*Thanks, Chrissy and Jolene! Howdy y’all and buckle up for this weeks news 6 update

More Downtime for New Military Parents

Non-Primary Caregiver leave for military service members has now doubled, going from 6 weeks to 12.

This memorandum includes birthing and non birthing parents, which means that all service members who become parents through adoption or surrogacy are included in this increase of leave.

To be eligible the service member must have already served for over a year.

Can your service member not take 12 weeks off at once due to deployment, training, or just the demands of the job?

They can divide it in 7 day increments throughout the year, as long as they use it before your kiddo turns one. 

“It is important for the development of military families that members be able to care for their newborn, adopted or placed child or children,  The Defense Department’s under secretary for personnel and readiness, Gilbert R. Cisneros Jr., wrote in the memorandum.

Props to the military for this important step in parental equality and props to all the parents who are ready to take on diaper duty!

Learn more at nytimes.com

Scholarships on Aisle 12!

The Defense Commissary Agency, or DECA, has now opened its scholarship application for the 2023-2024 season.

500 scholarships will be awarded with at least one from each Commissary. The scholarship sings to the tune of 2,000 dollars each…and if you’ve seen egg prices lately, 2,000 dollars is a happy reprieve for youngsters looking towards college.

There are, of course, certain eligibility requirements to apply.

You must have a parent who has been in the armed forces, but this does include members who are active, guard, retired or deceased.

The student must be enrolled or plan to enroll in a full time undergraduate program.

High school applicants must have a GPA of at least 3.0 and college applicants must have at least 2.5.

Don’t live near a commissary but fit the other requirements? Never fear! Simply select the commissary closest to you, whether it’s down the street or across the state.

Get your typing fingers ready because a 500 word essay is also required!

I myself am a proud recipient of this scholarship representing the Hunter Army Airfield Commissary back in 2010 and can attest that there is no better feeling than to be supported by our local military community.

So thanks, DECA! You really are all that and a bag of chips. 

Find out more at fisherhouse.org

Military Spouses are On the Go! And So Are Their Careers

Individual states must now recognize out of state job licenses of military spouses if they moved due to military orders.

This provision was part of a bigger act called The Veterans Auto and Education Improvement which was signed into law by president Biden on January 5th.

This comes as a huge win for military spouses who have historically been at a huge employment disadvantage due the huge setbacks involved in transferring professional licenses. 

With 30 percent of employed military spouses needing a license to do their job, the average amount of time to transfer fell anywhere between 4-10 months. With these spouses often only living in that specific state for 12-36 months, it was a very disheartening roadblock that has now been lifted.

This provision, however, does not cover law licenses.

“In the midst of one of the most challenging times for our military in terms of recruitment and retention, what this bill does is allow military spouses to cross-deck their professional licenses — if they’re a realtor, a nurse, a teacher, a beautician, a cosmetologist, whatever their profession is — across state lines,” Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Calif. who sponsored the provision.

 

“This is a win for our military families, for our national security, for our local communities who are in desperate need of these professionals, and even for our government who now enjoys the tax revenue from these dual-income families.”

This bill also protects Veterans G.I. Bill benefits in the case their school closes as they did during the Covid 19 pandemic.

Military spouses have always been powerhouses in any career due to their strength, resiliency, and versatility. It’s uplifting to see their country recognize that in congress. 

Learn more at military.com

Today in History:

On January 16, 2023, (hey! That’s today!) the first podcast under Mission: Milspouse launched to thunderous applause. I may be assuming that last part.  But it should be.

The podcast team and I are so excited to share with you all we’ve been cooking up and look forward to a great 2023! Here’s some fun facts from our new website that you probably did not know: 

Mission: Milspouse will publish its 3,000th blog post in 2023!

We have been podcasting for 18 years and will broadcast our 1000th episode in 2023! Our website has over 120 pages and 17 categories of empowering information to help you navigate this military life

Our volunteers contributed approximately 6,348 hours in 2022. That is equivalent to $190,122

And also on this day in 1919, prohibition took effect. So raise a glass for those who couldn’t and for a happy year with Mission: Milspouse! 

That’s it for me! I’m Emma Tighe with News 6, where information empowers