Helpful Resources for Military Families

Please be sure to check back here often -- this page is a work in progress, and we will add links as we locate other resources you may find helpful. We hope you'll find it a valuable resource and use it as your starting point in searching for information of interest to military families.

If you find a link you think would be helpful to other military members and their families, or discover a broken link, please let us know via our contact page.

Quick Reference

Military Pay Charts and other pay information

Special IRS Information for members of the Armed Forces

IRS Armed Forces Tax Guide

Department of Defense

US Air Force

US Army

US Navy

US Marine Corps

US Coast Guard

Air National Guard

Army National Guard

Military OneSource. From there, you can follow links to AirForce OneSource, Army OneSource, etc.

Fisher House: Because members of the military and their families must often travel great distances for specialized medical care, Fisher House™ Foundation builds and donates "comfort homes," built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one, at minimal or no cost, during hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or injury. Please consider supporting Fisher House by designating it as a beneficiary for your annual CFC contribution.

National Military Family Association: Information on programs and resources for military families from the only organization that lobbies Congress on behalf of military families. If you are looking for a charity to designate on your annual CFC contribution form, I highly recommend this one.

 

Deployment Information

Service Websites

Guard & Reserve

DoD Websites

Legislative and Government Agency Sites

Voter Information

Health Care Sites

Family Assistance Sites

Family Links

Family Member Education

Scholarships

Families Helping Families

Friends on the Web

Military "Road Shows"

Military Shopping

Military Spouse Employment

Military Statistics

Relocation Assistance

Retirement Resources

Uniformed Services News

Volunteering Opportunities

Deployment Information

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Guard & Reserve

National Guard

Reserves



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DoD Websites
(general information)

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Legislative and Government Agency Sites

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Voter Information

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Health Care Sites

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Family Assistance Sites

  • Air Force Aid Society

  • Air Force Crossroads: Resource site for Air Force families

  • American Red Cross

  • Army Community Service

  • Army Emergency Relief

  • Armed Forces Relief Trust: With the support of the National Association of Broadcasters, the four Military Aid Societies — Air Force Aid Society, Army Emergency Relief, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance, and Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society — have come together to address these escalating needs by creating The Armed Forces Relief Trust — a single, non-profit fund to better collect and disburse donations in support of the troops and their families in need.

  • Child Care Resources in Your Community:  The National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies is working with DoD to provide child care assistance for families affected by deployment or who cannot access a military child development center.

  • Coast Guard Mutual Assistance

  • Department of Veterans Affairs Survivor Benefits: This web site is dedicated to the surviving spouses and dependents of military personnel who died while in active military service and to the survivors of veterans who died after active service.

  • EX-POSE - Ex-Partners of Servicemembers for Equality

  • Fisher House: A national network of comfort houses providing a "home away from home" for families of patients receiving care at major regional military and VA medical centers.

  • Fleet and Family Support Center of Hampton Roads, Virginia: This site offers information and resources for military families.

  • Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund: The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund provides financial grants and other assistance to the Marines, sailors, and families of those injured serving our nation.

  • LIFELines: Information and answers for Sailors, Marines and their families.

  • Naval Services FamilyLine:  FamilyLine provides Education, Support, and Information to assist sea service families.

  • Military Assistance Program: Services to make your life easier.

  • MilitaryConnection.com: For Government jobs, up-to-date information on military schools, federal jobs, as well as military loans and military pay at Military Connection.com. Our online directory of resources and information features vital information on everything military and includes a Directory of Employers with links to over 7500 top employers.

  • Military OneSource: A free support service provided by the Department of Defense offering assistance and resources to service members and their families on many different issues.

  • Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society: The mission of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society is to provide, in partnership with the Navy and Marine Corps, financial, educational, and other assistance to members of the Naval Services of the United States, eligible family members, and survivors when in need; and to receive and manage funds to administer these programs.

  • National Domestic Abuse Hotline: Help is available to callers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Hotline advocates are available for victims and anyone calling on their behalf to provide crisis intervention, safety planning, information and referrals to agencies in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Assistance is available in English and Spanish with access to more than 140 languages through interpreter services. If you or someone you know is frightened about something in your relationship, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224.

  • Veterans of Foreign Wars Unmet Needs Program: http://www.unmetneeds.com/

  • Veterans Resource Central (VRC): Assists returning veterans, and active duty military and their families through a network of volunteers and services.
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Family Links

Resources for Children



  • Homefront Hugs USA

  • Show Troop Support: Children of all ages can now download FREE colorable greeting cards to send to the troops and show their support. These cards are meant to be decorated as each child chooses and can be sent to our military troops home and abroad, as well as your community and personal heroes.
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Family Member Education

  • Spouse scholarships offered by NMFA can be found on their web site. Information on other scholarships and financial aid available to military family members can be obtained from high school guidance counselors and other military-related associations.

  • The American Legion Scholarship and Financial Aid Information: "The cornerstone of The American Legion's Education Assistance Program is its scholarship and financial aid guide This 152 page booklet, updated annually, is a complete financial aid reference guide for veterans, veterans' dependents and members of The American Legion family.

  • Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Website: School Information Resources for a Talented, Motivated & Mobile Military Community.

Scholarships

  • The American Legion Scholarship and Financial Aid Information: "The cornerstone of The American Legion's Education Assistance Program is its scholarship and financial aid guide This 152 page booklet, updated annually, is a complete financial aid reference guide for veterans, veterans' dependents and members of The American Legion family.
  • Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation: The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation is a non-profit, tax exempt corporation of volunteer men and women dedicated to providing financial assistance in the form of scholarships for higher education to deserving sons and daughters of United States Marines and children of former Marines, with particular attention being given to children whose parent was killed or wounded in action.

  • http://www.militaryscholar.org/: Information about the Defense Commissary Agency's Scholarships for Military Children.
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Families Helping Families

The following sites are "unofficial" and have been created by organizations and families who have information to share with other military families.

  • Air Force Basic Military Training (unofficial): This site provides information for families about Air Force Basic Training.

  • Air Force Families: Resources for Air Force families.

  • Any Soldier: Want to send a care package to Any Soldier in Harm's Way, but have no idea of what to send, who to send it to, or how to send it?

  • ARA - American Retirees Association: Information on benefits for divorcing servicemembers and spouses.

  • The Association of Second Fleet Spouses: A self-organized spouse support group for COMSECONDFLT & the Center for Excellence, based out of Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia.

  • Carry The Flame, Inc. (CTF): A 501.(c)(3), tax deductible, not-for-profit corporation that focuses on Veterans' families, Veterans' issues and that works to increase awareness about American POW/MIAs from all wars. We are dedicated to the honor and memory of Veterans, those serving in the US Military and their families

  • CinCHouse.com: For women who are married to the military.

  • CoastieChicks.net: An un-official United States Coast Guard support group.

  • Dads at a Distance: Resources for helping fathers who spend long periods of time away from their children keep the relationships strong.

  • eMilitary: This site offers a comprehensive information and referral service to military families.

  • Families First

  • GoldStarSiblings.com: This site has been established to provide support to brothers and sisters who have lost their loved one in combat while serving their Country.

  • HirePatriots.com: This site is a resource for active duty military servicemembers and their spouses, as well as former military to search for one day and full time jobs.

  • Jump Into Life: Workshops and writings that pump up your energy, creativity and joy.

  • Marine Parents: The MarineParents.com web site is for parents (Moms AND Dads), spouses, family and friends of our Marines and Recruits to gather for support during bootcamp, training, active duty, floats, and deployments.

  • Moms Over Miles: Resources to help mothers maintain and strengthen relationships with their children while they are away from home.

  • MilitaryAvenue.com: An online service, supports the relocation, lifestyle, and travel needs of the 1.4 million U.S. military service members worldwide.

  • Military Spouses' Career Network: This site provides information to promote and advance the education, employment, career development, and professional satisfaction of military spouses.

  • Military Spouse Corporate Career Network: The MSCCN is a not-for-profit, corporate direct hire program dedicated to providing career opportunities and job portability for military spouses through a nationwide network of employers.

  • Military Wives and Moms.org

  • MOM: The official website for mothers of the military.

  • MyArmyLifetoo.com - Your gateway to information, assistance and community.

  • NOAA Officers Family Association (NOFA): A group of active and retired NOAA Corps Officers and their families providing information about issues concerning NOAA families.

  • Operation Baby Blanket: Operation Baby Blanket is a support system for the new and expecting mothers whose husbands are servicemen that have been or soon will be deployed overseas. This organization wants to help these ladies that are often left out of the support system, when their husbands are deployed.

  • Operation Mom: A support group for families of all branches of service.

  • Navy Surface Spouses: A website dedicated to provide a comprehensive resource for surface spouses and their families enabling them to access information about the Navy communities in which they reside or to which they may be relocating.

  • No Tears In Heaven: This site offers United States Armed Forces Prayer Requests and more.

  • Operation Doula Care

  • Operation Military Pride: This site provides a variety of activities to support deployed servicemembers.

  • Operation Special Delivery: Private Organization Offering Doulas and Other Assistance Free to Expectant Mothers Who Will Give Birth When Their Partner is Deployed.

  • Soldiers' Angels: The Soldiers' Angels mission is to provide aide and comfort to any of the armed forces and their families.

  • Shore Duty at SarahSmiley.com: A refreshing look at life in the military from a wife's point of view.

  • Sgt. Mom's: A self-service interactive website for military family members.

  • SilentWarriors.net: This site provides military families with information and support regardless of rank, service, or status.

  • Tyler's Angels on Earth: Information and links relating to military families with special-needs and exceptional family members.

  • Veterans and Families Coming Home: The Veterans and Families is a national non-profit community service and support organization, founded and directed by Veterans, parents, grandparents, family members, employers, mental health professionals, academics and community leaders.

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Friends on the Web

  • The Humane Society: Military Personnel - Making Arrangements for Your Pets

  • Married to the Army: This site provides information and resources for the Army wife and family. The comprehensive website offers articles and advice on a wide variety of topics specifically for the Army family.

  • The Military Coalition: The Military Coalition (TMC) is comprised of 27 organizations representing more than 5 million members of the uniformed services -- active, reserve, retired, survivors, veterans--and their families.

  • MilitaryConnection.com: For Government jobs, up-to-date information on military schools, federal jobs, as well as military loans and military pay at Military Connection.com. Our online directory of resources and information features vital information on everything military and includes a Directory of Employers with links to over 7500 top employers.

  • MilitaryReport.com: Latest news and information covering all the changes affecting the military community
  • Militarylifestyle.com: This site provides commissary coupons, contests, military news, and many other resources.

  • My Own Business: A 30% military discount offered on our 14 session online business course to help guide the entrepreneur wanting to start a business, and the individual who already has a business.

  • USA Patriotism! is a non-political site where all patriots can share the experience of honoring and remembering our troops, veterans, Medal of Honor recipients, Presidents, other great Americans, national tragedies and much more.

  • Veterans and Families Coming Home: The Veterans and Families is a national non-profit community service and support organization, founded and directed by Veterans, parents, grandparents, family members, employers, mental health professionals, academics and community leaders.
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Military "Road Shows"

Military Shopping and Community Services

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Military Spouse Employment

  • ADECCO: This site provides information about ADECCO's Military Spouse Career Accelerator program.

  • Air Force Crossroads: This section of Crossroads provides information and assistance with job search, skills posting, telecommuting opportunities, resume development and helpful employment resource links.

  • Civilians Working for National Defense: This site provides DoD employment information and job listings worldwide. 

  • Department of Defense Spouses to Teachers Program: Spouses to Teachers is a Department of Defense pilot project designed to assist spouses of active duty and reserve military members to become public school teachers.

  • LIFELines Employment Services: This site provides employment information as well as job listings.

  • Military Spouse Career Center: This site is a U.S. Department of Defense sponsored website designed to help military spouses in finding career resources, jobs, scholarships, education and training options.

  • Military Spouses' Career Network: This site provides information to promote and advance the education, employment, career development, and professional satisfaction of military spouses.

  • Military Spouse' Corporate Career Network: The MSCCN is a not-for-profit, corporate direct hire program dedicated to providing career opportunities and job portability for military spouses through a nationwide network of employers.

  • Military Spouse Job Search: Military Spouse JobSearch is designed to enhance the employment opportunities for spouses of US Military members with employers committed to hiring military spouses and to connect employers with a talented, global, diverse workforce.

  • Military Spouse Resource Center: This site (MilSpouse.org) is a U.S. Department of Labor sponsored website designed to assist the spouse of any active duty member of the U.S. Military or the reserves.

  • NAF Personnel and Benefits - Employment: This site provides employment information and job listings for Navy non-appropriated fund (NAF) positions. 

  • US Coast Guard - Civilian Job Opportunities: This site provides employment information as well as job listings. You can apply online!

  • USAJOBS: The official job site of the United States Federal Government. It's your one-stop source for Federal jobs and employment information.

  • We're Hiring: This site provides links to Navy and Marine Corps organizations offering career opportunities.

Corporations with military spouse preferences, as identified by the Army

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Military Statistics

Relocation Assistance

  • AF Move: This site contains information and resources for military families preparing to move their personal property.

  • Automated Housing Referral Network: This Department of Defense sponsored site is designed to improve and speed the process of securing available housing for relocating military members and their families.

  • Basic Allowance for Housing Search: Find the BAH for your next (or present) duty station.

  • eMilitary: This site offers a comprehensive information and referral service to military families.

  • Florida Defense Alliance - Helpful Resources for Military Families

  • Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP): A benefits program offered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD-wide, for affected homeowners who have transferred or lost their jobs and had to relocate due to downsizing.

  • MilitaryAvenue.com: Search installation and local community information, as well as local businesses providing discounts to military families.

  • Military OneSource: Get a free personalized guide to resources you need in your next community, as well as other relocation information.

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Retirement Resources

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Uniformed Services News

  • Army Times: Monthly source of Army news and information.

  • Navy Times: Monthly source of Navy news and information.

  • Marine Times: Monthly source of Marine Corps news and information.

  • Air Force Times: Monthly source of Air Force news and information.

  • Stars and Stripes: The hometown newspaper for servicemembers, government civilians and their families in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Pacific, Stars and Stripes offers the same type of national and international news, sports and opinion columns found in newspapers in the United States.
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Volunteering Opportunities


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