Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

Stumped for a Gift?

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Give the Gift of Experience

By Marguerite Cleveland

With less than two weeks to Christmas, I often find myself wracking my brain for a special gift for someone who is hard to shop for. It could be that teenager who only wants expensive tech gifts or someone who has everything. When you find yourself in this situation, give the gift of an experience. It makes a perfect gift and it is unique.  It is a gift people really like just make sure you tailor it to their interests. Here are some options:

  • Zoo or Aquarium Membership – This is perfect for a family and is something they can enjoy over and over again all year round.
  • iFly Indoor Skydiving – This company has locations all over the country and offers cool experience for an adrenaline junky. Bonus you can often snag a deal on gift certificates at Costco.
  • Distilling – Many craft distillers offer tours and tastings and some offer distilling experiences where you get to make your own batch. Super cool activity for a bourbon whiskey lover.

Photo credit: Marguerite Cleveland

  • Cooking Class – We all have that relative or friend who is glued to the Cooking Channel and never misses an episode of chopped. A cooking class makes a great gift. Look in your local area, restaurants, schools and personal chefs are a great place to start or contact your local tourism bureau. Fun classes include fresh pasta making or learn how to make macarons. So many options.
  • Day Trip – Check with Outdoor Rec or MWR at your local duty stations. Many offer fun day trips such as white water rafting or ski trips. Lots of fun and a great way to meet new people.
  • Indoor Shooting Range – I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love to shoot and if they haven’t it is fun to learn. You can give shooting classes or time at the range. Purchase extra ammo to wrap up.
  • Ziplining or bungee jumping – Another experience for the adrenaline junky. Places to zipline are popping up all over the country and are not just in vacation spots anymore. Just make sure your recipient is not afraid of heights.
  • Specialty Dinner – Another great foodie gift. Many restaurants will offer special meals throughout the year that highlight local produce like a farm to table meal. Wine dinners are also popular where a local chef flexes his culinary muscles and prepares a meal to pair perfectly with a selection of wines.
  • Groupon – This is a great place to go for last minute gifts of experiences. I often find great ideas for things to do locally but also in other towns. Checking in my area and everything from Escape Rooms, Paintball, Go Karting and quite a few things on this list pop up. Great gift at a great discount.

So don’t despair if you haven’t found the perfect gift. A present of an experience is sure to be a hit. What is your favorite experience gift? Post in the comments.

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.WanderWordsWine.com

 

 

Scholarships for Military Children

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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:         86-18                                                                                                                        

Date:                              November 29, 2018

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

Dec. 14 start date for new applications; process all online

By Mike Perron,

DeCA public affairs specialist

 

Note: To watch a video on DeCA’s YouTube page related to Scholarships for Military Children, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbJrphCfYBY.

FORT LEE, Va. – The Scholarships for Military Children Program for school year 2019 – 2020 kicks off Dec. 14, and continues accepting applications through Feb. 15.

This marks the first time the entry process will happen entirely online according to Jim Weiskopf, Fisher House vice president. “It will be simple to create an account, save your work and submit your application when finalized,” he explained. “The online process will make it easier for military children to reach their education goals.”

The program, entering its 19th year, recognizes the contributions of military families to the readiness of the fighting force and celebrates the commissary’s role in enhancing military quality of life. It’s administered by Fisher House Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps service members and their families. Thus far, the program has awarded more than $18 million to 10,814 students.

Selection qualifications are straightforward. Requirements include completing the application; submission of the student’s official transcript indicating a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale for high school applicants, or college transcript 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 for the program is determined using the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System database. Applicants should 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.

For scholarship year 2019-20, Fisher House Foundation will award 500 scholarship grants of $2,000 each. The selection process will begin immediately following receipt of all applications in February.

“It will be exciting to see the increase in the applications with the new online submission,” said Marye Dobson, the Defense Commissary Agency’s scholarships program liaison. “I believe online submissions will attract more potential recipients as this method is right in line with the way many students attend classes, complete school work, and live their everyday lives.”

All rules and requirements for the program, as well as links to frequently asked questions are available at the Scholarships for Military Children website.

Fisher House also recently added an additional 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.

-DeCA-

Finding Your Own Holiday Traditions and Activities near Your Current Duty Station

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By Marguerite Cleveland

One of the most difficult things about being a military family is being away from all your relatives during the holidays. You miss the local holiday traditions and activities especially if you looked forward to sharing them with your children. Although you can’t get the same experience you can recreate it where you currently live and maybe find some new experiences that your family will love.

Going to See the Lights – This is always a popular event whether it is that cool neighborhood known for its Christmas Lights, the drive thru extravaganzas with thousands of lights or walking through Zoolights. The good thing is these events are available just about everywhere. If Zoolights are your thing check the website of your local zoo which is bound to have this holiday tradition. Make sure to check since many offer a military discount or military days.  As an Army family we are rarely stationed near a coast but this year living near the Puget Sound we’ve discovered a new event, the lighted boat parade. So cool and there are three different ones located not far from our base.

Base Activities – Most military installations have some type of holiday traditions. In our case it is the annual tree lighting ceremony. This is a great way to come together with military families who are also missing home. The chapels will also have holiday services for a variety of faiths and denominations. Consider inviting a single service member or young couple to a holiday dinner.

Snow – Not all locations you are assigned to will have four seasons so sometimes you have to improvise. Our family was stationed a number of years in the south and my children have unique memories of “snow”. In Savannah, Georgia they actually brought in a few truckloads of snow and dumped it out downtown for the kids to play in, a big hit with my children. I have to admit the plastic flooring with water on it to simulate ice skating, not so much. At Stone Mountain Park near Atlanta, Georgia the big holiday event has real snow for tubing. If you live in a snowy climate there are plenty of options. National and State Parks will have snow play areas and there are bound to be great hills for sledding.

Local Holiday Events – Google (name your location) and you should be able to locate a visitors bureau for your location. The website will include an event section and you can find all the information about things that will appeal to your family. You’ll find everything from caroling, ice skating, holiday lights, Christmas Shows etc. Some locations will offer Polar Express Train Rides and often fairgrounds will have events.

I have found the key to a happy holiday season is not to focus on the things you miss, but the things you have. It’s a lot of responsibility but I’ve found as a military spouse if you make the effort to be happy then the whole family will follow suit. Get excited about all the new things you might never have seen if you hadn’t moved. So Happy Holidays to all.

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.WanderWordsWine.com

 

Enjoy a December Staycation in Sunny SoCal!

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SoCal is practically vacation land. And it’s all right outside your front door. Whether you’re stationed in Coronado, MCAS Miramar or way up north in the San Onofre region, there is always something to do.

While you’re celebrating the holidays San Diego-style, consider making it a full staycation by exploring all that SoCal has to offer!

Enjoy a December Staycation in Sunny SoCal!

Try our three day San Diego-area staycation itinerary for a long weekend’s worth of fun and sun!

Hang onto your hats because we are going to fit a whole lot of fun and excitement into just a few days.

Day 1: San Diego

Planning to live up your staycation starting the night before? Try to book into the Navy Lodge on Coronado Island, just over the bay from downtown San Diego. If you can’t book a room at this specific location, there are options. San Diego is a major hub for the Navy and USMC. Many bases offer DOD lodging for recreation at reasonable rates.

Start your day at The Broken Yolk, a top San Diego breakfast chain. There are several convenient locations throughout San Diego and the surrounding communities. Pick a yummy breakfast burrito or go for classic pancakes. There are no bad choices.

After you fill up, get your thrill on at SeaWorld! Use your Waves of Honor tickets to score free entry. Enjoy exciting roller coasters, fun dolphin shows, and even connect with your favorite Sesame Street characters. Enjoy some heavy snacks and head out in the early afternoon for your next location.

Go to Balboa Park, in the heart of San Diego, for a relaxing late lunch or early dinner at The Prado. They decorate for the season and always feature fresh, locally inspired cuisine. Rumor has it that they make a margarita to die for!

Once you’re full, walk over to the iconic San Diego Zoo. While you have a little daylight left, take the gondolas (free with a standard ticket purchase) to the back of the zoo. Check out the elephants, lions, and other animals while you stroll back toward the front. As the sun goes down, the lights will pop on and Jungle Bells will start! Enjoy holiday music with a SoCal spin, animal encounters, and checking out select animals at night.

The zoo closes at 8 pm. If you’re still looking for a little fun, go to the Gaslamp District for a light dinner and drinks. You can find something for everyone, including children, in this happening neighborhood. From little hole in the wall local spots to bigger national chains, there are plenty of options! Plus, it’s exciting to wander around under the Christmas lights.

Day 2: Disneyland

It wouldn’t be a SoCal staycation if we ignored the main mouse: Mickey! Get up early, if you can, and head to Anaheim. It’s just about two hours from San Diego by car.

If you go purchase your tickets by December 16, and go before December 19, you can still take advantage of the 2018 Military Salute pricing. Check with ITT for details or to purchase tickets. If you’d like to stay near the park and squeeze every last bit of fun from your day, there are tons of great hotel options nearby.

You’ll be spending your whole day at Disney, so relax and enjoy! Disneyland and California Adventure do Christmas in a major way. Look for special snacks and souvenirs at shops throughout the park. Maybe pick out an ornament to remember your magical December SoCal staycation?

You could do just one park all day, or hop between the parks. Remember to specify which option you’d prefer when you purchase your tickets.

Stay until the fireworks show.

Day 3: Temecula

It’s the last day of your staycation. You’re probably absolutely wiped right now. Perfect, it’s time to unwind in wine country!

First up, enjoy breakfast in Old Town Temecula. There are a few small town-type diners here that serve up classics, like scrambled eggs and corned beef hash.

Next, head to SouthCoast Winery. No, the wine bar isn’t open yet. You’re going to the spa for some rest and relaxation. After a few hours of pampering, connect with your wine tour for a day of tasting! Best of all, you’ll have a safe ride. Just make sure you’ve also booked a local room, too. There are plenty of hotel options at a variety of price points! Be sure to use Military Shoppers Travel and Rewards to book your stay for additional savings.

Sip yummy Temecula wines. Some popular wineries include:

  • Wiens: sample their orange infused sparkling wine, Amour de l’Orange
  • Callaway: try a pour of Zinfandel
  • SouthCoast: their wine menu is extensive and it’s hard to pick even a few favorites!
  • Robert Renzoni: known for their big, jammy red wines

Temecula is a super laid back, casual tasting experience that the whole family can enjoy. If you’re bringing the kids along, skip the wine tour and spend the day at a kid-friendly winery. Wiens has a wide lawn where children can romp. Wilson Creek even has a whole wooden playset for kids to enjoy. It’s set back from the main winery.

Whatever your tasting choice, make sure you designate a driver or call a cab.

After your tasting, enjoy a quiet dinner in Temecula’s Old Town. There are several SoCal style Mexican restaurants, as well as BBQ and upscale dining options.

In the morning, head back to your home base, exhausted and happy.

What are your favorite SoCal or San Diego staycation ideas? Share your top tips in the comments!

Holiday Traditions Around the World that MilFams Love

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Pop into a military family’s home in North Carolina and you might find origami cranes on the tree and stollen sharing space with a nice bottle of California red wine on the table.

Military families are sent all over the country and around the world. Along the way, we mix a few local holiday traditions into our family celebrations.

So pop a Christmas cracker, light the Advent wreath and deck the halls this season with holiday traditions around the world!

Holiday Traditions Around the World that MilFams Love

With military families celebrating around the country and across the globe, we’ve picked out a few unique and special traditions that we love.

Advent Wreaths

This is a German tradition originally but has definitely spread around the world. Advent wreaths use winter greens, like pine boughs, and candles.

Place four candles into the circle of pine branches. Light one candle each Sunday leading up to Christmas so that by Christmas day all four candles will be lit!

Japanese Christmas Cake

Following World War II, this decadent whip cream-filled cake became popular to show how Japan rebuilt from almost nothing.

Today, you can buy a yummy “kurisumasu keki” all over Japan. You’ll love the perfect strawberries on top along with the kawaii (cute) candy decorations.

Christmas Crackers

Say “Merry Christmas” with a pop with this tradition from the UK! Set a cracker beside each table setting or leave a big basket out on the coffee table.

Guests pull both ends of the cracker, a paper tube with treats inside, which opens with a bang. Inside the cracker are candies and paper hats, plus other small toys and surprises.

Holiday Luau

Nothing says Christmas in Hawaii like a big, community luau and pig roast! Sway to island music and greet each guest with a lei.

Whether you are enjoying a day of tropical sunshine or sitting in a few feet of snow, your Christmas will be merry and bright.

Smoked Christmas Ham

Set your holiday table with a delicious Southern-smoked ham from Virginia or Tennessee! This tradition from the southern United States is a classic.

US-based families can keep the flavors of the South on their holiday table no matter where they live. Many top ham companies will ship throughout the lower 48!

Christmas Pickle

No one is quite sure where this tradition comes from, but it is definitely connected to German blown glass ornaments. Pick up your own pickle Christmas ornament in Europe, or anywhere really.

On Christmas Even hide the pickle in your tree. In the morning, the first child to find the pickle gets a “bonus” gift!

KFC for Christmas

You won’t find a turkey or even a nice honey ham on Japanese Christmas tables. Instead, you’ll find a big bucket of the Colonel’s special recipe chicken!

KFC meals are a huge Japanese holiday tradition. With several packages to choose from, ordering begins about a month before Christmas. You could even grab a meal complete with cake and sparkling wine!

St. Nicholas Day

For kids around Europe, especially in Germany, December 6 is one of the hallmarks of the holiday season. If you celebrate St. Nicholas Day, your own kids might have a hard time sleeping on December 5!

Set our your child’s shoes for St. Nick to fill with toys and small treats for good girls and boys. This sweet holiday is a great way to kick off the holiday season, celebrating giving to others!

Mince Pies & Figgy Pudding

Enjoy these festive British treats to get into the spirit of the season!

Mince pies have a variety of fillings, with fruit, meat, and spices in the mix. The recipe has shifted over the centuries, with many families creating their own unique twists on tradition.

Figgy pudding is a fruit-filled, booze-soaked cake. This is definitely an adults-only treat from the UK!

Twelfth Night

Many European countries, including Germany, celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, or Twelfth Night, on January 6. There are some connections to Christian stories, including the celebration of the three kings who visited Jesus.

It is also a great reason to prolong the holiday festivities with parties and good times! Gather together with family and friends for a night of celebrating.

Surfing Santa

St. Nick might show up on a surfboard in SoCal or an outrigger in Hawaii! Many local holiday decorations feature the man in red sporting a festive Hawaiian print shirt and hanging ten.

Pick up your own local Santa figure to display at your home during the holidays!

 

What special holiday traditions have you picked up over the years? We’d love to read about your Christmas traditions from duty stations near and far!

A Commissary Rib Roast

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One Family’s Holiday Tradition

By Marguerite Cleveland

I am the daughter of an exceptional cook. My mother, Marguerite Daigle’s roots were in Louisiana where culinary excellence is a quality most residents seem to be born with. Although born in the south my Mom honed her craft as a military spouse where she was the Queen of cultural appropriation when it came to food. We grew up eating a variety of food from all over the world. She took the time to learn new dishes whenever she visited exotic places or learned from other military spouses. One thing she served as a special holiday treat was a rib roast also known as prime rib. It was always purchased from the commissary because as she said, “They have the best meat.”

It is a tradition I carry on with my own family now that I am also a military spouse. A rib roast is a wonder to behold, a delectable cut of meat but it comes at a heart wrenching price.  At civilian grocery stores prices range from $10 – $13 a pound for a choice rib roast. So for an 8lb roast you are looking at $80 – $104 for the cut of beef. You definitely want to purchase Choice not Select quality; it really does make a difference. For the past few years our local commissary has offered a special each December on Choice Rib Roast for $5.99 a pound. This cuts the price in ½ and I often buy one to freeze. When you spend this much on a cut of meat you expect it to be good and I have always had great luck at the commissary. In all the years my mother and I have made this dish we’ve never purchased one at the commissary that hasn’t been the best quality and tenderness.

Many may not know that your commissary can take special orders at the meat department. Each one seems to have its own rules so check to find out the procedure. I have had good and bad experiences at different bases. Currently it is super easy. I just ring the bell by the meat department and someone will usually come out and just cut my order for me. It also depends on how busy they are. You may have to complete your shopping and come back or put in an order for a later date. When ordering a rib roast don’t make the mistake I did when the butcher asks how many ribs? I thought, well one rib per person which is a lot of meat but I was too embarrassed to say anything. Typically the roasts are purchased in 3 to 4 ribs. A 3 rib roast is about 6 to 7 pounds.

So how do you cook this thing? It’s actually very simple and the less you do to it the better. Two important tips make sure you have a good meat thermometer and make sure you take the roast out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes to an hour.  Most recipes call for cooking the roast on a higher heat of 450-500 degrees and then lowering to 325 to slow roast. You want to cook the roast until it reaches 120 and then let it rest and the temperature will rise to 130 which is medium rare. I just prep the roast by rubbing it with olive oil and then covering with either coarse sea salt and black pepper or Montreal steak seasoning. Most general cookbooks will have a recipe or check online. I usually search for the best recipe for… and have found great recipes. There are also You-Tube videos so you can see how it should look.

So this holiday season visit the meat department at your local commissary and start your own family tradition.

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.WanderWordsWine.com

 

Planning to Ski this Winter?

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Don’t plan your excursion before reading our military savings tips.

By Marguerite Cleveland

Ski Season is upon us but for those who love to ski the costs have skyrocketed in recent years with daily lift tickets crossing over the $100 mark. Here are some tips to enjoy this fun sport without breaking the bank by using your military discount.

  • Visit your military base’s outdoor recreation center. If you base is located within driving distance of a local ski resort they will often have rental equipment for skiing. This is greatly discounted for what you would pay at a large resort. Also check out the monthly tours, many installations offer ski trips.
  • Your installations’ Leisure Travel Services (LTS) is another place you should check for discounted lift tickets. Fort Carson’s LTS offers discounted Colorado Ski Resort lift tickets and passes.
  • Ski Resorts Websites. Most ski resorts offer some type of military discount and some are better than others with some being extremely generous. Do an internet search for Military Appreciation Days at Ski Resorts. Quite a few have special days offering 50% off and some even offer free lift tickets.
  • Season Passes. If you really love to ski and are within driving distance to a resort a season pass is the way to go.  To ensure the best deal purchase in the Spring. This is the time of year most resorts offer their best deals; some even have military discounts off the price of a season pass. Many also can be used for summer activities which increases the value. This year Vail Resorts offered a $99 military season pass to celebrate their anniversary and military heritage. Unfortunately it is too late to purchase this year but it is an example of why purchasing early and rack up huge savings.
  • Smaller Resorts. This is those fun Mom and Pop type places. You won’t have all the fancy chair lifts, gondolas and other amenities and some still have rope tows and t-bars but you will get amazing prices for a day of skiing. These are great for honing your skills and an economical place to learn to ski as well.
  • Learn to Ski Packages. Look on resort websites for these packages. They will include a lesson, rental equipment and a lift ticket. Sometimes the lift ticket will have restrictions but over all a good value. Some resorts also offer a multi-day package
  • GROUPON and other discount sites have some deals. Looking on GROUPON in Denver, you can purchase a discounted membership to the Mountain Sports Club which will then give you discounts like BOGO on lift tickets at some resorts as well as lodging and rental discounts. Also lots of deals on ski rental and gear on GROUPON.
  • Canada has what I like to refer to as the American discount which is an exchange rate very favorable to the US dollar. It works out to a 25-30% discount depending on the rate. Canada has quite a few ski resorts within driving distance of the U.S. border.

Photo taken at Whistler-Blackcomb
Photo credit: Marguerite Cleveland

When looking for more bang for your buck always check out your military discounts. So many businesses appreciate your service and are willing to show it with a discount. This year my family will be skiing for $99 each for the season because we planned ahead. That is less than the cost of one lift ticket at most places. One weekend trip will have little cost as we turned in hotel points for a free stay. Even though the preseason deals are long past with the tips above you won’t have to pay full price to enjoy ski season in your area.

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.WanderWordsWine.com

Three Ways To Enjoy the Military Ball

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*This is a guest post contributed by Catherine Hershey.

Military life gives us a lot of wonderful and difficult things and the yearly ball may just be at the top of both lists for some people. It could be your fairy tale night out with your partner dressed to the 9’s or it could be an awkward reminder that you don’t have friends yet in this new unit. And some people do not have a choice in their attendance. For many, it falls under the category of “Mandatory Fun”. But the common misconception here, as with many things in the military life, is that we have no choice. I believe we absolutely have a choice as to whether we enjoy the Ball or not.

  1. Get In the Appropriate Mindset: The military is difficult and requires a lot of sacrifice. The military ball is not a place you want to be thinking about how you are unhappy with your residence, your employment options as a spouse, your neighbors who smoke and make a lot of noise, the holidays and family gatherings your spouse has missed, etc. Take some time before the big day to reflect on why you joined this life, how meaningful your sacrifice is, and the part of you that have been enriched and strengthened by military life. Think about the people who do care a great deal about you and the people you are thankful to have met through military life. Intentionally focus your mind on the positive so you will be ready to participate emotionally in the ceremonial aspects of the Military Ball and celebrate with others around you.
  2. Make Peace With Your Date: Similar to the first step, it will greatly increase your enjoyment of this special night if there are no lingering resentments between you and your date. You will want to enjoy looking at him/her dressed in their best, smiling, dancing, talking to their friends, etc. So do yourself a favor and remember why you love this person so that you can look at them like they are the most stunning person in the room. If you need to, plan a coffee date before the event so you can get some quality communication in.
  3. Relieve some of the financial burden: Quick tips on this one are as follows: Don’t buy a new dress every year. There is so much turnover, there are going to be totally different people every year so cycle through them or wear the same one with different accessories for several years. Or better yet, find someone with their Ball on a different weekend and borrow their dress!
    If you don’t want to spend $$$ at the bar, but still want to have a good time, get some of your friends together to After-Party at a cheaper bar down the street.
    No matter how you count it, Military Balls cost a chunk of change, so consider setting aside $50 every month of the year for covering the expenses of your yearly fancy outing.

These sorts of events are often overlooked as something we have to do or something that causes a lot of stress every fall. But when I talk about the Military Ball with people outside the military bubble, such as my sister, I am reminded about how cool it is we get to celebrate our service members in such a special way every year. Most adults do not have an excuse to wear formal attire and enjoy a nice meal with their friends. So, take a deep breath, identify and lighten the stressful factors, and enjoy your night out!

 

 

Legalizing Marijuana and Its Impact on the Military Community

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Should you smoke marijuana?

Marijuana is now legal in nine states for recreational use and in 30 states medical marijuana is permitted and now Canada has jumped on the bandwagon with legal cannabis. Before you light up a joint here are a few things you need to know. For service members, the answer is a resounding no. You can not use marijuana while you serve. We break it down here:

  • Marijuana is illegal under federal law, so even if you live in a state where pot is legal you can’t bring it onto a military installation. This includes your residence if you live on a military installation. If you are visiting a state with legal marijuana you can’t bring it home with you. Airports are under federal jurisdiction and while the TSA doesn’t actively search for drugs, if they see it or view it in your belongings you can be turned over to the proper authorities.
  • Military service members are subject to drug tests on a regular basis. Regulations prohibit Department of Defense personnel from unlawfully possessing, dispensing, selling, or using illicit drugs. Common courtesy would dictate if you can imbibe, but your spouse can’t you should not. It’s like eating a cupcake in front of someone who is dieting. According to an article on the National Institute on Drug Abuse website, a study found that nonsmoking participants exposed for an hour to high-THC marijuana (11.3 percent THC concentration) in an unventilated room showed positive urine assays in the hours directly following exposure. The Bottom line is if you are a service member; don’t take the risk of being around second hand smoke from marijuana. It is not worth the risk of failing a drug test.
  • Cannabis Vacation to Canada has its appeal, but remember you can’t take marijuana across the border and it will show on drug tests.
  • Public versus Private use. Most states allow use only in private. This means you can’t smoke or imbibe outside or in public places like bars or restaurants. In most cases a hotel room is considered private space, but you should verify with the hotel and also know that you are subjected to smoking laws and guidelines as well.
  • If you’re a family member that decides to partake in smoking marijuana you’ll probably wonder: What am I taking? Do your research and read labels. Cannabis is much like alcohol where there are a variety of types and potencies. You wouldn’t want to chug shots of grain alcohol your first time drinking. Certain types of cannabis will get you high while others will mellow you out. Before you light up get smart on the labels.
  • With marijuana now regulated you are unlikely to purchase an unsafe product from a licensed shop, but you need to be aware of basic safety issues. Do not imbibe and drive. Just like alcohol, moderation. Make sure you are of legal age. Do not share with minors. Abide by the regulations in your state.
  • Not a service member, but thinking about becoming a recruit? You may want to think twice before using marijuana. It could very well impact your eligibility to serve in the future.

****Disclaimer: This article is the opinion of the author and is not an endorsement of marijuana use. The goal of the article is informational.****

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.WanderWordsWine.com

So Your Child Wants to Join the Military

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Here’s how to help them navigate the process

By Marguerite Cleveland

My eldest son has decided he wants to join the Army. We are currently in the process of helping him navigate through the recruiting process and here are a few things we’ve learned.

Start Early

For high school students you must have completed your junior year and be 17 years of age to enter into what is called the Delayed Entry Program and you can only be in it for 365 days. This gives your child the best opportunity to enter the field that he wants.  Parents will be actively involved in the process and required to sign paperwork if your child is 17. Once they turn 18, they can sign and navigate the process on their own.

The optimal time to begin is the summer between the Junior and Senior Year. We waited until my son’s senior year had started and he ended up missing a few days of school. Have your child go to the website for the service he wishes to join and review what jobs he may be interested in and what the qualifications are. Have them think about things in their life that maybe a factor. For example someone that gets carsick might not be a good fit for the Navy. What are their interests? A more academically inclined student would do well at the Defense Language Institute learning a foreign language while a sports enthusiast might thrive with the physical challenges of an Army Ranger. Are they planning to make the military a career or serve and then go to college? Some military job training offers classes that many colleges will count as transfer credits.The Debate Surrounding Transgender Troops Serving in the U.S. Military

The Process

The first thing to do is take the ASVAB test which is good for all branches of the service. Many high schools offer the test. This test determines if you are eligible for the military and what jobs you are qualified for academically. Once they have test scores in hand they can look to see if they are qualified for the jobs they want.

Find A Recruiter. Ask friends and family for recommendations. Visit the branches of all services and know that you can look at more than one at a time. Each service has different bonuses and jobs available at any one time. Keep your options open and look at everything.

Get your paperwork in order. Promptly fill out and complete any forms your recruiter asks you to. Be honest with all your answers. Your recruiter can help if you don’t understand a question. If your child ever had a broken bone or illness make sure you have copies of their medical records.  If you aren’t fit start working on achieving your fitness goals and know that there are screening weights you must meet to join the military. If your child is not a runner, they need to start. Programs like Couch Potato to 5K found online can help. Basic Training is much less stressful is you are physically fit.

No matter which branch you choose, you will go to the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) to complete the enlistment process.  There you will undergo a physical and other screening and this is what ultimately determines whether or not you can join. There are 65 MEPS in the U.S and Puerto Rico and one may not be close to you. Your recruiting station will provide transportation, meals and lodging while you go through the process.

Enlistment

Once you complete the process at MEPS if the job is available you want, you can take your Oath of Office. At this point you will ship off to basic training or enter into the Delayed Entry Program with your training starting at a later date. For high school seniors this is two weeks after your high school graduation.

Once your child completes the process and enters into the Delayed Entry Program, they need to stay on track to graduate from High School, stay morally straight, don’t get any tattoos that violate policy and stay fit.  Soon they will be on their way to a bright future.

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.WanderWordsWine.com