Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

10 Duty Stations to See Fall Foliage

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We welcomed autumn officially a couple weeks ago and I’m already starting to feel like it’s fully arrived because the evenings are cooler and pumpkin-spiced everything is everywhere. I’m also whipping out my closed-toe shoes and layerable shirts. Bring it on autumn!

10 Best Duty Stations to Experience Fall Foliage

Autumn is my favorite season. What do you love about autumn?

I consider myself a Texan, so I didn’t typically witness a change of seasons growing up. I honestly don’t remember the leaves turning till I moved to New York. That’s when I began appreciating the autumn season. It’s the right temperature for a light coat and hours of hiking.

Even after moving out of New York, I’ve realized that Virginia had some beautiful autumn sights to see too. Based on my experiences and with the help of Fodor’s and Travel+Leisure, I’ve wrangled together the 10 best duty locations to witness fall foliage:

10 Best Duty Stations to Experience Fall Foliage

10 Best Duty Stations to Experience Fall Foliage

I’ve been lucky enough to see the autumn leaves myself when my husband was stationed at Fort Drum.

Fort Drum, New York. Despite having some of the harshest winter weather, Fort Drum is near some awesome sights to see the autumn leaves. It’s a couple hours away from the Finger Lakes region to the southwest and the Adirondacks to the east. I’ve been lucky enough to see the autumn leaves myself when my husband was stationed up there.

Fort Carson and Peterson AFB, Colorado. These two military installations are so close to the Pikes Peak area and that’s a beautiful location to see the autumn leaves. If you have a chance for a weekend getaway and feeling adventurous, your family can head to Aspen. That’s one of the best places to experience the fall foliage. Because you’ll be going through some mountain ranges, the drive would be a great experience in itself.

Washington, D.C. My husband and I heard about Shenandoah National Park early on into our tour in the D.C. Metro area. It’s only a couple hours west and it’s truly an amazing site once you get yourself on Skyline Drive no matter the season. Last year, we made an effort to travel there as the autumn leaves were turning. What a beautiful color mixture of orange, brown and green. Don’t forget your Annual Military Pass when you go to any National Park!

Malmstrom AFB, Montana. Glacier National Park is less than a 3-hour drive from this base in Montana and is truly for the courageous because most of the concessions in the area close up shop in September. It’s said that the wildlife and foliage is just too good to pass up if you’re in the area.

Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. I haven’t been to the JBLM area in the fall, but I’ve heard such great things. If the sights were beautiful in the springtime (that’s when I visited the area), I can only image how it looks in this time of the year. The Olympic Peninsula is noted to have amazing views, especially while driving through.

Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. FLW doesn’t have the best reputation as a top pick duty station. It might be because it’s secluded, which actually makes it an ideal location for a family that loves camping and the outdoors. The post is less than 2 hours away from Lake of the Ozarks and that park boasts some of the best fall sites in the Midwest.

Luke AFB, Arizona. Sedona, Ariz., is a popular destination to hike and bike, especially through the red rocks and Luke AFB is only a couple hours away. Luckily, when my husband was stationed at Fort Huachuca, we drove up toward the Sedona area. That was a relatively long drive at about 4.5 hours, but we really wanted to ride the Verde Canyon Railroad to see the autumn leaves. I can’t forget to mention the Ales on Rails event that the Verde Canyon Railroad does this month too. We had a great time drinking craft beer and sightseeing in the Sedona area.

USCG Cape May, New Jersey and Dover AFB, Delaware. Cape May is a quaint town in New Jersey that houses a Coast Guard Sector. There is also a ferry from Dover, Delaware, that takes you directly to Cape May. Although this historic coastal town gets most of its tourist in the summer months, it’s also a great place to see the fall foliage while strolling the streets. If you’re stationed at Joint Base McGuire–Dix–Lakehurst, Cape May is only a couple hours away.

Enter your favorite autumn photos in MilitaryShoppers’ monthly photo contest. One winner is chosen every month.

A Military Spouse’s Guide to the Military Ball

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It’s Navy Ball time. The Marine Corps Birthday Ball is right around the corner.

A Military Spouse's Guide to the Military Ball

Are you nervous about attending a military ball? Here are MilitaryShoppers’ tips on attire, planning and etiquette for military spouses.

A Military Spouse's Guide to the Military Ball

What Should I Wear?

When it comes to dressing for a military ball, you have a lot of options. There is going to be a dress code but after that the choice is up to you. You should keep in mind that you do want to coordinate with your service member as they will be wearing their dress blues.

Before my husband joined the military, I thought my ball gown-wearing days were over. I was excited to be able to go out and shop for one once I heard about going to a military ball. I went shopping with my mom and found a nice black dress at the local mall.

When you go shopping for a dress for the military ball, think about what you might wear to a fancy wedding. Long dresses are better than short ones. A military ball lasts a long time so you need to make sure you are comfortable.

If you don’t have a big budget, shop the sales. You don’t have to spend a lot on a dress if you can find a good deal.

How Do I Plan?

With planning for the ball, you should make sure you have your dress, shoes to match and a purse. You will want something to take with you to carry your cell phone, makeup and ID or wallet.

After your appearance, knowing what to expect can be helpful. You can break down the military ball into different stages. The first part is the cocktail hour. This is when people are arriving and you get to greet other people. You are also able to get drinks. No one has to be seated yet and you can stand around with your spouse and their friends.

After the cocktail period is over you will go through the receiving line before you sit down for dinner. You will also need to get your photos taken. We have usually done this first so we don’t have to worry about them anymore.

When it’s time to sit down for dinner you will notice that you have an assigned seat. You should be sitting with those in your spouse’s company and their dates. There will be spouses, girlfriends and good friends because the service member can invite who they want as their date. At all of the balls we have been to, the food has been a buffet. You stand in line and pick out what you want and then go sit down again.

At some point after you get your food, the program will start. This will included a few speeches, some toasts, a prayer, etc. You will get a schedule and be able to follow along.

After the program, they will open up the dance floor and you will be free to dance, get more food, get more drinks or just socialize until you want to go home.

What etiquette do I need to follow?

Remember that the military is filled with traditions. The military ball is one of them and certain etiquette needs to be followed. Some of what you need to do is common sense but some traditions you might not be used to.

You need to make sure that your dress does not show too much skin and that the dress is modest. In some cases you will not be allowed to wear a strapless dress unless you keep a wrap on at all times. You should get information from your command about what to expect at your particular military ball.

During the formal part of the military ball you need to be respectful and pay attention to what is going on. You don’t want to be talking when you shouldn’t be and you don’t want to be playing with your phone. There will be toasts and you need to be paying attention to those.

When you are going through the receiving line, make sure you follow your service member, smile and be professional. It might feel really intimidating when going through the line but the line is also a good way to meet the commanders and their spouses.

As long as you are respectful, dress appropriately and do what you should be doing at the right time, the military ball will go well for you and you should have a good time.

I personally have always loved the food, spending time with my husband and getting to see a part of the military I don’t normally get to see.

What advice and tips would you add to this list for military spouses attending  a military ball?

10 Commissary Rewards Card Coupons

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Each of us has our own rules for life. My sister never eats dessert after 8 p.m. My husband will only eat a banana before a 5k race. I have a very predictable routine in the morning that hinges on one simple rule: Don’t talk to me until I’ve had my first cup of coffee.

When it comes to coupons and saving money, I also have a few guiding principles. For example, a coupon must be worth my time to redeem it. I don’t get excited about 25 cents off 1 product coupons. But I’m always finding a way to use a $1 off coupon. That’s my $1 coupon rule.

There are items that I need to buy, but I won’t buy without a coupon. Those items include deodorant, razors refills, shampoo and conditioner, nail polish, hair products, face and body wash. I have learned that these items regularly have coupons available for them and I’m a fool if I buy without a coupon. It’s my plan-to-save-when-I-buy rule. (Confession: This was a tough rule to teach my husband.)

My final rule is never-buy-without-scanning rule for the commissary. Remember how I browse the list of available digital coupons offered through the commissary rewards card each Sunday night. That’s only the first step to savings.

Next, I need to remember to follow my rule of always remembering to hand my cashier my commissary rewards card. Without scanning my commissary rewards card, I can’t save money. You can’t save if you don’t scan.

Here are 10 commissary rewards card coupons every military spouse should clip before shopping at the commissary this month.

1.Save $3 on one 13-pound or larger bag of Purina Beneful Dry Dog Food. It can be any variety. Purina Beneful dog food is also on sale this month at the commissary. Use this commissary rewards card coupon to buy the original Purina Beneful, Healthy Weight or Healthy Puppy dog food.

2. Save $1 on any Mars brands candy. Must purchase 2 bags. Halloween is right around the corner. Save money this Halloween by buying M&M, Snickers, 3 Musketeers, Twix or Milky Way Fun Size for the trick or treaters in your neighborhood.

This is my first Halloween living in base housing. Here’s the math problem currently rolling around in my head: There are 60 kids living in my neighborhood. How much candy should I buy to ensure that I don’t run out of candy on October 31?

The answer? A lot.

3. Save $2 on any OPTI-FREE Solution. Contact solution! Eye drops! Both of those items are included in plan-to-save-when-I-buy rule. Whenever there’s a coupon, I stock up on contact solution so I’m paying full price for something that I use daily.

4. Save $0.75 on  MorningStar Farms Chikn Nuggets. Yes, I know this coupon is for less than $1, but I still added it to my commissary rewards card last night. Have you tried MorningStar Farms’ chicken nuggets? They are delicious. My children love them as much as the chicken nuggets at McDonalds. This commissary rewards coupon requires one purchase of a 8-count or larger package.

5. Save $1 on Newmans Own Frozen Pizza. Like MorningStar Farms’s chicken nuggets, Newmans Own Frozen Pizza is convenient cooking that tastes good. Usually convenience and flavor don’t find themselves together, but when they do, I’m the first mother to buy this product for my family.

6. Save $6 on Venus Razor Blade Refills or Gillette Blade Refill Package. It’s his and her savings, thanks to your commissary rewards card. Last month, you saved money when you bought the razor, this month you save on the refill pack. This commissary rewards coupon only applies to 6-count or larger refills and can’t be applied to trial or travel sizes.

7. Save $1 on Tide PODS, Gain Flings, Downy Fresh Protect, Bounce Bursts, Dreft Blissfuls or Gain Fireworks. Laundry detergent is another item that I wait to stock up on until there’s a sale or I have a coupon. The best combination is when I have both for extra savings.

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

8. Save $2 on any 6 Gerber Organic or Gerber Graduates Grabbers Pouches. These baby food pouches are the best invention for parents who need to travel with small children. When we flew from Japan to the United States with our 18-month-old daughter, the Gerber Graduates Grabbers Pouches were a lifesaver. They are easy to open, delicious (according to my toddler) and don’t require a spoon. I love that I don’t need to (and therefore, don’t forget) to pack a spoon and my kid can still feed herself. Now we use them on road trips as our no-more-messes-in-the-car snack.

9. Save $2 on Pampers Easy Ups Training Pants or UnderJams Absorbent Night Wear or Splashers Swim Pants. After diapers, the next step is training pants and just like diapers, they are expensive. Always check your commissary rewards card app before buying Pamper Easy Ups.

10. Save $1 on any 2 packages of Hefty cups. Make clean-up at your next potluck a snap with these convenient cups.

What are your rules for using your commissary rewards card? Share them in the comments section.

Halloween Military Discounts

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The most spooktacular time of the year is coming up! I’m a huge kid at heart and enjoy dressing up for Halloween. Since being married to my husband, I’ve convinced him to share in the fun too. Last year, we dressed up as ninjas and we intend to continue the tradition this year.

If timing is tight and you can’t put together an awesome DIY Halloween costume, there are some great retail stores out there that offer military discounts.

This way you don’t have to feel like you’re breaking the bank because there are some incredibly expensive pre-made costumes out there!

Save Money on Halloween with These Military Discounts

How do you save money when shopping for Halloween?

Check out these 5 stores that offer military discounts to save cash on costumes and party supplies. Don’t forget to bring and use your military ID.

  1. Party City – 10% military discount
  2. Wholesale Halloween Costume – 10% military discount
  3. Shindigz – 20% military discount
  4. Michaels – 10% military discount
  5. Spirit Halloween and Spencer’s Gifts – 10% military discount (Thank you Army Wife 101 for tweeting at them!)

Amusement parks from coast to coast are also celebrating the season by decorating in theme. Check out your local amusement parks to see if they are participating. I’ve rounded up some of my favorites with military discounts here:

Save Money on Halloween with These Military Discounts

How do you celebrate Halloween?

Six Flags Fright Fest – There are more than 10 Six Flags parks across the nation and most (if not all) offer military pricing. Your local MWR or leisure travel services (LTS) office could also have military discount vouchers for your family to use. I’ve been to Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Over Texas, America and Great Adventure. For Fright Fest, they add Halloween touches throughout the park and employees get dressed up to add to the experience.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party – If you’re not looking for a big scare, Disney World would be your ideal location to enjoy a themed event. Your family can utilize Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Military Discount and attend Mickey’s special party on a military discount.

Kings Dominion Halloween Haunt – Kings Dominion is about 80 miles south of Washington, D.C., and I know lots of families in the northern Virginia area who love to go there. They have a fun Halloween Haunt event and also offer a military discount for up to 6 tickets at the door.

Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights – Not for the faint of heart, Universal Studios hosts a freaky Halloween party in both California and Florida. They encourage families to get tickets at your local MWR or ticket office on base.

Legoland Brick-O-Treat – Legoland offers a 10% military discount at the ticket booth for families. Your local installation ticket office might have a better discount and if you’re a resident of California because of military service, you can qualify for a great discount deal.

Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream – Williamsburg and Tampa locations are throwing their annual Howl-O-Scream party and they have an amazing deal for military families. A part of their Waves of Honor Program, they offer one complimentary admission for active duty families (up to 3 dependents).

This time of year also yields lots of great coupons from candy companies, so don’t be afraid to collect what you can and use them at the commissary. Your base commissary is ready to stock your trick-or-treat bowl!

How do you save money when shopping for Halloween?

Should Women Be Included in the Draft?

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Women are invading a man’s military, or at least that’s the perception you’ll get if you read some online comments on news articles and Facebook posts regarding DOD’s decision to allow women to serve in all combat roles.

The decision has been made: Women will be able to be Army Rangers or Navy SEALS if they can pass the same standards as their male counterparts.

Should Women Be Required to Register for the Military Draft?

Women have never been drafted in the U.S. military because they couldn’t serve in combat. Will that change in the future?

But like all great decisions in our military’s history (think President Harry Truman’s order of racial integration in the 1940s or the more recent elimination of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy regarding homosexuality), the policy decision is only the first step. The fallout of these policies and how they will be applied are equally as historic, yet they lack headline appeal.

Let’s examine the current issue—women in the military.

Since women will soon be able to serve in all aspects of the military, is it time for women to be required to register for the draft? Is the act of requiring 18-year-old women to register with Selective Service the final step in gender integration of the U.S. military?

One New Jersey teen thinks so. A class-action lawsuit filed by a 17-year-old through her mother asserts that the Military Selective Service Act violates the civil rights of women aged 18 to 25 by making them ineligible to sign up for the draft registry.

“With both males and females available for such roles today, the two sexes are now similarly situated for draft registration purposes and there is no legitimate reason for the government to discriminate against the female class, so equal protection applies,” says the complaint, cited by Courthouse News. “Further, with both males and females available for such combat roles, there is no reasonable basis for infringing the associational interests of the female class by preventing them from registering.”

In this class-action lawsuit, the young woman reports that she tried to register for the draft on the Selective Service website, only to be rejected when she checked the “female” option. Under current law, only males are required to register for the draft.

Here’s my favorite line in the lawsuit:

If the two sexes can fight and die together, they can register together; if not, then no one should have to register.

This lawsuit isn’t the first of its kind.

In 1981, the Supreme Court reversed a U.S. District Court’s decision that the Military Selective Service Act’s gender-based discrimination violated the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment (Rostker v. Goldberg, 453 U.S. 57).

Since that decision the idea to include women in the draft has been discussed several times, but Congress hasn’t amended the Selective Service law to include women.

The reason? Because women weren’t allow to serve in combat they shouldn’t be required to register for the draft.

But that argument has been flipped on its head since former Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta’s announcement that DOD would end the direct ground combat exclusion rule for female service members.

Should Women Be Required to Register for the Military Draft?

Is the act of requiring 18-year-old women to register with Selective Service the final step in gender integration of the U.S. military?

We know that while the United States has the ability to draft for military service, we don’t use the draft unless we have to and future presidents will be very reluctant to initiate a draft with or without women registered in it. We are proud of our all-volunteer force. But in a worst-case scenario shouldn’t we consider having women registered for the draft?

I believe this requirement will be the last step in gender integration for the U.S. military. Once women are required to register with the draft, women will finally be viewed as equals both on and off the battlefield.

Do you think women should be required to register for the draft, like men?

Does the Commissary Raise Prices on Payday?

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It’s a common misconception that the commissary raises prices on payday. For those that shop at the commissary regularly and purchase specific items on a continuous basis, we’ve all come to know the item’s price. When the price jumps up one day, the rumors start among military spouses.

Did the commissary raise the price because it’s payday?

Let’s put that rumor to rest. No, they do not raise prices on payday.

The commissary changes its prices twice a month, which happens to fall on the 1st and 16th of each month. It doesn’t mean they raise their prices on those days. That’s the cycle of sales. Those price changes last for 30 to 45 days, so while it may appear that the price went up, it really could be that you have enjoyed the sale price all month and that sale has now come to an end.

Many grocery stores out in town change their prices weekly or more often. This 30- to 45-day window is simply a longer business model.

At the same time prices are going up, they are also going down; it is usually a 50/50 mix.

Don’t forget that DeCA is required by law to sell all items at cost plus surcharge. They do not make a profit.

The commissary truly can be “worth the drive” as they say. By selling products at cost DeCA is passing on a huge savings to military families. Shopping at the commissary regularly can save you 30% overall on your grocery bill. Some people question this savings saying that they can find a particular item for less at a civilian grocery store. There are many reasons for this.

Their store model is most likely different so their prices might change more often than the commissary. Commercial stores can also buy into deals that manufacturers offer them in order to pass that savings on to consumers. Those types of deals are not necessarily available to the commissary.

These stores may also offer items at a loss to entice patrons into their store in hopes that they will spend more on higher profit earning items. Since the commissary can only sell goods at cost and does not make a profit, they do not engage in this sort of marketing.

There are many wonderful reasons to shop at the commissary and saving money is at the top of the list for many people. DeCA knows this, and that’s why they work so hard to bring the products we all love to commissaries around the world. Now that you know they do not raise their process on payday, shop easy the next time you’re at the commissary knowing you’re getting great products at good prices.

If you want to save even more, pick up a commissary rewards card at the checkout next time you shop. You can also find out when sales start by signing up for the MilitaryShoppers newsletter and by visiting MilitaryShoppers anytime.

What questions do you have about shopping at the commissary? Share them with us in the comments section.

6 Things Civilians Should Know About MilFams

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The military community encompasses a very small percent of the entire United States population. That includes everyone that has ever served and their family members too. As a result, the civilian population might not be as privy to military culture and they may have some misconceptions about military families.

If you happen to be a civilian strolling around this part of the Internet, welcome! I’m glad you came and hope you have a chance to learn a little more about the military community because there are a few misconceptions that I hope to straighten out. I’m hoping I can stomp out any of your misconceptions and shed some light to what the military community really is like.

Here are 6 things that the general population needs to know about military families.

We get along with practically everyone.

I’ve heard around that military members tend to discriminate, but I think it’s a pretty big misconception. The military puts together all kinds of people from all different kinds of backgrounds to be brothers and sisters in arms. Despite the conflicts and challenges that our service members endure, they are very loyal to each other and their community. I believe this loyalty extends to everyone in their communities, military or not.

We aren’t nuts.

Military families tend to be patriotic because of the pride we have for our service members. I consider my husband my hero and I’m sure I speak for thousands of other military spouses when I say that. But, sometimes, our patriotic nature might be taken out of proportion and become another misconception. Just because I’m so proud of all the sacrifices that all our military members endure doesn’t mean I’m pro-war, if you know what I mean!

We don’t always live on base or post.

It is safe to say that a lot of us live inside an installation or in on-base/post housing, due to convenience and sometimes cost of living, but it isn’t for everyone. The misconception is that ALL military families keep to themselves and live away from the civilian population. On the contrary, there are a lot of military families living in civilian neighborhoods with lots of spouses working in civilian communities too.

We value our community on and off base or post.

Another misconception is that we tend to be loyal just to the military installation or military community. It happens that we relate to other military families because of the circumstances that we face, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t appreciate the community around us. I live off-post with my husband and have embraced the town we live in and take part by shopping locally and engaging in the community.

We are SO thankful for everything.

The misconception of military families being rich, needy or demanding is something I see from some mainstream media outlets. There are stories out there that we benefit a great deal financially from the military and other discounts…uh, I don’t even know where to begin with that. First thing, that misconception is the one I hope civilians understand as wrong. Facts and figures have been misconstrued and calculated in unusual ways to make it seem like we are gaining a lot monetarily. We’re not.

I wish I could do more for every business, organization and whoever else that has extended a helping hand to my family. I hope that they know their charity is being appreciated very much!

We are like any other family.

In this last misconception, big or small, military families are exactly the same as civilian families by being completely unique and different from one another, but still in the same boat.

I am truly convinced if you lined all of us up in a room (sans service member because, let’s face it, the haircut might give it away), a layperson would not be able to pick out the military family from the civilian family. With that being said, we all come from the same planet, so please don’t be afraid of us. Military families really want to fit in!

Which misconceptions have you heard about military families? Have you heard  anything that was absolutely false?

Commissary Food Bank Donations Top 4 Million

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Yes, you read that correctly; commissary food bank donations have reached 4 million pounds. This is an amazing, and almost unfathomable number, but did you even know that the commissary made donations to food banks?

The program actually started back in 1985, but the hassle of registering with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services kept many food banks from registering. Eventually, the program fizzled out.

It wasn’t until the government shut down of 2013 that the program came back to life.

With doors closed, food was simply wasting away on the shelves. DoD quickly gave the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) approval to donate those goods before they could lose too much shelf life. Unsellable, but edible items were quickly donated to local food banks.

Once those food banks saw how much they could benefit from commissary donations and with a little push, many started filling out the paperwork to register for ongoing designations. That year alone, the commissary was able to donate just over 636,000 pounds of goods to 72 food banks. That sounds amazing.

What’s more so, is that the program has grown so much that 1.8 million pounds of unsellable goods have been donated already this year, combined from 172 stores. 107 food banks have been able to accept donations this year.

At this rate, the commissary expects donations to easily top 2 million pounds by the end of the year.

This giant number is great, but at the same time it sounds like there is an enormous amount of excess being created by the commissary. There are 241 stores, so this actually makes up less than 1% of commissary goods. Now that doesn’t sound quite as wasteful.

The items that the commissary donates are all unsellable yet edible goods. That means that the package might have been damaged or that it somehow otherwise does not meet the visual requirement by the commissary to be sold on their shelves.

Luckily, something good came from the 2013 government shut down and people all over the country are now benefiting from the revival of this program. The press release from the Defense Commissary Agency comes at a great time. September has been designated as Hunger Action Month, when food banks across America urge people to stand up and fight hunger in their town. While it’s amazing that agencies such as the commissary are able to make huge impacts in the communities, you can make a difference too.

Food banks are always looking for donations. 1 in 6 Americans suffer with food insecurity, meaning they often go hungry or worry about having enough to eat. If 1 in 6 doesn’t catch your eye, that’s roughly 50 million Americans wondering if they’ll be able to put dinner on the table.

You can make a difference this month, and always, by donating the food in your pantry that isn’t going to get eaten. We all have a jar of this and a can of that that we question why we ever bought it in the first place. No one in the house is going to eat it, but there is someone out there that would be grateful to have it.

Make some time to clean out your kitchen of unwanted, unused items and take them down to your local food pantry. If you don’t have any food to give, you can still help by volunteering your time.

Hopefully the commissary, and this article, have helped to open your eyes to the growing need for donations in food pantries across the country and you will take action to help alleviate hunger in your town.

Want to know about the commissary food bank donations? Click here.

Are Military Discounts for Service Members or Spouses?

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I always get excited to be able to use a military discount. Most places that do them offer about 10% off but there are a few that offer more. Sometimes bigger places like amusement parks will have free days or 50% off of tickets for those in the military.

Sometimes all you need is a military ID, it doesn’t matter if you are a military spouse or not. Other times the military discount is only for the service member.

Are Military Discounts for Service Members, Military Spouses or Both?

We should thank businesses for having a military discount instead of getting upset at them for not offering the military discount to the military spouse too.

Most of the time I only ask for a military discount if I have heard that there is one at the location that I am in. Every once in a while I might just ask on a whim. Sometimes I feel a little odd about asking even though I know there is really no harm in asking for a military discount. Some people think asking is being greedy but I see it as a way to save money.

When I turn 55 I will start asking about a senior discount and I don’t see anything wrong with that either.

You would never demand a discount but asking for one politely shouldn’t be an issue.

The service member is benefiting from the money that is saved, whether they are using the discount themselves or not. And isn’t that the point of the discount? To give back to those who serve?

By giving the discount to the spouse too, the business is helping the service member save their money. Offering a military discount is a way to support military families and can make a spouse choose one restaurant over another because they offer the discount.

When I hear that a business only gives a discount to the person who has signed up to join the military, I don’t get mad at that policy, but in some cases it can be frustrating.

For example, if a company is giving out the discount and your spouse is deployed. There is no way for them to use the discount.

In those cases a military discount would be great if the spouse got the discount since the service member could not, especially if the reason is that they are deployed or away for any type of military training. A discount is a great way for a business to say thank you for your service and what better way to do that then to help save them money during a deployment.

I also can understand that offering a military discount can be hard to do if you have a business and having the military discount be only for the service member could be the only way they can even offer the discount in the first place. Since not every business offers them, complaining to the business about the details of their discount would be rude.

We should be thanking them for having one in the first place instead of getting upset at them for not giving the military discount to the spouse too.

I think asking for a discount is perfectly OK for a military spouse to do. Claiming a discount is a way to save a little money and we all know that military paychecks could be higher. The company might say no or they might have limitations on the discount so that it can not be used by the spouse.

Either way asking does not hurt and once you find out about a discount you will know to use it every time you go to that location.

Do you feel uncomfortable asking for a military discount? Why or why not?

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?