Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

9 Ideas that Make the Most of Summer Produce

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We’re rolling right through berry season to orchard fruit season all while plump, juicy tomatoes ripen on the vines.

Yup, it’s summer produce time! And we’ve got 9 great recipes that make the most of summer produce!

9 Meals that Make the Most of Summer Produce

The fruits and veggies of summer beg for simple meals that really let each ingredient shine.

We are 100% craving these recipes right now!

Pasta with Homemade Tomato Sauce

Pasta with sauce is such a classic, especially when you use extra ripe tomatoes and fresh basil!

Pile of Veggies Rice Bowls

When it’s too hot to cook pasta, use a rice cooker to whip up a fresh batch of grains. Then top everything with the freshest produce you can find for a hearty veggie-centered rice bowl.

Bonus: you can swap rice for quinoa, bulgar wheat, farrow or any other hearty grain.

Berry Healthy Salad

And then there are days when it’s too hot to cook anything at all, even hands-off with rice cookers or slow cookers.

That’s when we reach for this incredible apple-berry-spinach salad that’s a snap to pull together super fast.

Photo Credit: ©lilechka75 /Adobe Stock

Simple, Easy Tomato Tart

When you’ve got an overload of vine-ripened tomatoes, it’s time to try this yummy recipe for tomato tart!

Watermelon Salad

Yes, watermelon in a savory salad. Just combine it with feta cheese and a few herbs for a delicious summer side dish.

Fast Fresh Dip for Chips

Give your chips something incredible to dip into when you make fresh pico de gallo. It literally could not be simpler!

Grilled Corn on the Cob

Fire up the grill to savor sweet corn on the cob with a flavorful twist!

Photo Credit: ©arinahabich /Adobe Stock

Quick Fruit Jams

Jam really captures the flavors of fruits, especially berries. While some recipes do take a little know-how and some time, we love a recipe for freezer jam!

Sip Strawberry Aqua de Fresca

Cool off on a hot summer day with a refreshing beverage. We love this simple, easy aqua de fresca made with strawberries!

Photo Credit: ©Agnes /Adobe Stock

Commissaries continue roll out of new curbside pickup program at Fort Lee; five more scheduled later in 2020

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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:        65-20                                                                                                                        

Date:                              August 6, 2020

Media Contact:           Kevin L. Robinson, public affairs specialist

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

E-mail:                         kevin.robinson@deca.mil

CLICK2GO

Commissaries continue roll out of new curbside pickup program at Fort Lee; five more scheduled later in 2020

By Rick Brink,

DeCA public affairs specialist

Note: To read this release online, go to the DeCA website.To see photos related to this release, go to the agency’s Flickr site.

FORT LEE, Va. – CLICK2GO, the Defense Commissary Agency’s online ordering/curbside pickup grocery service, returned Aug. 4 to the Fort Lee Commissary in Virginia following a yearlong absence.

“We’re pleased to be back to provide this service that’s become especially popular as we all cope with the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Willie Watkins, DeCA’s eBusiness chief. “More and more people like being able to shop online and pick up their groceries without having to go inside a store.”

In September 2013, the Fort Lee Commissary became the first store to offer curbside pickup under a pilot program that included two other commissaries. DeCA discontinued that program in June 2019 to make way for a new CLICK2GO, as the agency rolled out its new Enterprise Business System to stores. Fort Lee is now the sixth store to offer the new service, and five more commissaries are slated to get it later this year.

Using curbside pickup is a straight-forward process. Authorized commissary shoppers access the system via the agency’s customer portal, MyCommissary. An initial sign-up is required the first time patrons access MyCommissary. Patrons can also learn more about CLICK2GO on Commissaries.com.

Once in CLICK2GO, patrons select from commissary products offered online based on the store’s stock assortment. After products are selected, the patron selects a pickup time and completes the checkout process. The only thing left to do is arrive at curbside at the appointed time, and pay. Commissary workers will load the groceries in the shopper’s car and they will be on their way.

Fort Lee’s CLICK2GO customers won’t be charged a service fee through August and into the first week of September as part of an introductory offer. Beginning Sept. 8, a $4.95 service fee will be applied for each order, as it is at all curbside pickup locations.  

“Our customers are keenly interested in CLICK2GO since it all started here,” said store director Margaret Camacho. “Now we’re ready to once again let them enjoy shopping online and picking up their orders without having to go inside the store, which is something that really appeals to families with young children.”

The curbside program is also offered in Virginia at Fort Eustis, Naval Air Station Oceana, Marine Corps Base Quantico and Fort Belvoir. It’s also available at the McGuire Air Force Base Commissary New Jersey, part of the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst community.

In the other five stores where it’s offered, CLICK2GO has seen a huge increase in customers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the startup at the Fort Lee Commissary is just the latest part of an ongoing expansion of the service, Watkins said.

Barring any unforeseen issues, the agency plans to roll out the service to five more commissaries this year, and there are plans to expand it to considerably to more stores over the next two years, said Watkins.

The five stores scheduled to receive the service later this year are: Fort Polk, Louisiana; Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida; Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska; Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota; and Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina. The number of stores and locations to get the service in 2021 haven’t been announced.

DeCA operates 236 commissaries worldwide. Not all stores will receive the service. A variety of factors, including sales and transactions, existing infrastructure and demographics are considered to determine if a commissary is suitable for CLICK2GO.

“Our agency is responding to customer shopping trends, and we’re pleased to be able to expand this service,” Watkins said.

-DeCA-

Can I travel there? How to Find Out If Your Destination is Safe, Plus COVID-19 U.S. Passport Backlog Finally Breaking Free

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By Marguerite Cleveland

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to drag on and it is summer vacation time thoughts are turning towards travel. Questions abound. Is it safe to visit? What do I need to do differently when traveling? When will my passport be processed? Can I travel internationally? The travel situation due to COVID-19 is ever changing but here is what we do know:

On August 6, 2020, the Department of State lifted the worldwide Global Level 4 Health Advisory which advised U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19. It was put in place with the CDC who initiated their own global health warning.

 According to Carl C. Risch, Assistant Secretary Bureau of Consular Affairs, the State Department has returned to their previous system of travel advice for each country on a level of 1 to 4 based on the specific conditions in each country. The CDC has also lifted their Level 3 Global COVID-19 Pandemic Notice. The change reflects that conditions in some countries are improving and some are deteriorating.

U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories are based on assessment of conditions on the ground and includes risk indicators other than just COVID-19 such as civil unrest and natural disasters. The advisories are updated every day. Currently the only two countries in the world at a Level 1: (Exercise Normal Precautions) are Macau and Taiwan. Risch advised that global conditions remain highly dynamic, and the State Department continues to recommend that U.S. citizens exercise caution when traveling abroad due to the unpredictable nature of the pandemic.

The backlog on passports is finally beginning to break free. Unlike some government positions those processing passports cannot work at home due to security issues with personal documents such as birth certificates and this contributed to the backlog. In June the State Department began a phased reopening as employees began returning to work. Since that time pending applications have dropped from 1.8 million to around 1 million. Typically, there are normally around 1 million applications pending so the processing time has improved.

At this time, you cannot get an expedited passport unless you have a life or death emergency and must travel outside the country within 3 business days. Call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 during business hours Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time or after hours call 202-647-4000. You must provide supporting documents with your application such as a death certificate or signed letter from a hospital or medical professional and proof of travel such as a reservation or ticket.

Tip – Allow 7 – 10 days after you submitted a passport application or renewal to check the status. Go to the  Online Passport Status System to sign up for email notifications. You will receive 3 emails, first when it is in process, second once it is approved, and third once it is mailed. This is an easy way to help you keep track. I submitted a renewal in February and received it back in July.

Traveling outside of the country during the COVID-19 crises or other times of unrest can be nerve wracking. One way to make sure you receive information is to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This is a free service offered by the State Department which allows you to enroll your trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. You can also do this if you are living abroad. The benefits are you can receive up to date information on safety conditions at your destination and the U.S. Embassy can contact you if there is an emergency such as a natural disaster etc. It can also help your family reach you in case of an emergency.

In addition to the State Department you should also check the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This link provides information on travel during the pandemic. The CDC currently has a No Sail Order for all cruise ships through September, 2020. There is also information on how to access State Health Departments for information on restrictions for travel to other states. It is a confusing mess and constantly changing so it is important to check when planning a trip and then again before you leave. Some states such as Hawaii have a 14-day quarantine in effect or provide the results of a recently taken negative COVID-19 test. Most people don’t take a 14-day vacation so you could fly to Hawaii and not be able to leave your quarters for your entire stay.

Should you travel? Each family needs to make that decision for themselves and weigh the risk factors. Be responsible and don’t travel if you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Travel with hand sanitizer, masks and sanitizing wipes. Monitor the situation as conditions with this pandemic are constantly changing.

Commissary customers find healthy fresh fruits, vegetables thanks to resilient supply chain

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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:        58-20                                                                                                                        

Date:                              July 16, 2020

Media Contact:           Kevin L. Robinson, public affairs specialist

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

E-mail:                         kevin.robinson@deca.mil

Commissary customers find healthy fresh fruits, vegetables thanks to resilient supply chain

By Kevin L. Robinson,

DeCA public affairs specialist

Note: To read this release online, go to the DeCA website.

FORT LEE, Va. – Commissary produce personnel and industry partners are working through challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the military stores are well-stocked with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

For service members and their families, this means continued access to the nutritious fruits and vegetables needed for their daily meals, said Deborah Harris, registered dietitian and health and wellness program manager for the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA).

“One thing that many may not know about our commissary produce is that we work really hard with our produce distributors to procure local fresh fruits and vegetables whenever possible,” Harris said. “We support local investments to strengthen local communities while reducing our carbon footprint with less food miles.”

Now that summer is here, commissary customers can find nutrient-dense fresh produce by shopping for varieties – fresh, canned or frozen – that have no added sugar, sodium, and are low in fat.

“Fresh produce, because it hasn’t undergone any processing, is a sure bet, as nothing has been added,” Harris said. “A great way to get kids to increase their fruit and vegetable intake is to let them choose an item in our produce section on their own and then help you prepare the item for a snack or meal. We have a great selection of dietitian-approved recipes on our website, www.commissaries.com.”

The nutritional value of produce is reinforced by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, a reference produced by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These guidelines recommend fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy eating pattern. According to the MyPlate food guidance system, Americans should make half their plate fruits and vegetables for most meals, Harris said.

“A diet high in fruits and vegetables provides key vitamins and minerals to ward off chronic disease and keep your immune system strong,” she added. “Also, because they tend to be lower in calories than other food groups, a diet rich in fruit and vegetables is a waistline-friendly strategy.”

Working through COVID-19

The impact of COVID-19 on commissaries is visible to customers, such as plexiglass shields, disinfecting carts, handwashing stations, social distancing tape on floors, and staff wearing masks. The adjustments for produce departments were less visible. Unprecedented shopping trends pressed store teams, prompting managers to forecast orders well in advance to obtain sufficient quantities of high-demand items, said Mike Pfister, chief of the perishable division for DeCA’s Store Operations Group.

 “Produce is highly perishable and not mass produced in a factory; it is grown, harvested, processed, and then shipped to locations for display,” Pfister said. “A lot of time goes into maintaining a produce department as well as the logistical planning to provide fresh fruits and vegetables for our customers, along with dealing with so many other variables such as weather, insects, contaminates/diseases and workforce availability.”

Teamwork and communication between the commissaries and their headquarters support is crucial, Pfister said, to address concerns with produce suppliers, trucking companies, contracting issues, installation access restrictions and adjustments to delivery times. 

“Our store produce departments have done a fantastic job in this unprecedented time, providing great customer service,” he said. “Our teams are continuously putting the mission of supporting military communities first.”

Partnering with industry

In the best of times, commissaries work closely with their industry partners to supply the products customers want. COVID-19 put that relationship to a test no one had anticipated, said Bridget Bennett, produce category manager for the agency’s sales directorate.

“Daily communications with all of our produce suppliers became critical,” Bennett said. “With the initial panic buying, the suppliers were caught off guard as we all were. Order quantities increased 50 percent on many items, and they couldn’t get enough product into the warehouse as quickly as it was being depleted.

“Items we would normally sell gave way to larger packs of hardier items such as citrus, apples, potatoes and carrots,” she said. “In some instances the stores would have to receive whatever they could to supply the customers with product. When personnel in the packing houses grew thin and the current supply was depleted, the stores had extra bulk on hand until the packers could catch up.”

Because of the virus, growers and packers faced a shrinking market, Bennett said. Food service suppliers catering to restaurants, theme parks, cruise lines and schools suddenly found themselves without buyers. The fields that supported those sectors couldn’t be harvested and were subsequently plowed under. Some farms went bankrupt, and processing plants reduced their products down to a core list of items, discontinuing some ready-to-eat fruits and vegetables and packaged salads.

However, going into the summer, most produce availability is returning to normal, Bennett said. One notable exception would be corn, which at the moment, is in very limited supply. “Produce is in peak season for summer fruits and vegetables, and commissary shoppers are hungry for fresh cherries, watermelon, cantaloupes, peaches, squash, tomatoes, corn and all the other goodies – too many to mention.”

From the farm to the commissary shelf: It’s a supply line that cannot be taken for granted, Harris said.

“I have personally been in the fields of our American farmers and have seen the product that is being grown for our military families,” she said. “One thing that is never lost on me is the pride the farmers feel in knowing that they are supporting our nation’s greatest assets, members of our military community.”

-DeCA-

What’s the $96,000 Question for Military Spouses?

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Should I go back to school?  Homeschool my children? Live off base at our next PCS?   

The Answer:  What’s the real value of all the things you do for your family each year?

Both Investopedia and Mint.com independently calculate the value of basic “Family CEO” services—child care, housekeeping, food shopping, laundry services, playing chauffeur and fulfilling the role of family chef—at around $96,000 per annum.  By the way, that figure doesn’t include pet care, day care, tutoring, and any income you’re contributing to family finances. More than one-third of 524,000 military spouses living in the U.S. who are not in the military themselves, also work outside the home, according to a White House Report from the Council of Economic Advisors. 

It begs the question; how would your service member be able to replace or handle all these responsibilities if something happens to you?

FSGLI—Does It Go Far Enough?

Most military families expect to rely on their FSGLI—Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance. Spouses can easily get affordable and cost-effective coverage up to $100,000, provided their insurance doesn’t exceed the servicemember’s coverage.  It’s a great program to cover the immediate need. 

Did you know, though, FSGLI ends shortly after a servicemember leaves active duty, separates, gets divorced, or discharged? After that, finding life insurance coverage for a spouse, without the protective umbrella of military service, becomes a more expensive proposition.  

Military families can prepare for both the unexpected, and the expected—by that I mean the day when your service member leaves military service. Once you have carefully measured the financial value of your total contribution to your family, you will want that amount of coverage to take with you into the civilian world.

Will You Do What Smart Spouses Do?

I’ll admit it.  Life insurance is not only unexciting, it also feels confusing and a bit overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. Answer three questions for yourself, and you will know what to do:

Who should benefit from your insurance policy?

Most military families buy spousal insurance to be sure their children are well-cared for. With FSGLI, the surviving servicemember, who assumes sole responsibility for raising the children, is always the beneficiary. The insurance benefit helps provide the means to purchase helping hands when they’re needed.  

Unlike FSGLI, other military-focused insurance providers don’t limit the payout amount to $100,000 or restrict who you can name as your beneficiary.  Buying a small supplemental policy that covers the first two or three years until the family can get re-adjusted, won’t break the bank.

You might be surprised to learn that for as little as $2.50 per month, Military Benefit Association sells $50,000 of term coverage. For less than the price of one specialty cup of coffee each month, you can be sure your child would inherit the means to travel, take piano lessons or pay some school tuition when the time comes.  What’s more you will never have to worry about losing coverage or your insurance getting cancelled when your spouse is no longer in service.

What kind of insurance should I get?

Whole Life, Universal Life, Variable Life Insurance…put all those terms aside unless you are looking for insurance as part of a long-term, strategic investment.  

Term insurance is the right solution to a relatively short-term need. It gives the most coverage at the least cost for a fixed period of time and is easy to start. Often you can complete the entire transaction online.  Most people, not just military families, want coverage while their children are still dependent on them.  Professionals note that once kids are no longer dependent on their parents, there is little need to pay for life insurance, unless there are already large, on-going financial obligations.[1]  

How much term insurance do I need?

Tally up all the expenses your loved ones will face—some Family CEO services, child care that must be paid for, plus any outstanding personal debts you still may have such as school tuition loans. Now add $10,000 for final expenses. If your family also depends on your income to balance the monthly budget you probably will want to add in an amount covering the rest of the year.

From that total subtract your own personal savings/investments and any FSGLI life insurance benefits. The net amount is a good estimate of what you need in term life coverage. The cost of term life insurance is relatively inexpensive and a decision a family can comfortably make; but if you have any doubts, you always have the option to seek assistance from a financial advisor.

That’s all there is to it.  Why not do what most smart spouses do?  Recognize your family may need insurance, determine how much, make the decision to get covered, then go online and sign up today. 

[1]  https://www.thesimpledollar.com/insurance/life/when-should-you-stop-paying-for-life-insurance/

https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/insurance/how-long-term-life-insurance-policy-should-last/

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Vanessa Guillen’s Disappearance & Death Sheds Light on DOD Sexual Harassment Reporting Flaws

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PFC Vanessa Guillen, age 20, was last seen alive on April 22. On July 5, her remains were identified. What happened in the weeks and months in between are shining a light on the military’s process of reporting and investigating sexual harassment and assault in the ranks.

Vanessa Guillen’s Disappearance & Death Sheds Light on DOD Sexual Harassment Reporting Flaws

According to reports from Guillen’s family and friends, she had confided in them about several instances of sexual harassment in the months leading up to her disappearance. ABC News reported that Guillen had experienced repeated harassment, including a supervisor watching her shower. However, she had not reported anything to her chain of command out of a fear of reprisals.

Since then, female troops and veterans have flooded social media using the hashtag #IamVanessaGuillen, sharing their own experiences with sexual assault and harassment in the military.

Flawed Reporting Practices Exposed?

From across the services, women are coming forward to share their experiences – and retaliation for reporting.

Military Times shared the story of former Army Spc. Ashley Martinez, who said that her chain of command actively worked to discredit her after reporting a rape. Ultimately, Martinez left the Army as a result of this process.

Martinez is one among hundred of sexual assault survivors who are coming forward in the wake of Guillen’s disappearance and death. Many survivors report that their cases were ignored or that their were attempts to discredit their accounts. Some shared that they ultimately left the military while their attackers continue to progress through the ranks.

Hundreds Share Stories of Survival Online

Survivors are coming forward and sharing their stories online and with media outlets. News organizations like ABC, PBS, The Guardian and Military Times are all sharing stories of sexual assault, harassment and retaliation. Popular true crime podcast, The Murder Squad, dedicated two separate episodes to Guillen’s case exploring additional unsolved murders and discussing the military sexual assault reporting process as well.

Across the different outlets, the theme of retaliation for reporting was consistent.

Army veteran Tiffany Summa told PBS News Hour that she was raped in 2009. She waited 6 years for the results of her rape kit. When she summoned up the courage to report it to her command, she was told to bury it and ignore it. Summa shared that she was further threatened that this high ranking officer would “bury” her if she did not comply.

Legislation was proposed in 2013 to remove the chain of command, including officers like the one Summa encountered, and place investigations in the hands of independent prosecutors. However, this bill was countered with proposal to keep investigations centered around the chain of command. Ultimately, the chain of command remains central to investigations of sexual assault and harassment.

In addition, military members are prohibited from suing the military for damages over injuries that occur while they are in the service.

Options for Reporting Sexual Assault & Harassment in Ranks

There are two types of reports that victims can make, restricted and unrestricted. Restricted reporting limits options in terms of pursuing prosecution while also offering supports like therapy or medical care. Unrestricted reporting essentially makes the report public, allowing for military prosecution.

Victims may report sexual assault to:

  • medical professional
  • chain of command
  • military law enforcement
  • civilian law enforcement
  • SARC/SHARP representative
  • therapist or other mental health care provider

Victims wishing to remain anonymous or receive assistance without triggering an investigation can file restricted reports with SARC/SHARP, a medical professional.

Once an unrestricted report has been made it cannot be converted to a restricted report. However, survivors may elect to change their restricted report to an unrestricted report in order to trigger an investigation.

DOD Stats Show Troubling Trend

For fiscal year 2018, the most recent data available, 24.2% of female troops indicated that they had experienced sexual harassment. In addition, 6.2% indicated that they had been sexually assaulted.

Of those who reported sexual assault, 21% of those cases met the criteria of retaliation or retaliatory behavior.

The report also noted that experiencing sexual harassment statistically increased the odds of sexual assault. Approximately 1 in 5 victims of sexual harassment would be sexually assaulted.

There was also a statistically significant increase of women reporting sexual assault across all service branches.

It should be noted that these numbers indicate sexual harassment and assault that was reported to the service member’s chain of command. It does not account for cases that were not reported.

Have you experienced sexual assault or harassment while serving in the military? Did you report it? Were you retaliated against?

How to Prep for an Uncertain School Year

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Right about now, you should be making your list of back-to-school supplies and getting ready for the kids to head back into the classroom. Except this is 2020 and nothing is certain, even K-12 school. No matter what the next 10 months hold, you can still do a little prep for an uncertain school year.

How to Prep for an Uncertain School Year

The first thing is to make peace with the uncertainty of education for our kids. Just like the last six or so months, normal is no longer a thing. We’re all navigating this new world together.

Right now, the best thing we can do is maintain flexibility. Luckily, being able to pivot on a dime is something the military community is good at!

Consider Your Options

While many states and districts are looking to reopen in some capacity, not all schools will be returning to traditional 5-day a week instruction.

What is more likely is for schools to offer one or more options to families. Those options may likely include:

  • 100% remote learning
  • Hybrid learning with some in-person learning and some online learning
  • Traditional instruction

Each option your school or district may offer needs to be carefully weighed and considered.

In making your decision, you should consider:

  • Your child’s learning style since online learning doesn’t work well for all children
  • Additional learning needs, like IEPs, 504 Plans and Gifted Education
  • Your work schedule and job requirements
  • Child care options outside of K-12 school

Know Where We Stand on COVID-19 & Schooling

As of publication, COVID-19 cases are spiking in many states in the US. When other nations reopened their public schools, cases were in a steady decline or had been nearing zero.

Much like this spring, the ultimate decision about school reopening in any capacity may ultimately out of your hands. If your school opens in August or September, future surges of COVID-19 could force the building to close again. Already, schools in LA and San Diego will be shuttered in September amid a sharp rise in cases.

Should similar circumstances occur in other areas of the US, it would not be surprising if schools were closed again in the 2020-2021 school year.

Understand & Teach Safety for School

Part of safely returning to school in the fall means taking additional measures for your child’s personal safety, as well as supporting teachers’ efforts to stay healthy.

Before entering the classroom your child should understand:

  • Importance of wearing a mask 100% of the time
  • Social distancing as often as possible in school
  • Proper hand washing routines
  • Need to frequent hand sanitization
  • Rationale behind not sharing anything with anyone

Right now, there isn’t a lot of data about COVID-19’s spread among children. However, schools and classrooms are closed environments where students will be in close quarters. Maintaining recommendations about masks and keeping physically distant from others is important to keeping everyone healthy.

To support teachers, parents should:

  • Keep your child home at the first sign of illness
  • Help teachers keep the classroom sanitized with cleaning products and hand sanitizer
  • Be vocal with school leaders to support teachers’ well-being and continued health

Remain Ready to Pivot to At-Home Learning

No matter what you personally do to keep your own family safe, you do not have control over other families. A spike in cases has the potential to close physical school building and return to distance learning.

In order to make this pivot, it’s important that all families prep early – just in case.

Right now, parents should:

  • Consider back-up child care options for hybrid learning and possible school closures
  • Talk with their employer about work-from-home options
  • Think about other options for K-12 education, if possible

At home, consider setting up an at-home learning center for your child if you don’t already have a similar space. You could include a desk, pens/pencils, art supplies, folders and notebooks as well as a place to charge computers or tablets.

If you do not believe that the current online learning program provided by your child’s school is a good fit, now is a great time to explore other options.

  • Private tutoring
  • Homeschool co-op
  • Private online school
  • Individual homeschool
  • Private in-person school

The most important way to prepare right now, though, is to remain flexible and consider all of your options. We have no way to predict the future of both the pandemic and the state of K-12 education in the US. The situation remains fluid and is evolving daily.

Parents of school-aged children should be prepared to pivot to distance learning or to jump to alternate child care and schooling options as needed.

What is your family planning to do for K-12 education this fall? What factors are you considering? Sound off in the comments.

Bill in US House Calls for More Aid to Low Income Military Families

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Food insecurity has long been a topic of discussion in military communities, with many citing low income levels as pressing issues for families.

Now the House has proposed a bill to help provide additional aid to low income military families.

Bill in US House Calls for More Aid to Low Income Military Families

The proposal was created by the House Armed Services Committee’s subcommittee focusing on personnel. Proposed supports are aimed at assisting junior enlisted families who make less than 130% of the federal threshold, which amounts to $26,200 per year for a family of four.

Right now, an E1 with more than 4 months of service makes $20,796 annually before taxes. This number reflects basic pay and does not include BAH, special duty pay, hazard pay or combat pay.

A 3% pay raise for all troops is included in the amendment. This is backed by the White House and would increase junior enlisted paychecks by about $780 per year. This would increase E1 pay to $21,576 per year; this falls $4,624 below the poverty threshold for a family of four.

The personnel subcommittee has also proposed additional supports for military families meeting the federal poverty threshold. Military families meeting these guidelines generally qualify for SNAP and other support programs.

Under the proposed policy, low income military families would also receive additional monetary supports, amounting to approximately $400 per month. These funds would be earmarked for basic needs like food, clothing and toiletries.

Easier Access to 24/7 Child Care Included in Proposal

Among the other supports included in the personnel subcommittee’s recommendations are policies that aim to make child care easier to access for military families.

For families at installations were 24/7 shifts are required, the bill would require that the DOD make care available at all times. In addition, an on-base housing priority for military spouses who pledge to provide home-based daycare is proposed.

EFMP Practices Standardized in New Bill

Many families have long had issues with the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), a DOD-created organization designed to make moving with dependents requiring additional medical care or education supports easier. As of 2020, this program is not standardized across the DOD. Instead each service operates their own EFMP organization independent of the others.

The new policy proposal would require the EFMP services be standardized across the DOD to ensure equitable access and support for all families, regardless of branch of service or location.

White House Opposes Low Income Support Suggestions

President Donald Trump opposed similar measures in last year’s defense spending authorization bill. The final policy did not include social supports for low income military families.

The White House believes that junior enlisted pay is equal to or greater than compensation received by civilians with similar job experience, education and within the same age range.

While Trump has signaled that he would veto this year’s spending bill over other issues, including renaming bases to remove Confederate connections and banning racist symbols on base, he has yet to make a formal statement regarding these additional proposals. Given past statements opposing similar measures, support from the White House on the 2021 spending bill is uncertain.

Has your family applied for SNAP or other benefits? Sound off in the comments!

US Investigates Claim that Russia Placed Bounties on Troops

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The deaths of three Marine Reservists on April 8, 2019 are now at center stage in the controversy over whether Russia paid operatives in Afghanistan bounties for US troop deaths.

US Investigates Claim that Russia Placed Bounties on Troops

In late June, news broke that Russia had secretly been paying bounties to the Taliban for killing Americans in Afghanistan. Officials, speaking off the record to The New York Times, said that the intelligence community had come to this assessment in early 2020, with President Donald Trump being briefed in February or March at the latest. Despite the White House’s National Security Council creating a plan to combat and end this practice, Trump has yet to authorize any action as of July 1.

American officials reported large financial transfers between Russian accounts and Taliban accounts, based on digital records. They have also identified a possible middleman between Russia and the Taliban.

Both Russian and Taliban spokespeople have denied these allegations on the record. However, some Russian lawmakers have also spoken about such agreements in hypotheticals. Russian Parliament Member Aleksei Zhuravlyov estimated that if bounties were paid, at most 22 American troops would have been killed as targets, according to reporting by The New York Times.

Why Russia Might Be Willing to Pay

Russia and the US have long stood on opposite sides. At the end of World War II and the division of Europe among the Allies, the two nations engaged in a decades long stand-off. Known as the Cold War, the US and former USSR, now Russia, built stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction, maneuvered for alliances and raced into space – all in an effort to top each other. The Cold War largely ended with the fall of the USSR in the early 1990s.

A large part of the eventual downfall of communism in Russia was connected to a nominally separate battle being waged in Afghanistan during the 1970s and 1980s. Russia was attempting to consolidate and dominate Afghans, a people who primarily identify with local or tribal leadership. The CIA covertly supplied the Afghan fighters with weapons and other war materiel. Eventually, Russian forces were depleted and withdrew at a great loss.

In recent years, under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, a former KGB operative and Communist Party leader in the USSR, Russia has been exerting its influence and strength in Eastern Europe. In 2014, Russian troops occupied areas of the Ukraine, claiming them as traditionally and culturally Russian. The US opposed such a move and, under President Trump, sent Javelin missiles with the condition they not be used in the conflict with Russia. In addition, US troops reportedly killed many Russian mercenaries during fighting in Syria in 2018.

Throughout his first term, Trump has largely been complimentary toward Putin and about Russia. He frequently upholds Putin as a role model and praises the Russian government. Most recently, Trump has been angling to include Putin and Russia in the G7 conferences.

Were US Troops Killed for Cash?

Democrats, who were briefed on this matter in late June, appear to believe the intelligence community.

“Nothing in the briefing that we have just received led me to believe it is a hoax,” said Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) following their classified briefing on June 30.

However, there is no publicly available evidence to link the deaths of Staff Sgt. Christopher K.A. Slutman, 43, Staff Sgt. Benjamin S. Hines, 31, and Robert A. Hendriks, 25, to any Russian bounty plot.

Intelligence officials are still investigating links to other US troops deaths in 2019. According to the LA Times, several associates of suspected Russian-paid Taliban operatives in the bounty scheme were arrested in March and are being held for questioning.

Bounty Scheme’s Impact on Troop Support for Trump

Friends and family of the Marines killed on April 8, 2019 described their feelings about these new allegations as “pouring salt on a wound,” according to reporting by The New York Times.

Other veterans have also spoken out against Trump’s reaction to intelligence briefings, though it remains unclear whether support for him among the military community will erode as a result. The news about Russian bounties for US troop deaths broke a month after General Jim Mattis, USMC (ret.), and Admiral Mike Mullen, USN (ret.), broke ranks to speak out against the president and his administration.

Do you think it’s plausible that Russia paid a bounty to Taliban operatives? Sound off in the comments.

No Photos for Promotion Boards

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Secretary of Defense issues guidance for diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity in the military

In a dramatic change to the promotion board process, Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper directed the removal of photographs from consideration on promotion boards and selection processes effective September 1, 2020.  In the Memorandum dated July 14, 2020, he asked for a review of policies and processes to ensure diverse selection panels as well as the removal of all references to race, ethnicity, and gender in the packets reviewed by promotion boards. The goal is to ensure that these processes are free from bias based on race, ethnicity, gender, or national origin.

This follows the Army’s initiative, Project Inclusion announced on June 25, 2020 which also call for the removal of photos from officer promotion boards beginning August 2020. “The Army is taking substantive actions to ensure that promotion and selection boards are as fair and impartial as possible,” said Secretary of the Army Ryan D. McCarthy. “We’ll be initiating listening sessions to encourage the open dialogue that is critical to helping understand and support each other.”

“The Army must continue to put People First by fostering a culture of trust that accepts the experiences and backgrounds of every Soldier and civilian,” said Gen. James C. McConville, Army Chief of Staff. “Our diverse workforce is a competitive advantage and the Army must continue to offer fair treatment, access and opportunity across the force. The Project Inclusion reforms will complement ongoing efforts to modernize our talent-management processes and ensure equitable treatment for every member of our formation.”

Esper has addressed some additional actions which will take place to improve equal opportunity and diversity policies within the military:

  • Update DoD’s military harassment policy to increase protections for Service Members facing harassing behaviors especially racial bias and prejudice
  • Update the military equal opportunity policy to prohibit discrimination based on pregnancy.
  • Roles and responsibilities of leaders regarding equal opportunity will be defined and updated
  • Prejudice and Bias that exist in the force is not always transparent so DoD will collect and analyze data to identify patterns and trends. The data will be used to improve DoD policies and programs.
  • Increase the frequency of Equal Opportunity surveys in the workplace to determine what areas need improvement.
  • Conduct a study to identify factors affecting the racial and ethnic minority officer retention and promotion.
  • Develop a training program to educate the force on unconscious bias and how that can impact their decisions.
  • Additional training for commanders on how have effective discussions on discrimination, bias, and prejudice with their units
  • Update hairstyle and grooming policies to remove racial bias
  • Determine how effective Military Service equal opportunity offices are and make recommendations for changes.

Esper wrote in the memorandum, the success of our military mission depends on a disciplined and lethal force prepared to defend our country and our Constitution. There is no greater mission and no greater calling. When our Nation’s young men and women volunteer to join the U.S. Armed Forces, they do so to be a part of this critical mission, but also to be a part of a military “family” that spans over 10 generations. It is a bond that is revered. enduring, and essential to our integrity and all we do. As a military, we succeed by working together, hand in hand, side by side. Diversity and inclusivity in the ranks are not merely aspirations. they are fundamental necessities to our readiness and our mission success. The actions I am directing are a necessary first step, but hard work remains, and we will continue to learn as we move forward. Shifting culture requires steadfast attention; these actions will maximize our efforts to ensure a diverse workforce at all levels, an inclusive environment. and equal opportunity for all who serve.

These are big changes which will hopefully lead to a fairer unbiased promotion process for all service members as well as improvements to current equal opportunity programs across the military branches.

“The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.”

Photo from: https://www.defense.gov/

Photo By: Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Lopez

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.PeggyWhereShouldIGo.com