Resources – Page 2

How To Be A Military Spouse

Becoming a military spouse can come with a multitude of emotions: joy, confusion, stress, and feeling overwhelmed. While these feelings are understandable, there are many resources available to help you as you begin your transition into the military life!

DEERS and TRICARE

One of the first things that you should do as a new spouse is getting enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). Each service member and their dependents must enroll in this system to receive benefits such as TRICARE. Your spouse can enroll you at their uniformed services personnel office; you and your spouse can visit the office together when it is convenient for you, or you can make an appointment ahead of time.

To be added to DEERS, your spouse must have:

Original or certified copies of your marriage certificate, as well as your birth certificate
Your Social Security card
Your photo ID (such as a driver’s license or passport)
Department of Defense Form 1172

To add a child, your spouse will need the child’s birth certificate and Social Security card. There are different requirements for different situations, such as step-children or children over the age of 21, so it is important to check the TRICARE website prior to your appointment.

When you go to register for DEERS, you can also get your military ID card. This card allows you to get on post, access medical care, and use the commissary. Children age ten and older must also get an ID Card. In addition to the documents required for DEERS enrollment, the DD Form 1173 must also be completed by your spouse.

You can also utilize TRICARE after enrolling in DEERS. While TRICARE is not technically an insurance company, it works as one to help military families get health care and pay medical bills. There are two main types of TRICARE for active duty families: TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select. The major difference between the two is that TRICARE Prime requires you to be seen at a military treatment facility, while TRICARE Select allows you to choose your own provider as long as they are within a TRICARE-authorized network. Both plans cover medications and treatments that are medically necessary and have been proven to be effective. Dental insurance is provided through United Concordia, and vision insurance is provided through TRICARE.

Adjusting to Military Life

Jobs

One of the challenges of being a new military spouse can be finding employment in your field. Frequent moves and living in areas that are often remote can make finding and keeping a job difficult. For these reasons, many programs have been developed to make finding work as a military spouse easier.

Military OneSource has many resources that can help you find a job, such as:

Career coaches. You can reach a career coach by calling 800-342-9647, 7:00 am to 10:00 pm Eastern time, Monday through Friday, and 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturdays.
Career planning tools like resume builders
The Military Spouse Employment Partnership Job Search

Working for the government is also a career opportunity as a military spouse. These jobs often allow you to work as a civilian on post, or at other locations in your new community.

If you are already working and have a job that can be performed remotely, talk to your employer! Increasingly, companies are allowing more flexible schedules for employees; if you know that you will be moving due to your spouse’s assignment, check with your employer to see if they would be willing to allow you to work from home. If this is not an option, or if you do not currently have a job, there are multiple remote jobs available. You can use job search websites to look for jobs in your field that may have a telecommute option.

If you are interested in pursuing a degree or certification, you may be eligible for the My Career Advancement Account Scholarship. This is a workforce development program that provides spouses with up to $4,000 towards a certification, license, or an associates degree in a career field that is portable. Spouses whose sponsors are enlisted are eligible for this scholarship.

Overseas Assignments

One perk of military life is the possibility of being stationed overseas, or OCONUS. While the prospect of living abroad can be exciting, there are unique challenges that come along with an overseas assignment. However, there are steps you can take to make the process easier, and to fully enjoy your time abroad!

First, in order to move overseas with your spouse, you must be named on their orders. This allows your spouse to have an “accompanied” move. Your spouse will also be assigned a sponsor, who will be the main contact person at your new base. They can give you information about available housing, what types of services are available and how to find them, and more.

When you move, it is likely that you will not be able to bring all of your furniture and other household goods with you overseas. You are typically allowed two different shipments: unaccompanied baggage, which are the essential items you need for your new home like clothes and kitchen wares, and household goods, which consists of furniture, appliances, and everything else. Each of these shipments can take weeks to months to arrive, so it is important to budget for purchasing some necessary items once you arrive overseas. There are some items that you cannot ship overseas; you can check with the Customs Office for a definitive list. Typically, you are allowed to ship one car, but can often purchase another overseas if needed. You are allowed to bring up to two dogs or cats; other pets are not allowed. Pets must also have their rabies vaccination and a Veterinary Health Certificate (DD Form 2209).

Dealing with Deployment

One of the most stressful parts of being a military spouse is handling deployments. It is likely that your spouse may be deployed at some point, so it is important to be prepared. One way to handle deployment is by having a good support system; you can attend unit gatherings before and during deployment, and you can check your installation’s social media to find various events where you can meet other spouses who are going through the same thing. Do not be afraid to reach out and ask for what you need, whether it is help around the house, or someone to just listen and provide support. Deployment is a difficult time, and having support makes it much easier to get through!

Staying connected with your spouse during deployment can make the long separation easier for both of you. This may mean sharing videos of things going on at home, calling, and emailing often. Keeping your spouse updated on life at home can help you both feel more connected. At the same time, it is important to remember that deployment is tough on all members of the family, and being patient and understanding with your spouse is especially necessary during this difficult time.

Deployments are tough, but they are also an opportunity to make time for yourself and activities that you already enjoy, or have always wanted to try:

You could take music lessons, or learn a new language
Attend events on post with other spouses
Visit friends and family

Preparing for deployment with your spouse is also important:

Take time to talk with them about managing the household and bills while they are gone
Set expectations with one another on communication
Try to stay positive and limit discussing unresolved issues during deployment

Finally, accepting that deployment dates may change will help you to manage your expectations. You can work with your Family Readiness Group (FRG) to stay informed before, during, and after deployment.

There is so much to take in as a new military spouse, but there are many resources (and other spouses) available to help! Do not hesitate to reach out to your FRG and other spouse groups to get all the information you need for this next chapter of your life.

Heather Maxey works at a non-profit that addresses military ineligibility. She is an Army spouse, and met her husband while working as a Health Educator at Fort Bragg.

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Tips for Selecting a Military Ball Gown

by Heidi

Military ball season is in the air and we’re just as excited as you are! Is it your first time headed out with your soldier or airman? Are you excited to take your SO to the ball with you?

But what are you going to wear? There are simply thousands of choices and it can be hard to narrow it down. Let’s take a look at several tips to help you look your best, sparkle, and shine.

Define Classy

Though it’s wonderful to show your assets and we are definitely body positive, you’ll want to stick to something a little more conservative around your work fellows. Remember, you’re heading out for a military event, not a night on the town. And yes, your superiors are watching.

If you’re intending to impress, look for traditional A-line gowns and cocktail dresses that come below the knee. If you aren’t certain if your event allows a certain style or a certain color, it is always better to ask than to be caught unawares at the door.

We’re all for showing who you are in your dress, so feel free to touch it up with things that really show off your interests. A few feathers for bird lovers might be an appropriate touch, for instance.

Avoid Extravagant Dresses

We don’t want you to walk into the room sideways. A giant dress, huge puffy sleeves, or a skirt that you can’t sit down in is a huge no-no. If you want to be a princess, you don’t want to do it when you’re elbow to elbow with several other people.

While balls are wonderful and a great opportunity to get to know everyone, they can also be somewhat cramped in the seating arrangements or held in relatively small venues. It’s better to plan ahead and keep extreme dresses on the rack where they belong.

Want some poof without problems? Chiffon is easy to smooth down or fold beneath your seat if you need to squeeze into a tiny area. Yet, when allowed to pop out, this cloth is a perfect choice for the princess-y look without the princess skirt problems.

Color Coordinated

In almost all cases, you’ll be seeing your ball partner in their dress uniform. No matter the color, try not to match them. Dark blue or military green partners are lost among the crowd and you’ll want to stand out enough that your ball partner can find you.

That said, you won’t want to look for screaming pinks and neon yellows, either. We recommend looking for a color that works well with their uniform but matches you, too. The following are good picks for common dress uniform colors:

Blue: Most of these are very dark blues. Typical matches include powder to sky blue, creams, and amber gowns. Not only do these show off most skin tones well, but they also tend to come in a wide variety and are easily found.

Green: Again, we’re looking at dark and medium greens. Cream is another good match here, but we’re also very fond of yellows and burgundies. A wine or merlot may also be a nice color against a green uniform.

Beige: If your ball partner is in beige, you have a much wider array of colors to try. We tend to advise against the red spectrum because it can be a little overwhelming here. Olive greens look surprisingly pretty with beige uniforms, as do blues and purples.

White: Essentially, white uniforms can work with anything but we suggest avoiding dark colors and black. The monochrome look is pretty common on the dance floor between couples and ball buddies in white uniforms can lose you among the others.

Classic Black: As above, we recommend against white due to the classic monochrome being ever popular. In this case, feel free to pop with brighter colors such as rich reds and vibrant blues. We’d still suggest keeping the pink to a minimum.

Comfort Required

If you don’t have time to try on the dress before you buy it, or you’re buying it online, make sure that you find something in a style you’ve worn before. Just because you’re in great shape doesn’t mean you’ll want to spend the evening stuffed into a mermaid dress or something that keeps slipping down your shoulders.

If possible, try on everything first. However, we know that most people shop online and that makes this impossible – especially if you’re overseas and the mail takes a month to deliver. If you’ve never been in a gown, the class A-line looks good on almost everyone and, when properly sized, is pretty comfortable.

Keep it Simple

We’re not here to judge on glitz or glam, but do try to keep it under control. Someone who sparkles so much that they’re glittering during the dedication video package is probably wearing too much. Remember that military balls are a formal affair, not a party. Though some may take that direction later in the evening, it tends to be more reserved and conservative. Your dress should reflect that.

If you want to shine, we recommend you leave that to your accessories. As of this writing, sequin purses are very in. So are glittery earrings and huge sparkly bracelets. If you want to add something extra, look for it in ways that are easily removable. A necklace that is a little over the top is easily tucked away in your purse. Earrings that are larger than anyone else’s can be switched out for more conservative pieces in the bathroom in seconds.

Additionally, if you intend to accessorize it is very smart to bring along more conservative versions. You don’t want the FRG’s leader’s eyes on you. Though we try to ignore it, drama can happen fast because of behavior or appearance at a ball. The military teaches us to be prepared. Make sure you are.

Be Ready to Boogie

For our first-timers, military balls tend to include a cake, a dedication or a ceremony, dinner, and dancing. There may or may not be other events, but these are pretty standard. That means you’ll have time to get out on the dance floor and shake your thing!

However, if you haven’t caught on yet, this isn’t the time to just run out and twerk the second the music starts. Get a good feel for the group you’re with. Some military bases are full of fun and are really into party time. Others want waltzing and tend to prefer a calmer dance floor.

We recommend you go with the flow. Even if you don’t know how to waltz, enjoy learning how as you watch the others. But if they pump up the tunes and people are breakdancing, feel free to join in.

When and Where

We’re going to break this down into CONUS and OCONUS. For the newbies, that means the continental US and, essentially, everywhere else.

CONUS: Visit local dress shops if you can. This will give you the most time to find the perfect gown and to get any alterations finished with plenty of time to spare. We recommend purchasing your dress at least 30 days in advance in this case.

OCONUS: If you’re relying on the mail to bring your dress, order at least 60 days in advance. This allows time for your dress to arrive and for needed alterations to be made. In this case, you’re most likely ordering online.

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How To Adopt a Military Working Dog

by Heidi

Do you want to learn how to adopt a military working dog? If some headlines are to be believed, there is an active supply of retired or about-to-retire military dogs available for adoption, but it can be difficult at times for military bases to find suitable homes for these hard working canines.

A September 2019 article published by the dog lovers website PawBuzz.com came with the headline, “Air Force Is Desperately Looking For People To Adopt Some Of The Retired Military Working Dogs,” and indicates that age and “cute factor” are considerations when people are thinking about adopting a military dog.

That means that younger dogs that don’t make the cut are easily adopted to loving families, but fewer seem to be willing to take a chance on a mature, older dog that doesn’t have the same appeal as a younger, more excitable animal.

Why Are Military Working Dogs Put Up For Adoption?

Military working dogs are available for adoption by civilian families for two basic reasons, though there may be more. Some dogs simply aren’t cut out for the discipline of military work–they are easily scared by gunfire or other loud noises, they may not be able to take the training requirements due to attention issues or other problems, etc.

The bottom line? Some younger dogs are up for adoption without seeing a single day of duty because they aren’t right for the job.

That doesn’t mean they are mean or prone to biting or aggression. It just means that like some of their human counterparts, dogs too can wash out of basic training.

And no, dogs don’t go through the same boot camp with their human counterparts, but they do get their own kind of specialized training.

Military Working Dogs Retire From Military Service, Too

Other dogs pass their training with flying colors, have good careers with their human military handlers, and finish their K9 tours of duty. When a military working dog is being retired from the military, that’s the other major source of working dogs for adoption.

A lot of working dogs get adopted by their handlers in uniform, but not all. Some military members would love nothing more than to adopt their K9 working dog, but military duty prevents them from doing so due to multiple deployments, injuries, reassignment to remote duty locations, etc.

Some Dogs Get Sick Or Injured And Must Be Retired Early

A military working dog that passes initial training may be retired early if the dog becomes ill or gets wounded. A dog doesn’t necessarily have to have a terminal illness to be retired from duty. A condition that makes the dog unable to perform its duties could force its handlers to retire the dog early and try to find a good home for an animal that has served well, but simply cannot do so any longer.

Some Dogs Have Been Adopted But Need Foster Homes

Some military working dogs are adopted by the dog’s handler or partner, or by a third party, but circumstances force the owner to put the dog up for adoption due to deployment, reassignment, hardship duty, remote assignment, etc.

These dogs found a home, but need a new one and often come up for foster care or adoption as a result.

Third Party Agencies That Can Help You Adopt A Military Dog

The official website for the Department of Defense has a blog called DoDLive which lists a group of agencies that help place working dogs into foster care or permanent care. They include:

Pets for Patriots
Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet
Pact for Animals
Loving Paws Inc.

Note that none of the agencies in the list above are at .mil addresses, these are private organizations not part of the federal government. Plans, policies, and requirements may vary and are subject to change. These third parties are dedicated to helping place military dogs with appropriate caregivers.

How To Adopt A Military Working Dog

The first thing to do is to narrow down whether or not you specifically want a military dog or a working dog from any other walk of life including law enforcement, private security, work with the disabled, etc. Adopting a military dog requires some awareness of the animal’s training, socialization, and ability to interact with people.

Requirements For Adopting A Military Dog

The specific requirements for adopting a working dog will vary depending on the agency, but let’s examine the rules for the Pets For Patriots program to get an idea of what you can expect in this area:

Driving distance requirement: Pets For Patriots requires the applicant to live within a specific, reasonable driving distance to a shelter that has partnered with the agency, and within a specific driving distance of a veterinary partner.
Proof of Service: Military members are required to provide proof of current service or military discharge.
Pets For Patriots requires additional documentation for those suffering from mental health issues.
Pets For Patriots does not train or adopt animals intended to be service dogs. It adopts out canines specifically for companionship purposes. That means the dog can have a service background, but it will not receive any service training as part of the adoption process.

Who Is Doing The Adoption?

There are many programs that help place military dogs. Some of these are focused specifically on military dogs, others may offer service animals from a variety of backgrounds. Be sure to ask if you are specifically interested in a military dog trained by the Army, Air Force, etc.

Criteria for the animals up for adoption will vary depending on the agency. You may find that the service dogs available from some providers must be at least two years old, and there may be specific health requirements.

Military Bases May Offer Foster Or Adoption Programs

If you decide you want to work directly with a military agency, you are in luck. Some bases have adoption programs not just for retired working dogs, but also for bona fide foster care for animals that are in a military training program and need a foster family to socialize with during that training.

Military Puppy Foster Homes In Texas

A good example of this is found at Joint Base San Antonio / Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Lackland has a working dog breeding program that features a Puppy Development Program that sends the dogs home at age eight weeks to live with “qualified and dedicated ‘foster’ volunteers from the greater San Antonio/Austin area.”

This is intended to give military puppies a chance to play and grow in different environments and learn how to socialize properly.

This program, offered to those who live within driving distance of the base, is restricted to homes that meet certain requirements such as a fenced-in back yard. Homes with children are permitted if the kids are age five or older.

The program is specific to Joint Base San Antonio Lackland, but other posts, bases, and installations that train or use working dogs may have similar options. Contact the base Security Forces office or on-post law enforcement to learn who to contact about participating.

Are You Right For A Military Working Dog?

One important factor to consider when deciding whether or not to adopt a military dog is whether or not that is a good fit for you. Some would-be K9 adoption applicants aren’t truly sure at first if they are making the right choice. There are some questions you can ask yourself to determine whether or not to make the jump to fostering or adopting a working dog. These include:

Living space for your new pet – Do you have a fenced-in yard or a big enough enclosure to let the dog roam free and happy?
Do I have enough room in the home or apartment for a dog that needs regular exercise or activity?
How attentive can you be as a pet owner? Are you gone frequently or do you stay close to home? Dogs can have abandonment issues that require more attention and mindfulness from the owner.
What is your perfect dog like?
Who else lives with you and are they compatible with the type of commitment you want to make?

The answers to these questions can help you determine whether or not it’s a good move to adopt or foster a dog. Some people are actually better suited for certain breeds of dog but not others.

Some are better suited for cats or other animals instead of dogs. The only way to tell is to ask yourself the questions, try to get exposure to the kind of animal you want to adopt, and spend time deciding if that breed has the temperament and energy level you want.

Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter for Air Force Television News

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Military Discharge Upgrades Liberal Consideration Policy

by MilitaryBenefits

The military has several different kinds of military discharges characterized as “other-than-honorable,” meaning ANY discharge that is not classified as Honorable. That includes, but is not limited to:

General discharge (under honorable conditions)
Other than honorable discharge (OTH)
Bad conduct discharge (court martial or general court martial)
Dishonorable discharge
Entry-level separation (not suitable for the military, given within first 180 days)

There are also medical discharges, administrative separation, and procedures taken for the convenience of the government. Of all these, medical, administrative, and government

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Eduardo Meza removes his boot at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. — U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Robert G. Gavaldon.

convenience discharges are often not as stigmatized as the punitive ones; those who receive discharges classified as “bad paper” (other than honorable, bad conduct, and dishonorable) have in the past had no access to VA benefits or other assistance offered those who served honorably.

Some Other Than Honorable Military Discharges May Deserve Another Look

There are flaws in these discharge classifications, the most important being that these types of punitive discharges do not take into account aggravating factors such as PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, experiencing sexual assault, mental health issues or other circumstances. Some of these may have led to the outward behavior causing discharge proceedings to begin in the first place.

And there are other factors; one group of veterans profoundly affected by other than honorable military discharges? Those who were kicked out of the military based on their sexual preference alone under the old “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” anti-gay policies that prevented LGBT service members from serving openly. By some estimates, more than 10 thousand service members were expelled under this policy.

Why Did The Military Decide To Liberalize The Discharge Review Policy?

There are many reasons why the United States Military adopted a liberal consideration policy for military discharge upgrades. Yes, you read that correctly-it has been a longstanding tradition for the military to (at the service member’s request) hold discharge review boards to determine whether a particular situation warrants an upgrade to an Honorable discharge.

Liberal consideration was not part of that process until guidance was issued from the Pentagon directing military discharge review boards to consider medical records and other supporting evidence in the process.

The goal is to eliminate ambiguities and grey areas that may have influenced the original decision to give a service member a discharge not characterized as honorable.

Criteria For Discharge Upgrades Under Liberal Consideration

The Department of Defense has criteria used to make a determination. A set of questions are asked, including whether there is “evidence” in the form of information in the military member’s medical records or service records.

This evidence may include things that seem minor on the surface as far as on-duty conduct is concerned, but may point to underlying problems. One such factor specifically mentioned in the Department of Defense guidance on Liberal Consideration? “Changes in behavior” to include:

Requests for transfer
General deterioration in performance
Substance abuse
Depression
Relationship issues
Sexual dysfunction
Unexplained social behavior
Inability to adapt to a military environment

Furthermore, DoD policy states that based on the veteran’s testimony alone may establish the basis for a discharge upgrade if that testimony can be linked to a condition aggravated or caused by military service.

Who Is Affected By The Liberal Consideration Policy?

The liberal consideration policy focuses on specific areas-discharges that may have been affected by PTSD, traumatic brain injury, being a victim of sexual assault or harassment, but notably NOT those who received discharges under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. But it is important to note that the liberal consideration policy may not be necessary to get a military discharge upgraded to honorable if it is related to a discharge due to “homosexual conduct”.

A large percentage of reviewed discharges in this area have been approved for upgrades to honorable; the problem is that only a fraction of the veterans discharged under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell bother to apply for a Discharge Review Board. Again, it is up to the veteran to apply for discharge review, it is not done automatically.

What Does It Take To Get My Military Discharge Reviewed Under The Liberal Consideration Policy?

Veterans who wish to have their military discharges reviewed for possible upgrade must apply to a military discharge review board. These boards are convened by each branch of the service, so service members should expect to apply based on their service’s specific procedures and requirements. It is not a service provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs and is not centralized.

A service member’s military service records are required, plus any supporting evidence that could influence a discharge review board’s decision. This documentation must be provided by the service member, along with appropriate paperwork such as DD Form 293, Application for the Review of Discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States.

Online Tool to Assist Veterans with Discharge Upgrade Process

Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter for Air Force Television News

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