Calling All Branches of Guard and Reserve Spouses!!!!!!

When you think of the National Guard and Reserve what do you think of? Commercials talking about citizen soliders, the phrase “The weekend a month, two weeks in the summer,” and those people called out for earthquakes, riots and floods. But there is so much more to who we are and what we do.

Are you a Guard or Reserve Spouse of the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy or Marines? Do you live within driving distance of Bordentown, NJ? If you answered yes then you’ll want to continue reading. Words can not express how excited I am about a special event coming to New Jersey in a little over a month. For all of my years as a military spouse I have felt a twinge. One that has stayed with. One of being alone, different and out of place. I have never quite met any common understanding of military life as the wife of an AGR, then Active and now Traditional Status Airmen.We did all of this while remotely stationed at a location with no base housing, no commissary or exchange, or any support programs to speak of. The past fifteen years have been all about learning and adapting. It’s also been about feeling left out, desperately searching for support, hearing the word ‘No’, and hearing the phrase “You’re not active duty so we can’t help you.”

When you are in a room full of military spouses at an event you are more than likely one of a few that are just like you, if not the only one. People don’t understand, even those that you think should often have no clue what its like. Events held for Military Spouse inevitably end up having almost nothing relevant to your struggles, and to hear of an event just for you is just something that rarely happens.

But the wait is over! On September 22 an event is being help for spouses of all branches that are Guard, Reserves, or remotely stationed. At this event you will have the opportunity to network with other spouses, talk about your struggles, learn about resources that are available to you….but most importantly I hope you gain the confidence to advocate for yourself.

If you or someone you know are a Guard/Reserve Spouse, or are maybe on orders isolated away from a traditional base consider coming or spreading the word about SpouseTalks. This interactive event is designed to focus on the unique experiences that make up our unique lives. Each person brings their own unique story to the table and we want to hear that.

Stop by and like Homefront United Network’s Facebook Page, as well as my National Guard/Reserves/Remotely stationed specific page – National Guard Families

post signature  Vote For Me @ The Top Mommy Blogs Directory Vote For Me @ The Top Mommy Blogs Directory

Continue Reading

Thanking our Military During the Holiday Season #MetLifeTDP

This post was sponsored by the MetLife TRICARE Dental Program as part of an Ambassador Program for Influence Central

As a military family being thankful for our military community is something that usually on our minds all time. We are right in the thick of things. During the holidays though, especially when we are fortunate enough to have our loved one home, we think about those that don’t. We know the pain and sadness of the empty chair. Its something that can be hard to deal with. But you make your own way. You fill your house with other people that also have empty chairs, or sometimes you just put your daddy pillow in that chair and power through. Sometimes thanking the Military isn’t actually thanking the service member. Sometimes its acknowledging the family that is left behind.

Checking in on our fellow Homefront people, inviting them over for dinner, game night, offering to watch the kids so the spouse that is at home can have some time to themselves. These are all ways that anyone can be a part of acknowledging their military community during the holidays, and anytime of the year. Because while the holidays may be some of the hardest times to not be with your family, service members are overseas and away from their families all year long. I make sure to send care packages as much as possible, and if my husband learns of someone he is with that is having a particularly difficult time, they get a care package too. Even a small letter is appreciated! Getting your whole family involved shows your children that they can make a difference, even in a small way. It helps us us cope in our own way,

Organizations and companies, like Metlife TRICARE Dental, also want to wish military families well during the holiday season. The Winter season can be rough when it comes to taking care of yourself. Sickness is going around, sometimes weather makes it difficult to get out, and you just want to stay holed up and cozy in your home. .,.

Metlife TRICARE Dental has some great winter health messages and ideas for us,
 to get us through, not only the holiday season, but the winter season as well.

It’s important during Pregnancy, to take of your teeth. In TRICARE’s Winter Dental Health Matters issue, they discuss this very thing. “According to the American Dental Association, the hormonal risk of developing gum disease, which can affect your health and the health of your baby.” Dental health during pregnancy is so important that TRICARE includes a third cleaning during a consecutive 12-month period at no extra cost. The fact that TRICARE sees the importance and backs it up by encouraging you to take care of your teeth without causing financial difficulties shows me what a great organization they really are.

Another important message this Winter is that of survivor benefits. This is another area in which TRICARE has seen a very real issue and is doing what they can to help during what is a very difficult time. There is no requirement to have been previously enrolled in TDP to utilize the benefit. Premiums are covered in full. And what really hits home for me is that Metlife TRICARE Dental extends this same benefit to those on Guard and Reserve duty, regardless of whether or not they were activated at the time of death. This coverage is made available for three years, and then surviving family is able to enroll in the Retiree Dental Program. This is what is so wonderful about the Military community. Even though things are never perfect, there are so many organizations, for profit, and non-profit, that are supporting you during your worst times.  And for that I’m very thankful. You can read more from their 2015 Winter Health Matters newsletter here.

And perhaps the most important thing to me, as an Air Guard spouse, is the quality of care that we receive from the dental program. I am thankful for the ability to get decent care and I really encourage any National Guard and Reserve family that doesn’t have dental, or perhaps only uses civilian, to either sign up for Metlife TRICARE dental or add it as an additional service as we do in our home. Then you will have access to a provider network of over 250,000 dental locations worldwide! And as a National Guard or Reserve service member, who is enrolled in TDP, you can have your network provider fill out the Department of Defense Active Duty/Reserve Forces Dental Examination Form (DD form 2813) at no cost. Hubby does this all time, at a dentist of his own choosing, without having to go on base. Its really awesome!

connect with them on social media!

post signature
If you like what you just read please click to send a quick vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs- The best mommy blog directory featuring top mom bloggers

Continue Reading

Taking Care of My Family All Year Long: Military Family Appreciation Month

This post was sponsored by the MetLife TRICARE Dental Program as part of an Ambassador Program for Influence Central

As November, and Military Family Appreciation month, comes to an end, it reminded me that the need for support for families like myself isn’t something we need just one month out of the year. There are organizations and people that support us all year long. I am so thankful that many of these organizations exist and have made it one of my goals to share their stories on this blog. I encourage all of you to learn about these organizations so that you can use them, and share them with people in your life. As a military family we also feel its important to give back to both our military community, so we volunteer our time giving back to these same organizations. It isn’t just about getting support and having a month set aside for people to appreciate you. Giving back to those that are in your circle, whether military or civilian, is such an important part of life. If you’re looking for a way to get involved here are some easy ways to get started!

1) Operation Homefront keeps a list of current needs they are seeking help for.
2) Join, Donate and Volunteer with National Military Family Association 
3) Become a Blue Star Neighbor and encourage others to support a military family in their community.
4) Donate to Luke’s Wings, a charity that provides military family members with flights to be by the side of their wounded service member as quickly and stress free as possible.
5) Visit the tabs I have up top to find other ways to support military families.

As a military family I am also thankful for blessings like these that have blessed our lives personally, and the lives of others that we know. One of the other many blessings we have is access to affordable health care. While military families are granted TRICARE health care (or pay for extremely affordable health care on TRICARE Reserve Select), we do have to purchase dental care. However TriCare and MetLife have made that easy for us, but providing us with quality dental care at a great price. We are so blessed to be able to have access to inexpensive health care as a military family. And as a National Guard family we can access this as well. One of the reasons we were able to do this so well is by choosing TDP {TRICARE Dental Program} with MetLife. With TDP we are able to receive great dental care, from a choice of amazing local dentists. As someone with a fear of dentists, it is super important that I am able to find an amazing dentist and not have to worry about the quality of my care and what benefits I will receive. With TRICARE Dental we receive the following benefits:

  • Two cleanings and two exams per year, at no cost, when a network dentist is seen
  • Sealants on permanent molars for children through the age of 18, with a 20% cost share
  • Orthodontic coverage for children {one of my biggest worries, because I remember what it was like to get braces!)
  • $1,300 Dental Program Annual Maximum per enrollee per plan year
  • $1,200 Accidental Annual maximum per enrollee per plan year
  • One Athletic Mouth Guard per consecutive 12-month period, with a 50% cost share {and we have little ones that are headed towards being more active in sports and this is much appreciated!}

If you are military family, active, reserve or National Guard, I highly recommend MetLife TRICARE Dental Program. As Military Family Appreciation month winds down, take steps to care for your military family by enrolling in TRICARE Dental.

Follow Tricare Dental Program on Facebook

post signature
If you like what you just read please click to send a quick vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs- The best mommy blog directory featuring top mom bloggers

Continue Reading

#KeepYourPromise Campaign

Over the last several weeks I have witnessed some amazing things coming from the military community, from men and women I admire and hope…no strive…no mimic.  They work tirelessly to push information out to the military population and the civilian population about important issues.  Because really, even if an issue is seemingly military specific doesn’t really say something about what our government is about and what they are willing to do?  Some politicians are actually willing to simply cut money from someones benefit and pay…that they earned….rather then tend to a real budget.  Reform spending, see what can be cut, changed, even altered.  I’m more than willing to accept that even the Department of Defense can make some budget changes.  But really…that’s it?  There’s nothing else that can be done?  I’m not sure that I really understand this whole thing.  You know those situations where things are so plainly out there in black and white, so simple to see, but yet you can’t process it?  It just can’t be true.  Is this really happening?

There isn’t much to add on the subject…those that have been at the forefront of this conversation have definitely taken the words right out of my mouth.  Military spouses, service members and organizations have taken to the “twitter” airwaves trying to make sure that this stays at the front of everyone’s minds.

If you want to learn more, read some really great articles here is what you need to know –

Business Insider wrote an Open Letter
Military Spouse Magazine wanted to let everyone know Why the Military Needs You Now!
Homefront United took an interesting spin on things and wrote a reverse Open Letter
Even PBS had a take on it
KeepYourPromise has their own facebook page
You can get some help contacting representatives and Senators through USMC Life blog here

and cool photo’s like this have been circulating the web…..

It’s some food for thought and a start in your research.  I urge everyone, military or otherwise to read up on this, educate yourself about what is happening and what this means for you.  Let your voice be heard.  Lastly, I’ll leave you with this short, 39 second video.

post signature
If you like what you just read please click to send a quick vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs- The best mommy blog directory featuring top mom bloggers

Continue Reading

Military Monday: I Rock the Boots

Today’s Military Monday post highlights a new organization to hit the scene.  It may be new but it is filling a void that I think is important.  The acknowledgement of female veterans, and the unique issues they seem to be facing needs to be acknowledged more.  I think with organizations like I Rock the Boots, Ms. Veteran’s America and Final Salute, the time to change that is now.

 
Logo Shirt, available here

Michelle, founder of I Rock the Boots is a proud Army Veteran and the spouse of USMC Veteran.  With an exceptional military career behind her, that doesn’t mean the boots came off for Michelle.  Exactly the opposite.  She has sought to create a legacy for female veterans, and she is “dedicated to creating a brand to represent who they are, one that gives back to the women veterans that need to be reminded of their strength.”  With a stellar support of veterans, spouses and military supporters, I Rock the Boots is ready to make their mark not only as a clothing line but as a community of support.

Visit their website to check out more of their great shirts, their “Featured Hero” section (and submit your own hero), as well a list of resources.

I Rock the Boots has also partnered with Mana House to reopen their female wing, which  had previously been shut down due to lack of government funding.  This amazing organization provides, transportation to the VA or job facilities, assistance in searching for and obtaining jobs and support.  This is a peer run group of homeless and formally homeless Veterans.  You can learn more about Mana House by visiting their website.

Spread the word about #irocktheboots

Facebook 
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram

post signature
If you like what you just read please click to send a quick vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs- The best mommy blog directory featuring top mom bloggers

Continue Reading