Military wives and families

 

 

May 9th is Spouse Appreciation Day
May 11th is Mother's Day
The Spouse Medal

You have your medals,
Now, give one to Them.

Spouse Medal
Child Medal
Parent Medal


Let them know you care

What is the Military Wives network?

military family sitting on front stoop. fotosearch - search stock photos, pictures, images, and photo clipart

 

MilitaryWives.com, Incorporated is a private, family owned and operated Washington state corporation. MilitaryWives.com, Incorporated operates the following domains:

 

 1.The Military Wives Website (MWW) - www.MilitaryWives.com 

 2.The Marine Corps Wives Website (MCWW) - www.MarineWives.com 

 3.The Navy Wives Website (NWW) - www.NavyWives.com

4.The Army Wives Website (AWW) - www.ArmyWives.com

5.The Air Force Wives Website (AFWW) - www.AirForceWives.com

6.The Coast Guard Wives Website (CGWW) - www.CoastGuardWives.com

7.Military Kids Website (MKW) - www.MilitaryKidz.com

8.The Military Husbands Website (MHW) - www.MilitaryHusbands.com

9. THe Reserve WIves Website (RWW) - www.ReserveWives.com

These domains are owned by and leased from Chadduck Enterprises, a private Washington state company.

Why not Spouse?

We have been asked over and over why our sites are slanted to the women .... and why is it "wives" not "spouse".

Quite honestly to answer the question about "Spouses" we should explain that the "Marine Wives Website" which was the first site created in May of 1998, was not meant to be degrading to those men left behind... It is just that the amount of men in that situation is extremely small in comparison and generally speaking they do not go looking for the support that the women do when separated.

The Marine Corps Wives Website actually came about accidentally and is the off shoot of a site we started on Memorial Day in 1998. It expanded to include Marine medals. we then began including information that we felt was pertinent and before too long some Marine wives stumbled across the information. Soon afterward, we were getting visitors from around the world -- 95% of them female and all wanting to learn what their [husband] spouse did, what they had to do, etc.

After they began visiting the site became oriented towards women and they began calling it the Marine Wives Website. The name stuck. About 8 months later we started receiving questions about doing sites for the wives in the other services, since they didn't want to be left out. We undertook the job and since the Marine Corps is so closely related to the Navy – The Navy site went up second in November 1999. The name came natural - Navy Wives Website. The other service wives sites followed and they are all active and follow the same genre. 

Army Wives went active in March 2000.

Coast Guard Wives went active in April 2000.

Air Force Wives went active in May 2000.

Military Wives went active in November 11, 2000.

The Military Kidz Website went active in 3rd quarter 2001.

The Military Hisbands Website went active in 4th quarter 2001.

The Military Hisbands Website went active in 2nd quarter 2002. 

 

Although the name would imply that only wives are welcome, this is not true. The information is generic in nature and usable by both men and women.

  • MWW  ( 1 items )
    Information of a General Nature

Time To Get Organized

The first of the year is always a great time to be sure that all of the paperwork related to your soldier is in order. A lot of times, this paperwork represents something we'd rather not think about, but it's important to be prepared.

1. Power of Attorney - This simple document is where the soldier gives someone the authority to act on his behalf. It can be a general power of attorney which means the agent can do anything on behalf of the soldier or it can be very specific only giving the agent certain rights. No matter who the soldier chooses for his POA, he needs to have one so situations can be handled if he is away. Without a POA, you won't even be able to check on his bills, etc. The legal office on base can help with these documents and you can also usually find examples online that can easily be copied.

2. Know the Numbers. This is especially important if your soldier is deployed. Be sure you know his SS#, his bank account numbers (and associated PIN), credit card numbers (including phone # to call if it is lost or stolen), and login and PIN for MyPay.

3. Draw Up A Will. This is definitely one we would rather not think about but it is important to be sure it is up to date.

4. Ask the difficult questions. If something were to happen to your soldier, do you know what he prefers? If he were to get hurt, do you know what kind of life saving measures he would want to have? For instance, do you know if he would want a feeding tube, etc.? Also, if the unthinkable happens, do you know if he has any special preferences for his funeral? It's a tough conversation to have but you need to know.

5. Know about paperwork. In addition to having all of this paperwork in order, you also need to know where all of it is. Set up a central location (preferably a fireproof safe or safe deposit box) to store all of the important documents - will, POA, birth certificate, copies of orders, etc.

Just remember, it's best to be prepared!

 courtesy of Married to the Army

Spouses to Teachers

From American Forces Press Service

Aug 23 2004
By Samantha L. Quigley, American Forces Press Service

Spouses to Teachers, DoD's latest endeavor to assist military spouses interested in teaching, is serving a similar purpose as the popular Troops to Teachers program, an official said.

DoD established Troops to Teachers in 1994, and responsibility for the program was recently transferred to the U.S. Department of Education. TTT was created to help recruit quality teachers for schools that serve low-income families throughout America, according to the Troops to Teachers Web site.

Michael Melo, director of a Spouses to Teachers pilot program in Virginia, explained that TTT laid the groundwork for STT in providing individual state information. Melo is also the director of Virginia's TTT program.

STT is currently a pilot program in 6 states: California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Texas and Virginia.

The program was prompted by military spouses who were already teachers or interested in teaching, but were facing difficulties finding certification requirements and job information when they moved, Gary Woods, acting director of DoD educational opportunities, said.

Melo and Woods said the program would offer information, counseling and guidance to eligible, interested individuals. Initially, eligibility is limited to those with a bachelor's degree who are spouses of active duty servicemembers and members of the Selected Reserve or Individual Ready Reserve on extended duty.

It will also offer limited financial assistance to help defray the costs of meeting state certification requirements in the pilot states.

On the future STT Web site and in offices that will be handling the program, the goal is to provide information on teacher-certification requirements within a state, what kinds of jobs are available, and what kind of reciprocity exists between the system they're currently teaching in and systems they may potentially be transferring into, Woods said.

These sources also aim to make spouses aware of additional course requirements for certification or credentialing within the new state and make sure spouses know where they can turn for potential financial assistance in order to pursue those courses.

Because of that established network, the Virginia STT office is able to help transferring spouses become aware of how they may need to augment their certification, as certifications are not always accepted in a different school system, Melo said.

"Because of the network we have from Troops to Teachers with the Department of Education, with the school districts, with the colleges, we're able to provide that information that the spouses needs on what they need to do to be certified in a particular state," Melo said. "If it has reciprocity, there are always intricate little details that it doesn't necessarily transfer over completely."

Even before the Web site has been posted, the response has been positive, Melo said. "We're actually surprised at the number of phone calls we've already received."

Already four spouses are in the Virginia pilot program, and one has entered an academic program that will lead to licensure.

While the program serves spouses interested in teaching, it also helps ease the burden of a national teacher shortage. The benefits, however, are not limited to the schools that stand to get quality teachers out of the program. The students reap rewards as well.

Like the former troops who take up chalk and eraser, military spouses bring some of the same skills to the classroom.

"The military spouse has variety of life experiences that they've gained as a military spouse," Melo said. "So when they come into the classroom they bring those same experiences so they can impart those life experiences in the learning process of the students."

Military families can come out ahead, too. Woods said this provides an opportunity for a spouse to pursue a degree and a career that will provide the family a better income over time. "One of the things that we're primarily interested in right now is providing access to careers for spouses that will enhance the family bottom line," he said.

Melo and Woods agree that the national TTT Web site is the best source of information right now. A Spouses to Teachers Web page is being established with a projected start date of Sept. 1. It will link from the national TTT site.

 

 
 

Topic: Military wives and families

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Military Wives' 21 Best Tips for Dealing with a Spouse's Deployment

by Compiled by cl-americanarose and cl-bea_n_good

How do military wives shoulder the enormous responsibility and inevitable sacrifices that come with being a military wife? Here they share their 21 best tips:

1. Hang tough. "I'm stronger now when he's gone, and I don't focus as much on being left here, though I do have bouts of loneliness and frustration. I try to keep myself busy. Writing him emails helps. I get to yell at him even though he's not here." --gargoyle89

2. Keep busy. "The very first night he's gone, I'm out of my mind with sadness. I just cry all night and hug something that smells like him. After the first week or so, I start getting busy with my own thing. A typical day with my husband gone: Go to work, go to school, go to the gym and work on my Website until bedtime. I also set goals for finishing things, saving money and getting in shape." --kelnelmo

3. Call on your friends. "At first it's a little taste of freedom since we don't have any kids. It was nice having the house all to myself without having him flip through the channels on the TV or other silly stuff. But by that first night I was very lonely. I had some really terrific friends and they were always there for the rough patches." --flyp3navy

4. Remember your promise. "The most common emotion is one of being overwhelmed. With the kids and the house and no help and no relief in sight, it's often really hard to keep from being completely overwhelmed. But I'm a military wife. I knew the job description when I married him, so I feel like I don't have any right to complain." --hollydawner

5. Throw a pity party. "I always experience loneliness. I deal with my feelings by giving myself permission to be 'depressed.' I take off from work the first day he is gone. I stay in my pajamas all day, eat microwavable food or order in, watch daytime TV and stay up as late as I want. The next morning I get up and get back to my normal routine." --armylola

6. Be prepared. "Get as much stuff taken care of ahead of time, so you are as prepared as you can be. Learn to ask for help (I really have trouble with this one). Line up some visits to family and friends to help pass time and give you something to look forward to." --seamour

7. Face your feelings. "Take things one day at a time. And let all your emotions run their course. You are going to have good days, and you are going to have horrible days. When you feel like crying, cry. When you feel like you are on top of the world, you are. When the going gets tough, look for something humorous about what is making life hard at the time. Laughter is a wonderful medicine." --izzyandalexsmommy

8. Be realistic. "Don't set impossible goals. Remember that nothing is set in stone. Six months can turn to seven, and he misses you as much as you miss him." --pandabr74

9. Accept a helping hand. "I learned to accept and, yes, sometimes even ask for help from others. Find a support group, be it online (my option) or a family support group (I would if there was one nearby)." --seamour

10. Do not drown your sorrows. "I would go out with friends (fellow deployment widows) on Friday nights and have a few beers, and then on Sundays I'd try to figure out why I couldn't stop crying! I then remembered that alcohol is a depressant, and it wasn't conducive to me being 'happy girl.' So, I became more careful about the amount of alcohol I consumed." --flyp3navy

11. Stay healthy. "Eat right. It's tempting, while your husband is gone, to snack and not eat well, but you need the best nutrition to help keep your mental state on an even keel." --hollydawner

12. Trust each other. "My husband and I have not always had the perfect marriage, and we've had some serious trust issues in the past. The trust issue presents a huge problem with deployments, and is one of the big sources of pre-deployment arguments. But I just try to keep my husband informed at all times, and he tries to express his fears reasonably instead of with snide remarks. As a result, we often have excellent communication during deployments and always make it through okay." --hollydawner

13. Find yourself. "You have to have a life aside from your husband. You just have to, whether it's kids, a job, friends or a hobby. I have actually known a few women who relied on their husbands completely for their happiness. That won't work. You have to have something to do, something you care about, and try to stay busy!" --kelnelmo

14. Keep your routine. "I have learned not to get upset over the pending deployments. There is really nothing I can do to stop them. I try to keep home life as normal as I can for my children." --countryvic

15. Stay strong. "I'm a pretty independent woman, so that's what has helped me -- I believe -- get through deployments. I still send my man off with lots of love and smiles and reassurances that I can handle the affairs at home, so he need not worry about us." --reeseccup

16. Keep your husband posted. "I write letters to my husband every day (we don't have access to phones or email this time) detailing what our daughter did that day, so he will feel like he's part of her day-to-day life. I take lots of photos of our daughter to send to him. It's difficult because at times it feels like our lives are 'on hold' until he returns." --erinnicolevan

17. Become a boardie. "I keep in contact with other women through message boards, and that helps me remember I'm not doing this alone." --gargoyle89

18. Work out. "It goes faster when I'm thinking, 'I only have three more months to get a body like Britney Spears (ha, ha)!'" --kelnelmo

19. Stay active. "I have found it vital to have at least one regularly scheduled activity while my husband is gone. It becomes something to look forward to each week, which gives me little milestones along the way." --lizzbert2000

20. Be proud. "I remember that he is gone not because he wants to be away from me, but because he is a terrific person and is dedicating his life to serving his country." --flyp3navy

21. Focus on other things. "Keep your chin up. Find things to keep your mind off your loneliness. But avoid sappy movies, unless you need a good cry." --reeseccup

 

 

Bush Announces Shorter Deployments
   
Bush Announces Shorter Deployment Lengths
By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service


WASHINGTON, April 10, 2008 – President Bush today directed Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates to shorten deployment lengths for U.S. soldiers in Iraq from 15 to 12 months, starting in August.

Bush said he made the decision to reduce the strain on the force and because security improvements in Iraq have allowed for the withdrawal of all five surge combat brigades by the end of July.

He also said that officials would ensure troops have at least a year at home between deployments. The change goes into affect Aug. 1 and will not affect those already deployed there.

“Our nation owes a special thanks to the soldiers and families who’ve supported this extended deployment. We owe a special thanks to all who served in the cause for freedom in Iraq,” Bush said.

He also directly addressed the troops, saying that the war in Iraq is not “endless,” and that as conditions there improve, more troops could return home.

“The day will come when Iraq is a capable partner of the United States. The day will come when Iraq is a stable democracy that helps fight our common enemies and promote our common interests in the Middle East,” Bush said. “And when that day arrives, you'll come home with pride in your success and the gratitude of your whole nation.”

Bush heard positive reports on conditions in Iraq from Army Gen. David H. Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan C. Crocker this week. He cited the success of the surge brigades as setting the conditions for the troop withdrawals.

Before the surge a little more than a year ago, al-Qaida was safe in bases across the country attacking coalition forces. Now, Bush said, they are on the defensive and forces are working to deliver a “crippling blow.”

“Fifteen months ago, Americans were worried about the prospect of failure in Iraq. Today, thanks to the surge, we’ve renewed and revived the prospect of success,” Bush said.

After the withdrawal of the remaining surge combat brigades this summer, Petraeus has asked for 45 days to assess conditions on the ground and reposition troops.

“I’ve told him he’ll have all the time he needs,” Bush said. But the president warned against calling it a “pause,” saying that description is misleading. “None of our operations in Iraq will be on hold,” he said.

Bush said all U.S. efforts in the country are aimed at a clear goal: a free Iraq that can protect its people, support itself economically, and take charge of its own political affairs.

During the course of transitioning the country to Iraqi control, Bush said, coalition forces will step up their offense, becoming more targeted in their operations as Iraqi security forces take over more of the general security concerns. Also, more provinces will be transferred to Iraqi control as the United States moves into an “over-watch” role.

Economically, Iraq is moving forward, Bush said. Its economy is growing, oil revenue is on the rise, and capital investment is expanding. This is changing the U.S. role, Bush said. Americans now are spending little on large-scale construction costs, and Iraqis are paying for most of the country’s army and police, he said.

Politically, the country has seen “bottom-up” progress, as provincial and tribal leaders are turning to local political structures and taking charge of their own affairs. Provincial elections are planned this year, with national elections planned for next year.

On the diplomatic front, Bush is putting a full-court press on Iraq’s neighbors to play a more supportive role in its stabilization and growth. The president has directed Crocker and Petraeus to stop in Saudi Arabia on their way back to Iraq. He also is sending senior diplomats for talks in Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Egypt.

Each country will be encouraged to reopen their embassies in Baghdad and increase their support for Iraq, Bush said.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will travel to the third Expanded Neighbors Conference in Kuwait City and the second International Compact with Iraq meeting in Stockholm.

“A stable, successful, independent Iraq is in the strategic interests of Arab nations, and all who want peace in the Middle East should support a stable, democratic Iraq. And we will urge all nations to increase their support this year,” Bush said.

Bush also issued a clear warning to Iran to stop funding and training militias fighting in Iraq.

“If Iran makes the right choice, America will encourage a peaceful relationship between Iran and Iraq. If Iran makes the wrong choice, America will act to protect our interests and our troops and our Iraqi partners,” Bush said.

In the 15-minute speech, Bush defended the cost of the war and called on Congress to pass an emergency funding request that will be presented to the session soon.

The president called the war “a burden worth bearing” and said that national interests require success there.

“Iraq is the convergence point for two of the greatest threats to America in this new century: al-Qaida and Iran,” Bush said. “If we fail there, al-Qaida would claim a propaganda victory of colossal proportions, and they could gain safe havens in Iraq from which to attack the United States, our friends and our allies. Iran would work to fill the vacuum in Iraq, and our failure would embolden its radical leaders and fuel their ambitions to dominate the region.”

Success in Iraq deal a historic blow to the global terrorist movement and a severe setback for Iran, he said.

“It would demonstrate to a watching world that mainstream Arabs reject the ideology of al-Qaida and mainstream Shiia reject the ideology of Iran's radical regime,” Bush said. “It would give America a new partner with a growing economy. … And in all these ways, it would bring us closer to our most important goal -- making the American people safer here at home.”

 

 

Rod's US

 Military Blog

Military Spouse Career Advancement Initiative

The Department of Defense and the Department of Labor have joined together to spend $32 million for a two year test program designed to open the doors to our military spouses of active duty junior enlisted and junior officers for more fulfilling careers. Under the program, spouses will be reimbursed for expenses directly related to post-secondary education and training, including costs for tuition, fees, books, equipment, and credentialing and licensing fees required for careers in education, health care, information technology, construction trades, financial services, and other “high-growth, portable” fields. The program also covers the cost of renewing existing credentials and licenses due to a military move.

According to an American Forces Press Service article, Beginning in January, the new program will launch at 18 military installations in eight states: California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, North Carolina and Washington. Spouses of active-duty servicemembers grades E1 through E5 and O1 to O3 will be eligible to participate. They must have a high school or general education diploma.

Sunday November 18, 2007

courtesy of about.com

 

Grantham Military

 Family Scholarship

Program

Grantham is offering scholarships to the family members of United States Military Service Members. The Family Scholarship program is an expansion of the Military Scholarship program initiated in September 2001. The purpose of these scholarships, besides helping military families surmount barriers to higher education, is to express our gratitude to those who serve our country.

  • Eligibility: Children and spouses of active duty, guard, reserve personnel and veterans (honorably or medically discharged) may be eligible for the Grantham Military Family Scholarship Program. Eligibility must be determined upon re-enrollment each semester
  • The scholarship includes a special tuition rate of $250 per credit hour and all required textbooks and software.

Applicants must provide proof of dependent status. If you have additional questions, call               1.800.955.2527        or e-mail us.

 

Military Soldiers

 

DONATE

 

American military casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan have exceeded 28,000, with over 3,500 fatalities. 80% of the wounded are in the 18-30 age range and face an entire life-time of recovery. FREEDOM IS NOT FREE, with the support of donors, aims to ease our heroes' and their families' burdens.

The generosity of supporters like you enables us to offer grants to worthy recipients, to participate in the funding of valuable programs, and to ease the immeasurable weight being shouldered by so few for the benefit of all of us.

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE programs and grants are made possible solely by the generosity of donors; we receive no federal, state or governmental funding.
"Let us stand united in providing for our wounded, their families, and the families of the fatally wounded. A contribution, large or small, will make a difference in the lives of our courageous service members."

 

 

 

Carl D. Frank
Specialist, 101st Airborne Division
Purple Heart Recipient
Chairman - Purple Heart Board

 

Military Families: 4 Steps to Prepare for Deployment

 

by Compiled by cl-americanarose and cl-bea_n_good
 

Practical matters, like paying the phone bill and checking the oil in your car, are the last things on your mind when your dear husband gets called to duty. But the demands of the real world will start to haunt you if you are not prepared to run the house solo. Here, you'll find four simple steps you can take to make your life easier while your husband is away:

1. Make sure you have a general or special power of attorney. This document, which can be obtained in the legal office on the military base, allows you to sign legal papers, write checks and handle other household matters on behalf of someone who needs to travel for extended periods of time or is ill. A special power of attorney clearly defines the tasks that you can handle on behalf of your spouse, whereas the general one gives you more access, according to the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Website. You should talk to your spouse and a legal adviser to decide which is right for you.

2. Pay the bills in full and on time. If you usually do not take care of the family finances, find out when all payments are due and around how much you'll need to save up for each. This will secure good credit ratings and keep you out of financial trouble while your husband is away. To avoid forgetting, keep a running list of bills you need to pay or sign up for online payment if it is available. In addition, you should know where to find your tax records and investment and bank account numbers.

3. Keep a list of emergency numbers, especially if you live in a foreign country. This will save valuable time in a crisis. Some numbers you should consider keeping by the phone are the police, local firehouse, paramedics and all of your family doctors. On many military bases, 911 either goes to base police or downtown. In foreign countries, there is usually a universal number. For example, in Germany, you can reach the German Polizei by dialing 110 from anywhere in the country. Other on-base numbers that might be useful include family support, military police, the American Red Cross, the base chapel, the 1st sergeant/commander, the orderly room and for urgent matters the command post. Housing often gives you a list of important branch numbers when you move in, so you might want to track that down now.

4. Take care of your car. Make sure it has good tires and a spare. Also, take it in for a tune-up and oil change before your husband leaves. With all of the other things on your mind, the last thing you need is for the car to break down!

courtesy of ivillage.com
 

 

Join the Operation

 


Operation Once in a lifetime is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization created to make the dreams of U.S. soldiers come true. The dream of a soldier is to come home alive, unwounded, to train safe, to love his country, his unit and his family. However being a soldier is not easy; it is filled with hardship, not just physically or emotionally, but financially.

Operation Once in a Lifetime was created by a soldier to help other soldiers; a soldier knows what a soldier needs and a soldier knows what a soldier does not need. A soldier does not need to worry about providing beds for his kids, worrying if his electricity will still be on when he goes home or if his house will be foreclosed on when serving his/her country. A soldier needs a program that will provide free financial assistance regardless of his rank, race, branch of service, physical condition or his deployment status. A soldier needs a program that can help make a life altering contribution when he is in his/her greatest need; Operation Once in a Lifetime is that program.

There are many Americans that suffer financial hardship every day but it is a shame that there are soldiers that are considered poor. It is a shame that there are soldiers on W.I.C or food stamps just to provide a meal for their children. It is a shame that a soldier can die for his country while being on the thin line of poverty and give up all that we consider being normal. Nine to five jobs are replaced by year long deployments, a day at the office may result in gun fire and a friend killed in action.

Every contribution will go to helping a soldier and their families, whether paying a soldiers electric bill, car payment or flying a soldier home, we will be there when soldiers need us most, because they are there when we need them most.

Operation Once in a Lifetime is not a war time organization; we are a soldier’s organization. An organization created to last, as long as soldiers are in need. Our promise to our soldiers, is regardless of wartime or peacetime we will be here fighting for you as you fight for us.

-----------------------------

Patrick M. Sowers
Founder, Father and Soldier