Difficulty finding child care has been a perennial finding in MFAN’s support programming surveys. In the most recent iteration of the survey, child care was a top support military families wish they had. The majority of active duty family respondents (62.3%) said they need child care or have needed it during the past two years. And 77.4% reported finding the search for…
This past week we celebrated International Day of Friendship and the Coast Guard’s 230th birthday. We talked about how you can potentially save thousands using your SCRA (Servicemembers Civil Relief Act) benefit. And, MFAN was featured in The Jacksonville Daily News in an article highlighting the 2019 Military Family Support Programming Survey and our commitment to addressing the challenge of food insecurity among military families. It’s been a busy and productive week for…
As we get closer and closer to the November election, we want to reiterate something we’ve asserted since our incorporation as a nonprofit. MFAN is, has been, and always will be a non-partisan organization. We are passionate about educating ALL military families about the issues that impact them and the importance of voting, but we…
This has already been a year of many things, but calm is not one of them. In addition to COVID-19, movements, protests, and political elections have filled the news and stirred many hearts. But what are the rules for military family members who want to get politically active? What does a military family member who…
The Good News? States are Starting to Give it to Them Colorado Governor Jared Polis recently signed a bill into law that will make it easier for military spouses moving into the state to transfer their professional licenses and start working. Colorado is the latest state in growing list to take steps to ease the…
Life in a time of COVID-19 is a lot like military life in general. You can plan all you want but ultimately, there are times when someone else is going to make the calls that affect your life. You spend a lot of time in hurry–up–and–wait mode. And if you can’t make it better, you can choose to embrace it and…
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…