Operation Homefront’s Ebony Strange discusses the many financial resources, family events, and special programing that Operation Homefront offers for military families, including their Holiday Meals for the Military Program. Lindsay Carstairs, winner of the Operation Homefront’s 2024 Navy Military Child of the Year Award, shares her experience as a military child and this incredible award opportunity.

Show Links:

• http://www.operationhomefront.org

Show Takeaways:

• Operation Homefront is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing relief and recurring family support programs to military families in need.

• Holiday Meals for the Military provides meals and gift cards to military families facing financial strain during the holiday season. Applications are open now!

• The Military Child of the Year Award recognizes one young person age 13-18 from every branch of services who exemplifies volunteerism, scholarship, community service and more while facing the challenges of military life. Applications are open now through December.

Let’s Connect:

• NSFL Website

• NSFL Facebook

• NSFL Instagram

S5 E1: Celebrating our CPO Selectees!

Show Notes: Mike Stevens, CEO of the Navy League of the United States and Evelyn Honea, wife of MCPON James Honea discuss why selecting as a CPO is such a major career milestone, and talk about how family members can support their selectees and what to expect during Chief season.

Show Links:

• Navy League of the United States

Show Takeaways:

• Being selected as a CPO is a major career milestone

• Spouses and family members are provided with opportunities to be involved in season events

• CPO season is based in naval history and connects the past, present, and future to create chiefs who know the value of their role and the meaning it holds

• Chief Season can be a challenging time for selectees and their families, but also a time of celebration

Let’s Connect:

• NSFL Website

• NSFL Facebook

• NSFL Instagram

Ask an Ombudsman: How Your Command Ombudsman Serves to Support You

Show Notes:

Ombudsmen are Navy spouse volunteers who serve as a crucial communication link between a command and command families, and are trained in information and resources to support Navy families. In this episode we speak with one of the Navy’s two Ombudsmen-At-Large, Junifer Thomas, about the roles and responsibilities of an ombudsman, and how vital they are to mission readiness. We also speak with two current ombudsmen, Jessica Pugh and Sharon Kozak, who shed light on the ins and outs of their job and answer questions from listeners.

Show Links:

• Find Your Ombudsman Here
• USS Abraham Lincoln Ombudsman Facebook Page

• NTAG Heartland Ombudsman Facebook Group

• Military One Source

• Fleet and Family Support Program

• American Red Cross

• Navy Marine Corps Relief Society

• Courage to Call

Show Takeaways:

• Ombudsmen are volunteers who serve as the primary liaison between a command and their families.

• Ombudsmen are trained in numerous resources to ensure families receive the support and information they need to meet the challenges of military life.

• Families and Sailors must understand that for an ombudsman to communicate with a sailor’s family member, the sailor must first give permission.

• Ombudsmen work tirelessly to ensure the needs of their command families are met - but there are also ways to support and thank them for their dedication.

Let’s Connect:

• NSFL Website

• NSFL Facebook

• NSFL Instagram