When your spouse is deployed, it is not only tough on you, but it is also a difficult time for your children. They will be missing their mother or father, and they sometimes counteract these feelings by pushing away the parent at home with them. By doing activities together, you help them realize that you are all in the same situation but you are going to face it together. These experiences may even bring you closer and help your children learn coping skills that will benefit them later in life.
Visit a museum
Your bonding activities can also be a great time for your children to learn. Take the family to an art museum and discuss which pieces you liked best. This will teach your kids to form their own opinions. You could also take them to a war museum, so they can learn the history of their mother's or father's military career.
Scavenger hunts
This activity is fun for both you and your children, and because you can do it indoors and outside, it is perfect for any season. Create a series of clues and watch as your children look for the prize. This will help them develop problem-solving skills, and it will distract them from missing their deployed parent for a few hours. If your children do chores, you could make the reward a free pass from them for a day.
Go to a park
Whether it be an amusement park, a water park or a playground, getting outdoors is an excellent activity to bond with your kids. The fun and carefree atmosphere can be a relief from the stress of deployment and gives your children a chance to be young.
Keep a reading log
Reading is a tried-and-true form of distraction. Sit down with your children and create a list of books you want to read together every month. Try to stick to a reading schedule. For example, set goals like a chapter a week and log them together. Not only is keeping a reading log a great way to keep your children from worrying about their deployed parent, but it also teaches them to set attainable goals.
Have a 'date' night
This is an easy way to make your children feel special and alleviate some of their loneliness. Make them the center of attention and spend an evening having a nice dinner out and follow it up with a funny movie. Keep it casual and lighthearted so that everyone can enjoy a stress-free evening.
Do arts and crafts
During your spouse's deployment, your children will likely be dealing with many emotions. Arts and crafts are a good activity to help them communicate those emotions. PBS has some excellent projects for children that are designed to help them work out their thoughts and feelings.
Take a trip
Pack up the kids and the car for a small weekend trip. A change of scenery can give your children a small reprieve from missing their deployed parent. Road trips are also an amazing opportunity to bond with your children.
Make a video
For an activity that will benefit everyone in the family, consider recording a video together for your family's deployed servicemember. The kids will get a kick out of making a video for their mom or dad, and your spouse will appreciate getting to see them.
Deployment will come with challenges, but there are many activities you and your children can do together to help you get through it. More than a few of these will help your children express the difficult emotions they may be experiencing and teach them important life skills. Additionally, the activities you do together during your spouse's deployment can bring you closer to your children.
Military deployment is a tough time for servicemembers and their spouses. Many military spouses count down the days until their servicemember comes home, but deployment does not have to be a waiting game. There are a number of ways to keep yourself distracted yet still make the most of deployment.
Join a family readiness group
Most military units have one of these military-sponsored groups. By joining, you can stay up to date on any news surrounding your spouse's unit. You may also form new friendships and find support from individuals who understand what you are going through.
Volunteer in your community
While your servicemember is serving his or her country, you can serve your community. Join a local service club or volunteer for an organization that needs extra help. This will keep you busy and you may even make new friends in the process.
Pick up a hobby
Hobbies are great ways to distract yourself during your spouse's deployment, and they are great for self-improvement. Consider starting a fitness routine to keep you busy and healthy while your servicemember is deployed. You could also learn a new language, take up a craft or start a blog.
Treat yourself occasionally
It is OK to enjoy yourself while your spouse is deployed. Take yourself shopping for a new outfit or try a new haircut. As long as you do not exceed your family's budget, the occasional spending spree can help alleviate the boredom
Eliminate excessive downtime
While some relaxation is good for you, too much can lead a spouse to focus on how much he or she misses his or her servicemember. Keep a crossword book or a puzzle around for those empty little moments.
Focus on the kids
If you have children, deployment is a good time to bond with them. They will likely be missing their parent as much as you are missing your spouse. Make a weekly plan to go to the movies or the park. By spending time together, you can eliminate some of the loneliness and support one another through your servicemember's absence.
Go back to school
The military offers many scholarships to spouses of servicemembers. Use your free time during deployment to further your education. By investing in your education, you can add peace of mind for your future. The school work will also keep you busy, and you may meet new friends in your classes.
Experiment in the kitchen
Cooking can provide military spouses with a delicious distraction. Do not be afraid to test out new recipes or even create dishes of your own. You can host dinner parties with your tasty new meals and surround yourself with friends and family. Additionally, you can try out your new menu on your spouse when he or she returns.
Get outdoors
Deployment comes with many stresses. Get outside and let nature relieve you of some of them. Try yoga in the park or find a new trail to hike. If you are looking for something that is a little less physical, you might consider starting a garden.
Do not be afraid to explore
There is no rule that says you have to stay at home while your spouse is deployed. If your budget allows, take the trip you have always wanted to take. Explore a new city, eat at different restaurants and experience a different culture. Your spouse will have plenty of stories to tell when he or she returns home, so you should have some of your own to share.
Any family that has experienced deployment knows that it is not easy. It is especially difficult for spouses who may have to cope with feelings of loneliness and worry. By finding activities you enjoy and joining groups of people who understand what you are going through, you can alleviate the negatives surrounding deployment.
Deployment is a difficult time for military families. Exchanging letters, email and video calls can help combat the feelings that accompany separation, but many soldiers still long for the familiar luxuries from home. One thing military families can do for their heroes is send care packages. There is nothing like being halfway across the world from everything and everyone familiar and receiving a big box of your favorite items from home. AFBA has complied a list of items to include in your next care package.
Personal care items
The military provides soldiers with personal hygiene products, but some specialty items are not included. Your servicemember is hard at work most days, so sending a tub of IcyHot or other topical pain reliever can really make his or her day. Things like lip balm and exfoliating body washes are also appreciated. However, package any items that could leak in a Ziploc bag to avoid contaminating the rest of the package. Servicemembers also spend a great deal of time on their feet. Keep your soldier's feet dry and comfortable by sending cushioned camping socks and gel insoles regularly.
Activities for downtown
While your servicemember will have his or her fair share of action, there is still plenty of downtime. Send some items to combat boredom, such as movies and video games. iTunes gift cards and mp3 players are another luxury your servicemember is sure to appreciate. However, there may not always be a way for them to play or watch. Include non-digital items like books, puzzles, board games and decks of cards in your care package.
Reminders of home
Even though your servicemember is busy, he or she will inevitably get homesick at some point during deployment. By including photos of the family, the house and favorite places around town you can give them a piece of home to carry along. Handwritten letters are great care package items. While email may be faster, there is something special about reading the handwriting of loved ones as they wish you well. If you have the opportunity, you could also pack home videos that include messages from friends and family, the baby's first steps or a younger sibling's graduation. USB drives can hold quite a few photos and videos, and they fit well in care packages.
Special foods
The military makes sure that your servicemember will never go hungry, but many soldiers find the food repetitive and bland. A care package is the perfect opportunity to send along some luxury food items. Veteran United Network recommended including a bottle of your servicemember's favorite sauce or condiment from a local restaurant to give the package that extra personal touch. Typical American snacks like beef jerky, potato chips, sunflower seeds and hard candies are always appreciated. Make sure the food is non-perishable and will not be crushed or leak during shipping.
Deployment is rough on both servicemembers and their families, but care packages are a great way to connect. They help families feel like they are there for their servicemembers, even when they cannot be physically present, and it gives the soldiers something to look forward to.
For military personnel and first responders, transfers are always possible. It can be difficult to leave behind the life you have established in one city or area. It can be even harder to say goodbye to friends and stationmates. These individuals have been through similar experiences and you have formed close bonds. However, your career is one where moving may not be an option. Making friends in a new base or station house can be difficult, but it can also make the adjustment easier. AFBA has outlined some tips to assist you in meeting new people after a transfer.
1. Take advantage of technology
There are plenty of websites dedicated to helping people meet for a romantic relationship, and this is equally true for those seeking new platonic relationships. Before you move, join a friend finding website and look for people in the same line of work as you in your new area. Who knows? You may even establish a connection at your new base or station before you make the transfer. There are also apps designed to help people meet new friends. The apps ask you to list your interests and then generate a list of activities where like-minded people will be hanging out. Technology can connect you with people in your new area long before you ever move.
2. Step out of your comfort zone
Sometimes this is easier said than done, but it is an effective way to make new friends. Join an organization that involves your interests to establish connections with people who enjoy the same things you do. You can also find classes, either fitness-oriented or hobby-based, and use them as a way to introduce yourself to a new group of people. The fear of rejection keeps most people from reaching out to those around them, but if you can overcome this feeling, you will find yourself in a position to make plenty of new friends.
3. Get old fashioned
Not many people know their neighbors anymore. When you get to your new base or station house, do not be afraid to make the rounds. Introduce yourself to your new neighbors and stationmates. You may not make friends with all of them, but at least you have established a connection and opened the lines of communication. Most people will probably appreciate your outgoingness and welcome you into your new community. Another great opportunity to make new friends is to host a housewarming cookout on base or invite your new stationmates out to dinner. A meal is an easy way for people to connect.
Relocating is stressful for most people, but it can be especially difficult for military personnel and first responders. You have built friendships around common experiences and interests, and the memories you have made with your current friends on base and stationmates are difficult to replicate. However, establishing successful friendships is an important part of adjusting to a new base or station. By following the advice listed above, you may have an easier time making friends in your new location.
Since 2014, the American College of Financial Services, the nation's largest nonprofit educational institution devoted to financial services, has honored an individual with the Soldier-Citizen Award. This award is meant to decorate an honorable person who served in the military, is successful in the financial services industry and demonstrated selflessness in giving back to his or her community. This year's honoree is four-star Gen. Ralph E. "Ed" Eberhart, formerly with the United States Air Force.
After graduating from the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Gen. Eberhart spent 36 years as a Commander, U.S. Northern Command and Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. During this time, he logged over 5,000 hours of command flight time. In retirement, Gen. Eberhart continued to serve his country by accepting the position of president and chairman of The Armed Forces Benefit Association in 2009.
Gen. Eberhart is also the chairman of 5-Star Bank and 5-Star Life Insurance Company, and he serves on the board of several organizations, such as TERMA, Jacobs Engineering, Rockwell Collins, Triumph Group, VSE and Segs4Vets. Not only does the general give his time to those companies, but he is currently a trustee for the Falcon Foundation and a director on the board of the USAFA Endowment. At one time, Gen. Eberhart served his alma mater as a member of the U.S. Air Force Academy Association of Graduates Board of Directors.
"General Eberhart followed his illustrious military career with a spectacular career in the financial services industry," said Ted Digges, the executive director of The American College Penn Mutual Center for Veterans Affairs and chair of the selection committee. "We are proud to honor such an individual with this award."
The award ceremony will take place on Aug. 20, 2015, at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
When people think of the Army, they don't usually think of their favorite food. However, the military is responsible for creating some of America's tastiest treats. Take a look at which foods are products of the U.S. military.
1. Supermarket bread
Out of necessity, the military created bread that lasts much longer than it used to. Regular bread goes stale and grows mold much faster than supermarket bread. This is because the bread you buy at the store is treated with starch-eating bacterial enzymes. These enzymes keep the bread soft and safe to eat longer.
2. Cheetos
During World War II, the military needed a way to reduce the volume and weight of its food shipments without losing the caloric intake of its soldiers. As a result, they created a full-fat dehydrated cheese product. When the war ended, the manufacturers responsible for the production of this food decided to add it to crunchy corn snacks, and the Cheeto was born.
3. TV dinners
While we mostly enjoy these convenient meals in front of the television or computer screen now, they were originally intended to feed bomber crews during World War II. These crews often had to take long overnight flights to get to their mission point, so the military found a way to freeze the basic parts of a meal such as meat, vegetables and starches in a tray for later heating.
4. Energy bars
For centuries, the military struggled with convenient, portable ways to keep its soldiers fed and alert. Luckily, in 1940, the Hershey corporation invented a melt-resistant chocolate bar for World War II soldiers. The Hershey invention was later freeze-dried and sent to space with the first astronauts, but it still had not reached its full potential. Not until Natick Soldier Systems Center took control in the mid-1960s did the modern energy bar take shape. While most energy bars today are dessert flavored, Natick's initial product was hamburger flavored.
5. The McRib
The military cannot really take credit for inventing the McRib, but the sandwich would not exist without military technology. In 1976, the Natick Soldier Systems Center innovated military rations once more. They needed a way to reduce the amount of money spent on meat, so they restructured cheaper cuts to look like tasty expensive ones. A few years later, fast food powerhouse McDonald's borrowed the process to create the seasonal meal we know today.
Maybe you didn't think of the military as an inventor of food before, but maybe now you do. Many of America's favorite foods are the direct result of military supply and demand.
A big part of returning to civilian life after service is deciding what the next steps are. For many, an important aspect of reintegrating is getting a higher education that will lead to a successful career. Choosing which school to attend should not add stress to your return home, so AFBA has compiled a list of the top eight colleges for veterans.
1. Texas A&M University
Located in College Station, Texas, this agriculture and mechanical college is one of the friendliest toward veterans. The university's website even has a special landing page dedicated to assisting veterans with the application and scholarship process. Of the almost 54,000 students that attend Texas A&M every year, 79 percent graduate.
2. University of South Florida
What better place to attend college than sunny Tampa, Florida? Just like Texas A&M, the University of South Florida offers an Office of Veterans Resources to assist returned servicemembers with their education. With a 63 percent graduation rate and over 180 undergraduate programs to choose from, veterans who attend the University of South Florida will not be disappointed.
3. Ohio State University
If you plan to become a Buckeye, you will be among the 1,800 other returned servicemembers who attend this university. Half of all Ohio State University students graduate, and with a 4-star rated academic support system, it is not hard to see why.
4. Rutgers University
This New Jersey-based university is rated among the top in the country for on-campus veterans services. Nearly 70 percent of Rutgers students graduate with a degree. This university has a reputation for accepting GI-Bill students and providing excellent academic guidance.
5. University of Oklahoma
Aside from its reputation for elite athletics, the University of Oklahoma is also known for having a welcoming attitude toward veterans. The university offers an on-campus Veterans Support Alliance and has a number of academic support centers. The University of Oklahoma also has one of the best student to faculty ratios (18:1) of any public university in the country.
6. Texas Tech University
The Red Raiders are notorious for being a veteran-friendly university. Their video, "Texas Tech: We got your 6," shows just how committed the campus is to creating a welcoming environment for former servicemembers to come and learn. Texas Tech is just behind the University of Oklahoma in student to faculty ratio (20:1), but the opportunities on this campus are numerous.
7. University of Missouri
Mizzou has a unique on-campus program that provides veterans with a hotline number they can call at any time and will be connected to another student-veteran. This creates a tight-knit group of former servicemembers committed to one another's academic success. This university also has a graduation rate of 70 percent.
8. San Diego State University
With an acceptance rate of 34 percent, San Diego State University is an achievable challenge for veterans looking to get a higher education. Over 1,000 veterans proudly attend this university and 66 percent of all the students who enroll graduate. SDSU offers small class sizes and plenty of veteran support.
Obtaining an education is an exciting part of life after service. Hopefully, the list above will help you in deciding on which college best suits your needs.
Children of military servicemembers have a unique childhood. Their mothers or fathers may be absent from important events in their lives because of deployment. There is added pressure on these kids to help out at home and remain strong even if they are missing their parent. Camp Corral was created to give military kids the chance to be young and to let loose. It was founded in 2011 and caters to children between the ages of 8 and 15 whose parent is an active duty servicemember, veteran or fallen hero.
Camp Corral gives participants the chance to bond with kids whose situations are similar to their own and let go of their daily stresses for a week. Together, these kids engage in activities such as ropes challenges, horseback riding and canoeing. The camp also has a Military and Family Life Counselor on site at all times to help campers through any emotional difficulties. On its website, the camp stated that it has served over 6,500 military children in 23 camps across 19 states. Camp Corral is based out of Raleigh, North Carolina, and is free for military children to attend. For more information, visit the camp's website.
Military dogs are trained with the skills to save lives and help prevent disaster. They form a deep, sometimes life-long bond with the military personnel who train them. On July 27, these highly skilled dogs and their owners got to show off their abilities at a 5-day competition at Bellows Air Force Station in Waimanalo, Hawaii. The Working Dog Challenge gives military service animals the chance to compete in events like drug sniffing, explosives detection, hardest-hitting dog, obedience and endurance.
Capt. Troy Cline, one of the officers in command of the event, told KITV News, "This competition is designed to get all military working dogs together so they can learn each other's tactics and techniques, because military working dogs are one of the few pieces of Army equipment that has a mind of its own."
Military dogs go through extensive training, not unlike their handlers. They are taught to leap from helicopters, sniff out contraband cell phones in military prisons, and remain focused on the task at hand when there is a lot of surrounding chaos. Many military lives depend on the skill and reliability of these canine heroes, and the Working Dog Challenge is an excellent display of these elite animals' abilities.
After deployment, most service members are eager to return home to their families and friends. However, for some, it can be a daunting prospect. Some veterans are intimidated by life after service because it is unfamiliar. There are steps newly returned service members can follow to make the transition from combat to civilian life go smoothly.
1. Prepare for change
Civilian life is going to be monumentally different than life in combat. Free time will become more abundant and things will be much less structured than you are used to. You should also realize that your friends and family may not recognize what kind of struggles you are dealing with. Mentally prepare yourself for these changes before you arrive home so you do not get frustrated with your new lifestyle.
2. Establish your comfort zone
Patience is key for any former service member attempting to transition to civilian life. You should figure out what you are comfortable discussing with friends and family and what you would rather keep to yourself. Do not feel obligated to share stories from combat if you do not want to or engage in social situations where you are uncomfortable. Find a group of friends who make you feel at home and set clear boundaries about what you are comfortable discussing with your family. Communication will help you avoid awkward scenarios.
3. Find a hobby
As previously stated, you will likely have amounts of free time you are unaccustomed to. While this may seem like a good thing, it can quickly lead to boredom and anxiety. Experiment with different hobbies until you find something relaxing and enjoyable. Group hobbies are an advantageous way to reach out to others in a safe, unassuming environment. Additionally, choosing an athletic hobby will also help you keep the fitness level you maintained during combat.
4. Surround yourself with support
There are thousands of veterans' support groups and organizations geared toward helping service members transition to civilian life. A simple Internet search will bring up a variety of different ones for you to choose from. Not only that, but your family and friends are most likely eager to help you feel at home again. Do not be ashamed to accept their help and support. To see a list of veterans' support groups, click here.
5. Utilize your resources
The government, the military and many nonprofit organizations offer transitional programs. Many of these can help you with financial planning, career advice and mental health support. Use these resources to make the most of your life after service. They were put in place to assist you, and there is no shame in taking advantage of the help that is offered. Click here to look at the Transition Assistance Program, which was designed to help veterans with financial, career and health issues they may experience during their transition.
Your return to civilian life should not be cause for stress. By adequately preparing yourself and using the help provided, you can make the transition without much difficulty.