MILITARY LIFE
BUILDING BLOCKS: With attention and a commitment to one another, you and your partner can build a foundation strong enough to weather any challenge while providing you both with a source of happiness and fulfillment.
RELATIONSHIP SUPPORT FOR MILITARY COUPLES
When you are part of a military couple, you and your partner share the pride, benefits and challenges of service. Permanent change of station moves mean you get to experience new parts of the country and world. But these frequent moves can also bring stress. Deployments allow the service member to put their training into practice, but being far from home can be hard on a relationship. Fortunately, couples counseling and many other free and confidential resources are available to help you and your partner build a relationship that can thrive amid these and other challenges.
EXPERT HELP FOR MILITARY COUPLES
Free and confidential non-medical counseling and other programs provide professional support for military couples with relationship concerns.
• Non-medical counseling ( militaryonesource.mil/confidential-help/non-medical-counseling/military-onesource/free-confidential-face-to-facenon-medical-counseling). You and your partner don't have to figure it out on your own. Talk to someone who understands military life and its unique challenges. Non-medical counselors are experienced professionals who are available through:
•The Military and Family Life Counseling Program ( militaryonesource.mil/confidential-help/non-medical-counseling/military- and-family-life-counseling/the-military-and-family-life-counseling-program). This program offers both face-to-face and telehealth sessions to individuals and couples on or off the installation. Contact your installation's Military and Family Support Center to connect with a non-medical counselor.
• Military OneSource ( militaryonesource.mil/confidential-help/non-medical-counseling/military-onesource). Sessions are available face-to-face, by phone and through secure online or video sessions. Call 800-342-9647 to request counseling 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Use one of these international calling options if you are outside the continental United States.
• Building Healthy Relationships specialty consultations ( militaryonesource.mil/confidential-help/specialty-consultations/building- healthy-relationships/building-healthy-relationships?redirect=%2Fconfidentialhelp%2Fspecialty-consultations%2Fbuilding-healthy-relationships
These consultations include coaching sessions, practical tools, resources and problem-solving techniques. Consultations are available as specific tracks that focus on the area of your relationship that needs attention. The tracks include:
Building Healthy Relationships With Your Significant Other. This track targets the common issues military couples face and provides tools to support a strong relationship.
Communication Refreshers. You and your partner will be given the resources to improve the way you communicate.
Staying Connected While Away. You and your partner will learn ways to stay close and cope with being apart during deployments and other separations.
Reconnecting After Deployment. This track is tailored to the period of reintegration after a deployment. Building Healthy Relationships specialty consultations are n available by phone or video by calling Military OneSource at 800-342-9647.
VIRTUAL RESOURCES FOR MILITARY COUPLES
These free tools and resources are available to you and your partner 24/7, on your own schedule.
• Love Every Day ( militaryonesource.mil/confidential-help/interactive-tools-services/resilience-tools/relationship-tool-helps-you-love-everyday). Practice your communication skills and grow closer to your partner with this fun and interactive digital tool. You get personalized text messages for 21 days to bring you closer together and rekindle your romance.
• Relationship webinars ( militaryonesource.mil/leaders-service- providers/military-and-family-life-counseling-program/marriage-and-couples). You'll find webinars that focus on building healthy relationships, challenges facing dual-military couples and more.
• Military OneSource Relationships ( militaryonesource.mil/family-relationships/relationships/keeping-your-relationship-strong/how-to-strengthen-your-relationship-14-ways). Visit the webpage to find resources and articles on a range of relationship topics. Find tips for fortifying your relationship in the article, How to Strengthen Your Relationship: 14 Ways ( militaryonesource.mil/family-relationships/relationships/keeping-your-rela- tionship-strong/how-to-strengthen-your-relationship-14-ways). Learn about marriage enrichment programs ( militaryonesource.mil/family- relationships/relationships/keeping-your-relationship-strong/marriage-enrichment-programs?redirect=%2Ffamily-relationships%2Frelationships) that the service branches offer. Read about these military benefits ( militaryonesource.mil/family-relationships/relationships/relationships- benefits) that can recharge your relationship or address specific concerns.
No relationship is perfect. But with attention and a commitment to one another, you and your partner can build a foundation strong enough to weather any challenge while providing you both with a source of happiness and fulfillment.
– Military One Source
GETTING HELP FOR DOMESTIC ABUSE MILITARY PROTECTIVE ORDERS CAN INCLUDE PETS
Safety Alert: Computer use can be monitored and it is impossible to completely clear your browser history. If you are afraid your internet usage might be monitored, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or 800-787-3224 en Español.
GET HELP TODAY — DON'T WAIT
• Call 911 in an emergency.
• Contact your FAP victim advocate for help with reporting and requesting a Military Protective Order.
• Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-7997233 for 24/7 help.
Our pets provide us with great comfort, cuddles and company. They offer and inspire unconditional love. Unfortunately, that love between a family and pet may be used by an abusive partner to inflict emotional abuse, manipulate and control their partner.
A military protective order is the military version of a restraining order. Once a victim elects to make an unrestricted report of domestic abuse, a military commander can issue an MPO. Within the MPO form, the victim may request to include their pet in the protection order. There is space to include what threats or abuse have occurred toward a pet in addition to those made toward the victim.
Another resource available is the National Domestic Violence Hotline. A trained advocate is available to speak with anyone in need of support 24/7. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-7997233 to report animal and intimate partner abuse.
Individuals may access support for:
• Crisis intervention
• Safety planning so they and their pet can remain safe
• Referrals to local service providers If you find yourself or someone you know in immediate danger, call 911.
– Military One Source
PARENTING YOUTH AND TEENS THE ESSENTIALS
As a parent, one of your important jobs is to raise children and teens prepared to cope in healthy ways to changing circumstances like deployments, moves and new schools.
Military OneSource is there to help you parent at every stage, offering guidance on making moves easier for your kids, helping you support your child at school and encouraging you to talk to your teens about important topics like substance abuse and managing stress. You're already a guardian of our country, the following can help you be an even better guardian to your kids.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MILITARY KIDS CONNECT
Service families have access to this engaging website that helps children connect to an online community of other military kids, prepare for upcoming moves and have fun with lots of tools and games. Military Kids Connect also has great information to help adults understand what it takes to support military children at home and at school. Check out the ways your children can connect with others who've been there.
Relevant Articles:
• Getting the Most from Military Kids Connect militaryonesource.mil/family-relationships/parenting-and-children/parenting-youth-and-teens/getting-the-most-from-military-kids-connect
• Deployment Resources for Families militaryonesource.mil/family-relationships/parenting-and-children/parenting-through-deployment/deployment-resources-for-families
Relevant Resources:
• Military Kids Connect militarykidsconnect.health.mil/Caring-for-Our-Youth/Parents
• Military Kids Connect Teen Tours youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1aN3lHj22aHHsryACcKaL1OStT7mKFfY
SUPPORT YOUR KIDS IN SCHOOL
You want to give your kids a head start in their education, and safely navigate them through the sometimes-tricky terrain of grade school. Military OneSource can support you in supporting your child by providing guidance on a successful transition to a new school, connecting you with tutoring information or helping you navigate standardized tests in high school.
Relevant Articles:
• Ways to Support Your Kids in Grade School militaryonesource.mil/family-relationships/parenting-and-children/parenting-youth-and-teens/ways-to-support-your-kids-in-grade-school
• Helping Your Children Change Schools militaryonesource.mil/family-relationships/parenting-and-children/parenting-youth-and-teens/helping-your-children-change-schools
Relevant Resources:
• Military OneSource education consultations militaryonesource.mil/confidential-help/specialty-consultations/educa- tion/plan-your-future-with-a-military-onesource-education-consultant
• MWR Digital Library Fact Sheet militaryonesource.mil/products#!/detail/399
• Building a Strong Relationship With Your Child's School Podcast militaryonesource.mil/training-resources/podcasts/building-a-strong-relationship-with-your-child-s-school
HELP YOUR KIDS MANAGE STRESS
Teenage life can be very stressful. There are many things to juggle: fitting in at school, managing classwork and clubs, and a changing body and hormones. Your job is to help steer them through these tricky years. We offer tips for recognizing stress in your teen – and ways to help your adolescent manage emotions. You also can find help through Military OneSource or through hotlines if stress leads to more serious problems.
Relevant Articles:
• Helping Your Teen Manage Stress militaryonesource.mil/family-relationships/parenting-and-children/parenting-youth-and-teens/parenting-and-teen-stress
Relevant Resources:
• Chill Drills militaryonesource.mil/products#!/detail/55
• Military and Family Life Counseling Program militaryonesource.mil/confidential-help/non-medical-counseling/military-and- family-life-counseling
• Build Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development Podcast militaryonesource.mil/training-resources/podcasts/build-knowledge-of-parenting-and-child-development
TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT DIFFICULT TOPICS
It's important to keep communication open with your teen about topics like substance abuse and dating violence. Review our guidelines on addressing those important issues with your adolescent and where you can go for some extra support if you need it.
Relevant Articles:
• Talking to Your Military Teen About Substance Abuse militaryonesource.mil/family-relationships/parenting-and-children/parenting- youth-and-teens/talking-to-your-teen-about-substance-abuse
• Understanding Dating Violence militaryonesource.mil/family-relationships/parenting-and-children/parenting-youth-and-teens/understanding-teen-dating-violence
Relevant Resources:
• Military and Family Life Counseling Program militaryonesource.mil/confidential-help/non-medical-counseling/military-and- family-life-counseling •
– Military One Source