A Family's Guide to the Military For Dummies

Expert advice on all aspects of military life

A Family's Guide to the Military For Dummies is for the millions of military dependents, family members, and friends who are looking for straightforward guidance to take advantage of the benefits and overcome the challenges unique to life in the military. This comprehensive guide covers such key topics as introducing military life to readers new to the armed forces, financial planning, relocation, deployment, raising kids alone while a partner is away, and taking advantage of the available benefits. It offers tips and advice for dealing with emotions that surround events like deployments, deciphering the acronyms used in daily military life, forming support groups, keeping track of a loved one's whereabouts, and surviving on a military base in a foreign country.

Foreword xxi

Introduction 1

Part I: Reporting for Duty 7

Chapter 1: Living Life As a Military Family 9

Chapter 2: Figuring Out Customs and Courtesies 19

Chapter 3: Getting Around Military Bases 31

Chapter 4: Connecting with the Military Community 49

Part II: Understanding Your Financial Issues and Benefits 59

Chapter 5: Deciphering Military Compensation 61

Chapter 6: Taking Care of Yourself: Health and Dental Insurance 73

Chapter 7: Maximizing Military Benefits 87

Chapter 8: Starting Out on the Right Financial Foot 97

Chapter 9: Building onto Your Financial Foundation 113

Chapter 10: Housing Options for the Military Family 131

Chapter 11: Finding Employment and Educational Opportunities 149

Part III: Supporting the Military Family 165

Chapter 12: Raising a Family in the Military 167

Chapter 13: Maintaining Strong Military Couples 179

Chapter 14: Tapping into Community Support 191

Chapter 15: Dealing with the Disability or Death of a Family Member 205

Part IV: Mastering Deployments 217

Chapter 16: Prepping for Deployments 219

Chapter 17: Accessing Traditional Family Support 239

Chapter 18: Helping Children Cope with the Absence of a Parent 247

Chapter 19: Keeping Connected with Your Loved One 263

Part V: Transitioning Out of the Military 271

Chapter 20: Separating from Service 273

Chapter 21: Retiring from Service 283

Chapter 22: Exploring Subsequent Careers 293

Part VI: The Part of Tens 305

Chapter 23: Ten Best Benefits for Military Spouses 307

Chapter 24: Ten Biggest Financial Military Benefits 311

Chapter 25: Ten Worst Scams Against Servicemembers 317

Appendix: Military Acronyms 321

Index 341

Sheryl Garrett is a financial advisor, author, and speaker. She founded the Garrett Planning Network and is the author of Personal Finance Workbook For Dummies.

Sue Hoppin is the Deputy Director for Spouse Outreach at the Military Officers Association of America. In 2007, Military Spouse magazine placed Sue on their 2007 Who's Who of Military Spouses list.

Your personal how-tohandbook for living yourbest life as a military family

Looking for a clear, concise guide to military life? Whether you're new to the armed forces or planning your latest relocation, this plain-English handbook has expert tips for overcoming the challenges and taking advantage of the benefits unique to life in the military. From living on a base to financial planning to deployment, you'll see how to find all the support your family needs.

• Grasp the boot camp basics — understand rank and military hierarchy, find your way around a base, and connect with others in the community

• Take charge of your finances — decipher military compensation, handle your taxes, build credit, and invest for your family's future

• Understand your military benefits — obtain health and dental insurance, utilize the family support centers, explore retirement benefits, and more

• Raise a happy family — from housing and childcare to education and recreation, take advantage of all the military offers

• Handle deployments — prepare for deployment, help children cope, stay connected with your loved one, and manage stress and anxiety

• Transition out of the military — assess the financial benefits, retire from service, and plan for your next career

Open the book and find:

• An overview of military versus civilian lifestyle

• Your place in the military structure

• Educational and employment opportunities

• Family support centers, groups, and associations

• The best benefits for military spouses

• How to avoid scams against service members

• A family's guide to military acronyms

• Programs outside the military you can turn to for support