Rebecca Alwine

Rebecca Alwine is a writer, reader and lover of travel. A military spouse for almost 20 years, she shares the stories of all military spouses, the good and the bad, in the hope of making sure everyone feels a connection. Rebecca depends on coffee, audiobooks and her new cordless vacuum to get through life with two teenagers and a very precocious preteen.

Latest Articles

A senior member of the Navy reads a book to kids at storytime.

4 Things Families Need to Know About the Military’s MWR Libraries

If you’ve never explored what your DoD library access includes, it may be worth taking a look.

Two military spouses take a selfie together inside an aircraft.

The Community You Carry With You as a Military Spouse

Military spouses understand “community” differently from most people. We build it, lose it and rebuild it faster than feels...

Clearing the Confusion: Helping Military Families Make the Most of Their VA Loan Benefits

Learn how to maximize your VA home loan benefits and avoid common myths that cost military families time and money. Navy...

Finally, A Transition Program Designed with Military Spouses in Mind

This new program helps spouses with their career goals while their service members are facing their own transition to...

Caring for Elderly Parents When You Live Across the Country

Caring for aging parents from across the country is stressful and complicated — especially for military families. Here’s how...

Holiday Traditions Military Spouses Experience Around the World

Military spouses around the world discover unique holiday traditions wherever they’re stationed. From German Christmas...

What Do Tricare and FEDVIP Vision Benefits Actually Cover?

Do military benefits cover vision care? Here’s what you need to know about Tricare and FEDVIP vision coverage.

How to Leave the Military Community Well

Explore what it means to step away from the military spouse community after retirement, and gain practical guidance for...

5 Ways to Talk to Your Military Kids About Current Events

Military kids hear more than we realize — from school, peers and the world around them. Here are some gentle, practical tips...

A group of college students in a library

Why Military-Connected Students Need More Flexibility in Higher Education

Many people think about their higher-education options in May, but every month is a good month to think about your next...

A dentist and child give thumbs-up signs.

Everything You Need to Know About the Tricare Dental Program

When you marry into the military -- or your spouse joins the military -- you receive whole slew of benefits to go with your...

4 Questions to Ask When Choosing Your Dental Insurance Company

Be prepared for this year's enrollment period by considering what kind of dental coverage your family needs and what plan...

Home Equity 101: What Military Families Should Know

For military families, building financial stability can sometimes feel like trying to hit a moving target, complete with...

Working With Real Estate Agents: 5 Common Myths Debunked

Many people might answer that they've heard real estate agents aren't that helpful with finding a home and they're just in it...

How to Visit a Blue Star Museum This Summer

How to Visit a Free Blue Star Museum This Summer

The program offers free admission to active-duty, National Guard and Reserve military personnel and their families.

Military News

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Most Popular Military News

Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis serving in Afghanistan. (I Have Your Back/Facebook)

New York Soldier Killed in Afghanistan Will Finally Receive Medal of Honor

Advocates pushed for years for Michael Ollis to receive the nation's highest honor. On Tuesday, their dream became a reality.

The West Pittston United Methodist Church, where hundreds of residents and veterans gathered to honor U.S. Navy veteran Jeffrey Kalnas, who died without immediate family, ensuring he was not buried alone. (Facebook)

Hundreds Turn Out to Honor Navy Veteran Who Would Have Been Buried Alone

Hundreds of strangers filled a Pennsylvania church to ensure a U.S. Navy veteran who died without family received the send...

An enlisted soldier's rank insignia on a uniform jacket.

Why Some Disabled Veterans Can't Get Both VA Disability and Military Retirement Pay

Military service members planning medical retirement face a critical decision point at the 20-year mark.

Cher Ami, the heroic messenger pigeon who saved the Lost Battalion in WWI. (Army Photo)

How a Wounded Pigeon Named Cher Ami Saved the Lost Battalion in WWI

A wounded pigeon named Cher Ami helped save a battalion of American soldiers, becoming one of the most recognized animals in...

James Anderson, Jr., USMC, Posthumous Medal of Honor Recipient. (Wikimedia Commons)

This 20-Year-Old Sacrificed His Life and Became the First Black Marine Medal of Honor Recipient

Every February, Black History Month shines a light on Americans whose contributions shaped the nation. One belongs to Pfc...

Latest Military Videos

US Forces Transfer IS Prisoners from Syria to Iraq by Buses

US forces transfer IS prisoners from Syria to Iraq by buses.

Frost Grips Training Grounds of Kyiv Region as Veterans Give Civilians Basic Military Skills

Frost grips the training grounds of Kyiv region as veterans give civilians basic military skills.

World Defense Show Opens in the Saudi capital, Drawing Hundreds of Exhibitors

World Defense Show opens in the Saudi capital, drawing hundreds of exhibitors.

Ukraine POWs Return as Part of Prisoner Exchange with Russia

Ukraine POWs return as part of prisoner exchange with Russia.

Investigations and Features

In One of the Marines' Most Iconic Jobs, a Stunning Pattern of Suicide

Marine Corps drill instructors are a national symbol of discipline. But for some, their imposing persona belies a dark...

Army Capt. Jeremy Kuykendall and his wife Kate, cradle their daughter

Unsupervised: Military Child Care Centers Slow to Report Abuse with Little Oversight

A Military.com investigation into military day care centers revealed that service branch rules generally prioritize...

Army News

Fort Leonard Wood Missouri Army Spc. Wooster Rancy sentenced to life in prison in the murder of Sgt. Sarah Roque in 2024.

Missouri US Army Soldier Sentenced to Life for Murder of Sergeant

Fort Leonard Wood Missouri Army Spc. Wooster Rancy was found guilty by a military jury of premeditated murder of a victim...

Trump Turns to US Military Leaders for Diplomatic Efforts on Iran and Ukraine

The White House has not responded to a request for comment about why Trump sent Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central...

Navy News

Navy Leader Wants to Move Faster and Leaner Instead of Turning to Aircraft Carriers in Crisis

The U.S. Navy’s top uniformed officer wants to convince commanders to use smaller, newer ships and other assets for missions...

At 100, WWII Veteran Celebrates a Life of Service Aboard Battleship New Jersey

Aboard the Battleship New Jersey, surrounded by friends, family and the ship’s important legacy, John “Johnny Q” Quinesso Sr...

Air Force News

Recruits in swim masks line up in the water to start a timed test.

Ask Stew: Swim Portion of the Air Force Special Warfare Initial Fitness Test (IFT)

The process of taking and performing well on a swimming test in the military requires technique first, conditioning second...

Air and Marine Operations pilots with U.S. Customs and Border Protection conduct security flights in AS350 A-Star and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters over Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. in support of Super Bowl LIX, on February 3, 2026. (CBP Photo by Jeff Underwood)

Guarding the Skies: NORAD Defends Airspace Before, During & After Super Bowl

"Just like the players are practicing and training for the game, we're practicing and preparing for our execution in the...

Space Force News

POLARIS at NATO Exercise REPMUS 25 in October 2025. POLARIS is a small, gimballed free space optical communication solution for naval vessels and unmanned surface vessels. (Photo source: NATO DIANA, courtesy of Astrolight)

Russian Satellite Activity Exposes Gaps in Satellite Communications Security

Military.com spoke with Astrolight CEO Laurynas Mačiulis on why laser-based optical communications offer a resilient...

U.S. Space Force Capt. Erin Davis, 1st Range Operations Squadron range operations commander, maintains situational awareness inside the Morrell Operations Center during support for the Falcon 9 Starlink 6-78 mission, at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, Nov. 20, 2025. The Starlink 6-78 mission marks the 100th launch from the Eastern Range this year. The MOC supports every space launch from CCSFS and Kennedy Space Center. (U.S. Space Force photo by Gwendolyn Kurzen)

US Space Force Turns 6: Has It Met Expectations?

The U.S. Space Force marked its sixth anniversary in December, reflecting a shift from stand-up to sustained operations as...

Marine Corps News

Then-Marine Recon team leader Brad Colbert rides in a Humvee during the early days of the Iraq invasion in 2003. Photo credit: Evan Wright.

Brad Colbert, ‘Generation Kill's’ Iceman, Launches New Veteran Podcast

Brad Colbert, the real Marine behind Generation Kill’s “Iceman,” launches the Carry On podcast focused on combat experience...

Lieutenant General Karsten "Hazel" Heckl leads the Combat Development and Integration and Marine Corps Warfighting Lab Marines and sailors on a farewell run, Aug. 8, 2024, aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. (Matthew Krogull)

Marine Warfighting Lab at Quantico Gets $10 Million Boost: 'Top Priority'

"We know the exquisite level of work that it does," Rep. Eugene Vindman told Military.com about a $10 million infusion to the...

Coast Guard News

More than 12,750 pounds of cocaine and marijuana are stacked on pallets aboard USCGC Seneca (WMEC 906) to be offloaded at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Sept. 30, 2025. Seneca is a Famous Class medium endurance cutter homeported in Portsmouth, Virginia. (U.S Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Diana Sherbs)

Coast Guard Seizes 200,000 Pounds of Cocaine in Six Months in Pacific Ocean

Operation Pacific Viper, which began in August, is getting rave reviews from federal officials.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG 106) transits the Philippine Sea. Stockdale is underway and conducting operations in international waters as part of a dual carrier strike force exercise. The U.S. Navy has patrolled the Indo-Pacific region routinely for more than 70 years promoting regional security, stability and prosperity. (U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Connor D. Loessin)

Amid Political Turmoil in Haiti, US Warship Arrives off Coast of Port-Au-Prince

The USS Stockdale is an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, and is now among several warships the Trump...