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RESOURCES
This section appears in the book but is important enough that I thought it should be available here on the website as well. I hope that it's of value to you and that you find something here that makes your life easier. - Best, Shellie Military service; member and their spouses often overlook numerous resources and support agencies dedicated to assisting families. Being a military family is a challenge and no one will disagree with that, but one thing is for sure -- you are not alone. The particular branch of service you are affiliated with will determine what support group is best for you. Every unit should have an established family support or readiness group. As you read this, many of you may be moaning over a bad experience with one of these support groups. Most of us at one time or another has probably had at least one negative experience within a support group. Take a few moments and think of all the groups, whether military or civilian, you have been involved with during your life, including your work place, church, sport team, and so on. I'm sure you encounter people or policies within all of these groups that you disagree with? Don't allow a particular person or policy to take away from what the group has to offer. Not all support groups are alike and as members of a group change, the dynamics of the group change. The mission of the group is the most important thing. Most unit support groups have volunteers who, for the most part, lead the group and genuinely care and devote enormous amounts of time and effort to make the group a success. One or two personalities are bound to clash in any group setting. Like all the other clubs or groups you may be a part of, this clash should not stop you from participating or benefiting from the group. You can't benefit at all if you don't participate. Support groups are a great way to develop friendships, share information, and learn about community services. If you're not plugged into a support group, you are missing a huge benefit for military families. Most families who stay involved with their unit's support group are better equipped to handle the challenges of separation due to deployments. When the deployments come, many of the spouses have already developed a solid foundation of friends and knowledge of the resources available to them. If you discover the unit support group is not for you, I encourage you to seek out a support group elsewhere. Those of us who have been involved with the military for several years have a responsibility to share our wealth of personal experiences with the younger spouses of the unit. We should never forget the days when we struggled with not-knowing the ropes, fear of the unknown, and barely having enough money to get by. Even we seasoned spouses still encounter these uneasy feelings, but most of us have learned where to get the support we need and have developed a network of military friendships. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by being involved. In addition to support groups, I hope you will learn from this book to remember to communicate, listen, stick to routines but take care of yourself and the kids, keep a sharp eye on the finances, and love and support your service member. You can be successful at home with the kids or have a successful career as a military spouse with at-home work or outside work, and your family life can stay normal with some adjustments to a situation that is not. No matter what, stay positive and hold onto your faith. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Must have web sites for life in the military: Many of these sites should be your first place for research.
This website is the Mac-Daddy military web site. If offers anything and everything you will need and then some. All calls are answered live by master level trained consultants. Military One Source: 1-800-342-9647 Collect from outside the United States: 1-484-530-5908 Site covers all services providing information for education, money, careers, news, shopping, etc... www.nmfa.org National Military Family Association Educates and improves the quality of military life. Tons of information on various topics. Department of Defense website for Official military community and family policy program information. www.militaryspousemagazine.com The first magazine dedicated for all military spouses. A magazine for spouses by spouses. Comprised of 34 organizations representing 5.5 million members of the uniformed services-active, reserve, retired, survivors, Veterans and their families. Emergency assistance and morale to military service members and their families left behind, and Wounded Warriors when they return home. Military Pets Foster project. A Nationwide & Global network of Individual Foster Homes that will house, nurture and care for the dogs, cats, birds, horses and all other pets for all the Military personnel Only. (Foster: to give temporary nurture, care and shelter.) www.operationspecialdelivery.com A website that helps match pregnant women with a volunteer Doula (professionally trained labor partner) - because we believe no woman should deliver alone, especially those who serve our country, or support those who serve our country.
Great websites to plan a getaway while your service member is deployed or for mid-tour R&R (rest and relaxation) and /or Homecoming. www.afvclub.com Armed forces vacation club. A space available program for affordable condominium vacations worldwide. A must! www.armymwr.com Morale,Welfare and Recreation to include lodging at Army posts. www.dodlodging.net Lodging at Air Force and Naval bases www.uscg.mil/mwr/lodging/lodging.asp Coast Guard lodging locations www.usms-mccs.org Recreation lodging on Marine Corps installations Did you know as an active duty service member/family member or retiree you have access to any and all Armed Forces lodging and recreation facilities? The opportunities for fun and vacation are endless and affordable! Check them out and plan your next getaway. End box
Additional Chapter specific web sites Chapter 1: Departure and the games we play Don't let the name fool you. This site can benefit all members in all services, not only the ARMY. The site offers updated articles on the Emotional cycle of deployments. Mind, body, spirit, environment awareness. Mental Health Self-Assessment Program, etc... Chapter 2: Communication Learn key communication skills from this booklet. Free download! Book: The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. Teaches and explains how to communicate your love to each other. Also in Childrens, Teens, Singles and group format. Chapter 3: Financial Hardship. www.dfas.mil Defense Finance and Accounting Service. Sign up for "The Department of Defense Savings Deposit Program" (SDP). It provides a high interest rate on savings for deployed service members. www.daveramsey.com Financial Peace University is an intensive training course for personal finance. FPU helps military members strategically and effectively remove debt and build wealth www.militarymoney.com Military Money is a magazine which offers a vast assortment of financial readiness for the military and various other aspects of military life. In case you have the urge to splurge or shop using your military benefits and savings: www.commissaries.com Defense commissary. It's worth the trip. Coupons, promotions, diet tips, food alerts and recalls, etc... www.aafes.com Army and Air Force exchange. No Tax and shipping included in price. www.navy-nex.com Navy exchange www.usmc-mccs.org/shopping Marine Corps Exchange
Chapter 4: Infidelity www.dailystrength.org/groups/infidelity-in-the-military This group is for military members and spouses (past and present) who have dealt with infidelity in their marriage or relationship.
Chapter 5: Children www.MilitaryChild.org Military Child Education Coalition. Network of military installations and school districts. www.sesameworkshop.org Sesame Workshop. Innovative and engaging educational content. www.zerotothree.org Zero to Three offers ways to help military families support their young children during the stress of separations, deployments and relocations. www.operationgiveahug.org The goal of Operation Give a Hug is to give dolls to military children throughout the world who are missing Mom or Dad during the long deployments.
Chapter 6: Career www.milspouse.org Military Spouse resource library for employment, education and relocation information. www.msccn.org The Military Spouse Corporate Career Network (MSCCN): created and operate by military spouses. www.militaryspousejobsearch.org Military Spouse Job Search: Web site designed for military spouses. They have a "New Job" meter on the web site so you can see the latest jobs available. www.militaryonesource.com. Military Spouse Career Advancement Account Program". This program provides resources and funds (several thousands of dollars) for spouses who desire a portable career. This program may be accessed through Military One Source.
Chapter 7: Home Fries www.armywifenetwork.com Complete online/live talk show & support group founded and operated by military spouses for military spouses of all branches. A must have during deployments. www.cinchouse.com pronounced "Sink House" provides information, resources, and a community of friends to help you survive the toughest times and enjoy the adventures of military life. www.ahrn.com The Automated Housing Referral Network (AHRN.com) is sponsored by the Department of Defense and is designed to improve the process of securing available housing for relocating military members and their families. Free service to sell your home or buy a home.
Chapter 8: Homecoming Sites for planning a homecoming get-a-way www.afvclub.com Armed forces vacation club offers condominium rentals at resorts around the world for a deep discounted price for military service members. www.usmc-mccs.org/lodging Marine Corps lodging web site www.armymwr.com/travel/lodging/default.aspx Army lodging www.dodlodging.net Air Force and Navy lodging www.uscg.mil/mwr/lodging/Lodging.asp Coast Guard lodging www.nps.gov National parks locations box: All Service members and their authorized family members have access to all Armed Forces lodging and recreation facilities, campgrounds, RV parks, etc... end box
Chapter 8A (new Chapter 9?) Wounded Warriors = Wounded Families *remember to also use websites listed at beginning of resource section* www.woundedwarriorproject.com The mission of the Wounded Warrior Project is to honor and empower wounded warriors. Purpose:
www.notalone.org It's hard to know what normal is. Not Alone is a community of your peers sharing stories of reclaiming their lives after war. Here, you'll listen to others who live the war after the war. You'll find people that get you. www.fisherhouse.org Supporting America's military in their time of need, we provide "a home away from home" that enables family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful time -- during hospitalization for an illness, disease or injury. www.ptsd.va.gov National Center for Post Traumatic Stress disorder (PTSD) Veteran's Affairs site for recognition and treatment of PTSD and other stress related disouders. Chapter 9: (new Ch 10?? ) Prayer www.cmf.com Christian Military Fellowship. Support, bible studies, articles, training, leadership, etc... www.excellentorpraiseworthy.org: An online devotional to help military families stay connected during deployments.www.jocelyngreen.wordpress.com: resources and spiritual encouragement for the unsung heroes at home. Christian Military Wife Resources and Web sites.www.mil.min.com Lots of links for military members and families. Homecoming ideas, deployments, spouses, prayer guide and more. www.oneplace.com
The leading provider of Christian audio content on the Internet. Here's what
that means for you: Listen to your favorite Christian broadcasters (such
as Dr. R.C. Sproul, Chuck Swindoll, Kay Arthur, Charles Stanley and Chuck
Colson) any time, at your convenience! www.judaism.com Your guide to Judaism. Articles, resources, recipes, history, books and more. www.islam.com Articles, education, calendar, history and more
Chapter 10: (New Ch 11?) Decisions we never want to make www.cem.va.gov National Cemetery Administration. Information on the VA's National Cemeteries and other burial benefits. www.arlingtoncemetery.org Arlington Cemetery. Information on military funerals, ceremonies and Tomb of the Unknown. www.TAPS.org Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). National veteran's service organization which provides compassionate care through peer-based emotional support, grief, and trauma resources, seminars, case work assistance, and 24/7 crisis intervention to all those who have been affected by death in the Armed Forces. Toll Free 800-959-TAPS www.goldstarwives.org is an organization of military widows/widowers whose spouse died while on active duty or from service connected disabilities. Book:Military Widow: A Survival Guide by, Joanne M. Steen and
Survival guide for widows of service personnel, a first-of-its-kind, tackles the unique and complex issues arising from the death of a spouse in the military.
Chapter 11 / 12: Leadership www.carlisle.army.mil/usawc/dclm/joint.htm Complete web site links to Military Family Programs for senior spouses from all branches. www.johnmaxwell.com John C. Maxwell is an internationally recognized leadership expert, speaker, and author who has sold over 16 million books. EQUIP, the organization he founded has trained more than 2 million leaders worldwide. Every year he speaks to Fortune 500 companies, international government leaders, and audiences as diverse as the United States Military Academy at West Point, etc... www.stevencovey.com an internationally respected leadership authority, family expert, teacher, organizational consultant, and author, his advice has given insight to millions. Book: Fool Proofing Your Life by: Jan Silvious "An Honorable Way To Deal with The Impossible People In Your Life". A must for any Leader.
*The above web sites and books are only a fraction of what's available. They are here as a starting point. Be proactive and continue to embrace and learn the many wonderful facets of being a Military Spouse! Hooah |