#msoy

Oh, so we’re starting at the END of the story

You’re giving us too much of the story before we actually get to see the story. Stop it.

Well, we’re starting out strong with direct scene-to-scene from the manga

‘it’s like I’m being hit on.’ Cause you are.

So often, these stories are a case of ‘guy who likes you’ and ‘guy who didn’t realize that was an OPTION’

My Summer of You, ep 2:

Still following the manga pretty exactly.

I like the very casual way the feelings were admitted. In real life, it’s not always going to be a huge dramatic thing, regardless of what shows make you think.

‘this is so difficult…’ ‘we haven’t even started yet.’ I like that this sort of side bit from the manga was included.

I like the friendship between Wataru and Girl

Oh my god that is LITERALLY the map from the back of the manga for their trip XD

This is a ‘sweet moment’ with them, but I can’t help but think of the uncomfortable position Wataru is standing in to make it possible XD

Oh snap, they’re giving away THAT particular twist in ep 2?

New Post has been published on http://militaryspouse.com/spouse-101/12-incredible-books-written-by-military-spouses-for-you/

12 Incredible Books Written BY Military Spouses for YOU

We have any amazing community of military spouses who have incredible thoughts and experiences to share – and these are just a few of those who have taken action on their dreams and brought these books to life! We highly recommend each and every one of these 12 books.

Sacred Spaces

By Corie Weathers, 2015 AFI Military Spouse of the Year

Corie, a trained counselor, and her husband Matt, an Army chaplain, have pinpointed significant moments they experience independently as sacred spaces. After several deployments, these spaces started consuming a lot of emotional space in their relationship. A 2015 overseas trip to Turkey, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf with former U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter helped Corie better understand deployment and lessen the impact of those sacred spaces. Corie’s journey not only took her thousands of miles around the world, but it also took her to the heart of her marriage and allowed her to leave behind her resentment and gain a new perspective of herself and of all military marriages. BUY NOW – $13.24

Olive Drab Pom-Poms

By Kori Yates

It’s time to live for real. As spouses, we proudly support our uniformed spouses in this olive drab world. But God has a bigger vision for us than just standing on the sidelines, waiting for deployment to be over or waiting for the next duty station. He has placed a calling on us and has a plan for our lives regardless of our locations and circumstances. Whether you’re a newlywed, a seasoned spouse, happily married or contemplating divorce, experience the adventure of military life and see what God can do for you. Do more than just survive. BUY NOW

Mommy Retailing

By Lakesha Cole, 2014 AFI Military Spouse of the Year

Marine spouse and owner of boutique She Swank Too, Lakesha draws on her entrepreneurial journey to provide a beginner’s guide to starting a business while being a full-time mom of three. She shares how she built a brand and business despite frequent moves and career pitfalls associated with military life. The book is chock full of solutions for balancing work and mom time, as well as steps needed to start your own retail store. It details business planning and day-to-day operations; how to fund your business; where and how to source merchandise, branding and marketing; how to pick a location; planning a grand opening; and how to use your business to give back to the community. BUY NOW – $13.99

Finding Joy

By Hope Griffin

Finding joy is tough, especially when you don’t even share a ZIP code with your spouse. As a military spouse and mother, Hope has questioned God’s faithfulness and the strength of her marriage. If you’ve ever felt the same way and wondered if you could thrive in a long-distance marriage, open this book. She uses personal experience, examples of others in history and Scripture to explore the possibility of a stronger and more fulfilling marriage. Won’t you join her? BUY NOW – $10.99

15 Years of War: How the Longest War in U.S. History Affected a Military Family in Love, Loss and the Cost of Service

By Kristine Schellhaas

Less than 1 percent of our nation will serve in the Armed Forces. As such, most don’t have a grasp as to what life is like for military families. This book offers a he said/she said perspective about coping with war in modern-day America. It profiles a dedicated Marine and his spouse and the unfathomable challenges and the triumphs from pre-9/11 days through 15 subsequent years of training workups, deployments and other separations. Filled with faith, love and resilience, this story offers insight into how more than a decade of war has redefined what it means to be a military family. BUY NOW – $19.99

Adventures of SuperDuperKid: Friendship Numbers

By El Brown, 2012 AFI Military Spouse of the Year

Meet SuperDuperKid, an 8-year-old with autism spectrum disorder, and his friends. The SuperKids in are diverse in personality and abilities, and enjoy playing together in an inclusive environment. A number concept book based on the KinderJam song, this book celebrates inclusive play. It is co-written by a child on the autism spectrum and his mom. BUY NOW – $12.99

Mama Bear: One Mom’s Story of Optimism, Autism, Advocacy, and Love

By El Brown, 2012 AFI Military Spouse of the Year

No parent expects their child to have autism; no prenatal test can detect the spectrum. The day El received her son’s diagnosis is branded in her mind, and she never wants another parent to go through that life-altering experience alone. She writes to empower and help prepare parents for the challenging, yet promising experience of raising a child with autism. Through storytelling and sharing her diary entries, El provides a positive outlook of love, advocacy and humor with her son affectionately known as SuperDuperKid. This memoir details one mother’s journey of love and acceptance. BUY NOW – $19.95

Stories Around the Table: Laughter, Wisdom and Strength in Military Life

By Terri Barnes

More than 40 writers come together to share their stories and connect people. This book features more than 50 personal essays, including from Sarah Smiley (Dinner with the Smileys), Tanya Biank (Army Wives), Kristin Henderson (While They’re At War), Artis Henderson (Unremarried Widow), Tara Crooks and Star Henderson (founders of Army Wife Network), Jeremy Hilton (Keep Your Promise Alliance) and more. Encompassing spouses, parents children and active-duty service members, each author draws on their own life to illuminate military experiences. Topics include moving and transition, renewing relationships after deployment, sex, romance, caring for special needs, friendship, career challenges, PTSD, and combat injury and recovery. BUY NOW – $14.06

Right Side Up

By Judy Davis

With the constant change, drama and stress of military life, it can be overwhelming. Remember, though, that every challenge and sacrifice you rise above will help you grow into the person you want to be. This motivational personal guide will define your role as a military spouse and tweak your expectations of military life; identify situations that cause you stress and create strategies to calm chaos, deal with drama and respond to change; and find out ways to cut the yuck from your life, make yourself a priority and fully embrace military life. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer for a happier life, but exercises in this book will help you create a plan tailored to your needs, personality and insight. BUY NOW – $12.95

The Yes Process: Discover the Journey of Becoming Yourself

By Lori Bell, 2010 AFI Military Spouse of the Year

Leave behind everything you think you know about who “you” is and embark in a lifestyle journey of becoming your true self. This book serves as a blueprint for un-layering, unlearning and detaching from who you think you are based on what you’ve been told. Lori writes the fundamental framework for how to create a life of fulfillment, abundance, passion, grace, ease and flow by using examples from her own life, as well as those she coaches. If you’re unsure of your true purpose or lack clarity of where to go next, this book is for you. Break free from public opinion and live your authentic life today! BUY NOW – $10.99

Fitness SHIFT!: Intimate Journey of Women Who Use Fitness as a way to Shift Their Destiny

By Tiffany Edmonds (Co-Author)

This anthology comprises women who made a heart decision to use fitness as a way to shift their destinies. Each woman shares details of a seemingly never-ending vicious cycle, unhealthy habit or uncomfortable season in her life and describes how she summoned the strength to overcome it and move beyond stagnancy. The common denominator in all of these stories is the change is possible! These inspiring stories will help you make a shift in your life too. You, too, can live life to your fullest, realize change is possible and you already possess the strength to conquer it, eliminate excuses, create a healthy and fit lifestyle at any life season, and grab ahold of your courage to have a successful health and fitness journey. BUY NOW – $9.99

Behind the Scenes: The Tales of Military Spouses Making a Differene

By Cara Loken, AFI 2016 National Guard Spouse of the Year

There are roughly 1.1 million military spouses of the U.S. military around the globe. They are entrepreneurs, volunteers, educators, lawyers, authors, elected representatives, stay-at-home parents and advocates. This book captures the inspirational tales of the military spouses who support those in uniform and continue to make a difference daily. BUY NOW – $13.95

New Post has been published on http://militaryspouse.com/msoy/nominations-for-2017-armed-forces-insurance-military-spouse-of-the-year-presented-by-military-spouse-magazine-open-nationwide/

Nominations for 2017 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year®, presented by Military Spouse Magazine, Open Nationwide

Posted at Victorymedia.com

Americans are invited to nominate deserving military spouses for prestigious award.

PITTSBURGH (January 2, 2017)—Military Spouse Magazine opened nominations today for the 2017 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year®(MSOY). Now celebrating its tenth year, the award program honors military spouses from all branches of the Armed Forces and all ranks. All Americans are urged to nominate deserving military spouses in their communities, now through January 31 at msoy.militaryspouse.com.

The nation’s 1.1 million military spouses make a difference every day, from serving as heads of household and as parents, often working and/or going to school themselves at the same time, to volunteering their time and talents to charitable causes, to leading change in their communities. In every way, these men and women are making important contributions to America.

Last May, Natasha Harth, a DC-based Marine Corps spouse, was nominated and awarded the 2016 Armed Forces Insurance MSOY for her work in her community advocating for veterans and non-veterans alike.

“I know that whatever I do, I want to give back and to get other military families involved. I think it’s especially important to include those spouses just entering the military community—everyone has something they can teach you and offer,” Harth said.

Past winners also include an Army spouse who uses her expertise as a psychologist to strengthen military marriages; a Marine spouse entrepreneur who runs a successful business and mentors military spouses as they start their own careers; a National Guard spouse who helps civilians understand the complexities of a Guard serving at home as well as overseas; a Navy veteran stay-at-home dad who advocates tirelessly on behalf of military families with special needs; a mother of three who began a program that works to streamline the obstacles for higher education for military spouses; and a Marine wife who started the Semper Fi Fund and America’s Fund with just $500, and now operates with more than $120 million to help wounded, critically ill and injured services members and their families.

“Military spouses are the backbone of our great service members. They have shaped legislation, been commanding advocates for military children and spearheaded organizations that have raised millions for our veterans and their families,” said Suzie Schwartz, President of Military Spouse Programs at Victory Media. “I ask everyone to take a moment to recognize the men and women in your community who have gone above and beyond for our nation.”

Nominations will be accepted January 2-31 across all six branches of the United States military: Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy, Marine Corps and National Guard. Nominees will then be organized at the base, district (Coast Guard), and state (National Guard) level. Voting to select winners will be held in multiple phases:

February 1: “Meet the Nominees” profiles are published online.

February 2-9: Nominees are narrowed down by vote to one winning Spouse of the Year from each base, district and state. Americans will then be invited back to cast their vote in two additional rounds of voting for Branch and overall 2017 Armed Forces Insurance MSOY. See the voting timeline at: msoy.militaryspouse.com.

February 20: Voting will be held for an anticipated group of more than 200 base-level representatives to determine each service’s 2017 Armed Forces Insurance Branch Spouse of the Year®.

February 24: Six branch winners are announced.

March 2: Final voting is conducted by a judging panel to determine the 2017 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year®, who will be honored during a live V.I.P. event in Washington D.C. on May 12.

“Armed Forces Insurance has been a part of the Military Spouse of the Year® award for seven years, and we couldn’t be more proud of the accomplishments of military spouses. Fifteen years of war has shown us the resilience, dedication and innovation military spouses bring every day to their communities. We are pleased to honor their service and that of their service members,” said Lori Simmons, CMO & VP, Marketing & Corporate Communications at Armed Forces Insurance.

To learn more about the Military Spouse of the Year® award, including nominee eligibility, rules and regulations, and program alumni visit msoy.militaryspouse.com.

# # #

About Military Spouse: Military Spouse is the leading destination for the nation’s 1.1 million military spouses, who contribute to their communities, the military and each other every day. A division of Victory Media, Military Spouse provides online and print resources for military families on PCS, careers, education opportunities and family life. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Founded in 2001, Victory Media is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) that connects the military community to civilian employment, entrepreneurial and education opportunities through its G.I. Jobs®, Military Spouse, Vetrepreneur®, STEM JobsSM and Military Friendly® brands. Learn more at www.victorymedia.com.

About Armed Forces Insurance:

Armed Forces Insurance was founded in 1887 by military leaders with a single mission: to protect the property of those who protect our nation. The company provides premium quality, competitively priced property and casualty insurance to military professionals throughout the United States and overseas. Armed Forces Insurance understands that its members have unique circumstances and insurance needs, enabling the company to offer a level of personalized service that’s unequaled in the industry. For more information, visit the website at www.afi.org or call 1-800-495-8234, and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For press information or to arrange interviews, contact: Suzanne Treviño or Brian O’Malley, Gordon C. James PR, at 602-274-1988.

New Post has been published on http://militaryspouse.com/msoy/its-time-for-you-to-choose-the-next-military-spouse-of-the-year-this-is-how/

It’s Time For You to Choose the Next Military Spouse of the Year - This Is How!

10 Years of Advocacy: It’s time for you to choose who will win the 2017 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year award.

There are hundreds of awards presented in the military. If you’re a military spouse, chances are your spouse’s dress uniform is covered in them.

But in the military spouse community, we know there are no delicately placed rows of ribbons for each spouse’s milestones in this crazy, wonderful military life. Sometimes, your sacrifice and hours of hard work every day seem to go completely unnoticed.

There IS a way to recognize the commitment and dedication of military spouses.

This is the 10-year anniversary of the Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year® (MSOY) award presented by Military Spouse magazine.

By taking two minutes of your time to nominate someone to be the next Military Spouse of the Year, you can change a military spouse’s life and the lives of military families all across the world. These are five types of spouses you can (and should!) nominate right now at msoy.militaryspouse.com. I know you know some pretty amazing spouses, and we need to meet them.

The spouse who has passion and needs to give back The best candidates for this award are those who have more passion than they know what to do with. It doesn’t mean he or she is the loudest person in the room, but the one that makes the most difference in your life and the lives of others. The first smile from a stranger at your new installation after a PCS. The spouse who stockpiles non-perishable food items from every corner his or her house for the upcoming food drive. The spouse who spends every waking minute researching how upcoming health care changes will affect their children and then does something about it. Yep – that passionate person you’re thinking about right now … nominate them for Military Spouse of the Year®.

The spouse who sees a problem and fixes it Do you know of a spouse who has done amazing things for your installation? Someone who has made changes to your childcare system or has started a fitness campaign that you don’t know how your installation could survive without? Help them share those accomplishments with a much bigger audience by nominating them for Military Spouse of the Year®! By nominating them you can be the first step in spreading their hard work to the entire armed forces.

The spouse who knows what the people want Who knows better than anyone what the military community needs? I’ll give you a big hint: It’s not Congress. It’s the people who walk the walk, talk the talk and live their lives in the proverbial trenches of military life. Help elect people who won’t turn their backs on promises that have been made. If you’ve never seen how far a military spouse will go to protect what’s theirs, nominate them, vote, and then watch them make an even bigger difference after going through the Military Spouse of the Year® (MSOY) award program.

The spouse who has a great idea but needs a bigger reach We all know it’s the squeaky wheel that gets the oil. But what happens when the wheel can’t squeak loud enough? The Military Spouse of the Year® award program is the megaphone for the military community. It’s the platform spouses need to make their advocacy nationally known. From “Fox & Friends” to the “Today Show” to “Oprah,” our winners are getting the chance, year after year to speak out on a huge scale. The more support you give, the higher that platform becomes.

The spouse who deserves some recognition Whether you’re a member of the military community or you’re a patriotic American, you know of the hardships and adversity millions of military families face each day. But our servicemen and women still raise their right hands and their spouses vow to stand beside them. If nothing else, it would be our honor to acknowledge these men and women for this renowned award.

I could go on for days about the amazing people who are part of the MSOY family, but we don’t have that kind of time. Read more about the rules and regulations at msoy.militaryspouse.com/rules. Then take two minutes and nominate one of the spouses in your life by Jan. 31 on msoy.militaryspouse.com. It could truly change military lives for years to come. We can’t wait to meet this year’s nominees!

Nominate at msoy.militaryspouse.com by Jan. 31!

New Post has been published on http://militaryspouse.com/msoy/soy-hq/the-brave-heart-program-mends-family-bonds/

The Brave Heart Program Mends Family Bonds

From your4state.com

A therapeutic program in Washington County is utilizing everything a farm has to offer to help mend relationships between military members and their families.

The program focuses on struggles families may face with deployment and the military lifestyle.

“Winston Churchill said it best: ‘There’s something about the outside of a horse that’s good for the inside of a man.’ That’s true for women and children of all ages,” said Laura Lane-Unsworth, executive director of Brave Heart.

Jeff and Laura Unsworth, owners of Larkspur Lane Farm and creators of the Brave Heart Heroes, Equine Adventure and Riding Therapy Program are focusing on life after deployment for servicemen and women.

From horses, turkeys, chickens and sheep, the Unsworths are using their animals and land to help heal and strengthen veterans, active servicemen and their families.

“Working with a horse – especially for our members that have post traumatic stress – they’re often in a state of hyper-vigilance. They’re always looking around the corner, what’s coming around the corner next. A horse is a prey animal and lives very much in this same sort of state daily,” Laura Lane-Unsworth said.

The couple has firsthand knowledge about the military lifestyle – which is one of the reasons why they felt compelled to start the program.

“While I was deployed, we deployed to Iraq, and then subsequently repositioned to Kuwait as all forces were pulled out of Iraq. And through Skype and emailing, Laura and I discussed what would eventually become the Brave Heart Program,” said Jeff Unsworth, co-founder.

The therapeutic riding and time spent with the farm animals serves as a resource for veterans and their families to help with PTSD and extended periods of absence.

Not only is there horseback riding, they have a trail, arts and crafts and other activities that are designed to help relieve stress.

“We just felt there was a niche to this to fill that not only worked with the service member and the veterans, but also brought their families out here as well, so we could try to re-establish and strengthen those family relationships,” Jeff Unsworth said.

They said it’s hard to put into words just how amazing it is to see someone’s life improve through their animals and program.

Later this month, the Unsworths will be honoring veterans off of the farm with an initiative called Blessing Bags, where donations will be made to the North Point Veteran’s home in Hagerstown.

To learn more about the program, click here.

New Post has been published on http://militaryspouse.com/msoy/military-wives-on-a-double-mission-bag-shark-tank-deal-from-mark-cuban/

Military Wives On A Double Mission Bag Shark Tank Deal From Mark Cuban

From Forbes.com

The real-life Rosie the Riveter, in Norman Rockwell’s iconic World War II painting, passed away last year. But her spirit and determination live on through Cameron Cruse and Lisa Bradley’s company R. Riveter, named for the face of American patriotism.

The two military wives from Murfreesboro, Tenn. founded their handbag and accessories company with a double mission: 1) Create jobs for military spouses “wherever the military takes them.” 2) Upcycle used and surplus military textiles and turn them into must-have handbags. They debuted their first product, the Grant tote bag, at a tradeshow in November 2011.

In a special Shark Tank episode featuring veteran businesses, Mark Cuban offered Cruse and Bradley $100,000 and a line of credit for new machinery for 20% equity in their company. They plan to spend the money on marketing, opening a new production warehouse and hiring more military spouses.

Read more here at Forbes.com.

New Post has been published on http://militaryspouse.com/msoy/natasha-harth-2016-armed-forces-insurance-marine-corps-spouse-of-the-year/

Natasha Harth, 2016 Armed Forces Insurance Marine Corps Spouse of the Year

Natasha Harth

Duty Station: Marine Corps Barracks Washington

Years being a military spouse: 10

Tell us a little bit about you! I’m a Marine Corps spouse and the mother of two small girls and a retired working German Shepherd. I manage the Air Force Officer Spouse Thrift Store; I’m also a base Girl Scout Brownie troop leader, the 2015 MSOY for Marine Barracks Washington, and founded the non-profit organization – Be A Blessing DC – helping local homeless and military families that need a hand up. I tend to call myself a “poor philanthropist”!

In the past, I have been the readiness advisor for my husband’s company, and the unofficial kitchen for field days! I volunteered at our church’s MOPS group as the finance coordinator, became a LINKS mentor/trainer and presented class material as well as trained others to do so. I also was the lead volunteer for 3D CEB as a family readiness assistant.

When we moved to Marine Barracks Washington. I heard the schools in our immediate surround couldn’t afford basic school supplies, so a good friend and I talked to the base librarian and we came up with the idea to have a school supply drive, bring supplies in exchange for fun at the library!

Though my part time job, I am able to donate school clothing to underprivileged children, expensive school curriculum and other supplies to the base home school group, ball gowns for the USO’s Cinderella Project, toiletries, clothing, and toys to the battered women’s shelter, plus take on other needs on a base-by-case basis. The hearts of the charitable AFOSC are aligned with mine, and for that I am truly grateful.

The “Be A Blessing” project came to fruition last year, while I held the title of 2015 Spouse of the Year for Marine Barracks Washington. Here I was in this giant city that had a huge poverty population. I would often see homeless men and women while walking to downtown, and I would talk to them and ask what they needed. Obviously, I don’t have the means to give them a home or a job, but something surely can help! I started soliciting from my friends and family for donations. Eventually,I had volunteers from the JBAB police department and Marines from the Barracks walking the streets of DC with my family. We walked from the Barracks through town until we reached out destination, giving bags to every homeless person we encountered.
Due to the outpouring of support I received, I currently have enough supplies to do a monthly donation sweep for the next five months, and I continue to receive supplies all the time. I have been able to secure donations of goods from major companies, including Dollar General and Walmart.

My husband is a chef in the Marine Corps, so I feel like I’m always trying to catch up to his skills in the kitchen. I love to make homemade caramels and other goodies to pass out to neighbors and friends.

What is one thing you would want to accomplish with the MSOY title? When I was nominated for the 2015 MSOY, to say I was intimidated would be an understatement. But, being the MSOY on a base level gave me the opportunity to meet people and make amazing connections here in the DC area. I am now in the process of founding my own 501(c)3 charity, securing corporate and personal sponsors, and taking off like wildfire – with very little money and fame to back me. Just a huge heart and some hard work, that’s all it took to get started.

My vision is, if I can represent the military community as the MSOY 2016, I can be an inspiration to all the other spouses out there that aspire to make a difference but don’t think they can. I am living proof that any ordinary person can be extraordinary. If I am voted MSOY 2016, my goal will be to help give a voice to the incoming spouses and those who feel small. Those who feel small will grow into large, powerful forces. Those who are new will have seeds planted into them that will grow to change the community. Any ordinary person can do the extraordinary.

New Post has been published on http://militaryspouse.com/msoy/michelle-aikman-2016-armed-forces-insurance-air-force-spouse-of-the-year/

Michelle Aikman, 2016 Armed Forces Insurance Air Force Spouse of the Year

  Michelle Aikman

Duty Station: Fairchild AFB

Years being a military spouse: 13

Tell us a little bit about you! I have dreams. I have lofty goals. I have grit. This life is not for the faint-of-heart. It is not for the weary. It is not for the weak. It is for those who love deeply. Love for our service members. Love for our families. Love for our nation. I once heard military spouses called “The Silent Heroes.” My life is touched in every way by my role as a military spouse.
I am a proud mother of two smart, brave little kids who keep me on my toes and I am married to the most remarkable man who makes my life whole.

Professionally, I run a career management / professional resume writing business out of my home. I am a Nationally Certified Resume Writer. Last year I launched an online career management website and I am in the process of developing my third business venture through the V-WISE entrepreneurship program. I am a chemical engineer and hold a masters degree in engineering and technology management. I have worked in the energy, forensic, manufacturing, and bioscience industries as an engineer.

What is one thing you would want to accomplish with the MSOY title?

Communication and Community. Our world is so fast-paced and plugged-in that we have information screaming at us 1,000 mph. You would think that we would have the information we need as spouses, but we don’t. There are too many outlets and we are overloaded. The messages are not being received and it is contributing to a disengaged community. We need streamlined communications and a renewed commitment to community building.

Careers! Fulfilling careers! I am a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) proponent. There is a lot of activity around military spouse employment but there is a lot of ground left to cover. I would use this platform to advance the conversation past “let’s get military spouses employed” to “let’s get military spouses in positions that align with their career interests.” We are highly educated, we should be putting that to work in careers that are fulfilling and enhance our quality of life. 

At the end of the day, the military and our nation will benefit from improvements in these arenas because an improved quality of life and satisfaction for the spouse means higher retention rates for service members.