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5 Benefits of Pets for Veterans

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Whether your pet has fur, feathers or scales, there are great benefits to owning a pet. For veterans, having an animal to love and care for can be life-changing and incredibly positive.

5 Benefits of Having a Pet for Veterans

Structure and Routine

Veterans have spent years of waking up at zero dark thirty for morning PT, lunch at the chow hall and an evening that starts when the bugle sounds “Retreat.” It can be hard to be suddenly cut loose in the civilian world. There is no longer someone else calling the shots or writing the orders.

All at once, veterans leaving active duty are without the structure and routines that have governed their lives for so long.

Pets can add that structure back into their lives. Dogs need to be walked regularly. Cats need their litter changed routinely. Even fish and reptiles live by a schedule of interaction and cleaning needs. Every animal needs to be fed on the regular, too. Then there are the veterinarian appointments. A pet’s needs automatically create the need for routine and schedule.

This type of routine can ground a veteran and replace some of the structural void left after military service. Pets provide a higher or greater purpose that could motivate a veteran to find a new non-military rhythm for life.

Companionship and Camaraderie

You often hear military troops refer to each other as brothers or sisters. The military creates a structure of shared work and deepens relationships through tough times.

After leaving the military, or even transitioning from active duty to the reserves, a veteran might find this part of their life lacking. There aren’t built-in friendships. For single veterans, it could feel as though no one needs their presence to survive.

A furry friend can provide friendship and love, plus a reason to get out of bed every day. Our pets are entirely dependent on us to survive.

Pets are there 100% of the time. Dogs and cats are ready for snuggles, long conversations and play time. Many dogs, and even some cats, enjoy going for walks with their humans. Relationships and bonds are formed and deepen over time.

Animals often know when their humans are feeling sad, angry or upset. They might react, just like a human friend, with extra love and support. While they can’t talk back, a pet is always there to listen.

Ease Mental Health Concerns

Many veterans return from active service with mental health concerns or even injuries that impact their emotions. Veterans can experience depression, PTSD and other mental health illnesses. Often these can go undiagnosed.

Owning a pet can help to ease symptoms of depression, anxiety and other mental health illnesses. By providing the regular routines and companionship, many veterans feel less alone. Feeling like they have love and support can boost moods and help to lift symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Note: if you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact a medical professional for assistance and advice.

Provide Life Assistance

When veterans return from deployment, they often come home with injuries, both visible and hidden. Coping with these life changes and navigating the civilian world can be a challenge.

Often, a service animal can be of assistance. Many service pets provide services, like opening doors or guiding visually impaired humans safely. Other pets are medical alert animals, signaling when their human is in distress or trained to contact emergency services. Some pets offer official mental and emotional support.

For veterans who are finding their way again after injury, working with a service animal can be a vital part of their treatment plan.

Not every veteran will qualify for a service dog, which can be expensive to adopt and train. First, veterans must have a diagnosed disability. Second, they must work with a dog that is temperamentally appropriate to assist them given the specifics of the veteran’s disability.

For veterans who are interested in working with a service dog, Operation We Are Here maintains a list of organizations who might be able to help.

Serve a Higher Purpose

Veterans have offered to sacrifice anything and everything, including their lives, in the defense of our country. This can be seen as a truly noble cause, serving a higher calling or purpose.

It can be hard to return to or enter the civilian workforce after dedicating your life to service.

Rescuing a pet from an animal shelter can help to fulfill that call to duty. There are thousands of loving animals in need at shelters around the nation. Too many of them will never leave to find their forever homes.

When veterans consider adding a pet to their family, it can be rewarding to adopt their new friend from an animal rescue or shelter. For veterans who want to assist animals in other ways, they can volunteer or foster pets in need.

Do you have a pet? How does your pet help your veteran?

What I Wish I Could Change About Military Life

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Mostly, I love the military life I live. Exciting duty stations are possible every 3 years. The military community is strong and supportive. Plus, this life has given me the change to pursue a passion for writing and education advocacy.

Need I even mention the chance to play Cinderella at least once a year? Those dress blues still make my heart flutter after almost a decade.

Still, though, there are things I wish I could change. I believe that these changes would, largely, benefit the entire military community.

What I Wish I Could Change About Military Life

What do you wish you could change about your military life?

What I Wish I Could Change About Military Life

Tour Time

In some places, it just seems too short. In others, too long. I understand that there will never be a happy medium that fits every location or situation, but something needs to give. Generally, I think that longer tours at most CONUS posts would benefit the troops and their dependents.

When military families are required to move, on average, every 2.5 years, it creates ripple effects for the whole family. Personally, I’ve changed my career in major ways due to our PCS tempo.

By the time I arrive at a duty station, get licensed to teach and find a position, it’s practically time to move again!

I have not ever taught anywhere for longer than 2 consecutive school years. Even the one time I made that happen, it was broken up due to pregnancy and maternity leave.

For children, moving so often can cause stress and distress at school. Military children are perpetually the “new kid” at school. By the time they make friends and settle into a routine, it’s time to pack their things and hit the road. Every 3 years or so, everything starts from scratch at the new school. Education plans, athletic pursuits and extracurricular activities are interrupted, changed or dropped due to frequent moves.

For troops, becoming an expert in one job in one location doesn’t seem like a bad thing either. Especially for positions that interact with the public or those carrying out sensitive operations, tenure might be a great thing. I understand the military wants troops to experience their career field from different angles and deploy with different units. However, it seems like service members are PCSed just as they are gaining total expertise in a field or becoming the go-to person in a shop. Just when you need the expert the most, you swap that person out for someone just learning the ropes. This isn’t helpful to anyone!

It seems to me that extending tour times would benefit troops and their families with additional stability at work and home. Military spouses could build solid careers or employment history. Children could at least attend one school level in just a single place. Troops could become develop their expertise and level up their position.

Hurry Up and Wait

I understand the need for secrecy and security. After all, this is our nation’s defense system we are talking about. But some things are just plain silly.

For example, board results and orders.

Troops submit their packages, which are reviewed and recommended (or not) to whatever board(s) that individual is eligible for. That board meets, discusses the service members presented to them, and makes decisions: promote or not; career field school or not; PCS or PCA or not.

And then everyone waits for weeks or months on end.

Why?

I can understand the issues perhaps a decade or more ago. Communicating all of these selections and coordinating placements took time. Today we probably have an app for that or at least a very large spreadsheet. There surely must be a more timely and efficient way to coordinate board result announcements.

The wait is stressful. It’s filled with anxiety about “what if’s.” Or a service member is fully confident in positive news, only to have a devastating blow delivered.

Then there are the PCS orders. I get that the needs of the military come first. But could they arrive in a more timely fashion? There are only so many individuals in a service in each career field, and there are only so many open positions available. Why is there such a song and dance routine about where people will go to next?

Am I the Only One?

Which brings me to my last beef: OCONUS PCSing in general.

I need this question answered: Am I the very first person to move OCONUS with a small child and a dog?

No really. I’m not joking.

Based on how my last PCS was handled, it would appear that my family was the very first ever to attempt such a move. Nothing happened in a timely fashion, every little thing was an issue and there was so much miscommunication that I still can’t tell what was actually true.

Additionally, from the chatter on military spouse Facebook pages, it seems as if we are not, in fact, the first to attempt this move. However, it would seem that the folks in charge of PCSing forget how to do these things or communicate the SOP to troops or dependents.

Everyone is confused, upset and anxious because no one knows what is going on. Ever. We can’t get straight answers or seek advice from others because every single service and duty station operates differently.

Get. It. Together.

Create one streamlined way for everyone to move to a given destination, especially for OCONUS PCS moves. Make a fun and informative manual and distribute it widely. Then be done.

Maybe if the folks in charge of facilitating the moving process weren’t moving every few years, everything would run smoother.

Now it’s your turn: what do you wish you could change about your military life?

4 Tips for Booking Your Spring Break Vacation

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What is your family doing for spring break this year? If your spring break includes a family trip, using the new Military Shoppers Travel & Rewards program can save you time and money.

There are more than 700,000 hotels on the site with discounts as well as 3,000 family resorts. If you want to fly somewhere during your spring break, the site has domestic and international flight discounts. Don’t forget about booking the fun activities that you’ll want to do once you get to your destination. There are many discounts for these activities listed on the site.

This program was designed for active duty, retired service members, National Guard and reserves. With the Travel & Rewards site, you get special military discounts from patriotic companies. You’ll find affordable travel options with them. There is a free membership option as well as 2 paid options that provide even more benefits.

Using Military Shoppers Travel & Rewards is a smart way to get great discounts for your family’s spring break. These discounts apply toward resort stays, flights and car rentals. If you choose one of the paid benefit programs, there is a point reward system that you can use for future spring break vacations or other travel plans. You can find out more about the different membership programs here.

Ready to book your vacation? Here are 4 tips to consider when planning your spring break.

Make your reservations now. Many people count down the days until spring break. They book their vacation early to get the best deals and you should too.

Don’t wait until the last minute to make your reservations. Many resorts and hotels fill up quickly.

Buy your plane tickets at least 2 weeks in advance. There are great deals for flights 21 days out, two weeks prior and sometimes there are even last-minute deals. It’s a big risk to wait until the last minute to get a good price on a flight for your spring break though. If you are flying as a group, you might not get seats together on a flight if you wait too long to book.

Decide on activities. What do you want to do on spring break? If you simply want to lie on the beach, then you don’t have to worry too much. That is, unless you want to reserve an umbrella.

If your spring break is focused around going to a major theme park, such as DisneyWorld, you’ll want to buy your tickets before you get there. Don’t waste time standing in line to buy tickets at the gate. You will also want to take advance of all the military discounts available for a Disney vacation.

You can find specific military discount travel agents that will help you plan your Disney vacation for free. I have a friend that does that. Using someone like her is a great option. It will save you a lot of time.

Shop around. You don’t have to make reservations with the first company you contact. Spend a little time shopping around. You can also use the official airline or hotel website to book directly from them. Some companies offer different prices for the same flight or room depending on how you book. It might be worth it to call and not just click reserve online.

It’s already February. When is your spring break? If you are counting down the days, you should also be planning your family vacation. Start doing your research. Military Shoppers Travel & Rewards is a great place to start.

Click here to join Military Shoppers Travel & Rewards today.

5 Reasons to Tie the Knot Before Deployment

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**This is a guest post contributed by Heather Lomax. 

Getting engaged is one of the most exciting milestones in a couple’s life together. But when one of you is in active duty, the question of “when” becomes more and more pressing with each passing day.

While you might be more inclined to wait for marriage, there are several benefits to getting married before deployment.

Housing Allowance Benefits

Housing benefits are extremely beneficial for military families who are constantly on the move from base to base. And not only are there allowances given to spouses but children as well.

The housing allowance is presented from the date of marriage, but you must have your marriage license in order to get approved for benefits. In some states, there’s a waiting period to receive your marriage license that ranges from one-five days, so be sure your license comes in time for the day you wish to apply for benefits.

Medical Care Benefits

The Tricare Military Medical System provides health care coverage to military spouses and children. Once the marriage is confirmed and the application is approved, a military ID card is issued. Military spouses can also file for reimbursement should they require a medical ID card before it is officially issued to the couple.

Family Separation Allowance Benefits

This is a benefit that spouses receive as a supplement to income while their husband or wife is deployed. It can help pay for things like groceries, gas, and other necessary living expenses. The only caveat is that this benefit takes 30 days of active duty in order to go into effect.

Movement of Dependents and Household Goods

Moving is expensive, time-consuming, and stressful. Fortunately, our government is sympathetic to this additional hardship put on military families, which is where household goods benefits come into play. Once the active duty family member applies for a new station, the government will reimburse for any relocation and travel expense.

Base Benefits

Being married to a soldier and living on a base can have some huge perks when you’re a Military ID cardholder, especially if you have children or wish to have them in the future.

For one thing, military base shopping centers have competitively priced items with no tax added, so you can buy groceries and clothing for cheap compared to the rest of your area.

Bases also provide family support services to service members and their dependents, such as counseling, daycare, and religious services.

Furthermore, card holders get special access to education services offered on-base ranging from babies to adults. On top of that, outdoor activities and holiday events are usually free-of-charge for card holders. So, in order to take full advantage of the base benefits, it literally pays to be married!

Heather Lomax is a contributing writer and media relations specialist for Challenge Coins Ltd.

Military Discounts for Hitting the Slopes

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You know, it wasn’t all that long ago that backyard barbecues, cold beer, and hours of gloriously warm sunshine were the order of the day. While I know those days will be upon us soon enough, I suppose the only thing we can do while we wait, is enjoy all the splendor that winter has to offer.

Military Discounts When You Are Skiing

Do you enjoy skiing or snowboarding? Don’t forget to ask for a military discount when buying your lift ticket or renting equipment.

US News and World Report recently put out their list of the top 10 places to hit the slopes. Most of the snow-covered destinations on the list come as no surprise to avid and beginner skiers alike.

But what you may not know is almost all of them are home to amazing resorts that offer military discounts!

Whether you like the exhilaration of a black diamond downhill run, the challenge of a cross-country trek, or a mug of hot chocolate by the fire, you can get your winter on and save a little money with these military discounts.

Military Discounts for Hitting the Slopes

Breckenridge, CO

Located a little over an hour outside of Denver, Breckenridge offers a quaint small town, nearly 200 ski trails and thousands of acres of skiing paradise.

Breckenridge Ski Resort offers a fantastic 30% military discount on daily lift tickets. The discount is offered to active duty personnel and their dependents. Lift tickets cannot be purchased in advance or online. You should be prepared to show your military ID card when you purchase your lift ticket at the ski resort. Get all the details, including current slope conditions by visiting them online.

Park City, UT

A quick drive from Salt Lake City, Park City is home to the Sundance Film Festival and some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the country.

Park City offers military discounts on daily lift tickets to active duty service members, their dependents, and retirees and their dependents.

This is one of the few ski resorts to offer a military discount to retirees.

Save even more by purchasing your lift tickets through ITT at Hall Air Force Base. Military-discounted lift ticket prices are $98 for adults and $61 for children.

Lake Tahoe, CA

Situated on the California/Nevada border, this all-season vacation jewel offers stellar slope action and an outstanding array of restaurants, shopping, and bustling night life options.

Black Diamond, located in Incline Village, offers great options for all ski levels at a great discount. For active duty personnel, lift tickets midweek and during non-peak weeks are free, and just $64 otherwise. Military dependents and retirees are offered the $64 rate at all times.

Steamboat Springs, CO

Nestled in Colorado’s Yampa Valley, Steamboat Springs is nicknamed Ski Town, USA, and is as famous for its hot springs as it is for its skiing.

It has some of the best military discounts around! They generously offer a standing 20% discount for all military personnel on daily lift tickets, ski and snowboard lessons and rentals, plus a special rate on a 3-day pass. Find out more about these great discounts here.

Aspen, CO

Snowmass offers 4 mountains to choose from, and since the first park was opened in 1946, it has had a special relationship with active duty veterans and retirees. They offer an amazing season pass rate, plus special events and programs for disabled veterans. Get the details here.

Telluride, CO

Colorado has no shortage of great skiing, but Telluride has a character all its own. With dramatic drops and an average of 300 inches of snow each year, it’s the perfect place to explore a Rocky Mountain slope or two.

Plus, you can score an awesome multi-day rate. At just $75 for the first day and a 30% discount on additional days, Telluride offers fantastic skiing at a fabulous price.

Did we miss any ski resorts that offer a military discount? Please tell us in the comments section so that we can add them to this comprehensive list.

Is Congress Being a Bully to Military Families?

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Sometimes I feel like Congress is the bully on the school playground. They make all the rules and tell everyone how to play the game they want to play. They give out great toys, our military benefits, but they constantly taunt us saying they’ll take them away.

Military families want Congress to play fair.

When they promise us something, we expect them to live up to it.

Is Congress Being a Bully to Military Families?

What do you think? Is Congress being a bully to military families?

Every year Congress looks at military spending. They question how to save the government money. Military benefits are put on the chopping block every time. Think about the benefits you or your service member were promised when enlisting.

Are you getting everything you were promised? Probably not.

I’ve been part of the military community my entire life. My parents were both in the Army and my husband is in the Navy. I have seen firsthand how Congress plays. I read the transcripts from subcommittees that debate changes to military benefits.

I pay close attention to the wording of bills I follow to see how they progress through the Senate and the House. Not many people do, which is why I enjoy writing about what Congress is doing in regards to changes that affect military families.

I want you to know what is going on so you aren’t blindsided.

So many changes have occurred recently. Have you kept up with what Congress is doing or have you been thrown a curve when you’ve needed a benefit?

Tricare had significant changes start on January 1, 2018, for example. Did you know that while Tricare Prime remained the same, Tricare Standard and Tricare Extra merged to become Tricare Select? A significant part of the change is that beneficiaries will no longer be able to switch between Tricare plans at any time. There will now be an open enrollment window. Life events will continue to enable you to switch however.

I’m sure you know that we got a pay raise this year. That’s one thing military families keep track of. There are some important things to consider though. Congress isn’t necessarily giving away extra money without caveats. You might want to read up on BAH rates for locations you are considering for your next PCS. Rates have gone up, slightly, in some locations and down in others.

Did you know that Congress wants military families to start covering 5% of BAH starting as early as next year?

Military retirement changed on January 1 as well. Congress made the most significant change to military retirement pensions in 70 years. The old plan, known as the legacy retirement system, stayed the same. A new retirement program known as the blended retirement system allows incoming service members to basically set aside money that is matched by the government up to a point. They will no longer be required to stay in the set 20 years to earn a retirement benefit.

The post-9/11 GI Bill also changed. Previously there was a 15-year cutoff date to use or lose the benefit after a service member left the military, if they left after 2013. That was eliminated. Reservists will now see their benefits increased. Surviving dependents and Purple Heart recipients get better benefits as well. A great thing is that those who attended a college that closed in 2015 or later, who ended up losing their money, will now get a new allotment.

These are just a few of the changes Congress sent our way already this year. It’s great that those entering the military will have some improvements to benefits such as the retirement plan and the post-9/11 GI Bill. Those that have been in for a while are excluded from many benefit improvements coming though. Tricare is a major benefit that many people joined the military for. That’s taking a big hit. Copays for medication increased. The dental plan changed, and not for the better, not to long ago. The commissary has changed so that prices fluctuate with the area.

In some ways it’s like Congress is making friends with the new kids and bullying their other classmates on the playground. The bully didn’t play favorites during the recent government shutdown though. Congress mandated that service members continue to work, even if they weren’t going to get paid. And our representatives didn’t lose money or sleep over this decision.

What do you think? Is Congress being a bully to military families?

Be Amazed at a Military Air Show

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Have you been to a military air show? The Navy’s Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds both put on a great show for families all over the country.

They recently released their 2018 and 2019 schedules. If you haven’t been to a military air show, make plans to attend one this year. If you have been to one of these exciting military air shows, share this information with friends so that they may experience the fun too.

The Blue Angels are the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron. Surprisingly, they have been around since 1946. You don’t want to miss their amazing military air show. They are scheduled for 59 demonstrations in 31 locations this year and 61 demonstrations in 32 locations next year. With this many military air shows scheduled, you are sure to find one near you. Their schedule is available by clicking here.

What can you expect from a Blue Angels’ air show?

It’s a great family event to go to. This year marks the 72nd year of the Navy’s Blue Angels and they are sure to put on a good show. It is such a popular event that over the years they have performed for close to 500 million spectators.

At the military air show, you will not only see a dazzling performance of flight maneuvers, but you will also have a chance to see the planes up-close. You might even be able to meet some of the pilots and ask them questions. Here are 60 questions answered on their website. You might find your answer there, but you’ll still want to meet one of the pilots. They’ll have great stories because they love talking about their experiences.

Be Amazed at a Military Air Show

The Air Force’s demonstration team will celebrate 65 years of showcasing the latest advancement in aircraft this May.

What can you expect from a Thunderbirds’ air show?

Another great military air show not to miss is the Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, also known as the Thunderbirds. If you don’t live near a location that the Blue Angels will be performing, review the show schedule here for the Air Force Thunderbirds. This is another fun military air show that your family will love.

The show is an hour long and packed with exciting aerial maneuvers. It all begins with a drill type ground ceremony before the planes take flight. Once in the air you will see tight formations with only a few feet between the planes. You’ll witness precise techniques used by the solo performances. This really is a show not to be missed.

Both the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels have long and rich histories. Attending one of their military air shows is a great opportunity to learn about how they were started and how aviation has changed over the years. The Air Force’s demonstration team will celebrate 65 years of showcasing the latest advancement in aircraft this May.

When the Air Force’s official air demonstration team was founded in 1953, the Air Force had been its separate service for only 6 years. There were only 7 officers and 22 enlisted as part of the team. Their show was only 15 minutes as well.

Since then 325 officers have been part of the team over the years.

The military air shows have been great recruitment tools for the Air Force. The Navy uses the Blue Angels military air shows for recruitment as well. The current commanding officer hopes that those that witness the precision and dedication of the team will be inspired to “strive for greatness and follow their dreams.” Both the Air Force and Navy have been successful in these endeavors.

Have you attended a military air show in the past? What was your favorite part of it?

 

The Tactical Military Guide to Buying Your First Home

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As a thank you for serving the nation, the country gives back to the military personnel by making it more affordable for them to purchase a home. In other words, military benefits could make buying a home 36 percent less expensive than renting. However, these benefits sometimes seem too good to be true and many people rush into buying their first home. You wouldn’t go out in the field without the proper checks and verifiable intelligence, so why would you buy a house without the same information? Check out some of these tips to help you score the home of your dreams.  

Figure Out What You Can Afford

The first step in buying a home is to determine your budget. Typically, you will want to buy a home that including payments and insurance does not exceed 35-45 percent of your gross annual income. Remember though, these are not the only costs associated with buying a home. You will also have to dish out money for things such as home appraisal and inspection so be sure to include this in your calculations. You will also want a lender to pull your full credit report so that you can determine whether your score is good enough for a loan. If you don’t feel comfortable with your credit score, you might want to rent until you bring it back up.  

Find a VA-Savvy Agent

Veterans and active-duty service members are eligible for a VA loan if you have served 90 consecutive days on active duty during wartime, 181 consecutive days on active duty during peacetime, or 6 or more years in the National Guard or Reserves. The benefit of a VA loan is that it makes buying a home more affordable by offering no down payment, no mortgage insurance, lower interest rates and more lenient credit requirements. However, not every realtor is familiar with the VA system, so you need to make sure that you find an agent that is aware of how to navigate these waters. The VA won’t underwrite any house, so your realtor must be sure that you find a home that meets the VA property requirements. You can ask another vet for a referral, or look for reliable military affiliate real estate agents online for the most knowledgeable professionals.

Shop Around

Just like any purchase, it’s always a good idea to shop around and compare VA loan rates from multiple lenders. It’s true that this can cause your score to fall a couple of points, but it doesn’t occur every time and it’s better to be safe than sorry. You will also want to shop around for different houses to ensure you’re getting the best deal. When you decide on the home of your dreams, be sure to do a home inspection. You will want to get a clear look into the things that may be lurking in the darkest parts of the home and it will also allow you to negotiate terms and costs of the home.

Buying the home of your dreams is possible with the right strategy. Take these tactics into consideration and you’ll be lounging in your new home in no time at all.

 

 

Military Discounts to Use When Visiting State Parks

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When most of us think about the great outdoors, we immediately think of camping, hiking, hunting and maybe even whitewater rafting.

One of the best places to do all of these great outdoorsy things is at national parks, but what if you don’t want to trek all the way to a national park? While places like the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone are worth the hike, chances are you don’t have to take a road trip to explore all of the wonders that mother nature has to offer.

Your next great camping trip might just be up the road at any one of the more than 10,000 state parks.

Every state in the union, from Florida to Alaska and Maine to Hawaii has their fair share of gorgeous state parks. Encompassing more than 18 million acres, state parks have something to offer everyone. Whether you’re a ski fanatic, a hobby fisherman or just want to find a quiet place to commune with nature, chances there’s a state park that offers the perfect day off.

And many state parks offer military and veteran discounts.

Most state parks offer day and annual passes, as well as licenses for fishing, hunting and boating. Some require special passes depending on the activities you plan on engaging in at the park (i.e., primitive camping or RV stays).

And almost every park we researched offered a free annual pass for wounded warrior residents of the state, though the percentage of disability required for the annual pass varied by state.

Military Discounts to Use When Visiting State Parks

Did you know that West Virginia state parks offer a 10% military discount? Plan your next hiking adventure at Blackwater Falls State Park in West Virginia.

For the rest of us, active duty and veterans, the military discounts vary by state and often are offered at each individual park and for limited time periods or only to residents of that state. When in doubt, contact the individual park.

Here are 4 states we found that offer discounts at their state parks:

Georgia State Parks

Georgia offers dozens of state parks, including Fort Yargo, with its 260-acre lake, multiple RV sites and even lakefront yurts for a little weekend glamping. Active duty and retired military — who are Georgia residents — are entitled to a 25% discount on the daily or annual parks pass. A current military or retiree ID must be shown at time of purchase.

Florida State Parks

With over 150 state parks to choose from, if you crave the sun, you’ll find it here. Florida’s state parks include miles of beaches and all kinds of interesting trails including the Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad trail, with options for hiking, biking and even horseback riding. Active duty military, National Guard and reservists and retirees can received a 25% discount on all Florida state park entrance fees.

However the passes cannot be purchased online.

Maryland State Parks

Maryland culture has long revolved around the water. Dozens of Maryland state parks offer the chance to experience a landscape rich with marine wildlife and ocean views, including Janes Island State Park where visitors can fish and crab to their heart’s content. With a valid military ID all Maryland state park daily fees are waived. Find out more about this park and many others at Maryland.gov.

West Virginia State Parks

With over 50 state parks, West Virginia is a camping and hunting enthusiast paradise. Included in its many offerings is Seneca State Forest, home to rivers, lakes, miles of trails and its famous 65-foot fire tower that offers an incredible bird’s-eye view of the lush forest and woodland.

Best of all, all West Virginia state parks and services offer active duty and veteran personnel a 10% discount.

Looking for another state or a specific state park? Find links to it all by visiting www.stateparks.org.

Have you sign up for Military Shoppers Travel and Rewards community? It’s a free way to save money on your next family vacation.

10 Ways Busy Military Families Can Eat Healthy Meals Together

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January is a great time to revamp your family meals.

Military families are often very busy and eating healthy meals together should be one thing we all fit in time for.

Many people have New Year’s resolutions to be healthier. I’m one of those and you probably are as well. Being healthy starts in the kitchen with good food to fuel your body. Here are 10 tips to help your busy family eat healthy meals together.

10 Ways Busy Military Families Can Eat Healthy Meals Together

Plan your meals for the week. Consider what activities your family has going on during the week so you know how much time you have to cook and eat a healthy meal.

Buy fresh ingredients. Try to do your grocery shopping along the outer rim of the commissary where all the fresh ingredients are. Stay away from sugary, high sodium and high fat products masked by clever marketing on boxed goods in the center aisles.

Try a home delivery service such as Blue Apron or have your groceries delivered to your home from your local grocery store. There will be periods where you don’t have time to run to the commissary. There will be moments where you run out of ideas of what to cook. In these instances, a home delivery service can be a great option for healthy meals that you can make at home.

10 Ways Busy Military Families Can Eat Healthy Meals Together

Making healthy meals for your military family starts in your kitchen.

Cook together. This is especially important for children. Research has shown that children eat healthier when they are part of the cooking process. They are also more likely to try new things and they build confidence in the kitchen while learning new skills.

Use your Crockpot or Instapot. Both of these are game changers for busy military families. You don’t always have time to cook healthy meals on busy nights. This is when planning ahead comes into play. When your family has a lot going on, a Crockpot or Instapot dinner can save the day and your sanity.

Shake things up. Eat on the patio if it’s a nice night. Make a picnic in the living room one afternoon. Pack a lunch and go to the park.

Make time to eat healthy meals together. You might all have different activities going on, but you still have to eat. Try to schedule dinner at a time that everyone can be together. This might mean that on one day you eat at 4 p.m. and on another you don’t eat until 7 p.m. Many families do that.

It’s eating together that is important, not the time that you eat dinner.

Dinner time is a special time where family members get to catch up on each other’s day.

Try new things. We all get into the rut of making the same things over and over again. I have an entire bookshelf of cookbooks but find myself making the same recipes. Recently I’ve started watching cooking videos on Facebook as well as looking up recipes on Pinterest. Pick up a new cookbook, ask friends for recipes or look up new meal ideas online.

Do a recipe swap with friends. This goes along with trying new things. I’ve been in groups that have made cookbooks. See if one of the clubs your child is in has made one. Talk to your friends or coworkers and see if they would like to swap healthy recipes. You can make your own file or download a recipe app for your phone.

Commit to eating healthy meals. All of the tips above mean nothing if you don’t actually follow through. Sure it’s OK to go out to eat every now and again or to have a night you order pizza in. Don’t let that turn into a habit. Remember your New Year’s resolution to eat healthy meals and to be a healthier person.

Tired of the same boring meals? Browse MilitaryShoppers’ recipe database for fresh ideas for your meals this month.