Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

How I Fell in Love with Okinawa

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Every fiber of my being was grouchy about our plane ride last summer. We were heading to Okinawa, Japan’s tropical paradise. Land of shisa dogs, soba noodles and coral beaches.

How I Fell in Love with Okinawa

Okinawa is the perfect location for traveling around Asia.

Except I did not want to go. Okinawa wasn’t even on our wish list. However, in typical military fashion, the career planner went off-book and sent us here anyway.

It would have been easy to wallow and sink into despair. Instead, I decided to find ways to enjoy my time here.

7 Ways to Fall in Love with Okinawa

Meet a Local

My first clue that I would, eventually, love Okinawa happened in our first 48 hours. Our friend is married to a lovely Okinawan. She could have easily laughed at my jet-legged attempts to maneuver chopsticks. Instead, she took us on a tour of grocery stores and helped me find non-dairy foods.

Everywhere we go, my children are cooed at and loved on by almost everyone. Men and women stroke their chubby arms or legs, exclaim over their tiny smiles and offer (wrapped) candies to my preschooler. I once had a very lovely gentleman purchase a pack of nuts at Starbucks and give them to me. He told me to eat “for the baby.”

And while there is some tension, it’s understandable. The United States defeated Japan in World War II and Okinawa survived a horrific battle that claimed many lives. However, helpfulness and generosity are what I’ve experienced most often on this island.

Local ladies took the time to show me how to properly sift bean sprouts. Wait staff have gone out of their way to help me find dairy-free options at restaurants. People sing out “Ohayo gozaimasu!” as I run past.

Get Groceries

One of my very first favorite things to do here was to go grocery shopping at local stores and farmers markets. It’s a whole new world, filled with cute logos and bright colors.

In Okinawa, almost every packaged food item has a cute character or logo. Every label is a riot of color and the bigger grocery stores are filled with upbeat music.

It is so much fun to purchase local foods and then figure out how to cook with them. Okinawa sweet potatoes and okonomiyaki, or egg/meat/cabbage omelets, are becoming a major staple in our house!

Discover the Daiso

My favorite thing at the mall is the Daiso. It’s basically like an American dollar store, but better. Everything is about $1 and each store carries items from food to gardening supplies. I can find almost anything I need at the Daiso. Plus, all the items are high quality.

Beach Time

Quick! Do a Google image search for Okinawa. Want to know what pops up?

It’s beaches! White coral sand beaches with turquoise blue waters and a reef just off shore.

When I’m feeling down and out about living here, I head to the beach. A few hours of relaxing in the sun with my toes in the sand or hunting for pretty shells usually sets me right.

Or I can go beneath the waves with my snorkel gear to check out the colorful fish and coral. If I were more adventurous, I would get SCUBA certified and dive with the whale sharks.

Local Culture

Okinawa is part of Japan now, but it was its own kingdom for thousands of years. The traditions of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still present today across the island.

Every summer, Eisa dancers drum and sing to celebrate Obon. It’s a celebration that begs for audience participation and enthusiasm. The beat is infectious! Theme parks celebrating Okinawan culture have troupes of Eisa dancers that perform year-round.

The island is dotted with the ruins of ancient castles from the Ryukyu period. Most are open and accessible to the public, usually for free or a small fee. I love to tour the reconstructed Shuri Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s so powerful to walk in the footsteps of kings!

Sushi, Soba and Sake

I was a sushi lover before I moved here, but it’s reached a whole new level in Okinawa. My main reason: sushi-go-round. It’s exactly what it sounds like. A conveyer belt carries delicious raw fish delicacies to my table. And instead of overstuffed fancy rolls, I get simply prepared fish on plain rice dressed up with soy sauce or wasabi. Yum!

Japan is a land of noodles and I plan on eating all of them. From ramen to udon to soba, I am a noodle fanatic. Okinawa has a local variant of soba with different noodles made entirely of wheat. The broth is rich and full of flavor from the pork ribs.

Sake is one of the best known beverages of Japan. In Oki, they make awamori. It’s a local variant of the traditional alcoholic beverage. All over Okinawa there are izakayas or pubs, that offer endless varieties of sake and awamori, plus local beer and plum wine.

Book a Flight

Okinawa is the perfect location for traveling around Asia. It’s under 3 hours by air to mainland Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong. It’s just a little farther to China, Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Flights are pretty cheap if you fly the discounted airlines. It’s possible to explore all of Asia on a budget. I plan to see as many places as I can!

If you had told me a year ago that I would like Okinawa, even a little bit, I would have laughed. Instead, here I am, firmly in love with my little island.

Have you lived in Okinawa? What are your favorite memories or experiences? Tell us in the comments!

The Hardest Part of Being a Military Spouse

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In September, I will have been a proud Army wife for 19 years.

I’ve had it easier than some as I grew up in a military family, watched both of my parents put on a uniform on a daily basis until they retired my senior year of high school. I traveled abroad and across this country. I embraced the good and then stuck alongside my spouse. Along the way, we’ve raised 3 amazing kids and the official countdown to retirement has begun. The light at the end of that particular tunnel is just under 2 years away.

As I look back over my time as a military spouse, there is much to celebrate, much to be proud of and only a handful of regrets. Surprisingly, the hardest part of this entire journey has only recently come to light.

Hubby and I sat at the kitchen table, him with a cup of coffee, me drafting the weekly shopping list. The conversation turned to the future, as it often does, and I asked him what he wanted to with his life after he retired from the Army. As the words left my lips, a startling reality took root in my gut.

What was I going to do after he retired? Who was I if not an active-duty Army wife?

Somewhere in the midst of all the PCS orders and moving boxes, at one of the countless unit functions or while watching his boots go from black to brown, I had pinned a shiny, golden “exemplary military spouse” badge to my chest and let it define who I was and how I lived my life.

The Hardest Part of Being a Military Spouse

My standard answer to “tell us about yourself,” was always “Proud Army wife and mother of 3.” But is that really all I am?

He took a sip of his coffee and rattled off his new career wish list, the beginning stages of a plan of attack for his transition forming as he spoke. I sat trying to stay calm and not let on that I was staring straight into the face of an honest-to-God identity crisis.

Who was I going to be after the Army? Who was I now?

How many jobs had I passed up or quit because the “needs of the Army” meant the needs of our family became my sole responsibility?

How many times had the powers-that-be seemed to foresee pending natural disasters or medical emergencies and sent my spouse off into the world to do his duty, while leaving me to pick up the pieces?

How many times had I swallowed my own fears and wants so as not to be a burden to my service member as he carried the weight and responsibility of leadership on his shoulders?

How many times had I polished that “exemplary military spouse” badge and told myself that sacrifice was a a requirement? That duty to country trumped all other needs? Would I be able to handle a change of priorities?

The Army has given me a community, a way of life, but it also repeatedly put me at a crossroads between living my own dreams and being the support system my service member needed while he chased his.

It has provided the financial stability that has allowed me to start a business, complete a degree and buy a home. But it has also forced me to put any and all of those things on the back burner when duty calls.

Up until that moment, the standard answer to “tell us about yourself,” was always

“Proud Army wife and mother of 3.”

But is that really all I am?  When the day arrives that I am no longer married to the military, how will I lead off?

True to form, I kept my concerns about my future to myself and finished up the shopping list. As we headed to the commissary it occurred to me that of all of the challenges I had faced as a military spouse, the hardest part, it would seem, was developing a sense of self that would sustain me for the majority of life that would come after the Army.

I am still coming to terms with the idea that life will go on, even if we don’t hear revelry and retreat. Even if there are no longer combat boots in the foyer. Even if I have to start checking the box, “retiree spouse.” I am, however, incredibly thankful for the life I’ve had as a military spouse. The lessons learned will make my journey of self-discovery easier. Of that, I’m certain.

Maybe the hardest part of this whole thing hasn’t been the separations. Maybe it hasn’t been the worry about where he is or when he’ll be home. Maybe it hasn’t even been the struggle to figure out who I am in the shadow of his service.

Maybe the hardest part of being a military spouse will be leaving it behind.

What do you think is the hardest part of being a military spouse? We would love to hear your story. Share it in the comments section.

Why Tricare Doesn’t Want High-Risk Pregnant Military Spouses Living in Some Overseas Locations

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Welcoming a new baby to your family should be one of the happiest times in your life. Some pregnant military spouses are feeling extra stress as they face delivering their babies away from their partners.

Under new guidelines from the Tricare Overseas Program contractor, SOS Government Services, some mothers-to-be may be forced to leave certain overseas locations due to high-risk pregnancies. For expectant mothers getting ready to PCS, their travel may be delayed until after their baby arrives. Tricare has stated that this is not a new policy but reflects the ongoing assessment of the local health care facilities by the contractor.

Why Tricare Doesn't Want High-Risk Pregnant Military Spouses Living in Some Overseas Locations

Mothers-to-be who become high-risk pregnancies while already at an OCONUS duty station have options.

Several OCONUS duty stations, like Bahrain and El Salvador, have been included in this guidance. SOS Government Services has determined that the local standard of care is not equivalent to the United States. There is not on-base maternity care available at these locations.

Other duty stations include New Delhi; Madagascar; Jakarta, Indonesia; La Paz, Bolivia; Kosovo; Qatar; Georgia; Suriname; and Chad. Other locations may be added or removed based on the changing status of health care standards in a particular place.

What is “high-risk?”

High-risk pregnancies are determined based on many factors. Often maternal age plays a role in moving a pregnancy into the high-risk category. Other factors could include gestational diabetes, other pregnancy complications, expected delivery complications or anticipated needs of the newborn based on prenatal screenings.

Military spouses who are determined to be at high-risk before they arrive in an identified duty station may stay behind until after the baby is born. Once mother and child are both medically cleared, the family can be reunited. Active duty military members could possibly have accompanied orders converted to shorter unaccompanied orders on a case-by-case basis.

Mothers-to-be who become high-risk while already at a duty station also have options. One option is “stork nesting” at a military facility of Tricare’s choosing. This could be a medical facility in the United States or one at an approved OCONUS location.

Another option would be returning to the U.S. to be near family until the baby arrives. In both cases, the travel and other expenses would be paid for.

Women who become high-risk after they are no longer able to travel will be relocated with a civilian air ambulance.

Active duty military who are identified as high-risk should consult with their command and medical practitioner. All parties should work together to determine what is best for mother and baby. Options could include expanded medical leave or an early permanent change of station.

Complications and confusion

While the policy is intended to facilitate a healthy delivery, pregnancy is not always predictable. Many textbook pregnancies end in complicated deliveries. Some newborns have unexpected health needs that must be immediately addressed. The guidance is less clear about what would happen in those cases. There is no official document that charts these possibilities or provides guidance for mothers-to-be about their options.

This becomes especially confusing when considering the guidance about seeking care in the local community. Some clinics on-base in the identified locations do refer mothers-to-be to providers in the local community.

However, Tricare has issued guidance that this care will not be covered under Tricare Prime, Tricare Prime Remote Overseas or Tricate Prime Overseas. No guidance about billing or Tricare eligibility has been issued should a normal pregnancy end with a complex birth or a baby with health concerns.

There is also no official documentation about spouses joining their pregnant partners at the selected birthing location.

This has left many military spouses confused and uncertain about their options and possible outcomes. While the health of mother and baby is always most important, pregnancy can and does change minute to minute.

What do you think of the policy to not allow high-risk pregnant military spouses to live in certain areas? Tell us in the comments.

6 Tips for Bringing Your Pet on Your Cross-Country PCS Road Trip

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Woohoo! PCS road trip! Load up the car, the kids and the pet. Before you get everyone buckled in, hit pause to make sure that your furry friends are ready to make the journey.

6 Tips for Bringing Your Pet on Your Cross-Country PCS Road Trip

Don’t try to sneak your pet into a non-pet-friendly hotel. Plan instead to book your overnight stays at pet-friendly hotels during your road trip. Some even offer military discounts.

6 Tips for Bringing Your Pet on Your Cross-Country PCS Road Trip

Plan Your Route

Decide which way you’re going to be going and take into account when you are traveling. During the summer months, going through the desert and deep south can be pretty hot. Going the northern route during winter might get chilly. While these factors don’t need to alter your trip, you should take them into consideration for pit stops and water breaks.

Book out your hotels in advance. Many hotels are pet-friendly and offer military discounts. However, a lot of hotels also charge significant fees for your pet to stay. La Quinta welcomes cats and dogs for free. Many Starwood and Marriott brand hotels are pet-friendly too.

Try to be reasonable about the distance you can really cover each day. Then look for hotels at or around that target distance.

Pick Out Pit Stops

During your road trip, you’re going to need to stop a few times a day. As you are traveling, try to check out your preferred route for good places to stretch everyone’s legs. Look for parks, state-maintained rest stops and similar places.

Keep in mind that pets cannot ever stay in parked cars. So food breaks need to trend more toward take-out and away from sit-down restaurants.

The same is true for longer stops on the route. Your major attractions should be places that are dog-friendly, have boarding facilities nearby or where you have a hotel room.

Health Check

Many pets are awesome on the road. Some are exactly the opposite. If you are concerned about your pet’s behavior or health on your road trip, pay your vet a visit. Also get refills of any medication, just in case you are caught in between prescriptions on the road.

You can ask about calming remedies to help with anxiety. You can also get information about best practices for food, water and keeping your pets cool.

If you are traveling with a non-traditional pet, your vet will be the best resource for you.

Car Safety

When you are traveling with a pet, it’s important to always secure him when the car is in motion. Use a pet seatbelt or place your pet in a kennel during travel. When using a kennel, it’s best to also secure this in your car.

To keep your pet hydrated, freeze water into their bowl or a pet bottle. Offer small amounts of food during travel, but don’t overdo it to avoid carsickness.

Before your big trip, take a few smaller trips to prepare. End at the dog park or another favorite spot. Offer treats and praise.

Loading the Car

When you’re driving, think about the seating arrangements and what you need to pack. Since you are PCSing, you will be loaded down with a bunch of your personal belongings and several suitcases.

Keep your pet’s essentials in an easy-to-access location and pack your hotel stay things in one bag that you will always be taking in with you. Only pack enough, plus a day or two, of food and treats for your pet. You can always buy more food on the way but will need all the extra space you can get during trip.

Remember to stash a few of your pet’s favorite toys in the kennel or in their designated space. This can give your pet something familiar to play with. It can also help occupy and calm your pet during the journey and in hotels.

If your children will be eating during the trip, make sure that the food is pet safe. Chances are good that they will drop or “share” a few bites with Fido or Fluffy along the way.

Pro tip: keep plastic shopping bags in your car for potty breaks.

During Hotel Stays

When you arrive, make sure you are upfront about the pet staying with you. If you try to sneak an animal into a non-pet-friendly hotel, and they find out, there will be a hefty cleaning fee. The same can be the case even at pet-friendly places if they place you in a non-pet room.

As you move your essential things into the room for the night, try your best to team up. One adult can take the dog for a walk or sit in the room with the pet while the other adult ferries the luggage and kids.

Ask at the front desk about safe walking routes and places to avoid. You should also clarify whether the hotel has a pet waste disposal area or bags. If not, use some of those shopping bags.

Do your best to keep the pet noise to a minimum, especially at night. If your pet makes a mess, clean it up as best you can.

If you are planning to be out of the room, make your pet comfortable and secure. For pets that are noisy when you leave them alone, think hard about the hotel’s pet policy before you leave. Or try out ways to curb the noise before you leave.

Are you planning to fly instead of drive to your next duty station? Check out our article on air travel tips for pets.

Why Military Spouses Should Learn Rank Structure

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As military spouses we are called upon to learn a great deal. We have to learn to decipher a veritable dictionary of acronyms. Things like PCS, TDY and LES fast become part of our regular vocabulary. We learn what to do when the bugles play “Reveille,” “Retreat” and “Taps” and to stand anytime we hear the National Anthem. We learn to carry our military IDs at all times and how to navigate the intricacy of Tricare regulations. Our new secret superpower becomes the ability to find a left boot or cover at o’dark-thirty in the morning.

All new military recruits learn not only the names of the ranks, but the name of every person in their chain of command all the way up to the Commander in Chief before they finish basic training. If they can do it while learning the dozens and dozens of other things involved with being a professional soldier, sailor, airman or Marine, then we can certainly find the time to learn too.

Why Military Spouses Should Learn Rank Structure

Rank and responsibility don’t stop just because a service member takes off his or her uniform for the day. Understanding that rank often dictates social behavior during off-duty hours is also important.

Why Military Spouses Should Learn Rank Structure

Learning the Rank Structure Demonstrates an Interest in Your Spouse’s Career

Just like learning that a GI Party isn’t something to look forward to or that some promotions require extra training, learning the rank structure of our spouse’s branch gives us a better idea of the environment our spouses work in. Just like in a large corporation or civilian company, understanding the chain of command means you get it when your spouse talks about reporting to the First Sergeant or training with the Master Chief.

Knowing the difference between junior enlisted, senior NCO and commanding officer, is important for understanding career progression and responsibilities.

Plus, becoming familiar with ranks and their respective insignia shows your spouse you care about their career and are invested for the long haul, however long that may be. Few members of military leadership expect or require military spouses to understand rank, but it can only reflect well on your service member if you use your newly learned skills to expertly navigate the next unit event.

It’s A Matter of Protocol

I think most seasoned military spouses would agree that because we don’t wear the uniform, and hence don’t wear the rank of our service member spouses, that we should treat all members of our community with an equal amount of respect.

However, there are instances when understanding rank and insignia is important. Say, for example, when attending a military formal event. Part of the event generally includes a receiving line. Recognizing rank insignia helps you call the right person “Ma’am” or “Sergeant Major,” even if you have never met them before. Imagine the awkwardness that might ensue should a spouse unwittingly call a Master Sergeant “sir” or a general officer “private.”

It Helps You Navigate the Military Community

Rank and responsibility don’t stop just because a service member takes off his or her uniform for the day. Understanding that rank often dictates social behavior during off-duty hours is also important. For example, while spouses aren’t limited by regulation on who they can socialize with, military service member interactions are often governed by regulation.

If a spouse doesn’t understand rank structure and fraternization rules, a continued refusal for dinner from a neighbor might be taken as a slight, when in actuality, the decline is a result of unit, installation or service policy.

Understanding rank structure also helps keep you from earning an earful or ticket because you parked in the rank-specific reserved parking spots at the commissary. Plus, knowing whether your spouse is enlisted or officer can also save you an afternoon of baking for the wrong spouses’ support group.

Now it’s your turn: Do you think that military spouses need to understand military rank? Why or why not?

Military Discounts for Water Parks, Swimsuits and Life Jackets

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Whether you want to spend the day at a water park, on a lake or in your backyard, we’ve gathered 21 great military discounts you need to know about to have a great time with your family.

Looking for a new swimsuit, life jacket or raft? Make sure you shop with a retailer that has a military discount. Plan on going to a water park? Check out our list below for a military discount before you head out the door.

21 Military Discounts for Water Lovers

Water Parks

Great Wolf Lodge offers a military discount through a program they call Howling Heroes. It provides up to 30% off on rooms and park passes for military families.

Big Surf Waterpark has military tickets for $19.99 instead of $32.95 but you can only purchase them in person; this military discount is not available online.

Dollywood’s Splash Country offers a great military discount of 30% off one day water park pass to all reservists, active or retired military, disabled veterans, and spouses and dependents with valid military IDs. These tickets must be purchased at the gate.

Splashin’ Safari at Holiday World has a military discount for anyone with a valid ID for $12 off full-price general admission tickets. They can also get $5 off guests that are under 54” as well as senior tickets, up to 6 tickets per visit.

Soak City at King’s Dominion provides a military discount to anyone with a valid military ID for single day tickets. These can be purchased online or at the gate. The park also hosts special military appreciation days where all those with a valid military ID get in free, such as on Memorial Day Weekend.

Wild Waves Water Park offers a military discount at the gate to those with a valid military ID.

Deep River Water Park is offering free admission for active duty, veterans and their families on any Monday or Thursday this year as well as on two Sundays, June 18 and August 13. You must print their coupon or show it on your phone along with your military ID to get in for free.

SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment has a program known as Waves of Honor. Instead of a military discount, they offer one day free entry to all active duty, reservists, and National Guardsman as well as up to 3 dependents each year. You need to register online or at the park to get free admission.

Wet’n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park offers a military discount of $7 off a one-day pass for any person with a valid military ID.

Wild River Country has a military discount of $5 off admission to those with a valid military ID. These tickets must be purchased in person.

Swimsuits, Life Jackets, Pools and Water Accessories

Aeropostale offers 10% military discount on purchases with a valid military ID.

Columbia Sportswear offers a 10% military discount online and in store.

Old Navy has a 10% military discount available to all those with a valid military ID.

Under Armor gives a 15% military discount in store with a valid military ID.

L.L. Bean provides a 10% military discount to anyone with a valid military ID at most stores.

Gander Mountain offers a 10% military discount to anyone with a current military ID.

Overstock.com has a military program known as Club O Gold where military families can receive 5% reward dollars on purchases as well as free shipping. You can purchase anything from life jackets  and swimsuits to swimming pools and boats on their site.

Bass Pro Shops has a military discount that starts on the 15th of every month and runs for one week. There are many items that are excluded from the discount. You must show a valid military ID to receive the discount.

Lowe’s offers a military discount of 10% off to anyone with a current military ID.

Home Depot has a 10 percent discount, up to a $500 maximum, to all active, reserve, retired or disabled veterans and their family members with a valid military ID.

Sam’s Club offers a $15 gift card to military families that purchase a membership. You’ll find anything from goggles and fins to rafts and beach towels to satisfy your water fun side.

There are many more water parks and retailers that offer military discounts. Make sure you remember to ask before paying full price for your water fun this summer.

Have you used any of these military discounts? Give a shout-out to your favorite store or attraction that offers a military discount in the comments section.

DeCA’s Private Label Program Off to Good Start

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Name your favorite commercial grocery retailer. Be it Walmart, Giant, Target or Wegmans, they’ve each got their own line of private label products. And if you’re anything like me, you’re more than happy to add a store brand item to your cart if it means a few dollars off your bill.

And now, DeCA, has expanded its arsenal in the fight to keep our commissaries open by launching a series of new products under its own store brand. Commissary shoppers rejoice! Even more savings? I’ll take it.

While the plan to add commissary private label products to the shelves has been in the works for over a year, the private label program’s 2 easily recognizable and aptly-named brands — Freedom’s Choice and Homebase — were officially announced in February.

Freedom’s Choice branded food products will be sourced from leading manufacturers and undergo a rigorous testing and selection process. Homebase products will be non-food items including things like plastic bags. As a weekly commissary shopper, I for one, can hardly wait to see these new products hit the shelves.

A Year of Creative Initiatives

It’s hard not to be impressed by the series of creative initiatives DeCA has rolled out in the last year in an attempt to revitalize local commissaries and help shrink the nearly billion-dollar taxpayer-funded subsidy required to keep commissaries open. These initiatives have included everything from variable pricing structures to curbside pick-up.

Private labeling seems to be one of the most promising efforts. In fact, according to the DeCA website, nearly 60% of its patrons expressed an openness to buying a private label product.

“Our customers have been asking for private label for a long time,” said DeCA’s director and CEO Joseph H. Jeu.

If commissary shoppers hold true to their word, the planned product line seems destined for success. In fact, if all goes according to plan, the new private label product line could help reduce commissary costs by half a billion dollars in the next 10 years.

The new program promises that nearly 1,000 private label products will be on commissary shelves by the end of 2017, but shoppers will only see a few initial products. The first products were due to hit shelves in May, and a recent visit to the Fort Meade commissary confirmed that the program is indeed underway.

My First Private Label Purchase

I expected to see the products presented with a greater fanfare, but I was able to locate 2 products, bottled water under the Freedom’s Choice label and kitchen garbage bags under the Homebase brand. Both were attractively packaged and both were offered at a substantial savings over the next cheapest brand.

The case of water offered a $0.40 savings over our usual brand. Calculated out, a 40-cent savings on each of 2 cases of water per week would save our family just over $40 per year!  I am also happy to report, that as far as taste is concerned, the water was met with the approval of our entire family – including one kid who happens to be very particular about her bottled water!

I will be keeping my eyes open for additional private labels items. My hope is we will see products like pasta, gluten-free items, vitamins and juices. It might also be nice to see it in the freezer section on items like frozen vegetables, ice cream and even pizza.

My hope is that in sourcing items for this product line, DeCA will keep the dietary needs of military families in mind. It would be great to see items offered at a low cost that also make eating healthy a little bit easier.

Have you seen the commissary store brands, Freedom’s Choice and Homebase at your commissary?

12 Great Ideas for Parent-Child Date Night

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Life gets busy. Stopping every so often to connect with your family and nurture relationships is vital to building a strong family unit.

While you might already take the time to bond with your spouse, it’s also important to connect with your children. Having one-on-one time can help you to talk about the tough stuff or create sweet memories. Use our ideas as a starting point for great parent-child date nights.

12 Great Ideas for Parent-Child Date Night

Dinner and a Movie

A sweet spin on a classic. Dinner and a movie is a sure-fire winner. Instead of going to a fancy place with white tablecloths, opt for a kid-friendly spot. A local diner can make good meals fast and the menu is usually pretty easy. Next, head to the theater to take in a new movie. If there isn’t anything playing, pick something to stream or rewatch a favorite movie at home.

Take a Hike

Getting outside will accomplish 2 goals. First, you’ll get some exercise and fresh air. Second, you’ll have your child all to yourself in the wilderness. Find a kid-friendly hiking trail near you and go. For added fun, pack a picnic with sparkling grape juice or seltzer water.

12 Great Ideas for Parent-Child Date Night

What ideas do you have for a parent-child date night?

Strike!

Bring your best game at the bowling alley! Most military bases have bowling lanes that offer shoe rentals and games at discount prices. Since bowling alleys usually have a snack bar, indulge in hot dogs, nachos and candy. You could make this a regular parent/child date and track who wins the most. There are also tons of bowling leagues to join.

Peanuts and Cracker Jacks

If bowling isn’t your thing, catch a few strikes at the baseball diamond. Whether you are going to a major league game or catching your local college team, baseball games are a great time to connect with a sports-loving kid. Buy some popcorn, cotton candy and, yes, Cracker Jacks to make the day extra special.

This type of parent/child date could be repeated for basketball, soccer, football and other spectator sports.

I Scream for Ice Cream

Parent-child dates don’t have to be expensive or over-the-top. Something as simple as grabbing a few scoops of ice cream together can be wonderful. You could head to your local favorite and order the usual. Or find another spot with rave reviews and take a short road trip.

Paint Night

While there are definitely many adult versions of this, some companies also offer a more family-friendly version. If not, this might be something to suggest to your PTO as a fundraiser. Laugh and be silly with your child as you both create beautiful works of art!

Take a Class Together

Wherever you are, there are sure to be lots of places that offer specialty classes. Many specialty stores also offer classes to customers. Find something that you and your child are both passionate about and enroll today. You’ll be learning a new skill and have regularly scheduled time together.

Play Hooky

A great way to build a bond, especially with older children, is to play hooky together. Call into work and pick up your child early. Then go out to lunch, grab a coffee and swing through a few stores. It will feel like you’re breaking the rules together and give you great one-on-one time when the crowds at the mall are smaller.

Beach Day

Yes, it can be fun to bring the whole family to the beach. It feels even more special when you go alone with your child. For starters, there will be less stuff to trek to the sand. Second, relaxing on the beach together or splashing in the waves can help you to start conversations and connect.

Roller Coasters

This is a more extravagant date but is super fun if you live near a theme park or have a fair in town. Take your child out for the day, or night, to ride a few thrilling rides together. Just remember to eat the tasty theme park treats after you take on the roller coasters.

Cultural Immersion

For the child that loves art, theater and music a parent-child cultural date might be the way to go. Pick a museum, concert or play to attend together. After, talk about your favorite moments or artworks over lunch.

All About Me

For this parent-child date, let your child take the reins. Let your child plan all or part of a day together. From where and what you eat to the activities, your child will be calling the shots. This is a great way to figure out what makes him or her tick.

An Important Parent-Child Date Tip

Make sure that you are creating dates based on your child and his or her interests. Taking an art-obsessed child to a baseball game might not go over too well.

It’s also important to remember to consider your other children. Arrange your dates so that your spouse is with your other children. Be sure to spread the solo time around evenly as well.

What ideas do you have for a parent-child date night? Share them in the comments!

New Electronic Health Records System Coming Soon for Military Families

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If you’ve ever transferred between military treatment facilities (MTFs), you know how frustrating it can be reciting your complete medical history over and over.

New Electronic Health Records System Coming Soon for Military Families

This new medical records system will mean less paperwork for providers and patients. You won’t have to fill out a medical history form each time you see a new military doctor or dentist.

Before February of this year, MTFs did not have a computer system that allowed them to share medical and dental records easily. It was a very frustrating process for medical professionals and patients alike. You could find yourself repeating your information from a first responder to a nurse and then again to a doctor. If you got sent to another clinic, you might repeat that information yet again.

Luckily, a new electronic health records system, known as MHS GENESIS, was introduced this year.

What is the MHS GENESIS system?

MHS GENESIS is the new electronic health records system that will keep track of health information for the Military Health System (MHS) through secure technology.

It is an integrated medical and dental electronic health record that will be able to give medical professionals an electronic record of your health information. Basically, it is an electronic copy of all your medical and dental information.

It will eventually be accessible to all medical professionals at any military treatment facility. With MHS GENESIS, you will no longer need to recite your medial history to your new doctor every time you PCS. You also won’t need to pick up your medical records or dental records before you move. Your provider will be able to see your family’s entire medical and dental history in one place.

MHS GENESIS will also mean less paperwork for providers and patients. You won’t have to fill out a medical history form each time you see a new military doctor or dentist. MHS GENESIS will have information stored on all care that has been provided for you. This also means that there will be less of a chance for inaccurate information given or received. You will no longer need to try to remember the dates of previous surgeries or vaccines for example.

More than 800 subject matter experts came together to create MHS GENESIS. This includes medical professionals such as doctors and nurses as well as computer system professionals such as information technologists. MHS GENESIS will replace all of the systems that are currently used; that’s more than 50 systems that will be narrowed down to one single system. This includes replacing DoD health care systems such as: AHLTA, Composite Health Care System, inpatient, and parts of the Theater Medical Information Program-Joint.

More than 9.4 million Department of Defense beneficiaries and about 205,000 Military Health System professionals around the world will benefit from using MHS GENESIS.

MHS GENESIS Patient Portal

The MHS GENESIS Patient Portal launched in February. It is a secure website that provides access for you and health care providers to your medical information. Through the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal you can:

  • Review your current health information
  • Schedule medical and dental appointments for both yourself and your dependents
  • Request prescription renewals
  • Send and receive secure messages with your doctor or nurse
  • Review medical notes and certain lab and test results
  • Complete the pre-visit dental health history questionnaire
  • View, download or print health data
  • Receive alerts from the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal to schedule wellness exams

When is MHS GENESIS available?

MHS GENESIS is being rolled out in waves, starting with several small military treatment facilities in the Pacific Northwest. In February the system launched at Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington.

“We are following a path of going from our smallest to our largest deployment, so we can again take the lessons learned from each deployment so we can make the next deployment even more successful, efficient, and streamlined,”

said Stacy Cummings, the program executive officer for the Program Executive Office, Defense Healthcare Management Systems.

MHS GENESIS was scheduled to go live at Naval Hospital Oak Harbor in May; Naval Hospital Bremerton in June; and Madigan Army Medical Center in July, but at the time of writing this article there have been no updates given.

Those that have used the system have said it is a flexible and user-friendly system. The plan is to have MHS GENESIS in place in all MTFs by 2022. This will connect 55 hospitals and more than 350 clinics worldwide. They will announce when each location will go live as that time approaches.

You can access the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal here once it is available to you.

Veterans Affairs Embraces MHS GENESIS

In June Secretary of Veterans Affairs David Shulkin announced that the VA would be adopting the same electronic health records system, MHS GENESIS. This will be great for service members that transition out of the military and receive medical care through the VA.

What are your questions or concerns about the MHS GENESIS health record system?

11 Companies That Will Let You Move Within Their Corporation When You Move

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PCS time often means that military spouses are forced to hand in their notices. But there are some awesome companies that will let military spouses transfer their jobs when they move.

11 Companies That Will Let You Move Within Their Corporation When You Move

Do you work for a military spouse-friendly employer? Are you looking to work for one?

11 Companies That Will Let You Move Within Their Corporation When You Move

Comcast-NBC Universal

This media heavy hitter is the top-rated employer by Military Friendly for 2017. Not only has Comcast-NBC Universal committed to hiring 10,000 veterans and military spouses, they make it easy to balance work and life. There are military advisory committees, the option to move to part-time during deployments and job relocation assistance. Even if there is not a position with the company at the next duty station, Comcast-NBC Universal will help military spouses find their next position.

Hilton

Hilton has committed to hiring 10,000 military spouses and veterans by 2018. In addition to this commitment, Hilton has properties around the world. While not explicitly stated, it is implied that military spouses hired at one Hilton location may be able to transfer to another location. There are also remote positions available.

Adecco

Adecco is a staffing agency that provides temporary workers in a variety of fields. According to Rachelle Chapman, Military Liaison and Senior Manager for Strategic Partnerships, temping is a great fit for military spouses. Adecco has national reach, which allows military spouses to continue to work through Adecco to find new temporary employment after a PCS. Plus, there is the ability to work in several fields which will diversify your skill set.

Starbucks

Along with a great cup of coffee, Starbucks offers competitive job benefits for military spouses. There are expanded education benefits, flexible scheduling and the opportunity to transfer to another Starbucks location following a PCS. Starbucks has also created 32 military-friendly stores across the United States. These stores are primarily operated by military spouses and veterans.

U.S. Government Agencies

Military bases are often a hub of federal employment. Military spouses can leverage their recent PCS to receive hiring preference. There are positions in a wide variety of career fields and for those with different levels of education or experience. Spouses can claim hiring preference for 2 years following their sponsor’s PCS orders.

Being hired for a federal position does require work and lots of documentation. However, you can register in advance of your next PCS move to facilitate easier job searching and hiring.

AAFES

Every military base has one. Your local AAFES Exchange is a great place for military spouses to seek employment. Military spouses can readily transfer their position to another AAFES location too. To be eligible, spouses must:

  • be PCSing with their sponsor
  • have worked for AAFES for at least 6 months
  • have at least satisfactory employee evaluations
  • and be transferring withing the same employment category

MCCS

For Marine Corps spouses, working for Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) is a great option. There are opportunities across a variety of fields available and military spouses can claim preference. There are positions available at Marine bases in the United States and overseas.

La Quinta

La Quinta Inns & Suites are located nationwide. For many military families, La Quinta provides a welcome pet-friendly refuge during PCS season. The hotel chain also has a military spouse and veteran hiring initiative in place. According to their website, La Quinta offers jobs in a variety of roles that are transferable and has the opportunity to promote within the company.

Booz Allen Hamilton

Booz Allen Hamilton is a diverse company and a leader across many sectors. Having been founded by a veteran and working closely with the DoD, Booz Allen Hamilton is committed to employing military spouses and veterans. They have dedicated military hiring programs and offer benefits to military spouses and veterans. According to first-person stories featured on their website, military spouses have been able to transfer jobs within the company after PCSing.

L Brands

L Brands’ stores are ubiquitous in malls across the world: Bath & Body Works; Victoria’s Secret, La Senza and Henri Bendel. The company employs over 88,000 people across their brands and corporate office. L Brands frequently promotes from within its current employee pool and offers relocation. While there is no specific military spouse or veteran hiring program, with stores located around the world, you stand a great chance of being able to transfer to another location.

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo has made a commitment to support veterans and military families. The banking firm has opportunities to translate military service into job skills. They also provide relocation assistance for spouses who are moving because of their family member’s military service. Wells Fargo will help employees to find a similar job in their next location. There are more services dedicated to hiring veterans, but there are also military support teams and initiatives within the company.

Do you work for a company that allows you to move your job with you? Give them a shout out in the comments. Thank them for being a military spouse-friendly employer.