Military OneSource Podcast

Learn how the School Liaison Program can help military-connected students, including those with special needs, prepare for successful transitions to postsecondary readiness. Parents can get helpful tips on using school liaisons not only for assistance with changing schools but also with on-time graduation, scholarship and financial aid resources, career training and readiness, and community connec...

Learn about the dependent care flexible spending account, a DOD benefit that allows service members to contribute pretax income to pay for eligible dependent care expenses. Host Bruce Moody speaks with DCFSA Executive Director Jennifer Walker and Armed Forces Tax Council Executive Director Susan Mitchell about the DCFSA – who is eligible, how it works and how to enroll. Visit Military OneSource at...

Learn more about the variety of Defense Department support for military families who are considering adoption. The mobile military life is not a barrier to adoption, and service members have a range of military resources, including adoption reimbursement. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Sgt. Maj. Steve Minyard, senior enlisted advisor, assistant secretary of defense for Manpower & Reserve Affairs. Vi...

Learn about the Warrior Games, an annual multisport event for wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans. Participation in the event supports the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded warriors through adaptive sports training and competition. In this podcast, you’ll hear from an active-duty service member as he shares his story about his injury and how participating in the Warrior Game...

Learn about concerns parents often have regarding problematic sexual behavior, as well as common reactions and false assumptions. You’ll also learn how parents can best support their child after an incident has occurred and about protective factors that can help prevent PSB, including examples of safety and supervision planning. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Natalie Gallo, a master trainer through...

Learn some of the most common challenges teens face and how parents can better relate to and improve their relationship with them. You’ll also learn about outside factors that influence them, the importance of setting boundaries, what the average teen wants from their parents and conversations you should have with them. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Renee Roman, a licensed social worker with more t...

Learn about the current state of online scams and how to spot them. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Carol Kando-Pineda, counsel with the Federal Trade Commission’s Division of Consumer and Business Education. The FTC is the nation’s consumer protection agency. It works to stop fraud, deception and unfair business practices. Ms. Kando-Pineda describes scams that use artificial intelligence, text messa...

Learn the difference between typical sexual behavior in children and youth and problematic sexual behavior, as well as when professionals become involved in responding to PSB. You’ll also learn how to engage with youth and/or parents in a way that helps build trust; how listening to youth helps prevent PSB; and ways parents can approach hard conversations with their children after PSB has occurred...

Learn about the Defense Department’s MWR Libraries Summer Reading Program. The program encourages readers of all ages to explore new ideas and discover new information, and helps kids and adults stay mentally active during the summer. This year’s theme is Find Your Voice! We use our voices to share stories and express ourselves. Our voices include not only the sounds we make but the words we write...

Learn about healthy relationship dynamics, military family life counselors, and actionable steps that couples can take to improve their relationship. And discover the types of resources that Military OneSource offers, such as the Love Every Day tool, OurRelationship program and specialty consultations, as well as how the Family Advocacy Program can help service members and their partners throughou...

Learn how the School Liaison Program provides support for all education-related matters for military-connected students from pre-K through 12th grade — including help with special education needs. School liaisons are available on all military installations and offer transition assistance to military-connected students and families, including help with school selection, credit transfer, youth spons...

Learn about the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support’s Online Academic Skills Course. The OASC is a self-paced online course that can help service members prepare for their educational and professional goals. It is free to service members and their immediate family members. OASC can be used with the Academic Skills Training, which assesses academic strengths and weaknesses to hel...

Military life can disrupt employment for spouses due to frequent moves, solo parenting during deployments and other factors. Hear ways to minimize the gaps in your resume and highlight your strengths to potential employers. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Kristina Santos, a career coach with the Defense Department Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program. SECO provides education and career g...

Learn about the adjustments foreign-born military spouses might need to make, including becoming familiar with different cultures while adapting to military life, as well as the benefits and challenges that can arise during a PCS to another country. You’ll also learn about the U.S. Air and Space Force Key Spouse Program, what it entails, and the personalized support it provides to MilSpouses. Host...

Learn more about Defense Department child care programs that provide safe, reliable care to families across a range of child care solutions to support the nontraditional schedules of military families. This podcast highlights the Child Care in Your Home Fee Assistance pilot program for families that have determined that full-time child care in their home is the best solution to meet their needs. H...

Learn the importance of service members completing their DD Form 93 and keeping it updated in case of injury, illness or if they go missing or die. And discover how it is used to designate beneficiaries who will receive their unpaid pay and allowances and other benefits — including the death gratuity, which is compensation for military service that allows survivors to meet their immediate financia...

No matter the location of their assignment, service members have access to education programs. Learn how to continue your education while deployed overseas, whether you are going to a permanent or temporary base or to a remote location. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Laura Dean of the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support. Ms. Dean is an education program manager and contracting off...

Learn about safe sleep and American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines, including myths associated with safe sleep recommendations and the importance of registering sleeping products with the manufacturer and checking for recalls on the Consumer Product Safety Commission website. You’ll also discover ways to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, information about the importance of creatin...

Gain insight into life as a military spouse and learn what’s on tap for MilSpouse Month 2023 — the Defense Department’s celebration of Military Spouse Appreciation Month in May. Host Bruce Moody speaks with military spouses Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy Patricia Montes Barron and her daughter, Megan Zemke. Mrs. Barron and Mrs. Zemke discuss military...

Our service members and their families are on the move to new duty stations every few years. Military OneSource and installation Relocation Assistance Programs offer a variety of relocation support to help service members and their families master their moves. In addition, families who have been there can shed light on making frequent moves with success, including what worked for them and what the...

Learn about Military OneSource programs that can help military children and families navigate challenges, build resilience, foster well-being and contribute to an overall fulfilling childhood. Military OneSource offers non-medical counseling for children 6-12 with a parent present and 13 and older with parental permission, health and wellness coaching for teens ages 13 and older, education consult...

Service members and their families are on the move to new duty stations every few years. Whether you are moving for the first time or tenth, the Relocation Assistance Program can help with your transition. Learn how Military OneSource, your installation Military and Family Support Center, and military sponsors can help you get settled at your new duty station. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Dionne V...

Learn about the Defense Department’s Military In Lasting Tribute online memorial, what’s unique about it and how survivors can submit their loved one for inclusion. You will also hear from a survivor whose service member is included in the memorial explain what it means to them and how it can help the healing process. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Lisa Valentine, program manager for the Defense Dep...

Learn about the Armed Services Blood Program, the official blood program of the U.S. military, who it serves and why the need for donations is greater than in years past. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Armed Services Blood Program Division Chief Navy Capt. Leslie “Les” Riggs and Army Master Sgt. Keiden Jones, noncommissioned officer in charge of the Sullivan Memorial Blood Center. Bruce Moody is a p...

The Defense Department is committed to the health and well-being of military children and families. That’s why the DOD teamed with the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State to create free, online parenting-education programming for busy parents. Thrive programming provides age-appropriate, evidence-informed, best-parenting guidelines that promote positive parenting, stress mana...