New Navy Spouse: Get to Know These 5 Resources

Welcome to Navy life, New Navy Spouse! When I first married my sailor in 2013, I had no idea what to expect as we started our new life together. MSAN didn’t exist yet, and there was no magical fairy godmother-mentor holding my hand and teaching me all that I needed to know to thrive as a military spouse.

Thankfully, now we do have mentors at MSAN you can reach out to when you have questions. In fact, I started out as a Navy Mentor with MSAN in 2021 because I wanted to help new spouses in ways I wish I’d had during my first years of marriage. The wealth of knowledge and experience our mentors can share continues to impress me every day. So, if you’re in need of assistance in any aspect of military life, please reach out to our mentors 24/7 in our Global Mentorship-HUB.

But sometimes you just want quick links to solve your problems–I get it. Maybe I don’t have a magic wand, and I definitely won’t sing “Bippity-Boppity-Boo,” but I will introduce you to five resources on base you absolutely need to know about. Trust me, these are just as good as any pumpkin carriage!

COMPASS

The Naval Services FamilyLine hosts 12-hour courses for military spouses to become acquainted with area resources, education, and all things military life including deployment, PCS, and more. While these classes are tailored to Navy spouses, those of any branch are also welcome to attend. Most installations will host in-person COMPASS classes, but virtual sessions are also available. Of course, these classes are FREE to attend, and participants come away with a solid introduction to life in the military.

Fleet & Family Support Program

Need help brushing up your resume? Are you looking for counseling services? The Navy’s Fleet & Family Support Program supports families in four ways: Work and Family Life (WFL); Counseling, Advocacy, and Prevention (CAP); Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program (SAPR); and Integrated Primary Prevention (IPP). Fleet & Family also trains ombudsmen for area commands, assists with emergency response, and deployment readiness.

Basically, if you have questions, Fleet & Family will have answers. Visit your installation’s office and speak with a representative who can assist you. These are the friends you need to have in your back pocket every time you move to a new location.

NMCRS

Navigating military life can be challenging. The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) is here to help ease some of the burden on service members and their families by providing an array of services including financial assistance, education assistance, disaster relief, and even budgeting courses.

One of my favorite aspects of NMCRS is the Visiting Nurses service. Shortly after I had each of my babies, a nurse volunteering with NMCRS contacted me to find out if I had any questions and to offer a free house visit to check baby’s weight and assist with latching or other questions I might have as a brand new mom. This was an amazing service that I am so glad was available to me during those early weeks of parenthood.

Learn more about NMCRS service on their website.

USO

The United Service Organization (USO) provides various programs for service members and their families. In fact, there’s no way I could list every service here, so check out their website for full details. I’ll just discuss my favorites here.

Spouses can network during in-person and virtual Coffee Connections. Join other spouses during a virtual Continuing Your Journey module with Brittany Boccher. (Psst…we also have exclusive CYJ modules available in our Mentorship-HUB). Discover new recipes with virtual cooking programs. There are so many fun ways to learn and connect with other spouses through the USO.

Many installations have USO Centers on base, overseas, or even airport lounges, where families can participate in recreational activities, use Internet or phone, and enjoy snacks or relax. It is a great way for service members and families to find some down time away from home or work. It was one of my favorite spots to hang out at Fort Belvoir after we got married!

Visit www.uso.org to discover a USO center near you.

MWR

Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) is where the fun is at! You can find MWR at most installations to plan family events like halloween parties, back-to-school jams, concerts, and more. MWR also hosts outdoor recreation services, camping and lodging, and even equipment rentals.

One of the best services through MWR is the ability to purchase tickets to attractions around the world for a discounted cost. You can book tickets to Disney World, local entertainment, outdoor adventures, and more through your MWR office. Check MWR’s website for ticket prices and options available to you.

Hopefully this list helps you as you start out your new Navy adventure. Remember, MSAN is here to support you in every way. See you in the HUB!

Stephanie Allen is the Communications & Marketing Director for the Military Spouse Advocacy Network. She is a proud Navy wife and mom, a writer, blogger, success coach, and the Content Manager & columnist for Tidewater Family Plus magazine.