2021 MF MARCH

Have you ever met someone and just wanted to hug them? Spoiler alert: this happens to me a lot.

When I met June Copeland and her three daughters — June Alyxandra, Jasmyn, and Jeilyn — earlier this year, I wanted to embrace all four of them. Considering the pandemic, I reluctantly refrained.

During our interview, we were supposed to talk about their experiences at West Point but I learned so much more. It isn’t just this family’s warmth, respect for each other, and drive that is so compelling. It is something else. What is so striking about the Copelands is their fundamental belief in the role of education as the basis for all things big and small. I cannot think of a better story for our annual education issue.

In this month’s issue, we bring you the latest news from the trucking industry.

CONTRIBUTORS

Natalie Gross

Kristen De Deyn Kirk

Stephen Ruiz

Elizabeth Aslakson

Jessica Manfre

Tiffany Eve Lawrence

Lila Quintiliani

Through continuing education initiatives, trucking companies are recruiting veterans at a rapid pace and training them too. We visit Kennedy Space Center and learn how they are inspiring the youngest minds even in a virtual environment. Our financial expert gives us tips to save for college and we’ve gathered scholarship resources to help make your goals a reality.

As I read the pages of this issue, I keep coming back to the idea that education never really stops. Whether we are children, parents, or grandparents, active-duty or transitioning service members, education and making ourselves better is a life-long endeavor. Our work is never done.

So if you want to invest in yourself, do it. The time is now — take that class; get that extra job training; save for your child’s education; read and grow. Continue your educational journey in the ways that are best for you and

your family. As June Copeland says, education is “the key to elevating yourself, your family, and your legacy.”

I’ll be there to congratulate you for

Susan Malandrino Assistant Editor

Left to right, Jasmyn Haynes, June Alyxandra Copeland, June Copeland, and Jeilyn Haynes. Photography courtesy of Renée C. Gage Photography.

Photo courtesy of Darcy Troutman Photography

CONTENTS

West Point central to family legacy

by Susan Malandrino

Military Families Magazine by AmeriForce Media, LLC, is published 12 times a year for active duty service members and their families. Copies are available through participating family service centers, relocation offices, transition offices, base lodges, libraries, daycare centers, MWR activities and other locations by request. Unit distribution requests can be made online at www.AmeriForceMedia.com/ mf/print-magazines/

Individuals can order a free digital edition of this issue at www.AmeriForceMedia.com/ mf/subscribe-free/

Editorial comments can be emailed to managing.editor@ameriforcemedia.com

Military Families Magazine is published by AmeriForce Media, LLC, Bloomington, Indiana, a private company. Information and advertisements in this publication do not constitute endorsement by any branch of the military or the Department of Defense. No part of this publication may be copied without the express written permission of the publishers. AmeriForce Media, LLC, the publishers, and publisher’s agents make no endorsement of any advertised services or products and none should be inferred.

EDITORIAL AND PRODUCTION

President and Publisher | Todd Taranto

Managing Editor | Bianca M. Strzalkowski

Production Editor | Melissa Stewart

Assistant Editor | Susan Malandrino

Design | Open Look Business Solutions

ADVERTISING

PLEASE CALL 703-337-8100

by Natalie Gross

by Bianca Strzalkowski by Lila Quintiliani

Todd Taranto Publisher

Todd.Taranto@AmeriForceMedia.com

Julie Miller

Vice President, Sales

Julie.Miller@AmeriForceMedia.com

Ursula Hirschhaeuser Germany Sales +49 (0) 69-15053980

Ursula-Hirschhaeuser@t-online.de

by Stephen Ruiz

Female PANDEMIC HURDLES

founder

sustains seven-figure success in spite of

By Natalie Gross

During a global crisis, when many businesses have shuttered or suffered, Rachel Brenke has had the best year of her professional life.

That’s not to say she hasn’t faced obstacles, as anyone else enduring remote learning with five schoolaged children can attest to. Brenke is many things — a fast-talking, cancer-surviving business coach, licensed attorney, podcast host, and competitive triathlete who hit seven figures in 2020.

She said years of experience as an entrepreneur and military family member have prepared her to be successful during tough times.

“I just love that years ago, I had it in my mind that my vision of a real business was virtual, flexible, on my time schedule, so I did the things to get there,” Brenke said. “This was

years and years of hard work that I got to see the dividends this year.”

Brenke, 36, grew up as an Air Force kid and always knew she wasn’t meant for a traditional 9-to-5 job. That was only reinforced when she married a soldier.

After all, military spouses tend to live by “semper gumby” — always flexible, she said.

“Automatically, right off the bat, he was deploying and we had a kid, and my family needed me around a bit more. It inspired me, but it also forced me at the same time to really kick it into high gear to figure out what I needed to do to be successful,” Brenke said.

Then, while her husband was gone and she was taking care of their first baby by herself, doctors found a malignant tumor in her throat, and Brenke was diagnosed with cancer at age 20.

“The biggest thing of that was realizing you’re not immortal … but if I get through this, I want to live life on my terms,” she said. “I’ve never been a mainstream-type person, and the cancer really pushed me, as well as the military lifestyle, to embrace that. I have an unconventional attitude that is so great for entrepreneurship.”

After surgery and treatment, Brenke has been in remission for 15 years and now runs four brands across two legal entities: Rachel Brenke, FitLegally, TheLawTog, and Eden Law. And though she’s reluctant to brag about her successes at a time when so many people are hurting, Brenke is most proud of being able to provide the people who work for her with no interruptions to their incomes or careers. She said she’s even been able to offer hiring bonuses and pay raises for employees, most of whom are moms.

Part of her goal is to be a resource for other entrepreneurs, especially military spouses — something she felt was lacking when she started out. She still remembers being peppered with confusing questions at a Family Readiness Group meeting.

In addition to her business coaching services, she has a highly-rated podcast called “ The Business Bites ,” consisting of short episodes packed with expert advice.

Though Brenke’s husband is now medically retired from the Army, she’s still involved in the military

What’s veteran spouse and mother-of-five Rachel Brenke’s best advice for achieving success across multiple businesses while still prioritizing self-care and family time?

community and has seen many military spouse entrepreneurs excel during this time as well, as if the pandemic has been their “cancer moment,” she said.

Set an intention for what the most important things are to you,” she said. Put those first. “Then whatever you get to, you get to.”

“This has hit them very difficult, but they’re looking at it going, OK, now’s my time to do what I want — if it’s a career change, if it’s to become an entrepreneur — and I’m encouraged by that,” she said.

By Melissa Stewart

Joseph Tachovsky knew that his father, Frank Tachovsky, was a Marine who served in the South Pacific during World War II. Beyond that, his dad remained secretive about his time leading a Special Operations platoon in Saipan’s Northern Marina Islands.

“Dad was very quick to squash any questions that might be asked about World War II,” said Joseph. “As Bob Smotts [a fellow member of Frank’s platoon] said to me, ‘Killing is nothing to brag about.’”

But after his father’s death in 2011, Joseph discovered that Frank could have done plenty of boasting if he

wanted to. His father received the Silver Star Medal from the President of the United States, presented by Adm. Chester Nimitz, for leading his team of “40 Thieves” during the Battle of Saipan and contributing to the V-J Day Japanese surrender on Aug. 15, 1945.

And learning about these accolades was just the beginning. Joseph

eventually uncovered so many stories about Frank and the elite members of his platoon, that he decided to write a book. After years of research and documenting undercover operations, he and author Cynthia Kraack recently released “40 Thieves on Saipan” to coincide with the 75th Anniversary of V-J Day (Victory over Japan).

The journey to publication began at Frank’s funeral. After hearing in a eulogy that his father saved the lives of everyone in his platoon, Joseph

decided to open a footlocker he once considered “just another box in the garage,” and it exposed an abundance of significant military memorabilia — personal letters, medals, photographs, and more.

“It was like a Christmas present,” recalled Joseph. “It was like time travel. It was like watching ‘From Here to Eternity,’ only it’s your parents in the movie. The more I found, the more I learned, and the more I wanted to find out and discover.”

So, his quest continued, as Joseph traveled the country to conduct extensive interviews with the surviving members of the 40 Thieves. Over nine years, 600 pages of oral histories ultimately turned into the 300-page book, and the men became so close to Joseph that he began to consider them family. He said he was able to develop a sacred trust with the war heroes, even though opening up wasn’t always easy.

“All of the men suffered nightmares and PTSD, and talking about it is a trigger,” explained Joseph. “That made it one of the difficult things about talking to these fellows. They were so ready, willing, and able to open old wounds and discuss their service, and I was certainly more than grateful and wanted to hear the stories.”

As they relived the Battle of Saipan once again, Joseph learned of the platoon’s legacy, including how they earned their nickname.

“The Marines of World War II in general were notorious for being thieves,” he said. “They were the poorest-equipped branch of service. In fact, when they [the 40 Thieves] went into Guadalcanal as the first ground troops in the Pacific, they were given uniforms, rations, and weapons left over from World War I.”

Joseph described how the men had to use 1901 Springfield rifles with a six-cartridge clip and bolt action.

“So, every time they needed to fire, they had to slide the bolt and reload and then replace the clip every six shots. And they won.” To make up for their subpar supplies, these Marines had to scrounge, improvise, and find whatever they could to use as a weapon — from crushed glass to two-handled piano wire — and became notorious thieves that achieved a victory.

These tales of spirited innovation can now be found in Joseph’s documentary-style book that also depicts other challenges, the important women in their lives, and historic black and white photographs.

Despite his years of silence, Joseph said he thinks his father would be proud to see his men being recognized and remembered for their service and important place in history.

“Even though my dad never spoke about it, I think he’d be pleased because I wrote the book basically for the men,” he said. “I never really wanted it to be a book about me and my dad. I wanted to tell their stories — and not just about World War II but the aftermath and how it affected them for the rest of their lives.”

“40 Thieves on Saipan: The Elite Marine Scout-Snipers in One of WWII’s Bloodiest Battles” is available for purchase at all major book retailers.

The author with his father, Frank Tachovsky. Courtesy photo Lt. Frank Tachovsky receives the Silver Star. Courtesy photo.

By Susan Malandrino

In 1991, 18-year-old June Copeland was brushing her teeth when her twin brother, Jerry Copeland, asked her to join the Army with him. Her answer? A resounding “No.” After much cajoling, the two agreed to enlist together for maybe three to four years.

While Jerry served his commitment and entered civilian life, June ended up making a robust career of it. She would go on to graduate from West Point and become an adjutant general. Nearly three decades later, Col. June Copeland has made both education and the Army central to her family’s legacy.

Currently, June is stationed at the Pentagon. When you ask her about her greatest accomplishment, she points to her three daughters — June Alyxandra, Jasmyn, and Jeilyn — all of whom have graduated from or are currently attending West Point.

June’s drive for excellence and her grounding comes from family, particularly her mother.

“When my ancestors were freed, we decided to stay on the plantation in Georgia. So, my grandmother was born there,” she said. Her mother grew up during Jim Crow and was one of 12 students who integrated schools in Savannah, Georgia. “She always talked about the benefits of education . . . Her biggest emphasis was always on getting a good education, making it count, and working towards a goal.”

While at basic training, June was crestfallen to learn that her first assignment would be in Germany. She called her mother in tears worried that she wasn’t ready for such a big step.

“When you are in basic training you see about five colors: brown, brick,

dirt, tan, and green. All of a sudden, I saw all of these colors, pink, yellow, red, purple, just floating around and I was mesmerized,” she said.

Suddenly, June realized that it was her mom dressed in the most beautiful floral shirt. While her brigade was performing drill and ceremony, her mother and 10 family members were there to cheer her on and encourage her. Her mother served as a literal bright spot in the drab world of basic training.

Today, June serves as a mentor, cheerleader, and bright spot for her own daughters.

“Everyone loves our story,” June said. “The thing I love the most about the girls is that they are good people. They are amazing human beings. They are good people to their hearts,” she said.

For June, the values of West Point just make sense for her family. “The values: don’t lie, cheat, or steal. Be an honorable person. Character matters. These are all things that my parents instilled in me and I made sure I instilled them in my children. It works,” she said.

When her oldest daughter, June Alyxandra, was a sophomore in high school, the two mapped out a plan for her educational and career goals.

“It wasn’t until we sat down and talked about the future that I really thought about West Point,” June Alyxandra said.

A 2020 West Point graduate, 2nd Lt. June Alyxandra Copeland is now 23 and stationed at Fort Drum, New York, where she serves in the 10th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion of the Combat Aviation Brigade.

Twenty-year-old twins Jasmyn and Jeilyn Haynes were eager to follow in their big sister’s footsteps. Both are currently juniors at West Point. Jasmyn, an IT major, is on the dance team and Jeilyn, a history major, is on the debate team.

“I would have loved to make the debate team, and I think she would have loved to be on the dance team . . . but we had to part ways,” Jasmyn said with a smile. “There was a lot of teasing.”

All three girls say that the institution provides a structure for success.

“They teach you how to fail so they can figure out what you’re good at so they can help you discover where you need to work to succeed,” June Alyxandra said.

Jeilyn says that West Point presented many challenges physically, academically, and in terms of time management. “However, the one thing where we never struggled with

was the character and moral values because our mother raised us. She taught us character. She taught us courage.”

“Resilience!” Jasmyn interjected. “She taught us resilience! So when we did fail, we would always get back up.”

“Education is very important to our family,” Jeilyn added. “So are the values of duty, honor, country. What’s astounding about my mom is that she took those values and she raised us with them. So going into West Point, when people found out our mother was a lieutenant colonel in the Army, people looked at us like these West Point Simbas.”

“Yea, like we grew up low crawling to breakfast,” June Alyxandra interrupted with a laugh.

June says that while there have been many lessons for the girls, education remains at the heart of her family’s priorities.

“One thing my mother would always say is that the key to changing your life, the key to elevating yourself and your family, and [taking] your legacy to the next level is always making sure you have an education. Once you get that piece of paper, it can never be taken away from you,” June concluded.

Left to right: Jasmyn Haynes, June Copeland, Jeilyn Haynes, and June Alyxandra Copeland. Pictures courtesy of Renée C Gage Photography.

Navigator PREP program helps challenged students with transition

By Kristen De Deyn Kirk - SPONSORED

A parent or a child participating in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) might worry about the huge hurdle they could face when the child’s education is mixed with a major change. EFMP members sometimes have a learning challenge and need resources to support them in being successful during such a time, especially when the major change involves transitioning from high school to college. Figuring out exactly what new skills could benefit a student and his or her family isn’t always clear, though. Also not easy: Knowing how to develop those skills once you’ve determined which ones might help.

“We’ve worked with military families. They’re so resilient and resourceful, yet they still ask for our guidance in developing strategies and skills,” said Alexander Morris-Wood, creator of Navigator PREP, an individualized skillstraining program designed for soon-tobe college students and their parents.

Morris-Wood, who introduced Navigator PREP in 2018 for Beacon College students-to-be and has expanded it to any student interested in attending any college, wants to know how a student sees his or her own strengths and weaknesses. He

also seeks the student’s parents’ perspective, along with the high school’s insight.

“Do they all see the same strengths, the same challenges for the student?” asked Morris-Wood, who is also director of transition services and outreach at Beacon College in Leesburg, Florida, which was founded to serve students with learning disabilities. “We provide a complete, multi-perspective assessment to define the student’s and his or her parents’ most pressing needs.”

The next step is creating an individualized curriculum. No student nor family receives the same plan. Families are teamed with a transition counselor — an individual experienced in higher education, teaching, or counseling — and receive live, online sessions scheduled at convenient times. Each student will have sessions twice a month and parents once a month. The transition counselor will check in with both regularly to track progress, and the student and the parents can also view online webinars for additional information. Families can choose between three-, six- and nine-month Navigator PREP programs. The investment is $2,000, $3,000, and $4,000, respectively.

Students who met in Navigator PREP and became close friends before they even arrived at Beacon College.

“Prices for similar services at other colleges once you’re enrolled are $2,500 to $7,500, on top of tuition,” shares Morris-Wood, “and we work with you before the student goes to school, so you’re ready beforehand.”

The three-month, PREP program beings in May, the six-month program in February, and the ninemonth in November. Those who choose the nine-month program sometimes work with their transition counselor to refine their list of prospective colleges.

Morris-Wood designed Navigator PREP while working at a high school and staying in touch with alumni attending college. He observed what skills former students were lacking and wanted a program to provide training to his current students before they attended college. His Navigator PREP transition counselors now teach non-class specific techniques. They include emotional regulation, social integration, independent living, selfawareness, and executive functions such as planning and prioritizing and problem-solving. The first year of Navigator PREP, Morris-Wood and his transition counselors guided eight students who planned to attend Beacon College; this year they’ll work with approximately 200 students headed to dozens of different colleges. Since founding the program, they’ve helped people from 33 states and two foreign countries.

One student who Morris-Wood worked with was transitioning from a high school with a graduating class of 14 students he knew most of his life. His Individualized Education Program, a legal education agreement between a school and a student, had always included an accommodation of being allowed to complete all homework during classroom time. Such an

The First and Only Virtual Transition-to-College Program Of Its Kind for Students Who Learn Di erently and Their Families

• A highly personalized, family-based approach engaging both students and parents in the transition-to-college process

• Defines each student’s point of college readiness to create a personal strategy to prepare for the transition to college

• Open to students applying to colleges nationwide

arrangement wouldn’t be possible after high school.

“We helped the student get ready for college, where he’d have to do homework outside of class and reach out to make friends,” says MorrisWood. “With us, he learned about estimating the time assignments

would take, managing unstructured time, and how to make connections with new people. We’re thrilled that he has thrived in college, earning a 3.9 GPA, becoming a student ambassador, and reporting that he is happy. That’s the best thing for me to hear — that students who work with Navigator PREP are happy.”

A VIRTUAL PROGRAM OF FLORIDA’S BEACON COLLEGE

Dad’s military service NBA success a key to son’s

By Stephen Ruiz

For a birthday present for his son years ago, Charles Smith bought a basketball arcade-style game where the hoop moves forward and backward, increasing the degree of difficulty. Every game ended the same way — with Jalen Smith losing, then crying — a fact riddled with irony now that Jalen was a first-round draft pick for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns.

When his father, a retired chief petty officer in the Navy, received a phone call informing him that Jalen was boarding a plane en route to starting his professional career, Jalen didn’t shed a tear.

The same could not be said for Charles.

“I know all the hard work he put into it,’’ the elder Smith said.

The Phoenix Suns drafted Jalen, a 6-foot-10, 215-pound forward, with the 10th overall pick in November. He played two seasons at the University of Maryland and won’t turn 21 until March. Smith (3.0 points, 2.0 rebounds per game) has appeared in four of the Suns’ 16 games at the time of reporting.

His father’s military service rubbed off on Smith.

“[It made me] more responsible for myself, more accountable and made sure that I respect elders and I am living the life that he raised me to live,’’ Jalen said.

Charles, 47, entered the Navy out of high school.

He has fond memories of watching Army-Navy football games with his uncle, Arthur Lee Smith, a master chief petty officer in the Navy, as a child. Charles was captivated about the stories that his uncle told about his service.

Charles served 23 years, and as he moved from station to station, his wife, Orletha, and two children remained on the East Coast.

“There’s no point in doing something if you’re not going to give your maximum effort,’’ Jalen said of the biggest lesson that he learned from his father. “That’s something I kept with me my whole life.’’

When the elder Smith was away, Jalen helped around the house. He made sure the doors were locked. He did not go to bed until his mother and younger sister were tucked away for the night.

Even when his father returned home, Jalen took his duties seriously.

“I was like, ‘No, daddy’s home now so you can go back to being Jalen the little kid,’’’ said Charles, now an engineering inspector. “He took on big responsibilities at a very young age.’’

One way the Smiths bonded was through basketball.

Charles, who is 6 feet tall, was a huge fan of former Maryland standouts

Len Bias and Keith Gatlin. He played a little in high school but mainly was a rec-league player. Once they graduated from pop-a-shot games, the Smiths took their one-on-one battles to the court.

“I could beat him eight, nine times, and he’d still want to play again,’’ Charles said. “His will to win and finally to beat me, there was no telling him he wasn’t eventually going to do that.’’

Jalen finally prevailed when he was a sophomore in high school. They split four games that day. Charles recalled that Jalen should have won them all, except he coaxed his son to shoot outside more instead of working the ball closer to the hoop, where Jalen’s height was a distinct advantage.

“After that, I played him one more time,’’ Charles said.

On that occasion, Charles’ wife bet him $100 that he couldn’t score a point off their son. A point? Charles managed that but never received the money.

Now he has a lot more as he sees Jalen happy and living out a lifetime goal.

“It’s been a new adventure,’’ Jalen said. “It was my first time being on the West Coast, getting accustomed to a whole new area and a whole new team that I never met before. It’s a very interesting thing, and I know it’s going to take time to get fully accustomed to everything.

“It’s been a lot of fun so far.’’

FROM MUSICIAN TO SOLDIER AND BACK AGAIN

By Elizabeth Aslakson

When Obi Okechukwu was a child in Dallas, Texas, his mother filled the family home with church music. It served as the soundtrack of his childhood and would become the genesis of his aspirations as a musician, educator, and future officer in the U.S. Army Band.

Today, Okechukwu is an ROTC cadet and Green to Gold (G2G) graduate student at Johns Hopkins University’s Peabody Institute, an institution world-renowned for its rigorous music and academic programs.

“I’ve always wanted to join the Army Band, believing I can achieve my full potential. With the small percent of members … this is no small feat,” he said.

When he was a child, Okechukwu wanted to play clarinet and piano in the school band but his family couldn’t afford the costs. The financial limitations didn’t stop him, though, and he “stuck with choir” from elementary school through college.

While completing his Bachelor of Music at Southern Methodist University, he worked as a church youth choir director. When the

church needed a new organist, Okechukwu took the opportunity to develop his talents.

“Due to my lack of skills, I spent time learning the fundamentals, taking voice and piano lessons, quickly improving my ability,” he explained. The church hired him, and he worked as director for seven years, growing as a musician, performer, and teacher.

Okechukwu explained that his professors were instrumental in his growth and he built his repertoire by learning to play the tuba, bassoon, cello, and percussion.

“Other ventures included participating in a cappella group and Stampede,” he said. “My interests expanded to not only classical music, but jazz, country, [and I was] given opportunities to arrange, collaborate, and lead.”

After graduating and becoming a high school choir director, Okechukwu sought to further his leadership skills, deciding the military would give him the opportunity. So, he resigned as teacher and church director and enlisted in the Army.

Even as a junior soldier, Okechukwu’s talents flourished as he provided musical presentations for ceremonies. While Okechukwu was serving as a religious affairs specialist at Fort Gordon, Georgia, Chaplain Monica Lawson took notice of his abilities.

With Lawson’s encouragement, Okechukwu applied his skills in a variety of avenues. For example, Fort Gordon’s Army Band disbanded, so he stepped up, providing musical support for the installation Easter Sunrise Service.

While in the Army, Okechukwu diversified his skills as a soldier. He trained for the Best Warrior Competition and represented the Installation Management Command at Fort Knox, Kentucky. In 2018, he was selected as the 2018 Soldier for the Year at Fort Gordon. Despite these successes, he was still striving for something more. Coincidentally, around this time, Lawson reached out to him again.

“She called at the right time, making me aware of the G2G program, where enlistees with associate degrees can attend college and graduate with a bachelor’s in two years and become a commissioned officer. Since I had a college degree, the option for me would be the G2G master’s program — also in two years.”

Okechukwu jumped at the chance to pursue a graduate degree of his choosing from the G2G list, while also training to be an officer. He researched schools and within three weeks, diligently tracked down his former professors and unit commanders for letters of recommendation. Two church music directors with whom he volunteered chipped in and helped him prepare for video interviews and auditions.

The following spring, he received acceptance letters from Peabody Conservatory, Johns Hopkins University’s ROTC, and Cadet Command. Since fall 2019, he’s been a full-time music graduate student while learning the skills of a lieutenant.

“I’m strengthening as a performer,

EARN AN ONLINE DEGREE MADE FOR

MILITARY LIFESTYLE

educator, collaborator, and learning how to lead squads and platoons. I am still active duty and will continue serving following commissioning.”

In many ways, life has come full circle for Okechukwu. From his days prior to enlistment to his time as a soldier and later his completion of the G2G program, he remains thankful for each step of his journey and the professional

growth he’s found along the way.

“I’ve enjoyed standing in front of an ensemble, rehearsing, and conducting and see myself doing this for a long time. I hope to not only join the Army Band, but to inspire others to pursue teaching, putting themselves outside their comfort zone, and achieving what they hope for in life,” he concluded.

Widow

GOES

EXTRA MILE TO carry on husband’s

legacy

Maj. Philip D. Ambard was killed in 2011 in Kabul, Afghanistan. Air Force photo.

By Jessica Manfre

Air Force Maj. Phil Ambard deployed to Afghanistan to serve on a NATO team training the Afghan Air Force when he was killed during a shooting at Kabul International Airport, according to the Air Force. He was 44. His widow, Linda Ambard, describes him as a husband and father who exuded kindness and fun. She refers to him as the “Disneyland parent.”

Linda said she didn’t mind being the rule maker, knowing that Phil’s childhood shaped so much of who he was. Phil was a French-Venezuelan immigrant who didn’t even know English when he arrived on American soil at the age of 12. A self-taught linguist, he would go on to learn 10 languages and, in 2003, started a career at the Air Force Academy’s Department of Foreign Languages.

A fellow professor described Phil’s impact on his student.

“You would always see a line of cadets at his office,” Lt. Col. LeAnn Derby said in an interview with the Air Force shortly after Phil’s death. “It was easy to see the impact he had on them.”

Growing up in Venezuela was a tumultuous experience for Phil, Linda says, but it also inspired him to always prioritize his family and value all people in his adult life.

“One thing that I learned from my husband was to really love my country, warts and all,” Linda said with a smile.

But he almost wasn’t her husband. Phil asked Linda out more than a dozen times before she said yes.

“I didn’t want anything to do with him

because he was almost six years younger than me,” she said. “We became friends through the course of him asking the first 19 times and it became a joke. Then one day he said, ‘This is the last time I am going to ask you out if you say no.’”

Four months later they eloped.

“He was the kindest and most humble person I knew … He saw the invisible people. You know, the people who come and do the cleaning at your workplace? He would practice any of his 10 languages to figure out which one they spoke,” Linda said. “He’d find out about their families or sodas and snacks they liked, then he’d show up with them. He felt like you could change people more by being kind and meeting them where they were.”

Phil enlisted in the Air Force to not only serve but also to earn his citizenship. He would go on to become an officer and teacher. Despite the security of his position teaching at the Air Force Academy, he volunteered to deploy to Afghanistan in 2011.

One of the hardest parts about the day he lost his life was that he knew his assassin, Linda explained. The Afghan soldier who ambushed those airmen was someone Phil considered a friend. They often lunched together and conversed in different languages. Phil’s death changed everything for his family and there was more trauma to come.

“Two years after he was killed, I was at the Boston Marathon when all hell broke loose,” Linda said. “I was one stop away from the finish line and I

was smiling; it was a good day. I was running to honor and remember Phil. They had chosen me to do that. Then the first boom hit … I became terrified and it lives on in my nightmare and it overlaps with Phil. But it woke something up in me. I can’t let terrorism have anything else from me … I have to fight to thrive, and by doing that I am honoring Phil.”

Linda went on to earn a master’s degree in military resiliency counseling and began using her voice.

“The military is very good at recognizing the funerals … but they aren’t so good at what comes next,” she explained. “The cost keeps going. It doesn’t go away just because it’s been 10 years.”

Linda shared that trauma severely impacts those who experience it and can continue to wreak devastation on lives. It’s with this in mind that she continues to counsel, train, and educate, hoping to change and improve the lives of other military families.

A decade later, Linda is still running marathons to honor Phil on every continent except Antarctica — but that’s coming in March 2022. She also found love again and is engaged to be married. One lesson she’d like people to take away from her story is to love more deeply and take the time to show it because we never know how much we have left.

A decade after the death of her husband, a Gold Star wife continues to go the distance to carry her airman’s memory around the globe.

By Susan Malandrino

It’s been more than 50 years since Neil Armstrong landed on the moon, taking those famous first steps. When Kennedy Space Center’s (KSC) Education Manager Dee Maynard envisions an astronaut walking on the planet Mars for the first time, she hopes that the first words spoken will be: “I took the first step of this journey at Camp KSC®!”

“We hope that kids who enroll in camp want to pursue a career that’s going to be part of the space program,” Maynard said. The feedback staff receives is that the camps do just that.

Kennedy Space Center, known worldwide as the epicenter of America’s space program, is located in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The center offers a variety of STEM educational initiatives, including field trips, educational programs, overnight adventures, and camps to inspire the next generation.

In a typical year, KSC runs 10 camps and sees nearly 2,000 studentparticipants over the summer. Due to the pandemic, for the first time since the camp’s inception in 2003, in-person educational activities were halted. Rather than be deterred, Maynard and her team did what

NASA does best. They improvised.

As a result, two virtual experiences for kids ages 7 through 12, the threeday Virtual Camp KSC® and five-day Space After School, were born.

Typically, NASA staff spend nine months crafting their in-person curriculum, which includes a heavy emphasis on tactile experiences and technology. Maynard says that there have been numerous challenges, including retooling the curriculum and deciding which materials would be both age-appropriate and practical for in-home use.

A large part of in-person camp includes exploring the space center complex. In the virtual environment, the staff has made a point to host the sessions at a different location each day, including The Apollo/Saturn 5 Center, Space Shuttle Atlantis, and

Planet Play, KSC’s newest facility, a high-tech indoor playground that explores deep space, to ensure that campers get the best experience possible.

“It’s still camp and we want them to learn but have fun in the process,” she said.

One of Maynard’s favorite experiments is called packing the payload bay. Campers use a toilet paper tube to make a model of a payload bay with doors that open and shut. For an engineering and design challenge, campers have to design a satellite that will fit in the bay, but when you deploy it, it is bigger than the bay.

“As we are cutting up the toilet paper tube, we are doing math. We are doing fractions and, kids you didn’t even know it! They are just having fun,” she said.

Plans are underway for in-person camp this summer but, according to Maynard, the virtual camp is here to stay. Families from all over the country, and even a few international locations, have been able to participate.

“We have not had a camp yet where we didn’t have kids asking: ‘How do I become an astronaut?’ How do I become an engineer?’ That is our big thing, watching kids decide that this is worth pursuing. Because even if they decide that they don’t want to be an astronaut, they still have gotten involved in those STEM fields and gotten excited about it.

“As a classroom teacher for many years, one of the things that I always heard was: ‘Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand.’ And that’s how we want to tell the NASA story. We want to involve them in the NASA story,” Maynard concluded.

OUR EXPERIENCE AT VIRTUAL

As part of writing this story, my children and I were so excited about Virtual Camp KSC® that we decided to try it out for ourselves.

Process:

We enrolled online and paid our fee of $65. The week before camp, a kit arrived containing camp supplies and our instruction manuals. Note: families with more than one child can purchase additional kits for $25. We received a Zoom link and instructions, including a list of household materials needed for each lesson.

Activities:

Our sessions included: Launching and Landing, where we built and launched a tube rocket, a chemical rocket with a parachute, a foam glider, and a lunar lander; Exploring Deep Space, where we used chemistry and physics to build different models of the solar system; and Living and Working in Space, where we performed experiments to gain a better understanding of the challenges of living on another planet.

Highlights:

What can you build with a paper towel tube, cardboard, scissors, tape, rubber bands, and a yardstick? A NASA rocket that you can fly across your living room. I’d advise shooting it across your yard instead.

My children particularly loved mixing vinegar and baking soda in a film canister and watching it explode. We were smart enough to follow instructions and do this experiment outside. Another favorite was crafting our own galaxy by mixing glue, water, and glitter. The three days flew by, and while I won’t be headed to space anytime soon, who knows, maybe one day my kids will.

Trucking industry sees veterans as central to business

By Stephen Ruiz

Cheyenne Martinez did not need to enroll in a veteran apprenticeship program for truckers to obtain her commercial driver’s license.

She already had one.

Coming from a family of truckers — her mother is in the business, as was her grandfather — Martinez started the program knowing a lot about the business. Just not everything.

“Yes, I went on the road with my mom, but the program taught me pretty much all the basic skills that I needed to know and then some,’’ said Martinez, who will turn 25 on March 17.

“They give you so much information, and the quality time that you get with your leaders, they really set you up for success.’’

According to a recent report compiled by the American Trucking Association, the workforce is aging and it needs to attract a younger demographic to replace retiring truckers. As the trucking industry seeks new drivers, it is tapping a valuable resource — veterans, of which there are 200,000 annually who leave the military, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Veterans appeal to the trucking industry as long haulers of their strong value systems, said Jafi Roskey, military and specialized programs manager for Werner Enterprises.

Like service members, truckers embark on a mission and are expected to complete it on time and successfully.

“Our industry [is] always looking for truck drivers,’’ Roskey said. “That is a nationwide issue, but the veteran force is especially needed. They served our nation. Why not continue to serve their nation by hauling America’s goods?’’

Werner’s apprenticeship program for veterans is in its 15th year. The company’s headquarters is in Omaha, Nebraska, and employs about 13,000 people nationally and puts roughly

Cheyenne Martinez, pictured here with her dog Apollo, got her commercial driver’s license shortly after she turned 21. She’s also a specialist in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.

8,000 trucks onto the nation’s roads. Werner averages adding 450 veterans with benefits annually, Roskey said.

Besides Werner, other trucking companies have developed programs to train vets. One is Swift Transportation out of Phoenix. A Swift spokesperson declined to be interviewed or make one of the company’s drivers available for this story.

Werner’s veteran apprenticeship program is under an umbrella of company initiatives called Operation Freedom.

“Veterans bring that leadership, that can-do attitude,’’ Roskey said. “They’re self-reliant. They need very little supervision to do the tasks that we’re asking them to do. They’ve proven themselves.’’

Werner’s program can last up to 24 months.

The apprenticeship program is upon hire, and any driver with at least a year’s experience can enroll, Roskey said. The curriculum focuses on dayto-day skills that truckers encounter, including driving in inclement weather and what to do when a rig breaks down. On-the-road driving skills and the proper technique for backing up are stressed.

Roskey says that the curriculum is geared toward safety and proficiency.

“The apprentice program’s completely free to enroll in,’’ Roskey said. “There’s an added benefit for those who are veterans or in the Guard or Reserves. They can use their VA educational benefit for the program for up to the 24 months. They can withdraw that for their monthly housing allowance for up to 24 months.’’

Martinez got her commercial driver’s license shortly after she turned 21. She recalls fondly the time she spent behind the wheel of her truck. Martinez no longer is a driver but rather a safety representative for Werner based in Pennsylvania. All the while, she is a specialist in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. Martinez, whose first child was born in February 2021, enlisted on the day she graduated high school in 2014. Seven years later, she is still in the military — and still in close proximity to truckers.

“Trucking is a good path for veterans, especially veterans coming from the active-duty side because there are so many ways to travel,’’ Martinez said.

“When you’re so used to traveling and you get stuck in one place for too long, you get antsy. You’re so used to go, go, go all the time.’’

The trucking industry is making its intentions clear.

For veterans seeking a good career path after leaving the military, there’s worse places to be than behind the wheel.

“[They can] continue their travels throughout the U.S.,’’ Martinez said. “You get paid at the same time, but it’s not a job. It’s more of a passion at that point.’’

for tech fields preps military kids

By Elizabeth Aslakson

In the next five years, experts predict a shortage of nearly 2 million cybersecurity professionals in the U.S. CyberPatriot (CP), a national youth education program, hopes to fill this gap by recruiting and engaging future leaders.

The CP program, created by the Air Force Association in 2009, inspires K-12 students to pursue cybersecurity and STEM fields by helping develop technical skills, expanding critical thinking, and preparing for the challenges of the future.

Mike Cullen, an Air Force veteran and Rhode Island-based STEM educator, says the country is facing burgeoning, powerful, and persistent threats to our digital infrastructure. At the same time, Cullen stresses that there is a huge unmet demand for talent to counter these threats.

The CP program plans to address these challenges through a variety of educational initiatives, including camps, literature series, and educational models. The program is best known for the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, the nation’s largest such competition that puts high school and middle school students in charge of securing virtual networks.

“This competition brings an important brain sport to the attention of schools and culture with little understanding of the opportunities,” Cullen said.

As part of the competition, students break into teams and race to secure virtual networks. In addition to the hard skills of network security and digital infrastructure, teams must also foster their soft skills, including teamwork.

According to the Air Force Association’s website, nearly 25,000 students from across the country have participated in the competition since its inception. Nearly 60% of CP alumni go on to major in cybersecurity or computer science in college and 82% of program graduates were working in the field post-graduation.

Teens RJ White and Olivia Ruggiero, both of Rhode Island, praise the program’s curriculum and their role in a competition that provides them with technical and life skills.

White, a high school senior who will attend Worchester Polytechnic Institute next year, says the program helped him better navigate how computers work and inspired his academic aspirations.

“CP opened my eyes to how vulnerable computers and operating systems are, making me rethink how I work online from passwords and

security settings to the dangers of simply opening an email or clicking a link,” he said.

White says that he’s learned that no computer can ever be 100% secure.

“As technology and the internet evolve, so are threats,” he said.

Olivia Ruggiero says that the program has helped her with problem-solving, independent thinking, and leadership skills. While in middle school, she served as CP captain of teams at both schools.

“When switching schools, I went from being captain of an all-female team to an all-male team. Although I had seniority, I had to prove myself in a male-dominated program. This was difficult, [but at the same time], I received support and praise and feel I will be capable of handling similar situations later in life,” Ruggiero said.

Ruggiero, currently a junior in high school, plans to major in pre-law. And though her focus isn’t STEM, she said her experiences with CP helped her navigate the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme. She credits CP with helping her apply critical thinking skills to her experiences and the world around her.

Cullen says CP is imperative in getting the next generation of cyber professionals ready to meet tomorrow’s challenges.

“As threats rapidly evolve and become more consequential, it’s essential to keep building a diverse talent pool. The resultant out-of-the-box thinking is no longer a luxury, but an operational imperative,” he concluded.

This year’s competition will be held virtually March 18-22. Registration for the 2021-22 competition will open in April. For more information about CyberPatriot, visit https:// www.uscyberpatriot.org.

‘Awakening’ puts Naval Academy’s first Black female commander on different trajectory

By Tiffany Eve Lawrence

Listening to 1st Class Midshipman Sydney Barber speak can make someone wonder if they are living up to their potential. But that’s what she does — reaches high and inspires those around her to do the same.

Barber, 21, found purpose at a young age through community service and now is making history as the first Black female brigade commander for the U.S. Naval Academy. And this is only the beginning of her professional impact.

Barber was chosen for this role because of her outstanding ability to perform as a leader. To plow a different path than her parents, who were both in the Navy, she initially resisted joining the Academy. But Barber learned a valuable lesson as a teenager — find your purpose and let it drive you. Her journey has been packed with lifechanging moments of awareness.

Barber grew up in an affluent community in Lake Forest, Illinois, but her family had a lower socioeconomic status than her peers.

“I wasn’t going on the nice vacations and I didn’t have all the nice cars,” she said.

Her classmates drove Mercedes Benzes, BMWs, and Teslas in their sophomore year of high school, and she didn’t have a vehicle.

“I would often compare myself to the people around me,” she said. “But I know it wasn’t till later that I realized that I have everything that I need.”

She refers to this realization as her “awakening.”

As a middle schooler, a time when many kids are hanging out with their friends, Barber started serving at homeless shelters and soup kitchens.

“I remember that was a very eyeopening experience for me early on in my life,” she said. She also served with the Senior High Youth Group (SHYG) and led a small group for fifth- and sixth-graders.

“I really found my niche within my church community and within the community service clubs at my school,” she said.

Helping people in underserved areas like inner-city Chicago, India, and the Dominican Republic fostered a heart for service and opened her eyes to what matters.

“I saw people who were so filled with joy and passionate in their lives, not because of materialistic things or because of an abundance of money, but just because of their faith and their family and their purpose,” she said.

Afterward, she says she found a greater calling and more purpose in life by using that passion to give to others. It was the idea of service that guided her during the college selection process.

Barber discovered that the Naval Academy was the perfect place, because of its rigorous academics and dual alignment with her goals.

As Barber steps into her new role as brigade commander, she will lead over 4,000 midshipmen. Her duties will include managing their daily activities and professional training for the length of the semester. It wasn’t until 1976, 131 years after the Academy was founded, that women were admitted. Barber is one of 15 chosen to lead in the last 44 years. But most importantly, she is the first Black woman in command.

Brigade commander isn’t a role she initially set out for, but the value she places on her purpose won’t let her sit on the sidelines. Her internal push to be the best leader means jumping at any opportunity for professional growth and the chance to make others better.

However, she still faced some doubts.

“I thought that I had a very little chance of getting it just because it’s very competitive … The thing that really hit me over the edge is I didn’t want to be the person to count myself out and tell myself no,” she said.

Barber pursued this position, not because of her gender or race, but because she felt like she had to pursue it.

“It had to be because I knew that I was going to be Black and female and a great leader.”

Barber will continue to put her heart and soul into pursuing every chance to stretch herself while simultaneously making an impact. After graduation, she will be commissioning into the Marines, where she plans to be the best.

“I never strive for a billet. I don’t strive for a position, but I definitely strive for a purpose and in the purpose where I’m going to thrive and help those around me thrive and make the world as a whole a better place,” she said.

STUDENTS FOR MILITARY-CONNECTED

By Bianca Strzalkowski

Completing an education is hard enough without having to stress about how to pay for it. If you have a military affiliation and are thinking about college (or are already working on a degree), you’re in luck. Organizations have stepped up to offer education assistance to offset the cost of tuition and fees.

Here is the latest list of financial aid offerings from around the military community:

YEAR-ROUND SCHOLARSHIPS

National Military Family Association

The basics: Awards available for career funding, degrees, clinical supervision towards licensure in the mental health profession, and business expenses.

Deadline: Year-round.

Army Emergency Relief

BRANCH AID SOCIETIES

Each service branch has an equivalent branch aid society that supports service members and their families through various programs –including education assistance.

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society

Who’s eligible: Spouses of active duty or retired sailors and Marines.

The basics: Interest-free loans and grants for undergraduates at an accredited 2- or 4-year education, technical or vocational institution. Deadline: Applications and all supporting documents are to be postmarked no later than June 1, 2021.

Air Force Aid Society

Who’s eligible: Spouses of active duty and Title 10 reservists, and widows.

The basics: Needs-based grant ranging from $500 — 4000.

Deadline: April 30, 2021.

Army Emergency Relief (for military kids)

The basics: The MG James Ursano Scholarship Program is a need-based scholarship program established to assist children of Army soldiers in obtaining their first undergraduate degree.

Deadline: April 1, 2021 at midnight EDT.

Yes, that’s right. There are programs — scholarships, loans, and grants — designed with you in mind. But it’s going to take some work and a lot of organization. Please note: If no deadline is indicated, it means the application period for 2021 has ended and you should check back during the same timeframe in 2022.

The basics: The Mrs. Patty Shinseki Spouse Scholarship Program is a need-based scholarship program established to assist Army spouses in obtaining an undergraduate degree or similar professional certification. Deadline: None. Spouses can apply year-round and must re-apply each year.

MyCAA (My Career Advancement Account)

Coast Guard Foundation

The basics:  Children of Coast Guard members may apply for annual scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to fund undergraduate education. Scholarships are available to children of Coast Guard members who are active duty, active-duty reserve and retired.

Read all of the criteria early so that you can plan for any timeconsuming requirements, like letters of recommendation.

Who’s eligible: Spouses of service members with the rank of E1-E5; W1-W2; O1-O2. The basics: Maximum tuition assistance benefit of $4000 to be used toward an associate degree, license, or certification.

Deadline: Rolling basis.

The Bennie Adkins Foundation

The basics: Special Forces soldiers (E5 - E9) on active duty, recently separated (within 5 years), or retired (within 5 years) who have been accepted by or already attending an accredited college, university, or vocational institution.

Deadline: Rolling basis.

Deadline: Applications are accepted Feb. 1 through March 15, 2021.

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance

Who’s eligible: Spouses of Coast Guardsmen. The basics: Loans and grants for a degree, license, or certification.

Details: Programs include Stafford/PLUS loan fee reimbursement, education loans, Stafford/ PLUS Loan Fee Reimbursement, Supplemental Education Grants, and Tutor.com availability. You may be eligible for more than one program, so make copies of your application so it can be easily submitted to other programs.

Deadline: Rolling basis.

PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS

Modern Military Association of America

The basics:  10 military spouses will be awarded a scholarship ranging from $1,000$2,500.

Details:  Applications are scheduled to open in May 2021. Winners are announced in July.

Deadline:  Applications are accepted in May through June.

FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship Program

The basics:  The fellowship provides military spouses the opportunity to earn the Accredited Financial Counselor® certification.

Details:  You will need a letter of recommendation and complete four essay questions as part of your application.

Deadlines:  Application dates and deadlines for 2021 have not yet been announced.

ThanksUSA

The basics:  Scholarships awarded to spouses and military kids may be used for a first-time undergraduate study at an accredited 2-year or 4-year college, university, or accredited vocational, technical, or trade school program.

Details:  Scholarships are $3,000.

Deadline:  April 15, 2021.

Florida Advisory Council on Military Education

Who’s eligible:  Active duty, guard, or reserve service member of the U. S. Armed Forces, spouse of any active duty, guard, or reserve service member of the U. S. Armed Forces; any veteran with an honorable discharge (must provide documentation). Applicants must meet one of the three criteria: reside in Florida, be permanently stationed in Florida as part of either the active duty, guard and reserve component, or enrolled at a Florida institution of higher learning during the application period of the award year.

Details:  Due to COVID-19, 2020 applications were suspended. 2021 application dates to be announced soon.

Deadline:  To be determined.

Virginia Advisory Council on Military Education

Who’s eligible:  Active-duty and military spouses/dependents of drilling reservists, National Guard or retirees, permanently disabled military member or their family member, family member of service member who is missing or KIA, or any veteran or retiree of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Details:  Application dates are yet to be announced.

Deadline: To be determined.

5 TIPS TO SAVE FOR COLLEGE

By Lila Quintiliani, AFC®, Military Saves Senior Program Manager

If the thought of funding a college education — whether it’s your own or your child’s — keeps you up at night, you are not alone. Over the past 20 years, the cost of in-state tuition has gone up 212% , and the amount of student loan debt in the U.S. has reached a staggering $1.6 trillion.

But there are ways to tackle higher education costs. With a little bit of research and effort, you can save money and reduce the number of hours you or your children spend in the college classroom, because in this case, with the average college credit costing $559 — making most college courses cost around $1,677 — time is indeed money.

Here are some tips to help you save for a college education:

1. Take it slow, but make it automatic. Saving the tens of thousands of dollars necessary for tuition can seem like an impossible task. But if you break it up into manageable monthly chunks, it makes it so much easier.

Fellow Military Saves staffer Jackie Toops decided that when her sons were born, she would try to save $1,000 a year for each of them so that by their 18th birthdays they could have at least $18,000 for college. She set up an automatic monthly allotment of $83.33 for each child at her bank, and she puts birthday money and other monetary gifts into the accounts, too.

The same kind of approach can be used to fund a tax-advantaged college savings account like a 529. Some states even have prepaid tuition plans with monthly payment options. Most of these allow you to lock in future

college costs at current prices, which can be a considerable savings.

2. Get (free) credit where credit is due. High schoolers may be able save on tuition by taking Advanced Placement (AP) exams and earning college credit. While this option generally requires taking an accompanying AP course, there is another affordable option out there: College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests.

The College Board offers 34 exams in subjects ranging from accounting to composition. These exams cost $89 each, but military members and a few categories of spouses and civilian employees may be able to take them for free.

Each college has different requirements for CLEP and AP credit acceptance, so it’s best to check beforehand.

3. Dual enrollment for high schoolers. Many local community colleges allow high school students to take dual enrollment courses either through the high school or at the college itself. Some school systems will pay for these courses, essentially giving high school students an opportunity to earn college credits for free.

4. Apply yourself. Apply for scholarships, that is. There are scholarships for just about every

demographic out there. There are literally hundreds of millions of dollars available each year in the form of grants and private scholarships. Use free search engines like the College Board’s Scholarship Search or Fastweb to narrow down the possibilities.

And continue to apply each year, even when you have already received a grant (or been turned down) in the past.

Also make sure you fill out the U.S. Department of Education’s free FAFSA form every year. Many families skip this essential step and therefore miss out on potential grants, work-study, loans, and scholarships.

5. Get creative. Military families are used to being flexible and adaptable. Apply that skillset to the college experience. It may make sense to split Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits between multiple children. Or between a spouse and a child. Or maybe you start your degree at community college with lower costs per credit hour and then transfer to a four-year institution later.

If you are an active-duty service member, see if you can use Tuition Assistance benefits. Some employers like UPS and Starbucks offer tuition reimbursement. Or get a job at a college or university — if you work full time for any of the 677 private universities that are part of the Tuition Exchange network, you, your spouse, and your dependents get tuition and fees covered at any of the participating universities.

College is expensive, but by automating savings and finding ways to cut costs and time, you can fund education while still saving for other important priorities.

Want inspiration and motivation to save for your goals? Take the Military Saves Pledge and then visit militarysaves.org or follow us on social media.

IT MAT TERS WHERE YOU SHOP

MILITARY-E XCLUSIVE

From meals to mowers, fuel to fitness trackers, diamonds to denim—every purchase at the Army & Air Force Exchange Service makes your life better. Tax-free shopping and military-exclusive prices save you money every time you shop. 100% of our earnings strengthen your military community.

In the last 10 years, the Exchange—also known as PX/BX—has contributed $2.2 billion to Child, Youth and School Services; Armed Forces Recreation Centers; and other programs to support troops and their families.

The Exchange is your partner in readiness, resiliency and Quality-of-Life. It matters where you shop.

MADE FOR GETTING IT RIGHT

When it comes to the important stuff in life, you’re not one to take shortcuts or settle for less than the best. And you know one size doesn’t always fit all, especially when it comes to home and auto insurance.

Roger that. We’ll take the time to help you get the coverage you need and the discounts you deserve, backed by award-winning service.