Relocation

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Tips for PCS

Prime PCS season may be a few months away for most military families, but you never know when Uncle Sam will send your loved one home with travel orders in hand (just ask me how I know). It’s never too early to start thinking about organizing your next PCS. And...
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3 Things You Should Know About the Military Spouse Residency Relief Act

The Military Spouse Residency Relief Act of 2009 (MSRRA) is now law. Unlike some laws (gravity, for instance), MSRRA is not necessarily very easy to understand. Hopefully most states have already gone through their “growing pains” in adapting to and adopting the MSRRA, but that does not mean there aren’t...
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Never Leave a Pet Behind, Either!

At our new station, I met a lady with two gorgeous and sweet-tempered German shepherds. Both were assistance dogs, and when she told me about their background, she mentioned that both had been abandoned and rescued. “Who would ever abandon such beautiful, affectionate dogs?” I asked. She told me that...
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Moving Tips: How to Make Constant Military Moves Simpler

Every 2, 3, 4 years or so – most military families move. This means that we spend a lot of time packing and unpacking and making things that fit in one home or apartment fit into the next. This can be a real challenge as time goes on. Sam and...
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Moving and the Military: Keeping Family Close

Moves are simply a part of military life. For some, they happen every 3-4 years. For others, it’s a bit further apart. But the majority of people who make the military a career move several times throughout their enlistment, both domestically and overseas. Growing up, we moved around a lot....
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Putting the Right Spin on Employers’ Assumptions about Military Spouses

Military spouses face some serious challenges in the job market, especially compared to our civilian counterparts. A 2007 study by the RAND Institute found that military spouses consistently had higher unemployment rates, lower wages, and slimmer prospects for advancement than civilian spouses with the same education, experience, and demographic profile....
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Advance Pay: The Payday Loan That Isn’t

Your PCS orders have finally arrived! Look out! Here comes your “friend” to give you the inside track on how to make a little money at the government’s expense. “Advance pay, man! It’s an interest-free loan from Uncle Sam! Invest it, dude, or get that computer you’ve been looking for. ...
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Relocation, New Friends, and Long Distance Friendships

A host of recent studies have examined the effect of frequent relocation on children and adolescents. Military families relocate significantly more often than civilian families, and service members’ kids are not the only ones affected. Leaving close friends and established support networks, and bidding farewell to friends as they leave for...
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A Guide to Understanding Deployment

Being a parent can be a difficult task in itself, but being an active duty military parent can not only be complicated, but also strenuous on a family unit. The United States Armed Forces have taken precautionary measures to insure the safety and well-being of all military dependents. Why The...
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Preparing for an Overseas Move

Receiving orders to relocate overseas can be exciting and intimidating all at the same time. For some, the prospect of moving to a foreign country can be scary-how will I communicate? Will I see be able to visit family? Will I be able to acclimate to a new culture? However,...
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