Foreword xxi
Introduction 1
Part I: Reporting for Duty 7
Chapter 1: Living Life As a Military Family 9
Chapter 2: Figuring Out Customs and Courtesies 19
Chapter 3: Getting Around Military Bases 31
Chapter 4: Connecting with the Military Community 49
Part II: Understanding Your Financial Issues and Benefits 59
Chapter 5: Deciphering Military Compensation 61
Chapter 6: Taking Care of Yourself: Health and Dental Insurance 73
Chapter 7: Maximizing Military Benefits 87
Chapter 8: Starting Out on the Right Financial Foot 97
Chapter 9: Building onto Your Financial Foundation 113
Chapter 10: Housing Options for the Military Family 131
Chapter 11: Finding Employment and Educational Opportunities 149
Part III: Supporting the Military Family 165
Chapter 12: Raising a Family in the Military 167
Chapter 13: Maintaining Strong Military Couples 179
Chapter 14: Tapping into Community Support 191
Chapter 15: Dealing with the Disability or Death of a Family Member 205
Part IV: Mastering Deployments 217
Chapter 16: Prepping for Deployments 219
Chapter 17: Accessing Traditional Family Support 239
Chapter 18: Helping Children Cope with the Absence of a Parent 247
Chapter 19: Keeping Connected with Your Loved One 263
Part V: Transitioning Out of the Military 271
Chapter 20: Separating from Service 273
Chapter 21: Retiring from Service 283
Chapter 22: Exploring Subsequent Careers 293
Part VI: The Part of Tens 305
Chapter 23: Ten Best Benefits for Military Spouses 307
Chapter 24: Ten Biggest Financial Military Benefits 311
Chapter 25: Ten Worst Scams Against Servicemembers 317
Appendix: Military Acronyms 321
Index 341
