The stress and anxiety about PCSing can start months and months in advance, even before you have orders in your hand.  These tips will help reduce the anxiety and get your entire family prepared for the upcoming move.

1. Have a family meeting– Sit down and discuss the move with your family. At first, you or your kids may have a negative outlook about the move, but by sitting down and discussing the move, everyone can begin processing the information. The earlier you start preparing for a move, the more time you have to deal with the information and get ready mentally.

2. Include your kids in decisions– I know this sounds crazy, but include your kids in some of the decision making process. Give your kids some reasonable choices when it comes to the move. For example, if deciding about schools, narrow it down to your top 2 or 3 and discuss with them the differences and let them help make the decision.  Or discuss the pros and cons of each house, and let them help decide which to choose. When you allow a child to have a say in the decision making process, it gives them a sense of ownership and a sense of control. This will help them have a brighter, more reasonable outlook on the upcoming move.

3.  Research your new town– Find fun things about your new town that you can share with your family. Depending on your kids ages, let them research and write down the top 3 things they want to do when they get there. This will help them look forward to a new adventure. If you look on the bright side and find the pros to your new town, then you will have a better mindset about moving.

4. Get social– Get on social media and find people who live in that town and ask questions. Start friendships now online. From my experience, Facebook has a ton of military families involved in groups where people can chat and ask questions. The military is a small community and you will be surprised that a friend of a friend may live in your new town. Reach out and introduce yourself via Facebook or email. Feel free to join these Facebook Groups: Navy, Marine, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard.

It’s important to keep a positive attitude about your upcoming move. Hopefully these strategies will reduce your stress and anxiety and help you prepare mentally for your upcoming move 

By Cameron Allison. Watch for Part 2 in our series - How to Choose On or Off Base Housing.

MilitaryTownAdvisor.com is a PCS relocation resource and military housing site that allows military families to help other military families by writing reviews about military towns.  When searching for information about where to live on our military housing site, read reviews about military housing, off base neighborhoods, areas surrounding the base, apartment complexes, condominiums, and schools.

Find military friendly realtors through our realtor directory. If you see the Military Friendly Logo, you can trust they understand the needs of military families. Due to the fact that the PCS relocation process in a military environment happens quickly, it can be extremely stressful. MilitaryTownAdvisor's on and off base reviews help families make an informed decision on where to begin looking for a place to live that will fit with each family's goals and lifestyle choices.

Dear BSF members and friends,

I want to share an important story with you. Last week Blue Star Families, your organization, was one of the primary movers behind a major announcement helping military families, and in many ways it’s the strength of you, our members, that made it possible.  I want to share this story with you, because it reinforces a core Blue Star Families idea—that when we work together, we are capable of amazing things.

On April 30, First Lady Michelle Obama announced a "Philanthropy Joining Forces Impact Pledge" in which a group of foundations committed over $100 million dollars of new funding to veteran and military family causes over the next two years. The event was spearheaded by Blue Star Families  with the partnership of our sister organizations and co-hosted by the Council on Foundations.  

$100 million dollars! 

We felt that this work was important now.  The timing and show of support from the civilian community is particularly poignant as government budgets are shrinking and military issues are leaving the front pages.  

You and I have known for a while that this time was coming—that the funds we've had available were going to shrink and that as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan end, so too would the attention paid to our community.  And so two years ago, with visionary friends in the foundation world, we started working to convince various organizations that this was an idea that could work, and that we should pursue it.  

We did it through a platform we helped developed.  Four years ago, shortly after BSF was founded, we mobilized leaders from the government, the nonprofit space, and some from the independent sector to talk about military family challenges, especially those that required collaboration or public-private partnership to address.  We did this because we recognize, as military family members ourselves, many of our challenges require action beyond anything that a single organization, acting alone, can do.  Real change and real solutions mean that groups need to work together.  Moreover, especially in the military community space, government and nonprofits need to do a better job of working together, because the well-being of the military is the provence of both.  Another way to put it is that, while fostering and brokering isn't part of the mission statement per se for Blue Star Families, we know that our community needs that work done.  And when you see a need, if it’s not being met, we have a tendency to step in and try to meet it – it’s what military family members do every day.  

Dubbed White Oak, conferences were held in January 2010, February 2012, and most recently in February 2014.  A seed was planted and BSF and our partners began working very closely with our friends in this sector to encourage the idea of a large-scale monetary pledge.  

Our next step was to engage the First Lady's office for the full support of Joining Forces. We hosted select gatherings to explain the idea and build support from foundations, corporations, the technology sector, the DoD, the VA and other agencies and to create a collaborative group of nonprofits that could help present a streamlined needs assessment from the field to the foundations that chose to participate. 

Once the ball started rolling, the First Lady suggested we keep the pledge going, and bring more foundations and corporations in to the mix.  The result was the $100 million dollar pledge that continues to grow. Our partners at the Red Cross agreed to host the event in their beautiful Hall of Service across from the White House.

The actual pledge announcement event was nothing short of spectacular! Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, the Chairman of the American Red Cross, Vikki Spruill, the CEO of the Council on Foundations, General George Casey (retired) former Chief of Staff of the Army, and husband of BSF Board Chair Sheila Casey, BSF member and advisory board member Rebekah Sanderlin, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff's director for Warrior and Family support, Col. Jim Isenhower and more all convened at the Red Cross headquarters. We invited military teen and national poet Michaela Coplen to read one of her amazing poems.  And the First Lady and Dr. Biden joined us too, sharing their heartfelt and eloquent expressions of the needs that persist for military families.  

None of this would have been possible without the leadership and encouragement of the First Lady and Peter Long of Blue Shield of California Foundation. Long cares deeply about the military community. He has vision and compassion, and we all owe him thanks 

One way BSF is able to help pull together a major initiative like this is the strength we derive from you—all 90,000 of you! 

Thank you for being a part of our cause.  With you, all great things are possible.

Nearly 100 military kids from the Washington, D.C./Virginia/Maryland region converged on the fields of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall for a soccer clinic run by the D.C. United First Team: Bill Hamid, Collin Martin, Nana Attakora, Luis Silva, Nick DeLeon and Steven Birnbaum.

"D.C. United was honored to kick off Armed Forces Week with a clinic at Ft Myer milkids,” said Jamie Gustafson, D.C. United Director of Marketing. “It is important to us to engage with the military community, especially this week, and give back to families who sacrifice so much for our country. It was a beautiful day for some of our First Team players to teach a few skills of the game."

The D.C. United players divided the kids into six groups, based on age. Each of the six players led a group in basic soccer drills, offering tips and suggestions. The kids rotated through the stations, until they had a chance to play with each player.

Despite the heat and humidity, the sweaty kids lined up and patiently waited for autographs from their heroes. Not only did the pros sign pretty much anything the kids handed them – shin guards, balls, water bottles and T-shirts – they also gave each child four free tickets to D.C. United’s game courtesy of D.C. United sponsor Leidos.

“What a fantastic afternoon of soccer!” said Mike Coogan, Leidos Director of Corporate Responsibility, Communications. “Leidos was honored to partner with Blue Star Families and D.C. United to create a fun, interactive event for such a great group of children. Leidos is committed to supporting the communities where we live and work, including a special emphasis on active and retired military personnel and their families."

Leah Rubalcaba, Community Relations Officer, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, was on hand and overhead families talking as they made their way to their cars after the autograph session.

“There was so much positive feedback. We heard from kids, parents and grandparents alike -- about what a great event it was and that we should have more events like this,” said Rubalcaba.

Rubalcaba overheard one little girl say that it was "the best day EVER." Another woman, who brought her grandchildren to the event, was particularly grateful because her daughter is deployed and the positive event made a big impact on the children. 

Saturday, the military “students” will venture to RFK Stadium to watch their teachers take on the Montreal Impact.

Added Coogan, "we’re looking forward to future events!”

As moms and dads, veterans, grandparents, and active duty military folks, we've been lucky enough to have Blue Star Families here for us. Navigating the waters of life as a milfam can be tricky - and we all need a co-pilot.  It's no different for our children. That's why we started MilKidz Club! 

MilKidz Club is like a wingman for every single military child. MilKidz Club is all about cool events, free tickets, and tons of other happenings that all show our military children some well-deserved appreciation.  

BY: Marianne Weaver. Weaver is the program manager of Blue Star Families MilKidz Club. Marianne earned a BA in English from the University of Pittsburgh, and an MJ from Temple University. She is married to recently retired Air Force Lt. Col. Erik Weaver. Along with their two children -- Ryan, 9 and Anna, 7 -- they've settled into their "forever home" in Gainesville, Va., not too far out from the District where they met, dated and married.

We're super excited to let you know that we're part of Veterans Charity Challenge 2, a fundraising campaign launched by craigconnects, founded by Craig Newmark of craigslist. It all starts on May 22! 

To give back, craigconnects will be donating over $50,000 to organizations like ours focused on causes that honor America's heroes. The charity that raises the most throughout the Challenge will get a $20,000 donation from craigconnects. Second place gets $10,000, third gets $5000. We're out to raise as much money as possible for our cause so we can win the $20,000 grand prize donation. 

We think we can win and to do so, we definitely need your help. We'll be sending emails throughout the Challenge and we'll be asking for you to give. Every donation makes a difference, no matter how small. 

Thanks so much for your support. 

The first thing you do when you get new orders is decide whether you are going to live on base or off base at your next duty station. It’s important to get familiar with what your new military base has to offer and the surrounding areas. Is the base located in a small town and military housing is the right option for your family? Or is the base located in a larger military town where a lot of military families live off base and that’s a better fit for your family? Ask the following questions to help you choose between living on base or off base at your next duty station.

1. Can you afford to liveon base vs off base?

Determine your Basic Housing Allowance (BAH) and research the local housing market surrounding your new base.  Some areas have a high BAH while others have a low BAH all depending on the local housing markets.  This is a big deciding factor because if your BAH isn’t high enough to rent a house off base, then living on base will be your best option. Also, read military housing reviews to see what other military families have to say about base housing. When determining a budget, you must consider BAH, cost of utilities, HOA fees, commuting expenses, and any other expenses that may add up when you decide to live off base vs on base.

2. Do you have time to wait for available housing?

Military housing can have long wait lists that are unpredictable. Some base housing states a 9 month waiting list then 3 weeks later you get a call saying there is a house available, while other bases say a 9 month waiting list and it really is 9 months before a house opens up. This unpredictability can cause stress and frustration for many military families. Some bases are located in towns where rentals and homes for sale fly off the market and you have to move fast. The best advice is to sign up for housing when you receive your orders and see how long the wait is. Then a month before your PCS, if you still haven’t heard from the housing office, start looking for rentals in the area. You may have to make a quick decision to sign a lease and forego housing due to the uncertainties.

2. Are schools a factor?

When deciding to live on or off base, schools may be a big deciding factor. Base housing feeds into a local school district and it’s important to find information about this school. Unfortunately, many bases are located in areas of the city where schools may not be the best. Whether you choose to live on or off base, it’s important to research schools and find out which school fits your child’s needs best.

3. Is the extra commute time worth it?

Many off base neighborhoods are located away from base. It’s important to research surrounding neighborhoods and find a neighborhood that fits your family’s lifestyle. Sometimes a neighborhood with amenities, family friendly atmosphere and a safe feel can outweigh the extra commute time. Also, talk to locals to figure out accurate commute times. For example, in some cities a 7 mile commute can take 30-40 minutes while other cities it’s only a few minutes. Discuss whether the pros of living off base in a local neighborhood outweigh the con of extra commute time.

4. Do you have aPet?

If you have a certain breed of dog or multiple pets, this might be a huge deciding factor in whether you are allowed to live on base or you have to live off base. Most base housing have restrictions on the type of animal or the number of pets you are allowed to have. Call base housing and ask about their pet restrictions.

Deciding to live on base vs. off base can be a big decision for military families. No matter where you decide to live, make sure it fits your family’s needs and lifestyle. As discussed in Part 1 of this series (link to part 1), talk to your family and ask them what they want to do. Remember, a military move affects the entire family and it will be an easier transition if everyone feels they have a part in the decision making process.

Check out Part 1 How to Mentally Prepare for a PCS. Watch for Part 3 in our series talks about the Top 10 Moving Tips for a PCS. 

MilitaryTownAdvisor.com is a PCS relocation resource and military housing site that allows military families to help other military families by writing reviews about military towns.  When searching for information about where to live on our military housing site, read reviews about military housing, off base neighborhoods, areas surrounding the base, apartment complexes, condominiums, andschools.

Find military friendly realtors through our realtor directory. If you see the Military Friendly Logo, you can trust they understand the needs of military families. Due to the fact that the PCS relocation process in a military environment happens quickly, it can be extremely stressful. MilitaryTownAdvisor's on and off base reviews help families make an informed decision on where to begin looking for a place to live that will fit with each family's goals and lifestyle choices.

Cameron Allison, Navy Wife
Cameron is the founder of MilitaryTownAdvisor.com. She realized after a tough PCS to Hampton Roads, VA there needed to be a place where military families can leave insider information for other military families. That’s when she created the site: a place for military families to leave reviews for their neighborhoods, areas of town, and schools. Tweet her @MilTownAdvisor. LIKE Military Town Advisor on Facebook.

WASHINGTON, DC– NEA Acting Chairman Joan Shigekawa and Blue Star Families CEO Kathy Roth-Douquet announced the fifth annual launch of Blue Star Museums, a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums across America to offer free admission to the nation’s service members, including National Guard and Reserve, and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day 2014. Leadership support has been provided by MetLife Foundation through Blue Star Families. The program provides families an opportunity to enjoy the nation's cultural heritage or learn more about their new communities after completing a military move. The complete list of participating museums is available at www.bluestarfam.org/bluestarmuseums.

The launch of the program was announced today at a press event at the San Antonio Museum of Art in San Antonio, Texas. Katie Luber, the Kelso Director of the San Antonio Museum of Art, welcomed guests and distinguished speakers including Roth-Douquet, Shigekawa, local military families, and representatives from several San Antonio-area Blue Star Museums. Following the remarks, participants joined a tour, led by the museum’s Mellon Chief Curator/Halff Curator of American Art William Keyse Rudolph, of artworks on view in the American Art Gallery at the San Antonio Museum of Art, which has been a Blue Star Museum since 2011. 

“As we kick off our fifth year of Blue Star Museums, more museums than ever are part of this military appreciation program,” said Shigekawa. “Together with Blue Star Families and more than 2,000 museums, we are proud to help connect military families with the cultural resources in their communities.” 

“Blue Star Museums has grown into a nationally recognized program that service members and their families look forward to each year,” said Roth-Douquet. “It helps bring our local military and civilian communities together, and offers families fun and enriching activities in their home towns. We are thrilled with the continued growth of the program and the unparalleled opportunities it offers.”

This year, more than 2,000 (and counting) museums in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa are taking part in the initiative. Museums are welcome to join Blue Star Museums throughout the summer. The effort to recruit museums has involved partnerships with the American Alliance of Museums, the Association of Art Museum Directors, the Association of Children’s Museums, the American Association of State and Local History, and the Association of Science-Technology Centers. This year’s Blue Star Museums represent not just fine arts museums, but also science museums, history museums, nature centers, and dozens of children’s museums. Among this year’s new participants are the High Museum in Atlanta, Georgia; The Thinkery children’s museum in Austin, Texas; the Mass Audubon Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary in Natick, Massachusetts; and Henricus Historical Park in Chester, Virginia.

About Blue Star Museums

Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums across America. The program runs from Memorial Day, May 26, 2014 through Labor Day, September 1, 2014.

The free admission program is available to any bearer of a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), a DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card, which includes active duty U.S. military - Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, as well as members of the National Guard and Reserve, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps - and up to five family members.  Some special or limited-time museum exhibits may not be included in this free admission program. For questions on particular exhibits or museums, please contact the museum directly. To find participating museums and plan your trip, visit arts.gov/national/blue-star-museums.

All summer long, Blue Star Museums will share stories through social media. Follow Blue Star Museums on Twitter @NEAarts and @BlueStarFamily, #BlueStarMuse, on Facebook, and read the NEA Art Works blog for weekly stories on participating museums and exhibits.

Museums that wish to participate in Blue Star Museums may contact bluestarmuseums@arts.gov, or Wendy Clark at 202-682-5451.

This is the latest NEA program to bring quality arts programs to the military, veterans, and their families. Other NEA programs for the military have included the NEA/Walter Reed Healing Arts Partnership, Great American Voices Military Base Tour, and Shakespeare in American Communities Military Base Tour.  

About Blue Star Families

Blue Star Families is a national, nonprofit network of military families from all ranks and services, including guard and reserve, dedicated to supporting, connecting, and empowering military families. With its partners, Blue Star Families hosts a robust array of morale and empowerment programs, including Books on Bases, Blue Star Museums, Operation Honor Corps, Blue Star Careers, and Operation Appreciation. Blue Star Families also works directly with the Department of Defense and senior members of local, state, and federal government to bring the most important military family issues to light. Working in concert with fellow nonprofits, community advocates, and public officials, Blue Star Families raises awareness of the challenges and strengths of military family life and works to make military life more sustainable. Our worldwide membership includes military spouses, children, parents, and friends, as well as service members, veterans, and civilians. To learn more about Blue Star Families, visit www.bluestarfam.org.

About the National Endowment for the Arts

The National Endowment for the Arts was established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. To date, the NEA has awarded more than $4 billion to support artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. The NEA extends its work through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector. To join the discussion on how art works, visit the NEA at arts.gov.

#  #  #

Moving Tip #1 – Take pictures of everything– Take pictures so you have documentation if something gets broken or lost in the move.

Moving Tip #2 – Make an inventory of your most valuable items– Write down each item, the value, the manufacturing identification number, and take a picture of the item.

Moving Tip #3 – Purge items you don’t need– Get rid of old items that you don’t need. Have a yard sale, give to charity, sell items on Craigslist, whatever you do, get rid of things you don’t need!

Moving Tip #4 – Scan everything to a disk or cloud– Scan all your personal documents and medical records. Make a list of companies that you need to change your address with. Scan and print 10 copies of your orders, you won’t believe how many times someone needs a copy of them. 

Moving Tip #5 – Organize Everything– The more organized, the better! Put decorative items and breakables in one room for easier sorting and packing. Take artwork off the wall and tape a baggy with the screws/nails to the back of the painting. Bag all loose items, especially kitchen or desk drawers. Empty each dresser drawers into a trash bag and zip tie hangers together for easy unpacking once you get to your new home.

Moving Tip #6 – Empty anything that will smell or mold– Empty all your trash cans (yes, movers will pack trash), disconnect and drain outdoor hoses, and unhook washer and dryers a few days before the move so they can dry out.

Moving Tip #7 – Designate a DO NOT PACK area– Choose a closet, bathroom, or bedroom, and write DO NOT PACK on a poster board and tape it to the door. Put all items you don’t want packers to pack.

Moving Tip #8 – Clearly label everything - Get colored duct tape to put on boxes coordinating with each room in the house. Label an ‘Open First’ box with paper products, soap, towels, sheets, a pot and pan, and anything else you will need the first day you get there. If your stuff is going into storage, then take this box with you.

Moving Tip #9 – Get help– Ask friends and family to help you while the packers pack and on moving day. If you have small children, hire a babysitter to help watch your kids so you can watch the movers.

Moving Tip #10 – Treat movers with respect– If you want them to treat your stuff nice, then treat them with respect! Provide drinks and snacks. Providing lunch is optional, but I recommend it. Make your rounds from room to room and watch them like a hawk. Make sure they carefully navigate your big items through your house so they don’t scrape or scratch the walls. Watch them carry large items out to the moving truck and help navigate.

Good luck and stay positive!

Read Part 2 in our series about How to Choose On or Off Base Housing and watch for Part 4: Unpacked and Settled, Now What? 

MilitaryTownAdvisor.com is a PCS relocation resource and military housing site that allows military families to help other military families by writing reviews about military towns.  When searching for information about where to live on our military housing site, read reviews about military housing, off base neighborhoods, areas surrounding the base, apartment complexes, condominiums, andschools.

Find military friendly realtors through our realtor directory. If you see the Military Friendly Logo, you can trust they understand the needs of military families. Due to the fact that the PCS relocation process in a military environment happens quickly, it can be extremely stressful. MilitaryTownAdvisor's on and off base reviews help families make an informed decision on where to begin looking for a place to live that will fit with each family's goals and lifestyle choices.

Cameron Allison, Navy Wife
Cameron is the founder of MilitaryTownAdvisor.com. She realized after a tough PCS to Hampton Roads, VA there needed to be a place where military families can leave insider information for other military families. That’s when she created the site: a place for military families to leave reviews for their neighborhoods, areas of town, and schools. Tweet her @MilTownAdvisor. LIKE Military Town Advisor on Facebook.

Camp Corral is currently still accepting registrations for many of its 20 camps located across the country, especially for children of wounded, disabled or fallen service members

Camp Corral is a free, week-long summer camp for military children, ages 8 to 15, with priority given to children of wounded, disabled or fallen military service members. Camp Corral provides a fun and developmental experience where kids are free to be kids, apart from the day-to-day challenges they face within their military families. Campers participate in traditional camp experiences, including horseback riding, canoeing, swimming, fishing, archery, a ropes course and other outdoor activities while learning new skills, building character and making new friends.

Camp Corral works closely with Redwoods Group to select partner YMCA and 4-H host camps, and currently has 20 camp locations in 16 states, with 22 sessions offered throughout the summer. For more information about Camp Corral, visit www.campcorral.org, email campinfo@campcorral.org or call Camp Corral’s hot line at 1-855-605-1267.

Mission

Camp Corral’s mission is to “serve those who have served us”.  They do this by providing the “week of a lifetime” for children, ages 8 to 15, of wounded, disabled or fallen military service members. Camp Corral is committed to increasing the number of children served by expanding its reach in communities around the country through meaningful, recreational camp experiences where military kids are free to be kids and enjoy non-stop fun, free of charge.

Origin

In 2010, Golden Corral founder James Maynard began working with his team to explore ways that they could serve those who have served us, and provide something meaningful for military families. Golden Corral has a long history of honoring the military and veterans organizations; therefore, supporting the children of military families was a natural extension of what the company was already doing. In 2011, Camp Corral opened as a pilot, one-camp program.

Funding

Camp Corral is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt, non-profit corporation and relies on donations to fund its camp program, and operational costs. Golden Corral is the founding sponsor of Camp Corral and continues to generously support the organization through its in-store fundraising campaign in April and May. To ensure that Camp Corral can continue to expand and serve even more military families, the organization depends on other sources of support. To make a donation, visit www.campcorral.org or mail donations to Camp Corral, 5151 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27612. To inquire about donation or sponsorship opportunities, please email donate@campcorral.org.

You have successfully traveled to your new duty station and you have unpacked all the boxes, now what? Here are some ideas to help you get out and enjoy your new town!

1. Get Connected

Social media provides a great outlet for military families to keep in touch with old friends and meet new ones. Join Facebook and start to connect with other military families in your area. Ask them if they want to meet for coffee or for a playdate.  You will enjoy your time at your new duty station if you get out and get connected with other families. Feel free to join these Facebook Groups: Navy, Marine, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard.

2. Explore your New Town

Research your new town and find things to do near your military base. Make a list of new restaurants you want to try or take your kids to all the different museums and local parks. In Part 1 of this series (link to part 1), we discussed having your kids make a list of the top 3 things they want to do in their new town, so now is the time to get out and try those new things with your kids. If you find the good things about your new town, you will have a brighter outlook about your move.

3. Volunteer

Research local charities and get involved. Not only does this help you meet friends, but it gives you a sense of self worth and accomplishment when you are helping others.

4. Start Finding Childcare

Don’t wait until you and your spouse need a date night to start looking for a babysitter. Start interviewing potential babysitters and find a good one at the beginning of your tour so you can use the sitter for date nights, a night out with friends or taking the time to volunteer. Sittercity partnered with the DoD and offers free memberships for military families.

Military moves can be difficult on everyone involved so make sure to take care of your spouse and your kids, but most importantly, remember to take care of YOU. If you are happy and find the good things about your new surroundings, your attitude will rub off on the rest of your family and everyone will be happier!

If you missed it, Check out Part 3 in this series Top 10 Moving Tips. 

Cameron Allison, Navy Wife
Cameron is the founder of MilitaryTownAdvisor.com. She realized after a tough PCS to Hampton Roads, VA there needed to be a place where military families can leave insider information for other military families. That’s when she created the site: a place for military families to leave reviews for their neighborhoods, areas of town, and schools. Tweet her @MilTownAdvisor. LIKE Military Town Advisor on Facebook.

MilitaryTownAdvisor.com is a PCS relocation resource and military housing site that allows military families to help other military families by writing reviews about military towns.  When searching for information about where to live on our military housing site, read reviews about military housing, off base neighborhoods, areas surrounding the base, apartment complexes, condominiums, andschools.

Find military friendly realtors through our realtor directory. If you see the Military Friendly Logo, you can trust they understand the needs of military families. Due to the fact that the PCS relocation process in a military environment happens quickly, it can be extremely stressful. MilitaryTownAdvisor's on and off base reviews help families make an informed decision on where to begin looking for a place to live that will fit with each family's goals and lifestyle choices.

About a month ago I received a Flat Stanley in the mail.  The general idea of Flat Stanley is, you take him around town and photograph him in a variety of locations, so the children who sent him can learn something about where Stanley has been when you mail him back. “What in the world can I do with Stanley on Ft Rucker, AL, which would be of any interest to a group of preschoolers?” I wondered to myself. Sure, the kids would love the bases polar bear mascot that gets redecorated in different outfits throughout the year, but it’s not educational in the slightest. It could also be a bit misleading to that age group, as there are definitely no real polar bears roaming around Alabama!  

Then it hit me…the U.S. Army Aviation Museum!

The preschool class primarily consisted of boys, and what boys don’t love planes and helicopters! Even my two girls enjoy going there. Off we went, Flat Stanley in hand.  The museum is a Blue Star Museum, which means an active duty military member and up to 5 family members can get in for free from Memorial Day through Labor Day. It’s a great deal! To make this museum even better though, it is free for everyone who wants to visit year round, which means you can not only bring your family, but your friends as well, at no cost to any of you!  As the museum is on the base, all adults and teens 16 and older will have to show identification at the gate, but its smooth sailing from there.

Once you get inside, there’s no shortage of exhibits to peruse, from a variety of helicopters and planes the Army has used over time, to old Army aviation memorabilia. My favorites are the variety of war scenes, complete with drones, jeeps, helicopters, etc. They look so real, you might think you were there, except for the quiet and, of course, the lack of imminent danger! It is mainly a “look at” museum, but there are a couple more hands on things upstairs in which kids (or adults) can climb into a cockpit or man a control station.   

I highly recommend swinging by this amazing Blue Star Museum for a visit. We really enjoyed it…and so did Stanley! 

First, he went on a reconnaissance mission on a drone and spotted the target.

On landing, he radioed the airfield and told them he’d need a helicopter gassed, loaded and ready to go upon his arrival

He had to hitch a ride on the back of a jeep to get to the airfield. Those legs are not meant for running.

He destroyed the target and completed his mission, but…

He got shot down in the process. Don’t worry though...he’ll be ok. Stanley is sturdier than he looks! That boy will do whatever it takes to protect his country!

Christy Dalby is an Army wife, mother, and writer. She and her husband, along with their two kids and yellow lab, enjoy getting out of the house and exploring new areas in their truck camper. You can read more about Christy and her adventures at www.christydalby.com, or find her on twitter at @ChristyDalby.

DON'T FORGET we love guest bloggers! Tell us about your visit to a Blue Star Museum!  molly@bluestarfam.org and we'll post your blog!