My Life in the Military

Twenty one years old and a huge supporter of the United States Military. I just want to tell everyone why I chose this life and why I choose to keep it in my life.

My step dad was in the National Guard when my mom and him got married so we also married into the military. Growing up we fed the soldiers breakfast on drill weekend. After 9/11 a lot of our soldiers were sent to Iraq, the FRG sent care packages with the money that was raised doing breakfast. With the FRG we did all the fun activities and still did the breakfast every drill weekend for the soldiers that stayed behind. When the rest got back from Iraq, the FRG leaders quit and handed everything over to my mom and I. Since then we have been doing this on our own and have done well. Every once in a while we get some help but the help never sticks around. My mom and I would go to the field with them and feed them lunch so they do not have to eat MREs (meals ready to eat). Wherever they go, we go. We show them that there are people out other than their families that support them.

After my step dad retired, my mom and I still take time out of our weekends to feed them breakfast and/or lunch. Volunteering my time to feed these guys has helped me decide what I want to do with the rest of my life. I always said that I would never choose another group of guys but I want to gain more work. This particular group is more of my family than my actual family. Helping them find resources to keep up on their bills and whatever else they need makes me happy. This life has taught me how to be caring of others especially men and women who serve our country and I will continue to do my part and serve them.

Seeing soldiers smile makes me happy.

You Are NOT Alone

You think you are alone when your significant other is gone, you are not! There are many other men/women around you that are experiencing the same thing. People right there in your area, people who are a few cities away. There are so many others in the same boat as you. You think that everything goes wrong with just your household, nope. There are others that are probably experiencing the same thing as you. Facebook has groups that are just for ones in your boat. Ask the group what they think you should do. Do not be shy to ask something you think is dumb because there is someone else wanting to know the same thing. Get their help because they personally know what you are going through. 

Facebook will probably be the best place to start. There might be a group made just for your soldier's unit, like the group and ask questions. I am sure there are websites that are out there but who does not have the Facebook app on their phone? People get notifications any time of the day and will be more opt to look at Facebook than an actual website.  Do not be scared to ask questions, these pages are here to help you and to give some great advice. 

Contacting

In this day in age it is hard to get a hold of someone. Trying to get in contact with your chain of command could be difficult. It may take you a couple of tries to get in contact with them and you will learn how to get a hold of them quicker.

• Social Media
• Phone Call 
• Text
• Email

Technology has changed our lives so I am sure that one of those above will get you in contact with them.

When my FRG does something that for the unit we like to make use to the social media and email. That way it is out there in two different places. We also try to make sure that we put the information into the newsletter that is sent out by a full-time soldier.
I personally will get a hold of the ones that I know will really take interest on what is going on with the group. Sometimes, I feel that this is a good way get it out there, but we all know how some like to change a cell number and not let anyone know. I have ran into this several times and it does become a hassle when I am doing our Phone Tree quarterly. So, try and keep all that information updated as best you can!

What the FRG Can Do

In my second blog I told you what the FRG is, now I am going to tell you what the group can do.
First off, there are two different kind of volunteers that are in the groups although sometimes there are not. Statutory volunteers are the ones that have to have an appointment letter from the Captain. They are not allowed to go out and ask for donations. The ones that do not have the appointment letter are called Gratuitous volunteers and they are able to go out and ask for donations. 

The main thing the FRG can do is Fundraising:

• Feeding soldiers
• Snacks, drinks
• Selling shirts and other apparel 
• Fun activities 

Activities that I have either found or someone has brought to my attention:

• Quarter mania
• 50/50 pot
• Balloon pop- activity inside
• Casino night
• Shopping- bring vendors in
• Softball tourney
• Calendar
• Bake off 
• Raffle items off
• Silent auctions 
• Dunk tank
• Photo booth- unit functions or balls
• Activities to go with the weather

I have not done every one of these activities but I have been told that they are a great way to bring each other together and to get to know everyone in the unit. These ideas could be good with any other organization as well.
These activities should bring laughter and many memories to look back on!

Yes, the FRG can do more but fundraising in the main thing the group does. They plan all the time for events. There are meetings that they attend and training sessions as well. I would actually have to say the main the the FRG does is making events fun for the soldiers and their families. In order for this to happen, you do many fundraisers.

Why get Involved?

Get involved. Make a difference to troops and their families. 


There are many ways to get involved and reasons to get involved. I asked some of my friends "Why would you want to get involved by volunteering your time to a local military unit?" I got some great responses, mostly saying that it is the right thing to do since they are fighting for our freedom and sometimes they sacrifice their lives. One said that "it is a family away from family. The men and women in these units will always be there for you whether you know it or not."
- On the side note of this, I personally think they are right. I feel the same way about volunteering my time to any unit because they fight for my freedom. As for the men in the unit I volunteer with, I know that they will always be there for me. They are my family and always will be no matter where we go in the future.

USO (United Service Organizations) http://www.uso.org/ . This organization does a lot for the military and they have many ways to help with the volunteering.

Ways that you can volunteer:

• Get with the local military unit and ask if there is anything you can do. 
• Get with the local American Legion or VFW
• Get in contact with the nearest VA Hospital 

You can do anything to help even if it is donating money or your time. 

I know I would appreciate everyone to volunteer their time and I am sure the ones that are being given the service would appreciate it as well. Get out there and show your support by volunteering! 

Resources for You

Having trouble with something and need some help? Check out these websites:

http://www.militaryonesource.mil/ 

Military OneSource- helps with parenting and child care, education, relocation, financial and legal concerns, and everyday issues. 

http://www.operationhomefront.net/

Operation Homefront- gives assistance on auto and home repairs, transportation, provides food assistance, all through financial troubles. 

You can find things that are needed, whether it is food or money and tells you ways that you can get involved. 

http://www.militaryfamily.org/  

National Military Family Association- helps you better understand the benefits you can receive from being in the military and to learn what you can get. 

Family Programs- Most branches have their own websites. For assistance, they help with financial upsets, helps you get in contact with people that can help you. 

*Each one of these websites will give you the information that you are looking for. 

Personal Use:

I have used a couple of these websites for helping some of the soldiers in my unit. Family programs has a lot of resources out there in the community that they find on their own. Being with the National Guard, our Family Assistance Specialist is located within the battalion. Although this may not always happen, there will be someone within driving distance. People in that position or in any position that is specializing in this field will help direct you in the right way. Every once in a while some cannot make ends meet and need a little help, this is where you can either search these websites or go to the commander or FRG to help you find some help. 

For our events that we have at our units functions, I have gotten information from Military OneSource. There are pamphlets that you can get for free on there, for just about anything. One of Military OneSource programs is most popular is Sesame Street for the children. This program helps children deal with deployments. There are many other tools out there from this website starting from just pamphlets on getting by during a deployment to face-to-face counseling. 
Operation Homefront is close to the same thing that Military OneSource is but there is one that I have gotten from the website and that is a program. The program is called Military Child of the Year, people put children in for this award and explain everything that they do for the military. I see this as something that makes the children feel like they are appreciated.

Do some research throughout these websites to find something that will help you when you are in need of some help!

What is the FRG?

What is the FRG? This is a question  that many people ask about, even the soldiers. FRG is an acronym used in the United States Army, which stands for Family Readiness Group. The FRG is a group of people who volunteer their time to a certain unit or battalion. They work under a network of communication with the chain of command, community, and one another.
Family Readiness Group is mainly associated with the United States Army and then the Reserves and National Guard. I am sure that other branches have something similar to the FRG but it could be called something different. There is a program that helps get the FRG together and gets them the information that they need. Family Programs finds resources and gathers up the information to hand out to the FRGs within the state when they have training events.

FRG is:
1. Information conduit
2. Welcoming organization
3. Self-help, referral organization
4. Source of social support and group activities
5. Unit family dedicated to achieving social and military goals

FRG is NOT:
1. Babysitting service
2. Taxi service
3. Financial institution
4. Professional counseling agency
5. Another military organization

FRG is given GOALS either by the unit they are under or from the battalion.
1. Organize events
2. prepare soldiers/families for deployments
       stresses for saying goodbye
       stresses for the reunion
3. Reduce commanders/ other leaders workload
4. Help families become more self-sufficient
5. Provide accurate information
6. Promote community resources

FRG to a family member:
1. Gives moral support during deployments
2. Provides ways to develop great bonds with others
3. Share important information
*Activities bring more positive attitudes among the families and gives them a better understanding of the military life, the unit, and the mission.

FRG to the Soldier:
1. Helps give them a peace of mind.


A little of my own experience:
I have been part of the FRG for a local unit, 772 MAC for the last 7 years or so but before that I was just a kid that had a father in the military that was not able to be deployed. To this day, I remember every meeting that my mom and I went to, just to support the women and children that had a loved one deployed in 2005. Ever since then I have grown to love the volunteering I do for this group of guys. Helping the soldiers and their families makes this even more special for me. I will continue to do the best that I can do to put out the resources that are there for them that I have been given.
The last few years my mom and I have been making breakfast or lunch for our soldiers on drill weekend as a fundraiser. The money that is raised goes to our family picnics or the Christmas dinners. The years that our unit holds the Ball, we do more fundraising so that we are able to purchase more things for the entire Battalion.

Discounts

Always carry your Military ID

We all know that living the military life is not all about money. Saving is a must! My number ONE tip is to ask if they have a military discount when you go shopping. It never hurts to ask. Sometimes you have to do some research to find out what stores give the military discount close to you. Once you do the research you will be proud of yourself and happy that you did not destroy your pocketbook.

Places that give Military Discount on a daily basis

Restaurants
Applebees gives a free meal to Veterans and Active Duty on Veterans Day and every Monday they give a 30% discount on the entire meal.  

Sonic discount varies
Wendy's discount varies
Buffalo Wild Wings gives a 10% discount but you must check with restaurant first
Burger King gives a 10% discount but you must check with restaurant
Chick-Fil-A gives a 10% discount but you must check with restaurant
Dairy Queen gives as high as 50% discount if member shows up in uniform but you must check with restaurant
A&W discounts varies 
Hard Rock Cafe offers a 15% discount year round and sometime will increase to 20%
Arbys discount varies with location, if you go with uniform, could get up to 50% off.
Chipotle discount varies
Golden Corral discount varies
Hooters gives a 10% discount
McDonalds discount varies
Pizza Hut discount varies
Subway gives a 10% discount if not in a military town
Taco Bell discount varies
Papa Murphy's takes $3.00 off each regular priced pizza
Ihop takes 10% off entire meal

Stores
Home Depot gives a 10% discount
Lowes gives a 10% discount
Foot Locker gives a 20% discount with a foot locker veterans advantage card (any foot locker store)
Spencers give a 10% discount
Bass Pro Shop beginning the 15th of every month for a week give a 10% discount
Kohl's gives a 15% discount but must check with store
Nike gives a 10% discount in Nike owned stores
Old Navy gives a 10% discount every Monday
O'Reilly Auto Parts gives a 5 to 10% discount
Payless gives a 10% discount
Sally Beauty Supply gives a free beauty club membership card
Sam's Club gives a $15 gift upon joining or renewing a Sam's Club membership
Macy's gives a 10% discount every first Tuesday, 15% with a card
Hot Topic gives a 10% discount
GNC discount varies
Dick's Sporting Goods discount varies
Cabela's gives a 10% discount
Carlotte Russe gives a 10% discount
Michaels gives a 10% discount every Wednesday
Mary Kay Cosmetics gives 10% off on online orders
Barnes and Nobles gives a 6% discount on regular price items plus free shipping www.bn.com/militarycity
Buckle gives a 10% discount

Entertainment
Sea World gives free admission with valid Military ID
*Most amusement parks offer a Military Discount, you just have to ask. Such as Disneyland, Disneyworld, Worlds of Fun, etc.
* Movie theaters, Bowling alleys, Skating rinks, Arcades, etc. might have a discount, you just have to ask.
www.vettix.com will have tickets for any type of entertainment at a cheaper rate than what the tickets are actually going for.
*Sports teams will usually have a way to get cheaper tickets to the games through a different website, some are just $10 off but others could  be cheaper than that. Then there are military appreciation games that usually give a great discount to all military personnel.
*For those of you that have a love for golf and have always wanted to go to a major golf tournament, PGA Tour and Champions Tour give free admission with a valid Military ID
Amtrak will give a 10% discount to ride on the train

Traveling
*Hotels/Motels offer a discount so make sure you ask them as well (Best Western, Marriott, Hampton Inn, La Quinta, and Choice Hotels)
*When trying to rent a car, make sure you ask them as well (Hertz and Enterprise)
Airlines gives discounts but vary from each airline. They may do their discounts different such as Southwest does a dollar amount off on the final price but American could be different. You just have to ask.
There are programs that can help save when buying a vehicle. Most models of cars have a program that you can receive a discount from including; GM, Chrysler, Harley-Davidson, etc.

Miscellaneous
Apple gives discounts on iPhones, iPads, iPods and Macs.
AT&T gives a 15% discount on mobile phone services
Verizon Wireless gives a 15% discount on monthly plans and 25% off accessories
*Like AT&T and Verizon, there are discounts for Sprint and T-mobile
Geico gives a 15% discount on insurance premiums
www.tutor.com gives free tutoring service for military families
Veterans Advantage gives a membership that is under $5 a month and provides access to thousands of discounts


Places that give Military Discount on Veterans Day
Restaurants
Olive Garden gives a free meal to Veterans and Active Duty as well as family dining will get 10% off their meal.
Red Lobster gives a complimentary appetizer
Red Robin gives a free burger (depends on the year)
Starbucks gives former and active duty and their spouses a free tall brewed coffee

Stores
Bed Bath and Beyond gives 20% off to all Veterans, Active Duty, Guard, Retirees and Spouses
Big Lots gives 10% discount
Build-a-Bear gives 15% off all military themed gifts online and 15% off entire in-store purchases
Dollar General gives 11% discount
JcPenny's gives 20% discount
Toys-R-Us and Babies-R-Us gives 20% off a regular-priced item
Under Armour gives 15% off plus free shipping
Walgreens gives 15% off eligible store items and 20% off Walgreens brand
Amazon offers something (depends on the year)

National Parks: On Veterans Day weekend, veterans have access to over 100 parks that require an entrance fee for free.

**Close to Veterans Day, there are usually ads that restaurants and stores put out there to show that they are supporters for the military and/or to show their appreciation.

SAVING IS BETTER WHEN YOU KNOW YOU HAVE DONE IT SUCCESSFULLY!!