Debunking Security Clearance Myths There are lots of myths circulating out there about security clearances. Today I will debunk some of those myths for you. 1. You have to have a security clearance before applying for government jobs. Some jobs in government require a security clearance. If you don’t have a clearance now, you have […]
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Contest Winners
1st Place ( Staying Connected ): Amazon Kindle – Ebook Reader Leatherman – LE:Blast Black $100 Amazon Gift Card 2nd Place ( An American in Japan ): Leatherman – LE:Blast Black $75 Amazon Gift Card 3rd Place ( A Different Kind of Family ): $50 Amazon Gift Card Tweet and Win ( Daily Dwelling ): […]
New Look For Military Base Housing
Military housing has changed dramatically in the last few years. Gone, or going, are the two story multifamily chicken coops that used to house military families. On many installations this configuration of housing was called Wheery Housing by the military, but nicknamed Dreary Housing by the families that lived in them. Gun metal grey shared […]
On The Move Again
If that old Willie Nelson classic On the Road Again is bouncing around your head you must have recently gotten a new assignment and you are getting ready for your latest military family adventure. In recent years, the assignments do not come as frequently as they once did in an attempt to cut DOD costs […]
Relocation Helping Your Children Adjust
Making a move to a new place is difficult for adults but can be traumatic for children. They leave behind a comfort zone of friends they already fit in with; their biggest fear is being the new kid that nobody likes and picks on. To them, it seems like it is the end of the […]
How Can BAH Be Spent
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is computed annually by contracted providers in each zip code in the United States and overseas where bases are located. It is a complex, but more than fair, system of determining how much of a housing allowance is needed in each area according to what the government has deemed […]
Buying A Home When You Are In The Military
Buying a home under any circumstances has been identified as one of the most stressful situations that you can go through in your life time. It is a major decision that should not be entered into lightly. On the other hand, everyone dreams of owning their own home. When we think of a home it […]
Transferring With Special Needs Children
Receiving orders for a transfer is an exciting time. There are many things to think about and plan, plus learning about your new assignment. If you have special needs children it is a time of trepidation and fear. What if they don’t have what your child needs to lead as full a life as they […]
An American In Japan
I peeked out the kitchen window to spy the three men standing outside my house as they savored the last few puffs on their cigarettes. The truck they pulled up in dwarfed the narrow street, and I wondered if my neighbors were peeking out their own windows to see what all the commotion was about. […]
What Happened Now
My husband told me that on a daily basis from the moment I dropped him off in a parking lot to get on a bus to start Deployment 3. Every day it feels as though I had something else to report on the house falling apart, something breaking, or just traumatic experiences. So I have […]
A Different Kind Of Family
During the four months that my husband was at basic training I did a lot of leaning on our families for help and moral support. They were fantastic, but they didn’t quite get it. I knew that we would miss them all when we went to our first duty station, but at that point we […]
Staying Connected During Deployment
Having a parent deployed, regardless of the capacity, can have a profound and devastating effect on a child. Helping them stay connected to their deployed parent in some way is an important part of growing up in a military household. It’s equally important, though not to dwell on the issue, you have to find the […]
My Son Is Chinese Thoughts On Multiculturalism
My son Harold is not adopted. Despite being born in mainland China, he is the biological son of my husband and me. My husband served as a military attaché for the American Embassy while we were stationed in China. Upon hearing that our son was born in China, much of the public asks if he […]
PTSD 30 Second Commercial
I was doing my usual commenting on one of my favorite Facebook sites, “Military with PTSD”, when I noticed a pattern. It seemed like all the wives were sick and tired of the behavior of their soldiers and were at their ropes end and wanted answers. Many of the responses were that they should wait […]
US Military Ranks
The US Military has multiple branches all with their own set of ranks for enlisted members and officers. Below each branch’s ranks are listed from lowest to highest. U.S. Army The Army is one of the oldest branches of the U.S. military, dating back to 1775. This branch has gone on to see significant combat […]
US Military Budget
The United States military budget is, in its simplest form, the amount of money the United States government allocates to any defense-related spending. More specifically, it is the amount of money that Congress sets aside for the Department of Defense to carry out its duties. Military Budget Basic Facts The United States’ military budget takes […]
United States Military Pay
There are currently over 70 different types of military pay available to military personnel. Military pay depends on a soldier’s ranking, the amount of time they have served in the military, their current assignment, special skills the enlisted member of the military may have, and whether the military member is on Active duty or in […]
Military Uniforms
Military uniforms are an integral part of life serving in the armed forces in the United States. Each branch of the military has their own unique traditions, which have translated into unique uniforms. There are different uniforms for different occasions: working or combat, service, and dinner or Mess Dress. There are also military uniforms for […]
Military Recruitment
Military recruitment is the formal act of requesting or recruiting people to join the military. Military recruitment has been around ever since the military’s establishment. While its methods have changed, the overall goal is the same: to get people to enlist in the armed forces of the United States of America. The History of United […]
Military Records
Perhaps you have a father, grandfather or even great grandfather who served in the United States military and you want to get a copy of their service record for your family history. Maybe you served in the military yourself many years ago and want to obtain a fresh copy of your service information for your […]
Military Colleges
Have you considered military academy, military college or university, or a career in the military? Military schools are a great way to receive training for entrance into the military, whether it be into the Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard. There are several options for military schools dependent on the age of the […]
Discount Military Travel
For those who serve in or have served in the United States armed forces, the military offers a wide array of options for discounted traveling around the world. Discounted travel is one of the many benefits available to soldiers and their dependents, from staying on base to purchasing cheaper flight tickets. These discounts are available […]
Choosing A Military Career
If you went to high school in the United States, you probably had a military recruiter speak to you about the potential of a military career. There are many benefits to choosing a military career, but you have to make sure you spend the right time researching your options so you end up in an […]
