Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

Last Minute Holiday Gifts from the Commissary

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Sometimes the holidays can be a little overwhelming and you may be running short on gift ideas. The ones that can be so challenging are Secret Santa gifts, teachers’ gifts and those gift exchanges where you can’t spend more than $10. Your local commissary can be a one stop shop for all these gifts and you can get your grocery shopping done at the same time. That’s a win in my book. Here are a few gift ideas:

Photo Credit: © Brent Hofacker /Adobe Stock
  • Make Your Own Charcuterie. Do you know a wine lover but don’t quite have the knowledge to select the perfect wine? A Make Your Own Charcuterie Board is the perfect gift. Hit the deli section of the commissary and head to the cheese section. Pick out one or two cheeses. Usually in baskets around the deli are a variety of hard salamis so pick a couple out. On a shelf near the deli are Delallo products which are a good addition to the basket. Jars of roasted peppers, bruschetta’s, tapenades and a box of breadsticks add variety. Make sure to grab a jar of fig jam and some fancy crackers and you have a great gift.
  • Pasta Basket. Again, visit the Delallo products and grab a few fancy pasta sauces and some of their authentic Italian Pasta and gnocchi. A box of breadsticks makes a good addition and splurge for a good hunk of parmesan cheese. If you can’t find what you need by the deli, hit the international food section which also has some good pasta ideas.
  • International Candy Basket. The commissary has such a great selection of candy from all over the world during the holidays so stock up. My civilian friends love the alcohol filled candies as they can’t always find them. The German Ritter-Sport candy is so tasty. The commissary has that year-round and it always makes a good gift. Put selections in a basket or gift bag. Keep some on stock for last minute gifts. You can always through leftovers in Christmas stockings (not the alcoholic ones).
  • Oktoberfest Basket – Visit the international section of the commissary and pick up some German products. Get some of the instant sauces in the small packets, some spätzle, potato dumplings, and potato pancakes. You can also add some of the sauces like curry ketchup and pickles. There is also usually a nice selection of German cookies.
  • Beauty items – The commissary carries nice gift boxes for both men and women with things like shampoo, body wash, shaving supplies etc. It makes nice stocking stuffers.

The best time to shop at the commissary is first thing in the morning. Insider Tip: Plan to shop during the early bird shopping. Check out is limited to 15 items but if you are planning a big trip just arrive early and shop the while the store is nearly empty. By the time you are done shopping it should be open for regular hours and you will be able to check out. So next time you are suffering gift-block, visit the commissary for some great ideas.

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

Can You Date a Colleague? And Other Fraternization Questions Answered!

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It’s the holiday season, and you might be going to a lot of celebrations and shindigs. Showing up alone can be intimidating. Your colleague from the shop might take on a new shine. But can you date a colleague?

Okay, so the answer is complicated. Fraternization is a nuanced situation with lots of grey areas, without clearly defined rules. And it’s easy to cross over that line if you’re not spun up on all the info.

Can You Date a Colleague? And Other Fraternization Questions Answered!

So let’s unpack fraternization and all the nooks and crannies that might trip you up!

What is Fraternization?

Fraternization is when relationships between service members of different ranks, specifically between officers and enlisted personnel, cross established norms and impact the chain of command negatively.

But wrapped up in this super general statement are a lot of grey areas, spaces where you could trip yourself up.

Relationships between individuals of various ranks classified as inappropriate could range from overly casual office exchanges to friendships off-duty to romantic relationships.

Photo Credit: © Di Studio /Adobe Stock

So, Can You Date a Colleague?

Again, it’s complicated.

Among troops of the same or similar rank, like two Lance Corporals, it seems like you could skate by with a romantic relationship.

But, just to be on the safe side, it’s good policy to not date anyone you work with on a daily basis. Dating inside of your immediate unit or shop could have implications on the larger chain of command. Plus, most companies and offices prohibit colleague romances.

Long story short: if you’re dating someone also in the military, make sure you’re of similar rank and not in the same chain of command.

There are, however, exceptions to this rule. Because grey areas. So, these are the circumstances that romance can cross the fraternization divide:

  • You were married before the military: your spouse was enlisted or commissioned before you enlisted or commissioned
  • One of the people in the relationship leaves the military in order to continue the romance

That’s kind of it.

How About for a Casual Non-Date?

You need someone to socialize with at a holiday party and you’re thinking of asking (fill in the blank).

Which might be fine, if:

  • You’re of similar rank
  • You’re seriously not considering a romantic relationship
  • If a romance develops, it won’t impact your chain of command

Totally, it’s fine to bring a buddy with you. It gives you someone to hang with, which can be a lifesaver at big events. Just make sure you’re not crossing any lines.

What About Friendships with People in My Unit?

Yes, to a certain extent.

Building rapport is important. A unit that genuinely likes each other, knows each other, performs better in a stressful situation – like a battlefield. And that’s important.

So unit functions to promote morale are given the green light from the UCMJ. Seriously, do things together as a unit. Play softball, grab lunch, host a family day. Do all those types of things.

The key is that all members of the unit or a particular sub-group are involved. Or you’re enjoying time as together with your enlisted colleagues, officer colleagues, other SNCOs in your unit, etc. Basically, you’re being inclusive.

What crosses the line is when someone senior and junior to each other, like a major and a corporal, grabbing beers after the unit softball game.

Fostering a close, personal friendship that crosses significant rank lines, like between officer/enlisted or very senior officer or enlisted to very junior officer or enlisted, is a major no-go. Basically, don’t do it.

Like office romances, friendships seem to be something left between personnel of the same or similar rank. And definitely avoid a close relationship of any kind with the person writing your fitness report!

How About Renting a Home or Doing Business?

Again, probably not. Having financial dealings with another military member that would violate UCMJ for friendship or romantic relationships is not wise.

You might be able to skate by if you’re not in the same chain of command or in different branches of service.

But the kicker is that the UCMJ includes how things “look” as a qualifier when considering legal action. So doing anything that could create some blurred lines should be carefully considered before proceeding.

Big Ask: Why Should You Care?

Fraternization is kind of a big deal. Basically, what the military wants to avoid is the appearance or fact of impartiality because of relationships between individuals of differing ranks.

Being buddies with your reporting officer doesn’t look good when it comes time to consider fitness reports. Maybe they scored you higher because you’re friends?

But a few beers or a casual BBQ – what’s the harm?

Well, it could cost you your career.

The UCMJ is pretty clear on this point. Relationships between officers and enlisted personnel, officers of different ranks or enlisted personnel of different ranks can be punished pretty harshly. The maximum sentence is dishonorable discharge, giving up all pay and benefits, as well as up to two years of confinement.

So there’s good reason to be aware of fraternization and where you’re landing with your relationships, friendships and even casual conversations.

What’s your take on fraternization? Sound off in the comments!

Set Yourself Up for Success in 2020 with Our Jumpstart Plan

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We’re already counting down to 2020 at MilitaryShoppers and just know it’s going to be the best year yet! But in order to make sure it’s great (instead of just wishing and hoping), we’re creating an action plan to plant seeds of success that will sprout all year long.

Set Yourself Up for Success in 2020 with Our Jumpstart Plan

Use these ideas to help jumpstart your new year!

Check Your Money

Yes, the DoD paychecks are regular, but just because you know how much will be coming in every two-ish weeks doesn’t mean you shouldn’t clean your financial house at the end of the calendar year.

Start by checking on your bank accounts, checking, savings and any other places you’ve stashed money, like a money market or CD. Ask these questions:

  • If I didn’t work for 6 months, could my family get by?
  • Is my money working for me? Is it earning as much interest as possible?
  • Do I have money set aside (and growing) for retirement?

Be brutally honest. It doesn’t pay (literally) to look at your finances with rose-colored glasses.

If you don’t have liquid (cash in the bank) assets to cover your basic bills for six months, it’s time to make a plan to get to that point. This might mean cutting down on extras, like trips or eating out. What can you cut to save money?

If you have a good amount stashed in the bank, make sure that everything above and beyond your emergency fund is working hard. This might mean diversifying your bank accounts into higher yield options or opening a CD. Talk to a financial adviser, either through your preferred bank or a privately-operated business, to understand your options and what might be best.

Okay, you’ve got money for “just in case” and the rest is earning decently, but what about after you’re done working 9-5 every day? Do you have money for retirement? If not, now is the time to chat with a financial adviser about how, when and where to create your retirement investments. A financial adviser can help you with that, too.

Check Your Credit and Spending

Where is your money going? Do you know?

If you don’t know, even just a rough guesstimate, you need to figure it out. Look at your bank accounts and credit/debit card statements. Break things down by category, then total up the spending per category and compare it to your total spending.

This will help you know just how much of your income is going to say, restaurants and bars, over the course of a year, quarter or month.

Pro Tip: there are tons of apps that can do this for you.

Clean House

Like literally clean it and clean it out. Start now, going room by room or by category. Consider each item and whether it’s useful and used regularly. Yes, we are going full Kondo.

There will be those items that you keep to use seasonally, like the grill stuff that only comes out in the summer or serving ware that makes an appearance at the holidays only. Totally fine.

But everything else should be considered and de-cluttered accordingly.

Once you’re whittled down, get to scrubbing. Start cleaning at the actual top of your house and work your way down. Save the floors for absolute last in each room.

It feels nice to start a new year with a fresh, clean house!

Photo Credit: © Halfpoint /Adobe Stock

Assess Your Fitness

Sure you can pound out a fitness test when needed, but is your fitness actually working for you?

One way to check is to log your food for a week or two. Maybe try after the New Year, just so you can enjoy the holiday goodies and desserts. Write down everything that goes into your mouth. You can use an app, like MyFitnessPal, to keep your food diary and get a good estimate of calories.

While you’re logging, write down your workouts and describe them. Every person needs a different workout style and routine. If you have questions, check with a personal trainer. Most on-base gyms offer consultations with the trainers on their staff. You can also check your military community for certified trainers and nutrition coaches. Many military spouses are entering the fitness and wellness industry!

Make a plan to create positive change. Even if it’s just swapping a granola bar (not terrible) for an apple (pretty great!) when you’re reaching for a snack, it’s a great first step! You could also push yourself to go an extra lap on the track, sneak in an extra rep or try a new exercise.

Update Your Resume

Even if you’ve got a sweet gig, it never hurts to have a fantastic resume and cover letter template in your back pocket.

Check over your resume and make sure it includes:

  • Degrees, licensures & certifications
  • Most recent relevant jobs to your “dream” position
  • Brief action-oriented descriptions of your job(s)

Your cover letter should be mostly a template, but ready to be tweaked whenever you need it. Cover letters and resumes should be tailored to fit the job you’re applying for each time.

If you need help, there are employment support centers on every military base that can help you create your resume and even adjust it for federal job applications.

Make Your Resolutions SMART

Identify your goals and the baby steps you’ll need to take along the way. Make a plan for success.

You’re going to make your goals SMART:

  • Specific: very clear cut and focused “I will do a 10-mile race”
  • Measurable: you can quantify the success with a number “I will run a 10-mile race in under 2 hours”
  • Attainable: spell out the mini-victories you’re going to reach along the way “I will run 5K, 10K and a 5K+10K races at less than an 11-minute pace on the way to running my 10-mile race”
  • Realistic: is this something that you can realistically achieve under the circumstances? Ex: if you’ve literally never run before, maybe start with a 5K and adjust your goal as you go
  • Timely: set a deadline “I will run a 10-mile race by April”

If you overshoot or reach your goal faster, you can always adjust. Once you reach your goal, make a new one!

Write your goal, and the benchmarks to success, somewhere you’ll see it daily.

Cheers to a successful 2020! Happy New Year!

What are your best tips for a successful new year? Share your wisdom in the comments!

4 Accidentally Vegan Meals Perfect for Winter

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Sure, you like a nice steak as much as the rest of us, but you’re also looking to sneak more veggies into your diet. Did you know that there are a ton of accidentally vegan meals you can DIY at home?

In fact, you might already be making vegan choices without even knowing it! Which meals do you already make and which ones are on your list?

Accidentally Vegan Meals You Can DIY at Home

Adding more veggies to your diet can come with a host of health benefits, liked lowered cholesterol and weight loss. Increasing your vegetable intake can be super simple. Try these recipes to get started.

Chili with Rice

Grab your slow cooker and rice maker for this simple set it and forget it meal that cooks while you’re at work!

To make chili you’ll need:

  • 3-4 cans beans of your choice
  • 1 chopped onion
  • 1-2 carrots, chopped (optional)
  • 1 large can diced tomatoes (32 oz)
  • 1/2 package frozen corn (optional)
  • 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt, pepper, paprika, cinnamon (it’s the secret ingredient!)

Literally just dump everything into the slow cooker and turn it to low. And that’s it.

Your chili will simmer and cook all day. You’ll come home to a yummy, hearty bowl of comforting chili.

Set up your rice cooker in the morning. Program the timer to delay cooking or pop it on the minute you step in the door.

Serve your chili over rice for a completely vegan meal.

Have leftovers? Bake up some potatoes and top with reheated chili for a second day of yummy food.

Pasta & Homemade Sauce

Spaghetti, shells or rotini served with a hearty tomato sauce is a staple food in many homes, Did you know that it is likely vegan, too?

According to PETA, most packaged pasta sold in grocery stores is completely vegan! Just check the box for any animal products, like eggs or milk.

To DIY your own vegan pasta and homemade sauce, you’ll need:

  • 1-2 lbs of your favorite pasta
  • 32 oz can of crushed tomatoes
  • 32 oz can of diced tomatoes
  • 1 chopped onion
  • 1 clove chopped garlic
  • Salt, pepper, other herbs of your choice
  • Optional: mushrooms, eggplant, olives, broccoli, other veggies you like

Cook your pasta to your preference. In a separate saucepan, carmelize the onions. Once they are cooked to your preference, combine the two cans of tomatoes and the garlic in the pan. Add in the herbs and spices. If you’re adding more veggies, pop those in the pot, too.

Stir and simmer until any additional veggies are tender and cooked through.

Serve the pasta with a generous portion of sauce!

Customized Rice Bowls

Sometimes simple is the best. And this vegan rice bowl is endlessly customizable! Seriously, add in whatever veggies and toppings you prefer.

To set up your own vegan rice bowls, you’ll need:

  • Rice, cooked
  • Veggies: avocadoes, tomatoes, carrots, onions, eggplant, broccoli, cauliflower, seriously – anything goes!
  • Proteins: tofu, tempeh, beans
  • Toppings: soy sauce, peanut sauce, tahini, Thai sweet pepper sauce

Cook your rice and divide into bowls. Set out your veggies and toppings buffet style. Let everyone make their own combination for customized rice bowl.

Photo Credit: © sonyakamoz /Adobe Stock

Best of all, this dish can be served cold or hot, making it perfect for packed lunches or leftovers.

Comforting Lentil Stew

You love stew, warm and comforting on a cold day. We serve ours with hunks of crusty, fresh bread and (vegan) butter. However, our stew isn’t meat-based. Instead, we use lentils to add depth of flavor and tons of protein!

To slow cook your own lentil stew, you’ll need:

  • 1/2 to 1 lb lentil, any color (pre-soaking is optional)
  • 1-2 cans beans, any type
  • 3-4 medium carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 4 medium potatoes, peeled and chunked
  • 1 onion, roughly chopped
  • 32 oz can diced tomatoes
  • 1 turnip, peeled and chunked (optional)
  • 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and chunked (optional)
  • 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 32 oz container of veggie broth or stock
  • Seasoning: salt, pepper, paprika, rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage

If you want more tender lentils, you can soak them overnight and then drain them in the morning. You can also just start with dried lentils, they’ll just be more crunchy or need to cook longer.

Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker on high for 1-2 hours, then low for as long as you’d prefer. Taste test around the 6-hour mark for lentil doneness and to adjust the seasonings. Add the garlic at this time and stir.

Serve with fresh crusty bread and plenty of butter. This stew has a great broth base that’s perfect for dipping bread.

Have leftovers? Serve this reheated as is, the flavors get even better the next day! You could also pair the lentil stew with baked potatoes or rice for a hearty lunch or dinner.

What are your favorite accidentally vegan or vegetarian foods? Share a recipe in the comments!

What Is Going On With Military Housing?

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I must admit my experience with military housing has overall been very positive, but I never lived on an installation until my husband was a more senior officer. Recent news reports have me horrified at what is going on with our military families and the substandard housing they have had to live in. Privatizing housing was supposed to fix all of that. These companies are racking in huge profits at the expense of our military families while receiving long term contracts, subsidies and low interest federal loans. Everything from moldy, rodent filled homes to excessive utility fees are hurting our struggling families especially the junior enlisted military members who do not have the disposable income to move.

These contracts allow companies such as Corvias Property and Balfour Beatty Communities which isn’t even a U.S. company to manage military housing. Most housing is almost always 100% occupied with usually a two-week period to turn the houses over. Only about 30-50% turnover each summer. For a landlord this is an exceptionally high rate of return netting these companies a high profit margin.

Photo Credit: ©Andrey Popov /Adobe Stock

Recently 10 military families filed a lawsuit accusing Corvias Property Management who overseas the housing at Fort Meade, of 14 charges including gross negligence and Fraud. The families say they were stuck in mold-infested, substandard housing and were unable to move because the company received their BAH each month making it difficult financially to move or by charging fees to break the lease. The suit is being closely watched by Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.) who personally had members of his staff visit Fort Meade to report on the conditions.

It is not just Fort Meade either, Corvias was also the subject of a congressional hearing relating to properties they managed in North Carolina. At all the locations families complained how their maintenance requests were rarely fixed or took way to long. Mold and rodents raised concerns about heath with many families suffering severe respiratory and allergy illnesses.

A recent Reuters investigation documented similar allegations against Balfour Beatty Communities which is even more egregious as it is not a U.S. company but based out of the United Kingdom. At multiple bases former employees related how they forged maintenance repair data reports so that Balfour Beatty could collect millions in bonuses from the Defense Department. So outrageous! The employees felt pressured to doctor the reports so they wouldn’t lose their jobs.

There are not any specifics as investigations are ongoing but the FBI and Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI) are pursuing fraud allegations at three bases and OSI is persuing allegations at a fourth base. According to the Reuters report the Army is also investigating the company.

What can you do if you are experiencing some of these issues?

  • Report to housing and schedule work orders. Mold is extremely dangerous and is considered an emergency. These work orders should be addressed immediately.
  • If you are given the run around have the service member talk to their chain of command.
  • Give the system time to work, if not the Inspector General on base may be able to help. You can write your Congressman for assistance.
  • If issues in the home put your family at risk and you wish to move but can’t financially make a visit to organization on your base like Army Emergency Relief who can assist with loans or grants.

I grew up with the saying “Don’t Air Your Dirty Laundry in Public” but when it comes to the safety and health of our military families we need to loudly say enough. Those that are in a position should help younger families who may need a voice to help them resolve and address their concerns. Often those new to the system think they must accept shoddy work. Hopefully with all the attention the substandard housing is getting in the media this will be resolved soon.

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

Commissaries Expand Meatless Meat Offerings

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Eating healthy can be hard work, especially if you’re trying to cut down your meat intake. It’s just so yummy! And so easy to cook.

Starting soon, the Commissary will be adding more plant-based meat-replacements in varieties that even the pickiest of kids (or soldiers) can enjoy!

Commissaries Expand Meatless Meat Offerings

Meatless, plant-based proteins are all the rage as many Americans work to cut their animal protein consumption. Moving toward a diet with a higher percentage of plant-based foods can help cut greenhouse gas emissions and improve your personal health!

Commissaries around the world have been stocking some varieties of plant-based meat products for a few years. Stock has been added based on demand in various locations.

“Many commissaries have long sold vegetarian and plant-based meat products in keeping with consumer demand,” said Tracie Russ, DeCA’s sales director. “But demand has grown for more of these options, and so we’ve expanded our offerings in our worldwide network of stores.”

Now the Commissary is prepared to meet the needs of its customers with more options!

“The demand for these products is through the roof,” said Daniel Clary, DeCA’s meat and seafood category manager. “Whether it’s for health, convenience or taste, our patrons have demonstrated that they want plant-based meat. We are definitely looking at expanding our inventory of meat alternatives to match what our patrons want.”

To meet demand, four new additions, produced by Beyond Meat, will be added to Commissaries worldwide. Look for Beyond Burger, Brat Sausage, Hot Italian Sausage and Plant-Based Ground on shelves near you soon!

Photo Credit: ©ablokhin /Adobe Stock

“Every month we are seeing double-digit increases in sales; the plant-based products are in very high demand and our stores are excited to be able to offer this stock assortment to their shoppers,” said Andrea Coyle, store operations perishable team member.

These options should be rolling out in the very near future, joining products already on the shelf in many locations.

Allergen-Friendly, Meatless Meat Products

Many are seeking plant-based proteins due to dietary restrictions, like allergies or sensitivities. All of the Beyond Meat options are:

  • Certified Kosher
  • Vegan
  • Non-GMO project verified
  • No soy or gluten
  • 20 grams of plant protein per serving
  • 25 percent less saturated fat than ground beef
  • Cholesterol-free

That makes these products a great choice for people who are trying to stick to a strict diet.

 “It’s exciting to see that the commissary is working diligently to increase offerings to meet the multitude of lifestyle and dietary preferences of our military community while saving our patrons money in the process,” said Health and Wellness Program Manager Deborah Harris, MPH, RD, CDE.

Why “Fake” Burgers & Brats?

You might be shaking your head and rolling your eyes, wondering why anyone would willingly eat these “fake” meat replacements. And yes, these items aren’t for everyone.

But they can also help you to have a more balanced diet with increased fiber – something many Americans lack in their diets.

“With an increased focus on the benefit of protein in the diet, plant sources of protein help meet protein needs as well as offer a different nutritional profile than animal sources,” said Harris. “For example, plant-based protein sources also provide fiber, which most Americans lack in their diets.

However, for individuals who need to eat less meat for medical reasons or are choosing to do so as part of a lifestyle shift, having plant-based proteins can be an easier transition.

Using a plant-based protein to use in place of meat allow those making this dietary transition to:

  • Cooking familiar recipes
  • Eating familiar foods
  • Easing resistant family members into the new diet
  • Appeasing reluctant or picky eaters
  • Sneaking “healthier” foods into typical meals

All of this can make the switch from meat to, well, not meat simpler and more seamless.

How Do You Cook Meatless Meat?

Generally, these plant-based products should cook similarly to the real deal! Throw Beyond Burgers on the grill or cook in a skillet. Same with the sausages and ground “meat” products.

Use these as you would animal-based proteins.

Meatless burgers and sausages can be served at your next BBQ, with all the regular fixings! Serve with buns and all the fixings for a vegan or lower meat feast that everyone can enjoy.

Combine the ground “meat” with bread crumbs and eggs for a vegetarian meatball. Add these on top of pasta and sauce for a delicious, hearty meal.

Other options include:

  • Meatloaf
  • Chili
  • Brats & sauerkraut
  • Pasta dishes + sausage
  • Burgers
  • Casseroles
  • Hamburger helper-type sides

Often, these meat-like products are so similar in taste and texture to their real-deal counterparts that it may be challenging to distinguish between meat and not meat.

With demand going through the roof, hurry in soon to ensure that you can snag some Beyond Meat options ASAP.

Have you tried the plant-based “meat” options from the Commissary? What do you think? Sound off in the comments!

New School, New Challenges: How To Fix-Up Your MilKid’s Year ASAP

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School can be hard for military kids. The constant moves, always feeling like the new kid and different standards can seriously impact how your MilKid feels about school. Add in deployments or other bumps in the military life road and K-12 school can start to become a mess.

But you can fix your military child’s school year starting right now. In fact, the end of the calendar year is a great time to take stock, look back and plan ahead.

New School, New Challenges: How To Fix-Up Your MilKid’s Year ASAP

Let’s be real: there is no one-size-fits all solution for school issues of any sort. But there are some common themes that run through many struggles and that can impact a majority of military children.

New to School & Feeling Alone

Maybe you’ve just PCSed, moved over the last summer or simply progressed to the next higher level of school. Whatever the case, your child is new. Even with almost 4 months of school under their belt, your child is still not quite feeling connected to the community.

It’s definitely hard to feel like you don’t belong. Here are some options to fix up your MilKid’s school year ASAP:

  • Contact the teacher: works best in the lower grades; let them know your concerns
  • Work with the school counselor: share your concerns and ask about options
  • Extracurriculars: think beyond school-based options and include community-run sports, clubs and organizations
  • Therapy: sometimes talking to someone completely separate from school and home can sometimes help uncover issues
  • Connect with old friends: set up video chats with friends from previous duty stations; connecting with old friends can help boost confidence to make new friends
Photo Credit: ©vejaa /Adobe Stock

Someone is Deploying Soon

A fact of military life is deployment. But just because it’s “normal” doesn’t make it easier.

But you can build out your support team with these tips:

  • Share with the teacher: respect OPSEC, but share as much as possible
  • Let the admin and counselor know: there might be extra resources available to support your child or family
  • Keep communication open: let the teacher and school know about changes with the deployment or your child at home
  • Look for changes: dropping grades, changing behavior and social differences can all hint at bigger issues; let the teacher know if you notice these things, ask that the teacher do the same

Getting Ready to PCS Soon

The process of leaving can be hard. Every child acts and reacts differently. Keeping your school and community in the loop can help to make PCSing easier.

Try these tips:

  • Reach out to the school counselor: use support groups and resources
  • Tell the teacher: ask for contact information for classmates; request recommendation letters, final assessments and one last report card
  • Request the cumulative file: talk to the school’s administration or front office; ask for a copy of your child’s permanent record and let then know when and where you’ll be moving
  • Create a contact list: plan to keep in touch with friends – set up an email group or other chat group, pre-address envelopes and put video chats on your schedule

Grades Aren’t Looking So Hot

Every child can struggle with grades, regardless of military connections. How you react to lower than expected grades can help your child get back on track.

Try these tips:

  • Talk to the Teacher: start by talking to the teacher(s); use email, phone calls or in-person meetings to chat about trouble spots and ways to help
  • Ask for resources: there might be extra options in school to help your child succeed, like differentiated assignments, extra tutoring or other small groups for learning
  • Keep good data: make a file of your child’s grades, assignments, tests and other work; keep track of where those trouble spots are popping up routinely – use this data when you talk to the teacher
  • Get a tutor: free tutoring is available to military families through Tutor.com, but hiring someone to work with your child in-person could be a good option; ask the school for a list of teachers who tutor or reach out to the military community for recommendations
  • Request testing: if nothing is working, and you’ve tried a lot of things, you can formally request special education testing to see if your child might qualify for an IEP

You’re Feeling Disconnected & Alone

Maybe everything is going well for your child, but you’re the one feeling out of sorts and lonely. Try these things:

  • Join the PTA: yes, it’s another thing to do, but you’ll also get access to their membership rosters – which means contact info for parents in your child’s class
  • Find just one: start with one person; reach out to the parents of your child’s best friend or talk to someone at practice on Saturday – it just takes one friend
  • Use the military community: hop into the digital community and send a request for a buddy out to the hive mind – someone will respond and you’ll gain a new friend
  • Be a joiner: don’t limit your new found love of joining things to the PTA, try other groups like Toast Makers, rotary groups or fitness communities; your new friends might be waiting there

How have you helped your child succeed at school? We’d love to learn from your wisdom!

The Holidays are Rapidly Approaching and Commissary Gift Cards Make Great Gifts

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One of my favorite Christmas gifts one year came from an Aunt on a limited budget. She gave my Mom $25 for the family and my Mom went out and bought all kinds of treats and fun foods that we didn’t normally get to have. $25 went a lot further in those days. With our family eating nutritiously most of the time, this was a special experience my sisters and I loved. Commissary Gift Cards are a great way to gift a food experience to your family and friends that have access to the commissary. It is very special at this time of year as the commissary brings in special holiday treats from around the world.

Photo Credit: ©hedgehog94 /Adobe Stock

“We like to say that anyone can show their appreciation and support to military service members and their families around the world by giving them the gift of groceries,” said Army Command Sgt. Maj. Tomeka N. O’Neal, the Defense Commissary Agency’s senior enlisted advisor to the Defense Commissary Agency director. To make the gift even more convenient you can order them online and they can be shipped anywhere in the U.S. or to APO, FPO, and DPO addresses for those OCONUS or you can just pick them up at your local commissary.

“The program, featuring cards in denominations of $25 or $50, has been incredibly successful. Since it began in 2011, over 1 million gift cards have been sold, said Bob Bunch, DeCA’s gift card program manager. “A redemption rate that tops 90 percent shows that it’s a gift that’s not only used but is greatly appreciated. This year we’re making it even more attractive to give gift cards through the rollout of new ‘open value’ cards that let purchasers put any amount between $5 and $300 on them.”

With the new ‘open value” cards, you can determine how much you want to give. Only 40 commissaries can load amounts on the cards. If your commissary is not one of the 40, you can buy them online. Eventually all commissaries will have the capability. You will also be able to purchase in Navy Exchanges with a partnership between NEXCOM and DeCA.

“Separations created by the demands of military service are a tough part of military life,” O’Neal said. “Whether it’s a single service member or a family, using commissary gift cards lifts spirits. The commissary’s quality products and services remind them of home and they can save their money to use on other things to make their holidays memorable

Commissary Gift Card Facts

  • Gift cards are available online and at all commissaries worldwide.
  • Cards are good for five years from the date of purchase.
  • Cards purchased online incur a shipping and handling fee. There are no fees when the card is purchased in a store.
  • There is no limit to the number of gift cards that a purchaser can buy. It’s recommended that organizations and activities consider buying their gift cards online if they plan to purchase more than 50 cards at a time.
  • Cards can be shipped anywhere in the United States. When shipping outside the United States, an APO, FPO or DPO address must be used.
  • To check a gift card’s balance, go online and then click the “Check your balance” box.
  • There’s a phone number, 877-988-4438, on the back of the gift cards that can handle customer service questions. Customers can also use this number to check the balance on their card.

The 40 Commissaries that carry the new Open Gift Card

  • Virginia: Fort Eustis, Langley Air Force Base, Fort Lee, Fort Myer, Norfolk Naval Shipyard Scott Center Annex, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, Naval Base Norfolk, Fort Belvoir, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Naval Air Station Oceana, Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren.
  • Maryland: Fort Detrick, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Dover Air Force Base, Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Joint Base Andrews, Naval Support Activity Annapolis, Forest Glen, Fort Meade
  • Connecticut: Submarine Base New London
  • Maine: Bangor Air National Guard Base
  • New Jersey: Picatinny Arsenal, Lakehurst and McGuire Commissaries at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst
  • Pennsylvania: Carlisle Barracks, Tobyhanna Army Depot
  • New York: Mitchel Field, Saratoga Springs, Fort Drum, U.S. Military Academy (West Point), Fort Hamilton
  • North Carolina: Marine Corps Air Station New River, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
  • Massachusetts: Hanscom Air Force Base
  • Washington, D.C.: Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling
  • Rhode Island: Naval Education and Training Center Newport
  • South Carolina: Fort Jackson, Naval Weapons Station Charleston and Charleston Air Force Base at Joint Base Charleston, Shaw Air Force Base


For more information visit more time and money by visiting the online customer portal, My Commissary).

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

Hustle to Make the 2019 Holiday Shipping Deadline

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Prepping a care package to send to a military-connected loved one this holiday season? As of right now, it’s officially go time! You’ll need to hustle to get your presents and cards ready in order to make the holiday shipping deadline.

Photo Credit: ©AYA images /Adobe Stock

Hustle to Make the 2019 Holiday Shipping Deadline

Run, don’t walk, to your closest USPS location to drop your parcels and envelopes so that they arrive in time for the holidays!

CONUS Holiday Shipping Deadlines

You have a little more wiggle room if you’re sending mail within the lower 48 US states.

  • Retail Ground: December 14
  • First Class: December 20
  • Priority: December 21
  • Priority Express: December 23

Just because you have a smidge longer to procrastinate doesn’t mean that you should hold off on sending your items. It’s better to be on the early side to ensure your packages arrive on time.

Alaska & Hawaii USPS Deadlines

If you’re sending things to Hawaii, you’re going to want to watch these dates:

  • First Class: December 18
  • Priority: December 19
  • Priority Express: December 21

Alaska-bound mail has similar deadlines for their Christmas delivery:

  • First Class: December 19
  • Priority: December 19
  • Priority Express: December 21

APO/FPO/DPO AE Zip 090-092 Mail Deadlines

Everything needs to be shipped, completely, by December 18. But that’s the most expensive option. If you’re looking to save some money, watch these dates:

  • Retail Ground: November 6
  • Space Available: November 27
  • Parcel Airlift: December 4
  • First Class and Priority Mail: December 11
  • Priority Express Military: December 18

APO/FPO/DPO AE Zip 093 Holiday Shipping Deadlines

If you’re mailing to or from an AE zip code that begins with 093, you’ll want to mark these dates:

  • Retail Ground: November 6
  • Space Available: November 27
  • Parcel Airlift: December 4
  • First Class and Priority Mail: December 9
  • Priority Express Military: None

APO/FPO/DPO AE Zip 094-099 Holiday Mail Deadlines

Like our first group of zip codes in OCONUS military locations, sending mail to or from AE FPO/APO/DPO addresses with zip codes beginning with 094-099 should watch these dates:

  • Retail Ground: November 6
  • Space Available: November 27
  • Parcel Airlift: December 4
  • First Class and Priority Mail: December 11
  • Priority Express Military: December 18

APO/FPO/DPO AE Zip 340 Mail Deadlines

Everything sent to or from AE zips starting with 340 needs to be mailed by December 18 in order to ensure arrival before December 25. Keep these dates in mind when you’re planning:

  • Retail Ground: November 6
  • Space Available: November 27
  • Parcel Airlift: December 4
  • First Class and Priority Mail: December 11
  • Priority Express Military: December 18

APO/FPO/DPO AP Zip 962-966 Mailing Deadlines

For packages, letters and cards headed to the Asian-Pacific region, everything will need to be posted by December 18. Mark these dates to ensure arrival by Christmas:

  • Retail Ground: November 6
  • Space Available: November 27
  • Parcel Airlift: December 4
  • First Class and Priority Mail: December 11
  • Priority Express Military: December 18

Check It Twice & Pack It Nice

Always confirm shipping deadlines with your local military of civilian USPS locations. If these dates don’t work for you, it can pay to check with other shipping services, like UPS and FedEx. However, you may pay a premium for their shipping options.

When packing holiday packages, ensure that there are no prohibited items, like alcohol and drugs. For mail headed OCONUS, check the shipping restrictions for your intended recipient’s location.

For international mail, even if it’s being sent to or from a military post office, it’s important to complete a US customs form. There is a quick short-form option that’s easier to fill out. Pick up a few at your local USPS office. Make sure the form is filled out correctly and all information is accurate.

When packing items, take care with potentially fragile things. Adding some extra padding or using bubble wrap can help to ensure a break-free delivery! It’s also helpful to pack really breakable items so that they are surrounded by other items that can provide cushioning in the event of a drop or hard bump. Shipping can be rough!

For food gifts, double-check the expiration date on pre-packaged items. If you’re sending a special batch of homemade goodies, stick to dry and dense items, like biscotti, or use tried-and-true recipes, like canning jar cake.

Pro tip: don’t pack food items in with other non-food items, especially scented things. Smells can mingle and change during shipping due to proximity and varying external conditions, like temperature, altitude and humidity. When in doubt, pack things separately!

No matter what you are sending or where it is headed, be sure to secure all boxes prior to shipping. Use packing tape to really seal all edges and prevent the box from breaking apart in transit.

Add a clearly written address label to the box or envelope and you’re ready to send!

What is your favorite gift to mail to military loved ones for the holidays? We’d love to learn from your ideas!

Share Your Holiday Shopping Dollars with Military Spouse Owned Businesses

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I am constantly amazed at the entrepreneurial spirit of so many of our Military Spouses who own their own businesses and manage to keep them running with the constant turmoil of military life. This year when starting your holiday shopping consider a Military Spouse owned business to spend some of your shopping dollars. There are so many options from hand crafted items at an Esty shop to online stores with military themed items. Here are a few I like:

Army Spouse Serena West not only has a fun shop online at Shop Westhouse, she also blogs about how crazy our military life is. A few fun items at her shop are the Army Man Bottle Opener and her Military Themed T-shirts which I love because they aren’t camo and are very stylish with subtle hints of the military lifestyle like “Master Mover” and “Home of the Brave”.

Sword and Plough is owned by two sisters who were military brats and one who now serves. Their idea was to re purpose military surplus material into stylish and durable bags and backpacks. They support Veteran employment throughout the design and manufacturing process and a percentage of the profits goes to veteran charities. Their Limited Edition Uniform Tote uses recycled uniforms to create a super cute bag.

Military Spouse Olivia Harrell has an eye for fashion and cute gift ideas. I love her marketing genius and discovered her as she posted cute outfits for various activities and then sells them. She has an online boutique and recently opened a brick and mortar store Liv and Rory in downtown Puyallup, Washington.  Cute clothes, Mommy and Me outfits and fun accessories. I love the Cloud Nine Wine Tote. How often have you juggled trying to carry bottles of wine to a function. This cute tote holds two bottles of wine and looks so much better than a paper bag.

Olivia Harrell, Owner Liv and Rory

While Army Spouse Gwyn Nielsen’s site Sparkling Charm does not have an online store it is my go to destination for holiday ideas. She is so creative, really the Military Spouse Martha Stewart. She also curates unique gift ideas on her website which are season specific. A perfect place  to go to get some new ideas.

Gwyn Nielsen, Sparkling Charm

For an out of the box idea purchase a gift certificate at  Reynolds Square. Military Spouse Stephanie Dorr provides website design, consulting, course development and education for entrepreneurs looking for the best ways to showcase their business online. Her tagline is “We help you make a business out of sharing what you love with others.” This is a great gift for that friend who is just getting her business started. I used Stephanie for a one hour consult while trying to learn the ins and outs of WordPress. She is tech savvy and understands the unique needs of Military Spouses.

Here are two sites with lists of Military Spouse owned businesses so you can find your own favorite.  Giant List of Military Spouse Owned Businesses and The Military Wife and Mom Holiday Gift Guide

What is your favorite Military Spouse owned business? Post below in the comments so we can share with other Military Shopper readers.

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