When was the last time you took part in an MWR-sponsored activity? Have you checked out MWR rentals lately? What about an MWR-sponsored getaway? During this holiday season, take advantage of everything your MWR office has to offer. Hosting a party? Could you use additional tables or chairs? Check out your MWR. It often has…
Military voters often don’t live in the place they call home — so where do you vote? You can only have one voting residence at a time, and it may not be where you are currently stationed. For example, if you’re now at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, but the last place you registered to vote…
Something very important is happening tomorrow. Tomorrow is the deadline for commenting on the proposed changes to the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP). The DoD is making some important changes to the EFMP program, and they need YOUR input. So far, there have only been 44 comments received. There is still…
There is a lot of confusion about how recommended changes to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) may impact urgent care for TRICARE Prime beneficiaries. We, too, were confused. So, we thought we’d try to clear a few things up: Question: Will the proposed changes to the NDAA prevent TRICARE Prime beneficiaries from using urgent…
In a perfect world, military families would be able to freely express their military pride. These families make sacrifices every day to protect and serve our country, and deserve to be recognized for their strength, courage, and resilience. However, today, self-identifying as a member of the military community can be dangerous, so it’s important for…
The Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission has released a report that recommends several changes to the benefits military families receive. We wanted to help you understand what those recommendations mean to you and your family so that you can be part of the conversation. A little background: The MCRMC was established by the National…
Today, people across the country are observing Memorial Day. Although some might see it as simply marking the beginning of barbecue season and the openings of pools nationwide, it is important to remember the true meaning of the day. Whether it is observing a moment of silence or attending a memorial service, spend a few…
When it comes to understanding the path through higher education for today’s service member, family member, or veteran, our community is largely in the dark. While the U.S. Department of Education tracks completion data on a macro level to answer questions about our nation’s graduation rates, there has been no such effort on behalf of…
The U.S. military services have experienced some of the best recruiting and retention numbers in the past 13 years of war. They have also gained the exceptional expertise and training that has been invested to maintain and sustain an all-volunteer force that is ready, willing and able to defend our country. This ready force requires…
Did you read this headline? “Funding Rift Pits Active Army Against Reserves” How about this one? “Guard Fight Gets Ugly” These headlines were precipitated by remarks from Army Chief of Staff Ray Odierno at a recent National Press Club discussion on military budget cuts. During the event, he said “the National Guard would not be…
A hot topic among military families these days has been the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 and its cuts to military retirees’ pensions through reductions to cost-of-living adjustments (COLA). COLAs are determined by the consumer price index based on the rate of inflation from the previous year. (For more information about COLAs and the difference…
Veterans’ benefits, military pay threatened as shutdown continues Each morning in classrooms around this nation, our children pledge allegiance to that American flag that is a symbol of freedom, of hope, and of promise. Yet as the clock tolled on Oct. 1, 2013, the government for which the red, white, and blue stands stopped working….