Military teens face many obstacles that include making friends, moving often, and enduring parental deployments. But perhaps the biggest challenge is the consequences of these obstacles and trying to maintain your mental health. There is a big community and support for military spouses and young military children, but there is a gap in the support when it comes to the military teen. Bloom saw this gap and set out on a mission of empowering the military teen.

Bloom has teamed up with the National Military Family Association (NMFA) to make sure military teens know that they’re not the only ones having these problems. As a part of this partnership, these organizations saw how ill-prepared people were who actually deal with military teens. So they created a field guide to explain how best to support military teens because intentional educated support is what they need.

The NMFA, the leading nonprofit in the United States dedicated to serving families who stand behind the uniform, and Bloom: Empowering the Military Teen, an organization run by and for military teens have teamed up to shine a light on the military teen experience and provide critical insight into some of the challenges and resources needed to ensure the force of the future feels the support they need to succeed.

Besa Pinchotti, Executive Director of NMFA, is an award-winning journalist and marketer whose passion for our military began during her time as a reporter and television news anchor. From Jacksonville, North Carolina to Kosovo, her assignments opened her eyes to the post-9/11 military experience, and its cycles of deployment, redeployment, and constant transition. During Besa’s time covering Camp Lejeune, she met a guy named Dave, whom she decided to marry despite warnings to “never marry a Marine.” Now 15+ years later, they live on Capitol Hill with their 3 kids.

Catherine Mader is a senior at Howell High School, stationed at Detroit Arsenal. In true Army brat style, she’s lived at Fort Riley, Fort Gordon, Fort Huachuca, Peterson AFB, Camp Arifjan, NCI the Hague, S.H.A.P.E., and Camp Humphreys. Catherine is Bloom’s Director of Human Resources and Administration, and Editor.

Listeners, if you would like to check out more about National Military Family Association, check out their website here, or connect with them on social media via Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. If you would like to learn more about Bloom, check out their website here, or connect with them on social media via Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Empowerment Patrol Report with Amanda B.

Today we are showcasing our AWN Empowers, Operation Gratitude, which was nominated as an organization for helping military spouses and families.

In March of 2003, Operation Gratitude sent its first four care packages to deployed service members in Iraq. Since its inception, the organization has provided opportunities for thousands of Americans to express their gratitude through hands-on volunteerism, in turn lifting the spirits of those who raise their hands to serve. Volunteers of Operation Gratitude are a generous group of grateful Americans who want to say “Thank You” to all who serve our great nation. Its mission is to Honor the service of our Military and First Responders by creating opportunities to express gratitude.

Thank you so much to Operation Gratitude for doing your part to empower military families around the globe.

Encouragement Minute with Juanda

There will be times in your life,

One of the most empowering aspects of this milspouse life is the opportunity to volunteer (And we know that first hand here at Army Wife Network as we are ALL volunteer powered!). Join Sarah R. for this week’s Milspouse Empowerment Moment as she shares all about the value of volunteering. From filling those pesky “gaps” on a resume and honing skills to contributing to something greater than oneself, the benefits of volunteering go well beyond the paycheck mentality. Join us today as AWN Communications Liaison, Sarah Robichaud shares her personal take on “The Value of Volunteering.”

Thank you to today’s sponsor, First Command Financial Services. With four out of five financial coaches coming from the ranks of military spouses or veterans, they’re uniquely qualified to help you pursue financial security. Visit www.firstcommand.com to learn more and find a financial coach near you.

For tips from Sarah on how to be your own advocate, watch the Facebook video click here – or listen below.

Do you have young kids? Are you not sure of how to talk with them about the challenges of this military life? Don’t worry, because Sesame Street for Military Families is here for you.

There is no such thing as a professional parent or a professional military spouse. Even if you have just read about how to handle a toddler meltdown, it can be easy to forget when you are face to face with a screaming toddler. But Sesame Street for Military Families wants you to know that no matter what you are going through, you are not alone.

Sesame Street for Military Families is a free, bilingual website where families can find information and multimedia resources on the topics of military deployments, multiple deployments, homecomings, injuries, grief, and self-expression. The program is now 15 years old and the goal hasn’t changed: to support our military families with young children ages 2-5 through all the milestones of their life. 

Tara Wright serves as Senior Content Manager in the U.S. Social Impact department at Sesame Workshop, the non-profit educational organization behind the beloved children’s show, Sesame Street. In her work at Sesame, Tara creates content for SesameStreetInCommunities.org and SesameStreetforMilitaryFamilies.org, with the goal to help kids, families, and the providers who serve them grow smarter, stronger, and kinder. Tara is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, a Marine Corps wife, and mama to two young boys.

Listeners, if you would like to check out more about Sesame Street for Military Families, check out their website here, or connect with them on social media via Facebook. If you would like to contact someone from Sesame Street for Military Families, you can email them at [email protected].

News 6 with Jolene

Here is this week’s News 6 mashup of stories for the week of April 11, 2022, straight from AWN News 6 Correspondent, Jolene McNutt:

A Novel Diagnostic Tool in the Works for Helping to Detect Suicidal Ideation

In the past 20 years, 30,000 active duty service members committed suicide. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is hoping to test a novel approach to preventing suicide. The diagnostic tool is referred to as NEAT, or Neural Evidence Aggregation Tool, reported Federal News Network. Tom Temin of Federal News Network interviewed Dr. Greg Witkop to explain what NEAT is and how it may be helpful.

Celebrate Month of the Military Child!

April is Month of the Military Child and it is in full swing. When I think about military children, I immediately think of the 1.6 million military children that range from infants to teens. But what happens when those kids grow up?

Free Online Learning Platform for Military Spouses

Military spouses can access free online courses on learning platform Udemy through June 29, 2022. Courses are on-demand and flexible and will help you enhance your current skills, learn new skills and stay up to date on industry trends.

You can check out more of this week’s top stories here.

Resource Recon with Sarah R. and Amanda K.

This week’s Resource Recon is all about our latest Social Media Scoop. Each month,

April is the month of the military child and that allows us to pay tribute to the resiliency of our military children. This month brings awareness to some things military children deal with mentally and to show our appreciation for what they do. So for this week’s Milspouse Empowerment Moment, Amber will give you some things you can do during this month to celebrate military children. She also shares resources for virtual events for military children.

To hear all of Amber’s resources and ways to celebrate military children, watch the Facebook video by clicking here – or listen below.

Have you ever made plans that you had to change because of the military? Ever had to change careers after a move to a new duty station? That’s exactly what happened to Brunella Costagliola. What she once saw as an obstacle, in fact, turned out to be a trampoline that eventually led her to create MilKid MailKits.

When the pandemic hit and Brunella and her family had just moved, she noticed how lonely her children were. How do you make friends in a new place when you are stuck indoors? Brunella remembered being in a pen pal program when she was younger. That’s when she created Milkid Mailkits to help kids have a sense of belonging.

MilKid MailKits’ unique stationery is expertly crafted by world-renowned creator and longtime Disney theme park designer and illustrator, Valerio Mazzoli. Characterized by the military child symbol par excellence—the dandelion—every illustration captures the adventurous spirit, inspiring diversity, and barrier-breaking horizons of military life. A personalized pen pal list ensures children engage with like-hearted and like-minded peers, offering each other support, exclusive insight into a potential duty station, and countless fun activities that will keep them away from screens and practice the art of handwriting without even noticing! 

Brunella Costagliola is an AFI MSOY alumna, an award-winning author and bestselling editor, and President of The Military Editor® Agency, LLC. Her writing and editing agency caters exclusively to military authors and military-related manuscripts. She is the proud mother of her two children, person to three dogs, and a wife to a now-retired 100% service-related disabled Air Force veteran.

Listeners, if you would like to check out more about MilKid MailKits, check out their website here, or connect with them on social media via Facebook, or Instagram.

Resource Recon with Chrissy & Katelynn

This week’s Resource Recon is brought to you from our ever-empowering, Band of Bloggers! The blog is titled “The Helper” from our Band of Bloggers newest member, Justine Kaneris. She writes:

“Would you like to be my friend?

Is it just me or does meeting new military spouse friends feel like a personal job interview? (This is the same for me, when “dating” new mom friends.) Having been supporting my husband in his active-duty Army service for more than 16 years, I’ve made many amazing friends within each duty station we’ve visited. Often, I wish that each of the important relationships that have shaped my husband and my life thus far could all move to our little cul-de-sac here in Clarksville, Tennessee. That way, we can all live happily ever after, starting right where we left off and never needing to start over, ever again.”

She goes on to discuss how she has adapted to military life, using her personality traits as an advantage, and how she’s looking forward to sharing her experiences to help others that may be struggling to find their purpose in the shadow of the uniform of achievements and honors.

Empowerment Patrol Report with Amanda B.

Today we are showcasing our Everyday Empowerment Recipient, Kayla Parkinson, who was nominated for empowering other milspouses.

Kayla has been with her husband for almost 10 years and married for over 8 years. He has been in the Air Force for all but 6 months of those years. She has worked since she was 17 and has been in Business administration/management for over 8 years, but always felt like she was being called to something more. Kayla says she related so much to women around her at different stages in life, who were struggling with body image, mindset,

For this week’s Milspouse Empowerment Moment, Amanda B. is sharing her tips for how to master milspouse motherhood. After recently becoming a stay-at-home mom to her two kids, Amanda is learning to embrace the chaos. Amanda helps to remind fellow milspouse mothers to not give into mom guilt.

For tips from Amanda B. on how to master milspouse motherhood, watch the Facebook video click here – or listen below.

As a military spouse, it can be easy to feel the label the military gives you – dependent. Military spouses are used to putting their own aspirations on the back burner. But Karri L. Moser believes that as spouses, you should be writing your own milspouse story.

You have to work to cultivate your own place in this military life. Share your dreams with your spouse, kids, and friends. This lifestyle doesn’t last forever and you owe it to yourself to pursue what you want. Never forget that your dreams matter. So figure out what you want out of life and start by doing what you can to make that happen.

Karri’s adventures as a military spouse play a heavy role in her newest book The Road to Abilene. While living the military spouse life had its challenges, Karri feels this lifestyle gave her the motivation, perseverance, and determination to follow her own dreams while supporting her husband’s career as a soldier and raising her two kids. She’s here today to tell us her story and inspire other spouses to pursue their passions.

Karri has been a radio news reporter, a newspaper reporter, and a freelance writer for marketing firms, magazines, and the U.S. Army Medical Recruiting Brigade. She started to focus on her fiction career after finishing her first book while stationed at Fort Knox, KY. She currently has 4 books published and a 5th due to be released by the end of the year. When Karri isn’t writing or studying, she loves to explore the beaches of Maine in the summer, snowshoe in her woods in winter, garden, paint, and bum around the coastal tourist traps that inspire her all while sipping on a hot hazelnut coffee. 

Listeners, if you would like to learn more about the Karri L. Moser, check out her website here or connect with her on social media via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Empowerment Patrol Report with Amanda B.

Today we are showcasing one of our volunteers who is an MRE winner, which by the way, that stands for Motivated and Ready to Empower. A huge congratulations to Army Wife Network Command Team Member, our Podcast Production Assistant, Annie Pearce.

Annie was born and raised outside of Pittsburgh, PA (Go Steelers & Penguins!). Over ten years ago, Annie met her husband Chris in Alexandria, VA, while he was assigned to The Old Guard, before being sent to Fort Bragg, NC. In March 2020, Annie and Chris moved with their 4-month-old son from Hohenfels, Germany, to Fort Drum, NY. They literally flew the day before the travel ban went into effect and got a house during the global pandemic – while NY realtors weren’t allowed to show houses. Then two months later, Chris deployed. With lots of calls to her mom, family, and friends – Annie and Owen survived Chris being deployed. They are now happily all together and exploring the upstate NY area.

Before moving to Germany, Annie owned her own event planning business – Attended. Her passion for events has led her to volunteer for non-profit organizations, including the AMA Triangle and Innovate Raleigh. Annie has served in multiple roles for large events including Event Director for Fail Fest Raleigh, Trade Show Manager for High Five Conference, and has managed multiple events for an economic development organization. Annie holds a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communication from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Marketing Communication from Ithaca College.

So much thanks goes out to Annie for doing your part to empower military families all across the globe.

Encouragement Minute with Juanda

Self care is an essential part of living. How can we assist others, if we do not take care of ourselves first.

We all know that mental health is super important… But sometimes it is hard to make it a top priority. Join Sharita for this week’s Milspouse Empowerment Moment as she shares about her own journey and some tips for how to be your own best advocate for all things military spouse mental health. Sharita explains why you need to be advocating for your milspouse mental health.

For tips from Sharita on how to be your own advocate, watch the Facebook video click here – or listen below.

With each move, comes the important, repetitive, and annoying search for new local resources. New doctors, new dentists, new mechanics, etc. And if you’re pregnant, this search for local resources only becomes more stressful. That’s where Military Birth Resource Network comes in.

Military Birth Resource Network (MBRN) is a platform where families can come to get local information, be able to network with each other, and learn about others’ experiences. MBRN is a membership based non-profit for birth professionals from any background to have a listing on their website. And the great part is that it is free for the community to use to find the available resources.

Tricare recently approved doulas to be covered as a benefit for military families. However, there are some caveats. How can we educate the military community about the value of doula support and look into ways to make doula support more accessible to military families.

Below are links for more information about the recent changes to Tricare:

* Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support

* Tricare West Information

* Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support FAQ

* Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Information

Amanda Dodson, is a certified doula CD (DONA) and HypnoBirthing Educator HBCE. Her passion to help service members and their families during pregnancy and beyond inspired her to found the Japan Birth Resource Network in 2013 and Co-found the Military Birth Resource Network in 2016. Amanda is also a veteran and military spouse of 23 years and in 2016 was voted AFI Spouse of the Year for Marine Corps Base SD Butler, Okinawa, Japan for her important contributions and unwavering commitment to the military community and our country.

Listeners, if you would like to check out more about Military Birth Resource Network, check out their website here, or connect with them on social media via Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. If you would like to learn more about Amanda, check out her website here, or connect with her on social media via Facebook or Instagram.

News 6 with Jolene

Here is this week’s News 6 mashup of stories for the week of Mar. 14, 2022, straight from AWN News 6 Correspondent, Jolene McNutt:

DoD to Close Fuel Facility in Hawaii

The Department of Defense will permanently shut down the Navy’s Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in Hawaii, which contaminated Pearl Harbor’s tap water, said AP News. Reports of skin rashes and illnesses began surfacing in November 2021, and residents are still unable to drink the water or use it for bathing. “The Pentagon said it will move to a more dispersed fueling system for military ships and aircraft in the Indo-Pacific.”

VA Announces Proposed Changes to Disability Ratings

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced on that it “is proposing cha...

Is renovating a home right for you? In this week’s Milspouse Empowerment Moment, Jolene talks about renovating her third property with her husband. She gives her best tips, tricks and advice from house hunting to determining if a project should be DIY or call a pro! Join Jolene for Operation: Renovation.

For tips from Jolene on renovating properties successfully watch the Facebook video click here – or listen below.