BUFFALO, NY — Bryant & Stratton College Online announced today that it has again been named a Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs Magazine. Only 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools are awarded this distinction. The list was created so that service members and military veterans can easily find schools that offer the best education, value and welcome. The G.I. Jobs list includes state universities, private colleges, community colleges and trade schools. Methodology, criteria and weighting for the list were developed with the assistance of an Academic Advisory Board consisting of educators from schools across the country.

"We are humbled to be again named a Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs Magazine, especially since this year's list considered veteran feedback," said Scott Traylor, Associate Campus Director for Online Education at Bryant & Stratton College. "We feel that it is our duty to do what we can to help service members, military veterans and their families receive the education they need to succeed, in an environment that understands their unique circumstances."

G.I. Jobs Magazine selected schools following extensive research and a data-driven survey of more than 8,000 schools nationwide. Bryant & Stratton College Online was selected because it offers scholarships and discounts, has a veteran's club and a full-time staff member dedicated to helping students with military experience. Examples of ways Bryant & Stratton College Online supports its military students and their families are below: Read More 

Kara is ready to work.

Her Navy husband is on assignment to an unaccompanied tour in Nevada. She moved to Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico to be closer to her family in his absence.

Now, she is ready to fill his time away with a job of her own. When she visited the hiring office on base though, she was told that she was unable to use spouse hiring preference to apply for a clerical or administrative job there.

The reason: her husband’s orders are not for Kirtland Air Force Base. But she’s not allowed to accompany him to his assigned duty station and therefore unable to find work at his assigned base. The Navy wife seems to be stuck in a no-win situation.

We’ve asked the Department of Defense for clarification on both the military spouse preference program and Kara’s dilemma. Here is their answer:

The Military Spouse Preference Program offers employment preference in DOD civilian personnel positions to military spouses who meet specific criteria.

 The requirements include that the spouse must accompany their sponsor on a PCS move to an active-duty assignment, must be married before the PCS occurs, must apply for a job within commuting distance of the sponsor’s new duty station and must rank among the “best qualified” candidates for that job.

Kara was unable to move with her husband to his new duty station due to the type of PCS orders he was given. Also, Kirtland AFB is far from his new job in Nevada meaning she is not within commuting distance.

She hoped there would be a waiver for this situation. DOD officials said, unfortunately, there is not.

The only waiver is given when there is no federal agency in the spouse’s geographic area where the military member transferred to, said Kathleen Ryder, chief of the civilian personnel section, 377^thForce Support Squadron at Kirtland AFB.

Unfortunately for Kara, Ryder said the waiver does not apply in her case because she is not authorized to accompany her military member to the far-flung location.

Hopefully Kara will find employment soon even without the spouse preference rating.

Have a question about military education and hiring policies? We can help you find the answer. Email us at info@salutetospouses.com

In April we told you about the upcoming changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill expected to take place in August.

August is here and the changes are upon us.

Many of the changes were designed to make the benefits available to more veterans and streamline the process. For anyone using the program, it means paying attention to the fine details as you apply and use the benefits.

The biggest, coolest new benefits include paying all public school, in-state tuition fees and providing a housing allowance to students enrolled solely in distance learning programs. Students using the benefit can also be reimbursed for more than one license or certification test and use the benefit to foot the bill for admission exams such as the SAT, ACT, GMAT and LSAT.

On the downside, the amount the program will pay to private and foreign schools is now capped at $17,500 annually.

To take a closer look at the new rules and see how they change your education plans, visit the Department of Veterans’ Affairs official Gi Bill website:

http://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/post_911_gibill/Post911_changes.html

I have blamed long commutes for ruining evening plans, stripping my budget of extra money to pay for all that gas and contributing to my lack of sleep. But a new Swedish study claims longer rides to and from work may also help destroy marriages.

The report collected 10 years of data for more than 2 million couples in Sweden. Of those couples, those that had at least one partner traveling more than 18.6 miles a day, each way, were 40 percent more likely to separate. As you might guess, the divorces happened in the first few years of marriage.

It’s no honeymoon when your honey is stuck in the slow lane for two hours every day, right? But the authors of the study say the rifts were caused by more than a perpetual tendency to be late to dinner. It all boiled down to gender equality.

The report says that women who commuted were more stressed because they still felt responsible for the housework when they returned home. If the man commuted, his absence forced the couple to adhere to traditional gender roles that the woman may not have been happy with.

Come to think of it, whenever I get home from work, my husband is watching tv and the dirty dishes are still in the sink. Maybe this study is on to something.

Check out the report at:

http://www.theworkbuzz.com/worklife/is-your-commute-ruining-your-marriage/?cobrand=msn&utm_source=MSN&utm_medium=MSNHP&utm_campaign=MSNCareers?ocid=xnetr3-2

Women serve. Women fight. Women are injured. The VA is finally not just noticing but reaching out to female veterans.

This summer the VA began calling every female veteran by phone to personally talk with them about health care and services available especially for them as women. Officials estimate there are roughly 1.8 million women veterans living today.

The calls are part of the VA’s new push to improve health care services for women veterans, one of the fastest growing segments of the veteran population. Women account for nearly 8 percent of the total veteran population and 6 percent of veterans who use the VA health care system.

Officials estimate that by 2020, women will account for 10 percent of America’s veteran population.

The VA’s Women Veterans Care Program offers professionals who specialize in women’s medical issues, including osteoporosis management, menopausal services and preventive screenings for breast and cervical cancer.

For more information about VA programs and services for women veterans, please visit: www.va.gov/womenvet and www.publichealth.va.gov/womenshealth.

As you’re racing across town to reach the tail end of the school pickup line in time, after zig zagging between errands and making a to do list for tonight in your head, ever think for a second that you must be the  most stressed woman on the planet?

I mean we have PTA meetings, doctor appointments, birthday parties to plan, full-time jobs, online classes and dinner to serve while it’s still hot, right?

Comparatively, it seems are lives are pretty calm. According to a recent study by the Nielsen Company that examines the consumer and media habits of women, the ladies of India are officially the most stressed.

The Women of Tomorrow Study examined 6,500 women from 21 nations for three months in 2011. In the survey, 87 percent of Indian women said they felt stressed most of the time and 82 percent said they had no time to relax.

American women placed eleventh on the list with 53 percent of those surveyed reporting feeling stressed most of the time.

In fact, women in most of the developed countries surveyed, such as the U.S., Canada and Sweden reported lower amounts of stress than those in developing countries such as Indian, Russia and Mexico.

The reason? While the business world is changing to allow women more control and freedom, society has not budged. Meaning, a woman can be a powerhouse at work, but still have to conform to archaic notions at home that dictate her place and behavior.

Check out the study and the list at:

http://business.blogs.cnn.com/2011/07/12/where-do-the-world%E2%80%99s-most-stressed-women-live/?hpt=hp_c2

This week the Army announced that soldiers will no longer be required to Velcro many of their patches onto their ACU shirts - camo uniforms for the uninitiated. Instead, they’ll be able to sew them on, just like in the good ole days.

And, he can finally ditch the itchy, uncomfortable black beret that leaves the ever sexy red indention across the front of his forehead. He’ll be able to don a patrol cap – camo hat for you civilians.

These small changes in uniform had my husband practically dancing in his seat.

It’s amazing what small changes an employer can make that can boost the morale of an entire work force, even a staff as large as the U.S. Army.

I can tell you it’s a pain to remove all the Velcro patches before washing. If you forget, they come off and become lost. They rip. They fray. You inevitably spend a Monday morning at 4 a.m. searching the bottom of the junk drawer in the kitchen for a replacement before he heads to work to explain why he’s missing a patch.

The awards that are currently pinned on the uniforms bring out the OCD nature in every soldier. My husband busts out the ruler every week to make sure his jump wings are perfectly centered, one-eighth of inch above the name on his left side. “Yes, I’m sure it’s straight,” is our Sunday night conversation.

And the beret, that’s just a matter of safety. Without the front bill of the cap, my husband’s face is constantly being burned by the sun. 

Army leadership said the changes were made after thousands of soldiers were asked what uniform changes they would like.

So, in your workplace, what changes would you demand, if you could? Is there something that seems small and insignificant to the outside world that would make your daily life on the job so much easier?

At a newspaper I once worked at I would have given my kingdom for an electrical outlet near my desk.

My husband has a permanent smile over a change to patches.

What would make your job easier?

Happy summer! For many of us that means trying to entertain our kids all day while we work, take class, clean and ever so slowly mark off the days until school kicks off again this fall.

But seriously, summer is fun. In our house, with four kids underfoot, summer means our kitchen looks a bit like an arts and crafts studio, the backyard is covered in water balloons and oozing popsicles and the television is always on too loud. It’s two months of organized chaos.

For the first honeymoon week of summer break, it’s nice to have the kids around. It’s awesome to not fill out field trip permission slips, check homework or figure out how to make a balanced lunch when you realize at 6 a.m. you forgot to get to the grocery store the day before.

It’s fun to map out projects and work on dollhouses made of cardboard oatmeal cans and pretend you didn’t see them build a catapult out of your good silverware. I mean really. That thing had impeccable aim.

Then, you suddenly remember, you still have to work, or finish a final or heck, make dinner. The magical bubble of summer pops and you have to return to grown-up town. Sigh.

And then the tough part begins: balance. Summer fun meshed carefully with grown up responsibility. In our house that means we grudgingly submit to a schedule that allots timeslots for reading, projects, summer homework and outdoor play time. Everyone knows when mom has to work on the computer, you better be at the table reading quietly. And don’t even think about leaving that popsicle stick on the countertop.

Do you have great ideas for balancing your summer schedule with your kids’ need for fun in the sun? How do you continue to concentrate and study when the kids are bouncing on the trampoline?

Share your ideas with us! 

Sarah Finlay has proven just how time management and goal setting can really impact your life. As a Salute to Spouse Scholarship recipient, Sarah has mastered the task of balancing her responsibilities as Air Force wife, mother and student by implementing those very important skills. She currently resides in Virginia with her husband and daughter.

STS: How long have you been married and how did you meet your spouse? Do you have children? If so, what ages? Tell us about your journey through military life.

SF: I have been married to my husband, Dave, for six years. We have one daughter, Kendall, who is six years old. Dave and I met eight years ago while working together at a local restaurant in the small town of Lafayette, NY. He had just graduated from college and was waiting to go to officer training school (OTS). I was working and saving money for college. Eventually, he left for OTS. We agreed on a long distance relationship, as I was not quite ready to leave the comforts of my home town. When I became pregnant, he would fly home a few times a month to go to doctor appointments, etc. Things continued this way until Kendall was born. Shortly after her birth, I realized that I was finally ready to take the plunge and move so that we could be a family. I joined him in South Carolina (our first base). We were married shortly after and life has been great ever since.

STS: What’s the most rewarding (or your favorite) aspect of being a military wife? What is a challenge of being a military spouse?

SF: The most rewarding part of being a military wife is supporting my husband as he serves our country. Of course, there are challenges that come with being married to a service member. The greatest challenge that I have faced was when my husband deployed to Iraq for six months. It was a very difficult time for our entire family.

STS: What has been your proudest moment as a military spouse?

SF: The proudest moments for me have been watching my husband’s hard work pay off. Every time he is promoted or recognized for his hard work, I can’t help but feel extremely proud of him for all of his accomplishments.

STS: Are you a Salute to Spouses Scholarship recipient? What motivated you to continue your education? How do you balance your education with the rest of your military spouse responsibilities?

SF: Being a recipient of the Salute to Spouses Scholarship has been one of the greatest blessings in my life. I would not have been able to afford to continue my education without it. In one of my first classes at Bryant and Stratton College Online, our Instructor had us all make a list of goals. One of my goals was to finish my Associate degree and continue on for my Bachelor degree. Eventually, I received my Associates, but I never forgot that goal that I set for myself. I knew that I had to further my education in order to better myself as a person and have the career that I want. Thanks to the Salute to Spouse Scholarship, I am now working towards that goal and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity. When it comes to balancing my education with my responsibilities, it can be a challenge at times. However, good time management skills have helped me to be successful at balancing my education with my life roles.

STS: Tell us a little bit about your work life.

SF:  As of right now, I am not working. We recently moved to the DC area, so I plan on looking for a job after we get all settled in. There are plenty of job opportunities in this particular area, so I am very excited to see what’s out there for me.

STS: What plans do you have for the future? What kind of support does a military spouse need to accomplish his or her goals?

SF:   My plans for the future are to get my career in the healthcare field started. I want to gain as much work experience as possible, and, at the same time, continue my education at Bryant and Stratton College Online. In order to do this, I will need to rely on my husband for support. I’m sure it will be difficult to balance work, school, and family life, but with my husband and I working together as a team, I know I will be able to do it all and be successful.

STS: Do you have any tips for making friends or finding a support network after each move? What is something that people can do for military spouses within their community?

SF:  Moving to a new area can be tough, but I have found that putting yourself out there and getting involved in your community helps a lot. Volunteering, taking a class, or finding a job is a great way to become acquainted with the people and the area. I think people should treat all new members of the community (military or otherwise) with a welcoming attitude. Taking a few moments to introduce yourself and explain a little about the area can really make a difference and help a new person feel welcome.

STS What piece of advice would you give to someone who is about to marry a military service member? What’s the best advice you were given?

SF: Some advice that I would give to someone who is about to marry a service member would be to find balance between your husband’s job and your lifestyle. Never lose sight of your own goals and dreams, whatever they may be. Always support your husband in all that he does, and don’t forget to let him support you in all that you do, as well.

Each month we will spotlight a new spouse. If you would like to have your story featured in “Spouse Spotlight” please click here

Bryant & Stratton College Online would like to take a moment to thank those in our student community that currently serve, have served, and those who support our military as the Memorial Day weekend comes to a close.  We greatly appreciate the commitment, dedication and service of our military students, and we are proud to have them as part of the Bryant & Stratton College Online community.  

“For me, Memorial Day is an important tribute to those men and women that made America what it is today through their sacrifices,” said Ed Dennis, Military Relations Manager.  “Although we are an online campus, I have gotten to know some of our military students very well and continue to be impressed with how they balance their school work with their military service.”

“I couldn’t possibly list all the achievements of our students, but would like to recognize a few,” Ed went on to say.  “Jennetta, one of our spouse students, is a great student that is not only a mother, but a full time student who consistently receives an A in her courses.  I had the pleasure of meeting her, and was truly impressed by her drive to excel in school.  Ryan, who is currently serving in Afghanistan, provides inspiration for others by truly leading by example.  He is not only an NCO responsible for completing his duties, but made the choice to move from being a part time student to full time this semester while serving active duty.  Lauren provides a great example of our National Guard Soldiers that continue to manage their families, work, and college.  She is on track to be our first National Guard Online Campus Graduate.  A couple weeks ago, I was able to meet Shay, a veteran and student, for the first time in person.  She is very passionate about achieving high grades in the classroom and setting up our Student Veterans Group.  Anyone who has the chance to talk with her will quickly realize that she is very driven and wants to be a force for positive change.  It is an honor to get to know each of you.”

From all of us here at Bryant & Stratton College Online, THANK YOU for your service!

Christopher Allen
Tanesha Anderson
Mariana Ayala
Brunika Bagley
Danielle Barthel
Constance Beringer
Valdeen Burris
David Callari
Steven Cano
Benjamin Corpus
Sarah Crawford
Pensrikimoni Diston
Kirbie Duff
Amanda Gaudet
Edward Gelster
Angelina Hall
Andrew Hatchette
Lusan Hogue
Takoa Hogue
Karell Joyner
Luke Langlois
Darcie Larsen
Shay Leech
Brandon Lewis
Lauren Martin
Cassandra Maske
Alosia Mason
Brittany McDonald
MaryAnn McKeever
Christopher "Chrissy" Miller
Tia Perry
Lan Pham
Tawain Pompy
Sharee Santiago
Stefanie Strosky
David Wienk
Dolly Crabtree
Ryan Dahl
Michael Demello
Stephanie Langenfeld
Lauren Martin
Ehren Murrow
David Zimmerman
Jessica Schaffer
Kawanna Harvey