Military Life News

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How Might Airmen Be Affected by Change in Retention in FY 21

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Air Force Retention is at an all-time high. For the first time in twenty years, the Air Force has the highest number of airmen in active duty service. Some members who had planned to transition out of service in 2020 delayed their transition due to COVID-19 concerns. The Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services, Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly credits Congress with helping to keep manpower high stating in a press release that “Congress delivered immense help, increased our numbers and helped us make real readiness improvements after sequestration reductions.”

Different programs are being considered to bring numbers back to below the total end strength of 333,700.  Voluntary opportunities are being reviewed by Headquarters Air Force to provide airmen the opportunity to waive active duty service commitments or to move to the Guard or Reserve from active duty through waivers. In addition, retention bonuses will no longer be utilized for all specialties to maintain the force needed to meet the requirements of the DOD and Air Force. “We have to bring in the right number of Airmen each year to sustain the force throughout the continuum of service, Lt. Gen Brian Kelly said further, “We have a plan to avoid future year-group gaps and we will announce volunteer options soon that we believe will balance end-strength appropriately.”

All movement from active to reserves or guard or out of service would be voluntary and no involuntary shape forcing programs would be utilized in Fiscal Year 2021. Airmen would be The FY 2021 Selective Retention Bonus Program for 37 eligible Air Force Specialties was released on December 10. The FY 2021 Selective Retention Bonus Program Listing is available on the retention page for the Air Force here and on myPers.

All You Need to Know about the 2021 Inauguration

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By Constitutional law, inauguration day is 20 January. As Abigail Bartlett remarked in The West Wing show, it is usually a cold day in the District of Columbia. The 59th Inaugural ceremonies will occur on January 20, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol. The opening remarks are scheduled to begin around 11:30 EST with the completion after the new president takes the oath of office.

Attending in Person

In a usual year, there are tickets available through Congress and Senate members. Each person is typically provided many tickets to give out. In 2021, amongst a pandemic, only 1,000 tickets are available versus the normal 200,000 tickets– meaning that the seat holders of Congress and the Senate are invited with a guest. Some representatives have decided to open online submission feeds to those interested in coming. However, the Presidential Inaugural Committee has made the recommendation to refrain from traveling for the inauguration.

What are the Inaugural Events?

There are several traditional events that typically occur with every inauguration –the procession of the outgoing and incoming President to the ceremony, Vice President’s and President’s Swearing-In Ceremony,  the well known Inaugural Address, Honorary Departure of the outgoing President, Signing Ceremony, Inaugural Lunch, Pass In Review. Per a statement released by the Inaugural committee, the “ceremony’s footprint will be extremely limited, and the parade that follows will be reimagined.” A traditional giant parade of inaugurations passed will not be happening. However, construction of a reviewing stand in front of the White House has continued, which may be part of the Pass in Review of events passed. Traditional events like the luncheon for the new president is also not occurring due to the current coronavirus situation.

Where Can You Watch It Virtually?

The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies Chairman Roy Blunt stated that due to the global pandemic, they are “working on enhanced opportunities to watch the ceremonies online, in addition to the traditional televised national broadcast.” If you have cable television, you can expect most major networks to carry the live broadcast.

For those who have cut the cable ties, it is expected to be available for streaming here:

Even if you don’t have cable, the major news networks of ABC, CBS, Fox, MSNBC, and CNN will most likely carry live streaming on their website or YouTube channel.

The pre-event festivities historically begin at 9:30 am EST with the official ceremony occurring neatly at noon EST.

7 Financial Resolutions to Commit to in 2021

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2021 – a much-anticipated bright new year. Want a new start with this new year…especially after 2020? Start off with a bright financial future by committing to these financial resolutions in 2021.

  1. Create a budget
  2. Make a savings buffer.
  3. Start saving for PCS now.  
  4. Make the most of credit cards.
  5. Pay bills when you get them.
  6. Stick to the planned budget.
  7. Get the kids involved!

Create a Budget

This isn’t easy. You need to know what you need to spend on things like groceries versus what you want to spend. There a bounty of budget sheets on Pinterest. Check your base resources to see if there is a financial Military Family Life Counselor (MFLC) as he/she may also have free resources and information, inclusive of a budget book. Don’t have a MFLC on base, check out Military One Source to talk to a financial counselor.  A financial MFLC can even sit down and review personal goals. Living on a Navy or Marine Corps base? If you are having a baby, check out the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society who provide services to complete one-on-one budget counseling through the Budget for Baby classes. There are many free resources including monthly spending sheets, bill trackers and expense lists to help build a budget.  

Make a Savings Buffer

This can be done in small increments, and doesn’t have to be a big chunk all at once. If you can save just $10 a week, that will add up in the long term to $2,600 in 5 years, and that’s not counting interest! An emergency fund of 3-6 months of expenses is recommended as a buffer in case there is a job loss, or any other type of emergency. Thankfully, in the military, there isn’t a usual loss of job immediately, but starting the habit now of having that savings buffer will create lifelong healthy financial habits.

Start Saving for Your PCS Now

PCS – Permanent Change of Stations or Permanent Change of Sanity level – you choose. Moving is not easy emotionally or financially. According to the Military Times, military families lost about $5,000 out of pocket each move. Normal “costs” associated with moving are outlined further by Military.com and that doesn’t include all the wild expenses of loss during a move.

Make the Most of Credit Cards

If you have a card you love, make sure you are using all the benefits. There have been credit card changes over the last year – cards that typically favor travel have been offering credit on TV streaming services or exercise apps. Use these benefits to save money! If your card gives you cash back, consider using the bonus to pay off your bill if you have a big ticket item like a new appliance. Credit cards can be useful if you are paying off your bill monthly and can utilize the benefits.

Pay bills when you get them.

Going off the previous paragraph – in order to use the benefits of credit cards, you often have to not carry a balance. When you get the bill, pay it off if you are able to. APR, the annual percentage rate, that credit card companies charge for any amount not paid off by the due date. There is also a late fee! That $100 amount not paid off may then add up to $149, and that’s only in one-month period. There are some cards that have a 0% APR offering for a year, and these can be helpful in purchasing big items like a new fridge or freezer so you can pay off a little at a time monthly. But make sure to put a calendar alert to know when the APR will begin to avoid those charges.

Stick to the planned budget.

This can be hard. It will require planning and understanding of your budget. If next month you know you need to pay for movers for that PCS and didn’t have time to build up a PCS buffer, consider cutting out a few things so you can stick within the budget for the next month. Maybe stop the $5 daily coffee habit for that month. As most military families know, unexpected things happen, but beginning the habit of sticking to that budget will get easier over time.

Get the kids involved!

It’s never too early to start learning about saving. In as early as second grade, children in U.S. schools are learning about the economy in basic terms of imports and exports and the “costs” and “savings” associated with them. Getting children involved early helps build financial attitudes of understanding. The Mint offers free resources for kids and teens to learn about earning, saving, spending, giving, investing, tracking money and more.

Military One Source is a great resource for anyone – CONUS to OCONUS.  Free online financial resources are available at MilSpouse Money Mission and popular tools from Dave Ramsey can be requested here.

What is your favorite financial tool?

TRICARE Select Retirees Must Pay New Fees to Avoid Losing Coverage

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TRICARE has gone through several changes over the last several years. One such change is coverage expanded for retirees. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017  changed TRICARE Standard to TRICARE Select and established a monthly enrollment fee. Enrollment fees for 2021 must be set up for payment in 2020. Starting January 1, 2021, Group A retired beneficiaries on TRICARE Select will be paying new enrollment fees, in a monthly or annual sum, in order to continue TRICARE Select coverage.

Who does this apply to?

Group A retirees on TRICARE Select. Group A applies to any retiree or sponsor who had an initial enlistment or appointment before January 1, 2018. AKA anyone who began their time in military service before January 1, 2018 and is a retiree.

Who doesn’t this apply to?

If you have TRICARE for Life, TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Reserve Select, TRICARE Retired Reserve, or TRICARE Young Adult – this does not apply to you.

What are the costs?

Individual Plan: if you are the only individual on your plan

  • Monthly fee of $12.50 OR annual fee of $150

Family Plan: If there is more than one person the plan

  • Monthly fee of $25.00 OR annual fee of $300

If anyone in your family is an active duty member, medically retired retiree or family member, or survivor of an active duty sponsor medically retired retiree, the enrollment fee will be waived.

Will the Catastrophic Cap Change?

The catastrophic cap, the most you will pay out of pocket per year for TRICARE covered services, will change to $3,500 from a previous $3,000. Paid enrollment fees go towards the catastrophic cap.

What Do I Do Next?

  • Set up a monthly enrollment fee by December 31, 2020 to avoid a gap in healthcare coverage.
  • Set up payment plans here.
  • Questions? Contact your regional contractor.

What if I don’t setup a payment plan by December 31, 2020?

  • You, and or your family, will be disenrolled from TRICARE Select – meaning you will not have TRICARE Select health coverage.
  • You can request reinstatement of TRICARE Select within 180 days from disenrollment through your regional contractor.
  • You can get healthcare through military treatment facilities if there is space available

If you are a Group A retiree on TRICARE Select – set up your payment plan today to avoid a lapse in TRICARE Select coverage in 2021!

Keeping Kids Connected Across the Miles

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It isn’t new for military children to deal with separation. From parents who are deployed or training or on exercises. From extended family members who live half a world away from where they are currently stationed. From friends, they make after a PCS (Permanent Change of Station – aka military move). In 2020, kids are separated from their classmates who might live down the street due to social distancing and virtual school. Keeping kids connected to the friends they have made is even more important now that there aren’t as many opportunities to find and make new friends and build new friendships.

Letter writing

In addition to writing out thoughts to friends, sharing details about their new house or clothes, letter writing allows for practicing writing letters, words, and penmanship. Letter writing is a skill in itself – working on addressing, composing a letter, and determining the best signature. Making it a weekly practice. In the letters, they can share pictures or bookmarks, or handmade bracelets. It’s a way to share, stay connected, and all while they practice and learn and don’t even realize it. So shhhh!

Video Chats

When able to, this is an awesome option to keep kids connected. There are several applications on computers, phones, and tablets that can be utilized and should all be used with adult supervision. It allows children to read and take facial cues while looking at each other and talking to each other. It continues to build the bond of friendship and allows them to share drawings or games or books on the video chat as the interest of the children determines. If possible, schedule the video chats so there are a pattern and expectation to the calls.

Virtual Book Club

While these are reserved for adults most times, keeping kids connected with the same reading level with a shared book is a great way to keep kids connected. It promotes reading and allows for the development of conversation while working on the skill of reading comprehension – and all under the guise of “just catching up” with a friend.  If you aren’t sure what books to use, ask your child’s teacher for reading level acceptable choices. Books do not have to be purchased if you have an electronic device. Most libraries have e-books you can borrow from and the service libraries also have a large library presence online with a large volume of books available to borrow.

Online Gaming

Kids who love to play games online can connect with their friends online. There are computer games, apps, and live games on streaming devices that allow for people across the world. There are parental controls to limit the amount of time spent online and which games can be played. Utilizing headphones, they can talk to each other as well. This is a bit outside my scope as a non-gamer, but with age-appropriate limits, being able to bond while playing a game together is a great way to stay in touch with friends.  As with any online activity for your children, check on what they are doing and who they are talking to.

Old Fashioned Games

Consider playing a game on video chat. If both parties have UNO, split the deck and play. Or consider charades or Battleship – games that can easily be split between two parties and can be played solo. For the little kids maybe Boggle, and for older kids Monopoly or any board games that both parties have.

Movie Night

Thanks to streaming services introducing group play, you can watch a movie together at the same time and even send messages while watching. This does take some prior planning and technology link-up, but being able to continue movie nights is pretty amazing.

This year has certainly brought on the need for creativity in staying in touch but socially distanced, and these are great ways for kids to stay in touch. Based on age, children may need some parental assistance. With any technology, parental guidance and monitoring are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

What have you been utilizing to help your children stay in touch with their friends? Can the adults get on a long-distance game of CLUE?

Get Creative with NYE Celebrations This Year

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Get with you Quarun-team

In keeping with state-specific guidelines in regards to group size, avoid large group gatherings, and stick to your family or quarun-team, aka the group of people who are in your safe circle and stick to that. While the holidays are a great time to get together with friends, with COVID-19 and flu season, no one wants to be sick over the holidays. Get your group together and celebrate in a fun and unique ways that are as unique as the year 2020.

Make it a Bake Off!

Gather baking supplies, look up your favorite baking show, and find a topic or recipe to try and do it! Have fun together trying something new and maybe you will create your new favorite bread courtesy of Paul Hollywood or custard that Mary Berry would favor.  

Fireworks whenever you want

The sparkling fireworks and the accompanying music is a highlight for outdoor NYE celebrations. Continue them from home before midnight by streaming fireworks from Disneyland via their Youtube channel or from the Nagaoka fireworks Festival show in Japan who as a country have the best fireworks you have ever seen. Just type in “fireworks” on YouTube or an online video search engine of your choice and guarantee you will find the perfect firework style and length to suit your taste.

Craft a Memory Keepsake

While a lot of people are ready to just get the year over with, the truth is, it has happened. While there aren’t vacation photos like years past or birthday parties with huge cakes, chances are there are lots of selfies, pictures of science experiments, and game nights. Consider printing off a few to make a scrapbook or photo book or perhaps a photo ornament. Celebrate the silver linings of this year and build more memories together.

Pjs and a Movie

In keeping with making New Year’s Eve whatever you want, consider cuddling up in comfy PJs, make a couch fort with blanket and pillows, and pop in a movie – you know those digital video discs that we all owned – or stream a movie and relax and enjoy. Make it a phone-free event for extra enjoyment!

Dinner Buffet

While keeping it your family or quarun-team, put out fun plates of veggies, fruit, crackers, jams, cheese, meats and enjoy noshing over a fun appetizer-like dinner that you may see at NYE parties. Remember to never leave perishable food out for longer than 2 hours as that can become a bacteria breeding ground.

Make a Photo Booth

Use things you have at home to decorate a wall – maybe a bunch of tissue paper or wrapping paper to make “stars.” Use paper plates to make face masks, or perhaps dig into your Halloween or dress-up bin and go to town taking selfies to commemorate the year. Use cardboard boxes to make a background frame with a fun slogan or perhaps to make cardboard cut-out glasses.

Bust out the Games

Make it a game day and go to town on card games like Uno or Go Fish, or if you have older family members consider lengthy games of Risk or Clue. Go really old school by playing musical chairs – there is something fun about musical chairs that gets everyone giggly and giddy.

It’s a Dance Party!

Check out the many dance playlists on your choice of device and clear the living room or dining room or dorm room to make it a dance party! Make it personal by getting everyone together to build your own playlist, and share it with your dearest friends. Consider getting friends or family in on it by video chatting with them while sharing the music.

While collectively, the world is looking forward to a new year and continuing to go forward, don’t forget to celebrate and have fun! It may be 2020, but it is still New Year’s Eve!

What are you doing to celebrate New Year’s Eve? Let us know in the comments!

6 Ways to Get Outside This Winter

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Getting outdoors is imperative. It is a crucial building block of mental health, boosts the immune system with vitamin D provided by the sun and improves circulation with moving around. When it is cold outside, it is darn difficult to get motivated to go outside. Especially when you have to think about layers on yourself, or putting all. those. layers. on the potty-training toddler.  Do yourself the mental health break and try to get outside every couple of days. Don’t forget the sunblock – even if it is clouded sky, there is still ultraviolet rays from the sun so protect your skin when you are outdoors with at least an SPF of 15 or higher. It should go without saying, if the winter conditions are unsafe, do not venture outdoors.

Embrace the Snow

Resist the cuddle up and stay inside all day idea and bundle up for some fun in the snow! Build a snowman, make snow angels and throw some snowballs. You might have to come inside for some warm up breaks depending on the temperature, but snow is but temporary. Even Olaf melted a couple times, and was only saved by Elsa’s icy powers. Consider taking food coloring out to color the snow, or adding food coloring to water as you make ice and toss the ice cubes in the snow. Don’t forget about sledding – it’s the acceptable time to push those kiddos down the hill…on the sled!

Hiking

If you are properly dressed with layers of gloves, coats, scarves, and hats, hiking can be enjoyable. Getting out and walking around will warm everyone in the hiking party and you might find yourself shedding layers. Explore a National Park or State Park near you – you can head back and forth to the heat of the car if needed, but also explore somewhere outside your house preventing cabin fever.

Enjoy the Ice

For the little kids and big kids alike, freezing bubbles is an exciting experiment. All you need is a bubble wand and soap water – blow a bubble in the freezing temperatures and watch it freeze! Better yet, you can enjoy this outdoor winter fun on your doorstoop or deck with layers on and heat and a warm bathroom nearby.

Make it a White Snow Beach Day

It might sound silly – but go with me here. When you have the whispy snow, it is the perfect time for a “beach” day.  Break out the beach toys and bring them into the snow! Toss a beach ball around, build snow dunes and use the sand toys to build snow castles. It sounds crazy, but the fully-bundled littles will not once complain about it being cold when they are playing beach in the snow. Olaf likes summer after all.

Make a Maze

If you have snow – make a maze out of snow! It may not be four feet tall, but just walking through a path is a fun distraction. No snow? Make a maze our of boxes, chairs or whatever you have outside. Maybe even with chalk if it is warm enough. Anything to make the outdoor time more enjoyable and different will add variety and fun to outdoor time.

Winter Family Photo Shoot

While the cold means you are bundled up, it doesn’t mean you can’t have some awesome and hilarious photos. Set up a camera on a table or chair, or a tripod if you have one, and go to town taking photos! Set up the auto shoot and start throwing snowballs, or build play a game of tag. It is not the traditional matching outfits family photo, but guarantee it will be a memorable one.

Now, if you are living on Southern California or Florida, you might have to rely on the house of mouse or use bubbles to make faux snow, but you are still able get out and hike and explore! And those beach photos in the winter will surely be memorable.

I think this year, after all of the quarantining, social distancing and indoor time, we are all feeling cabin fever and it isn’t even cold outside yet. We will be doing all the outdoor things we can do this winter safely. We are stocked up on winter gear so we can be appropriately bundled in a jacket, gloves, scarves, hats and boots to make the most out of being outdoors.

What is your favorite winter outdoor activity?

12 Stocking Stuffers… to get at the Commissary

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  1. An orange – maybe just one if you live overseas and dealing with OCONUS prices, but stateside one whole bag can stretch across your entire family’s stockings! Apples are also awesome additions to the stocking – any fruit that won’t bruise while in the stocking.
  2. Dried fruit – dried mango, apricots, figs in the produce aisle are healthier versions of fruit snacks.
  3. Spiced nuts – usually on an end cap or in the produce aisle, pre-shelled nuts with holiday spices are a yummy treat and perfectly fit in a stocking.
  4. Cookie decorating décor – fun sprinkles, tube icing, almond extract are the perfect stocking stuffers for the little baker – get in on the baking after the holidays with some fun decorating items from the baking aisle.
  5. Hot cocoa packets – Grab a packet or two of specialty cocoas to try a variety!
  6. Single-serve coffee – for the adults, consider a new canned coffee or instant coffee powder for a caffeine pick me up.
  7. Cider packets – specialty flavored cider packets like caramel apple or apple spice are a fun addition to the stocking without having to commit to a whole box.
  8. Spice mix – the International aisle has a bounty of spice mixes from all around the world – curry or enchilada mixes are perfect to pair with that holiday turkey for fun leftovers, grab a packet or box to put in the stocking.
  9. Sauce – the International Aisle has jarred sauces like tikka masala, adobo, or marinara – there are so many options, consider getting one for yourself!
  10. International Treats – One more time for the International aisle – from German bread mixes to British cookies, you really can’t go wrong with choosing a treat from this aisle.
  11. Movie style candy – check out the candy aisle to grab each family members’ favorite movie candies to prep for a family movie night
  12. Holiday treats – Check out the holiday display for other International Holiday foods like mince pies, German cookies, or the traditional fruit cake – try something new!

The commissary is a great place to stock up on stocking stuffers. Foodstuffs can add pizazz to meal making, which we could all use a little extra of this year. Bonus that this is a one-stop shop if you are already shopping for the holiday meal! Happy Shopping!

Use the MWR and MCCS as Resources for Holiday Fun Complete with Social Distancing

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While it seems that the Grinch has taken over holiday celebrations this year, canceling the holidays all together cannot happen. Across the U.S. outdoor celebrations are continuing.

At Army Base Fort Hood, the holiday tradition of Nature in Lights at the BLORA Ranch, a five and a half mile holiday lights attraction will continue from November 13, 2020 – January 3, 2021.

Cost:

  • Car, Mini-van, and Truck: $20
  • Limos, 15-Passenger Vans and RVs: $35
  • 24-Passenger Van: $55
  • 47-Passenger Van or Bus:  $80

Navy Base Little Creek’s MWR Fitness is continuing their Reinder Run 5k complete with wearing holiday attire! Registration can be completed by December 4th. The run is completed outdoors and masks must be worn if cannot maintain 6 feet of social distance.

Navy MWR is hosting two virtual events in December. The Virtual Scavenger Hunt and Virtual Murder Mystery will be completed on Zoom. Because they are virtual, the event is open to all authorized Navy MWR Patrons after 18 and older or at least 17 years old and on active duty at any base.

Portsmouth MWR is hosting a virtual Gingerbread House contest. All the supplies to build the gingerbread house are available at the River’s Edge Recreation are available for pickup, or create with supplies at home. All pictures of the creation are submitted to their Facebook messenger. Planning ahead to New Years’, they are also planning a Happy Noon’s Year Eve. Who wants to stay up late when you can celebrate early and have an early bedtime! Yes!

MCCS Camp Pendleton is creating a drive-through Winter Fest Express. The drive through includes a free Tree from Trees for Troops, a holiday treat, children’s gifts, and a holiday box. Two additional events of Santa Cruise where you can do a “drive-by” visit with Santa and Mrs. Clause.

Navy MWR Bahrain has a host of activities to celebrate the holidays while maintaining social distance. A drive-in holiday movie, drive-through Winter Wonderland, a Command Tree Decorating Contest, and online-hosted holiday bingo series. These creative activities allow for families or quarun-teams to celebrate in their own cars or homes while still promoting community holiday spirit which can be challenging when stationed far away from loved ones.

S’mores Holiday Fun at MCCS Lejeune has plans for a scavenger hunt and s’mores over a firepit for each family allowing for appropriate social distance while enjoying the outdoors and an outdoor visit with Santa, holiday cheer, and ooey-gooey s’mores.

In true New Orleans fashion, the holiday in December is the time to plan (via Zoom meetings and online groups) the continuation of the Mardi Gras season. In lieu of parades, this year families are asked to decorate their house as a float – yup House Floats! And in lieu of throwing beads, face masks are being thrown – from a distance or down a shoot to follow social distancing rules. Can’t keep that NOLA spirit down!

Christmas Tree lightings around the world are being hosted by MCCS and MWR and streamed on social media so everyone can enjoy them from a safe distance. Check out your bases’ social media pages to what they are doing. Even if you don’t watch it “Live,” the beauty of streaming is that you can watch it whenever is convenient for you or your family.

Whatever, wherever, and however you celebrate the season, have a healthy and safe holiday season!

What is your base doing to support the holidays this season? Let us know so we can share it!

9 Organizations that Support Military Families During the Holidays

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The holiday time can be a difficult time for military families. It can be a time spent apart from families due to deployment. Even when the military service member is stateside, it doesn’t mean families can travel back home as it can be expensive, and use precious leave. In 2020, traveling is not recommended due to the requirement of quarantine prior to travel and returning home. Creating that sense of holiday in any year can be emotionally taxing, and in 2020 it is even more so. There are many organizations that plan throughout the year to support military families, and this year is no different. If your family or someone you know would love a tree, food, or holiday spirit, check out these organizations.

Trees for Troops

Trees for Troops has been operating for over 15 years delivering live Christmas trees to military bases across the United States for military families to pick up for FREE. All the trees are donated by farms, nurseries, or individuals across America who want to demonstrate their support of military families with this gift of appreciation. The organization is planning delivery to 79 bases from November 30th to December 11th. Check to see if your base is on the list here.

Operation Homefront Holiday Meals

The tradition of a holiday meal in November and December is a common practice across America. For some military families, the expense of such a large meal is not something that can be accommodated in the budget. And quite honestly, if a military family is going through a deployment during the holidays it is emotionally taxing as well. Through partnerships with local businesses, Operation Homefront has been able to provide Holiday Meals for military families. Meal pick-up times and locations are pre-arranged and registration is required. Eligibility is extended for E1-E6 active duty military families and post 9-11 wounded, ill, or injured service members of any rank even if no longer serving on active duty. Registration is open by searching for the location nearest you here.

Operation Holiday Joy – ASYMCA

The Armed Services YMCA organization is committed to supporting active-duty military families throughout the year, and the holiday season is no different. Operation Holiday Joy provides food baskets to military families and toys to military children every year. Look up your local branch for registration details and pick up times.

If you want to donate to the program, they are always accepting donations here.

Operation Christmas Spirit

A part of the Operation Help a Hero program in California, Operation Christmas Spirit adopts military families to provide them gifts for Christmas. The entire family is adopted and through donations provided toys, gas and grocery gift cards, and much more. The goal of the organization is to provide support to any active duty military family who is concerned about providing Christmas presents to their children.

If you are an active duty or Gold Star family in need of assistance or know someone who is, click this link here. While some locations are full, many locations are not. To be an eligible active-duty family, families must be E5 or below, any rank with 4+ children, any rank with a justification of a need, or families with a legitimate need for assistance. Gold Star families with children age 17 and under, Gold Star spouses, or guardians of Gold Star children are eligible to apply.

Full Circle Home

Full Circle Home is an organization that helps deployed troops send reminders of their love home to their loved ones. Since the organization’s start in 2007, Full Circle Home has helped over 21,000 troops send holiday wishes to their family members at home. Being the military family member at home during the holidays is emotionally and mentally challenging, and this year it is even more so. If you are a deployed service member and want to send a gift home, sign up here to complete the registration form. Currently, gifts sent are for adult women only – so military members can send gifts to their mother, adult female family member, or spouse. The gifts are chosen for the service member and the service member writes a love note on the registration form.

If you know someone who wants to donate to help with this mission, check out the donate page here.

Soldiers Angels Adopt a Family

Soldiers Angels’ Adopt a Family program is open for families of deployed service members, post 9-11 wounded, ill, or injured service members and veterans and their families or veteran families enrolled in the HUD/VASH program. The deployed service member must be E1-E6 rank, not be scheduled to return from deployment prior to December 25th, and must demonstrate financial need. Further details on eligibility read here. To register to be adopted, click here. If adopted, the team will ask for details of what is on the children’s wish list to provide gifts for the children and the grocery store for a grocery gift card.

If you know someone who wants to donate to help support the Adopt A Family program, the volunteer time link is here.

Wreaths Across America

Saturday, December 19th is National Wreaths Across America this year. Meaning, you can sign up to volunteer at any of the 2100 cemeteries for wreath-laying across the United States and abroad. This amazing effort to let no fallen service member be forgotten cannot be completed without donated time, funds, and sponsored wreaths. You can sponsor a hand-crafted all-American balsam wreath to be laid at this event in honor of a family member or friend. In addition to sponsorship, wreaths can be purchased as gifts with service-specific flags on them. For every wreath purchased, a wreath is sponsored. The non-profit runs with a small staff, and thousands of volunteers every year. The volunteer number often grows to the millions on the wreath-laying day. While initially the wreath-laying at Arlington National Cemetery was canceled, there is still a plan for the wreath-laying to occur on the 19th in person with a small group and will be streamed virtually.

Toys for Tots

The U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program provides new, unwrapped toys to children in need. The deadline to request a toy varies per the location so make sure to click the link to learn more about the Toys for Tots Campaign nearest you.

Donations of toys can be completed in person at drop off locations or online with their virtual drop box.

Meals and Programming from the USO

Since 1941, the USO has been supporting service members as they prepare for deployment and while serving overseas. The organization continues support overseas by bringing holiday meals to those deployed or living overseas, and they also provide Turkeys for Troops or holidays meals at each of their 250+ locations worldwide. Check your local USO to see what programs they are providing this holiday season.

The holiday season can be a difficult period in a normal year for those military family members deployed or far from family. It can be an expensive time of year that challenges the family finances and these organizations desire to demonstrate support and care to military families during this time of year. Share with anyone you know who would be interested in learning or sharing these programs!