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J. Skovlund, Task & Purpose
Here’s everything you need to know about the Army’s tabs, from permanent ones, like Ranger and Special Forces, to unit tabs like Airborne, Jungle and Arctic.

Gary Anderson, RCDefense
When Ukraine began its incursion into Russian territory in August, I hoped that it signaled a strategic shift to an offensive maneuver warfare vice accepting the…

Your military journey is filled with unique experiences. Journaling turns those moments into a meaningful narrative. Whether you are navigating your first deployment or reflecting on years of service, journaling captures the highs, the lows, and everything in between. This practice is not just about writing; it is a tool for reflection, stress relief, and preserving the memories that shape your military life.
Why Journaling Matters: An Anchor in the Military World
In the fast-paced life of a military spouse, journaling becomes a steadying force.

Summer is officially a memory and the hype of the back-to-school season has faded, leaving many military families facing a financial reality check. The warm months often bring vacations, family outings, and the inevitable back-to-school shopping spree—all of which can strain even the most carefully planned budgets. But fear not! With a few strategic moves, you can rebound financially and set the stage for a more balanced budget in the months ahead.
Rebalance Your Budget
The first step to regaining financial stability is to reassess your budget.

For many military spouses, having a career is a challenge, especially for those of us with children. Moving around basically ensures that you are going to be a new face somewhere every three years or so. You can only start over so many times before you begin to feel like you’re jogging in place. For that reason, many of us have decided to work for ourselves, focusing on jobs that can be done either partially, or completely online. So what’s a good career field that will transfer every time we have to move? Fitness.

In 2023, Blue Star Families unveiled their 2022 Comprehensive Report highlighting the top challenges encountered by military-connected families. Amongst the key findings was the recurring issue of Educational Access and Quality, particularly during a Permanent Change of Station (PCS). The report found that about two-thirds of military families (across all branches) were unaware of a key resource and its benefits in addressing academic concerns for military-connected K-12 students.

Marriage is hard. Marriage as a military couple is even harder. No sugar coating here. A relationship with a military member is a lot of tough days no matter how deeply in love you are. 
Relationships deserve constant work, day in and day out. 
Constantly making sure your partner’s and your own cups are being filled is even tougher when PCSing, deployments, TDY’s and more come around and wreak havoc throughout relationships. 
Our relationships face many unique challenges; this is why it is important to find the right resources to help us through the impact the military has on them.

This story mentions domestic violence. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), visiting www.thehotline.org, or texting LOVEIS to 22522. 
Breanna Smith Powderly remembers the exact moment she knew she needed to end the engagement to her Air Force fiancé for fear of her life.
“It had been weeks of his abuse escalating and turning more and more physical,” Smith Powderly told We Are The Mighty, adding that he used tactics like alienation from friends and family as a means of control.

Planning a PCS road trip with a toddler presents quite a few challenges, but with the right approach, it can be manageable. Avoiding toddler meltdowns on a PCS road trip is a parent’s primary focus. PCS time comes with its own challenges and making that trek with toddlers adds an extra element of adventure. 
Key points for making the travel successful include packing smart, planning frequent stops to let your toddler stretch and play, and organizing snacks and activities to keep them entertained.

Being a military spouse is tough. Between the constant moves, long separations, and the pressure to keep it all together, your mental health can take a hit. But here’s the thing—you don’t have to do it alone. There are plenty of mental health resources out there just for military spouses. They are designed to help you stay strong, even when life feels overwhelming.
Here are 7 tips for improving your mental health:
Get Counseling with Military OneSource
Military OneSource is one of the best resources you can use. It’s completely free, confidential, and available to military spouses.