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Understanding Military Pay in 2021

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The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 was passed January 1, 2021, and secured a 3.0% military pay raise for 2021.

Base Pay

Monthly base pay is based on rank and years of service. For instance, if you are an E5 with over 4 years of service, the base pay is $2,798.10. An O3E, a commissioned office with over 4 years of enlisted service, with over 8 years of total service has a base pay of $6,628.20.  A breakdown of active duty pay for Enlisted, Warrant Officers, Commissions Officers with over 4 years of Enlisted Service and Commissioned Officers can be found here.

Basic Allowance for Housing Pay

In addition to monthly pay, depending on rank/pay grade, number of dependents and geographic location, a service member collect Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH).

BAH rates are assessed annually to determine if there is a need for housing allowance to change to better align with current housing costs based on location.  The new BAH rate are effective beginning 1 January 2021 and overall have an average increase of 2.9%. Check your local area by inputting military rank and the zip code of the military base or city associated with your or your family’s military orders to determine the 2021 BAH rates here.

If you are living on base, the military housing agency will take the BAH at the previously agreed to rate.  For instance, if you moved into your home and the BAH rate is decreased, your BAH rate is grandfathered in and will not decrease so they will continue to collect the previously agreed rate.  If you are living off base and your rate goes up, you will keep the difference.  And if it goes down, your rate will not decrease.

Additional Pays

Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS): BAS is meant to offset the cost of meals to service members and comes from the historic origins of when pay in the military included room and board. Beginning in 2002, Enlisted service members received a full BAS ration per month. When rations are provided in the field, these meals are then paid for from the BAS paid to the service member. BAS increases annually based on the USDA food cost index. If a service member is on unaccompanied orders and living in government quarts, they receive BAS II. The 2021 BAS rates for Officers and Enlisted Service Members as well as BAS II can be found on the DFAS page here.

Hardship Duty Pay (HDP): HDP is divided into two categories: HDP-Location and HDP-Mission. HDP-Location is compensation provided to service members assigned to locations that have been determined to have living conditions below the conditions provided within the Continental U.S., or CONUS. The amount provided to the service member is dependent on the location area. HDP-Mission is provided to service members that are assigned to designated hardship missions as listed here.

Hostile Fire/Imminent Danger Pay (HFP/IDP): This is also referred to as combat pay. Any service member assigned to a designated IDP area is paid per month, so if you enter a designated IDP for one day, the service member is paid for the entire month. The HFP is pro-rated based on hostile fire. Service members cannot receive both IDP and HFP. Further details can be found on DFAS here. Currently qualified hazardous duty areas are listed on DFAS here. Imminent Danger Pay as of January 2021 is listed here.

Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay (HDIP): HDIP designates special duty pay based on hazardous duty. There many duty options including but not limited to Parachute Duty, Flight Deck Duty and Polar Region Flight Operations Duty.

Family Separation Allowance (FSA): This pay is extended to service members when dependents are unable to accompany the service member. This is often extended to service members when on temporary duty on ship, deployed overseas, or on unaccompanied orders. FSA is pro-rated per day after 30 continuous days away for your permanent duty station.

Assignment Incentive Pay (AIP): AIP is extended to service members that involuntarily extend in unusual assignments.

Depending on occupation, special pays for aviation, submarine, diving and foreign language proficiency pays may also be offered.  

Entitlements are listed in block 10 of the Leave and Earning Statement (LES).

Should You Prep for Your PCS Now?

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If you are moving this summer cycle, it’s time to get ready to move. Does 6 months sound like too much time? Nope, it is just enough. There is a lot to do to get ready for a move, and being as prepared as possible can decrease the stress. No, moving is not stress free (unless you are totally moving your stuff, but there is a different level of stress there) but prepping for your move now can lower than stress.

Research.

While you may not know where you are moving to yet. If you want to do a DITY (Do-It-Yourself) Move, begin research on types of vehicles or trucks. If you want to do it, begin collecting boxes from neighbors, grocery stores or Buy Nothing groups and begin slowly packing out of season items first. There are a variety of moving companies that will drop off a truck and you load it yourself. You can hire loaders too if you want.

Go through the pantry.

Pantry items are one item that movers often don’t move. While some military families have shared that movers have moved canned goods, opened items are a no-go in a move. Even if you just moved this past summer, go through the pantry to find shelf-stable items and plan to use them. Start to plan out use of the spices in your cabinet, or begin to give them away.

Pull out seasonal clothes.

Some military families have their orders 6-12 months in advance and can determine which clothes will be needed to move. If you are moving from a sunny, warm climate like California, you may need to add other seasonal clothing to move to Rhode Island. But if you are going East to West, you might be able to shed some of the winter gear. Once the season has passed, box the items up for donation through Goodwill, AMVETS or ThredUp which have curbside drop-off, pick up or mail in options.

PURGE.

 In the winter months, when the weather is colder and you don’t want to head outside, delve deep inside to the closets, cabinets and garage. Do you have a dress that you haven’t worn in 5 years? What about your kids clothes? Maybe you don’t need to have 5 bins of holiday décor (or if you do, that’s good too!)? Figure out where you can cull. Planning for the PCS months in advance means you can do one room type a month if you wanted to – the kitchen first, then living room, then dining room, then bedrooms, then bathrooms, then closets. Taking a purge step by step feels a lot less panicked.

Ask Questions.

The new fiscal year starts in October for the federal government. Rules for reimbursement are on the books now, if you have a question about what your move rates, ask the Transportation office now.

Save for it.

PCS season is expensive. There are hotel stays, travel, babysitting costs, kennel costs, just to name a few. Start saving a little bit at a time now so the cost isn’t so surprising later. Starting earlier allows for spreading out the cost and savings in more manageable bits. Even if you are charging PCS costs on a credit card (and getting those points!), you have the money ready to pay off the card when the bill comes.

Stock up.

Start slowly building a stock of things you need for the move. Ziploc clothing squares allow for early packing of seasonal items that slip in easily to moving boxes protecting your clothes and making them easy to unpack. If you are doing a DITY, start building up a stock of boxes, bubble wrap, and packaging paper.

Make a list.

Start listing out valuable items and gather any receipts you have for them. If there is a model or serial number, add it to the list. Go room by room to add items, creating a master list in a slow and steady fashion. A copy of this list can be provided to the movers for high value item list, allowing for everyone to be on the same page.

The point: Start early, you’ll thank yourself later.

Enjoy Spring Break at Beachfront Military Lodgings

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Did you know there is a variety of military lodging around the country that offers beachfront accommodations? These make great options for a 2021 Spring Break family vacation. You might be familiar with the Hole Koa, an Armed Forces Recreation Center that is located right on Waikiki Beach in Hawaii. It recently opened its redesigned main pool which now has water slides, a wading pool, splash pads, a pirate ship and much more. This is a great destination but is so well known you may have a difficult time getting reservations. There are so many military installations around the country that have beautiful accommodations right on ocean and bay front beaches. Just make sure to make your reservations as far out as possible. For active duty you can typically make reservations 12 months and for retirees it is six months. Check this list of fun vacation spots around the country:

The Destin Army Recreation Area

The Destin Army Recreation Area is a lovely, gated resort in an ideal location in the heart of Old Destin Florida and near the Harbor Walk Village which is a upscale area with restaurants and shops. Large moss dripped oak trips are spread about the 15-acre resort on the banks of the Choctawhatchee Bay. It is also just a short drive to the pristine white sand beaches Destin is known for. There are a variety of accommodation including 2- and 3-bedroom villas, 1-bedroom suites and hotel rooms. On site is a full service marina with a variety of watercraft available for rent.

Panama City Navy Getaway RV Park & Cabins

The Panama City Navy Getaway RV Park & Cabins are located on the beautiful St. Andrews Bay. The campground cabins are one bedroom with a sleeping loft and futon with fully equipped kitchens. They have either a deck or screened porch with views of the bay. The Marina and Outdoor Recreation Center has a variety of watercraft available for rent. The cabins are just a short drive to the Panama City Beach resort area.

Navy Getaways Vacation Rentals at Trumbo Point

There are a couple of options for military lodging in Key West Florida but the Navy Getaways Vacation Rentals are the best value. The lodging is 3 bedroom and 1.5 bathroom townhouses. Although not on the water you can bike (rentals on site) or walk to the major Key West destinations. Make sure to visit the Community Recreation Tickets & Travel Office located on Sigsbee Park for information and discounts on local attractions.

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard – Gull Cottage

The Gull Cottage is the most unique of all the options in this list. Located in the tiny finishing village of Prospect Harbor, Maine, the guest house is a historic landmark along with the lighthouse located on site. It was built in 1891 and renovated in 1969 for use as a Navy recreational guest house. The two bedroom cottage is two-stories with lovely views of the harbor. A full kitchen is available with all the utensils. Good luck making a reservation as there is only one Gull Cottage.

Navy Getaways Barking Sands

Navy Getaways Barking Sands is located at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii. These cottages sit a short walk from the beach. The outdoor adventure center has beach chairs for rent and you can also book tours. This is the type of place you go to get away from it all. The beach is quiet and secluded. The base is small so many things close early so plan ahead. Shenanigans is the on base all ranks club and offers lunch and dinner a few nights a week. Gorgeous waterfront views.

The Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area

Located in Kure Beach, North Carolina the Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area is truly one of the military’s best kept secrets. Lodging options are cottages and lodge room. The Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean are just a short walk away. Located nearby is a military museum, the Beach House Bar & Grill, a rental center and an outdoor swimming pool. It is known for its large uncrowded beaches.

Navy Getaways Pacific Beach

Navy Getaways Pacific Beach is in Pacific Beach, Washington and it has 3-to-5-bedroom homes available to rent as well as a beachfront hotel. The location is perfect as a base for exploring the Olympic Peninsula. You can drive to Lake Quinault and explore the rainforest. Further to the south is Ocean Shores a beach town. You can also just stay put and enjoy the beach. Pacific Northwest beaches are better for beach combing and kite flying. It can get pretty chilly and there are fierce currents. Be aware that cars can drive on the beach.

This is just a small sample of military beach lodging that is available. A good place to start is the Navy Lodge because most navy bases are located near the ocean. The Navy Lodge at North Island (Coronado) is located right on the beach. You can find books on military lodging at many base or post exchanges and military clothing sales stores. As you can imagine these are extremely popular places to stay so plan to book well in advance or luck out into a cancellation. Sometimes if nothing is coming available in the online booking system you can call and find a stray day or two for a  short stay.

Resolve to Have a Healthy Military Marriage in 2021

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The last year brought challenges that no one expected. A lot of time together in a stressful situation that was beyond anything that was previously experienced. Relationships were stressed. Building a strong marriage relationship can provide a steady base on which to build. In the new year, resolve to have a healthy military marriage with these tips.

Go on a marriage retreat!

Did you know that each branch of the armed services offers marriage retreats? These retreats serve as a way to connect and discuss any concerns. Retreats use enrichment programs to help couples open communication. These are free to military families. Some have childcare offered, but overnight retreats do not cover childcare. Consider swapping childcare with a trusted friend so you can take some time to cultivate your marriage. Make sure to make reservations in advance (or as much as a military family can). Look for these programs on your base. Navy and Coast Guard offer CREDO Marriage Enrichment Retreats in each region. The Air Force retreats are offered through Marriage Care. The Marines offer Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program and the Army offers retreats through Strong Bonds. Look up these programs on your local base page to learn more.

Keep Communication Open

            Long work hours and unpredictable schedules can prohibit communication. Sometimes once children are added to the family, communication can be purely logistical. Making time to talk about something other than school schedules or who does the drop off for soccer isn’t easy. Schedule it – on the digital or paper calendar. This will ensure that you are sitting on talking. When apart and daily communication can’t happen, try writing a daily email of thoughts or questions. It keeps a discussion open even when apart. When you are able to, date each other. Dates at home can be accomplished to save money and provide a fun way to connect.

Talk About Money

            We have all heard the phrase – don’t talk about politics and money with family, but talking about money is valuable in marriage. According to Business Insider, money is the number one cause of argument in a marriage. Discuss bills and payment plans. Have monthly meetings to review and develop a budget and discuss money goals. Pinterest provides a bevy of budget sheets to track daily, weekly and monthly expenses. Being open about pending costs can prevent a fight.

Plan

            This one is a hard one with the unknown of the military lifestyle. Planning doesn’t mean have everything plotted out, but it does mean discuss things ahead of time. If you are planning to PCS in the next year, have a plan for downsizing if needed and gather important paperwork in one location. If a deployment is upcoming, discuss the plan for pre-deployment and post-deployment, and how best to communicate when on deployment. Separations can be times of stress both in-country as a service member and at home as the family. Plan for the contingencies. Make sure there is appropriate Power of Attorney paperwork ready and up to date, and consider Last Will and Testaments.  

Seek Help If Needed

            If it is difficult to talk to each other, or you don’t know how to talk about a subject, there are professionals who can help. Each unit or base has a chaplain where family members can confidentially share concerns and they are trained and able to discuss or refer as needed. All military families can utilize non-medical counseling through Military One Source or Military Family Life Counselors (MFLC). Military One Source can be reached both CONUS and OCONUS with their phone numbers or chat functions.  MFLCs are located at child development centers, youth and teen-based centers, schools on and off installation, and sometimes part of military units. TRICARE coverage allows for medical counseling if needed. Conflict and miscommunication will happen in any relationship, getting the tools to help with these discussions can help build a marriage.

Relationships are not a one-size fit all. Add the unique challenges of military life, it can be difficult to keep communication open with clear plans. Being on the same page for your goals in marriage will help build a strong partnership, one that will be ready for all the flexibility needed in military life.

10 Comfort Food Recipes to Try this Winter

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When winter comes, across the country, comfort foods become essential. The colder temperatures encourage warm soups and comfort cooking. From crockpot meals to leave it and forget it soups, we could all use a collective break. Let’s dig in!

Crockpot meals are the best at comfort foods because you can pour the ingredients in and let it cook while life goes on. This chicken and stuffing crockpot meal combines frozen, boxed, and canned ingredients for a tasty creamy crockpot casserole.  If creamy, cheesy goodness is your jam, this crockpot savory cheese soup using broth, fresh vegetables, herbs, and cheddar cheese is perfect for a busy day. Put all the ingredients in and let your crockpot do the work for you for the next 7-8 hours.

Soups are the perfect winter food. This white bean soup utilizes and rehydrates dried ingredients with fresh winter vegetables for a delicious, veggie-full comfort soup that begs to be eaten cuddled under a blanket in front of a fire (or the yule log on your television)! If a creamy clam chowder is more your speed, check out this clam chowder combining chopped clams, potatoes, onion, and celery with spices and topped with bacon that takes about 30 minutes to cook. Make it dairy-free by putting in vegetable broth instead of fat-free milk. Another delicious bean-based soup of Navy Bean Soup is perfect for feeding the family, with leftovers, using canned beans, fresh and sautéed vegetables, and potatoes.

Casseroles are wonderful winter meals. Toss everything in a dish and bake it up, which allows for the mingling of all the flavors. This Tater Tot Casserole is a classic and favorite. This casserole mixes ground beef, sausage, and beef with frozen vegetables, pantry items, cheese, and spices is topped with frozen tater tots and makes enough for two casseroles! The second casserole’s bonus is perfect for hungry days or for freezing one for use at a later date. This burrito casserole is perfect for Taco Tuesday! The casserole layers the ingredients of a taco of ground beef-cream of mushroom soup mix, onion, taco seasoning, bean, cheese with tortillas, and topped with hot sauce for a spicy casserole ready after 20 minutes of baking.

Pasta dishes are wonderful comfort foods. They are quick to prepare. They combine cheese, tomato, and starchy pasta for a quick, filling meal. What is better than pasta? Well, this creamy spaghetti pie! It combines all the pasta goodness of pasta, parmesan cheese, ricotta cheese, egg, mozzarella cheese, pasta sauce, and herbs in a pie dish. Bake the dish for 30 minutes to melt the cheese into the herby, tomato-ey goodness, and viola – a dish that is for sure to be a new comfort food favorite.

Comfort desserts are the perfect combination of a warm hug and a fuzzy blanket. This Peach Bread Pudding is the perfect comfort dessert. Combining evaporated milk, butter, peaches, bread, egg, sugar, and spice for a warming and well-seasoned dessert. It is rich in flavor and taste. In winter, frozen peaches can be used in place of fresh peaches. Peanut butter-chocolate pudding parfait is the perfect chocolate comfort dessert, and it is easy too. It combines milk, whipped topping, and peanut butter with instant pudding mix for a quick and easy treat. You can even change the pudding mix with vanilla, chocolate fudge, or butterscotch to change the flavors. Make it like a sundae with toppings like nuts, fresh or canned fruit, and extra whipped topping!

Winter can be a hard month with cold days that make us stay indoors in the warmth. Enjoy these comfort foods this winter, and maybe find a new favorite! Which one will you add to your meal planning this season?

10 Tips for Overcoming Deployment Blues in the Winter During a Pandemic

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As if the dumpster fire of 2020 wasn’t enough, many military families added the element of family separation to it with deployment. Deployment on their own can be stressful time periods – anxiety and stress for the family members left behind and the active duty service member. Surviving deployment in the winter where it is cold outside (not you SoCal or Okinawa – temperatures in the 50s don’t count!) is hard. Throw in a pandemic where each state has different guidelines and regulations, and that adds just a touch more stress. Here are some tips from families who have survived deployment, albeit from the “before times.”

  1. Have a routine. Even if you have older kids where this doesn’t seem to be as necessary, creating a routine can keep everything running as smoothly as possible. It helps adults create a predictable pattern that sets up appropriate expectations. Curate monthly care packages to your deployed family member if you can keep the school schedule organized to help keep things on track. Whatever you have going on, keep the routine going.
  2. Have something to look forward to. Maybe on Monday it is movie night every week (check out your local library for access to digital movies for free movies) or monthly you virtually visit somewhere new. Creating an event creates a smaller, more manageable countdown to something exciting and fun, and makes a fun and easy way to countdown to the return of homecoming.
  3. Meal plan. Whether you use a meal service where boxed groceries come to you, or you do crockpot meals, make mealtime easier. If you have a new address, ask around to your neighbors to see if they have a meal box service as sometimes your first box can be free. Planning out meals can help limit grocery trips out in the cold.
  4. Be Flexible. While this may sound like the anti-thesis of having a routine and planning meals, it is crucial to survival. Planning is a great and useful tool, but things do happen, and being able to go with the flow when the crockpot wasn’t plugged in or one of the kids needs to head to the ER will help.
  5. Don’t forget about that resource YouTube. If you have cabin fever and just want to try something new – there is a bevy of tutorials on YouTube. Want to try a new hairstyle on one of your girls or want to draw Captain America? They are on YouTube!
  6. Do something for you. Whether it is a Zoom call with a friend on a regular schedule or reading a book for yourself – remembering self-care matters no matter what is going on in the world. It can be difficult to carve out time depending on work, school, or children’s schedules, but make sure to take time for yourself.
  7. Avoid the news. While things like the weather are useful during the winter times, avoiding the news is a tried and true piece of advice for all deployments. Avoid the stress-fest that is the news will prevent you from going crazy.
  8. Embrace creativity. Art can be done indoors, no matter the weather outside. Paint, draw, journal, mold with clay or playdough. There
  9. Ignore Debbie Downers. There are 1000 ways to survive a deployment, and some tips will work for you and some won’t. Ignore the tips that won’t work for you, and rock the ones that do.
  10. There is help if you need it. Deployments are stressful, add in the winter and a pandemic, it can be overwhelming. Virtual visits are available with unit Chaplains, Military Family Life Counselors and through Military One Source.

When the weather outside is cold, and deployment mixed with a pandemic makes life frightful, we hope these tips help just a little. What are your favorite tips to surviving deployment that can be used during the pandemic-lifestyle in the winter?

The Thunderbirds and Blue Angels Official 2021 Air Show Schedule is here!

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Outdoor entertainment is fun and safe entertainment for the entire family. The military air shows have a lot to offer, from the music to the amazing aerial skills on display.

There may be an associated cost to shows that do not occur on military bases, so make sure to contact the event or location for specific information.

Thunderbirds 2021 Air Show Schedule

The Thunderbirds will perform 25 shows this season from February to October, with two more planned but currently postponed with no current updated date information at the time of this posting. Due to COVID-19, only 6 shows were performed in 2020, and the 2019-2020 pilots have remained on the team for 2021.

2021 Schedule:

  • February 14: Flyover at the Daytona 500 in Daytona, Florida
  • April 17-18: Cocoa Beach, Fl
  • April 24-25: Davis- Monthan AFB in Arizona is currently POSTPONED
  • May 1-2: St. Joseph, MO
  • May 8-9: Barksdale AFB, LA
  • May 27: USAF Academy, CO
  • May 30-31: Wantagh, NY
  • June 5-6: Smyrna, TN
  • June 12-13: Fairchild AFB, WA
  • June 19-20: Tinker AFB, OK
  • July 3-4: Traverse City, MI
  • July 10-11: Dayton, OH
  • July 24-25: Milwaukee, WI
  • July 28: Cheyenne, WY
  • July 31- August 1: McMinnville, OR
  • August 14-15: Westfield, MA
  • August 18: Atlantic City, NJ
  • August 28-29: Boise, ID POSTPONED
  • September 4-6: Cleveland, OH
  • September 11-12: Portsmouth, NH
  • September 18-19: Reno, NV
  • September 25-26: Mather, CA
  • October 2-3: San Juan, Puerto Rico
  • October 9-10: Houston, TX
  • October 16-17: Sanford, FL
  • October 23-24: Lancaster, CA
  • October 30-31: Salinas, CA

For more information on the USAF Thunderbirds, show locations, and dates, visit their website at www.afthunderbirds.com. It is recommended to check their website and the show’s location for the most up to date information on scheduling.

Blue Angels 2021 Air Show Schedule

The Blue Angels are entering the 75th anniversary season this year. This is the first show season flying the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet. The entire 2020 show season was canceled due to COVID-19 except for flyovers, including Operation America Strong. If the 2021 season can be completed as scheduled, the Blue Angels will fly 30 shows from March to November, ending at their home base of Pensacola, Florida. If you are local to one of their planned performances, it will surely be worth the watch.

2021 Schedule:

  • March 13: Open to the public practice at NAF El Centro, CA
  • April 10-11: NAS Jacksonville, FL
  • April 17-18: Lakeland, FL
  • April 24-25: MCAS Beaufort, SC
  • May 1-2: NAS Corpus Christi, TX
  • May 8-9: Fort Lauderdale, FL
  • May 15-16: Melbourne, FL
  • May 26-28: Annapolis, MD
  • May 29-30: Latrobe, PA
  • June 5-6: Lake Charles, LA
  • June 12-13: La Crosee, WI
  • June 19-20: Niagra Falls, NT
  • June 26-27: Duluth, MN
  • July 3-4: New Century, KS
  • July 10: Pensacola Beach, FL
  • July 24-25: Fargo, ND
  • July 31-August 1: Eielseon AFB, AK
  • August 7-8: Seattle, WA
  • August 14-15: Owensboro, KY
  • August 21-22: Chicago, IL
  • August 28-29: London, Ontario, Canada
  • September 4-5: JB Cape Cod, MA
  • September 18-19: NAS Oceana, VA
  • September 25-26: MCAS Miramar, CA
  • October 2-3: Huntington Beach, CA
  • October 9-10: San Francisco, CA
  • October 16-17: Lovelnad, CO
  • October 23-24: Ft. Worth, TX
  • October 30-31: Rome, GA
  • November 5-6: NAS Pensacola, FL

For more information on the USNA Blue Angels, show locations and dates, visit their website at www.blueangels.navy.mil. It is recommended to check their website and the location of the show for the most up to date information on scheduling.

Pack up those noise-canceling headphones and plan out a picnic lunch and find an airshow near you!

Use Your Military Discount to Shop This Valentine’s Day

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Valentine’s Day is just over 30 days away! The décor started popping up in stores before Christmas passed, and some holiday candy were already supplanted by heart-shaped chocolates and boxes before Santa came! It isn’t surprising that shopping has already begun for the holiday of love. After the cost of the holidays, the idea of spending more on a gift for Valentine’s Day can be daunting. For military and veteran families, don’t forget to use your military discount to save money while buying a gift. Think outside the heart-shaped chocolate box with these ideas.

Clothing

Asics offers a 40% discount when you purchase directly from them.

L.L. Bean offers 10% off their gear online and in person.

LuLuLemon offers 25% for all in-store purchases.

Verify your discount with North Face, and you can get a discount on clothing and footwear.

Reebok offers 50% to Military and Government employees for purchases.

Under Armour traditionally offers 10% discount and has recently increased it to 20% – in store only.

Zappos offers 10% for every purchase to military and their family members.

Crafts

If you have a crafty person in your life who paints or bakes cakes, you might be looking at Michael’s to purchase a gift – don’t forget to ask for your 15% military discount!

Electronics

Moving back to the states and need a new phone plan? Or maybe looking at changing your service provider for Valentine’s Day, make sure to use the discounts offered from AT&T,  T-Mobile, and Verizon.

If you are looking at an Apple product or device, Apple offers a 10% discount or check out your local military exchange where you won’t pay sales tax!

If a computer is on your list as a Valentine’s gift, Dell offers a 10% discount by emailing militarydiscount@dell.com.

Experiences

If you are local to Colonial Williamsburg, consider a trip there using up the annual passport discount offered to Active-Duty, Reservists, National Guard, Retirees and Veterans.

If you are local to Sea World San Diego or Sea World Orlando, Active-Duty military, Reservists, National Guard and Veterans can use the complimentary one day admission for up to 4 people in total including the service member to spend time together as a family – don’t forget the masks and sanitizer, and check up on local regulations before you go.

How about paying $0! All current U.S. military service members and their dependents are offered a free annual military pass to the National Parks! Show your military ID at any of these federal recreation sites and get your military pass for the year.

Fitness

If you are placing an order for Bowflex, call and ask about their military discount. Military families have saved 15% off equipment.

Peloton offers a free Essentials Package (Peloton shoes, weights and headphones) with the purchase of a Peloton Bike if you were looking at purchasing one for Valentine’s Day.

Home Goods

If you need a new appliance or even stores containers (hello preparations for that PCS!), consider using your military discount at Home Depot or Lowe’s to buy these items for your Valentine. They are useful items that will be used daily, why not make these your valentine gift.

Big Lots offers a 10% year-round discount for active duty as part of their Big Rewards Program if you are looking for housewares, games or clothes on offer at Big Lots.

If you are needing a new piece of furniture (thank you moving company for sending that reimbursement check), Pottery Barn offers a 15% discount for military and veterans and their families. While it is typically verified in store, there have been reports of getting the discount added via phone.

Heading out to Restoration Hardware? Don’t forget to ask about the military discount, which military family members shared is 25% off!

Yeti offers a military discount online through verification from ID.me.

Toys

American Girl traditionally offers a 15% discount in store only, but with the recent pandemic they have also been offering it if you call in as well.

I wonder what St. Valentine would think of this celebration in his name that became a day for love in the Middle Ages.

Saving money when making any purchase is just that – saved money. It doesn’t hurt to ask if you are making a purchase from any store that isn’t listed here.

Is there a discount you use, that isn’t listed here? Let us know!

How Might Airmen Be Affected by Change in Retention in FY 21

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Air Force Retention is at an all-time high. For the first time in twenty years, the Air Force has the highest number of airmen in active duty service. Some members who had planned to transition out of service in 2020 delayed their transition due to COVID-19 concerns. The Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services, Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly credits Congress with helping to keep manpower high stating in a press release that “Congress delivered immense help, increased our numbers and helped us make real readiness improvements after sequestration reductions.”

Different programs are being considered to bring numbers back to below the total end strength of 333,700.  Voluntary opportunities are being reviewed by Headquarters Air Force to provide airmen the opportunity to waive active duty service commitments or to move to the Guard or Reserve from active duty through waivers. In addition, retention bonuses will no longer be utilized for all specialties to maintain the force needed to meet the requirements of the DOD and Air Force. “We have to bring in the right number of Airmen each year to sustain the force throughout the continuum of service, Lt. Gen Brian Kelly said further, “We have a plan to avoid future year-group gaps and we will announce volunteer options soon that we believe will balance end-strength appropriately.”

All movement from active to reserves or guard or out of service would be voluntary and no involuntary shape forcing programs would be utilized in Fiscal Year 2021. Airmen would be The FY 2021 Selective Retention Bonus Program for 37 eligible Air Force Specialties was released on December 10. The FY 2021 Selective Retention Bonus Program Listing is available on the retention page for the Air Force here and on myPers.

COVID-19 Vaccines Are on Their Way with The Department of Defense Playing a Role with Operation Warp Speed

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With two vaccines for COVID-19 now receiving an emergency use authorization by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration, the logistics of getting a shot in every arm is a huge logistic challenge. Tiberius is a software platform specifically developed for Operation Warp Speed (OWS) to plan and monitor the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine. It provides the visibility necessary for a smooth transition from manufacturing the vaccine to allocating the vaccine down to provider level. Information from the U.S. Census, the Vaccine Tracking System and commercial logistics companies such a FedEx and United Parcel Service (UPS) was incorporated into the platform.

Challenging Logistics

The logistics include not only the manufacturing, supply chain, allocation, and delivery of the vaccine but also the kits to administer the vaccine which include needles, syringes and supplies.

There are 64 jurisdictions which include U.S. states, territories and large metropolitan cities will use Tiberius to determine where their allocated doses will go based on guidance from the FDA, CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices on how to prioritize the administration of vaccines.  An algorithm was devised based on the census-derived percentage of the U.S. population over the age of 18. Initially the vaccine will be limited as the first doses arrive around the country, but Operation Warp Speed will continue to run the algorithm each week as the supply increases and determine how much vaccine will go to each jurisdiction.

“The federal government is running the algorithm, but the states will make the decision as to where the doses go, and we will comply with their decision and get those doses to the final destination,” said Paul Mango, the deputy chief of staff for policy at HHS.

Once the vaccine ships, Tiberius will also be used to provide information updates for jurisdictional partners, said Deacon Maddox, Operation Warp Speed chief of plans, operations, and analytics. “Like most of America, public health professionals are working through the challenges brought on by quarantines, telework and social distancing,” Maddox said. “While the pandemic stresses both people and systems, our expertise and technology tools provide a disciplined and deliberate approach to prioritize vaccine delivery and ease the burden of public health officials throughout the nation.”

The federal government provided training materials when Tiberius was launched Labor Day weekend and HHS funds a help desk and technology personnel for each jurisdiction.

Vaccine Distribution

Army Gen. Gus F. Perna, chief operating officer of OWS recently briefed the media on the COVID-19 vaccine distribution. As soon as the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine received emergency use authorization from the FDA employees from Pfizer, UPS and FedEx began the work to pack the vaccine and get it shipped out. “The strategy is to get the initial Pfizer vaccine out to Americans right away,” he said. “As it becomes available, the vaccine is allocated in a fair and equitable manner to the states and territories, which stipulate the location and quantity needed,” he explained. The Moderna vaccine began shipment once it received emergency use authorization.

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in collaboration with CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens Company, other pharmacies and the states created a very elaborate campaign strategy to get the vaccine to long-term health care facilities and first-line medical personnel who will be the initial priority group,” Perna said. “Our goal is every vaccine that goes out is safe and effective upon delivery. And, we wanted to make sure that deliveries occurred in the places where people could receive them and then begin administering the vaccine to the American people. And, it went incredibly well.” 

The federal government has purchased enough vaccines to meet the goal of vaccinating every American who wants it by the second quarter of 2021.

USAMMA Spearheads Military Distribution

The US Army Medical Materiel Agency (USAMMA) is spearheading the distribution for all branches of the services and is working with the Defense Health Agency’s Immunization Health Care Division. They are collecting the COVID-19 vaccine orders and submitting to the CDC. They will track the vaccine shipments from the vendors to each military location.

 USAMMA Distribution Operations Center Deputy Director Liz Andrews said, “the vaccine will ship directly from the vendor to several military medical treatment facilities throughout the U.S. where it will be used to immunize troops, as well as military beneficiaries and bolster their immunity against the pandemic.”

According to Andrews, one of the logistical challenges is the Pfizer vaccine must be kept at ultr-cold temperatures. She and her team can track not only the location of the vaccine but also its temperature throughout the distribution process. “This is a challenging mission but also very exciting. We are prepared to execute this mission and proud to be a part of Operation Warp Speed,” she said.

USAMMA was chosen for the mission because of their expertise in the distribution of military vaccines such as anthrax and small pox.

“The military hospitals are already used to working with us, so this made the process smoother for them as they were familiar with our systems and forms,” Andrews said. “The USAMMA Distribution Operations Center web development team also played a crucial role by swiftly adapting USAMMA’s existing vaccine ordering system, so it could be used for COVID-19 vaccine order processing. This was a total team effort, and we are just honored to be a part of this whole campaign.”

The Department of Defense will continue to play an important role in Operation Warp Speed until this pandemic is contained.