Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

Scholarships for Military Children

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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:         50-18                                                                                                                       

Date:                              July 19, 2018

Media Contact:             Kevin L. Robinson, public affairs specialist

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

E-mail:                           kevin.robinson@deca.mil

 

Scholarships for Military Children

700 students receive grants for 2017/2018; application process to be web-based for next season

By Mike Perron,

DeCA public affairs specialist

 Note: To see a video related to the scholarship program on DeCA’s YouTube site, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbJrphCfYBY

For photos, go to https://www.flickr.com/photos/commissary/sets/72157671315890358.

 

FORT LEE, Va. – Seven hundred students from military families each received a $2,000 scholarship this year, thanks to the 2018 Scholarships for Military Children program.

The program, created in 2001, recognizes the contributions of military families to the readiness of the fighting force and celebrates the commissary’s role in enhancing military quality of life. It’s administered by Fisher House Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides assistance to service members and their families.

“This year, we ended with fewer applicants than last year,” said Marye Dobson, the Defense Commissary Agency’s scholarships program liaison. “However the quality of the applications submitted really exceeded prior years’ submissions.”

Qualifying to be considered for selection for one of the scholarship grants is straightforward. Requirements include completing the application; submission of the student’s official transcript indicating a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale for high school applicants, or college transcript indicating a cumulative minimum GPA of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale for students already enrolled in college; and an essay of 500 words or less, no longer than two pages.

While in years past application packages were delivered through the mail or by package delivery service, going forward the process will be entirely web-based, according to Jim Weiskopf, Fisher House vice president.

“The program has now completed its 18th year, and in those 18 years, we have been able to award scholarship grants of more than $18 million to nearly 11,000 military children,” he said.  “For year 19 and beyond, we plan to have the entire program web-based, totally eliminating paper applications and supporting documents.  The system has been tested and refined and will be ready to roll-out in December.”

Eligibility for the program is determined using the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System database. Applicants should ensure that they, as well as their sponsor, are enrolled in the DEERS database and have a current military dependent ID card. The applicant must also be planning to attend or already be attending an accredited college or university, full time, in the fall of 2019 or be enrolled in a program of studies designed to transfer directly into a four-year program.

Applicants who are awarded a full scholarship to attend a college or university or receive an appointment to one of the military academies or affiliated preparatory schools are not eligible to receive funds from this program. A full scholarship is usually defined as one that provides for payment of tuition, books, lab fees and other expenses.

All rules and requirements for the program, as well as links to frequently asked questions are available at the Scholarships for Military children website, as is the full list of this year’s winners.

Fisher House also recently added an additional custom scholarship search engine to the site, tailored to military families, called “Scholarships for Service.” It’s free, easy to use, and available on mobile devices or computers at militaryscholar.org.

“The window to apply for the 2018-2019 Fisher House Scholarships for Military Children will open in December and close in February, but the exact dates have not yet been determined” said Dobson. “Be sure to check the scholarship page in mid-December for the opening of the 2018-2019 program.”

-DeCA-

 

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

 

 

Stay Connected to Your Commissary Benefit

COMMISSARIES.COM: Visit www.commissaries.com to learn more about the Defense Commissary Agency: check out the latest news, find a store near you, see what’s on sale, create a shopping list, learn of food and product recalls, scan employment opportunities, read frequently asked questions, submit a customer comment form online through DeCA’s Your Action Line and more.

 

COMMISSARY CONNECTION E-NEWSLETTER: Stay connected with the latest news about your most valued benefit, Hot Links to additional savings, shopping sprees, contests, commissary promotions, events and more, go to www.commissaries.com/subscribe.cfm and subscribe to the Commissary Connection newsletter.

 

COMMISSARY CONNECTION BLOG: To see regular posts about topics of interest to commissary customers, including commissary news, human interest stories, shopping tips, videos and notifications about programs or events, go to http://commissaryconnection.dodlive.mil/. You can also subscribe to this forum by going to www.commissaries.com/subscribe.cfm.

 

FACEBOOK: Visit www.facebook.com/YourCommissary, DeCA’s Facebook page, where you can post comments and share news, photos and videos.

 

YOUTUBE: To see DeCA’s latest videos, visit www.youtube.com/DefenseCommissary.

 

TWITTER: To see DeCA’s latest “tweets,” visit www.twitter.com/YourCommissary.

 

PINTEREST: To see DeCA’s theme-based image collections, visit http://www.pinterest.com/YourCommissary.

 

FLICKR: To see DeCA’s latest photographs, visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/commissary/.

 

INSTAGRAM: To see DeCA’s latest photographs, visit https://www.instagram.com/YourCommissary/.

 

Article originally published on www.commissaries.com

 

 

10 Military Discounts for When You’re Stationed in SoCal

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Welcome to glowing sunsets, mountain hikes and seemingly endless summer! Sunny Southern California can be a dream duty station for those lucky enough to get assigned here.

With beaches and wineries and, let’s be honest, Disneyland so close by, you’re going to want to go everywhere and do everything. But checking items off your SoCal bucket list can get a little pricey.

Keep costs down and hit the tourist hot spots with these military discounts.

10 Military Discounts for When You’re Stationed in SoCal

1. San Diego Zoo and Safari Park

The San Diego Zoo has been a leader in zoos and wildlife conservation for more than 100 years. Visit the historic zoo, located in Balboa Park or head to the Safari Park in Escondido for a day of adventure. With military discounts, service members and their families can save a little bit on their trip!

Active duty troops get complimentary access to both parks with their DoD ID. Military dependents can claim 10% off their daily admission fees too. There are no limits on how often troops and their families can use these discounted tickets.

Veterans and non-active duty reserve troops are not offered a discount at the gate. Tickets with discounted pricing are offered through ITT or MWR offices at military bases throughout Southern California.

2. SeaWorld San Diego

You’re sure to have a whale of a good time at SeaWorld San Diego! Head down to San Diego’s bay area for a fun-filled day of thrilling rides, entertaining animals shows and learning about our oceans.

Active duty troops and their dependents can spend a day at the park for free, thanks to the Waves of Honor military salute! This deal expires on December 31, 2018, but is typically renewed annually.

Through September 30, 2018, veterans and up to three guests can go to SeaWorld for free!

3. Hornblower Cruises

It’s fair winds and following seas for deploying service members with a dinner cruise package from Hornblower Cruises! They’ve included special extras to help make this often stressful time a little more enjoyable.

Military personnel and their families can enjoy discounted Hornblower cruises anytime when they purchase tickets through their base ITT or MWR office.

4. San Diego Padres

Take your family to the ballgame with discounted tickets! Attend a military salute game for cheaper. Going on a Sunday gets you a bigger discount too.

Make sure to bring a little extra for Cracker Jack and a drink. Maybe you’ll even catch a foul ball!

5. Legoland California

Get your brick on at Legoland and SeaLife Aquarium! Spend the day at Legoland with a 25% discount or hop between the theme park, water park and aquarium with a combo ticket. Combo tickets up the value with increased discounts and free days!

If you’re going spur of the moment, claim up to 10% off at the gate with your military ID. When you visit ITT or MWR, you can even grab discounted annual passes!

6. Temecula Wineries

Enjoy a staycation in Temecula with discounted hotel rates and winery tastings. Head to Old Town for a taste of the old west or stay at a winery resort for an immersive experience. Grab discounted tasting coupons to local wineries through 2018 to celebrate the valley’s 50 year anniversary.

Related: 30 Military-Friendly Wineries and Breweries You’ll Want to Sample

Many wineries are child-friendly, with open lawns and occasionally a playground! Bring a picnic and make a day of your adventure to the Inland Empire.

7. USS Midway

Check out the Navy of the past with a visit to the USS Midway on San Diego’s Embarcadero. Active duty military can board for free! Veterans can also claim a discount on tickets.

Stroll the decks and reminisce about the quality of chipped beef on toast at the cafe. Military kids will love to peek at the bunkrooms and see where the racks are on board.

8. Old Town Trolley Tours

Dip your toes into all San Diego has to offer with a fun hop-on hop-off trolley tour. From Old Town to Coronado, you’ll learn all about the history of this wonderful city. Head to ITT and MWR for discounted tickets.

In November, military personnel and veterans can hitch a ride for free!

9. Knott’s Berry Farm

Brave the big drops and loop-the-loops on some giant roller coasters at a discount! Military troops and their families can grab cheaper admission every day when you show your ID at the gate. However, military personnel need to be present to qualify for the discount.

While you’re there, say “hi” to Snoopy, Charlie Brown and friends. Grab a chicken dinner and make sure you leave room for dessert!

10. Disneyland and California Adventure

It’s not SoCal without a visit to Mickey and company! Now you can go to the Happiest Place on Earth with a sizeable discount.

Grab multi-day passes with the Military Salute ticket packages. Some packages offer options to hop between Disneyland and California Adventure! You are limited to six tickets per military family per year. This deal is also only for active duty troops and their dependents.

When you buy military tickets, you’ll also qualify for a discounted PhotoPass.

If you’ve already used your Military Salute tickets, discounted passes are available at ITT and MWR offices nationwide. Make a total vacation of it and stay at Disneyland with a military discount. Call the resort or book online to qualify.

What are your favorite SoCal military discounts or special offers? Share your top spots in the comments!

The Commissary’s 5% Surcharge Isn’t Going Away

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There are so many changes happening at the commissary that many people have questioned if the 5% surcharge will be going away as well. At this point, the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) hasn’t announced that it is considering it.

The Commissary's 5% Surcharge Isn't Going Away

When the commissary was first approved, it was set by law that goods would be sold at cost plus a 5% surcharge. The surcharge covers the cost of maintaining and improving commissary infrastructure.

The government is always looking for ways to save money and the commissary certainly takes a big chunk of the defense buget. The government wants DeCA to be more self-sufficient. If they drop the surcharge, then more taxpayers’ money would have to fund the commissary.

When the commissary was first approved, it was set by law that goods would be sold at cost plus a 5% surcharge. The surcharge covers the cost of maintaining and improving commissary infrastructure. The government funded the rest.

For FY 2018, DeCA requested $1.3 billion in appropriations to cover costs such as: civilian and military labor, labor contracts, transportation of commissary goods overseas, and other general and administrative support. Many new programs have been implemented since to help reduce federal funding.

What has changed at the commissary?

Quite a lot has changed recently.

Have you noticed prices at the commissary aren’t the same? That’s because DeCA moved from set prices to variable pricing. That means that prices are not consistent across the country now. If you live near D.C., you’ll find prices are higher there than at a commissary in Georgia. That’s because the cost of living is higher in D.C. and therefore, items cost more.

Goods fluctuate with market prices as well.

Previously, prices changed at the commissary when the cost changed through the manufacturer. Now they change with the market similarly to how commercial grocery stores handle pricing.

Commissary shoppers are still getting great savings even with the 5% surcharge. In some areas, shoppers are seeing as much as 44.2% savings. You can read more about variable pricing here and see how much your region is saving.

DeCA has made some substantial changes in a relatively short time to start relying less on the government for their funding. The success of these is noticeable in how much money DeCA requested in appropriations for FY 2019. They asked for $123 million less than they did for FY 2018. While you would think the government would be happy about that, they are already asking how much more money they can reduce their appropriations.

From the customer’s standpoint, how do you feel about these changes?

The government wants to save money but DeCA still wants to bring great savings to military families. The commissary benefit is a part of the compensation package and is a great recruitment and retention tool. It isn’t going away.

Neither is the 5% surcharge. The surcharge is one thing that customers ask about a lot.

The exchange doesn’t have a surcharge; so many people don’t understand why the commissary does.

The commissaries and exchanges are two different entities and are funded differently. For now, the 5% surcharge stays in place, but if another change occurs, combining the commissary and exchange, you might see something different. That’s a long way down the road though as a new study just began this month.

What questions do you have about the commissary’s 5% surcharge?

5 Things to Consider When Making Your Duty Station Wish List

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How many times have you had to make your duty station wish list? I’d say for us that it’s too many to count, but I did count. This is my 17th house. How did that happen and where did the time go?

5 Things to Consider When Making Your Duty Station Wish List

PCS orders are always a gamble or perhaps it’s luck of the draw.

Our time at this house has just come to an end as well. I’ve always been up for adventure and loved moving. We’ve been here for three years now and I keep thinking it has to be time to go. I haven’t lived anywhere this long since I was a kid.

Whether it’s your first time making a duty station wish list or your twentieth, talking about the different options is sure to have you on the edge of your seat. You can request a specific location but don’t get your heart set on it.

It’s always a gamble or perhaps it’s luck of the draw.

Even if you are told you have PCS orders to one location, it can always change.

We just made our wish list and for a brief moment we had verbal orders to our first choice. Then my husband got promoted. That’s fantastic of course, but we lost our PCS orders. There wasn’t an opening at that location for his new rank. We got our second choice. Technically we still have verbal orders so until I see it in print, I’m not signing on the dotted line for a new home.

Have you made a duty station wish list and gotten your first pick?

Making a wish list is not universal across the branches.

For the most part though, you provide a list of your top three choices for your next duty station and a detailer tries to match what’s available. Some people merely fill out a paper, while others “have an in” with the detailer. They have been known to work a bit of magic to get desirable orders. Not everyone gets that chance though. Sometimes service members are given their choices and told to pick. The higher the rank, the fewer choices there are for the most part. That can be good.

I have mixed feelings about our choice. Part of me wants to go on another adventure, but then I also love that this location has so much to offer for families. As we have grown older and had children, our priorities have changed and what we look for when making our wish list has too. What things do you consider when making your wish list?

Here are five things to consider when making your duty station wish list:

Do you want to go somewhere new or are you trying to get back to a place you’ve already been? What was it about the previous duty station that makes you want to go back or what is it about the new place that makes you want to move there?

What is the work schedule like for your spouse? Will you see more of them in one location or will they be traveling more? A few of my friends moved overseas, which is exciting, but their spouses are constantly flying back to the United States for training.

For my family, at this duty station my husband works over an hour away but deploys every six months for six months. We don’t see much of him here and that’s why we live near the city instead of in the middle of nowhere where the military base is.

Is your job transferable? If you work, will you be able to transfer with the company? Consider certifications that might need to be renewed in certain locations as well. Are there job opportunities otherwise or will you not work?

What is family life like in that area? If you have children, what are the schools like? Are there many activities for families? Will the weather be agreeable for getting out of the house to play and sightsee?

Will there be family support? This could be from the family readiness group or family support office. Will there be base events or are there enlisted or officers spouses clubs? Consider groups out in town as well.

Making friends and having a support group is key to enjoying your duty station.

There are many things to consider when making your duty station wish list. No matter where you’re sent, it’s up to you to make the most of it. If you go with a positive outlook, make friends, learn about the area and get to know the place, you will be more likely to have a great experience.

Make your duty station wish list, but be open to a new adventure. Hopefully you’ll get your first pick, but if you don’t, that’s ok too.

How do you decide where to take PCS orders? What’s on your duty station wish list?

10 Smart Habits Military Families Should Adopt This School Year

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New year, new you, right? January is more than six months in the past, but the start of a new school year is the perfect opportunity to ditch your bad habits.

10 Smart Habits Military Families Should Adopt This School Year

Are you ready to start fresh?

10 Smart Habits to Save Money and Reduce Costs During the School Year

1. Repurpose What You Have

Be honest. How many mix-matched sets of curtains do you have in boxes?

Many military families collect several different types of curtains, towels, shelves and storage solutions over the years. When every house you live in is slightly, or majorly, different, it’s tempting to get new things.

Instead of shopping at the PX for new stuff, pull out what you already have.

Reusing or repurposing things you already own works for school supplies too. Try to use last year’s backpack and lunchbox. Try on clothes to see what still fits.

2. Ditch the Plastic Bags

I’ve got a huge stash of plastic brown commissary bags sitting under my sink. They’re great when I walk the dog or need to collect wet bathing suits. But I really don’t need quite so many.

Instead of collecting plastic shopping bags, make the switch to reusable grocery bags.

Pick up a few eco-friendly shopping bags at the commissary or PX. They’re usually located near the cashiers. Local grocery stores also sell fabric bags. You’ll love using your Sprouts bag in Okinawa!

If you forget your bags at home, reuse the plastic bags to pick up dog waste, pack lunches or tote wet bathing suits home from the pool.

You can also recycle plastic bags at the commissary. Look for the collection bins near the front of the store.

3. BYOBottle of Water

Buying bottled water can get pricey! From vending machines, it can run you over $2 a pop! If you’re drinking lots of water, the cost adds up fast.

Instead, bring your own bottle of water. Just fill it from the tap at home.

Tap water might not be for everyone. If you live on or near a military base, you may decide to drink bottled water and that’s understandable.

To improve your tap water, consider installing a filter or working with a water filtration company.

4. Plant a Flower Bed or Vegetable Garden

You’re only living there for a few years, so maintaining the lawn or landscaping might not seem like a priority. You should make it one!

Gardening can seriously help improve mental health! Next time you need to kick the deployment doldrums or beat the PCS blues, planting a few plants or pulling some weeds is worth a try.

Beyond boosting your mood, keeping up your yard can be required as part of your lease agreement. On-base residents are typically required to maintain the lawn and any plants on their property.

Some off-base homes might ask you to handle minor upkeep too. Being a good tenant can help you when you PCS, since prospective landlords may ask for contact information for your previous landlords.

5. Carpool to School (or Work)

Whether you live on or off base, you might be headed to the same school or work location as your neighbors. Before you all pull out of your driveways in separate cars, consider setting up a neighborhood carpool.

Active duty troops headed to similar areas on base might rotate driving duties. You could connect with other parents to figure out a good drop off and pick up schedule for school.

Carpooling helps everyone to save on gas, can build great relationships and reduces fossil fuel emissions.

6. Menu Planning for the Win

Every week, it seemed like I was left with food that wasn’t eaten. Whether it’s one sad apple in the drawer or a box of salad greens, something spoiled in the refrigerator.

Well, not anymore.

Or at least not as often.

Since we started menu planning, we’ve cut down our wasted food by a lot!

We’ve set up a general meal rotation that we run through every week. I tweak a few things weekly, based on what’s in season or on sale. Having a mostly standard set of meals makes it easy to shop since we eat the same things every week.

Another option is to plan out unique meals by the week or month. As you plan, write down ingredients for each meal. Try to plan several meals each week that use similar ingredients so that you can use leftovers. On example would be to roast chicken on Sunday, eat pot pie on Monday and have chicken fried rice on Wednesday.

When you’re making your shopping list, check for ingredients that are already in your pantry or fridge. Then just buy anything extra that you need, plus general weekly staple items like milk and eggs.

7. Compost

Since you’re already gardening, it’s a no-brainer to take your hobby to the next level! Composting vegetable scraps and other food waste can help to enrich your soil. That leads to better blossoms and yummier veggies.

Collect fruit and vegetable peels, egg shells, coffee grounds and other food waste in a compost bin. Transfer to a larger compost pile or system. Over time, those food scraps and waste will break down into super-rich soil. Spread your enriched dirt over your garden beds and watch your plants thrive!

8. Recycle, Don’t Trash

Living in Japan and traveling overseas has been eye-opening in terms of what can be recycled and what must be trashed.

There are lots of options for recycling items. It just takes a little effort to break down cardboard boxes and rinse cans or bottles.

As you cook and eat, be mindful of food packaging and what you do with empty containers. Most glass, metal, paper, cardboard and plastic can and should be recycled.

Check the recycling policies where you live for specific rules about removing caps or rinsing containers.

9. Pick Up Together

Instead of posting an angry rant in the neighborhood Facebook page, grab a trash bag and pick up a little bit of trash. Better yet, set up recurring neighborhood clean-ups!

You’ll connect with your neighbors in new and different ways. Plus, your community will look so much better without litter or pet waste.

10. Purge the Items You Haven’t Used

So those curtains…if you haven’t used them in a few moves, it might be time to give up the ghost. Instead of dragging them to yet another duty station, where you won’t unpack them again, donate or sell them.

However you do it, get rid of the stuff you haven’t used in a while. If you can’t or don’t use it, it’s time to lose it!

What habits do you want to change this school year?

Veterans Annoyed with Office Depot’s Logo on New Veteran ID Card

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After waiting nearly three years from the time the government approved a veteran ID card, the ID cards are finally getting into the hands of veterans.

The new veteran ID card identifies veterans for the purpose of receiving military discounts.

Some companies require proof that a person is a veteran in order to receive a discount. For those that did not retire from the military, they do not have a way to prove they are veterans unless they carry their separation papers known as DD-214 discharge papers.

Who carries their DD-214 around with them? A veteran ID card is a much easier way to prove that you are a veteran at a restaurant.

Many people are happy that a veteran ID card is available, but they are not happy that the Office Depot logo is on the back. The reason their logo is on the back is because they are printing the cards.

While the government approved the production of a veteran ID card, the government did not provide funding to pay for the ID cards.

That’s when Office Depot stepped up.

It makes sense from a business standpoint to get some free advertising out of the huge cost. The company is not only paying to produce the veteran ID cards, but they are also covering the cost of mailing them. They have agreed to do so until the end of fiscal year 2020. That will add up to a huge investment for Office Depot.

Veterans Annoyed with Office Depot's Logo on New Veteran ID Card

Who carries their DD-214 around with them? A veteran ID card is a much easier way to prove that you are a veteran at a restaurant.

The veteran ID card is highly requested. When they initially launched the website to apply for the veteran ID card, the site crashed. After adjustments were made, Vets.gov was able to get the program started again.

As of mid May, nearly 99,000 applications for the veteran ID card had been received and over 26,000 had been approved. More than 10,000 people were mailed a veteran ID card before the end of the month.

A veteran ID card sounds great, but many veterans are annoyed about the Office Depot logo on the back. They feel like it cheapens the card and makes it look unprofessional.

The back of the card has the Veterans Crisis Line phone number, the Office Depot logo and a tagline that reads: “Saluting you today and every day. Thanks for taking care of business.”

The back of the new Veteran ID card includes the Office Depot company logo. Photo credit: Military.com

When I first saw the veteran ID card, I thought the Office Depot logo on the back made the card look unofficial. It’s nothing like a standard issued military ID. Perhaps that’s on purpose.

The veteran ID card is only to show proof that a person is a veteran in order to receive military discounts.

The veteran ID card cannot be used as an official government ID card.

You cannot use it to access a military base and it does not replace the VA’s ID card that veterans use to identify themselves at VA clinics.

You also cannot use it to get through security at an airport since it is not an official government ID card.

The veteran ID card is specifically to be used for public and some government situations in lieu of carrying the DD-214 paperwork when proof of service is required. It is only available to veterans that were discharged as honorable or general.

Veterans interested in obtaining a veteran ID card must prove that they are former service members to receive a physical card. You can find out more information and apply for a veteran ID card online at Vets.gov.

While some people might not like having the Office Depot logo on the back, I’m sure they like that the card is free. Sometimes you get what you pay for.

What do you think of having Office Depot’s logo on the back of the new veteran ID card?

5 Military Discounts for Your RV Rental Adventures

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Are you renting or taking your RV out this summer for some family fun time?

Make sure you get the most for your money with military savings. There are many RV rental companies that offer military discounts as well as military campgrounds that are a lot of fun for low prices. Here are five recreational vehicle rental companies to consider when planning your RV adventure.

Getting a Military Discount when Renting a Recreational Vehicle

If you don’t own an RV and need to rent one, you’ll be happily surprised to find that many RV rental companies offer military discounts. Some MWR facilities also rent RVs.

Share My Rental is a company that matches would-be RV renters with owners in California. They offer a 5% military discount.

RV Rentals USA gives a 5% discount to military families renting an RV in Texas.

Bates International has special military discounts for renting RVs across America and Canada.

American Dream Vacations is a veteran-owned business that offers military discounts for RV rentals.

Roadrunner RV Rental is also a veteran-owned business that offers military discounts for RV rentals.

Affordable and Convenient Military Campgrounds

Looking for a campground? Check out some of the wonderful military campgrounds to take your RV to this summer. They are operated by the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) office of each branch.

The Air Force has more than 60 camping locations around the world. They even have a frequent camper program.

If you plan on taking a few trips with an RV, joining the Air Force’s frequent camper program is a great idea. Membership gives you access to information about camp sites and it also has incentives for visiting them. A wonderful bonus is that you can earn up to 25 free nights of camping at USAF campgrounds.

One campground to try is Birch Lake Recreation Area in Alaska. It has amazing views.

The Army’s MWR has a great collection of campgrounds around the country as well.

If you’re planning on parking your RV at an Army MWR campground, try Fort Benning’s Army Recreation Area in Destin, Fla. I’ve lived in Destin twice and its emerald waters cannot be beat. This campground is situated right on the water with amazing restaurants within walking distance. You can also rent boats from this MWR office.

Related: 5 Simple Recipes for Your Summer Camping Trip

The Navy MWR also has fantastic campgrounds to enjoy with your family. If you find yourself in Florida, the Oak Grove Park in Pensacola, Fla., is a great place to camp.

All the way on the other side of the country is Cliffside RV Park at NAS Whidbey, Wa. This is great place to visit. Your family can explore the area and perhaps see a bald eagle.

All of the MWR campgrounds offer great amenities in a wonderful setting. You can’t beat the rates either.

If you want to venture to non-military campgrounds, make sure you check to see if they offer a military discount before making your reservation. Encore and Thousand Trails offer a 20% discount at RV sites around the country.

I love that you can park your RV at Jellystone Park. Really. There are over 80 Jellystone Parks across the country. They have great amenities including electric and sewer hook-ups, water, 30- to 50-amp service and picnic tables. Don’t forget the military discount.

Tents for Troops is a program where your family can go camping for free. They offer a minimum of two nights stay at RV sites for free. This is possible through the generosity of large organizations that donate the space to active duty military families.

There are so many great opportunities for RV vacations that you’re sure to find the right one for your family.

Where have you taken an RV on vacation?

Why You Should Consider Attending a Yellow Ribbon School

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Ahhhh, college. New experiences, exciting challenges, and mountains of student debt. A college education is becoming increasingly expensive. If there’s a chance to cut costs, you should jump on it!

All of this makes Yellow Ribbons schools a great choice for military-connected students.

The Yellow Ribbon program offers the opportunity to decrease your out-of-pocket costs for earning a college degree. It’s a pretty sweet deal.

Why You Should Consider Attending a Yellow Ribbon School

The Post-9/11 GI Bill offers outstanding educational opportunities to military-connected college students. For qualifying beneficiaries, GI Bill benefits provide funds to cover the resident tuition and fees at public colleges.

If you’re going to be attending a private college or enrolling as a nonresident at a public university, there might be a gap between the GI Bill and the bottom line. That could leave you footing the difference. An education at a private or out-of-state college is definitely not cheap!

This is where the Yellow Ribbon Program comes in.

At select schools, there is a fund-matching program available to help reduce the total tuition costs.

Yellow Ribbon 101

Students at private schools or attending as an out-of-state resident, are entitled to the lesser value of their school’s tuition and fees or the national maximum funding for an academic year.

To help GI Bill beneficiaries cover a difference between their entitlement and their tuition, schools may elect to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. This is a voluntary program that does not impact your GI Bill entitlement or funds.

Participating schools select how much of their tuition and fees they are willing to cover. Then the VA will match those funds, and send that payment directly to the school. Both sets of funds are then applied to the final bill.

In order to qualify, students must meet specific criteria.

Only 100% GI Bill qualified veterans and/or their designated beneficiaries are eligible. Yellow Ribbon Program funds are not available to active duty service members or their spouses. However, the children of active duty service members may be eligible if their parent is qualified at the 100% level.

The percentage of eligibility is determined by the service member’s service record. To reach the 100% qualification level, and be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program, troops must serve at least 36 months on active duty or have served for at least 30 consecutive days before being honorably discharged for a service-related disability.

Yellow Ribbon Fine Print

The Yellow Ribbon Program sounds ideal! Extra money straight from the school and matching funds from the VA. What could be better?

However, there are some caveats.

First, veterans and their designated beneficiaries must qualify for full GI Bill benefits, based on the veteran’s service record. Not all veterans will qualify for 100% GI Bill funding. This is required to be eligible for any Yellow Ribbon Program.

Next, your selected school has to opt-in to the Yellow Ribbon Program. This is a voluntary opportunity, and not all public or private schools elect to participate.

Each school decides their own level of funding and the number of awards available in an academic year. This means that even if your school is part of the program, all funds for this year might have been awarded. You will still be able to apply your GI Bill, but there will not be Yellow Ribbon funds from the school applied to your bill.

Each year, a list of participating schools is released by the VA. Funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Award amounts may vary based on enrollment status and level.

In order to qualify, you must first apply to a Yellow Ribbon school and identify that you are eligible per the GI Bill qualifications.

Receiving Yellow Ribbon funds this year does not guarantee that your school will participate in the future or that they will contribute funding at the same level. However, your school should notify you of changes or if they are leaving the program.

If you do qualify for and receive Yellow Ribbon funding, this is a good program to help make higher education more affordable

Did you participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program when you earned your college degree? What was your experience with this program?

Homeland Security’s Request for DoD to House Detained Immigrants Sparks Online Debate

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The possibility of detained immigrants living on military bases in the southwest has sparked wide and heated debate among the military community. The opinions range from military spouses offering to teach English to these temporary residents to ones suggesting that those entering illegally should be immediately returned to their countries of origin.

According to Department of Defense statements, DoD have been asked to provide up to 12,000 beds on military bases for detained immigrants.

“The Department of Defense has received a request for assistance from the Department of Homeland Security to house and care for an alien family population of up to 12,000 people. DHS requests that DoD identify any available facilities that could be used for that purpose,” the Pentagon said in a statement.

Homeland Security's Request for DoD to House Detained Immigrants Sparks Online Debate

Do you support this plan for DoD to house detained immigrants?

DoD is preparing to receive up to 2,000 immigrants before September 2018. Possible locations and housing arrangements are being scouted now by military leaders. Secretary of Defense James Mattis has identified Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo and Fort Bliss in El Paso as locations available to house unaccompanied immigrant minors.

Possible additional locations in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and California are also being considered.

Facebook Post Sparks Debate Among Military Spouses

Many military spouses commented on a Facebook post from Military Spouse magazine stating that military bases might soon be used to house detained immigrants. Approximately 70 comments were made on the original post. However, this Facebook post has been shared at least 18 times from that first post alone.

One military spouse referenced the words on the Statue of Liberty, from the poem “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus.

“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

Many Facebook comments made by military spouses shared a similar mentality.

Several commenters shared specific ways that they would be willing to help, from housing immigrants personally to providing respite child care for immigrant parents or teaching ESL in the temporary housing facilities.

Counter-arguments suggested that people considering immigrating to the United States to stay in their own countries. Some stated that those seeking asylum should not cross U.S. borders without proper authorization and paperwork.

According to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services department, those seeking asylum must be physically present in the United States at the time of their application. In order to be considered for humanitarian asylum, applicants need to cross over a U.S. border or arrive at a port of entry.

Commenters also suggested that those entering “illegally” or seeking asylum should be immediately returned to their countries of origin.

Will Housing Detained Immigrants on Military Bases Impact Military Families?

Lots of individuals were upset over the possible impacts on military base housing or on-base child care centers.

No mention of placing detained immigrants in military family housing or allowing access to CDCs has been mentioned. Multiple sources state that immigrants will be housed in temporary facilities. Costs incurred by the DoD for providing temporary housing would be reimbursed.

Other comments included references to housing issues faced by veterans and their families, as well as by other Americans facing hard times. Some Facebook commenters suggested that instead of placing immigrants into the temporary shelters, that they instead be used for homeless Americans.

Several individuals raised concerns about security and potential issues. They pointed out that many military facilities are closed, and require a DoD ID card to enter or for non-DoD civilians to be escorted.

They are concerned that immigrants may be accidentally able to pick up confidential information and disseminate it to possible threats to the base or the U.S. military.

All indications from previous reports are that detained immigrants would be housed in temporary shelters separate from military facilities and family housing.

Many commenting threads became heated and insults were exchanged from individuals on both sides of the issue.

Dozens of commenters reflected that, based on some comments, they were disappointed with the reaction in the military spouse community.

Others found hope in the empathy of their peers.

Many found kindred spirits who agreed on common points of view.

Susie Schwartz, the wife of retired Air Force General Norton Schwartz and a vice president at Military Spouse magazine’s publisher Victory Media, chimed in with a call for kindness.

“I hope we can all show compassion for each other,” Schwartz wrote in her Facebook comment. “Within our own community and with others.”

Do you support this plan to house detained immigrants on military bases or are you against it? Tell us in the comments section.

Readers: “DeCA Employees Didn’t Earned the Privilege”

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DeCA employees were extended the benefit of shopping at military commissaries starting on June 30, 2018. This policy change sparked some serious debate among our MilitaryShoppers community!

There were readers on both sides of the debate.

Some felt very strongly that allowing commissary employees to shop where they work was common sense.

Others disagreed, saying that commissary benefits are a privilege earned through service to our country.

What Our Readers Said About the Policy Change for DeCA Employees

Former service member and current DeCA employee, David Shingleton thought that the move was fair.

“I went to work at DeCA in 2016 and served over eight years in the military and I am 40% service connected disabled,” Shingleton said. “I think being able to shop will help with employee morale and give us a sense of ownership. Many of us at DeCA are veterans that wish we could shop before being allowed to do it as a DeCA employee.”

Shingleton pointed out that exchange employees already have this controversial benefit.

He also said that he wants greater access to those who have served in the military but don’t qualify for commissary privileges.

“Purple Heart recipients, as well as service-connected disabled veterans regardless of rating, should be allowed to shop at commissaries and exchanges,” he said. “Not all will (shop at the commissaries); if they don’t live near a base, it’s not like it will over-run the system and drive up costs like some say.”

George Page agreed with Shingleton. He offered a suggestion to those who disagree with the new policy.

“If you don’t want workers to have the same benefits then restrict the hiring to those that have the same privilege,” Page stated. “I’m an Army vet, 8.5 yrs (service), worked for DeCA off (and) on since the ’80s. Never got to shop there but rules (are) rules.”

Commissary Benefits Extended to DeCA Employees, Not Their Families or Commissary Baggers

There are nearly 14,000 commissary employees worldwide. Approximately 50% are already qualified to shop at the commissary as military dependents or retired service members. This new policy affects the remaining 7,000 civilian employees. It does not apply to baggers, who are technically not employed by DeCA and only work for cash tips.

This new benefit applies only to DeCA employees, not their spouses or children. When they are no longer DeCA employees, they will no longer be able to shop at the commissary.

You can read all the comments about this policy change here.

Commissary employees will only be able to purchase groceries. They are not able to purchase tobacco or other controlled substances. As wine and beer begin to be sold at commissaries in the next 90 days, these products will also be off-limits.

The rationale behind this policy change was to give commissary employees more ownership in the stores where they work. It was also a logistical decision.

They work at a grocery store all day, but get off work and need to drive to a different store to pick up milk or eggs.

Readers Support Extending Commissary Privileges to Purple Heart Recipients

Perhaps restricting commissary employment to eligible shoppers might be a common point of agreement. Another idea was that shopping privileges be extended based on length of service.

“I think it should still be an earned privilege; a reward for say three or five years of employment,” explained Teresa. “Most of our store workers are well over that anyway, but I think they would agree. I also think that those with a service-related disability should have full privilege. It’s not like they decided to just quit (the military). My own family was lucky. (M)y hubby was over 20 years when he was injured so he was medically retired instead of discharged.”

Most commenters felt that extending privileges to commissary employees was unfair. Many readers feel that commissary shopping benefits are earned and shouldn’t be granted to non-eligible commissary employees.

“The PX and commissary privileges are just that. A privilege earned by service in the military,” James said. “It should be by, for, and exclusively military. By adding yet another group we are diluting this privilege.”

“If said employee has not earned that right to shop at the commissary, it should not be given,” said Karin. “It is a privilege, whether I earned it or I’m a dependent.”

Karin also suggested that disabled veterans and certain other groups should be granted access as a result of honorable military service.

“Purple Heart recipients and disabled veterans, sure,” she said. “They have earned it, some by barely escaping that ultimate sacrifice.”

Do you agree with these commissary shoppers saying DeCA employees haven’t earned the privilege to shop where they work? We would love to hear your opinion. Please share it in the comments section.