Ep 21: PCS Binder

Hurry Up and Wait

On Episode 21, I talk all things PCS Binder. The PCS Binder is a school binder you make and fill with all your important documents, in transits papers, and other useful information to stay organized and help you be a little less stressed during your PCS. There is a lot of paperwork that goes into a PCS and having it all in one place is necessary to stay sane. Keep this binder on your person throughout your PCS. You want to know where it is and you never know who is going to need a copy of your orders.

How to make the PCS binder? First you need a binder, minimum of 2 inches. I have and love the one that fully zips around, you know like the ones we had in elementary school. Then you’ll need dividers to divid your sections, plastic page protectors, and a pencil pouch. 

Then I walk you through my PCS binder. First is the pencil pouch which has our passports, extra car keys, check book, and other random things. The first page after the pencil pouch is all the copies of our orders. I have about 10 copies all within one plastic sleeve. Orders are really one of the most important pieces of information in your binder so I keep them at the front. Next I have is an emergency contact list. On this list are numbers of friends, hotels, airlines, etc, this is just in case your phone dies or you lose it at some point. Get the Master List of all things to possibly include in your PCS Binder. 

Next the dividers. Go check out the awesome company List and File they create beautiful PCS binder dividers. They make military life more beautifully organized while giving you greater confidence and peace of mind.

First divider, Personal Info, this divider should include things like birth certificates, social security cards, marriage certificates, copies of passports/ IDs. Listen to the full episode to get the list of all the things I actually put in my binder behind each divider. Second divider is housing which includes lease agreements, security deposit receipts, HHG shipment paperwork, inventory, etc. Next, is auto/ vehicle under this tab you should include car titles, registrations, any shipment info. Next, is the pet divider this should include rabies vaccinations, health certificates, microchip numbers etc. Other dividers to include medical (health), legal, finance, and any other ones that apply to you and your family like if you have kids you might have an education tab for their school records. 

The PCS Binder is a must have for any military family. Remember there is no right way to do it, just make it work for you. 

PCS Binder paperwork list. 

Again, check out List and File to order beautiful PCS binder dividers and find them on Instagram. 

These look like great PCS Binder Printable’s if you are looking for some.

EP 20: Green to Gold Program w/Samantha Peterson

Today I talk with Samantha about the program her husband is currently doing called Green to Gold. It’s a program in the military that allowed enlisted soldiers to transition to officers. The option in this program that Samantha’s husband choose is for 2 years where he finishes his Bachelor’s degree and does ROTC at the college, as well. 

I ask Samantha about pay, benefits, and BAH. What does healthcare look like since they aren’t close to a base? How did their family go about choosing a college? Does the GI Bill get used to pay for school? What was the application process like? She said that the process is super competitive and takes about a year to complete all the requirements. The basic requirements are you have to be 30 or under and have enough time in service to complete the program. 

Samantha talks about going back to work full time. I ask Samantha about any role changes in the home since they do have young kids and since she is working full time. She says that her husband has taken on lots of those responsibility now and they are all joyful to be getting to spend more time together since Samantha’s husband was previously in a  drill sergeants position. Now he is in college and making his own schedule. 

This program is a great option for those that are looking to be career service members. Your soldier gets payed while going to college, you get more family time, you have more stability (no unexpected deployments) and when the soldier is finished they will be an officer. 

Instagram: @raisealittlewonder

Blog: Raise A Little Wonder

Articles by Samantha on Military Family Magazine. 

Hurry Up and Wait on Instagram 

EP 19: 25 Military Acronyms You Should Know

On this episode I give you the most important acronyms that any military significant other or spouse should know. I say there are 25 but in reality there are closer to 35 acronyms in this episode because some that I placed under one number are actually multiple acronyms depending on the branch or where you are located. Anyway, here I am just going to give you the top 10 acronyms you should know and you will have to listen to the episode to get all 35! 

1. DOD - Department of Defense. The executive branch department of the federal government in charge of the military and national security. So all service members are employees of the DOD. 
2. MOS - Military Occupational Specialty. The job that the solider has. In the Navy they call them ratings.  
3. PCS - Permanent Change of Station.
4. CONUS - Continental United States (the 48 states) 
5. OCONUS - Outside the Continental United States so everything overseas and Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam. 
6. BAH- Basic Housing Allowance. The money you are allotted to pay for housing if you live off base. 
7. DEERS - Defense Enrollment Eligibly Reporting System. You need to be enrolled in this system to get any benefits, have TriCare insurance, etc. 
8. OPSEC - Operational Security 
9. FRG- Family Readiness Group. A group to help support the family members of the soldiers. 
10. TLA/TLE - Temporary Lodging Allowance or Expense. The allowance you get or expenses you accumulate when you are PCSing. 

Listen to the full episode to get all 25 acronyms. Which is closer to 35 since some acronyms had multiple variations. 

The cool thing I am sharing with you this week is the children’s book My Letter to Daddy by Renee Walker. 

Follow my podcast on Instagram. 

EP 18: Addressing the Pressures and Stereotypes of an Officer's Wife with Shawna Fields

On episode 18, I talk with Shawna about the pressures and stereotypes of being an officer’s wife. She mentions the expectations of being an FRG leader and also the pressure to know the language of the army since her husband is a Major and in a command position. We chat about why higher ranking officer wives and enlisted wives are usually the ones in the FRG or Spouse club leadership positions. This shows that there is community and supportiveness not just for the soldiers but also for their families.

I ask about dress and behavior since the family might be seen as an extension of the spouse in command. Shawna mentions it is not too much of a concern for her but she is aware of what is appropriate to wear and how to behave. Shawna answers the question “Is being an officer really ‘political’?”

Then, I ask Shawna about all the officer wive stereotypes. Can enlisted wives and officer wives be friends? Shawna says yes absolutely. The only time it might get iffy is when the enlisted personnel is under the command of the officer. Do officer wives really request to be saluted at the gate? Do they think they are better than enlisted wives? Shawna gives us the run down on all the stereotypes and busts the myths that are out there. We then end on a positive note and Shawna gives us a wonderful example of the community coming together to help each other out.

Shawna's Instagram: @fieldslikehome

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