Climbing out of the Hole

Everyone's life has its ups and downs, and when you live in a military family, things tend to happen big:  You don't move houses, you move continents.  You make lifelong friends faster than some people make acquaintances.  Your spouse doesn't go on a business trip, she goes on a year deployment.  You get to see parts of the country and world that your friends from high school will never see.  Kids get sick all at once as soon as the ship pulls out.  And then there is that Murphy guy.

As some smart military spouse once said, "the highs are higher and the lows are lower."

As a whole, military families are a resilient bunch of folks.  Sometimes, however, it is all just too much.  As much as you want to "suck it up,"  there isn't enough space inside you.  I was reading a blurb at Facebook the other day where a group of military spouses was taking one of those "how much stress is in your life" tests.  The test facilitator was getting mad because he couldn't believe that the scores were so high and thought that they were not taking the test seriously.  I've taken such a test and according to the scores, I should have been paralyzed by all the stress.

Which brings us to the point of this rambling.

MyCAA Announces Changes

The Department of Defense today announced that the popular MyCAA program will reopen to new participants in October 2010, with several key changes in eligibility and dollar amounts.

Here is a summary of the changes:

• Be available to spouses of active duty service members in pay grades E1-E5, W1-W2, and O1-O2
• Offer a maximum financial benefit of $4,000 with a fiscal year cap of $2,000. Waivers will be available for spouses pursuing licensure or certification up to the total maximum assistance of $4,000
• Require military spouses to finish their program of study within three years from the start date of the first course
• Be limited to associate degrees, certification and licensures

The guidance on existing accounts is unclear, and I have an email in to someone who might know.  I'll keep you updated when I get a good answer.

More information can be found in the complete press release at Defense​.gov or at the MilitaryOneSource MyCAA Homepage.

Read more: http://paycheck-chronicles.military.com/2010/07/20/mycaa-reopening-with-changes/#ixzz0uF5VyNVC

Could It Be True? Might MyCAA Reopen to New Users?

I heard a delicious rumor about MyCAA opening, and so I did a little research.  It seems that the rumor is based on comments made May 8, 2010 by Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates at a Town Hall meeting at Fort Riley, Kansas.

The first question asked of Secretary Gates was about the MyCAA accounts.  He spoke briefly about the success of the program, and then he stated this:

"So we've been looking at the program.  And I would tell you that I'm going to have a couple more meetings on it this week, this coming week.  But within the next week or two, I expect we will be able to reopen the program to new applicants.  And we are looking at a budget somewhere on the order of $500 million to -- and we're going -- we're going to have to do some things in terms of some caps and some limits, to be able to help as many people as possible.  But I expect within the next two weeks we'll reopen the program, with a substantial increase in the funding."

Most of the military spouses with whom I speak are quite cynical and angry about the MyCAA program, but hopefully Secretary Gates is right and the program will reopen quickly.  For now, I'm going to put this in the Good News category.

The complete transcript of the meeting can be found at the Defense.gov News Transcript.

For ongoing coverage of the MyCAA program, check out the MyCAA category at The Paycheck Chronicles.

Reaching Out to Military Widows

Army Widow Helps Heal the Wound

Beyond the Blog: Join SpouseBUZZ on Facebook and Twitter

SpouseBUZZ has recently branched out beyond the blog to connect with more folks in the military community and *meet* more military spouses. We wanted to invite you to friend and follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and we're looking forward to following and engaging with you in these mediums, too. 

Thanks to wifeunit for creating our wonderful Facebook page, which you can find here. And we're now on Twitter, too. Our Twitter page is brand new and can be found here. 

I'm just beginning to get familiar with Twitter, so I'm definitely a newbie, but so far I'm enjoying it. I've read some interesting content from people I had never heard of before we established our Twitter account. There's some fantastic milspouse-oriented chatter out there. I like the fact that Twitter doesn't have to be a time-soaker. I can log on a few times a day for only a few minutes and quickly read about what's going on with other milspouses, and I can easily send a tweet if I wish. I've definitely become a fan!

  

Free YMCA for Certain Groups

I've reported on this before, but the program is still going on and I want to make sure that everyone knows. The DOD has contracted with YMCAs to offer free memberships to certain military families who might not be near a military fitness facility.  These groups include activated National Guard and Reserve families, active duty assigned to independent duty locations, and families who have relocated away from military facilities due to a deployment in excess of six months. In addition to supporting deployed and remote families, this benefit is also available to wounded warriors (and spouses/children) who are part of a Community Based Warrior Transition Unit. There's even a special program for active duty service members (not families, unfortunately) who join a private gym because there are no military facilities or participating YMCAs nearby.

In addition to the fitness memberships, select YMCA child care facilities will offer up to 16 hours of respite child care for eligible families of deployed service members (the same eligibility requirements as the fitness memberships.)

More information can be found at Military OneSource or the YMCA Military Outreach pages.

A Freebie from the DoD

Love My Tanker highlighted this back in January, but I thought I would re-post the information for those of you who may have missed it. Need a reliable babysitter, nanny, dog walker, housekeeper, elderly care provider or tutor? The Department of Defense has partnered with Sittercity to provide free memberships to military families. 

Sittercity is America’s largest and most trusted website for connecting families with quality local in-home caregivers with over 1 million caregivers nationwide.

Your Sittercity membership gives you online access to local caregivers with profiles that include pictures, parent reviews, references, background checks and more.

From Sittercity:

Welcome Military Families- Sittercity Membership at No Cost!

Sittercity memberships are funded by the DoD. Sittercity helps you find local sitters and military subsidized child care providers. Activate your membership today!

And here are five tips to find a summer sitter.

Month of the Military Child 2010

 

This month we celebrate our military children.

So, am I repeating Love My Tanker's "Did You Know?"

Most of you know that Love My Tanker is our resident expert (can you be a resident of the cyberworld?) on issues and facts that surround our lives.  She has a grasp for and an understanding of the issues that impact us and our families, and regularly shows us where to find information.  How she does this is a complete mystery to me -- you'd swear she had a USB port and had an auto download/upload ability.

So with my hat in hand and with a HUGE amount of deferrence to LMT, I approach this topic as I may very well be repeating something that LMT has already addressed -- if so, pls forgive ... but ...

Did yall see the sight www.tutor.com/military  and what it has available?  OMG! THEY DO THIS FOR US?!?!?  Ohhhh, to be back in school!  (okay, let's not get TOO carried away...)

Have kids in school?  Want some free tutoring?  You just GOTTA check this site out!   O&O, MaintenanceToadOne

"Talk, Listen, Connect” 2010 Tour

USO Announces Sesame Workshop Tour Dates

The Sesame Street/USO Experience for Military Families, a free traveling USO show based on Sesame Workshop’s award winning “Talk, Listen, Connect” initiative and produced in partnership with Vee, is back in the United States after an around-the-world tour.

The show, which is exclusively for military families, kicks off its second swing through the United States on April 17 at Fort Knox, Ky.

Audiences will experience a 25-minute character performance and receive promotional items and outreach materials, officials said.

The Sesame Street Workshop/USO partnership put on its first show at Twentynine Palms, Calif., in July 2008. Since then, The Sesame Street/USO Experience for Military Families has traveled more than 45,000 miles to 76 bases in nine countries. More than 120,000 servicemembers and families have been entertained during 176 shows.

“The momentum that this show has gathered since it first performed for military kids and families is unbelievable,” said Gary E. Knell, Sesame Workshop president and CEO. “To see how families come together and then use the messages from the show to talk to their kids is the greatest reward that we could ask for. We at Sesame Workshop are thrilled to continue this work with our partners and friends at the USO and reinforce our commitment to military families.”

Sloan Gibson, USO president, noted the positive impact the tour is having on the military community.

“The fact that more than 100,000 troops and family members have attended these shows so far speaks volumes about the tour’s relevance to today’s military,” Gibson said. “We listen to our troops and understand the challenges they face at home, and are proud to call Sesame Workshop our partner in helping to ease the daily stresses on military families.”

I know ... I promised not to ...

... but I just have to toss out another rhetorical situation ... (really!  It IS rhetorical!  I HAVE deleted the names and places and ... you know, all of that other "Dragnet" stuff. Wait.  Now I have to look it up.  Can yall read the next post while I do this please?)

In these pages, I've asked often about the relevancy of Spouses' Clubs.  No, not FRGs, or AFRCs, or any of the spouse "clubs" organized by the Services and set up to disseminate information or be a point around which focus can be placed on the greater good or mission of an organization.  Nay nay ... what I'm asking about are those now famous and sometimes infamous OWCs/OSCs and EWCs/ESCs.  Now before the beatings begin -- caveat -- FIRST AND UP FRONT, many of these Clubs are great!  Yours may be one!  Great!  Count your blessings, participate, and learn what you can and take it with you as a treasured gift to your next installation -- puh-lese!

All of these Clubs are chartered and granted permission to be constituted on, and conduct their affairs on the post or base.  The Garrison Commander or similar (Wing Commander) after JAG review of the constitution, agrees for this Club to be on base as long as they adhere to all of the tenets of DOD policy.  Basically, within the legal tenets of the charter, the constitution will address and make provisions for everyone who "can play" should be "allowed to play."  Oh ... Really?

Something just struck me as odd though, for those major installations that support a student population.  Shouldn't the spouses of students be allowed unfettered access to and participation at al levels in these clubs?  Ready to take a ride ... then let's continue reading ...

What Is Going On With MyCAA?

Everyone is asking - few answers are available.

Locate caregiver services and more - for free!

Could you use some help with locating a babysitter, daily childcare, pet care, senior care, tutoring or a house cleaner?  If so, then this service is just for you.  And for military families - it is totally free!

Suicide Prevention Webinar

Suicide in the military community is a topic which senior military leadership, and their spouses, have openly addressed in recent weeks. 

TAPS will be hosting a suicide prevention webinar tomorrow from 12:00 - 1:00 EST tomorrow. Details below:

Tax Season Is Coming

Below you will find several resources for the 2010 (2009 tax year) filing season, as it relates to military members and military families.

Holiday Gifts for Troops

Wondering how to support our troops over the holiday season?

Sending holiday gifts

'Hooah Mail'

What could be faster than sending letters via snail mail?  It's coming on 1 December!

Hooah! Postal service to speed up for Soldiers

Information and Support for Guardsmen and Families

Guard Offers Information via JSS Portal

2009 Military Holiday Mailing Deadlines

Dates and information available after the jump.

Substance Abuse and Military Kids

An online educational campaign is underway to help you and your military children discuss substance abuse.

Child Care

Finding the 'perfect' child care situation can occasionally prove to be difficult, but there are many resources available to assist you.

Counseling Assistance & Behavioral Health Come 'Home'

You will soon be able to access care from your computer.

More after the jump.

Military Basebook

Do you Facebook?  Well, now you can also 'Basebook' - if you wish!

'Basebook' helps troops link up

Health Related Updates

See details after the jump!

Impact of Deployments on Children

Officials Work to Lessen Impact of Deployments on Children

Army Lodging Overhaul Coming Soon

Army moves to privatize on-post lodging

 

HAP for Military

Are you still wondering about the details regarding the Homeowner Assistance Program for Military Homeowners?

May Is Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Resources

We live in difficult times. With engagements overseas and economic difficulties at home, we all feel the stress of life every day. As part of the national observance of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Military Health System joins Mental Health America in encouraging you and your loved ones to "Live Your Life Well" by taking advantage of tools and resources inside and outside the MHS that can be of value to you and your family.

An important tool is the Military Mental Health Self-Assessment Program:

Military life, especially deployments or mobilizations, can present challenges to service members and their families that are both unique and difficult. Some are manageable, some are not. Many times we can successfully deal with them on our own. In some instances matters get worse and one problem can trigger other more serious issues. At such times it is wise to check things out and see what is really happening. That's the purpose of these totally anonymous and voluntary self-assessment tools.

Finally, and especially important considering last month's observation of the Month of the Military Child, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is Celebrating Children's Mental Well-Being this month.

Continue Reading>>

Military Youth

A new website replaces Military Teens on the Move. 

Military Youth on the Move!

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.

Links for Hampton Roads Milspouses

I promised several of the Hampton Roads spouses that I would post a few links for their reference. Below are the links which we discussed:

The SpouseBUZZ Blog Series: Under One Roof:

Part I - Blog It Don't Hog It: Nobody has a monopoly - This Land is Your Land.

Part II - I Want a Blog, But How Do I Do It?:  Make it Happen!

Part III - Privacy Concerns: Loose Lips Sink Ships...

Part IV: Networking: It's Who You Know - Work it, Baby!

Part V: Blog Etiquette: Mind Your Manners.

Part VI: Blog Bling: Strut Your Stuff.

The Military Spouse Network, where you can create your own spouse hubs.

And, I'll add another resource, the lovely and bright Sue Hoppin, who many of you met in Hampton Roads this weekend, maintains the spouse blog for MOAA. You can find it here. 

Month of the Military Child

April is the Month of the Military Child.  A time to focus in on our children.

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?

Got Questions? Get Answers.

Army families, here's your "one-stop-shop" for information on your benefits.

The Army's G-1 staff launched a redesigned website that consolidates all Army benefits information in one location. The MyArmyBenefits website has calculators that allow Soldiers to see how much money they can expect to receive upon retirement. The site also lists information on 150 different benefits ranging from child care to education assistance.

Fact sheets are provided on a variety of Family services, recreation programs, Space-A travel, Army Emergency Relief, health care, Spouse employment assistance and many other programs. In addition, there are 54 state and territory fact sheets that break out different benefits for Soldiers who live in each state.

Very comprehensive!

Thanks to Rhonda.

“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.

Psychological Health Update

TBI Outreach Center Opens

DoD recently opened a 24-hour outreach center to provide information and referrals to military servicemembers, veterans, their families and others with questions about psychological health and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

New Family Retreats from NMFA

You may have heard about the National Military Family Association (NMFA) Operation Purple Camps.  This year, they are trying a new program:  Operation Purple Family Retreats.  From the website: 

It is difficult on the entire family when a loved one is deployed, but the time after that father, mother, husband, or wife returns  home is often the most challenging of all. Recognizing this, the National Military Family Association is piloting two Operation Purple® Family Retreats. These free, four-day retreats are set in a National Park using nature’s classroom, where families will have opportunities to strengthen and renew relationships, explore their natural surroundings, and participate in fun family-focused activities.

The camps are designed for families who have had a service member return from deployment within the last twelve months.  The camps are being held in March in two locations, California and Washington state, and they are free!  If you live near either of the locations, and you have a recently returned family member, you might want to check it out.  It sounds like a great way to have some affordable family time.

Virtual Parents: Oh, the Possibilities....

Well, this is something. I could envision a scenario where the conversation could be manipulated somewhat, though. It really could go south quite rapidly. 

Kid: Daddy, I love you and I miss you.

Virtual Daddy: I miss and love you, too. Are you being good for mom?

Kid: Yes, I am. Daddy, can I have a puppy? Oh, and, um, I mean, and, can I give mom a kiss for you?

Virtual Daddy: Of course, please do. 

Kid flies out of the room screaming, Mom, mom, mom. Guess what? Daddy said I could get a puppy.

Mom then runs into the room and throws her shoes at Virtual Daddy, reducing his virtualness into a cloud of smoke and rubble.

Heh...

H/T: Computer World, where someone wonders when they'll build "virtual politicians." 

Seriously? Aren't We One of Your Target Markets?

(not verbatim, but you'll get the gist:)

UA Guy:  Hello, thank you for calling Under Armour customer service, this is Joe speaking.

Me:  Hi, Joe, I'm hoping that you can help me.  My husband got a bunch of your t shirts for Christmas, and they're not the right color that he needs to wear.  Can you help me find the right color?

Angels and Kids ...

Today, The Boss and I did what we really try to do for most of the major holidays... at least those that involve food and eating (okay, OTHER than the 4th of July!).  We volunteer fto work in the Dining Facility and try to shimmy up to the serving line and get some eyeball to eyeball time, with those that are serving all of us.  Since I normally get stuck trying to get young men and women to eat broccoli or peas with mysterious chunks of mushroom or onion, the last couple of times I've asked to work the floor, cleaning tables, bussing dishes, and talking to the troops and their families.

Today, right after a young lady introduced me to "Gabriel" from High School Musical (I think that's her name) ... I turned around and met a gentleman who asked me, "how are you handling the holiday stress?"  I said ... Huh?  (I've been known to utter similar phrases of genius when the guy with mirrored sun glasses asks, "son, did you see that red light?")

Turns out, he had no idea who I was... The one and only Maintenance Toad of the Realm of the Authors within the Kingdom Of SpouseBUZZ.   Did I know how to handle holiday stress?  Are you kidding?  I have... YALL ... gazillions of folks reading SB, who are ready, willing, and VERY able to tell me when I need to fix my apple cart.  (c:]

But I was curious ... who the heck was THIS guy?  Turns out, he's an angel ...

TRICARE Updates

 TRICARE 'Round the Clock Care

Welcome Them Home in Style

Anyone gearing up for an R&R or Homecoming? BuildASign emails to say that they are giving away 20,000 free customized welcome home banners, or jumbo cards to send to loved ones who are deployed.

Austin, TX - November 10, 2008 - In honor of Veteran's Day, BuildASign.com™ is re-launching its banner giveaway to help 20,000 more Americans show their support for the US armed forces. With this donation, BuildASign.com™ will provide military families all over the country with personalized banners for their homecoming and holiday celebrations while encouraging businesses to create banners that show their support for our troops.

BuildASign.com™ is also giving away jumbo holiday cards to families whose service members won't be home in time for the holidays. These families can send personalized jumbo holiday cards to loved ones overseas for less than the cost of shipping a banner. Both free banners and free jumbo cards are available to everyone at www.BuildASign.com/Troops.

Additions to the FMLA

New rules have been added to the Family and Medical Leave Act.  Read more after the jump.

It's That Time Again...

Updated and Bumped: Originally published on 9/15/08 after SpouseBUZZ LIVE Hampton Roads. I'm bumping the post up so that the San Antonio LIVE attendees can browse through various milspouse blogs.

Periodically, we run a list of milspouse bloggers here at SpouseBUZZ so that new readers can find more spouse blogs to read and connect with. After our LIVE event this weekend, I thought now would be a good time to publish the list again. If you have a blog that isn't listed, it's not a snub, there's just so many to keep track of. Please leave the blog url in the comment section and we'll add it to the list.

Here's the list, in no particular order:

TroopTube

 

TroopTube is the new online video site designed to help military families connect while miles apart. The site is designed for easy use, so you can quickly upload and share videos. 

TroopTube is sponsored by Military OneSource and approved by the DoD.

AUSA Conference Recap

On October 6-8, The Association of the United States Army (AUSA) held their annual conference in Washington, DC. Things were a bit different this year. The Army has begun actively engaging bloggers and SpouseBUZZ was invited to take part in Blogger's Row at AUSA giving us, and other military bloggers, access to senior Army leadership and their spouses. I was unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict, so Army wife Tammy Munson went in my place, and she filed this recap last night:

Pilot Program for National Guard and Reserve Families

Eight test sites have/will be chosen for this pilot program.  Read more after the jump and then please share your thoughts.

Support centers proposed for families

Survey for Wounded Service Members and their Families

Secretary Gates is asking for feedback about the Military Healthcare system from wounded (or ill) service members and their families. If you're interested in participating, click here to take the survey. You can take the survey until October 15. Results will be published in November.

Thanks to reader SV.

Semi-related, a new website to address PTSD and transitioning from military life to civilian life is now in development. From the Mailbag:

Andi, I just got finished reading an article you posted in 2006 about PTSD. My hubby is an OIF Veteran (Army). [B]ecause of his PTSD and other injuries, our family and many others we knew were really struggling to find real-world information about coping with the "aftershocks" of combat. So I, with some other OIF/OEF Vet wives, got together to start FamilyOfaVet.com.

USAA Expands Eligibility Requirements

USAA, who has been a huge supporter of SpouseBUZZ and our SpouseBUZZ LIVE events, just announced that are expanding their membership eligibility requirements.

USAA Expands its Membership Eligibility

Now all military retirees and any service members honorably discharged after 1995, and their families can join USAA. An additional three million now have access to USAA.

SAN ANTONIO – Citing steady growth in financial strength and operational capacity, USAA announced that effective immediately, membership is now expanded to include:

 Military retirees, regardless of when they retired
 Military personnel who were honorably discharged on or after Jan. 1, 1996
 Widows or widowers of military personnel killed in action while eligible

After they join, spouses and children of the above may also be eligible for membership.

More after the jump.

2009 Per Diem

As many of you know, the DoD begins a new fiscal year on 1 October.

Fiscal Year 2009 Per Diem rates have been announced.  These are rates for reimbursement incurred during official military travel.  Rates to some locations have increased for FY 2009.

You can find the new CONUS FY 09 chart here and after the jump.

The official website for military related travel pays can be found here.  It includes CONUS and OCONUS.