Hard Decisions and Change

A recent article in Stars and Stripes has a lot of people talking, and talking about a subject a subject sure to result in raised voices and anger in almost every conversation - the sustainability of military retirement benefits.

Namely, as described by the 25 member Defense Business Board, that military retirement benefits are too expensive and the system needs to be changed.  Several possibilities were put forth, including raising length of time in service before retirement benefits kick in and lowering benefit amount.  And the reasons behind what the Defense Business Board recommended were undeniable:  the United States budget needs to find cuts somewhere. 

Now, I'm not privy to all the internal conversations.  I don't know the members of the Defense Business Board personally, we don't do lunch.  I've only met the Secretary of Defense once, and I didn't really meet him then, I just got my picture taken with him (his hair is much better than mine).  I doubt he'd take my calls, if you know what I mean, because in the grand scheme of things and as awesome as my kids tell me I am, the Secretary of Defense has far more important things to do.  I can't cast aspersions on anyone's motivations or background, and I realize the difficult position the budget has put people into.

But I'd appreciate a bit of a reality check here.

'Think Like A Spy'

Do you take measures to protect your identity and personal information?

Military Spouse Residency Relief Act

Seriously, what Military Spouse normally gives two seconds of thought to the Defense Authorization Bill?  Well..this year we may all want to pay a bit more attention.  Sen Richard Burr (R-NC) has sponsored the Spouse Residency Provision under legislation approved July 23 by the Senate.  This could have multiple benefits for all military spouses in everything from driver's license renewal, property ownership, voting rights, property privileges and income and property tax!

Better Understanding 'Full Replacement Value'

Things change within the military on a regular basis.  This we do know.  When it comes to moving, we all need to be on our toes and up to date.  We must know how change will impact us.

PCSing with DPS

Changes have already come to some locations.  Over time, changes will be rolled out at installations worldwide.  It pays to be knowledgeable and prepared.

Do you know what DPS is?

“Taking Care of Business”

 Pre-deployment to-do list

“Taking Care of Business” is a new Web-based program that soldiers and families can use to get smart about the legal documents signed before soldiers deploy. In the pre-deployment process, it helps them talk about the possibility of serious injury or death. Short videos and other materials can be downloaded by clicking here.

The Military Spouse Document Survival Pack

Hey -- did yall miss me?  Know that I have not been the same without each of you and yes, although AWOL for a bit I was here and waiting to get back into the thick of it. 

Okay -- you ready?  I know that you've seen me beat this drum before, and many listened.  But some of you (I see you there hiding behind the screen) are still not believing when I say this really is something you need to do.  Now I also understand that these documents may not be something you will necessarily want to read over and over, and they could even put you in the blue funk of having to think about a very unpleasant topic, but if you haven't done this, here's the first step of a one-step process.   

(1) Go Now.  If your mil member is out in the garage, down in the laundry room, out back with the kids ... regardless, walk over to them, plant your finger of death in their chest and repeat after me -- "Honey I love you.  And you know that I swore under the eyes of heaven to love and protect, BUT ... Honey, You listening to me?"  "If something should ever happen to you for whatever reason, natural or man-made, 50% of me is going to kick your ass while the other 50% of me will morn your passing and will morn your passing the rest of my days on earth."  "So if you won't to avoid the 50% that's going to be kicking your sorry ass, then you simply must, right now, do something for me."

"I have to have my document survival pack.  Toad Said So.  And Honey, you have to do it for me as I can't." (okay, now you can take the finger out of their chest for they will be in total amazement that they survived the talking-to.)

There are many items that probably could be included in a personal document survival pack, but these are those things that you simply shouldn’t be without.  Many, if not all, are items that your military member must get for you as privacy act data will keep you from gaining access. 

The time to do it is now, before your spouse spends another day or week, saying they'll "do it later."  And if they're scheduled to deploy? Busted!  You're both late to need for once they are gone, there is only a marginal chance that you will easily gain access to the information.  Again, the time is now.

A Step Toward ID Protection

Military family member ID Cards will soon undergo some changes.  The coming changes are a step in the right direction. 

Expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act

FMLA expanded for military families

On January 28, the president signed into law a large defense funding authorization package that contains the first expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) in 15 years.

The new FMLA provisions aim to provide FMLA job protections to the families of U.S. soldiers who have been injured in the service or who are on active duty. Congress has been considering measures to expand FMLA for military families over the past year as part of a host of recommendations from the president's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors.

Military Tax Season

As I stated last year, I personally don't find tax season a fun time of year like some people do, but alas the taxes must still be done.

Below you will find several resources to help you in filing your 2007 taxes.

I'm Living WHERE?

Today airforcewife is not a happy camper.  Not.  At.  All.

And there is a very good reason for it.  It has to do with our privatized housing.

Driver License Dilemmas

I have no idea what the official line is - but the need to find out when I am supposed to transfer my driver's license just jumped out and bit me this week!  I lost my driver's license!

I need WHAT to talk about my parents care?

It appears my recent experience at the dentist, you know, being in the upside down chair wearing my crab claw bib when the Doc rhetorically asked, "you do know we don't accept United Concordia anymore, don't you?"  ... got some of us thinking on a tangent or two.

Here's some quick thoughts for those of us who have managed to get the kinder up and out, and now find that we're managing a different sort of situation -- that of our parents and specifically the medical care hoops that you jump through to support them.

I don't plan on this being a diatribe that sucks the microchips off the Cray that TypePad uses to support SpouseBUZZ bloggers ... so this is just a first shot dealing with the documentation that my wife and I have, that makes supporting our parents work a bit smoother (definitely not all inclusive or even completely refined -- but a start).

Scenes from a Chapel

On Sunday I took my children to CCD (when I was growing up it was Catechism, then for my eldest daughter it was called PRE - but in reality it is what is commonly known as "Sunday School").  The room they use (on our local army base) is the same room the Protestant children use for their Sunday School classes, the same room where Alcoholics Anonymous meets, next door to the room the Wiccans use twice a week for their meetings, and three doors down from the room where the Sikh Guru Granth Sahib rests under a canopy inside a closet and is taken out for meetings.

After CCD, we walked past the Muslim worship area, with it's framed poster of Mecca on the correct wall, it's rugs artfully arranged on the floor, and a beautifully done portrait of the profession of faith.  Right next door to that we passed the Jewish worship area, with it's mezuzah on the door and a door connecting it to the special kitchen with it's dishes and area set up to prepare kosher food.

Re: Re: The Meaningless Power of Attorney

Here at SpouseBUZZ, we've had some spirited discussion over the past couple of days regarding Powers of Attorney. I think it's fair to say that the majority of those who have written about the POA, and those who have commented, have had negative experiences. Having said that, I read a great comment left by usmcwife on Homefront Six's post.

While I agree that in many cases the POA is not alot of help, they are good to have. After reading the other posts it seems that a new spouse or someone on their 1st deployment would not feel it necessary to get one which would be a big mistake. If they need to get into housing or sign any other military paperwork they will need one. As far as how much trouble they can cause, I know the USMC gives the Marines paperwork advising them if they are having marital problems or have any trust issues that they should not sign over the POA anyways. Just like with anything else in the military, nothing ever goes perfectly.

Re: The Meaningless Power of Attorney

Andi's post about the Meaningless Power of Attorney has some bearing in my life as well. Before MacGyver deployed, I had a checklist of all of the things I wanted/needed while he was gone:

- will
- family care plan (in case I was incapacitated while he was deployed)
- PowerS of Attorney

The Meaningless Power of Attorney

While my husband was deployed to Afghanistan, I decided, with his blessing, to get involved in a real estate transaction. I selected a reputable lender, mentioned that my husband was deployed and that I would be using my Power of Attorney. No problem, they're used all the time.

Paperwork was filled out, the loan was approved and an interest rate was locked in. I wanted a quick closing due to rising interest rates. I was told this wouldn't be a problem, but that I would need a "Specific" Power of Attorney which would reference the exact nature of the transaction. The Specific POA would need to be signed by my husband, notarized and sealed. Without speaking to my husband, I didn't foresee a problem, but I was wrong.