Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

Customers can evaluate their benefit through annual Commissary Customer Service Survey starting Aug. 23

By

Defense Commissary Agency

Corporate Communications

1300 E Avenue, Fort Lee, VA 23801-1800

Tel:  (804) 734-8000, Ext. 8-6105  DSN: 687-8000, Ext. 8-6105 

FAX: (804) 734-8248  DSN: 687-8248

www.commissaries.com

Release Number:        61-21                                                                                                                        

Date:                              August 17, 2021

Media Contact:           Kevin L. Robinson, public affairs specialist

Tel.:                               (804) 734-8000, Ext. 4-8773

E-mail:                         kevin.robinson@deca.mil

‘How are we doing?’

Customers can evaluate their benefit through

 annual Commissary Customer Service Survey starting Aug. 23

By DeCA Corporate Communications

Military customers worldwide will have the opportunity to evaluate their stores through the annual Commissary Customer Service Survey (CCSS) starting Aug 23. To read the story on the DeCA website,click here. To see it on DVIDS, click here.

FORT LEE, Va. – Military customers worldwide will have the opportunity to evaluate their stores through the annual Commissary Customer Service Survey (CCSS) starting Aug. 23.

The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) survey will be available for 10 consecutive shopping days ending on or before Sept. 8, depending on the commissary’s operating schedule. Customers will be able to take the survey at the commissary entrance area before they shop.

“This CCSS allows us to benchmark commissary performance during a fixed period of time,” said James Taylor, chief of DeCA’s store operations division. “We’re committed to delivering a premier customer experience in every store, and this survey platform continues to be a powerful tool to help us do that.”

            Customers will be asked at random to participate in the survey which evaluates areas such as customer service, pricing, savings, product availability and selection, cleanliness, store layout, and produce, meat, grocery deli and bakery quality.

            After agreeing to participate, customers will be presented with three options:

  • Scan a QR code and take the survey on their own mobile device
  • Have the store employee ask the questions and enter responses in the store’s iPad
  • Or personally complete the survey on the store’s iPad

Commissary associates will use disinfectant wipes to sanitize the iPad between uses, and provide gloves to each customer electing to use the store device. The precautions are part of the safety measures used during the 2020 CCSS cycle to help prevent COVID-19 exposure.

“Care will be given to continuing social distancing measures,” Taylor said. “We are working with our associates at each location to ensure the proper safety protocols are in place.”  

Last year, more than 20,000 shoppers rated the commissaries an overall 4.46. The score is based on a 5-point scale, ranging from 1, “Poor,” to 5, “Excellent.” Customers gave commissaries high marks for helpful and courteous employees, store cleanliness and layout, and convenient hours.

In addition to the annual CCSS, DeCA also employs ForeSee, a robust survey platform that gives commissaries a real-time snapshot of patron feedback throughout the year, accessible at the link provided on the bottom of every purchase receipt. 

“These surveys give our customers opportunities to determine how effective we are in delivering their commissary benefit,” said Brian Myrick, management and program analyst. “We use the data from their responses to help improve their shopping experience. In effect you can say they’re helping themselves by participating.” 

-DeCA-

Honor Flights Return

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August is the month when the long-awaited Honor Flights are returning! The Honor Flight Network has been on hold for the last 16-months and will resume flights on August 16th transporting veterans to the Washington DC area.

Honor Flights are flights provided to veterans located around the United States to fly to Washington D.C. to tour the war memorials. The program was placed on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic last year. The 125 chapters of the Honor Flight Network held a virtual meeting in June to review the current guidelines and updates and made the call to restart flights in August.

As part of the new protocols, all veterans, their guardians, and volunteers must be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours before the flight departs in addition to completing a symptom survey to ensure they had not experienced any COVID-19 symptoms prior to travel. These guidelines are in place as many of the veterans traveling are often terminally ill and nursing home residents and wanted to ensure their health and safety as part of the program.

Honor Flight Network has resumed accepting applications for the Lone Eagle Honor Flight program and TLC (Their Last Chance) flights.  The Lone Eagle Honor Flight program is for veterans who live outside a 120-mile radius from an existing regional Honor Flight Hub, and allows for veterans and their guardians to be flown via a Lone Eagle Honor Flight. There are regional hubs in 44 states, with no regional hubs in Arkansas, Montana, Idaho, Mississippi, and Hawaii. The TLC flights are reserved for a veteran whose terminal condition that per their personal physician has given them 12 months or less to live. The veteran does not pay for anything, except perhaps souvenirs if they desire, as all costs are covered by the generosity of donations.

Applications are being accepted now with top priority given to World War II and terminally ill veterans. If a veteran was scheduled for a flight in 2020, those flights are being rescheduled and the veteran or their guardian would be contacted directly.

The Honor Flight Network provides an amazing service and we are so glad they are able to safely return to operation.

Update on the Military Minimum Wage Debate

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The House Appropriations Committee is looking into minimum wage salaries for all service members. As part of the proposed FY 2022 Defense Budget Bill, Representative Mike Garcia introduced language that would ensure all service members have a base pay of about $15 an hour. This would be for a 40-hour day estimation. We know as military family members that the work week is often much more than 40 hours, and much longer when they are deployed on a ship or overseas.

Base pay for military members is just that, base pay. The base pay does not consider Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) or Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) which is provided as a means to offset the service members’ meals and housing respectively. When these figures are included, plus special and incentive pays like flying duty, parachuting duty, or diving duty, the total pay for service members is higher. However, according to Representative Garcia, past studies from the Government Accountability Office indicate that over 20,000 military families qualify for food stamp assistance. Given this large number of families needing assistance, Representative Garcia stated “If the government is paying for these service members to be on food stamps, we may as well be paying them through the base pay or sustenance allowance on the front end.”

The debate among the committee included concern that the verbiage of the increased hourly rate of $15 would have to include contractor employees as well as active duty military. The House Armed Services Committee members have pledged to hold discussions on the pay matter in the future. There is no current timeline for discussions.

This discussion will be monitored and updated. Sign up for updates from the House Armed Services Committee here.

Click2Go at Commissary is Free (Again)

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The pandemic year brought lots of changes – chief among them how many people shop. The pick-up service has become a favorite of tired parents, those wanting to maintain social distance, and those who just want to shop from their comfort of their home and pick it up later. The commissary has answered the call for pick-up services with “Click2Go” order and curbside pick-up service. And now it is free!

A free service for busy service members and their families to pick up groceries while saving money – sounds like a win to me. Lisa, a USMC Spouse in North Carolina who has been shopping at the commissary for over a decade, shopped using Click2Go out of convenience this month and now prefers to shop this way. “I have honestly never seen produce and meat this fresh and beautiful. All the meat I ordered was packaged and time stamped 1-2 hours before I picked up my order. I’m really impressed!”

The Click2go service was first launched in 2013 as a pilot program at three bases. When the program was rolled out to more stores in 2019 there was a $4.95 service fee added. This fee is similar to other popular grocery services. While the initial plan for the implementation of the Click2go program was to stay regional, it is now being launched across the United States (and some overseas locations!)  by the end of August 2021!

Check out the schedule for currently serving and coming soon locations here. Waiting for your local commissary to get the program? Follow DECA on Facebook for updates on the launch.

How to order?

  • First register for an account at shop.commissaries.com – you will need your DOD ID number for this
  • Click on Commissary Click2Go shopping link to log into your current account
  • Navigate the website for the groceries you want to purchase – you can shop using the savings flyers, or just navigate to what you are looking to purchase
  • “Check out” and pay online via debit or credit card

What do I need to know?

  • Orders must be submitted 6 hours in advance of the pick-up time
  • You can cancel your order within 4.5 hours of pickup time
  • There is NO minimum order amount
  • Substitutions are allowed, but if they do occur the final price will be adjusted for the price of the substitution
  • Curbside commissary workers will not accept tips
  • You can use digital coupons

Flu season aside, curbside is just helpful if you have a napping child, are sick yourself and just need the basics, or just plain want a break from shopping or getting out of the car.

The East coast has had Click2Go services for several months now, and the program is moving west and around the world in August! Will you be checking out this service?

Check out these freebies and discounts for Back to School

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We can all agree that the 2020-2021 school year was just plain strange and different. While 2021-2022 may be different as well, we can all prepare for school in its many forms. Military families can prepare for school within budget thanks to some freebies available specifically for school.

Operation Homefront partners with Dollar Tree to collect school supplies for military children. There are various back-to-school events throughout the country providing free school supplies to military children. Registration is open for events happening now through September for any DEERS enrolled military dependent from Kindergarten through 12th grade. There are eligibility requirements of being an E1-E6 active duty family member or Post 9/11 wounded, ill, or injured service member of any rank either currently or no longer serving the military. Check the requirements for events in your area.

Assistance Leagues have chapters across the United States and often hold programs like Operation School Bell providing free school supplies and clothing to their community. Some Assistance Leagues specifically hold these programs on base. Check with your local unit or local base social media page to watch for an announcement of such a program. They usually occur the month before school begins.

If there is a USO branch near you, check to see if there is a school supply giveaway.

Check your base social media page for giveaways that may be hosted by local churches for free school supplies or backpack giveaways. These giveaways are often not limited by where the child goes to school and may even be extended to military families who homeschool.

Free for all: The Ibotta app has offered some free supplies this school year through their application. Go onto their website to create an account and log in to select the free items. The items offered on the app until they reach threshold (which is not shared): one Five Star Notebook, Nature’s Own Bread, Skippy Peanut Butter, Smucker’s Squeeze Fruit Spread, Ticonderoga #2 Pencils, Crayola Crayons, and Pink Pearl Paper Mater Eraser.

Tax-Free days are offered in many states in August for purchases of clothing, school supplies, and computers, and vary by state. Saving on taxes can add up when you are making big school purchases.

Clothing companies offer a military discount in their stores all year long – Kohls (on Military Monday), Old Navy (in stores only), L.L. Bean (online and in-store), and North Face (online with SheerID and in-store). Get your kicks with these shoe companies offering discounts – Asics, Reebok, and Zappos. Check out more yearlong discount list here.

If a computer is on your list for school supplies this year, Dell and Apple offer discounts. Don’t forget the military exchange as a place to purchase a computer tax-free!

Back to school time is a time of gathering more supplies and information for the upcoming school year. With many military families who have moved dealing with the cost of moving or the indecision of what school to go to, the cost of school supplies can be lowered with these giveaways and discounts. May this school year be enjoyable for all!

New Duty Station To-Do List: What to do after the move

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There are many to-do lists involved in a PCS. While usually last on the list, preparing for what you need to do when you have executed the move is important. There are many things to do, that don’t even involve the shipment of your household goods or unpacking. Since you have enough going on this PCS season with potentially having to pack your own household goods due to driver and labor force shortages, here is a list of things to do once you get to your duty station.

  1. Set up utilities. If you are renting off installation, you will need to set up utilities. This includes water/sewer, trash/recycling, gas, electricity, and internet/television. Make sure everything is set up in your name. If you are an active-duty military member, consider setting utilities up in the family member’s name who will be home and not deploying. Many companies will not speak to those who are the primary responsible party, which is difficult to do if the military member is deployed.
  2. Change of address – this is a multi-faceted to-do item. Change of address with the post office, change of address with credit cards, banks, financial companies, driver’s license, and shopping addresses. Many states will allow you to change your address online for the driver’s license even when you no longer reside in the states as long that is your home of record due to your active duty military and military spouse status. If you have subscriptions from Amazon, you need to change your shipping address so that you receive the item and not the person residing in your old home.
  3. Mail forwarding. The United States Post Office will forward mail for up to one year, make sure to forward mail in addition to the change of address.
  4. Update your voter registration. If your registration is not linked to your license, make sure your address is changed for voter registration so that you receive your absentee ballot appropriately.
  5. Transfer to the appropriate Tricare region. This can be done online but may require a phone call if the system is having technical issues. In some regions, family members are required to go to civilian providers even on Tricare Prime so make sure to look up providers so you can do research to assign providers. If you have moved overseas, there is a Tricare representative that can help you transfer locations. If you have moved CONUS, everything is done via telephone or website now.
  6. Check your military ID to make sure it is not expiring soon. If it is, set up a DEERS appointment with Pass and ID to renew it. Expired cards do not have to be updated until October 31, 2021, per the current updates.
  7. Register the kids for school. Unless you were able to before you had an address, not it’s time to get your kids set up for school. Gather the important documents of birth certificates, proof of residency, immunization records, and emergency contact forms to prepare for the registration. Check out this if you need help on what to do for emergency contacts.
  8. Find a new vet. If you have a pet, make sure you set up the veterinary record transfer or hand carry those records to the new vet.
  9. Register your pet. With each move, check for the area or installation rules for registering your pet. Some locations may require microchipping as well.
  10. Meet the neighbors. It is easy to feel disconnected after a move, especially right now. Consider writing a note to introduce yourself to the neighbors to feel out their level of comfort for face-to-face hellos. Knowing who your neighbors are can create a feeling of community, which helps with moving forward.
  11. Find dentists and eye doctors for everyone. It isn’t an easy one, but finding new dentists or orthodontists for everyone and optometrists for eye exams are important. Ask in local groups for recommendations and Google like crazy for recommendations.
  12. Work on a budget. While not a traditional to-do list item, moving is expensive. Getting into the groove of a new budget is helpful in setting up financially healthy habits.
  13. Recycle boxes and packing paper. Traditional recycling or offering up the packing materials on OfferUp, Craigslist, or local Facebook groups helps get the boxes out of your house while helping another family move or recycle.
  14. Share with friends you have moved. Once you have moved, it might be time to let everyone know that you have moved. Announce with fun postcards or just the general “we’ve moved!” on social media.

So mark this off your to-do list – you don’t need to make a to list for after the move, it is all here for you!

Easy Summer Peach Pie

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August is here, peaches are in season and just ripe enough for picking! Local orchards are great for peach picking and rounding out your summer adventures. Often times they have children’s activities, food trucks, farm animals and pick your own fruit. If you don’t have children in tow, you may want to explore whether or not your local orchard has a brewery on site or offers local cider. If picking your own fruit isn’t for you, you can always pick up some fresh fruit from your nearest commissary! Either way, it’s a wonderful time for fresh fruit and especially peach pie! Try this for an afternoon snack or a special dessert.

Photo Credit: © Brent Hofacker /Adobe Stock

Ingredients:

  • 8 Ripe Peaches
  • 1 Deep Dish Pie Crust
  • 1 Pie Crust Top
  • 1/2 cup White Sugar
  • 1/4 cup Dark Brown Sugar
  • 2 Tbsp Orange Juice
  • 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup Flour
  • 3 Tbsp Butter cut into Pats
  • 1 Egg Whisked with 1 tsp of Water

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine dry ingredients and mix well. Mix peaches and orange juice, then add dry ingredients to peach mixture and toss to coat. Place the peach mixture into your deep dish pie crust. Put butter on top of peaches and cover with the top pie crust. Pinch crusts together, brush egg wash on top, cut slits in top for venting and cover edges with foil to avoid darkening. Bake for approximately 45 minutes and let cool for one hour. Enjoy!

‘The very best deals!’ Commissaries, industry suppliers partner to create more opportunities to save for the military community

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NEWS RELEASE

Defense Commissary Agency

Corporate Communications

1300 E Avenue, Fort Lee, VA 23801-1800

Tel:  (804) 734-8000, Ext. 8-6105  DSN: 687-8000, Ext. 8-6105 

FAX: (804) 734-8248  DSN: 687-8248

www.commissaries.com

Release Number:        55-21                                                                                                                        

Date:                              July 22, 2021

Media Contact:           Kevin L. Robinson, public affairs specialist

Tel.:                               (804) 734-8000, Ext. 4-8773

E-mail:                         kevin.robinson@deca.mil

‘The very best deals!’

Commissaries, industry suppliers partner to create more opportunities to save for the military community

By DeCA’s Marketing Directorate

Facebook-friendly version: “Come Home to Savings, Shop Your Local Commissary” is a joint DeCA and industry sales promotion coming to commissaries worldwide starting in August that will offer more opportunities to save for service members and their families.

To learn more,click here.

FORT LEE, Va. – More opportunities to save are on the horizon for commissary customers thanks to a new initiative created by the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) and its industry suppliers.

Known as “Come Home to Savings, Shop Your Local Commissary,” this joint DeCA and industry promotion will be coming to commissaries worldwide starting in August, said DeCA Director and CEO Bill Moore.

            “We are partnering with our network of manufacturers, suppliers and distributors to offer our service members and their families even more savings,” he said. “We’re not only offering everyday savings and weekend and seasonal events, but we’re also putting special emphasis on health and wellness.” 

There are several ways customers can “Come Home to Savings.” In-store promotions, the Commissary CLICK2GO curbside service, and DeCA’s website, www.commissaries.com, especially with digital coupons, will all lead to these special savings.

 The following are some ways customers will access “Come Home to Savings” opportunities:

  • Commissary Rewards Cards. Customers without rewards cards can ask any employee at their commissary for one and register it on the MyCommissary portal to set up a customer account. Once registered, they can download digital coupons instantly and enter to win special events and giveaways.
  • In-Store Coupons. Customers may find a multitude of in-store high-value coupons located on the shelves, as well as when they walk in the door and find military-affiliated free magazines that include commissary/military-only coupons.
  • Commissary Store Brands. Commissaries have their own private label brands offering quality comparable to national brands with even deeper savings. Look for DeCA’s own store brands, Freedom’s Choice and HomeBase, as well as other private label brands such as Full Circle organics, Tippy Toes baby products, Wide Awake ready-to-drink coffee products, Crav’n comfort food products, Pure Harmony pet food; TopCare health and beauty and Flock’s Finest wild bird food.
  • Your Health and Wellness Programs. The Dietitian-Approved Thumb (DAT) makes it easier for shoppers to find high-performance, nutrient-dense foods; look for the DAT label on shelves. Dietitian-approved Fueling Stations offer nutritious on-the-go meals and snacks. Posters in the center store highlight affordable and nutritious dietitian-approved quick and easy-to-make meals. There is a “dietitian alongside you” at your commissary. 
  • YES! Program. The Your Everyday Savings (YES!) Program offers everyday great savings on many of the items that customers buy frequently. The items are marked by bright orange and blue YES! labels.
  • Deal of the Week. On select Thursdays in commissaries located in the U.S., customers will find seasonal products with slashed sales prices. These deals last three to four days while quantities last. Look for Deal of the Week signage and the Sales Flyer for super discount pricing.
  • Saving the Best for Last!  Throughout the entire month of August commissary customers worldwide will have the opportunity to win a $500 shopping spree. The winners will be awarded their prizes in Commissary Gift Cards. On Aug. 14, stateside commissaries will host a Come Home to Savings Excitement Day,” offering product sampling and instant giveaways such as Commissary Gift Cards and high-value coupons while supplies last.

‘“Come home to the savings you deserve’ is the message we’re communicating to our customers,” Moore said. “We are here to help them find the very best deals in grocery shopping every day on the installation – that’s what this campaign is all about.”

-DeCA-

SHOPPING TIMESAVERS: Want to maximize your time walking down the aisles on your next visit to the commissary? Try these tips

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By Kathy Milley, DeCA Corporate Communications

July 13, 2021

FORT LEE, Va. – The average grocery store shopper spends 41 minutes per shopping trip, not including travel time, and makes 1.5 trips per week according to the Time Use Institute. That equates to 53 hours per year spent grocery shopping.

The Defense Commissary Agency offers ideas to help shorten your shopping trip, allowing you to divert some of this time back to family and leisure activities.

“When your schedule is tight, our tips can help you shave precious time from your commissary shopping trip, where you can save about 25 cents on the dollar,” said Marine Sgt. Maj. Michael R. Saucedo, DeCA’s senior enlisted advisor to the agency director. “But when your schedule permits, take some time exploring your commissary and talking to department managers. There are always new products to discover, great promotions throughout the store and department managers willing to share helpful shopping tips.”

Tips to shave time from your shopping trip:

1.  Use Commissary CLICK2GO

         The best way to save valuable shopping time is to use Commissary CLICK2GO, the online shopping and curbside pickup service, available at select locations. Shop from the comfort of your own home and schedule a pickup time. The commissary staff will do all your shopping and have it ready to load in your car when you drive up to the pickup location. And it just got better.  The Commissary Click2Go service fees have been waived for a limited time. Currently Commissary CLICK2GO is available at 52 locations with more locations coming online each month. Keep checking for the new locations coming online on commissaries.com.

2.  Create a master plan

         Planning is the most effective way to cut time from your in store shopping trip and to minimize the number of visits per week. Choose what meals you plan to make during the week and jot down needed ingredients. Commissaries.com offers many recipes that will help with your weekly meal plan. Then check your pantry, refrigerator and cabinets, crossing out the items you already have on hand. Sort the remaining items on a shopping list by category. When you get to the store, you’ll know exactly what to buy and where everything is located. Use this helpful Weekly Meal Plan Worksheet to make it even easier. Save your meal plans and corresponding shopping lists to use again saving even more time on future shops.

         As you are shopping, you might see an item that sparks an idea for an additional dinner that may need several ingredients. Once the inspiration hits, place the item in the child’s seat of the cart as a reminder that you need to pick up the other ingredients or, if you have a pen, jot them down on your list under the appropriate department.

3.  Look up Sales and Recipes Ahead of Time

           Before going to the commissary, look at the sales flyer on commissaries.com to find savings on the items on your list. If a specific brand is on sale, make sure to jot that down beside the item on your shopping list. It will save you time in the store if you know exactly what brand is on sale.

4.  Organize Coupons Before you Get There

         Visit the Savings Center on commissaries.com before your commissary trip, to find resources with lots of printable coupons. Download digital coupons right to your Commissary Rewards Card. Print coupons for the items on your list and organize by category. You may also find industry coupons in the store displayed near the items you purchase.

5.  Avoid Shopping at Peak Hours

         Choosing off-peak hours is a great way to avoid crowds and long lines at the commissary.  If unsure of the peak hours for your store, ask your store director.

6.  Don’t Shop Hungry

         This is a fundamental rule to help you save money when grocery shopping, but it is just as effective when trying to save time. Hunger can be a distraction when you are trying to get in and out of the store as quickly as possible.

7.  Have a Backup Plan for Essential Items

         Know your essential items or brands when you do your shopping and have a backup plan in your mind. On the off chance that a product is not available, having a backup prepared will not derail your quick shopping trip.

8.  Talk to your commissary department managers

         During a shopping trip when time is not a factor, talk to the commissary department managers. They have a wealth of information that can help you decide the best times to plan a quick shopping trip. Ask them about their delivery days, when certain products will be at their freshest or anticipated mark-down times.

9.  Use science to choose your checkout line

         Choosing a line with one person with a loaded cart may actually be faster than a line with several people with fewer items. Little’s Law, the science behind selecting a queue, takes into account the idle time and interaction between each customer and adds that time to the length of each interaction. With all those “between customer” time additions, it may be quicker to choose the line with the fuller cart.

“We have lots of things competing for our time, so any free time we have has never been more valuable,” said Saucedo. “Use Commissary CLICK2GO, these simple tips and the downloadable Weekly Meal Plan Worksheet, to make your next grocery shopping experience the most time-efficient one yet.”

-DeCA-

NOTE: Graphic by Kathy Milley, DeCA Corporate Communications

About DeCA: The Defense Commissary Agency operates a worldwide chain of commissaries providing groceries to military personnel, retirees and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment. Commissaries provide a military benefit, saving authorized patrons thousands of dollars annually on their purchases compared to similar products at commercial retailers. The discounted prices include a 5-percent surcharge, which covers the costs of building new commissaries and modernizing existing ones. A core military family support element, and a valued part of military pay and benefits, commissaries contribute to family readiness, enhance the quality of life for America’s military and their families, and help recruit and retain the best and brightest men and women to serve their country.

Tips for Getting Emergency Contacts at Your Child’s New School

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“Hi, are you new here?” the words often heard and repeated at the height of PCS season by military families who are “left behind.” The new faces at the pool, park, and in the ice cream truck line abound!

The next step for those that are new to that location is tackling the new school paperwork.

And then there is that dreaded page.

The page where they ask for emergency contacts.

Ugh! Hello! Just moved here – we don’t know anyone besides the driver who is driving our stuff from our last duty station, and James sure as heck is not an emergency contact since he isn’t local!

Realistically – how do you fill out that emergency contact list is up to you. Here are how some other military families do it.

  1. Use friends in the area. Thank goodness for military life in that we all move. Meaning that the friends you had two duty stations ago are showing up at the same place you are. Score! Someone you actually know, your kids actually know, and you already have their phone number. Sigh, a big sigh of relief because you have that list completed!
  2. Knock on doors. If you don’t know your neighbors because you are new to the area – introduce yourself. Their proximity to your home is useful, and getting to know them means your children will know their faces. Don’t just put their name and phone number down on the list without asking – make sure to ask and offer to be their children’s emergency contact as well.
  3. Use a sponsor. While a sponsor is more commonplace overseas than stateside, using the only person you know overseas can be used for the emergency contact. A sponsor is there to help with the transition, and being that they are military as well, they probably fully understand the need for an emergency contact for school paperwork.
  4. Contact from a summer group. If you could move in early summer, enroll your children in summer activities, or find a summer moms group. Perhaps you can find a friend or new acquaintance you feel comfortable adding as a new emergency contact within this forum. Consider homeschool groups, church groups, or MOPs groups in addition to any summer camps your children attended.
  5. Ask on social media. While this seems a little “new age,” the reality is that local social media groups are used for asking for the best local coffee, extracurricular for the kids, or babysitter suggestions – why not ask about an emergency contact? If asking outright seems strange, if someone appears to have similar interests ask for a meet-up with the kids and feel them out – or ask outright if being bold is your move.
  6. Your real estate agent. If you used an awesome real estate agent to find your new home, perhaps they will be kind enough to be the emergency contact.

Remember, you can change your emergency contacts. You might put one person down and make friends with a few other people later. It is okay to change the emergency contact. In addition, it is normal for emergency contacts within the military community to move mid-school year, so updating them on school forms is commonplace! Always ask before putting the person down as the emergency contact, so they aren’t surprised if they get a call from the school about your child. Also, make sure that your child is aware of who the emergency contact is if they have to pick them up from school on the off-chance.

Moving is not easy, and moving for children can be difficult to process. Don’t forget about the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, which all 50 states have adopted to help military children transition from school to school. The compact provides protection and details on the transition processes if there are other questions about schooling – from special needs assessment to extracurricular activities. In addition, reach out to the School Liaison at your new duty station. Finding schools, determining the best placement, and enrolling in schools is not always simple or easy – the school liaison should have the best local resources.