My Life As A Military Spouse: June 2010

2010/06/29

Children on the Homefront: The Experience of Children from Military Families

A deployment through a child's eye - article and video included.

2010/06/28

Military Moves

New Systems Make Military Moves More Efficient

With the busiest season for permanent-change-of-station moves under way, officials at U.S. Transportation Command are encouraging servicemembers to take advantage of new systems designed to make the process more convenient and efficient.

Transcom launched the new Personally Procured Move, or PPM, system to improve the moving experience for servicemembers who personally move their household goods on military orders, said Dolly Davidson, a change management outreach specialist at Transcom. PPM replaced the old “Do It Yourself,” or DITY, move system.

As with the legacy system, servicemembers using PPM can receive up to 95 percent of what it would cost the government to move their goods using a commercial carrier. They can hire a commercial mover if they choose, move some or all of their goods themselves, and pocket any savings they receive.

PPM is one of the improvements provided through another system Transcom introduced last year to process and manage household moves, the Defense Personal Property System.

DPS is a web-based management system for moving the household goods of military members and Defense Department civilians, Davidson explained. It automates many steps involved in military moves: pre-move counseling, scheduling, tracking, invoicing and claims-filing for household goods shipments.

This eliminates the need for servicemembers to schedule appointments at their base to arrange their household goods moves face-to-face, she said, allowing them to make arrangements anywhere, any time.

“In DPS, you can go in 24/7, you can counsel yourself, you can put in your shipment and move arrangements, and everything else is done automatically,” she said. “You can do it from your laptop, from your work station, even your living room couch. And you can also track your shipments online, too.”

In addition to convenience, DPS has shown initial cost savings to the government. That’s a big factor for the military, which spends about $2 billion a year for more than 550,000 household moves, Transcom reported.

With all these factors in DPS’ favor, Transcom officials are encouraged by the dramatic increase in its use since the Personally Procured Move rollout.

“The services and the servicemembers have definitely embraced it,” Davidson said. “[Usage] went up to about 50 percent right from the get-go.”

Now, with the legacy system expected to remain operational until December along with DPS,Transcom is particularly interested in ensuring servicemembers are comfortable using the new system.

“We really want them to understand the advantages, and why it’s best for them,” Davidson said
Transcom officials encourage servicemembers to register their household-move experiences through a new online customer satisfaction survey found here at Move.mil. The results will be pivotal in helping the command select the best-performing companies for future military moves, officials said.

Related Sites:
U.S. Transportation Command
Defense Department Household Goods Portal

Budget Friendly...

There will be no 'budget' postings for the next couple of weeks.

2010/06/24

On GEN McChrystal

My husband might feel differently, we haven't been able to discuss the situation yet - but as for me.......

I agree with Mr. Sowell. But I also get this point as well.

I have the utmost respect for GEN Petraeus and I am sure he will continue to do a wonderful job. However, I respected GEN McChrystal for his no nonsense attitude and take no BS way of going about things. No, I did not work for him or under him, I will leave that to my husband to discuss with me later. But, from the standpoint of a military wife looking in, I like his ways.

In this day and time when Officers from 2LT up (hell, even Cadets) feel that it is always who they know, where those people are and who those people have pull with - I have nothing but respect for any good Officer that ditches the political bs and stands firm and fast in their beliefs and ability to do what is good and right for their Country, Soldiers and the military as a whole.

Everyone knows that not working the politics of the military will have you retiring before you had hoped, but it was and is good for our military to have no nonsense, non political Officers and NCOs within the ranks. The civilian side just doesn't want too many of them and surely doesn't want them to have a public voice.

That is my simplistic .02!

Updates - RS article is here. For some milspouse perspective read this. As if we didn't see this coming.

More - Sources: Rolling Stone quotes made by jr. staff

2010/06/20

Budget Friendly Monday (on Sunday this week)

MyCAA Future Still Uncertain

7 Money Mistakes We Make Every Day

How to Cut College Costs by $5,000

What It Takes to Get a Mortgage

When to Go Generic - and When to Pay More

10 Unusual Ways to Save Money Now

20 Things You Should Never Buy Used

How to Get a Job After a Year (or More) Out of Work

9 Credit Score Myths, Debunked

4 Ways to get College Textbooks for Free

How to Get Back $2,500 in Tuition Money

12 Questions to Ask Before Investing in a Prepaid College Savings Plan

40 fantastic uses for baking soda

When It's OK to Carry Debt

How to Overcome Refinancing Hurdles

5 Ways to Minimize Your Credit Card Pain

Why Car Deals Won't Last

See the world, save a bundle: Eight ways to travel Europe cheap

New packaging for lightbulbs on the way

How to say no to student loans, yes to college and saving money

High-end items worth buying before the recession ends

Protect your home from break-ins while you're on vacation

ZashPay enables person to person payments from your bank account

Best Buy suddenly remembers women shop for electronics

New food magazine - Dash - is cooking for your food dollar

Fannie Mae's Tips for Home Buyers

American Airlines finds another fee - for early boarding

Paramount extends quick-release deal with Redbox; others hold out

WeReward pays for chronicling what we buy

10 ways to negotiate lower rent

Replace your home landline with Google Voice and Skype

Six Flags, Walmart to offer $99 Walmart Family Days

10 products you're wasting your money on

Why critics are wrong about credit monitoring services

Kayak Explore shows how far your travel budget will take you

Starbucks to offer free WiFi starting July 1

The Hidden Costs of Free Wi-Fi

Don't let an ATM scam ruin your summer vacation

9 cash-saving strategies that pay big bucks

When You Die, Is Your Bank Account in Limbo?

The Price of Saving Fuel

529 Plan Strategies for Beginners

Save at Pools, Beaches and Water Parks

Paying down credit cards

4 ways to get cheaper dental care

Labels: budget friendly

2010/06/18

Rules Run Amok

This week finds me frustrated and in awe of many school related issues. Common sense has truly left the building.

This is another one...

To end - Boy who made toy soldier hat awarded medal

Rhode Island School to Change Policy That Banned Soldier Hat

2010/06/16

I am disgusted!!!!!!!

From one teacher to another - you were WAY out of line to do such a thing - the venue was WRONG.

Thankfully neither of you will ever be a teacher to MY children. 'Teaching moment' my arse lady. You have no idea what a teaching moment is because you decided to do so within that particular venue. Classroom dialog without forcing your opinion upon students is one thing, protesting in the given venue - you were wrong. Period.

Another video can been seen here.

Thank you to the students that are willing to serve our country. Our military family salutes each of you.

2010/06/13

Story of my life these days....

I am on the road again. See you on the other side.

2010/06/08

New Educational Resource

Students at the Center

DoDEA’s Educational Partnership proudly presents "Students at the Center" a resource for everyone involved in the education of the children of our military service members.

Families, Military Leaders and Education Leaders can all find information to help address the unique needs of students who have parents serving in our nation’s military forces. The online version of Students at the Center is available here: Students at the Center.

This resource will also be available in print and on CD through MilitaryOneSource at www.militaryonesource.com in May.

2010/06/07

Budget Friendly Monday

10 everyday ways to be frugal (that you don't already know)

PageOnce Bills offers free bill reminders on the iPhone

How to cut your cable bill down to size

Save thousands by doing it yourself with the new book 'Be Thrifty'

Understanding New Cellphone Data Plans

The Most Effective Bug Sprays

Medical ID theft a threat to privacy, health and finances

New loyalty rewards programs are both a blessing and curse to shoppers

Helping Kids Fend for Themselves

Borrowers: Beware the Second Credit Report

Secrets of Summer Travel Bargains

How Paid-Off Student Loans Can Haunt You

Even Barely-Late Payments Can Impact Your Credit Score

5 Ways to Cut the Fat From Your Grocery Bill

Restaurant.com 70% off great restaurant meals

Free movies for kids this summer (G and PG rated)

Free sample of dog treats from Walmart

Debit or Credit: Which Card to Use?

Most Complained-About Airlines

8 Great Cars and SUVs for Under $25K

Big companies that are hiring now

8 Ways You're Overspending Without Realizing It

With CarMD, You Can Heal Your Wheels

Should You Buy or Rent?

7 nasty credit myths that won't die

Scams peddle fake health coverage

Where are summer gas prices headed?

From Play To Pay: Financial Games For Kids

You Can Skip A Generation, But Not The Tax Man

Banks may be gaming your credit card payment

Career: Googling Yourself? Not Liking What Comes Up?

Chrysler Recalls 35k Dodge Calibers over Pedals

Best New Bags to Beat Airline Luggage Fees

Improve Your Credit

Online Booking Made Easy

How to Cut Your Home Energy Costs This Summer

WATCH: Cutting Back On Fuel Expenses

Airlines Add Internet: Our Guide to Airplane Wi-Fi

Labels: budget friendly

I am.....A thirty-something active duty army wife. A mother and teacher. A southern born girl. I love sports! An independent conservative - sometimes I talk (or bash on) politics. You are not required to like my opinions or politics. I am a strong woman. I am not a feminist. Be sure to check out the sidebar for the most updated information.