Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

8 Alternatives to Putting Candy in Your Kid’s Easter Basket

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Cute little chocolate bunnies and peanut butter filled eggs are taunting you with every trip to the commissary. “Pick me,” they cry. “Put me in the Easter basket this year!”

Instead of getting your kids all sugared up at zero dark thirty, fill their baskets with non-candy treats! Here are 8 great things to grab that will last longer than the black jelly beans.

8 Alternatives to Putting Candy in Your Kid's Easter Basket

What do you put in your child’s Easter basket?

8 Alternatives to Putting Candy in Your Kid’s Easter Basket

Books

This is perfect for kids of all ages! From the touch and feel books for babies to chapter book for the older ones, everyone can use a new book.

Plus, there are so many directions you could take this. You could stick to Easter theme books with bunnies and Bible stories. Or go with a general spring theme, which opens up all those books about farming, baseball and flowers. Choose a book from a series your child loves, which could lead you into giving the sequels for other celebrations. Finally, just go nuts at the bookstore and grab anything that you think your kiddos would read.

Bubbles

Nothing says spring like tiny bubbles floating on a gentle breeze. And bubbles can keep children entertained while you hide the eggs for the hunt too. As an added bonus, bubbles and bubble accessories are usually pretty inexpensive. This means you can really stock up with different wands and automatic bubble-making toys.

Plus, bubbles are basically just soap. Which will make cleaning that face full of chocolate even easier!

Sidewalk Chalk

The sidewalks are probably clear of snow up north and it hasn’t gotten unbearably hot yet in the south. It’s the perfect time for sidewalk chalk! Kids are universally in love with chalk. They can create huge masterpieces with complex colors or draw up a quick game of hopscotch.

Kites

Spring is a perfect time to go fly a kite! Kites are everywhere right now, making it easy to pick one up. They also come in a variety of styles and at different price points. There are very affordable plastic varieties sold at drugstores everywhere. You could also go bigger and snag a fabric kite that might last a few seasons. Finally, there are very fancy kites that come with all sorts of bells and whistles.

Craft Kits

Instead of getting sticky fingers on Easter Sunday, your kids could be creating beautiful necklaces or putting together dinosaurs! There are craft kits in a variety of interest areas available for kids from preschool to college. Crafts can also help to keep everyone occupied during dinner prep or wake you from your post-feast daze.

And crafts can bring people of different generations together. Grandparents, aunts or uncles might want to pitch in when your little one starts to test his catapult kit!

Coloring Books

Coloring books are all the rage right now. There are complex, beautiful designs for older kids and adults, as well as the classics for the younger crowd. You’ll get major bonus points if your coloring books include stickers or have activities to complete. Throw in a new pack of crayons in the Easter basket and you’re golden!

Journals

Instead of the traditional blank notebook, check out unjournals or guided journals. These give you a prompt or ask you to finish a picture. These go beyond the basics of recording your thoughts and ask users to stretch their minds or think outside the box.

Puzzles

Like books, you could go any direction with puzzles. And they are perfect for every age group! There are the toddler puzzles with those chunky handles for littler kids. Or challenge your family with a 5,000-piece color gradient puzzle. There are also tons of puzzles in the middle. Pick a puzzle of a favorite piece of art or order your own puzzle made from a family photo. Grab some puzzle glue and a frame for a beautiful keepsake to hang on your walls.

What do you put in your child’s Easter basket? Tell us in the comments!

Why New Regulations Won’t Solve the Marines United Problem

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Each of the Armed Services has passed down guidance intended to set expectations for dealing with the kind of despicable behavior brought to light in the Marines United Facebook group scandal.

Why New Regulations Won't Solve the Marines United Problem

Female service members have been secretly fighting to protect themselves from a “boys will be boys” culture for almost 80 years.

But if history is any indication, it’s hard to be convinced it will change a single thing. Regulations already in place should make eliminating this kind of behavior from the ranks easy and yet here we are.

Or should I say, here we are again.

Sadly, the deep-rooted culture of denigrating and disrespecting women who serve hasn’t changed much since women first answered the call to arms.

A  History of Public Humiliation

In 1943 a “slander campaign” sought to undermine the value and service of the Women’s Army Auxillary Corp. It whispered of pregnancy issues and venereal diseases. The campaign impacted recruitment efforts at a time when women’s service was greatly needed. Investigators initially thought the campaign was a form of enemy propaganda, but in the end, it was the actions of high-ranking military officers who believed women had no place in the military.

Fast forward 50 years and the weekend-long Tailhook Naval Conference left 87 women and 7 men sexually assaulted. After an initial cover-up, it took a single victim’s willingness to sacrifice her career and take her story to the press to get the Navy to stop making excuses and start taking action.

Female service members have been fighting to protect our country while secretly fighting to protect themselves from a “boys will be boys” and “locker room talk” culture for almost 80 years.

80 years.

The first service regulations that specifically targeted sexual harassment in the military weren’t even introduced until 1980, nearly 4 decades after women had become fully integrated into the U.S. military.

A Culture of Statistics

In 2014, a survey of female veterans from the Vietnam era to present showed that as many as a quarter of military women have been sexually assaulted and 80% sexually harassed. Another report in 2011 offered this staggering statistic:

“Women in the U.S. military are more likely to be raped by fellow soldiers than they are to be killed in combat.”

Ironically, when women report such crimes and demand the respect they’ve rightfully earned, it is used as an excuse to call them weak and accuse them of distracting their unit from its mission. A 2014 DoD survey found that in the previous year alone, “62% of active service members who reported sexual assault had experienced retaliation, including professional, social and administrative actions or punishments.”

This is the culture female service members face. It is a culture that continues to tell them that their service and their sacrifice is somehow less. That their personal safety isn’t found in trusting the soldier to their right and left, but instead must be found in tolerating illegal and immoral behaviors and staying quiet. It is a culture that demands they give their all and punishes them when their male counterparts decide they don’t like the competition.

Top-Down Change Won’t Work

Regulations and laws currently in place allow for the prosecution of service members involved in the latest scandal, who undoubtedly understood that their behavior was illegal and reprehensible and hence kept it secret and hidden from public view.

Some found safety in their fake-account anonymity; others in the sheer number of other group members who engaged in the same behavior. Sure, the group and the folder full of stolen images have disappeared, but investigators believe the group and its content will congregate and materialize under a new name on a new site. And while there are a few examples of service members suffering the consequences of such actions, there is a staggeringly number of cases where the behavior is dismissed or ignored.

I wish I felt that this renewed awareness would change things. That somehow those who still believe that “hotties don’t belong in the military” would hear the words of their leadership and change.

But the truth is, they haven’t listened in the last 40 years and I doubt they will start now.

This kind of change can’t come from the top down. It must be a grassroots effort within the military community.

The Facebook group in question was 30,000 members strong and it’s unlikely that these members’ attitudes about female service members weren’t apparent to those who knew them in real life. How many of them have been called out, not just by their chain of command, but by their fellow service members or veterans?

If you look at a service member and see gender before the uniform, you’re part of the problem.

If you think the women who were victimized in this case were responsible in any way for what happened to them, you are part of the problem.

If you hear the jokes and innuendo and laugh or ignore it, you are part of the problem.

But if you are willing to call it out, if you are willing to start changing the way you think about this issues, you can be part of the solution.

The question is, will you?

What are your feeling about the Marines United Facebook group photo scandal? Share them in the comments section.

Don’t Let Things Go Unsaid, Tell Your Story with bucketnote

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I was staring into my husband’s eyes the night before he left for a 7-month deployment.

He had already kissed our children good night and goodbye. His bags were packed and piled by the front door. The only thing left to do was wait.

Wait for the moment when he left at 3 a.m.

Wait for the text message saying he landed safely in Guam.

Wait for the recorded message announcing the time and date for his homecoming flight.

In between those moments of goodbye and welcome home, I spent a lot of time thinking. I reflected on our past. I dreamed about our future. I worried that there were important unsaid things between us that needed to be said.

For service members and their spouses, mortality may be something that we think about every day. Not just during deployments. Not just during training missions. It’s something that’s always in the “what-if” part of our minds.

The creators of the app, bucketnote, understand our need to be prepared for the “what-ifs” of military life. They also understand that the important things shouldn’t go unsaid.

What is bucketnote?

bucketnote “is the app that lets you archive your thoughts, special messages, family traditions and stories to share with your loved ones when you’re gone.” It’s a digital journal for today’s modern age.

Notes can be photos, videos, voice memos or written thoughts. You can record your favorite family stories. These notes are then edited by you. You are the only one who has access to your notes. You decide who you want to share these notes with and when you want the notes shared.

The developers of bucketnote reassure users that this app is 100% secure. They say “Rest easy knowing your most treasured photos, messages and instructions are protected by our software and will only be delivered to your designated recipients when it’s time.”

Tell Your Story with bucketnote

Bucketnote is available to all military for the next 30 days for free on iOS and $.99 on Android devices. Download the app today.

 

There’s also an add-on feature, bucketcapsule, which allows you to create a message  which can be delivered well into the future after you’re gone…like for a granddaughter’s 18th birthday or on the birth of your grandchild’s first child. bucketcapsules can be a special message or piece of advice that you want her to have on that day. This note can be a video of you singing “happy birthday” or saying “I love you” or a piece of motherly advice to a new mother – anything at all!

What can I do with bucketnote?

Say you have a spark of inspiration while grocery shopping, you can create your note on your smartphone while waiting in line at the commissary. Later you can revise and edit this note on your tablet. You may want to add a photo or a video to this note. You can easily do that with a few taps on your tablet.

Then you can take a deep breath and be at peace knowing that this note will be delivered to your loved one when you’re gone.

Other features of bucketnote include:

  • Enjoy a seamless experience on every device
  • Complete privacy – notes are completely private until they are ready to be shared
  • Many formats to choose from – text, image, audio and video
  • Cool add-on feature like bucketcapsule that lets you pick a date in the future to send a message for a big event, wedding day, graduation or any special date to you
  • Convenient, easy and secure

No one wants to think about passing away. No one wants to think about the sorrow that our spouses and children will feel at the time of our deaths.

But in those moments, our notes of love, support and faith can guide them through this tough time. Reading your words, listening to the sound of your voice and watching your smile will mean everything to them in that moment.

Leave them a bucketnote today.

bucketnote is available to all military for the next 30 days for free on iOS and $.99 on Android devices. Download it today.

*This post is a sponsored post for bucketnote.

5 Steps You Can Take Today to Make Your PCS Go Smoothly This Summer

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It’s PCS season and this year your family is one of many that will be moving. Do you have a PCS strategy?

5 Steps You Can Take Today to Make Your PCS Go Smoothly This Summer

What things do you do to make your PCS go smoothly?

Taking time to get organized before the big day can save a lot of time and some big headaches. Don’t wait until the last minute. Follow these 5 steps today to make your PCS go smoothly this summer.

Get Organized

The key to a successful PCS is planning. Sure you can just wing it, but wouldn’t it be nice to not get all stressed out?

Planning and staying organized will make this PCS a smooth one.

It all starts with a list. Organize your thoughts and put them down on paper or in your computer. Ask yourself, what do you need to accomplish and when does it need to be done?

Some of the main things to consider include: where you are going to live, where your children will go to school (if applicable), and if you will move yourself or have the military move you.

Is military housing available and would you want to live there?

If not, do you want to rent or buy a home?

If you have school-age children, what type of school do you want them to go to? You’ll need to decide if you want to look into public school, private school or the school at your military installation (if there is one).

Talk to your spouse and decide if your family wants to do all the work a PCS requires or if you want to get professionals to come help. Once you’ve made these key decisions, you can move on to the next steps.

Make a PCS Binder

Having a PCS binder is a great way to stay organized. Keeping all of the important documents and lists that you’ll need for the move in an easily accessible place is extremely helpful. Your PCS binder could include things such as:

  • Your PCS checklist
  • Important documents: birth certificates, marriage license, insurance information, Social Security cards and passports as well as car titles and military orders
  • Medical and dental records
  • School records
  • Pet records: complete shot records, especially rabies
  • Household goods inventory that includes a list of the serial numbers on electronic devises, the inventory list from the moving company and their contact information with delivery dates
  • Budget section with receipts folder
  • Important contacts: key contacts for the new command, utilities, insurance, schools, etc.

Purge

You’ve been putting it off, but now it’s time to finally purge your house of all the things your family doesn’t need.

The less you have to pack, the less you have to unpack and find a new place for.

Don’t get overwhelmed. Set time aside to do one room at a time.

When deciding what to keep and what to part with, consider the environment you’re moving to. You might not need those snowsuits any longer if you are PCSing to Florida. Decide what you can part with and then label bags for donation and resale as you go through your home. Once you’re done combing through the house you’ll be more organized and have less things to pack.

Prepare for the Movers

We have all heard horror stories about what movers have packed. To avoid having your own horror story, strategically place items together you want to stay together.

Labeling is extremely helpful. You can designate a different color for each room so you can quickly identify which room boxes go in at the next house. This can be done with colored tape attached to each box.

Move things that you don’t want packed to a designated room and label the door “Do Not Pack.” Things that you want to keep out for use before you move should also be labeled “Do Not Pack.”

Consider wrapping delicate items yourself. Wash dishes and empty the dishwasher before the movers arrive. Ask a friend to watch your children while the movers are there so you can give your full attention to the process.

Get to Know Your New Location

Think about the things you do and the places that you go to often. If you are a Starbucks junkie, look up how many are in the area. Does your family like to go to the zoo or aquarium? Look to see if there is one in that town.

Connect with other military spouses at the next command. Making friends in a new town is important and this is a great place to start. Reach out to the Ombudsman or key spouse. They should be able to help you get to know the area. They can also introduce you to other military spouses.

Look into community pages online. You’ll find information on local events and great places to go. You can begin to network as well. The more you get to know the area, the more confidence you’ll have when you PCS.

What steps do you take to make your PCS go smoothly? Share your tips in the comments section.

 

All-Inclusive Resorts and Vacation Deals for Military Families

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Everyone loves a vacation! Military families and veterans can love their vacations even more when they take advantage of these sweet deals and discounts.

Sandals and Beaches

Sandals and Beaches offer an additional 10% off for U.S. and Canadian military members. This includes: active duty, Guard, Reserve, retired and veterans as well as Department of Defense employees. Military spouses can also take advantage of this great deal too.

Sandals is an adults only resort chain located throughout the Caribbean, including Jamaica and the Bahamas. Beaches is a family resort with similar locations. Guests at these 2 chains will have an all-inclusive experience with all food, drinks, non-motorized water and land sports and entertainment. At Beaches, you can expect all of that plus daily child care and activities for kiddos from infant to teen.

Guests can combine the 10% discount with all other specials offered by Sandals and Beaches. To get the 10% discount, call the numbers listed on the websites.

Disney Cruises

For Disney lovers who want to sail the seven seas, Disney Cruises are offering military discounts on select sailings this spring. To book, visit their website.

Once on board, almost everything is taken care of, from food to entertainment. Just about the only thing you will need to handle are drinks and child care!

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean offers a military discount on select sailings for active duty, retired and honorably discharged troops, as well as their spouses. Royal Caribbean cruises to many destinations worldwide and offers a variety of packages for dining and drinks. There are also programs for children, teens and families, plus shore excursions. To find out more, contact the cruise line directly.

Coffee Creek Ranch

Pack up your family and head to a real dude ranch in California. This is an all-inclusive resort that specializes in creating a fun ranch experience. Daily horseback riding, meals, drinks and nightly activities are included.

Service members can get 50% off posted rates year-round, but cannot combine this discount with any other offer. Veterans can get 30% off during Memorial Day weekend and the week following. To get your discount, call the resort directly.

Ocean Club Resort

Located in beautiful Turks and Caicos, Ocean Club Resort offers a 10% discount in the winter and a 20% discount in the summer to military personnel.

This is not an all-inclusive resort but does offer a dining package at an additional cost. There are 2 sister properties and guests can use the amenities at both. Guests can also arrange a variety of tours and excursions through the resort. This resort also features multi-bedroom suites at each of their properties.

To book a stay with the military discount, please call the resort directly. The booking agent should be able to get you the best deal with either the discount or the best promotional rates.

Hawks Cay Resort

Hawks Cay Resort is located on Duck Key in the Florida Keys. With activities for the whole family and marina slips available, plus a world class spa, this resort is a great fit for everyone. Hawks Cay is not an all-inclusive resort, but it does have many land and water activities built into your resort fee.

This resort offers military discounts year-round, as well as a special military discount period from the late summer to early winter. To book using these options, visit their website and view their special offers. Or you can call the resort booking agent directly.

Shades of Green

Shades of Green is a Walt Disney World affiliated resort offering room and vacation packages to military and DOD personnel. This resort offers packages for active duty, Reserve, Guard, veteran and retired personnel, as well as their families. While this resort is not all-inclusive, it does offer several packages with meals.

Shades of Green is a very popular destination for vacationing military families and rooms do book very quickly. Tickets to Disney World and other area attractions are not included in the room rates or packages.

Do you love a military discount? Sign up for Military Shoppers newsletter and money saving tips and deals will be delivered to your inbox!

How to Use a VA Home Loan to Build Your Custom Home

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On any given Saturday, you’ll find me enthralled by the latest episode of a home-improvement show. I marvel at the shiny bathroom tile or the hand-scraped hardwood floors. It’s hard not to image what it would be like to build my dream home.

Would it be somewhere in California overlooking the ocean?

A Rocky Mountain hideaway in Colorado?

Or maybe a red-brick colonial in the suburbs of D.C.?

And I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who has spent hours imagining it all, right down to the drawer pulls and carpet colors.

But did you know that financing home construction is vastly different from a traditional mortgage? Did you know your VA benefits can help you make your dream home a reality?

Here’s the skinny on how to use your VA home loan benefits to build your custom home:

New Construction Financing 101

Unless you have enough money to pay a builder cash for materials and labor, it’s likely you’ll need to take out a loan. New construction is typically financed with a construction loan during the building process, then converted to a traditional mortgage once building is complete.

Some real estate developers and builders will pay for the construction phase so that approved homeowners only need to secure a traditional mortgage. Often this means you’re building a house in a planned community and can customize your home from a variety of plans and options offered by the builder.

However, if you want an entirely custom home (from your own blueprints) or if you want to build outside of a planned community, you may need to apply for your own construction loan.

How to Use a VA Loan for Your Custom Built Home

There was a time when VA construction loans were readily available, but thanks to many of the issues that tanked the U.S. housing market in recent years, a straight VA construction loan may be hard to find.

During the construction loan process, the bank will review your building plans and release funds, as needed, for each phase of the building process. Generally, a homeowner will pay the interest on a construction loan during the building process, though interest is accrued only on the money that has been released to the builder. Interest rates for construction loans vary and many of the same financial requirements needed for traditional home loan approval will apply.

VA Construction Loans vs. Construction to Permanent VA Financing

One of the benefits of using a VA construction loan is that you will not be required to make any payments during the construction phase. Instead the builder is responsible for all fees and interest. Once the home is completed, the VA issues a certificate of completion, pays the builder and converts your loan into a regular mortgage.

Sounds great, right?

There was a time when VA construction loans were readily available, but thanks to many of the issues that tanked the U.S. housing market in recent years, a straight VA construction loan may be hard to find. If you find one, make sure you do your research before agreeing to any terms.

Currently, it is much easier to find lenders offering construction-to-permanent loans. In these cases, a construction loan is financed through a traditional or local lender. At the same time, a pre-approval letter for a VA loan is obtained with specific verbiage mentioning the intent to convert a construction loan to a permanent VA loan once the house is complete.

While this doesn’t guarantee you’ll get approved for a construction loan, it can make it a little easier. You will likely still be required to pay interest on the construction loan, and depending on your credit history and amount financed, you may be asked to provide a down payment.

VA Financing Special Requirements

Like a traditional construction loan, a VA lending institution will assign an inspector to your building project. The inspector is responsible for making sure each phase of construction is complete before money is issued for the next step of construction.

Also, in order to use the VA loan as part of the construction-to-permanent process, the builder must be registered with the VA and offer a minimum one-year warranty.

Just like a more traditional VA loan, there are limitations and restrictions. You must obtain a letter of eligibility from the VA before a lending institution can approve a VA loan. And a newly constructed home must still be inspected and appraised as part of the mortgage process. Deadlines and processes vary by state, so make sure you do your research ahead of time to avoid any surprises.

And don’t forget, there are caps on how much the VA will guarantee that vary by location. If you need a loan over that cap, you will be required to provide 25% of the difference between your loan amount and the cap as a down payment. But, even if you are buying over the VA cap, you’ll still enjoy the benefit of not having to pay PMI.

Have you financed your custom built home using a VA loan? What hurdles did you encounter?

Are You an Introvert and a Military Spouse? You’re Not Alone

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Yet another mandatory family fun day and you’re feeling like it will be anything but fun. All those people that you just don’t know, loud music and friendly banter.

It sounds like a recipe for a terrible day for an introvert.

This is also the stereotypical picture of what it means to be a military spouse. Given how much we move, it can often seem like the best, and often only, way to make friends is to join in these large, loud events. Or to just show up with baked goods whenever a new neighbor moves in.

Are You an Introvert and a Military Spouse?

When you are an introvert, the social events and FRG meetings of military life may seem overwhelming.

Here are ways to find friends and socialize when you’re a military spouse who’s an introvert.

Find Your Peeps Online

Military spouse networks are popping up like daisies online! From blogs to Facebook to Instagram, there are so many fun people and groups to join or follow.

First, check out your base-specific Facebook groups. Sometimes these are secret or closed, and you may need to be approved by an admin. However, these groups can help you to navigate your duty station or to make new friends. From school and restaurant recommendations to the dish on what all those sirens were, base groups will give you all the information.

Next, check out blogs and pages that are service specific. For new spouses, you can learn a lot about traditions and customs. “Seasoned” spouses can share knowledge and help others. Everyone can get info on different duty stations or events, and even job opportunities!

Beyond branch of service and duty stations, there are Facebook groups for professional military spouses, spouses who blog, spouses who are attorneys and spouses who (fill in the blank). There are also tons of blogs covering all aspects of military life, from helping parents with K-12 education to parenting to everyday military life. Check it out!

Connect Offline Too

Once you join a few online groups, try to keep track of other people that have similar interests or that you have interacted with. You could both be commenting on the same posts, asking the same questions or live in the same neighborhood.

Send a private message to someone that you think might be a good friend for you. Chat online until you (or your friend) feel comfortable bringing up meeting in real life. Get together for coffee or go do something that both of you enjoy. It could be anything from cosplay to riding horses to sitting on the beach.

Use Friends to Make Friends

Once you have a core group of friends at your current duty station, try to find new friends through them. It’s a small world in the military. Chances are good that your friends will know at least one person at your next hometown. When you get orders, ask your IRL or online friends to help you make connections.

Or your friends might be able to expand your friendship circle where you already live. Take a chance and invite a friend of a friend to join you for coffee or drinks.

If you have kids, you can even use them to make new connections. Reach out to the parents of a good friend of your own child and schedule a play date or playground meet-up. A play date will have a specific end time, and you can get to know the other parent(s) over coffee at home.

Playgrounds are neutral territory and you can make an easy exit if things aren’t going well.

Alternately, you could keep the fun going or schedule another get together easily.

Check Out Specialty Groups

What do you like? Check online and on base for like-minded groups. There are groups for runners, bloggers, people of all religious faiths, book clubs and the list goes on.

You could connect online at first and then check out a group meet-up later.

Getting to know other people who share your interests can help you to connect with the military and civilian population. Plus, there will likely be similar groups at many bases. When you move, reach out to the local chapter of your group. You’ll be able to make friends more quickly and easily!

Socialize on Your Terms

Sometimes typical military spouse tasks are unavoidable, but you can make them your own. Try to volunteer or participate on your terms.

Offer to help with the children’s corner, organize donated items or bring items for a potluck. You’ll be helping out the unit and meeting new people, just in smaller doses. You never know if you might bond over sharing apple pie recipes or figuring out the best way to get care packages to deployed troops for the holidays!

Take a Break

Being an introvert, you value your alone time. Honor your needs and take a break when you need one. You could duck outside at a party or take a walk during a family fun day. Plus, it is not unusual at all for people to use their smartphones, so don’t hesitate to escape into Facebook for a little while.

If you simply don’t want to take on a task or attend an event, decline graciously or suggest an alternative. You shouldn’t be afraid to say no!

No matter how you choose to make friends, having a strong support network can be key to making the most of military life!

Are you an introvert? How do you find friends as a military spouse?

How the Federal Hiring Freeze Impacts Military Families

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President Donald Trump instituted a federal hiring freeze in January. Now, military families are feeling the effects of this executive order.

How the Federal Hiring Freeze Impacts Military Families

Have you been impacted by the federal hiring freeze?

How the Federal Hiring Freeze Impacts Military Families and Veterans

Impact on Base Services

Recently, 2 memos from different Army child care facilities have been released. The Child Development Centers (CDC) at Fort Knox and the Army garrison in Wiesbaden, Germany, have ended some of their child care programs due to staffing shortages. Both documents specifically cited the federal hiring freeze, combined with typical staff illnesses and normal staff attrition, as the reason behind the program closures.

In other bases around the world, military families are also seeing reduced hours and programs at their CDCs. Families in Okinawa, Japan, were told that hourly care programs will be suspended due to the hiring freeze.

“The CDC has stopped the drop-in child care,” shared Madalyn Sandstrom. “So now I have to look to friends, and hope for the best. The wait list for some age groups for full-time child care at the closest CDC is one year!”

The hiring freeze is affecting the DoD’s ability to conduct business as usual, according to a recent statement released by MCCS Camp LeJeune-New River. This will affect hours of services at this particular base as well as MCCS LeJeune’s ability to hire new staff members. Camp LeJeune is one of the largest Marine Corps installations. This statement could indicate impacts at other Marine Corps’ installations, as well as similar services at other military bases.

Military Spouses Face Hiring Delays

Military spouses are seeing an impact on their job opportunities. BreAnn Constantineau has had to suspend her federal job search indefinitely.

“I had started searching just before the freeze so that I could time my application to try and start a job once my kids start school in fall,” Constantineau commented. “Now with the freeze, I’m stalled. I’m also really concerned that once it’s lifted, the sheer volume of applications is going to put a real drain on the HR departments, causing even more delays.”

Spouses that were already in the application and hiring process have also had complications.

“I applied for the substitute teacher position back in October,” said Veronica Johnessee. “(I) finally got the call for fingerprints and background check the first week of January. (I) went for my fingerprints and the next day I was supposed to get the background check link via email. Instead, the hiring freeze was on the news. So now I wait.”

Johnessee’s hiring delay also impacts the students and teachers in the DoD Education Activity (DoDEA). Teachers may lack coverage to take sick days or attend professional development sessions. This means that teachers at DoDEA schools may feel obligated to work while ill. Due to lack of coverage, some non-core content area classes may be rescheduled or canceled to fill grade level classroom needs.

Military treatment facilities are also feeling the crunch from the hiring freeze. Some medical facilities are unable to hire new staff. Danielle Olmsted was in the interview process for a nursing position at Camp Foster’s Naval Hospital, but her hiring has been put on hold.

“I had an interview and was told at the interview that they wanted to hire me as a nurse,” explained Olmsted. “I knew I would have to wait awhile, since it already takes months to get someone hired and start working. Now, who knows how long it will be? I feel as though I’m in limbo, and I know the hospital can use nurses!”

Impact on Veteran Hires

According to the Washington Post, veterans make up 31% of the total federal workforce. Veterans receive preference for government positions.

With the hiring freeze, federal agencies and departments will now be unable to fill open positions. This could leave many veterans waiting even longer. The federal hiring process can take weeks or months to finalize under normal operating conditions. This is due to extensive background checks and paperwork processing.

Exemptions for DoD Positions

There are some exemptions in place to allow for normal operation in certain DoD positions and departments. Military personnel should not be impacted and child care positions are also supposed to be out of bounds as well. Firefighters and first responders, as well as intelligence personnel and positions having a direct impact on military missions, are also exempt.

However, there is not an exemption in place to hire people into the human resources department of the DoD. This could impact the speed of the hiring process for exempted positions and departments. As noted above, this could create backlogs for those who have already received job offers.

Have you been impacted by the federal hiring freeze? Tell us your story in the comments section.

15 Military Discounts for Music Lovers

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Music lovers rejoice; military discounts are available for items ranging from concert tickets and radio subscriptions to instruments and gear.

15 Military Discounts for Music Lovers

Who needs a military discount when you can get a concert ticket for free?

We’ve gathered 15 musical military discounts for you to explore. Try some of these today and let us know what your favorites are.

15 Military Discounts for Music Lovers

Music & Arts started in Bethesda, Md., as a small music store. Today it is a national music store chain. If you are in the market for music gear, Music & Arts is a wonderful place to look. They have more than 140 stores as well as over 50,000 products on MusicArts.com. They offer a 10% military discount for online purchases.

GovX has exclusive discounted tickets for veterans and their families. You can get great deals on concert tickets with GovX.

SiriusXM lets you take great music anywhere you go. Why settle for what’s on the radio, when SiriusXM offers a 25% military discount for the life of any subscription.

The Exchange has an exceptional selection of music. Don’t forget that you can shop in store or online. Online shopping will be open to all veterans starting Veterans Day 2017.

The exchange price matches, so if you find a better price out in town bring the ad in to the exchange and show them. They will match that price and you will save on sales tax since the exchange is tax free.

Overstock.com has a program just for military families called Club O Military and it is free to join. Military families get free shipping, earn 5% rewards dollars, and receive exclusive emails and early access to sales.

You can stock up on all your favorite music in different formats with Overstock.com.

Learning a new instrument? You’ll find everything from a ukulele to drums available for sale as well.

Veterans Advantage offers a military discount on many things including concert tickets. Simply register to get access to the great deals.

At Ticket Club, military members can sign up for free membership, which will save you $50. Ticket Club has fabulous rates for concert tickets.

Vet Tix is an easy way to find tickets to events. The Armed Services YMCA has partnered with Veteran Tickets Foundation (Vet Tix), which is a national nonprofit organization that gives free event tickets to service members and veterans.

Who needs a military discount when you can get a concert ticket for free?

Next time there’s a concert coming to town, check with Vet Tix.

Tidal offers a 40% off military discount for either of its programs that provide access to your favorite music. With Tidal, you can listen to music anywhere with great quality.

Carnegie Hall is a famous place to take the family. All service members can enjoy a military discount of 30% off ticket prices. Tickets must be purchased in person at the box office and there is a limit of 2 tickets per person.

Music for All is a national music education organization that provides educational experiences through performance events. You can share your love of music with the family at the Bands of America Championship. Music for All has a military discount of $5 off any type of ticket.

San Diego Symphony offers a military discount of $3 off tickets. If you don’t live near San Diego, check with your local symphony. Many offer military discounts.

Country Music Hall of Fame welcomes military families with a military discount on admission. Bring your family to this Nashville museum to learn more about country music’s history.

Tampa’s Straz Center is the largest performing arts center in the southeast. You’ll enjoy fantastic musical performances as well as a nice military discount.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, offers a military discount. Tickets must be purchased in person and a photo ID is required.

These are just a few great music military discounts. There are many more to be found if you take the time to look.

Are you a music lover who also loves a military discount? Tell us about your favorite military discount in the comments section.

How to Get Through an Emergency While Your Spouse Is Deployed

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Without fail, if something is going to go wrong it will happen while your spouse is on deployment. It is the Murphy’s Law of the military and many military spouses say you haven’t been through a deployment until something has gone wrong.

How to Get Through an Emergency While Your Spouse Is Deployed

Have you handled an emergency situation while your service member was on deployment?

Here are 6 emergency situations military spouses may face during a deployment and how to get through them.

Natural Disaster

No matter where you are stationed, there is always a possibility of a natural disaster. This could include flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, mud slides, tsunami and more.

What plans do you have in place in case of a natural disaster while your spouse is on deployment?

Before deployment, create a disaster kit together. This should include 1 gallon of water per person per day for 3 days, a 3-day supply of nonperishable food, a battery powered radio and spare batteries, flashlights, a first aid kit and cellphone chargers.

If you are required to evacuate, having a plan is extremely helpful. Before deployment, make sure your spouse provides an emergency contact list for you. This should have contact information for his or her command as well as the key spouse such as the ombudsman. Know who you should contact first in an emergency. Plan where you will go if you need to evacuate and bring your emergency contact list with you.

Fire and Loss of Home

Losing your home to a fire would be devastating.

One thing on my husband’s to-do list before deployment is to change the smoke detector batteries.

Sit down with your family and determine what you will do in case of a fire. Everyone needs to get out of the house and have a designated meeting area. Choose an area far enough away from the house, such as the mailbox or the street light across the street.

After you’ve ensured everyone is safe and have called emergency services, you will want to contact your spouse’s command. They can notify your husband or wife about the situation and provide support.

Call your family and friends to let them know you are OK and find a place for your family to go. You’ll want to contact your insurance company and have your house evaluated quickly so repairs can be made.

The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society can help with replacing items lost to the fire as well as with grants or interest-free loans for home repairs.

Gas Leak

I had a gas leak while my husband was on deployment. If your house runs on gas make sure you have carbon monoxide detectors.

If you smell gas or your CO detectors go off, get out of the house immediately. Call 911 and the gas company.

Contact the command to let them know so they can alert your spouse as well. If you or your children feel sick at all, go to the emergency room. Gas poisoning symptoms present like the flu. You may need to find a place to stay that night as well.

Serious Illness or Pregnancy Complication

When a serious illness strikes an immediate family member during deployment, the possibility of going home to help is there. Immediate family includes:

  • father
  • mother
  • sibling
  • spouse
  • spouse’s parents
  • children

If you are having a pregnancy complication that puts your life or the child’s life in danger, you can seek help this way as well. First contact the service member’s command to let them know what is going on and ask about having your spouse sent home.

You can also contact the American Red Cross Hero Care Center either by phone at 1-877-272-7337 or online.

Serious Accident and Hospitalization

If you or your family members are in a serious accident make sure you contact the command to let them know. They will get word to the service member and he or she may be able to come home.

It is important to have a plan in place in case something happens to you. Before your spouse left for deployment, they likely made a will.

  • Do you have a living will?
  • Who will take your children immediately if you are seriously injured in an accident?

Make an appointment or stop by the legal assistance office at your military installation. They can provide a will worksheet for you to fill out to begin the process of creating a will. It answers many common questions people have about wills.

Once you have completed it, a lawyer needs to review it and make it legal. If you have children, in the will you can designate who they go to if you are unable to care for them. Before you designate a person or family, make sure you discuss it with them.

Consider who will take your children immediately if you are sent to the hospital unexpectedly. Ask a local friend if they would be willing to look after your children short term.

Death in the Family

If someone in the service member’s immediate family passes away during deployment, his or her command and the Red Cross may be able to get them home. Discuss with your spouse before deployment what your family wants to do in such a situation.

  • Will the service member be able to or want to come home for the funeral?
  • Who will take your children and how will you get to the service?

Disaster can strike at any time, but for some reason it tends to happen when a loved one is on deployment. Having a plan in place for each of these instances can save you time and grief.

Don’t wait until it’s too late.

Talk with your spouse, family and friends and determine which path you will take if an emergency arises while your spouse is on deployment.

Have you faced an emergency during a deployment? What advice would you give military spouses to help them plan for emergencies and natural disasters?