Tag: OVERSEAS

Tricare Updates

On By MichelleIn Healthcare, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Tricare is changing…. yes again! If you have been with Tricare for over the past ten years hearing there is some new change is nothing… well, new. It seems something happens every couple of years.

So what is new now? We now will have new regions. No more North, South, and West. That is right! If you are part of the West region, nothing has changed. If you were in North or South area, you are now part of the new East region. That is right; now there will only be two coverage regions within the United States, East, and West. This is good for one big reason unless you transfer from east to west coast or vice-versa then your region stays the same, and it is one less thing you have to worry about.

What else is new? New plans. Now Tricare Standard and Tricare Extra will become the new Tricare Select plan. There are some minimal changes to the plans, including prime which you can find out more about here.

Are there more changes? Probably, but these are the BIG changes going on.

Much Love,
Michelle

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Oconus PCS with Pets

On By MichelleIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Oh, those lovely little fur babies that become part of our lives and hearts. Normally moves are smooth with them, as long as you bring them food and water they are happy as can be. But what happens when you get orders overseas to Japan?

Many of the things I read up on said to leave them behind or prepare to spend thousands of dollars. While that may be true for some, it isn’t true for all.

For example, if what you have is cats or small dogs, the odds are that they can fly in the cabin with you for a small fee. Now if you need to add them as cargo, due to the larger size, and are traveling on orders, you can get a nice military discount on commercial flights. Just keep in mind a Patriot flight or military flight is always the cheaper option for larger pets. However, those get booked quickly so book as soon as possible.

But let’s rewind just a little, I, for example, have not yet made the big puddle jump. We are currently in the quarantine phase, but I’ll get to that in a minute. Here is a small step by step guide of what you need to do to prepare your pets for travel to Japan.

1. Microchip. If your pet already has one, make sure it is the new 15 digit microchip. The old ten digit is no longer acceptable for Japan. If you do have the ten digit one, you will need to do a new microchip.
2. Two rabies vaccination that is done AFTER the chip’s inserted. The second vaccine can be done 30 days after the first.
3. The rabies antibody test. It is a blood sample that is drawn after the second vaccine.
4. Quarantine or waiting period. This one is the “bad” part. It is 180 wait time or quarantine. The date of blood sampling is counted as 0. If you have to travel before the quarantine is over, you may still take your pets. Depending on the base you will be going to, you may finish the quarantine within the base “house, ” you get assigned, or you may board your pet with the base vet for quarantine completion.
5. If flying commercial, you must send in Advanced notification at the expected port of entrance. You can find all the forms needed here.
6. Vet visit clearing for travel.
7. Get all certifications. Individual information, microchip number, and date of implanting. Date of rabies vaccinations, effective period, kind of vaccine, product name, and manufacturer of the vaccine. Date of blood sampling for a rabies antibody test, antibody titer, and name of designated laboratory. Result and date of clinical inspection, as well as a USDA, stamped international health certificate.

As you can see, it is quite a few steps. We are currently on 4, and waiting to find out how we are flying over.

Hope this has helped you some in finding out how to get your pet over to Japan.

What you were never told about deployments.

On By MichelleIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

I remember every single day of the first time my husband was deployed… and the second too. These are times of our lives that sadly we trudge through but never forget. We keep a little piece alway in our minds to keep us prepared for the next time because with active duty there is always the next time.

For those that are just starting this adventure, welcome. Here are a few things no one ever told you about deployments.

1. You will worry even when you know your service member is okay.
Yes! It is inevitable. My husband is in the Navy, and even when he is in the middle of the ocean and not in a war zone I worry. Why? Because, they are still deployed, which means war zones are inevitable. Also, mishaps can happen. So expect to be worried up until they walk through the door.

2. You will start an unwanted relationship with food.
Whether it is too much food or not enough, prepare yourself for an extream. Stress affects us in different ways, but nine times out of ten it affects in the way we eat. For some, its overindulgence that helps manage stress. For others, it is keeping so busy you forget even to eat, The best way to prevent either one set a meal plan and alarms to help you out.

3. Your phone will become an extension of your person.
There is no worse feeling than seeing a missed call on your phone, even worse, knowing it was your loved one who called. So be ready to have your phone glued to your hand like a teenaged girl addicted to Instagram.

4. Distractions are welcome.
Not only are they welcome, but they are also a major key to sanity. You may not feel up to it, but trust me, accept the invitation. Whether it is an invitation to have coffee, or go to the mall, or even just go hang out at a friends house. It will give you a few minutes of normalcy that you will later be greatful for.

5. Be ready for a lot of “dumb questions.”
What do I consider dumb questions? Oh you know, the good old-fashioned “Are you scared he is going to die?” , “How do you do it?” or the one that makes me roll my eyes so hard I see my brain, “You’re used to it by now, right?”. So if you are reading this, don’t ask those questions. Ever!

6. Time will slow down and speed up.
This will happen multiple times throughout the deployment with no rhyme or reason. There will be phases where a week may feel like an eternity. Then there are those precious weeks where you realize a whole month flew by in a blink of an eye. Don’t ask why or try to understand it.

7. Lastly, it never gets easier.
This is one of the reasons that question “you should be used to it” grates the nerves so much. If you’ve done more than one deployment, you know each one is just as bad as the previous. There is no getting used to it nor it getting easier. There is only moving along and making it to the end where your loved one is back safe and home.

There is nothing to do, I live my days to the max with my loved one and plan the as many memories as possible in the timeframe I have him home. It is all I can do, knowing any day he will tell me another deployment is scheduled. Until then I will live in blissful ignorance as we try to do.

Whats in a Care Package?

On By MichelleIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

The famous care package. I hate that word, why? Well, it usually goes accompanied with the dreaded “D” word, Deployment. But none the less, it is an imperative thing, and if this is your first time with a deployed loved one, you may have many questions.

The question I get asked the most is how often they should be sending a package. I like sending a box every other month. Of course, this all depends on the length of the deployment as well. If they are on a four-month deployment, I would probably just send one box instead of two.

As for when should, the first box be sent, considering that you can never know exactly how long the mail will take to get there, I like sending the first package by the end of the first week that they leave. My husband is Navy and when deployed that means being on a ship in the middle of nowhere. So mail can take anywhere from 2-8 weeks to get to him.

Now for the good stuff, what goes in the box?

– Well, there is the basic, like underwear. Yes, i send underwear every package because I have heard horror stories of the laundry room, so my husband gladly tosses the ones he has and uses the new ones.
– Shampoo. Sure they sell stuff on the ship (or base, depending on your situation) but many times the things they sell are essentials, and maybe your package receiver has a specific unique brand they prefer.
– Undershirts
– Socks
– Then it’s the special and unique things that personalize each box. For my husband it is Mio. You know those little squirt bottles that flavored water. I send ten at a time, and he shares with his shipmates that don’t receive packages frequently.
– Takis, if you’ve never had them think spicy cheese but better. A must for him.
– Peanut butter M&M’s. Can he get them on the boat? Sure they are basic enough BUT its easier for me to send him a big bag than him having to buy smaller bags regularly.

So it all comes down to personalization with a few necessities. Find out what your service member needs, and add a few things they might like and would put a smile on their face.

Have tips or ideas for a blog post. Message me, and I may just make a post devoted to your questions or ideas!

Happy Shipping!

Michelle

Express shipment for OCONUS PCS

On By MichelleIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

So that day has come, it is time to decide what to pack for your express shipment. The main question is, what can’t you live without? While you may want to say everything, you may have to narrow it down a bit. Here is my list of musts for express shipment.

– Plates, silverware, and dishes. Ok, this is more of personal preference. Realistically you could always go to the commissary and get disposable plates, cups, and silverware.
– Some pots and pans. Don’t take all now, you will still be living in your home for a bit so send maybe one pan and one pot to help you get started in your next location.
– Some Mugs, cups, and glasses.
– A few Bath towels. Oh sure, you could buy more, but it is an expense that can be prevented.
– A few sets of sheets & blankets. Very important, especially if you are using loaner furniture. This will help make your place feel more like your own.
– Kitchen towels & pot holders
– Kitchen necessities (Wine bottle opener, bottle opener, can opener, sharp knife or two, etc.)
– A mop/broom/vacuum. You will want to clean sooner rather than later.
– Mattresses w/ accessories (pad, box spring). This is one of those things you can hold off on if you are ok with using the loaner furniture for a bit longer.
– Folding chairs, small tables (until your other stuff arrives)
– Small, simple tool set (hammer, pliers, etc.)
– Sports or exercise gear or baby toys and furniture. Won’t normally have space for both, so it’s time to choose which you will pick.
– Coffee maker. In my household, this is very important.
– TV, you want to take at least one. Especially if you have littles.
– Desktop Computer w/ accessories (cords, printer, etc.)

What to pack in your Suitcase for that Oconus PCS.

On By MichelleIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

It is time to start separating for belongings for the impending move. Here is my list of things to take with me in my suitcase and carry on.

– Your important documents (include IDs, wallet, cash, passports, travel information, contact information, copies of Orders, etc.) I may be a little crazy here, but I create a binder where all of this goes in. Also, keep this on your person at all times.
– Personal toiletries
– Medications & small first aid accessories (bandages and the like)
– Clothing for travel and arrival (plan for hotter or cooler weather than you are used to as well as a variety of events such as more formal occasions, swimming, etc.)
– Shoes for travel and arrival (a pair of casual shoes, formal, and utility should do, the rest I feel comfortable sending with the rest of our belongings)
– Entertainment for the trip and arrival until your next shipment comes (books, magazines, toys, laptops, tablets, mp3 players, etc.) If you have a baby, or child with you, be sure to make some more space for their toys as it tends to comfort the littles to have their things with them.
– Chargers for all electronics you are bringing with you (with adapters if needed)
– Valuables you are not shipping or storing
– Any specialized gear you might need (child seats, health-related equipment, things for your pets, etc.)
– Inflatable mattress/sleeping bag pads w/ sheets/blankets. Keep in mind when deciding if you want to take the air mattress with you that there are lending lockers where they can assign you temporary furniture until yours arrives. You may, however, want to make sure you take at least one set of sheets with you.
– Pillows/travel pillows

All of this said and done, most of these things you may be able to buy when you get to your destination. However, with an overseas move, you may have a lot of unexpected expenses so taking as much with you as possible will help.

Good Luck!

Michelle

Household goods shipment (HHG)

On By MichelleIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

So your express shipment has left, and your luggage is packed (maybe), so al that is left is your HHG shipment.

Oh sure it’s easy to say (write), but getting to that point is a whole different story. Here is my basic outline of what goes in your HHG shipment.

– Small kitchen appliances
– All the rest of your cooking gear (specialized pans, etc.)
– The rest of your plates, dishes, silverware, etc
– The rest of your clothes
– Extra blankets, pillows, and sheets
– Extra towels
– Large Furniture (chairs, couches, loveseat, etc.)
– Sports/exercise gear (the big stuff)
-Guest bed
– Desks
– decorations & artwork
– dining table & chairs
– bookshelves
– The rest of your games, entertainment, electronics, etc

Ok, so this shipment is probably the easiest thing you will do in your whole process of PCS’ing. Everything that didn’t meet the cut for express shipment or your luggage goes here. So if you are just reading this to get an idea, remember while hectic now it will all fall into place. For those of you already here, take a seat, breath in and out slowly, and have a drink. You are one step closer to being in your new home, and most of the stress (should be) is gone.

Best of luck on your move!

Michelle

Overseas Medical Clearance

On By MichelleIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

So the good news is, that if you are reading this, you now have a letter of intent to go to your overseas station. Welcome to the chaos that will be your life until you get to your new home. My hope is that I can help you out enough where things will be easier for you than they were for me.

Let me start by saying each and every case is different, especially so depending on the military branch you belong to. We are Navy, and while you may or may not be this should still serve as a basic guideline for you.

Your first step will be getting the paperwork for the overseas screening. In our case, we had to pick up a packet, fill it and then it was entered into a computer system. Only once that had been completed did we get scheduled for our appointments. Depending on how busy your medical is, your appointment may be scheduled for a few weeks off. Keep in mind that from the moment your service member receives the letter of intent they have 30 days to do their screening, and the dependants have 90. So do not panic when your hear your service member’s appointment is four weeks before your own.

If you are completely cleared by your installation with no medical “issues,” then the process is very easy and straight forward from there with nothing more for you to do on your part. However, should there be something in your record, i.e., depression, thyroid things like that, your medical packet will be sent to the overseas installation to be reviewed. At that point it is a case by case scenario and what capabilities they have to treat you.

For pregnancy, it depends on where you are going. For example, I am going to Iwakuni Japan; they have become more strict as of late and only medically clear women who will be in either their first or second trimester when arriving. If you are in your third trimester at the time of arrival, you will be rejected for clearance and would need to travel at a later date. As for if your service member gets extended at the current command or they leave before you, i do not know. I believe that too would be a case by case scenario and something that should be brought up as quickly as possible.

Dental: This aspect is much easier. Minor things like cleanings and fillings can be done overseas where the dental provider will clear you. If an extraction is needed, they may ask for it to be done stateside before departure.

Have a specific question or concern I did not cover? Please feel free to message me, and I will get the answers and either respond to you directly or write a new post on it.

Good Luck!

Michelle