Behind the Camouflage returns with another episode of our Season 6 summer series, “Home is Where the Marine Corps Sends You,” proudly sponsored by ROGER Bank. This week, we’re heading to Southern California to talk all things Camp Pendleton. Our guest, Raxel Phillips, brings a wealth of knowledge and firsthand experience to the conversation. As a Marine Corps spouse who has lived aboard Camp Pendleton since 2020 and as a Deployment Readiness Coordinator for Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Raxel offers a unique and well-rounded perspective on what it’s like to call Pendleton home. From preparing for a move to Camp Pendleton to exploring all that this Southern California duty station has to offer, this episode dives into the community, resources, lifestyle, and opportunities that make Pendleton such a desirable place for military families. Whether you have orders to Camp Pendleton, are curious about life on the West Coast, or simply love learning about different Marine Corps duty stations, this episode is full of helpful insight and local perspective. Give a listen! <p>The post Home Is Where The Marine Corps Sends You: Camp Pendleton with Raxel Phillips – Behind The Camouflage Season 6 | Episode 9 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.</p>

Behind the Camouflage returns with another episode of our Season 6 summer series, “Home is Where the Marine Corps Sends You,” proudly sponsored by ROGER Bank. This week, we’re talking about a duty that can look very different from life near a major Marine Corps installation: recruiting duty. Our guest, Sasha Rentfro, shares what it’s like to navigate military family life while geographically separated from the built-in support systems many families rely on. From finding community outside the gates to creating connections in unfamiliar places, Sasha offers an honest look at the unique challenges and opportunities that come with being stationed away from the natural rhythms of installation life. For families preparing for recruiting duty, currently living far from a major base, or looking for new ways to build community wherever the Marine Corps sends them, this episode offers helpful perspective, encouragement, and real-life insight. Give a listen! <p>The post Home Is Where The Marine Corps Sends You: Recruiting Duty – Behind The Camouflage Season 6 | Episode 8 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.</p>

Behind the Camouflage returns with another episode of our Season 6 summer series, “Home is Where the Marine Corps Sends You,” proudly sponsored by ROGER Bank. This week, we’re talking about one of the biggest parts of any PCS: finances. Our guest, Jill Castilla, nationally recognized banking leader, financial technology innovator, community banking advocate, and President and CEO of ROGER and Citizens Bank of Edmond, joins us for a conversation packed with information every military family should hear. Together, we dive into the financial side of moving, from PCS costs and transaction fees to credit cards, VA loans, and the importance of having a personal connection with your banker. Jill brings her expertise and practical insight to help families better understand how to prepare financially, ask the right questions, and make informed decisions during a move. Whether you’re gearing up for your next PCS, trying to get a better handle on your money, or simply want to feel more confident navigating the financial pieces of military life, this episode is full of valuable takeaways you won’t want to miss. Give a listen! https://roger.bank <p>The post Home Is Where The Marine Corps Sends You: PCSing and Finances – Behind The Camouflage Season 6 | Episode 7 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.</p>

Behind the Camouflage returns with another episode of our Season 6 summer series, “Home is Where the Marine Corps Sends You,” proudly sponsored by ROGER Bank. This week, we’re heading to the nation’s capital to talk about the unique experience of being stationed in Washington, D.C. Our guest, MCA’s very own Silha Bess, shares what it’s like to trade the traditional base setting for city life, navigating the pace, opportunities, and challenges that come with living in and around D.C. From finding community in a busy metropolitan area to making the most of everything the city has to offer, Silha gives listeners an inside look at what makes this duty station so different from many others. For families preparing for orders to the National Capital Region or simply curious about what military life looks like in Washington, D.C., this episode offers a helpful and honest perspective on embracing city living while staying connected to the Marine Corps community. Give a listen! <p>The post Home Is Where The Marine Corps Sends You: Washington D.C. With Silha Bess – Behind The Camouflage Season 6 | Episode 6 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.</p>

Behind the Camouflage returns with Episode 5 of our Season 6 summer series, “Home is Where the Marine Corps Sends You,” proudly sponsored by ROGER Bank. This week, we’re heading overseas to explore one of the Marine Corps’ most unique duty stations: Guam. Our guest, Andrea Magrath, shares what it’s like to prepare for and embrace life on this small but unforgettable island. From the important pre-PCS details like health checks and household goods shipments to the realities of settling in far from the mainland, Andrea offers helpful insight for families navigating the move to Guam. She also takes us beyond the logistics, sharing the must-do experiences, local spots, and island adventures that make Guam such a special place to call home. For families preparing for a PCS, curious about overseas duty stations, or dreaming of island life in the Pacific, this episode offers a thoughtful and practical look at what makes Guam a truly memorable chapter in a Marine family’s journey. Give a listen! <p>The post Home Is Where The Marine Corps Sends You: Guam with Andrea Magrath – Behind the Camouflage Season 6 | Episode 5 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.</p>

Behind the Camouflage continues our Season 6 summer series with a special “In the Box” episode proudly sponsored by ROGER Bank. This week, we shift from place to policy as we sit down with Amanda Watkins, Headquarters lead for the USMC PCS Advocacy Council, whose work directly supports Marine Corps families navigating the challenges of PCSing. Amanda brings clarity, candor, and hard‑earned expertise to the questions families ask most—from the etiquette of tipping your movers to the critical steps to take if your shipment arrives with mold. Her guidance blends policy insight with practical, real‑world advice that every military family deserves to hear. Whether you’re preparing for an upcoming PCS or simply want to better understand the systems that shape Marine Corps moves, this episode delivers essential information that can make your next transition smoother, safer, and far less stressful. A must‑listen for every military household. Give a listen! .ugb-f13c13d hr.ugb-divider__hr{margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important} Resources from this episode:Personal Property Helpline for Personal Property Activity: 833-MIL-MOVE PCS Advocacy Facebook <p>The post Home Is Where The Marine Corps Sends You: “In the Box” with Amanda Watkins – Behind The Camouflage Season 6 | Episode 4 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.</p>

Behind the Camouflage returns with Episode 3 of our Season 6 summer series, “Home is Where the Marine Corps Sends You,” proudly sponsored by ROGER Bank. This week, we explore the quiet beauty and community spirit of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. Our guest, Demi Arias, shares what it’s like to call Coastal North Carolina home—from the peaceful pace of this “sleepy” town to the deep sense of connection that forms among families stationed there. Demi offers thoughtful insight into the rhythms of daily life, the support networks that make Cherry Point unique, and the unexpected joys of living along the Crystal Coast. For families preparing for a PCS or simply curious about life at MCAS Cherry Point, this episode offers a heartfelt look at a place that often becomes a favorite chapter in a Marine family’s journey. Give a listen! <p>The post Home Is Where The Marine Corps Sends You: MCAS Cherry Point With Demi Arias – Behind The Camouflage Season 6 | Episode 3 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.</p>

Behind the Camouflage continues Season 6 with another installment of our summer series, “Home is Where the Marine Corps Sends You.” In Episode 2, we’re headed to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, where the base motto says it all: “We Make Marines.” This week, we’re joined by Shelby Bateman to talk about what makes MCRD Parris Island such a special and unique duty station. From the pride and tradition of living and working at the depot to the challenges that come with the fast pace and mission-focused environment, Shelby shares an honest look at life in a place unlike any other. We cover the questions military families often ask before a move, including housing, schools, community, and what day-to-day life can look like while stationed at Parris Island. This is an episode you won’t want to miss – Give a listen! <p>The post Home Is Where The Marine Corps Sends You: MCRD Parris Island with Shelby Bateman – Behind The Camouflage Season 6 | Episode 2 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.</p>

Behind the Camouflage is back for Season 6, and we’re kicking things off with the return of our summer series, “Home is Where the Marine Corps Sends You.” This season, we’re diving into the unique places, experiences, and challenges that come with military life, from overseas duty stations like Guam and Okinawa to recruiting duty, life at the recruit depot, and everything that goes into making a PCS happen. In our season opener, we welcome Claire Weisenfels, who is currently stationed in Okinawa, to share her family’s experiences living in the Pacific and navigating some of the Marine Corps’ more unique duty stations. From living out in town to adjusting to island life, embracing new communities, and even finding the best burger on Okinawa, this fun and honest conversation covers a little bit of everything. Whether you’re preparing for your next move, curious about life overseas, or just love hearing real stories from military families, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Give a listen! <p>The post Home is Where the Marine Corps Sends You: Okinawa with Claire Weisenfels – Behind the Camouflage Season 6 | Episode 1 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.</p>

It’s the Season 5 finale of Behind the Camouflage and we’re closing out the season with a conversation from the BTC team! In this finale, we share how we each build community as Marine Corps spouses, highlighting the different ways we connect, create relationships, and find our people throughout military life. This conversation reflects the many paths to building a sense of belonging. We also talk about what’s currently happening with the BTC program and how it continues to grow. And of course, we couldn’t wrap up the season without giving you a sneak peek into what Season 6 has in store. Give a listen! <p>The post Community and What Comes Next – Behind the Camouflage Season 5 | Episode 13 first appeared on Marine Corps Association.</p>