For nearly 70 years, the USO has filled a primary role in boosting the morale and improving the welfare of America's Armed Forces. Last year, more than 130 USO Centers around the world received over 7 million visits from military personnel. At the same time, more than 25,000 volunteers contributed their time and effort, and 1,000,000 individuals made cash donations on behalf of our troops.

The USO is perhaps most famous for bringing top flight performers from Bob Hope to Robin Williams to Kid Rock directly to the Front to entertain the troops. But the USO also provides essential services that support not only Soldiers around the world, but also their Families left behind at home.

The USO hands out pre-paid phone cards so troops can call home for free, gives Soldiers care packages of hard-to find personal items and the airport centers provide invaluable travel assistance.  USO mobile canteens can travel virtually anywhere with snacks, games, and internet access and front line centers in Iraq and Afghanistan offer a welcome respite from the stress of combat.

USO Volunteers send troops off when they leave, support them along the way, and welcome them home when they return.  To access services for your Soldier or Family, to volunteer with the USO or to make a donation, visit the USO website.

Shaq, Scooby-Doo, racecar driver Tony Schumacher, Road Runner and a number of other celebrities and cartoon favorites are part of a program in which signed letters are sent to children of deployed Soldiers. 

The program is provided by Salute Our Services, Inc., which was developed by the spouse of an Army Reserve Soldier to develop and provide programs that support Soldiers and their Families during deployments.   “A Thousand Thanks to Military Kid’s” is just one program they offer and you can arrange for a letter to be sent to the child of a deployed Soldier by visiting Salute Our Services online.

TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) is a premium-based health plan that qualified National Guard and Reserve members may purchase for coverage when the Soldier is not on active duty.  TRS was restructured in 2007 and a key change to the restructured TRS plan is how Soldiers qualify for the program. TRS is available to all members of the Selected Reserve regardless of any active duty served, with one exception: if you are eligible for the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program (as defined in Chapter 89 of Title 5 U.S.C) or currently covered under FEHB, either under your own eligibility or through a Family member, you are excluded from purchasing the restructured TRS plan.

Read more information on TRICARE Reserve Select by visiting their website.

With deployment as a reality and a significant source of stress in the lives of a majority of Army Soldiers and Families, it is critically important to maintain healthy Families and positive community involvement.  In an effort to address violence that may be affecting military Families, the Department of Defense (DoD) has taken aggressive steps to keep victims safe and hold offenders accountable. As part of this effort, DoD issued a Restricted Reporting Policy for Incidents of Domestic Abuse to provide victims with advocacy and medical services confidentially. Options regarding disclosure of abuse enhances victim safety and may encourage unrestricted reports.

Every October the United States and military community worldwide observes Domestic Violence Prevention Month. This month is devoted to the prevention of domestic violence through communications, events and community education programs to highlight ways to prevent domestic violence and abuse. Varied and diverse activities will be held across the military community that will provide public awareness, coordinated community education, and connection between organizations that work to end violence in the home.

Realizing that many Families are under a great deal of stress, the following are some ways to prevent domestic violence from occurring in your home:

• Decide within your Family that violence will not be tolerated. It's your home, so make the rules as a Family. Family conflicts are better resolved by talking things over.
• Take the time to calm down when arguing. Attempt to resolve conflicts through talking; however, when an argument begins to escalate, it is time to take a break.
• Always be aware that your children learn from what they hear, see, and experience. Be the best example possible as you are their primary mentors and molding their foundation for life.
• Verbal arguments can easily escalate into situations we later regret.

Don't be afraid to get help if you and your spouse are having difficulties with conflict resolution. It is not always possible to solve your differences on your own, and asking for help is a sign of maturity.  The efforts of the Army to campaign against domestic violence and abuse are changing perceptions of this long-standing social problem. Domestic violence is viewed as counter to the greater good within the Army community.

Should you or someone you know need more information or support about domestic abuse, visit the Military OneSource website.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, with its Auxiliaries, has 2.2 million members in approximately 8,100 Posts worldwide.  The VFW provides numerous services to Soldiers and their Families.

The three main efforts of the VFW Military Services department are:

• The Military Assistance Program (MAP) which has helped fund Farewell and Welcome Home gatherings for military units worldwide.
• Operation Uplink provides free, pre-paid phone cards to Soldiers

Unmet Needs which can give a one-time grant up to $2,500 for qualifying service members and their Families experiencing financial hardship.

DEERS is a computerized database of military sponsors, Families and others worldwide who are entitled under the law to TRICARE benefits. DEERS registration is required for TRICARE eligibility and to access other benefits.

As soon as the Soldier has a change in status from re-enlistment, retirement, change of address, and other such items, the soldier must update DEERS.  Errors in DEERS can cause a break in eligibility sometimes resulting in a break in health care coverage.  Family Members will need to receive a new ID card upon the Soldier’s Release from Active Duty (REFRAD).

Registration with DEERS is required to get a military ID card.  At the age of 10 children should obtain their own ID card. Children under the age of 10 should have an ID card of their own when in the custody of a parent or guardian who is not eligible for an ID card. DEERS is one of the most important aspects of the military records.

More information about DEERS and Military ID cards can be found on the Army Reserve Family Program Web Portal and links to Tricare, the Rapid Site Locator, myPay and other commonly visited sites are available directly from the home page.