PCS Season 2026: What Military Families Need to Know—and the Best Tips We've Learned Along the WayPCS season is here—and with it comes moving checklists, travel plans, housing searches, reimbursement questions, and more than a little chaos.In this episode, Teal is joined by fellow Navy spouse and Naval Services FamilyLine Board Member Jessica Schecter for a conversation about the latest PCS updates military families need to know for 2026. Together, they break down new resources, travel reimbursement changes, childcare support programs, and practical tips gathered from years of navigating military moves themselves.Whether this is your first PCS or your fifteenth, this episode offers helpful information, real-world advice, and a reminder that you're not navigating the process alone.Key Topics & HighlightsThe New PCS WebsiteThe Department of Defense recently launched PPA.mil, a new centralized hub designed to help military families navigate the PCS process. Teal and Jessica discuss what families can find on the site, what it does—and doesn't—replace, and why having a single source for PCS information could help reduce confusion during moving season.Important PCS Policy UpdatesSeveral policy changes accompanied the launch of the new PCS resource platform, including expanded claims filing timelines, new reimbursement eligibility for spouses and dependents during disrupted moves, and enhanced support during peak moving season.PCS Travel Changes for 2026Mileage reimbursement rates, Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE), and per diem rules all look a little different this year. Teal and Jessica walk through the updates, including the expansion of TLE from 14 to 21 days for many CONUS moves and common budgeting mistakes families should avoid.Childcare Transportation Reimbursement Pilot ProgramOne of the most spouse-friendly PCS updates in recent years could help families offset the cost of flying in a caregiver during a move. Learn who qualifies, what expenses may be reimbursed, and how this program acknowledges the very real childcare challenges many military families face during a PCS.PCS Tips from Military FamiliesFrom protecting important documents to surviving temporary lodging and keeping track of household goods, Teal and Jessica share practical advice, lessons learned, and a few PCS confessions along the way.PCS Lightning RoundWhat's the one thing you never let the movers pack? What's the most elite PCS survival skill? Teal and Jessica answer these questions and more in a fun, PCS-themed lightning round.Resources & LinksPPA.mil PCS Resource WebsiteMilitary OneSource PCS ResourcesMilitaryChildCare.comNaval Services FamilyLine WebsiteNS FamilyLine FacebookNS FamilyLine InstagramIf this episode helped you prepare for your next move, share it with a fellow military spouse, service member, or family getting ready for PCS season.From our Navy family to yours — safe travels and smooth moves ahead.

S8 E3: Data, Advocacy & Real Support: Inside MFAN with CEO Shannon RazsadinWho is truly speaking up for military families — and making sure their experiences lead to real change?In this episode, Teal sits down with Navy spouse and CEO Shannon Razsadin to explore the impactful work of the Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN). From powerful data collection to direct, boots-on-the-ground support, MFAN is helping shape policies and resources that directly affect military families.Together, they discuss how storytelling, research, and advocacy intersect — and why every military spouse’s voice plays a critical role in improving quality of life across the force.Key Topics & HighlightsTurning Data Into Change MFAN’s research, including the Military Family 360 Survey, captures the real experiences of military families and translates them into insights that inform policymakers and leaders.Food Insecurity in Military Families A critical issue affecting many in the community, MFAN’s findings have brought national attention to the challenges some families face — and the urgent need for solutions.Emergency Grocery Support During times of crisis, MFAN stepped in with direct assistance, providing tangible support to families in need when it mattered most.Advocacy Made Accessible Advocacy doesn’t require a policy background. Shannon shares how everyday spouses can speak up, share their experiences, and contribute to meaningful change.Resources & LinksMFAN WebsiteMFAN InstagramMFAN FacebookNS FamilyLine WebsiteNS FamilyLine FacebookNS FamilyLine InstagramIf this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow military spouse or friend. The more voices we amplify, the stronger our community becomes.From our Navy family to yours — stay strong, stay connected, and stay mission ready.

25 Years of COMPASS: Navigating Navy Life with Confidence with NS FamilyLine COMPASS Director Susan FoxIf you’ve ever wondered who you’re supposed to call, ask, or trust when Navy life feels overwhelming — this episode is for you.In this episode of Our Navy Life, host Teal Yost sits down with Susan Fox, Director of the COMPASS program at Naval Services FamilyLine, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of COMPASS — a spouse-to-spouse program that has helped Navy families navigate military life with confidence, clarity, and connection.Susan shares her own journey as a Navy spouse and volunteer mentor, beginning with her first COMPASS class in Guam and continuing through years of service supporting spouses worldwide. Together, Teal and Susan explore how COMPASS equips families with practical knowledge, emotional support, and community — ensuring no spouse has to figure out Navy life alone.Whether you’re brand new to the Navy, a seasoned spouse, or somewhere in between, this conversation highlights why COMPASS remains one of the most trusted resources in the Navy community.In this episode, you’ll hear about:The origin story of COMPASS  How a spouse recognized the need for Navy-specific support and built a program that has served families for 25 years.What COMPASS actually isA peer-led, spouse-to-spouse program offering Navy Life 101 — from benefits and PCS moves to deployments and communication.Why the peer model worksCOMPASS creates a rank-free, judgment-free environment where spouses learn from lived experience and shared understanding.Confidence through knowledgeParticipants learn practical skills like reading LES statements, understanding entitlements, planning PCS moves, and navigating deployments.Connection beyond GoogleWhile information is online, COMPASS provides nuance, hands-on learning, and real human connection.Support during isolation and transitionCOMPASS helps spouses build confidence, friendships, and support networks after PCS moves and during deployment seasons.Why seasoned spouses still benefitEven experienced spouses gain new insights, updated policy information, and fresh PCS and deployment tips.Volunteer mentorship & giving backHow spouses can become COMPASS mentors and make a tangible impact supporting fellow Navy families.How the program evolved for modern Navy lifeFrom curriculum updates to virtual sessions, COMPASS continues adapting to changing Navy policies and family needs.A powerful message for overwhelmed spousesYou are not alone. There is a legacy of spouses ready to support you.Resources & LinksCOMPASS Program InformationNS FamilyLine WebsiteNS FamilyLine FacebookNS FamilyLine InstagramCOMPASS Instagram: @go.compassIf this episode encouraged you, share it with a spouse who is new, transitioning, or feeling overwhelmed. One conversation can open the door to confidence and community.From our Navy family to yours — stay strong, stay connected, and stay mission ready.Resources & Links

What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking with NYT Bestselling Author & Navy Veteran Spouse Caroline ChambersIf you’ve ever stood in front of the fridge after a long Navy day thinking, “I cannot make one more decision,” this episode is for you.In this episode of Our Navy Life, host Teal Yost sits down with Caroline Chambers — New York Times bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, Substack creator, mom of four, and former Navy spouse — to talk about realistic cooking for real military life.Caroline knows the Navy spouse season firsthand. After moving from New York to Coronado to be with her husband, a Navy SEAL, she launched a “fake-it-til-you-make-it” catering company built with other SEAL spouses — a pivot that eventually led to her bestselling cookbook, What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking.Together, Teal and Caroline unpack how food, community, and flexibility help military families survive deployments, solo-parenting seasons, PCS chaos, and everyday burnout.In this episode, you'll hear about:From Coronado to Cookbook: How Caroline’s Navy spouse life sparked her career in food media.Letting go of perfection: Why “just get everyone fed” beats gourmet every time — especially with kids.Time-honest cooking: How organizing recipes by real-world minutes builds confidence and removes intimidation from cooking.Busy-life hacks: Smart swaps, fewer ingredients, and grocery-store-friendly cooking for unpredictable schedules.Solo-parent survival strategy: Caroline’s realistic meal-prep system for deployment seasons and long workdays.Food as community: How dropping off meals, salad swaps, and potluck wins help spouses connect at new duty stations.Potluck MVP: Why showing up with a great salad (hello, the Dilly Chop) makes you unforgettable.Rapid-fire favorites: Clean-out-the-fridge meals, pantry must-haves, and comfort food when depleted.The truth about kids and dinner: Even a NYT bestselling author has nights where only one kid eats the meal.Caroline’s message is simple and freeing: Dinner doesn’t have to be perfect — it just has to be doable.Whether you’re in a deployment season, PCS transition, or just plain tired of cereal nights, this episode will leave you feeling supported, capable, and hungry in the best way.Book: What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like CookingNewsletter / Substack: https://whattocook.substack.comInstagram: @carochambersNavy SEAL Foundation: https://www.navysealfoundation.orgIf this episode helped you, share it with a spouse friend in the thick of Navy life — especially the one juggling deployments, kids, and the eternal “what’s for dinner?” question.From our Navy family to yours — stay strong, stay connected, and stay mission ready.Stay Connected With Us: NSFL WebsiteNSFL FacebookNSFL Instagram

Holidays in the Navy don’t always look like the ones we grew up with. Instead of gathering around familiar tables, many military families find themselves creating new traditions thousands of miles from “home.”In this episode, Teal Yost and guest co-host Kathryn Butler dive into what makes OCONUS holiday seasons both challenging and deeply meaningful. From KFC Christmas dinners in Japan, to Le Befana visiting children in Italy, to 12 grapes at midnight in Spain, to fireworks across Hawaii — they explore how Navy families adapt, connect, and rediscover the heart of the holidays wherever they’re stationed.Whether you’re preparing for your first holiday overseas or reminiscing on duty stations past, this episode is a warm reminder that home is wherever our people are.What You’ll Hear in This EpisodeGetting to know Kathryn Hear Kathryn’s Navy journey, her OCONUS duty stations, and how living abroad shaped her family’s holiday traditions.What to expect during your first OCONUS holiday season Is it harder? More meaningful? A bit of both? Teal and Kathryn share their honest, lived experience.Japan’s unique Christmas celebrations – Christmas Eve as a couple’s holiday – Stunning seasonal illuminations – The iconic KFC Christmas dinner (yes, really!) – The New Year’s Emperor GreetingItalian holiday traditions – La Befana on January 5 – St. Nicholas Day on December 6Spanish celebrations – Twelve grapes at midnight for good luck – New Year’s red underwear tradition – Three Kings Day (Día de los Reyes)Holidays in Hawaii Fireworks, celebrations, and island traditions that make the season unforgettable.Advice for families spending their first holiday overseas Teal and Kathryn share heartfelt guidance for navigating emotions, expectations, and new memories.Whether you’re a new Navy spouse, a seasoned partner, or a supporter of the Navy community, this episode offers inspiration, history, and a reminder that you’re never navigating this life alone.Stay Connected With Us: NSFL WebsiteNSFL FacebookNSFL Instagram

As Veterans Day approaches, many of us see the familiar wave of “thank yous” in the form of discounts and freebies. But what if that appreciation didn’t stop on November 11th?In this episode, host Teal Yost sits down with Navy veteran and active-duty Navy spouse Grant Vermeer to talk about Valor, a new app making military discounts automatic — no ID, no awkward ask, and no forgetting to mention your service at checkout.Grant shares how Valor is transforming everyday shopping for service members, veterans, and military families by connecting them directly with local businesses that want to give back. He also opens up about his own journey from Naval Academy grad to veteran, to military spouse — and what Veterans Day means to him now from both sides of service.What You’ll Hear in This EpisodeGrant’s Navy journey and transition from active duty to military spouseBehind the scenes of The Academy Insider podcastHow Valor makes military discounts automatic — no cards or conversations requiredWhy the app launched in Coronado, CA and what’s next for nationwide expansionHow Valor is helping small businesses give back to the military community year-roundFeatured GuestGrant Vermeer is a Navy veteran, Naval Academy graduate, and active-duty Navy spouse. He’s part of the founding team behind Valor, a free app that automates military discounts and cashback for verified service members, veterans, and spouses. He also hosts The Academy Insider podcast, supporting midshipmen and their families through life at the U.S. Naval Academy.Whether you’re a new Navy spouse, a seasoned partner, or a supporter of the Navy community, this episode offers inspiration, history, and a reminder that you’re never navigating this life alone.Resources & Links:Learn more about Valor: www.joinvalor.comDownload the Valor App: Available on the App Store & Google PlayListen to The Academy Insider podcastStay Connected With Us: NSFL WebsiteNSFL FacebookNSFL Instagram

This fall marks two incredible milestones: the U.S. Navy’s 250th birthday and Naval Services Familyline’s 60th anniversary. For six decades, Familyline has been a trusted source of education, mentorship, and resources for Navy spouses and families navigating the challenges of military life.In this episode of Our Navy Life, Navy spouse and host Teal Yost sits down with Nancy Ruttenberg, the newly appointed Chairman of Naval Services Familyline. Together, they celebrate these milestone anniversaries and look ahead at the future of support for Navy families.Nancy shares:Her journey as a Navy spouse and the experiences that shaped her role in the community.A brief history of Naval Services Familyline and how it has grown over the past 60 years.Programs and resources available for Navy families today, including Compass, Core, and upcoming webinars like Healthcare Flexible Spending Accounts.Her vision for Familyline’s future and the next 60 years of serving the Navy community.This special milestone episode also highlights crowdsourced reflections from Navy spouses across the globe, who share:The greatest gifts Navy life has added to their journeys—from lifelong friendships to personal growth, career pivots, and unforgettable adventures abroad.How the Navy community has provided connection, resilience, and inspiration, even during challenging seasons.Whether you’re a new Navy spouse, a seasoned partner, or a supporter of the Navy community, this episode offers inspiration, history, and a reminder that you’re never navigating this life alone.Resources & Links:Naval Services FamilyLineNSFL COMPASSNSFL COREVolunteer With NSFL!Stay Connected With Us: NSFL WebsiteNSFL FacebookNSFL Instagram

Creating Community Everywhere: Blue Star Families’ Kathy Roth-Douquet on Welcome Week, the Blue Star Neighborhood & Military LifeShow NotesMoving to a new duty station can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone.In this episode of Our Navy Life, host Teal Yost, a Navy spouse of 10 years, chats with Kathy Roth-Douquet, Marine veteran spouse and Co-Founder & CEO of Blue Star Families (BSF)—the nation’s largest nonprofit dedicated to supporting military and veteran families where they live.Kathy shares:The story behind BSF—why she founded it and the mission that drives it today.Impact at scale: Over 16 years, BSF has delivered $336M+ in benefits, reaching 1.5M people annually through its chapters and outposts.Blue Star Welcome Week: how this annual event helps military families feel at home in their new communities.Blue Star Neighborhood: a year-round digital hub where families connect, share resources, and find ongoing support long after PCS season.Coffee & Connects: casual Starbucks meetups that bring military families together to build friendships and swap local resources over a cup of coffee.How you can get involved: from volunteering to partnering with BSF to support military families year-round.Whether you’re in the middle of a PCS, eager to meet fellow military families, or looking for ways to give back, this conversation offers encouragement and practical ways to create community—wherever Navy life takes you.Resources & Links:Blue Star FamiliesBlue Star Welcome WeekBlue Star Neighborhood Stay Connected With Us: NSFL WebsiteNSFL FacebookNSFL Instagram

Supporting Our Sea Services and Families: A Conversation with Former MCPON and Current Navy League CEO Mike Stevens In this episode, we sit down with Mike Stevens—former Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) and current CEO of the Navy League of the United States.Mike shares insights from his time as the Navy’s senior enlisted leader and reflects on his transition into leading the Navy League, an organization dedicated to supporting America’s sea services and their families through advocacy, education, and community programs.From scholarships for military children to the Navy League’s global network of councils, we explore how this 120+ year-old organization continues to serve those who serve at sea.Founded in 1902: The Navy League has supported Sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, Merchant Mariners, and their families for over a century.Advocacy in Action: The League educates Congress and the public about the importance of a strong maritime force.Global Reach: With 176 councils worldwide, the Navy League brings local communities and service members together.Programs that Give Back:Unit Adoption Program – Connecting Navy League councils with active-duty units.Scholarship Foundation – Offering annual scholarships to children of sea service members.STEM Institute – Promoting innovation and STEM education among military families.Celebrating Navy 250: This fall, councils across the country will honor the Navy’s 250th anniversary with events and balls, including the National Capital Region’s Navy Ball, where new CNO, Admiral Daryl Caudle will keynote.Why It Matters: Our maritime domain is critical to America’s security and commerce—and the Navy League ensures those who serve are never forgotten.Partnerships: Navy League proudly supports Naval Services FamilyLine, strengthening resources for military families.Resources & Links:Navy League of the United StatesNavy League ScholarshipsJoin the Navy League Stay Connected With Us: NSFL WebsiteNSFL FacebookNSFL InstagramKey Takeaways

Show Notes: In this episode Corie Weathers, licensed counselor, author, and military spouse, discusses the unique dynamics of military marriages. Drawing from her experience working with service members and their families, Corie offers insight into the emotional landscape of deployment, reintegration, and maintaining connection across long distances and high-stress environments. She also discusses the importance of building community and support networks during difficult seasons of military life. Show Links:Corie WeathersDay One JournalUSO Show Takeaways: Military marriages face unique pressures — from frequent moves to extended separations — that require intentional communication and resilience.Deployment and reintegration are emotional transitions for both partners. Each phase demands patience, empathy, and time to reestablish rhythm and trust.Thriving, not just surviving, is possible. With the right tools and support, military marriages can become even stronger through the challenges.Every military couple will have different communication needs. Establishing clear communication boundaries, managing expectations, and utilizing a shared journal are just a few techniques to build and maintain a healthy relationship while facing the challenges of military life. Building strong, authentic relationships with other military spouses creates a sense of community, combats isolation, and provides emotional and logistical support.Let’s Connect: NSFL WebsiteNSFL FacebookNSFL Instagram