Rank in the US Military determines a lot of factors, from pay grade to housing. Rank varies by branch of service but most of the foundation work is the same. In this edition of the MSF Pocket Guide, let’s break down ranks and why it matters to everyone. Enlisted versus Officers While rank and insignia […]
Articles by Mary Lane Montoya
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Leave No Paws Behind helps make PCS with Pets Easier
Many military families these days have at least one pet in the household, and it can make for a complicated move when the time comes. One Marine Corps spouse experienced this hardship first hand. After receiving orders to Japan earlier in 2018, Liz Hensel researched everything she needed to do to bring Prince, her German […]
ICYMI: MilSpouseFest wraps up the year with 2021 Reflections
The MilSpouseFest team closed out the year with their final event day of the year, focusing on reflecting on the year gone by and goal setting for the year to come. Presented by USAA, the event had a full agenda of speakers and giveaways. The new breakout room feature gave military spouses the opportunity to […]
The MSF Military Pocket Guide: BAH & BAS
While we have discussed allowances and military pay in a previous MSF Pocket Guide, we didn’t go into depth into Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) and Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). In this edition, we will dive into the most important allowances in military pay. Basic Allowance for Subsistence BAS is meant to offset costs […]
ICYMI- MilSpouseFest hosts Military Family Appreciation Virtual Event
Hundreds of military spouses from across the world logged on to the MilSpouseFest virtual event on November 18 that focused on military family appreciation. Presented by USAA, the event had a full agenda of speakers and giveaways. Keynote speaker Michelle Norman, Executive Director of Partners in Promise shared her story and encouraged attendees to create […]
Holiday Military Family Give Back Guide: 2021 Edition
With the holidays around the corner, it is imperative to help those in need. According to recent data from the Blue Star Families Military Family Lifestyle Survey Comprehensive Report, some level of food insecurity was found in all enlisted ranks and is intensified in families with a spouse who needs or wants to work but […]
The MSF Military Pocket Guide: Military Pay
Military pay is not simple, there are many different factors that go into it. In this edition of the MSF Military Pocket Guide, we will break down all the different aspects in a service member’s pay. Basic Pay, Special and Incentives, and Allowances Basic pay is the fundamental part of a military paycheck. All service […]
Small But Mighty: Defy Nutrition gives an opportunity to an experienced MilSpouse
In January 2020, Mary-Catherine LaBossiere took the leap into entrepreneurship after applying to different positions for a long 7 months and after joining her husband at their current duty station. She started Defy Nutrition after seeing an opportunity to serve her community that had no dietician services and after a list of potential employers called […]