On June 6, 28-year-old Chris Ring began a challenging journey. Ring partnered with Legacies Alive, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families of fallen servicemembers and preserving the memory of these individuals' sacrifices, to start Swim for their Sacrifice. Ring is a combat veteran who has been in the Navy for 10 years. His mission is to swim the Mississippi River and along the way meet with Gold Star Families, which are families of soldiers killed in combat. 

Ring started his trek in Lake Itasca, Minnesota, and swims about 16 miles a day. The Navy veteran has lost 20 pounds in just 40 days. But even after a grueling day of swimming, sometimes through rough and rocky waters, Ring meets with families who lost a loved one in service to the country. Those whom he meets sign his guide kayak in show of support. One of the Gold Star Families told USA Today that Ring's mission is very important. It helps remind people of their loved ones' sacrifice – something they think about daily. 

The journey will take Ring almost 2,600 miles, and he hopes to finish sometime in November or December. Not only is Ring's goal incredible for its patriotism, but when he completes the swim, he will become the first person to ever swim the entire length of the Mississippi River. 

One of the best ways for military families to bond is on a family vacation. Whether it be while on leave or during life after service, spending quality time together may be exactly what you and your family need to relax and catch up with one another. The greatest aspect of vacationing as a military servicemember or veteran is the ability to take advantage of discounts provided by some major airlines and popular travel destinations. 

There are plenty of frequented kid-friendly hotspots that offer military discounts as well. With so many options to choose from, where should you and your loved ones escape to? Here are a few ideas for families looking to save money on a trip and enjoy some much-needed time with their relatives.

1. Kid-friendly destinations
Walt Disney World currently offers military servicemembers a generous discount on four-day passes to the park. In fact, the pass is not limited to one of the parks located throughout Disney World, but allows families admittance to all four of the parks. Spouses of servicemembers are also able to participate while they are deployed. This is the ideal trip for military parents with children.

"Walt Disney World Resort is saluting U.S. military personnel by offering Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets," said officials from the Walt Disney World blog. "The Park Hopper Option is included, so you can come and go as you please through all 4 theme parks each day of your ticket!"

Sea World and Six Flags America are two additional destinations that offer military members discounts or even a free pass. Although these trips primarily cater to younger members of the family, there are also opportunities to spend quality time together as a couple. For example, the Walt Disney Resort offers parents babysitting options and kids' nights out while you and your spouse enjoy the spa or a massage. 

2. The zoo
The zoo is an attraction that usually appeals to people of all ages. According to Care.com, the San Diego Zoo gives military members a one-day pass, free of charge. There are even discount packages available for the entire family. The passes and discounts usually include a tour of the land, where 3,700 rare and endangered animals roam.

The best part about being in Southern California is that after spending a day or two at the zoo, families can also check out the local beaches to relax under the famous SoCal sun. 

3. A beachside paradise
Popular beachside resorts like Beaches in Jamaica offer a relaxing getaway for military families. If the kids are in tow, parents will have plenty of time to catch up, whether it be while lounging at the beach or being pampered at the hotel spa. Introduce your kids to a fun bonding experience by riding jet skis or engaging in other exciting beachside activities.

4. Camping
Camping is usually a viable option for military families that lack the funding to take off to a tropical destination or families who simply love nature. With the right camping gear, families can turn sleeping in the wilderness into a bonding experience. 

"One of the bonuses of camping, though, is the price tag," Amy Bushatz told Spouse Buss on Military.com. "At about $20 a day, a hotel will never beat the price of a campsite. If our initial gear investment is our estimated $400 – about the cost of four nights at an economic hotel – it will only take a handful of uses on trips where we camp instead of lodge for us to break even."

The serenity of nature could also help veterans and active duty servicemembers who are experiencing conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder relax.

Women in the armed forces have more options than ever before when it comes to the ways that they can serve their country. After an intense application and selection process, a select group of women in the Navy will be the first to expand these opportunities even further.  

On June 22, officials released the "FY16 Enlisted Women in Submarines Selections," naming the first group of female sailors who will serve in the U.S. submarine force. The list includes four chief petty officers and 34 others in lower pay grades, the Navy reported. They will serve in the two crews of the U.S.S. Michigan. 

According to the Navy, the selection process was competitive. The branch received applications from almost every community throughout the Navy, representing 31 different ratings. Each application was reviewed and scored using an objective system.

Navy Times reported that the application window opened in January and the selection process began in April. 

"We could not be more pleased with the amount of interest shown by enlisted women in wanting the opportunity to serve in the undersea warfare domain," said Rear Adm. Charles Richard, the Enlisted Women in Submarines Task Force commander. "It's an exciting time in the submarine force, as we continue to move forward in shaping the future of our force, drawing from the best pool of talent possible." 

The 38 selected women will undergo standard submarine medical screening before they begin training, the Navy reported. According to Navy Times, 69 female sailors were listed as alternates in case any of the selected women are unable to report for duty. 

Deployment can be a challenging time for families. It is important that spouses and children are staying in touch and communicating with their loved ones during active duty. Sending regular care packages is a great way to do this. It shows soldiers that their family members are thinking of them, which can be very comforting during deployment. 

Although sending care packages can help servicemembers reduce stress and feel more at home, you will want to send your loved one items that he or she will personally enjoy. Do not get overwhelmed by all of your choices. Instead, consider packing some of these items that are sure to make your family member smile.

1. A card
A handwritten note is an intimate way to communicate with your loved one during deployment. Have the whole family sign it and write a personal message to keep him or her up to date on what is going on at home. This also gives you the chance to make a list of the package's contents, as it is common for packages being shipped long distances to break open. If mail handlers have all of the items written down in front of them, they will know what to repack if this does happen. 

2. Snacks
While deployed servicemembers usually have plenty of food on base, their options are often limited and bland. Receiving their favorite snacks can be very exciting for them.

Containers of nonperishable foods, like pretzels, chips and nuts, make great additions to a care package. However, try to avoid plastic bags, as these tend to explode under pressure. Military.com noted that cookies are a care package snack that is frequently treasured by soldiers, as servicemembers do not receive anything like them on base. Candy and gum, with the exception of chocolate, which will melt in the heat, also make good contents. 

3. Meal enhancers
While you cannot pack home-cooked meals in your care package, providing commodities that add flavor to bland foods is a fun idea. For example, small bottles of hot sauce and barbecue sauce can spice up any meal that might be lacking taste. Flavor packets that make water taste like lemonade, strawberries or oranges can brighten up your loved one's day and make consuming fluids more enticing. This is key, as many servicemembers perform rigorous activities during the day but do not drink enough water. Be sure to place these in freezer bags to prevent them from exploding or opening while in transit.  

4. Personal care and toiletries
Active duty servicemembers often do not have access to items like shampoo, skin lotion, toothbrushes and razors on a regular basis. Sending them a few of these products can make their day-to-day duties more comfortable, especially if you choose brands that you know your loved one likes. If he or she is deployed in a country that is particularly cold, including contents like disposable hand warmers can help him or her more easily get through a day filled with outdoor activities. 

5. Sentimental materials
Although servicemembers do miss the food and personal care items they once used regularly at home, what most of them long for most is news about what is going on in their spouses' and children's lives. Throw in a few recent photographs of the family with descriptions of where you were and what was going on in each. 

If you have taken any videos of special events, or even just fun clips of the family saying hello, these can greatly enhance a care package. You can put them on a USB drive so they do not take up much room in the box. 

Helmets may soon be able to protect soldiers more effectively than ever thanks to technology currently used to keep football players safe. 

The U.S. Army awarded the University of Southern Mississippi a $4.9 million research contract for the development and testing of a helmet that will better protect U.S. soldiers, the school reported. The university's School of Polymers and High Performance Materials has previously worked on cushioning used in football helmets. 

According to The Associated Press, the liner will be a cutting-edge pneumatic cushioning system that provides better protection for soldiers against blunt force impact.    

"Southern Miss researchers have an opportunity to accelerate technology that can better protect our men and women in the military from head injuries and brain trauma," said U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran of Mississippi in the Southern Miss news release. "Advances in this area have the potential to be life changing for American servicemembers …" 

The current Southern Miss Pneumatic Cushioning technology used in football helmets was made through a partnership with Rawlings Sporting Goods, the university reported. The grant from the military will allow the institute to do further work to develop next-generation pneumatic cushioning that would take the lining to new levels.

According to Southern Miss, preliminary tests in unoptimized prototypes already showed a 30 percent improvement over current Army padding in ambient conditions (70 degrees Fahrenheit), and a 60 percent increase in hot temperatures (130 degrees Fahrenheit). The cushioning technology will continue to be tested over a broad temperature range to reflect the diverse environmental conditions experienced during combat. 

Even the Army gets a fashion reboot every once in awhile. But in the case of the new camo rolling out for soldiers, the focus is safety, not style. 

Beginning on July 1, soldier uniforms in the Operational Camouflage Pattern will be available for purchase at select military clothing stores, the U.S. Army reported.

New soldiers will receive army combat uniforms in the pattern beginning in January 2016. During the summer of 2016, equipment and uniforms in the pattern will become available to members of the U.S. Army Reserve, U.S. National Guard and Senior Reserve Officer Training Corps.

Enlisted soldiers receive an annual clothing stipend that can be used to buy pieces in the new pattern. 

"I myself will wait until I am issued my clothing allowance before purchasing a uniform with the Operational Camouflage Pattern," said Army Sgt. Maj. Daniel A. Dailey. "I encourage all soldiers and leaders to do the same by budgeting for a new uniform, belt, boots, and T-shirts as you receive your clothing allowance over the next 2-3 years."

The Army reported that the new pattern was selected after the most comprehensive uniform testing the military branch has ever performed.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno told Army Times that the testing revealed that the pattern of the uniform is very important in protecting soldiers in a variety of environments.

Army Times reported that the Operational Camouflage Pattern will replace the Universal Camouflage Pattern, a green and gray pattern that proved to be unpopular. The new uniforms will be similar to the Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage that has been worn in Afghanistan over the last five years. 

When "Good Kill" premiered in May, the film offered moviegoers a glimpse into the life of an Air Force drone pilot. The movie received relatively positive feedback from critics, and The Washington Post reported that it helps civilians to better understand what sacrifice and service look like in modern combat.  

The whole story
With such portrayals in popular culture on the rise, the U.S. Air Force released a statement on May 15 to dispel common misconceptions that the public has about remotely piloted aircrafts. The statement examined six primary myths:

1. Remotely piloted aircrafts are less safe than manned aircrafts.
2. Combatant commanders are not requesting RPA capability.
3. Federal Aviation Administration requirements do not apply to RPAs.
4. Only a pilot and sensor operator are required to complete an RPA mission.
5. RPAs are only used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
6. An RPA mission is like a video game. 

According to the Air Force, every RPA mission involves a pilot and crew who control the aircraft, and each combat air patrol is supported by nearly 200 people in various capacities. Contrary to popular belief, the safety rates are in fact comparable to those of a manned aircraft, and they are currently the top capability requested by combat commanders around the world.

The Air Force reported that RPAs are currently being used to support combat search and rescue, strike coordination, closer air support and other tasks in addition to ISR and other mission sets. 

For video game enthusiasts, the Air Force emphasized that controlling a remotely piloted aircraft is not a game. New pilots, many of whom have already undergone training for flying manned aircrafts, go through an intense, year-long training program to learn how to operate RPAs. It is not as simple as picking up a controller. 

Playing an active role
The Air Force wants the public to know the real stories of the men and women who operate RPAs, a picture that is not always accurately portrayed in popular culture. 

"We've been quiet about it for years, and there were good reasons for that, there were some direct concerns," Col. Jim Cluff told Military Times. "Now we've undertaken a very deliberate process to tell the story while at the same time making sure we are protecting our airmen. Our concern is just that we didn't talk a lot about what the community does and how they do that, and left it to others to figure it out."

Feeding cows may not be a typical duty of a National Guard member, but it was all in a day's work for the Oklahoma National Guard after heavy rains stranded a rancher's animals in Muskogee County.

According to The Associated Press, rancher Robert Vinson moved his cattle to higher ground when a weekend forecast predicted rain, leaving enough food to feed the animals for a few days. But when the rain was so extreme that the roads remained flooded days later, Vinson had no way to feed his cows. 

That's where the National Guard came in.

Vinson first contacted the fire department, and the request was sent higher and higher up the chain until it reached the Oklahoma National Guard's Joint Operations Center, the National Guard reported. The mission was approved, and on May 27 a helicopter of guardsmen was sent to Muskogee County where it transported enough hay and dry feed to last the cows a week. 

"This [mission] is different than what we normally do, but I really enjoy helping people here at home," said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael McGill, the commander of the mission's aircraft. 

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced on May 24 that the Navy's SSN 796, a Virginia-class attack submarine, will bear the title USS New Jersey. According to the Department of Defense, the name will honor the long history between the Navy and the state of New Jersey.

"New Jersey's relationship with our Navy has been defined by innovation, leadership, and courage – in conquest and in combat," Mabus said. "The name of our newest nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine will carry on that strong tradition."

New Jersey's ties to the Navy began in 1900 when the Navy's first submarine, the USS Holland, was designed and constructed in the state, the Department of Defense reported. 

The submarine will be the third vessel to bear the name USS New Jersey, but the only one that is still active. The first two were battleships commissioned in the first half of the 20th century. 

During a radio segment on New Jersey 101.5, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie stated that he would "absolutely" push for the commissioning of the new sub to occur in its namesake state.

"From my perspective, having that submarine commissioned in the waters of the state that it is named for would be a great thing," Christie said. 

According to the Department of Defense, the USS New Jersey will be a next-generation attack submarine. Each Virginia-class submarine is designed with a reactor plant that allows the sub to complete its planned lifetime without refueling. They are 377 feet long, weigh 7,800 tons and have increased stealth and accuracy.     

Boston locals and visitors alike may notice that the harbor is a little emptier than usual this month. For the first time in two decades, the USS Constitution left the water to undergo restoration at a dry dock of the Charlestown Navy Yard. 

Restoring Old Ironsides
Fondly known by its nickname, "Old Ironsides," the USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship in the U.S. Navy. According to the Naval History and Heritage Command, the ship first came to fame during the War of 1812, when it helped the young nation become recognized as a world-class maritime power. 

Of the original six frigates commissioned by Congress for the U.S. Navy, it is the only one that still remains. Manned by active-duty officers and crew, today the mission of the USS Constitution is to educate the public about the Navy and its role in the U.S. 

Usually found afloat at Pier 1 of the Charlestown Navy Yard, the ship will be dry docked for about three years during the course of the restoration project. The transition occurred during the night of May 18, when the Constitution was safely transitioned from the water of the harbor to the dry dock. The project is part of regular maintenance done to maintain the ship. 

"There's been no damage to the ship," Navy Commander Paul J. Brawley told The Boston Globe. "This is done every 15 to 20 years."

According to The Boston Globe, the main focus of the restoration is to replace 3,400 copper sheets on the hull. The metal layers protect the ship's hull below the waterline. The sheets are currently being stored at the USS Constitution Museum, where visitors can sign the pieces with permanent markers, Brawley told the Globe. 

Continuing the legacy
Tourists to Boston who want to see Old Ironsides will not be disappointed. Despite the renovations, visitors can tour the ship Tuesday through Friday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., as well as Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. All Hands, the magazine of the U.S. Navy, reported. 

The USS Constitution will be docked in Dry Dock 1 in the Charlestown Navy Yard until the restoration is complete, likely in the fall of 2017.