. These ideas will need to be researched by the Army, Department of Defense, and potentially Congress, depending on the policy discussion.

Performance-based incentives are a new idea, and there is not information on the proposal to know how it will be implemented. The goal will be to manage both the pay grade and the job, and to retain those positions needed in both categories. According to a 2020 RAND Report, there was previously a performance-based program from 1958 to 1976 which was “unpopular” and “singling out extra pay was unpleasant for defense managers.” The report further reports that the reward for performance was through faster promotion and pay would be reflected through the time-in-grade pay table.

There is currently a bonus program for enlisted soldiers. The program is based on the job, rank and skills needed to perform their job, but does not take performance into account.  The possibility of the policy being tried on a specific MOS will also be reviewed.

For the moment, it is not known when the performance specific reviewed would be reviewed or determined by, but the discussions will continue monthly through virtual meetings for the Army’s leaders. Time will tell what the ultimate determination will be.

Help Your Children Adjust To A New School Post-PCS

By

Moving to a new school is a challenge. Whether you have moved to a new town or moved up in grade requiring a move in school, it feels like starting over. It is something new, a fresh start, a beginning. This isn’t an easy adjustment or task for adults, much less for the children in your life. If your kids are starting at a new school this year, help them with the new transition.

Plan Ahead

If you are able to, once you know where you are moving to, connect your children with other kids their age at the new duty station. You may not be able to predict the school you are going to if you do not know where you will be moving to, but connecting with someone in the area will help them feel connected to their new area.

If interested, check to see if there is a Youth Mentorship program at your next installation. Check Military One Source here to see if there is a youth program at your next installation, and reach out via email or telephone to see if they have a mentorship program specifically. This program will connect two children of similar ages – through email or letters – to allow children to converse with each other. This can allow your kids to express their concerns to someone else who would understand, someone their age who may have recently gone through a move themselves.

Enroll Ahead

The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children was made specifically with military children in mind. One such amenity is allowing for enrollment with unofficial school records while awaiting official transcripts to be sent. It also allows for 30 days for children to get any necessary vaccinations. If playing sports is important to your child, they can begin playing right away even if they missed tryouts as outlined by the Compact. Read about the Compact more from the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission.

Plug Them In

If you are unsure of what school options there are, reach out to the base School Liason. This position is specifically made to provide information on schools to incoming military families. They can provide registration dates, ideas on school options based on housing areas, and any other school-specific questions you may have.

If there is a summer school session, see if the school will allow a tour during school hours or perhaps once it is let out. This allows for familiarizing with the school before the first day. This off-cycle tour doesn’t usually allow for meeting their teacher unless they have already been assigned, but it allows for a chance to see the school, get familiar with the cafeteria and playground, and any special programs your children would be interested in.

Open Houses

When the official open house is announced, make sure to attend. This allows the kids to meet others in their classroom outside of the start of school. This also allows for meeting their teacher and parents to meet others who may be able to help with staying on top of assignments for the year or help with carpooling if you need it in the future. When the parents are plugged into the school, the kids will usually feel more comfortable.

Ask Questions

While your children may have questions, they may be too shy to ask them. When at the new school, ask the teacher how your family can best support the classroom and about expectations. Ask about school activities and get a full school calendar. Ask about independent learning or study if you may need to take an extended absence from school in the future (deployment, pre-deployment, family concerns, etc). Knowing as an adult the expectations for school will help your children know what to expect and be better prepared for the school year.

Get phone numbers from other parents in your child’s classroom to help your kids get connected.

It is impossible to prepare for every scenario, but it is possible to prepare as much as you are able to. Get your kids ready for school with a plan, and get to know their new school, which can help them adjust after a PCS move.

New Maternity Leave Policy for Reservists In Place

By

On June 9th of this year, the Defense Department updated the Reserve Component Military Leave policy to reflect the maternity leave policy change. The policy now states that paid authorized absences in lieu of inactive duty for training for at least 12 training periods, equivalent of three weekends, is allowed for reservists. The law issuing the change in maternity leave went into effect on January 1, 2021. The policy is effective for reservists as of June 9, 2022.

Per the Navy’s message on the leave policy, no “retroactive requests for qualifying birth events on 8 June 2022 or earlier” would be allowed. Prior to June 9, 2022, Reserve members were allowed unpaid maternity leave. During those periods, no accrual of retirement points for those weekends when unpaid leave was utilized.  Maternity leave can be utilized for anyone within 12 months of giving birth. The policy specifically states that the commanders cannot deny the use of the leave during the first three months, and to weight the mission with leave after that. Reservists who experience a live birth, stillbirth or suffer a loss after 20 weeks can utilize the paid maternity leave. Reservists must be in good standing to utilize the leave.

The leave policy does not apply to adoptions, or paternity leave.

Tricare Coverage of Childbirth and Postpartum Support Services

By

Military families have been utilizing support networks for childbirth and the postpartum period for years. Now, certified non-medical labor doulas, certified lactation consultants, and certified lactation counselors will be covered by TRICARE.

The TRICARE Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration (CBSD) will cover TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select enrollees.  This program will run from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2026, and will include overseas locations on January 1, 2025. It will not cover those enrolled under TRICARE for Life, US Family Health Plan, or the Continued Health Care Benefit Program.

For those enrolled in TRICARE Prime, a referral will need to be placed by the primary care manager if you see a non-network provider, otherwise, no referral is needed.

To qualify for childbirth support and certified labor doulas, you must be enrolled in TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select, be at least 20 weeks pregnant, and see a TRICARE-authorized provider for the birth. If giving birth in a military hospital or clinic, the doula would not be part of the CBSD plan. Giving birth at home with a certified midwife will be covered as long as the midwife is certified and a TRICARE-authorized provider. Up to six visits with a labor doula will be covered as long as the doulas are within the network or if they are non-network doulas they must meet CBSD qualifications.

To qualify for lactation counselors or consultants and breastfeeding support, you must be enrolled in TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select, be at least 27 weeks pregnant and receive services from an Independent Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) or Certified Lactation Counselors during an inpatient maternity stay, follow-up outpatient visit or a well-child care visit. Up to six (6) sessions are covered in outpatient sessions if provided through a TRICARE authorized provider or clinic and is billed as a preventative service.

Lactation counselors are non-medical professionals who provide counseling on breastfeeding and support to parents in either individual or group sessions.

Lactation consultants are non-medical professions who provide care in all breastfeeding support including breastfeeding complications. A lactation consultant can also provide care through a group session.

This coverage would be covered without cost shares, deductibles or copayments as long as the provider is within the TRICARE network.

There is no need to enroll in the CBSD, as a TRICARE Prime or Select member, any claims submitted will be covered under the CBSD.

Burn Pit Legislation Updated

By

It is not a secret that military service members are sometimes exposed to toxic substances. Legislation addressing this exposure allowing for access to healthcare in related illnesses to this exposure passed in the Senate in an 84-14 vote. The bill, titled Sergeant First Class Heath Robison Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins Act of 2022 or Honoring our PACT Act of 2022, expands health care eligibility. The bill passed in the House on 03/03/2022 with a 256-174 vote and then passed in the Senate on 06/16/2022. It is now awaiting the signature of President Joe Biden.

The additional diseases associated with exposures to certain agents for which there is a presumption of service connection for veterans who served in certain locations included monoclonal gammopathy and hypertension.  The previous diseases thought to be associated with exposure to burn pits and associated toxins included asthma, many types of cancer including but not limited to melanoma, respiratory and head, and neck cancers, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, constrictive bronchiolitis or obliterative bronchiolitis, emphysema, granulomatous disease, interstitial lung disease, pleuritis, pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis, chronic sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, glioblastoma and any disease thought to be in connection to a substance, chemical or airborne hazard. These illnesses are thought to be related to exposure and allow veterans to have health care and disability benefits for these illnesses through the VA without having to prove the connection of the illness to their service.

The geographic areas served are expanded to areas including Spain, Thule, Greenland, near Palomares and the Enewetak Atoll for radiation-exposed veterans for dates from 1966 to 1980 depending on the location served. The areas for exposure to herbicide agents were expanded from Vietnam to include Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Guam, or on the Johnson Atoll from 1962 to 1976 depending on location.

Within one year from the date of enactment of the Act, the Secretary of Veterans of Affairs is called to establish a Toxic Exposure Research Working Group in cooperation with the Department of Veterans Affairs, The Department of Defense, The Department of Health and Human Services, the Environmental Protection Agency and other entities of the federal government involved in the research of the impact of toxic exposures experience during active military service including but not limited naval, air and space services.

In no later than 270 dates from the date that the Act passes to analyze the total and respiratory disease mortality in veterans who served on or after August 2, 1990, serving on active duty in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, and the United Arab Emirates and for those who served on or after September 11, 2001, in Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria or Yemen. The study will collect qualitative characteristics in addition to health concerns.

The bill also includes a required study on the jet fuels used in the armed forces and possible health risks it causes with additional safeguards that will be put into place to lower health risks.

Why the changes? Many advocacy groups have lobbied for the addition of hypertension to covered causes after the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine released information that the herbicides used in Vietnam and Southeast Asia led to hypertension or high blood pressure.

With the changes and expansion of the bill, about half a million Vietnam War veterans may be eligible for disability coverage.

The bill also includes a section on illnesses related to the water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Those covered in this section include individuals who lived on, resided in, or were exposed to the water for no less than 30 days from August 1, 1953, to December 31, 1987. Individuals who suffered illnesses after exposure to the water may file claims to that effect.

The expansion of coverage to affected veterans will slowly be phased-in so that the Veterans Affairs hospitals are not overwhelmed by an increase in patients. No announcement from the VA has been made in regards to increasing facilities or providers to care for a potentially large increase in the population they serve.

If you are currently evaluated by the VA Health system and one of the above includes you or someone you know, the VA has been instructed to review any previous submissions or denials in regards to the above. Contact your local VA if further assistance is needed.

Tricare’s Answers to Baby Formula Shortage

By

The formula shortage is impacting families all around the United States. For military families, this impact follows them around the world wherever they are stationed as the military commissaries are also impacted by the supply chain issues in stocking formula in their overseas stores. TRICARE recognizes this impact.

Which baby formula is covered by Tricare?

As soon as the formula shortage was felt by military families around the world, a prescription for formula was circulating stating that families could get any formula covered for their children. This is not the case. TRICARE does cover baby formula that is medically necessary. This includes infant formula for children (including older children) who have feeding tubes and require formula for eating. High protein formula for infants on ketogenic diet to control seizures and special formulas for children who cannot digest certain foods or nutrients are also covered.

TRICARE does not cover formula for healthy infants or children who do not meet the above guidelines.

What if the formula isn’t available?

If the prescription specifies a type of formula that is not available, talk with your child’s medical provider. The provider may be able to provide other options that will be covered.

What about Nutritional Therapy?

The types of nutritional therapy including medically necessary treatments are listed on the TRICARE website here. Oral, enteral and parental nutritional therapy may be covered with prescriptions.

Will TRICARE ship formula?

No.

What about making your own formula?

Making your own formula is not recommended by the Food and Drug Administration as the homemade infant formula recipes have not been evaluated by their organization for safety and nutrient amount. The FDA recommends talking to your child’s medical provider about any diet changes you are considering.

The hope is that the supply chain breakdown will improve in about two months, the time it takes for production to increase and the supply provided to local area grocery stores. Time will tell what the recovery period will be. If there are any questions about possible TRICARE coverage, contact your TRICARE regional contractor.

What Can You Do If You Still Can’t Find a House?

By

Among military families who move every 1-3 years, looking for a home is a common activity. The military orders come and the research begins to find a home, school, new dentists, doctors, hairstylists, etc. This year, among many others, the difficulty to find affordable housing is increasing. While there is military housing – it, unfortunately, is not available for everyone.

San Diego is an area with several military bases. There are approximately 9,000 government homes located in 38 different areas among San Diego – of those around 8,600 units are for enlisted and 600 are for officers. According to San Diego statistics, San Diego hosts around 110,700 active duty personnel. That means, that about 0.08% of those military members are able to be housed in military housing. Of course, there are those members who are on the ship, deployed, or living in the barracks but the reality is that there is not enough military housing to go around for all the military members and their families to live.  

When military members get orders, applying for military housing is the first step. But the reality is that the wait time for military housing is increasing – some locations are telling families they must wait 3 years for housing – the time of their entire military orders. Getting on the list does not guarantee a spot. If you can wait it out, you might get lucky.

Check In With the Housing Office

Even if you do not think you are going to get a military house, going to the housing office can still be useful. Ask in person for a realistic expectation for finding a home on base. Ask if there are outside resources they recommend. Sometimes there are locals or retired military who bring in fliers for rentals in the area. Check if there is a bulletin board outside the housing office, even if within the housing office they cannot or do not provide that information.

Stay in On Base Lodging

If you are unable to find a house within a budget you can afford, perhaps staying in on base lodging is an option in the short term. Historically on-base lodging has been much more affordable, while the new program from Congress has increased the daily rate it is still overall cheaper in regard to other hotels in the area and allows for ease of travel to work and exploring the local area to find housing. This may also allow for the summer moving season and higher rent prices to lower. While it may not always work in regards to rent within BAH, it may lead to a house that you know you and your family can live in for a long time.

Social Media

Do not forget about other military families when asking for housing in the area. Ask people who are already based in the area if there are rentals within their neighborhood. Sometimes word of mouth is how homes go for rent, and it may not ever post online on major websites. Don’t forget smaller websites that are just military families to rent to others – they may only post there and not on bigger websites, which may lower the number of people you are competing with to get home.

Don’t Forget About the Budget

It is easy to get tied up in a bidding war in regards to rental amounts, offering above rental rate to get into a home, but if you can’t afford it in the long run it isn’t worth it. Maybe it is cheaper to store your belongings in a storage unit and rent an apartment while you look for a home of the size you need with the budget you can afford. No, this is not an ideal solution but could be a short-term solution as apartments may allow month-to-month renting while you find a longer-term solution.