veterans - Mission: Milspouse

The Power of the Military Spouse Tribe

by Hope For The Warriors | Sep 20, 2020 | Blog, Expert, Military Life, Veterans

Seth Godin once said: “A group needs two things to be a tribe: a shared interest and a way to communicate.”

Which makes the United States military family perhaps the largest, most caring, and most diverse tribe in the world, particularly military spouses. Sure, the military may drop you hundreds or even thousands of miles away from your home and family, but they do a really great job of surrounding you with a new one.

This large, extended military family is your tribe, and I encourage you to love them fiercely. And
understand, they will love you back.

AWTR Show #760: “To Live or Maybe Not” Featuring Gary Revel

by M:M Command Team | Aug 25, 2020 | Podcast, Veterans

On this exciting episode of Army Wife Talk Radio, we listen to Gary Revel discuss his memoir "To Live or Maybe Not." Gary takes you on a ride that starts when he is a young boy spending his nights in his mother’s bar. He plays poker with adult customers and dances...

Drive For HOPE®: Restoring Independence on the Road

by Hope For The Warriors | Aug 21, 2020 | Blog, Expert, Veterans

Carpools. Commutes. Grocery runs. All of these were part of our daily routines before COVID-19 brought us a new normal, and are simple routines that we take for granted. Even though you may not drive your car as frequently as before, imagine if you couldn’t drive it at all.

What if instead of driving when you needed to drive, you had to learn how to drive all over again? For many service members and veterans returning home and coping with severe injuries, this is a reality that makes transitioning to civilian life difficult. Many service members and veterans are unable to drive their kids to practice or drive themselves to a medical appointment. They need driving rehabilitation services, and they need someone to adapt their vehicle to meet their physical needs.

‘You Are Worth It’: Healing from MST with HOPE

by Hope For The Warriors | Jul 21, 2020 | Blog, Expert, Health & Fitness, Veterans

Hope has been the key to Catherine Bane’s healing journey as a military sexual assault survivor—both figuratively and literally.

Catherine joined the Army fresh out of high school in 2003, following in the footsteps of her grandfather, father, and six of her brothers. She was excited about her new journey, which began as a chaplain’s assistant.

That joy and excitement was shattered by, not one, but two sexual assaults.

Veteran Bonuses by State

by Retired Expert | Jul 8, 2020 | Blog, Expert, Financial Planning, Veterans

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.

Find Running Inspiration in Others

by George Banker | Jun 10, 2020 | Blog, Expert, Health & Fitness

I had an opportunity to catch up with Sergeant First Class Heather Boyd and ask a few questions. Boyd is an inspiration, and I had the privilege to work alongside her at the Army Ten-Miler. There is a degree of “grit,” and if you’ve read a few of my other columns, then you know what I’m referring to.

Boyd has faced obstacles and managed to persevere. There are a number of roles that play a prominent part of her life.

Who would want to jump out of an airplane before it lands? After all, there are steps you can walk down. But it happens to be the same person who tackles the JFK 50-Mile Run with a portion along the Appalachian Trail.

Forever What?

by Anna Larson | Jun 2, 2020 | Blog, Experience, Military Life, Veterans

My soldier came home last week and told me he was three-quarters of the way done with his retirement papers.

Yeah… That is my face. I think it’s stuck that way right now and maybe for months to come, because the mixture of emotions, fears, anticipation, and excitement that come with this announcement are all mixed into it.

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Be excited or terrified.

Tell the world, or keep it a secret.

A Resilient Nation Built on HOPE

by Hope For The Warriors | May 20, 2020 | Blog, Expert, Veterans

America has always been shaped by our resilience. We’ve endured multiple wars: one that gave us our freedom, one that threatened to tear us apart, and two that involved attacks on US soil.

We’ve faced economic depression, fought against civil injustices, and worked for a better tomorrow. Even now, as we face an unprecedented pandemic that has turned our lives upside down, we are working together and taking care of each other.

Memorial Day: Is it Happy or Not?

by Retired Blogger | May 13, 2020 | Blog, Experience, Military Life, Veterans

Over the years, the meaning of Memorial Day has changed for me. Typically, in my early 20’s, Memorial Day was a day that commemorated the beginning of summer. I would spend the whole weekend at the beach with friends enjoying the sunshine. To me, during that season of life, it was “Happy Memorial Day.” I knew nothing different. I was uneducated on the true meaning of Memorial Day.

On “holidays” like Veterans Day, Armed Forces Day, and Memorial Day, I always see a meme on Facebook or Instagram explaining the difference between the three. This meme can be perceived in different ways.