Amy Stevens
Your spouse was just called to duty. You may be a seasoned military wife who has endured deployments and separations before, possibly suffering silently. You may be the spouse of a Reservist, who never expected to be in a combat situation. You may be a newlywed, with no experience at all with the military.
Regardless of your current position and experience as a military spouse, Encouragement for America’s Hidden Heroes will help support you-by providing survival tips and techniques created by one who understands; one who has experienced it and knows that she will likely experience it again. The author created this book so that others may have a head-start on preparing for and successfully managing a long-term deployment.
Amy Stevens is a proud military wife, dynamic businesswoman, mother, speaker, and author. During her husband’s recent deployment and service in Afghanistan, she realized the fears, pains, responsibilities and difficulties that arise for families facing War, many for the first time in their lives- and became determined to make the path easier for those following her in this service. Patriotic and proud of her family, she inspires and motivates military spouses to plan, to enjoy, and to move forward with their lives: while embracing the fact that they, too, are heroes.
Take advantage of Active benefits
Particularly for National Guardsmen and Reservists, there are several advantages to having a spouse who is deployed on Active Duty. One of these is the Soldiers and Sailors Relief Act, which provides support for those called to serve.
If you’re a reserve component service member called to active duty, you’re protected by a law that can save you some legal problems and possibly some money as well. Under the provisions of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act of 1940, you may qualify for any or all of the following:
Reduced interest rate on mortgage payments.
Reduced interest rate on credit card debt.
Protection from eviction if your rent is $1,200 or less.
Delay of all civil court actions, such as bankruptcy, foreclosure or divorce proceedings.
We used this Act to reduce our home mortgage interest rate from 7% to 6% during Brian’s deployment, which was a nice corresponding reduction in our monthly payment.
By contacting your mortgage company or others who you have credit from, you can discuss with them their procedures for enacting this benefit.
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The world hates change, yet it is the only thing that has brought progress.
—Charles F. Kettering
Questions to consider:
What debts do we currently owe with interest rates above 6%?
What creditors do I need to contact?
How much money will be saved per this Act, and how will I invest or spend it?
Do I have serious concerns currently about eviction or bankruptcy?
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You are serving your country, too!
I’ve said in other tactics that we, as military spouses, are also serving our country. When you remind yourself of this fact, the hardships and difficulties become much easier to handle and understand than if you feel like the one who was left behind.
By approaching your spouse in this manner, you are forming a team relationship, and the deployment is handled as a team instead of two individuals. This helped us to work toward a common goal, and to understand one another even better than before.
By supporting my family and handling the home-front, I was doing my part. It felt good to know that this was impacting my husband and children, and ultimately the world.
Don’t sell yourself and your role short. Lean on each other and work together.
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Life becomes harder when we live for others, but it also becomes richer and happier.
—Albert Schweitzer
Questions to consider:
What is my role?
How can I best help to serve my country?
