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Tips on Sending a Care Package to a Military Dog

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There are lots of wonderful organizations that send care packages to our uniformed personnel overseas like the USO, Operation Gratitude and Soldiers’ Angels, which is the one my husband received packages from when he was deployed. Also, individuals can send special care packages directly to their loved ones and their friends.

But, did you know that you can also send a special care package to our four-legged military members?

Here is a list of organizations that support military working dogs with their top requests of items for care packages to support our K9 compatriots:

How to Send a Care Package to a Dog Serving Overseas

If you’re interesting in adding K9 treats in your care package, Purina typically has great deals at the commissary.

The United States War Dog Association

Founded by current and veteran dog handlers along with their supporters, the organization was created to assist, educate and promote military working dogs. They’ve established Operation Military Care K-9 that sends care packages to, what the organization labels as the “silent heroes that help our troops” overseas.

The organization asks for monetary donations, so they can purchase and put together care packages or you can request to receive contact information to a live Military Working Dog Team for you to send a care package yourself of the appropriate goods for them to stay combat ready.

Straight from their website, here is a sample list of the type of goods military dogs need:

  • K9 grooming tools
  • K9 beds or sleeping mats
  • K9 Advantix, Flea and Tic Treatment
  • K9 toys (recommended Kong 3” rubber balls and rope chews)
  • K9 Ear Wash
  • Doogles (goggles for dogs!)
  • K9 Toothpaste & Toothbrush
  • Towels to wipe paws
  • K9 treats (MUST be made in the USA)
  • K9 Shampoo & Conditioner
  • Collapsible nylon water bowls
  • and many more listed here.

Support Military Working Dogs

The idea of the nonprofit organization was initially started when a service member told his mother that the military working dogs actually needed a care package more than himself. It was mostly for cooling vests for the K9s to keep cool, but the group has evolved to fully equip military working dogs with everything they would need to fulfill a deployment more comfortably. They estimate is that it costs $400+ to get everything needed for one dog.

Military Working Dog Team Support Association

Similarly to the other nonprofit organizations targeting military working dogs, the Military Working Dog Team Support Association (MWDTSA) focuses on the well-being of military working dogs and offers support for dog handlers to provide desired care package items for dog teams. MWDTSA, in particular, has the Kongs for K9s program that gives military working dogs special dog toys to keep them engaged.

You can take matters into your own hands by reaching out to your local unit that includes military working dogs or an actual military working dog handler for personal recommendations. They might know of a unit that is currently deployed (if your personal contact isn’t already deployed) with special care package needs that you could help a military working dog directly, just like a personal care package.

Also, if you know dog handlers that could benefit from any of the above organizations, they can reach out to them directly for assistance for their furry four-legged partners.

Have you ever sent a care package to a military dog? What items did you send in this care package?

When I Remember 9/11

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I was in my last semester of college when 9/11 happened. I remember that morning well, all these years later. I was sleeping because I was on the West Coast. I remember waking up and wondering why President George W. Bush was talking about a plane crash on the radio. Doing so seemed like an odd thing to do. I got up, turned on the TV and was in shock.

How I Remember Sept. 11, 2001

How do you choose to remember 9/11?

9/11 was when the world changed although we didn’t really know how at that moment.

I didn’t know how that morning would change the rest of my life. I had no idea.

At the time I was dating my husband. We were not engaged yet but knew we would get married. He was in the IRR (Individual Ready Reserve) at the time. That meant that he could be called up if something big happened. I think 9/11 would count as “something big.”

That was the first time I ever thought of myself as being a military spouse. A war bride. Someone who waited at home while her spouse was off at war. I thought he could get called up. That was in the back of my mind the whole day.

In the end he did not get called up but in 2005 he did join the Army and I became a military spouse. He has been deployed 4 times, to either Iraq or Afghanistan. The wars that started on that day in September.

The day that changed everything. 9/11/01, a day we will never forget.

As a military spouse I have deep and emotional feelings about 9/11. We found out that people could hurt Americans on that day. That we were not safe just because we were on the other side of the world from people who wanted to do us harm. The terrorists spent a lot of time, money and manpower to pull what happened on 9/11 off. They surprised us. They shocked us in a way we never could have imagined.

Because of what happened that day, our country fought back. We went to Afghanistan and Iraq and my husband was apart of that. It is weird to think about an event like this changing your own life in a personal way. When the tragedy first happened, I knew life would change things but I didn’t know how.

On that morning, I went to my classes at my college and that is all we talked about. Because it was so early and social media was not around back then, some students didn’t know about what had happened until they got to class. That morning was very strange. I don’t remember the words that were said in my classes but I do know we needed to talk about what happened.

That early we didn’t even know who was responsible or what the U.S. was going to do because of what happened. All we knew was that terrorists had come over to our country and killed a lot of people.

On that day in September, everything changed. From the way we get on an airplane to the way our U.S. military is handed. You hear people talk about the “Pre- 9/11” years in the Army and they are very different then what we experience now.

New York was never going to be the same. America was never going to be the same and military families were never going to be the same.

Every year we think about 9/11.

We think about the people who didn’t make it. The heroes. We think about the babies born around that time who are now teenagers and have only heard stories about what happened in their birth year.

We think about the soldiers, the airmen, the Marines and the other military members who fought for us after 9/11 who were lost in battle. We think about all of them because now, in 2015, what happened that day is something we can’t ever forget. It is something that will always be with us.

How do you choose to remember 9/11?

Military Photo Contest Winner in August

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Every month MilitaryShoppers.com hosts a military photo contest for our online community.  For us, it’s a way to connect with our followers and help honor the most honorable men and women that serve our nation.  For you, it’s a way to show off your most treasured military moments AND enter for a chance to win $50.

Entering the contest is easy…

  1. Go to the photo contest page here and sign-up or log-in
  2. Upload your photo and give it a title
  3. Click Submit

At the end of each month a new winner is selected at random, notified via email and posted on MilitaryShoppers.com.

This month we are happy to announce the winner of the Military Shoppers August photo contest…

August Photo winner

Herbert Smith

Moody AFB, GA

CONGRATULATIONS, HERBERT!

**Don’t forget to check your email for notifications.**

 

Keep Your Sanity During Solo Parenting

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Keeping your sanity during solo parenting can be difficult.

I’ve been part of the military life since birth, as an Army brat and later a Navy wife. I’ve witnessed years of my mom going through it with my brother and me and now as a mother myself, I’m seeing firsthand what it is like to take on solo parenting when my husband is away.

Sunday marked my second year as a parent. I’ve experienced my share of deployments, late nights when my husband is working and weeks where he’s gone for training. He was deployed for 7 months after our son was born.

Being a parent is tough work, emotionally and physically. Being a solo parent can be even harder.

6 Tips for Keeping Your Sanity During Solo Parenting

How do you keep your sanity when you’re solo parenting?

Don’t let yourself get into a state of disarray during times of solo parenting. Your spouse may be away, but family life continues. I’ve made a point to tell many military wives and friends that you can’t let this stressful time bring you down and I’ve had to remind myself of my own advice multiple times.

Take a breath and follow these tips to stay out of or get out of a solo parenting slump.

6 Tips for Keeping Your Sanity During Solo Parenting

6 Tips for Keeping Your Sanity During Solo Parenting

Solo parenting can be hard, but hopefully these tips will help ease the tension and bring back a sense of peace and self-confidence.

Make friends. Do not isolate yourself during periods of solo parenting. Deployments, TDY/TDAs, unaccompanied orders and training cycles that keep our spouses working long hours can be tough. Talking to others can really help. Make friends with your neighbors so you have someone close by. Join your command’s spouse network. Find out about the PTA at your children’s school.

Make time for yourself. Send the kids out to a sleepover. Take turns with another mom watching each other’s kids and go get a massage, shop without your children or just enjoy a coffee and muffin on your back deck. Get a babysitter and go out with friends and fellow parents. You need to talk to grown-ups, particularly if you have a baby or toddler.

Get out of your house. Get out of your pajamas, put on clothes that empower you and leave your house. Go to a movie, try a new restaurant or go for a run. Nothing gets you down more than sitting at home. Get off the couch, turn off your computer and step out your front door. There’s a whole world out there full of possibilities.

Volunteer. There’s something about helping others that truly helps you grow as a person. As a solo parent, you have a lot on your plate, but making time for others really has its own rewards. Volunteer at your church for Sunday school, serve lunch at a local soup kitchen or read the mail to an elderly person.

I’ve done this and it is a wonderful feeling to see how happy they are to have company and to receive letters knowing someone is out there thinking of them. If you just can’t find the time, clean out your closet and make a donation to your local Salvation Army. You will have helped someone in need and cleared the clutter in your house at the same time.

Exercise. If you aren’t already participating in a regular exercise regimen, start one.

You can join a gym, hire a personal trainer or take a class at the YMCA. You can just put on your walking shoes and head out the door. Exercise increases your metabolism and raises serotonin. Serotonin affects your mood (read happiness), your appetite and digestion as well as sleep patterns, memory and sexual desire.

Now who wouldn’t want all that? Motivated to exercise now?

Make time for fun. The new school year has started and there will be stress from homework and juggling after-school activities. As a solo parent, you are responsible for all of this.

Make Friday night a pizza and movie night with the kids. Take the kids bowling, have fun at your local putt putt golf or dare I say it…take your kids to Chuck E. Cheese’s.

Children experience stress during times when a parent is away too. It is important that your kids have fun and enjoy time playing. It also keeps their minds busy and away from focusing too much on the fact that a parent isn’t there.

Related: Resiliency Starts with Resources: 4 Resources for Military Kids

Solo parenting can be hard, but hopefully some of this advice will help ease the tension and bring back a sense of peace and self-confidence. Remember, you can do this. You are not alone.

Seek out help if you become overwhelmed. You are not the only military spouse who is solo parenting out there.

How do you keep your sanity when you’re solo parenting?

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?

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?

5 Things You Should Always Label with a ‘Do Not Pack’ Sign

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You are getting ready to PCS! You are trying to get everything ready for the movers to come and pack up your home.

The only thing is, you don’t want the movers to pack everything. There are certain items you will need to label with a “Do Not Pack” sign.

What type of items should you place a “Do Not Pack” sign on? Items that you will either need to carry with you as you travel or that you really don’t want to find a week or even sometimes months later at your new duty station.

5 Things You Should Always Label With A "Do Not Pack" Sign During a PCS

What items do you label as “Do Not Pack” during a PCS?

5 Things You Should Always Label with a “Do Not Pack” Sign During a PCS

1. Stuff for the Kids. You want to make sure you save enough for them to do when the house is empty or you are in a hotel. For us, that was a backpack full of their favorite toys, a laptop and some DVDs.

When we moved from Germany back to the United States we had to stay in our house in Germany for a few days after they packed up all of our things. Life was easier when we had a few items for my boys to do while we waited.

2. Important Paperwork. You will want to carry your most important paperwork with you, especially what you might need for the move. We bought a folder to keep everything with us at all times. I have heard stories of passports being packed as well as other important papers and sometimes it’s close to impossible to get the paperwork back in time if you need it to move.

3. Trash. Before we ever went through a PCS, I was warned to make sure you put a “Do Not Pack” sign on the trash. Otherwise, the movers might pack the trash and we would find it later.

In our case, that would have been months later since we were going overseas. I don’t even want to think about what a banana peel would smell like after weeks in a box heading over to Germany to join us.

Make sure they can’t pack the trash. You will be glad you did.

4. Cleaning Supplies. You will need to clean your house or apartment after your items leave and before you turn in your key. You don’t want to have to rebuy a broom or other supplies you might need. You want to make sure you go through everything ahead of time. If you have a cheap vacuum you don’t mind donating after you are done, keep that out too. Otherwise you will want them to pack the vacuum and you will need to borrow one if you need to clean your carpet after the movers have left.

5. Important Items. This one applies if you can take your important items with you in your own car.

For me, it would be my scrapbooks and my journals. I would feel a lot more comfortable with them in the car with us instead of with the movers. When we went overseas I did not have that option and luckily nothing happened to them but if I was going to move within the United States, I would want them with me.

Your important items might be something you just can’t ever replace or something that is very special to you. Make sure they don’t pack them if you can take them with you another way and want to keep them a little safer.

What items do you label as “Do Not Pack” during a PCS? What’s the worst thing that has been packed by mistake?

 

End of the Deployment? 5 Tips for a Military Homecoming

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Even though you never thought the day would come, the end of the deployment is almost here. Your spouse is coming home and it is time to prepare for his or her homecoming.

You know there is a lot you need to do, but how do you get started? What if you miss something? Everything is going to be OK, I promise.

5 Tips for a Military Homecoming

What advice would you give to military spouses preparing for a homecoming?   Photo credit: Michaela Stuart Photography

Here are 5 things to think about when getting ready for a military homecoming.

1. Find an Welcome Home Outfit. You want to look good when your spouse sees you for the first time after months apart. Picking an outfit has always been one of my favorite things to do. Depending on the season, I have worn anything from a summer dress to a nice sweater and jeans. You want to be comfortable but it can be a lot of fun to pick out something new and a little more fancy than you would be used to. If you have friends who are also getting ready for homecoming, you can all shop together.

2. The Kids. If you have children you need to decide if you are going to have them at the homecoming with you. Keep in mind that you will be waiting for a few hours and if the flight gets in at 2 a.m. having someone come over to your house to watch the kids while they sleep might be a good idea. You could also have a night with your spouse before he or she sees your kids if you have a good babysitter to watch them. Every homecoming we have been to has had an area for the kids to play, which is nice and can keep them occupied during the wait.

5 Tips for a Military Homecoming

How do you prepare your kids for a military homecoming? Photo credit: Michaela Stuart Photography

3. Make Signs. Holding a sign when you see your spouse coming off the plane or into the building is a lot of fun. The FRGs I have been in usually have a day to get together and make signs. You can also make them at home with your kids or even have one made.

4. Clean the House and Car. You will want to spend some time getting the house and car cleaned. If it’s in your budget you can hire someone to clean the carpets too. Try not to stress about how clean the house is. Your spouse will be fine if your house does not pass the white glove test. However, coming home to a clean house when you have been away for a while is a great feeling so I always try to do a deep clean before my husband gets home.

5. Relax and Remember. It can be easy to lose your cool during this time. The weeks before homecoming can be very stressful. Remember that times and dates can change. They can do so by the hour, the day or even the week. I have heard of soldiers being delayed by 2 weeks or even longer. Try to stay calm and take everything day by day. Remember to relax when you can and still stay busy until the end. The last week will drag by and you might go crazy if you don’t have anything to do while you wait.

Homecoming can be one of the best days of your life. Try to remember that the details will all work out, no matter how crazy it gets. Prepare yourself for changes and look forward to good times together again.

What advice would you give to military spouses preparing for a homecoming?

 

New Army Uniforms Hit the Shelves This Month

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The Army officially launched the brand-new Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) uniforms on July 1.

The Army officially launched the brand-new Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) uniforms on July 1.

Are you looking forward to phasing into the OCP uniforms?

Select Military Clothing Sales stores currently have the new uniforms, including Fort Bragg, Fort Benning, Fort Hood, Fort Carson and a handful of other Army installations.

Since the new pattern has been on the shelves of the select clothing sales stores, soldiers have been purchasing the new uniform in record numbers. Military.com reports that stores received $1.4 million in the first day of sales!

Full distribution should roll out in the next 6 months. Military Times includes the different phases in their story on the subject here.

It’s projected by November all stores will have the Operational Camouflage Pattern uniforms. Gear and accessories won’t be available till the current inventory is depleted, so keep an eye out for that announcement.

New soldiers entering the Army will be issued OCP uniforms starting January 1, 2016, and current soldiers can gradually transition into the OCP uniform. The Army plans to finish the transition period by October 1, 2019, so it will take about 4 years to get the whole force into Operational Camouflage Pattern uniforms.

An important note: commanders cannot force soldiers to wear a full Operational Camouflage Pattern uniform until the transition is completed, so mismatched uniforms are allowed.

What does mismatched uniforms mean?

Soldiers can wear their sand-colored shirts and belts with the OCP instead of the tan shirt and belt that the uniform requires. In addition, the sand-colored boots can be worn till tan boots are purchased. It doesn’t work the other way around, so you can use the new shirts, belts and boots with ACUs. Detailed chart of the appropriate look of each uniform is outlined here.

The Army officially launched the brand-new Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) uniforms on July 1.

The aspect that several soldiers are looking forward to in the new change is the modifications in design. All the updates are said to be a result of soldier feedback, which is awesome to hear. My husband is tired of all the velcro in his ACUs and the new OCP uniform has less velcro!

Additional modifications are:

  • The upper sleeve pocket has a zipper and it will be longer by one inch.
  • The collar folds down easily.
  • Double fabric reinforcing the elbow and knee area.
  • Two pen pocket sleeves instead of three.
  • Drawstring at the waistband is removed.
  • Cargo and lower leg pocket only has a button close, which means hook-and-loop closures go away.

Good news for those that have been issued Mutli-Cams for deployment, the unit patches are said to be the exact same, so you can use those if need be.

Although Operational Camouflage Pattern uniform items are actually more expensive in the initial cost, it’s said to save the Army and soldier money over time.

Something that is still being discussed is having different variants of the OCP pattern in both desert or woodland colors.

Are you looking forward to phasing into the new Operational Camouflage Pattern uniforms? Want to know more detailed information about the Army’s uniform change? Click here.

Understanding Common Military Phrases

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At a young age, I was exposed to military lingo. When I would ask my dad if a friend could spend the night, he would answer “negative” for no. When my mom would request a task from my dad, he would reply, I got your 6. All. My. Life.

Even with early conditioning as a child, I have scratched my head here and there because the military culture, just like with any culture, has evolved since my dad’s time in service. Plus, I’ve come to realize that each branch has their own interpretation too. I still had a lot to learn.

Recently, I sat down with my husband and went over all the expressions and sayings that I’ve heard my dad and him say time and time again. With his help on clarifying the sometimes not so obvious, we’ve come up with our list of the most commonly used military phrases below.

Common Military Phrases Your Service Member Uses at Work and May Use at Home

Roger: Yes

Got Your 6: Got your back

Rack: Bed

Rack Time: Sleep

Civies: Civilian clothes

Camies: Uniform

Cover: Hat

Unsat: Unsatisfactory

Boot: New military member

Battle Rattle: Wearing all your combat gear

Downgrade: Drop your jackets

High and Tight: Expression for a military type haircut, where hair is extremely short on the sides and a patch of slightly longer hair at the top

Good Idea Fairy: Somebody that comes up ideas that lead to extra work

Joes: Generalizing military members, shortened from G.I. Joe

Command/Big Boy Voice: Speaking up and authoritative

Ground Pounder: Infantry service member

Geardo: Buys and wears more tactical equipment than they need

High Speed: Someone that performs well

Ate-Up: Someone not doing a good job, not within regulation

Household 6: Spouse, my husband says, commander of the household

Bird: Aircraft, spoken about helicopter

Helo: Particularly helicopter

Liberty/Leave: Time off

Moon Beam: Flashlight

Head: Toilet

Hit the Head: Go to the bathroom

Klicks: Kilometers

Beat Your Face: Push-ups

Back on the Block: Civilian life

Zero Dark Thirty: Really, really early in the morning, pretty much still dark outside

Aye, Aye: Heard and understood

Bag Nasty: Take out food given in chow halls or foreign areas

Galley: Kitchen

Drive On: Keep doing what you’re doing

Soup Sandwich: Could be a person that does something wrong or a situation

Bravo Zulu: Good Job

Hooah/Oorah: Exclamation, typically used to acknowledge a message

This list only touches on a handful of common military slang phrases and words. It obviously isn’t the comprehensive list! There are tons more out there and lots that are also specific to military branch.

Which military slang words would you add to this list?