Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

Are the Challenges of Military Life Worth It?

By

At the end of the year, I find myself feeling a little introspective. This year has brought a lot of ups and downs, but perhaps the most monumental aspect of this year for my family is this:

we had our last military move.

Retirement is just around the corner. I’m not sure I even believe it yet. I grew up traveling the world with 2 active-duty parents. I took the oath of enlistment myself and then settled into the familiar life of a military spouse.

Every single moment of the first 40 years of my life has been influenced by the military community.

I have never known health care that wasn’t Tricare. Words like PX, PCS, TDY and ACUs are a part of my regular vocabulary. I have seen countless iterations of uniforms, moved from one side of the world to the other, and started and left more jobs than I can count.

As I think about this past year and imagine what a fast-approaching civilian future might look like, I have to wonder if the challenges we’ve faced as a military family have been worth it.

It’s a question not easily answered and so I did what any military spouse would do. I leaned on my military community and asked them: what are the biggest challenges of our particular lifestyle?

I empathized with their responses, and it wasn’t long before I noticed that almost every challenge listed was directly tied to the transient nature of our lifestyle. With that in mind, I sat down and gave some thought to this particular aspect of my life. Has moving 19 times been worth it?

Change Moving Is Never Easy

No matter your MOS or career field, this is one aspect of our military life that we all share in.

Often it’s a hassle, sometimes it’s an adventure, but it is always stressful.

Making sure you can find adequate housing, ensuring the school district is acceptable, finding a new job, setting up a new support system, picking a new primary care physician, figuring out which gate is open, the list goes on and on. I can honestly say that even though I have done all of these things many times, they never get any easier.

Moving is exciting when it’s just a set of orders and a daydream about the possibilities, but a nightmare when your entire life is packed into boxes, your spouse is headed out to God knows where for who knows how long, and you don’t even know where the closest grocery store is.

And then there is the separation. Separation from a spouse sent on deployment or TDY. Separation from extended family. Separation from the friends and co-workers who became your surrogate family when you first arrived at the new military installation.

As I sat reliving the stress and strain of military life, I could feel my blood pressure begin to climb.

And then it hit me. The lessons this life has taught me are invaluable.

Lessons Blessings in Disguise

If I had never traveled the world, I wouldn’t have lived in the beautiful, red brick townhome in England. Never had milk delivered in glass bottles right to our door. Never discovered that boiled Brussels sprouts are entirely unpalatable. I would never have played hide-and-seek in the small grove of olive and apricot trees on Crete. Never learned to swim in the Mediterranean.

If I hadn’t changed schools ever couple of years, I would have missed out on friendships that forever changed the way I saw the world and understood people. I would never have listened to a foreign friend tell me her secret dream was to one day become an American.

If I hadn’t said goodbye to countless friends, I would never have had the chance to say hello to so many others.

If I hadn’t waved goodbye to my spouse, I might never have learned that I am strong, smart and able to take care of our household on my own. And I would never have been able experience the sweet relief of watching him walk through the front door unharmed.

If I hadn’t agreed to quit a job to go where the Army sent us, I might never have learned how to make giant Christmas bows or develop a database or process a mortgage. I might never have learned how to create websites or work in social media.

I might never have learned that friendship, comradery, resiliency and a sense of duty will always trump adversity.

So has military life been worth it? For me, I think the answer is undeniably, yes.

How would you answer this question: Knowing what you know now, would you live your military life all over again?

Online Communication Keeps Military Families Connected

By

When my husband deployed, I thanked my lucky stars that we were living in the 21st century. My beloved was often just a keyboard and computer screen away.

Online Communication Keeps Military Couples Connected

Online communication allows military couples to stay connected during times of separation.

I immediately thought about my grandparents: continents away during World War II and communicating through unreliable snail mail. Deployments were a lot longer then, too. The troops were gone for years sometimes, with very little communication to the folks back home.

Today, we have an app for that!

There are more ways to connect than you can imagine and military families have found or tried many of them. From video chats to instant messaging services, from email to virtual reading programs, there is something out there for everyone. Most of these online communication services can be accessed right from a smartphone or laptop, anywhere in the world!

The benefits of online communication really boil down to just one thing: connections.

Every time a unit deploys, that means that many military families are operating without one parent for months at a time. The parent at home takes on twice the work with less down time. Suddenly, one person is in charge instead of two.

For that parent, being able to reach out to their deployed spouse can help to make solo parenting that much easier. When a child has a great success, it can be shared and cheered together. Or when a child has a not-so-great moment, the parents can plan together on how to handle it and show a united front.

For military children, online communication keeps them connected to their deployed parent.

When there is a big win or a bad day, a child can immediately email Mom or Dad to share their feelings. Or they can message them. Or use a video call.

Just seeing their parent’s face keeps those channels of communication open and operational. When a child relies on one parent for so long, it could be easy to see the other as not a part of the game. This can make it harder for everyone when the deployment is finally over.

With quality online communication, both parents are on the team at the same time. They are making joint decisions and working together as a family to handle every situation.

That online connection can start even before or at birth. With the heavy deployment cycle of the last 15 years, many service members have been “present” for the birth of a child via video. Sharing something so precious, from so far away, is priceless.

While a parent deploys, families often are also far from grandparents, aunts and uncles. Virtual connections via online communication can help here too. Many military children grow up seeing Grandma and Grandpa via video chat or through shared online photo albums. Having these avenues open, during deployments or not, is vital to keeping extended families connected across the miles. Online communication provides networks and resources to draw on, no matter where military families are located.

Even small things, like the locations of documents or tools, can be almost instantly shared through online messages or emails. So when the car inevitably breaks down or the washer needs a part, searching for the insurance or manuals won’t add another stressor to the situation.

Ultimately, the benefits of online communication come down to one main thing: connections. Yes, there are thousands of little intangibles that make up the idea. The soccer game live streamed to the middle of the Pacific. Christmas morning presents via Skype. Seeing a family vacation from across the world. All of these little moments that are shared together online create connections through communication.

For military families, keeping their connections alive during deployment is the biggest benefit of all.

How has online communication benefited your military family during a deployment? Share your story in the comments section.

5 Inexpensive Outdoor Summer Activities

By

Summer is quickly approaching and your kids will be out of school before you know it. Keep them busy with these 5 outdoor summer activities that all cost under $10. They will be thrilled and your summer spending won’t get out of hand.

5 Outdoor Summer Activities for Kids for Less Than $10

Did you know you can make your own sidewalk chalk?

5 Outdoor Summer Activities for Kids for Less Than $10

DIY Slip ‘n Slide

Kids love to be outdoors playing in the sun. As parents, we worry about keeping them from overheating. Drinking plenty of water and playing in water can help. There are many summer activities that include water. Going to the swimming pool is great, but it isn’t always a possibility.

You can put up the water sprinkler for a quick cool off but have you ever considered making a water slide in your yard?

Jennifer from Hope Studios has a wonderful DIY slip ‘n slide. In 20 minutes, you can have one set up. The kids will be excited to have fun summer activities in their own yard and you might score some cool parent points.

To get the fun going you will need:

  • heavy-duty plastic sheeting
  • landscape anchor pins
  • hammer
  • garden hose
  • baby soap (optional)

Follow these step-by-step directions and you’ll be slipping and sliding in no time. Your family will have plenty of laughs and great stories to tell after making a slip ‘n slide as part of their summer activities.

DIY Sidewalk Chalk

Making your own sidewalk chalk is a fun family project to add to your list of summer activities. Children love playing with sidewalk chalk. There are many games you can play with sidewalk chalk including: hopscotch, tic tac toe, four square and making roads to race cars on. Drawing pictures and scribbling are my 2-year-old’s favorite things to do with sidewalk chalk.

Don’t tell your kids, but this can also be educational. Using sidewalk chalk helps children work on their fine motor and gross motor skills. If you have young children, you can use this opportunity to practice colors, shapes, counting and the alphabet. Just make sure to keep it fun.

Start off with some basic supplies to make your own sidewalk chalk:

  • toilet paper rolls
  • scissors
  • Duct tape
  • a small bucket
  • waxed paper
  • ¾ cup warm water
  • 1½ cups Plaster of Paris
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons tempera paint
  • a paper bag

Follow these step-by-step directions for your own homemade sidewalk chalk. Note: It may take several days to dry the chalk before your kids can use it.

Vegetable Garden

What kid doesn’t like playing in the dirt? Some of the best summer activities involve getting dirty.

Planting a garden with your children can be a fun and rewarding family activity.

You can plant a large garden or simply plant a flower or herb in a pot.

Gardening is another one of those sneaky educational activities. Children learn responsibility from caring for the plants. They learn cause and effect, such as if you don’t water it, the plant will die. They also learn self-confidence from seeing the success of the plant growing after their hard work.

5 Outdoor Summer Activities for Kids for Less Than $10

Caring for a garden is a summer activity that keeps your kids busy for the entire summer. Do you plant a garden? What do you grow in your garden?

No matter the age of your children, everyone can play a part. A small child can dig a hole, push some soil in, drop a seed in the hole, push dirt over it or maybe even help pour water. Bigger kids can enjoy adding personality to the garden by making plant markers. Try one of these 26 unique ideas for DIY plant markers.

Begin small by buying a bag of potting soil, some seeds and a clay pot. Tomatoes, green beans and cucumber seeds are all great starter plants. Let your little ones paint or color the pots.

DIY Bird Feeders

One of my favorite summer activities is making bird feeders with peanut butter and pinecones. It’s fun to go on a hike to look for pinecones to decorate. You get a chance to get out in nature and explore with your children.

This is one of the easiest and cheapest summer activities. All you need are pinecones, peanut butter or shortening if someone has nut allergies, bird seed, a butter knife and something to hang the pine cone with such as twine or string.

Kids love covering the pinecones, choosing a place to hang the bird feeder and watching the birds. This also gives you a chance to talk about different birds that live in your neighborhood.

Old-Fashioned Sack Races

Sack races are a quick, easy and inexpensive summer activity. All you need are start and finish line markers and sacks to use in the races such as sleeping bags or pillow cases.

If you’re ambitious and like to sew, you can make your own sacks using burlap.

The start and finish lines could be masking tape, little cones, leftover birthday streamers or anything you find around the house. Let the laughs begin.

What are your children’s favorite summer activities? Tell us about them in the comments section.

Mental Health Resources for Military Spouses

By

Military life can be fun and exciting as you explore the world. Moving from place to place gives you the opportunity to have new adventures, try new things, make new friends and learn new things.

Military life also can be overwhelming, lonely, difficult and hard to handle. Sometimes it can be a little too much.

Mental Health Resources for Military Spouses

There are many mental health resources available to military spouses. You don’t need to suffer in silence. Help is only a phone call away.

Making friends and forming deep connections with fellow military spouses can truly be life saving. They can help you through tough times and help turn the tides sometimes.

Everything can’t always be fixed with a friend though.

Maybe you don’t want to admit to anyone how you are really feeling or maybe they don’t understand. No matter the reason, if you feel like you need someone to talk to, there are mental health resources available for military spouses.

You aren’t alone. Help is only a phone call away.

Here is a list of available mental health resources for military spouses:

National Military Family Association

There are many options to choose from when you are ready to take that step. The National Military Family Association is a wonderful organization founded by military spouses that advocates for military families. There are mental health resources listed on their site to guide you to the proper avenue that will get you the care you need. This can range from short-term counseling and assistance to long-term or medical mental health assistance.

Non-medical help can be sought out from family support centers at your installation, through the office of the chaplain, at military hospitals and clinics as well as through military family life consultants.

Military OneSource

Military OneSource offers non-medical counseling sessions as well. Through Military OneSource, you are entitled to 12 free sessions. These sessions can be in person, over the phone or online. To find out more and to make an appointment call 1-800-342-9647.

Tricare

Long-term medical and mental health resources are available through Tricare. You can visit a mental health care provider at a military hospital or clinic or utilize the Tricare network for authorized civilian mental health resources. The cost associated with these services will depend on the type of policy you have with Tricare, Prime or Standard.

Military spouses can receive up to 8 outpatient mental health care visits without needing a referral. If follow-up appointments are needed, you will be required to get a referral from your provider. Visit Tricare’s website to learn more.

There is unfortunately a stigma that comes with mental health in this country. Sadly, many people are afraid to seek help because they fear there may be consequences once it’s known that mental health resources are needed.

In the military community, there is the fear that it will have an impact on promotions and duty assignments. If you feel like something isn’t right, like you just aren’t yourself, don’t keep it bottled up for fear of repercussions.

You don’t have to go through official channels, like Tricare, initially if that’s what’s holding you back on seeking help. There are many anonymous platforms you can use for mental health resources.

Military OneSource Confidential Help

Free confidential consultations and services are offered. If you want to talk to someone they offer in person, over the phone, online and secure video chat. They can help with emotional and interpersonal difficulties to include adjusting to military life, surviving deployments, everyday stress, parenting challenges and working though loss. The counselor will not inform anyone, including the command and your spouse, of your consultation.

DSTRESS LINE

The Marine Corps DSTRESS Line is available 24/7 and is an anonymous phone and chat counseling service available to veteran Marines, attached sailors and family members. It is manned by veteran Marines, Marine Corps spouses and licensed behavioral health clinical counselors that have Marine Corps specific training. The phone number is 1-877-476-7734.

National Guard Joint Services Support

The National Guard Psychological Health Program has directors of psychological health in every state, territory and online to help family members get the help they need. They have programs to build family resiliency, educational support for complete wellness and access to immediate help. They also have an online library where you can research mental health.

Family Advocacy Program

This mental health resource is for service members and their families. They help with issues stemming from deployment and life stressors that cause problems with family function, domestic violence and child abuse. Classes, workshops, counseling and new parent support programs are all available.

There are many options available to military spouses when mental health resources are needed. The first step is to admit to yourself that you need help and that that is OK. You can start by talking to a friend, a family member, a command spouse liaison or your doctor. If they can’t provide the support you need, take the next step and seek professional help through mental health resources such as these listed above.

Did we miss any mental health resources for military spouses that you recommend? Tell us in the comments section.

5 Tips to Make Your On-Base House Feel Like an Off-Base Home

By

The decision to live in an on-base house or an off-base one can be a complicated one. That being said, living on-base can have a lot of benefits. You are close to your spouse’s job, more connected with your military community and you don’t have to worry about any of the things those that live off-base do.

However, when you do live in an on-base house, your home looks exactly like your neighbors. They are usually pretty uniform and trying to be an individual can be difficult. The good news is that there are things you can do to make your space more you and fun for you and your family.

5 Tips to Make Your On-Base House Feel Like an Off-Base Home

How do you make your on-base house feel like home?

Here are 5 life hacks to make your on-base house feel like a home that’s off-base:

1. Rugs. When we were in Germany we had hardwood floors. Old, hardwood floors. The floors needed something so we went to the local Exchange and bought a few rugs. They were not that expensive and added color and a new feel to our apartment.

They also helped with the sound since we were on the third floor. You can really change the look of your on-base house by adding rugs to your floors. You could even add them to carpet, especially if you are not a fan of what your on-base house has for carpet.

2. Paint. You might not think you can paint inside on-base housing and sometimes you can’t. Other times you can as long as you get the paint approved by housing and know that you will have to paint the walls white again before you move out.

If you do want to paint, talk to your housing office and see what is allowed. Even painting an accent wall can add a lot to your on-base house. You can go with a color that represents you and feels more at home in your on-base housing.

3. Garden. Making your own garden is another great way to make your on-base house look like your own home. If you have a yard, you can make your garden there. If not, you can always do a patio or window garden. You could also use containers.

Make sure you pre-approve any garden plants in your yard with the housing office. You might not be able to do exactly what you would want to do but there will always be a way to have a small garden. This can add to the way your home looks on the outside and help you stand out from everyone else in your military neighborhood.

4. Decor. What you put in your on-base house in terms of decor is going to make all the difference. You can go with themes or just find items you really love.

When you first move into your new home you should make a plan about how you want things to look like. Think about what your own style is and what each room can be themed. Some people will do different themes such as beach or Americana. Others like to play with color.

5. Yard Sales. Going to yard sales and thrift stores is the most economical way to make your on-base house look like your own. In any military community, people are always moving and always trying to sell their belongings. You should be able to find a lot of great items for your home this way.

You can also sell your items that won’t work in your current home to make room for new items that will. I have bought almost all of the picture frames in my house from yard sales and thrift stores and saved a lot of money doing so.

How do you make your on-base house feel like home?

What’s Wrong with Military Service as a Family Business?

By

Government officials are worried that the military is not diversified enough. A recent report showed that the majority of service members are part of what they call the family business, meaning military service runs in the family.

A surprising 80 percent of recent troops “come from a family where at least one parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle, sibling or cousin has also worn their nation’s uniform. More than 25% have a parent who has served,” according to a Pentagon report of 2012-2013 recruits.

Military service is a wonderful and proud tradition within many families.

What problem could the government possibly have with military service legacy?

Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee subcommittee discussed this topic recently in length. They are worried that the pool of service members is not as diversified as it could be.

When America had the draft, the military was made up of a more diverse population. At the height of the Vietnam War there were 3.5 million troops. They came for all walks of life, had different religious beliefs, different levels of education, different ideals and different backgrounds.

Now the military has closer to 1.4 million service members. The number of men and women entering the military is shrinking and so is the diversity within it.

If the military continues to mainly be made up of those in the family business, the military will continue to shrink and so will its diversity, or so the government thinks.

The pool of potential recruits is dwindling, which is going to force the Pentagon to think outside the family on ways to recruit new troops.

Lt. Commander Nate Christensen is the spokesperson for the Chief of Naval Personnel. He said the reason behind their worry is

We believe that this limits both the talent pool from which the Navy draws, as well as the diversity of background in our force, and ultimately could lead to a civil-military divide.

The Navy has a long tradition of sailors in the family business as 82 percent of them come from families with other service members.

The Air Force has an even greater number of families with multiple service members.

Eighty-six percent of current airmen have close relatives that have served in the military. The Army and Marines also have large numbers, 79 percent and 77 percent, of those in the family business.

Why do so many people decide to follow in the military service footsteps of their family members?

People make choices based on the life they have led and the people they have grown up with. Service members are likely to influence their family members to either join or not to join the military. Many that do join the military also enter the same branch of service that their family members were in. Fifty-nine percent of Army recruits come from a family that has close relatives in the Army.

The traditional make-up of the military no longer stands however. What was once mostly middle- and working-class men is now diversified with women in many of the positions.

There has been a large influx of women entering the military in the last few years as well. With the military opening doors to careers in fields women were not eligible to go into previously, the trend is set to continue. The military overall is shrinking, but in the last decade, the number of women joining the military has increased.

The government can’t afford to simply count on those entering the family business to keep the military strong. They’re going to have to start thinking outside the norm and recruit fresh blood, so to speak.

There are so many opportunities available in this age that the younger generation is not enlisting at the rate of previous years. The Pentagon is going to have to find a new incentive to get talented people to join the military.

In doing so, however, I hope that they don’t diminish the pride service members feel in continuing a family tradition. The term “family business” is being turned into a negative, when in fact it is a wonderful thing. I come from a family with a long line of service members and I married a sailor. I don’t know if our son will grow up and join the military, but I will be proud to have him in the family business, if he decides to.

What do you think of the statement that “military is a family business?”

How to Kiss the PCS Blues Goodbye

By

Spring is here and that means it’s PCS season, when military families will be moving to a new duty station and starting the next chapter in their lives.

Are you excited about the move or are you feeling the PCS blues?

What can start off as an exciting opportunity and journey can quickly turn into an overwhelming situation causing emotions to swell. That’s when the PCS blues kick in.

How to Kiss the PCS Blues Goodbye

Are you feeling the PCS blues this spring? How do you handle these unique feeling?

Never heard of the PCS blues? Think it’s made up? If you haven’t suffered from the PCS blues, that’s great, but many military spouses do.

The PCS blues are a sense of dread that comes over you as you leave a home, city and family that you’ve become comfortable in and transition to a new environment.

Change is a hard thing and it can wreak havoc on the most seasoned spouse’s emotions.

Depression is real and even if you don’t reach the point of the clinical definition of being depressed, there may be just that lingering feeling of dread or sadness to say goodbye to a life you knew.

That’s the PCS blues.

As a skeptic, you might say military spouses knew what they signed up for when they said “I do.” It wasn’t just the person they were marrying, it was also the military and a life of constant change. We do all know what we’re getting into, that doesn’t mean anyone’s feelings are any less real or unsubstantiated.

Each time the military sends you to a new duty station the routine of settling in begins again. A move can start out fun. It’s a new adventure. You’ll have new opportunities to see things, experience things and discover new things. It comes at a cost though and that’s leaving behind the things you’ve grown to love. Take some time to find closure and say goodbye to those things and then embrace your new life.

This could help ward off the PCS blues.

Follow these 4 tips to keep your emotions in check and make the most out of PCS season.

Say Goodbye to Your Friends

No one likes to say goodbye. It’s hard. It can take a long time to make friends and it’s always sad to leave them as you move on to a new duty station.

Take some time to say goodbye in a meaningful way. Make a coffee date, movie date or play date with your friends.

Create a lasting memory. I started a tradition with good friends at Christmas. Instead of buying commercial gifts we exchange homemade Christmas ornaments. That way, each year we think of each other as we decorate our trees.

You’re bound to have something in common, maybe just an inside joke between friends. Create a way to keep that lasting memory before you say goodbye. Having closure may keep the PCS blues away once you move.

Do What You’ve Been Meaning to Do

Always wanted to try a certain restaurant in the area? Do it.

Been talking about hiking a nature trail in the country? Do it.

There’s no time like last minute to make you finally go for it. You might regret it if you don’t.

Maybe it’s a simple thing like stopping into a local eatery or shop. Maybe you’ve been meaning to taste a regional delicacy but have been too afraid. You might not ever have the chance to do it again.

Then again, moving is constant and you could end up back in that city one day. Why take the chance in missing out though?

Prepare Yourself Mentally for the Move

You do so much prep work when getting ready to move. Organizing the house before the movers come, shutting off and turning on utilities, checking out of school and signing up for new ones can all keep your mind busy. Take a moment to ready yourself for the move as well, not just physically but mentally.

You are moving. This is really happening. Get excited about the move. Don’t just go through the motions.

Kiss the PCS blues goodbye by starting out with a positive attitude.

Yes, it’s sad to leave but there are so many new things heading your way. Look at that as a wonderful opportunity. You will make friends again. You will fall in love with a coffee shop, yoga class or play date in your new town. It is going to be OK.

Get Out of Your House

Once you move into your next home, get out of the house. There are a million boxes to unpack and a long list of things to do, but the PCS blues might set in if you don’t check out every once in a while.

Take a break from it all and and get out of the house, and out of your head. Contact your ombudsman or FRG leader. Look on social media for local meet-up groups. Join a gym and sign up for a class. Go explore your new town. Take a walk in the park and get some fresh air. You need a break and you might just meet someone that will turn into your next best friend.

Moving to a new location can be hard. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’ll make friends again. You’ll fall in love with the area, and then it will be time to do it all over again.

Are you feeling the PCS blues this spring? How do you handle this unique feeling?

Two Commissaries in Germany Will Close Their Doors This Spring

By

In a never-ending drive by the government to cut the military budget, the Pentagon has proposed to cut the commissary budget for 2017 by $221 million. How would this budget reduction impact the every day consumer?

Commissaries will be closing. Not all commissaries; no need to panic. Stateside commissaries are safe for now. Those in Europe, on the other hand, are on the chopping block.

The first 2 commissaries slated to close are in Germany; they are the commissaries at Sembach and Illesheim.

In 2015, Sembach sales were $3.8 million and Illesheim was only a mere $2.5 million. Both of these commissaries have been in operation since the 1960s. They are small stores, with only 4 checkout lanes each. This puts them at the bottom third of commissary sales. There are 240 commissaries and these two just aren’t holding up to standards others are setting.

Officials are quick to say that closing these 2 commissaries isn’t a big deal for customers since they are within a 30-minute drive of 2 larger commissaries from Sembach and a 35-minute drive to the next commissary from Illesheim. Shoppers from Sembach could make that commute if they wanted to shop at Vogelweh or Ramstein Air Base. Those at Illesheim would have to drive to Ansbach for their next closest commissary.

A 30- or 35-minute commute might not sound like much to government officials in Washington, D.C., but it can be significant for families living abroad.

The commissary’s slogan, “it’s worth the drive,” might just take on a whole new meaning. This holds especially true for single service members who are use to just popping into their local commissary often.

If you are using either of these 2 commissaries as your main source for purchasing groceries, note that Sembach closes April 29. Illesheim’s commissary will close on March 31.

One good thing at least, there are sure to be great sales as they try to move inventory off the shelves.

Don’t make a sigh of relief yet if you’re stationed in Germany, but not near these 2 commissaries. There are more commissaries slated to close. The Defense Commissary Agency plans to meet budget cuts by consolidating down to one commissary per military community. Grafenwoehr and Kaiserslautern will be the only exceptions to this.

That means commissaries in Stuttgart will be part of the plan to close stores in Europe in 2016. Those at Patch, Kelley Barracks, Robinson Barracks and Panzer Kaserne will all see their final days this year.

A new commissary on Panzer is being built to compensate for this. Construction hasn’t begun yet and these commissaries will remain open until the new one is ready so you still have time to shop at your favorite commissary before the doors close for good.

The saying “you can never go back” keeps playing in my mind as I write this. I lived in Germany for 5 years. I truly will never be able to go back to Robinson Barracks where my family shopped regularly when we were stationed in Stuttgart. It’s a 20- to 30-minute drive from Robinson Barracks to Panzer for those that live in the area.

There is always a constant worry about losing military benefits and talk of commissary closures are a norm. This is one instance that rumors are true.

Hopefully families and service members that shop regularly at these commissaries will be able to adjust their routine grocery shopping trip accordingly knowing ahead of time that their stores are closing.

Are you concerned more commissaries will close? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section.

10 Ways to Avoid the Flu This Winter

By

Being sick is no fun at all, whether it’s a mild cold or the flu. It wasn’t until I was pregnant that I got the flu for the first time, and hopefully the last. Now that I know how awful it is, I never want to get it again.

10 Ways to Avoid Colds and the Flu This Winter

Did you get the flu vaccine this year?

Follow these 10 tips to avoid getting a cold or the flu this winter and let’s all stay healthy this year.

Stay Away from Sick People

The flu virus is spread through droplets made when someone with the flu coughs, sneezes or talks. The flu virus can also spread when people touch something that the flu virus is on and then touch their mouth, eyes or nose.

You may want to keep your distance from sick people for a few days. People that have the flu are contagious as early as one day before they exhibit symptoms and can continue to pass the flu virus along for up to 5 to 7 days after they’ve become sick. Children, severely ill people and those with weakened immune systems can actually infect others for longer periods.

Stay Home if You Are Sick

The flu is an infection of the nose, throat and lungs caused by the influenza virus. It causes countless hospital stays and deaths each year. The CDC recommends that if you do become sick to stay home an extra 24 hours after your fever has passed. The flu can be very dangerous for children and those with weak immune systems. Almost 20,000 children under age 5 are hospitalized from complications due to the flu, such as pneumonia.

Don’t let your stubbornness about staying home get someone else sick.

Wash Your Hands Often

Do you know how to properly wash your hands? Sounds like a silly question, but you’d be surprised how many people aren’t washing correctly. Cleaning your hands is one of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. You should wash your hands before, during and after you handle food. You should also wash them when you’ve been around someone who is ill. After you use the bathroom, helped a child use the bathroom or changed a diaper, you should always wash your hands. When you blow your nose, cough or sneeze you should also wash your hands.

To properly wash your hands simply run them under water and lather with soap. Make sure to get in between your fingers, under your nails and on the back of your hands. Do this for 20 seconds.

A fun way to get children to wash their hands for 20 seconds is to have them sing the happy birthday song twice.

Then rinse your hands with water and dry them. Turn off the faucet with a paper towel. If you aren’t able to wash your hands, then you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol.

Don’t Touch Your Eyes, Nose or Mouth

Do you have a nail-biting habit? Do you rub your eyes when you’re tired or put your finger to your mouth when you’re thinking? These seem like small things, but if you’ve touched something with the flu virus, you will regret it. You might not even notice that you do it, but it is an easy way for the flu virus to reach you.

Does your little one like to pick his nose? Now is a good time to have a talk about why you shouldn’t put your finger up there. Try to keep your hands away from these areas and you might avoid the flu this season.

Clean and Disinfect Commonly Touched Areas

The flu virus doesn’t last long on surfaces, less than 24 hours experts say. You can clean them with a mild soap. You don’t need to bleach everything. The medical community largely agrees that the flu virus is transferred mainly from human to human contact and not so much from surface contact.

It’s still a good idea to make sure commonly touched areas are cleaned often. Door knobs, telephones, elevator buttons, keyboards, remote controls, refrigerator doors and toilets are all commonly touched areas that should be cleaned regularly.

Get Plenty of Sleep

Sleep deprivation has an adverse effect on immune function and chronic sleep loss can increase an individual’s vulnerability to infectious diseases according to the National Sleep Foundation. Most people don’t get the recommended amount of sleep. There are 9 age categories sited. School age children, age 6 to 13 years, should get 9 to 11 hours of sleep a day while teenagers, age 14 to 17, should get 8 to 10 hours. Adults should get 7 to 9 hours of sleep. Are you and your children getting enough sleep?

Keep Your Fluids Up

Keeping hydrated is very important. The recommendation is 8 glasses of water a day. This will keep the lining of your nose moist. The first line of defense against germs is the mucous membrane in the nose. This traps germs and keeps them from getting to your lungs. If you are dehydrated it will dry out. Doctors recommend spacing the 8 glasses of water out evenly throughout your day. Coffee and tea don’t count because the caffeine content is dehydrating.

Manage Stress

Stress directly influences your immune system. Have you noticed when you’re stressed that you’re more likely catch a cold? Stress weakens your immune system which makes it harder for your body to fight off infection. Make it a point in your life to let go of as much stress as you can so you can enjoy a healthy life.

Keep Active

Exercise increases your circulation and blood flow giving your immune system a chance to find a virus such as the flu before it spreads. Make sure to add regular exercise to your routine for better health.

Get the Flu Vaccine

This is a topic for debate. Doctors recommend anyone over the age of 6 months get a flu vaccine. Many people have personal beliefs about its safety, which is why I listed it last. Make your own decision.

 What are your tips for avoiding a winter cold or the flu this year?

Ex-Military Spouse? Is There Such a Thing?

By

Dear MilitaryShoppers,Untitled-2

My husband and I recently got divorced. The transition has been hard. I am struggling with the idea that I am no longer considered a military spouse even though I endured 7 moves and 3 deployments. Am I an ex-military spouse? Is there such a thing?

–Struggling Civilian

Once a Marine, always a Marine. There’s no such thing as an ex-Marine. It’s a matter of honor, so why would you– the military spouse– feel as though you deserve anything less?

Perhaps you are no longer a part of the military community. Your spouse may have retired, separated from the military after a number of years, been discharged because of a disability or any number of other reasons. Until the question was asked this month, “Is There Such a Thing as an Ex-Military Spouse?” the notion had never crossed my mind. Why would it?

I grew up as an Army brat and was so sad when my dad retired. I felt like I was part of something special and then it was gone. I told him so on Thanksgiving that year when our tradition of visiting the soldiers at the mess halls was missing from that day. It wasn’t just that I got a slice of pumpkin pie at each one (hey I was a kid and there were only 3), but that I got to spend time with my dad and see all the smiling happy faces. I can still picture it, everyone passing plates, the noise so loud with cheer. It may sound funny and so simplistic but at that point my whole life had been part of this great military community. Isn’t it the small things in life that count? At this moment now, I’m considering the question. Did I become an ex-military child? Was my mother now an ex-military spouse?

Once a Military Spouse, Always a Military Spouse

Were you a military child? What memories do you have?

I would never consider myself or my mother that way. The wonderful experiences we had made us who we are. We will never lose that.

I find myself, years later, back in the embrace of the military lifestyle. My husband is in the Navy and so I am an Army brat and a Navy wife. One day he will leave active duty and I will once again say good-bye to this community. Will that really make me an ex-military spouse? No.

Ex-military spouse sounds so harsh. Did we break up? Former military spouse, I could handle that term. We had a great relationship and it will end happily. I will take the memories I have made from the beginning of my life through the beginning of our child’s life.

This has been after all, our life. This was never just a job.

For some, the experience might not have been so magical in their minds. Everything isn’t always peachy. Moving so often has its challenges. Your spouse deploying for long periods of time can leave you vulnerable. You’ll cry, you’ll laugh, and you’ll make friends and leave friends. You will get frustrated when your favorite thing is broken by the movers or your spouse’s deployment gets extended.

This is all part of it. You are a military spouse.

Once a Military Spouse, Always a Military Spouse

You will make some great memories as a military spouse to reflect upon for years.

When the day comes that you are no longer the spouse of an active duty service member your life will change. You will embark on a new adventure, but the memories you have made will remain part of you.

You served your time just as your spouse did. You earned the right to keep that honor.

The same notion holds true for military spouses who divorce their sponsors. Yes, your official relationship with both the military community and service member has ended. You may feel sad or angry at the onset but looking back you’ll still have the memories of great times as a family. You experienced the same events and emotions as any military spouse.

Some may disagree. You’ll be judged, even if people proclaim that they do no such thing. You may feel ostracized and lose all your connections within the community. It doesn’t matter what they say; you aren’t talking to them anyway. You were part of something special, no matter how long that was.

You are a military spouse, former military spouse if you prefer, but you will never be an ex-military spouse. None of us will.

How do you feel? Is there such a thing as an ex-military spouse?