Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

Connect on the go with Sapphire Portable Hotspots

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Communication is key. We have heard this at just about every military family event – communication about expectations for work, deployments, exercises, and work-ups helps build appropriate expectations. The hard part about communication with military family members is sometimes the difficulty of actually talking. When the military family member is in the field, on a ship, or deployed overseas, they will likely not have the cellular service we are all used to having available to us. Or if they do have a cell phone overseas, they will need an internet connection to connect with family. What about email, or connecting with friends and family through email? How do you maintain communication across the miles when it is not as easy as picking up the phone or having a predictable internet connection to write an email?

Enter Sapphire Portable HotSpots. TravelWifi, formerly DHI Telecom, has been serving the U.S. Armed Forces, NATO coalition forces and government contractors for over a decade.

Their recent addition of Sapphire is an International mobile hotspot. The devices are available at select Navy Exchanges and online. Once the device is purchased, all you do is create an account using the Sapphire app or by logging on to Sapphire’s website. From there, any mobile phone or other Wif-Fi enabled device can connect to Sapphire just like you connect to Wi-Fi.

There are two portable hot spot options. One has the additional feature of a touchscreen, making it easy to use. A touchscreen makes connecting a device that much simpler.

Sapphire 2 Features:

  • Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot That Works in 130+ countries
  • 4G LTE Speeds
  • 1GB Global Data Included
  • CloudSIM Technology Connects you to the Strongest Signal
  • Connect up to 5 devices
  • 12 Hour Battery Life
  • Flexible, Prepaid Data Plans
  • Manage and View Data Usage through the Sapphire app
  • Simple & Easy to Use

Sapphire T2 Features:

  • Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot That Works in 130+ countries
  • 5-Inch HD Touchscreen to Manage and View Data Usage
  • Preloaded Sapphire app and Google Maps app
  • Built-in Powerbank 
  • 2GB Global Data Included
  • 4G LTE Speeds
  • CloudSIM Technology Connects you to the Strongest Signal
  • Connect up to 5 devices
  • 12 Hour Battery Life
  • Flexible, Prepaid Data Plans
  • Simple & Easy to Use

The private network provided by this hotspot is password-protected, allowing for more security.

Multiple data plans are available ranging from a single country, regional or global coverage with a variety of data plans within each group. There are over 130 countries to choose from for the single country plan and 10 regions for the regional plan.  

In addition to active duty service members, when families are PCSing across the world and now have the additional hurdle of restricted movement as part of COVID, this device allows for connectivity without the need for a local phone. Sapphire Customer Service is available 24/7/365 by phone, email, and WhatsApp.

Whether deploying on a ship, or in the field; PCSing, or on restricted movement, the Sapphire portable hot spot will keep you connected to friends, family and the outside world.

For more information on data plans and Sapphire devices,  look for the Sapphire device banner on https://www.mynavyexchange.com/CellServices

Washington D.C Added to Cities that Rate CONUS COLA

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COLA, or Cost Of Living Allowance, is typically associated with overseas moves. When a military family is living overseas, the cost of living is typically quite different than that of a family in the United States. COLA was developed and provided to offset those costs, so the burden wasn’t solely felt by military families. Did you know there was COLA provided for some CONUS locations?

In the 1995 National Defense Authorization Act, Congress approved the CONUS COLA to help cover the additional costs of high-cost locations. Pay for civilian jobs are location-based, whereas military pay scales are the same across the ranks despite which location the service member resides in. CONUS COLA is provided for areas that have been determined to be 108% of the national average for non-housing costs. While the 7th Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation 9QRMC) recommended a threshold of 105%, Congress mandated that the threshold should not be lower than 108%. The threshold has remained at 108% since 1997.

In 2021, a new addition was added to the list of CONUS COLA locations – Washington D.C. As an area well-known for its high cost of living, it’s surprising it took until 2021 to provide a cost offset.

Which CONUS locations offer COLA?

Military Housing Areas that currently provide CONUS COLA:

  • California: Oakland, San Francisco, Marin/Sonoma, Bridgeport
  • Colorado: Boulder
  • District of Columbia
  • Massachusetts: Nantucket, Boston, Worcester, Fitchburg, Plymouth, Essex County, Hampden County, Martha’s Vineyard, Hanscomb AFB
  • Minnesota: Duluth
  • New York: Long Island, New York City, Westchester County, Staten Island
  • Virginia: Warrenton

Non-Military Housing Areas that currently provide CONUS COLA:

  • California: Inyo County
  • Colorado: Broomfield County, Clear Creek County, Gilpin County, Lake County, Park County, Pitkin County, Summit County, Washington County, Yuma County
  • Massachusetts: Franklin County
  • Minnesota: Aitkin County, Cook County, Itasca County, Kanabec County, Koochiching County, Lake County, Pine County
  • Virginia: Isle of Wight County, Southampton County, Surry County, Sussex County

What if we are in an area that rates CONUS COLA?

If the service member is assigned to an area that rates CONUS COLA, it should be automatically included in the pay beginning the first day of work. If you are new to an area, the first day of CONUS pay is the day of check-in to the new duty station. The CONUS COLA rates range from 1% – 7% depending on the area.

CONUS COLA is paid as a monthly entitlement based on a 30-day month, just like BAH.

What does the “threshold “mean?

With a threshold of 108%, it means that the service member is expected to cover at least 8% of the average expenses above the national average cost of living. If the service member is assigned to locations where the local costs are above 8% of the national average for non-housing costs, a CONUS COLA provision would be provided.

How are areas determined to require CONUS COLA?

Data is collected from several sources:

  1. A survey of costs is conducted every 3 years and used to determine the utilization rate and savings that are available at the military commissaries and exchanges.
  2. Local market price data is purchased from a private contractor – beginning in 2021, Decision Point is used for all cost of living data.
  3. The military commissaries and exchanges provide information on their availability in a given area.
  4. The military commissaries and exchanges provide information on their average savings.

The data is collected with numbers in regards to an average family of four. This data is used to review costs annually, as required by law.

While there are many areas in the continental United States that military families would say the cost of living is far and above the area they moved from, the way to impact what decisions are made on CONUS COLA is to answer any survey you receive about the costs of living.

Are you in an area that provides CONUS COLA?

When Do I Get An Updated Next Generation ID Card?

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The Department of Defense announced that the paper-based Uniformed Services Identification (USID) card is being phased out to a Next Generation USID card that provides more security.  The security features on the card prevent counterfeiting and fraud, in part of keeping government facilities safe. Gone are the days of the green card for members of the Individual Ready Reserves (IRR) and Inactive National Guard, blue for retirees, pink for retired members of the Reserves and National Guard under the age of 60. The tan card used for dependents, disabled veterans, full time USO personnel service in OCONUS, and other categories is being replaced.

There are three Next Generation USID cards

  • Geneva Convention Identification Card (for those in the IRR or National Guard or civil service that do not rate a CAC card)
  • Sponsor Identification and Privilege Card
  • Dependent Identification and Privilege Card

Color Coding:

  • White designates current/former Uniformed Service members and their dependents and other remaining personnel
  • Blue bar designate non-U.S. citizen sponsors and their dependents

Where do I get a Next Generation USID card?

As of December 2020, all ID card issuance facilities are able to provide an updated card. Check for a location and appointments near you here.

Any current USID cards that are not expired will remain valid through their expiration date. There is no need to update the card at this time unless you card is expired. Any cards that may have INDEF as an expiration date should wait to try to update your card in summer 2021. Expired cardholders are able to continue to use the expired card for base access through March 2021 and receive medical care through June 30, 2021.

Bottom Line: If you have an unexpired card, you do not need to renew your card until your current card expires. If you have an expired card, you must update your card by March 31, 2021 in order to have continued base access. If base access is not a concern, card holders can use an expired ID card for medical care through June 30, 2021. If you have an INDEF expiration, try to update your card during the summer of 2021.

Any more questions about updating your ID card? Contacts are listed here.

How To: Make Friends at a New Duty Station during Pandemic

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The past year has flown by remarkably fast despite being indoors and social distancing for most of it. The normal way of making friends through activities with shared interests or when outside walking around has changed. The social distancing guidance of masking up, maintaining distance, and limiting gatherings do not provide the traditional ways of meeting new people. As if starting over isn’t difficult anyway, to meet new people and make new friends, you have to get creative.

Be Flexible.

Meeting new friends in the current environment is not traditional. As much of military life, flexibility is key to making new friends. Much of the activities are virtual, which can be hard on extroverted individuals. Some effort will need to be made to seek out groups in a non-traditional way. The beauty of online events is no traffic, less need for a sitter, and more opportunities to check out different activities that you may not normally seek out. Be flexible and give yourself grace to meeting new people at your new duty station.

Still Say Hi

Just because you have to wear a mask or socially distant doesn’t mean that you can’t introduce yourself to your neighbors. Being a good neighbor is still appropriate. While it may be difficult to say hi when initially in restricted movement, consider writing cards introducing yourself and leaving them on your neighbors’ door, letting them know when you will be out of ROM. Something as simple as an introduction can be the foundation of a new friendship.

Technology is your friend.

Before PCSing during a pandemic, research on social media for base-specific groups. These groups can provide real-time information on-base housing, schools in the area, housing availability outside the base, and current base information. While in these groups asking about the area, consider asking if there are interest groups among the base-specific group. Maybe there is a meet-up group or running group. Maybe there is someone already there with common interests where you can talk as you navigate a PCS and build the foundation for a friendship before your arrival.

Virtual Meet Ups

Check out the base-specific social media pages for any virtual clubs. On base and off, local libraries have held various book and activity clubs for a variety of different topics.  If you enjoyed a book club at your last duty station, join the virtual book club. Or maybe you are looking to try something different like tea time or trivia night. Virtual meet-ups provide an opportunity for growth on personal interest. You won’t be meeting them in person, but you will be virtually meeting with others with similar interests.

Touch Base with Your Volunteer Group

While in-person activities are limited, if you were a volunteer with an organization prior to the pandemic, see if there is a branch at your new base. While they may not be holding in-person activities, they may still hold online activities or ways to volunteer at home. This can build a friend base in an environment you are familiar with and provide an outlet for the volunteering you have enjoyed in the past.

Spouse Clubs

The spouse club’s idea is to provide a social group for military spouses at each duty station. The common bond of military life is a stepping-off point. There are usually nominal membership costs involved, and these funds are typically used to provide food or activities to the group. In the current environment, the spouse clubs are doing virtual events like 80s nights, game nights, and exercise challenges. This provides an opportunity to meet new friends in a virtual environment.

Maintain Contact

Chances are, if this is not your first PCS, there may be someone at your new duty station that you have been stationed with before. That connection of a known entity can be an amazing starting point for developing a new start to your friendship.  Building on someone you already know or building on those casual connections is easier.

Manners in the Time of Pandemic

Currently, there is a federal requirement for masks on base when social distancing cannot be maintained. When meeting new people, ask what their comfort level is in regards to masking and social distance. Part of building trust is respecting your community’s wishes regarding the comfort level for mask-wearing and distancing.

Admittedly, it is additionally challenging to make friends in a world with social distancing rules. It’s in the name – social distancing. It can be done with some creativity and flexibility of exploring opportunities. Good luck with your PCS, and may the odds be ever in your favor!

Have a suggestion on making friends at a new duty station? Let us know in the comments!

Pentagon responds to Fox News Host Comments About Female Service Members

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Recently, a tv show host shared his personal beliefs on women in the military during his news show. Fox News host Tucker Carlson was discussing updates to military uniforms on his tv show when he called the military’s integration of women a “mockery,” noting that “we’ve got new hairstyles and maternity flight suits. Pregnant women are going to fight our wars.” He stated further that “our military needs to become, as Joe Biden says, more feminine.”

Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby responded to these comments in an off-camera press briefing, which is also found on the Department of Defense’s website defense.gov.  Kirby stated that “the diversity of our military is one of its greatest strengths. I’ve seen it for myself in long months at sea and in the combat waged by our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. I’ve seen it up on Capitol Hill just this past month. And I see it every day here right at the Pentagon.” Furthermore, he pointed out that women serve in several military service capacities, like the civilian counterparts who serve in various career fields and are not only operating in certain areas. “They’re flying fighter jets and commanding warships. They’re leading troops on the ground. They’re making a difference in everything we do because of what they bring to the effort.”

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressed similar sentiments. He stated that he and other top defense officials condemned Carlson’s comments and stated that America’s military force is better served when it represents all people.

While maybe unintentionally, Carlson’s comments have brought forward conversation about women in the military. Kirby said, “We still have a lot of work to do to make our military more inclusive, more respectful to everyone, especially women. We’re proud that two great leaders like Generals Van Ovost and Richardson have been nominated to combatant command, but we recognize the lack of female leadership across the senior ranks. We pledge to do better and we will.”

What’s For Dinner: Easy Naan Pizza!

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Looking for a delicious and quick meal that everyone can enjoy? Look no further than easy Naan Pizza! It hits all the wickets for a busy time period – easy, quick, and can be done with a variety of ingredients. Mini-naans are perfect for handheld pizzas that can be personalized for each person’s taste. Or use the larger commercially available naans to make larger pizzas to share among the family. Have a family member who is vegetarian? They can enjoy a naan topped with veggies galore! Are you more of a meat-eater? Pile your naan high with a variety of options from pepperoni, chicken, sausage, or bacon! The naan is a canvas for pizza making and can be ready in minutes.

Easy Naan Pizza

Ingredients:

  • 2 Naan Breads
  • ¼ cup pizza sauce
  • ½ cup mozzarella cheese
  • Olive oil
  • Topping suggestions: pepperoni, roasted vegetables, spinach, olives, cooked sausage, tomatoes, zucchini, fresh basil, balsamic vinegar

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 425° F
  2. Brush naan bread with olive oil on both sides.
  3. Spread pizza sauce evenly over naan bread.
  4. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese.
  5. Top with toppings of choice.
  6. Bake on the oven rack for 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown.

There are so many options. Make it gourmet and change up the cheese for goat cheese and make a squash, goat cheese and prosciutto naan pizza! Or perhaps a blue cheese, fig and arugula naan pizza is more your style.

Whether it’s a busy evening or a lazy afternoon, this recipe is the perfect meal for lunch or dinner. Better yet – get everyone involved in the preparation! Put the toppings out on the kitchen table and have everyone pile on what they want. Pop it in the oven and voila! Lunch or dinner is served!

Share your Naan pizza renditions with us in the comments below!

Time to Celebrate Our Military Kids!

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April is the Month of the Military Child.  Former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger established it in 1986. Sponsored by the Department of Defense Military Community and Family Policy, the month of the military child is a month dedicated to reflecting on the sacrifices and challenges military children face as part of military life.

April 15th every year is Purple Up! For Military Kids day where people around the world wear purple to demonstrate their support of military children around the world. The color purple was chosen as the color is a mix of all the service branch colors – Air Force blue, Army green, Navy blue, Marine Corps red, and Coast Guard blue.

In celebration of the month of the military child, we asked some military children of the different service branches what military life meant to them, or what their favorite part of military life was. They were unabashedly honest about their thoughts. From ages 4 – 21, here are what military children from around the world shared.

L.E., age 21, Marine Corps – “I learned to appreciate the little things and the small moments because we knew that things could change in the blink of an eye. We learned that we never knew how much time we got with our friends or in one place so we learned to appreciate every second we had.”

C.E, age 20, Marine Corps – My favorite thing about military life is “getting to experience new people and places that a normal kid growing up doesn’t usually get to do or see. It definitely makes you well rounded.”

A.P., age 10, Marine Corps– “Military life means moving from friends and family. It’s also an adventure, and you get to see new places. What I like is meeting new people and seeing new places.”

K.M., age 13, Marine Corps – “[I have a] level of pride and getting to experience more than civilian kids,”

L.M., age 11, Marine Corps – “My favorite thin has been moving and making new friends.”

A.A., age 10, Army – “My favorite thing about military life is that you can live pretty much anywhere.”

R.D.S., age 10, Navy – “I like that I have lived around the world and that my dad gets to help serve the country.”

G.P., age 8, Marine Corps -“Military life sucks because you have to leave your friends when you move.”

R.T.S., age 8, Navy – “I feel special being a military child because my dad is important. We have been able to see a lot of things being in the military.”

R.R.S., age 8, Navy – “My favorite thing about military life is that I get to meet people from all around the world and country.”

M.J., age 8, Marine Corps – “I love that Daddy can protect us and keep us safe if a bad guy breaks in.”

A.W., age 8, Navy – “I like getting to see lots of places, and li

H.J., age 7, Marine Corps – “My favorite part of military life is the adventures I get to have with family and friends. Every time we move it is somewhere new and fun to explore.”

K.D., age 7, Marine Corps – “Oh that’s a hard one. I like being able to see all the Marine helicopters and vehicles that are on base every day.”

A.P, age 4, Marine Corps – “Military life means papa is always gone a lot.”

G.A., age 4, Army – “The best part about [military life] is watching the Army football game.”

There’s a central theme in these shared thoughts – while there are adventure and exploration involved in military life, there is a lot of leaving and being left behind. Thank you, military children, for being part of your military parent’s support network – it is not an easy task.

‘Fuel with us’ Commissaries begin launch of dietitian-approved, ready-to-eat stations for on-the-go troops

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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:        15-21                                                                                                                        

Date:                              March 4, 2021

Media Contact:           Kevin L. Robinson, public affairs specialist

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

E-mail:                         kevin.robinson@deca.mil

‘Fuel with us’

Commissaries begin launch of dietitian-approved, ready-to-eat stations for on-the-go troops

By Kevin L. Robinson,

DeCA public affairs specialist

FORT LEE, Va. – The lifestyle of a young service member can be beyond hectic with ongoing deployments and constant training rotations.

Soldiers grab a quick meal from a fueling station at the Fort Myer Commissary in Virginia. (DeCA photo: Simone Blythe)

To help these busy service members access quick, nutritious meals and snacks, the Defense Commissary Agency launched the first phase of its dietitian-approved fueling station program at 22 commissaries in February. More stores will be added later this month in phase two of the roll out.

The stations offer service members nutritious fueling foods they can use to build a meal or enjoy a before- or after-work out snack – items they can take on missions or stock in their barracks, said Bill Moore, DeCA director and CEO.

“Our fueling stations help show young service members that their commissary is a great destination for dietitian-approved, quick meals and snacks that are tasty and won’t require them to spend their time frequenting fast food establishments,” Moore said. “We hope to further our footprint of being their meal-time location to help maximize their performance and their health.”

The following commissaries have fueling stations: in Virginia – Fort Belvoir, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Fort Myer, Langley Air Force Base, Naval Station Norfolk, Fort Lee and Naval Air Station Oceana; in Maryland – Naval Air Station Patuxent River and Andrews Air Force Base; in Florida – Naval Air Station Jacksonville and MacDill Air Force Base; in Oklahoma – Fort Sill and Tinker Air Force Base; Fort Bragg South, North Carolina; Fort Benning, Georgia; Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; McChord Air Force Base, Washington; Fort Carson, Colorado; Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Fort Rucker, Alabama; Fort Riley, Kansas and Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi.

The fueling stations vary in size, space and makeup by store based on available space. All items for the stations are approved by Deborah Harris, registered dietitian and DeCA health and wellness program manager, MPH, RD, CDE.*

“The fueling station has been well received by our patrons,” said John Blythe, store director at Fort Belvoir, one of the pilot locations for fueling stations. “It offers a vast selection of healthier food, snack and refreshments that allows our patrons to make healthier nutritional choices. Our dedicated merchandising unit allows for a convenient central point of sale with products that have been dietitian-approved! We have noticed a significant sales lift on these products and we are proud to support the installation in their health and wellness needs.” 

Before launching the program, the commissary agency piloted it in 14 stores to promote the concept to those installations that their commissary can support weekly grocery shoppers as well as young soldiers who need a quick meal and snack destination, said Bonita Moffett, DeCA sales director. 

“Commissaries are a key player in the ‘fueling for performance’ messaging being delivered throughout the force that connects the importance of nutrition and diet to overall readiness,” Moffett said.

*Harris has a Masters of Public Health degree, and is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator.

“Our fueling stations target young service members who may not be cooking their own meals nor be in the habit of a weekly shopping pattern,” she added. “Our ready-to-eat program can save customers’ time and money while raising the nutritional focus of our younger shoppers by giving them a quick meal and snack option besides fast food.” 

The refueling station launch follows the commissaries’ release of the new Dietitian-Approved Thumb program (DAT) which uses DeCA-designed software to analyze and identify products in most of the commissary food categories based on up to 86 of the FDA-defined health attributes. The attributes analyzed identify dietitian-approved foods that limit added sugar, sodium and unhealthy fat while offering whole grains, healthy fats, fiber or lean protein.

Whether it’s fueling stations or the DAT nutrition guide, DeCA is engaged in identifying the commissary as one of several DOD focal points for health and wellness in the following ways:

  • Targeted messaging such as “Cook More Meals at Home,” “Dietitian-Approved,” “We did the Work for You,” and “Fuel with Us,” to connect young troops with the nutritious items in their stores
  •  Increasing stock lists of dietitian-approved and ready-to-eat, single serving and ethnic frozen entrees 
  • Working with industry partners to promote “Better for You” products and incorporating past military leaders as brand ambassadors to reinforce to service members  that the commissary is their top option as a fueling source
  • Raising the ante with installation health advisors, branch dietitians, wellness center staffs, morale-welfare-recreation (MWR) outlets and liaisons with enlisted troops to help educate younger customers about nutrition and healthy eating patterns

“The commissary scores the highest on the installation per the Military Nutrition Environment Assessment Tool and this further reinforces that we are the place to access nutritious foods to include ready-to-eat meals,” Moore said. “We should be considered by our military community as a key asset in achieving health and wellness goals, as well as supporting their individual readiness.

“We want our service members, especially those on the go performing their missions, to know their commissary is a safe, quick and easy option to meet their fueling needs,” he added. “Although this effort was launched with our busy service members in mind, we hope that busy families use it, too.”

-DeCA-

8 things to have for storm readiness, whether at home or on PCS

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Different and surprising weather patterns of cold winter weather and storms like typhoons or hurricanes do not occur at every duty station a military family can live in, making it difficult to prepare for. The key with every move is to be aware of the weather patterns at the new duty station so you can prepare before arrival as much as possible. Move with as many of these items as you can so you can be prepared for power outages or emergencies as you travel. Keeping them in a tote or bin makes it easy to travel with and easily accessible in your home once you arrive. Moving during the summer limits concern for snow or ice storms – unless you are heading to Alaska – but hurricanes and thunderstorms can lead to power outages in the summer moving season.

What should you keep in a tote ready to for storm prep when at home or while actively PCSing?

  1. Flashlight – Flashlights always needed for any power outages, and perfect for forts in the car, or in your new house.
  2. Batteries – this is something to have on hand for flashlights, battery-operated radios
  3. First Aid Kit – especially as you PCS, keeping a first aid kit in the car is important. Keeping a first aid kit that is stocked and ready for emergencies during winter weather and storms is key.
  4. Candles – While not for use in the car, or in most hotels, traveling with small candles is smart so you are ready in your home if a power outage happens within the first couple of days of arriving at your new home. A power outage within four hours of moving into a new home has happened to this author. I’ll repeat – do not uses open flames inside your car or while staying in hotels.
  5. Matches or a lighter – this is certainly something we don’t necessarily remember or travel with, but having a small lighter on hand for Irish pendants on uniforms is never a bad thing to have on hand if weather presents a need to use candles
  6. Canned Soup – look for those cans that have a lid that does not require a can opener. Remember to get ones packed with beans or vegetables so you fill up with healthier options in canned items.
  7. Chicken or Tuna packets – Especially those that have a spoon within them are perfect storm prep foods for power outages and for on the road travel. Bonus that it is protein and comes in a variety of flavors to please even the pickiest of palates.
  8. Personal files in a container – birth certificates, passports, pertinent medical records, insurance policies, marriage certificates, home or property management records, etc. Keeping a condensed version of the necessary paperwork is important to have on hand while you move so nothing is lost in case something happens to your shipment. Keeping the files in a plastic bin also protects them from water or weather.

What do you PCS with to be prepared for weather or power outages while moving? What is in your emergency weather kit in your home? Let us know!

14 items from the Exchange for Spring Cleaning that do double duty for PCS Prep

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Punxsutawney Phil may have said 6 more weeks of winter, but with PCS time around the corner for some, military families’ minds have turned to spring cleaning. There is something therapeutic in clearing out a closet and going through that box you moved with two moves ago. Whether you are moving or not this summer, take a month to clean out clutter and organize your home makes moving the next time that much easier. If you are spring cleaning this year, consider using these items that you can get from your base Exchange to tidy up around your home.

  1. Storage Tote Bags: These are the unsung heroes of many a move. These square bags come in a variety of sizes from small to extra large. Store quilts, blankets, and towels in them when you are not using them seasonally. Place seasonal clothing in them in a closet. This removes clutter from valuable drawer space, but the clear bags keep them in eyesight so you are prepared when the season is upon you again. And the best part, they slide easily into moving boxes. When you unpack them on the other end, you pull them out and are ready to use them.
  2. Seasonal storage: Have ornaments, lights, and stockings? Put them all in one storage bin and label it for the holidays. Better yet, get specific containers for ornament storage to protect valuable and sentimental items. More into pumpkins, ghouls, and spider webs? Get a large storage bin to provide better protection than a cardboard box for a move. Labeling each tote will help you determine what everything is in your storage area at a quick glance. If you are moving, labeling will help you determine where to put it when you unwrap the non-descript brown paper the movers placed on it. And goodness knows it will be labeled “tote” and not “Halloween decorations.”
  3. Binders: Yes, raid the school supply section for binders. Even if you aren’t moving, keep a list of high-value items updated each year, updating it during spring cleaning. If a high-value item breaks in a move, the amount provided by the moving company should be replacement value. It helps to have an updated link of the high-value item and the item number for this replacement. Keeping all high-value items in one location in a binder is paramount.
  4. File folder: Every year update your families’ paperwork – make sure you have copies of marriage certificates, divorce decrees, any legal documents, passports, birth certificates, etc. Have them all in one place. This allows for easy reference if needed but also to ensures you have everything updated. Renew passports, as you are able to. Make sure you have enough copies of birth certificates, especially if you have a consular birth abroad certificate as these can take several weeks to process and receive a new copy if the original is lost.
  5. Stamps/Stickers: Consider a family stamp or sticker to put on totes as you organize and spring clean. This makes it easy to identify what items you may have added to your household goods during a move, and what you may be able to thin out and purge If you have duplicates of.
  6. Zip ties: This may sound silly, but hear me out. All those cords you have behind the tv, or the desk, can be messy. Zip ties are helpful to keep things clean and organized. When going through cords you may find you have extras you don’t need anymore – that charger for the computer that died can be recycled through e-waste.
  7. Denture Cleaning Tabs: These multi-use tabs clean a lot of things. Clean out your coffee pot of all the build-up with these tabs, or pop one in the toilet to get it squeaky clean. Cleaning these daily use items keeps them working longer for you, and prepares them for moves.
  8. Dishwashing gloves: While images of a 1950s housewife may pop into your mind when you see these listed here, they are worth it. Spring cleaning, and quite often post-PCS clean, involves washing a lot of dishes and cleaning a lot in general. These gloves protect your hands from the deluge of water and cleaning solutions.
  9. Disinfectant Wipes: If you can find them this year, these wipes are useful for cleaning and disinfecting bathroom and kitchen surfaces quickly and easily.
  10. An all-in-one mop: Cleaning the floors is not an easy task. A mop with the convenient storage of the cleaning fluid and spray is a lot easier than mopping the old way with a bucket and solution. And older children can manage it to help with the spring cleaning to-do list.
  11. Bleach: When diluted with water, this cleaning fluid can also disinfect non-porous surfaces and floors. Clean off mirrors in the bathroom easily, or wipe out the bathtub.
  12. White Vinegar: Another double-duty cleaner- use vinegar to clean out your washing machine, descale your coffee pot or single-use coffee maker. Mixed with water, vinegar is a useful multi-use cleaner for daily cleaning. Because it is also used in cooking, it is safe for younger children to clean with as well.
  13. Baking soda: This soft abrasive is well known for its disinfecting powers while you put one in the fridge and freezer to stop unwanted smells. It is also great for scrubbing bathtubs, toilets, and kitchen counters.  It can pull up grime and yuck
  14. Broom: Sweeping under the cabinet’s nooks and crannies may not be done daily, but spring cleaning is a great reminder to get at it.

Spring cleaning isn’t everyone’s favorite thing to do. Doing a large scale clean helps make the daily cleaning a little bit easier. And for a military family, can prepare them for an expected or unexpected PCS.

What is your favorite spring cleaning tool?