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Calling Military Spouses ‘Simply Civilians’ Really Gets Under My Skin

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“Military spouses are just civilians.”

“Spouses are not military; they are civilians like everyone else.”

“Just because you are married to someone in the military doesn’t mean you are in the military, quit saying you are.”

Have you heard any of these phrases before?

I have.

I have even had to backtrack when someone assumed that I had served too because I said something about how “we” were in the military when talking about our experiences as a military family. That was frustrating.

I get it.

As military spouses we are not actually IN the military. I am not sure many military spouses think they are. However, life is different when you are married to someone in the military. Life is more complicated and just so different from life in a civilian family.

When my husband joined the military, everything changed. We had spent about 3 years as a married couple before he joined. When he signed up, everything was different. We were no longer a civilian family, we were a military one.

Having lived both types of lives, I see a huge difference. When people tell me they are similar, I just have to laugh. Life could be exactly the same for some military spouses, but that has not been my personal experience at all. Life changed when he enlisted.

Although military spouses are technically civilians and not in the military themselves, hearing that we are “simply civilians” can seem a bit shallow.

Hearing that can make you feel like you don’t matter or that what you have been though doesn’t matter. Hearing those words can cause military spouses to feel like they are not a part of the military when they really are.

The truth is, when you are married to a member of the military, you are not living a civilian lifestyle, you are living a military one. The military has a lot of say over your life. They tell you where you need to live, when your spouse will be home, if you will have to go months and months without seeing them, whether you can go on vacation, etc. Living a military life is very different from living a civilian one.

Before the military my husband worked a job where he left at about 7 a.m. and was home before 5 p.m. He could take time off without much issue. If he was sick, he didn’t have to go anywhere, he would just pick up the phone and call in. If we wanted to go somewhere, he didn’t have to get a special pass to go further then 250 miles. He didn’t have to get his leave approved only to have that taken away at the last minute. Life was simpler because although he had a boss and an employer, they didn’t have the same type of control over him that the military would.

We should stop saying that military spouses are “simply civilians” because it just doesn’t make any sense to do so. Yes, we know that military spouses didn’t sign up to serve in the military. We understand that but there is no reason to call us civilians. Doing so puts up a wall that doesn’t need to be there.

So what are military spouses? If we are not serving in the military but we are not quite civilians, what are we? Some sort of hybrid?

Half military, half civilian? I don’t like that description either.

I think we are military spouses and we should be called just that. Military spouses are the backbone of the military community. They are the ones that can support the military service member and help them through their career.

How do you feel when someone points out that military spouses are “simply civilians?”

5 Government Housing Faux Pas

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Government housing. You love living on post; you hate living on post.

We lived in government housing during our time in Germany and for the most part we enjoyed it. It made life a little easier and made it really easy to meet other members of the military.

When you live on post, you have to abide by rules that you might not otherwise have to go by. Here at Ft. Campbell, living on post feels more strict than living off. I have friends getting in trouble for things that I don’t even think twice about living in my own house off post.

In theory these rules are to keep everything looking nice and regulated, you know, just like a military housing community should be. Although some of the rules seem over the top, most do a good job of keeping the area looking the way it should.

5 Government Housing Faux Pas

If you live on post, don’t forget to mow your lawn.

If you live in military housing, you want to make sure that you understand any faux pas so you don’t become that neighbor. No one wants to be that neighbor.

  1. Not Picking up Trash. You would think that grown adults would know this but that isn’t always the case. When we were in Germany, we had to share a trash can with our neighbor and the trash bins were kept in a space of six cans. We tried to keep our area cleaned up but others did not. It looked like the start of a landfill. It is simply not cool to not pick up your trash, leave trash in your yard or just not be aware of what needs to be done when it comes to your waste.
  2. Being Loud. This is one of the parts of living off post that I enjoy. My neighborhood is really quiet. With on-post housing you have a lot of people in a smaller space. Some people can get too loud, especially during a three-day weekend. The military loves to hang out when they have time off but don’t be the house on the block that everyone wants to call the MPs on. Be respectful of your neighbors and keep your volume levels on low.
  3. Wandering Kids. There is an age when kids should be allowed to walk around their neighborhood without a parent. Three years old is not that age. When we first moved to government housing I was shocked at how young the kids were that showed up on the playground without a parent. Just because you are on a military post doesn’t mean it is safe for such a young child to be walking around without supervision. Keep an eye on your young children and wait until they are a little older to let them roam.
  4. Not Cutting Your Grass. This is a hard one.  I know how hard mowing the lawn can be when you have to do it yourself when your husband is deployed and you have very small children. However, this chore must be done. In most places you will get in trouble if you don’t do it in a timely manner. If you are lucky enough to live in a place where they do it for you, thank your lucky stars because in most places you have to mow the backyard.
  5. Starting Drama. Lonely wives, spare time and close spaces can easily lead to drama. Sometimes the drama is over something silly like a dog barking too much or kids who don’t get along. Other times it can get out of hand with yelling matches across the street. Please, just stay away from drama. Mind your own business and be friendly. That will go a long way in allowing your neighborhood to be a peaceful place. You can make some wonderful friends by getting to know your neighbors. Don’t blow the chance to make new friends by being a drama queen.

Do you or have you lived in base housing? What faux pas have you committed?

Books to Read to Your Military Child

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As a mother of military children, I know they have to go through situations that other children don’t. One of the best ways to help them is through books. Reading about other children going through what they go through while having a parent in the military is very helpful. We have always had books like this around our house to look at before and after deployments.

Books to Read to Your Military Child

What is your military child’s favorite military book?

Some books talk about deployment. Others deal with moving, starting a new school and finding friends in a new neighborhood.

You can also find books on other stressful situations that your kids might have to go through such as making new friends, bullying or working through family issues associated with life as a military family.

Books to Read to Your Military Child

Do you read books about moving before starting a PCS?

Here is a list of books to read your military child, broken down by age group:

Preschoolers

Young children need picture books to help get the point across. They are easy to read and help the child learn more about military life through short stories.

  • H is for Honor: A Military Family Alphabet by Devin Scillian. This book talks about the different branches of service and military life. It is a great book to have when starting out on the military journey.

  • Daddy’s Deployed by Bridget Platt. The only military book of its kind: Daddy’s Deployed is a completely customized children’s book for those with a parent deploying. The book features the name, gender, and physical attributes of, not only the child, but the parents as well!

  • A Paper Hug by Stephanie Skolmoski. A sweet story about a boy whose Dad has to go away on a deployment. The book talks about the different emotions he goes through. It is a perfect book if you are about to go through a deployment or separation.
  • Lily Hates Goodbyes Jerilyn Marler. Lily has lots of feelings during her father’s deployment. Sometimes she is angry. Sometimes she is sad. Sometimes she cries. Sometimes she yells. Through it all, her mother tells her that these feelings are normal.
  • Coming Home by Greg Ruth. This is a great book for the end of a deployment. The pictures tell the story and in the end you find out that Mom is the one that was deployment, not Dad.
  • The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day by Stan and Jan Berenstain. Help your small children prepare for a move using the cute Berenstain Bears to tell their story. This would be a great read to help prepare small children for an upcoming move.
  • Big Dan’s Moving Van by Leslie Mcguire. This book explains to toddlers and preschoolers how the packers will put all your household goods into boxes. But there is no reason to worry because you will see all your toys again– at your new house. 

School Aged Children

They can read some of these books themselves but it is also nice to be able to read with your military child.

  • Countdown ’til Daddy Comes Home by Kristin Ayyar. This book is about getting ready for a parent to come home after being away for a while. It has some great ideas for the kids and includes discussion questions to get them talking about what they are going through.

  • Soldier by Simon Adams. A favorite in our house, this book talks about soldiers, what they do, what equipment they use and is filled with a lot of detailed photos and diagrams. It can be a great resource so children can learn more about what their parent does for a living.

  • The Good-Pie Party by Liz Garton Scanlon. Three little girls are worried about saying good-bye to their best friend. But instead of having a farewell party, they decide to invite their neighbors to bake pies for a “good-pie party.” This is a tender and sweet book about moving.

  • The Moving Book: A Kids’ Survival Guide by Gabriel Davis. Although this book is not just for military children, they will get a lot out of it. It will help them understand a move and allow them to have a little more fun with the moving process. 

  • Why is Dad So Mad? by Seth Kastle. This book is about a Dad who is going through PTSD. It can be a great tool to use if that is something your family is going through and you are not quite sure how to explain it to your child. 

 

Teenagers

This age group needs books on military life too. It can help them understand and deal with some of the issues that come up in this lifestyle.

  • My Story: Blogs by Four Military Teens by Michelle D. Sherman, Ph.D., and DeAnne M. Sherman. This book follows four teens as they make their way through a parent’s deployment. The stories are fictional but are based on real-life experiences.

What is your military child’s favorite military book?

Moving in with Your Parents during a Deployment

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As the summer of 2009 was approaching, I knew I had to do something. My husband was deployed yet again and I was in Germany with 2 small little boys. I couldn’t imagine going through a whole school-free summer by myself. I needed a break, a big one.

Moving in with Your Parents during a Deployment

That was when I decided to go live with my parents for the summer. We took a Space-A flight out the end of May and stayed until the last week in August, a few weeks before school started again.

Moving back home was one of the best things I have ever done to help me get through a deployment.

There were so many benefits to going home for the summer. For one thing, I no longer had to be the only adult in the house. I had my parents right there to help me out. My brother and other family members and friends were also around to spend time with. I was able to plan an amazing summer taking my kids to some of the same places I went to as a child. I loved being able to do that with them. My husband even went there for his R&R and we were able to take a romantic trip for a few days while my parents watched our kids.

For me it was a big fat break from the regular deployment routine. I didn’t have to do everything for a few months. I got to enjoy time with my family and my parents were able to bond a little bit with my boys. It worked really well for us and helped speed up the deployment. By the time I got back to Germany we only had about 6 weeks before he came home.

Living with my parents worked for my family, but this temporary living arrangement doesn’t always work for everyone.

You need a good place to go that will be a comfortable home for you and your children. You will have a much harder time if the place you will be staying is more stressful than staying put at your current duty station.

Another thing to consider is what you are giving up. You might not have any other military friends nearby. I was OK with this but others might not be. There is a lot of support to be found in a military community and you give up some of that empathy when you move home for a deployment.

Related: Creative Deployment Activities for Military Kids

You also need to find out what will happen to your housing if you do leave. Some places will make you move out if you are gone for a certain amount of time. We were lucky in that we could keep our home in Germany, I just had to find someone to keep an eye on things while we were away. I knew when we went back everything would be there waiting for me. If your spouse is planning to ETS back home after the deployment, it might be a good idea to move home early and get settled. It can make the whole transition a lot easier when he comes back from deployment.

If your children are older, moving in with the grandparents might not be an option for you. You won’t want to pull them out of school. They won’t want to leave their friends. I know I wouldn’t be able to go home for a whole summer again because of the ages of my children. When we went home in 2009 they were only 2 and 4 years old.

You really have to think hard about if going home during a deployment is the right thing to do. For some people it is and for others it’s better to stay where they are.

Have you lived with your parents or in-laws during a deployment? Would you recommend it?

5 Things That Can Destroy a Military Marriage

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Marriage is work and done with the right attitude it’s fulfilling work.

5 Things That Can Destroy a Military Marriage

How does military life put a strain on your marriage?

Despite all the love you and your spouse have for each other, a marriage still challenges the dynamic between the two of you. It’s only natural to experience conflict, particularly with the one person that you are closest to in your life.

I’ve been taking notes from my parents’ marriage for the longest time– witnessing their good and bad times–and seeing that at the end of every struggle, they find resolution and remember the love they have for each other.

I’ve also witnessed and have firsthand experience with the particular obstacles military marriages encounter.

Sometimes I feel like the military is an unofficial third wheel in my relationship.

Based on what I’ve learned so far, there are certain instances that can strain your relationship, especially with your spouse in the military like:

  1. Never comprising. The military forces us to comprise at times (or another phrase I use is “adjust fire”). We have to adjust fire when we get thrown surprise orders or an unexpected duty. Military spouses need to have a flexible mindset or else, it will be a difficult life. Compromise allows you to find a common ground and can offer a sense of comfort. Make it something you both can stand behind.
  2. Lacking understanding. Understanding is another big factor that should take precedent in a military relationship because the type of compromise you want may be difficult to find. For example, my husband goes out of town for professional development a lot of times and asks that I give him space to study. It’s hard for me to leave him alone because I miss him, but instead of getting upset, I use that opportunity to work on my own personal goals.
  3. Thinking only about yourself. I’ve always been taught that a relationship is a two-way street and to expect as much back as you put forward. If it’s constantly about yourself or even your husband, it doesn’t make it fair to each other. As military spouses, we may have to actually consider our spouses’ career on a high level, but I’ve experienced that even your career can be a two-way street with adding a dash of compromise into the equation. Focusing strictly on one person doesn’t help the relationship as a whole because it could feel belittling to the other party.
  4. Forgetting why you fell in love. Deployments. TDYs. Field exercises. There are several factors that separate us from our loved one. During those times, we go on. We learn to live life in a way that keeps us fulfilled. Don’t get me wrong, my husband’s absence does make me feel crazy. When our spouses’ come back, it’s a whole reintegration period that each person experiences, so be patient and remember why you fell in love!
  5. Resenting the military. I admit that I have moments where I raise my fists in the air and ask “why?!” But, what good does that really do? Nothing. It’s just temporary relief. I can’t constantly harp on the military for everything bad. That isn’t resolving the situation. It’s adding stress and unnecessary tension on your spouses’ choice to join the military.

What obstacles do you think military couples face?

Stay tuned for our follow-up article in April, “5 Things You Can Do to Save Your Military Marriage.”

Expect the Unexpected and More Valuable Advice for Soon-to-Be Military Spouses

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The holidays bring a lot of joy and excitement, including engagements and marriages. My husband and I got married in a courtroom 3 days before Christmas and a week before overseas orders in 2012.

Months before our wedding, my husband PCSed from Fort Drum and I tagged along for the almost cross-country move from New York to Arizona. I had a feeling that he would propose sometime during our trip (spoiler alert, he did propose at the end of the trip and I said “yes”).

Now, 3 years after saying “I do,” I’ve learned a whole lot, and I admit, I still have a whole lot to learn. In my father’s 20+ year career, I’ve witnessed the challenges of my rock star mother and she would always tell me to live day by day. I take that advice to heart and look to her for guidance and strength. The most important lesson I’ve learned so far is that despite all the trials and/or difficulties military life could bring, its community is the most loving, understanding and powerful asset for military spouses. We’re all in this crazy life together!

Expect the Unexpected and More Valuable Advice for Soon-to-Be Military Spouses

 

Here is a sampling of important advice I’ve learned as a military spouse:

  1. Question Everything. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and really, you should be asking a lot of questions. There are a lot of moving parts with the military (ie., PCS, Tricare, retirement), so asking a lot of questions will ensure you understand this lifestyle better.
  2. Open Your Mind. There will be days when you scratch your head at the military, but don’t lose sight of the bigger picture. For example, things can change at a moment’s notice or there might be some rules that don’t make any sense to you. Be sure you keep an open mind.
  3. Expect the Unexpected. Nothing is set in stone. Orders can change and TDYs pop-up whenever.
  4. Expect Stereotypes. People may judge you inside and outside the military community. When I started dating my husband, people wondered why. There is a stigma with people that decide to join the military. There is also a stigma with newbie spouses. Don’t let anything or anyone get you down as you continue to grow within the military community because that isn’t a reflection of everyone. There are so many people out there that are kind and helpful. I’ve never experienced any negativity, but it’s out there.
  5. Find the Compromise. When the military threw the curveball of an overseas assignment at my husband before our nuptials, I really wanted the “dream” wedding– nothing big, just something with my dad walking me down the aisle and my family and friends there. So, we arranged for a courthouse ceremony first and the traditional church wedding at my childhood church when his assignment was over. It ended up being perfect for us. Compromise is your mantra.
  6. Keep Your Sense of Self Worth. No matter what, don’t lose sight of yourself! Take the time to do things that make you special and happy.

Are you engaged to a service member? What questions do you have about military life?

Celebrate Halloween with Our Military Kid Photo Contest

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Halloween is almost here! Such a fun time to dress up the kids in costume and maybe even yourself and your significant other.

halloween

I have always enjoyed Halloween and trying to help my kids decide what they want to be each year. Sometimes they can’t decide and they might wear a couple of different costumes to various events at the end of October. Some years the kids have been super heroes or characters from popular children’s movies, other years it was something more simple like a pirate or a monkey. They are now at the age where they really want to decide which costume they will wear for Halloween each year. I love hearing what they want to dress up as because it is usually based on what they are into at that moment.

Do your kids like to dress up for Halloween? Do you like to get creative when it comes time to figure out what costume they will wear? Do you buy their costumes? Or do you make them? How many photos do you take of your little one  trick or treating? 10? 20?

Instead of simply sharing those adorable costume photos with your family and friends, take 1 minute to share 1 photo with MilitaryShoppers this month and you’ll be entered in a drawing to win a $100 Toys R Us e-gift card.

Celebrate Halloween with MilitaryShoppers’ Military Kid Photo Contest

Child in Halloween costume

Submissions need to include:

  • Name of person submitting photo
  • Installation
  • Branch of service
  • Age(s) of child(ren)

Rules:

  • Image must be submitted as .pdf, .jpg or .gif via email to bschmalz@militarymedia.com by November 3, 2014.
  • Entrant’s email address will be added to MilitaryShoppers.com registration email list and therefore will receive future communications from MilitaryShoppers exclusively for military families via email.
  • One winner will be selected on November 6, 2014. Winner will be posted to MilitaryShoppers Facebook page, MilitaryShoppers on Pinterest and MilitaryShoppers.com.
  • One entry per email address.
  • Image must be submitted by entrant who possesses a valid military ID card (Active Duty, Veteran, Retiree, Reserve, Guard or family member of the aforementioned categories.)
  • Entrant must be 18 years of age or older.
  • Winner will be notified via e-mail.
  • No purchase necessary to win.

Good luck and have fun getting the costumes together! We can’t wait to see all the cute kids in their costumes.

 

When You Deploy, Where Does Your Dog Go?

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No one should have to give up a pet because they have to go somewhere with the military. The Dogs on Deployment organization is a great program for helping service members prepare for a deployment.

Dogs on Deployment supports troopsTheir purpose is to find a place for a service member’s pet to go during a deployment or other military obligation. Not everyone has family members or friends who can take the animals and it can be a frustrating situation when that happens. In a lot of cases the animal has to go to a shelter since the service member will not be able to take their pet with them.

In addition to that, Dogs on Deployment promotes lifelong, responsible pet ownership within the military community. They do this by advocating for pet owner rights on military installations, providing education and resources about pet ownership, granting financial assistance for emergencies, promoting pet insurance and vaccinations as well as the need to spay or neuter animals. The organization also works to make sure everyone has access to the Dogs on Deployment program.

Dogs on Deployment boards pets of all types that belong to active duty, reservists, National Guard, honorably discharged veterans and their families. DoD was started in June 2011 by Shawn and Alisa Johnson, who serve in the Navy and Marine Corps, respectively. They themselves have been in a situation where they needed a program like this for their own pets.

This program is a great one because of the need for help with pets when you have to go away for military duty. No one should have to give up a pet because they have to go somewhere with the military. Even a short-term assignment could cause distress for people who don’t have anyone to watch their animals. The cost of boarding a dog for that long would not be within anyone’s budget either.

Dogs on Deployment supports military pets

If you would like to support this organization, you can make a financial donation, become a sponsor, share their program on social media or even shop on their site. If you would like to board a pet, after registering with the site, you can search to see what pets are available in your area and the dates needed for pet foster care.

This organization was “Founded by Military, for the Military.” It is a great way to give back and to help those fighting for our country.

Ex-Military Spouse? Is There Such a Thing?

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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?

 

Money Terms Every MilSo Should Know

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6355840185_c3de79a0b7_oServicemembers and their spouses quickly learn that the military lifestyle includes a lot of acronyms and code words. DoD (Department of Defense), MOS (Military Occupational Specialty), Temporary Duty (TDY), Roger, Copy. The list goes on and on.

What military spouses don’t realize is the importance of knowing military financial terms.

There are so many different components to remember and understand that spouses should educate themselves too. Military members completely rely on MyPay to access their earnings, so you should consider setting up a limited access account too.

Below is a list of the must-know financial terms that will help military spouses digest and navigate through all the sections of the Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) and military life.

  1. Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS): The accounting and financial institution responsible for paying military members, DoD employees and other governmental departments. DFAS is also responsible for retirement pay.
  2. Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH): The amount given to a service member based on their location, rank and dependent status assessed from the regular housing market on or around the duty station. Formerly called Basic Allowance for Quarters (BAQ), it’s still in LES statements as such, but means the same thing as BAH.
  3. Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA): The taxable amount given to designated families to fund non-housing costs depending on their location to supplement the area’s cost-of-living. Not all duty stations receive it and to find out if your location includes COLA pick your area here: OCONUS (overseas) or CONUS (continental United States)
  4. Basic Allowance for Sustenance (BAS): The money given to military members to offset the cost of food with all ranks within enlisted or officer getting one set amount unless overseas.
  5. Family Separation Allowance (FSA): Military members receive this when they are away from their duty station and family for a TDY lasting more than 30 days OR on an unaccompanied tour that brings them to another location.
  6. Hostile Fire/Imminent Danger Pay (HFP/IDP): It’s mostly given to military members deployed in dangerous situations and is determined on location and/or certified by the commander. Both pay categories are categorized together but still separate, read here for specifics.
  7. Hardship Duty Pay (HDP): Classified into 3 different categories: location, mission and tempo, it’s given to service members that are assigned to areas that offer lower than standard living conditions depending on the duty.
  8. Assignment Incentive Pay (AIP): It’s additional pay awarded to military members that have a non-typical duty or or even extended stay. Mostly given to those that volunteer for a particular service.
  9. Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay (HDIP): Pay given to military members that holds a job considered hazardous like flight crew and/or parachute teams.
  10. Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): The type of retirement plan given to service members that can be deducted from their pay. Similar to the civilian 401(k), it’s a great way to invest and is encouraged for service members.
  11. Date of Initial Entry to Military Service (DIEMS): This is the date that you first entered into military service and cannot change. It’s very important in calculating your retirement benefits when it comes time.
  12. Pay Allotment: Military members can utilize allotments to help with various payments that are required such as loans, rent or outside insurances. The funds are taken away straight from pay and given to the designated institution.
  13. Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA): There are particular deductions that are taken away from military members’ pay, such as Federal Taxes, Social Security and Medicare.
  14. Servicemember Group Life Insurance (SGLI): The deductions via military members wages that covers life insurance. If servicemembers have dependents, there is a separate deduction for family members. This covers life insurance during time in service.
  15. Survivor Benefits Plan (SBP): Signing up for a SBP typically happens at retirement and funds are deducted from retirement pay, which gives surviving family members an annuity (a specific amount per month based on the lifespan of the beneficiary) in the event the servicemember cannot receive it anymore.
  16. Retirement Plan (RET PLAN): Usually, at a minimum of 20 years, servicemembers are granted retirement pay. It should currently be on your LES statement. Depending on your plan of service, there are four different plans that the military can chose from: Final Pay, High-36 Month Average, REDUX and Disability. To decide the best plan, members should seriously consider their military path. This link calls out each plan in more detail: http://militarypay.defense.gov/retirement/.

There are a handful of civilian financial terms that are uncommonly known that you should know outlined below.

  1. Net Worth: Think of it this way, it’s all your total assets (the money that goes in your pocket plus other investments like if you own a home) minus liabilities (debt and/or overhead costs). The overall wealth of your family.
  2. FICO score: The FICO score is calculated using the figures from your consumer credit files on: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion as well as other factors based on your credit habits with your payment history as the number one contributor. That’s why it’s very important to pay bills on time, at it’s minimum and pay it off in a timely manner.
  3. Interest: It’s a designated percentage based on a figure that is given in a set amount of time typically calculated in savings plans and credit debt.
  4. Individual Retirement Account (IRA): Separate from a 401(k) or TSP, it’s an account put together by an individual usually via a bank or credit union that saves money for retirement. The funds that are collected are set-up to be tax-free or tax-deferred depended on the type of IRA. There are three types: Traditional, Roth and Rollover. It’s recommended to establish an IRA, especially if having a 401(k)and/or TSP isn’t available. Who wouldn’t love extra money at retirement that offers tax benefits?! Consult your financial adviser.

 

Did you know these military money terms? Did we miss any? Please share them in the comments section below.