Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

How to Request Specialty Items at Your Commissary

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I’m going to let you in on a little known detail about the commissary.

Did you know that we can request specialty items?

If your favorite brand or grocery item isn’t found at your location, you are encouraged to request it and there are a couple ways to do so.

Where do you begin?

You can start with picking up a “Your Action Line” customer form available inside the commissary. It’s typically found at the front, most likely where customer service is located. Utilize this form to list your specialty items and return it to the commissary. Another way to leisurely request your specialty items is to submit your request via the Customer Contact Form online.

Commissary stock is done by the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) Sales Directorate. The Sales Directorate is in charge of the different contracts that are filtered out to your commissary location. Therefore, your request for specialty items, whether filled out online or submitted in store will get sent to DeCA headquarters. Also, the Sales Directorate researches and listens to the community to determine the best products for a particular location.

There is another avenue that can help you receive a specific product at your commissary and that’s working directly with your commissary management. DeCA suggests that you request a meeting with a manager during a shopping trip or you can call your commissary’s management team. Find the contact info for your location by using this link. By establishing a relationship with commissary management on the specialty items you need, it will allow them to relay the request to the Sales Directorate straight.

Whatever method you decide to use, be sure you have the specific Universal Product Code (UPC) of each product.

That’s the unique information typically located under the bar code that would identify your specialty items for the Sales Directorate to possibly work with distribution channels to acquire your requested goods. I would be as detailed as possible in explaining the product like other known names, description, etc. It’s helpful to work with commissary management personally because they can walk you through the process and might be able to offer you any insight in the process.

For commissary customers that are overseas, it’s more of a challenge due to international shipping and the fact that goods need to be in DeCA’s Catalog Master File before it can be added to OCONUS commissaries. since it takes much longer because of rules and regulations that are in place, the product’s shelf life and packing makes it difficult as well, so that’s a huge factor to consider if you are overseas requesting specialty items.

Have you requested a specific product at your commissary? What was your experience with it?

When the Time Comes to Pick Our Forever Home

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My forever home. For years, I never said those words aloud. I occasionally thought them when unpacking 300 boxes in a new-to-us rental with its oddly shaped kitchen and drab white walls.

My forever home will definitely have a basement. It will have an attic and a screen door. My forever home will be painted bright colors. My forever home must have a large backyard with a healthy lawn for the dog that I promised my daughters we can have in our forever home.

But lately, I’ve been thinking in more concrete terms about the location of our forever home. Maybe it’s because my husband has made it over the hump of 10 years of military service and we are committed emotionally and financially to his military retirement at the 20 year mark.

Maybe it’s because my parents, sisters, in-laws and hometown friends are asking, “Where are you planning to live once you aren’t in the Navy anymore?”

Right now, the Navy decides where we live and we love that we don’t need to make this decision. Truthfully we haven’t decided where we want to live when the time comes to make this decision.

  • Will our forever home be in his home state?
  • Or in a former duty station that we fell in love with 7 years ago?
  • Or will we make our forever home in a city that we’ve only visited?
When We Pick Our Forever Home

How will you decide where you will live once your service member is no longer in the military?

Here are 3 factors that I’m considering when thinking about the location of my family’s forever home.

Job Opportunities. The No. 1 thing we are taking into consideration when deciding where to live after military life is job growth. We are currently researching cities and states where there may be potential jobs for my husband and I. So articles like this one, 2015’s Best & Worst States for Military Retirees tend to catch our eyes. This study ranked North Dakota as the No. 1 state for job opportunities for veterans. It ranked Maryland as the worst state for job opportunities for veterans.

Military Installation Amenities. The transition from military to civilian life is a challenge for anyone, but for me, I think the biggest change would be not living on base anymore. I can’t imagine not shopping at the commissary or working out at the base fitness center. Personally, these military installation amenities are perks that I’m not willing to give up once my husband retires from military service. For that reason, I would prefer it if my forever home is located in a military town. Then I can continue to buy our Sunday steaks at the commissary and daughter’s running shoes at the PX. Plus it would be really awesome to take advantage of Space-A travel with my husband when we have the time to travel.

Community Involvement. As a military spouse, I am accustomed to a life of insta-friends. I know my neighbors’ names, along with the names of their children and their dogs. Every 2 years, I put down roots in a new community and find ways to volunteer both inside and outside the gate. For my forever home, I want to live in a neighborhood where I can ask my neighbor for a cup of sugar. I want to be friends with the people who live down the street. I want my forever home city to have nonprofit organizations that I’m passionate about and want to dedicate time to volunteering with this organization.

Right now, my sister is trying to convince me to live down the street from her and my best friend wants me to live around the corner from her house. But I’m not ready to make a commitment about the location of our forever house. Not yet at least.

I prefer to dream about it. I’ll make that decision with my husband when the time comes…about 5 minutes after his military retirement ceremony.

How will you decide where you will live once your service member is no longer in the military? Will your forever home be located near your family? Near a military base? What factors should you take into consideration when deciding where to live after military life?

Case Lot Sales at the Commissary!

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Stock up on products and SAVINGS at DeCA’s customer appreciation case lot sale!

What is a case lot sale?

Case lot sales at the commissary are sales that offer deep discounts on large quantities of various products.  Basically, you buy in bulk and save BIG.  When shopping the case lot sales, don’t forget to stock up on products with a longer shelf life, non-perishables and household products! For those items that you think might not last long enough for your family to use entirely, consider shopping with a fellow milspouse or military friend and splitting the cost.  It’s a great way to save and ensure that nothing goes to waste.

What will you find at your commissaries case lot sale?

There’s no definitive answer pertaining to exactly what your commissary will offer.  So go and find out!

You can find a list of the categories offered here.

“We choose the items from the list that we think will sell well at our stores,” said Mark Crump, the store manager at the Little Creek commissary. “These are not items that have been sitting in our warehouse.”

Will it be crowded?

Umm, absolutely.  DeCA’s customer appreciation case lot sales are an optimal time for saving, and in the military we know that every penny counts, so definitely expect a crowd.

Oh, and to really maximize your savings don’t forget your coupons and your Commissary Rewards Card!

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Always check with your commissary for date changes or cancellations before you go. Case lot sales may be cancelled due to weather or other events beyond our control.

Commissaries are not responsible for early sell out of items during case lot sales due to high customer volume or limited product availability.

When Unexpected Military Duty Cancels Your Date Night

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Let me set the stage.

It’s date night. You and your spouse made amazing plans for a night on the town or a relaxing evening in with a delicious dinner on the table. As you’re getting ready and preparing for your wonderful date night, the phone rings. Your spouse answers it and he gives you “the look.”

If you’ve been married to a military member long enough, you know what “the look” means. It means that they have unwelcomed and unplanned news to share. It might also mean they have to cut date night short and go.

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or it’s a “just because” date night, when duty calls for your service member, you realize that their military job takes precedence.

Even though you know that his military duty outweighs your date night, it’s still difficult to brush off the disappointment. For me, the disappointment doesn’t settle in until they walk out the door. My hearts sinks after the hug and door closes in front of me. Then, cue the violins.

Despite feeling extremely bummed about the situation, military spouses need to stay positive and move forward. It’s scientifically proven that maintaining a positive attitude is an overall benefit to our health, so keeping your head high and spirits up! It will all work out and you’ll be better for it in the end.

Feeling Disappointed that His Military Duty Canceled Your Date Night?

Here are 5 tips for ways to stay positive and reduce your disappointment.

When Unexpected Military Duty Cancels Your Date Night

Even though you know that his military duty outweighs your date night, it’s still difficult to brush off the disappointment.

1. Full steam ahead on your plans: If you had dinner reservations or wanted to see a movie, still go out and do it! You’d be surprised how much fun it can be to enjoy the company of strangers or be on your own for once. I used to have so much anxiety being by myself (even when I was living on my own, I had roommates that I went out with!), but I realized that the same excitement can be had with the same plans you made with your spouse.

2. Or call a pal: It is natural to think of a close friend when you feel bummed about your date night getting canceled. Why not give your friend a ring to see if they are open for the evening or weekend? So what if you have a romantic date planned? I’m almost positive that you will appreciate the time you’re sharing with a friend.

3. Take me time: I hardly ever get the opportunity to pamper myself! So, I particularly go out of my way to squeeze in a mani-pedi if my husband has to run out the door for a military assignment. For the late evenings, I’ll run a warm bath. When I was new at our current duty station, I utilized our time apart to dine at nice restaurants with a book to read alone. Honestly, solo dining was scary at first, especially in a brand-new location, but it was actually peaceful to sit there and enjoy a meal alone.

4. Adopt a new skill or start an activity: I have a special hobby that I partake in when my husband has to go away. During our time together, I collect mementos from our adventures. From park maps to concert programs, I keep all the loose items in a box. When he goes away, I break it open and piece together our duty station scrapbook. It gives me the opportunity to reflect on all the fun things we’ve done and keeps my mind occupied on happy thoughts.

Related: 9 Low-Cost Date Night Activities to Ignite Your Love

If you’re a reader, you can spend time re-reading your favorite book or watch your all-time favorite movie, again. There are so many different things you can do that fills time and are easy to pick up at any moment.

5. Practice positive mantras: I find comfort in keeping my mind as ease and understand that I should expect the unexpected with military life. It was difficult to let go, especially when I was used to being in complete control. Life should be enjoyed at every possible moment and remember your spouse isn’t at fault for their departure. There are so many mantras out there! Find one that spurs positive thoughts for you and practice saying it.

What tips do you have for handling the disappointment when your service member cancels your date night plans?

Commissary Rewards Card Helps Military Families Save Money

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I’m always on the hunt for ways to save money when grocery shopping for my family. The desire to spend less and get a bargain is the reason that I shop at my military commissary.

When I want to shave a little more money off my grocery bill, I use my commissary rewards card. I use it every time I shop at my commissary as a convenient way to save money without the hassle of clipping paper coupons.

What is the Commissary Rewards Card?

Commissary Rewards Card Helps Military Families Save Money

How much money have you saved with your commissary rewards card this year?

The commissary rewards card program has been available in all commissaries since August 2012. Its main purpose is to give commissary patrons a hassle-free way to redeem coupons electronically. It’s an e-coupon program specifically for the commissary and can only be used at the commissary.

If you don’t already have a commissary rewards card, ask your cashier for one the next time you’re buying groceries. Then go online to register it. After creating your account, download the commissary rewards application for iPhone or Android. For busy moms, the free mobile app is key to getting the most out of your commissary rewards card.

Next comes the fun part: loading your coupons on your commissary rewards card.

Once your card is registered, you can log in and digitally clip the coupons easily. I usually start by comparing available e-coupons with my shopping list.

For example, Barilla angel hair pasta is my go-to family-friendly meal on hectic nights. Right now, there’s a coupon to save $1 on any 4 boxes of Barilla pasta. I’ll digitally clip that coupon. Then it’s ready for my next trip to the commissary. When commissary cashier scans my ID card, I also hand her my commissary rewards card. You want the cashier to scan the commissary rewards card before any groceries.

As a discount double check, I use the commissary rewards app on shopping day. Before getting in line, I’ll pull up the app and double check the items in my grocery cart with the current e-coupons. (This is why I’m super excited about DeCA’s plan to improve the Wi-Fi inside their stores.)

Let’s face, I don’t always stick to my grocery list. But by using my commissary rewards card, I don’t feel so guilty about my impulsive purchase of Chex Mix. I saved $0.50 with my commissary rewards card.

Keep in mind that these digital coupons have expiration dates just like paper coupons. If you have an e-coupon on your card and a paper coupon, you can’t use both because it’s against DeCA’s double coupon policy.

The system is set up to accept the commissary rewards card coupon first so if you have a paper coupon that expires earlier and you want to use that one, don’t use your card on that commissary trip. Save it for your next trip.

Or you can buy enough to cover both items. For example if I have a Barilla paper coupon and an e-coupon, I buy 8 boxes of pasta. That’s enough to fulfill the requirements for both coupons.

DeCA said that “new digital coupons are posted two to three times weekly,” so be sure to log in regularly so that you don’t miss any savings. I also recommend subscribing to the commissary rewards card email alert. These emails remind you when new coupons are available.

Curious about your savings with your commissary rewards card? Look at the bottom of your receipt. Your total savings is printed there.

Do you have a commissary rewards card? How much money have you saved with it?

Enter to Win with Our Summer Vacation Photo Contest

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Summer is almost over! Did you get a chance to go on a fun summer vacation? Did you spend time with family or take your kids to a fun place like Disney World? There are so many great places you could have gone this summer and I am sure you took a lot of photos while you were there.

Here at Military Shoppers we are going to have a Summer Vacation Photo Contest!

We want to see where you went and how you spent your summer. We want to see families having fun together. We want you to submit your favorite snapshots for our Summer Vacation Photo Contest.

With military families, taking a vacation together is a very special type of thing. Summer vacations can’t always happen because some summers, a family member is deployed, away at training or just unable to take that time off of work to go anywhere. Sometimes our service members have to skip the summer fun.

The summer vacations we have been able to go on throughout the years have been so special to us. Going to see new places, our family back home or just relaxing somewhere together. To be able to get away together from the everyday is so nice. We love having a lot of photos that we can look back on in the years to come. I also enjoy scrapbooking our adventures so I have a fun way to look back at the places we went.

Pictures are the best way to remember your memories.

If you didn’t go anywhere this summer but did have a fun day trip, use those photos too. Staycations can be just as fun and you get to spend the night in your own bed. Explore your own part of the world to learn more about where you live and what you have nearby.

Do you have any fun summer vacation photos that you want to use for our summer vacation photo contest?

Enter to Win with MilitaryShoppers' Summer Vacation Photo Contest

Do you have a favorite summer vacation photo? Enter your snapshot in MilitaryShoppers’ Summer Vacation Photo Contest today.

Here is everything you need to know about MilitaryShoppers’ Summer Vacation Photo Contest.

Summer Vacation Photo Contest submissions need to include:

  • Name of person submitting photo
  • Installation
  • Branch of service

Summer Vacation Photo Contest Rules:

  • Pictures must be received by August 31, 2015.
  • Winner will be selected at random.
  • Entrants must be registered with MilitaryShoppers.com and have checked the box in their profile saying “yes, I would like to receive emails of offers, savings and contests for the military community.”
  • Winner will be posted to MilitaryShoppers Facebook page, MilitaryShoppers blog and MilitaryShoppers.com.
  • One photo per entrant for the Summer Vacation Photo Contest.
  • Multiple entrants will not be accepted.
  • Photo must be submitted by entrant who possesses a valid military ID card (Active Duty, Veteran, Retiree, Reserve, Guard or family member of the aforementioned categories).
  • Entrant (not those within the photo) must be 18 years of age or older.
  • The Summer Vacation Photo Contest winner will be notified by e-mail.
  • No purchase necessary to win.

Enter to win MilitaryShoppers’ Summer Vacation Photo Contest today.

Hot Topic: Should the Military Pay for Tributes at NFL Games?

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The defense budget is getting slimmer. Spending cuts, in some form, are expected to hit the military this year. Congress is looking at retirement reform, cuts to housing allowances and Tricare prescription fee increases. And don’t forget about the sad proposed pay increase of 1.3 percent.

Combine all this doom and gloom funding discussions with this headline,

“The Pentagon paid 14 NFL teams $5.4 million to ‘salute troops’ ”

and many military families, including myself, are left shaking their heads in disbelief.

Should the Military Pay for Tributes at NFL Games?

The NFL was paid to provide salutes to service members. Do you think this type of advertising is effective for recruiting? Or is it a waste of taxpayer money?

The Pentagon reportedly signed contracts with 14 NFL teams stipulating that teams would be paid sums ranging from $60,000 to $1 million each. These 2011-2012 contracts required professional football teams to pause before kick-off and to salute the city’s “hometown heroes.”

What I thought was a kind gesture for our men and women in uniform was basically one giant recruiting poster.

But these patriotic promotions may be prohibited in the future. Arizona Sen. John McCain, along with fellow Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake and Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal presented legislation that would “stop NFL teams from receiving recruiting or advertising money from the Defense Department to honor American soldiers at games.” This amendment also encourages teams “to donate profits from these efforts to charitable organizations that support members of the U.S. military, veterans and their families.”

“Our amendment would put an end to that shameful practice and ask the NFL to return those profits to charities supporting our troops, veterans and their families,” McCain said on the Senate floor.

Related: America’s Support for the Troops is Lip Service

In response, the National Guard and the NFL has defended this relationship. A statement from the NFL said that McCain’s proposed amendment paints a “distorted picture.”

“This amendment paints a completely distorted picture of the relationship between NFL teams and our military. We agree that no one should be paid to honor our troops. Military spending on recruiting efforts should not be confused with programs that support our nation’s active military and veterans,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a written statement.

Should the Military Pay for Tributes at NFL Games?

Army Maj. Gen. Roger Mathews, U.S. Army Pacific deputy commander, looks on during the ceremonial coin toss at the 2012 NFL Pro Bowl game at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth)

But then there’s this:

“What makes these expenditures all the more troubling is that at the same time the Guard was spending millions on pro sports advertising, it was also running out of money for critical training for our troops,” McCain said.

Wait, what?

McCain said that in 2014, the National Guard “was facing a shortfall of more than $100 million in the account used to pay its soldiers and potential delays in training.” It should also be noted that last year, the Guard discontinued its sponsorship of NASCAR after spending $88 million over 2 years.

For a complete list of teams that received money to salute the military, click here.

Now it’s your turn: What do you think of DOD spending money on military tributes at sporting events?

Back to School Commissary Specials on Sale in August

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August is here. School is starting back for a lot of people and summer is wrapping up. Might be time to host a back-to-school barbecue or get started on your kid’s lunches.

When we think about going back to school, we need to think about breakfast. Luckily the commissary has a few foods we can stock up on to eat in the morning.

If your house is like our house, school mornings can be quite busy and having quick meal choices before they go off to school is a plus.

Fiber One cereals are on sale for just $2.49. If your kids are older, they can even pour their own bowl making life a little easier for you in the mornings. This is a great item to stock up on.

You can also find the Pillsbury Toaster Scrambles and Toaster Strudel are on sale for $1.50 for a 4 or 6 pack. Click here a $0.50 coupon for Pillsbury Toaster Scrambles and Toaster Strudel. These can be something you can make and even take in the car with you. I am not a big fan of breakfast but foods I can stick in the toaster and then grab and good work best for me.

You can also find Nature’s Valley granola bars on sale which are good in the mornings but also a nice choice for lunches. You can download a $0.75 coupon for Nature Valley’s granola bars for extra savings.

Our house is really into yogurt, at any time of the day. Yoplait happens to be on sale, $0.50 for a 6-oz container. Don’t forget to combine this savings with a $1-off-of-10 coupon. Stock up on these to have a snack available for after school or something to eat in the morning with your coffee.

Speaking of coffee, you can also find International Delight Iced Coffee drinks on sale for $2.89. Pick up a few of these to have on hand for your early mornings or even afternoon pick-me-ups.

Moving on to lunch and dinner, some nights you don’t want to cook a huge meal. Especially with fall sports starting up. You also don’t want to depend on your local fast food restaurants. You can find a good deal on Wishbone dressings in August. They are on sale 2 for $3. You can stock up for the next few months. Buy a few different types of dressings and each member of your family can customise their salad their way. You could also plan to make salad in a jar to take to work with you.

You can also find Horizon Organic Classic Mac for just $0.99. I know my youngest son is a huge fan of that meal so I will probably go and stock up on a few of those for him. You can add the food to your list of easy meals to make when you have a busy evening with helping the kids with homework and getting used to the new school year.

If you are planning on one last neighborhood barbecue before Labor Day, pick up some discounted chips. Family-sized Lay’s chips for just $2 and Party size Ruffles and Tostitos for $2.98. You can also add some of the Dunkin Hines Perfect Size Chocolate Cake and Frosting mix. Make a yummy dessert for your guests to enjoy.

We can’t forget about our furry friends. Some Purina items (cat litter, dog and cat food and treats) are on sale until August 15. I know my Hound Dog will love the doggy treats they have.

When you go to the commissary, don’t forget your digital coupons. You will be able to save even more when you use them on products at the store.

Want to know the weekly manager’s specials? Sign up for MilitaryShoppers’ newsletter.

For ALL of the items found in our Commissary Specials Flyer, click here.

What Veterans Need to Know About Predatory Debt Collection

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It’s not a secret that military families tend to be mobile. We move more often than the general population (I cringe every time I’m asked to list my mailing addresses from the past 10 years). We may buy a car in Georgia, a house in Virginia and work in California.

This mobile lifestyle combined with a steady paycheck is why military service members, their spouses and veterans are frequent targets of predatory debt collection.

What Veterans Need to Know About Predatory Debt Collection

Service members need to know that predatory debt collection is against the law.

When I use the term, predatory debt collection, I’m not talking about legitimate student loans that you refuse to pay each month. When I use the term, predatory debt collection, I am referring to cases where the service member already paid the loan or never took a loan out in the first place.

For example, let’s say the service member went to a payday loan or payday advance for a short-term unsecured loan. This soldier, Marine or sailor needed fast cash and they needed it that day. So they decided to use this service. Then, according to the loan’s agreement, they repaid the loan and its interest.

Then 6 months later, this service member gets a phone call in the middle of the night saying he still owes money on the loan. The bill collector doesn’t provide any information about the source of the debt, how old it was and whether it was paid or not. By this time, the service member may be stationed in a different state or serving on a deployment. In that case, the spouse is contacted and left wondering “do we owe money on that loan?” The debt collector threats to contact the service member’s commanding officer. The debt collector mentions that the unpaid debt will result in the loss of a security clearance. This scenario is the type of situation discussed during Senate hearings on predatory debt collection.

This is abusive, aggressive or predatory debt collection. And predatory debt collection is against the law.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) “prohibits debt collectors from using abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices.” Under the FDCPA, a “debt collector is someone who regularly collects debts owed to others. This includes collection agencies, lawyers who collect debts on a regular basis, and companies that buy delinquent debts and then try to collect them,” according to the National Association of Consumer Advocates.  The FDCPA applies to personal and household debt. This means it applies to your mortgage, your car loan and your credit card.

Senators have discussed cases of predatory debt collection that include lenders sending illegal foreclosure notices, overcharges on their mortgages and notices that credit cards weren’t properly canceled. Congress is working to strengthen the laws regarding abusive debt collection, but until then service members, veterans and their families need to be aware of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

Here are 3 things you need to know about predatory debt collection.

Don’t Talk. Ask for a Written Notice. A debt collector must send a written “validation notice” telling you how much money you owe within 5 days after first contacting you. In this written notice, you will find the name of the creditor and how to dispute the debt if you don’t think you owe the money.

Don’t Ignore It. Dispute It. These phone calls and notices can be annoying and inconvenient. If you know that you don’t owe any money to this debt collector, don’t ignore it. Send the debt collector a letter stating that you don’t owe this money and request that they stop contacting you. You must send this letter within 30 days after receiving the validation notice mentioned above. Keep a copy of your letter.

Don’t Be Afraid to Report Abuses. If you believe that a debt collector is targeting you and your spouse, report the problem to your state Attorney General’s office and the Federal Trade Commission. Be prepared to give them a copy of your dispute letter and documentation about any phone calls.

Unfortunately service members often are pressured with predatory debt collection. But knowing the law and your rights can prevent you from becoming a victim of predatory debt collection. Take time to study the law so you aren’t caught off-guard when predatory debt collectors call you.

Want more information about predatory debt collection, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website.

The Ideal Surrogate, the Military Wife

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The Ideal Surrogate, the Military Wife

Did you know that officially, Tricare does not cover surrogacy?

Twenty percent of the 1,000 babies born each year via surrogate in America are carried by military wives, or some say. There is no official data, though you’ll see this number over and over again in so many sources, as surrogacy is highly unregulated. In fact, there is no federal law governing it.

State laws vary on surrogacy and in New York for example, it is illegal and any parties to a surrogacy arrangement can be fined up to $10,000. For a lawyer or agency, if they are caught a second time it is a felony. Other states, such as New Mexico don’t have a law at all. Tennessee, on the other hand, has a statute that expressly authorizes the surrogate birth process.

This makes surrogacy a bit complicated for some hopeful would-be parents. Finding the ideal surrogate in the right location can be a challenge. This is where military spouses come in. For some, they are seen as the ideal candidate. According to multiple agencies, military spouses make up 15 to 20 percent of their surrogates.

Military spouses are considered the ideal surrogates for many reasons.

Doctor examining a pregnant woman

What’s your opinion on military wives being surrogates?

Military spouses are generally independent and self-sufficient from years of being part of the military lifestyle. Their spouses are away a lot and so they must learn to overcome and do things on their own. They are mentally able to handle situations in a strong responsible way. Giving up a baby you’ve carried for 40 weeks is hugely emotional and some feel that military wives are more emotionally equipped.

The Ideal Surrogate, the Military Wife

How do you feel about military wives being surrogates?

Having a sense of duty and a desire to help is something strongly felt within the military community. Many surrogates state that their desire to help another couple have a family is their driving factor. Many people have the assumption that women become surrogates for the money, but looking at surveys and community boards, it is clear that most of them say the No. 1 reason they choose to do this is because they truly want to help another family.

The money however is also a driving factor. Service members do not, in general, make a lot of money. Surrogates are compensated between $25,000 and $50,000, with an average closer to $35,000. This is a substantial amount of money, especially for lower ranked enlisted who don’t earn much.

Health insurance, Tricare, is one reason agencies particularly like military spouses. Tricare pays for all of the doctor appointments, pre-natal care and deliveries. That is a huge savings for potential parents, as purchasing health insurance for the surrogate could cost them up to an additional $25,000 on top of the average $100,000 cost of having a baby though a surrogate via an agency. There is huge controversy in using Tricare however.

Officially, Tricare does not cover surrogacy. Doctors aren’t likely to specifically ask if you are having the baby for yourself. If Tricare becomes aware of this however, they have the right to recoup the cost, which they have done. The Chief of Public Affairs though has said,

We have 9.5 million beneficiaries and our beneficiaries will have roughly 2,100 birthday every week. We have to be focused on making sure everybody gets their care. We can’t be a big police force.

People have very strong opinions of those that take advantage of this loophole. Some don’t see a problem with it at all. Tricare is a benefit they are entitled to as part of a military family. It is their body and their right to do with it as they please.

Others say they are abusing the system. They are using taxpayers’ money to have babies for other people, possibly for would-be parents in other countries. I’m not quite sure how I feel yet even after all this time researching surrogacy in the military.

What’s your opinion on military wives being surrogates?