Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

Spreading the Word-YES! Begins to Catch on with Commissary Patrons

By

 

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:         49-18                                                                                                                       

Date:                              July 12, 2018

Media Contact:             Kevin L. Robinson, public affairs specialist

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

E-mail:                           kevin.robinson@deca.mil

 

Spreading the word

YES! begins to catch on with commissary patrons

By Kevin L. Robinson,

DeCA public affairs specialist

 

Note: To see customers discussing the YES! program, go on DeCA’s YouTube site for the following:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eEDwa3S84Y; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XvNn40uPZI; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KgLPv0M9WU;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnSwu09_Bho.

 

 

For an overall program video, go to

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-I80u1Ja5M .

For photos, go to

https://www.flickr.com/photos/commissary/sets/72157669052988697 .

 

 

FORT LEE, Va. – For commissary patrons such as Alexis Bishop, the new “Your Everyday Savings!” (YES!) program makes a good deal even better.

“The YES! program is absolutely amazing,” said Bishop the spouse of a soldier assigned to Fort Lee, Virginia. “The prices compared to [stores off base] are – you cannot even compare – they’re amazing here.

“I know [the commissary] is doing the best that it can to provide for our military and for families. So, I want to thank you for what you’re doing [with] the YES! campaign because it is amazing.”

A few weeks after the Defense Commissary Agency’s June 1 launch of the YES! program, a number of patrons from the Fort Lee Commissary voiced their opinions of it. The program is designed to help make stateside commissaries more competitive with commercial retailers by consistently lowering prices on the items patrons purchase the most. Commercial retailers often lower prices on certain popular goods to attract consumers into their store where higher prices on other items await.

YES! items include popular brands of flavored iced teas, pasta, macaroni and cheese, canned meats, yogurt, cereal, oatmeal, baby food, nutritional shakes, potato chips and other selected snack foods, various produce items that will rotate throughout the year, apple juice, vegetable juice, coffee creamer, coffee, energy drinks, soup, paper towels, toilet tissue, bottled water, dish soap, laundry detergent, fabric softener, pet food and various rotating produce items.

Matching or beating the prices outside the gate is the value Chuck Mullins expects when he shops his commissary. “The YES, Your Everyday Savings, helps me when it comes to meeting the price points that the other stores have in town,” the retired Army NCO said. “When I come to the commissary, I expect and look for those better prices. And that’s what I find.”

It’s all about shopping for the best price, echoed retired Navy Lt. Bill Hines, and YES! checks that box for him. “It’s a wonderful program, and we still have to compare prices, which is what I do no matter what store I go into. But if I were to get that same low price every time I come in here [commissary] it would certainly entice me to shop here more.”

It appears that Hines isn’t alone. Through June 30, commissaries have seen a 22 percent bump in the unit volume of products bearing the YES! label over the previous month. They’ve also seen a 7 percent increase in customer transactions linked to item purchases over the previous month. These numbers do not include produce sales. Since June 1, among the top-ranked items for sales in the YES! program have been water, canned meat, bath tissue, coffee, potato chips, pet food, pasta and laundry detergent.

For patrons such as Army 2nd Lt. Jordan Huff, programs like YES! demonstrate the true value of the commissary benefit and deliver on the military’s promise to support its communities. “A program like this would really show me that the commissary cares,” he said. “It’s basically reaffirming that pledge that they made to service members, and I think we’ll really buy into it. It will be a really good program for us.”

Donna Arms, a family member, checked for the bright orange YES! shelf labels as she shopped with her family and politicked for more dog-related items to be in the program. She admitted that commissary prices were still better than anyplace else she shopped and the new price savings program helps so much when you’re stretching your paycheck.

“There are some awesome deals here,” Arms said. “It [the YES! program] is a better deal because people like me, who live paycheck to paycheck, we have to save pennies everywhere we can go.”

For more information on the program, go to the YES! web page under the “Shopping” link on www.commissaries.com.

-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/.

 

 

 

 

Bringing the Benefit To You

By

 

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:         48-18                                                                                                                       

Date:                              July 12, 2018

Media Contact:             Kevin L. Robinson, public affairs specialist

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

E-mail:                           kevin.robinson@deca.mil

 

Bringing the benefit to you

On-Site sales bring commissaries to Guard/Reserve patrons

By Rick Brink,

DeCA public affairs specialist

 

Note: To see a video related to the Guard and Reserve On-Site Sale program, go on DeCA’s YouTube site to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orhGmjG4l3c. For photos, go to DeCA’s Flickr site at

https://www.flickr.com/photos/commissary/sets/72157698976622705 .

 

 

FORT LEE, Va. – “Bringing the benefit to you,” is a fitting slogan for the Defense Commissary Agency’s Guard and Reserve On-Site Sale program, which observes its 10th anniversary this year.

“For the past decade these sales have provided the commissary benefit to those who have earned it, but don’t live or work near a commissary, and its legacy is impressive to say the least,” said Willie Watkins, DeCA’s chief of e-business.

The program has served over 430,700 customers at more than 930 sales events, which have yielded more than $18 million in patron savings, Watkins noted.

The on-site sales have been held in diverse locations ranging from Marietta, Georgia, to Hilo, Hawaii, and Bismarck, North Dakota, and the agency is always on the lookout for more sale opportunities. Here’s how it works:

  • Sales are cooperative efforts between sponsoring Guard and Reserve units, and commissary store directors who together determine sale locations and dates. A contingent at DeCA Headquarters gives guidance and oversees the process
  • Sales average two or three days and are open to all authorized commissary shoppers
  • Sales feature a wide variety of commissary products largely determined by shopper preferences at each location
  • Customers shop and pay for purchases much like they would at a commissary. There are also preorder and prepay sales – where customers order their groceries on-line and pay for them prior to pick-up at the designated location – and hybrid sales that are a combination of conventional and preorder/prepay
  • Sales are easy to find. DeCA’s website has a Guard/Reserve page that lists sales locations and dates along with contacts for more information on particular events

The program isn’t content to rest on its laurels. Watkins said they’re looking into the possibilities of joint ventures with the military Exchange services, which could serve as sale sites or sales pick-up locations since they have a number of stores at locations that don’t have commissaries.

“The commissary heritage is one of adapting to meet the needs of its patrons, and so we’re continuing to do that as we continue our tenth year of providing this valued service,” Watkins said.

-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/.

 

 

 

 

Parental Leave Policies Extended for Service Members

By

New parents will soon benefit from more generous paid maternity medical leave, as well as primary and secondary parental leave instituted by the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.

These new policies were updated as part of the Department of Defense Parental Leave Program and are retroactive to December 2016.

Parental Leave Policies Extended for Service Members

How do you think these generous parental leave policies will impact military families?

Military Extends Parental Leave Policy for Service Members

The updated and expanded parental leave policies apply to birth parents, including same-sex couples, as well as adoptive and surrogate parents.

Maternal convalescent leave and either primary or secondary parental leave may be combined. Non-convalescent parental leave can be used at any time within the child’s first year of life or after adoption.

Parental leave doesn’t have to be taken immediately after birth or adoption but can be spread out as desired by the service member. However, the allocated leave days must be taken consecutively.

Parents can determine if the active duty member will serve as a primary or secondary caregiver. Birth mothers are not automatically categorized as the primary caregiver.

Related: Should Women Be Included in the Draft?

While the coverage is relatively uniform in terms of inclusivity, there are some slight variations across the services. Additionally, the Army has not announced any changes to their parental leave policies at this time.

Air Force

Active duty airmen can now take up to six weeks of maternal convalescent leave. In addition, primary caregiver leave is also six weeks. Secondary caregiver leave is 21 days.

Personnel may only hold one caregiver designation

This policy is among the most generous of all four services that have announced changes.

“We now have not only the most generous parental leave policy in the Department of Defense, we have the most generous parental leave policy in the federal government,” Kaleth Wright, chief master sergeant of the Air Force, wrote in a Facebook.

Coast Guard

Those who serve in the Coast Guard are granted six weeks of maternal convalescent leave. Primary caregiver leave is also six weeks, with 21 days of secondary caregiver leave allowed. This new policy increases the secondary parental leave from 10 to 21 days.

“The strength of our Coast Guard families determines the strength of our Coast Guard,” said Adm. Karl L. Schultz, Coast Guard commandant. “That’s why time off to care for new family members is really a readiness issue.  Our members need – and deserve – time to bond with their new child and adjust to new routines so they can return to work ready to keep the nation safe.”

Navy

Sailors are authorized six weeks of maternal convalescent leave. Primary caregivers can take six weeks and secondary caregivers can take 14 days.

“Navy’s parental leave program supports Sailor 2025’s goal of removing obstacles that negatively influence a Sailor’s decision to stay Navy when they are looking to start or raise a family,” according to a statement from the Navy.

Marine Corps

Marines can take six weeks of convalescent leave, as well as six weeks of primary caregiver leave. Fourteen days of secondary caregiver leave is authorized under the updated policy. This mirrors the Naval parental leave policy as the Marine Corps falls under the Department of the Navy.

Extended Parental Leave General Policies

All updated parental leave policies are retroactive to December 23, 2016. Troops may combine maternal convalescent leave with either primary or secondary caregiver leave.

While leave categories may be taken separately or jointly, they must be taken in their entirety within the first year following birth or adoption. Service members can only qualify under one of the caregiver categories, per the descriptions in their service-specific guidance.

How do you think these generous parental leave policies will impact military families?

COMMISSARY FAST FACTS – ISSUE 200 – JULY 2018

By

BIANCHI REMAINS AT HELM OF COMMISSARY OPERATIONS

 

The Department of Defense announced July 2 that retired Rear Adm. Robert J. Bianchi will continue leading the Defense Commissary Agency as a special assistant for commissary operations. Virginia Penrod, the principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (M&RA), will concurrently serve as the DeCA director and CEO. Bianchi will report to her office. Both actions are effective July 1. Since Oct. 24, Bianchi has served as DeCA’s interim director and CEO as well as CEO of the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM). Personnel policies did not permit an extension beyond the 240 days Bianchi had already served as interim director. In the position as special assistant for commissary operations, Bianchi continues leading the day-to-day management and control of DeCA’s business operations, while also continuing his NEXCOM responsibilities. Penrod said it’s important that the Department maintain the momentum achieved by Bianchi’s tenure as DeCA’s interim director at a time when the agency continues to evolve as it looks to improve the patron shopping experience by integrating business practices such as variable pricing and private label brands. Read the full article on the DeCA website, www.commissaries.com.

COMMISSARY BRANDS TOP LIST OF JULY’S SUMMER PROMOTIONS

Commissary brands will be among the hottest promotions in July for patrons looking to save even more money. Starting July 23, commissaries worldwide will begin a two-week sales event focusing on the commissary brands. The commissary brands promotions will feature some of the following products in the store front-end displays and the Wall of Value areas: trash bags of various sizes, disposable bowls, canned vegetables, pie crust, bottled waters, shredded cheeses, vegetable shortening and more. Stores will also promote several TopCare items on aisle endcaps including allergy tablets, vitamins, cold and flu products, heartburn relief and antacids. Read the full article for a complete list of July promotions.

‘YOUR EVERYDAY SAVINGS! (YES!) LOWERS PRICES ON POPULAR ITEMS

Commissary prices on hundreds of popular items are now even lower and easier to spot with the Defense Commissary Agency’s new “YES!” program. Short for “Your Everyday Savings!,” YES! items include popular brands of flavored iced teas, pasta, macaroni and cheese, Spam, yogurt, cereal, oatmeal, baby food, nutritional shakes, potato chips and other selected snack foods, apple juice, vegetable juice, coffee creamer, coffee, energy drinks, soup, bananas, oranges, tomatoes, avocadoes, paper towels, toilet tissue, bottled water, dish soap, fabric softener and pet food. For more information on the program, go to the YES! web page under the “Shopping” link on www.commissaries.com.

 

Kevin L. Robinson

 

Public affairs specialist (media relations) Defense Commissary Agency Fort Lee VA 23801

Email: kevin.robinson@deca.mil

Phone: (804) 734-8000 ext. 4-8773

 

 

Website: www.commissaries.com

Commissary Connection Blog: http://commissaryconnection.dodlive.mil/

Commissary Connection E-Newsletter: www.commissaries.com/subscribe.cfm

Facebook: www.facebook.com/YourCommissary

YouTube: www.youtube.com/DefenseCommissary

Twitter: www.twitter.com/YourCommissary

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/YourCommissary

Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/commissary/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/YourCommissary/

You Can Buy Commissary Gift Cards at the NEX

By

You can now buy commissary gifts cards at 43 NEX locations.

The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) and the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) announced this decision saying they “teamed up to make it more convenient for you to share the gift of groceries with the authorized commissary customers in your life!”

“NEXCOM and DeCA teams have provided a win-win for our shared patrons. This coordinated effort seeks to provide our deserving customers additional convenience, and throughout the year our teams will be continuing the collaboration on other joint opportunities and events for our service members and their families,” said Retired Rear Adm. Robert J. Bianchi, NEXCOM CEO and DeCA Interim Director and CEO in a press release.

Until recently, you could only purchase commissary gift cards at the commissary or online from DeCA’s website.

Now the cards are in the NEX, near the front registers. When you purchase one, tell the cashier how much to load onto the gift card. The minimum is $5. The maximum is $300.

These gift cards can only be redeemed by an authorized commissary patron, which means the person receiving the gift card must have commissary privileges. If you’re thinking about giving one as a thank you gift to your child’s caregiver at the on-base Child Development Center, double check that he or she is able to purchase items at the commissary. Government employees do not have commissary privileges unless they are a military spouse or retired service member.

Here are five more things you need to know about commissary gift cards:

Expiration Date. The cards expire five years from the date of purchase.

Gift Card Balance. You can check the balance of your gift card by calling 877-988-4438.

Handling Fee. If you purchase the gift card online, there is a handling fee. There is not a fee is you purchased the gift card at the commissary or NEX.

Overseas Shipping. Gift cards can be mailed to APO, FPO or DPO addresses. This is great when your husband is deployed and you know he needs snacks. You don’t have spend time and money buying the snacks and shipping them in a care package. You can send him a commissary gift card and he can pick out what he wants from the closest commissary.

No Limit. There’s not a limit on how many gift cards you can purchase at once. But if you’re the FRG president and you need 10 gift cards with $100 on each card for your command’s Thanksgiving social, it may make more sense to order the cards online.

This decision by DeCA and NEXCOM to sell gift cards in the NEX is just one in a series of promotions that are linking commissaries and exchanges.

First DeCA allowed patrons to use their Military Star Card at commissaries. Prior to this, patrons could not use their Military Star Card at the commissary. Then DeCA and AAFES did a joint promotion for April’s Month of the Military Child. In May, some commissaries co-hosted a sidewalk sale with their nearby exchanges.

What does these joint promotions and sales between the commissaries and exchanges mean for DeCA’s future?

Honestly, it’s too early to tell, but it looks like the line between DeCA and the exchange is becoming blurred. Will these combined promotions increase sales at commissaries? Maybe.

Become a Facebook fan of MilitaryShoppers for a chance to win $100 every other week.

The Sweetness of Red, White & Blue

By

Top 10 delicious recipes for Fourth of July

Red, white and blue desserts are guaranteed to impress your guests.

Red. White. Blue. These 3 simple colors put together evoke emotions of the American spirit, ignite the passions of a patriot and the need for a mouth to chant U-S-A. This week we celebrate Independence Day.

More than 326 million Americans will commemorate the birth of our nation by waving handheld flags at community parades, grilling hamburgers and hot dogs with their neighbors and under the darkness “oohing” and “ahhing” at the bright flashes of fireworks.

I always associate the Fourth of July with flag-themed desserts.

The dessert doesn’t necessarily have to be an edible flag, but if you want to impress your guests, it helps to be creative. Thankfully strawberries and blueberries are in season this month and make flag creation affordable and delicious.

Here are my top 10 recipe recommendations for red, white and blue treats.

Fourth of July JELL-O

Using a package of berry blue gelatin and a package of strawberry gelatin, you can easily create blue and red JELL-O cubes. This dessert is perfect for a party with lots of little fingers. JELL-O is especially delicious when it’s cubed. One note: Plan ahead to have enough time to allow the JELL-O to set.

Patriotic Gelatin Salad

We all know that Independence Day is July 4th, but I don’t limit the festive food to one single day. My family enjoys eating Fourth of July desserts throughout the entire month. For that reason, I skip on making Patriotic Gelatin Salad on the holiday, but make it for a neighborhood potluck on a week when I have extra time and the patience for the steps of dissolving gelatin, placing that layer in the fluted tube pan and then chilling it for more than 30 minutes before adding another layer.

Firecracker Red, White and Blue Cake

This cake is red, white and blue on both the inside and out. You prepare the cake batter as directed on the box before dividing it into 3 bowls (one for red food coloring, one for blue and the other is the white batter). Once the cake is baked and cooled completely, you drizzle the white frosting back and forth around the cake in a striping pattern before drizzling blue and red frosting on it. Make sure all 3 colors of frosting can be seen on the cake.

Red, White and Blue Strawberry Shortcake

My childhood best friend Kelly’s birthday is July 3. Guess what type of birthday cake she had every year? This Red, White and Blue Strawberry Shortcake. I always liked how the sliced strawberries are arranged as the stripes to create the American flag. Always serve this cake chilled from the refrigerator.

Patriotic JELL-O Cake

Another cake that is served chilled is this Patriotic JELL-O Cake. In this recipe, you prepare and bake 2 round white cakes as directed on the box. Once the cakes are cooled, you pierce each cake with a fork. Then take 2 boxes of dissolved JELL-O (red and blue) and pour one type of JELL-O over one cake. Repeat with the other type of JELL-O on the other cake. Refrigerator at least 2 hours before assembling and spreading frosting between the layers and on the outside of the cake. Expect your friends to be impressed with the swirls of red and blue inside the cake.

Easy Strawberry and Blueberry Dessert

This easy and beautiful dessert is perfect for the Fourth of July. It takes minimal prep time, yet it will taste delicious. Note: It makes 4 to 6 servings, so be prepared to double the recipe if you are entertaining friends.

Top 10 Fourth of July desserts

Strawberries add the flare of red to any Fourth of July dessert.

Red, White and Blue Banana Split

Another cool dessert is the Red, White and Blue Banana Split. It’s a refreshing dessert that using strawberries, blueberries, pineapples and bananas. Perfect if you are celebrating the holiday in Hawaii.

These final 3 recipes are equally delicious and patriotic.

JELL-O Easy Patriotic Pie
The Flag Cheesecake
Patriotic No-Bake Cheesecake

Now that you have the makings for a festive dessert, the only thing missing is the sparklers.

What’s your favorite dessert to serve on the Fourth of July?

Deployment Is a Great Time for a Healthy Change

By

by Amanda Marksmeier, Guest Contributor

No one wants to get the news a loved one is deploying. While it might be tempting to press the pause button on your life, instead press the reset button.

Deployments are the perfect excuse to reset and refocus on your health.

Everyone wants to know how to make deployment go by quickly. Our instinct is to rush through unpleasant times and circumstances. Instead of looking at a deployment as something to blitz through, use deployments as a time to set and achieve personal goals.

Deployment Is a Great Time for a Healthy Change

Whether it is incorporating meatless Mondays or taking a paddleboard yoga class I thoughtfully use deployments as a way to participate in activities which will improve my life, mind and body.

Goals Keep You Focused and Achievement Keeps You Going

I will be the first to admit, setting goals can be challenging.

If your goals are too low, you will get bored.

If they are too high, you’ll get discouraged.

What do you want to accomplish while your spouse is away? Want to form better eating habits, find balance or start exercising?

Whatever you choose, commitment to it. Decide what you need to do to achieve your goals and start preparing prior to deployment. Schedule time in your calendar to focus on your goals.

Your health is just as important as FRG coffees.

Once you have established your goals, write them down. Put them in plain sight where you will see them daily. Hang your goals on your refrigerator or bathroom mirror. They will serve as a constant reminder and motivate you to keep going.

Set Realistic Goals

Saying “I want to lose 50 pounds in a month” is not only unrealistic, it is unhealthy. If your deployment goal is to lose weight talk with your health care provider and decide what is a reasonably goal.

Losing weight is like a marathon. Pace yourself and take it one day at a time.

Don’t Stay Busy, Stay Active

The thought of working out can be intimidating and exhausting, particularly if you haven’t done it in a long time. Don’t overthink it. Any movement is a step in the right direction.

If you don’t enjoy running, don’t sign up for a marathon. You’ll hate preparing for it and it will be so much easier to quit.

Find something you enjoy and start moving.

Related: How Does Tricare Work When You ‘Move Home’ for the Deployment?

Love dancing? Try a Zumba class. You can show off your mad dance skills while burning a ton of calories.

Searching for balance? Yoga can help you breathe and stretch until you find inner peace.

Frustrated over the deployment? Boxing classes are a great way to get cardio in and frustrations out.

Whatever you choose to do mark it on your calendar, invite friends to join you and get moving.

You Are Not Alone

Human beings are not meant to go through life alone. We survive and thrive in community settings.

Build a community with people who share similar interests and goals. Befriend your neighbors, parents at your child’s school or military spouses in your unit.

You will need these friendships to get through this deployment.

Be Healthy Together

Once you have established your community start scheduling healthy meals and workout dates. Find buddies who will be motivating and keep you accountable.

When we were stationed in Georgia a neighbor and dear friend used to come get me for daily walks. She didn’t give me the opportunity to say no.

Another dear friend in Tennessee would sign us up for crazy exercise classes.

I love both these women because they kept me motivated and made me accountable. I needed to be strong-armed into exercising. My friends knew this and complied.

It doesn’t matter whether you are the one motivating or the one that needs motivation, the important thing is to find accountability partners who will accomplish deployment goals with you.

Deployments can be lonely and draining especially if you only view it as a time away from your spouse. Don’t dwell on the separation.

Think of deployments as a time to focus on yourself and your goals.

If you change your focus it will change your outlook on the situation. When my husband drops the deployment news I get a bit excited thinking about the things I want to achieve while he is gone.

Whether it is incorporating meatless Mondays or taking a paddleboard yoga class I thoughtfully use this time to do activities which will improve my life, mind and body.

How will you use the next deployment to make healthy lifestyle changes?

Amanda Marksmeier is an Army wife and mother of four. She works as an employment specialist assisting the military community in achieving their career goals. Amanda is also a contributing writer for a quarterly employment journal and has written for several military affiliated blogs.

Why Are We Fine with DeCA Employees Shopping at the Commissaries, But Not Purple Heart Recipients?

By

Commissary employees have just been given the approval to shop at base commissaries. Do you agree with this new policy?

Why Are We Fine with DeCA Employees Shopping at the Commissaries, But Not Purple Heart Recipients?

A commissary cashier checks groceries at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Photo credit: U.S. Air Force/Margo Wright

There are roughly 14,000 people employed by DeCA and half already have shopping privileges for reasons such as being a military spouse, family member or a retired service member. That means there is still a potential additional 7,000 people that will now be able to shop at the commissary.

For years, there has been a debate over who should have commissary shopping rights. Do you think commissary employees have earned this benefit?

To be clear on the guidelines, commissary employees will be allowed to shop at the commissary starting at the end of the month, but their families will not.

There is no retirement benefit of continual shopping rights for commissary employees.

Once they no longer work for DeCA, they lose their shopping rights.

Commissary employees will not be able to buy tobacco or any controlled substances. Once wine and beer become available at commissaries later this summer, that will also be excluded.

Robert Bianchi, interim DeCA director and chief executive, said

Ultimately, the department believes that extending these limited benefits will further improve commissaries by giving employees a greater sense of ownership and understanding of the goods and services delivered to the millions of authorized patrons in commissaries worldwide.

I can see the reasoning behind that, but it doesn’t mean I agree with it. From an employee’s standpoint, working for a company and not being able to purchase the products you’re surrounded by would be frustrating.

Could you imagine being a cashier ringing up groceries all day and when your shift ends, you have to drive to a grocery store to buy what you need?

I’m not so much against commissary employees being able to shop where they work as much as I’m frustrated that they are the group that was chosen to receive this right. There has been a push to get the commissary shopping privilege extended to former military service members that some feel deserve the right to shop and have earned the right to do so, but do not qualify for one reason or another. Why are we denying these patriots a benefit but are OK with letting an average citizen have it?

A bill introduced in April known as the Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018 would expand the right to shop at the commissary to Purple Heart recipients, all veterans with a service-connected disability, Medal of Honor recipients, former prisoners of war, as well as veteran caregivers.

This isn’t the first time this proposal has been made. It was shot down before for reasons such as this is an “earned benefit” and where would they draw the line at defining that term.

Also, commissaries are funded with government subsidies. A large portion of that funding goes to pay commissary employees. If the pool of shoppers was opened up to include disabled veterans, then the need for a larger workforce and more infrastructure would cost the government much more money.

These are sound reasons, however, why did those get set aside when the topic came up of commissary employees getting the right.

How have commissary employees “earn” this benefit?

One thing I’d like to point out is that baggers are not commissary employees. They will not be able to shop at the commissary unless they have the right to do so for another reason.

Do you think a shelf stocker or custodian has earned the right more than baggers? Either way, since baggers are not commissary employees they won’t be spending their tip money on toilet paper sold at cost plus 5% at the commissary.

I hope that lawmakers take a serious look at the Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018. If they can open shopping up to commissary employees, they should be able to find a way to make it work for former service members that have given so much and gotten so little.

Now it’s your turn: What do you think? How have commissary employees earned the benefit of shopping at the commissary?

How I Feel About Service Member-Only Military Discounts

By

by Amanda Marksmeier, Guest Contributor

“Sorry, we only offer discounts to service members.”

As military spouses we have all heard this statement.

I find it ironic. My husband and I are partners in life, we share everything including a bank account. The money I use when making a purchase is as much his as it is mine.

Furthermore, the reason he is not with me is because he is either deployed, in the field or gone for training.

I don’t believe we as members of the military community are entitled to military discounts, but it is nice when a business offers a military discount to military spouses.

When the United States was engaged in two wars with the scars of 9/11 still seeping and American pride swelled within us, military discounts were a way to honor service members and their families. As the wars drag on and disappear from national headlines, the military community fades from the forefront of the minds of American civilians.

Unless you have a personal connection to the military you are unaware of the challenges and sacrifices of military families. So, allow me to share a few numbers with you.

The military spouse unemployment rate is estimated at 16%; the national unemployment rate is 3.9%. Sixteen percent doesn’t sound like a lot, but it equates to 104,000 out of work military spouses. This number does not reflect spouses who gave up their job search or are underemployed.

The average income for a service member is between $40,00 and $52,000 annually. The U.S. average annual household income is approximately $73,000. For those doing the math that is a difference of $21,000!

But military families don’t pay for housing or health insurance, right?! No, as a matter of fact we pay for both necessities. While military families can live in base housing it is not free.

Service members receive a housing stipend or basic housing allowance (which is included in the $52,000) but for families that choose base housing this money is recouped by the housing offices to cover living expenses.

Military members pay health insurance premiums just like everyone else. Granted our premiums are much lower than other insurance premiums but we pay them nonetheless.

Here are some more numbers to consider.

The average military family will move six to nine times. The government pays for the move, right? Yes and no. The government approves and pays to move our household goods up to a certain weight which is based on the service member’s rank, not how many dependents are in the household. They will also cover travel expenses such as gas, hotel stays and meals depending on the distance traveled.

What they don’t cover is the cost to ship a vehicle because your newly licensed teen is not experienced enough to drive across the country.

Another expense that is not covered is the three weeks of hotel fees because base housing is unavailable when you arrive on post.

A huge out-of-pocket expense for moving military families is food. For families living in a hotel or an empty home awaiting household goods, their only option is to eat out.

I know what you are thinking, no cooking or dirty dishes, sign me up. I am here to tell you, besides the cost, which can easily average $100 or more a day for a family of four, eating out gets old quickly.

My goal in sharing this is not to gain sympathy or “poor mouth” but simply to provide information by the numbers.

Many military families struggle financially, so a military discount not only helps their bottom line but boosts morale and gives a feeling of appreciation.

I have been a military spouse for almost 13 years and I am grateful for every moment of it. Military life has taken me many places and introduced me to amazing people. It is a life I chose but that doesn’t mean it is easy or cheap.

Our family has lived in six homes. My husband has been deployed for more than 60 months and has been away for far too many field exercises and trainings to count.

When I am offered a military discount on my purchase it makes me feel like someone is acknowledging and appreciating the commitment I made to my husband.

What are your thoughts on service member-only military discounts?

Amanda Marksmeier is an Army wife and mother of four. She works as an employment specialist assisting the military community in achieving their career goals. Amanda is also a contributing writer for a quarterly employment journal and has written for several military affiliated blogs.

Florida Highway Patrol Seeking Military Applicants

By

As a service member, your job is more than a job. It’s a lifestyle. Your job contributes to a mission that is larger than you. Your job requires dedication to this mission and service to your country.

When you leave the military, after either 4 years or 22 years, you don’t want to leave that lifestyle. You want to take the best of military life – the community, the service and the lifestyle – with you into the next chapter of your life.

Enter the Florida Highway Patrol.

Florida Highway Patrol troopers and veterans have a lot in common, but most importantly both realize that protecting and serving is not a job, it’s a lifestyle.

The Florida Highway Patrol is actively seeking military applicants, specifically military personnel and veterans. FHP gives employment preference to applicants who have 2 years of continuous U.S. military service with an honorable discharge. Employment preference is also available to spouses of veterans.

Am I Qualified to Be a Florida Highway Patrol Trooper?

Here are the minimum requirements for FHP applicants. Applicants must be:

  • 19 years or older
  • U.S. or naturalized citizen
  • possess a valid driver’s license
  • have a high school diploma or a general equivalency diploma
  • willing to serve anywhere in the state of Florida

Florida Highway Patrol does not have minimum or maximum height limits. People of all heights are encouraged to apply. But the applicant’s weight must be proportional to his or her height.

Regarding vision, applicants must have minimum correctable vision of 20/30, with normal color distinguishing capabilities and 140-degree field of vision.

Florida Highway Patrol Seeking Military Applicants

Veterans interested in continuing a lifestyle of service after the military should consider joining the Florida Highway Patrol. FHP is actively seeking military applicants.  Source: Florida Highway Patrol Facebook page

What Are the Employment Benefits?

Besides a positive work environment and job stability, here are other advantages of working for the Florida Highway Patrol.

Paid Training. Applicants who are selected for the Florida Highway Patrol Training Academy will be compensated $2,514.88 per month. Law Enforcement Training is 28 to 29 weeks long and takes place in Tallahassee. Meals, lodging, training materials and physical fitness training are provided for recruits.

You are required to stay on-site during the work week. Recruits typically have their weekends free. For more information about the Florida Highway Patrol Training Academy click here.

Competitive Pay. The starting salary is $38,034.24 annually.

Paid Holidays and Vacations. The state of Florida has 9 paid holidays and 1 personal holiday per year. New troopers receive 8:40 hours per month of sick leave and annual leave. FHP also grants 17 days per year for military leave.

Uniforms, Equipment and Weapons. All uniforms, equipment and weapons are provided to the trooper. The
uniform allowance is $1,300 annually.

Health/Medical Insurance Options. The Florida Highway Patrol offers extensive insurance coverage for health, life, vision and dentistry. Accident and cancer insurances are also available.

Retirement Benefits. After 8 years of service, Florida Highway Patrol troopers are vested in the state’s contributory retirement system.

No State Income Tax. Since there is no state income tax in the state of Florida, by default, your military retirement pay is also exempt.

Can I Apply if I’m Currently in the Military?

Don’t wait until you are out of the military to complete your application with the Florida Highway Patrol. If you are planning to separate from military service and you haven’t received your DD214 yet, ask your Company Commander to write a letter on official letterhead detailing your separation date, type of discharge expected and your character of service.

The next Basic Recruit Class dates are October 22. But the hiring process can take 6 to 8 months so if you are interested in serving in the Florida Highway Patrol, take the survey and apply today or visit their website for more information. Keep in mind 2019 class dates are yet to be determined.

Are you interested in learning more about employment opportunities at the Florida Highway Patrol? Visit Be a Trooper for more information.