Show Notes: Former VA Benefit Advisor, Kathy Gonzales, shares what to expect during, and how best to prepare for, the transition-retirement process. She discusses everything from disability and education benefits, to financial planning, to TAP classes, and covers all the best resources to utilize to make the transition to civilian life as smooth as possible.

Show Links:

• Online TAP Courses and Military Life Cycle Courses

• Office of Financial Readiness (retirement calculator, find a personal financial counselor, financial courses and tools):

• Department of Veterans Affairs

• Find a Veteran Service Officer

• Team Red, White, Blue

• Team Rubicon

• National Resource Directory Resources

• State Veterans Affairs Offices

• DoD TAP

• DFAS for Retirees

• DFAS for Retirees new to Retired Pay

• Department of Labor for Veterans

• Navy Transition - Retirement Resource Guide

Show Takeaways:

• Transitioning out of or retiring from active duty can feel overwhelming, but there are lots of resources available to assist you and your family in the process.

• Transition Assistance Program classes cover finances, VA benefits, disability benefits, education benefits, employer panels, and more. This information can be accessed anytime online.

• Begin preparing for this transition early - Longevity retirees especially should begin preparing medical documentation early.

• Veteran Service Officers, VFW, American Legion and more are available to assist with filing your claims.

Let’s Connect:

• NSFL Website

• NSFL Facebook

• NSFL Instagram

Sarah Hoopengardner and her family were en route to a holiday vacation when they received a call that a car had run into their home. That accident displaced them for six months, and they were forced to move from hotel to hotel, navigate the complex insurance and legal systems, and deal with the emotional toll of the accident. Sarah shares what she learned from her experience, and USNR Chaplain Sam Hatch provides resources that families can utilize when they face an unexpected emergency.

Show Links:

• Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS)

• Navy JAG Corps

• Military OneSource

• Fleet and Family Support Program

• Safe Military Housing Initiative

Show Takeaways:

• Unexpected emergencies can happen anywhere, anytime. The unpredictability of the military lifestyle can often compound those emergencies.

• These crises can cause financial and emotional strain. Families need to know their legal rights and how to advocate for themselves.

• Your command JAG can assist you or direct you to the correct legal resources available to help you in your unique situation.

• Do not ignore your mental health in times of crisis. Seek help from your command chaplain or other mental health resources as needed.

• Navy Marine Corp Relief Society, Fleet and Family Support Centers and more can help in times of acute financial distress.

Let’s Connect:

• NSFL Website

• NSFL Facebook

• NSFL Instagram

Operation Homefront’s Ebony Strange discusses the many financial resources, family events, and special programing that Operation Homefront offers for military families, including their Holiday Meals for the Military Program. Lindsay Carstairs, winner of the Operation Homefront’s 2024 Navy Military Child of the Year Award, shares her experience as a military child and this incredible award opportunity.

Show Links:

• http://www.operationhomefront.org

Show Takeaways:

• Operation Homefront is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing relief and recurring family support programs to military families in need.

• Holiday Meals for the Military provides meals and gift cards to military families facing financial strain during the holiday season. Applications are open now!

• The Military Child of the Year Award recognizes one young person age 13-18 from every branch of services who exemplifies volunteerism, scholarship, community service and more while facing the challenges of military life. Applications are open now through December.

Let’s Connect:

• NSFL Website

• NSFL Facebook

• NSFL Instagram

S5 E1: Celebrating our CPO Selectees!

Show Notes: Mike Stevens, CEO of the Navy League of the United States and Evelyn Honea, wife of MCPON James Honea discuss why selecting as a CPO is such a major career milestone, and talk about how family members can support their selectees and what to expect during Chief season.

Show Links:

• Navy League of the United States

Show Takeaways:

• Being selected as a CPO is a major career milestone

• Spouses and family members are provided with opportunities to be involved in season events

• CPO season is based in naval history and connects the past, present, and future to create chiefs who know the value of their role and the meaning it holds

• Chief Season can be a challenging time for selectees and their families, but also a time of celebration

Let’s Connect:

• NSFL Website

• NSFL Facebook

• NSFL Instagram

Ask an Ombudsman: How Your Command Ombudsman Serves to Support You

Show Notes:

Ombudsmen are Navy spouse volunteers who serve as a crucial communication link between a command and command families, and are trained in information and resources to support Navy families. In this episode we speak with one of the Navy’s two Ombudsmen-At-Large, Junifer Thomas, about the roles and responsibilities of an ombudsman, and how vital they are to mission readiness. We also speak with two current ombudsmen, Jessica Pugh and Sharon Kozak, who shed light on the ins and outs of their job and answer questions from listeners.

Show Links:

• Find Your Ombudsman Here
• USS Abraham Lincoln Ombudsman Facebook Page

• NTAG Heartland Ombudsman Facebook Group

• Military One Source

• Fleet and Family Support Program

• American Red Cross

• Navy Marine Corps Relief Society

• Courage to Call

Show Takeaways:

• Ombudsmen are volunteers who serve as the primary liaison between a command and their families.

• Ombudsmen are trained in numerous resources to ensure families receive the support and information they need to meet the challenges of military life.

• Families and Sailors must understand that for an ombudsman to communicate with a sailor’s family member, the sailor must first give permission.

• Ombudsmen work tirelessly to ensure the needs of their command families are met - but there are also ways to support and thank them for their dedication.

Let’s Connect:

• NSFL Website

• NSFL Facebook

• NSFL Instagram

Better Together: Naval Services FamilyLine and Blue Star Families Join Forces

Blue Star Families is an organization founded in 2009 to empower military families as they serve by connecting them with their neighbors to create supportive communities. Their platform, The Neighborhood, is a virtual community designed to help military families thrive by providing them with local resources, events, and gatherings. In an exciting partnership, Blue Star Families and Naval Services FamilyLine are joining together to launch the first ever service-specific Neighborhood, ensuring they’ll reach and support even more Navy families. On this episode, Blue Star Families’ CEO, Kathy Roth-Douquet and Executive Vice President, Ryan Callahan join Naval Services FamilyLine’s Chairperson, Tirzah Aiken to discuss this new venture.

Show Links:

• Blue Star Families

• The Neighborhood

Show Takeaways:

• Blue Star Families is an organization dedicated to providing military families with connections and a sense of belonging in their communities.

• The Neighborhood is Blue Star Families’ digital platform providing resources and sharing events to military families in their local areas.

  https://thebsn.org/

• Blue Star Families and Naval Services FamilyLine are partnering to offer the first service-specific Neighborhood for Navy families, moderated by FamilyLine volunteers

Let’s Connect:

• NSFL Website

• NSFL Facebook

• NSFL Instagram

Hiring Our Heroes is a 501(c)(3) that provides the military-connected community with workforce development. On this episode, Jenny Lynn Stroup, Deputy Director of Military Spouse Programs and Angie Hood, Manager of the Military Spouse Programs team, discuss programs and initiatives developed specifically for military spouses.

Show Links:

• Hiring Our Heroes

• Register for Amplify

• Apply for the Military Spouse Fellowship Program

Show Takeaways:

• The Military Spouse under and unemployment rate is much higher than the national average; Hiring Our Heroes has an entire team dedicated to military spouses because military spouse employment provides stability for military families, which provides stability for the military force.

• Hiring Our Heroes offers military spouses three unique lanes of business to become involved: Workforce Development, and Events and Engagement.

• Amplify workshops are offered to military spouses in-person and virtually, focused on career preparation, professional development, and networking.

• The 4+1 Commitment is designed to encourage businesses to develop military spouse-friendly hiring practices.

• Hiring Our Heroes offers a 12-week fellowship program that provides military spouse with professional training, networking, and hands-on experience in the civilian workforce.

Let’s Connect:

• NSFL Website

• NSFL Facebook

• NSFL Instagram

Unsung Heroes: The League of Wives and the Power of Military Spouse Changemakers The League of Wives was a group of brave, determined military wives who raised awareness and demanded humane treatment for POWs during the Vietnam War. These remarkable women transformed the role of the military spouse, and paved the way for future generations of spouses to become changemakers and advocates. In this episode we talk to Alexia Palacios-Peters, Chairperson of the League of Wives Memorial Project, about the soon-to-be unveiled memorial dedicated to these extraordinary women, and their enduring legacy. We also talk to Sheila Casey, Executive Director of Joining Forces, who offers a contemporary perspective on the evolving challenges faced by military spouses and the pivotal role they play in shaping policies that impact military families. Join us as we explore how the collective strength and determination of military spouses continue to drive positive change.

Show Links:

• League of Wives Memorial Project

• Joining Forces

• Military OneSource

Show Takeaways:

• Military Spouses are often our own best advocates, using our own challenges as a springboard for change.

• The League of Wives forever changed the traditional role of the Military Spouse after they bravely defied their traditional expectations; Despite many obstacles, the League of Wives raised national awareness about the POWs in Vietnam and demanded their humane treatment.

• Joining Forces is the White House initiative to support military-connected families. Its Executive Director, Sheila Casey, is a retired Army spouse of over 40 years. She discusses how the role and expectations of military spouses have changed over the years, and how military spouses are at the forefront of creating positive change for military families and their communities.

Let’s Connect:

• NSFL Website

• NSFL Facebook

• NSFL Instagram