Military Families

Families stationed in Germany get creative during lockdown

Navy veteran and spouse Courtney Suesse and her family live in Stuttgart. Air Force spouse Jennifer Borkey has left base once this year — to travel to a nearby post…

Blue Star Families and USAA collaborate to celebrate military children

April is designated the “Month of the Military Child,” established in 1986 by then Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger. Blue Star Families and USAA are bringing awareness to the military’s children…

5 things that surprised me when my husband retired from the military

Paul McCartney wants kids to live on a ‘Green Submarine’

‘Yellow Submarines’ are so 1966. All aboard Paul McCartney’s Green Submarine! McCartney, who used to play an instrument or two and sing in a fairly popular band called the Beatles, authored…

10 Best Deployment Homecoming Signs

One of the best parts about a deployment homecoming is making a homecoming signs to go with it! Some folks will get really creative and elaborate while others will be…

Victoria Kelly beautifully captures military spouse life in poetry book

Op-ed: The true cost of being a military spouse

10 strange stats about military spouses

Military spouses may not be members of the Armed Forces themselves, but they are part of the military community in an impactful way. Covering all branches — and all corners…

How COVID-19 has made military spouse employment easier

Getting a job isn’t the easiest thing in the world. Getting a job as a military spouse is a whole ‘nother ball game. You can have every imaginable qualification and…

Universal Orlando offers first-ever Military Freedom Pass

Universal Studios Orlando announced it is offering the first-ever Military Freedom Pass, a seasonal pass option for military families, to use in its parks. The Military Freedom Pass can be used…

What are military brats like when they grow up?

The term “military brats” is familiar, unifying and isolating all at once. Military brats have a subculture all their own. Although they didn’t choose their upbringing, they’re often proud of…

Nine tips for new parents are actually lessons I learned in basic training

After my daughter was born, I didn’t sleep much. I thought to myself, when was the last time I had this little sleep? Basic training, of course. As I thought…

Dad’s military service a key to son’s NBA success

For a birthday present for his son years ago, Charles Smith bought a basketball arcade-style game where the hoop moves forward and backward, increasing the degree of difficulty. Every game…

Why military spouses everywhere identify with Meghan Markle

When I heard the news of Prince Harry and Meghan sitting down with Oprah in a transparent interview, I was thrilled. It was my thought this would be their opportunity…

Widow goes extra mile to carry on husband’s legacy

Maj. Philip D. Ambard was killed in 2011 in Kabul, Afghanistan. A decade after the death of her husband, a Gold Star wife continues to go the distance to carry…

20 important facts about military brats (backed up by research)

In the world of the United States military, April is the “Month of the Military Child.” Military children (aka “Brats”) are a distinct sociological subculture and have been recognized as such for many decades. Children in military families obvio…

The 10 best things about being the daughter of a Marine

If you’re like me, your answer to the inevitable question, “So, where are you from?”  has to be answered in list form. Of course, the next question is always, “Oh, so you’re an Army brat?” To which I answer, “Marine brat, actually…

Love and duty: Army Sergeants Major marry – virtually – after meeting at Academy

This April, sitting in front of their respective work emails, Joe and Jenn McAuliffe were pronounced man and wife. In separate states, distant Army bases and during work hours, their…

Therapeutic retreats address mental health of the entire military family

As many activities were being put on pandemic pause last year, the leaders of one organization were adding opportunities to come together — the safe way — for the benefit…

30 travel deals for military families

As the world opens back up, use these military discounts to get out there. Keep a little extra money in your wallet, and remember that it never hurts to ask…

6 movie scenes that show what military families go through

Military movies traditionally focus the lens on the troops fighting overseas while skipping the story of the families at home. Here are 6 movie scenes that remind viewers how hard the lives of military spouses and children can be: …

Family bonds through generations of military service

As the mother of an Army National Guard soldier and the daughter of a former Army captain, Nancy Craker-Yahman sees the resemblance between her son and father.  “Over the years,…

Can single parents join the military?

I’ve always had a great deal of respect for men and women of service. They put their lives on the line to protect the lives of others, and that in…

Meet the Air Force’s top couple

The Browns are self-proclaimed foodies who explore the DMV restaurant scene and steal time for walks together. It is during these no-tech-allowed strolls when the Air Force’s top couple catch…

‘The Fighting McCooks’ were the Civil War’s largest military family

Few states were as pivotal to the Union victory in the Civil War as the state of Ohio. Ohio lent 320,000 soldiers to the cause, among them Generals Ulysses S….