HurryUpHurryUpHurryUp...Waaaaaaaaaait

This, in a nutshell, is military life.  Lots of long sentences of waiting punctuated with bursts of hurrying up.  Sometimes we have to hurry up just to be able to get to the next stage of wait.  Sometimes we're given dire consequences if we don't hurry up, which then turn into admonitions to "Calm down,  we have time.  Just wait a bit."

Hubby and I, having passed the sleepless nights of "Hurry Up and Fill Out the Dream Sheet Before All the Good Assignments are Gone", are now engaged in the waiting.  It's nearly April and most of the assignments (to various schools) require a report date of sometime in July.   I'm expecting to get a phone call in August asking hubby why he never reported.

Finance is Fun

A few years ago when we PCSed to Germany, our flight was scheduled for the first of the month.  As we were preparing to leave, we decided to print out our LES since we didn't know when we'd have computer access once we arrived in Germany.  We logged in to MyPay and pulled up the last LES before we were moving to a different country.

It was straight zeroes across the page.

If It's to Be...

It's Up to Me.

I heard this phrase a few weeks back and it really spoke to me.

I'm wondering if it speaks to you?

As mil-spouses we are often put smack down in the middle of situations where we must make decisions on our own for long periods of time. I think this can tire out our decision making ability. It tires us out so much, we start feeling like we don't want to "play this game" anymore.

We must keep our mind and spirit fresh; otherwise, that's where trouble starts.

A lot of my civilians friends didn't understand "how I got through" deployments. "I don't know how you put up with him being gone all the time, I sure wouldn't". My great, close friend MA and I have this saying, "you're calling the right friend", or "you're calling the wrong friend". What I mean is when needing to vent about something we pick up the phone and call the friend who we think is going to give us the answer we want. I learned quickly when I needed empathy or encouragement, to not "vent" to certain civilian friends, I needed to call the "right" friend.

When You Have Neither Prince, Nor Toad

MaintToad1 is really a prince in disguise...just do not kiss him in gratitude or you'll have one angry servicemember after you.  He not only helps out the less mechanically savvy spouses, he reminds others to do the same.

His post reminded me of a service I had heard about while DH was deployed.  A quick Gmail search and there it was: Project EverGreen:

Project EverGreen is launching a nationwide outreach program connecting local lawn and landscape firms with men and women serving our country in the armed forces away from home. Lawn and landscape maintenance becomes a definite hardship when a family's major breadwinner is on active duty away from home. GreenCare for Troops is designed to show the green industry's concern for this situation, helping affected families maintain their homes' green spaces.

I never used this service but it seems like something worth checking out if you would be otherwise unable to properly maintain your lawn. We should all pull together during deployment and help each other out but sometimes the geographic barriers get in the way--it is nice to know organizations like these are filling that need.

If you do not have your prince (or princess) home, and there is no helpful toad to be found, you may want to give Project EverGreen a try.

Not that it's a guy thing, mind you, ...

Sometimes, I don't know how my wife and I got things done while we were both on active duty.  The only remembrances of "honey-do's" is the blur the weekends always seemed to be.  Now, as The Boss works during the days, I really try to knock out as much as possible so that the weekends are for whatever she wants or needs to get done. 

Call me crazy (although I prefer Toad), the smell of freshly mown grass, the feel of the earth, and the slight tingle of a sunburn on my neck beckon me this time of year -- and honestly I look forward to it.  Ah yes, Springtime ... trees are budding, bulbs are pushing through the recently mulched beds and ... I've got the smell of high-test gasoline and "30-weight" oil on my hands.  Now into my 3rd Springtime since leaving the Force, I've realized that not everyone has this same ... enthusiasm ... for lawn work.  Imagine that?   

"I'm sorry, we no longer accept ..."

Ease of appointments, little or no paperwork, just be there on-time, and no concerns about the insurance companies paying the health care providers ...  Most folks, and many spouses believe that our active duty milspouses have it made in the realm of dental and medical care -- and to be sure, I for one managed to be managed just fine thankyouverymuch for 26 years.  Then my flip to being a F/M ... the ol' D/H of yore.  But then I learned of the ease, quality and breadth of dental care available to family members.  Having trod both sides, I believe that we actually have it better than our milspouses who get the "free" care... how so, you ask?

For one thing, we get twice yearly cleanings (to their once yearly cleanings) with multiple facets of dental care available to us, all for the asking (presuming you're milspouse is having the premium taken out of the monthly pay).  So I readily jumped onto this twice yearly thing as I really want to be smiling out of my casket with all those teeth being mine.  So the uneasiness of being in a dentists office is offset by the availability of quality care ... a tedious balance at best.

But then unexpectedly, it strikes -- those dreaded words ...

Did you know?

In this week's Military Report:

Give Your Feedback on Health Care Crisis 

Air Force Services Launches Arts and Crafts Website

Alert Issued on Thrift Savings Plans

Army Launches Wounded Warrior, Family Hotline

Coalition Servicemembers Reach Out Online

Distance Learning Program Offered

Documentary Focuses on Guard, Reserve

Helping Parents Move With Children

Jeopardy Seeking Pacific Contestants

Legislation Would Increase Business Loans 

Marines Welcome at the Marines' Memorial

Navy Reserves Offering Deferment

Reducing the Risk for Colorectal Cancer

Retirement Process Goes Online

Free Military Day at Busch Gardens

All-Services Annual Retiree Seminar

Dependent Education Assistance Update

New 2007 Targeted Raises Go Into Effect

Medical Transcriptionist Position for Military Spouses

Free Employment Assistance for Military Spouses

More Help for War Wounded

Bills Introduced to Improve DoD Patient Service

Spring Training

Spring sports has started where we live. My 10yr. old is playing baseball this season, which is a first (I'm not counting T-ball when he was 5). After years of soccer, we thought we'd give baseball a shot. When I signed him up, I also signed up the husband. I learned along time ago that it was more fun "for me", to have the husband be on the other side of the field coaching the game than next to me wishing he was coaching the game. The worst was when he would come home from sea mid season....he would be "forced" to sit on the sideline.

Our base here doesn't have a youth sports program. I'm beginning to realize just how much I miss this "perk".

Things to Remember

I just got back from the commissary.  I do love the prices at the commissary, but let's face it - the commissary is never a pleasant way to spend the afternoon.  Particularly if you are shopping with children or your visiting parents from California who look at the produce section with dismay.

Another issue at the commissary that can be difficult to process with is the plethora of retirees of various ages ranging from late thirties and ecstatic to be remaining in the area for more than three years, to mid-nineties and accompanied by oxygen tanks and motorized wheelchairs.  Whomever designed the commissary did NOT take the store's intended volume and ages into account at any stage of the development.   The aisles are not wide enough for two carts to pass; let alone the three carts, two motorized carts, four children-on-board carts that are shaped like trucks, and seven free-range children running amok in the aisle.

So, after having my butt rammed into twice by motorized shopping carts, my shins hit with a cane that was being dragged by an erstwhile cart pilot, seeing someone cut in front of me in line after telling me to "back up, because I'm coming through", and being given six different child-rearing opinions (none of which had me doing the right thing with my children); my mind was not thinking rationally.  In my irritation I was choosing not to remember exactly how important our retiree community is to those families serving today.   

Goofs

I loved this story over at CaliValleyGirl's blog.  She's the fiancee of a Chinook pilot, and she's really thrown herself into the military community with both feet.  But we all make goofs...

I was flying to Alabama to meet up with my boyfriend and was sitting next to a guy on the plane and we were talking about my boyfriend being in the military.

And he asks: So does he live on post?
And I reply: No, he bought a house in a nearby town.
He replies: Oh, so permanent party, huh?
Me, somewhat perplexed: Um, no actually he is pretty relaxed. He is beyond that. I mean, he is 30 years old. He just likes staying home and hanging out.
The guy looks at me, just as perplexed: Uhh...permanent party. He’s had a permanent change of station as opposed to just temporarily being stationed there?
Me (totally having lost face with my normally genius level expertise with all things military): Ooooooh. Yeah, exactly.

Do you have a funny story like hers, where your "normally genius level expertise with all things military" eludes you for a moment?

SpouseBUZZ Pride

SpouseBUZZ is pretty proud of one of our own tonight. Ginger (GBear) was ABC's "Person of the Week" this week. Click here to watch the video (you'll have to sit through 30 seconds of commercials), and I think you'll understand why.

GBear, thanks for all that you and your volunteers do for our wounded troops. We're so proud to know you and to have you as an author here at SpouseBUZZ.

Problem Solving on the Fly

Recently I was in the airport and faced with a dreaded airline delay.

ugggg

When it comes to traveling, either flying or a road trip, being a milspouse has heighten my problem solving skills. I'm sure many of us feel like we are actually getting super powers when it comes to problem solving. As milspouses we are used to things changing at a moments notice and we are forced to "improvise, adapt and overcome".

The delay went something like this:

Funny Because it is True

While procrastinating and Googling SpouseBUZZ, which I suppose is just slightly less narcissistic than Googling myself, I came across Jenny Spouse.  Julie Negron, creator of Jenny Spouse, had linked to this awesome post by Sarah.  Immediately, I found myself clicking through two years of archives, smiling and laughing out loud and saying to myself, "It is just so true."

I knew immediately I had to spread the word about her great comics.  Julie was kind enough to allow me to share one with you on SpouseBUZZ.The only remaining difficulty was which strip to share with so many excellent choices.

Since we've recently been talking about "Do-Overs," I thought this one was very timely (click for full size):

Just when I think I cannot laugh harder

I can.

This month has been about perspective for me. you will note I have not been blogging much over here at SpouseBuzz. And let me tell you here, it was not because I didn't have anything to say. I simply wasn't sure how to say it. Sometimes it can be hard, to write at SpouseBuzz. SpouseBuzz is a SUPPORT forum, a place to go where we and our readers feel like they are not ALONE. Saying it honestly, has become the most important thing to me right now. But oh....honesty can be painful.

My DH has recently departed for some military training at Fort Benning. We were prepared for a 3 month absence. We really were. After an 18 month deployment, 3 months seemed "very doable". However 6 days before the school started, the lovely folks at Fort Benning sent DH an e-mail explaining that the 3 months accelerated course, was now a 6 month course. Ouch.

Lessons learned

I was reading Andi and Sarah's posts regarding "do overs," arguments, frustrations, anxieties, etc. that occur when our spouses deploy.  This post is not necessarily on the exact same wavelength as those two posts, but it reminded me of an experience that I will never get to "do over" - and I learned something valuable about my husband.

The Navy Sails In.....

If terms like:  underway, field day, day after duty, kick-out, ORSE, COB, EDMC, Eng, nuke, coner, are familiar to you.... then you must be a Navy Wife, maybe even a Submarine Wife. 

Hello Everyone and a big Thank You to Andi for asking me to contribute.  I've been reading and following Spouse BUZZ since before the New Year and can I say, I am thrilled to be here to represent the Navy!  I know there are a TON of Army  & AF spouses here that I can't wait to get to know, but let me go ahead and just say what's on my heart.

Welcome Aboard "Navy Wife"

SpouseBUZZ is pleased to announce that we are adding a new author. You'll be hearing from "Navy Wife" soon, and I'm sure she'll tell you a little about herself, but for now, we wanted to welcome her to SpouseBUZZ and let her know how thrilled we are to have some Navy representation here.

Welcome, Navy Wife. We look forward to your posts.

That time of year again

Well, it's that time of year again!  Thousands of military families are preparing to uproot themselves and move on to the next installation or assignment!  Such is the case with my neighbor.  She was kind enough to ask me to pass along the following website to y'all in an attempt to make your lives a bit easier this time around. 

The website is called "Know Your Stuff" !!  Ha!  For those to whom moving has become an art form, it's an appropriate title!  In case I've messed up the link - truly, after almost a year, I'm stilled befuddled by the magic of blogging! - here it is - -  http://www.knowyourstuff.org!

I hope this helps!  Let me know what you think!

Free Camps for Military Kids

Registration for Operation Purple runs until May 1.

You can find 2007 camp locations here and applications here.

What is this camp and who is it for?  Read more...

Sharing the Burden

Andi just wrote about Telephone Do-Overs, and my comment has aparently turned itself into a post.  I realized it wasn't so much of a do-over as it was a deeper feeling that arose for me during the deployment.  It wasn't about money or child-rearing or anything that most people fight about.  It was about the value of my life.

Towards the end of my husband's deployment, I started a fight.  My friend's brother was killed in a car accident, and I was trying to get her home from Germany on emergency leave.  On the same day, there was a huge snowstorm in Germany and we weren't sure we could make it to the airport safely.  We had to weigh our options of risking trying to drive to Munich in the middle of the night vs. not being able to get her home to be with family. 

I told my husband about the situation on IM as we were preparing to head out onto the autobahn in the worst weather I'd seen in years, and in my opinion he was too nonchalant about it.  I started to get irrationally irritated that I too was facing a sort of life-and-death situation, and my husband didn't seem to be worried.  Here I'd been worrying about his life-and-death for 12 months, and I just wanted him to show that he was worried about me, that it was possible that something could befall me while all eyes and prayers had been focused on him.

No Telephone "Do-Overs" - UPDATED

I remember my husband's first phone call to me during his most recent deployment. I was driving and didn't get to my phone before the call went into my voice mail. I didn't recognize the number on the display, and when I played the voice message, it was him. I hadn't talked to him in four days. Doesn't sound too bad, but you know how anxious we are to find out they are "boots on the ground" and the clock is finally ticking. My immediate reaction was to dial the number that showed on my phone display, but, of course, that wouldn't do any good. I hated, hated, hated missing his call.

SpouseBUZZ Goes LIVE

On May 12, Military.com and USAA are taking SpouseBUZZ on the road.

Guess where we're going?

Those of you in the San Diego/Camp Pendleton area are NOT going to want to miss this FREE event.

SpouseBUZZ LIVE San Diego is a celebration thrown in the honor of you - the military spouse. It's our way to thank you for your many sacrifices.

SpouseBUZZ.com allows milspouses all over the world to connect in the “virtual sense.” SpouseBUZZ LIVE San Diego will take this connection off-line and allow milspouses to come together for a more personal connection.

The celebration will begin with morning panel sessions featuring SpouseBUZZ authors. Panel discussions will offer milspouses an interactive venue where you can discuss issues which are unique and important to you. Panel discussions will be followed by a fun-filled afternoon of informative, entertaining breakout sessions, lunch and pampering services designed to offer a relaxing, enjoyable environment for you. Oh, and you won't be going home empty-handed. You'll be leaving with a bag filled with goodies. Free stuff is always "a good thing."

Want to come but not sure what to do with the children? No problem, bring them along. We're providing free, on-site childcare managed by KiddieCorp, a professional conference childcare company. Parents aren't the only ones who are going to have fun, we have an action-packed day planned for the children, too. Let the kids play just steps away from where you will be bonding and relaxing with hundreds of other milspouses.

SpouseBUZZ LIVE San Diego will take place at the beautiful San Diego Convention Center on May 12 from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Program details are still being hammered out. We'll be bringing you more information about the breakout sessions and other fun events in the coming days. For now, just know that BIG things are being planned. SpouseBUZZ LIVE San Diego is sure to be unlike any other event you've attended for military spouses.    

Admission to SpouseBUZZ LIVE San Diego is FREE to all military spouses. You just need to pre-register on-line and bring your military ID card with you on May 12. Click here to register and reserve your seat.

We'll see you in San Diego!

Why Can't We All Just Get Along

...or rather, HOW can we all get along better?

This is a subject that has been a source of great controversy on some message boards and amongst some of my friends, so I am going to try to tread carefully.

We're in this together, so why does it seem that there is often tension between the spouses of soldiers of different ranks.  More importantly, what can we do to encourage understanding and camaraderie?

Turbo Tax said "what?"

When we were both active duty, it was pretty easy when tax time came.  The military finance department took what was Sam's and let us keep what was left.  About 15 years ago I started using Turbo Tax, more to have a digital record then anything.  Like many or most of the programs that help you do your taxes, it asked the questions and I dutifully filled in the blanks.  When it got to the state(s) that we lived in, it was easy as we were permanent residents of one of those "no-state-income-tax" states (yes by birth), and even if we weren't there, we were full time residents due to our military service. 

But then things changed when my service life was over and I ... became ... a ... civilian. 

Confessions of a Lonely Spouse

I have a confession to make: I didn't like being stationed in Germany.

Most people consider travel to be one of the perks of military life, especially when they get to get stationed overseas for a while.  Most consider it a great opportunity and the highlight of their domestic life.  I just really didn't like it.  I found being in Germany inconvenient and burdensome.  I'll note here that I had already lived in France and Sweden and speak both of those languages, so it wasn't that I was some sort of xenophobic bumpkin.  I simply felt that our military presence in Germany was wasteful, and all the gas subsidies, bread factories, and astronomical recycling costs that our country had to foot the bill for were not worth our tax payers' dollars.  Being there was a burden on my heart, and I would've felt more comfortable at the dreaded Polk or Bliss.

But I'm so alone in that feeling.

Roll with the Changes

I heard the song "Roll with the Changes" by REO Speedwagon yesterday and here are some words that I want to post about (the quote may not be exact, but I think it's pretty close):

"If you're tired of the same old story
Just turn some pages
And I'll be here when you're ready to
Roll with the Changes"

Then I got to thinkin about the words and my milspouse brain kicked in gear.

Heard at Bedtime...

One of the best parts of the day since I became a Mom is bedtime.  Not only because it sometimes saved my sanity, but also because some of my best conversations with my kids happen as they become drowsy and chatty.

It's amazing the kind of Wee Wisdom one can be a party to at bedtime...

This is How I Win

I love reading the comments here on SpouseBuzz.  MilSpouses have so many ideas and opinions, and despite the seemingly omnipresent idea that we all march in lockstep like some sort of uniformed borg unit, we are beautifully diverse in both backgrounds and opinions.  The ability to respond to and help each other is as much a gift to the giver as it is to the one getting advice or help.

Recently in the comments one new MilSpouse asked how we manage to keep our spirits up and laugh despite all the challenges that strike us in our chosen roles.

The answer, quite simply, is that I don't.

Exhaustion

I'm beginning to think it's a way of life for military spouses - and most people nowadays.  We are all trying to do more - after all, computers should allow us to be so much more effective!?!?!!?  Technology was supposed to cut our workday to 4 hours and give us more time to spend in leisure. 

What happened to that? I was such a big fan of the leisure time theory!

Incoming ... and on target

Having just wrestled sure success from failure on a topic near and dear to most men, (well, maybe not sure success, but ...) I thought I'd share one of my "guy" flubs with those of you who, well, know better (from birth).  So as I logged on to SpouseBUZZ as one of the authors, I did what we all do as we log on.  We quickly review recent posts, laugh out loud and at times become quite proud of one of our fellow authors who has seized on a thought and made it make sense.  And sometimes, it sidetracks you from the topic you were going to address, to something radically different -- as is the case now.

For those of you out there in the Blogosphere, a quick reminder that most of the 12-13 of the authors on SB have met only briefly either in person or in a sidebar on the net.  In that time, a fellowship and camaraderie was established about "who we are" on the outside as well as "what we are about" on the inside.  We're a disparate group for sure, but we all came to the meeting table w/ the walls down and the "doors open" as we had to get inside each others head to make this thing work. 

Below this post, is Molly's "Incoming" work of art.

Incoming

I've spent four months not writing this post.

Thinking about writing this post, planning to write this post, feeling guilty for not writing this post, but not actually writing it.

Four months ago, my husband came home and I just didn't know what to tell all of you, yet.  All of my prayers had been answered, so why wasn't I happier?

Did you know?

In this week's Military Report:

Air Force Gives Uniform Updates

Post-911 Veterans Educational Assistance Act

Air Force Personnel Records Readiness Month

Air Force Release 2007 Posture Statement

Air National Guardsmen Gain Online Access

Applications Sought for Military Spouse Fellowship

Army Crime Prevention Program

Army Fields New Neck Gear 

DoD Implements Anthrax Vaccine Program

Exchanges Launch Low Price Initiative

Freedom Team Salute Commendations 

Tax Credits, Deductions Save Money

TRICARE Expanded to Guard, Reserve Overseas

TRICARE for College Students

TRICARE Warns About Medical Identity Theft

No Help on TRICARE Hikes

Panel Vows Broad Examination of Military Hospitals

Military Health Survey Enrollment

Military Spouses: Get Free Career Coaching

Transferable Job for Military Spouses

Air Guard and Reserve Personnel Fact Sheets Available

Hear, Hear!

We've ragged on the media a few times in the past, so I wanted to share something I found that really wowed me.  UPI reporter Pamela Hess took a trip to Iraq to find out why our servicemembers had such high morale.  She learned so much from meeting our spouses that she kept choking up during her interview.  If you've got nine minutes to spare, I highly recommend hearing what this reporter learned when she saw our spouses in their milieu.  I think she really grasped what these men and women face every day, and I hope her story reaches as many people as possible.

Belle of the Ball

When you don't have a sitter, either you do not go or the MilBrat has to come along.

We had an all-ranks ball last week and Baby Lilah Margaret was the belle of the ball.  She was very well-behaved in her wrap (pic after the jump) during the ball.  The only time she threw a fit was when I tried to put her in her infant car seat for a nap.  Of course, this was right during the Brigade Commander's speech.

Your Stories in Print

We're working on the podcast with Marna Krajeski, the author of Household Baggage. It should be up in the next couple of weeks or so. Marna is currently working on another book, Household Baggage Handlers: Military Wives Share Their Moving Stories, which will be a sequel to Household Baggage. This book will be an anthology written by lots of military spouses. That's where you come in.

Good List

Rebekah Sanderlin nails it in her latest online article, The Worst Things You Can Say to a Woman Whose Husband is Deployed.  We've all been there (male spouses too, even though she writes it from the wife perspective).  Go read it!

Another Reason Not to Trust the Media

Early this week, I received what seemed like a cool chance of a lifetime.  Our family support center had received an invitation from the Montel Williams Show to participate in the audience of a program about deployments and the effect that it has on military families.

As any military family knows, there is often a great gulf between what we experience and what the public sees.  We keep a lot to ourselves.  There is much that is difficult, and yet we don't discuss it outside military circles because it is often taken the wrong way in sound bites.  The chance to discuss the situation in a forum that allowed explanation was priceless, and I jumped at the chance to be an ambassador for the military spouse community.

This is not what happened.  And I got yet another abject lesson in why it is so hard for military people to trust anyone who thrusts a microphone at them while tape is rolling.

Looking back...

DH and I are quickly approaching our 10th wedding anniversary.  8 days after out wedding we were separated for the first time (as a married couple).  Our "honeymoon" was spent at the glorious "Casa de In-laws."  We went through TONS of DH's stuff - he was, and still is, a packrat!  We were also helping his sister enlist in the Army (then she wound up in the Air Force!).  DH is prior service enlisted so we spent hours with the recruiter to make sure he didn't "blow smoke" about enlistment stuff.  Not exactly my idea of a honeymoon, but such is life.

Anyway... DH went to Ft. Lewis, WA while I remained in PA to finish college (3 months later).  On our one MONTH anniversary he sent me a small gift that has adorned a wall in every house we have lived in.  I want to share this gift with you...

Homes and Land

I just love to ask questions of you, our readers.  Let's chat!!

I want to hear from those of you that have experienced purchasing homes or land, or have tried to do so while in the military.  Share your knowledge, any issues you had with the process or just plain correct me where I am wrong.

A Hard Lesson Learned

This week, my daughters found the CDs I burned for Hubs while he was deployed.  These CDs contained pieces and parts of video footage and still photos shot throughout his deployment that I painstakingly edited and burned for his viewing pleasure.

I'm not proud of what I saw, but I'm willing to share my Mom guilt with all of you in the hopes that you'll learn from my mistake.

Bless the Bikes

I recently wrote about attending a military funeral for a local soldier who died of injuries sustained in Iraq.  What I didn't write about is an extraordinary group of individuals who really choked me up! 

There are a group of motorcyclist who travel around the country and attend military funerals.  They hold flags outside the funeral home and church - in horribly cold weather too!   They ride beside the family's car in the motorcade to shield the family from any protesters with their large flags flying from their bikes. 

I have no idea who they are, but they are my newest heroes!

Every Five Years a Fire

My couch is nasty.  The rips in the back of it are hidden because we've backed it up against a wall.  Every time anyone sits on it, their butt descends to a point roughly an inch or two from the floor and merely getting up to answer the phone requires strong thigh muscles and gymnastic acumen.   Alternatively, you can affect a version of the combat roll to get off. 

Originally, our couch was a dark forest green.  The front of the arm rests and the leg area still are.  The rest of the couch is now the color of the Sherwood Forest crayon in the Crayola box.

We bought our couch in 2001.  What happened?

Government and You E-News - March 6, 2007

Topics in This Weeks News Include:

1. NMFA Asserts Problems at Walter Reed Part of Systemwide Access to Care Challenges

2. DoD Stands Alone as Model for Quality Child Care

3. NMFA on Capitol Hill 

4. Enterprise High School Tornado Affects Military Families

5. Spouses to Teachers Available in the Pacific

6. AMTRAK offers Free Companion Tickets

7. NMFA Now Accepting Applications for Military Spouse Fellowship Program

8. Deadline for NMFA Scholarship Approaching on March 15

Did you know?

This week's Military Report includes:

Free Spouse Career Coaching
Register for the Military.com Career Fair in Chicago
Total Force G.I. Bill Introduced to Legislation
Bonuses Announced for Navy Intelligence
Blue Star Mothers Support Troops
Keylogging is a Clear-Cut Danger
Marines, Spouses Asked to Evaluate Programs
Marine Spouses' Learning Series Adds Workshop
New Reporting Requirements for Individual Ready Reserves
New Teacher Legislation in California
Program Helps Spouses Become Teachers
Protecting Your Computer, Data
Quad-A Offers Scholarships
Sailors Sought for Spirit of Service Award
Separating Marines Eligible for New Program

A request for all milspouses

Many of you may know by now that I am in graduate school.  I am working on a paper/presentation and I could use your help, if you are interested.  Here's the situation:  I am working on my master's in social work and I am currently taking a Couples Therapy class.  My paper/presentation is about military couples.  That's where you come in...