The MilSpouseFest team launched the first virtual events of the year under the Unite and Ignite theme this past week. Presented by USAA, MSF Director Julie Shepard and team hosted military spouses from across the globe to talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the military space. Keynote speaker Jennifer Dane, CEO of Modern Military […]
Articles by Mary Lane Montoya
MilSpouseFest kicks off new MSF Cast Series with PCS Tips and Tricks

The MilSpouseFest team started the new year right with the first ever MSF Cast on PCS Tips and Tricks. Presented by USAA, MSF Director Julie Shepard hosted an all-star panel to talk about the tools every spouse needs to have a successful PCS. Kellie Artis, COO of Millie, kicked off the discussion with early things […]
MilSpouseFest announces 2022 Events Season

While military spouses span six different service branches, there are few opportunities for all spouses to come together in one place. Enter MilSpouseFest. MilSpouseFest’s new event season emphasizes on uniting together to create change and ignite passions– hence the theme Unite and Ignite. Presented by USAA, MilSpouseFest is hosting a comprehensive, year-long program that combines […]
The MSF Military Pocket Guide: Military Ranks

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 […]
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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 […]