Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

Service Members No Longer Have Forever to Transfer the GI Bill

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It has been just under a year since the “Forever GI Bill” was signed into law, but many service members are discovering forever isn’t quite as long as they thought.

Beginning in 2019, a service member’s privilege to transfer their GI Bill to their dependents will be restricted and those who serve longer are being impacted by the restrictions.

One of the best benefits of serving our great country is the ability to receive the GI Bill which covers most, if not all, of a college degree. Another advantage is the ability to transfer this benefit to dependent children or spouses.

I have spent the summer visiting college campuses with my rising high school senior. Two things I have discovered: making life decisions at 17 years old is a lot of pressure and the cost of a four-year degree can run upwards to $40,000 and don’t get me started on residency requirements.

As a military family do we ever live someplace long enough to be considered a resident?

Service Members No Longer Have Forever to Transfer the GI Bill

Do you think this restriction will discourage service members from making longer commitments to their country in the future?

The GI Bill Restriction May Impact Your Plans for Paying for College

What does the new GI Bill restriction mean for your military family? To transfer the GI Bill to dependents, a service member must serve at least six years and commit to an additional four years.

The change restricts service members who have served 16 years or more from transferring their GI Bill. Luckily for my family, my husband transferred his GI Bill to our children about two weeks before the new restrictions were announced.

But it makes me wonder why the change? These restrictions apply only to career military which begs the question, will this restriction discourage service members from making longer commitments to their country in the future?

Related: Why You Should Consider Attending a Yellow Ribbon School

Some may argue the reason for the change is to encourage senior service members to use their GI Bill benefits to further their education and ensure a smooth transition into the civilian workforce. I would agree, having an education makes the transition easier, however, where does this leave service members who have earned a degree prior to or while in service? They don’t need the GI Bill and can’t transfer it to a dependent, which means the benefit would not be utilized.

The Tuition Assistance Program May Be a Better Option for Service Members

Service members can transfer their GI Bill to dependents and still earn a degree while on active duty. The Tuition Assistance Program is available to active duty members in all branches, which covers education expenses, leaving the GI Bill available to their dependents.

Tuition Assistance covers expenses for vocational/technical schools, undergrad degrees, graduate programs, independent study and distance learning programs. In order to use the TA Program, an enlisted service member must have enough time remaining in service to complete the course for which he or she has applied. After the completion of a course, an officer using TA must fulfill a service obligation that runs parallel with – not in addition to – any existing service obligation.

The TA Program will cover 100% of college expenses not to exceed $250 per semester credit hour or $166 per quarter credit hour. There is a $4,500 cap per government fiscal year which is October to September.

To access the TA program visit your local installation education center, go online to a virtual education center or click on the following links for each service branch:

Transfer Your GI Bill Before July 2019

The GI Bill restriction does not go into effect until July 19, 2019, so if you are approaching 16 years of service or more and want to transfer your GI Bill now is the time.

The good news is, if you complete the transfer now, you can make changes later. If you have additional children or want to change how the bill is divided among your dependents this can be done at a later date as long as the transfer takes place prior to July 2019.

If you are interested in transferring your GI Bill to your dependents log onto DMDC milConnect, find the “I want to” section and select “Transfer my education benefits.”

If you are not eligible for the GI Bill transfer or have already used the benefit there are additional scholarship options available to military dependents and yourself. Here is a list of more than 50 scholarships which are available to the military community.

Related: Military Spouses Unaware of MyCAA Scholarship Program

Also visit your local education center and veteran affairs office at your university of choice for additional scholarship resources and assistance.

What do you think about the new GI Bill restrictions? Will this change impact a service member’s decision to re-enlist?

The Commissary’s 5% Surcharge Isn’t Going Away

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There are so many changes happening at the commissary that many people have questioned if the 5% surcharge will be going away as well. At this point, the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) hasn’t announced that it is considering it.

The Commissary's 5% Surcharge Isn't Going Away

When the commissary was first approved, it was set by law that goods would be sold at cost plus a 5% surcharge. The surcharge covers the cost of maintaining and improving commissary infrastructure.

The government is always looking for ways to save money and the commissary certainly takes a big chunk of the defense buget. The government wants DeCA to be more self-sufficient. If they drop the surcharge, then more taxpayers’ money would have to fund the commissary.

When the commissary was first approved, it was set by law that goods would be sold at cost plus a 5% surcharge. The surcharge covers the cost of maintaining and improving commissary infrastructure. The government funded the rest.

For FY 2018, DeCA requested $1.3 billion in appropriations to cover costs such as: civilian and military labor, labor contracts, transportation of commissary goods overseas, and other general and administrative support. Many new programs have been implemented since to help reduce federal funding.

What has changed at the commissary?

Quite a lot has changed recently.

Have you noticed prices at the commissary aren’t the same? That’s because DeCA moved from set prices to variable pricing. That means that prices are not consistent across the country now. If you live near D.C., you’ll find prices are higher there than at a commissary in Georgia. That’s because the cost of living is higher in D.C. and therefore, items cost more.

Goods fluctuate with market prices as well.

Previously, prices changed at the commissary when the cost changed through the manufacturer. Now they change with the market similarly to how commercial grocery stores handle pricing.

Commissary shoppers are still getting great savings even with the 5% surcharge. In some areas, shoppers are seeing as much as 44.2% savings. You can read more about variable pricing here and see how much your region is saving.

DeCA has made some substantial changes in a relatively short time to start relying less on the government for their funding. The success of these is noticeable in how much money DeCA requested in appropriations for FY 2019. They asked for $123 million less than they did for FY 2018. While you would think the government would be happy about that, they are already asking how much more money they can reduce their appropriations.

From the customer’s standpoint, how do you feel about these changes?

The government wants to save money but DeCA still wants to bring great savings to military families. The commissary benefit is a part of the compensation package and is a great recruitment and retention tool. It isn’t going away.

Neither is the 5% surcharge. The surcharge is one thing that customers ask about a lot.

The exchange doesn’t have a surcharge; so many people don’t understand why the commissary does.

The commissaries and exchanges are two different entities and are funded differently. For now, the 5% surcharge stays in place, but if another change occurs, combining the commissary and exchange, you might see something different. That’s a long way down the road though as a new study just began this month.

What questions do you have about the commissary’s 5% surcharge?

Veterans Annoyed with Office Depot’s Logo on New Veteran ID Card

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After waiting nearly three years from the time the government approved a veteran ID card, the ID cards are finally getting into the hands of veterans.

The new veteran ID card identifies veterans for the purpose of receiving military discounts.

Some companies require proof that a person is a veteran in order to receive a discount. For those that did not retire from the military, they do not have a way to prove they are veterans unless they carry their separation papers known as DD-214 discharge papers.

Who carries their DD-214 around with them? A veteran ID card is a much easier way to prove that you are a veteran at a restaurant.

Many people are happy that a veteran ID card is available, but they are not happy that the Office Depot logo is on the back. The reason their logo is on the back is because they are printing the cards.

While the government approved the production of a veteran ID card, the government did not provide funding to pay for the ID cards.

That’s when Office Depot stepped up.

It makes sense from a business standpoint to get some free advertising out of the huge cost. The company is not only paying to produce the veteran ID cards, but they are also covering the cost of mailing them. They have agreed to do so until the end of fiscal year 2020. That will add up to a huge investment for Office Depot.

Veterans Annoyed with Office Depot's Logo on New Veteran ID Card

Who carries their DD-214 around with them? A veteran ID card is a much easier way to prove that you are a veteran at a restaurant.

The veteran ID card is highly requested. When they initially launched the website to apply for the veteran ID card, the site crashed. After adjustments were made, Vets.gov was able to get the program started again.

As of mid May, nearly 99,000 applications for the veteran ID card had been received and over 26,000 had been approved. More than 10,000 people were mailed a veteran ID card before the end of the month.

A veteran ID card sounds great, but many veterans are annoyed about the Office Depot logo on the back. They feel like it cheapens the card and makes it look unprofessional.

The back of the card has the Veterans Crisis Line phone number, the Office Depot logo and a tagline that reads: “Saluting you today and every day. Thanks for taking care of business.”

The back of the new Veteran ID card includes the Office Depot company logo. Photo credit: Military.com

When I first saw the veteran ID card, I thought the Office Depot logo on the back made the card look unofficial. It’s nothing like a standard issued military ID. Perhaps that’s on purpose.

The veteran ID card is only to show proof that a person is a veteran in order to receive military discounts.

The veteran ID card cannot be used as an official government ID card.

You cannot use it to access a military base and it does not replace the VA’s ID card that veterans use to identify themselves at VA clinics.

You also cannot use it to get through security at an airport since it is not an official government ID card.

The veteran ID card is specifically to be used for public and some government situations in lieu of carrying the DD-214 paperwork when proof of service is required. It is only available to veterans that were discharged as honorable or general.

Veterans interested in obtaining a veteran ID card must prove that they are former service members to receive a physical card. You can find out more information and apply for a veteran ID card online at Vets.gov.

While some people might not like having the Office Depot logo on the back, I’m sure they like that the card is free. Sometimes you get what you pay for.

What do you think of having Office Depot’s logo on the back of the new veteran ID card?

Homeland Security’s Request for DoD to House Detained Immigrants Sparks Online Debate

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The possibility of detained immigrants living on military bases in the southwest has sparked wide and heated debate among the military community. The opinions range from military spouses offering to teach English to these temporary residents to ones suggesting that those entering illegally should be immediately returned to their countries of origin.

According to Department of Defense statements, DoD have been asked to provide up to 12,000 beds on military bases for detained immigrants.

“The Department of Defense has received a request for assistance from the Department of Homeland Security to house and care for an alien family population of up to 12,000 people. DHS requests that DoD identify any available facilities that could be used for that purpose,” the Pentagon said in a statement.

Homeland Security's Request for DoD to House Detained Immigrants Sparks Online Debate

Do you support this plan for DoD to house detained immigrants?

DoD is preparing to receive up to 2,000 immigrants before September 2018. Possible locations and housing arrangements are being scouted now by military leaders. Secretary of Defense James Mattis has identified Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo and Fort Bliss in El Paso as locations available to house unaccompanied immigrant minors.

Possible additional locations in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and California are also being considered.

Facebook Post Sparks Debate Among Military Spouses

Many military spouses commented on a Facebook post from Military Spouse magazine stating that military bases might soon be used to house detained immigrants. Approximately 70 comments were made on the original post. However, this Facebook post has been shared at least 18 times from that first post alone.

One military spouse referenced the words on the Statue of Liberty, from the poem “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus.

“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

Many Facebook comments made by military spouses shared a similar mentality.

Several commenters shared specific ways that they would be willing to help, from housing immigrants personally to providing respite child care for immigrant parents or teaching ESL in the temporary housing facilities.

Counter-arguments suggested that people considering immigrating to the United States to stay in their own countries. Some stated that those seeking asylum should not cross U.S. borders without proper authorization and paperwork.

According to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services department, those seeking asylum must be physically present in the United States at the time of their application. In order to be considered for humanitarian asylum, applicants need to cross over a U.S. border or arrive at a port of entry.

Commenters also suggested that those entering “illegally” or seeking asylum should be immediately returned to their countries of origin.

Will Housing Detained Immigrants on Military Bases Impact Military Families?

Lots of individuals were upset over the possible impacts on military base housing or on-base child care centers.

No mention of placing detained immigrants in military family housing or allowing access to CDCs has been mentioned. Multiple sources state that immigrants will be housed in temporary facilities. Costs incurred by the DoD for providing temporary housing would be reimbursed.

Other comments included references to housing issues faced by veterans and their families, as well as by other Americans facing hard times. Some Facebook commenters suggested that instead of placing immigrants into the temporary shelters, that they instead be used for homeless Americans.

Several individuals raised concerns about security and potential issues. They pointed out that many military facilities are closed, and require a DoD ID card to enter or for non-DoD civilians to be escorted.

They are concerned that immigrants may be accidentally able to pick up confidential information and disseminate it to possible threats to the base or the U.S. military.

All indications from previous reports are that detained immigrants would be housed in temporary shelters separate from military facilities and family housing.

Many commenting threads became heated and insults were exchanged from individuals on both sides of the issue.

Dozens of commenters reflected that, based on some comments, they were disappointed with the reaction in the military spouse community.

Others found hope in the empathy of their peers.

Many found kindred spirits who agreed on common points of view.

Susie Schwartz, the wife of retired Air Force General Norton Schwartz and a vice president at Military Spouse magazine’s publisher Victory Media, chimed in with a call for kindness.

“I hope we can all show compassion for each other,” Schwartz wrote in her Facebook comment. “Within our own community and with others.”

Do you support this plan to house detained immigrants on military bases or are you against it? Tell us in the comments section.

Why Are We Fine with DeCA Employees Shopping at the Commissaries, But Not Purple Heart Recipients?

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Commissary employees have just been given the approval to shop at base commissaries. Do you agree with this new policy?

Why Are We Fine with DeCA Employees Shopping at the Commissaries, But Not Purple Heart Recipients?

A commissary cashier checks groceries at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Photo credit: U.S. Air Force/Margo Wright

There are roughly 14,000 people employed by DeCA and half already have shopping privileges for reasons such as being a military spouse, family member or a retired service member. That means there is still a potential additional 7,000 people that will now be able to shop at the commissary.

For years, there has been a debate over who should have commissary shopping rights. Do you think commissary employees have earned this benefit?

To be clear on the guidelines, commissary employees will be allowed to shop at the commissary starting at the end of the month, but their families will not.

There is no retirement benefit of continual shopping rights for commissary employees.

Once they no longer work for DeCA, they lose their shopping rights.

Commissary employees will not be able to buy tobacco or any controlled substances. Once wine and beer become available at commissaries later this summer, that will also be excluded.

Robert Bianchi, interim DeCA director and chief executive, said

Ultimately, the department believes that extending these limited benefits will further improve commissaries by giving employees a greater sense of ownership and understanding of the goods and services delivered to the millions of authorized patrons in commissaries worldwide.

I can see the reasoning behind that, but it doesn’t mean I agree with it. From an employee’s standpoint, working for a company and not being able to purchase the products you’re surrounded by would be frustrating.

Could you imagine being a cashier ringing up groceries all day and when your shift ends, you have to drive to a grocery store to buy what you need?

I’m not so much against commissary employees being able to shop where they work as much as I’m frustrated that they are the group that was chosen to receive this right. There has been a push to get the commissary shopping privilege extended to former military service members that some feel deserve the right to shop and have earned the right to do so, but do not qualify for one reason or another. Why are we denying these patriots a benefit but are OK with letting an average citizen have it?

A bill introduced in April known as the Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018 would expand the right to shop at the commissary to Purple Heart recipients, all veterans with a service-connected disability, Medal of Honor recipients, former prisoners of war, as well as veteran caregivers.

This isn’t the first time this proposal has been made. It was shot down before for reasons such as this is an “earned benefit” and where would they draw the line at defining that term.

Also, commissaries are funded with government subsidies. A large portion of that funding goes to pay commissary employees. If the pool of shoppers was opened up to include disabled veterans, then the need for a larger workforce and more infrastructure would cost the government much more money.

These are sound reasons, however, why did those get set aside when the topic came up of commissary employees getting the right.

How have commissary employees “earn” this benefit?

One thing I’d like to point out is that baggers are not commissary employees. They will not be able to shop at the commissary unless they have the right to do so for another reason.

Do you think a shelf stocker or custodian has earned the right more than baggers? Either way, since baggers are not commissary employees they won’t be spending their tip money on toilet paper sold at cost plus 5% at the commissary.

I hope that lawmakers take a serious look at the Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018. If they can open shopping up to commissary employees, they should be able to find a way to make it work for former service members that have given so much and gotten so little.

Now it’s your turn: What do you think? How have commissary employees earned the benefit of shopping at the commissary?

Should I Feed or Tip Our Movers?

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It’s PCS season and once again military spouses are asking the big question, should I tip or feed the movers?

Should I Feed or Tip My Movers During a PCS?

Do you provide food for your movers? What kind of food do you give them?

There is a wide difference in opinion here. Some people always tip, others tip based on performance and for some, the thought of tipping has never crossed their mind.

The same goes for feeding the people that pack up all your precious belongings. Many military families choose to feed the moving crews in some way but there are still people that do not.

There are people that both tip and feed the movers and some that choose to only do one of those things.

There are also people who do neither.

Everyone has a strong opinion on the matter as well.

What Food Should I Feed My Packers or Movers When We PCS?

If you choose to provide food for the moving team, what do you feed them?

Many military spouses responded to this question saying that they buy pizza. I have bought pizza many times. My parents bought the movers pizza when I was growing up as an Army brat so that was the norm, or so I thought.

Also, in the early stages of military life, families don’t tend to have much money to spare on individual meals for a large group of people. We didn’t.

After a multitude of moves, my perspective, as well as wallet, has changed.

Now I give the movers a few options for lunch and then my husband goes to pick it up. I also always make sure to have cold water in the fridge for everyone.

Who wants to eat pizza every day? Could you imagine spending hours packing up things and getting pizza constantly?

Some military spouses say that they provide breakfast or lunch and some provide both. Most said they have water for them and offer pizza, subs, Chick-fil-A or KFC.

A few said they offer some of the beverages they aren’t moving with to the movers. One military spouse said this:

 “My husband once gave them bottles of booze. They loved him for it. I was mortified.”

How Much Should I Tip Our Packers During a PCS?

I haven’t tipped our packers during a PCS. Actually, I hadn’t thought about it until someone recently brought it up.

One military spouse had a good point. She said, “I tip the groomer and nail salon techs for goodness’ sakes.” If she’s going to tip for those services, it makes sense to tip the people who take care of her precious belongings.

When asked if they tip, a number of women said that they were told by the TMO, Traffic Management Office, that tipping was not allowed. Not all moving companies follow this however. Even if that is their policy, some movers will still take the cash tip.

In the civilian world, tipping is part of proper etiquette. The average tip is $20 per mover. That could really add up for military moves if you have separate people that pack your belongings up and then unpack at your destination.

I have had as many as eight people packing up our home. There are a lot of costs involved in moving and an additional $160 for the packers’ tips is not necessarily something I would want to spend my money on. That cost really adds up if you have to tip just as much when the next group unpacks at your new duty station.

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

Everyone has a different perspective however.

Some people only tip if they notice that the movers are particularly friendly or pack things how they want them to be packed. If you choose to tip, make sure you give the money to each mover personally. Don’t just give it to the leader of the packing crew. They might not actually divvy up the money. Also, handing out tips to each person shows that you recognize their individual effort.

Hopefully, the movers are grateful no matter if you provide a meal or a tip them.

If you are going to buy a meal, give them some options and let them choose. They will likely appreciate having something other than pizza.

If you decide to tip, you choose how much to give them. While $20 per person is the norm in the civilian world, it isn’t necessarily the same for military moves.

Share your PCS tips with us. Do you provide food for your movers? What kind of food do you give them?

Military Families Living On-Base Worry About the Safety of Their Drinking Water

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Military families may need to add drinking water to their growing list of lifestyle-related worries and concerns. A recent report from the Department of Defense confirms that potentially hazardous chemicals are in the tap water at many military installations.

Military Families Living On-Base Worry About the Safety of Their Drinking Water

A total of 126 military installations have polluted water that could cause health problems. Are you worried about drinking the tap water at your on-base house?

These recent reports have left a stain on the current White House and Department of Defense because it looks like a cover-up might have happened.

Don’t Drink the Water at Your Military Base

Before military families go into full-on panic mode, it’s important that we know exactly what we’re dealing with or at least understand as much as we can with the information currently available.

What is the issue with the drinking water?

Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) are two chemicals commonly found in everyday objects. You can find PFOS/PFOA in everything from Teflon coating to waterproofing on fabric to fast food wrappers. It was phased out of use by American manufacturers starting in May 2000.

Why are PFOS/PFOA a concern?

According to the DoD report and additional reporting by news outlets, PFOS/PFOA exposure can be harmless in small amounts. However, repeated and long-term exposure comes with a host of health complications.

Both men and women can experience impacts on fertility. Babies may be born with developmental delays. Those exposed may experience increased cholesterol levels, increased uric acid and changes in liver enzymes. There may also be changes to the immune system too.

Finally, exposure to PFOS/PFOA may have an increased risk of prostate, kidney and testicular cancers.

As of August 2017, 401 current and former military installations have had their water tested. Of those, 90 have water samples that exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency’s Lifetime Health Advisory (LHA) levels.

Additionally, 2,668 groundwater sources have been tested. Of those, 1,621 have PFOS/PFOA levels above the EPA’s LHA. All told, 1,711 sites have compromised water sources.

Reports also indicate that a total of 126 military installations have polluted water that could cause health problems.

The DoD’s response at this time, according to their published report, is to educate the services, investigate the use of products containing PFOS/PFOA and begin planning for cleanup operations.

Since the water was tested in 2017, why wasn’t the water contamination report released earlier?

The PFOS/PFOA report is enough to cause public concern. However, it now appears that the White House and DoD officials might have prevented the immediate release of information.

Through emails obtained by the Union of Concerned Scientists, officials at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) warned the EPA of a “public relations nightmare” when the PFOS/PFOA report was released. These emails are dated January 2018.

Reports on the water contamination were released in spring 2018.

What can military families do?

If you are living on or near an impacted installation or groundwater source, it might be time to consider changing how you drink water.

Adding a water filtration system, according to a 2016 report on Water Online, can have some impact on the levels of PFOS and PFOA in your tap water supply. However, no single system has been shown to be totally effective for both categories or related chemicals. Granular activated carbon has been shown to be the most effective filtration system, along with nanofiltration and reverse osmosis.

Another option is to switch to bottled water. The Food and Drug Administration monitors bottled water manufacturers to ensures compliance with health and safety standards.

Military families should also document health concerns that might be related to PFOS/PFOA contamination. Correlating your family’s physical location with health problems that might stem from exposure to chemical contaminants is important for long-term care and solutions.

Military communities have already banded together to provide documentation of military-caused health issues due to contaminated drinking water. Current and former residents of Camp Lejeune scored a victory in this arena.

Are you stationed at a military base with unsafe drinking water? What precautions are you taking to protect your loved ones from the threat of unsafe water?

Navy Extends Deadline for Female Sailors to Join the Submarine Service

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The Department of the Navy announced eight years ago that women would be allowed to serve on Navy submarines. This was a historic moment for female sailors.

Navy Extends Deadline for Female Sailors to Join the Submarine Service

If you are a female sailor interested in transitioning into the Silent Service, submarine life, talk to your detailer today.

There are now almost 80 female officers and 50 enlisted women assigned to the submarine service. Military personnel anticipate the number of female sailors on subs to reach into the hundreds in the next few years and they are actively searching for candidates to fill these positions.

In doing so, the Navy has extended the deadline for enlisted female sailors to apply to the submarine force. The previous deadline was April 2018. Female sailors in the ranks E-1 through E-8 now have until June 1, 2018, to submit their application.

Female Sailors Get an Additional Two Months to Apply for the Submarine Service

The USS Michigan was the first Navy submarine to have enlisted female sailors added to its roster. The USS Florida followed it with 30 female sailors in its ranks. By 2020, the Navy expects to add 550 female sailors to seven Ohio-class subs. That would make up about 20% of the crews.

To accommodate female sailors on these two subs, simple modifications were made to berthing and bathrooms.

Now new submarines are designed specifically with female sailors in mind. It isn’t just adding separate living and bathing areas either.

The USS New Jersey will be the first submarine built with features tailored to female sailors. This includes making valves easier to turn as well as lowering them to accommodate the height of female sailors.

Steps will also be built in front of triple high bunk beds and washing machines will be stacked. Emergency air masks will also be placed on the side instead of the ceiling to make them easier to reach.

The USS New Jersey, the first Columbia-class ballistic-missile sub with these modifications, is expected to be delivered in 2021.

In an effort to fill the positions upon these subs, the Navy is actively recruiting females from outside the Navy as well. The overall manpower of the military is on the decline. There was recently a hearing in the House Armed Services military personnel subcommittee where the personnel chiefs were challenged to recruit more service members. The focus on primarily recruiting males has shifted to searching for female candidates.

As of February of this year, about 16% of the 1.3 million service members that make up the total military force are female.

People do not feel compelled to join the military like they once did. It is estimated that only 29% of males and females between the ages of 18 and 23 would meet the qualifications to join the military.

Recruitment is tough with many young men and women choosing to go to college, trade school or straight into the workforce after high school. There just aren’t many people that want to join the military these days.

Aggressive recruitment strategies are now in place to fight for recruits.

Recruiters are now being sent to talk to female athletic teams.

Previously, recruiters would mostly just go to male athletic departments. The military believes that individuals that are a part of athletic programs are more likely to want to join the military and be qualified to do so.

With more ratings, such as submarine service, now opened to females, military personnel feel strongly that they will be better able to attract these younger individuals. Only time will tell if this new marketing approach works.

If you are interested in joining the military talk to your local military recruiter.

If you are a female sailor interested in transitioning into the Silent Service, submarine life, talk to your detailer or find out more information here.

Are you a female sailor? Tell us your story by submitting a guest post today.

DeCA Vows to Fix the Produce Prices at Pacific Commissaries

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by Amanda Marksmeier, Guest Contributor

Many military families stationed in the Pacific are being asked to sacrifice a healthy diet because of limited access to high-quality reasonably priced produce.

One reason for the lack of fresh fruits and vegetables is the changes made in how produce is acquired by overseas commissaries. In response to mounting pressure to reduce the budget, the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) decided to discontinue U.S. shipments of fresh produce to Pacific commissaries.

DeCA was able to slash the budget by $48 million, but these savings are coming at the expense of our military and their families stationed in the Pacific. To provide produce at a reduced cost to the government, shipping costs were rolled into the prices and passed along to Pacific commissary customers.

A year after the contract changes were implemented complaints began to pour in regarding pricing and quality of produce. The DoD Inspector General investigated these claims. The IG discovered the new system was saving the government $38 million while costing military families in Japan and South Korea 21% to 32% more than the prior system. To make matters worse, the higher priced produce is lower in quality than the produce that is available in the local markets.

DeCA Vows to Fix the Produce Prices at Pacific Commissaries

Military families living overseas sacrifice time with their extended family and friends as well as the comforts of America. They shouldn’t have to sacrifice access to fresh quality produce too.

To address these issues DeCA Director Robert Bianchi designated a few target areas to make improvements. Some of the solutions include sending in produce specialists to work with local vendors to reduce costs and streamline inspections. Other ideas being considered are seeking more produce options including lesser quality and lower priced items and educating customers on commissary pricing.

These ideas are a good start, but more can be done to ensure our military families have access to quality reasonably priced produce.

Access to local vendors is a wonderful asset and should help alleviate some transportation costs, however, the idea of lower quality produce seems a bit absurd. Quality is a current complaint of consumers so how would a lower quality product improve the situation? Instead of “educating” consumers on commissary pricing versus local market pricing why not work with local farmers and vendors?

There is a huge movement in the United States to buy local, not only does this support the local economy but it’s environmentally friendly. The fewer miles our food travels will result in lower fuel costs, a reduction in air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Sourcing locally grown produce could help with quality as well as lower shipping and transportation costs.

One concern that stems from purchasing produce from local growers is quality control and “safety concerns.” As the DeCA Director stated there is

“no earthly idea how that thing was produced.”

Foreign countries do not have the same federal regulations and health safety guidelines as the U.S., so this is a valid concern. But here is some food for thought:

Many military families living overseas purchase produce in the local markets because of lower prices regardless of lack of regulations so they are already being exposed to “unsafe” produce.

The life expectancy of people living in Pacific countries is higher than that of Americans.

There is significant evidence to suggest that the foods people eat are related to the longevity of their lives. While safety and quality control are a concern, DeCA should do the due diligence and at least consider the possibility of buying produce from local growers.

Produce issues in the Pacific commissaries have been identified and efforts are being made to fix the problems but more can be done to ensure quality at a reasonable cost. Military families living overseas sacrifice time with their extended family and friends as well as the comforts of America – they shouldn’t have to sacrifice access to fresh quality produce too.

 Have you experienced the high price of produce at commissaries in the Pacific?

Amanda Marksmeier is an Army wife and mother of four.Amanda Marksmeier is an Army wife and mother of four. She works as an employment specialist assisting the military community in achieving their career goals. Amanda is also a contributing writer for a quarterly employment journal and has written for several military affiliated blogs.

How to Prevent Conflict When Your In-Laws Visit You

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Many military couples host their in-laws, friends and extended family members during the summer months. Afterall, what’s the point of being stationed in Hawaii, if your house doesn’t become a revolving door for cousins who want to spend time with you, but also enjoy having you as their tour guide and your house as a free hotel room. You are happy to host them as your guests until you realize you are spending way more money on groceries when they are staying with you.

How to Prevent Conflict When Your In-Laws Visit You

Are hosting guests a financial strain on your budget? Can you ask your parents to buy the groceries when they are staying with you? Will your father-in-law watch your kids for date night?

What happens where you as the host feel like you can’t afford (or don’t want) to pay the costs associated with guests. This conflict over who pays seems like a source of unspoken frustration among military spouses.

A military spouse posted this question in a Facebook group:

When your relatives come to visit you, who pays for stuff? You or them? Can you ask them to help out around the house when they are staying with you?

Some military spouses responded saying they believe that guests shouldn’t pay or chip in with housework, ever. Your guests are on vacation and might have dropped serious cash to get there. The hosts should pick up the tab along with the extra work.

Others were firmly on the opposite end of the spectrum. Visitors are getting free lodging so assisting with cooking, cleaning, child care or groceries is a fair trade.

Most military spouses agreed that every situation is unique. Cost of travel and budget were factors that everyone considered. Others talked about the frequency of visits and reciprocity of the expectations when the host/guest roles are reversed.

Where is the disconnect?

Almost everyone agreed that family visits can be a huge source of conflict, especially when the in-laws are involved.

The heart of these might be a lack of shared cultural, familial history. It could be that your mother-in-law comes from a family where hosts have historically paid for everything. Maybe this is how it worked with her own mother-in-law!

When the visit or your guest’s expectations don’t go as you thought, it can cause frustration. Over time, with visit after visit, the frustration turns to anger which turns to resentment.

How can you prevent family vacation conflicts?

It all comes down to communication! If things are going well, you’re probably on the same wavelength. When you’re feeling frustrated during a family visit, it’s time to have a friendly sit-down.

First, decide what you are comfortable doing as a host. What makes you frustrated or upset? Is it having to do all the cooking, cleaning, shopping and paying? Are you comfortable with splitting things in different ways? What do you want your guests to help, or not help, with?

Be very clear with yourself and your spouse. Knowing where you are willing to compromise is just as important as your hard limits.

Solve family visit conflicts

Start neutrally:

“What do you want to do tomorrow?”

Share a few different activities that everyone can enjoy and bring out brochures. Talk about price and ask if this activity is in their budget. You could do this with any part of your trip from tourist attractions to meal planning to paying for gas.

Sit down with your visitors to plot out the events and meals that will happen during the vacation. Ask about which activities fit their budget. Share unique eating experiences in your area at a variety of price points and ask which ones they think will best suit them. Invite them to go grocery shopping with you.

For slightly more complicated situations, you might need to be more to the point. Request politely and kindly that your guest helps you.

You could try:

  • While I cook the main course, could you prep the salad?
  • Please feel free to bring your favorite drinks with you, as we mostly drink water.
  • Would you be able to step in with the kids while I (go for a run, head to the store, do this chore)?

Another route is giving praise for desired actions:

  • Thanks so much for putting on the coffee! I so appreciate having hot coffee when I woke up today!
  • The kids love spending time with you, especially since we live so far apart. I know they’re over the moon to just be with you!
  • You make such good (food item)! We’d love to share this special meal with you! Could we make it together?
  • It’s so nice to have your help (sorting the laundry, emptying the dishwasher, walking the dog)! Thanks!

Often it could just take a nudge or gentle push to move your guests to help you, if that’s what you want.

What happens in a stand-off?

You might find yourself between a rock and a hard place. You’re super uncomfortable in your own home and stretched beyond your limits.

The first conversation should be with your spouse. Decompress and share your frustrations with him or her. Explain what would make this visit better or at least slightly easier. Then create a plan of action to find a solution. You and your spouse should take this on as a team.

If your conflict is with a member of your own family, you should handle it. For in-law issues, your spouse should take the lead. Yes, these conversations will be awkward and uncomfortable, but they need to happen. Not talking about it is a recipe for more anger and resentment in the future.

Start small and use lots of “I feel” statements.

“I feel very tired after working all day and taking care of the kids. It’s overwhelming for me to cook dinner by myself for everyone every night.”

Talk about the good points of the visit, too. Share fun experiences that you’ve done together or how much their visit means to your kids. Then make your big ask. What is it that would make the visit more enjoyable for you as the host?

“I love spending time with you, but doing all the cooking and then all the cleaning makes it hard to do that. Would you be willing to dry if I wash?”

If your concern is financial, be upfront about that, too.

“We love going to all these great places, but we are really watching our bottom line right now. We cannot afford to pay for everyone in our group to go. Can we find another solution?”

Your guests might be genuinely surprised to hear your frustrations!

While it might be really uncomfortable, you could find solutions that work for everyone. Even if things aren’t 100% better, at the very least, you’ve shared your feelings.

If things remain at a stand-off, consider ways to meet on neutral territory. You could pick a location in the middle where you can both stay in hotels or shorten their visits, if possible.

How do you have handled host/guest conflicts? Share your best tips in the comments!