ISBN 978-1-57023-304-3 (13-digit); 1-57023-304-7 (10-digit)

By Trudy S. Woodring and Ronald L. Krannich, Ph.D.

Military spouses, America's unsung heroes, take on many important responsibilities related to themselves, their families, and their service community.

From relocating, volunteering, and handling family finances to raising children, using base services, and managing deployment, spouses often face a daunting task of knowing what to do and where to go for assistance. Indeed, they often find themselves in a maze, uncertain how to best deal with the many challenges facing a mobile spouse married to the military.

Jam-packed with checklists, tips, examples, and exercises, this handy pocket guide includes a wealth of useful information and tips on navigating the military maze. It covers such important subjects as:

• sponsors
  
• base services
  
• temporary housing
  
• identification and documents
  
• TRICARE
  
• Pay and benefits
  
• Personal finances
  
• Child care
  
• Education and schools
  
• Health and dental care
  
• PTSD and mental health
  
• Deployment
  
• Legal affairs
  
• Injuries and illnesses
  
• Jobs and careers
  
• Etiquette and protocols
  
• Travel and vacations
  
• Relocation
  
• Moving overseas
  
• Retirement
  
• Military-to-civilian transition

This handy 3 7/8" x 4 7/8" resource is designed as a personal reference and action companion that easily fits into a pocket or handbag. It should help spouses better navigate the many requirements, services, and benefits that are central to surviving and thriving in today's military. 64 pages. Softcover. June 2009.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Getting Re-Started 1
Your Essential Moving Checklist 1
Do First Things First Upon Arrival 3
Welcome to Your New Base - Now What? 5
Checklist of Base Services 7
Getting Involved With Others 8

Taking Care of Your Kids 9
Benefits for Children, Spouses, Parents 9
Child Care Service Essentials 10
Assess Child Care Providers 13
Once Your Child Starts Daycare 15
Other Child Care Options 16

Managing Family Finances 17
The Military Money Maze 17
Quick and Easy Income Calculator 20
Dealing With Insurance 21
Taxes and Tax-Saving Strategies 22

Understanding Your Medical Benefits 24
The Medical Maze of TRICARE 24
Additional TRICARE Plans and Services 27

Dealing With Deployment 29
Preparing for Deployment 29
Communicating During Deployment 33
Post-Deployment and Reintegration 36
Treatment for Injuries and Illness 38
Facing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder 39

Voting, Protocols, and Education 40
Exercising Your Voting Rights 40
Military Etiquette and Protocols 41
Education Benefits and Opportunities 44

Traveling and Moving Abroad 47
Travel Deals for Military Families 47
Moving Overseas 51

Transitioning to Work and Retirement 56
Retirement Planning 56
Military-to-Civilian Transition 57

Order Form/Resources 58

THE AUTHORS: Trudy S. Woodring is an U.S. Air Force military spouse who has experienced the many challenges of being married to the military both at home and abroad. Ron Krannich is one of America's leading career and travel writers who has authored more than 80 books, including The Military Spouse's Employment Pocket Guide, Military-to-Civilian Resumes and Letters, Military Transition to Civilian Success, and the annual 250,000+ copy Military-to-Civlian Transition Guide.

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