A military widow from Yelm who contends the Army is not providing enough care for Soldiers returning from combat confronted former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to "vent" her feelings -- and got escorted out of the building where he was holding a book signing. Full story.

Jerry Ensminger, a retired Marine Corps master sergeant who has fought for years to win government-funded health care for families exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, doesn't want the measure passed if, to pay for it, Congress would gut the military's prized commissary benefit. Full story.

Active-duty families with special needs children don’t always get to participate in the same activities as other families, but Fort Rucker’s Exceptional Family Member Program is looking to change that. Full story.

Lindsay Whitehouse of Jacksonville sold a luggage piece at a yard sale last weekend without realizing it was still packed with photographs, awards and other mementos of her late husband. Full story.

A bill making its way through Congress named for an Army nurse killed by her Marine husband calls for greater accountability for military leaders and may prevent similar future tragedies, supporters of the new legislation said. Full story.

A government office dedicated to protecting service members and their families from financial predators and pitfalls officially opened for business this week. Full story.

I’ll be the first to admit, maybe I’m old school in my thinking. There, it’s out there. Full story.

Families from the Army and the Air Force shared the honors today as the National Military Family Association’s 2011 Family of the Year for their service to the nation and their communities. Full story.

A Washington, D.C.-area base commander is trying to do away with all plastic bags across his base, including those used at the exchange and commissary. Full story.

Installation Management Command Europe will transition Headstart into Culture College in all U.S. Army in Europe garrisons beginning Aug. 1. Full story.

The number of reports of family violence within the military, which had been in decline over several years, has been rising over the last two years, and reports of abused children and spouses increased significantly last year, a report by the Defense Department’s Family Advocacy Program shows. Full story.

More than half of military spouses who think they are suffering from secondary PTSD symptoms may have been misdiagnosed, a new study finds. Full story.

Today, with Memorial Day so close at hand, these soldiers come to mind, as well as the thousands of other service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. And my thoughts turn to their families, who also made their own unimaginable sacrifice. Full story.

Luckily for the Marine Corps veteran, the dress of her dreams was donated by Bella Bianca as a way of saying thanks for serving her country with two tours in Iraq. Full story.

The more mail a happily married Soldier receives downrange, the less likely he is to have PTSD issues when he comes home -- but frequent mail for unhappily married Soldiers can result in stronger symptoms, a new study says. Full story.

We're excited to tell you that our CinCHouse Facebook page is in process and we'll have it up soon. We've been alerted that there is another CinCHouse Facebook page asking for user names and passwords to our site. This is not our page. Never give your username and password to anyone! We won't ask for it! Full story.

Marine and Navy spouses tackled jungle training during a Jane Wayne Day at the Jungle Warfare Training Center at Camp Gonzalves April 26. Full story.

President Barack Obama has declared today Military Spouse Appreciation Day. Full story.

Even the wife of the American who killed bin Laden doesn't know that her husband was involved in the mission. Being a spouse of a special operations servicemember is a unique experience within the military, spouses say. Full story.

Andi over on our sister site SpouseBuzz.com asked her audience to weigh in with what they were feeling. The emotions run the gamut, as they say. Full story.

Osama bin Laden, the face of global terrorism and architect of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, was killed in a firefight with elite U.S. SEALs Monday, then quickly buried at sea in a stunning finale to a furtive decade on the run. Full story.

Overspending and inadequate research are the two most common mistakes when moving to a new home, according to USAA and Sandee Payne, author of “That Military House: Move It, Organize It & Decorate It®.” Full story.

Sometimes, you just have to help yourself. That's what Diane Vande Burgt did when her husband, Tom, a military veteran, developed post-traumatic stress disorder. Full story.

Since the start of the week, family members -- who left under the Defense Department’s voluntary departure program following last month’s earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster -- have begun to return. Full story.

The producers of ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" are seeking people involved in the military whose home deserves an extreme makeover. Full story.

White House today held an event formally announcing the Joining Forces program, the umbrella title for the family policy push that we wrote about yesterday and earlier this year. Full story.

Army Secretary John McHugh said Thursday that the deaths of at least 10 infants on Fort Bragg remain a frustrating mystery. Full story.

U.S. family members who left Japan under the military's "voluntary departure" program stand to pocket a considerable amount of money, depending on whether they flew home to stay with family in North Dakota or chose to lie on the beaches of Waikiki. Full story.

Since a roadside bomb in Afghanistan killed Chad on Dec. 1, Katie has shared with the world her trials of widowhood in a raw, confessional diary. She is one of many in this generation of war widows who have carved a slice of the Internet to vent as they cope with the loss of their husbands. Full story.

The Army's recent announcement that another infant had mysteriously died while living in post housing at Fort Bragg was especially eerie to Pearline Sculley, like a bookend to her own tragic story. Full story.

The Doobie Brothers and HOR Entertainment, with help from Cisco Telepresence, will offer fans an opportunity to win a family reunion as the Grand Prize of the band’s Far From Home contest Full story.

Water at U.S. military bases in Japan is safe to drink, U.S. Forces Japan said Thursday as public concern grew over elevated radiation levels detected in water and food supplies in Tokyo in recent days. Full story.

Yes, it’s true. Military spouses the world over are gearing up for PCS season. And our friends over at SpouseBUZZ have a great first person narrative about going through the process for the first time. Full story.

A U.S. Air Force F-15 Strike Eagle jet has crashed in Libya, the U.S. military said Tuesday. Full story.

Service members and their families have a few tax advantages at their disposal, as well as a few extra days in which to complete their taxes this year. Full story.

While the federal Defense of Marriage Act will keep married gay couples out of base housing, gay service members with dependents and a partner that is the primary caregiver have no barriers to housing eligibility. Full story.

Jen Giunta, wife of Medal of Honor awardee Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta, told us last week she struggles with knowing how to accurately represent the diversity of military spouses. Full story.

Wounded Iraq veteran Anthony Maschek last week encountered heckling and booing from fellow Columbia University students as he spoke at a town hall meeting on whether ROTC programs should be allowed on the Ivy League school’s campus. Full story.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. on Tuesday announced new programs geared toward military customers and veterans, and apologized for overcharging thousands of active-duty servicemembers on mortgages and improperly foreclosing on more than a dozen. Full story.

Defense Department officials are inviting military spouses to air their state licensing issues and concerns as part of an overall effort to boost spouses’ education and career opportunities. Full story.

Oprah Winfrey dedicated her show on Thursday to military families and urged Americans to “stop the epidemic of disassociation” with those who serve. Full story.

Military families can expect more support in the future but the way they receive information about that support has not yet been finalized, according to Ms. Barbara Thompson, Director of the Office of Family Policy/Children and Youth. Full story.

White House officials released a report today that unveils a new, government-wide approach to military family support and details a sweeping, interagency effort under way to strengthen families and enhance their well-being and quality of life. Full story.

Like any soon-to-be father, Primo Paragas was panicked when his wife went into labor Sunday morning. Full story.

The U.S. Army says it is looking for 35,000 Soldiers and veterans who are owed bonuses because they were forced to stay in the service. Full story.

Last week the President signed the National Defense Authorization Act of 2011, which includes a provision to offer the “TRICARE Young Adult” program. Full story.

When we learned that Income Property would be filming in the United States and that Scott would love to develop an income suite for a military family, we were eager to help in the endeavor to find one. Full story.

While falling in love and getting married can be the greatest experience of one's life, a divorce can be the polar opposite, leaving them feeling broken and alone. Full story.

Arizona legislators quickly approved emergency legislation Tuesday to head off picketing by a Topeka, Kan., church near the funeral service for a 9-year-old girl who was killed in the Tucson shootings. Full story.

A nonprofit organization is giving Americans the chance to sing the praises of a group often called the nation’s unsung heroes: military children. Full story.

Military OneSource will present a series of webinars this month designed to aid military families with everything from parenting and homework to money management and debt. Full story.

Soldiers assigned to the 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, surprised their children via video teleconference between Contingency Operating Site Marez, Iraq, and Meadows Elementary School at Fort Hood, Texas, in December. Full story.

The wife of the top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan will head up an office devoted to strengthening consumer financial protection for service members and their families, an official announced. Full story.

Officials at the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury hope the topics will interest everyone from servicemembers and their families to medical professionals. Full story.

Dedie Davis knows what it's like to be homeless. Davis and her two children slept in their car for a short time in 1998, until family and friends helped them get back on their feet. Full story.

For the first time, America officially recognizes the contributions and dedication of military widows with "Gold Star Wives Day." Full story.

Homefront Heroes is looking for wounded warriors, their family, friends, caregivers, and organizations to share their experiences and help create a powerful video series detailing the sacrifices of service members and their families. Full story.

The Defense Department will launch an initiative early next year aimed at expanding the quality and quantity of community-based child care options for geographically dispersed reserve and active-duty families and for families facing long waits for on-base care. Full story.

The Snowball Express is back again to ensure families of fallen service members are not forgotten during the holiday season. Full story.

It's hard to stay in a relationship with someone you can't trust. Full story.

For the first time, soon-to-be military retirees have a guide that can help them make the most of that final PCS with the “Best Places for Military Retirement” list commissioned by USAA and Military.com. Full story.

Buying a home can be an exciting part of retiring from the military. Think of it as your permanent PCS: a place where you can spend time with your family, find a community, and enjoy the next phase of your life. Full story.

The Department of Defense announced that the deadline for eligible service members, veterans and their beneficiaries to apply for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay (RSLSP) has been extended to Dec. 18. Full story.

It’s not easy being all three but Army Sgt. Autumn Hughes makes it work. Full story.

There is an integral facet of military life not often talked about on the nightly news: the difficult lives of those who are left behind. Full story.

Army wives in Germany are receiving the same training their husbands get to cope with traumatic combat experiences. Full story.

Sunnie Templeton thought she was providing for her kids by signing up for the new GI Bill. Full story.

In honor of National Family Caregiver Month we salute Ashley Torres. Full story.

Melissa Gomez, who left Soldiering to become a full-time Army wife and mother, won the 2010 Operation Rising Star military singing contest held at Fort Belvoir in Virginia. Full story.

Army Maj. Stanley Arnold, a family life chaplain, wants to make sure military spouses take a little time to take care of themselves. Full story.

Their motto is “No Mom Alone” and they band together in order to support each other through thick and thin. Full story.

After 36 years of marriage and 24 moves, the wife of Gen. David Petraeus, the U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, has acquired an "eclectic" resume, as she puts it. Full story.

Losing a loved one in combat changes everything. Take a look at this inside view of what it means to be the person delivering the news. Full story.

Find out how these Gold Star Mothers support one another in a moving story on Military.com. Full story.

Check out the latest Ms. Vicki column on Military.com. Full story.

Army Wives actress Catherine Bell feels good about the level of accuracy on her show and feels honored to play an Army wife. Full story.

Military families in Germany are trying to piece together their lives after a devastating fire destroyed their memories and possessions. Full story.

He had survived a deployment but was tragically murdered trying to defend his wife in New Orleans after a Marine Corps Ball. Full story.

During Military Family Month, we celebrate the exceptional contributions of our military families, and we reaffirm our commitments to these selfless individuals who exemplify the highest principles of our Nation. Full story.

DoD is revising its rules that will greatly impact divorced or separated couples when one parent deploys. Full story.

When it comes to military marriage there are many unknowns. But what happens when your service member decides he’s done and leave you with nothing? What are you entitled to? Find out in today’s Ask Ms. Vicki. Full story.

Critically acclaimed director and documentary make Morgan Spurlock is currently launching a new weekly series chronicling the lives of American soldiers as they return home from duty overseas, reunite with their family and friends and readjust to life back in the States. Full story.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, flanked by two of the nation’s top female military officers, today recounted the early days of women’s integration into the services and said “we would be nowhere as a military” without trailblazing women. Full story.

Watch celebrities express their support and thanks for families and spouses from the USO’s Gala which was made available to everyone through live streaming by Military.com. Full story.

Military.com and CincHouse.com presented the 2010 Spouse of the Year award to Carren Ziegenfuss Sept. 30 at a ceremony held at the Minuteman Memorial Building on Capitol Hill. Full story.

Military.com reports from the release of the 2010 Blue Star Families Lifestyle Survey Release. Full story.

Our sister site SpouseBuzz has doozy of a blog from Andi on why there were so many negative comments following a story that showcased army wives supporting one another. Full story.

The Wife of Gen. George Casey, Shelia Casey has certainly earned her stripes as a military Wife. CinCHouse reporter Amy Bushatz caught up with her at the recent MOAA conference. Full story.

The MyCAA extravaganza continues. Read about the latest developments. Full story.

9/11 changed our country forever but for those in the military the attack on the Pentagon put in motion events that have changed our lives, our families and our mission for 9 years. Full story.

Think you’re the only one with a beef about Tricare, move over because now even the Secretary of Defense is frustrated with the medical care military families receive. Full story.

Find out why one group is angry about the DADT survey being distributed to spouses. Full story.

For all of you Washington, DC based CinC’s, check out the day long forum on Friday, September 10, 2010 sponsored by MOAA: “A New Normal: How Is the War within Transforming our Force and Families?” Full story.

Pentagon officials today mailed out 150,000 new “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” surveys, this time seeking input from military spouses about the potential repeal of the law that bars gay men and lesbians from serving openly, officials said. Full story.

This touching two minute video examines the history of a modern day M.A.S.H.-like hospital and brings a piece of the frontline to those of us at home. Full story.

Schools on military installations are like anything else in the world of defense--they have to fight for money. Find out how increased funding will impact improvements in DoD schools. Full story.

Installation Management Command this month revised application procedures at its 44 stateside privatized housing facilities, providing residents with a "Bill of Rights" and a guarantee of superior customer service. Full story.

More surviving spouses of veterans will be available for Veteran's Affairs home loans under a bill now making its way through Congress. Full story.

In October, 2009, the 2nd Brigade, 3rd ID of Ft. Stewart, GA deployed to Iraq. Local photographer and artist Susan Weiss began to take photographs of the deployment as part of a community project. Full story.

Hear what Brian McNamara, who play Gen. Holden on Army Wives, as to say about his appreciation for military families and Jill Biden’s recent appearance on the show. Full story.

In a roundtable with military bloggers on Tuesday, Mr. Baird emphasized the many resources available to National Guard families and the continuing effort to provide resources for children of Guard members, in particular. Full story.

As more wives began feeling the weight of their husbands being in a combat zone, they joined Lisa. What started as three wives running had evolved into a support network. Full story.

We tried to always focus on where we would live next, the transition, and where were the good schools. Too often, I had to move ahead, and Deborah and the boys had to figure it out on their own. Full story.

Military life is very different than the one many of our friends back home are living. Why did we go this route? This is a life-changing profession. It matters. Full story.

Servicemembers and their families who were born in Puerto Rico will need to obtain a new birth certificate starting July 1, 2010. Full story.

Read about this astonishing case in which an army spouse is accused of harassing fellow wives and possibly impacting the careers in her husband's command. Full story.

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"The Dry Land" chronicles the struggle that a soldier, played by Ryan O'Nan, faces upon returning from a tour in Iraq and the ensuing consequences that vex his family and friends.
Full story.

Being a single parent is hard enough, so how do military women handle the pressures of deployment and military life in addition to raising their kids?  Find out in today's military women feature. Full story.

A film about the loss of loved ones in service to their country will debut for one night only on May 18th across the country in select theaters. Full story.

Nearly 100 military spouses hailing from bases like Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, AZ and Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota came to Capitol Hill to address issues affecting military spouses.
Full story.

Your husband's life means the world to you, but remember that your life means the world to him, so be vigilant, aware, and proud every moment of every day.
Full story.

Reports of sexual assault involving servicemembers rose by 11 percent in fiscal 2009, a senior Defense Department official said yesterday.
Full story.

An Army general in Iraq is going beyond the typical protocol to ensure every able-bodied soldier in his unit stays fit to fight, even if it means punishing troops for engaging in sexual activities while deployed. Full story.

Civilian employment is the highest level of stressors that military members report who are in the reserves. Full story.

Despite frequent deployments and stressful operations tempo, Army officials believe leadership intervention is the biggest factor in prevention/ Full story.

Cheer on your favorite military spouse or woman in uniform!
Full story.

Our report on military charity as the Combined Federal Campaign continues. Full story.

Part of our insider's guide series on charities participating in the Compbined Federal Campaign and who actively support military families.
Full story.

The 2009 CFC Campaign kicked off yesterday. Find out how your family can contribute through CFC to create a better military community. To help you choose where your donations should go, over the next month CinCHouse will feature a series on top military charities.

Full story.

President Barack Obama will lay a wreath at the site and deliver official remarks. The event will be closed to all but the families of the 59 people who perished aboard American Airlines Flight 77 and the 125 in the Pentagon.

Full story.

“Hurricane Katrina was a tragic example of why it’s important for us to heighten preparedness awareness and provide customers with items that will sustain them during a crisis,” said Sakowitz.

Full story.

Even military wives are sometimes 'survivors' of PTSD.

Full story.

Opsec – Operations Security – and Persec – Personal Security – are about safety for you and your man in uniform, and all those who depend on him.  So you’ve got to take this business seriously.

Full story.

 A bagger vents about the downsides of going green.

Full story.

Hurricanes have plowed through military bases throughout the southeast, even destroying parts of NAS Pensacola, NAS Gulfport, and Norfolk. Be ready to hold down the fort at home while hubby is out saving everyone else.

Full story.

Memorial Day is an opportunity to salute soldiers — and their struggling families, too. Re-published with permission from USA Today.

Full story.

Congratulations to Sgt. Shamyra “Lil Bit” Daigle and the All-Army women’s basketball team for their 74-70 victory over All-Navy in the 2009 Armed Forces Basketball Championships!

Full story.

Trauma Pod may ultimately be able to retrieve someone from the battlefield, diagnose them, and perform lifesaving procedures while transferring them to hospital. Full story.

There's a phrase being tossed around military installations, "the new normal." Living in the new normal means that this, this life of repeated deployments, prosthetics, and memorial services, this is what life is going to look like for us for awhile to come, so we had better learn to deal with it.

Full story.

About one-third of the suicides in the military involve members who’ve never deployed overseas, Secretary Robert Gates said. Gates also said he’s been told that broken relationships constitute one of the principal causes of servicemember suicide.

Full story.

Not knowing when Mom or Dad will be deployed, or for how long, can create a lot of turmoil in the home before, during and even after the tour of duty.

Full story.

Avoid thinking about the worst and it won’t ever happen to you or someone you love. Right? Sadly, no. Proactively planing for our ultimate exit from center stage will make the lives of those we eventually leave behind less painful in what will surely be an unhappy time for them.

Full story.

Two of the harsh realities of life, and the military in times of war, are death and loss. As adults, we know and understand the life cycle, even if it’s something we aren’t comfortable thinking about. But when it comes to children, no matter where they are developmentally, dealing with death or a loss can be a very confusing time.

Full story.

A family that is educated about the causes of TBI, how TBI shows itself in the family’s soldier or sailor, and the variety of TBI treatments, is a family that is more likely to work together to overcome TBI challenges.

Full story.

You’re not certain, but you find yourself wondering about your hubby’s on-duty gal pal. Does he have an office “wife” and is she a friend or a foe to your marriage?

Full story.

“Inclusive Recreation for Wounded Warriors,” a first-of-its-kind training program for military recreation managers, will begin this January at Penn State’s University Park campus... Full story.

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Four major U.S. mental health groups have joined the network of professionals who donate an hour of their time each week to provide free mental health services to servicemembers and their families.

Full story.

Fifteen employers accepted a Defense Department award for their exceptional financial and emotional support of National Guard and Reserve members on their payrolls. Find out who these great employers are.

Full story.

So you've just moved (again), you've gotten the family settled and, well, it's lonely.  It's time to start building a community around you and your family.

Where to start?

Full story.

Many children do not understand military terms like: deployment, TDY, extended cruise, remote tour...  and a mother finds herself not only dealing with her own feelings, but the feelings and needs of her children.  Here are a few tips to help the children deal with this time in their lives.

Full story.

 As if it isn't enough having to prepare ourselves for the deployment of our spouse, we have to prepare our children. Here are some resources and great ideas from other members of the CinCHouse.com community who have gone through this before.

Full story.

In the backlash of that series, Congress is working to reform the dated and convoluted system that injured soldiers have to navigate when they return from war.

Full story.

That’s the dilemma. Even with mental help resources available, many military spouses wish they could find a consistent network of support.

What about starting one?

Full story.

In domestic disputes, by the time a woman dials 911, she’s out of options. In a crisis, by the time a woman starts randomly calling therapists begging for an appointment, she’s desperate. These are the lowest points — and they’re being faced daily by spouses whose husbands come home vastly different men.

Full story.

War leaves its mark on more than the physical. Months of traumatic experiences are taking their toll on service members who leave the war behind but come home with a crippling emotional and mental struggle. It has a name: post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. And help is out there. But it can be a struggle to find it.

Full story.

Things are happening out there. It may seem slow, but awareness of deployment stress and combat-related post traumatic stress disorder is gradually making its way out of the darkness. As it does, more people are taking active steps to do something about it — like ONE Freedom.

Full story.

He’s getting out of the military. And you’re ready for romance, reunion and a whole new life. But wait just a minute — or a month — because you both may be in store for something else — his re-adjustment.

Full story.

It was his combat; now, it’s her conflict. This is the all-too-frequent aftermath of war.

Full story.

Presidential politics and big headlines aside, if you really want to keep up with legislation and debates that directly affect your family, there’s a group of congressmen you want to keep in your sights. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives have Armed Services Committees.

Full story.

By Tranette Ledford They’re standing in lines in California. They’re waiting outside churches and warehouses in Phoenix and New York. They are military families in need of food. While thousands of service members continue fighting in Iraq, many... Full story.

No military family gets excited about deployment; instead, we kick it into high gear with planning for such things as financial and legal readiness, child-care arrangements and emotional stability. What often gets overlooked, however, is a plan for celebrating special occasions.

Full story.

Many military wives and girlfriends say that in the days before their men leave for deployment, the amount of arguing increases with each passing moment. Experts say, it’s not you, it’s not him. Instead, the bickering is turned on automatically inside many of us as a way of letting go.

Full story.

To avoid disaster, expect the unexpected and prepare for the worst.

Full story.

In this 21st century war, the distance between the living room and the battlefield takes just seconds to cross.

Full story.

Stress. It’s everywhere during a military deployment. And spouses at home need to be careful not to let it rule their lives, because if left unchecked, it can ruin a life.

Full story.

When Debbie Busch befriended a woman whose husband was killed in Iraq, little did she know how life-changing the event would become.

Full story.

Kelli and Robert Hartley thought they had a pretty good birth plan in place. So much for best laid plans.

Full story.

 Bad weather driving is my husband’s expertise. And wouldn’t you know it, during each of my husband’s deployments, I’ve found myself, in no particular order, mushing my way through heavy winds and rains as a hurricane made its way inland, dodging hail and of course, slipping through a late season ice storm.

Full story.

The importance of your own dreams and possibilities in a military marriage

Full story.

How many times have you thought to yourself, “I deserve a medal for this,” — or looking at another military spouse, “She deserves a medal for that!” Well, one military wife had the same thoughts and an idea of something to do about it.

Full story.