Separated By Duty, United In Love (revised):


Book Description

Where Can You Turn. . .? . . .when the bills are due, the kids are acting out, loneliness and doubt are creeping into your quiet hours--and you're handling it all alone? If your partner is in the military, these challenges may be the greatest that your relationship will ever face. Now is the time you need answers, resources, and understanding. This is the book that will give them to you. Military wife and U.S. Army veteran Shellie Vandevoorde has penned a practical, compassionate guide to help military couples cope with the separation of active deployment. Now updated and expanded, Separated by Duty, United in Love is infused with her years of experience, offering sound and comforting advice from someone who's been there. Vandevoorde explores real-life issues and shares invaluable insights on the best ways to: • Keep the lines of communication open while your partner is away • Address your children's fears as you cope with your own • Juggle finances and other household duties • Find the balance you desperately need • Cope with post-traumatic stress, injury and other challenges when a spouse returns from war • Utilize military resources and support groups to help yourself through the toughest times You are not alone. Separated by Duty, United in Love gives you the tools and the encouragement you need to help your military relationship survive--and thrive.




Jobseeker's Guide


Book Description

Learn how to navigate the USAJOBS system and write a correct federal resume. Troutman shows military personnel and their spouses job search strategies to begin their search.




Life Hacks for Military Spouses


Book Description

A colorful collection of tips and tricks for getting the most out of the nomadic military lifestyle. Told through humorous anecdotes by those with years of unique experiences, these life hacks reveal a special culture with expectations and numerous obstacles to be faced along the way. Military life boasts of travel to exotic places, immersion in the worldly cultures, and cuisine that most Americans can only dream about . . . and on the government’s dime, to boot! At least, that’s what the common perception is. But those who have served know that while the above may be true, military life comes with its own set of challenges and can be a hardship as much as it is rewarding. Here to help is the advice, guidance, and personal stories of spouses from all walks of life, in stages from the newlywed to the retired and properly salty. They share tips on overcoming the numerous obstacles, and navigating the special culture, traditions, and the one-of-a-kind lingo of military service. Gathered mostly from those who are affiliated with the military, but also from those with similar diplomatic lifestyles, the anecdotes reveal the special bond they share with their fellow spouses, and the wisdom gained to pass to the next generation. The very special illustrations were created by a talented Air Force wife, and reflect both the strong beauty and earnestness of those who are engaged in our nation’s most serious business, and yet, have learned not take themselves too seriously.




Open When


Book Description

"This collection of reassuring, informative letters for military spouses offers encouraging words and practical advice about many aspects of military life. Readers choose topics and letters to read when they need guidance tailored to the military life situations they are facing, from planning a military wedding, to attending their first military ball, giving birth while a spouse is deployed, moving across country (or an ocean) on short notice, making friends in a new community, preparing to leave active duty, and many other moments in between. Author Lizann Lightfoot is a professional writer, military spouse, and mother of five. Her Open When letters are based on her experiences as a girlfriend, fiancée, and wife through two decades of her Marine husband's service, seven deployments, and several military moves. She is known in the military community as The Seasoned Spouse for sharing her experience with other military loved ones on her blog of the same name"--




Federal Resume Guidebook: Federal Resume Writing Featuring the Outline Format Federal Resume


Book Description

The Guide's New Organization jumps right in with step-by-step directions for writing an easy-to-follow, stand-out Federal Resume using the Troutman-designed Outline Format that OPM welcomes. It then addresses a wider range of Possible Goals of Jobseekers : Part 1: 9 Strategies for Writing a Successful (Outline Format) Resume ; Part 2: 10 Steps to Getting Promoted in Government ; Part 3: Federal Career Change Stories ; Part 4: Special Insights for Information Technology Specialists.




Modern Military Spouse


Book Description

Let's take the guesswork out of military life! Join me, along with hundreds of other military spouses, and grab your copy of Modern Military Spouse today. It has everything you need to survive the ups and downs of military life! After reading this book, you will be able to... - Prepare and navigate PCS moves, military homecomings and military deployments easier. - Understand terms, acronyms and abbreviations all in one convenient location. - Gain instant access to over 22+ printable checklists. - Learn how to navigate getting an education and managing your career as a military spouse. - Build a budget that will work for your military family, using our step-by-step guide for finances and a downloadable spreadsheet. - Learn the keys to nurturing a military marriage that will survive the challenges of military life. - Help your child through military life using key resources and best tips for parenting military kids. Here's what's included: 14 comprehensive chapters 20+ printable documents and checklists (Including deployment, PCS, marriage, and resume). Receive a link in the book to download the printables. 3 bonus sections (Including acronyms, abbreviations, and terms) What you'll learn: When You Don't Have a Ring What to Do When Your Service Member's Gone Preparing for a Successful Military Marriage Creating a Budget That Works Hitting the Books Military-Style Military Proofing Your Career Building a Strong Support Network Becoming a Good Military Spouse Navigating Military Life with Kids Step-by-Step to PCS Moving and Living Overseas Using Social Media Safely Complete List of Resources for Spouses Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Terms Defined And more! "Jo, JD, and Lauren did the hard work for all of us! They took an overwhelming amount of confusing and out-of-date information for military spouses and turned it into a fun, modern book. This guide helps you understand military life and find the resources you are looking for." - Jen Pilcher, Founder, MilitaryOneClick.com "Finally! A military spouse handbook that I can recommend to new spouses! This book is the friend I wish I had when I was a young Navy wife. I wouldn't have felt so alone, so unusual and so un-military if someone would have given me Modern Military Spouse along with my dependent ID. Modern Military Spouse is a mentor, a drinking buddy, and a confidant for today's military spouse." - Michelle Volkmann, managing editor, NextGen MilSpouse




The Federal Resume Guidebook


Book Description

Applying for a federal job or promotion no longer requires a lengthy, lifeless form. Instead, applicants can emphasize their strengths, skills, and smarts in resumes that will hook hiring staff and make personal qualifications shine.




The Military Divorce Handbook


Book Description

This new and comprehensive book will give you exactly what you need to understand and comply with the law. It provides an overview of the provisions for the new Bankruptcy Reform Act including new sanctions provisions in Chapter 7 cases; regulation of attorneys as debt relief agencies; heightened requirements for reaffirmation agreements.




The Stars Are Lined Up for Military Spouses, 3rd Ed


Book Description

The Stars are Lined Up for Military Spouses for Federal Careers, 2nd Ed., is a federal career reference book for military spouses around the world. The unemployment rate for military spouses is HIGH. The spouses need quality careers. The US government is opening up hiring for military spouses more than ever with EO 13473 - Military Spouse Preference. To keep applicants and fed career advisors up to date, Federal Jobs Guru Kathy Troutman is releasing her cutting-edge 2nd edition of the only guidebook for these job seekers. It shows how military spouses still have an advantage over the general public on USAJobs using the improved Military Spouse Hiring Authority (E.O. 13473). "On USAJobs, the government website for federal positions, there are many jobs marked for military spouses. Military spouse can apply to "competitive / federal employee" announcements via this Executive Order," reports Troutman. "In fact the number of military spouse positions is on the rise, increasing by 70 percent on USAJobs since the 1st edition." The author says many military spouses are unaware that they can apply on the website with the status of federal employee, and instead they go for jobs open to US citizens. Since veterans' preference is used in the general openings, the military spouse doesn't stand a chance. But in fed jobs designated as being for military spouses on USAJobs, vet's preference isn't used. So the odds increase dramatically. Best-selling author Kathryn Troutman is known to be an innovator in the design of the 3-5 page federal resume. In 2010, she created the popular Outline Federal Resume Format, which uses KEYWORDS IN ALL CAPS to help the required skills and abilities catch the eye of fed HR. For the 2nd edition of her guide, she adapted the outline format and created the new Military Spouse Federal Resume. Her goals were to make these applicants stand out and look better than other fed jobseekers. "It's time for military spouses to take credit for what they've done," Troutman asserts. "I decided that they should start putting their Permanent Change of Order (PCS) history near the top of their resumes. The orders show where they've lived and moved over the years as a military spouse. This says up front that they're a military spouse, and it explains why they have changed jobs and locations so frequently." In regular resumes, Troutman says, the job histories of military spouses tend to look like a long laundry list of part-time and volunteer positions. There are often lots of gaps between jobs. Her guide features six excellent federal resume samples from actual spouses that show how the skills mandated by fed HR can be pulled from the typical part-time and volunteer work. The six military spouses volunteered to have their case histories and sample resumes included. Three have already been hired for fed jobs on bases. In the past, it's been tough for military spouses to establish their own careers. The federal government has stepped in to help. Just since 2017, the number of jobs specifically targeting Military Spouses has increased 70% on USAJOBS. This book, the only federal job guide for military spouses, is now updated with the latest winning strategies! SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE 2ND EDITION INCLUDE: o Introduction of the NEW Military Spouse Federal Resume, which features three ways to stand out as a military spouse applicant o 6 excellent sample "after and before" resumesfrom real-life military spouses, showing how to find skills from volunteer efforts and your role in military life to match the announcement's requirements o A chart of keywords to include in resumes for the most popular job series for military spouses o An original list of the number of DOD federal civilian jobs at each base, which shows the bases with the most opportunities o A user-friendly, clear 7-step process is provided. o Fun and attractive two-color layout makes the info accessible. SAMPLE RESUMES from 6 Real Military Spouses Include: ANN J. Hadn't worked in 22 years but landed job as Protocol Officer with skills from volunteer positions and her military life. JENNIFER P. Hired as Contract Specialist while still eligible before husband's retirement. NICOLE B. Has many skills to offer as entrepreneur with own custom cookie business. JAN M. Added Accomplishments to her resume and got a GS-14 fed position in DC. NATALIE G. Wrote resume while preparing to PCS again. Example of resume with more technical experience. BOBBI R. Successful resume shows how an educational "job" block can cover time off work . A military family can use this additional income. So pick up a copy of this helpful guide today!




Military Spouse Journey


Book Description

Military spouses: Craft your best life possible! "... This great resource is full of practical advice as well as real-world examples that will empower spouses to have a life of their own while supporting their partners in the military lifestyle ..."—Ellie Kay, author, military spouse, and CEO of Heroes at Home The unique components of military life can make it challenging for military spouses to pursue careers and other personal dreams. This encouraging book, written by two experienced military spouses, shares lessons learned, success stories of fellow military spouses, life exploration exercises, and research-based ideas that can be applied to any stage of life's journey. Although this book shares examples specific to military life, the information and approach can be used by anyone to pursue your life dreams. Ready to follow your dreams? This book will help you: • Learn five keys to happiness you can apply every day, anywhere. • Explore your passions, strengths, and goals. • Discover possibilities for the life you want to live. • Create an action plan to move forward, even when you think it’s impossible. • Build valuable friendships and support systems along the way. • Enjoy the journey! First Lady of the Marine Corps Recommended Reading List Midwest Book Awards Silver