Generated by All in One SEO v4.9.10, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Mission: Milspouse Empowering Spouses, One Mission at a Time ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://missionmilspouse.org/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [Battling the Trying to Conceive Summertime Blues](https://missionmilspouse.org/battling-the-trying-to-conceive-summertime-blues/) - For most people, the summertime months are usually full of picnics, barbeques, vacations, and many other fun adventures. But for others, it can be harder. - [Military Health System (MHS) Nurse Advice Line](https://missionmilspouse.org/military-health-system-mhs-nurse-advice-line/) - As military families get on the road to PCS this month, there are always challenges concerning the health of the family members traveling. Read on for tips! - [Summer Fun on a Military Family Budget](https://missionmilspouse.org/summer-fun-on-a-military-family-budget/) - These dog days of summer are the perfect time to become creative and draw from some local and not so local resources to keep the family entertained. - [Don’t Wait for Tomorrow: Life Isn’t a Dress Rehearsal](https://missionmilspouse.org/dont-wait-for-tomorrow-life-isnt-a-dress-rehearsal/) - Don't put off things for the ever promised tomorrow. Tomorrow may never come and Sheila has us rethinking how to spend our todays while in the military. - [My Week At VBS](https://missionmilspouse.org/my-week-at-vbs/) - If you haven not heard of VBS, it is a great way to volunteer in your community. VBS stands for Vacation Bible School and it is a great place to give back. - [Home Improvement Adventure](https://missionmilspouse.org/home-improvement-adventure/) - Deployment can bring out the best and the worst of us as military spouses. Enter our home improvement ideas. From small to large, they make time pass quickly. - [PCS Season and TRICARE Changes](https://missionmilspouse.org/pcs-season-and-tricare-changes/) - If you are moving this summer and have questions or concerns about Tricare, read some pro tips from military spouse Rebecca Dills. Get some peace of mind. - [Trivia Quiz (Part 2) Protocol, Customs and Traditions](https://missionmilspouse.org/trivia-quiz-part-2-protocol-customs-and-traditions/) - Check out the Part II quiz from our Protocol and Etiquette Team. Challenge yourself to the Part I quiz before you do. Lets see how high you can score! - [MMP# 987: Learning to Advocate for Yourself](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-987-learning-to-advocate-for-yourself/) - On today's episode, Sarah Robichaud talks about the importance to advocate for yourself as you navigate your milspouse journey. - [Make the Most of Your PCS in Any Season](https://missionmilspouse.org/make-the-most-of-your-pcs-in-any-season/) - Make the most of your PCS season. it could be a move in the summer or a move in the winter, but celebrate those times you have the freedom of family. - [News 6 for the Week of June 19th.](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-for-the-week-of-june-19th/) - Buckle up Y'all, it's time for Emma and News 6 for the week of 19 June, 2023.Learn about a resilient marine, new directives from the white house, and TEXAS - [Prepare for Wildfires as Summer Threat Heats Up](https://missionmilspouse.org/prepare-for-wildfires-as-summer-threat-heats-up/) - Many communities are ill prepared for a hazard like wildfires because they simply don’t occur all that frequently, making preparedness essential. - [MMP# 986: Jill Solhjem: Strength, Service & Unwavering Faith](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-986-strength-service-unwavering-faith/) - On today's NEW episode: Strength, Service & Unwavering Faith, join us as we explore Jill Solhjem's remarkable role as an Army Chaplain Spouse for almost 35 years, supporting her husband through 72 months of deployments and military operations. - [MMP #985: 7 Reasons to LOVE your Milspouse Tribe](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-985-7-reasons-to-love-your-milspouse-tribe/) - Thank you for joining us for this week's mini-cast. On today's episode, Dr. Sharita Knobloch as she talks about something near and dear to her - the MilSpouse Tribe and the 7 Reasons to LOVE your MilSpouse Tribe. - [Summer in Europe...Now What?](https://missionmilspouse.org/summer-in-europe-now-what/) - Living in Europe? Join Army family vacation planner, Laura Holland, as she dispenses advice on how to navigate summer fun without the whining - [Battle Buddies](https://missionmilspouse.org/battle-buddies/) - Battle Buddies By KP Palmer We rarely come into Army (or military) life knowing what to do and how to act. Our first duty station profoundly shapes us, whether it is by the location, mission, or the people that serve with us. As we think back to that first unit function, the first FRG meeting, - [Farewell, Adieu, Abschied, Despedida](https://missionmilspouse.org/farewell-adieu-abschied-despedida/) - Farewell, Adieu, Abschied, Despedida - [Journey of Service, Leadership, and HOPE: Carli’s Story](https://missionmilspouse.org/journey-of-service-leadership-and-hope-carlis-story/) - Journey of Service, Leadership, and HOPE: Carli’s Story - [A Bittersweet Goodbye](https://missionmilspouse.org/a-bittersweet-goodbye/) - The end is bittersweet. I can never truly explain my gratitude. - [We become Resilient because there is no choice....](https://missionmilspouse.org/we-become-resilient-because-there-is-no-choice/) - We become resilient because what other choice is there? This life demands it, and you often must bow to that power. How else can we survive? - [Run Farther & Faster with Julie Sapper and Lisa Levin.](https://missionmilspouse.org/run-farther-faster-with-julie-sapper-and-lisa-levin/) - Run Farther & Faster with Julie Sapper and Lisa Levin. - [Elina Ribakova: Consistent, Insistent, and Persistent.](https://missionmilspouse.org/elina-ribakova-consistent-insistent-and-persistent/) - Elina Ribakova: Consistent, Insistent, and Persistent. - [Elevate Your Uniform Etiquette](https://missionmilspouse.org/elevate-your-uniform-etiquette/) - Elevate Your Uniform Etiquette - [Why I Write: How Mission MilSpouse Helped Me Reconnect With Myself](https://missionmilspouse.org/why-i-write-how-mission-milspouse-helped-me-reconnect-with-myself/) - When people ask Kate why she writes, many things come to mind. Why do we all write? To tell a story? To make others feel connected? Why do you write/ - [Empowering Military Spouses: Hire Heroes USA’s Serving Spouses Program](https://missionmilspouse.org/empowering-military-spouses-hire-heroes-usas-serving-spouses-program/) - Military spouses are the unsung heroes behind the uniform—resilient, adaptable, and fiercely supportive. - [Elevate Your Attire Etiquette: Part One](https://missionmilspouse.org/elevate-your-attire-etiquette-part-one/) - Elevate Your Attire Etiquette Categories and Occasions Explained: Part 1 - with our very own Protocol and Etiquette team from Mission Milspouse. - [ Elevate Your Attire Etiquette! Categories and Occasions Explained Part 2](https://missionmilspouse.org/elevate-your-attire-etiquette-categories-and-occasions-explained-part-2/) - Elevate Your Attire Etiquette-Categories and Occasions Explained: Part 2 - [Tully Talks Storytelling With . . . Sarah Peachey!](https://missionmilspouse.org/tully-talks-storytelling-with-sarah-peachey/) - Tully Talks Storytelling With . . . Sarah Peachey! It was such a joy to discover this like-minded group of storytellers who had walked similar paths. - [Top 5 Tips to Keep Your Job Search Active During Summer PCS Season](https://missionmilspouse.org/top-5-tips-to-keep-your-job-search-active-during-summer-pcs-season/) - Top 5 Tips to Keep Your Job Search Active During Summer PCS Season. Some of this is common sense, but we all need a reminder every now and then. - [One thing is always consistent....CHANGE!](https://missionmilspouse.org/one-thing-is-always-consistent-change/) - One thing is always consistent....CHANGE! No matter how many times we PCS, deploy, or just start over, change is one thing we can rely on in the military. - [The Soundtrack of our life:"It's Much Easier With a Friend"](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-soundtrack-of-our-lifeits-much-easier-with-a-friend/) - The Soundtrack of our life: "It's much easier with a friend." If Military life had a soundtrack, this song would be a hit. Military life is better with friends. - [PTSD Awareness All Year Long!](https://missionmilspouse.org/ptsd-awareness-all-year-long/) - PTSD Awareness MonthJune is the official Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month. But here at Mission:Milspouse- we feel it is a year round effort. - [Joanna Calbrese..... Passionate About Philanthropy](https://missionmilspouse.org/joanna-calbrese-passionate-about-philanthropy/) - Joanna Calbrese..... Passionate About Philanthropy “I have been passionate since middle school and continue to give back in my personal and professional life.” - [Bennet Brookstein... From Quitting to Consistency](https://missionmilspouse.org/bennet-brookstein-from-quitting-to-consistency/) - Bennet Brookstein... From Quitting to Consistency. “I used to play all kinds of other sports growing up, but then I quit playing everything.” - - [Tessa Barrett: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. "](https://missionmilspouse.org/tessa-barrett-hard-work-beats-talent-when-talent-doesnt-work-hard/) - Tessa Barrett “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. " Meet Tessa! George Banker takes us into the world of running! - [Senior Night](https://missionmilspouse.org/senior-night/) - Senior Night. It is a common honor in m ost high school athletic programs. Proud parents walk their senior out before the game and they are honored during the last milestone of a senior's sport or activity in high school. It is a big moment that can sometimes be bittersweet when a parent is absent. - [Everyone Loves Cooper](https://missionmilspouse.org/everyone-loves-cooper/) - Everyone Loves Cooper! How many of our military kids are experiencing a mental health crisis What impact is the military life having on them? - [Sam Says, “See You Later”  ](https://missionmilspouse.org/sam-says-see-you-later/) - If Sam heard her mom give one more “Pollyanna” speech about how lucky she was to be a military kid, she was seriously going to vomit. That feeling also rang true for the word resilient. Message received! Sam, like so many other military kids got it. They understood the drill. They move every two years, they have to make friends quickly, they are flexible and adaptable, yadda, yadda, yadda. They were just words. - [An Airport Oasis for Military Families During PCS Season](https://missionmilspouse.org/an-airport-oasis-for-military-families-during-pcs-season/) - Have you ever seen a red, white, and blue USO sign while traveling through an airport?Great news: USO Airport Centers are for YOU and your military family! - [KYLE KING....“Happiness might be best found in discipline and commitment.”](https://missionmilspouse.org/kyle-king-happiness-might-be-best-found-in-discipline-and-commitment/) - Kyle King, the winner of the 49th Marine Corps Marathon with an unofficial time of 2:25:06, poses for a photo after completing the MCM course. - [Lucky to Be a Military Spouse: Planted with Purpose, Growing in Every Community](https://missionmilspouse.org/lucky-to-be-a-military-spouse-planted-with-purpose-growing-in-every-community/) - Lucky to Be a Military Spouse: Planted with Purpose, Growing in Every Community. Are you lucky to be a milspouse? Tell us all about it! - ["Man...That Just Sucks!"](https://missionmilspouse.org/man-that-just-sucks/) - We have all been there. A friend or family member is going through something tough (REALLY TOUGH) and you are racking your brain to say just the right thing. - [Shoulda, woulda, coulda....](https://missionmilspouse.org/shoulda-woulda-coulda/) - Shoulda, woulda, coulda. I feel weird saying the words out loud. I know the reality of the situation, and I know I cannot stop the inevitable. - [May is National Women’s Health Month!](https://missionmilspouse.org/may-is-national-womens-health-month/) - May is National Women’s Health Month! This is a time to raise awareness around women's health issues and to encourage women to prioritize their health. - [You Serve Too](https://missionmilspouse.org/you-serve-too/) - You Serve Too! Kate has been a military spouse for six years, and in many ways and her husband is on full-time orders as a recruiter. She knows we all serve. - [Mayhem and Meaning: Embracing the Crazy-Busy Beauty of May as a Milspouse](https://missionmilspouse.org/mayhem-and-meaning-embracing-the-crazy-busy-beauty-of-may-as-a-milspouse/) - For most families, May is a month of celebration. The flowers are blooming, school years are wrapping up, and milestones like proms and graduations abound - [DHA Extends Referral Approval Waiver Through June 30 for West Region TRICARE Prime Enrollees](https://missionmilspouse.org/dha-extends-referral-approval-waiver-through-june-30-for-west-region-tricare-prime-enrollees/) - DHA Extends Referral Approval Waiver Through June 30 for West Region TRICARE Prime Enrollees - [From PCS to CEO: Why Military Spouses Are Turning to Entrepreneurship](https://missionmilspouse.org/from-pcs-to-ceo-why-military-spouses-are-turning-to-entrepreneurship/) - Military spouses are doing more than just adapting—they’re innovating. Entrepreneurship is becoming a powerful, empowering career path. Here’s how you can too. - [The Fruits of April Showers: Prep for PCS Season with Smart Strategies](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-fruits-of-april-showers-prep-for-pcs-season-with-smart-strategies/) - PCS time is upon us and no matter where you are headed, we got your six. The Fruits of April Showers: Prep for PCS Season with Smart Strategies. - [Hunting the Good Stuff (and the Green Flash) with Uncle Joe.](https://missionmilspouse.org/hunting-the-good-stuff-and-the-green-flash-with-uncle-joe/) - Last month, I lost one of the great men in my life, my Uncle Joe. He leaves behind my Aunt Terry who was the love of his life and wife of 67 years. - [Clean Room = Clean heart](https://missionmilspouse.org/clean-room-clean-heart/) - You may have heard the saying “A clean room is a clean heart”. I’ve always related to this for loads of reasons. Mental health is inherently tied to this. - [How to Handle Tough Interview Questions as a Military Spouse](https://missionmilspouse.org/how-to-handle-tough-interview-questions-as-a-military-spouse/) - How do you handle tough interview questions as a Military Spouse? As an active-duty military spouse, starting over in a new place can feel overwhelming. - [Live in the West Region? Submit Payments to TriWest by April 30 To Avoid Disenrollment!](https://missionmilspouse.org/live-in-the-west-region-submit-payments-to-triwest-by-april-30-to-avoid-disenrollment/) - Live in the West Region? Submit Payments to TriWest by April 30 To Avoid Disenrollment – Plus, Referral Approval Waiver Extended to April 30. - [Happy Spring (and allergy season)!](https://missionmilspouse.org/happy-spring-and-allergy-season/) - Spring is here, and for many parts of the world, so is allergy season! The frequent moves of military life can expose families to many different allergens. - [The Overlooked Voice of the Male Military Spouse: A Perspective That Needs to Be Heard](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-overlooked-voice-of-the-male-military-spouse-a-perspective-that-needs-to-be-heard/) - The Overlooked Voice of the Male Military Spouse: A Perspective That Needs to Be Heard, Male military spouse, Jerad Knight guides us through this topic. - [Springing Into Action: Using Discipline to Thrive in Military Life](https://missionmilspouse.org/springing-into-action-using-discipline-to-thrive-in-military-life/) - Using Discipline to Thrive in Military Life- Spring is a season of renewal, growth, and fresh starts. It’s the perfect time to reevaluate our busy lives. - [Giving Back and Finding Connection](https://missionmilspouse.org/giving-back-and-finding-connection/) - From a young age, Nicole learned the power of kindness and the importance of giving back. She reminds us that one day we, too, might need a helping hand. - [Having a Baby in 2025? Here’s How TRICARE Covers Maternity Services ](https://missionmilspouse.org/having-a-baby-in-2025-heres-how-tricare-covers-maternity-services/) - Having a Baby in 2025? Here’s How TRICARE Covers Maternity Services. Are you expecting a baby in 2025? TRICARE covers many services. - [Fast-Forward](https://missionmilspouse.org/fast-forward/) - Fast-Forward...With PCS season upon us once more, everything around me feels like it’s speeding up. Days are flying by faster by the week - how is it April? - [Ode to the Military Teenager](https://missionmilspouse.org/ode-to-the-military-teenager/) - But your Branches, Military Teenager! They blow in the winds of adversity. They guide you through relationships, challenges, and opportunities with every storm. - [Elevate Your DINING ETIQUETTE](https://missionmilspouse.org/elevate-your-dining-etiquette/) - Elevate Your DINING ETIQUETTE. Here are a few etiquette tips to keep in mind the next time you are hosting or attending a formal dining experience! - [Finding Strength in Change: Navigating Military Life with a Child with Special Needs](https://missionmilspouse.org/finding-strength-in-change-navigating-military-life-with-a-child-with-special-needs/) - Finding Strength in Change: Navigating Military Life with a Child with Special Needs You didn’t choose to be a parent to a child with disabilities. - [Understanding and Supporting Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)](https://missionmilspouse.org/understanding-and-supporting-veterans-with-traumatic-brain-injury-tbi/) - Discover the impact of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) on veterans and how Hope For The Warriors provides support. Learn about treatment and ways to help. - [Spring Cleaning and PCS Prep: Decluttering Tips for Military Families ](https://missionmilspouse.org/spring-cleaning-and-pcs-prep-decluttering-tips-for-military-families/) - Spring cleaning is a tradition that many people look forward to every year. It’s a time to open the windows, let in the fresh air, and declutter the spaces. - [How do I get a copy of my medical records?](https://missionmilspouse.org/__trashed-3/) - How do I get a copy of my medical records? A question on everyone's mind as PCS season comes around. TRICARE has your answers here! - [Career Help at Your Fingertips! How the USO Transition Program Empowers Military Spouses](https://missionmilspouse.org/career-help-at-your-fingertips-how-the-uso-transition-program-empowers-military-spouses-2/) - Career Help at Your Fingertips! How the USO Transition Program Empowers Military Spouses Meet Mariana. She had to give up an incredible job offer as a milspouse - [Shake It Off: Job-Seeking Tips Inspired by Taylor Swift Songs](https://missionmilspouse.org/shake-it-off-job-seeking-tips-inspired-by-taylor-swift-songs/) - Shake It Off: Job-Seeking Tips Inspired by Taylor Swift Songs. Searching for a job can be an emotional rollercoaster—kind of like a Taylor Swift album. - [New Job.....New Perspective!](https://missionmilspouse.org/new-job-new-perspective/) - Getting a new job can be one of the most exciting events in one’s professional life. What jo changed your life as a military spouse? - [The Next Chapter: Embracing Change As A Seasoned Military Spouse](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-next-chapter-embracing-change-as-a-seasoned-military-spouse/) - Embracing Change as Seasoned Military Spouse. The military lifestyle is built on change, constant moves, new communities, and a revolving door. - [The Gift of Military Life: Why I Feel Lucky to Be a Military Spouse](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-gift-of-military-life-why-i-feel-lucky-to-be-a-military-spouse/) - Lucky Morgan never imagined that one day she would be standing at the crossroads of challenge and opportunity, wearing the title of "military spouse". - [Military Spouse Community (Lucky to be a Milspouse) ](https://missionmilspouse.org/military-spouse-community-lucky-to-be-a-milspouse/) - Military spouses are the ones I can turn to who understand what I am going through, who cheer me on, and who want to see me thrive more than anyone else. - [Happy American Heart Month!](https://missionmilspouse.org/happy-american-heart-month/) - Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women, across racial and ethnic groups. Keep Heart month alive all year! - [Act Now! West Region Payment Deadline is Next Week](https://missionmilspouse.org/act-now-west-region-payment-deadline-is-next-week/) - Act Now! West Region Payment Deadline is Next Week. Chek out your TRICARE page for more details and updates concerning your health plan. - [7 No-Fail Tips for Decorating a Space You Don’t Own](https://missionmilspouse.org/7-no-fail-tips-for-decorating-a-space-you-dont-own/) - When the seasons change, it's common for renters to get the itch to spruce up their space. Go simple with a new rug or get bold with painting a room. - [Taking Your First Steps With Jeff Galloway](https://missionmilspouse.org/taking-your-first-steps-with-jeff-galloway/) - In putting one foot in front of the other, 1972 Olympian and Navy veteran, Jeff Galloway inspires us with his words and his actions. Read on for inspiration - [EYB: Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri](https://missionmilspouse.org/pwtm-fort-leonard-wood-missouri/) - Located in central Missouri in the heart of the Ozark Mountains is Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. It is the hub of the U.S. Army Engineer school; the U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive School; and the U.S. Army Military Police School. It is the home of training for future Military Support Center of Excellence Noncommissioned Officer Academy. The area is often growing and changing, so there may be many more things to find when arriving at Fort Leonard Wood. Enjoy the breathtaking views of mountain ranges and country. - [How do I know what region I’m in?](https://missionmilspouse.org/how-do-i-know-what-region-im-in/) - How do I know what region I’m in? Where you live determines your region. Regions only apply to the following health plans: - [Military Marriage](https://missionmilspouse.org/military-marriage/) - Military marriages are just like every other marriage, except there is another presence always willing to wedge itself between us: the military. - [5 Tips for Loving the Unloveable](https://missionmilspouse.org/five-ways-to-love-the-unlovable-on-valentines-day/) - 5 Tips for Loving the Unlovable. Do you know someone who just seems unlovable? Are you able to overcome your feelings and show them kindness? - [Small Acts of Self-Care: Finding Grace in the Chaos ](https://missionmilspouse.org/small-acts-of-self-care-finding-grace-in-the-chaos/) - Small Acts of Self-Care: Finding Grace in the Chaos As a military spouse and a mother of a rambunctious four-year-old boy, it’s hard to manage everything. - [TRICARE Pharmacy Network Expands With Addition of Kroger Pharmacies ](https://missionmilspouse.org/tricare-pharmacy-network-expands-with-addition-of-kroger-pharmacies/) - TRICARE Pharmacy Network Expands With Addition of Kroger Pharmacies. On Feb. 5, the Kroger Family of Pharmacies rejoined the TRICARE Pharmacy Program network. - [Combatting Military Drinking Culture](https://missionmilspouse.org/combatting-military-drinking-culture/) - Combatting Military Drinking Culture Has anyone else been getting ads for the Stanford study for military spouses worried about their partner's drinking? - [What  Is Motivation?](https://missionmilspouse.org/what-is-motivation/) - What Is Motivation? The process that starts, guides, and maintains goal-oriented behaviors is what we define as motivation. What is your motivation in life? - [Turn on the Hose ](https://missionmilspouse.org/turn-on-the-hose/) - Turn on the Hose. At Kaci's last duty station, she owned a farmhouse on 5 wooded acres. It was a patch of paradise, and they raised many animals there. - [Should Jobseekers in 2025 Still Be Tailoring Their Resumes?](https://missionmilspouse.org/should-jobseekers-in-2025-still-be-tailoring-their-resumes/) - Should Jobseekers in 2025 Tailo their Resumes? If you’re job hunting, you’ve probably wondered if tailoring your resume for each position is necessary. - [New Year, New Opportunities, and New Friends ](https://missionmilspouse.org/new-year-new-opportunities-and-new-friends/) - As the new year unfolds, military families worldwide like yours are embracing fresh opportunities to create lasting memories with their loved ones. - [The HIPAA Privacy Rule and Military Health Care: What Parents of Minors Need To Know ](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-hipaa-privacy-rule-and-military-health-care-what-parents-of-minors-need-to-know/) - The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Privacy Final Rule protects minors’ privacy concerning their health care choices and treatment. - [M:M Protocol and Traditions Team “Round-Up” for 2020-2024](https://missionmilspouse.org/mm-protocol-and-traditions-team-round-up-for-2020-2024/) - All the tips and traditions at your fingertips. Blogs from 2020-2024 highlighting the best of M:M Protocol and Traditions Team “Round-Up” for 2020-2024. - [New year, New Books Sent](https://missionmilspouse.org/new-year-new-books-sent/) - Happy New Year! What a time to be alive. Do you like books? For this author, books are the best way to ring in a new year. whats on your nightstand? - [Reach Your Health Goals with the Armed Forces Wellness Center!](https://missionmilspouse.org/reach-your-health-goals-with-the-armed-forces-wellness-center/) - Reach Your Health Goals with the AFRC! Did you know that as an active-duty service member, dependent, or veteran, you can get free health and wellness services. - [A Military Spouse Who Loves Change: Finding Joy in Staying Still](https://missionmilspouse.org/a-military-spouse-who-loves-change-finding-joy-in-staying-still/) - For many military spouses, the idea of staying in one place and putting down roots would be a dream come true. But for Sheila Rupp, the opposite is true. - [Check Out the Updated TRICARE Publications Suite](https://missionmilspouse.org/check-out-the-updated-tricare-publications-suite/) - Are you looking for the latest details about your TRICARE health plan? You’re in luck! TRICARE has updated its entire publications suite. Check it out! - [Season For The Winter Blues](https://missionmilspouse.org/season-for-the-winter-blues/) - Tis the season for family, food, and gifts… and if you live somewhere with short winter days, it might also be the season for the winter blues. - [MMP #1053 Wishing Jerad Knight A Warm Welcome to Mission:Milspouse](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1053-wishing-jerad-knight-a-warm-welcome-to-missionmilspouse/) - KateLynn and JT's conversation will span over his military service, transition to a military spouse, his vision for the organization and much more. - [From Faraway Lands to Festive Hands; Spreading Holiday Cheer to International Military Spouses](https://missionmilspouse.org/from-faraway-lands-to-festive-hands-spreading-holiday-cheer-to-international-military-spouses/) - From Faraway Lands to Festive Hands; Spreading Holiday Cheer to International Military Spouses. Meet Mission Milspouse's newest writer! - [Jenna McDonald: Inspiring Veterans and Families Through Sports and Recreation](https://missionmilspouse.org/jenna-mcdonald-inspiring-veterans-and-families-through-sports-and-recreation/) - Jenna McDonald: Inspiring Veterans and Families Through Sports and Recreation. Join HOPE and learn about this amazing woman! - [Finding a Fresh Start on Groundhog Day: A Reset for Your Priorities](https://missionmilspouse.org/finding-a-fresh-start-on-groundhog-day-a-reset-for-your-priorities/) - Finding a Fresh Start on Groundhog Day: A Reset for Your Priorities. What do you want to accomplish in the New Year? Sometimes we need a reset. - [What Ever Happened To Just Being A Fan?](https://missionmilspouse.org/what-ever-happened-to-just-being-a-fan/) - Whatever happened to just being a fan? Has the expectation to win at all costs cast a shadow over the pure joy of team loyalty? What kind of fan are you? - [Finding your word: Being mindful in the New Year ](https://missionmilspouse.org/finding-your-word-being-mindful-in-the-new-year/) - The New Year has arrived, and with it, a deluge of opinions regarding New Year’s resolutions. Some people love them and find them to be motivating. - [Live in the West Region? Provide Your Payment Information to TriWest NOW!](https://missionmilspouse.org/live-in-the-west-region-provide-your-payment-information-to-triwest-now/) - Do you currently live in the West Region? Or, do you live in one of the six states that moved to the West Region as part of TRICARE’s new regional contracts? - [Starting Over and Military Spouse Employment](https://missionmilspouse.org/starting-over-and-military-spouse-employment/) - So many times, I had wanted to quit. Military Spouse employment was proving to be elusive. I questioned my timing again and struggled through it. - [ Running has always been there for me.](https://missionmilspouse.org/running-has-always-been-there-for-me/) - “Running has always been there for me," says Jenn Pelligrini. Running may have different starts for everyone, but no matter where you are, a good coach can help - [Keep The Holidays and New Year Drama Free!](https://missionmilspouse.org/keep-the-holidays-and-new-year-drama-free/) - Around this time of year, many holidays are in full effect. Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, New Year's, every single one under the sun. It’s an exciting time. - [Set Goals In The New Year With Max Wellness!](https://missionmilspouse.org/set-goals-in-the-new-year-with-max-wellness/) - After all the activity and busyness of the holiday season, it can be a challenge to look ahead to the new year and think about what goals you want to accomplish - [Navigating Remote Work in 2025: Tips and Resources for Military Spouses](https://missionmilspouse.org/navigating-remote-work-in-2025-tips-and-resources-for-military-spouses/) - Navigating Remote Work in 2025: Tips for Military Spouses. Remote Work has transformed over the past decade, providing military spouses more career options. - [Hope For The Holidays](https://missionmilspouse.org/hope-for-the-holidays-2/) - Hope For The Holidays1 The holiday season is a time of reflection, connection, and celebration. At Hope, our team makes this time of year special. - [Time to Tell Your New Year’s Resolutions to “Pound Sand”](https://missionmilspouse.org/time-to-tell-your-new-years-resolutions-to-pound-sand/) - "Time To Tell Your New year's Resolutions To Pound Sand" was previously published by The Veteran's Spouse Project in 2023. It has been updated by the author. - [Operation Christmas Drop: A Guam tradition](https://missionmilspouse.org/operation-christmas-drop-a-guam-tradition/) - Operation Christmas Drop (OCD) is much more than a cute holiday romance streaming on Netflix. , it’s a tradition that sends “love from above,” - [Check the TRICARE Network Provider Directories Ahead of 2025 ](https://missionmilspouse.org/check-the-tricare-network-provider-directories-ahead-of-2025/) - TRICARE users - if you live in the West Region, or a state moving to the West Region on Jan. 1, your new regional contractor is TriWest Healthcare Alliance. - [December and the Hard In-Between](https://missionmilspouse.org/december-and-the-hard-in-between/) - December is a great time to reflect on life and relationships. It is the closing of one year and approaching the start of the new year. - [Messy Lives, Strong Goals: Finding Balance in the New Year as a MilSpouse](https://missionmilspouse.org/messy-lives-strong-goals-finding-balance-in-the-new-year-as-a-milspouse/) - As the calendar turns and a new year begins, it’s natural to feel the tug of hope. It is also the promise of fresh beginnings for many military spouses. - [Making Holiday Spirits Bright with the USO](https://missionmilspouse.org/making-holiday-spirits-bright-with-the-uso/) - The holiday season is the most wonderful time of year. But if the holidays often feel different – The USO is here to help you, your spouse and your family. - [Tips on Job Searching During the Holidays](https://missionmilspouse.org/tips-on-job-searching-during-the-holidays/) - The holidays are a time for relaxation, family, and celebration. For many military spouses, it also brings the challenges of balancing family life and work. - [TRICARE Open Season Ends Dec. 10: Your Last Chance To Update Health  Coverage for 2025 ](https://missionmilspouse.org/tricare-open-season-ends-dec-10-your-last-chance-to-update-health-coverage-for-2025/) - TRICARE Open Season Ends Dec. 10: Your Last Chance To Update Health Coverage for 2025 Time is running out to review and update your TRICARE health plan for 2024 - [Discovering a Life of Gratitude](https://missionmilspouse.org/discovering-a-life-of-gratitude/) - THANKFULNESS and GRATITUDE – what’s the difference, really? Join LaVaughn as she explores the difference with a postive refelction on the season ahead. - [TriWest Payment Information for New West region Contractor](https://missionmilspouse.org/triwest-payment-information-for-new-west-region-contractor/) - If I live in the West Region or my state is switching to the West Region, will I need to set up a new payment method with the new contractor? - [Reviving Army Traditions—Black Tie Tactical Style](https://missionmilspouse.org/reviving-army-traditions-black-tie-tactical-style/) - Reviving Army Traditions—Black Tie Tactical Style. You’ve been there—you ordered the perfect outfit for an upcoming event, but it arrived as a disappointment! - [Managing stress around the Holidays ](https://missionmilspouse.org/managing-stress-around-the-holidays/) - Many people can experience stress and anxiety leading up to the holidays, making some holidays less enjoyable. Join Hope For The Warriors and their resources. - [The Gentle Beauty of November](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-gentle-beauty-of-november/) - Who doesn't love November? It is a really fun, and cozy time of the year. There are so many wonderful memories to associate with this time of year. - [Resources for Military Families Experiencing Food Insecurity](https://missionmilspouse.org/resources-for-military-families-experiencing-food-insecurity/) - Many military families still struggle with finding resources. that enable them to thrive in military life such as being able to secure enough food. - [How's Your Thought Life?](https://missionmilspouse.org/hows-your-thought-life/) - *How's Your Thought Life was written in collaboration by women at Planting Roots, a faith-based nonprofit serving Christian military women and wives. - [Finding Gratitude in the Chaos of Military Life ](https://missionmilspouse.org/finding-gratitude-in-the-chaos-of-military-life/) - Gratitude. It’s a word we hear often, especially this time of year. It’s not just some inspirational quotes or journal challenges about your thankfulness. - [Military Health System Using Mobile Apps for Warfighter Readiness ](https://missionmilspouse.org/military-health-system-using-mobile-apps-for-warfighter-readiness/) - The Military Health System uses advanced digital health technologies to improve health outcomes. There is an APP for almost everything with DHA. - [Being versus Doing: Finding Peace as a Military Spouse During the Holidays](https://missionmilspouse.org/being-versus-doing-finding-peace-as-a-military-spouse-during-the-holidays/) - The holiday season always seems to bring an extra dose of expectation and a whirlwind of “to-dos" for military spouses. But this added layer can be managed. - [8 Tips for Selling Your Home Quickly in the Off-Season](https://missionmilspouse.org/8-tips-for-selling-your-home-quickly-in-the-off-season/) - Selling your home in the off-season isn’t the drudgery it used to be. You can find the right buyer quickly if you prepare the house to meet their standards. - [TRICARE OPEN SEASON STARTS TODAY, November 11th.](https://missionmilspouse.org/tricare-open-season-starts-today-november-11th/) - Your Comprehensive TRICARE Open Season Checklist: Prepare for Nov. 11 through december 6th. Open enrollment is important to spouses who want to hange their plan - [Fall in the DMV](https://missionmilspouse.org/fall-in-the-dmv/) - Gettin g orders to the DMV sometimes can be met with mixed reactions. A sprawling, overpopulated assingment area can bring some challenges and also some rewards. - [Get Ready for TRICARE Open Season and 2025 Region Changes at Nov. 14 Webinar ](https://missionmilspouse.org/get-ready-for-tricare-open-season-and-2025-region-changes-at-nov-14-webinar/) - For more benefits, Tune in TRICARE roundtable of November 14th, 2024. Sign up on teams to join in. - [MMP #1052 Operation Homefront: Serving America's Military Families](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1052-operation-homefront-serving-americas-military-families/) - Operation Homefront is a national nonprofit that builds strong, stable, and secure military families so they can thrive, not simply struggle to get by, in the communities - OUR communities - they have worked so hard to protect. - [The Power of Partnership: Why Working with Recruiters Can Elevate Your Job Search](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-power-of-partnership-why-working-with-recruiters-can-elevate-your-job-search/) - The Power of Partnership: Why Working with Recruiters Can Elevate Your Job Search. If you are militaryspouse, this post is for you. - [Missing Autumn ](https://missionmilspouse.org/missing-autumn/) - Missing Autumn? Many military spouses do at this time of year. some of us are stationed south of vhanges in foliage while others enjoy fall at its best - [DC Divas Were Not On The Runway, But The Field Of Play](https://missionmilspouse.org/dc-divas-were-not-on-the-runway-but-the-field-of-play/) - DC Divas Were Not On The Runway But The Field Of Play. Join George Banker as he brings us another inspirational story. Get ready to be impressed. - [Navigating the Holiday Season as a Military Spouse: Embracing Joy, Faith, and Tradition](https://missionmilspouse.org/navigating-the-holiday-season-as-a-military-spouse-embracing-joy-faith-and-tradition/) - Navigating the Holiday Season as a Military Spouse: Embracing Joy, Faith, and Tradition can look easier than it is. Check out Chaplain's tips for the holidays. - [A New Approach to Addressing Mental Health in First Responders](https://missionmilspouse.org/a-new-approach-to-addressing-mental-health-in-first-responders/) - It’s time for a change. In both the military and police departments, the old ways of thinking are no longer enough to tackle today’s mental health challenges. - [MMP #1051: VA Mortgage Benefits: How to Avoid Getting Ripped Off](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1051-va-mortgage-benefits-how-to-avoid-getting-ripped-off/) - Jennifer's mission is to make home financing accessible by providing clear, practical advice that empowers individuals to achieve their homeownership goals. - [Local Treasures Await: Finding Gold in Your Community](https://missionmilspouse.org/local-treasures-await-finding-gold-in-your-community/) - Growing up in a southeastern Michigan community, one of the things Sheila looked forward to each fall was frequent visits to the cider mill. - [Finding Fall When You’re Missing It All](https://missionmilspouse.org/finding-fall-when-youre-missing-it-all/) - If you grew up in a region that offered the four seasons, or have lived where you can at least experience some color in the fall, it can be disappointing. - [Unlock Your Health by Scheduling a TRICARE Well-Woman Exam](https://missionmilspouse.org/unlock-your-health-by-scheduling-a-tricare-well-woman-exam/) - Unlock Your Health by Scheduling a TRICARE Well-Woman Exam. Tricare offers many services and resources to keep you on top of your health. - [Military OneSource: Your Resource for Health and Wellness](https://missionmilspouse.org/military-onesource-your-resource-for-health-and-wellness/) - One of the major areas that Military OneSource offers support in is health and wellness, including mental health. - [One Woman Can Make a Difference!](https://missionmilspouse.org/one-woman-can-make-a-difference/) - One Woman Can Make a Difference! Tribute to Ann Crossley Author of The Army Wife Handbook, The Air Force Wife Handbook, and The Army Spouse Handbook. - [The Spooky Season](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-spooky-season/) - This is the spooky season. No matter you like to do in this spooky month of October, Nick has lots of suggestions for you to think about from movies to football - [Rolling To The Spotlight .... Dr. Rory Cooper](https://missionmilspouse.org/rolling-to-the-spotlight-dr-rory-cooper/) - This month we have a rare opportunity to interview Dr. Rory Cooper, the Director of the Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL), Pittsburgh, PA). - [Finding Themes ](https://missionmilspouse.org/finding-themes/) - Finding Themes....we all have that in coomon as military spouses. Each duty station offers the promise of a new theme to play out in life. What are your themes? - [Job Search Truths: What You Need to Know](https://missionmilspouse.org/job-search-truths-what-you-need-to-know/) - The job search journey can be long and filled with unexpected challenges. Many job seekers are caught off guard by some of the "unspoken rules". - [More than just a Milspouse](https://missionmilspouse.org/more-than-just-a-milspouse/) - are we more than a milspouse? We absolutely are! we are parents and friends and community members. We are all the things, but sometimes it is our identity. - [Fall into the USO](https://missionmilspouse.org/fall-into-the-uso/) - Crisp air, colorful leaves and pumpkin spice — it’s fall, y’all! Break out your crockpot and start whipping up your favorite chili. Its Fall in military land. - [Moving Again: We All Serve and Sacrifice](https://missionmilspouse.org/moving-again-we-all-serve-and-sacrifice/) - Moving or not moving this cycle, sometimes it just feels like a move. Even our kids anticipate the move after awhile. Join LaVaughn for a glimpse into moving. - [Unlock Your Health by Knowing When To Get Emergency Care vs. Urgent Care ](https://missionmilspouse.org/unlock-your-health-by-knowing-when-to-get-emergency-care-vs-urgent-care/) - Unlock Your Health by Knowing When To Get Emergency Care vs. Urgent Care Do you know the difference between emergency and urgent care? - [MMP #1048: Invitation To The Army 10 Miler & Experience](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1048-invitation-to-the-army-10-miler-experience/) - Take a look back in time to hear Kathleen's experience of running the Army 10 miler last year, and invite you to join her this year if you are in the DC area. - [MMP #1047: Mini Cast – Becoming A Seasoned Milspouse... Without Becoming Too Salty](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1047-mini-cast-becoming-a-seasoned-milspouse-without-becoming-too-salty/) - Amie Fisher shares tips on how to age like fine wine in military life and build wisdom without becoming salty due to the things you have overcome to reach this point. - [Access Your MHS GENESIS Patient Portal ](https://missionmilspouse.org/access-your-mhs-genesis-patient-portal/) - Looking to access your health information? It’s never been easier, thanks to the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal. This secure, online tool allows you to manage your health care at military hospitals and clinics from the comfort of your home or on the go. Here are the ways you can access MHS GENESIS. Direct access - [Fall is Here!](https://missionmilspouse.org/fall-is-here/) - Fall is here and it is bringing all the feels. What are your favorite things about the fall? New season? New You? Or do you take time to get ready for winter? - [Ten Years Goes By Fast](https://missionmilspouse.org/ten-years-goes-by-fast/) - Ten Years can go by just like that! In ten years military families can move up to 4-5 times. What have you been doing for the past 10 years? - [Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell: An Experience from a Military Spouse](https://missionmilspouse.org/dont-ask-dont-tell-an-experience-from-a-military-spouse/) - Being a military spouse is not easy. Being a spouse who was once a soldier also isn't easy. Surviving a time where it was impossible to just be is even harder - [MMP #1046: Mentorship Matters](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1046-mentorship-matters/) - Military Mentors blends the art and science of mentorship together to share how mentorship can benefit individuals, communities, and organizations. - [TRICARE Is Your Partner in Mental Health Care](https://missionmilspouse.org/tricare-is-your-partner-in-mental-health-care/) - Mental health is a provided care priority for TRICARE and DHA. From general questions to residential hospitalizations, TRICARE has the coverage you need. - [Insights From a Seasoned Spouse](https://missionmilspouse.org/insights-from-a-seasoned-spouse/) - being a military spouse comes with a lot of learning. Some of the learning comes from experience, while other learning comes from mistakes. Learn and grow. - [Keira D'Amato celebrates the gift of running.](https://missionmilspouse.org/keira-damato-celebrates-the-gift-of-running/) - If Running is a gift, then Kiera D'Amato has one that is priceless. An inpiration to all, Kiera shares her love of running and her encouragement to all of us. - [What is a Military Spouse?](https://missionmilspouse.org/what-is-a-military-spouse/) - Being a military spouse means different things to different people. We have a good deal of responsibility and a lot of stereotypes to overcome. - [MMP #1045: Unknown Soldier: World War 1](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1045-unknown-soldier-world-war-1/) - To Tell the stories of soldiers and their families, of what the lives of the soldiers buried at the Tomb of the Unknown were like, if we knew who they were? - [Buried interests](https://missionmilspouse.org/buried-interests/) - Most of us harbor interests, passions, and dreams that rarely see the light of day. They lie dormant within us, beneath piles of obligations and expectations. - [Seasons of Life: Embracing Change with Faith as Your Anchor](https://missionmilspouse.org/seasons-of-life-embracing-change-with-faith-as-your-anchor/) - Change is inevitable as are the seasons. When we apporaoch each season looking for gifts, we will be rewarded with stregnth, opportunity, and faith. - [Community, Support, and Wellness.](https://missionmilspouse.org/community-support-and-wellness/) - While September marks National Suicide Prevention Month, suicide prevention is an ongoing mission at Hope For The Warriors serving their community every day/ - [Persevering in the 2024 Job Market: Why You Shouldn't Quit](https://missionmilspouse.org/persevering-in-the-2024-job-market-why-you-shouldnt-quit/) - The 2024 job market is not for the faint of heart. Getting an interview can feel like an impossible task at times. Join Lauren from HHUSA as she offers advice. - [Unlock Your Health With Patient Advocates and Beneficiary Counseling and Assistance Coordinators ](https://missionmilspouse.org/unlock-your-health-with-patient-advocates-and-beneficiary-counseling-and-assistance-coordinators/) - Did you know that military hospitals and clinics come with a support staff who can help you navigate the healthcare process? These include patient advocates. - [MMP #1044: How is Food Insecurity Happening in Modern Military Families?](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1044-how-is-food-insecurity-happening-in-modern-military-families/) - Heather Campbell speaks about bringing families back to the table for intentional relationship together. - [Beating the Back to School Blues](https://missionmilspouse.org/beating-the-back-to-school-blues/) - School is upon us! know it’s just not just school-aged children saying it. Most likely, it is teachers and maybe even a few parents who don't want to go. - [Empowering Military Kids: Top Strategies for a Successful School Year](https://missionmilspouse.org/empowering-military-kids-top-strategies-for-a-successful-school-year/) - Empowering Military Kids: Top Strategies for a Successful School Year. MBO is at it again and this time, they have the military community on speed dial. - [What this "most of the time" Introvert wants you to know](https://missionmilspouse.org/what-this-most-of-the-time-introvert-wants-you-to-know/) - Ar you an Introvert? Are you an Extrovert? Are you somewhere in between? Military life has opportunities to exercise both skills especially through small talk. - [My Turn for a Career?](https://missionmilspouse.org/my-turn-for-a-career/) - So many spouses put their career on hold that by the time retirement comes along, they may need to rethink their options. It is complicated and needs reflection - [Qualifying Life events? TRICARE has you covered!](https://missionmilspouse.org/qualifying-life-events-tricare-has-you-covered/) - TRICARE has you covered with all life events. From marriage to adoption to becoming Medicare ready, TRICARE has a plan to help everyone - [Kelsey Smith's Journey of Passion, Education, and Support](https://missionmilspouse.org/kelsey-smiths-journey-of-passion-education-and-support/) - Kelsey Smith is one of the Jerry Wright Memorial Scholarship Fund recipients. Kelsey is using that scholarship to support veterans and pursue her passion. - [Back to School](https://missionmilspouse.org/back-to-school/) - The transition from the warm, unhurried days of summer to the structured demands of the school year is a familiar challenge for military families. - [Unlock Your Health With TRICARE Tips for Managing Your DEERS Record ](https://missionmilspouse.org/unlock-your-health-with-tricare-tips-for-managing-your-deers-record/) - Unlock Your Health With TRICARE Tips for Managing Your DEERS Record. Join us as DHA gives us some sage advice on how to manage our medical records. - [Making Moments Matter — Big and Small](https://missionmilspouse.org/making-moments-matter-big-and-small/) - While Military life comes with some amazing moments and celebrations it certainly has its challenges and some days it can be hard to see the good moments. - [ To Our Wives and Girlfriends May They NEVER Meet!](https://missionmilspouse.org/to-our-wives-and-girlfriends-may-they-never-meet/) - Does the Army really have girlfriends? Do we have to accept them? Being married to a service member certainly feels like there are 3 people in the marriage. - [After the PCS: Embracing Your New Community Or Choose Your Own Adventure](https://missionmilspouse.org/after-the-pcs-embracing-your-new-community-or-choose-your-own-adventure/) - PCS season is almost finished. After opening and flattening boxes, you are ready to nface your new community. Let the USO help you navigate all the ways to start - [Summer is the time to try something new](https://missionmilspouse.org/summer-is-the-time-to-try-something-new/) - In the last few years, summer has always been the time that my husband and I moved to a new place. This year, we moved in March, so we’re looking forward to enjoying our first summer here in New Mexico. Being in a new place this summer gives us the opportunity to not only - [EYB: Fort Leavenworth, KS](https://missionmilspouse.org/pwtm-fort-leavenworth-ks/) - While well known for the United States Disciplinary Barracks and the United States Penitentiary, there is a lot more to Fort Leavenworth. It is the home of the Command and General Staff College (also known as ILE), which sees frequent, massive turnover each year as one year's students move out and the new year's students come in. There are also many "permanent party" families in the area, sometimes mixed with students depending on housing needs, though students are usually housed separately from permanent party. You're only 40 minutes from downtown Kansas City, MO, commonly referred to as KCMO, but Kansas City, KS, or KCK, is much closer (maybe 20 minutes from post). The people are incredibly friendly in the area, which makes it an easy place to love. - [10 Things I’ve Noticed in One Year of Retirement](https://missionmilspouse.org/10-things-ive-noticed-in-one-year-of-retirement/) - Ever wondered about retirement? Join our newly retired Marine Corps Spouse Erin Lorenz as she takes us through a glimpse of life after one year of retirement. - [Ask the Doc: Heat Stroke vs. Heat Exhaustion -- What's the Difference? ](https://missionmilspouse.org/ask-the-doc-heat-stroke-vs-heat-exhaustion-whats-the-difference/) - What exactly is the difference between Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion? Luckily, we can ask a doctor and DHA has many professionals who can provide answers! - [Summer on the Farm](https://missionmilspouse.org/summer-on-the-farm/) - Summer can evoke many emotions, but none are more nostaglic than a good old fashioned summer on a farm. Join Lavaughn as she slows down to give her kids peace. - [Rallying for a Cause: My First Rally North America Experience ](https://missionmilspouse.org/rallying-for-a-cause-my-first-rally-north-america-experience/) - Join Kate Dudley as she describes her first hand experience as a fundraiser for Hope For The Warriors. Kate got to see many amazing places in the USA! - [Feet On the Ground and Balls Up in The Air- Barry The Juggler](https://missionmilspouse.org/feet-on-the-ground-and-balls-up-in-the-air-barry-the-juggler/) - Meet Barry! He runs, he juggles- he runs as he juggles. A unique perspective on goals, running, and finding your 'Why". George brings us, Barry the Juggler! - [From Military Spouse to Civilian Career: Expert Tips for a Smooth Transition](https://missionmilspouse.org/from-military-spouse-to-civilian-career-expert-tips-for-a-smooth-transition/) - As a military spouse, your life has been a whirlwind of relocations, deployments, and constant adaptations. It is time to focus on your career with HHUSA's help - [Small Kindnesses ](https://missionmilspouse.org/small-kindnesses/) - Small Kindnesses are simple, beautiful acts. They can be small or grand gestures, but no matter what way you choose to show kindness- just make sure you act! - [Start Early Planning For Retirement](https://missionmilspouse.org/start-early-planning-for-retirement/) - Plannng for retirement takes a lot of effort! Jobs, locations, and lifestyle all must be considered. You don't have to go it alone and we have tested resources! - [Fraudulent TRICARE For Life Text Message](https://missionmilspouse.org/fraudulent-tricare-for-life-text-message/) - The TRICARE Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and TRICAREFor Life (TFL) contractor have been informed of a text message phishing scam (also called “smishing”) - [Oh, Hey! Hello, Again. Tips and Tricks for Repeating a Duty Station](https://missionmilspouse.org/oh-hey-hello-again-tips-and-tricks-for-repeating-a-duty-station/) - Repeating a duty station can often take the wind out of your sails. After all, one of the best parts of milspouse life is the new adventure every few years. - [You Matter (Suicide Awareness) ](https://missionmilspouse.org/you-matter-suicide-awareness/) - Trigger Warning: This post talks about Suicide. Some of us may have a story or many stories about how or when our lives have been affected by suicide. - [MHS GENESIS Patient Portal Makes Refilling Prescriptions Easier ](https://missionmilspouse.org/mhs-genesis-patient-portal-makes-refilling-prescriptions-easier/) - Do you get prescriptions at a military pharmacy? If you need to request a refill or a renewal for your prescription, the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal is here. - [My New Culture](https://missionmilspouse.org/my-new-culture/) - The Army is big on culture. It is used to train and inculcate soldiers and families into military life. What happens when you have to create your own culture? - [Bloom Where You Are Planted](https://missionmilspouse.org/bloom-where-you-are-planted-2/) - Military spouses know how to "Bloom where they are planted". Spouses have been doing this type of gropwth for generations. Join us at the Chaplain's Corner. - [TRICARE Tips for Managing Diabetes and Your Oral Health ](https://missionmilspouse.org/tricare-tips-for-managing-diabetes-and-your-oral-health/) - TRICARE is back with some timely tips for oral health care. Not sure where to start? Log into the TRICARE Dental page and make sure you ar on the right plan! - [Worst Case Scenario Military Style!](https://missionmilspouse.org/worst-case-scenario-military-style/) - As I move through my 28th year of being a military spouse, I have come to an odd realization.I am afraid that while I want to be seen as the postiive spouse. - [From Volunteer to Career: 3 Tips to Unlock the Potential of Giving Back](https://missionmilspouse.org/from-volunteer-to-career-3-tips-to-unlock-the-potential-of-giving-back/) - Military life is an adventure filled with new places and unique career challenges. Military spouses know all too well the hurdles of finding stable employment. - [Morgan “Lucky 51” Gaffney](https://missionmilspouse.org/morgan-lucky-51-gaffney/) - “I used to find running so easy and it came naturally to me. Now I really have to work at it.”- Morgan Gaffney. There is truth that it pays to be in the right place at the right time, as found out. In life, we all encounter challenges that can be life-changing and require adjustments. - [Pinkies Up, Ladies and Gents; Let’s Enjoy Afternoon Tea Together!](https://missionmilspouse.org/pinkies-up-ladies-and-gents-lets-enjoy-afternoon-tea-together/) - Whether you’re at Fort Cavazos, Texas attending a brigade welcome tea or in the Twining’s Tea House established 1706 in England, a formal Tea is a lovely event. - [The “Sweet Spot” Summer](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-sweet-spot-summer/) - Halfway through our two-year OCONUS orders, my family is embracing our “sweet spot” summer. What's your summer"sweet spot"? Is it the beach? Road Trip? - [New Patient Resources Section on TRICARE Website ](https://missionmilspouse.org/new-patient-resources-section-on-tricare-website/) - Being a TRICARE patient is a huge perk of being in the military. But like most government institutions, it can be overwhelming to navigate, but not impossible. - [Summer Escapes: Discovering the World Beyond Your Own Backyard](https://missionmilspouse.org/summer-escapes-discovering-the-world-beyond-your-own-backyard/) - Summer escapes and ideas at your fingertips! Join Seasoned Spouse Sheila Rupp as she shares her favorite tips, tricks and hacks for a great military summer. - [Retirement, Resilience, and Changes](https://missionmilspouse.org/retirement-resilience-and-changes/) - Retirement can bring a mix of emotions. From moving to new adventures and new opportunities, the future is wide open for us in the military as we leave service. - [Celebrating Independence Day: A Tribute to Military Families](https://missionmilspouse.org/celebrating-independence-day-a-tribute-to-military-families/) - This Independence Day, lets stop and rflect on our roles as military spouses. We ar both Dependent and independent at the same time. A tough line to walk! - [Understand How TRICARE Covers Infertility Diagnosis and Treatment ](https://missionmilspouse.org/understand-how-tricare-covers-infertility-diagnosis-and-treatment/) - Are you considering having children? If you’re trying to get pregnant, but haven’t been able to, you may have questions about how TRICARE can help. - [Summertime Hacks](https://missionmilspouse.org/summertime-hacks/) - Join Ohana Homefront for some summertime hacks to create the very best experience for yourself or your family this summer. From jobs to new outings, try it all! - [PCS Adventure List: 3 Easy, Kid-Friendly, Interactive Stops to Make Along Your Route](https://missionmilspouse.org/pcs-adventure-list-3-easy-kid-friendly-interactive-stops-to-make-along-your-route/) - Every PCS deserves an adventure worthy checklist. Experienced Military spouse, Lavaughn Ricci gives readers her best tips and tricks to make the most of a PCS. - [MMP #1042: You Are Not Alone](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1042-you-are-not-alone/) - Jen McDonald is an award winning author and sharing her military journey and more about her two published books. She is giving away two book bundles to our listeners! - [MMP #1037: Homeschooling for Military Families](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1037-homeschooling-for-military-families/) - Homeschooling options for Military Families to offer K to college educational opportunities to help rescue the most anxious generation in the history of America - [What is the Meaning Behind the 13 Folds of the U.S. Flag?](https://missionmilspouse.org/what-is-the-meaning-behind-the-13-folds-of-the-u-s-flag/) - It is Flag day every year on 14 June. What does the flag mean to you? Have you every witnessed the folding of the American Flag? Each fold has a meaning! - [Recent Graduate? Learn How TRICARE Covers Young Adults ](https://missionmilspouse.org/recent-graduate-learn-how-tricare-covers-young-adults/) - Do you have a recent graduate? Make sure you check out all options that are available to you via TRICARE. There are different young adult plans available. - [Military Life in a Nutshell](https://missionmilspouse.org/military-life-in-a-nutshell/) - Military life can often be confusing to those who have not lived it. The 3 Am friend, the moves, the goodbyes, the interrogations when we meet. - [Unexpected Influence](https://missionmilspouse.org/unexpected-influence/) - Sometimes the unexpected takes us by surprise. Laura Holland shares such an experience when her husband took command in South Korea. - [Summer Survival: From the walkies of today to the car keys of tomorrow](https://missionmilspouse.org/summer-survival-from-the-walkies-of-today-to-the-car-keys-of-tomorrow/) - Summer is a time for bicycles, popsicles, and some old fashioned fun. If you are lucky to be stationed on the island of Guam, that fun is at your fingertips. - [Meet Staff Sergeant Brandi Robertson: Celebrating Women Veterans Recognition Day](https://missionmilspouse.org/meet-staff-sergeant-brandi-robertson-celebrating-women-veterans-recognition-day/) - Most teenagers don’t have a game plan or sense of direction at 18, but Brandi Todaro wasn’t like most teenagers. Read her story from Hope For The Warriors! - [Sherry (Esposito) Stick and her decision to never give up](https://missionmilspouse.org/sherry-esposito-stick-and-her-decision-to-never-give-up/) - As always, we are delighted to learn more about how running shapes lives. A big thanks to Sherry Stick for sharing her story and to George for telling it. - [How to Hack Your PCS](https://missionmilspouse.org/how-to-hack-your-pcs/) - It’s PCS season. And before you freak out, know that you can do it! You’re stronger than you think. Join the USO as they give out some mad tips for travel. - [My Milspouse Summer is Just Another PCS ](https://missionmilspouse.org/my-milspouse-summer-is-just-another-pcs/) - If your summer consists of a PCS , you are not alone! Many families will make the trek across the country to new homes. Join Anna as her family heads to DC. - [Mastering Networking and LinkedIn: A Guide for Military Spouses](https://missionmilspouse.org/mastering-networking-and-linkedin-a-guide-for-military-spouses/) - Mastering the art of networking and effectively leveraging LinkedIn can significantly enhance your career prospects and provide a solid support system. - [Prevention of Bug-Borne Illnesses ](https://missionmilspouse.org/prevention-of-bug-borne-illnesses/) - Warmer temperatures in the summer months mean more bugs—and bites and potential illnesses. DHA/TRICARE offers tips to keep your family healthy this summer. - [How to Navigate a Short-Notice Overseas Move](https://missionmilspouse.org/how-to-navigate-a-short-notice-overseas-move/) - Facing an overseas PCS move? Don't stress, Thanks to MBO and M:M, we got you covered if you are facing a short-notice move to an overseas duty station. - [MMP #1041: The Milspouse Transition to Civilian Life](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1041-the-milspouse-transition-to-civilian-life/) - Anna Larson, the founder of Milspouse Transition, is on a mission to help military spouses around the world navigate successfully out of active duty military life and on to finding new adventures. - ["Bye, Bye, Bye: For the Milspouse Left Behind ](https://missionmilspouse.org/bye-bye-bye-for-the-milspouse-left-behind/) - NSYNC has nothing on Milspouses. we don't say bye bye bye....we just say see you later. But it is still hard and heart wrenching to do this every time we PCS. - [Trust your Gut, Advocating for Your Child](https://missionmilspouse.org/trust-your-gut-advocating-for-your-child/) - Trust your gut and advocate for your child. This is the mama mantra heard all over the world and across generations of mamas. Military mamas have EFM to turn to - [MMP# 1040: A Follow Up With Ken Fisher of The Fisher House Foundation](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1040-a-follow-up-with-ken-fisher-of-the-fisher-house-foundation/) - Fisher House Foundation builds comfort homes where military & veteran families can stay free of charge, while a loved one is in the hospital. - [Lessons from "Jumping in" as the MilSpouse](https://missionmilspouse.org/lessons-from-jumping-in-as-the-milspouse/) - Every once in a while, it would be great to give up our role as a milspouse....even for just one day! Join Chaplain Mason as he shares his experience with us. - [Learning Maturely Through a PCS](https://missionmilspouse.org/learning-maturely-through-a-pcs/) - For military families, these signs of the approaching summer months are also harbingers of summer’s all too familiar companion – PCS season. - [How to heal from a failed relationship](https://missionmilspouse.org/how-to-heal-from-a-failed-relationship/) - How do you bounce back from a failed relationship? Ihana Homefront has some insight, but you have to be willing to take some risks for love and relationships! - [Getting a Divorce or Annulment ](https://missionmilspouse.org/getting-a-divorce-or-annulment/) - Getting a divorce or annulment? TRICARE has you covered. CHeck out all the information and share with someone making this difficult decision. - [Tully Talks Storytelling With Siobhan Fallon](https://missionmilspouse.org/tully-talks-storytelling-with-siobhan-fallon/) - Siobhan Fallon is a writer and a military sppuse. Her work transcends the military life experience with grit and insight that grounds you and inspires you. - [May is Military Spouse Appreciation Month!](https://missionmilspouse.org/may-is-military-spouse-appreciation-month/) - Heather Maxey, like so many other military spouses are in the process of figuring out what life after the military will look like. No two plans are the same. - [10 Truths About Military Families](https://missionmilspouse.org/10-truths-about-military-families/) - Have you ever wondered how a military family really feels about moving? Curious about the places we’ve lived, or our miitary spouse outlook on some things? - [With Love from a Gen X Spouse](https://missionmilspouse.org/with-love-from-a-gen-x-spouse/) - From a Gen X rising on TikTOK to a loose comment from a congressman, Jen McDoanlad takes us on a toller coaster ride of spouse emotions this week. Read on! - [The Dreaded “I Don’t Know How You Do It”](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-dreaded-i-dont-know-how-you-do-it/) - There are many dreaded phrases that a military apouse would love to never hear again. On the top of that list is "I don't know how you do it". Do you have one? - [MMP #1039: The Importance of Investing in Yourself as a Milspouse](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1039-the-importance-of-investing-in-yourself-as-a-milspouse/) - AMSE connects Military Spouse entrepreneurs with the tools and resources needed to become successful in launching and growing their businesses. - [From Tennesse to New York and everything in*Between](https://missionmilspouse.org/from-tennesse-to-new-york-and-everything-inbetween/) - Upstate New York...48 miles up the road from the epicentre of stage and threatre lies a little town that is known less for its artists and more for its soldiers - [The Days Are Long as a Milspouse](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-days-are-long-as-a-milspouse/) - If you’ve read any of my blog submissions on Mission Milspouse lately, you’ll likely see a pattern where I have been mostly writing about what I’ve learned being a military spouse for the past twenty years but in presented in slightly different ways. In addition to sort of organizing my brain of those things, May - [The Secret Skills of a Milspo](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-secret-skills-of-a-milspo/) - In a world where military life can carry a stigma of instability, it's time to shine a spotlight on the secret strength behind the uniform: military spouses. - [Newborn and Well-Baby Care](https://missionmilspouse.org/newborn-and-well-baby-care/) - Don't let your child lose TRICARE! Register your child in DEERS, choose a TRICARE plan, and enroll. Visit TRICARE/DHA's website for more information. - [Behind the Lens: Capturing Stories of Hope and Resilience ](https://missionmilspouse.org/behind-the-lens-capturing-stories-of-hope-and-resilience/) - Kate Dudley is comfortable behind the camera. From sports reporting to sharing stories of resilience and courage, Kate brings stories to life from the heart. - [MMP #1038: Crashpad Connections](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1038-crashpad-connections/) - Crashpad Connections, connecting you to your TDY home anywhere in the US - [The Island Life](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-island-life/) - In military life, sometimes surprise orders can knock us down and leave us breathless. But other times, what we think will be hard, turns out to be rewarding. - [ The Gateway to Air and Space Forces](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-gateway-to-air-and-space-forces/) - Air and Space Force have many things in common, but are also different in many ways too. Space Force is the new kid on the block, but growing in numbers! - [Running for Goals and Running for Fun!](https://missionmilspouse.org/running-for-goals-and-running-for-fun/) - "I sometimes have a goal, and sometimes I just run for fun."- Vanessa Chang shares the journey which she started at an early age. Learn more about running! - [Age 45 or Older? Screen for Colorectal Cancer With TRICARE ](https://missionmilspouse.org/age-45-or-older-screen-for-colorectal-cancer-with-tricare/) - Cancer is often a word we don't speak of until we need help. Get your screenings early and get all of them. Reaad more about the types of screenings needed. - [Dear Moms](https://missionmilspouse.org/dear-moms/) - Dear Moms, We live in an age of extreme judgement. We judge our clothes, houses, cars, and worst of all, we judge our kids. Our Kids! Kids grades, kids sports, kids college choices, kids everything. And, they know adults tend to be judgmental. They feel this judgement at school and often, at home. This era - [Balancing Act: Essential Self-Care Strategies for Military Spouses in the Job Hunt](https://missionmilspouse.org/balancing-act-essential-self-care-strategies-for-military-spouses-in-the-job-hunt/) - In the midst of chaos, self-care becomes not just a luxury, but a necessity for maintaining our well-being and resilience. HHUSA gives us tips to prioritize it. - [MMP #1036: Military Hearts Matter](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1036-military-hearts-matter/) - Kathleen Palmer speaks with Holly Vega whom is striving daily to connect military families to resources while supporting military spouses to collaborate to pursue their dreams. - [From Green To brown...Finding beauty everywhere](https://missionmilspouse.org/from-green-to-brown-finding-beauty-everywhere/) - Blooming where you are planted may sound like an oxymoron to someone who discovers they are going to be planted in a brown desert. - [Expecting a Child? Here’s How TRICARE Covers Maternity Services ](https://missionmilspouse.org/expecting-a-child-heres-how-tricare-covers-maternity-services/) - Expecting a Child? Here’s How TRICARE Covers Maternity Services. TRICARE is here to help you get the care you need during pregnancy. Visit the DHA website! - [Socials, Balls, and Ceremonies, Oh My!](https://missionmilspouse.org/socials-balls-and-ceremonies-oh-my/) - The weather is warming, days are longer, and new duty stations are the talk on every installation! Join the team as they guide us into the social season. - [WE Need Time to grow](https://missionmilspouse.org/we-need-time-to-grow/) - When you’re trying to grow a garden, there are things that are within your control, and there are things that are outside of it. Bloom where you are planted! - [MMP# 1035: To all the Military Mamas and Mothers of Dragons](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1035-to-all-the-military-mamas-and-mothers-of-dragons/) - Join Kathleen, as she speaks to military spouses about raising military brats. Raise a glass and remember even the smallest task completed is still a victory! - [Love: The Hardest Thing On The Planet](https://missionmilspouse.org/love-the-hardest-thing-on-the-planet/) - Love. Love is…? How would you describe love? I don’t know. How does one go about defining something like love? I forget where I heard it, but there’s the old adage about it. It goes along the lines of “love is something you know you feel once you’re in it”. Sounds like something you’d find - [Leaving the Place You Conquered](https://missionmilspouse.org/leaving-the-place-you-conquered/) - Leaving is never easy. Sometimes we can't wait to leave a place and sometimes we never want to go. But often once we finally get our groove, the orders come. - [Things to Remember When Buying Sight Unseen](https://missionmilspouse.org/things-to-remember-when-buying-sight-unseen/) - Buyng a home can be daunting without the added pressure of buying a home sight unseen. Luckily, the PCS Homegirls have some tips and strategies to help us out. - [20 Years and Counting: Enjoying the Journey](https://missionmilspouse.org/20-years-and-counting-enjoying-the-journey/) - The 20 year mark is a big one in the military career and lifestyle. Sometimes getting ther can seem daunting, and sometimes it flies by in no time at all. - [Emily FitzGerald: The Doctor’s Wife](https://missionmilspouse.org/emily-fitzgerald-the-doctors-wife/) - April showers bring May flowers, as the saying goes, but here in Kansas March had its fair share of rainy days too. On one of those rainy, chilly days, I bundled my two little ones into our van and drove to meet my husband for a lunch and library date. As I pushed the stroller - [Be Vigilant in Preventing Tick-borne Illness this Spring ](https://missionmilspouse.org/be-vigilant-in-preventing-tick-borne-illness-this-spring/) - The Department of Defense public health officials are advising service members and their families to beware of a creature that emerges during spring-the Tick! - [New Seasons... New Possibilities](https://missionmilspouse.org/new-seasons-new-possibilities/) - The seasons of life are closely tied to the seasons of PCS in the military. With each new move brings new challenges, and it is important to lean into community. - [Shining Through The Darkness](https://missionmilspouse.org/shining-through-the-darkness/) - In August of 2019, Breanna inherited a title no one desires but many bear: Gold Star wife. Following the devastating loss of her beloved husband, Tony. - [MMP Show #1033 Maggie The Military Rat](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-show-1033-maggie-the-military-rat/) - Mission: Milspouse interviews children’s book author Monica Voicu Denniston. Monica shares the inspiration behind her book, “Maggie the Military Rat. - [Resilience: Grow Where You Are Planted](https://missionmilspouse.org/resilience-grow-where-you-are-planted/) - Grow where you ar plantd is a phrase that makes you want cringe or makes you want to move on. It depends on the soil you are asking to be planted in! - [Navigating Overseas Employment: A Comprehensive Guide](https://missionmilspouse.org/navigating-overseas-employment-a-comprehensive-guide/) - Employment can be a tough topic to navigate as a milspouse, but taking that challenge overseas is even tougher! Luckily, HHUSA is here to help us figure it out! - [How TRICARE Covers Durable Medical Equipment](https://missionmilspouse.org/how-tricare-covers-durable-medical-equipment/) - You may know someone who uses a wheelchair or walker to help with their mobility. But did you know that TRICARE may cover these as durable medical equipment? - [Because, Why Not?](https://missionmilspouse.org/because-why-not/) - Why not? We need to ask outselves this more often. So many opportunites are passed up ebcause we don;t think we are ready. Rebecca challenges us -"Why Not? - [Supporting Our Military Children](https://missionmilspouse.org/supporting-our-military-children/) - As we celebrate the month of the military child, we love hearing the personal stories of our readers and bloggers. Anna's piece shows the struggle of moving. - [What is Your Why? What Matters to You?](https://missionmilspouse.org/what-is-your-why-what-matters-to-you/) - We go about life sometimes never thinking about our why? Why do we exercise or do the things we of? What motivates us to run, write, lead, or just use our time? - [Surviving the End of the School Year](https://missionmilspouse.org/surviving-the-end-of-the-school-year/) - How do we get through the last bit of the school year? Spring Break is over, and there are no days off until the year is over. - [How Hearing and Vision Problems Can be Related to Brain Injury](https://missionmilspouse.org/how-hearing-and-vision-problems-can-be-related-to-brain-injury/) - Traumatic brain injuries, including concussion, may lead to hearing and vision problems. Sometimes, these injuries require additional testing. - [MMP Show #1032: Month of the Military Child](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-show-1032-month-of-the-military-child/) - April 2, 2024 Mission: Milspouse Mission: Milspouse April April 2, 2024 02 2026 July 19 July 19, 2026 Podcast Lindsey Rauch - [Room To Grow Roots ](https://missionmilspouse.org/room-to-grow-roots/) - Grow where your're planted is the mantra for military spouses. New places and new opportunities all bring about changes to grow, and in this case- really grow. - [Career Help at Your Fingertips! How the USO Transition Program Empowers Military Spouses](https://missionmilspouse.org/career-help-at-your-fingertips-how-the-uso-transition-program-empowers-military-spouses/) - Career help is al;ways needed by military spouses. The USO knows that Milspouse employment is a challenge and an aspect of military life that is overlooked. - [Teen Etiquette](https://missionmilspouse.org/teen-etiquette/) - Yes, manners are still important and that includes Teen etiquette too! In last-month’s blog, we talked about the basic etiquette to teach your children. - [How Can the Military Health System Help Me Through My Pregnancy?](https://missionmilspouse.org/how-can-the-military-health-system-help-me-through-my-pregnancy/) - Get advice from our military health experts, DHA. If you are facing a pregnancy, DHA is there to help guide you through military insurance and services. - [Transitional Assistance Management Program ](https://missionmilspouse.org/transitional-assistance-management-program/) - Learn more about Tricare's Transitional Management Program. Learn elibility criteria and find the program that is best for you. Visit DHA online for information - [Luck and Locations of a Milspouse](https://missionmilspouse.org/luck-and-locations-of-a-milspouse/) - It isn’t often that “luck” comes immediately to mind when we think back on our lives so far as military spouses. Have you had some lucky duty stations too? - [Life Lessons Learned at a Coffee](https://missionmilspouse.org/life-lessons-learned-at-a-coffee/) - It's always easier to walk through military life when you have people who can offer guidance. Here are a few life lessons from our protocol and etiquette team. - [MMP #1031: Motherhood and Mental Health](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1031-motherhood-and-mental-health/) - https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1031-motherhood-and-mental-health/ Mission: Milspouse Empowering Spouses, One Mission at a Time 2024 MMP #1031: Motherhood and Mental Health - [6 Home Maintenance Tips That You’re Probably Overlooking!](https://missionmilspouse.org/6-home-maintenance-tips-that-youre-probably-overlooking/) - Being involved in real estate means going into ALOT of homes….some amazing and some not so amazing. Is your home maintenance suffering? Read on and find out. - [The Emotional Cycles of Deployment: Part 6](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-emotional-cycles-of-deployment-part-6/) - Join Blogger LaVaughn Ricci as she chronicles the emotional cycles of deployment. This is Part Six. If you missed Parts 1-5, please visit our website. - [How to be productive (when it’s hard)](https://missionmilspouse.org/how-to-be-productive-when-its-hard/) - We all have a hard time being productive. It is not easy whether you have alot on your plate or too tlittle, sometimes, we just don't feel like "doing." - [A New Normal: Life After Military Retirement](https://missionmilspouse.org/a-new-normal-life-after-military-retirement/) - Just the word military retirement is enough to scare us into research and panic mode. Jen gets us through her initial fears and sets a course for retirement. - [Creating a Support Network: How Military Spouses Can Get Connected](https://missionmilspouse.org/creating-a-support-network-how-military-spouses-can-get-connected/) - Military life can be tricky. From emergency contacts to finding friends, military spouses have to really think outside the box when making those connections. - [The Ides of March...](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-ides-of-march/) - Beware of the Ides of March! William Shakespeare's favorite line from Julius Caesar has everyone thinking....What the heck does that mean? - [A Lucky Woman](https://missionmilspouse.org/a-lucky-woman/) - We are all lucky to be milspouses, even Libbi Custer. Join our expert Anna as she delves into some history about the luck of the Army wife and how she relates. - [The Magic Pint: Part 2](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-magic-pint-part-2/) - The Magic Pint series is about heartache, love, and Irish beer. Come meet Callie, a young war widow who may have found a second chance in a magic pint. - [MMP #1030: PCSing to Europe? DTV is there for you.](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1030-pcsing-to-europe-dtv-is-there-for-you/) - Today KateLynn talks to Daniel Taylor from DTV. Daniel is a military spouse living in Germany. Realizing how overwhelming the process of moving OCONUS can be, he decided to start a business to help others. Using his content creator background, he now has a top rated blog at http://www.dtvdanieltelevision.com complete with videos and content to cover all things pcsing to Europe. - [Lucky To be A Military Spouse: A Different Perspective](https://missionmilspouse.org/lucky-to-be-a-military-spouse-a-different-perspective/) - Are we lucky to be a military spouse? is it more than luck? Read on as Exerience Blogger, Erin Lorenz, finds alternative words to just being "lucky". - [The Magic Pint: Part One](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-magic-pint/) - If only there was a magic pint of Guinness that could take us back in time. Loss is never easy and Callie is wishing that time could return her to Ireland. - [MMP #1029: Mini Cast - 30 Before 30 Milspouse Edition](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1029-mini-cast-30-before-30-milspouse-edition/) - 30 Before 30 Milspouse Edition In today’s NEW episode, Juliana Hauska, our Executive Director at Mission: Milspouse, shares her 30 things that she has learned before hitting the big 3-0! Being a military spouse adds its own flavor to the mix from decoding acronyms to perfecting the art of packing at the speed of light. Whether - [Can you catch a Leprechaun?](https://missionmilspouse.org/can-you-catch-a-leprechaun/) - Have you ever tried to catch a leprechaun? If anyone can do it, military kids can. Join Laura Holland as she shares some St. Paddy's Day traditions with us. - [Certifications vs. Certificates: Guiding Military Spouses On Their Career Path](https://missionmilspouse.org/certifications-vs-certificates-guiding-military-spouses-on-their-career-path/) - What is the difference bewtween certifications and certificates? When it comes to the military spouse job search, it can mean a big advantage in job competition - [TRICARE & Federal Benefits Open Season Toolkit](https://missionmilspouse.org/tricare-federal-benefits-open-season-toolkit/) - Our digital toolkit to help you communicate with beneficiaries about TRICARE Open Season and Federal Benefits Open Season. - ["Deafness Does Not Hold Me Back or To Think I Have Limits"- I. King Jordan](https://missionmilspouse.org/deafness-does-not-hold-me-back-or-to-think-i-have-limits-i-king-jordan/) - Through the years, King faced all obstacles by being consistent, insistent, and persistent. Join expert, George Banker, for another inspirational interview. - [The 3 AM Friend ](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-3-am-friend/) - We all know it is hard to make friends at each and every new duty station. Sometimes you have to take risks to find your tribe and your 3 AM friend. - [Learn about ECHO (Extended Care Health Option)](https://missionmilspouse.org/learn-about-echo-extended-care-health-option/) - Learn more about ECHO from Tricare/DHA. Extended Choice of Healthcre options is available to dependents who are enrolled int he EFMP program through TRICARE. - [The Retirement Count Down Is REAL!](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-retirement-count-down-is-real/) - The retirement countdown is real! Anyone who has evry edxperience4d the highs and lows of waiting and wondering will relate to Heather's latest blog post. - [Make Preventive Screenings Part of Your Health Care Routine](https://missionmilspouse.org/make-preventive-screenings-part-of-your-health-care-routine/) - Regular preventive screenings and exams can help find disease at an early stage. There are many ways to find out early if yiou may be facing a bigger issue. - [There Is Room For All Spouses At The Table](https://missionmilspouse.org/there-is-room-for-all-spouses-at-the-table/) - In military life, the majority of spouses are truly clueless about the day-to-day lifestyle we signed up for. But spouses need to really see each other. - [MMP Show #1028: The Operation Child Care Project](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-show-1028-the-operation-child-care-project/) - In the latest episode of The Mission:Milspouse Podcast, KateLynn speaks with Kayla Corbitt from The Operation Child Care Project. - [The Emotional Cycle of Deployment Part 5](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-emotional-cycle-of-deployment-part-5/) - Join Blogger LaVaughn Ricci as she chronicles the emotional cycles of deployment. This is Part Five. If you missed the other entries, please visit our site. - [ Being A Good Friend](https://missionmilspouse.org/being-a-good-friend/) - Being a good friend can be hard sometimes. Friendship like life comes with growing pains along with good times and bad times. As military spouses, we know this. - [Dealing with the "Wait" While Waiting on Orders](https://missionmilspouse.org/dealing-with-the-wait-while-waiting-on-orders/) - Hurry up and wait. We have all felt and experienced the military's unique system of getting us ready for new situations. It starts in a hurry and then a wait. - [February and Forever Alone](https://missionmilspouse.org/february-and-forever-alone/) - It is February and you know what that means. It is love month. The month where we feel exhilarted or completely alone. It is not an easy month for singles. - [5 Tips for Selling Your House By Owner](https://missionmilspouse.org/5-tips-for-selling-your-house-by-owner/) - As a military homeowner about to make a PCS move, you’re likely deciding whether you will sell or rent your home. And if you’re selling, you may be thinking about the choice between selling with a real estate agent or taking the DIY approach with a “For Sale By Owner,” or FSBO. A FSBO sounds - [Our Deep Bonds Have Deep Roots](https://missionmilspouse.org/our-deep-bonds-have-deep-roots/) - One of the best parts of life as a military spouse is the deep bonds of friendship that form between spouses. We all have them and form them rather quickly. - [Best Defense Against Infection ](https://missionmilspouse.org/best-defense-against-infection/) - Department of Defense health surveillance data continue to reflect that sexually transmitted infections are widespread among both men and women in the military. - [Tully Talks Storytelling With…Karin Tramm!](https://missionmilspouse.org/tully-talks-storytelling-withkarin-tramm/) - Have you ever met someone and thought, how is it that we didn’t know each other before now? Join Julie Tully as she interviews author Karin Tramm. - [MMP# 1027: Spouse Speak Q&A](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1027-spouse-speak-qa/) - Welcome to the latest episode of Mission: Milspouse Podcast! This week, Juliana Hauska, your Executive Team Leader here at Mission: Milspouse will share the stage with other fellow command team military spouses! Meet our incredible military spouse Command Team members joining our episode today: Lindsey Rauch, Deputy Director of Marketing, and KateLynn Heavilon, part of - [Milspouses: The USO’s Got You!](https://missionmilspouse.org/milspouses-the-usos-got-you/) - The USO has always been there for military members anbd their families. They are also there for military spouses in so many ways! - [A military spouse journey: A comedy .....well, sort of…](https://missionmilspouse.org/a-military-spouse-journey-a-comedy-well-sort-of/) - So, we’ve all been there as a military spouse. You get married, you take the jokes of being a “Dependa”, you get enrolled in DEERS and TriCare. - [How to Find a Reliable Real Estate Agent](https://missionmilspouse.org/how-to-find-a-reliable-real-estate-agent/) - The holidays are done and the Marketplace is closed. For many military families, that means it's PCS season and you need a reliable real estate agent! - [MMP# 1026: PCS Homegirls](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1026-pcs-homegirls/) - In our newest episode, Executive Director Juliana gets to spend time with the PCS Homegirls Tracey Greene + Annie Pepoon. Get ready as they talk about the upcoming PCS season and provide you with tips for buying and selling houses. They will share their top reasons why hiring a qualified vetted agent is a MUST if you are PCSing this season. Protecting, educating, and supporting other military families is a no brainer in our world - so we strive to help provide these free services to help our people! - [Making Changes](https://missionmilspouse.org/making-changes-2/) - Changes can be difficult to deal with during military life and retirement or transition out of the active world can seem daunting. It doesn't have to be! - [The Retirement Life](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-retirement-life/) - The retirement life is a goal of many military families over the years. Living without all the PCS seasons and the stress of military life is round the corner. - [Anniversaries and Seasons of Life](https://missionmilspouse.org/anniversaries-and-seasons-of-life/) - Most people just celebrate Valentine’s Day in February, but it is also our anniversary month, so we get double the romance! This year we are celebrating 27 years of marriage! I cannot believe it! In honor of my anniversary, I wanted to share a piece of our story and write about what we have learned - [MMP #1025: Embers in the London Sky](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1025-embers-in-the-london-sky/) - In today’s NEW episode, Director of Content, Kathleen Palmer, will share with us an interview with bestselling World War II novelist, Sarah Sundin. In this episode, Sarah will share with us her newest novel Embers in the London Sky, which explores the war through the eyes of a mother who has been separated from her beloved child and through a BBC correspondent who knows that reporting the truth will take him deep into the flames. - [HOPE in a Podcast](https://missionmilspouse.org/hope-in-a-podcast/) - Everyone loves a good podcast! Hope For The Warriors is joing the podcast world with their series of guests that inspire and encourage. Tune in today! - [ Mastering Professionalism in Your Job Search: Key Strategies for Success](https://missionmilspouse.org/mastering-professionalism-in-your-job-search-key-strategies-for-success/) - The job search can be overwhelming at times. Our friends at HHUSA shows have even reinforcing the simple things can bring that job search process back to life. - [Explore What TRICARE Covers](https://missionmilspouse.org/explore-what-tricare-covers/) - Check out what TRICARE has to offer military families. it is imperatie that you check on coverage and perscription policies. DHA has tips and updates here! - [Taking Stock of my Military Spouse Valentines](https://missionmilspouse.org/taking-stock-of-my-military-spouse-valentines/) - As a military spouse, you have valentines to celebrate with on the big Valentine's Day celebration. But how many of you have different seasons of valentines? - [MMP #1024: Willing Warriors](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1024-willing-warriors/) - In today’s NEW episode, Director of Content, Kathleen Palmer, will share with us an interview with Larry Zilliox, Director of Culinary Services at the Warrior Retreat at Bull Run and creator/Team Lead for the Visiting Chef Program. - [M:M Protocol and Traditions Team “Round-Up” for 2020-2023](https://missionmilspouse.org/mm-protocol-and-traditions-team-round-up-for-2020-2023/) - We offer to you our collection of blogs available at M:M Traditions and Protocol , linked below from newest to oldest. Our T and P team is incredible! - [The Tale of The Traveling TASH](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-tale-of-the-traveling-tash/) - Like the story of the magical traveling pants TASH also fits each military friend perfectly no matter what size or shape they are - [How TRICARE Covers Ambulance Services](https://missionmilspouse.org/how-tricare-covers-ambulance-services/) - We never wish to have to use an ambulance, but it is reassuring to know that TRICARE and DHA have a system in place to help us navigate the costs and coverages. - [Robyn Mildren, 50 Miles of Wisdom and Inspiration](https://missionmilspouse.org/robyn-mildren-50-miles-of-wisdom-and-inspiration/) - Robyn Mildren is an inspiration to runners in Canada and around the world. Sit down with our riunning expert, George Banker, as he interviews Robyn Milden - [Four deployments in four years and what they taught me](https://missionmilspouse.org/four-deployments-in-four-years-and-what-they-taught-me/) - We often are faced with deployments in our military world. But when those deployments come in rapid succession, it can take a toll on our families. - [EYB: Fort Carson, Colorado](https://missionmilspouse.org/pwtm-fort-carson-co/) - Home of the 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson is located in the beautiful mountains of Colorado. Very near to Colorado Springs and not far from Denver, the location offers plenty to see and do year-round. The area is great for people who love the outdoors and hiking, skiing, fishing, and camping, but also offers plenty for families, with free outdoor activities and annual events. - [MMP #1023: The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barratt](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-warsaw-sisters/) - In today’s NEW episode, Director of Content, Kathleen Palmer, will share with us an interview with Christy Award-winning novelist Amanda Barratt on her latest publication, The Warsaw Sisters. - [What Are My TRICARE Health Care Provider Options?](https://missionmilspouse.org/what-are-my-tricare-health-care-provider-options/) - TRICARE changes can seem daunting. Find out the difference between providers and all the ways to streamline your health care with TRICARE and DHA. - [Making Changes](https://missionmilspouse.org/making-changes/) - This time of year, there are always lots of expectations to make resolutions and plan big changes to your life. Join M:M's new blogger, Heather Maxey. - [The Phone Call](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-phone-call/) - Have you ever been waiting for a phone call that you knew could change your life? Mary had high hopes for Fort Lewis, but this phone call changed all that. - [Planning Your way Into 2024!](https://missionmilspouse.org/planning-your-way-into-2024/) - 2024 will be your year, we just know it. Not sure where to start? Join blogger, Anastassia Kennedy as she gives food for thought on planners and setting goals. - [National Blood Donor Month ](https://missionmilspouse.org/national-blood-donor-month/) - he Armed Services Blood Program - also known as the Military Blood Program - is the official military provider of blood products to U.S. armed forces. - [Resolutions: The Good and Bad](https://missionmilspouse.org/resolutions-the-good-and-bad/) - WHo doesn't feel like making resolutions at the start of the new year. Fresh calendars, fresh starts, and fresh perspectives await all of us on Jan 1st. - [The Emotional Cycle of Deployment-Part 4](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-emotional-cycle-of-deployment-part-4/) - *Join Blogger LaVaughn Ricci as she chronicles the emotional cycles of deployment. This is Part Four. Click these links to go back to Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. - [MMP #1022: Warm Wishes and Welcome Juliana!](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1022-warm-wishes-and-welcome-juliana/) - In today’s NEW episode, Deputy Director of Content, Kathleen Palmer, will share with us an interview with our very own Juliana Hauska, incoming chaos coordinator, better known as the Executive Director, here at Mission: Milspouse. - [A New Perspective | Making Simple Changes For The New Year](https://missionmilspouse.org/a-new-perspective-making-simple-changes-for-the-new-year/) - I know that a lot of people frown on New Year’s Resolutions. Any commitment you make to a better version of yourself is an excellent step in the right direction - [Martha Summerhayes: An Adventurous Army Wife](https://missionmilspouse.org/martha-summerhayes-an-adventurous-army-wife/) - Army wives are stong and have been over the years. Meet Martha Summerhayes: An Adventurous Army Wife who history follows the same places as many Army wives. - [Army Spouse Takes on # EFMP](https://missionmilspouse.org/army-spouse-takes-on-efmp/) - Meet Jennifer Bittner, an EFMP Warrior! Families of special needs children in the military are so lucky to have Jennifer and members of EFM fighting for them. - [Navigating New Construction: Common Mistakes Homebuyers Should Avoid](https://missionmilspouse.org/navigating-new-construction-common-mistakes-homebuyers-should-avoid/) - Homebuyers looking to buy a new build or perhaps build yourself, check out the PCS Homegirls latest blog on how to make the best decisions on this big purchase. - [January Brings.....The "Not Enough" Blues](https://missionmilspouse.org/january-brings-the-not-enough-blues/) - January is a time for relfection and growth. How many of us feel the blues in January and wish we could have done things better? Not too late to make changes. - [Why Wait for a PCS to Purge Your Space](https://missionmilspouse.org/why-wait-for-a-pcs-to-purge-your-space/) - We’ve moved about every 2 years for the entirety of my husband’s military career. And now, whether we are facing a PCS or not, I frequently get the itch. You know the one I’m talking about – the itch to redecorate and reorganize. The one that requires me to rip everything out of the closets - [DHA's E-Caregiver Directory Puts Resources at Your Fingertips](https://missionmilspouse.org/dhas-e-caregiver-directory-puts-resources-at-your-fingertips/) - DHA Caregiver informsation at your fingertips in the latest installment from DHA. Find out the services and trainings available to all spouses through DHA. - [The Best Version of Ourselves](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-best-version-of-ourselves/) - It’s the beginning of a new year. Rather than making a list of resolutions, let’s try to work towards being the best version of ourselves. - [Being Intentional in the New Year](https://missionmilspouse.org/being-intentional-in-the-new-year/) - Over the years, I have struggled to make and keep New Year’s Resolutions, so more than a decade ago, I gave up making resolutions. Honestly, I knew that I would never keep them since I had a fairly consistent history of failing to follow through. We live in a culture that idolizes success and - [From Skis to Running Shoes](https://missionmilspouse.org/from-skis-to-running-shoes/) - From Skiis to running shoes, meet Mark Croasdale. His unique perspective on challenging yourself will have you up and running with George Banker this year. - [The Gift of Variety in My Civic Leadership Journey ](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-gift-of-variety-in-my-civic-leadership-leadership-journey/) - My journey as a Military Spouse takes a civic turn and I am so grateful for my experience. Aria Spears leads us on a journey to find community at every station. - [A unique perspective on the greatest gifts of being a military spouse](https://missionmilspouse.org/a-unique-perspective-on-the-greatest-gifts-of-being-a-military-spouse/) - There are many gifts that come with being a military spouse. These are some of the most common gifts that quickly come to mind and Sarah offers a unique look. - [On the Corner of Regret and Resolution](https://missionmilspouse.org/on-the-corner-of-regret-and-resolution/) - Sometimes we find outselves standing on the corner of regret and resolution. We know we have to move ahead, but we stand paralyzed with our regret. - [Allow Me to Introduce Myself... New Executive Director, Juliana Hauska](https://missionmilspouse.org/allow-me-to-introduce-myself-introducing-new-executive-director-juliana-hauska/) - Julianna Hauska is beyond thrilled to kick off this new adventure as the new Executive Director for Mission: Milspouse. Stay tuned as the new adventure begins. - [The Fairytale](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-fairytale/) - The Fairytale always gets us. The promise of romance, great adventure, obstacles, and battles. Is the military nothing more than a fairytale? - [The Gift of Personal Growth](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-gift-of-personal-growth/) - A common joke among the military community goes something like this “if Uncle Sam wanted servicemembers to have a spouse, they would have been issued one.” - [The Gift of People!](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-gift-of-people/) - For Liz Guinn, the greatest gift of being a military spouse has truly been the people. It is people that bring the poerspective to this military life. - [The Gift of Community](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-gift-of-community/) - As a newly retired spouse, Erin finds it both difficult and easy to look back and reflect on what I think the greatest gift of being a military spouse is. - [The Gifts of a Military Spouse](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-gifts-of-a-military-spouse/) - The list is truly endless for what a gift it is to be a military spouse. Christina's husband is in the Space Force. He deploys to space! How cool is that? - [Holiday Resilience: How TRICARE Supports Your Mental Health](https://missionmilspouse.org/holiday-resilience-how-tricare-supports-your-mental-health/) - For many, the holiday season brings expectations of joy. But for some, the holidays may be a time of stress, sadness, or isolation. Mental health resources! - [Self-Care Doesn’t Need to Be Expensive or Time Consuming](https://missionmilspouse.org/self-care-doesnt-need-to-be-expensive-or-time-consuming/) - We all know that self-care is important. But, the reality is that we’re spouses, parents, co-workers, caregivers, and more. Sheila Rupp gives us ways to do it - [The Gift of a Friend](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-gift-of-a-friend/) - In my nine years of being a military spouse, I’ve come to believe that the greatest gift I’ve ever received actually came in the form of a person. - [The Dance](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-dance/) - THE DANCE. Best gift as a Milspouse, ever! - [Navigating the Job Market in 2024: A Military Spouse's Guide to Landing Their Dream Job](https://missionmilspouse.org/navigating-the-job-market-in-2024-a-military-spouses-guide-to-landing-their-dream-job/) - Job seeking can be a challenging endeavor, and for military spouses, the journey comes with its unique set of hurdles. Join HHUSA'sexpert team for some tips. - [Gifts in Tandem: The Experience and the Telling](https://missionmilspouse.org/gifts-in-tandem-the-experience-and-the-telling/) - Gifts in Tandem, The Experience and The Telling. Meet Jenny Lynne Stroup, Navy spouse and our 2023 Holiday Blog Contest Winner. Jenny Lynne's blog will move you - [Get To Know Our Amazing Finalists!](https://missionmilspouse.org/get-to-know-our-amazing-finalists/) - Wer are honored to present the Finalists in our Blog contest. Our judges were overwhelmed with the amazing voices represented across ALL branches. - [Winter Break as a Student](https://missionmilspouse.org/winter-break-as-a-student/) - Being a student can be stressful at times. When break time comes, how do most students handle the extra time? Ohana Homefront looks at the many ways to relax. - [The Emotional Cycle of Deployment... Part 3](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-emotional-cycle-of-deployment-part-3/) - Join Blogger LaVaughn Ricci as she chronicles the emotional cycles of deployment. This is Part Three. Click these links to go back to Part 1 and Part 2. - [Welcomes and Farewells: It’s a Spouse Thing! ](https://missionmilspouse.org/welcomes-and-farewells-its-a-spouse-thing/) - Welcoming or saying goodbye to the unit’s command team spouse is a wonderful military tradition that has been repeated many times throughout generations. - [Celebrate Your Own Way This Season!](https://missionmilspouse.org/celebrate-your-own-way-this-season/) - Celebrate the holidays in your own, special style this year. from formal gatherings to cozy PJ marathons, there is simply no right way to celebrate. Own it! - [Deck the Halls with Care: 5 Tips for Safely Packing Holiday Decorations During Your Spring PCS](https://missionmilspouse.org/deck-the-halls-with-care-5-tips-for-safely-packing-holiday-decorations-during-your-spring-pcs/) - Don't let the holiday season be ruined due to broken decorations. The PCS Homegirls offer up their best tips for packing those precious treasures. - [Yours, Mine, and Ours. Celebrating Multiple holidays in one House](https://missionmilspouse.org/yours-mine-and-ours-celebrating-multiple-holidays-in-one-house/) - The holidays are often looked at as an either/or situation . However, Rebecca shows us that there is beauty in celebrating all the things in one household. - [The Greatest Gift of Being a Military Spouse is Other Military Spouses](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-greatest-gift-of-being-a-military-spouse-is-other-military-spouses/) - What is the greatest gift of being a military spouse? For Anna Spafford, out newest blogger, it is simply the gift of other military spouses - [This Holiday, Give One Priceless Gift of Life: Donate Blood](https://missionmilspouse.org/this-holiday-give-one-priceless-gift-of-life-donate-blood/) - As you ponder what gift you will give over the holiday season, please consider donating blood. It is a gift that has no end to its value and usefulness. - [Julie’s Gift Guide for Writers](https://missionmilspouse.org/julies-gift-guide-for-writers/) - Need a gift for that special writer in your life? Our writing Expert, Julie Tully, knows gifts and knows writers. What a great combination to help you shop. - [A Recipe For a Joyous Christmas](https://missionmilspouse.org/a-recipe-for-a-joyous-christmas/) - Imagine what Christmas on the frontier must have been like! Join Anna as she gives us the 411 on all the ways our pioneer trailblazers celebrated Christmas. - [Slogging Along With KP Palmer](https://missionmilspouse.org/slogging-along-with-kp-palmer/) - Join George Banker in his latest interview with our very own Kathleen Palmer. Palmer is the director of content at Mission:Milspouse and an novice runner. - [Finding Light in the Shadows: Navigating Grief through the Holiday Season ](https://missionmilspouse.org/finding-light-in-the-shadows-navigating-grief-through-the-holiday-season/) - Finding the peace when faced with grief over the holidays can seem like an surmountable task. Hope for the Warriors looks at the pain suicide can bring. - [The Drama of Christmas: A Story of Unexpected Pregnancies, Teenage Moms, and Divine Light](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-drama-of-christmas-a-story-of-unexpected-pregnancies-teenage-moms-and-divine-light/) - What is it about the Christmas season that brings both joy and sorrow. Are our trials more illuminated during the Christmas season? How do find the joy? - [The Greatest Gift of Being a Military Spouse](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-greatest-gift-of-being-a-military-spouse/) - What are your gifts received from being a military spouse? A new car? Probably not, but there are so many blessings and gifts that come into our world everyday. - [Rest & Resilience Tricks to be Holiday Ready](https://missionmilspouse.org/rest-resilience-tricks-to-be-holiday-ready/) - As the holiday season descends upon us, take some advice from our master resiliency trainer, Manda McVey as she gives us some tips to stay stress free this year - [Gratitude in the Dark Places](https://missionmilspouse.org/gratitude-in-the-dark-places/) - How many times have we searched for gratitude in the most unlikely of places? Gratitude is sometimes lurking behind our misfortune, we just have to see it. - [New Year’s Resolutions for Homeschoolers](https://missionmilspouse.org/new-years-resolutions-for-homeschoolers/) - The new year is the perfect time to put to bed what isn’t working for your homeschoolers, and really pour into the things that are most important in your plan - [Embrace Your Base - Baumholder, Germany](https://missionmilspouse.org/pwtm-baumholder-germany/) - Once you embrace your base, life gets easier. Get in the know of your next base with our easy to use guide to the installations called Embrace Your Base. - [Balancing Act: 3 Tips for Working Full-Time While Being a Student](https://missionmilspouse.org/balancing-act-3-tips-for-working-full-time-while-being-a-student/) - Juggling a full-time job and being a student simultaneously is a daunting task. It requires planning, dedication, and effective time management. - [Does TRICARE cover allergy services?](https://missionmilspouse.org/does-tricare-cover-allergy-services/) - Here are the latest tips from DHA and TRICARE. Learn about options for allergy testing and coverage. Also in this post, you can find vision plan options. - [VSP Meets military spouses in the sacred spaces In*Between.](https://missionmilspouse.org/vsp-meets-military-spouses-in-the-sacred-spaces-inbetween/) - What is the In*Between spaces that military spouses find themselves living in? In*Between wars, and moves, and schools, and friends. Just In*Between the spaces. - [MMP #1021: The Power of Finishing Well](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1021-the-power-of-finishing-well/) - After nearly 10 years serving our organization, Sharita is transitioning out of Mission: Milspouse, so she is reflecting on her experiences through the years of finishing well. Key components include working out the logistics, gaining closure as you process your feelings, and keeping your attitude and heart on the right path, all the way to the finish line. - [Don’t Let Tradition Ruin Your Holidays](https://missionmilspouse.org/dont-let-tradition-ruin-your-holidays/) - Military life is filled with tradition. If you’ve ever been to a military ball, change of command, or other military events, you’ve seen those traditions. - [MMP #1020: Tis the Season...](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1020-tis-the-season/) - Mission: MilSpouse is preparing to wrap up our 18th year on the air and gearing up for our well-deserved holiday break. (But don’t worry: We will be starting back up with our 19th season in 2024).To commemorate the occasion, we will hear from our current Mission: Milspouse Executive Director, Dr. Sharita Knobloch as she shares her own seasonal farewell with us. - [Military Funerals and Memorials](https://missionmilspouse.org/military-funerals-and-memorials/) - Military funerals and memorials are a big part of our lifestyle. To give that servicemember and their family a honorable and proper goodbye is paramount. - [Patience With a Side of Pancakes](https://missionmilspouse.org/patience-with-a-side-of-pancakes/) - Many milspouses chase the dream job, but what if you could glean the same perspective and fulfillment from half the hours? Here's some perspective for you... - [The Attitude of Gratitude](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-attitude-of-gratitude/) - Sometimes it takes failure to prepare the field for gratitude. We sometimes have to go back to scripture to find the foundation of gratitude. - [Three Things for Thanksgiving](https://missionmilspouse.org/three-things-for-thanksgiving/) - Thanksgiving is a special time of year. For some, it is an annual pilgrimage home to family, but for others it can be a daunting day to plan. - [Welcome to the Club](https://missionmilspouse.org/welcome-to-the-club/) - It is a club that no one ever seems ready for. But when you join, you can't imagine life any other way! Welcome to the Grandparent club! - [The Emotional Cycle of Deployment (Part Two)](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-emotional-cycle-of-deployment-part-two/) - Join Blogger LaVaughn Ricci as she chronicles the emotional cycles of deployment. This is Part Two. If you missed Part One, please click on the links provided. - [MMP #1019: Home For The Holidays (Milspouse Edition)](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1019-home-for-the-holidays-milspouse-edition/) - In our latest mini-cast episode, Sarah Robichaud, our Director of Administration, chats about the ups and downs of traveling home for the holidays as a military family. She shares some of her own experiences, as well as a few tips to help ensure that you have the holly-jolliest holiday season. - [Find Out What Your TRICARE Pharmacy Costs Will Be In 2024](https://missionmilspouse.org/find-out-what-your-tricare-pharmacy-costs-will-be-in-2024/) - If you get prescription drugs through the TRICARE Pharmacy Program. Copayments for most beneficiaries are changing. - [Rent vs Buying: What Will You Do At Your Next Duty Station? ](https://missionmilspouse.org/rent-vs-buying-what-will-you-do-at-your-next-duty-station/) - To rent or to buy at your next location, our favorite question that has no definitive answer. Join the PCS homegirls as they help us answer that question! - [Embracing New Traditions: Nurturing Family Bonds ](https://missionmilspouse.org/embracing-new-traditions-nurturing-family-bonds/) - Traditions are the threads that weave our past and future and create lasting memories. But what happens when traditions are as unpredictable as life itself? - [A Frontier Thanksgiving](https://missionmilspouse.org/a-frontier-thanksgiving/) - Thanksgiving can be a joyous holiday or a lonely one depending on what military life is like for you. Anna reminds us of the hardship of a Frontier Thanksgiving - [The Battle of the Study: The Savers VS The Tossers](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-battle-of-the-study-the-savers-vs-the-tossers/) - The study is supposed to be a place where reflection and maybe some reading gets done. What happens when the study gets turned into a warzone - [MMP# 1018: Fisher House Foundation: Offering Hospitality, Healing and Hope to Military Families in Their Time of Need](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1018-fisher-house-foundation/) - In today's NEW episode, Deputy Director of Empowerment, Amie Fisher, will share with us an interview with Ken Fisher, Chairman and CEO of the Fisher House Foundation. In his interview today, Ken will share the latest on Fisher House’s work supporting military families, discuss the issues impacting our military community and raise awareness of the importance of supporting our nation’s heroes, and their families, on Veterans Day and beyond. - [M:M Core Values: Collaboration](https://missionmilspouse.org/mm-core-values-collaboration/) - As we continue discussing Mission:Milspouse's core values, collaboration is front and center this month. Military spouses know the benefits of collaboration - [MMP# 1017: Navigating Life Without a Base](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1017-navigating-life-without-a-base/) - On today’s NEW mini-cast, Annie Pearce, our Director of Marketing & Events here at Mission: Milspouse shares with us information to inspire and empower you about navigating life without a Base. - [EYB: Fort Jackson, South Carolina](https://missionmilspouse.org/pwtm-fort-jackson-south-carolina/) - Fort Jackson is an Army installation, from which TRADOC operates for Basic Combat Training, located within the city limits of Columbia, South Carolina. It was named for United States Army General and seventh president of the United States, Andrew Jackson, who was born on the border between North and South Carolina. The installation trains half of all the Army’s Basic Combat Training soldiers. - [The Shocking Truth of being Thankful through the pain](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-shocking-truth-of-being-thankful-through-the-pain/) - There is always something to be thankful for. It doesn't always come with big, happy, and cheerful events. It can come from the darkest of places as well. - [MMP #1016: Milspouse, Milparent, Mil-Life](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1016-milspouse-milparent-mil-life/) - On today's show, Kathleen Palmer, our Director of Content, interviews our very own Amie Fisher as she shares with us tips and tricks about owning your identity as military spouse, maximizing the opportunities inherent in that role and raising healthy military kids. - [From Bitter to Grateful During Infertility and Loss](https://missionmilspouse.org/from-bitter-to-grateful-during-infertility-and-loss/) - The feeling of loss can lead to other emotions. Bitterness and regret can overtake us sometimes and leave us feeling vulnerable and emotional. - [News 6 for The Week of Nov 6](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-for-the-week-of-nov-6/) - News 6 Correspondent, Emma Tighe, brings you all the News 6 updates as they happen. Today she brings you rescue operations, Senate struggles, and some music. - [Warrior Care Month](https://missionmilspouse.org/warrior-care-month/) - DHS/Tricare marks this month as Warrior Care Month. For the most updated & relevant information that pertains to the military warrior, check out these sources. - [MMP #1015: Navigating the Holidays](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1015-navigating-the-holidays/) - On today’s NEW mini-cast, Callie Bunter, our Deputy Director of Podcast Production, shares information about navigating the holidays without having an immediate family. - [Budget-Friendly Autumn Adventures for Military Families](https://missionmilspouse.org/budget-friendly-autumn-adventures-for-military-families/) - Even Autumn fall-season Grinches can’t entirely ignore the happiness that brisk morning walks with crunchy leaves bring after a long, sweltering summer. - [MMP #1014: Defense Health Agency](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1014-defense-health-agency/) - On today’s show, Annie Pearce, our Director of Marketing & Events here at Mission: Milspouse will be sharing an interview with Jeremy Schneider, TRICARE Subject Matter Expert from the Defense Health Agency. The TRICARE health plan, policies and procedures are such an important and integral part of our military life. TRICARE Open Season will be from November 13 to December 12, 2023. - [3 ways to spark life-breathing creativity.](https://missionmilspouse.org/3-ways-to-spark-life-breathing-creativity/) - Numerous cultures have folk stories that remind women of the importance of creative activity and expression. Creativity is is all around us, everyday. - [Federal Benefits Open Season is Happening Soon!](https://missionmilspouse.org/federal-benefits-open-season-is-happening-soon/) - Want to know more about Federal Benefits? The time to change, add, or remove federal benefits is happening next month. Don't get left behind, check it out. - [The Season of Change](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-season-of-change/) - As the cool days start to roll in and the new season is upon us, it brings on the realization of the changing seasons. - [Renee Merchant knows the value of good nutrition](https://missionmilspouse.org/renee-merchant-knows-the-value-of-good-nutrition/) - Nutrition is essential for athletes and most runners know this. Join expert George Banker as he interviews an expert in the field of nutrition. - [MMP #1013: The Army 10-Miler](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1013-the-army-10-miler/) - On today’s NEW mini-cast join Kathleen Palmer, our Director of Content, as she shares her insights on running the Army 10-Miler. - [And the Army goes rolling along…](https://missionmilspouse.org/and-the-army-goes-rolling-along/) - The Army is always rolling. Just when we get settled and know all the grocery store routes and our doctor's office hours. Its okay to dive down that rabbit hole - [MMP# 1012: GreenCare for Troops](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1012-greencare-for-troops/) - On today’s show, our Deputy Director, Jolene McNutt, shares an interview with Ki Matsko, program director of GreenCare for Troops, a program that delivers complimentary lawn care and landscape services to military families during deployments - [MMP #1011: Mil-Teens - Word on the Street](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1011-mil-teens-word-on-the-street/) - On today’s NEW mini-cast, join Amie Fisher, our Director of Empowerment here at Mission: MilSpouse, as she takes the Podcast to the streets and interviews military teens in her local base community about their military story. - [7 Tips for Success:  Mastering the Art of Interviews](https://missionmilspouse.org/7-tips-for-success-mastering-the-art-of-interviews/) - How do you master the art of job interviews? HHUSA is here to help you with 7 tips to interviewing for that perfect job. Be prepared and do your research. - [Libby Custer’s Secret Pie: A Fall Tradition at Fort Riley  ](https://missionmilspouse.org/libby-custers-secret-pie-a-fall-tradition-at-fort-riley/) - What better way to welcome Fall than learning about one of the first military spouses to celebrate the season with apple pie at Fort Riley's Apple Festival - [Hauntings and Lost Skeletons](https://missionmilspouse.org/hauntings-and-the-lost-skeleton/) - Halloween, hauntings, and the lost skeleton. Read why Halloween is loed by our military families and how hard they fight to keep traditions as they move. - [The Emotional Cycle of Deployment (Part One)](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-emotional-cycle-of-deployment-part-one/) - Deployment is not easy no matter how many times we have done it. The emotional toll it takes on our families is the same very time they leave. - [The Timeline for Buying a House ](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-timeline-for-buying-a-house/) - Meet the newest experts on our block-The PCS Homegirls! If you need a timeline to buy a house, they have got you covered with tips and tricks. - [Julien Webster's Big Dreams and Goals](https://missionmilspouse.org/julien-websters-big-dreams-and-goals/) - Meet Julien Webster, a runner with big dreams and goals. Read on as George Banker finds out what motivates Julien to ruun and set goals for herself. - [Fall and Family](https://missionmilspouse.org/fall-and-family/) - What is it about fall weather and activities? It makes us feel alive in the change of the season. Grab a cup of warm apple cider and read Ohana Homefront's post - [Recollections as an Army Brat in the 1950s](https://missionmilspouse.org/recollections-as-an-army-brat-in-the-1950s/) - To say the Army has changed a lot over the years would be an understatement. Ann Crossley ahs seen her fair share of changes and her recollections are amazing! - [Check In on the Strong Ones, They Need Support Too](https://missionmilspouse.org/check-in-on-the-strong-ones-they-need-support-too/) - Being strong is a desired trait. But sometimes, it is the strong ones that need the most help. Can they ask for it? SHould they ask for it? We must see them. - [News 6 For the week of October 16th.](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-for-the-week-of-october-16th/) - Join Emma with all of News 6 and the latest happenings in our world. From Marine corn mazes to unrest in the middle east, News 6 has your 6 with news and events - [Meet one of HOPE’s Fall Spouse and Caregiver Scholarship Recipients, Emily White. ](https://missionmilspouse.org/meet-one-of-hopes-fall-spouse-and-caregiver-scholarship-recipients-emily-white/) - Meet Emily, the newest face of HOPE who was awarded the Caregivers scholarship to continue her mental health counseling work with military families and students - [Resources for Military Spouses through REACH-Spouse](https://missionmilspouse.org/resources-for-military-spouses-through-reach-spouse/) - As spouses, the expectation to be strong may not make asking for help any easier. As a military spouse, you must ask for what you need. Resources exist, ask - [MMP #1010: Life Skills for Soldiers](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1010-life-skills-for-soldiers/) - On today’s show, our Deputy Director, Jolene McNutt, shares an interview with Brendan Duebner, the founder of Life Skills for Soldiers, a non-profit organization that aims to make it easy for military leaders to teach their troops money skills. - [Less is More](https://missionmilspouse.org/less-is-more/) - How many military spouses wish there was less stuff to pack and move? Less is More could really be our mantra. Join this seasoned spouse as she offers tips. - [Tully Talks Storytelling With…Kathleen Rodgers!](https://missionmilspouse.org/tully-talks-storytelling-withkathleen-rodgers/) - Tully Talks Storytelling's latest episode is with Kathleen Rogers. She takes Tully into her motivation and inspiration as a writer and a military spouse. - [Running the Army 10 Miler for HOOAH, Honor, and History](https://missionmilspouse.org/running-the-army-10-miler-for-hooah-honor-and-history/) - What kind of running is most impactful? What motivates people to run? At the Army 10 Miler, they will be running for Hooah, for honor, and for history. - [Is Your Family Ready to Transition from Military to Civilian Life?](https://missionmilspouse.org/is-your-family-ready-to-transition-from-military-to-civilian-life/) - When it's time for your military family to transition to civilian life, having a plan can ease the stress. Discover resources as you navigate this new chapter. - [Space Force Spouse Takes on #EFMP](https://missionmilspouse.org/space-force-spouse-takes-on-efmp/) - Meet Anna! Anna is an active-duty Space Force spouse of 19 years.Their family has four who are enrolled in the EFMP program. - [TRICARE TIP OF THE WEEK](https://missionmilspouse.org/tricare-tip-of-the-week/) - TRICARE tips for breast health. Know the symptoms, know the screening protovol. Take control with Tricare tips and be healthy! - [MMP #1009: How to NOT Hibernate this Holiday Season: Winter Resilience Tips](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1009-winter-resilience-tips/) - On today's NEW mini-cast, join Manda Lynn McVey, Interim Director of Podcast Production and Master Resilience Trainer, as she guides you on a path of finding calm in the chaos of the upcoming holiday season. Manda, a yoga and meditation instructor, will be sharing small steps in overcoming holiday overwhelm and help us make big strides in swapping seasons with as little stress as possible. - [News 6 for the Week of October 2nd 2023](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-for-the-week-of-october-2nd-2023/) - News 6 is back and at your fingertips for all the stories and happenings during the week of October 2nd 2023. Tune in and learn about our military communities - [TRICARE TIPS](https://missionmilspouse.org/tricare-tips/) - Here are a few TRICARE tips to help you with military life! TRICARE offers much more information on their website. Check it out and stay informed. - [You've made It.....Your 1st Duty Station!](https://missionmilspouse.org/youve-made-it-your-1st-duty-station/) - You've made it! Not in a way that the adventure is over, for it is truly just beginning. Now the adventure begins as you head to your new duty station. - [MMP #1008: Pink Warrior Angels](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1008-pink-warrior-angels/) - On today’s show, we’re thrilled to bring you an interview conducted by our Director of Marketing and Events, Annie Pearce, as she chats with today’s guest, Julie Moser, the founder of Pink Warrior Angels, a non-profit organization that empowers cancer warriors through a community of support, compassion and awareness. - [The Fisher House offers hospitality, healing and HOPE!](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-fisher-house-offers-hospitality-healing-and-hope/) - Mission:Milpouse had the distict honor to interview Fisher House CEO and Chairman, Mr. Ken Fisher. We are grateful for the support of the Fisher Foundation. - [Navigating the Job Search as a Military Spouse: Tips and Strategies](https://missionmilspouse.org/navigating-the-job-search-as-a-military-spouse-tips-and-strategies/) - While navigating the unique path of a military spouse in the job market, you're sculpting resilience, honing adaptability, and crafting a versatile skill set. - [MMP #1007: "My Spouse is Retired: Now What?"](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1007-my-spouse-is-retired-now-what/) - On today’s NEW mini-cast, Jolene McNutt, our Deputy Director here at Mission: Milspouse, shares with us her own experiences on her spouse entering military retirement. - [EYB: Walter Reed National Military Medical Center](https://missionmilspouse.org/pwtm-walter-reed-national-military-medical-center/) - Located in Montgomery County, Maryland, Naval Support Activity Bethesda—home of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center—is centered in the National Capitol Region. It is the home of support for the hospital as well as all of its tenant commands in their pursuit of excellence in patient care, medical research, and education. Naval Support Activity Bethesda (NSAB) is responsible for providing installation support to 12,000 military and civilian employees and their families, as well as 40 tenant units. Bethesda is one of the most renowned communities in the Greater Washington D.C. area. - [MMP #1006: Resilience Redefined: Embracing the Holistic Path vs. the 'Suck it Up' Mentality](https://missionmilspouse.org/resilience-redefined/) - On today’s show, we’re thrilled to bring you an interview conducted by Callie Bunter, Deputy Director of Podcast Production, as she chats with today’s guest, Manda Lynn McVey, a holistic nutrition and wellness practitioner, brings us information and empowerment how to utilize self-care and resilience in this military life, rather than seeking out the "suck it up" mentality of the past. - [Hello 40....Here I Am!](https://missionmilspouse.org/hello-40-here-i-am/) - Whether you remember turning 40 or you are looking forward to that day, it is a big birthday milestone! Join Rebecca as she says "hello" to turning 40! - [Little Battle Buddies ](https://missionmilspouse.org/little-battle-buddies/) - Today’s going to be a tough day. It's the second to last day of school and my youngest’s battle buddy and best friend is moving this afternoon. - [MMP #1005 - "Before You Judge- A Social Psychologist’s Perspective"](https://missionmilspouse.org/before-you-judge/) - On today’s NEW mini-cast, Lindsey Rauch, our Deputy Director of Marketing, brings us some exciting and enlightening information straight from her Social Psychology classroom as she helps us relate information from leading Social Psychologists in the light of MilSpouse life. She shares stories that will challenge you to think before you judge. - [Late Night Talking](https://missionmilspouse.org/late-night-talking/) - We all remember late night talks and deadlines for papers. Nick takes us back in his latest post for Ohana Homefront as he discusses how journaling can help us - [Staying Connected Through the Art of the Handwritten Note](https://missionmilspouse.org/staying-connected-through-the-art-of-the-handwritten-note/) - Staying connected while having a bad day can be a hard thing to accomplish. A handwritten note sent at the right time can lift someone's bad mood immediately! - [News 6 for the week of September 18th, 2023](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-for-the-week-of-september-18th-2023/) - Join Emma and News 6 as she brings us the news for the week of 18 September 2023. Inside we get Italy, Gold Star Policy, hotels and George Washington. Read on! - [ If It Is Worth Dying for, It Is Worth Living for](https://missionmilspouse.org/if-it-is-worth-dying-for-it-is-worth-living-for/) - If it is worth dying for, then it is worth living for as well. Read on as DHA discusses a tough subject through personal stories and resources. - [Changing Times...A Link with the Past](https://missionmilspouse.org/changing-times-a-link-with-the-past/) - What's past is past, but sometimes we have to go back to really appreciate what we have now. Join Ann as she teaches us about military script and its uses. - [Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Resources Provide Help: You Are Not Alone](https://missionmilspouse.org/suicide-prevention-and-mental-health-resources-provide-help-you-are-not-alone/) - More suicide prevention information from the Defense Health Agency and Tricare. Please know you are not alone in this fight. - [MMP # 1004 - "Horses of Fire"](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1004-horses-of-fire/) - On today’s show, we’re pumped to share an interview conducted by Kathleen Palmer, our Director of Content as she chats with Ashley Cowles and Danielle Stinson, authors of the debut novel, Horses of Fire, a historically-rooted retelling of the Trojan War from the perspective of Troy’s women. - [From Desperation to Redemption: Reclaiming My Family from Addiction](https://missionmilspouse.org/from-desperation-to-redemption-reclaiming-my-family-from-addiction/) - This is a story of addiction, redemption, and family. Hope For The Warriors gives a glimpse into how hard it can be to do what is best for your family. - [Suicide Prevention Resources That Can Help ](https://missionmilspouse.org/suicide-prevention-resources-that-can-help/) - DHA offers resources and agencies ready to help with suicide awareness month. If you need help for a loved one or need resources on how to cope, reach out! - [New M:M Writer has a Heart for Spouses and History!](https://missionmilspouse.org/new-mm-writer-has-a-heart-for-spouses-and-history/) - History has a way of sneaking up on us. For our newest author, history was part of the package on her wedding day. She just didn't know it yet. Meet Anna - [All the Firsts](https://missionmilspouse.org/all-the-firsts/) - All the firsts are well known to military families. As soon as we say goodbye, we have to say hello to all the new things. Housing, doctors, and all the firsts. - [TRICARE Tips to Protect Your Teeth in a Dental Emergency](https://missionmilspouse.org/tricare-tips-to-protect-your-teeth-in-a-dental-emergency/) - Be prepared for any dental emergency by heeding the advice from both Tricare and the Defense Health Agency. Tips range for routine to emergency care. - [MMP #1003 - Cycles of Deployment](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1003-cycles-of-deployment/) - On today's NEW mini-cast, Callie Bunter, our Deputy Director of Podcast Production, shares information about the Cycles of Deployment by bringing it to you through a personal lens, as she and her family are currently in a season filled with constant cycles of deployment. - [Suicide is a Unique Kind of Pain](https://missionmilspouse.org/suicide-is-a-unique-kind-of-pain/) - For those who have lost loved ones through suicide, it is a unique kind of pain. Geet help, reach out, you are not alone. - [For 20 Years](https://missionmilspouse.org/for-20-years/) - For 2o years, we watched them go. They were proud to be American service members, And we were proud to love them. Our Nation stood proud as they went to avenge the attack on our soil. We hung yellow ribbons, sang anthems, and waved flags… - [When All is Said and Done...](https://missionmilspouse.org/when-all-is-said-and-done/) - When all is said and done, remember what is really important during Military Appreciation Month. - [MMP #1002: Milspouse Mastermind](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1002-milspouse-mastermind/) - On today’s show, we’re thrilled to bring you an interview conducted by our Executive Director, Sharita Knobloch, as she chats with today’s guest, Christine Hinrichs, the host of MilSpouse Mastermind Show. - [News 6 for Week of Sep 11th 2023](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-for-week-of-sep-11th-2023/) - News 6 is here for the week of September 11th 2023. Stories inside include commissary changes for civilian retirees and some September 11th insight. Read on! - [4 Tips for a Healthy Marriage While Homeschooling](https://missionmilspouse.org/4-tips-for-a-healthy-marriage-while-homeschooling/) - Crystal offers our homeschooling audience excellent tips on how to have a healthy marriage while homeschooling kiddos in the military lifestyle. - [ The Tina Klein Plan: Be Consistent, Insistent, and Persistent ](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-tina-klein-plan-be-consistent-insistent-and-persistent/) - Meet Tina Klein, runner and veteran, shares insight and running inspiration. Join author, Geioge Banker, as he interviews the impressive Tina Klein. - [The Evolution of Back-to-School: From Vintage Trends to Modern Madness](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-evolution-of-back-to-school-from-vintage-trends-to-modern-madness/) - Back to school history, school supplies, and why the date our kids return to school really does matter. Learn more from Military By Owner's latest blog. - [The Community to Remember ](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-community-to-remember/) - The military always keeps you on your toes. However, despite the ever changing environment, the Community we build remains steadfast. - [EYB: Fort Rucker, AL](https://missionmilspouse.org/pwtm-fort-rucker-al/) - Home of Army Aviation, Fort Rucker covers more than 63,100 acres of southeast Alabama countryside in an area known as the Wiregrass. It is the primary flight training installation for Army aviators, and there are both Army and Air Force pilots and crews at the location. The affectionate nickname "Mother Rucker" is apt as soldiers in the aviation branch will frequently return to Fort Rucker for schools and training, including pilot training and re-education. - [Framing a Beautiful Life](https://missionmilspouse.org/framing-a-beautiful-life/) - As a photographer, Jasondiscovered a stunning connection between capturing the perfect shot and navigating life. - [School is In and You're Out](https://missionmilspouse.org/school-is-in-and-youre-out/) - School is about to begin and we can learn many things from our "college student in residence" - [Steps for Salary Negotiation](https://missionmilspouse.org/steps-for-salary-negotiation/) - Successful salary negotiation is a win-win scenario that benefits both you and the employer, setting the stage for a fulfilling professional journey. - [MMP# 1001 - The Power of Legacy](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-1001-the-power-of-legacy/) - In honor of Mission: MilSpouse celebrating their 1000th episode earlier this week, our Executive Director, Sharita Knobloch, brings us information on the Power of Legacy and how important it is in our MilSpouse life. - [ATTIRE, NAME TAGS, UNIT PINS, AND GIFTS](https://missionmilspouse.org/attire-name-tags-unit-pins-and-gifts/) - From name tags to attire to gifts. How well do you know your protocol guidelines. Fear not! Our Traditions and Protocol team will get you where you need to go! - [News 6: August 28](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-august-28/) - Join Emma, Mission Milspouse's very own News 6 anchor. Emma brings you the latest news, historical facts, and a very special M:M anniversary. - [MMP #1000 - Celebrating 1000 Episodes with the 82nd Airborne Division All-American Chorus](https://missionmilspouse.org/celebrating-1000-episodes/) - Today we are bringing you an EXTRA SPECIAL EPISODE in honor of us celebrating 1000 episodes of Mission: MilSpouse, formerly known as Army Wife Network and Army Wife Talk Radio! On today’s show, we’ll listen to an interview conducted by our Executive Director Sharita Knobloch as she chats with 82nd Airborne Division All American Chorus - who just appeared on America’s Got Talent! - [Get ready for an amazing adventure!](https://missionmilspouse.org/get-ready-for-an-amazing-adventure/) - Who says we can't have adventure during deployment. Puerto Vallarta style! Join Meagan as she takes a break from deployment countdowns and he's to Mexico. - [The True Cost of Infertility](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-true-cost-of-infertility/) - What are the true cost of infertility? This is not just difficult for the family who struggles, but also with those who love and support them. - [MMP #999 - Empowerment Pathways](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-999-empowerment-pathways/) - Join Jade as she shares her personal journey through career challenges as a military spouse. In this enlightening MiniCast episode, explore Jade's insights, triumphs, and the invaluable resources she discovered along the way. Discover how to navigate career hurdles with resilience and tap into essential support systems. Tune in to empower your own professional journey! - [Passing the Torch ](https://missionmilspouse.org/passing-the-torch/) - What does passing the torch mean to us as military spouses? For one writer, it means trying to give the next generation of spouses what they need to survive - [You Never Know What Might Make a Core Memory](https://missionmilspouse.org/you-never-know-what-might-make-a-core-memory/) - What makes a core memory? Sheila looks back at some of the most important memories of her family and reflects on what made them such a core part of their world. - [Full Circle Moment: Meet HOPE’s Newest Regional Social Worker, Laura Buhr  ](https://missionmilspouse.org/full-circle-moment-meet-hopes-newest-regional-social-worker-laura-buhr/) - Somethings just come full circle. Friendships, jobs, and places can often repeated as we circle back to what works for us. When one door opens really rings true - [News 6 for the Week of August 14th](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-for-the-week-of-august-14th/) - News 6 is brought to you by EMMA Tighe, Mission:Milspouse's star reporter. Catch up with all the latest military news as New 6 brings you the headlines, - [MMP #998: "Meet the Teacher"](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-998-meet-the-teacher/) - On today’s show, we’re thrilled to bring you an interview conducted by our Executive Director, Sharita Knobloch, as she chats with today’s guest, our very own Director of Empowerment, Amanda Bicknese, also known as Mandy Maree, about her new novel, Meet The Teacher. - [How do I know if I have a story to tell?](https://missionmilspouse.org/how-do-i-know-if-i-have-a-story-to-tell/) - How do you know if you have a story to tell? Join master story teller, Julie Tully, as she explores what makes good writing content and how to know your genre. - [Schedule vs. Routine?](https://missionmilspouse.org/schedule-vs-routine/) - Schedule vs Routine? How to determine the ideal way to plan your homeschool days to ensure success! Check out tips by Expert, Crystal Neihoff, to plan the year. - [Our Trip To The Happiest Place On Earth](https://missionmilspouse.org/our-trip-to-the-happiest-place-on-earth/) - It was the trip of a lifetime! Using these tips, your next adventure to the happiest place on earth will be another unforgettable adventure. - [When the Past, Present and Future Meet](https://missionmilspouse.org/when-the-past-present-and-future-meet/) - We have nearly escaped the unknown future and have upgraded it to the "known" unknown. How many of you feel your future is uncertain? Read on to commiserate. - [MMP# 997 - Care Team](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-997-care-team/) - On today's NEW mini-cast, Chrissy Gibbs, our Director of Development here at Mission: MilSpouse brings you information about the Care Team, which is something that is not widely talked about and can be an uncomfortable topic. - [Rain Rain Go Away](https://missionmilspouse.org/rain-rain-go-away/) - Don't let a little rain get in the way of spending quality time with your people. Rain and other types of weather may drive you indoors, but get creative! - [TRICARE 101](https://missionmilspouse.org/tricare-101/) - Learn more about Tricare and who is eligible le for services. New to the service? Watch a briefing or call and talk to a Tricare representative. - [PCS Season is Here: Tips to Get Your Job Search Going](https://missionmilspouse.org/pcs-season-is-here-tips-to-get-your-job-search-going/) - For military spouses, the summer season also marks the peak Permanent Change of Station (PCS) period. PCS can send even the best laid plans into chaos. - [News 6 For the Week of August 7th.](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-august-7/) - Join Emma, our Mission Milspouse News 6 Correspondent, for all the latest news, trends, information, and random historical facts for the week of August 7th 2023 - [Faith Is the Most Powerful Weapon in Your Arsenal ](https://missionmilspouse.org/faith-is-the-most-powerful-weapon-in-your-arsenal/) - Faith is the greatest weapon. It sounds intense, doesn't it? Well, that's the reality for Chaplains. They enter combat zones armed only with their faith. - [Roman Holiday](https://missionmilspouse.org/roman-holiday/) - Read Roman Holiday, the 3rd excerpt from Jen’s upcoming book Milspouse Matters: Sharing Strength Through Our Stories, published by W. Brand Publishing - [Protocol, Customs and Traditions Trivia: Part 3](https://missionmilspouse.org/protocol-customs-and-traditions-trivia-part-3/) - Welcome back to part three of Protocol, Customs, and Traditions Trivia quiz. If you missed the previous posts, check out Trivia Quiz Part 1 and Trivia Part 2. - [MMP #996: Military No Stress PCS](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-996-military-no-stress-pcs/) - On today's NEWEST episode, Annie Pierce, Director of Marketing and Events here at Mission: MilSpouse, interviews Erin Lorenz, Program Coordinator of Military No Stress PCS, a non-profit organization that offers a free concierge service to military members and their families facing PCS moves. - [MMP #995: Motherhood: Surviving Seasons of Sickness](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-995-motherhood-surviving-seasons-of-sickness/) - On today’s episode, Lindsey Rauch, Deputy Director of Marketing, joins us to share how to overcome seasons of sickness in motherhood. She shares her personal stories of struggles and triumphs and encourages mothers that there are ways to make the most out of the hard seasons of parenting, such as watching our kids and families go through seasons of sickness. - [In Stride with Bozeman from Gunner to Runner](https://missionmilspouse.org/in-stride-with-bozeman-from-gunner-to-runner/) - Join George as he interviews runner and Marine, Steve Bozeman. Bozeman uses his Marine training to compete and sustain his hard fought running career - [EYB: Fort Polk, Louisiana](https://missionmilspouse.org/pwtm-fort-polk-louisiana/) - Located in West Central Louisiana, Fort Polk is home to the Joint Readiness Training Center. It is one of three of the Army’s Combat Training Centers, and it trains more than 11 Army and National Guard Brigade Combat Teams every year. It is the fifth largest military installation by acreage in the nation. - [Dual Military Servicemember and Air Force spouse take on #EFMP  ](https://missionmilspouse.org/dual-military-servicemember-and-air-force-spouse-take-on-efmp/) - There are some unique aspects of being an EFMP family serving in the Air Force. EFM highlights the differences unique to the Air Force in this blog. - [Knight of the Lost: A Tale From Germany](https://missionmilspouse.org/knight-of-the-lost-a-tale-from-germany/) - Losing a child in a crowded tourist spot in Germany is an unsettling experience. Like most lost children, they are usually found in the most obvious places. - [MMP #994: Stronger Together: Celebrating Military Marriage Day 2023 and the Bonds that Endure](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-994-celebrating-military-marriage-day/) - On today’s NEW episode, Lindsey Rauch, your Deputy Director of Marketing here at Mission: MilSpouse interviews Bree Carroll, an Air Force Spouse, event strategist and military marriage advocate. - [A PCS “Ode of Thanks”](https://missionmilspouse.org/a-pcs-ode-of-thanks/) - To all those who just completed their 1st PCS or their 15th PCS, we at Mission: Milspouse salute you. Here is hoping that this PCS was your best yet - [How To Find Community](https://missionmilspouse.org/how-to-find-community/) - When you move to obscure places with little or no support for your military unit, how do you find your community? Join Julie as she talks all things community. - [ What is Self-Care, Truly?](https://missionmilspouse.org/what-is-self-care-truly/) - Self-care is not the same for everyone. HFTW shares Lauren's Story this month and encourages caretakers and spouses to lean into self-care. Find your passion! - [News 6: July 24](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-july-24/) - Tune into News 6 with Emma T as she explores the talent of the 82nd Airborne Chorus, Amelia Earhart, and as heroic tale out of the the island of Hawaii. - [News 6: July 31](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-july-31/) - Join Emma as she brings us the news 6 for the week of 31 July. Join us to welcome the new Navy Chief and hear concerns over the China connection to the PX. - [What about my hair?](https://missionmilspouse.org/what-about-my-hair/) - PCS time comes with many questions and the ordeal of figuring out new places and things. Take some hair tips from Rebecca, a spouse and licensed Cosmetologist. - [Family, Food Trucks, and Fun](https://missionmilspouse.org/family-food-trucks-and-fun/) - What do family, fun, and food trucks have to do with deployment? They make the waiting time a whole lot better. Your friends and a food truck bring the fun! - [Finding Friendships as a ‘Seasoned’ Spouse](https://missionmilspouse.org/finding-friendships-as-a-seasoned-spouse/) - A ‘seasoned’ spouse takes a took at how to form a support tribe while being an Air Force /Space Force spouse. Need to find a tribe? Sheila can help! - [MMP #993: Bloom Where You Are Planted](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-993-bloom-where-you-are-planted/) - On today's episode, Callie Bunter, Deputy Director of Podcast Production, talks to us about some tips and encouragement from her own experience of making to most out of your current duty station and learning to bloom where you are planted. - [Unlocking the Power of LinkedIn for Military Spouses: Empowering Career Comebacks](https://missionmilspouse.org/unlocking-the-power-of-linkedin-for-military-spouses-empowering-career-comebacks/) - Do all military spouses returning from a career gap might have to settle for entry-level positions? Join HHUSA as they explain the ways LinkedIn can help. - [The Summer Memories of a Lifetime](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-summer-memories-of-a-lifetime/) - When we think of summer, most of us instantly think of vacation, right? Now factor in three kids, a dog, a brand new RV, and paid paternity leave! - [MMP #992: Silent Battles: Navigating Military Life and Infertility](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-992-silent-battles/) - On today’s NEW episode: Mission: MilSpouse Command Team interviews special guest Julie Eshelman, who is the founder of Building Military Families Network, a fairly new non-profit with a mission to provide an empowering and supportive network as a beacon of hope to military and veteran families who fight silent battles while navigating military lives and infertility. - [8 Tips for Settling in After a PCS Move](https://missionmilspouse.org/8-tips-for-settling-in-after-a-pcs-move/) - Military spouses know that PCS moves require a lot of planning and preparation to execute. There’s hardly a minute to think about life on the other side. - [News 6 Update for the Week of July 17th, 2023](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-update-for-the-week-of-july-17th-2023/) - Howdy Y’all Buckle Up for this week's News 6 update! Come get the news for the Week of July 17th, 2023. From Walt Disney and EFMP to Marine Corps Leadership - [MMP #991: "Whispered Whispers: The Never Would I Ever Follow-up"](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-991-whispered-whispers/) - On today's episode, Amie gets real about doing what she said she'd never do—buying a house she hasn't walked through! Join us for the wild ride of moving back to familiar places, the good, the bad, and the power of second chances. - [MMP# 988: "100 Days Smart" by Karin Tramm](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-988-100-days-smart-by-karin-tramm/) - On today's NEW episode, Kathleen Palmer will be interviewing author Karin Tramm, a retired DoDEA educator about her newly released book “100 Days Smart”, which chronicles the first 100 days of the COVID-19 pandemic while teaching on an American Army installation in Northern Italy, the epicenter of the European crisis. - [MMP# 990: Defenders Gateway](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-990-defenders-gateway/) - On today's NEW episode: Mission: MilSpouse Command Team interviews special guest is Carol Watanabe, founder and CEO of Defenders Gateway. - [MMP# 989: 1 + 1 = A Lot](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-989-1-1-a-lot/) - Thank you for joining us for this week's mini-cast. On today's episode, Annie Pearce talks about how she is figuring out life with two kids (1 + 1 = A Lot). - [Rest is Paramount](https://missionmilspouse.org/rest-is-paramount/) - Rest is important to all of our lives. It is easy to get caught up in all our activities and forget about about that important piece. OHF is here to help - [It Is About Accepting Reality](https://missionmilspouse.org/it-is-about-accepting-reality/) - This month is the time to place reality front and center. Every thought can have an excuse, as we all can agree. Read on to find your own formula for success - [Here We Go Again](https://missionmilspouse.org/here-we-go-again/) - I wake up with that feeling of dread. Here we go again. I don’t want to do this anymore. If you are feeling the same way, read Lavaughn's latest PCS post. - [News 6 for the Week of July 10th](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-for-the-week-of-july-10th/) - Howdy y’all and buckle up for this weeks News 6 update! From Pcs Pet Policy to a Bot performed marriage, we got it all here with the News 6 report for 10 July. - [When You're Weary of Military Life](https://missionmilspouse.org/when-youre-weary-of-military-life/) - Read the 2nd excerpt from Jen’s upcoming book Milspouse Matters: Sharing Strength Through Our Stories, which will be published by W. Brand Publishing in 2023. - [The Power of the Human Spirit: Feed Your Indomitable Force!](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-power-of-the-human-spirit-feed-your-indomitable-force/) - The human spirit is an invisible, non-physical force that defines our character in times of adversity. A military chaplain can help nourish that spirit. - [444 days after amputation, Retired Sergeant Major Kevin Bittenbender tackles the Pittsburgh Marathon](https://missionmilspouse.org/444-days-after-amputation-retired-sergeant-major-kevin-bittenbender-tackles-the-pittsburgh-marathon/) - Retired Sergeant Major, Kevin Bittenbender tackles the Pittsburgh Marathon with endless support from HFTW, his battle buddies and a special puppy! - [Tully Talks Storytelling With Terri Barnes!](https://missionmilspouse.org/tully-talks-storytelling-with-terri-barnes/) - Check out Writer, Terri Barnes in our new series "Tully Talks Storytelling". We are beyond thrilled that the charismatic Julie Tully is bringing Terri to us! - [Get Ready for PCS Season With TRICARE](https://missionmilspouse.org/get-ready-for-pcs-season-with-tricare/) - Will you be embarking on a permanent change of station (PCS) this summer? Summer is a time of transition for military families with PCS orders. - [MMP #984: Kayla Moreno - Multiple Sclerosis](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-984-kayla-moreno-multiple-sclerosis/) - On today's show, Mission: MilSpouse will be interviewing and chatting with Kayla Moreno, an inspiring military spouse currently living in Hawaii, mom of three, and recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. - [Choose Your Own Identity](https://missionmilspouse.org/choose-your-own-identity/) - This is an excerpt from Jen’s upcoming book Milspouse Matters: Sharing Strength Through Our Stories. which will be published by W. Brand Publishing in Fall 2023 - [MMP #983: Now What? Researching Your New Duty Station](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-983-now-what-researching-your-new-duty-station/) - On today's minicast episode, Jade Fusaro, will be diving into an essential topic that can make a significant impact on your military journey and giving you valuable insights and strategies on how to help you tackle the challenge of researching your new duty station. - [Owning to Overcome](https://missionmilspouse.org/owning-to-overcome/) - Owning our resilience can seem like a defeat, but in the world of resilience, it is actually winning the battle. Join Manda as she gets real about ownership. - [D-Day: Love Unites, Death Cannot Separate](https://missionmilspouse.org/d-day-part-1-love-unites-death-cannot-separate/) - D-Day is upon us today and it seems that many Americans need to be reminded of the sacrifices that took place on that beach so many years ago. We thank you. - [Access to Spouse and Children's Health Records](https://missionmilspouse.org/access-to-spouse-and-childrens-health-records/) - Sometimes it would be helpful to see the health records of our spouse and children. Making decisions or appointments would be easier with this information. - [Lingo for Reserve Spouses](https://missionmilspouse.org/lingo-for-reserve-spouses/) - Whether you are new to Reserve Spouse life or you have been around for a few years you might have begun to realize that the Army Reserves speak their own lingo. - [MMP #982: College Funding Strategies When You Have the Post 9/11 GI Bill](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-982-college-funding-strategies-when-you-have-the-post-9-11-gi-bill/) - On this week's show, Lindsey Rauch interviews Kate Horrell, a retired Navy spouse and personal financial educator who comes to us to talk about college funding strategies when you have the Post 9/11 GI Bill. - [Emotional Walls- Consoling A Loved One Struggling with Mental Health ](https://missionmilspouse.org/emotional-walls-consoling-a-loved-one-struggling-with-mental-health/) - Consoling someone in a mental health crisis is often a daunting task. We are afraid to say the wrong thing or choose the wrong action. Here are some tips. - [EYB: Eglin Air Force Base](https://missionmilspouse.org/pwtm-eglin-air-force-base/) - Eglin Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located in Northwest Florida in Okaloosa County, comprising 640 square miles. Eglin is a major tourist attraction because of its white sand beaches and situation near Fort Walton Beach. It is only 60 miles from Pensacola and 65 miles from Panama City Beach. The host unit at Eglin is the 96th Test Wing and it is the test and evaluation center for Air Force air-delivered weapons, navigation and guidance systems, Command and Control systems, and the Air Force Special Operations Command systems. - [The Atheist and The Chaplain](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-atheist-and-the-chaplain/) - At the end of the day, the role of a Chaplain is to be there for individuals of all faiths and backgrounds. Don't hesitate to reach out to a Chaplain. - [A Call to Change How We Refer to Military Spouses ](https://missionmilspouse.org/a-call-to-change-how-we-refer-to-military-spouses/) - Military spouses have been called many things over the years, but maybe military spouses deserve an incredible title for their incredible service. - [How To Get Organized When Looking for A New Job](https://missionmilspouse.org/how-to-get-organized-when-looking-for-a-new-job/) - Searching for a new job can be challenging if you're not organized. As a hiring manager, it happens all the time. HHUSA has some tips to help you search smarter - [Worthy of a Hand Carry](https://missionmilspouse.org/worthy-of-a-hand-carry/) - What things do you hand carry when you PCS? Which things are worthy of such an effort. For Sheila, it was a special set of hair clips that she had kept 25 years - [All The "Lasts"](https://missionmilspouse.org/all-the-lasts/) - It’s here again. We’re currently in the “season of lasts” – also known as PCS season. It’s always a scramble to do everything – ONE. LAST. TIME. - [MMP# 981: Staying Connected to Your Spouse in a Busy Season](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-981-staying-connected-to-your-spouse-in-a-busy-season/) - In this week's mini-cast, Chrissy Gibbs will be sharing some tips and tricks on how to stay connected with your spouse during busy life seasons. - [Protocol, Customs and Traditions Trivia: Part One](https://missionmilspouse.org/protocol-customs-and-traditions-trivia-part-one/) - Think you have all the protocol answers? Well our Expert team has all the questions. Take the eight question quiz and find out how much you really know! - [MMP #980: Jerad Knight -"Manpendents"](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-980-jerad-knight-manpendents/) - In today's episode, Lindsey Rauch will be interviewing Jerad Knight about his advocacy for male dependents and the mission of Ohana Homefront Foundation. - [It's Official.....](https://missionmilspouse.org/its-official/) - It’s official, Meagan's spouse is gone and she is cleaning out her closet and finding things that bring her joy. Looks out Marie Kondo - [10 Tips for Taking Great Real Estate Photos](https://missionmilspouse.org/10-tips-for-taking-great-real-estate-photos/) - If you’re a fan of reality real estate shows, you have the chance to make your home look even better by learning how to stage and take better photographs. - [Off and Running with Mission:Milspouse's George Banker](https://missionmilspouse.org/off-and-running-with-missionmilspouses-george-banker/) - Here at Mission:Milspouse, we have gathered all sorts of inspiring experts to help you navigate this m military spouse life. Fitness is important, try running. - [Say his name, share his story.](https://missionmilspouse.org/say-his-name-share-his-story/) - Say his name. Say their names. Join Brittnay as she remembers her husband every day - [Army Spouse Songs](https://missionmilspouse.org/army-spouse-songs/) - Rolling Along in Army life goes by better when we can add songs to the journey. Music brings esprit de corps; it lifts our spirit and joins people together! - [AWN Protocol Team Presents “The Twelve Days of Christmas” Blogs](https://missionmilspouse.org/awn-protocol-team-presents-the-twelve-days-of-christmas-blogs/) - Join the Protocol and Traditions Team as they revisit the 12 days of Christmas "Blog Style". Each of their blogs helps us find ways to count down to the season. - [Hail and Farewells- It’s a Unit Thing!](https://missionmilspouse.org/hail-and-farewells-its-a-unit-thing/) - Hail and Farewells are a time honored Army tradition. Join the Protocol team as they educate us on how to host a hail and farewell or just attend one! - [Cavalry Spur Ride: But Where are the Horses?](https://missionmilspouse.org/cavalry-spur-ride-but-where-are-the-horses/) - Every been on a Spur ride? If you are unsure how to answer that question, grab your hat and join some brave spouses as they earn their Spur - [Q&A with the Protocol and Etiquette Team ](https://missionmilspouse.org/qa-with-the-protocol-and-etiquette-team/) - No matter how long you've been around the military, you may occasionally come across situations you don't know how to navigate, especially in the protocol and etiquette department. Have no fear, the P&E team is here with a Q&A. Do you have more questions and don't see your answer below? Leave a comment and we will feature it in another post! - [The Joys of Entertaining](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-joys-of-entertaining/) - We hope that you're ready to get back to entertaining and gathering with friends! That’s a large part of what makes life with the military fun and friendly! But, maybe there are some of you who never were at ease hosting parties and events in the past and are now starting to be concerned with the thought of the how-tos in hosting in the near future. These tips and ideas have worked for us and others, and we hope they will give you the confidence to perhaps host a unit coffee or backyard barbecue and find the joy in entertaining. - [Military Weddings: I Do!](https://missionmilspouse.org/military-weddings-i-do/) - Wedding bells are ringing, and your heart is beating with excitement. You are getting married! Whether you are eloping, going to a justice of the peace, or having a civil service, church service, or military service, the Army family welcomes you! - [Need to Know: Military Balls and Formals](https://missionmilspouse.org/all-you-need-to-know-military-balls-and-formals/) - Army units are getting back to holding wonderful functions known as military balls and formals, and you’ll be invited! Now, if you aren’t really familiar with these elegant soirees, there are a few simple suggestions that will help you feel more comfortable. - [Honor and Remember](https://missionmilspouse.org/honor-and-remember/) - May we all keep those who served and sacrificed so much for our freedoms not far from our hearts and minds, never to be forgotten. The honors described here are worn and displayed with great pride by veterans and surviving families. For those who made the ultimate sacrifice, may we honor and remember them on Memorial Day. - [Army Teas are Steeped in Tradition](https://missionmilspouse.org/army-teas-are-steeped-in-tradition/) - Teas are steeped in tradition, so receiving an invitation to a tea can give you a feeling of excitement as well as, perhaps, a feeling of apprehension! For spouses who have never been to a tea and especially during these times of COVID restrictions and postponed events, we shall share a few insights and a throwback story to help set the stage for future events. - [Coffees, Pins, and Camaraderie](https://missionmilspouse.org/coffees-pins-and-camaraderie/) - If you ever went to a unit coffee before the virus disrupted our lives, you were continuing an Army tradition that dates back to the days of our very first lady, Martha Washington. She saw the need to support the wives as well as the troops and held many get-togethers for different groups every week. She even had her own “rules for good coffee”—a cup of water and heaping tablespoon of her specially-selected coffee “pulverized as fine as cornmeal.” - [Who Goes First? That is the Question: Reception and Receiving Lines](https://missionmilspouse.org/who-goes-first-that-is-the-question-reception-receiving-lines/) - The virus has changed our lives in many ways, and Army protocol continues to evolve amidst the challenges. We hope that, with the vaccine, life will soon be back closer to normal. When that happens, there’s one updated tradition occurring in Army protocol that we would like you to be aware of and understand. That change is the protocol surrounding Army reception lines! - [Cheers to New Year's Receptions](https://missionmilspouse.org/cheers-to-new-years-receptions/) - This month our team will share one of the oldest military traditions—a New Year’s Reception! For more than one hundred years, military custom called for soldiers to travel to their headquarters to greet their commander at the beginning of the new year. In the post-Civil War era, particularly for the horse cavalry in the American West, this might have been the only opportunity during the entire year when commanders were able to physically see their soldiers. The tradition evolved into a formal receiving line and reception, where the commander and spouse would greet members of the organization, senior leaders, and community members. Commanders would typically host receptions in their home, and invitees would bring calling cards. - [You're Invited: Q & A with the Protocol & Etiquette Team](https://missionmilspouse.org/youre-invited-q-a-with-the-protocol-etiquette-team/) - Military life can come with a lot of questions: what to wear, how to respond to invitations, went send a thank you note, and so much more. Below are some common questions the Protocol and Etiquette team is asked. BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front): “It’s better to be thoughtful to others than to be socially correct.” —Ann Crossley - [Knives, Forks, and Spoons](https://missionmilspouse.org/knives-forks-and-spoons/) - The AWN traditions and protocol team hopes you will enjoy this post about table settings and “dressing” the table. A time to reflect on family and all of our blessings! With the holidays fast approaching, it’s a great time to keep up your family traditions or experiment with new decoration ideas. You can set the table with varying heights for the appetizers and use festive table linens, candles, and a centerpiece! - [National Flag Etiquette: Memorial Day and Veterans Day](https://missionmilspouse.org/national-flag-etiquette-memorial-day-and-veterans-day/) - What Army spouse’s heart doesn’t swell just a bit when she or he hears the sharp flap of our beautiful American flag as it waves in the wind? It represents our wonderful country and the service for which their family devotes themselves. It always flies on post, sometimes in our front yards, and may well be what covers our hero’s casket at the end of life. To respect our flag and what it stands for, it’s important to know some of the background and etiquette that is expected of us. - [Thank-You Notes and Beyond](https://missionmilspouse.org/thank-you-notes-and-beyond/) - How many of you have had such great intentions after leaving dinner at a commander’s home, or after a friend sent you flowers when you were ill, to send that person a thank-you note? I am fairly confident we have all been there! Protocol books, like The Army Spouse Handbook (pages 115-120), all suggest to do so in a timely fashion, within a few days. I know for me, sometimes it was weeks later, and I began to really stress about my lack of getting it into the mailbox! - [Dress for the Occasion](https://missionmilspouse.org/dress-for-the-occasion/) - One of our BLUFs (Bottom Line Upfront) in The Army Spouse Handbook states, “Understanding the difference in dress terms can help you be the belle of the ball instead of wearing bell-bottoms to the ball.” Complementing a service member's uniform is a good guide; e.g. Blue Evening Mess to a Ball would indicate that a female spouse should wear a formal-to-the-floor gown or dressy cocktail dress, while a male spouse should choose a tuxedo or dark dinner jacket. However, how can we tell what to wear to a “dressy business” or “dressy casual” event? They are almost oxymorons. - [Fly Your Flag High: Etiquette Tips](https://missionmilspouse.org/fly-your-flag-high-etiquette-tips/) - It is a time for patriotism. As a military spouse, I am thrilled to see pride in our country. Everywhere you turn, you see bumper stickers, yellow ribbons, and flags. Our national symbol—an American flag—we fly them, but do we know how to properly take care of our flag? - [Mandatory Fun: How Attending Social Functions Can Help You](https://missionmilspouse.org/mandatory-fun-how-attending-social-functions-can-help-you/) - Military life is full of social functions. Every time you turn around, you’ve got an invitation to a Family Readiness Group meeting, a coffee, or a Hail and Farewell. You've probably heard social functions comically referred to as “mandatory fun.” It’s no surprise to a service member that they have to attend; the military essentially “owns” their time. - [You're Invited: Military Protocol and Traditions Explained](https://missionmilspouse.org/youre-invited-military-protocol-and-traditions-explained/) - "I cast my lot in with a Soldier, and where he was, was home to me." — Martha Summerhayes, 1873, Army Spouse Life with the Army, as you may know, is often exciting; yet it can be challenging and sometimes stressful. Even though Army spouses are busy with their families and careers, there will still be occasions when you will want to know the protocol and etiquette expected of everyone—for example: parades, changes of command, receptions, New Year's receptions, balls, dining outs, coffees, and entertaining. The Army Spouse Handbook, recently published, covers in depth all of those topics and more. It’s a 440-page paperback book that has been updated for the 21st century spouse. - [Dear Deployment Diary](https://missionmilspouse.org/dear-deployment-diary/) - Dear Deployment Diary, Season: Departure Here you are once again. The time has come to wipe the tears, push my shoulders back, and endure you. I have little ones at home and they need a strong parent. But what do I do when I don't feel strong? What do I say when I have no words of wisdom for my 8-year-old who has so many questions? Do we really know the perfect words to say? - [Away: A Deployment Poem](https://missionmilspouse.org/away-a-deployment-poem/) - The oldest one got taller While you've been away She learned to count and say her prayers She learned that life's not always fair That ugly things turn to butterflies That even mommy sometimes cries - [In the Spaces: A Deployment Poem](https://missionmilspouse.org/in-the-spaces-another-deployment-poem/) - I miss you in the spaces. When the world is still. After the phone calls stop, errands end And the day has had its fill. I glide through the chaos Through the noise Every busy hour 'til I miss you in the spaces When the world is still. - [When the Burden of Deployment is Heavy](https://missionmilspouse.org/when-the-burden-of-deployment-is-heavy/) - Everyone has troubles. We all know that. Every person you see is carrying something heavy. Many times they aren't sure if they will be able to carry it at all. Then there is the burden of deployment. And that one is killer. That one is hard. Harder than most. This is in part due to its uniqueness. You look around you, and everyone’s burden seems so uniform. So predictable. So universal. Financial woes. Sickness. A rift in the family. Even a death. - [Current Situation: Chris Stapleton](https://missionmilspouse.org/current-situation-chris-stapelton/) - Last week, my civilian neighbor stopped by with a bottle of wine and asked if she could (and I quote) “be on my Deployment Team?” My neighbors here in Texas (mostly civilians at this duty station) are aware that my husband is downrange, but this was a first for me. I asked her what she thought my “Deployment Team” was, and she replied, “You know, the one that cooks for you, watches your kids, and just keeps you from crying all the time.” - [Not Your Average Deployment Playlist](https://missionmilspouse.org/not-your-average-deployment-playlist/) - During my husband’s past four deployments and other various Army separations, the thing that has kept us connected the most is music. From CDs to Spotify accounts, our methods have changed, but the tradition has not. He makes a playlist, I make a playlist, and we exchange them and it keeps us going while he is away. This article will be short and to the point, and will be all about highlighting our go-to going away favorites. Give a listen and pair them with a good tub of Ben and Jerrys or some Chardonnay. Enjoy! - [Family Night, Movie Night](https://missionmilspouse.org/family-night-movie-night/) - When we were stationed at Fort Drum about five years ago I had this gnawing sadness about my kids. We were there for a total of three years, and between training exercises, deployments, schools, and selections, our family unit only spent nine months together. And that’s not nine months consecutively, but nine months hodge-podge total. - [Can’t Wait to Come Home](https://missionmilspouse.org/cant-wait-to-come-home/) - “I can’t wait to be home.” This was the text I received from my husband earlier today, about six months into our most recent deployment. The funny thing is, he won’t be coming home to a place he knows. I’m packing our kids and saying goodbye to my family, moving across the country, and unpacking all our things in a house he’s never seen, nor I for that matter, on a base we haven’t lived before. - ["Deja Blue" and the Deployment See-Ya-Later](https://missionmilspouse.org/deja-blue-the-deployment-see-ya-later/) - For the most part, milspouse life is pretty great. There's new adventures, great people, lessons to learn, places to see, things to do... But of course, it isn't all roses, sunshine, and puppy dog tails. In my personal opinion, one of the most uncool parts of military life are those pesky see-ya-laters that crop up when facing a TDY or deployment. - [How We "Deployment"](https://missionmilspouse.org/how-we-deployment/) - Yep, it's true. Deployments are one of the hardest (and lamest!) parts of military spouse life. But in true milspouse fashion, we don't have time to wallow in the challenge. Sure, we can give ourselves permission to feel bummed out about it, but we just can't park there for too long. After all, our kids need to be fed and stuff, so we have to actually do the things. - [When They Won’t Be Home for Christmas](https://missionmilspouse.org/when-he-wont-be-home-for-christmas/) - Many people believe that the most magical time of year is Christmas, which seems to start a week earlier every year. Especially during deployments where you feel a little less jolly. And by a little less jolly, I mean l almost dropkicked a lighted snowman display across Target because I heard Josh Groban’s version of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” one too many times this holiday season. I refrained, however, because I didn’t want to spill my venti peppermint mocha. I’m not a monster. - [5 Books to Help Kids With Deployment](https://missionmilspouse.org/5-books-to-help-kids-with-deployment/) - Deployment is hard for most family members, but especially your kids. Military life comes with many challenges: changing schools, moving from place to place, saying goodbye to everyone they know, and starting over. These make being a military kid harder to deal with. It isn't something they decided for themselves—it was chosen for them. As the parent, we have to teach our children how to deal with this type of stress. But the most stressful and hardest moment for most family members is deployment—especially for children. Fortunately, there are many books great for reading to children that can help with understanding and coping with deployment. - [The Lead-Up to Welcome Home](https://missionmilspouse.org/lead-up-to-welcome-home/) - If you've had a loved one deployed, then you probably know that the first and last weeks of deployment usually feel the longest. There’s so much to do, and the days drag by slowly. To help you out, I’ve compiled a list of must-dos during that last painful week. You’re welcome in advance! - [525,600 Minutes: A Season of Deployment](https://missionmilspouse.org/525600-minutes-here-we-go-again/) - How do we measure a year? A good question, and one that is front and center on my brain tonight. It is Deployment Eve... …one of the hardest nights for military families. I can’t sleep. The house is littered with duffle bags, packing lists, and emotional land mines as we face the 525,600 minutes that lie ahead. It is assuredly not our first year apart, and as much as I would like to say that I have lost count, it would be a lie. - [Little People, Big Emotions](https://missionmilspouse.org/little-people-big-emotions-part-one/) - There I was, that mom with a screaming toddler on the floor of Chipotle. My blood pressure began to rise, I started to feel my facial pores open up, and could feel my oversupply of milk leaking. There I was, with two small humans and no spouse. There I was, feeling like a failure. Being a mother to a toddler is full of amazing firsts, a lot of joy, and a heart filled with love. It can also bring about challenging times. On top of those challenging times, let's add in a new baby sister to the mix and a deployed dad. As a mother, you start to see these big emotions come through in your child—you want to help, but don't know how. That night at Chipotle, I knew something had to change or it was going to be a long deployment. - [How You Can Support Military Families: Holiday Edition](https://missionmilspouse.org/how-you-can-support-military-families-during-deployment-holiday-edition/) - Over the last almost 10 years, I’ve been working in senior living communities. Most of my days are spent connecting with those who have lived 80 years or more. Ever since my first holiday season working with seniors, I’ve observed that there are two sides of their holiday coin. On one hand, you have tremendous joy and gratitude—it’s a season of giving! On the other, you have grief and longing. In most of their long lives, they’ve had tremendous joy alongside tremendous hardship. I only began to understand these two sides as I experienced my own hardship while my soldier husband, James, was away on his first deployment. - [A Homecoming We'll Never Forget](https://missionmilspouse.org/dec-1-a-homecoming-we-will-never-forget/) - I held him tight. I thought perhaps the tighter and longer I held him, it would create muscle memory for me to run to when I needed it for next nine months of separation. I tried to stay in the moment, but my eyes landed on families, children, husbands, and wives all around me wiping tears and giving their service member a last hug goodbye. Saying “see ya later” at the deployment send-offs are simply the worst. It’s another “hurry up and wait” occasion that we as military families have become all too familiar with; however, this particular hurry-up-and-wait is brutal. Like pulling a band aid off, please make it quick and easy and as painless as possible. - [Called to Wait](https://missionmilspouse.org/called-to-wait/) - They said he'd be back in December. No. They said he'd be back in November, but that hadn't happened. At the last minute, he'd been detained, called to do something else—only God knew what. She'd set that Thanksgiving table up right, taking care to have all of his favorites set out in their festive dishes. She'd seen a surprise homecoming video a time or two. Who hadn't? They filled the internet at this time of year, reminding the world that there were still people who made sacrifices. Of course, she wasn't one of those lucky ones. And she'd eaten as much of that turkey as she could in the week following and then frozen the rest...along with the pies. Last week, her mission included a rash of mad-cleaning. No kidding, even the dust on the light fixtures was gone. The other spouses called it nesting or preparation. She called it distraction. Either way, it had gotten her through another day. - [Go Away, Murphy](https://missionmilspouse.org/go-away-murphy/) - We all know him. He comes around every time our spouse steps out the door. And no, I'm not talking about the Amazon Prime guy (or gal) delivering your secret purchases. No, I'm talking about someone much scarier. He goes by Murphy. Murphy's Law of whatever can go wrong will go wrong. As soon as your spouse steps out the door. Maybe he's leaving for just an overnight live-fire. Possibly, it's an even longer trip to the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, CA. Murphy doesn't care the reason, he shows up regardless. Seriously, my husband has hardly ever been home when one of my children decided to explode with vomit. It has literally happened as soon as he has stepped out the door. My motto in life is to laugh through it all, so sit back and enjoy some of my finest Murphy's Law moments. - [The 'Doggone' Truth About Community](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-doggone-truth-about-community/) - After saying goodbye to my husband four months ago, one of the soldiers of rear detachment stopped me in the parking lot and told me that if there was anything I needed help with during the deployment to please call him. This is not uncommon in the military world, and his words were comforting on such a raw, emotional day. I told him there were two things I didn’t want to have to do during this deployment: buy a car and put my dog down. Sadly, I had to do both this month and no other words will suffice… It just sucked. - [Asking for Help in Military Life is Hard](https://missionmilspouse.org/asking-for-help-in-military-life-is-hard/) - During deployments and other separations, the spouse or significant other holds down the fort at home. All the resources and blogs say that you don't have to do the fort-holding alone. You can and should ask for help when you need it, they say. - [USO Bob Hope Legacy Reading Program Connects Military Families During COVID](https://missionmilspouse.org/uso-bob-hope-legacy-reading-program-connects-military-families-during-covid/) - For more than 60 years, legendary comedian Bob Hope traveled around the world supporting our nation’s service members and their families. Inspired by his dedication to the troops and their families, the USO founded the Bob Hope Legacy Reading Program in 2017. This program is largely driven by virtual, on-demand story time offerings, helping military families stay connected no matter where their service takes them. - [Why We Celebrate National Day of the Deployed](https://missionmilspouse.org/why-we-celebrate-national-day-of-the-deployed/) - Every year, Oct. 26 is celebrated as the National Day of the Deployed, a day where we honor all of those who have deployed in service to the nation, as well as the sacrifices military families must make while their loved one is overseas. Since 2012, every state in the U.S. observes the day. And they should. - [5 Ways to Connect with Your Child During Deployment](https://missionmilspouse.org/5-ways-to-connect-with-your-child-during-deployment/) - When I learned that my husband was going to deploy this year, their relationship left me nervous. It would be our first longer separation and the first my son would remember. I couldn't help but worry, not only for them, but also for me. How would I connect with my son the way he connects with his dad? My 3 1/2 year old son is a daddy's boy, through and through. He loves playing cars and dinos with Dad, matching clothes with Dad, and helping Dad with all the household tasks and projects. Have you heard the song, "Watching You" by Rodney Atkins? (If not, you can listen here.) That's them, in a nutshell. - [Navigating Deployment During the Holiday Season](https://missionmilspouse.org/navigating-deployment-during-the-holiday-season/) - The holidays can be a magical time as the world around us seems to feel wrapped in joy and wonder. For many, though, there will be an undeniable void in their homes and hearts this holiday season as military loved ones are fulfilling deployment orders around the world. At any given time, there are more than 150,000 troops deployed in territories outside of the U.S. Family members left behind struggle to manage the home, finances, and children. Many military families live away from their hometowns or where family may reside, making travel the only option to spend time with family and friends during the holiday season. - [Celebrating Holidays: Military Style](https://missionmilspouse.org/celebrating-holidays-military-style/) - This year will be the 16th Thanksgiving my husband and I have been married and the eighth one we've had to celebrate separately because of geographic separation. While our sons and I look forward to spending Thanksgiving in Dallas with dear friends while my husband is deployed, it reminds me of how our military lifestyle has shaped and molded us into what spending the holidays together looks like for military families. You make the most of whatever situation you're in at the moment! - [The Truth About Rapid Deployment](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-truth-about-rapid-deployment/) - Deployment is hard enough, but when a rapid deployment arrives, it can put you and your family through an emotional roller coaster with many ups and downs/ - [How To Break The Deployment Wall](https://missionmilspouse.org/how-to-break-the-deployment-wall/) - You're in the middle of a deployment, drained from everything, and you hit a wall. We want you to know that you're not alone, and we have some ideas to help. - [Mistresses of the Military](https://missionmilspouse.org/mistresses-of-the-military/) - You might not have expected for three people to be in your marriage, but when marrying a service member, you sometimes have to accept mistresses—the military. - [7 Conversations to Help You Prepare For Reintegration](https://missionmilspouse.org/7-conversations-to-help-you-prepare-for-reintegration/) - Reintegration is sometimes a scary word in military life, but don't fret! We have seven tips for the the transition to having your other half back home with you. - [7 Things That Changed In 7 Months](https://missionmilspouse.org/7-things-that-changed-in-7-months/) - Who knew so much could change in 7 months? Well, I do now. I noticed 7 things that changed in the time my husband was deployed, and now we're adjusting. - [Coping Through Deployment](https://missionmilspouse.org/coping-through-deployment/) - Join Brandy McVicker, Ohana HomeFront Counselor, as she explores coping strategies during deployment and gives advice on caring for your mind and health. - [3 Challenges of Reintegration (And 3 Possible Solutions)](https://missionmilspouse.org/3-challenges-of-reintegration-and-3-possible-solutions/) - Learn how one Military family overcame 3 tough challenges during their Reintegration by learning how to pivot their way to possible solutions. - [Why Not?](https://missionmilspouse.org/why-not/) - Why not seems like such an innocent phrase, but in Milspouse life it can get you into more than you bargained for. Join Ally as she learns this lesson! - [New Milspouse Facing a Deployment? Don't Worry, We've Got Your Six!](https://missionmilspouse.org/new-milspouse-facing-a-deployment-dont-worry-weve-got-your-six/) - Whether you are a new spouse facing a deployment or a veteran spouse who needs some encouragement and empowerment, we've got your six and your resources. - [Let the grand adventure continue!](https://missionmilspouse.org/let-the-grand-adventure-continue/) - As a military spouse, the days leading up to deployment can be hard and sad, or they can be a grand adventure. Check out how Meagan has decided to make it grand - [Thankful Through Deployments](https://missionmilspouse.org/thankful-through-deployments/) - Yes, you read that title correctly. Thankful Through Deployments. Seriously? What, in all of the deployment training, preparation and packing, family separation for six, nine, maybe twelve or more months of tour, and the reintegration back, is there to be thankful for?! - [Why You Should Become A Storyteller](https://missionmilspouse.org/why-you-should-become-a-storyteller/) - Is it time for you to become a storyteller? After all Stories are passed down to help educate. Military Life is full of stories, so why not share yours? - [MMP #979: Let's PCS Baby!](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-979-lets-pcs-baby/) - Let's PCS baby! This week, our Director of Marketing, Annie Pearce, will be sharing with us some tips and tricks on how to PCS with your newest addition, inspired by her current challenges of preparing for and completing a PCS with a newborn. - [Mother’s Day for Two](https://missionmilspouse.org/mothers-day-for-two/) - That is why on Mother’s Day, I always say thank you to my kids' Bonus Mom and wish her a happy day. She loves them and that is enough for me. - [MMP #976: SBP Open Enrollment](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-976-sbp-open-enrollment/) - In this week's episode, Dr. Sharita Knobloch will be interviewing Brigadier General Michael Meese about the Survivor Benefit Plan, SBP Open Enrollment and what benefits it provides to service members and their spouses. - [MILITARY SPOUSES SLAM ALL OVER THE WORLD!](https://missionmilspouse.org/military-spouses-slam-all-over-the-world/) - Is it time to SLAM? Military spouses all over the globe are learning to SLAM with one another. Join Chrissy as she explains how SLAM is good for you. - [The Binder](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-binder/) - When is the last time you used a binder? It's time to get one out, dust it off and kick it old school for your next PCS move with seasoned Spouse, Laura Holland - [News 6 for the Week of May 15](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-for-the-week-of-may-15/) - Howdy Y’all and Buckle Up For This Weeks News 6 Update! Sage Sails the Seas Ahoy Sage! A three year old Labrador Retriever is taking on the high seas and climbing aboard the USS Gerald R Ford as the Navy’s first service dog. She is the first to pilot a new military initiative called - [MMP #978: Ohana Homefront Foundation](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-978-ohana-homefront-foundation/) - In this week's episode, Jolene McNutt will be talking to Sarah Otto about Ohana Homefront Foundation, a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization founded in 2021 to help close the gap regarding mental health awareness and suicide prevention within the military community. - [Solidarity: We’ve been there. You aren’t alone.](https://missionmilspouse.org/solidarity-weve-been-there-you-arent-alone/) - The Path from Empowerment to Solidarity is paved with our own solo adventures. Read on as some of our own milspouses share what makes them feel alone - [News 6 for the Week of May 8th.](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-for-the-week-of-may-8th/) - Join News 6 Correspondent, Emma Tighe, as she brings us all the news and military stories from the week of 8 May! - [MMP #977: "So Your Spouse has Decided to Join The Military"](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-977-so-your-spouse-has-decided-to-join-the-military/) - In this week's episode, Lindsey Rauch gives advice to some of the new spouses that may be joining us about what to do after their Spouse has made the decision to join the Military. - [POV: Navy spouse takes on #EFMP](https://missionmilspouse.org/pov-navy-spouse-takes-on-efmp/) - TRICARE benefits apply to all branches of the service. There are some unique aspects of being an EFMP family serving in the Navy. Read to to hear Amy's story. - [EYB: Fort Sill, Oklahoma](https://missionmilspouse.org/pwtm-fort-sill-oklahoma/) - Fort Sill is the only active Army installation built during the Indian Wars and is designated as a National Historic Landmark. - [Don’t Delay Your TRICARE Covered Cancer Screenings](https://missionmilspouse.org/dont-delay-your-tricare-covered-cancer-screenings/) - If you had cancer, you’d probably want to know ASAP! That’s because when it comes to cancer, time is critical. TRICARE covers many cancer screenings. - [The Secret Weapon for Surviving Military Life](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-secret-weapon-for-surviving-military-life/) - Some secrets should stay secret, but this blog is about the secret weapon for surviving military life and that secret is the military Chaplain! - [From Basic Graduation to AIT](https://missionmilspouse.org/from-basic-graduation-to-ait/) - We are covering all the best tips and tricks for not just surviving but thriving in the transition of your loved one joining the services from Basic to AIT. - [Raising Readers](https://missionmilspouse.org/raising-readers/) - When it comes to raising readers, it is hard not to get caught up in the opinions. Parenting is one of those things that come with a huge list of suggestions. - [MMP #975: Never Would I Ever - MilSpouse Edition](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-975-never-would-i-ever/) - In this Minicast, Amie talks about the "never would I ever" experiences that we may come across in this military life and how we can work together to support one another through all the seasons of our lives when these moments pop up. - [MMP #974: "The Long March Home"](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-974-the-long-march-home/) - Marcus Brotherton and Tosca Lee are New York Times bestselling co-authors who have written "The Long March Home", a gripping coming-of-age tale of friendship, sacrifice, and the power of unrelenting hope. Set in 1941, this is the tale of three best friends stationed in the Philippines at the beginning of the United State’s involvement in WWII… and the girl they left behind in Mobile, Alabama. - [Military Saves Month: Tips to Pursue Your Goals](https://missionmilspouse.org/military-saves-month-tips-to-pursue-your-goals/) - It’s April, and that means Military Saves Month! At First Command, we believe service members and their families deserve a financial future worthy of their service. The primary service we offer military families is financial coaching. And at First Command, financial coaching means we’re going to start by helping you develop a financial plan, which is really your roadmap for five, 10, and 15 years from now. - [PCS Empowerment: Beauty and Organization by List & File](https://missionmilspouse.org/pcs-empowerment-beauty-and-organization-by-list-file/) - It’s true. It’s that time again. We're coming up on PCS season in the military—that time of year when countless families all over the U.S. (and beyond) get ready to have their life packed up and moved (or if you're brave, packing it yourself for a DITY). The PCS experience in and of itself can be an intense and even chaotic season of milspouse life, and we here at Army Wife Network have been there, done that—and will continue doing it “moving” forward (Yes, pun intended). - [The Caregiver Experience (and Where to Find Support)](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-caregiver-experience-and-where-to-find-support/) - The demand for caregivers has soared in recent years, driven largely by the aging U.S. population. It’s a responsibility that comes with some daunting challenges. Caregivers often don’t have the time or energy to take care of themselves or other family members, they’re more likely to have to miss work, and unsurprisingly, they often report high levels of stress. - [Finding Remote Work Using FlexJobs](https://missionmilspouse.org/finding-remote-work-using-flexjobs/) - The coronavirus pandemic ushered in a massive surge of people working from home as companies transitioned out of the office into a remote work environment. Many workers have learned the benefits of remote work—and are now seeking to secure permanent remote jobs. If you're looking for a remote job or want to learn more about the opportunities available, read on for advice from FlexJobs on ways to research and land your next job. - [Suicide Prevention: One Woman’s Story about Loss, Grief, and a Program that can Help](https://missionmilspouse.org/suicide-prevention-one-womans-story-about-loss-grief-and-a-program-that-can-help/) - LivingWorks, a world leader in suicide prevention training, envisions a world where people with thoughts of suicide are well supported to try to get the help they need. Their programs have been used throughout the military for many years, bringing training to military units across the U.S. To learn more, please visit www.livingworks.net/start. - [Travel Light with the Elvie Stride](https://missionmilspouse.org/travel-light-with-the-elvie-stride/) - Editor's note: This post is sponsored by Milk N Mamas Baby, which provides new mothers, military spouses, and female service members with breast pump and accessories that are entirely covered by TRICARE. They can even help you get your own Elvie Stride. Back in April, Alika Schwartz, paralegal, proud Army spouse, mother of three, and seasoned traveler, shared her travel essentials with Army Wife Network. I loved her idea of hosting a goodbye dinner, and I couldn’t agree more about the necessity of capturing those fun family trip memories with photos. Today, I’d like to add my own suggestion for globetrotting moms: the Elvie Stride wearable breast pump. - [Shaving Made Easy with Grooming Lounge](https://missionmilspouse.org/shaving-made-easy-with-grooming-lounge/) - My husband is a cook in the Army, which means a hit time before the sun comes up on most days. Because he also values every bit of sleep he can get, he gets everything ready the night before, so to facilitate his streamlined morning routine. This includes a morning shave. - [How to Help After Traumatic Brain Injury](https://missionmilspouse.org/how-to-help-after-traumatic-brain-injury/) - When you marry a service member, you often get a slew of reactions. Even more reactions come when your beloved deploys or goes TDY. Perhaps the most common is, “You knew what you were getting into.” No. No, you didn’t. You knew you loved a person in uniform and would do just about anything for them. That’s it. It’s for that reason, that you don't know everything that could happen during your military marriage, that there are resources to guide you through the good times, as well as the scary, challenging, and life-altering. But, what about when your service member leaves the service or retires? - [Creating Unique, Personalized Cards with Hello Video](https://missionmilspouse.org/creating-unique-personalized-cards-with-hello-video/) - As we tackle the challenges of a busy life, staying connected to our loved ones can become challenging. As a military spouse, being able to connect with my family and friends is essential. Hello Video gave me the ability to not only connect to my friends and family through written words but also by showcasing a favorite picture and a special video within the card! Sending a physical card can consume time and energy, while Hello Video cards help you create that physical card with an extra touch of love. - [IRAs 101: Introduction to Individual Retirement Accounts](https://missionmilspouse.org/retirement-101-intro-to-iras/) - Individual retirement accounts (IRAs) are tax-advantaged investments intended to help you boost your retirement savings. Most types of investments can be registered as IRAs, including money market accounts, mutual funds, stocks and bonds. The two primary types of IRAs are traditional and Roth. Both are designed for long-term growth, but there are key differences, including how and when they are taxed. Here is a general overview of the two accounts and some suggestions on how to choose the one that’s right for you. - [Westgate Resorts Military Weekend](https://missionmilspouse.org/westgate-resorts-military-weekend/) - Westgate Resorts hosted its annual Military Weekend for service members and their families in December at their Florida resort. Here's all the insider deets! - [Mission Ready and Confident in your Preventive Health](https://missionmilspouse.org/mission-ready-and-confident-in-your-preventive-health/) - Be Mission ready and confident as you read and apply the tips provided by American College of Preventive Medicine and take a proactive role in your own health. - [3 Self-Care Tips for Breastfeeding Moms When Partners are Deployed](https://missionmilspouse.org/3-self-care-tips-for-breastfeeding-moms-when-partners-are-deployed/) - If a partner is deployed or you are adapting to a new base far from home, breastfeeding can take a toll on a new mother’s mental health. - [A Military Spouse’s Quick Guide for Managing Family Finances](https://missionmilspouse.org/a-military-spouses-quick-guide-for-managing-family-finances/) - Join First Command Financial Services as they help equip the military spouse with tools and tips to help manage family finances. - [Remembering Your Loved One this Memorial Day](https://missionmilspouse.org/remembering-your-loved-one-this-memorial-day/) - So, this Memorial Day, celebrate your loved one by honoring them with a truly unique reminder of who they were, what they did, and how much they were loved. - [Three C’s to Equip Milkids with Financial Literacy](https://missionmilspouse.org/three-cs-to-equip-milkids-with-financial-literacy/) - One of our as milspouses is teach our milkids financial literacy. Follow First Command as they recommend three paths to financial literacy. - [Making the Most of Military Allowances During a PCS](https://missionmilspouse.org/making-the-most-of-military-allowances-during-a-pcs/) - Make the most of your PCS budget with resources and tips from First Command. Learn how to financially manage your allowances with success. - [Military Spouses and Qualified Charitable Distributions](https://missionmilspouse.org/military-spouses-and-qualified-charitable-distributions/) - Learn about qualified charitable distributions with the First Command Financial Planning team. Turn your "no plan" plan into an action plan! - [35% Off Fitbit Devices for Veterans and Military Families](https://missionmilspouse.org/35-off-fitbit-devices-for-veterans-and-military-families/) - Veterans made it their mission to put their life on the line. Now, Fitbit’s mission helps military members, and their families live their healthiest life. - [Hire A Helper is Ready to Plan Your Next PCS Move](https://missionmilspouse.org/hire-a-helper-is-ready-to-plan-your-next-pcs-move/) - Ready to learn about incredible moving hacks and hear some moving success stories? Learn more about what HireAHelper can do for you and your military move. - [News 6 Mashup: September 26, 2022](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-mashup-september-26-2022/) - Here is this week's News 6 mashup of stories for the week of September 26, 2022, straight from AWN News 6 Correspondent, Jolene McNutt. - [News 6 Mashup: October 3, 2022](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-mashup-october-3-2022/) - Here is this week's News 6 mashup of stories for the week of October 3rd, 2022, straight from AWN News 6 Correspondent, Emma Tighe. - [News 6 Mashup: October 10, 2022](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-mashup-october-10-2022/) - Here is this week's News 6 mashup of stories for the week of October 24, 2022, straight from AWN News 6 Correspondent, Emma Tighe. - [News 6 Mashup: October 24, 2022](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-mashup-october-24-2022-2/) - Here is this week's News 6 mashup of stories for the week of October 24, 2022, straight from AWN News 6 Correspondent, Emma Tighe. - [News 6 Mashup: October 31, 2022](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-mashup-october-31-2022/) - Here is this week's News 6 mashup of stories for the week of October 31, 2022, straight from AWN News 6 Correspondent, Emma Tighe - [News 6 Mashup: November 7, 2022](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-mashup-november-7-2022/) - Here is this week's News 6 mashup of stories for the week of October 31, 2022, straight from AWN News 6 Correspondent, Emma Tighe. - [News 6 Mashup: November 14, 2022](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-mashup-november-14-2022/) - Here is this week's News 6 mashup of stories for the week of October 24th 2022, straight from AWN News 6 Correspondent, Emma Tighe - [News 6 Mashup: November 28, 2022](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-mashup-november-28-2022-2/) - Here is this week's News 6 mashup of stories for the week of November 28th 2022, straight from AWN News 6 Correspondent, Emma Tighe. - [News 6 Mashup: January 16, 2023](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-mashup-january-16-2023/) - Here is this week's News 6 mashup of stories for the week of January 16, 2023, straight from AWN News 6 Correspondent, Emma Tighe. - [News 6 Mashup: December 12, 2022](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-mashup-december-12-2022/) - Here is this week's News 6 mashup of stories for the week of December 12th, 2022, straight from AWN News 6 Correspondent, Emma Tighe. - [News 6 for the Week of January 23rd](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-january-23/) - News 6 is in the house for the week of 23 January. Check out some fiesta feline stories and of course a Hero among us. All this and more as News 6 rolls out. - [News 6 Mashup- January 30, 2023](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-mashup-january-30-2023/) - Howdy y’all and buck up for this weeks news 6 update! Surveys Out for DOD Schools If your child attends a DODEA school anywhere in the world, you can now have your opinions heard thanks to the DODEA stakeholder feedback survey. This survey, open until February 4th, is voluntary, anonymous, and open to - [News 6: February 6, 2023](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-february-6-2023/) - We have got your six with News 6 and our very own Emma Tighe carrying the football as we head into Super Bowl Week! No matter who you root for, have fun! - [M:M News 6 for February 13 2023](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-february-13-2023/) - Join News 6 Correspondent Emma Tighe with all the news and updates for the week of February 13th, 2023 - [News 6 for March 1, 2023](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-for-march-1-2023/) - Join Emma Tighe and News 6 for the week of March 1st 2023. From faster hiring practices to shared kidneys, Emma has the news 6 that you want to hear - [News 6 for the Week of March 13th, 2023](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-for-the-week-of-march-13th-2023/) - Join Emma Tighe for this weeks edition of News 6. This edition features TRICARE changes regarding Diabetes care, employment news, and Jack Ruby. - [News 6: March 27](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-march-27/) - Buckle up for News 6 for the week of March 27th, 2023. Emma Tighe brings us the latest news from across the Armed Forces and the Department of Defense. - [News 6 for the Week of April 3](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-for-the-week-of-april-3/) - Join Emma Tighe and the News 6 team as they highlight the most important military stories for the week of April 3rd, 2023. - [News 6 the week of Apr 10th.](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-the-week-of-apr-10th/) - Howdy y’all and buckle up for this weeks news 6 update for April 10th, 2023. Emma searches high and low for the most interesting News 6 stories each week. - [News 6: for the Week of Apr 17th](https://missionmilspouse.org/news-6-for-the-week-of-apr-17th/) - Join Emma Tighe with her News 6 report for the week of April 17th, 2023. For more updates, check out News 6 on our blog. We have base name changes and Marines! - [OCONUS PCS Pro Tips](https://missionmilspouse.org/oconus-pcs-pro-tips/) - Now that I have moved into our house (albeit, without our HHG which are somewhere on a container ship in the Atlantic Ocean at this moment), I can breathe a nice, full breath knowing we successfully navigated an OCONUS PCS right smack-dab in the middle of COVID. I’m not writing you today to tell you about a PCS during COVID, but rather, about a couple important and helpful tips we used to PCS from an OCONUS duty station, because that’s a whole new ball of wax with more opinions on the rules than those put forth by medical and political Facebook experts. Here are six pro tips: - [Milspouse Rebel: Mail Room Edition](https://missionmilspouse.org/milspouse-rebel-mail-room-edition/) - Daring the skies to open up on me today was the most fun I have had checking the mail, possibly ever. I knew it was going to rain. Didn’t have to be a genius to figure that one out based on the sky and the fact that it's the rainy season—ahem, rainy half of the year—here in Okinawa. I stood in my closet and picked out appropriate clothing. To check the mail? Yes. Is this girl really writing about checking the mail? Like there is something to say about that? Yes. Yes, I am. - [Thanks to Video Chatting](https://missionmilspouse.org/thanks-to-video-chatting/) - While re-reading my previous post, I keep coming back to the, “You should have seen my face!” exclamation and subsequent wordy explanation of how I did see my own face—thanks to video chatting. Lately, I have been thinking how thankful I am for video chats. Guessing I am not the only one with an increased participation in video calls, I got a little curious about the history of them. A recent Time magazine article shared some insight into the history of video calling and how this technology took much longer than anticipated to actually take off. - [Don't Miss Out: Request Your Absentee Ballot](https://missionmilspouse.org/dont-miss-out-request-your-absentee-ballot/) - If you're already registered to vote, you’re probably prepping for the next part of the election cycle: requesting absentee ballots. Active-duty service members and their voting age family members can request absentee ballots rather than physically voting in their home state. There is still time to request absentee ballots for the general election! - [Feeling and Dealing with 'The Disconnect'](https://missionmilspouse.org/feeling-and-dealing-with-the-disconnect/) - The perfect sunny day hits after two rainy weekends and a string of tropical storms. He wakes up happy because it’s day two of golf plans with friends. She wakes up happy because she thinks they’re having a day date full of sunshine and tea. Disconnected, much? I’d say so. - [Regain Motivation](https://missionmilspouse.org/regain-motivation/) - How are we already into October? Where have the last seven months gone? This is our final year in Germany, and we were going to go out with a BANG! Big plans for traveling and exploring things we couldn't easily do before because the triplets were less independent. However, here we are, seven months after the pandemic first started to cripple normal life as we knew it. And to be honest, I don't think I have recovered. - [Coming Together](https://missionmilspouse.org/coming-together/) - Living at a small military base overseas, I feel like it is only natural for everyone to know everyone. The housing communities are small and nestled into local German towns and villages. It is a wonderful experience but can also feel isolating. I have to say, in our nearly five years of living overseas, this has been one of the most welcoming and close-knit communities we have ever been a part of. You run your errands on post or on the local economy, and you are bound to find someone you know and are bound to strike up a conversation. - [Dreaming of Warmer Weather](https://missionmilspouse.org/dreaming-of-warmer-weather/) - I have a confession to make: I'm ready for winter to be over. That realization hit me hard the past two weeks. I've been dreaming of summer here lately. We had a warm spell in Alaska, and by warm, I mean in the 20s. Never in my life did I think I’d be saying 20 degrees is warm, but here I am. - [What I Will NOT Miss About Germany](https://missionmilspouse.org/what-i-will-not-miss-about-germany/) - My wife Jules, myself, and our three children Hunter (12), Eva (10), and Acadia (8) were scheduled to be stationed in Germany for three years, and the way my wife's Army career was looking, it was possible we could squeeze in a fourth year. Then the military does what it always does, and our world was turned upside down. Jules was selected for a position at Fort Lee in Virginia and our three or four years living and traveling in Europe was cut short to two. How do I help the children cope with learning that, at 18 months and in six more months, they will once again have to pick up their lives and move? How do I cope with picking up my life and moving at the two-year mark? - [Let the Light Shine](https://missionmilspouse.org/let-the-light-shine/) - For many years, my husband and I discussed attending a Christmas Eve candlelight service. He and I attended a few growing up or when we were married and didn’t yet have children. Once children came into the picture, the idea of attending a candlelight service sent me into a panic. These services don’t correlate well with the kids’ dinner and bedtime routines. The candlelight services hours force us to drag hungry or cranky kids into a church. Furthermore, to ask a very young child to sit quietly in a pew for an entire service, and prevent them from eating an unlit candle, tearing the paper shield, or touching the flame, is nearly impossible. - [Don't Trick Me—Milspouse Edition](https://missionmilspouse.org/dont-trick-me-milspouse-edition/) - The best (and by best, I mean most hilarious) lunch I’ve ever had from the commissary was macaroni and cheese. I’ve gotta hand it to these folks, really, because they got me pretty good. Now, if you know me, or have known me for more than five minutes, you know macaroni and cheese is my favorite food. I eat a lot of it and often…a habit I’ve had for years. - [How Can You Say Thank You?](https://missionmilspouse.org/how-can-you-say-thank-you/) - Here we are again, about to move and start a new chapter. At five and a half years, this has been the longest we have ever lived in one location. - [What I WILL Miss About Germany](https://missionmilspouse.org/what-i-will-miss-about-germany/) - As I near the end of my time living in Germany while my wife serves in the United States Army, this is Part II of a three-part series, examining my thoughts and feelings as I prepare to head back to America and leave Germany behind. Part I examined what I will not miss about Germany and can be found here. Part II, below, examines what I will miss about Germany. Part III examines what I’ve learned during my time in Germany. - [American In Germany, Lesson Learned](https://missionmilspouse.org/american-in-germany-lesson-learned/) - When I began this three-piece series regarding my time in Germany, I immediately struggled with what I knew would be a conundrum in the final piece. But here's the surprising lesson I learned stationed in Germany. - [A Love Letter to So-Called Lazy Susan](https://missionmilspouse.org/a-love-letter-to-so-called-lazy-susan/) - If you're trying to maximize your space, a Lazy Susan can do the job. With so much versatility throughout your home, maybe we should find it a new name... - [Milspouse Life, A Better Me](https://missionmilspouse.org/milspouse-life-a-better-me/) - Like many spouses of military servicemen and women, I get caught up in all the reasons why it is not fun to be a military spouse. From deployments, having to spend thousands on hidden costs like the new pinks and greens uniforms and PCS season where essentially everything you own is scooped up into a giant washing machine. And, like a washing machine, everything gets tumbled around, sometimes things are destroyed, and sometimes things are lost (like that one sock). But while out for a run the other morning at our new duty station, Fort Lee in Virginia, I had time to think about the positive changes military life has brought to me. - [More Than the Boxes](https://missionmilspouse.org/more-than-the-boxes/) - Experience blogger, Angie Andrews, shares the about the real story, not just the boxes, behind moving and her recent PCS from Japan back to the United States. - [AWTR Show #332: National Guard Family Programs](https://missionmilspouse.org/awtr-show-332/) - Join the AWN team this week on Army Wife Talk Radio for a unique look into the lives of our National Guard and their family programs with author and military spouse Deanna Cole. - [We Aren’t Just Weekend Warriors](https://missionmilspouse.org/we-arent-just-weekend-warriors/) - My husband and I meet in high school. Life goes on. We graduate. He goes into the Marines. Then to the Georgia Guard. Then the Ohio Guard. Wherever life took him, his love for the military followed right along with him. As for me, I fumbled around. Took way too many years to find myself. Eighteen years after graduation, life brings us back together once again. About a year after we started dating, we went on a New Year's trip to New Orleans with my sister and her hubby (who has been in the Army National Guard for many years). The boys talked military and beer all the way to, from, and during the trip. My sister and I joked we could have stolen their credit cards and gone on a shopping spree and they would never have known it. By the time we headed back, my sister overheard the infamous “you should sign back up” conversation. - [Thoughts from a Guardsman Spouse](https://missionmilspouse.org/thoughts-from-a-guardsmans-wife/) - We hear it all the time. "It's only once a month! It's not that big of a deal!" Truth is, it really is a big deal. Because those weekends are the worst. Those are the weekends that all the ballgames, family commitments, and kids getting sick will happen. Those are the weekends when the kids will throw every 'tude known to man both at you and at each other. Those are the weekends that all Hades breaks loose everywhere. Oh! And something always breaks! Those are the weekends you question yourself the most. - [We Wish You Knew: Feelings from Home](https://missionmilspouse.org/we-wish-you-knew-feelings-from-home/) - National Guard life is so different than "Big Army." At least as many people often assume. Well, it is not. There is a group of elite soldiers within the National Guard who maintain a high operational tempo, and we are not just talking about once a month and two annual trainings a year. We are talking about Joint Combined Exchange Trainings, TDYs, schools, deployments, and Guard weekend obligations. A lot of National Guard soldiers within this specific community also have civilian jobs that tie into the world of serving: government contracting, S.W.A.T, law enforcement, and more. This means that Guard spouses navigate alone most of the time. - [My Army Journey](https://missionmilspouse.org/my-army-journey/) - Hey, I’m Dakota. As y'all might be able to tell, I’m new to Army Wife Network. I’d like to tell you a bit about my journey into the United States Army. Joining the military wasn't something I planned on doing—actually, it was the last thing on Earth I thought I would ever do. No one in my family is associated with the military, and up until I joined I knew next to nothing about the Army. Serving in the military had never even crossed my mind until one day, during the last few months of my senior year of high school, I was talking to a friend who was joining the Army, and they said, "Have you ever thought about joining?'' - [Balancing Civilian and Reserve Life](https://missionmilspouse.org/balancing-civilian-and-reserve-life/) - This year, I'm making it my goal to find more balance between my civilian and military life. You see, I'm a civilian, but I'm also in the Army Reserves. It's something I have to explain to people a lot when they ask me why I'm not available at certain times of the year. - [Lessons Learned in the Army Reserve](https://missionmilspouse.org/lessons-learned-in-the-army-reserve/) - I joined the Army Reserve nearly four years ago, and I’m grateful for all the lessons learned and experiences that being a Reservist has brought me. I definitely would not be the person that I am today had I not made the decision to join right out of high school. Here are a few lessons I've learned along the way: - [Taking the Leap](https://missionmilspouse.org/taking-the-leap/) - My life changed the moment I agreed to go on a date with a man I “met” online; our first date was 10 hours long, and it was effortless to be around him—we talked about everything and nothing all at once. After he left that first night, I knew he would change me regardless if we stayed together; I am thankful he has been an integral part of my life every day since. - [The Brighter Side of Deployment](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-brighter-side-of-deployment/) - Deployments are tough—there is no way to sugar coat it. Being the spouse of a National Guard member, deployments are something that I never really thought about. I always assumed that they were something that happened to other people—people who were much better equipped to handle them. But sure enough, I was wrong. I feel like I blinked and found myself fist deep in a tub of cookie dough, crying, because my husband was being deployed. I read countless books and articles, and I played out thousands of scenarios in my head as to what it would be like. I thought about things, like missing out on celebrating holidays and special events, and the fact that I now would have to take out the trash and take the dog out late at night (my two least favorite chores). - [Reminiscing about Alaska](https://missionmilspouse.org/reminiscing-about-alaska/) - Living in Alaska has been an amazing experience for me, but soon it will be time to say goodbye. If I’m being honest, I am heartbroken. I never imagined that I’d love living here, but I do, because Alaska is breathtakingly beautiful, even at -20 degrees in the dead of winter. - [Seeing the Hurt](https://missionmilspouse.org/seeing-the-hurt/) - I see you now. I didn’t really see you or your pain before—I just saw a friend who was sad and hurt, but I didn’t fully understand. Now, my vision is no longer blurred, and I see all of it: the pain, the loneliness, and the anxiety. Trudging through medical complications with a spouse in the military brings a whole new twist to this crazy ride. - [7 Misconceptions of the National Guard](https://missionmilspouse.org/7-misconceptions-of-the-national-guard/) - There was a time in my life when I knew nothing about the National Guard. All I knew was what I learned in history class about their role with the Little Rock Nine. I also knew that I saw them after tornado outbreaks in my state. - [An Open Letter to the National Guard Spouse](https://missionmilspouse.org/an-open-letter-to-the-national-guard-spouse/) - Dear National Guard spouse, I see you. Your partner is gone and you may have wonderful friends, but none understand what you’re going through. I see you. - [What Military Families Should Know About Disaster Preparedness](https://missionmilspouse.org/what-military-families-should-know-about-disaster-preparedness/) - Military Spouse, Stephanie Fox, shares her first hand account of surviving a disaster and offers helpful tips on behalf of the American Red Cross. - [Ways to Celebrate Military Spouse Appreciation Day](https://missionmilspouse.org/ways-to-celebrate-military-spouse-appreciation-day/) - May 6th is Military Spouse Appreciation Day! Join Ohana Homefront as they give us suggestions to celebrate and make the day special for all military spouses. - [My Child is a Picky Eater, but Could It Be Something More?](https://missionmilspouse.org/my-child-is-a-picky-eater-but-could-it-be-something-more/) - When does your child’s love of nothing but chicken nuggets and french fries become problematic? When does extremely picky eating turn into an eating disorder known as ARFID? And what can you as a parent do to help? - [Where Do Eating Disorders Come From?](https://missionmilspouse.org/where-do-eating-disorders-come-from/) - There are many misconceptions about what causes eating disorders. Some people think a person develops an eating disorder out of vanity. Some individuals even blame themselves for their eating disorder, but that’s not true. Many parents and family members of a person with an eating disorder blame themselves for triggering it, but that’s not right either. There are many different causes of eating disorders, because eating disorders are complex diseases. Read on to find out where eating disorders come from and how they’re triggered. - [75 Reasons to Quit](https://missionmilspouse.org/75-reasons-to-quit/) - Everyone has that one friend. The one that you just can’t say no to, the one who doesn't know any reasons to quit. They talk you into fun runs or volunteering for crazy events and every once in while... ...they get you to do something exciting, challenging, or just plain stupid. Enter the 75 Hard Challenge. - [What is Emotional Eating? Discerning our Hungers](https://missionmilspouse.org/what-is-emotional-eating-discerning-our-hungers/) - With the hundreds of different diet plans and “healthy eating tips” about what to eat, and when, and why, it can be difficult to notice what kind of eating is normal and intuitive, and what is emotional eating. - [The Secret Side of Mental Illness](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-secret-side-of-mental-illness/) - Having a mental illness, such as depression or anxiety, can be accompanied by a host of stigmas that have slowly been accepted by society as more and more individuals are diagnosed. While I'm not saying that having a mental illness is easy, I'm saying having depression and anxiety is slowly becoming accepted in society as part of life. - [Are You Born with Athletic Skills?](https://missionmilspouse.org/are-you-born-with-athletic-skills/) - Are you born with athletic skills, or are they developed? The following exchange with retired Colonel Mike Sinisi (U.S. Air Force) will offer some insight. The Army Ten-Miler is not limited to Army personnel only. Mike has made more than ten appearances and registered some impressive times. The important takeaway is not about how fast he is but the development of his training over the years. Not all of us can “Be Like Mike” and keep up the running performance that outpaces his age. We all have to do the work and make sacrifices, no matter our performance levels. Mike doesn't step out the door and say, “I'll run fast today and be first in my age group.” Instead, his approach is to take advantage of the experience and adjust his goals to fit the situation. - [Managing Boundaries During Holidays](https://missionmilspouse.org/managing-boundaries-during-holidays/) - Boundaries. Maps have them. People need them (probably way more than they realize). What are personal boundaries you may ask? They are expectations and needs that help you feel safe and comfortable in your relationships. Expectations in relationships help you stay mentally and emotionally well. Knowing when to say “yes” or “no” is an essential part of feeling comfortable when interacting with others. - [New Year, New Plans](https://missionmilspouse.org/new-year-new-plans/) - New Year resolutions can be difficult to accomplish without a proper plan. Taking the time to organize your thoughts in a planner will help you succeed - [Ultramarathons: The Epic Adventure](https://missionmilspouse.org/ultramarathons-the-epic-adventure/) - Sarah Cummings likes ultramarathons because of the epic adventure. She shares the challenges that she has faced while trying to achieve her best version. - [Determination to Excel](https://missionmilspouse.org/determination-to-excel/) - Recently, we had the opportunity to hear from Sarah Cummings and now we get to read comments from her biggest supporter, her sister, Marisa. The determination to excel is clearly in the family. - [Take a Chance on Yourself](https://missionmilspouse.org/take-a-chance-on-yourself/) - If you ask Adam Peterman, the best part about competing in running is taking a chance on yourself. One might call that his run-in philosophy. Learn more here... - [At Military Hospitals, Yoga Offers Calm in the Storm](https://missionmilspouse.org/at-military-hospitals-yoga-offers-calm-in-the-storm/) - The Red Cross program offers yoga at military hospitals & its making strides for those who attend. Here's what you should know about the Red Cross yoga program. - [The Running Spouse](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-running-spouse/) - Join running expert George Banker as he interviews the running military spouse, Martha Merz. Find out the secrets to her longevity and success. - [Resiliency Workshops Give Military Kids Tools for Success](https://missionmilspouse.org/resiliency-workshops-give-military-kids-tools-for-success/) - Red Cross workshops are designed to provide service members, spouses and military kids the tools they need to navigate the challenges unique to military life. - [Grit, Resilience, and Determination Defines Sika Henry](https://missionmilspouse.org/grit-resilience-and-determination-defines-sika-henry/) - Resilience is running at a fast pace with trailblazer Sika Henry. Learn what it takes to be a competitor! Read about what defines her as a woman and an athlete. - [Running is My Stress Relief and My Passion](https://missionmilspouse.org/running-is-my-stress-relief-and-my-passion/) - Running can be both a passion and stress relief. Find out how running has impacted a runner at a young age as George Banker interviews Billy Joinville! - [When the "Helper" Needs Help.](https://missionmilspouse.org/when-the-helper-needs-help/) - Last month I introduced myself as a helper, an encourager, and a professional volunteer. This month I am the one needing the help. - [Money and Your Military Marriage](https://missionmilspouse.org/money-and-your-military-marriage/) - This is it. The lights are turned down low and a few candles throw shadows across the room. A quiet, gentle tune wafts through the air. Fresh flowers are sweetly arranged in a vase on the counter. The kids are at the neighbor’s house for a sleepover. Your spouse gently brushes your cheek and pulls you close. You can feel your heartbeat in your chest as your spouse leans over and whispers quietly into your ear: “Let’s talk about the budget, baby.” - [Show #678: Finances as a Couple](https://missionmilspouse.org/show-678-working-on-finances-as-a-couple/) - This episode is all about finances and relationships. We will discuss the challenges of maintaining relationships while one or both spouses are serving in the military, and how finances can impact a relationship both negatively and positively. - [Creating a Mom-Guilt-Free New Year](https://missionmilspouse.org/creating-a-mom-guilt-free-new-year/) - The weary woman glanced around her house and sighed. With the holiday season officially over, she was at a loss for what to do with her family for the next couple of months. Christmas movies had been played and replayed and new toys had already become too familiar, but the kids were driving her crazy... so the woman wracked her brain for some kind of creative inspiration. Limited options, however, made creativity hard. January meant no overspending because she and her husband had already agreed to stick to a strict budget and focus on saving. Sporadic trips to the movie theater, drives to the city, and visits to the children’s museum were supposed to be out of the question. But while she stood there, feeling helpless and at a loss, Mom-Guilt reared its big, ugly head and nagged at her. You can't just stay home, you need to give the kids experiences. You've got to push past your limit of too tired, you've got to spend money in order for your family to enjoy life. She could hear it, but she shook her head and ignored it for just a bit longer... And that’s when she saw it. The pile of barely touched board games on the dining room table. Maybe, she thought. - [Financial Literacy for Kids in 3 Simple Lessons](https://missionmilspouse.org/financial-literacy-for-kids-in-3-simple-lessons/) - As parents, one of the most important things we can do for our children is to build financial literacy. After all, if we're not careful, time can slip away and our children will enter adulthood with no experience managing their own finances. Use the following lessons as a guide for teaching your children basic financial principles that will help them as they grow into adulthood. - [Don't Open an Account: Open a Financial Dialogue](https://missionmilspouse.org/dont-open-an-account-open-a-financial-dialogue/) - For many military families, financial awareness and wellness don’t pose a problem; all parties are on the same page when it comes to family finances. But for many, a lack of financial awareness and wellness creates not only a financial crisis, but can cause a seismic rift between partners. There are plenty of warning signs, but too often one or both partners play the role of the proverbial ostrich with his head in the sand . . . they just ignore the warnings and keep spending full speed ahead. If you are worrying about bills, getting out of debt, living paycheck to paycheck, and not having enough money to cover bills, or if you don’t know the total amount of debt owed by your family, or the interest that’s being paid on that debt, there’s probably a problem. - [Positive Pocket Change](https://missionmilspouse.org/positive-pocket-change/) - Over the past month, my husband and I have used more than 15% less spending money than our usual amount. Also, over the past month, one of our personal investment accounts has dropped more than 30%. I’m guessing I don’t even have to tell you why either happened. It’s been in the back of my mind for a while now to share some of our favorite little personal finance habits, and now with an added layer of what is going on around us, I felt there was a bit extra to say. Starting with what I originally wanted to share: I would really like to emphasize that these are our own personal habits. Neither one of us has any sort of financial expertise, but over the past five years or so, we’ve found our shared personal finance groove. A big part of this was reading about personal finance, seeing what stuck out to us, and actually trying some ideas out. - [AWTR Show #732: ACP- Milspouse Programs + Special Feature with First Command CEO](https://missionmilspouse.org/awtr-show-732-american-corporate-partners-military-spouse-program/) - Hello and welcome, listeners! This is an extra special episode as we don't have just but TWO empowering resources to share with you. First up, AWN Commander, Sharita Knobloch, interviews Lucie Piper, who is a USMC veteran spouse and military-focused Social Worker who manages American Corporate Partners' free mentorship program for active duty military spouses. In the second portion of the show, hear from AWN supporter & sponsor First Command Financial Service President & CEO, Mark Steffe, as he shares empowering information on how military families can respond financially to the COVID-19 pandemic. - [5 Finance Tips for Military Families During COVID-19](https://missionmilspouse.org/5-finance-tips-for-military-families-during-covid-19/) - Editor's note: This post is sponsored by First Command. By Mark Steffe, CEO/President of First Command In this unprecedented time in our country, many of us are taking closer look at our personal finances. A global pandemic is new to us all, but First Command has experience coaching military families through the most volatile times. There’s a tendency at times like this to feel a bit helpless, but there are steps you can take now to organize your financial life and ensure that you are on track for your long-term goals. Here are some suggestions for how to make the most of the current environment. - [AWTR Show #744: "Danny and the Deployer" (with Featured Interview from First Command)](https://missionmilspouse.org/awtr-show-744-danny-and-the-deployer/) - Hello and welcome to another installment of Army Wife Talk Radio. Today's episode features Juanda Bryant, author of the Danny and the Deployer Book Series. - [Veteran Bonuses by State](https://missionmilspouse.org/veteran-bonuses-by-state/) - When it comes to retiring, ETSing, or leaving the military service to finally put down deep roots, once concern is tax benefits and other privileges. Let us make the research easier for you (though we can't help with the decision-making). For more information and a detailed account of a specific state's benefits, click the state name. Please note that eligibility for any of these benefits may depend on residency, military component, and veteran disability status. - [AWTR Show #758: Virtual Assistant Academy + Featured Interview with First Command](https://missionmilspouse.org/awtr-show-758-virtual-assistant-academy/) - On today's exciting AWTR episode we interview Molly Rose Speed, the founder of The Virtual Assistant Academy and Virtual Assistant Management. - [AWTR Show #778: Resume Business Building Academy + Feature Interview with First Command](https://missionmilspouse.org/awtr-show-778-resume-business-building-academy/) - Today we will hear from Kara Varner about her resume writing business and then we have a sponsored interview with First Command's CEO and Associate Director. - [4 Ways to Repair Your Credit Score](https://missionmilspouse.org/4-ways-to-repair-your-credit-score/) - Credit scores rule the world. At least it feels that way, doesn’t it? They’re like these tiny little dictators, running around, interfering with every home sale, rental application, vehicle purchase, and more. It feels obscure, but did you know that your score isn’t random? Though it might feel like it at times, it’s not like disobeying your parents as a kid and waiting to see which consequence you get today. The score is calculated, and it fluctuates both ways on the spectrum. - [First Command's Tips for Holiday Spending](https://missionmilspouse.org/first-commands-tips-for-holiday-spending/) - No matter how you celebrate the holidays, you undoubtedly think of it as a special time of year. There are so many festive activities that mark the season: Parties, home decorating, baking, watching classic holiday movies, taking time off from work and school to enjoy the company of friends, and big family gatherings with all the traditions that go with them. The holiday season is also a time to reflect on the year gone by, re-energize by connecting with loved ones and make plans for the year ahead. Due to the pandemic, many typical holiday activities are not feasible this year. Gift giving, in particular, will be different. More gifts will be mailed and opened remotely rather than in person. And it’s natural to expect that holiday spending and gatherings will be scaled back. But with minor adjustments, you can preserve your gift-giving traditions while also being mindful of financial considerations. - [Making Family Finances a Priority in 2021](https://missionmilspouse.org/making-family-finances-a-priority-in-2021/) - Happy New Year! I know many of us have been waiting to say those words for quite some time. With our lives upended in 2020, it’s a relief to see hope on the horizon for an end to the global pandemic. Not only can we start to look forward to normalizing our daily lives, but this is an optimal time to start planning for the future. - [Empower Yourself Through Finance](https://missionmilspouse.org/empower-yourself-through-finance/) - From a young age I have loved numbers. I suspect this passion for numbers contributed to my interest in finance. By the time I turned 15 and had my first W-2 job working as a dishwasher, I was ready to start investing in the stock market. What a different world it was back in 1987. Back then, there was no discount broker, no online, no internet. There were only full service brokers where you had to stop by your broker's office or phone them and place your order that came with a commission usually in the $30-50 range per trade. My first investment was made on Oct. 19, 1987, a day in the investment world known as Black Monday, because the Dow Jones Industrial Average would go on to shed 22.6% of its value in one day. - [With a New Year, Comes New HOPE](https://missionmilspouse.org/with-a-new-year-comes-new-hope/) - It’s finally 2021, and I think I can speak for everyone when I say we are glad 2020 is in the rearview mirror. Just because the year has changed, though, does not mean the trying circumstances of the past year have relented. Last year brought unprecedented hardships across all walks of life, and those challenges to our health, economy, and way of life will persist for the foreseeable future. - [How to Manage Your Holiday Spending](https://missionmilspouse.org/how-to-manage-your-holiday-spending/) - There is nothing better, nothing more joyous, than giving during the holidays. The sparkling eyes of children under the tree tearing into packages on Christmas morning; the laughter at grandma’s house as gifts are opened. It all makes your heart swell with joy—except for the holiday spending. Along comes January and the bills and that joyous heart suddenly drops. - [Field Problem: Military Spouse Employment](https://missionmilspouse.org/field-problem-military-spouse-employment/) - Dear, Field Problems: I am a new Army spouse, and I want to fulfill my career aspirations. We will go to our post in a couple of months. Do you suggest that military spouses look for a job before they get to their installations? Are there programs (on- or off-post) that help spouses find employment? Tiffany; Fort Richardson, AK; Army spouse - [Field Problem: Army Family Team Building](https://missionmilspouse.org/field-problem-army-family-team-building/) - I am a new military spouse and looking for some help on getting the basics of the Army life. Is there any sort of class or something I can take to learn this information? Kim; Fort Bliss, TX; Active Army spouse; 2 months - [Field Problem: Combat Loneliness](https://missionmilspouse.org/field-problem-combat-loneliness/) - Dear, Field Problems: How do you combat loneliness in the military life? Stephanie; Fort Hood, TX; dual-military spouse - [Field Problem: Valentine’s Day Care Package](https://missionmilspouse.org/field-problem-valentines-day-care-package/) - Dear, Field Problems: I attended your seminar at Fort Campbell and loved your ideas for care packages. My husband deployed three weeks ago, so I'm wondering if you have a list of Valentine’s Day care package ideas. Becky; Fort Campbell, KY; Army spouse - [Field Problem: Troops Support the Troops](https://missionmilspouse.org/field-problem-troops-support-the-troops/) - Dear, Field Problems: I am hoping that someone in your organization can help me. My son is part of a Boy Scout pack in San Jose, California. Our next pack meeting is going to be centered on learning about America, patriotism, and supporting the service members who fight for our freedoms. We wanted to do something to help out some of the active duty troops. I looked at some websites, but they are kind of confusing. I can’t find the information that I need. Basically, we want the boys to write letters to the troops and bring donations for care packages that we will send to active duty troops. I was hoping that someone could point me in the right direction. Any guidance you can provide would be so very appreciated. Arlen, Boy Scout pack parent, non-military - [Field Problem: Commo Across the Miles](https://missionmilspouse.org/field-problem-commo-across-the-miles/) - Dear, Field Problems: My husband and I were just married. This is our first deployment. I don’t really know what to expect. There is tons of information and a lot that I don’t understand. My biggest question is how are you able to talk to them when they are deployed? How long do you go without hearing from your service member? Amber; Fort Bragg, NC; Army spouse - [Field Problem: Do They Have To?](https://missionmilspouse.org/field-problem-do-they-have-to/) - Dear, Field Problems: My boyfriend and I just received a frantic call from his mother. She was told that a young woman (an Army spouse) from her church asked for thoughts and prayers for her husband and his National Guard unit [deployed to Iraq]. According to the wife, her husband said the commander told them there is a high risk of casualties in an upcoming mission, and everyone should call home prior to rolling out. Mom asked us, “Can’t they just ‘not go’”? I never heard of this happening and I didn’t know what to say. What should we tell her? Julie; Lansing, MI; National Guard girlfriend - [Field Problem: What is 'Med-Boarded?'](https://missionmilspouse.org/field-problem-what-is-med-boarded/) - My husband is currently going through the medical board process for severe PTSD. His doctor told him that they would possibly "medically retire" him. I have never heard of this term, but I have heard of being "med-boarded." Can you explain to me what the difference is (if there is any) between these two things? Also, when someone is medically retired, what benefits do the veteran and their families get to keep? Shaylen; Fort Sill, OK; Active Duty Army spouse of seven years - [Field Problem: Basic Training Mail Call](https://missionmilspouse.org/field-problem-basic-training-mail-call/) - Some soldiers we know that are in basic training are getting mail from families and friends upwards of two weeks from origination. They don't receive mail for over a week or more, and then they suddenly receive almost a dozen letters in one day. There is not a lag of process, but more like a buildup. Imagine what a soldier goes through wondering why their spouse hasn't written—it can make a soldier crazy while trying to train. I hope that you can help. I got scripted excuses, and I understand that because of the questions. However, I prefer a solution rather than something we are supposed to live with. It’s important that our new recruits focus on training and morale rather than the stress of wondering why a simple letter of support cannot get through. I hope you can pass this along or help to solve the problem! Molly; Castle Rock, CO; Army family of more than 20 years - [Field Problem: English as a Second Language](https://missionmilspouse.org/field-problem-english-as-a-second-language/) - I’m stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, and my wife is new to the Army. She doesn’t speak English. Her first language is Spanish, and she is trying to find out if there are some English classes available around Fort Riley. We have asked locally and will possibly check into Army OneSource, but if we can get a some more information or help, we will appreciate it. Michael; Fort Riley, KS; Active Duty Army - [Field Problem: Understanding Unemployment](https://missionmilspouse.org/field-problems-understanding-unemployment/) - I am employed, and we are about to PCS. Do I get benefits for unemployment during our move? Brittany; Active Duty Army Spouse of two years - [Field Problem: The First Paycheck](https://missionmilspouse.org/field-problems-the-first-paycheck/) - My husband just left for basic training a couple of weeks ago. I have small children and bills to pay; how long will it be before we see any income? Lindsey, Army spouse - [Field Problem: Rental Home and PCS](https://missionmilspouse.org/field-problem-rental-home-pcs/) - Hi! I am wondering if you have any resources for people who want to rent their home when they PCS? How soon is too soon to start interviewing property managers and getting the advertising going? Thank you! Kelley, Army spouse - [Field Problem: Pre-Deployment Anxiety](https://missionmilspouse.org/pre-deployment-anxiety/) - Dear, Field Problems: I recently found out my husband will be deploying soon. We have three children, and I'm really scared about him going. I have nightmares and crying spells, and though we’ve talked about what I would do if something were to happen, it doesn't seem to help me feel better. How do I deal with these feelings? I'm a wreck already, and he doesn't even leave for months. Can you help? Signed, an anonymous Army spouse - [Field Problem: Continuing Health Care Benefits](https://missionmilspouse.org/field-problems-continuing-health-care-benefits/) - Dear, Field Problems: I’m living in Florida and my husband is in Germany. He’s getting out of the Army next year. With all of the insurance laws and changes, does the Army offer any temporary insurance plans? We have a child on the way, and I want to make sure that she’s covered. Shauna, Army spouse - [Field Problem: TRICARE Standard vs. Prime](https://missionmilspouse.org/7841/) - Dear, Field Problems: My husband left for basic Feb. 3, and of course, all of this is new to me. What do you think of the insurance? I know there is standard and prime. What are the differences, and which is better? Heaven, Army spouse - [Field Problem: Preparing for a Parent to Leave](https://missionmilspouse.org/field-problem-preparing-for-daddy-to-be-gone/) - Dear, Field Problems: My husband is leaving for basic in a few weeks. Between basic and AIT, he will be gone about eight months. We have a 2-year-old and a 15-month-old. I am wanting some advice on how to prepare and make the separation easier on my oldest. I know this isn't a deployment by any stretch of the imagination, but communication will be limited. Any advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated! Bethany, Army spouse - [Field Problem: PCSing with Pets](https://missionmilspouse.org/field-problem-pcsing-with-pets/) - Dear, Field Problems: I was wondering how PCSing works with animals. My husband and I are really wanting to get a puppy, but we are moving to Oklahoma at the end of the year. Liz, Army spouse - [Field Problem: Mental Health Care for Soldiers](https://missionmilspouse.org/field-problem-mental-health-care-for-soldiers/) - Dear, Field Problems: My service member has been experiencing short-term memory issues in conjunction with anxiety. These can be symptoms of TBI, PTSD, several mental health concerns, or sometimes side effects of medications. How does the service member find help, especially when he or she is concerned that it might affect their career? Anonymous - [Field Problem: Struggling with Credit Card Debt](https://missionmilspouse.org/struggling-with-credit-card-debt/) - Dear, Field Problems:My husband is in the Army, and we have a lot of credit card debt. We are struggling to pay them each month along with other bills. - [EYB: Fort Greely, Alaska](https://missionmilspouse.org/pwtm-fort-greely-alaska/) - Located at the official end of the Alcan Highway, the highway connecting the contiguous United States to Alaska, in the very small community of Delta Junction, Fort Greely is situated between the White Mountains and the Alaska Range. It is home to the nation’s arsenal of ground-based interceptor missiles. The post also hosts the Army’s Cold Regions Test Center and supports rotational units who train in the Donnelly Training Area, also known as the DTA. Fort Greely is also the only installation to close under BRAC and reopen. - [EYB: USAG Benelux](https://missionmilspouse.org/pwtm-usag-benelux/) - Located in south-eastern providence of Limburg, Netherlands next to Belgium and Luxemburg, lies USAG Benelux-Schinnen, Netherlands. It is called a tri-country base, serving Belgium, Germany, and The Netherlands. USAG Benelux-Schinnen is the most widely dispersed garrison in United States Army Europe. - [EYB: Fort Belvoir, Virginia](https://missionmilspouse.org/pwtm-fort-belvoir-virginia/) - Fort Belvoir is located on the Virginia-Maryland border, relatively close to the nation’s capital. Fort Belvoir is surrounded by other cities, making this location a more metropolitan area than other duty stations. Fort Belvoir includes three components—the main base, Davison Army Airfield, and Fort Belvoir North Area—and houses two major command headquarters, 10 major commands, 19 Army agencies, eight Reserve and Guard elements, and elements from other military branches. - [EYB: Fort Bliss, Texas](https://missionmilspouse.org/pwtm-fort-bliss-texas/) - Located at the foot of Franklin Mountains lies Fort Bliss, Texas, the hub of the US Army 1st Armored Division. It is the home of training future Sergeant Majors, as well as the home of the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, 5th Armored Bridge, and 93rd Military Police Battalion. The area always seems to be growing and changing, so there may be many more things you find when arriving at Fort Bliss and surrounding El Paso Area. Enjoy the breathtaking views of mountain ranges, the near year-round sunshine and the many things to do offered in the area. - [EYB: USAREC in Nashville, TN](https://missionmilspouse.org/pwtm-usarec-in-nashville-tn/) - USAREC Nashville is part of the 3rd Recruiting Brigade, and the Nashville Battalion encompasses more than 60,000 miles in 165 counties that span across Tennessee, Kentucky, and portions of Indiana, Illinois, and Virginia. Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, this battalion includes three Military Entrance Processing Stations—two of which are in Tennessee (and one in Kentucky) and operates through 37 recruiting stations. - [EYB: Fort Benning, GA](https://missionmilspouse.org/pwtm-fort-benning-ga/) - We here at Army Wife Network want to take the some of the guesswork out of the need-to-knows about duty stations around the globe. Hence, our Post With the Most series. In this particular blog, we will be showcasing information related to Fort Benning, Georgia. Fort Benning has appeared in numerous films and documentaries including Black Hawk Down, We Were Soldiers, and Your Mother Wears Combat Boots. - [EYB: Fort Gordon, GA](https://missionmilspouse.org/pwtm-fort-gordon-ga/) - Fort Gordon is an installation that has a lot to offer based on its location. There is always something to do when you are only 138 miles from Charleston and Myrtle Beach, SC, about two hours from Atlanta, and 122 miles from the historic streets of Savannah, GA. - [EYB: Fort Campbell, KY](https://missionmilspouse.org/pwtm-fort-campbell-ky/) - Home of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Even though two-thirds of Fort Campbell is located in Tennessee, its post office, and therefore its official address, is in Kentucky. - [EYB: Joint Base San Antonio](https://missionmilspouse.org/pwtm-joint-base-san-antonio/) - In this particular blog, we will be showcasing information related to Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, known as simply Fort Sam Houston by Army folks. JBSA is a giant installation that encompasses Fort Sam Houston and Lackland Air Force Base and Randolph Field. The joint move was part of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission, which felt a combined effort would eliminate overlap from the three closely situated installations. It is the largest join base in the Department of Defense. It's home to the Brooke Army Medical Center, which has provided crucial care to service members wounded in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq. - [EYB: Fort Irwin, CA](https://missionmilspouse.org/pwtm-fort-irwin-ca/) - Fort Irwin is home to the National Training Center, a major training area for the United States military, and is a census-designated place located in the Mojave Desert in northern San Bernardino County, California. It is located 37 miles northeast of Barstow, California. NTC is part of the U.S. Army Forces Command. - [EYB: USAG Ansbach, Germany](https://missionmilspouse.org/pwtm-ansbach-germany-2/) - Located in the heart of Bavaria, U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach hosts forces from both the U.S. and NATO. Here's what you should know if getting stationed there. - [EYB: Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA](https://missionmilspouse.org/pwtm-joint-base-langley-eustis-va/) - Known for its association with Transportation, Aviation, and the Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Eustis (as its known in the Army world) is formally called Joint Base Langley-Eustis. Developed to meet the needs of the US during World War I, the installation was temporarily transferred to the Bureau of Prisons during the Great Depression before being reactivated to meet the needs of World War II and the Cold War. It has been in continuous operation ever since. It is the home of the 7th Transportation Brigade, currently one of the Army's most deployed brigades. - [EYB: Fort Lee, Virginia](https://missionmilspouse.org/pwtm-fort-lee-virginia/) - In this week's edition of EYB, we are exploring Fort Lee Virginia. Located in Petersburg, it known to be the home of Logistics to the United States Army. - [Gearing Up: Pre-Deployment Preparations](https://missionmilspouse.org/gearing-up-pre-deployment-preparations/) - When you find out a deployment is on the horizon, everything begins to be filtered through a new lens—the lens of deployment. I’ve had the great opportunity to go through three deployments in my marriage: the first we were married for six months and had 30 days notice, the second we had six months of notice, and the most recent, I had a whole total of a week’s notice. I’ve experienced that prepping for a deployment can look different depending on how much time you have, and truthfully, how long your service member will be gone. There are countless resources for those facing a deployment. I have consolidated a number of them here for you. However, if you feel like you're missing something specific to you, then take the reins and do a little digging. There is a good chance that someone else has asked that question and has posted about it online! Deployments are seasons. Just like military life has seasons, deployment is one of those. Within deployment, however, I like to think of them as almost micro-seasons. There are a lot of ups and downs that come along. - [It's All About The Experience](https://missionmilspouse.org/its-all-about-the-experience/) - One thing about my husband that surprised me was that he told me he enjoys listening to sad music. As he put it, he wants to “feel all the feelings that life has to offer.” - [Happy Anniversary, AWN: Let's Have Cake!](https://missionmilspouse.org/happy-anniversary-awn-lets-have-cake/) - We're celebrating our AWNiversary, so why not join us? Here are two easy cakes you can make, one to mail to your deployed service member and one to make just for you. - [10 Homemade Holiday Gift Ideas](https://missionmilspouse.org/homemade-holiday-ideas-holiday-traditions-care-package-ideas/) - It’s the most wonderful time of the year, the time of the year that your heart is warmed with thanks as you focus on the blessings you’ve been given as the year has passed by. One of the blessings I am counting is that our military journey has afforded us an extended family that spans the globe. - [Daddy, We're Nuts About You!](https://missionmilspouse.org/daddy-were-nuts-about-you-2/) - Here in the Crooks household, June is a huge month for celebrations. It isn't only the month of my husband's birthday, but it's also Father's Day. This year, Father's Day will be celebrated with Daddy many, many miles away. We couldn't let his two special days go by unnoticed, even if we were so far apart. - [Favorite Things Care Package](https://missionmilspouse.org/a-few-of-my-favorite-things-2/) - This holiday season on Army Wife Network, we are sharing a few of our favorite things. - [Learn from the butterflies – let them struggle a little](https://missionmilspouse.org/learn-from-the-butterflies-let-them-struggle-a-little/) - Watching your children struggle as they learn to fly can be overwhelming. Maybe the butterflies are on to something in their parenting style. Let them fly! - [Top Websites for Job Seekers](https://missionmilspouse.org/top-websites-for-job-seekers/) - Looking for a job can be tough, especially when there's so much information out there on the internet. Luckily, HHUSA is here to help us prepare for our search. - [Redefining a "Shambolic" Life](https://missionmilspouse.org/redefining-a-shambolic-life/) - A friend of Manda Lynn's shared the word shambolic on her Instagram account describing how life looks on the homefront while her hero is deployed. - [Modern Guidance for Receiving Lines, Invitations and Place Cards](https://missionmilspouse.org/celebrating-and-hosting-in-2023-2/) - It takes time and practice to become confident when facing a receiving line. With a little preparation and help from our team, you'll be at ease in line! - [Customs and Courtesies for Traveling Abroad & Avoiding a Faux Pas!](https://missionmilspouse.org/customs-and-courtesies-for-traveling-abroad-avoiding-a-faux-pas/) - Whether you go abroad for a new assignment or vacation, international travel is exciting. Make sure to research the etiquette and courtesies before you go. - [Celebrating and Hosting in 2023! ](https://missionmilspouse.org/celebrating-and-hosting-in-2023/) - With the New Year comes new opportunities to host events and dinners which build connections and create a sense of community within our military circles. We know not everyone shares a passion for entertaining or cooking, and it can be intimidating to step out of your comfort zone and take on the role of host. - [Traditions & Protocol Team Blog Series: 2020-2022 ](https://missionmilspouse.org/traditions-protocol-team-blog-series-2020-2022/) - Join our Traditions and Protocol expertsas they summarize their blog posts from the past two years. The blogs cover all aspects of military life. - [Historically Army!](https://missionmilspouse.org/historically-army/) - The history of the past 247 years has created numerous Army traditions. Many are still practiced today with roots back to the very beginning of the Army. - [Things Your Military Teen Wishes You Knew About PCSing](https://missionmilspouse.org/things-your-military-teen-wishes-you-knew-about-pcsing/) - PCSing isn’t easy, for anyone. While we plan ahead for our children and do the best we can to help our military kids adapt and adjust to a PCS. - [MMP #973: Tips for Finding a Hairstylist after a PCS](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-973-tips-for-finding-a-hairstylist-after-a-pcs/) - For those of us who have completed a PCS before, it can be difficult and sometimes traumatizing to find all new resources. One of the most important ones is finding a new hairstylist. In this week's Mini-Cast, Cheyenne will be sharing tips on how to find a new hairstylist after a PCS. Don't forget that - [How to Combat Mental Health Struggles as a Student](https://missionmilspouse.org/how-to-combat-mental-health-struggles-as-a-student/) - Being a student is a one-of-a-kind experience. But sometimes, it can be overwhelming mentally and that is why we need strategies to overcome that stress. - [And What Said the Military Child?](https://missionmilspouse.org/and-what-said-the-military-child/) - Author Lavaughn Ricci is fascinated by the words that flow out of her military children’s mouths. Some of what they say is downright hilarious! - [5 Things To Stop Saying to Someone Facing Infertility](https://missionmilspouse.org/5-things-to-stop-saying-to-someone-facing-infertility/) - A lot of people struggle with infertility silently, only share with close family and friends, Julie offers insight on to five things that may be hurtful to say. - [MMP Show #972: "Know What You Signed Up For"](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-show-972-know-what-you-signed-up-for/) - In "Know What You Signed Up For", Megan helps military spouses see that we're right where we're supposed to be—chosen for this specific time and place. - [Father of seven lands on solid ground during uncertain times](https://missionmilspouse.org/father-of-seven-lands-on-solid-ground-during-uncertain-times/) - As a father of seven, Christian is patient and personable, with several qualities that make him marketable in the workforce. HOPE helped him see those traits. - [MMP Show #971: 5 Ways to Foster Resilience in Your Military Child](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-show-971-5-ways-to-foster-resilience-in-your-military-child/) - In this Minicast, Sharita talks about her kid's resilience bouncing forward when facing adversity. Sharita has 5 ways to foster this ability in our children. - [Tips for Finding Your Next Rental Home ](https://missionmilspouse.org/tips-for-finding-your-next-rental-home/) - While searching for your next home can be a big chore after a PCS move, the bright side is that it’s temporary. MBO knows a rental is not a forever home. - [For Better or Worse: The Importance of Being Your Spouse's #1 Fan](https://missionmilspouse.org/for-better-or-worse-the-importance-of-being-your-spouses-1-fan/) - Marriage is hard work. Then throw in the fact that your spouse serves in the military. The hard work factor just jumped up a few levels. Can I get an amen? My husband and I are going on almost 16 years of marriage, with all of them being within the context of the Army. We certainly don't have it all figured out, nor do we have a perfect marriage, but over the years we have discovered some core values that we implement in our marriage that help us weather the stress of all that life throws at us. You can read about the top five things that I do to best support my husband and keep our marriage strong in this blog post. In this post, I am going to delve a little deeper into the importance of being your spouse's #1 fan. - [MMP Show #970: Blind Trust](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-show-970-blind-trust/) - We can pass on our stories to younger milspouses to raise them up to build a strong community. Natalie Walters continues to do this with her book Blind Trust. - [A Home Buying Checklist for Military Homeowners; Before You Go Househunting](https://missionmilspouse.org/a-home-buying-checklist-for-military-homeowners-before-you-go-househunting/) - The possibility of home buying is always on a military family’s mind. The trick to a successful home purchase is early preparation. Check out MBO's checklist. - [MMP Show #969: Reflecting Back on One Year of Marriage as a Milspouse](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-show-969-reflecting-back-on-one-year-of-marriage-as-a-milspouse/) - Being a military spouse is difficult. In this Minicast, Jade is reflecting back on the challenges that military spouses face during the first year of marriage. - [Celebrating the Many Transitions of the Military Child](https://missionmilspouse.org/celebrating-the-many-transitions-of-the-military-child/) - When military families decide to have children, it is a wonderful, joyous occasion just like civilian life, except there are a few tweaks we must consider. - [Resources for Families with Special Needs](https://missionmilspouse.org/resources-for-families-with-special-needs/) - Family members with special needs or a serious illness or injury, may not know where to turn for help. Many resources are available to you and your family. - [MMP Show #968: Mom2Mom Global](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-show-968-mom2mom-global/) - Mom2Mom Global is a worldwide network of volunteers who support breast/chest feeding families and advocates for military families. - [MMP Show #967: There Can Be Purpose to Your Pain](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-show-967-there-can-be-purpose-to-your-pain/) - We all experience pain in this life. In this Minicast, Lindsey opens up about her recent pain and how she has learned that there can be purpose to your pain. - [Military children...we come, we go.](https://missionmilspouse.org/military-children-we-come-we-go/) - Our military children are amazing and they ROCK. Whether it is changing schools, making new friends, or just rolling with the changes.. Our milkids inspire us. - [Under the Same Stars but Miles Apart](https://missionmilspouse.org/under-the-same-stars-but-miles-apart/) - Meet our newest blogger, Rebecca Dills, as she explains that the stars in the sky can bind us, no matter how far apart we are. - [MMP Show #966: Book, Never Alone— Jessica Manfre](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-show-966-never-alone/) - We've all been through bad experiences and it's easy to feel alone. Author Jessica Manfre writes about her experiences in her new book Never Alone. - [All the Colors of a Military Child](https://missionmilspouse.org/all-the-colors-of-a-military-child/) - Colors captivate us, but they hold deeper meaning. We see these colors every day in our military children as celebrate the month of military child. - [Find New Friends Speed-Dating Style](https://missionmilspouse.org/find-new-friends-speed-dating-style/) - Despite how much is already on your plate, you know eventually you’ll need to stick your neck out and make new friends. The question is often how? It simply isn’t as easy for some of us as it is for others. There might be a million reasons to not put yourself out there just yet, but if you think of this pursuit for new friends like speed dating, it can be less painful and more productive. - [Deployment Diary: Helping Others in the Wake of Destruction](https://missionmilspouse.org/deployment-diary-helping-others-in-the-wake-of-destruction/) - For the first time in Susan's life after nearly two decades as a military spouse, deployment means something different to her. - [MMP Show #965: I Can't Drive 55](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-show-965-i-cant-drive-55/) - Do you have a song you relate to? In this Minicast, Kathleen shares songs from the 80's that relate to milspouse life. Her theme song is "I Can't Drive 55". - [Interviewing: The Two-Way Street](https://missionmilspouse.org/interviewing-the-two-way-street/) - Does the thought of interviewing for a job make you nervous? It doesn't have to. HHUSA has come through with interviewing tips for us. It is a two way street. - [The Power of Pilgrimage: How Spiritual Journeys Can Transform Your Life](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-power-of-pilgrimage-how-spiritual-journeys-can-transform-your-life/) - If you are seeking a deeper connection to yourself, your spirituality, and the world around you, consider embarking on a spiritual pilgrimage. - [MMP Show #964: Hope For the Warriors](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-show-964-hope-for-the-warriors/) - Hope for the Warriors empowers military spouses through education to change their life with their Military Spouse & Caregiver Scholarship program. - [The First Deployment](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-first-deployment/) - I'm so excited and a little nervous for my husband’s upcoming deployment. It is not only the first for him, but for me as well! I know this is good for his career and he seems genuinely excited so I'm taking all sorts of steps to prepare myself mentally, physically, and emotionally. First thing - [Empathy Above All Things](https://missionmilspouse.org/empathy-above-all-things/) - Empathy is much needed in our world, but sometimes it can feel is if it is in short supply. Read on about empathy and how to practice it with each other. - [Murphy Came Calling ](https://missionmilspouse.org/murphy-came-calling/) - Every time we think we have things handled, Murphy shows up. Deployment is the time that luck seems to roll downhill. Join Lavaughn as tells her Murphy story. - [How to Prep your Relationship for Basic Training](https://missionmilspouse.org/how-to-prep-your-relationship-for-basic-training/) - Even seasoned military spouses (who are more concerned with deployments or rotations) can learn a thing or two about Basic Training. - [From Hooah to Hope](https://missionmilspouse.org/hooah-to-hope-the-22-hour-journey-from-army-wife-to-army-mom/) - From Hooah to Hope - [5 Antidotes to the Mean Girls Club](https://missionmilspouse.org/5-antidotes-to-the-mean-girls-club/) - The Mean Girls Club. This scary group of girls that work together to bring down the weakest one amongst them. Jenny has some ways to prevent becoming a member. - [Reframing & Reclaiming Resilience](https://missionmilspouse.org/reframing-reclaiming-resilience/) - To figure out why we feel this way about the word resilience and what we can do about it, we have to go back to basics. Let’s start with what it actually means. - [Five School Break Boredom Busters That Homeschoolers Will Love! ](https://missionmilspouse.org/five-school-break-boredom-busters-that-homeschoolers-will-love/) - Whatever your reason for taking a break from planned school work, if you’re looking for ideas on keeping your kids occupied, you’re in luck! Just keep reading. - [MMP Show #963 Tips to Thriving in a Remote Duty Station](https://missionmilspouse.org/mmp-show-963-tips-to-thriving-in-a-remote-duty-station/) - Have you found yourself receiving orders to a remote duty station? What about the thought of living away from a military base? - [It Takes A Village](https://missionmilspouse.org/it-takes-a-village/) - Sometimes, it really takes a village and sometimes that village can bring unique challenges to the table. Read on how one seasoned milspouse handled it. - [Reasons for Milspouse Pride: Part 3](https://missionmilspouse.org/reasons-for-milspouse-pride-part-3-link-up-giveaway/) - In the words of the late Paul Harvey, today it is time for "The Rest of the Story." The last couple of months, we've been sharing reasons for milspouse pride. (Need to catch up? Check out Part 1 and Part 2) So now, we present our final chapter: - [The 3 C's of FRGs](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-three-cs-of-frg/) - You've probably heard one of the following about the FRG: “They're full of bickering, back-stabbing women who will use their husband’s rank against you.” “It'll be a waste of your time and energy.” “Don’t join or you’ll be sucked into doing a bunch of stuff you don’t want to do.” - [Another Day in the Office](https://missionmilspouse.org/another-day-in-the-office/) - In my "former life," I was a soldier. For some reason, there is a stereotype that all, or at least most, female soldiers serve behind a desk in an office. While I don't see why there's an issue with that, seeing that they raised their right hand and took the oath, truthfully there are also males in office positions as well. - [Saying "I Love You" Without Words](https://missionmilspouse.org/saying-i-love-you-without-words/) - I went to a wedding celebration for friends of mine over the weekend. It’s exciting to see “new” love, even though both of these friends are in their 40’s. The guests played a game where each took a wooden log from a Jenga® game and wrote a piece of marriage advice on it. The pieces were then tossed into a bowl and during the evening Tim or Sofia would draw out a piece and read it. Lots of wonderful advice: don’t go to bed angry…have lots of sex…and remember that she’s always right! You know, the usual. I had different advice for them based on an activity I do with couples returning from deployment in my communications workshop for the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program. Here it is: Always remember to say “I Love You” with no words at all. What does that mean? Look for the little things you do for each other that “say” how special you think they are. Usually those things involve no words, and are from the heart. - [When "Winter" Seems to Last Forever](https://missionmilspouse.org/when-winter-seems-to-last-forever/) - ife is all about the seasons, and some seasons, like winter, seem to last forever. Sorry if that sounded kind of corny or slightly cliche, but from where I'm sitting, it's true—especially for military spouses. We have seasons of joy. We have seasons of pain. We have seasons of hopeful anticipation. Of disappointment. Of frustration. Encouragement. Waiting. Challenge. Victory. Yes, it's all about the seasons. Sometimes we have a season of "winter" that seems to last forever. - [Goodbye Gallbladder](https://missionmilspouse.org/goodbye-gallbladder/) - Since about 2009, I've had problems with my gallbladder. It would ache occasionally and I knew I had gallstones. However, like many people, it didn't bother me very often and I carried on with life. I knew it would eventually need to be removed, but I also knew that some people had negative side effects afterwards and it swayed me enough to put it off. Fast forward to about one month after I had my son last year. - [3 Coastal Vacation Spots Near Military Installations](https://missionmilspouse.org/surfside-vacation-destinations-near-military-bases/) - Rolling waves glisten and sparkle under the effervescent rays of morning sunshine. A soothing breeze off the water sweeps the hair from your eyes as you gaze across the sand and surf. There’s no stress here! It’s the perfect setting for the getaway trip you’ve been longing for. Suddenly, a car door opens. You realize you’ve been daydreaming again while waiting in the pick-up line outside of your child’s school! But what if you could actually escape to beachy bliss? - [Running Your Race: Military Spouses and Retirement](https://missionmilspouse.org/running-your-race-military-spouses-retirement/) - Each year, millions of people will train for and run a marathon. Many of these runners have trained for years, hoping to compete in prestigious races. They’ve dreamed of what it would be like to be the first to cross the finish line as victory cheers ring out around them. When the first three runners cross the finish line, the race is far from over. There are many runners who are still running their own race, striving to do their best even though they know they won’t be coming in first. - [When the Going Gets Tough](https://missionmilspouse.org/when-the-going-gets-tough-part-1-link-up-giveaway/) - Being a military spouse is a walk in the park... And by park, I mean Jurassic Park. Some days I feel like I can conquer the world while other moments it's a complete miracle that my kids are still alive and I remembered to put on pants. We've all heard the saying "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." I'd like to consider myself tough, but where the heck am I supposed to "go" on tough days when my service member is already gone to work/TDY/deployment?! - [Every Month is Month of the Military Child, If You Ask Me](https://missionmilspouse.org/every-month-is-month-of-the-military-child-if-you-ask-me/) - All of us here at Army Wife Network know that April is Month of the Military Child. Interestingly, it is also Sports Eye Safety Month, National Fresh Celery Month, and International Guitar Month, but I think I'll let someone else write about those topics. I'm here to write about what I know and love: Military children. - [The PCS Itch](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-pcs-itch/) - CS season is upon us, and I have the PCS itch. My family has officially been at our duty station long enough to watch familiar faces pack up and head off to new adventures. All the houses in my neighborhood are emptying out, which means that my neighbors, my people who have become my friends, confidants, and my children's playmates are moving away, and it's heartbreaking in so many ways. - [Making the Hard Decisions](https://missionmilspouse.org/making-the-hard-decisions/) - The number of decisions we make each day is endless: What to wear, what to eat, whether we should work out, what to watch on TV, do we really need that particular item at the grocery store? But they get bigger, too! Do I really want to spend a whole year without my service member? When do I decide to make a move in my career? When do we choose to grow our family? - [A Special Thank You, and a Veteran's Funeral](https://missionmilspouse.org/a-special-thank-you-a-veterans-funeral/) - I've been blogging for Army Wife Network for more than three years now, and if you've been around these parts for any length of time, you've likely heard about my theory as a military spouse to live out the "No-Plan Plan." For the most part, the No-Plan Plan pertains to the everyday milspouse stuff—the PCSes, TDYs, deployments, when the service member is coming home, what day they have off, where'll be going next... You get the point. - [When You Become the Parent of a Military Child](https://missionmilspouse.org/when-you-become-the-parent-of-a-military-child/) - A little more than a year ago I had my son—my first child. Not only did I become a mother the moment he was born, he became a military child. I became the parent of a military child. It isn't always something you think about, but when the reality of your situation in a military family comes to the forefront of your daily life, it's hard to ignore. - [10 Ways to Make Military Housing Your Own](https://missionmilspouse.org/10-ways-to-make-military-housing-your-own/) - A big complaint by those living in military housing is the inability to personalize their homes. This is true to an extent, but the options to temporarily tailor the space to your likes are affordable, attractive, and rapidly expanding. There are some pretty talented and creative milspouses out there who love to share ideas on how to customize military housing. If you aren't already part of the Facebook groups "White Walls" and "HGTV Followers Military Housing Style," then make it happen quickly, because the imaginations these folks have are amazing! - [Raising a Military Child](https://missionmilspouse.org/raising-a-military-child/) - This month, families all over the world are celebrating Month of the Military Child. It didn’t hit me that I’m raising a military child until the other day when my daughter was admiring a new piece of wall décor I recently purchased. It’s a wooden board that hangs in our living room that reads, “Home is where the Army sends us.” - [When the Going Gets Tough: Part 2](https://missionmilspouse.org/when-the-going-gets-tough-part-2-link-up-giveaway/) - You might recall that last month we kicked off a mini-series about what to do when the going gets tough as a milspouse. We had such a good time with it that I didn't want to stop there. So today, I'll be sharing another one of my personal "coping" tips when things are harder than normal for our military spouse lives. And, of course, we'll also take another look at some great ideas shared by our AWN followers. - [Deployment Battle Buddy](https://missionmilspouse.org/deployment-battle-buddy/) - Deployments are a challenge and each has different struggles. Almost anyone who has been through one, or half a dozen, knows that. Our lives often change abruptly, and no matter how much planning has been done, a new and unknown monkey wrench gets thrown into the mix. - [Visualization for Runners](https://missionmilspouse.org/visualization-for-runners/) - If you have a training program for your fitness routine, you probably spend a lot of time focused on it. The following is a technique used by Tina Muir which I want to share with you. It's so easy to think that training is only physical but it's also training your mind, and we often overlook that mental focus. - [Change in the Neighborhood](https://missionmilspouse.org/change-in-the-neighborhood/) - My husband and I have been married for less than three years and are still chugging along at our first duty station. I didn’t grow up with an affiliation to the military life, so I'm pretty content with things always just being the way they are. Rarely did a big change ever occur in my life that threw off my daily routine or the people I socialized with, and I'm slowly starting to get a taste of what it’s like to experience change in this Army world. - [That Empty Chair at the Table](https://missionmilspouse.org/that-empty-chair-at-the-table/) - I've been a military spouse for what my husband commonly refers to as "a hot minute." You would think that after all this time, I would stop being surprised at all the things that come with military life. But nope. Experiences like random TDYs, changes to our no-plan plan, promotions, future duty stations... it almost always catches me a little bit off guard; I've grown significantly in my ability to be flexible. There is one aspect of the military life that I've experienced over and over again, but yet it still surprises me every single time. It typically occurs at the military ball. - [Appreciating Your Fellow Military Spouse](https://missionmilspouse.org/appreciating-your-fellow-military-spouse/) - I love pulling into my driveway, and not just because it means I'm home and can change into my comfy sweatpants. When I park my car, I'm looking right at my flower garden. If I may be so bold, it's pretty awesome. There's a riotous rosebush that I never prune, peonies (because I always plant peonies), and lilies. - [Living Through Loss](https://missionmilspouse.org/living-through-loss/) - Last month, I was faced with a life-changing decision. Many of you reading this have likely experienced something very similar, and it gives me some comfort to know that you may share in my feelings. Very unexpectedly, my cat Madison became critically ill. For a week prior to this I noticed she seemed a little lethargic and was lying around quite a bit. I didn't think much of it. I thought perhaps it was a side effect of some medicine she'd been given for ulcers—a problem she had fairly frequently. - [3 Ways to Find Your Perfect Rental](https://missionmilspouse.org/how-to-find-your-perfect-rental/) - While it may not be realistic for military families to buy our dream home at each duty station, that doesn’t mean you can’t still have the perfect rental home for you. - [A Real Life Military Spouse](https://missionmilspouse.org/a-real-life-army-wife/) - Ask any of my friends and they will tell you…I have the best conversations with baggers at the commissary. One time, this lady told me that I was buying too much meat. Another man once told me that I was buying so many eggs (it was Easter time, I was making deviled eggs for a potluck, and I was doing a Whole30, thank you very much) I would save money if I bought some actual chickens, instead. - [Marriage: "I needed to hear that!"](https://missionmilspouse.org/marriage-i-needed-to-hear-that/) - This time of year is a tradition for weddings, which is why I thought of revisiting some of the advice from my FlipTip book: Barely Married: Navigating the first years of a military marriage. Being early in a marriage and new to the military lifestyle can be a daunting experience. Both bring lots of new challenges, and many new joys. The key is to find ways to make them both work together. We'll smooth out some of the speed bumps you might incur along the way by bringing you helpful tips, information, and advice right from others who have lived through exactly what you're feeling now. You just might find yourself saying, "I needed to hear that!" For those of you who have been “married to the military” for longer, you may find something below that you’ve forgotten about. We can all use reminders. - [When the Going Gets Tough: Part 3](https://missionmilspouse.org/when-the-going-gets-tough-part-3-link-up-giveaway/) - All good things must come to an end but not before we go out with a bang! Welcome to our final installment of tips and tricks on how to survive (and maybe even thrive) when the going gets tough as milspouses. (Just joining us? Check out our previous posts in this mini-series by clicking here and here.) Today, my tip for toughing-it-out survival is once again pretty simple. My go to when I start to feel a bit cray-cray? Get. Some. Rest. - [Attend the Things](https://missionmilspouse.org/attend-the-things/) - Whether you’re a veteran who has just started a new civilian job or a military spouse trying to maintain a career despite yet another PCS, sometimes it feels like all of your challenges boil down to one: Keep all the plates spinning (and in the air). It seems like it should be enough, this focus on sustaining what you already have. There’s a cyclical quality to it that’s almost hypnotic (or maybe you’re just really that tired). - [Positive Footprints](https://missionmilspouse.org/positive-footprints/) - We all want to leave positive footprints for our children to follow in, something they can carry forward with them in life. One footprint that seems to run through our military families is volunteering. Where there is a parent who volunteers, there tends to be a child who's either in tow or volunteers themselves. In a normal year, military installations will submit hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours. There are Volunteer of the Month, Quarter, and Year, and Service Member awards. Behind all of that, there are hours that are never submitted or recognized, but our children see them. - [How the National Memorial Day Concert Changed Me](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-national-memorial-day-concert-and-how-it-changed-me/) - It’s no secret that military spouse life is full of surprises: the constant changing of the no-plan plans, PCSes that end up a little bit backward, and even small day-to-day experiences we encounter. One thing I've learned through the years is that all milspouse experiences can change us, usually for the better, be they big or small. And recently, I had one of those very life-changing experiences: I attended The National Memorial Day Concert in Washington, D.C. - [The National Memorial Day Concert: Photo Blog](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-national-memorial-day-concert-photo-blog/) - Remember that saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words?" Well, I think it's true. I was recently privileged to attend The National Memorial Day Concert in Washington, D.C., and today, I want to share some of the most photogenic moments. - [10 Holidays Traditions You Can Start](https://missionmilspouse.org/whats-your-tradition/) - The military is so rich in customs and courtesies. When I started asking military spouses for their holiday traditions, it was no surprise that the ideas were bountiful. - [12 Days of Holiday Cookies](https://missionmilspouse.org/12-days-of-cookies/) - Here at Army Wife Network, we love the holidays: music, food, friends, food, exchanging gifts, food, and, of course, the cookies! To boost your holiday spirit, we've compiled a list of our 12 favorite holiday cookie recipes. Click on the recipes below for a very handy printable 4x6 holiday recipe card. - [Goodbye Like a Band-Aid](https://missionmilspouse.org/goodbye-like-a-band-aid/) - One quick motion—right off! At least that is the dream for me. It is less than two months away–our PCS move—and I am already starting to say goodbye to people. Hey, if everyone keeps asking me when I am moving, I am going to assume that they don't want me around anymore. - [What To Expect: Military Edition](https://missionmilspouse.org/proceed-with-caution/) - I think a lot of us are genetically engineered to want more information. I’m pretty sure that’s how Google started. We have an inherent need to know as much as we can get our hands on and relate with others. That’s a fair assessment, right? - [10 Tips for Finding the Perfect Rental](https://missionmilspouse.org/10-tips-for-finding-the-perfect-rental-home/) - The moment you have an inkling of an upcoming move, you should start researching your proposed duty station. Talk to friends and search the Internet for information on desired areas to live surrounding the military installation. As we all know, it is dangerous to make any firm plans prior to having orders in hand, but the legwork can begin long before you have confirmation that you are moving. During your research, it is likely that it will become clear what your priorities are: location to work, desired school districts, safe neighborhood, walking distance to nearby attractions and so on. Your research will afford you the knowledge of the typical rental prices for the area and will help you set your budget. Find out what the current BAH rates are for that military base so that you can make an informed decision about how much money you have to work with and what, if any, amount you are willing to spend out-of-pocket. If you have school age children, utilize websites that grade the various individual schools and districts to get an idea of which district you would like to be located within and find the neighborhoods zoned for those schools. Once you have your priorities set it is time for the next step. - [A Year After Deployment](https://missionmilspouse.org/a-year-after-deployment/) - One year ago today, I welcomed my husband home from deployment. I suppose, at some point in the near future, I should stop telling people that he “just got back from Iraq.” But I can’t. Because to me, it really does still feel like he just got back, and I’ve been waiting for that to change for almost a whole year now. - [My No-Matter-What List](https://missionmilspouse.org/no-matter-what/) - Are you busy? Do you take care of your home, your kids, your spouse, and your car? Do you volunteer? Work a full-time job? Are you involved in organizations? Do you give, give, and then give some more? Do you take the kids from one activity to the next? Are you always there for a friend in need? When was the last time you took care of yourself? - [Can We Afford to Send Our Kids to College?](https://missionmilspouse.org/can-we-afford-to-send-our-kids-to-college/) - Dear Mr. Dad: Our son is a high-school senior. He’s a good student and wants to go to college next year. Seems odd to be worrying about this already, but there’s no way we can afford to send him to the places he’s looking at. My husband lost his job, I’m working only part time, and we weren’t able to put enough into our son’s college account as we’d hoped. What should we do? - [Hotel Living: Not as Romantic as It Sounds](https://missionmilspouse.org/hotel-living-not-as-romantic-as-it-sounds/) - We have begun our three-month stay at Fort Jackson. At first I thought, my hubby and me, on an extended “vacation,” no chores, no cooking. Just me and my honey hanging out in a hotel room together—how romantic! Um, no. - [Five Tricks to Fit in Fall Fitness](https://missionmilspouse.org/five-tricks-to-fit-in-fall-fitness/) - Summer vacations are now computer screen savers and cell phone backgrounds, and it's back to your wall calendar, lists, meetings, kids’ practices, and weekend chores. If the weather and weeks ahead feel harsh, one thing will get easier: your workouts. - [Dependent Parent](https://missionmilspouse.org/dependent-parent/) - In October, 2010, my family went through a change—a big one! My mother and father moved in with us. My parents lived in a small town in the North Carolina mountains where my father ran his own business. He also took care of my mom, who is disabled due to degenerative bone disease. After struggling for two years to keep his small business above water, the bottom finally fell out from under him, and my parents lost their business and their home. - [5 Humorous Vacation Hacks](https://missionmilspouse.org/5-humorous-vacation-hacks/) - Summer is here, my friends! It's time for fun in the sun, creating new ways to entertain the kids since they're out of school (#CanYouSaySummerCamp), and of course, vacations. Now, if you are anything like our family, vacations are not as relaxing as they used to be. With a 4-year-old and a 4-month-old, going anywhere for an hour is sometimes level: mission impossible. - [What's Your Standard Operating Procedure?](https://missionmilspouse.org/whats-your-standard-operating-procedure/) - Now that fall is in full swing and the holiday season is imminent, it becomes all too easy for our to-do’s and household chores to pile up like the leaves in the yard. Do you have a strategy for handling the mounting activities and demands? - [7 House-Hunting Tips for Military Families](https://missionmilspouse.org/7-househunting-tips-for-military-families/) - House hunting for military families is a bit different than what our civilian counterparts go through. We’re usually working on a compressed timetable due to a PCS move, may deal with negotiations long distance, or have one spouse accomplishing much of the legwork while the other is deployed or away for duty. Whatever the reason you’ve decided to buy a home, whether it’s a long-term investment or your “forever home,” start with these seven tips for your best house-hunting experience: - [Don't Ditch Your Civilian Friends](https://missionmilspouse.org/dont-ditch-your-civilian-friends/) - Almost every day on one of the several military-focused websites, forums, and social media groups I belong to, I see mentions of how civilian family and friends “just don’t understand” military life. I’m pretty sure that at least once (and probably more!) in the years I’ve been married to my service members I’ve said the same thing. - [Most Memorable Milspouse Moments: Part 1](https://missionmilspouse.org/most-memorable-milspouse-moments-part-1-link-up-giveaway/) - Maybe it's just me, but I feel like our military family spends a good deal of time dreaming about the future: our next duty station, when our service member will be promoted, when the next deployment will creep up, and yes, even imagining (and sometimes dreaming about!) what life after the military will be. - [Car Break-Ins Can Cost You](https://missionmilspouse.org/car-break-ins-can-cost-you/) - the car itself, they're very interested in what’s inside, warns Frank Scafidi, public affairs director for the National Insurance Crime Bureau. "People are getting smarter about protecting their cars and locking them," says Scafidi. But your vehicle remains a target because its contents—whatever they might be—have value to someone who sees them and wants them without regard for you, your property, or the law. Here are five reasons your car might be a target. - [5 Reasons Your Home May Not Be Selling](https://missionmilspouse.org/why-isnt-my-house-selling/) - This is a tough question many homeowners ask, one you might only find the answer to if you have a crystal ball, though a mirror may before more fitting. You have a personal relationship with your home; you may not see things as clearly as a potential buyer. Almost like a good long look in the mirror at ourselves, sometimes that unflinching stare can reveal flaws or weaknesses that we don’t really want to see. - [Easy Holiday Party Ideas](https://missionmilspouse.org/its-your-party/) - Yippee! Party season is upon us from Halloween to New Year's Day. Want to have the best party? I do. I got out my planner and sat down with a fellow Household 6, my friend Tiffany. We talked about food, drinks, and decorations. She gave me a sneak peak at a couple of recipes from The Drinking Girls Guide to Casual Entertaining (the cookbook will be out in the spring of 2013), so keep reading to get these recipes, too. - [Dear Deployment Gnome](https://missionmilspouse.org/dear-deployment-gnome/) - Dear Deployment Gnome, A number of months back, you moved in and brought all your mischief and problems with you. At first we struggled and fought and you wore me out—it was nothing but an uphill battle. Then when life continued, you continued to pop up and see how many different bumps you could throw in the road. - [Life Lessons from a Salmon](https://missionmilspouse.org/life-lessons-from-a-salmon/) - Of all our duty stations so far, I think Alaska holds the title of "most outdoorsy." It's too beautiful to stay indoors, especially in the summer—all two weeks of it. I tried my hand at fishing, believing it was super simple to catch salmon. Big Sarge had a soldier who literally could drop a line into the water on his way home from work and catch a mess of fish for his supper. Surely it couldn't be that hard? This guy assured me that fishing was a piece of cake. - [The Goodbye Knot](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-goodbye-knot/) - As soon as we get official orders, the goodbye knot of dread in my stomach starts to form. If I were to make a list of the things I dread about PCSing, saying goodbye wins the gold medal. Yes, I hate the smell of boxes and the sound of screeching tape. And yes, I would give any amount of money to never again have to open my kitchen cabinet doors and have a complete stranger tell me, “Whoa, ma’am, that’s a lot of dishes.” - [Staying Away from Dehydration](https://missionmilspouse.org/staying-away-from-dehydration/) - The heat is back and that means hydration comes into play with your exercise program. A water bottle or hydration pack is critical. The symptoms of dehydration are cramps, dizziness, and fatigue. - [Reasons for Milspouse Pride: Part 2](https://missionmilspouse.org/reasons-for-milspouse-pride-part-2-link-up-giveaway/) - Some people believe there can be too much of a good thing. I might agree with this statement if talking about rich cheeses, excessive exercise, or Netflix binge watching, but I just can't agree that there is ever such a "thing" as too much military spouse pride. You might remember that last month I shared the first installment of our series "Reasons from Milspouse Pride." - [Resiliency, Romantically Speaking](https://missionmilspouse.org/can-resiliency-romantically-speaking/) - Resiliency—a term we hear a lot about in the military community. My chaplain husband mentions it often. However, the term wasn't really something I thought much about until one evening when my husband used it to describe me. Suddenly, I wanted to know more. - [Where to Find Help When You Need It](https://missionmilspouse.org/where-to-find-help-when-you-need-it/) - I'm part of several military spouse groups, as many of you probably are. While I don’t always engage, I've learned a bit from watching the interactions members have with each other. There's one question I see over and over again that I almost always chime in on, not because I think I know better than someone else, but because I believe it's a shame that these services aren’t promoted, few know they exist, and therefore service members and their families suffer. - [4 Ways to Keep the Romance Alive](https://missionmilspouse.org/keeping-the-romance-alive/) - It's hard sometimes, as a military spouse, when our spouse is away on a deployment, TDY, other work-related leave, or after having children to be able to get some quality time with our spouse to keep the romance alive. We're alone without our other half until they return, or if they're home, we usually wait until the kids are in bed to maybe be able to watch at least a show together. - [You are an Inspiration](https://missionmilspouse.org/someone-is-watching-someone-is-learning-you-are-an-inspiration/) - I love to hear people who come from struggles and reach unimaginable goals for themselves. I love to watch someone ordinary become something extraordinary. Stories of hard work, in any capacity, tug at my heart strings. I’m a talk show host junkie, so it’s entertaining and inspiring to see someone like Oprah, and her amazing story of going from nothing to Oprah, or Ellen, going from being a small-stage comedian to the large national stage that she entertains today. - [Call Me Mrs. Groundhog](https://missionmilspouse.org/call-me-mrs-groundhog/) - Stepparenting in a military family often feels like Groundhog Day. Minus the witty remarks of Bill Murray, conversations are often repeated, mistakes are made, and sometimes the outcome can become a predictable routine. As Bill’s character, Phil states, “What would you do if you were stuck in one place and every day was exactly the same, and nothing that you did mattered?” Let’s revisit the holidays. - [How to Prepare for a Military Homecoming](https://missionmilspouse.org/are-you-ready-for-homecoming/) - As the countdown slowly ticks away to homecoming, there's a standard preparation you can expect. For some reason, the perfect outfit seems to be at the top of the list. Over the years, and after attending more than 50 homecomings, I've seen some pretty epic outfits. The one that takes the cake is the spouse who dressed in an inflatable T-rex costume, one I didn't see personally, but Google can help you witness it. Besides the outfit, there are the signs, the kids' outfits (if applicable), getting the house cleaned up, and so much more. - [10 Back-to-School To-Do's](https://missionmilspouse.org/kids-back-in-school-top-ten-to-do/) - If your kids are heading back to school soon, here are ten things to consider doing with your time: - [What I Need You to Tell Me](https://missionmilspouse.org/what-i-need-you-to-tell-me/) - Looking over my calendar for the next few months, I have some exciting things planned. Our spouses' club is hosting a huge fundraiser that will help raise money for community grants and non-profits in the area. We’ve been planning for months, and I can’t wait to see it executed for a good cause. My two workout besties and I have committed to a different hike each month, with our final hike being Rattlesnake Ridge (Google it…it’s unbelievable). I can’t wait to get to the top, take a ridiculous amount of selfies, then celebrate by gorging at our favorite taco truck. With so many events, milestones, and general life stuff, it can be easy for me to forget the most important thing of all... - [Three Little Words](https://missionmilspouse.org/three-little-words/) - Life often changes with three little words. "I love you." "Surprise! It's twins!" "Let's cancel cable." Our life just went bum over teakettle when I told Big Sarge it was time to renew the lease. He looked at me and said three little words: "Month-to-month." - [Pre-deployment Discussions You Must Have: Connection and Coping](https://missionmilspouse.org/pre-deployment-discussions-connection-coping/) - So you've had the first two major discussions, and now we look at the art of staying connected with your loved ones while apart and helping your child(ren) cope. Let's get started. - [Lessons I Learned from my Phone Battery](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-lesson-i-learned-from-my-iphone-battery/) - It's no secret that many aspects of our lives, especially as military spouses, are very serious. The challenges, the unknowns, the changed no-plan plans. All of it. If we aren't careful, we (ahem, as in—myself) can get sucked down with a pretty negative attitude. In the seriousness of this world, I'm on a mission to bring a little bit of humor to it, especially on social media. Because, really, my sense of humor (and my faith) are sometimes the only things that keep me going. - [When You Start Rolling Your Eyes at the Calendar](https://missionmilspouse.org/when-you-start-rolling-your-eyes-at-the-calendar/) - As someone who has always had some sort of seasonal depression in the darker months, even before my diagnosis of Postpartum Depression after each daughter, February has always been one of my least favorite months. This year, it’s month four of a deployment that will be somewhere between eight and 12 months long (it's still anybody’s guess), and the end of my homebody tendencies because travel season starts back up for my job. - [6 Tips for Buying Homes Sight Unseen](https://missionmilspouse.org/buying-homes-site-unseen/) - At the height of the 2004 housing market frenzy, I went on a blind date with a house we had purchased sight unseen. PCSing to Washington, D.C. from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, that summer, our housing search, in that wild market, was like speed dating, where everyone already came in with an engagement ring. Every time our realtor or our internet searches presented us with a good option, the owner’s would glibly relay that they "already had two or three contract offers just that day!" - [Me? Lead? You've Got the Wrong Person!](https://missionmilspouse.org/me-lead-youve-got-the-wrong-person/) - Over the last two weeks, I had the opportunity to lead a training team for a major corporation in Dubai. As a presentation and communication skills trainer, I’ve led teams in lots of cities here in the states. But now I was taking a team of five people more than 7,800 miles away. What if something went wrong? - [Questions Answered: Wife of A Wounded Warrior](https://missionmilspouse.org/questions-answered-wife-of-a-wounded-warrior/) - On July 28, 2006, I got the call that my husband was severely injured by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). He was six weeks from coming home after being stop-lossed for his second deployment to Iraq. We spent 20 months rehabilitating and medically boarding at Walter Reed. - [To the Milspouse Who is Also a Student](https://missionmilspouse.org/to-the-spouse-who-is-also-a-student/) - Dear milspouse who is also a student... I know your struggle, because until just a few months ago, I was that spouse. I couldn’t move with my husband when he came to a new duty station because I was in school. I couldn’t visit because I couldn’t miss any more classroom time. - [3 Smart Features to Set Your Listing Apart](https://missionmilspouse.org/selling-your-home-smart-home-features-that-could-set-your-listing-apart/) - Driving around our neighborhood, my spouse and I noticed a good number of houses for sale. With PCS season bringing military moves, the market seems busier than usual. While preparing to list our home, we’re looking for ways to make our property stand out. - [6 Ways Parenting a Newborn is like Being a Military Spouse](https://missionmilspouse.org/6-ways-parenting-a-newborn-is-like-being-a-military-spouse/) - Listen very closely... Do you hear that? It's my own personal internal tick-tock clock as I anxiously wait for this New Tiny Human to be born. (I'm writing this post a little bit in advance, because hopefully, by the time this post is published in late February, this newborn will have been evicted and settling into the "real world" in our arms.) You may recall that last month, I wrote a post about how pregnancy is like being a military spouse. Well, my love for analogies hasn't stopped, so today I would like to share 6 Ways Parenting a Newborn is like Being a Military Spouse. - [An Offer I Couldn't Refuse](https://missionmilspouse.org/meet-sarah/) - I’ve been a writer for about as long as I can remember. It all started when I was a kid. I used to spend hours on my parents' old Compaq computer, writing page after page of silly stories, ranging from magical paints and talking dragons, to fun poems about a wizard. I would print them out and pass them off to my mother, who was my own personal editor. She would mark my mistakes and I would eagerly return to the keyboard and correct them, later proudly presenting her with my finished copy. It was mostly a hobby back then, and I never knew what I would do with it in the future. I had numerous teachers who helped groom my skills, and I eventually decided that journalism would be my future. I graduated with an English degree focusing in journalism in 2010. - [Developing a Positive Attitude Using Affirmations](https://missionmilspouse.org/developing-a-positive-attitude-using-affirmations/) - Most of us know the importance of maintaining a positive attitude. There are serious benefits to optimism. - [A Visit Home](https://missionmilspouse.org/a-visit-home-2/) - We're just coming home from a month-long visit home to see our friends and family in Indiana. The time we spent there was filled with some new and exciting things for our son and for myself. One of the best things about visiting was taking my son to one of the playgrounds I used to frequent as a kid. He had a lot of fun climbing, running, and touching things. It was fun to see him in an environment I spent many days of my childhood in. - [Reasons for Milspouse Pride: Part 1](https://missionmilspouse.org/reasons-for-milspouse-pride-part-1-link-up-giveaway/) - I have a confession to make. Sometimes, in the day-to-day shenanigans that is military spouse life, I forget about the pride that comes with this calling. And I don't mean pride like, "Look at me, I'm so awesome" pride; more like, "Wow. My spouse is the bomb dot com. This life can be hard, but I sure am proud of what my service members is doing for our country/world/family." Maybe you find yourself sometimes forgetting the pride part of this milspouse ride. - [Most Memorable Milspouse Moments: Part 2](https://missionmilspouse.org/most-memorable-milspouse-moments-part-2-link-up-and-giveaway/) - Imagine this: A handful of close friends (or in our case, battle buddies) are miraculously back in the same zip code, be it for a few months or just a few moments. You gather around the fire pit on the back patio; you pour yourself a beverage of choice. It takes only a couple of seconds before someone says it... "Remember that time when..." - [Being the Best You in 2017](https://missionmilspouse.org/being-the-best-you-in-2017/) - Greetings to all, and Happy New Year. Here we are again at the start of another year. Take a few minutes to reflect on 2016 and how it was for you. Whatever the outcome, there's nothing you can do to change it, but you're in a better position to reset for 2017 and take a serious look at what may lie ahead to be the best you on your fitness journey. - [13 Years Later](https://missionmilspouse.org/13-years-later/) - As this new year begins, my husband and I are about to celebrate the 13th anniversary of when we started dating. I sometimes can't believe I've spent almost half of my life with him already, but something even more surprising is how much life we've gone through these last 13 years: separations, deployments, multiple PCSes, parenthood, struggles, and successes. - [Big Red One: 100 Years and Counting](https://missionmilspouse.org/100-years-and-counting-part-one/) - I am a Big Red One Spouse. If you've been to any kind of ceremony on Fort Riley lately, you've probably heard something similar to that. This year, 2017, the 1st Infantry Division celebrates its 100th anniversary, and it's not to be outdone. - [PCS Orders During High School](https://missionmilspouse.org/pcs-orders-during-high-school-should-your-teen-go-or-stay/) - Moving your family during a child’s high school years is hard, no question about it. For many career military families, the latest move may be one of several they’ve faced during their child’s teen years. Some families, especially those with high school juniors or seniors, may decide forcing another move on their teen is not something they’re willing to do again. - [Struggling? You Aren't Alone](https://missionmilspouse.org/struggling-you-are-not-alone/) - Once upon a time, someone started a ridiculous rumor that military spouses should be the strongest people on the planet because asking for help and verbalizing life struggles are signs of weakness. What a silly fairy tale, right? Unfortunately, so many of us (myself included) have believed this "story" to be true for much too long, and instead, took the struggling path. Today, I want to encourage each and every one of you: If you are struggling with anything, please know that you are not alone. - [The People You Meet](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-people-that-you-meet/) - Military spouses are the most resilient people I've ever met. It's funny that I never used the word "resilient" until becoming a military spouse myself. After making many friends from various duty stations, I've learned that military spouses are tough—the exact definition of resilient—because of the always-evolving life situations thrown at us. - [17 Ways Military Spouses Are Lucky](https://missionmilspouse.org/17-ways-military-spouses-are-lucky/) - Have you ever had one of those "I wish I was that lucky" moments? Maybe you saw on Facebook that your friend's mother-in-law took her four kids for a three-day weekend. Maybe you heard that your neighbors received military orders to your dream duty station. Maybe your co-worker got the promotion that you had your eye on. When faced with these bummer moments, if you're like me, you might say, "Geez. I wish I was that lucky." - [Cheers to You, Military Spouses](https://missionmilspouse.org/cheers-to-you-military-wife/) - I woke up early one morning, mid-July, to send my husband off to yet another training exercise in a different European country. I climbed back into bed and opened my social media feeds where the first thing I saw at the top of my Facebook homepage was this photo about military spouses: - [If There Was a Dating App for Finding a New Milspouse BFF](https://missionmilspouse.org/if-there-was-a-dating-app-for-finding-a-new-milspouse-bff/) - If there was a dating app for finding new friends at each new duty station, my profile might read something like this: Hi, my name is Grace, and I'm seeking new friends! I moved here a few weeks ago, and now that I'm settled into my house, I have to get out or I'll go stir crazy! - [5 Ways to Celebrate Milestones During Deployment](https://missionmilspouse.org/5-key-steps-to-celebrating-a-special-milestone-during-deployment/) - My heart skipped a beat as the familiar Skype ringtone filled the room. When my husband’s pixelated, but undeniably handsome face came into view, tears filled my eyes. I wasn’t sure this milestone moment was going to happen. My husband shipped out on a year-long deployment shortly before our son’s first birthday. Since duty also called him to miss his birth, I wanted to plan something extra special that could somehow bring us all together to celebrate that day, despite the thousands of miles between us. - [Why Small Town Duty Stations Are the Best](https://missionmilspouse.org/why-small-town-duty-stations-are-the-best/) - To each their own, but my family and I have always preferred the small town atmosphere as opposed to the busy, chaotic city life when it comes to duty stations. Every small town you get assigned to, you will find those people. The ones that make you question every desire you had to PCS to this quaint little town you heard so much about. - [3 Credit Score Mistakes That Affect Home Buying](https://missionmilspouse.org/3-credit-score-mistakes-that-can-hurt-your-home-buying-chances/) - When it comes to buying a house, it’s no secret that credit scores matter. The higher your scores, the easier your access to the most sought after mortgage terms and interest rates. To be sure, you don’t need sky-high credit to land a home loan. That’s especially true for VA home loans, which tend to feature more flexible and forgiving credit standards. But a solid credit profile can help maximize your budget and your buying power. Here’s a look at three common mistakes that can hurt your credit, along with some simple yet concrete solutions. - [11 Ways Being a Military Spouse is like Running a Marathon](https://missionmilspouse.org/11-ways-being-an-army-wife-is-like-running-a-marathon/) - Life is funny. Why? Because just a few short years ago, I had two "nevers" that I (naively) thought were non-negotiable. I will never love/marry/follow a man. I will never run a marathon. You can probably already see where this post is going. Obviously, I have done both. - [The Next Chapter](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-next-chapter/) - I've spent some time reflecting upon the life I've known for the past 28 years as a new chapter quickly approaches. For the last 12 of those 28 years, I've gone through life with my husband by my side. Sometimes it's hard to believe that we were both just 16 when we started dating and we've come so far down this road together. I didn't know then that we would be a military family or that we would live in so many places and one day we would start a family together. - [6 Ways to Make Friends at a New Duty Station](https://missionmilspouse.org/6-ways-to-make-friends-at-a-new-duty-station/) - Recently, our family PCS’d to my husband’s new duty station assignment. Granted, it’s only about five hours south of the post he was previously assigned to, but for me, it might as well have been a world away. I'm an introvert by nature, and admittedly, I'm only three years into my military spouse journey and still on the learning curve. Although, I’ve been told the learning curve never really goes away because, as soon as you figure out how the military system functions, they decide to change things up! - [Getting a Head Start on the Holidays](https://missionmilspouse.org/getting-a-head-start-on-the-holidays/) - As we near the end of August, many things are happening. School is starting again for many parents and students. Summer is starting to come to its end to bring cooler weather, and the year is quickly (more quickly than I can believe sometimes) nearing its end. Though all of these things are happening, for some people, the holidays are still a distant thought among the general everyday chaos. - [5 Cozy Books to Cuddle Up With This Winter](https://missionmilspouse.org/5-cozy-books-to-cuddle-up-with-this-winter/) - Now that it’s finally starting to get cold here, I want nothing more than to sit on my couch with a mug of hot chocolate, two or three blankets, and a book. With the weather getting nastier, now is the perfect time to really sink your teeth into some good winter reads. - [2 Steps for Furthering Your Education](https://missionmilspouse.org/feeling-stuck-further-your-education-with-these-two-steps/) - It’s an age-old dilemma. You need to earn more money, but to do that you need to get a better job. In order to get a better job, you need to go back to school. But to go back to school, you need to be able to pay for tuition. In order to pay tuition, you need to earn more money. So how do you overcome this particular dilemma? Here are two ways that can help. - [Letters of Love](https://missionmilspouse.org/letters-of-love/) - With the advent of new technology, many things have changed over time. The equipment our service members use is much more advanced. Our children learn in very different ways than we did. And our means of communication have drastically changed, no longer requiring handwritten letters of love. - [Easy Ways to Get Ready for Back-to-School](https://missionmilspouse.org/easy-ways-to-get-ready-for-back-to-school/) - Shopping for back-to-school supplies isn’t the way it used to be, that’s for sure. Yes, some schools still send home sheets of specific items for your child’s use, but other methods are showing up too. Believe it or not, they might even be easier than shopping for an itemized list of 25 things. - [Be Someone's There](https://missionmilspouse.org/be-someones-there/) - A couple of nights ago, I got a text. Just a few simple words, but they meant so much. "Hey, are you okay?" On a scale of 1 to 10, I was at a 7 of not okay. Classes were taking their toll on me, homework was piling up around me, even part-time work seemed like too much, and the house looked like three tornadoes tore through it. All the nopes (my organizational skills can only do so much, apparently). - [6 Tips to Get Your Credit in Shape](https://missionmilspouse.org/6-tips-to-get-your-credit-in-homebuying-shape/) - Good credit habits, like good gym habits, aren’t built overnight. They take time and discipline to develop. The challenge for a lot of people is knowing where and how to begin. If you’re ready to start today, these six habits can help you strengthen your financial portfolio and get you on track to homeownership. - [107 Ideas for Intentional Living](https://missionmilspouse.org/107-ideas-for-intentional-living/) - What if you decided today to make intentional living your focus? February tends to be that time of year when our thoughts inevitably turn toward love, romance, and relationships—and sometimes earlier, since most stores start putting out Valentine’s Day-themed merchandise before the Christmas stuff is even off the shelves. - [Budgeting Time With YearCompass](https://missionmilspouse.org/budgeting-time-with-yearcompass/) - Have you heard of the magic bank account? The first time I heard of it, I was attending a faculty meeting at the elementary school where I was teaching. Believe me, all teachers want a magic bank account, so our principal certainly had our attention when she brought it up. I wasn't able to find the origin of the magic bank account story, but it appears to be pretty well known. It goes like this: - [Promoting Positive PCS Energy](https://missionmilspouse.org/promoting-positive-pcs-energy/) - It's that time of year again! When "the lists" are sent out by branch managers to our service members with location and job options for an impending PCS move. Five months from now, our family will embark on yet another PCS (also known as "Arnett Adventure") to add to our family historical chronicles. - [Running is 60% Mental, 40% Physical](https://missionmilspouse.org/running-is-60-mental-and-40-physical-part-1/) - We have reached the end of another year. Throughout the year I have offered training tips and profiles of athletes from a variety of backgrounds. There are many training programs, but how do you know which one is right for you? To be honest you don’t know. There is no magic program just like there is no magic diet program. Everything will begin with you and what it is that you want. - [How to Thrive as an Introverted Milspouse](https://missionmilspouse.org/how-to-thrive-as-an-introverted-milspouse/) - My husband and I are opposites in so many ways, but most noticeably when it comes to the introverted vs. extroverted rankings. Phil’s extroversion has played well into his military career. One time, he was staying in the barracks at Fort McCoy where there were open-bay toilets. He said he sat so close to the next man on the toilet that he could read his newspaper and joke around while each man did his "business." I'm still horrified! - [How to "America!"](https://missionmilspouse.org/how-to-america/) - If you ever have a face-to-face conversation with me, it will likely take you all of six minutes to realize that I have some very "unique" language and vocabulary. I use words like "fantastical" on a regular basis. I occasionally throw a "fo-shizzle" in there, although I know it is so 2011. - [New Year, Same You—With Style](https://missionmilspouse.org/new-year-same-you-with-style/) - Every year, like clockwork, we start planning our New Year’s resolutions. We vow to have more gym time, drink more water, read a few extra books, and possibly curb the usage of a certain four-letter word. Personally, I have several resolutions spinning around in my mind—my list keeps getting longer every day. I want to work on getting healthier for a possible addition to our family (wow, did I just say that out loud?). I'd also like to be more present for my family as we gear up for a possible deployment—to cherish the moments we have together. - [5 Pre-Deployment Financial Tips](https://missionmilspouse.org/5-financial-predeployment-tips/) - In the midst of packing bags and saying goodbye during your service member's pre-deployment, emotions are running high. It’s difficult enough to make time for the grocery store, let alone worry about organizing your finances for the next few months or years. However, it is imperative to have this conversation with your spouse before they leave, especially if you will be paying the bills. Through my 20 years of experience as a leader in the Marine Corps and current position as the business development officer and military relations representative at Miramar Federal Credit Union, I have a few valuable tips that will make this transition as easy as possible. - [Military Spouse Career Fears](https://missionmilspouse.org/my-career-clock-is-ticking-and-its-terrifying/) - I never anticipated life as a military spouse being easy. (Heck, I never anticipated life as a regular old spouse being easy.) I don’t think anyone ever does. We pretty much knew what we were signing up for; we weighed the benefits against the drawbacks and decided that yes, we can do this. We can move wherever they decide they want to send our service member and possibly live there alone if they get deployed. - [Be Kindness](https://missionmilspouse.org/be-kindness/) - Did you know that Feb. 17 is National Act of Kindness Day? I mean, honestly, every day is “a day,” but how great is this one?! It’s better than National Walk Around Things Day, National Lumpy Rug Day, and National Paper Bag Day (yes, I kid you not, these are actual “days” held on April 4, May 3, and July 12, respectively), but I digress. Back to something a little more personally fulfilling. - [Let's Recon Rendezvous, Military Family!](https://missionmilspouse.org/lets-rendezvous-army-family-reconrendezvous-link-up-party/) - I always prided myself on being independent. As a military spouse, it’s a good attribute to possess… for the most part. But shortly after jumping headfirst into this milspouse life, I realized that too much independence wasn’t such a good thing. Here’s what happened: - [The Journey Ahead: Focusing On Health](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-journey-ahead-focusing-on-health/) - Happy 2019! I hope you're having a great start to this new year. And my, oh my, how quickly this first month of the year is already going. In my last post, I talked about some of the changes I'm going through. I have started my journey to a better self and better health and have met some challenges along the way. I was at my heaviest weight around October of last year. Since then, some things have come to my attention that I believe are related to that. - [4 Tips for Quality Photos](https://missionmilspouse.org/how-to-take-a-quality-photo-and-why-you-should/) - I'm going to let you in on a little secret that many photographers don't want to admit: the quality of the camera you use has little to do with making a beautiful image. Don't get me wrong—a quality camera will serve you well. But, there are so many more factors involved in the production of a stunning photo. Don't worry! It's easier than you think to take a quality photo with whatever device you already have. - [Shine Your Light in the Darkness](https://missionmilspouse.org/shine-your-light-in-the-darkness/) - While there are a lot of great things about being a part of a military community, it also has its downsides. Frequent separations from those we love due to field time, TDY, or deployments; moving every two or three years to another state or another country; infrequent visits with family, maybe only once a year; changing schools, addresses, telephone numbers, licenses, cars. Sometimes, it can feel like military life has a lot of darkness. But when you see the light, something amazing happens. - [4 Tips to Help You Decide How Much Home to Buy](https://missionmilspouse.org/how-much-home-should-you-buy-four-tips-to-help-you-decide/) - Scrolling homes for sale can be so much fun: Admiring photos of pristine white kitchens, envisioning yourself floating in a high-end backyard oasis pool, and mentally reconfiguring the master closet to add an island. These visions of grandeur, they’re all part of the home shopping process. After all, you’re buying a dream, right? Eh. Perhaps. That's a big question, determining how much home you should buy. - [Assignment Dream Sheet: A Pro/Con List](https://missionmilspouse.org/assignment-dreams-a-procon-list/) - I’ve been a military spouse for quite some time, so when my husband is asked to make a duty station assignment dream sheet, my eyes glaze over a little right before they land in a reluctant roll. We’ve never gotten our first choice, so the whole ordeal feels like a waste of time. Time that could be better spent eating cookies. - [How to Stay Connected Despite the Distance](https://missionmilspouse.org/youre-worth-every-mile-2/) - Little hands find deployments and the strain of distance as difficult to grasp as adult hands. Many times, children don't always comprehend the why or reasoning behind a loved one being away. My duty and privileges as a step-mother are to provide assurance, protection, support, and love for little hands. My husband had two children prior to our marriage; a step-daughter who is 9 and step-son who is 4. - [Most Memorable Milspouse Moments: Part 3](https://missionmilspouse.org/most-memorable-milspouse-moments-part-3-link-up-giveaway/) - The last couple months, we here at AWN have been reflecting on some of our most memorable milspouse memories. (Be sure to catch up on Part 1 and Part 2!) Today, we wrap up this mini-series, and you can probably guess the main topic of discussion: Yep, you got it. Homecoming and deployments. (With a few extra bonus memories sprinkled in there.) - [Show #677: A Navy Widow’s Hope](https://missionmilspouse.org/show-677-providing-promise-a-navy-widows-journey-to-hope/) - Kris Rystrom Emmert impacts audiences with her powerful message of enduring unspeakable tragedy and discovering unshakable hope. With a contagious zest for life, Kris weaves her story of loss into a life-changing encounter that inspires others to experience their own healing and uncover their God-given destiny. - [Ask Yourself, Why Not Today?](https://missionmilspouse.org/ask-yourself-why-not-today/) - When married to a service member, you may sometimes feel like you take a backseat in military life. You put a lot of your own energy behind your service member spouse, encouraging, planning, packing, and moving, among other things. You celebrate the promotions, the graduations, getting that perfect duty station... But sometimes, as a spouse, you find yourself wanting more. You may find yourself asking, is it my turn yet? Wouldn't it be nice if someone not only helped you answer a "why not" question, but helped you achieve even one small step toward that goal? - [A Letter to My Military Brat](https://missionmilspouse.org/a-letter-to-my-army-brat/) - On May 22, 2017, at 1:52 p.m. my first baby boy, Mark, came into the world after a 10-hour labor. The moment I'd been dreaming of since I was a little girl began in an instant, and it hasn't slowed down since. I'll never forget the moment my husband and I walked into the house with that clunky infant carrier and over-packed diaper bag, looked at each other, and uttered, "Now what?" - [The Other Deployment List](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-other-deployment-list/) - When it comes time for deployment, our service members receive a mile-long list of boxes they have to check. During that time, it's easy to forget to check the boxes on the other deployment list—our deployment list. - [EYB: Camp Zama, Japan](https://missionmilspouse.org/pwtm-camp-zama-japan-2/) - Originally created by the Japanese as an Imperial Army Academy in the 1930's, it came under American control when a battalion of the 1st Cavalry Division of the U.S. Army arrived on Sept. 5, 1945. It eventually became known as Camp Zama. It saw increased activity during the Vietnam War, as soldiers were sent there for additional medical care of R&R and it was used as a main supply center for the war effort. Changes were made as Japan regained more control of various towns. U.S. Army Garrison Japan was activated at Camp Zama on Oct. 15, 2002. - [The Doctors Said It Was Just ADHD](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-doctors-said-it-was-just-adhd/) - In 2016, we learned that my husband would be sent to Korea for a year. I battled back and forth with different options, but ultimately decided to stay with my parents while he was gone. By February 2017, we were living with my parents and began the process of settling in. Three of our four children began school the same day we registered them, but our youngest son, Isaiah, would not be as fortunate. - [5 Reasons Your Next Family Vacation Should be a Road Trip](https://missionmilspouse.org/why-your-next-family-holiday-should-be-a-road-trip/) - Spending quality time with your kids is one of the most important—and rewarding—aspects of being a dad. Hanging out with your kids on a regular basis is crucial to staying in tune with their lives and sends an important message that you care. Besides doing everyday things together like cooking or playing soccer, taking a family holiday can be a great way to make some unforgettable memories. Road trips, in particular, offer wonderful opportunities to spend quality time together—and they’re typically less expensive and less stressful than flying. - [The Medal of Honor Series, Episode 2: SSG Clint Romesha](https://missionmilspouse.org/a-milspouse-review-the-medal-of-honor-series-netflix-episode-2-ssg-clint-romesha/) - We had been asked to screen the new Netflix docuseries, Medal of Honor, watching "Episode 2: Staff Sgt. Clint Romesha.” - [Hello from the Other Side of Depression](https://missionmilspouse.org/hello-from-the-other-side/) - When questioned about the mystery guy who inspired her hit song, “Hello," Adele answered that it was, in part, a song to herself and some of the people around her. At first, I thought that was crazy talk. And then I spent a month on new meds, and I understood. - [The Best Thing I Wore to the Military Ball](https://missionmilspouse.org/significance-is-subjective-the-best-thing-i-wore-to-the-military-ball/) - Sometime about a week after attending our most recent military ball, I showed my husband one of the pictures we took, and I asked him about my pin. I think what I first said was, “Where did this come from?” He responded, “From the office.” I knew that. Of course the Army logo pin came from his office, where he, of course, works for the Army. - [Smashing Military Spouse Stereotypes](https://missionmilspouse.org/smashing-military-spouse-stereotypes/) - I'd like to tackle a traditional military spouse stereotype of…(gasp)…the officer’s spouse. Many of us have seen these women at functions, probably wearing makeup and Spanx, walking around and talking to everyone, maybe even smiling at everyone through her teeth. Who does she think she is? - [Big Red One: 100 Years and Counting](https://missionmilspouse.org/100-years-and-counting-part-two/) - As I sit here listening to the artillery, the impact being made by Big Red One soldiers today is not overlooked. - [7 Ways Being a Milspouse is Like Parenting A Toddler](https://missionmilspouse.org/7-ways-being-an-army-wife-is-like-parenting-a-toddler/) - Our Tiny Human just turned 3 years old. And with the Terrible Twos behind us, I thought things would flip like a light switch as the final smoke wafted from her blown-out candles. And it did. We went directly into the Threenager Stage. It's really not that bad. In fact, I like her more now than I did this time three years ago after 12 hours of Pictocin-induced labor with no pain meds. (Side note: I have, of course, always loved her. She is just more fun.) - [14 Ways to Make Your Partner Feel Loved](https://missionmilspouse.org/small-gesture-big-impact-14-ways-to-make-your-partner-feel-loved/) - Whenever Valentine’s Day rolls around each year, it’s when most people take the time to show some major love to their partner. Be it with flowers, chocolates, jewelry, or other major purchases, you’re likely to see plenty of people in the check-out line buying last-minute gifts to show appreciation. But these big gifts aren’t really necessary. And we don’t need to limit the celebration of our relationships for a few days out of the year. - [The Transition To a New Sense of Self](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-transition-to-a-new-sense-of-self/) - The new year is here, and once again, the plans are being made. It's possible for you to make a difference in your life through your personal fitness goals, but you have to make the commitment to yourself. There are some who have personal challenges to overcome. I have my heart issues for which I am trying to find a balance. My resolution is to become a better slower runner and so far, I am off on the right foot. - [Which Breast Pump is Best for You?](https://missionmilspouse.org/which-breast-pump-is-best-for-you/) - Choosing a breast pump can be daunting, especially as a first-time mom. How are you supposed to know what you need if you’ve never done it before? Fortunately, we’ve helped thousands of moms find the right pump for them. - [Parenting is More than Macaroni](https://missionmilspouse.org/parenting-is-more-than-macaroni-part-1/) - Kids create cute artwork with macaroni noodles. They learn to count with it. They string elbow macaroni on yarn to wear as necklaces around their neck. And of course, they love to chow on macaroni and cheese lunches. Life for a child can seem as simple as macaroni, but parenting these little darlings is not so easy and carefree. For us, it's much more than macaroni. Parenting gets complicated, demanding, exhausting, and is often a thankless job with little recognition for all the hard work and sleepless nights you put into it. - [Confession: I'm STILL a Clueless Milspouse](https://missionmilspouse.org/confession-im-still-a-clueless-army-wife/) - Because my husband works for the military, our lives are unpredictable. This shocking to none of you! You know exactly what I'm talking about. My husband is on some awkward in-between orders right now, so we’re living a life of limbo. We moved from Wisconsin to North Carolina, but we might be back in Wisconsin in six months. Or stay in North Carolina for the next six years. - [EYB: Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico](https://missionmilspouse.org/pwtm-fort-buchanan-puerto-rico-2/) - Fort Buchanan is the only United States Army installation located on the island of Puerto Rico inside the capital city of San Juan. After passing hands between the Army and Navy a number of times, Fort Buchanan now consists of 746 acres and serves approximately 13,000 people including military personnel and their families as well as retirees and DoD civilians. It is used primarily for Reserve and National Guard units for forward operations in the Caribbean area. - [Landing the Plane with The Breastfeeding Shop](https://missionmilspouse.org/landing-the-plane-with-the-breastfeeding-shop/) - When I became a mother for the first time, I felt like my life had been flipped upside down. Facebook recently reminded me of this truth with a status I posted three years ago when I birthed my daughter. It went something like this: “I've decided that becoming a mother is like trying to land a 747 in a blizzard. It’s difficult, scary, and uncertain, but in the end, I hang on tight, knowing that most planes make it safely onto the runway without crashing. Right?” Let’s just say my daughter and I got off to kind of a rocky start. - [My 2019 Word](https://missionmilspouse.org/my-2019-word/) - As I sat and thought about my 2019 word back in December, I had to ask myself where I wanted to be in a year. Where did I feel like I wasn’t giving my best effort? What about myself would I like to see improved, a trait I'd like to see strengthen? And almost like a wrecking ball, the word “intentional” started showing up everywhere. In my Facebook and Instagram feeds, in books I was reading, in conversations with dear friends. I felt like this was the word I needed to focus on in 2019. - [Can a Personal Stylist Help?](https://missionmilspouse.org/can-a-personal-stylist-help/) - What is a personal stylist? What do they really do? Do I actually need one? How expensive are they? Are they worth it? Let’s break it down. A personal stylist is simply a person who advises. - [5 Ways to Get Ready for an Overseas Move](https://missionmilspouse.org/5-ways-to-get-ready-for-your-overseas-pcs-move/) - Have you ever known a stress-free PCS? Chances are, you haven’t. There's so much to coordinate with any military move. You’re often consumed with making big decisions like choosing to sell or rent your current home and busy filing paperwork to transfer schools, doctors, and vets. Not to mention taking the time to research your new duty station while striving to maintain any bit of normalcy you can! And that’s with a regular PCS move. But when you’re faced with an overseas move, the chaos takes on a whole new level, and the term overwhelming becomes an understatement. - [EYB: Camp Humphreys, South Korea](https://missionmilspouse.org/pwtm-camp-humphreys-south-korea/) - Camp Humphreys, South Korea is the Army’s largest installation in the Pacific. It is located near the border between North and South Korea. - [When You've Bloomed](https://missionmilspouse.org/when-youve-bloomed/) - The military decided to plant me in Mississippi back in November 2015. Plant? Why, yes. As military spouses, you may have been offered the sage advice to "bloom where you’re planted" at least once or twice before. How do you measure how much you’ve bloomed or if you’re even budding? - [Plan Your Own PCS Party](https://missionmilspouse.org/pcs-party-oh-yeah/) - It's officially official. After rank ordering our list of potential 52 assignments from top down months ago, we finally know where our future will take us... Unfortunately, and with a sigh, not any of our "top three choices" made the cut. - [The Kicking Soldier Athlete](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-kicking-soldier-athlete/) - The key to your fitness program is motivation. You must learn to fight off distractions and find a balance. This column will take a different direction than the usual running focus and look at the sport of Taekwondo. According to the World Taekwondo Federation, the sport is one of the most systematic and scientific Korean traditional arts that teaches more than physical skills. It is a discipline that shows ways of enhancing our spirit and life through training our body and mind. - [The Gift of the Unknown: Finding Myself Again](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-gift-of-the-unknown-finding-myself-again/) - Somewhere along the way, I've lost myself while entering the unknown. Military life can do that to you. - [EYB: Red River Army Depot, Texas](https://missionmilspouse.org/pwtm-red-river-army-depot-texas/) - Red River Army Depot is located in the area commonly known as the “Four States Area” and is situated in Northeast Texas. Its primary mission is the maintenance of tactical wheeled vehicles as well as the Army’s light tracked combat vehicle fleet. - [To the New, Young Military Spouse](https://missionmilspouse.org/to-the-new-young-army-wife/) - I know your story. They’re all, of course, unique, but the blueprint is the same. You fell in love. You got married right out of high school. If not then, maybe a year or two later. - [What to Know for Your PCS with Pets](https://missionmilspouse.org/what-to-know-for-your-pcs-with-pets/) - A major part of a PCS is coordinating transportation for your family pet. Dog, cat, guinea pig, or bunny, they all need a way to get to their next home in the least stressful way possible. Making plans for their move should be at the top of the prep list, because some trips require timed events, such as vaccinations, quarantines, hotel stays, and airline tickets. Much of this preparation can be started before official orders are in your hands. - [EYB: Joint Base Mcguire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey](https://missionmilspouse.org/pwtm-joint-base-mcguire-dix-lakehurst-new-jersey/) - Fort Dix, as it is commonly known, is actually Join Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. As an Army base, Fort Dix was consolidated with neighboring Navy and Air Force facilities in 2009 to comprise one single secure facility. It is a training base under the jurisdiction of Army Installation Management Command and is located approximately 18 miles south of Trenton, New Jersey. It is the only tri-service base in the United States Department of Defense and includes units from all five branches of the Armed Forces. - [So You're Moving Overseas...](https://missionmilspouse.org/so-youre-moving-overseas/) - If you've received overseas orders, your mind is probably going in about five different directions. You're realizing you're moving far away. Across an ocean. You're realizing it's an unfamiliar place. Like, really unfamiliar. You're thinking of all the steps it takes to get moving. So. Many. Steps. And you're likely afraid of the unknown. Because, who isn't? But I'm here to tell you one simple thing: Don't be afraid. - [10 Realizations from My First 20 Days OCONUS](https://missionmilspouse.org/ten-army-wife-realizations-from-my-first-20-days-going-oconus/) - On May 22 of last year, we got our OCONUS assignment news! It was exciting and then it wasn't. I was a giant ball of stress for most of our prep time before relocating overseas. I’m not going to say that the instant we landed in Japan was the moment I felt all the stress melt away, but it was close. Let’s say it was our first full day here. - [Find Your Grit](https://missionmilspouse.org/find-your-grit/) - It's easy to pick up a magazine with articles about health and fitness, how to improve a running time, or how to increase muscle size, all of which are positive. There are barriers for every sport known, but how do you overcome the obstacles? Does it take a support system, or can an individual tackle the situation alone? In keeping with sharing information and motivation and overcoming barriers, this column is about the barrier of anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder characterized by weight loss; difficulties maintaining an appropriate body weight for height, age, and stature; and, in many individuals, distorted body image. People with anorexia generally restrict the number of calories and the types of food they eat. - [Where in the World: Venice, Italy](https://missionmilspouse.org/where-in-the-world/) - While OCONUS living has its challenges, which I've written about in the past, traveling is not one of them. Actually, to rephrase, the logistical part of traveling in foreign countries can be ultra-challenging but actually traveling is pretty darn cool. In the little more than a year we've been stationed in Italy, we've seen and done things I only saw on Pinterest, tucked away in a file I named “Bucket List.” - [Restricted HHG Weight with an Allocation for Humor](https://missionmilspouse.org/restricted-hhg-weight-with-an-allocation-for-humor/) - The hacky sack sat plump and unremarkable on top of our entertainment shelf. Our HHG were delivered just yesterday, and of all things, this hacky sack brought the best smirk to my face. Sure, it was absolutely hilarious when our cat shoved himself headfirst halfway through the hole at the top of one of the hanging clothes boxes, but the humor I found in noticing this hacky sack was another thing altogether. As this marked our third time PCSing together, I won’t claim we’re experts, but we’ve been down this road twice before. - [EYB: Fort Meade, Maryland](https://missionmilspouse.org/pwtm-fort-meade-maryland/) - Located in Maryland, midway between the cities of Baltimore, Annapolis, and Washington, D.C., Fort George G. Meade lies four miles east of Interstate 95 and one-half mile east of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. Fort Meade is situated within the communities of Odenton, Laurel, Severn, Jessup, and Columbia. BWI Airport is a convenient 20 minutes away from Fort Meade. - [Thinking of You, Paris](https://missionmilspouse.org/thinking-of-you-paris/) - Her spires reach high into the sky. Her stained glass windows reflect a beautiful, seemingly dancing rainbow of indescribable colors. The gargoyles rain down their penetrating stares as they perch high above in the Parisian sky. We were in Paris last May, and the enormity of Notre Dame’s magnificent cathedral is still fresh in my memory. I think this is why the news of April 15 cut me to the quick and left me with such a feeling of heavy sadness. - [How to Solve 7 Common Breastfeeding Issues](https://missionmilspouse.org/seven-common-breastfeeding-issues-and-how-to-solve-them/) - Breastfeeding is a completely natural process between a mother and her baby, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. From bacterial infections to painful, hard breasts, a breastfeeding mother can face many challenges. Fortunately, for every breastfeeding issue a mother faces, there’s a solution. Whether you found yourself here because you are struggling to breastfeed or are trying to learn as much as you can before giving birth to your baby, know this: There is a light at the end of every tunnel. - [5 Transition Resources for Military Kids](https://missionmilspouse.org/5-resources-to-ease-the-pcs-transition-for-your-military-kids/) - We talk a lot about the resilience of military kids, especially during April, Month of the Military Child. And while it’s true that military children can handle the challenges regularly thrown their way, it’s also true that a PCS move can be difficult for even the most adaptable kid. After all, their entire world changes and they’re forced to start over in every possible way: New home, new location, new schools, new friends, and more. - [Embracing Your Body Shape](https://missionmilspouse.org/embracing-your-body-shape/) - I once read a study that showed nine in 10 women did not know their own body type—can you imagine the shopping frustration that would lead to? As a military spouse, we're in the middle of PCS moves every couple of years. We're meeting new neighbors, finding new hair stylists and seamstresses, engulfed in researching new school districts and doctors, and perusing new grocery stores—this isn't an added stressor we need to add to the list. - [The Ultimate PCS Handbook: Part 2](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-ultimate-pcs-handbook-part-2/) - We're exploring PCSing from start to finish with the Ultimate PCS Handbook. You can view Part 1 here. In the weeks leading up to your pack and load day(s), you have been busily prepping your home by decluttering, getting your to-do list finalized, packing your must-have items, and prepping your house. I've had the honor of gleaning tips from some of the most experienced military veterans and spouses around. Here are a few of their suggestions to keep you on track! - [The Struggle of Communication](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-struggle-of-communication/) - When my son was around 18 months old, I started to worry about his ability to communicate. By the age of 2, it became an even larger concern, as most kids by that age are able to say around 50 words and string together a sentence or two. By 2, he had less than 20 words in his vocabulary and struggled to communicate with us. I wondered if I should get an evaluation with a speech therapist, but being that he's my first child, I wasn't sure if what was going on was normal. - [Cultural Passport: Holland](https://missionmilspouse.org/cultural-passport-holland/) - There is nothing that screams “spring has arrived” as fresh flowers. You can smell them wafting in the air—wisteria, lilacs, roses. A symphony of colors, shapes, sizes, and scents all intermingling together remind me that winter has shed her coat, donned her sundress, and let all her beauty radiate through. Nothing, and I do mean nothing, embodies this more than visiting Keukenhof Gardens in beautiful Holland, and that is the next stop on our virtual passport around the world. - [Ode to the Military Child](https://missionmilspouse.org/ode-to-military-child/) - Military Child Purple ribbon in your hair Dandelion between your fingers Laughing with little care Military child The places you will go The goodbyes you’ve already said The grown up things you know - [2019 "All-Star" Dad Award: Make Your Nomination Today](https://missionmilspouse.org/2019-all-star-dad-award-make-your-nomination-today/) - When I was growing up, my dad and I always played the “How much do I love you?” game. It starts off with saying, I love you, and then comes the question of: But how much do you love me? We’d go back and forth saying, “I love you this much!” as we motioned with our arms until we couldn’t stretch them out any further. The game always ended the same way. “I love you more,” I’d say. And Dad always replied, “I love you more than more!” Love between family members is always worth celebrating, and many times we chose to honor those we love in some way. This year, consider honoring your dad or a dad you know with a chance to become 2019’s “All-Star” Dad. - [Tidy Up for PCS with the KonMari Method](https://missionmilspouse.org/tidy-up-for-pcs-with-konmari-method/) - If you've paid any attention to social media over the last few months, then you've probably seen numerous references to the Netflix show "Tidying Up with Marie Kondo." And with good reason. The KonMari Method, developed by Marie Kondo when she was a 19-year-old college student, is a helpful way to get a room or your entire house in order. Perfect for those who want to have an organized home, but doubly useful for those of us who find themselves moving every two or three years. Because seriously, how do we accumulate so much stuff? - [The Ultimate PCS Handbook: Part 3](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-ultimate-pcs-handbook-part-3/) - We're gearing up for PCS season and exploring the ins and out from start to finish. Check out Part 1 and Part 2. If moving is stressful, moving day is likely the pinnacle. After last summer’s PCS season, I did some digging. We saw the moving industry seem to collapse. But what I’ve found might surprise you: Our military moves contributed to “the perfect storm” scenario. - [My Hearing Loss](https://missionmilspouse.org/my-hearing-loss-its-humorous-progressive-and-it-is-what-it-is-part-1/) - Last month, I had a few harder-than-usual days emotionally. Those emotionally off days were both tied to the same thing, and over the past 15 years, there’s been more than two hard days tied to that thing. Hearing loss. Early onset hearing loss. Early onset is pretty key, so don’t be mistaking me for my grandmother’s age. I’m 35 years young, and that’s part of what bothers me with regards to my hearing loss. I was 20 when I was first fitted for hearing aids. - [The Ultimate PCS Handbook: Part 4](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-ultimate-pcs-handbook-part-4/) - Just like every good PCS, it gets complicated! We're exploring PCS from start to finish in this series. If you missed any part of the series, you can catch up on Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. - [A Shoutout to Milspouses](https://missionmilspouse.org/shout-out-to-the-army-spouses/) - Not to BRAGG, but our Army spouses are resourceful and resilient. Like LEWIS and Clark, their spirit of adventure takes them to the far reaches of the world. - [Editing Your Closet Like a Stylist](https://missionmilspouse.org/editing-your-closet-like-a-stylist-be-pcs-ready/) - What better way to start your PCS season than with a little Marie Kondo rendition? Am I right? If you’re sitting there stumped and asking yourself, “Who is Marie Kondo?” then I must ask you—where have you been hiding? The entire nation (of spouses) has been energized by a call to action by a bestselling author and her popular Netflix series. Her magical ways (or so people swear) of decluttering your home have led to an overflow of donations at the local thrift store—just what we need in the middle of a PCS purge. - [Life Unexpected](https://missionmilspouse.org/life-unexpected/) - This year seems to have slowly become more difficult as time goes by. I can say with complete certainty that it will get more difficult before too much longer. The best way to describe what has happened and what will happen is overwhelming, exhausting, and unexpected. The last few months have been wrought with worry, stress, and pain. My grandmother became ill. - [10 Ideas for PCS Decorating Inspiration](https://missionmilspouse.org/10-ideas-for-pcs-decorating-inspiration/) - It isn't uncommon to dread a PCS. There isn't a lot to love: the mess, the chaos, the broken items, the list goes on and on... But for some, the move is a golden opportunity to redecorate. A PCS is the perfect excuse to start planning for the next house. Envisioning a new couch, picking out the perfect paint color, and choosing fresh bed linens is just the beginning of the process. There’s no shortage of excitement surrounding each detail it takes to personalize your upcoming home with decorating inspiration. - [Time](https://missionmilspouse.org/time/) - I was sitting in a Chick-fil-A play area next to an old friend after we both recently moved to the same area of a brand new state. Her husband is a civilian doctor. Mine plays with tanks for a living. We talked about how crazy and hectic the last two months had been since we made this place our home. I droned on and on about the church, co-op, and activities we’d joined, the housing fix-me-ups we’d done, and the friends we’d made. - [When Running Becomes Your 'Me Time'](https://missionmilspouse.org/when-running-becomes-your-me-time/) - Are you a master at taking care of others? The telephone rings, and it’s a friend who needs your ear. The children need help with their homework. Your boss needs you to work late to meet a deadline. The list goes on and on. Have you ever stepped back and asked, "Where is my time?" ## Pages - [Homepage](https://missionmilspouse.org/) - Mission: Milspouse is carrying on the legacy of Army Wife Network and Army Wife Talk Radio. We are now serving ALL spouses of ALL branches and ALL Components. - [Command Team](https://missionmilspouse.org/command-team/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||-72px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-41px|auto|23px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”||3px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”-10px|||7px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”facebook” url=”https://www.facebook.com/MissionMilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#043066″ background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]facebook[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”instagram” url=”https://www.instagram.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#043066″ background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]instagram[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”pinterest” url=”https://www.pinterest.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#043066″ background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]pinterest[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”linkedin” url=”https://www.linkedin.com/company/505047/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#043066″ background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” - 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[Speaking Team](https://missionmilspouse.org/speaking-team/) - Our Speaking Team is a curated group of team members with a desire to share specific subject matter knowledge with live audiences, whether virtual or in person. - [Volunteer Opportunities](https://missionmilspouse.org/volunteer-opportunities/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”75.1px” custom_margin=”-43px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”-15px|||7px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”facebook” url=”https://www.facebook.com/MissionMilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]facebook[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”instagram” url=”https://www.instagram.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]instagram[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”pinterest” url=”https://www.pinterest.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]pinterest[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”linkedin” url=”https://www.linkedin.com/company/505047/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081E” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” - 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[Soldier and Family Readiness Groups (SFRG)](https://missionmilspouse.org/family-readiness/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||15px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”-15px|||7px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”facebook” url=”https://www.facebook.com/MissionMilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]facebook[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”instagram” url=”https://www.instagram.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]instagram[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”pinterest” url=”https://www.pinterest.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]pinterest[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”linkedin” url=”https://www.linkedin.com/company/505047/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081E” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]linkedin[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network - [Band of Bloggers](https://missionmilspouse.org/band-of-bloggers/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||-72px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-41px|auto|23px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”||3px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”-15px|||7px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”facebook” url=”https://www.facebook.com/MissionMilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]facebook[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”instagram” url=”https://www.instagram.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]instagram[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”pinterest” url=”https://www.pinterest.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]pinterest[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”linkedin” url=”https://www.linkedin.com/company/505047/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081E” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” - [Get Involved](https://missionmilspouse.org/get-involved/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”75.1px” custom_margin=”-43px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”-10px|||7px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”facebook” url=”https://www.facebook.com/MissionMilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#043066″ background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]facebook[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”instagram” url=”https://www.instagram.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#043066″ background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]instagram[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”pinterest” url=”https://www.pinterest.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#043066″ background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]pinterest[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”linkedin” url=”https://www.linkedin.com/company/505047/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#043066″ background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” - [Essential Resources](https://missionmilspouse.org/essential-resources/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”75.1px” custom_margin=”-43px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”-15px|||7px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”facebook” url=”https://www.facebook.com/MissionMilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]facebook[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”instagram” url=”https://www.instagram.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]instagram[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”pinterest” url=”https://www.pinterest.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]pinterest[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”linkedin” url=”https://www.linkedin.com/company/505047/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081E” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” - [Embrace Your Base](https://missionmilspouse.org/embrace-your-base/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||15px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”-15px|||7px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”facebook” url=”https://www.facebook.com/MissionMilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]facebook[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”instagram” url=”https://www.instagram.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]instagram[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”pinterest” url=”https://www.pinterest.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]pinterest[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”linkedin” url=”https://www.linkedin.com/company/505047/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081E” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]linkedin[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network - [Ultimate PCS Binder Printable](https://missionmilspouse.org/ultimate-pcs-one-stop/ultimate-pcs-binder-printable/) - Your Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders have arrived, now what?! We know how stressful PCS season can be, and we wanted to supply you with some documents to help keep you prepared, organized, and relaxed. Below you will find the link to our full PCS Binder, with checklists, trackers, and planners for a stress-free - [Thank you for your support!](https://missionmilspouse.org/thank-you-for-your-support/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”46px” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-37px|auto|-46px|auto|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”-15px|||7px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”facebook” url=”https://www.facebook.com/MissionMilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]facebook[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”instagram” url=”https://www.instagram.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]instagram[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”pinterest” url=”https://www.pinterest.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]pinterest[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”linkedin” url=”https://www.linkedin.com/company/505047/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ - [Everyday Empowerment Nomination](https://missionmilspouse.org/everyday-empowerment-nomination/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”75.1px” custom_margin=”-43px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”-15px|||7px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”facebook” url=”https://www.facebook.com/MissionMilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]facebook[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”instagram” url=”https://www.instagram.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]instagram[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”pinterest” url=”https://www.pinterest.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]pinterest[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”linkedin” url=”https://www.linkedin.com/company/505047/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” - [How to Obtain Command Sponsorship](https://missionmilspouse.org/command-sponsorship/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||15px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”-15px|||7px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”facebook” url=”https://www.facebook.com/MissionMilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]facebook[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”instagram” url=”https://www.instagram.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]instagram[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”pinterest” url=”https://www.pinterest.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]pinterest[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”linkedin” url=”https://www.linkedin.com/company/505047/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081E” - [OCONUS PCS Prep](https://missionmilspouse.org/oconus-pcs-prep/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||15px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”-15px|||7px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”facebook” url=”https://www.facebook.com/MissionMilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]facebook[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”instagram” url=”https://www.instagram.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]instagram[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”pinterest” url=”https://www.pinterest.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]pinterest[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”linkedin” url=”https://www.linkedin.com/company/505047/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081E” - [Pets on the Move](https://missionmilspouse.org/pets-on-the-move/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||15px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”-15px|||7px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”facebook” url=”https://www.facebook.com/MissionMilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]facebook[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”instagram” url=”https://www.instagram.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]instagram[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”pinterest” url=”https://www.pinterest.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]pinterest[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”linkedin” url=”https://www.linkedin.com/company/505047/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081E” - [5 Tips for a Painless PPM](https://missionmilspouse.org/ultimate-pcs-one-stop/5-tips-for-a-painless-ppm/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||15px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”-15px|||7px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”facebook” url=”https://www.facebook.com/MissionMilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]facebook[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”instagram” url=”https://www.instagram.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]instagram[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”pinterest” url=”https://www.pinterest.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]pinterest[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”linkedin” url=”https://www.linkedin.com/company/505047/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081E” - [6 PCS Packing Tips](https://missionmilspouse.org/ultimate-pcs-one-stop/6-pcs-packing-tips-2/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||15px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”-15px|||7px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”facebook” url=”https://www.facebook.com/MissionMilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]facebook[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”instagram” url=”https://www.instagram.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]instagram[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”pinterest” url=”https://www.pinterest.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]pinterest[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”linkedin” url=”https://www.linkedin.com/company/505047/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081E” - [Navigating EFMP](https://missionmilspouse.org/ultimate-pcs-one-stop/navigating-efmp/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||15px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”-15px|||7px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”facebook” url=”https://www.facebook.com/MissionMilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]facebook[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”instagram” url=”https://www.instagram.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]instagram[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”pinterest” url=”https://www.pinterest.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]pinterest[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”linkedin” url=”https://www.linkedin.com/company/505047/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081E” - [Step-by-Step PCS Guide](https://missionmilspouse.org/ultimate-pcs-one-stop/step-by-step-pcs-guide/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||15px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”-15px|||7px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”facebook” url=”https://www.facebook.com/MissionMilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]facebook[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”instagram” url=”https://www.instagram.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]instagram[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”pinterest” url=”https://www.pinterest.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]pinterest[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”linkedin” url=”https://www.linkedin.com/company/505047/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081E” - [Care Packages](https://missionmilspouse.org/care-packages/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||15px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”-15px|||7px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”facebook” url=”https://www.facebook.com/MissionMilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]facebook[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”instagram” url=”https://www.instagram.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]instagram[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”pinterest” url=”https://www.pinterest.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]pinterest[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”linkedin” url=”https://www.linkedin.com/company/505047/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081E” - [New to the Military?](https://missionmilspouse.org/new-to-the-military-2/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||15px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”-15px|||7px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”facebook” url=”https://www.facebook.com/MissionMilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]facebook[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”instagram” url=”https://www.instagram.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]instagram[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”pinterest” url=”https://www.pinterest.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]pinterest[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”linkedin” url=”https://www.linkedin.com/company/505047/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081E” - [How to Travel Space A](https://missionmilspouse.org/how-to-travel-space-a/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||15px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”-15px|||7px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”facebook” url=”https://www.facebook.com/MissionMilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]facebook[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”instagram” url=”https://www.instagram.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]instagram[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”pinterest” url=”https://www.pinterest.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]pinterest[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”linkedin” url=”https://www.linkedin.com/company/505047/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081E” - [Partnerships](https://missionmilspouse.org/partnerships/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”75.1px” custom_margin=”-43px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”-15px|||7px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”facebook” url=”https://www.facebook.com/MissionMilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]facebook[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”instagram” url=”https://www.instagram.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]instagram[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”pinterest” url=”https://www.pinterest.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]pinterest[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”linkedin” url=”https://www.linkedin.com/company/505047/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” - [Empowerment Program](https://missionmilspouse.org/mm-empowerment-program/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”75.1px” custom_margin=”-43px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”-10px|||7px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”facebook” url=”https://www.facebook.com/MissionMilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#043066″ background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]facebook[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”instagram” url=”https://www.instagram.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#043066″ background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]instagram[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”pinterest” url=”https://www.pinterest.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#043066″ background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]pinterest[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”linkedin” url=”https://www.linkedin.com/company/505047/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” - [Join our Band of Bloggers](https://missionmilspouse.org/join-our-band-of-bloggers/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”75.1px” custom_margin=”-43px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”-15px|||7px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”facebook” url=”https://www.facebook.com/MissionMilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]facebook[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”instagram” url=”https://www.instagram.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]instagram[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”pinterest” url=”https://www.pinterest.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]pinterest[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”linkedin” url=”https://www.linkedin.com/company/505047/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” - [The Ultimate PCS One-Stop](https://missionmilspouse.org/ultimate-pcs-one-stop/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”132.1px” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”75.1px” custom_margin=”-43px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||19px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”-15px|||7px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”facebook” url=”https://www.facebook.com/MissionMilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]facebook[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”instagram” url=”https://www.instagram.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]instagram[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”pinterest” url=”https://www.pinterest.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#99081e” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]pinterest[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”linkedin” - [Categories](https://missionmilspouse.org/categories/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”75.1px” custom_margin=”-43px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”-10px|||7px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”facebook” url=”https://www.facebook.com/MissionMilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#043066″ background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]facebook[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”instagram” url=”https://www.instagram.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#043066″ background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]instagram[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”pinterest” url=”https://www.pinterest.com/missionmilspouse/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#043066″ background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]pinterest[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”linkedin” url=”https://www.linkedin.com/company/505047/” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” - 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[Printable: M:M Coloring Page](https://missionmilspouse.org/printable-mm-coloring-page/) - We wanted to say THANK YOU for following us on our mission to empower military spouses. To show our appreciation, please enjoy this wonderful, stress-relieving, therapeutic coloring page. Simply download, print, and enjoy! Download Here - [Empowerment Gallery 2022](https://missionmilspouse.org/empowerment-gallery-2022/) - Congratulations to our 2022 AWN Empowerment Gallery Recipients! If you or someone you know would like to join the ranks of these elite empowerment champions, nominate an individual for Everyday Empowerment or a charitable organization for AWN Empowers. January Recipients: Command Team Member MRE: Sarah Robichaud Sarah is a Maryland native who married her husband, Andrew, in 2012. Since - [Holiday Movie Streaming List](https://missionmilspouse.org/holiday-movie-streaming-list/) - Streaming devices are super convenient, until you have multiple accounts, and you can't remember which one has the movie you want to watch. We have been there. We have spent 10+ minutes searching through each streaming app, only to find out that the movie we're looking for isn't there (or worse, isn't free!). That's why - [Printable: AWN Happy Notes](https://missionmilspouse.org/printable-awn-happy-notes/) - It's the Month of the Military Child, and we want to share something to help you celebrate the military children in your life. Print out these Happy Notes, and place them in their backpacks, lunch boxes, bathroom mirror, or even mail them to a military child that is far away (and maybe start a Penpal - [Printable: AWN Penpal Starter Kit](https://missionmilspouse.org/printable-awn-penpal-starter-kit/) - We want to help support our military kids with two printable options for becoming pen pals: 1. Connect with new people: We know that military kids aren't part of everyone's close circle, and we want to encourage you to reach out and connect with someone new, for mutual learning. You can use our Penpal Starter kit with - [Empowerment Gallery 2021](https://missionmilspouse.org/empowerment-gallery-2021-2/) - Congratulations to our 2021 AWN Empowerment Gallery Recipients! If you or someone you know would like to join the ranks of these elite empowerment champions, nominate an individual for Everyday Empowerment or a charitable organization for AWN Empowers. January Recipients Command Team Member MRE: Anika Matheidas Anika has been a military spouse since January 2019. She is - [Printable: AWN Budget Worksheet](https://missionmilspouse.org/printable-awn-budget-worksheet/) - Do you know where your money is going? Do you have a plan to save money for the future? We want to help you answer yes to both of those questions! In order to get started, you have to find out where you are at this moment. You start by adding up all of your - [Printable: AWN Love Coupons](https://missionmilspouse.org/printable-awn-love-coupons/) - Valentine's Day comes around every year, and we debate whether it qualifies as a time that we have to purchase a gift for our spouse, or just a time that we should do something special instead. Typically, we will make sure to go out of our way to grab a favorite treat, or we will - [Printable: AWN Winter Sign](https://missionmilspouse.org/printable-awn-winter-sign/) - As the days grow shorter, and cooler, and we are forced to spend more and more time indoors. We want to help create that comfortable, cozy atmosphere in your home, and this printable will last all winter long because it isn't holiday specific! Simple directions: just download, print (and frame if you want to get - [Printable: AWN Gratitude Tree](https://missionmilspouse.org/printable-awn-gratitude-tree/) - November brings a season of family time, football, comfort foods, and gratitude. We are so thankful for you—our network, our people, our tribe. You are a blessing to all of us here at AWN, and yes, you are the reason we keep doing what we do, day after day, week after week, season after season. This year, we want - [THE SITREP 'Hidden Dog Tags' Contest Rules](https://missionmilspouse.org/the-sitrep-hidden-dog-tag-contest-rules/) - You could be the winner of this AWNsome Army Wife Network swag pack, worth $250! Here are the rules of the contest: Hidden Dog Tags Contest Rules 1. Eligibility The Hidden Dog Tags Contest (“The Contest”) is eligible to all subscribers of THE SITREP newsletter from Army Wife Network, who are 18 years - [Printable: AWN Pumpkin Carving Stencil](https://missionmilspouse.org/printable-awn-pumpkin-carving-stencil/) - It’s finally FALL! The season of cozy sweaters and blankets, warm beverages, and pumpkins everywhere! What better way to celebrate the season, then carving one of those many pumpkins for your perfect Halloween décor. If you’re feeling unsure about taking on this task, Army Wife Network is here to help! We have designed a cute - [California](https://missionmilspouse.org/california/) - Camp Parks Reserve Forces Training Area Camp Parks website Camp Parks Facebook page Fort Hunter Liggett Fort Hunter Liggett website Fort Hunter Liggett Facebook page Fort Irwin Fort Irwin website Fort Irwin Facebook page PWTM: Fort Irwin Joint Forces Training Base—Los Alamitos JFTB Los Alamitos website JFTB Los Alamitos Facebook page Presidio of Monterey Defense Language - [Colorado](https://missionmilspouse.org/colorado/) - Fort Carson Fort Carson website Fort Carson Facebook page PWTM: Fort Carson US Army Recruiting Command USAREC—Denver Battalion website - [Florida](https://missionmilspouse.org/florida/) - US Southern Command SOUTHCOM website SOUTHCOM Facebook page US Army Recruiting Command USAREC—Jacksonville Battalion website USAREC—Miami Battalion website USAREC—Tampa Battalion website - [Georgia](https://missionmilspouse.org/georgia/) - Camp Merrill Camp Merrill website 5th Ranger Training Battalion Facebook page PWTM: Camp Merrill Fort Benning Fort Benning website Fort Benning Facebook page PWTM: Fort Benning (Coming soon!) Fort Gillem About Fort Gillem Fort Gordon Fort Gordon website Fort Gordon Facebook page PWTM: Fort Gordon (Coming soon!) Fort McPherson About Fort McPherson Fort Stewart-Hunter Army - [Hawaii](https://missionmilspouse.org/hawaii/) - USAG Hawaii US Army Garrison Hawaii website USAG Hawaii Facebook page Pohakuloa Training Area Facebook page Schofield Barracks About Schofield Barracks PWTM: Schofield Barracks Fort Shafter About Fort Shafter PWTM: Fort Shafter (Coming soon!) - [Illinois](https://missionmilspouse.org/illinois/) - Rock Island Arsenal Rock Island Arsenal website Rock Island Arsenal Facebook page US Army Recruiting Command USAREC—Chicago Battalion website - [Indiana](https://missionmilspouse.org/indiana/) - US Army Recruiting Command USAREC—Indianapolis Battalion website - [Kansas](https://missionmilspouse.org/kansas/) - Fort Leavenworth Fort Leavenworth website Fort Leavenworth Facebook page PWTM: Fort Leavenworth (Coming soon!) Fort Riley Fort Riley website Fort Riley Facebook page PWTM: Fort Riley Salinas ARNG About the Salinas Army National Guard - [Kentucky](https://missionmilspouse.org/kentucky-2/) - Blue Grass Army Depot Blue Grass Army Depot website Blue Grass Army Depot Facebook page Fort Campbell Fort Campbell website Fort Campbell Facebook page PWTM: Fort Campbell (Coming soon!) Fort Knox Fort Knox website Fort Knox Facebook page PWTM: Fort Knox (Coming soon!) - [Louisiana](https://missionmilspouse.org/louisiana/) - JRTC and Fort Polk Fort Polk website Fort Polk Facebook page PWTM: Fort Polk US Army Recruiting Command USAREC—Baton Rouge Battalion website - [Maine](https://missionmilspouse.org/maine/) - US Army Recruiting Command USAREC—New England Battalion website - [Maryland](https://missionmilspouse.org/maryland/) - Aberdeen Proving Ground Aberdeen Proving Ground website Aberdeen Proving Ground Facebook page PWTM: Aberdeen Proving Ground (Coming soon!) Fort Detrick Fort Detrick website Fort Detrick Facebook page Fort Meade Fort Meade website Fort Meade Facebook page PWTM: Fort Meade US Army Recruiting Command USAREC—Baltimore Battalion website - [Massachusetts](https://missionmilspouse.org/massachusetts/) - Fort Devens Fort Devens website Fort Devens Facebook page - [Michigan](https://missionmilspouse.org/michigan/) - Detroit Arsenal Detroit Arsenal website Detroit Arsenal Facebook page US Army Recruiting Command USAREC—Great Lakes Battalion website - [Minnesota](https://missionmilspouse.org/minnesota/) - US Army Recruiting Command USAREC—Minneapolis Battalion website - [Missouri](https://missionmilspouse.org/missouri/) - Fort Leonard Wood Fort Leonard Wood website Fort Leonard Wood Facebook page PWTM: Fort Leonard Wood US Army Recruiting Command USAREC—Kansas City Battalion website - [Mississippi](https://missionmilspouse.org/mississippi/) - Camp Shelby Camp Shelby website Camp Shelby Facebook page - [Nevada](https://missionmilspouse.org/nevada/) - US Army Recruiting Command USAREC – 6th Medical Battalion website - [New Jersey](https://missionmilspouse.org/new-jersey/) - Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst website Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Facebook page PWTM: Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Picatinny Arsenal Picatinny Arsenal website Picatinny Arsenal Facebook page US Army Recruiting Command USAREC—Mid-Atlantic Battalion website - [New Mexico](https://missionmilspouse.org/new-mexico/) - White Sands Missile Range White Sands Missile Range website White Sands Missile Range Facebook page - [New York](https://missionmilspouse.org/new-york/) - Fort Drum Fort Drum website Fort Drum Facebook page PWTM: Fort Drum Fort Hamilton Fort Hamilton website Fort Hamilton Facebook page US Army Recruiting Command USAREC—Albany Battalion website USAREC—New York City Battalion website USAREC—Syracuse Battalion website US Military Academy at West Point West Point website West Point Facebook page Watervliet Arsenal Watervliet Arsenal website Watervliet - [North Carolina](https://missionmilspouse.org/north-carolina/) - Fort Bragg Fort Bragg website Fort Bragg Facebook page PWTM: Fort Bragg Pope Army Airfield (Pope Air Force Base) Pope Air Force Base website Pope Army Airfield Facebook page US Recruiting Command USAREC—Raleigh Battalion website - [Ohio](https://missionmilspouse.org/ohio/) - US Army Recruiting Command USAREC—Cleveland Battalion website USAREC—Columbus Battalion website - [Oklahoma](https://missionmilspouse.org/oklahoma/) - Fort Sill Fort Sill website Fort Sill Facebook page PWTM: Fort Sill McAlester Army Ammunition Plant McAlester Army Ammunition Plant website McAlester Army Ammunitions Plant Facebook page US Army Recruiting Command USAREC—Oklahoma City Battalion website - [Oregon](https://missionmilspouse.org/oregon/) - US Army Recruiting Command USAREC—Portland Battalion website - [Pennsylvania](https://missionmilspouse.org/pennsylvania/) - Fort Indiantown Gap Fort Indiantown Gap website Fort Indiantown Gap Facebook page Letterkenny Army Depot Letterkenny Army Depot website Letterkenny Army Depot Facebook page Tobyhanna Army Depot Tobyhanna Army Depot website Tobyhanna Army Depot Facebook page US Army War College at Carlisle Barracks Carlisle Barracks website Carlisle Barracks Facebook page US Army Recruiting Command USAREC —Harrisburg - [South Carolina](https://missionmilspouse.org/south-carolina/) - Fort Jackson Fort Jackson website Fort Jackson Facebook page PWTM: Fort Jackson - [Tennessee](https://missionmilspouse.org/tennessee/) - US Army Recruiting Command USAREC—Nashville Battalion website US Army Recruiting Kentucky Tennessee Facebook page PWTM: USAREC Nashville - [Texas](https://missionmilspouse.org/texas/) - Camp Mabry About Camp Mabry Fort Bliss Fort Bliss website Fort Bliss Facebook page PWTM: Fort Bliss Fort Hood Fort Hood website Fort Hood Facebook page PWTM: Fort Hood Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston website Joint Base San Antonio—Camp Bullis website Joint Base San Antonio Facebook page - [Utah](https://missionmilspouse.org/utah/) - Dugway Proving Ground Dugway Proving Ground website Dugway Proving Ground Facebook page Tooele Army Depot About Tooele Army Depot Tooele Army Depot Facebook page US Army Recruiting Command USAREC—Salt Lake City Battalion website - [Virginia](https://missionmilspouse.org/virginia/) - Fort A.P. Hill Fort A.P. Hill website Fort A.P. Hill Facebook page Fort Belvoir Fort Belvoir website Fort Belvoir Facebook page PWTM: Fort Belvoir Fort Lee Fort Lee website Fort Lee Facebook page PWTM: Fort Lee Joint Base Langley-Eustis Joint Base Langley-Eustis website Joint Base Langley-Eustis Facebook page PWTM: Joint Base Langley-Eustis (Coming soon!) Joint - [Washington](https://missionmilspouse.org/washington/) - Joint Base Lewis-McChord Joint Base Lewis-McChord website Joint Base Lewis-McChord Facebook page PWTM: Joint Base Lewis-McChord (Coming soon!) US Army Recruiting Command USAREC—Seattle Battalion website - [Washington, District of Columbia](https://missionmilspouse.org/washington-district-of-columbia/) - The Pentagon Pentagon website - [West Virginia](https://missionmilspouse.org/west-virginia/) - US Army Recruiting Command USAREC—Richmond Battalion website - [Wisconsin](https://missionmilspouse.org/wisconsin/) - Fort McCoy Fort McCoy website Fort McCoy Facebook page PWTM: Fort McCoy US Army Recruiting Command USAREC—Milwaukee Battalion website - [International Locations](https://missionmilspouse.org/international-locations/) - Belgium USAG Benelux USAG Benelux website USAG Benelux Facebook page PWTM: USAG Benelux Germany Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Facebook page USAG Ansbach Ansbach website USAG Ansbach Facebook page PWTM: Ansbach USAG Bavaria—Garmisch Garmisch website USAG Bavaria—Garmisch Community USAG Bavaria (Includes Tower and Rose Barracks) Grafenwoehr/Vilseck website USAG Bavaria - [Puerto Rico](https://missionmilspouse.org/puerto-rico/) - Fort Buchanan Fort Buchanan website Fort Buchanan Facebook page PWTM: Fort Buchanan - [Arkansas](https://missionmilspouse.org/arkansas/) - Camp Robinson Camp Robinson website Camp Robinson Facebook page Pine Bluff Arsenal Pine Bluff Arsenal website Pine Bluff Arsenal Facebook page - [Arizona](https://missionmilspouse.org/arizona/) - Fort Huachuca Fort Huachuca website Fort Huachuca Facebook page PWTM: Fort Huachuca US Army Recruiting Command USAREC—Phoenix Battalion website Yuma Proving Ground About Yuma Proving Ground Yuma Proving Ground Facebook page - [Alaska](https://missionmilspouse.org/alaska/) - Fort Greely About Fort Greely Fort Greely Facebook page PWTM: Fort Greely Fort Wainwright Fort Wainright website Fort Wainwright Facebook page PWTM: Fort Wainwright Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson JB Elmendorf-Richardson website Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Facebook page PWTM: Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson - [Alabama](https://missionmilspouse.org/alabama/) - Anniston Army Depot Aniston Army Depot website Anniston Army Depot Facebook page PWTM: Anniston Army Depot Fort Rucker Fort Rucker website Fort Rucker Facebook page PWTM: Fort Rucker (Coming soon!) Redstone Arsenal Redstone Arsenal website PWTM: Redstone Arsenal (Coming soon!) US Army Recruiting Command USAREC—Montgomery Battalion website - [Empowerment Gallery 2020](https://missionmilspouse.org/empowerment-gallery/) - Congratulations to our 2020 AWN Empowerment Gallery Recipients! If you or someone you know would like to join the ranks of these elite empowerment champions, nominate an individual for Everyday Empowerment or a charitable organization for AWN Empowers. January Recipients: Band of Bloggers MRE: Jessica Hall Jessica Hall has been an Army spouse since 2004, when - [Freebies & Printables](https://missionmilspouse.org/freebies-printables/) - We here at AWN want to give all we've got in an effort to empower your military life journey. Yes, we have a lot of "URL" type resources, but sometimes we want to bring it "IRL" (in real life). Check out of some of freebies and printables below. Anytime: House Hunting Comparison Chart A New - [Crystal Niehoff](https://missionmilspouse.org/crystal-niehoff/) - Crystal Niehoff Former Owner and CEO of Army Wife Network Crystal Niehoff is married to her best friend, Army Chaplain (LTC) Kevin Niehoff and is the proud mom of five and grandma of three. Former Owner and Chief Executive Officer of Army Wife Network and host of Army Wife Talk Radio and AWN TableTalk (Jan. - [Printable: AWN "Nose" Holiday Cheer](https://missionmilspouse.org/awn-nose-holiday-cheer/) - If you've been around for awhile, you know that we always want to make sure you, our AWN fans and followers, are appreciated. And what better way to do that than with some delightful freebies? Since we know your holiday season is merry, bright, and busy, we will keep this brief: Keep scrolling to check - [Printable: Falling into Gratitude](https://missionmilspouse.org/printable-falling-into-gratitude/) - Do you feel it in the air? The change in temperature. The football games. The pre-holiday prep. It's a feeling of joy. Anticipation. Peace. And most of all, gratitude. It's fall! And that in and of itself, makes us here at Army Wife Network grateful. But as usual, our reasons to be thankful don't stop - [Printable: 'Anne' Awesome Fall Perspective](https://missionmilspouse.org/printable-anne-awesome-fall-perspective/) - One of my favorite book series growing up was Anne of Green Gables. In fact, I still have the entire series on my bookshelf just a few feet away in the living room. Also, my favorite season is fall. So needless to say, this one of our favorite printables we are gifting you yet. It - [Printable: Care Package Items List](https://missionmilspouse.org/printable-care-package-items-list/) - As military spouses, we are always looking for ways to work smarter, not harder. Organization is an easy way to do that, especially when it comes to using nifty documents and templates. But really—who has time to design that kind of stuff? The good news is we do! We wanted to help support you with all - [Printable: Back-to-School Checklist](https://missionmilspouse.org/printable-back-to-school-checklist/) - It's the most wonderful time of the year! Clearly, it is too early for Christmas, but it is time for back-to-school. We love our kids. We really do. But we think it's always a thrill to start fresh with a new school year... And let's not forget the awesomeness of back-to-school supply shopping. #OfficeSupplyNerdAlert Even - [Printable: By the 'Book'](https://missionmilspouse.org/by-the-book-printable/) - It's no secret that many of us on the AWN Command Team love to read. We literally have thousands of blog posts here for your reference—and some of us have read nearly every single one! But our literary love goes further than the blogosphere. We love books too—all kinds: fiction, non-fiction, drama, suspense, novels—we are - [Printable: A New Kind of MRE](https://missionmilspouse.org/a-new-kind-of-mre/) - We here at Army Wife Network love our families. We really do. But sometimes, the things they need from us take us by surprise... Like, for some reason, they think they need to eat every evening. Just kidding. We have no problem feeding our fams, and yes—we even make them eat their vegetables! With the - [Printable: Home is Where the Military Sends Us](https://missionmilspouse.org/home-is-where-the-military-sends-us/) - "Home is where the heart is." "There's no place like home." "You can't go home again." "Oh, give me a home, where the buffalo roam..." We've heard it. We've sang it. And as military spouses, we've likely moved it (probably more than once!). Home. There's something special and powerful in the word itself. But as - [Printable: Chocolate-Covered Encouragement](https://missionmilspouse.org/chocolate-covered-encouragement-printable/) - Confession: When I get stressed, I want to eat. I'm a non-discriminatory stress eater—anything goes. And yes, I know that emotional eating isn't the healthiest habit on the planet (I've been working on it and making great progress for years!). But sometimes, just one little piece of chocolate can be the difference between developing an - [Printable: Milspouse Love and Respect](https://missionmilspouse.org/milspouse-love-and-respect-printables/) - Ah, love is in the air... But as military spouses, when isn't it? It's no secret that learning the ins and outs through the ups and downs of military marriage takes work and intentional effort. I've learned a lot over the last few years and continue to do so, practically on a daily basis. One - [Printable: We are Grateful for You!](https://missionmilspouse.org/we-are-grateful-for-you/) - We here at Army Wife Network were reflecting on all of the things that we are grateful for: technology that connects us to spouses around the globe, amazing resources to share with our fans and followers, a faithful (all-volunteer!) Command Team to do everything we can to be your military life empowerment... And, of course, - [Printable: Fall Adventures Checklist (and a bonus!)](https://missionmilspouse.org/fall-into-these-freebies/) - As you probably guessed, fall is upon us. Cooler weather (well hopefully, depending on where you are stationed), anticipation of the holidays, the leaves changing colors, and of course, pumpkin spice everything. Yes, we think fall is fabulous. But not as fabulous as you, dearest AWN follower. As promised, we want to continue to say - [Printable: I have Holiday Hooah!](https://missionmilspouse.org/holiday-hooah/) - We here at Army Wife Network have Holiday Hooah! Do you? If not, we want to share some of our Holiday Hooah with you via these free printables. So, what is "Holiday Hooah?" It is a special way for military families around the globe to bless their neighbors and spread some holiday cheer in their - [Printable: A Gift Just for You](https://missionmilspouse.org/a-gift-just-for-you/) - Hey. You there. Yeah, you. On behalf of Army Wife Network, we just want to say thank you. Thank you for supporting your military service member. Thank you for stopping by. Thank you for engaging in our network. Thank you for all of the sacrifices you make as a military spouse. Thank You! As a - [Mobile Careers](https://missionmilspouse.org/mobile-careers/) - We will be the first to admit that being a milspouse has its challenges. You've got your service member spouse's long work hours, lengthy deployments, and frequent moves. This can make your development of a long-term career difficult. Employers are sometimes cautious about hiring someone who has a difficult schedule to work around or is - [Army Installations](https://missionmilspouse.org/installations/) - Editor's note: This post was updated in July 2021. Headed somewhere new and looking for information? We've got you covered. Army Wife Network has completed an extensive search of Army installations around the globe all to help you be better prepared for what's ahead. This isn't an exhaustive list, so if you notice that a location is - [Military Children](https://missionmilspouse.org/military-children-2/) - As with all things military life, being a military child has its own unique challenges (and let's not forget you remarkable parents who are raising them!). But when we really started to think about it, we see the military more as a benefit to them than a disservice. Sure, we worry about deployment and separation, - [National Guard/Reserves](https://missionmilspouse.org/national-guardreserves/) - We know you aren't “just like everyone else.” There may not be an installation nearby, and your unit might not have hosted a family “readiness” meeting since 1992. Lo and behold, your service member's unit has been activated, and you need to get connected to empower yourself with the knowledge to succeed. Welcome. We’re glad you've found - [Reprint Policy](https://missionmilspouse.org/reprint-policy/) - First, a very big “thank you” to all who contribute articles to armywifenetwork.com. These guidelines are put forth to protect our contributors, our network, and you, our readers. Reprinting Articles (on paper or online) Several contributing authors are already established within their field and the industry. Their copyright and contact information will be included with - [Privacy Policy](https://missionmilspouse.org/privacy-policy-2/) - OPSEC (Operational Security), PERSEC (Personal Security) and confidentiality are first and foremost. The Information We Collect: When you contact AWN, either by emailing us a question, subscribing to our mailing list, or placing an order, your information becomes a part of our private database. 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But if you’ve never sent one before or have been at it for a few months, it might be difficult to come up with “new” ideas. - [Career & Education](https://missionmilspouse.org/category/career-and-education/) - Being a military spouse and creating a career for yourself is no easy task, but we here at AWN want to empower you in your professional journey. - [Deployment](https://missionmilspouse.org/category/real-life-deployment/) - [Field Problems™](https://missionmilspouse.org/category/field-problems/) - [Film Press](https://missionmilspouse.org/category/film-press/) - [Financial Planning](https://missionmilspouse.org/category/financial-planning/) - [Health & Fitness](https://missionmilspouse.org/category/health-fitness/) - [Household 6](https://missionmilspouse.org/category/exphousehold6/) - [Military Life](https://missionmilspouse.org/category/militarylife/) - If you are looking for information or support on how to navigate military life, you’ve come to the right place. Check out these empowering resources! - [National Guard/Reserves](https://missionmilspouse.org/category/national-guard/) - [News 6](https://missionmilspouse.org/category/news-6/) - [OCONUS](https://missionmilspouse.org/category/oconus/) - [PCS](https://missionmilspouse.org/category/real-life-pcs/) - [Embrace Your Base](https://missionmilspouse.org/category/embrace-your-base/) - [Relationships](https://missionmilspouse.org/category/relationships/) - [Retirement](https://missionmilspouse.org/category/retirement/) - [Traditions and Protocol](https://missionmilspouse.org/category/traditions-and-protocol/) - [Travel](https://missionmilspouse.org/category/travel-recreation/) - [Veterans](https://missionmilspouse.org/category/veterans/) - [Guest Author](https://missionmilspouse.org/category/guest-author/) ## Tags - [advice](https://missionmilspouse.org/tag/advice/) - [career](https://missionmilspouse.org/tag/career/) - [caregivers](https://missionmilspouse.org/tag/caregivers/) - [community](https://missionmilspouse.org/tag/community/) - 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