Pardon My Dissappearance!!!!

Hey Everyone,

Army Wife 101 is currently being transferred to Wordpress. In just a few short days I shall return at  Army Wife 101's new home in the Wordpress format.

I hope you enjoy the new layout to come and the easier navigation.

Stay Tuned for more Army spouse news and 2 great reviews/giveaways that tie in with "Spring Cleaning".

Hooah & Smooches

Army Wives Season 4 Premieres Tomorrow Night at 10PM EST!!!

Just a reminder season 4 of Army Wives premieres April 11th at 10PM EST. I will be doing weekly recaps here at Army Wife 101 so be on the lookout.

Below are my Season 3 Finale Recaps.
(Keep in mind these videos were shot in October of 2009...I tend to ramble I was just learning hehe)

Army Wife 101: Homecoming Day

The video below is a continuation of the discussion about things we do on homecoming day on the AW101 Facebook Fan Page.

Woah is Me....This Damn Deployment

Another update and rants about the never ending thing called a "deployment"!

Do I Have to Pay for My Baggage on the Airlines when PCS'ing????

I have received numerous questions asking if military dependents are required to pay for baggage (excess accompanied baggage) when traveling on PCS orders. The answer is, it is at the discretion of the airline.

According to the DOD site:

Q6. If I am a member under a PCS order, does the exception also apply to my dependents traveling under my PCS travel order?
A6. Although your dependents traveling under your PCS travel order are official (i.e., Government) travelers, most airlines do not consider them to be ‘members’, and airline procedures vary. Please consult with your CTO/TMC for your specific flight requirements.

So you ask how do you find out if you will have to pay for excess baggage on your next PCS flight?

On my last PCS here to Hawaii we flew Delta airlines. Before we left I called Delta and was informed that as long as our names and the wording authorized dependents appeared on the PCS orders that we would not be charged for excess baggage. Of course being me hearing it from a representative was not enough and I needed more confirmation. I was then told that Delta has a Military Desk which you can reach by calling Delta and asking to be transferred. I was able to verify the below policy through them. I also printed the policy out in a case the representative at the airport was not aware. The policy listed below goes for each individual dependent listed on the orders.


*Active duty U.S. military personnel traveling on orders to or from duty stations are allowed up to three checked bags in Economy Class and up to four checked bags in First and Business Class on Delta and Delta Connection® carriers at no charge. Each bag may weigh up to 70 lbs. (32 kg) and measure up to 80 linear inches (203 cm).

American Airlines specifies their military dependent excess baggage policy here.

Now for the sake of me writing a long rambling blog post I will spare you and sum this up by saying:
At the end of the day your best bet is to call the airline and find out policy for dependent authorized travel. To find other airline baggage policies google *the airline* + military baggage.

Below are important links that you will want to keep in your bookmarks that will explain reimbursement should you get charged and more:

Official DOD Excess Baggage Policy

More from the DOD on Excess Baggage Policy

Best of Luck!

Military Discount Monday 04/05/2010

Me & The Family Using Our Hero Salute Discount @ SeaWorld

Remember spouses I always talk about making the best of your duty station. The discounts I list below may possibly be for a cool new place to explore in your area. Check them out and leave your feedback in the comments section below.


1.Yogi Bear Jelly Stone Parks are offering military discount at their various campsites in:
*More Information at http://www.campjellystone.com/military-discount.html



Colorado 

Estes Park:  15% off campsites

Canon City:  10% off RV sites (except Holiday weekends)

Georgia

Breman: 15% off active and retired military

Indiana

Monticello:  10% off campsites (except 4th of July weekend)

Illinois Goodfield:   10% off campsites

Kentucky

Cave City:  10% off campsites & cabins

Louisiana Lake Charles:   10% off campsitesRobert:   20% off campsites

Maryland

Hagerstown:  15% off campsites for active duty

Massachusetts Sturbridge:   10% off campsites
Michigan Grand Haven:   15% off campsites for active military, police and fire (no holidays) Silver Lake:   10% off campsites (except during month of July)

Mississippi

Pelahatchie: 10% off campsites for active military

Missouri 

Branson: 15% off campsites

Eureka:   10% discount off campsites and rentals during rest of season.

New Jersey

Mays Landing:  10% off campsites

New York Mexico:   10% off campsitesNorth Hudson:   20% off campsites for active duty only (except holidays)

North Carolina

Tabor City:  10% off campsites (except holiday weekends)

Ohio

Aurora: 15% off campsites for active military, fire and police (no holidays)

Pennsylvania
Quarryville:   10% off campsites (2 night minimum stay, no holidays)Mill Run: 10% off campsites to active duty only

South Carolina

Swansea: 10% off campsites for active military

Tennessee Gatlinburg:   10% off campsites for active duty onlyNashville:   15% off campsites

Texas

Waller: 10% off for active military

Virginia Natural Bridge:   10% off campsites for active duty only

Emporia:  10% off campsites

Wisconsin Wisconsin Dells: 20% off campsites and rentals (except Boo Boo™ Chalets)
****************
Ripley's Aquariums in SC offers 75% off service members and immediate dependents




Colonial Williamsburg is offering military families a Military Key-to-the-City Pass, available exclusively at your MWR/ITT Office. Visit http://www.history.org/visit/planYourVisit/monthlySpecials/ for more information.


Sears is offering an ongoing special for Military Families 
20% off your Studio and Online portrait purchases. More information available at http://www.searsportrait.com/cpi/en-US/offers/Military/Military.htm


Zales.com
10% Sitewide Discount - 
code: MILITARY2008 during checkout.
Exp: 12/31/2010


If you live in Minnesota you can take advantage of this cool discount
http://www.imax.com/minnesota/specialoffers.htm



Last but not least this is one I am sure alot of people know about but I will put it up regularly as a reminder.


1. Boxes from the USPS are free. This is in addition to the Free Care Package kit. All you have to do get more free boxes delivered right to your door is visit http://www.usps.com and click on "Order Supplies".


To learn how to get your free package kit visit my post on Care Packages.


Hooah & Smooches

Who is Army Wife 101?

I hope everyone had a great Easter !
Mine was okay no hubby to share in that special time with but that's the life right?

In any event as of lately I have been receiving many emails and Facebook messages asking me exactly who I am. I decided to do a video of me this past Friday in my jammies eating Ramen Noodles and explain to you in my own crazy way who I am ....well sort of :)

Command Sponsorship & EFMP Screenings For Overseas

I decided to do a small blog post on command sponsorship which I will get more indepth later in another blog entry. I had to do this one because if your not aware the PCS season is approaching and I have been receiving many emails from spouses who are coming here to Hawaii where I happen to be stationed as well.
The biggest problem many spouses are experiencing is not knowing that you have to be command sponsored to come here. Now let me make this small note...you can come to Hawaii without being command sponsored but it will be out of your own pocket.


So what exactly is CS in lamen's terms?
All it means is that you are authorized to travel and the government will pay for it. The Army uses CS to also make sure you can be treated at the new duty station through the process of an EFMP screening.


This is where the problem tends to evolve in that many spouses and even some soldiers are under the impression that they will automatically appear on the orders and be able to come here and live onpost and unfortunately that is not the case. Here is what will happen should you come to Hawaii without sponsorship according to http://www.usarpac.army.mil/8tsc/replacement.html:

Soldiers with family members must go through an EFMP Exceptional Family Member Program Overseas screening to have their family member’s names put on their PCS assignment orders. Soldier must get with their unit S-1 Personnel Office for assistance. If their family member’s names are not on the PCS orders, the Soldier will lose out on many benefits. Such as:
• Family members will not be authorized to travel to Hawaii at Government expense.
• Soldier will not be reimbursed for airlines tickets if Soldier pays for their Travel.
• Solider will not be able to collect COLA with dependant rate.
• Soldier will not be able to receive full DLA Dislocation Allowance ($1900).
• Soldier will not be able to receive TLA Temporary Lodging Assistance with dependant rate (for Hotel stay).
• HHG Household Goods shipment will be at the Single rate and not at the With Dependant rate.

You also will not be able to apply for housing if you are not on the orders.
The easiest way to start the EFMP process is to contact the closest Military Treatment Facility (MTF) near you and contact there EFMP office. The links below will help you to understand the process alittle more:


 http://www.myarmyonesource.com/FamilyProgramsandServices/FamilyPrograms/ExceptionalFamilyMemberProgram/default.aspx


Military Homefront EFMP


Army.Mil EFMP Explanation

http://www.armywife101.com/2010/01/ask-army-wife-101-pcs-question.html


You can also search through the archives of Army Wife 101 I have written several entries about PCS moves and EFMP.


Hooah & Smooches