Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

You are here: Home / Front Page Buttons

Help Your Child Get Ready For A New School: Tips to Ease Their Way

By

By Marguerite Cleveland

     One of the most difficult parts of a PCS move is helping a child navigate a new school system. I attended six schools from K-12 and in one epic year three schools. My own children have attended six schools as well. It is a rite of passage for military kids and one they will survive. I was a very shy and quiet child and the frequent moves helped bring me out of my shell. I have seen the same positive effects on my eldest who was on the shy side as well.

     One of the best intros to a new school my youngest had was when shortly after we had moved in there was a knock on the door and this confident kid bounced in and said that he heard my son was going to his school and he wanted to meet him. They spent time hanging out over the summer. On the first day of school my son thought he might be abandoned, but his new friend made a point to introduce him to everyone.

Photo Credit: ©candy1812 /Adobe Stock

Even though there are positives it is still tough being the new kid. Here are a few tips to help make the transition easier.

  • Never tell your child how hard it is going to be or put your own fears upon them. Let the child reflect how they are feeling. Listen and acknowledge, but don’t feed their fears with your own.
  • Check to see if your child’s new school offers any summer programs. This will give them an opportunity to meet other children from their school.
  • Look at the Youth Programs on your installation and sign your children up for some fun activities. If you live on a military base chances are they will meet children going to their new school.
  • Sports Camps are another way for your children to meet other kids.
  • Schedule a tour of the new school for your children. Take advantage of any orientations or opportunities to meet teachers before the first day of school. Ask if your school has a program to pair new students with a peer sponsor.
  • Make sure you and your child are prepared for the first day. Read the school handbook and ensure you know all the rules especially the dress code which varies across the country. Purchase all required school supplies. Your child just wants to blend in and not stand out due to wrong clothes, supplies etc. Learn the school lunch policy. If you are going to purchase lunch make sure to set up the lunch account. If packing lunch ensure there are not any forbidden foods. Many schools now regulate lunches due to food allergies.

     With proper preparation you can help your child’s transition to a new school run smoothly. If it is not a new school for your child encourage them to meet and welcome the new kids. What are your tips to help your child adjust to a new school?

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

Army Active Duty Enlistment Bonus Up To $40K

By

By Marguerite Cleveland

     In an effort to meet the recruiting mission for infantry training seats for Fiscal Year 2019 which ends on September 30th, the Army is offering a bonus of $40,000 for a six year commitment as an Infantry Soldier. There is a caveat though, you must enlist and ship to basic training by September 30, 2019.

     Plenty of information is available online at www.GoArmy.com but there are so many things that impact whether you are eligible for a certain program or bonus. To get the most accurate information tailored for your needs whether that is a bonus, money for college or a particular job, you should make an appointment to see an Army Recruiter.

     In addition to the bonuses offered to those interested in the Infantry there are others available as well. Some are combinable but the current cap is $40,000. New Recruits are eligible for a bonus is they enlist for a certain job and they must be physically and mentally qualified. This is determined by taking the ASVAB test and a physical conducted at a Military Entrance Station (MEPS). It also depends on availability of training. There are only so many slots each year allocated for training. In addition to enlistment bonuses here are a few more you may not know about.

  • Active Duty Education Bonus (HIGRAD) – Some Army Military Occupational Specialties designated as an incentive skill offer bonuses for civilian education varying from $3000 to $5000 if you have an Associate’s degree or higher.
  • Civilian Acquired Skills Bonus : Active Army applicants who possess civilian skills that the Army needs, such as proficiency in certain foreign languages, X-Ray certification or specialties in animal care, may be eligible for a $5,000 bonus.
  • High Demand MOS : Applicants who enlist for three or more years in the following jobs may qualify for additional seasonal bonuses ranging from $3,000 to $15,000. Current (subject to change based on Army requirements) high demand MOSs include:

              17C (Cyber Operations Specialist)

             35Q (Cryptologic Cyberspace Intelligence Collector)

             18X (Spec Forces; Elementary Lang Proficiency)

             37F (Psychological Operations Specialist)

             25D (Cyber Network Defender)

             35P (Cryptologic Linguist)

             35M (Human Intelligence Collector: Lang Proficiency

             14P (Air Missile Defense Crew Member)

             15W (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) 

  • Middle Eastern Translator Aide Bonus: Individuals who speak certain Middle-Eastern languages and enlist, as Translator Aides in the U.S. Army are eligible for an enlistment bonus up to $40,000 depending on the number of years enlisted for and any other qualifying bonus criteria met.

     Enlistment Bonuses are subject to change at any time. With the new fiscal year approaching on October 1, 2019 bonuses will change based on the new recruiting mission and budget. It is also important to note that you must qualify as well to receive a bonus. For the most accurate and up to date information contact your local Army Recruiter.

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

Turning Ideas Into Income

By

About seven years ago, I wasn’t in a good place. I had finished my graduate degree, and was most eager to land my dream job; but to my despair, things didn’t work out in my favor. Many of us plan our lives out to the very last detail, with the hopes of making the best life possible for ourselves and (future) children, but it doesn’t always turn out how we plan.

When life takes a different (and at times, less desirable) turn from what we intended, it can be daunting. When our plans change, we get discouraged, and even angry; I know, I’ve been there. For those of you who are walking down that lonely, trying path, I’m here to tell you it’s okay – relax, breathe, there are many exciting options that await you!

As a military spouse, being on the move from location to location presents its fair share of challenges, especially when it comes to the jobs that are available to us. We may have had a dream of completing a college degree, owning a business, or getting accepted into law school, but too often, our mission to serve in the military takes us on a detour, sometimes steering us far away from our own professional development.

 When this happens, it’s easy to fall into what I call, surrender mode, turning a blind eye to potential career opportunities and any other means of earning an income. We simply adapt to our new roles; stay-at-home moms and dads that once had ambitions to do something, great. 

What if I tell you, you can earn income with investing very little, or even no money at all in a lucrative venture. I’m sure this comes as no surprise to many of you. In today’s internet driven, global marketplace, a lot of people earn a living, never having to leave their homes.

Photo Credit: ©Prostock-studio /Adobe Stock

There are a host of jobs that may not be your dream job, but can open new doors and create exciting opportunities for you to turn your ideas into income! Below, is a list of jobs that are on the rise, and guess what folks – they pay a pretty penny, and most cost nothing to start-up. So, check out these 20 self-starting careers that I’ve compiled to help jump-start your earning potential!

1. Author/writer

2. Freelancer (check out sites like Fiverr, Upwork, and Guru.)

3. Game designer (if you already have experience/skills in this field)

4. Book cover designer

5. Editor/Proof reader

6. Consultant

7. Virtual Assistant

8. SEO Specialist (Search Engine Specialist)

9. YouTuber/Vlogger

10. Life Coach (we all have unique experiences and therefore lots to share!)

11. Beautician (certification can be completed in short span of time if you have a passion for helping with professional makeup and offering beauty tips.)

12. Hairdresser/Barber (training and certification required, with relatively short training time. Low cost to start-up.)

13. Landscaper/Yard maintenance. (requires some equipment to start up, but definitely doable.)

14. Baby sitter/ Nanny (no formal training required, but getting early childcare certification, CPR, and First Aid certifications are highly recommended! Referrals are also very helpful and can determine the amount of work you get.)

15. Pet sitting.

16. Online adjunct instructor/Tutor (for those with a bachelor’s degree or higher.)

17. Small crafts and handmade goods business owner. (can sell on Etsy or create own website. There are certain requirements that must be met before selling online, such as establishing an LLC, Doing Business As (DBA), or Sole Proprietor etc., tax Id’s, and other relevant permits depending on what you plan to sell. Be sure to do your research on the Secretary of State website, since requirements differ from state to state!)

18. Online retailer. Become an expert at learning the craft of arbitrage and drop shipping.

19. Cleaning Service. (Again, check for required permits, licenses, and other necessary documents prior to starting business.)

20. Catering and Event Planning. This is such an exciting job if you love planning parties and are a people person. If you’re interested in this gig, and have never planned an event before, there are plenty of resources and certifications that can be completed in a matter of weeks, and will have you planning social events in no time!)

So, which one of these jobs appeal to you? I hope this information gives you an idea of the diversity of work that’s available, whether you start your own business, or join forces with an organization!

 In my next article, I’ll discuss the importance of using social media to promote your brand, and staying consistent with your goals. Thanks so much for reading, until next time!

Lei Faircloth, writes fiction under the penname, Sophie L. Osborne.

To learn more about her, visit: https://www.sophielosborne.com/

Should You Tip Your Commissary Bagger?

By

By Marguerite Cleveland

     Absolutely! Baggers work for tips only. As far as I can remember baggers have been a part of the commissary culture. For tons of military kids, this rite of passage has been their first job and for many retirees it is well needed additional income.

     It is a great job for kids to help teach them a good work ethic. My son spent a summer working as a commissary bagger. He quickly found when he hustled and didn’t take too many breaks his income increased proportionately and when he took Burger King breaks, his income decreased especially when he factored in the cost of French fries.

Photo Credit: ©hedgehog94 /Adobe Stock

     For many retirees on a fixed income the bagging job provides additional income, exercise and a sense of camaraderie.  I had one older gentleman whose wife had passed away tell me, “I just needed a reason to get up in the morning.”

     Why don’t commissary baggers get paid by the commissary? The big reason is too keep expenses low. At civilian grocery stores, the baggers are paid employees. So no you don’t have to tip but you will typically pay more on your overall bill.

     Commissaries now offer lanes where you can bag your own groceries or you can use self-checkout if you don’t wish to pay a tip to a bagger.

     According to my son, $5 is considered a good tip. When tipping, consider being generous. Many of the baggers are good kids starting to save for college or a car. How nice to help them meet their goals. I usually tip $5 but if I have a super large load or maybe there is a very compelling story I will double that. So should you tip your commissary bagger? I say yes and generously.

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

Scholarships for Military Children

By

NEWS RELEASE

Defense Commissary Agency

Corporate Communications

1300 E Avenue, Fort Lee, VA 23801-1800

Tel:  (804) 734-8000, Ext. 8-6105  DSN: 687-8000, Ext. 8-6105 

FAX: (804) 734-8248  DSN: 687-8248

www.commissaries.com

Release Number:         56-19                                                                                                                        

Date:                              July 11, 2019

Media Contact:             Kevin L. Robinson, public affairs specialist

Tel.:                                (804) 734-8000, Ext. 4-8773

E-mail:                           kevin.robinson@deca.mil

Scholarships for Military Children

500 students earn grants for 2019-2020 school year

By Mike Perron,

DeCA public affairs specialist

Note: Go to the DeCA website to view this release online.

FORT LEE, Va. – Thanks to the Scholarships for Military Children program, 500 students from military families were each awarded a $2000 scholarship grant for the upcoming 2019-2020 school year.

The program, created in 2001, recognizes the contributions of military families to the readiness of the fighting force and celebrates the commissaries’ role in enhancing military quality of life. It’s administered by the Fisher House Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps service members and their families.

“This was the first year of an entirely paperless online application process, and it was a complete success,” said Jim Weiskopf, Fisher House Foundation vice president and scholarship program administrator. “Not only did applications increase by nearly 25%, but we eliminated the need for commissaries to log in and account for each application, bundle them up and send them to the evaluators after the closing date.”

The reduced overhead allowed commissaries to dedicate more time to promoting the program, said Marye Dobson, the Defense Commissary Agency’s scholarships program liaison. “The management at the commissary stores did a great job getting the word out about the online process as well as hosting in-store ceremonies honoring the recipients at their local commissary, which helps bring attention to the availability of these scholarships.”

Scholarship applicants submit their official transcript indicating a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale for high school applicants, or indicating a cumulative minimum GPA of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale for students already enrolled in college; and an essay of 500 words or less, no longer than two pages.

Eligibility is determined using the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System database. Applicants must ensure that they, as well as their sponsor, are enrolled in the DEERS database and have a current military dependent ID card. The applicant must also be planning to attend or already be attending an accredited college or university, full time, in the fall of 2019 or be enrolled in a program of studies designed to transfer directly into a four-year program.

Applicants who are awarded a full scholarship to attend a college or university or receive an appointment to one of the military academies or affiliated preparatory schools are not eligible to receive funds from this program. A full scholarship is usually defined as one that provides for payment of tuition, books, lab fees and other expenses.

All rules and requirements for the program, as well as links to frequently asked questions are available at the Scholarships for Military children website, as is the full list of this year’s winners.

Fisher House also recently added a custom scholarship search engine to the site, tailored to military families, called “Scholarships for Service.” It’s free, easy to use, and available on mobile devices or computers at militaryscholar.org.

“The window to apply for the 2019-2020 Fisher House Scholarships for Military Children should open in December and close in February, but the exact dates have not been determined yet,” said Dobson. “Be sure to check the scholarship page in mid-December for the opening of the program.”

Fisher House Foundation is ranked a Four Star Charity by Charity Navigator.

-DeCA-

Let the Commissary Cater Your Next Picnic

By

NEWS RELEASE

Defense Commissary Agency

 
Corporate Communications

1300 E Avenue, Fort Lee, VA 23801-1800

Tel:  (804) 734-8000, Ext. 8-6105  DSN: 687-8000, Ext. 8-6105 

FAX: (804) 734-8248  DSN: 687-8248

www.commissaries.com

Release Number:         55-19                                                                                                                        

Date:                              July 11, 2019

Media Contact:             Kevin L. Robinson, public affairs specialist

Tel.:                                (804) 734-8000, Ext. 4-8773

E-mail:                           kevin.robinson@deca.mil

Ready-to-eat munchies

Let the commissary cater your next picnic

By Kathy Milley,

DeCA Corporate Communications

Note: Go to the DeCA website to view this release online.

FORT LEE, Va. – Summer is the perfect time to lay down those mobile devices, TV remotes and game system controllers and take the family outside for some old fashioned bonding at a perfectly planned picnic.

“To put together a summer picnic basket that will get the job done but won’t break the bank, don’t go any further than your local commissary,” said Tracie Russ, the Defense Commissary Agency’s director of sales. “You can put together a delicious, economical, al fresco meal with almost no effort at all. Save even more when you purchase high quality, low cost commissary store brands.”  

Picnic food should keep well, transport easily and taste delicious. The following three picnic options hit the mark. Find great prices on the ingredients and ready-to-eat items for each of these menus at your commissary. Find the recipes for the linked menu items on commissaries.com.

Comfort food picnic

Wine and cheese picnic

  • Choose one of each type of cheese:
    • Aged: cheddar, gouda, swiss
    • Soft: blue, boursin, brie, goat
    • Firm: gruyere, monterey jack, jarlsberg, parmesan
  • Choose bread, crackers or flatbread
  • Choose your extras
    • Savory: olives, pickles, roasted red peppers
    • Crunchy: nuts, seeds or roasted edamame, chickpeas or pumpkin seeds
    • Meat: prosciutto, ham or turkey
  • Wine and corkscrew

Sandwich and sides picnic

“There’s no better way to take advantage of the sunshine and summer breezes than to enjoy a family picnic. And no better way to save on your picnic menu than a quick visit to your commissary,” said Russ. “So put away the electronics, pack your basket and some games, hit the road and gear up for some incomparable family time.” 

-DeCA-

Do Active Duty Troops Need a Tourist Passport?

By

Your military CAC is your life. It gets you into your shop, through the commissary and to medical for some Motrin.

Everything you’ve needed to do is handled by that one card. But now, you’d like to travel or maybe you’ve got an OCONUS tour in the works. Will your CAC get you onto the plane or train?

Do Active Duty Troops Need a Tourist Passport?

Short answer: everyone needs a passport for international travel. Generally, except for a few circumstances, passports are required to leave the US. Yes, that includes on cruises and jaunts just over the border to Canada or Mexico.

So, yes, even active duty troops do need a US Passport (or passport from their home nation) to travel around the world.

However, there are some instances that do not require a tourist passport for active duty troops.

  • OCONUS PCS
  • CONUS to OCONUS TDY
  • OCONUS to OCONUS TDY
  • Deployment, to and from deployment location
  • Other official travel
Photo Credit: ©photobyphotoboy /Adobe Stock

Some Tourist Passport Exceptions

Under these very specific circumstances, active duty troops are not required to have a valid, current passport. That’s because you’ll be on official military business.

For travel to, from or around OCONUS locations on orders, you’ll need a copy of those specific orders and your CAC card. Make sure that your orders specify where you’re going to and from, the dates you’ll be traveling and have your personal information on them. You’ll be showing these documents to customs and immigration at your OCONUS destination, if traveling by commercial air.

If you’re PCSing to or from an OCONUS location, you’ll need to bring a copy of those orders, your CAC and your area clearance. For travel with dependents, they’ll need to be listed on your area clearance and orders, too.

Your family might be authorized “official” or no-fee passports. These are just for travel on orders to and from your next duty station(s). Even though they look the same, you aren’t really supposed to conduct personal travel with these special passports.

On deployment, you might be flying on a military-provided flight or via commercial airlines. But the same rule applies: copy of your orders and your CAC. That’s it. Yes, even if you’re coming and going from R & R and even if you’re IAD.

There might be other reasons for your official travel. Most will simply require your CAC and a copy of orders.

Times Active Duty Troops Will Want a Tourist Passport

Say you’re a service member and you’d like to go on vacation…

If you’re going outside of the US, you’ll need a passport. 100% and all the time for personal tourist travel. That’s it.

Applying for a passport is fairly quick and easy. There’s a handy online questionnaire that will guide you to the correct form and let you know all the fees upfront. All you’ll need to do is fill in the online application and make an appointment at your nearest passport office.

Some military bases might be able to help you process tourist passport applications, but often you’ll need to visit a federal passport office yourself.

Important Passport & Travel Reminders

Getting a passport is fairly simple, but there are important things that everyone should know before they go.

  • Minor children need to have consent from both/all custodial parents or guardians; consent can be shown via additional forms for parents unable to appear in person
  • You passport and your booking information should match, down to the middle name or middle initial; especially important for newlyweds or other name changes
  • Passports can take 6-8 weeks between application and arrival at your door; plan your trip with this in mind

There are also special concerns for military troops and families.

  • Foreign travel must be approved by your chain of command, with requirements and training varying by location or unit; see your CO or authorized unit member for guidance
  • Some locations may be considered off-limits to troops; always check with your command and monitor the travel advisories issued by the State Department
  • When traveling to/from your OCONUS duty station, military families should always carry a copy of orders, area clearance, a DoD ID and have a valid multiple entry stamp in their tourist passport

Passport + DoD ID Perks

When traveling, you might also want to consider bringing along your military ID, even though you’ve also got a passport. There are definitely some travel perks that could apply!

Some US airlines allow military troops and veterans, with ID, to board the plane first. Others allow complimentary additional baggage, even when you’re not traveling on orders! And sometimes, just sometimes, you might even score a small (or big) upgrade. Some troops traveling, both on orders and for personal reasons, report that they’ve scored class upgrades or been placed in seats with extra legroom.

Having your ID with you at check-in could also score you passage through the coveted TSA Pre-Check line! You’ll cut tons of time off your security clearance and be able to keep your shoes on.

What had you heard about passports for AD troops? We’d love to hear your best scuttlebutt!

Resources to Plan Your Military Wedding with Ease

By

Before you pop the question or say “I do” there are a few boxes that need to be checked for couples in the military.

There’s lots to tackle before you get to the altar (or courthouse, if we’re being honest). It’s easy to get overwhelmed, but it’s all 100% possible and totally doable.

Resources to Plan Your Military Wedding with Ease

Congrats! You’re and your partner are about to enter an exciting and hectic time in your relationship: wedding planning. Oh, and you’ll get to do it on the US military’s schedule. Which makes it super fun and wonderful.

Before You Pop the Question

There are no rules about who military troops may marry. Marry the person you love. Same sex marriage is legal and recognized across the country.

However, there are some small caveats at play.

First, students at service academies must graduate and get commissioned or leave the academy before marriage. So wait until after one of those two life events, and you’re golden.

Also, there are rules about fraternization, meaning crossing rank barriers. For example, an officer and an enlisted member cannot get married. However, if two people of equal enlisted rank do so and one partner later gets commissioned, they are grandfathered in and the relationship is totally fine.

Just make sure you’re not in either of those two categories before you ask your partner to get hitched.

Photo Credit: ©Brandon /Adobe Stock

Planning Your Big Day

You might picture a sword arch or cutting the cake with a saber. Maybe you’d like you or your spouse-to-be to wear dress uniforms. Perhaps you think it’s a rule to follow these traditions.

Great news: your wedding is still 100% yours. No need to risk cake on dress blues or eat cake off a sword. You do you.

In the process of planning your wedding day, there are tons of resources you can access that can make the process easier and cheaper:

  • Base Chaplains: military chaplains of all denominations can provide pre-marital and marriage counseling at no cost to you. You can also often rent out the base chapel for free – and book a minister into the deal. There is a suggested donation, but even that will be less expensive than renting a civilian church.
  • MFLC: contact your local Military Family Life Counselor for individual or joint marriage counseling. This is a judgement-free zone to explore your relationship and the impact of military service with a trained counselor.
  • Use Uniforms: its fancy clothes you or your partner already own, so use it! Ask military friends in your wedding party or on the invitation to feel free to wear their best military uniforms, too. Just be sure everyone in the wedding party is wearing the same uniform in terms of formality, even across branches of service.

You might also want to consider getting wedding insurance. The military’s missions don’t stop for your big day. Which means that short-notice deployments, TDY trips and other unexpected events can derail your careful planning. Having insurance can help you to recoup some of those losses.

Another way to get around the military’s schedule is to get married on short notice. Contact the chaplain, local churches and justices of the peace to learn about last minute cancellations or openings. You can do the same with reception venues in your desired location, too. Often you can score a good deal by picking up someone else’s cancellation.

If you’re inviting other military members to your wedding, you might want to consider how to address the invitations and arrange seating. You can skip all of this if the military aspect isn’t factoring into your big day. For more formal or military-focused events, consider addressing invitations with military rank (Staff Sergeant and Mr. Smith) and seat guests by rank. Contact your base or unit protocol officer for assistance.

After You’re Hitched

Congrats! You did it! Now you’ve got to handle all the paperwork of getting married.

If you are changing a last name, you’ll need to:

  • Update your SSN
  • Get a new driver’s license
  • Apply for a new passport
  • Update bank, insurance and other name-associated accounts
  • Double check other important life documents and rules

For every new military spouse (and sponsor!), you’ll need to:

  • Enroll in DEERS
  • Get an official dependent ID card
  • Update SGLI to include the new spouse as the recipient
  • Update chain of command with the spouse’s new next of kin and contact information
  • Update the military member’s paperwork and file to reflect marital status, next of kin and contact information
  • Obtain blanket and special power of attorney documents to provide access to accounts and services when the military member is away
  • Memorize the military member’s SSN – it’s used for literally everything

All of these name changes and updates can take time, so don’t book your honeymoon in your new married last name. Your booking does need to match your passport or other identifying documents.

Also, make sure you’ve double checked the military member’s leave status and deployment schedule before you book any big trips. Many military couples delay their honeymoon to accommodate the mission.

What questions do you have about getting married as a military member or becoming a military spouse? We’d love to point you in the right direction!

Military One Source, A Wealth of Information for Military Spouses

By

By Marguerite Cleveland

     The Military One Source website is a wealth of information for military spouses. The website is broken down into a variety of categories and there really is something for everyone. It is a helpful resource to help you juggle this crazy lifestyle we live. Here are a few things I found on the site:

  • MySECO – The Spouse Education and Career Opportunities has employment partnerships and job listings for over 300,000 jobs open to military spouses. There is a career exploration category which helps you refine what you are looking for. There are also educational resources. Employment readiness can help you get your resume in order and evaluate your skills and what you may want to learn. Learn what it takes to start your own business.
  • Military Life Cycle – This section provides information on where you are at in the military life cycle. New there is a section for you. Getting ready for deployments, check. There is a section for Veterans and even a place friends and family can sign up to receive emails about your new life.
  • Health & Wellness – There are over 100 items posted in this section. Categories include Healthcare, Healthy Living, Mental Health, Wounded Warriors and Caregivers. You can sign up for a Military One Source Health and Wellness Coach who will help you reach goals to lose weight, eat more nutritiously, get physically fit, help you manage stress and much more. The best part it is free.
  • Recreation, Travel and Shopping – What a wealth of information. Recreation has categories for those trying to get in shape, if you’re single or information on the libraries for those that love to read. Travel shows you where to access great deals for travel and even lets you search by installation for information on your area.
  • Family & Relationships – This section has over 200 posts and deals with all types of relationships from spouse to children. It has information for parents with special needs children. There is lots of guidance from those who have been there done that to help you in your journey.
  • Confidential Help – Did you know you can call Military One Source for help?  800.342.9647, check the website for OCONUS options. This is a good category to look at if you don’t know where to turn. Check here if you want to adopt a baby. Does my husband have PTSD? Marital problems etc. Help is available 24/7.
Photo Credit: ©DenisProduction.com /Adobe Stock

     Military One Source is just one of the many resources available to help you navigate military life. Are you taking advantage of all your benefits?

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’s Happening with the Military Housing Bill of Rights?

By

Since early 2019, all the chatter has been about the horrors of privatized military housing. The mold, the falling down homes and the resulting illnesses or injuries to troops and their families.

After the Congressional hearing and promises of new “resident bill of rights” in the works, it seems that some of the focus has shifted.

What’s Happening with the Military Housing Bill of Rights

There’s been a lot of action and many promises made over the last six months.

Tenants Bill of Rights

In March, DoD officials and lawmakers promised that on-base residents would be involved in the creation of a “resident bill of rights.” This new document is meant to provide a layer of protection for tenants in privatized housing.

As of June 11, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment Robert McMahon stated that he intended to deliver an initial draft to residents by June 14 at the latest. On-base residents should have received an online survey from CEL and Associates via email. One survey per household will be provided.

As of publication, all on-base households should have received their surveys. If you have not yet received yours or are having issues with it, please call the toll-free helpline at (800)-482-6431, or contact CEL & Associates, Inc. via email at BillofRightsFeedback@celassociates.com

Photo Credit: ©marioav /Adobe Stock

On-Base Residents Get More Housing Rights

The new bill of rights is intended to hold privatized housing management companies more accountable. Residents across services and around the US have been aware of issues relating to poor management and maintenance for many years. Everything came to a head at February 2019’s Congressional hearings, when military spouses detailed the impact and seriousness of their concerns.

As a result of this testimony and firsthand visits to crumbling military housing, Congress and DoD leadership proposed the collaborative bill of rights in order to hold housing management companies accountable.

Tentative inclusions for the proposed bill of rights includes:

  • right to withhold rent through a neutral party until concerns are addressed
  • housing advocates on military installations
  • right to a healthy home and community
  • effective communication tools between the landlord (management company representatives), maintenance staff and tenants
  • a process to handle disputes, mediation and arbitration
  • protection from reprisals should tenants involve their chain of command or other military housing staff
  • property maintenance that meets or exceeds industry standards, performed by a professional

“We’re moving forward in a way that will quickly enhance the experience our military members are having on installations in family housing, and we’re doing it in a way they know there are people who care. If they have an issue we’re going to be responsive and they’re going to have a voice,” McMahon said June 11 at a meeting with more than 500 representatives from military communities.

What Housing Companies are Already Doing

Military housing companies are already starting to make changes. While most management companies do not make connections between this new programs and initiatives, changes have been made following the Congressional hearings and increased scrutiny by political and DoD leaders.

  • Balfour-Beatty: On May 14, Balfour-Beatty announced an upgraded resident portal to improve communication and request maintenance services. Residents can access this portal via a website or app.
  • Lincoln Military Housing: On May 30, Lincoln unveiled their new app for residents. This will enable residents to request and track maintenance requests from anywhere in the world, 24/7.
  • Corvias: As of April 13, Corvias had provided additional customer service and support training to employees across all 13 of their military housing communities.
  • Winn: As of June 25, Winn had not announced any new customer service or support initiatives for their military communities.
  • Hunt: As of June 25, Hunt has not announced any new customer service or support initiatives. However, they do already offer a 24/7 online service and maintenance portal for residents to submit requests.

Help On the Way for OCONUS, Barracks Housing

While McMahon acknowledged at the June 11 meeting that the DoD’s focus is on the privatized housing communities, they are also aware of issues concerning housing for single troops in barracks and families living overseas.

“We can’t forget about those living overseas in government housing, those living in dormitories and barracks… housing for single members, and we certainly can’t forget about those living in communities. They have rights and responsibilities as well. We have to take a broader perspective than where we are right now,” he said.

Right now, the DoD and housing management companies will be working to create and implement the tenant bill of rights stateside. Following the survey received by on-base households in June, there should be a review process before proceeding to finalizing the complete document.

As military communities roll out and implement the bill of rights in the US, the DoD will be pivoting to assist military troops living in the barracks and families living on base OCONUS.

“We’re going to do it sequentially,” he explained. “We’re focused right now on those that living in privatized housing on installations.”

What’s been your experience living in privatized housing? Tell us your story, location(s) and housing company.