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Active, Retired Military Leaders Condemn Racism in Ranks as Protests Sweep US

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Protests supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and speaking out against racism have been sweeping across all 50 states and DC since late May. These protests were sparked by several recent deaths of Black Americans.

Now military leaders, both active and retired, have released statements and memos related to the protests, the political reactions in DC and military policies.

Recent Deaths of Black Americans Touch Off Nation-wide Protests Against Racism

George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis on May 25 seemed to be the final spark that initiated the current protests. Floyd, 46, was killed while in police custody when a white officer kneeled on his neck. Floyd, as seen in an 8 minute and 46 second video, repeatedly told the four officers involved that he couldn’t breathe before dying. All four officers have been fired and are being held on charges related to Floyd’s death.

This followed the March killing of Breonna Taylor, 27, a Nashville EMT, when police executed a no-knock warrant at her home. Ahmaud Arbery, 25, was hit by a truck and then shot while out on a jog in Glynn County, GA, in February.

Since late May, protests supporting anti-racism and Black Lives Matter have been organized across the US. From big cities to small towns, Americans are demonstrating and calling for systemic changes.

Protests have also been heavily filmed by demonstrators who are documenting their experiences and sharing them on social media. During these protests, police officers in several other cities have been suspended, fired or are being otherwise investigated for excessive force.

Retired Military Leaders Speak Out About Protests, Racism

Since the protests have begun, retired military leaders have published letters around the issue of racism and the White House’s response to protests.

Former Secretary of Defense General James Mattis, USMC ret., is possibly the highest profile retired flag officer to speak out in the last month. His scathing letter, published in The Atlantic, condemned racism and called for political leaders to avoid using troops to suppress freedom of speech.

Mattis’ letter followed a photo op for President Donald Trump at a damaged church near the White House. In preparation for the president to walk to the church, police used tear gas and other forcible means to clear otherwise peaceful protestors from Trump’s path.

“Never did I dream that troops taking that same oath would be ordered under any circumstance to violate the Constitutional rights of their fellow citizens—much less to provide a bizarre photo op for the elected commander-in-chief, with military leadership standing alongside,” Mattis wrote on June 3.

Former Joint Chiefs Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen, USN ret., also spoke out in The Atlantic about the use of force against protestors in DC.

“It sickened me yesterday to see security personnel—including members of the National Guard—forcibly and violently clear a path through Lafayette Square to accommodate the president’s visit outside St. John’s Church,” Mullen wrote on June 2.

On June 7, Former Secretary of State General Colin Powell, USA ret., added his voice in an interview on CNN. In his interview, Powell issued a firm rebuke to Trump while also showing support for protestors and his fellow military leaders.

“I think what we’re seeing now, is (the most) massive protest movement I have ever seen in my life, I think it suggests the country is getting wise to this and we’re not going to put up with it anymore,” Powell told CNN’s Jake Tapper.

Top Marine Calls for Removal of Confederate Flags, End to Racism in Corps

In April, General James Berger, Commandant of the USMC, issued a strong directive regarding displays of confederate symbols on Marine Corps installations.

“We are a warfighting organization, an elite institution of warriors who depend on each other to win the tough battles. Anything that divides us, anything that threatens team cohesion must be addressed head-on,” Berger wrote in April.

At the time of his initial letter, Berger directed USMC leadership to facilitate the removal of all displays of the Confederate battle flag and related symbols.

“We must remove those symbols that have the effect of division and not mere disagreement,” he wrote.

As protests continue across the US into June, Berger has issued another letter, clarifying his earlier position and calling for the eradication of racism in all forms in the Corps.

“Current events are a stark reminder that it is not enough for us to remove symbols that cause division — rather, we also must strive to eliminate division itself,” Berger wrote in June. Only as a unified force, free from discrimination, racial inequality, and prejudice can we fully demonstrate our core values, and serve as the elite warfighting organization America requires and expects us to be.”

Top Military Leaders Echos Calls for Equality in Military

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Mark Milley, USA, asked his fellow military leaders in a memo to “please remind all our troops and leaders that we will uphold the values of our nation, and operate consistent with national laws and our own high standards of conduct at all times.”

Milley has previously appeared with Trump at the controversial photo op at St. John’s Church. However, he has since walked back his involvement and acknowledged that being with Trump at the church was inappropriate.

“My presence in that moment and in that environment created a perception of the military involved in domestic politics,” Milley said in a pre-recorded video commencement address.

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper also spoke out about racism and the use of active duty troops to quell protests.

“The option to use active duty forces in a law enforcement role should only be used as a matter of last resort, and only in the most urgent and dire of situations,” said Esper at a June 3 news conference. “We are not in one of those situations now.”

Leaders from across the branches have also joined in, sharing memos and social media messages standing against racism, as reported in the Marine Corps Times.

Army leadership has also reopened the possibility of renaming bases that honor Confederate generals, like Fort Benning. Also under scrutiny are Fort Hood and Fort Bragg, also both named for prominent Confederate generals.

Have you seen or experienced racism in the military? Sound off in the comments.

Storm Season is Upon Us – Both Commissaries and Military Exchanges are Here to Help You Prepare

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Hurricane Season runs from June 1 to November 30 and Tornado Season is April to July.  Each year hurricanes and tornados wreak havoc across the country. For many military families it may be the first time you have lived in an area affected by these storms. It is important to be prepared with emergency supplies. Both your local commissaries and military exchanges are prepared to help you.

Service members and their families can plan for that disruption by using their commissary benefit to purchase emergency supplies, said Army Command Sgt. Maj. Tomeka N. O’Neal, the Defense Commissary Agency’s senior enlisted advisor to the DeCA director.

“When the storm comes and all of a sudden you have no electricity, or you cannot get to the grocery store, which may also be closed – what’s your plan?” O’Neal said. “Before a bad day gets even worse, think ahead and save money as you use your commissary to help prepare for that emergency event.”

This year is scheduled to be a more average season but 2019 saw around 1500 tornadoes, one of the most active seasons on record and 18 named storms with six becoming hurricanes according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Tornadoes often occur with little time to prepare and although you have more notice with a hurricane, long lines and last minute rushes to purchase emergency supplies can leave you without what you need.

The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) is offering a severe weather promotional package from April through October 31. The package includes discounts on these items: beef jerky and other assorted meat snacks, soup and chili mixes, canned goods, powdered milk, cereals, batteries, airtight bags, weather-ready flashlights, tape (all-weather, heavy-duty shipping and duct), first aid kits, lighters, matches, lanterns, candles, hand sanitizer and anti-bacterial wipes. Specific items may vary from store to store.

“Throughout the year we advise our customers to be ready for any emergency, natural or manmade,” O’Neal said. “Even with the COVID-19 outbreak, we still want our customers to be prepared. However, regardless of the situation, we recommend that they calmly purchase what they need and avoid any panic buying to ensure products are available for others in their communities.”

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) also has a plan to support military shoppers during storm season. During the 2019 storm season AAFES shipped almost 150,000 emergency supplies to stores up and down the East coast for Hurricane Dorian allowing stores to stay open. “The Exchange is all in to serve, especially during disasters,” said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Luis Reyes, the Exchange’s senior enlisted advisor. “Should our stores be affected by a hurricane, we have internal processes in place and the experience to ensure water, batteries, flashlights, generators and other critical supplies are pushed to areas they are most needed.”

There is an Exchange Disaster Support Group (DSG) which reviews plans and guidance before each storm season. If a storm hits, mobile field exchanges (MFEs) are ready to deploy to support military first responders. Each MFE is a 53-foot trailer with emergency supplies, toiletries, snacks and drinks. “No other retailer does what the Exchange does,” Reyes said. “The Exchange stands ready to provide a ray of sunshine in the wake of a natural disaster and bring a bit of comfort and normalcy to an otherwise dire situation.”

Suggested Supplies for an Emergency Kit

Includes recommendations both for an evacuation or remaining at home. When preparing, plan for a three-day supply for evacuation and two-weeks if you are remaining at home. Think in terms of no running water or electricity.

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

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.PeggyWhereShouldIGo.com

What is Feds Feed Families and How Can you Help?

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With most Federal employees’ jobs not effected by the COVID-19 pandemic the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) annual Feds Feed Families (FFF) campaign takes on greater importance. Food banks are struggling to meet the demand of so many people out of work and food insecure. This year, 2020 marks the 11th annual FFF campaign which reaches out to employees from all federal departments and agencies to donate food, services and time. Resources collected go to food banks and pantries around the country. The campaign takes place in June and July but throughout the year FFF sends out seasonal reminders to donate throughout the year.

“During these challenging times with coronavirus, I am amazed by the generosity of the American people and their giving nature,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. “Our USDA family has the most dedicated employees in the federal government and this campaign is our chance to help feed those in need.”

The 2020 Food Drive is focusing on healthy, nutritious foods. Participants may collect nonperishable foods and fresh foods (as appropriate for each food bank). Items most wanted by food pantries include high protein foods such as canned or dry beans, peanut butter, canned tuna, and salmon. Also in demand: grains (such as brown and white rice, pasta, and macaroni and cheese), hot and cold cereal, canned vegetables, canned fruit, dried fruits, 100 percent juice drinks, granola bars, and soups.

There are many ways to participate:

  • Become an FFF Champion at your department or agency to motivate your colleagues to participate.
  • Donate online: Purchase food at an online grocer and have it delivered directly to a food bank or pantry. Or make a monetary donation to a food pantry or food bank. Record your donation in either pounds or dollars on the FFF Hub.
  • Combined Federal Campaign (CFC): Donate money to a food pantry or food bank through the CFC special solicitation through June 30 and also during the regular CFC giving season from September through January. Record your donation on the FFF Hub.
  • Attend a virtual food drive event: Join your colleagues online to learn about food insecurity in your community and how to donate pounds to participating local organizations.
  • Drop off donations at your local food bank or pantry: Record your donation in pounds on the FFF Hub.
  • Plant-a-row: Plant an extra row of produce in your garden and give the extra harvest to local feeding programs.
  • Field Gleaning: Field Gleaning is the harvesting of unused or unharvested produce. Search for gleaning opportunities in your community that you can do on your own time. Learn about gleaning with the USDA Gleaning Toolkit. Weigh the produce or ask the farm to help you calculate pound and record your donation on the FFF Hub.
  • Warehouse Gleaning:Warehouse Gleaning is volunteering to sort and package food donations at a food bank or pantry and is completed on your own time. Ask the food bank or pantry to help determine the weight of food resulting from your volunteer time and record your donation on the FFF Hub.

Check with your local commissary to see if they are participating in the campaign. They have two ways to participate; purchase a prepackaged brown bag and drop it off in the designated bin or purchase, or bring in, any nonperishable or personal hygiene product and drop it in the bin.

You can also check out the FFF new website, the FFF Hub to find out more about participating in the campaign. FFF measures their donations in pounds rather than dollars and the website provides a way to record contributions. It also provides information on ways to participate and success stories.

According to the FFF website, Since Feds Feed Families launched in 2009, this campaign has collected more than 92 million pounds of food for donation. In 2019 alone, federal employees donated more than 2.8 million pounds. USDA is the designated lead agency for the National Feds Feeds Families campaign for the U.S. government nationwide.

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.PeggyWhereShouldIGo.com

49 Quarantine Impulse Buys We Feel Zero Guilt Over

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Being stuck in the house can be awesome, but staying put for weeks and maybe months on end can be, well, a lot. In this time of crisis, we’re all looking for ways to stay sane and keep our cool.

Which leads to a lot of impulse shopping online. I’m guilty of adding a ton of things to my cart, but refuse to feel any guilt over these quarantine impulse buys!

49 Quarantine Impulse Buys We Feel Zero Guilt Over

No matter what your guilty pleasure might be, chances are high that there is a product out there to help you scratch that itch. Since you’re stuck in an endless judgement free zone, there’s nothing stopping you from treating yourself.

It’s for your mental health.

Best Quarantine Impulse Entertainment Purchases

Whether you need something to make the endless hours of working from home less boring or you need to keep the kids occupied to, you know, actually work, entertainment is on everyone’s list.

Here’s what we bought to keep us all entertained:

  • STARZ: binge watch Outlander and the new series Dublin Murders with a free trial
  • Disney+: we bought this pre-pandemic, but it’s been paying off in spades with endless child entertainment hours
  • Board games: honestly, we love a board game and so we stocked up on expansion packs for Cards with Friends and the kids’ version of Clue
  • Puzzles: 500 pieces for me and under 100 piece puzzles for the kids mean lots of mind-challenging entertainment
  • New York Times Sunday: just the At Home and puzzle sections alone make this worth it for tons of entertainment
  • Inflatable movie screen: watch all of your best screening services in the backyard with a fun under-the-stars experience
  • Nintendo Switch: it’s fun for the whole family and sanity for all parents

Zero Guilt Fitness Quarantine Impulse Buys

All the anxiety baking means lots of added calories. But some of us are committed to leaving self-isolation with some extra definition.

Here’s what’s on our fitness purchase list:

  • Peloton bike: it’s the buzziest at-home fitness trend of the last 18 months, but also they have a sweet military discount
  • Pull-up bar: you might already have one of these, but there’s nothing that says you can’t have two
  • Rollerblades: relive your youth with a new pair of rollerblades – don’t forget a helmet and knees pads though
  • Treadmill: if you’re not really into spinning, try jogging instead
  • Kayak: maybe you live near water right now or maybe you’re planning for a future vacation
  • Pedal boat: another fun buy if you’ve got a pond nearby

Backyard Fun & Essential Yard Purchases

We all need to escape our homes. If you’ve got a backyard, patio or even a decent sized balcony, you might consider grabbing some of these no guilt quarantine impulse buys.

  • Yard games: badminton, corn hole, volleyball – we’re investing in all the classic backyard games
  • Swings & slides: because the kids need a place to play since all the playgrounds are closed
  • Tents: we’re really loving backyard camping in our 4 person setup, plus I can run inside for a real bed anytime I want
  • Plants: some of us have gone extreme in the garden right now, with veggies, flowers and fruit being potted 24/7
  • Trampoline: gets all the energy out and doubles as a fun fort, too
  • Sprinkler: bring back the glory of our childhood with this retro way to cool off in the summer
  • Bounce house: if you’ve got a little more space, pump one of these up in your yard and be the envy of your neighbors
  • Sumo or dino costume: plant yourself costumed self on the porch while you work and watch your neighbors reactions to your style
  • Hammock: your WFH boss just instituted a new afternoon routine, napping in the hammock
  • Fire Pit: it’s not camping if you don’t make s’mores

Around the House Zero Guilt Quarantine Impulse Buys

You’re stuck inside the house, so you might as well do a few little things to spruce up the place. Or, you know, shop for an entirely new place to call home!

  • A new house: whether it’s a pre-PCS purchase or a vacation/retirement home, the market hasn’t been this good in a while
  • Pressure washer: keeps things looking nice and also ideal for taking out a little pent up aggression with the power of water
  • Lovesac: if you’re spending all this time at home, you might as well be extra comfy
  • Bar: since you can’t go to your favorite watering hole, bring it to you with a cool place to chill after a long day of WFH
  • Roomba: suddenly, I’m seeing so much dirt around the house but don’t want to actually clean it myself
  • Pool & hot tub: we only invested in a blow-up pool for the kids, but our friends went for an above ground pool and hot tub

Self-Care Purchases for the Win

Taking care of yourself and stying healthy is priority number one right now. Which makes all your pampering items feel less indulgent and more 100% necessary.

  • Everything from LUSH: if I’m staying home 24/7, I’m going to do it smelling good
  • Guilty pleasure TV: Melrose Place, the original 90210, Gilmore Girls -whatever your fave comfort TV show is, buy all the seasons and binge it
  • Puppies & kittens: it doesn’t matter if you’re fostering or adopting or maybe just wandering through PetFinder, cuddly animals are 100% self-care right now
  • Bidet: because being clean is essential right now, in all ways
  • AirPods: if they’re in all the time, no one will know if I’d on a work call or if I’m listening to murder podcasts
  • Korean face masks: again, I’d like to look nice while not seeing anyone at all

Guilt-Free Kitchen Items We’re Buying Right Now

It seems like we’ve all agreed that quarantine is going to be the time that we all become incredible cooks and/or bakers. Between sourdough starters and DIY canning, we’re all in the kitchen. Might as well do it up right.

  • KitchenAide stand mixer: the piece de resistance of kitchen appliances, every serious home chef needs to own at least one
  • Vitamix: whip up some healthy smoothies or make a batch of tomato soup, this mixer can do it all
  • AirFryer: so that french fries can have some redeeming nutritional value, since that’s all the kids want to eat right now
  • Pasta strainer: we just scored one that literally clips onto the pot, which is great for carbo loading to combat my pandemic anxiety
  • Ice cream maker: if I can’t to Ben & Jerry’s, I’ll make my own cool flavor combos at home

Quarantine Impulse Buys We All Feel Zero Guilt Over

Be honest: even if you haven’t bought any of the things at the top of this list, you’ve definitely purchased at least one of the things on this, the final list of quarantine impulse buys.

  • Toilet paper: because you can never have enough
  • Booze: whatever you prefer, you’re gonna stock up just in case things get really bad
  • Takeout or delivery: cooking 3 meals a day, every day gets really old, really fast
  • Target pickup: if you can’t get your Target fix, you can at least get your most essential impulse buys brought to your car
  • Beans: canned, dried, refried – we’re all buying beans for their long shelf life
  • Flour & yeast: because we need ingredients to become the next Iron Chef
  • Hair dye: whether you went with semi-permanent or really committed, we’re all switching up our looks right now
  • LEGOs and puzzles: even work doesn’t fill our entire day, so we’re deep diving these sets – first up: Harry Potter
  • Coffee: because we all need to be caffeinated to handle life right now

What’s your no guilt quarantine impulse buy? Sound off in the comments!

Post-Pandemic PCSing Realities You Need to Plan for Now

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The entire US military has existed under a stop movement order since March. It’s placed deployments, homecomings and PCS moves on pause for thousands of troops and their families from coast-to-coast. When we finally can move more normally, what will the post-pandemic PCSing realities look like?

Post-Pandemic PCSing Realities You Need to Plan for Now

As of publication, the military-wide stop movement order has been extended through June 30 by Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. This order will be reviewed every 15 days, according to an April 18 Military Times article. The frequent review could potentially result in an early lifting of the order or might extend the order, depending on how the pandemic response and infection rates evolve.

In the meantime, thousands of military families are waiting on word about their summer PCS moves. There are lots of questions, especially about the real-world application of the DOD’s moving guidance document.

Once we’re free to move about the country again, you’re going to want to be fully ready to move ASAP.

When Can I Move?

While most PCS orders are paused, there are some troops who have been and will be granted exemptions, according to military move expert Megan Harless.

“Some of these moves are still happening from either exemptions, such as being mission essential or in a hardship status, or by exception to policy, such as medical or financial hardship,” Harless explained.

Those exemptions include:

  • Mid-PCS: service members and their families who have physically left their previous duty station and are en route to the next location
  • Troops who are EASing or retiring
  • Mission essential
  • Humanitarian
  • As a result of extreme hardship

MilitaryOneSource notes that those who are in middle of moves or just about to begin the PCS process, need to remain in close contact with their chain of command and their move coordinator.

Exemptions must be applied for. PCS orders that cannot be followed as originally written will be re-issued with adjusted no later than dates.

“Once the stop move order is lifted, troops will be able to PCS without issue,” Harless explained. “Just to note, each service branch has also implemented their own regulations in regards to PCSing this summer and many have seen their report dates get shifted.”

What Happens When PCSing Starts Again?

If you are moving and are not exempted from the stop movement, it’s important that you stay on top of your PCS orders and the moving process.

“Those who are not moving (right now) are being issued amended orders for later in the year, and some have requested to defer their move until next year,” according to Harless.

Harless recommends that troops also remain in close contact with the Travel Management Office and their move coordinator(s).

“(Move coordinators) are designed to be your single point of contact during your move and give you updates on your assigned dates, weight, delivery, and any issues,” Harless said. “If your move has not started or you cannot get a hold of your move coordinator, you can always call your local transportation office, or the moving hotline for assistance.”

Is it Safe to Drive Cross-Country or Fly?

Right now, Harless is getting reports that many hotels across the country are taking precautionary measures to ensure the safety of their guests.

“Those that have been staying at hotels have said that many of them are very clean and have taken steps to ensure safety for everyone to include boxed breakfasts.”

When staying at a hotel, Harless recommends:

  • driving slightly longer each day to cut down on overnight stays
  • send one adult into the hotel room to wipe everything down with cleansing wipes

Harless also recommends booking the most direct flight option possible to reduce layovers.

Will This Moving Season Be Busier?

“I think the season is still going to be pretty active this year despite the stop move order and all the change in orders,” Harless predicted. “Industry has noted a drop in the shipments each week compared to last years.”

While things might not be busier right now, there are warning about delays in shipments. This could result in a longer gap between when your HHG are packed and when you receive them in the next location.

“(T)here have been warnings about possible delays in receiving your shipment based on the number of shipments that have gone into storage but not yet delivered during this time frame,” she said.

Harless has noticed that there are more anecdotal reports of families opting for PPM, or DITY, moves as opposed to relying on the military for packing and shipping.

What Can I Do Now to Prep for My Move Later?

Harless is a big advocate of pre-packing, especially this year with PCSing season on pause for much of the military.

She recommends that you:

  • purge unwanted items to sell, donate or dispose of
  • pre-pack items you are not currently using
  • use space saver bags to flat pack soft items, like linens or winter clothes
  • ziploc bags for small toys and items you don’t want separated
  • totes to organize space saver bags and ziploc bags by type

“Moving companies have said that if families want to start packing things they aren’t using that is fine, just leave the box open so they can verify the contents,” she said. “Don’t worry if you do start packing your items because according to the Claim and Liability Business Rules, anything the moving company takes possession of they are liable for.”

Where Can I Go for Help?

You should remain in contact with your gaining and sending commands to ensure continuity of orders. Your move coordinator is also a good point of contact.

For official DOD guidance, troops and families should reference the PCS FAQ issued via move.mil.

Military service members can also find up to date PCS information at MilitaryOneSource.

Has your PCS been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic? Sound off in the comments!

What Happens When We Can Travel Again? Planning Future Travel in These Times of Uncertainty?

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With summer vacation time upon us, the world as we know it has changed so much especially regarding travel. I am a travel writer and attend two travel conferences each year both which are postponed. The travel industry is decimated by this pandemic but there are signs of hope. The travel industry is eagerly awaiting the on switch and will be ready to go. Trending right now is “Road Trip Vacation” which would be my recommendation for summer travel.

Summer Travel

My recommendation for summer travel is road trip only and I would really think it through. How bad is the pandemic in your area? How bad is the outbreak where you are going? I just returned from a trip via flight due to a family emergency and I would not recommend flying at this time unless for an emergency. Hotels are open and have really stepped up their cleaning and sanitizing. Restrictions are loosening up around the country but most restaurants and attractions such as amusement parks, museums and sporting events have not.

This is the year to plan that outdoor vacation. Rent a cabin or vacation rental at the beach and bring your food with you. I grew up traveling with a large family, so we often brought food on vacation. My mother would make large casseroles and freeze them. She would pack it all in a cooler with lots of newspapers on top to hold in the cold. You must judge what is safe for your family, but I think being in the outdoors with lots of social distancing is doable. Just be aware that a vacation rental or cabin may not have the higher cleaning and sanitation that major hotel chains have enacted. A can of Lysol goes a long way as well as disinfecting wipes for high contact points like doorknobs.

Future Travel

Book now! This is where military families can really benefit. Travel a year out is always a risk for us with the “mission” messing with the best laid plans. Usually a change involves costly fees but not currently. I recommend you book flights now for Thanksgiving or Christmas and start thinking about Summer 2021 vacation plans.

Airlines are offering no fee flight cancelations or changes if you book by a certain date. You will then have until a certain date to rebook in some cases six months to a year later. The dates are changing constantly. You won’t get a refund, but you will have flight credits. I had to cancel a trip in May and at the time if I booked by April 30 I could cancel and rebook up to February 2021. I lucked out as my new flight in November was much less expensive than my original flight, so I had left over money to book another one.

Cruise lines are also offering great change policies but like the airlines no refunds. Deals on future cruise travel are some of the best I’ve ever seen, and many are offering low or 2 for 1 deposits. We never felt comfortable booking so far out and went for the last-minute deals but then you get what is left for cabins and all the great tours and meal reservations are already booked. Now you can book ahead and get some great perks. Look for air credits as well.  I really believe the cruise lines are going to learn from COVID-19 and up their cleaning protocols. In the past few years I have taken cruises and hand sanitizer is everyone for use before meals etc. and I think now people will be more consistent using it.

Final Thoughts

No one knows what the future of travel will be. On my recent flight the rules changed from the day I flew out to the day I flew back, and masks are now required on all flights and waiting areas in the airport. I am a member of a variety of Facebook travel groups and one thing people mentioned repeatedly was that their travel insurance did not cover pandemics. Travelers also had more difficulty making changes and getting refunds from third party bookings versus those booking directly with a hotel, airline, or cruise line.

I am planning a few weekend road trips but not venturing too far this summer. I have booked fall/winter flights for conferences and a big bucket list cruise for May, 2021.

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.PeggyWhereShouldIGo.com

Military Spouses are Uniquely, Perfectly Positioned for Remote Work

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In March, a good portion of the nation transitioned to remote work, aka working from home. There have been more than a few growing pains, what with all the people trying to access your home’s internet at the same time. Plus, we’re all grappling with the facts that those “essential” meetings could have, in fact, been emails instead.

In the middle of this sea change in the working world, one group is poised to claim dominance in the WFH sector. Military spouses are uniquely perfect for remote work – and many of us have been killing it from our home offices for years!

Military Spouses are Uniquely, Perfectly Positioned for Remote Work

Moving every one to three years isn’t exactly conducive to a traditional career. Mostly because many career tracks require you to be in one place for more than a few years at a time. You need time to grow, to get promoted and to demonstrate your skills.

Military Spouse Workforce is a great resource to help leverage your education and experience into a remote or virtual position that works for your military lifestyle!

With the unique demands of a transient lifestyle, military spouses have gotten creative with career paths out of necessity.

Military Spouses Get Creative with Careers

Moving so often means that we can’t stick around in one place long enough to see meaningful promotions. Teachers need 3-5 years in one school to be considered for tenure, for example. That’s not always, or typically, possible as a military spouse.

So we’ve had to get creative with our careers, often turning to virtual jobs or self-employment for continuity and stability.

According to a 2015 Blue Star Families survey, 23% of military spouses have been self-employed or run their own business. Another 28% reported that they were interested in owning their own business. That’s a huge percentage of our population!

Over my 11 years as a military spouse, I’ve worked from home or remote for probably 9 of them. I’ve:

  • run my own tutoring business
  • worked as a copy editor
  • been a freelance writer
  • worked as a content manager
  • owned my own education advocacy business

My friends have worked remotely in fields like accounting, office management, virtual assistant and education – both K-12 and higher education.

In each case, we have leveraged our education and experience to secure these remote positions. The same 2015 BSF survey found that 84% of military spouses polled have some college education or higher, with 58% holding a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Military Spouses are Early Tech Adopters

Know who was on video chats in the early 2000s? Military spouses. We are often on the cutting edge of connectively technology and collaborative work platforms.

It’s not because we have some innate, communal skill or talent that allows us to understand technology faster or better. We adopt and use tech because we have to in order to stay connected with our loved ones. Video chats were needed to talk to our families back home or our deployed service members. We needed to learn about Google apps or online learning platforms because distance learning is often the only option for our own education.

We know how to use tech. And in a world that’s likely to be crawling with remote work, this skill is essential.

Military spouses know tech and how to connect across distances great or small. In this way, we’ve got a leg up on others who rely on being able to connect in person.

Military Spouses are Epic Multi-Taskers

One of the biggest hurdles to remote work, at least right now, is the ability to juggle multiple tasks at once while also being, well, at home.

Military spouses have got multi-tasking down cold. In fact, juggling all the things is basically what we do every day.

It’s not just watching TV and typing either. Military spouses can handle multiple, highly involved jobs always. Jobs like the logistics of a cross-country move, while looking for a home and schools, plus keeping all of the normal things going at home. All while they are solo-parenting.

And everything gets done.

Having multiple work projects with deadlines? That’s easy.

Military Spouses Network & Support Each Other

My spouse jokingly calls my network the milspouse mafia. We know things before our spouses because our grapevine passes verified info quickly.

When we move, I connect with the local military spouse groups to get the gouge on everything from the best schools to awesome CSAs or coffee shops with ethically sourced Ethiopian coffee. Yes, we go big picture while also having incredibly specific details, too.

This incredible network means that I already know a bunch of people who can fill various roles at your company. You get access to all of that knowledge when you hire me.

Plus, when a company or business gains a reputation for hiring military spouses, you’re going to have more exceptional job candidates applying. Because military spouses want to work for people who value our unique skills while supporting our military life.

Hey MilSpouse! Have you pivoted to remote work and rocked it? Sound off in the comments!

Quick Commissary Shopping Tips for the Pandemic

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Going grocery shopping used to be an escape for me, a little time to myself. I could wander the aisles, looking at different options and making comparisons before choosing what I wanted most. Now, I’m doing quick commissary shopping trips, thanks to the global coronavirus pandemic.

Quick Commissary Shopping Tips for the Pandemic

Having to cut my weekly shopping time down to almost nothing means that I’ve gotten really good, really fast at getting just what I need. I’m in an out of the store lickety-split!

Use my quick commissary shopping tips for the pandemic to help make your next grocery run extra speedy!

Meal Plan Like’s It’s Your Job

Everyone is supposed to be mostly sticking close to home, only venturing out for necessary trips. To help your family stick to this rule, it’s important to buy exactly what you need in bulk.

My family has long been meal planners. It’s one of my most essential ways to survive deployments and being a family with two working parents. Meal planning is also a great cost saving strategy!

Right now, it helps me to make sure that I’m getting exactly what I need to make 1-2 weeks of meals for my family of four.

I write down exactly what we’ll have for breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus snacks, for two weeks at a time. Then I cross-check ingredients between the recipe and my pantry. Whatever I don’t have, goes on the list.

Plan Around Pantry Staples & Perishable Foods

Some things just stick around longer while others need to be eaten faster. Which means that my meal plans reflect the longevity of the items I’m buying.

At the start of a two week period, I’m more likely to have things like mushrooms, berries or greens in rotation. By the end of the menu, we’re eating a lot more beans and rice.

As you’re meal planning, make sure to move through menus that feature more perishable foods to less perishable foods. It will help you to avoid a last minute dash to the store for just that one thing.

Know Your Aisles

Because he works on base, my husband has actually been the one doing a bulk of the shopping right now. And he’s learned where things are pretty quickly in just a few trips!

Prior to the pandemic, I was the designated shopper. Mostly because I like to have control over things, but also because I know where things are located. Plus, I keep a secondary running shopping list in my head of things that would be nice to have or that we’re almost out of at home.

As my husband has learned where things are located, his shopping trips are getting much faster. Knowing where things are helps him to reorganize his list so that he’s not criss-crossing the commissary multiple times.

Instead, he can start in produce and finish at the deli without going back to the baking aisle.

Our major tip is to draw a diagram of the store or even just create a list of the aisles. Put them into the correct order as much as possible and describe what you might find there. Take a picture of your diagram or put it up somewhere you can see when you make your list.

Know the Rules of Shopping

Right now, we’re facing shortages in a few areas. Toilet paper, cleaning supplies and meat are just a few of the things that we either can’t buy or are limited in buying.

For example, the commissary is limiting how much fresh meat each shopper or family can buy. Instead of eating meat every night, we’ve switched to a more plant-based diet out of necessity.

As you’re waiting to enter the store, check out any posted signs to get an update on purchase limits. Before you load items into your cart, check around you for more signs, just in case.

Buy in Bulk When Possible

We eat a lot of beans, rice and pasta. They’re shelf stable and my kids enjoy them. But I don’t want to be buying these staple foods every single week.

Instead, I’ve been watching for coupons and sales. I try to match those up with our next major shopping trip. Then I buy mass quantities of our favorite pantry items.

Buying in bulk allows us to buy certain things once a month or once every few months. Plus, it can be a money saver since larger quantities of items often have a lower per unit price. If you’re unsure, check the shelf label and look for the per unit pricing.

While bulk buying is great, it’s also important to be considerate of others. We’re all searching for a lot of the same essentials. Instead of wiping out the entire shelf of toilet paper, consider purchasing just what you need and leaving products for the next person.

Look But Don’t Touch

We’re all really conscious of germs right now. The COVID-19 virus can linger on solid surfaces for quite a while, too.

Which makes it more important than ever that we commit to purchases 100%. Before you pick up an item, consider if you really want that particular container.

Right now, it’s encouraged that we only touch products that we are ready to purchase. If you have concerns about ingredients and can’t quickly pull up the info on your phone, it might be better to walk away.

We’re sticking to items and brands we already know. For us, it means shopping time is reduced since we’re not shuffling through all the different varieties to find exactly what we want.

What are your best tips to get through the commissary super quickly? Sound off in the comments!

How to Spend Your Economic Impact Payment to Support Your Local Economy

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With the arrival of our family’s Economic Impact Payment I reflected on how blessed military families are to have at least one income consistent during these trying times. We decided to spend a portion of our payment to help support our local economy and the small businesses we love. So many local small businesses are closed, have limited services or are operating with curbside delivery. Here are some suggestions of how you can help:

  • Big Ticket Items – If you planned to purchase a new appliance or piece of furniture consider the local store rather than the big box chain. Local appliance stores may have slightly higher prices than the chains but they are still eligible for all the manufacturers sales and rebates. The customer service is more personalized. Often you are working with the owner or family member who really knows the products and can provide you with good recommendations of what will work for you.
  • Military Spouse Business – Especially if they have a storefront. I have two friends that own local boutiques and although closed they offer online shopping and one even offers free local front porch delivery. If you know people in this situation, “like” and “share” their social media. Someone you know may need their products.
  • Services – Buy gift certificates from your favorite hairdresser or barber to use when they can finally open again. Their businesses will thrive once this lifts, but they sure could use the money now. Another option is to buy some of the products sold in the salon if they offer curbside pick up or shipping options.
  • Take Out – Step up your takeout orders to help local restaurants and their employees. Tip as if you were sitting in the restaurant to eat. Be generous. A $20 tip can buy quite a few groceries or fill a tank with gas (at corona pandemic prices).
  • Farm Stands – As local produce starts to ripen, shop your local farm markets and stands. Many farmers are losing commercial contracts for food service as restaurants aren’t ordering. When you purchase produce at the farm 100% of the profit goes to the farmer. Especially this season it is so important to support our local farmers to help them get through these tough times.
  • Teenagers and College Students – My son was laid off from his job serving food at an assisted living community so we have hired him to do some painting. Do you have any odd jobs or projects you can use help with? Take a break from yard work and hire a student to weed your yard. Struggling with setting up a website or learning social media, outsource to a teenager to help you get started or give you digital lessons.
  • Shelters – Can use individually wrapped snacks to help serve food safely.
  • Food Banks – Go through your pantry or look for items on sale to donate. I call to find out what they need the most of or just make a donation. Many banks buy in bulk and then breakdown into  family size portions.

Over the past 15 years fighting a war on two fronts our local communities are so generous supporting the military with donations, discounts, supporting welcome home parties etc and know we have the opportunity to give back and help them in their time of need. How are you supporting your local community?

Spreading Love & Positivity From a Distance

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Throughout the pandemic-related shutdown, neighborhoods have been uniting from a safe distance to spread a message of love and hope. Homes around the country have been decorated with hearts and rainbows in an effort to spread cheer, even as we maintain at least 6 feet of space between us.

Spreading Love & Positivity From a Distance

Hearts have been popping up in windows and doors all around the world, with many US communities joining in on the fun.

Walking around any US neighborhood these days, you’re going to spy hearts, rainbows and other cheerful decorations along with messages of hope. Some hearts are in windows or on doors while others have been created out of sidewalk chalk. From painted hearts to paper rainbows, the whole world has joined together in this pandemic-safe way to show each other a little love.

Show Essential Workers a Little Love

One main message that participants hope to share is support for our essential workers, the people who are keeping our country running right now. From healthcare workers to bus drivers, we’re united to show love to those who are caring for us all.

On military bases, many of our troops are still reporting for duty. Medical personnel and others are still working daily to keep things going. Seeing hearts and other images of support in windows is just one way that we can show them appreciation.

UnityPoint Health, a division of Blue Cross Blue Shield located in the northern midwest, shared a free printable template with their community. Everyone can download, print and decorate hearts to hang in their windows!

You could also consider adding a message of hope. Write with washable paints or special window markers. Just remember to reverse your letter so they can be read from the other side of the window!

Window Hearts Scavenger Hunt for Kids

In addition to spreading support for essential workers, the window hearts have provided a second opportunity to connect from a distance. With playgrounds closed and little chance for social interaction, parents have started taking long walks with their children. It’s a great way to break up the day while also getting fresh air and exercise.

On the way, may families have started to hunt for hearts!

By turning their daily walks around the neighborhood into scavenger hunts, kids and parents are creating an extra twist of fun. Some families look for new hearts daily while others record the locations of hearts. Families can work on counting all the hearts they see and trying to beat their daily totals day-to-day.

Kids for Global Peace shared a fun how-to printable to get started with your own window heart!

More Fun Ways to Share Love & Support

The fun and caring can keep going beyond hearts. Families and neighborhoods are banding together to organize coordinated window messages.

During March, many communities celebrated spring with shamrock and rainbow hunts. April saw neighbors hunting for colorful eggs in windows. Other neighbors are organizing zoo or safari themed hunts by placing stuff animals in windows or posed in yards and on porches.

Some cities have banded together to do a nightly round of applause for healthcare workers and others performing essentials jobs right now.

Coordinate Socially Distant Love & Support Online

Military communities are used to connecting online, especially via social media. Facebook and NextDoor are two useful tools to help you create and coordinate messages of love in your community.

Use your neighborhood group on Facebook or NextDoor to connect with neighbors. Explain what you would like to do and provide a “start date.” Share the effort with local organizations, like the base chaplains, CDCs and community groups.

Then place your decorations in the window and take a walk! See how many other houses you can find that have joined the movement.

Has your family seen hearts and rainbows on your walks? Sound off in the comments!