Description
Book SynopsisExpert 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.
Table of ContentsForeword 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
