If you are active duty military and receive permanent change of station orders to an overseas base, the Overseas Cost of Living Allowance, or OCOLA, is one of the first things you’ll learn about about pay and benefits for overseas troops. But the amount of those OCOLA benefits is shrinking. The DoD, by law, plans… Read more »
The Department of Defense has settled two lawsuits challenging the DoD COVID-19 vaccine mandate. The settlement happened in a federal court in Florida and, according to some sources, spells the “end” of the military’s COVID vaccination mandate. However, the technical end of the DoD COVID-19 mandate actually happened thanks to a 2021 DoD memorandum, which… Read more »
In 2022, the Air Force issued a press release announcing a “THC retest pilot program,” which allows applicants a second chance if they test positive for marijuana use as part of their inprocessing through a Military Entrance Processing Station or MEPS. When the program was first implemented, the Air Force wasn’t facing a recruiting shortage… Read more »
Do military members continue to get paid during a government shutdown? The short answer is no, they do not. But that situation changes if Congress passes a funding resolution for military operations to keep money flowing to the Department of Defense even during a shutdown. It’s happened before and is likely (according to some) to… Read more »
On September 19, 2023, Stars and Stripes reported on a Pentagon statement about a potential government shutdown if the House and Senate cannot reach a deal to approve more money for the federal government by the September 30 deadline when the current fiscal year’s federal funding runs out. “The U.S. military will keep active-duty troops… Read more »
Military communities have seen increased scam attempts related to identity theft and compromised digital payments. There were more than 60 thousand digital payment scams and other complaints from military members and veterans in 2022, a whopping 55% increase over 2021, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). A 2023 report issued by the CFPB… Read more »
It’s an annual tradition; Military Spouse Appreciation Month in May is when the Department of Defense works to raise awareness of military spouses’ sacrifices. The agency also offers military spouses support to help them achieve personal goals and further their careers. Each military branch observes Military Spouse Appreciation Day. Observances range from unit-level and base-level… Read more »
Beginning on May 15, 2023, the Department of Defense imposes limitations on transporting devices containing lithium batteries in household goods shipments. Some lithium batteries are acceptable for household goods moves, and some are not, as we’ll examine below. DoD Policy for Transporting Lithium Batteries in Household Goods Shipments Are lithium batteries dangerous? The Department of… Read more »
These Programs Can Help Your Military Child Get Ahead When It Comes to Their Education As parents raising military children, we are always looking for ways to help them learn and give them new experiences, no matter where we live in the world. From tech programs to programs that offer college credits, here is a… Read more »
Moving overseas as a military spouse can be challenging, but these tips can help you navigate the process and make the transition smoother. Read more.