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There are lists floating around the Internet claiming to list the most “military friendly” colleges. Unfortunately, it’s unclear which lists are legitimate and which are simply trying to get the attention (and money) of prospective student veterans.
With so many colleges looking to benefit from the newly expanded Post 9/11 GI Bill, it’s increasingly important to know what really makes a school “military friendly.”
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May is National Moving Month. That means now is a great time to focus on the members of your military family who might
not handle moving so well — your pets.
These companions, most commonly cats or dogs, warmed their way into your heart and when moving day comes, the tension can be stressful. A little planning and patience can help pets have a smooth transition that puts a premium on their well-being.
When pets are moving with a family, it’s important that they start adjusting early. This is usually easier for dogs because many owners will bring them along on car rides long before moving is ever a concern. Cats are a different story.
Most felines only see the outside of a home a few times in their life. On top of that, the trips are often linked to traumatic memories such as going to the veterinarian, which is why acclimating cats (or other pets not accustomed to life outside the home) early to traveling is always best.
To accomplish this, put a pet’s carrier in the home. Owners can use blankets, toys and treats to help pets adjust to the unfamiliar space inside the carrier. The same goes for a car. Take your pet on short trips and ease them into riding along in a moving automobile.
When a pet arrives, don’t give them free reign over the new space right away. Dogs might be overly excited and risk harm in the moving process. Cats might turn into a recluse at the sight of a new large area to roam. Confining pets to one room will keep them out of the way and lessen their stress.
It’s also a good idea to ease your pet into this new living situation. Letting an animal spend a few nights with the new family prior to moving will limit the signs of stress. Just don’t forget to give that lovable pet a big hug before the family leaves.
If a pet can’t come along, but the owner will return, like with deployment, it’s also recommended to acclimate a pet as soon as possible. The best option is asking a family member to watch a pet while the owner is away. When family members aren’t available, there are other good choices, including:
There may also be times when uprooting a pet doesn’t make sense or fit into a family’s needs.
If a pet can’t be moved, no matter the circumstances, the best option is to give a pet to someone the animal is familiar with. Giving a pet to another family member or friend is preferable. Foster care and adoption services can also help.
Photos courtesy of Wesley Fryer and Brittany G
When it comes to popular film and depictions of war, accuracy is among the first casualties.
One of the most well-known examples is The Hurt Locker, which won the Best Picture Oscar for 2008. The main character, Staff Sgt. William James, seems to be constantly fighting the war in Iraq without backup, which many military observers say is among the most prominent inaccuracies in a war film to date. As any soldier who served in the Iraq war will tell you, there is safety in numbers. Bottom line: The Hurt Locker’s three-man team would just not happen.
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When young adults get a college degree it’s good for the whole country. That’s why there are options no matter who you are, including military dependents.
The 2011-12 academic year is nearing an end, but it’s never too early to begin thinking about next year. Here are a few scholarship opportunities that military families may want to consider:
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Fix-it jobs around the house are one of the aggravating-yet-expected downsides of homeownership. Not everyone is the do-it-yourself type, and hiring specialists or bothering neighbors can get old fast.
But some common household hiccups can be resolved without spending much, if any, money. In fact, you can solve a lot of problems by simply using everyday items you already own. Here’s a look at a few offbeat ways to make household repairs without household items and save money in the process: See More
Veterans and service members just separating from active duty who can’t find a job could qualify for unemployment compensation.
The transition back into civilian life is not easy, that’s why the Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Service members program (UCX) is there to help out on the financial front when those who serve separate from the military and prepare to move into the civilian workforce.
This might be a year of big-time change for U.S. service members and those who want to join the Armed Forces.
Here’s a look at five key military changes that might be in store in coming weeks and months:
Valentine’s Day is almost upon us. It can be a tough holiday for deployed or otherwise distant service members who are dating someone back home.
Maintaining long-distance relationships under normal circumstances can be difficult. Those challenges can easily intensify in a relationship shaped in part by military service.
Here are five things to help you keep your long distance relationship strong: See More
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) now has less than 180 days to figure out how to move military personnel through airport screening faster.
The impetus is the Risk-Based Security Screening for Members of the Armed Forces Act, a bill signed into law by President Obama on Jan. 3. Essentially it means military personnel in uniform should be able to get though airport screening quicker with improvements from TSA. The changes will be related to defining who merits more attention using a “risk-based” assessment of all passengers.
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