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Articles
Explore in-depth guides and insights on education, financial planning, and wellness for military families. Our articles provide practical tips and trusted advice to help you support your service member every step of the way.
The First 12 Months
When attending the graduation, check any regulations about what can be brought onto the base and into the ceremony area. Personal items should comply with the military’s guidelines and respect the occasion's formal nature.
When attending your child's graduation from Boot Camp, it’s helpful to know about the available amenities and activities on the base. Here are several resources to find this information.
Following this shopping list and the preparation suggestions below will ensure a smooth and enjoyable graduation experience for both the parent and the enlistee, celebrating their achievement with thoughtfulness and care.
Read about suggestions that will help you reflect on how holidays and special occasions might differ now, and how you can establish new traditions to make these moments meaningful.
Education Planning
The career selection process of the U.S. military is one of the most defining moments of any new service member’s military career. Since the career path a young service member chooses essentially determines their responsibilities and future opportunities, choosing the right career path is a necessity.
In this article, we will share with you everything you need to know about career advancement opportunities in the military and how to help your son or daughter make informed decisions that set them up for long-term success.
Military training is the foundation of a successful career in the armed forces. Any member of the military looking to succeed in their chosen field needs to take full advantage of the training opportunities available to them. But military training is grueling and your service member would need all the support they can get to pull through.
You may wonder how your son or daughter can pursue their education while fulfilling their military duties. The good news is that the military offers several educational benefits designed to help service members achieve their academic goals without putting their careers on hold. In this article, we will share a few tips for helping your service member navigate their educational journey while serving.
Financial Literacy
Military pay isn’t like your typical paycheck from a civilian job. This often comes as a shock to many new service members who expect a payment system much like what they had been used to in their civilian jobs. Military pay typically comes in different parts, the most important being base pay.
When your new service member gets their first paycheck in the military, it’s a big moment for them. In most cases where the service member in question is still a young adult, this may be their first real paycheck and their first step toward financial independence. In a case like this, they’d need some financial guidance.
Budgeting is an essential skill for anyone looking to secure their financial future. As a parent, you are responsible for imparting these essential skills to your new service member. But since military life is significantly different from civilian life, your new service member will need more than just regular civilian budgeting tips.
Taking advantage of allowances is an important step to avoiding financial pitfalls for service members. The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is one of the most essential of these allowances, one your new service member must not miss out on. In this article, we will help break down exactly what it is and how your service member can make the most of it.
Wellness Support
Making the shift from civilian life to the structured discipline of military life can be quite the transition for a young high-schooler or recent graduate. It is not uncommon for individuals undergoing such a transition to feel some levels of anxiety. Helping to alleviate this anxiety is crucial in ensuring your new service member successfully adapts to their new environment.
It’s no secret that getting the news that your son/daughter will enlist—or worse, has already enlisted—often comes with a heavy mix of emotions. Sure, there’s the pride, but there is also fear, confusion, and even grief running wild in your heart. As your aspiring service member prepares for or begins basic training, it’s not uncommon for these still-competing emotions to turn into an emotional rollercoaster.
Your son/daughter tells you they are joining the military — and it’s an exhilarating moment, but as a parent or caregiver, there is a rush of uncertainty. Basic training is the first major change in their lives as a service member. For parents, this is both a difficult and an emotional time. This guide is meant to provide you with encouragement, tips, and support as you embark on this new chapter.
Military life is full of “firsts.” First time away from home. First time living under a strict schedule. First time being truly out of your comfort zone. For many new recruits, especially those fresh out of high school or with strong family ties, homesickness hits hard, and it hits fast.