For millions of American service members and their families, the military represents a cultural bond that fuses individuals and families from diverse backgrounds together through challenges, experiences and a shared passion for service and country.
Today, our military community is facing a new shared challenge — the spread of the coronavirus. As the U.S. Armed Forces respond to the threat of COVID-19, Military OneSource is working to ensure that our service members and their families stay informed, prepared and healthy.
Military OneSource is a Department of Defense-funded program that connects our military community with free support — resources, benefits and services — to ensure the wellbeing of the millions of Americans in uniform or directly related to those who serve.
Now, as the spread of COVID-19 becomes an increasingly present part of daily life, Military OneSource has also adapted and expanded its support, as well as its virtual offerings. If you haven’t become acquainted with Military OneSource, there’s never been a better time to learn about the services and resources it offers.
Coronavirus Updates for the Military Community
The Military OneSource website has added a resource page dedicated to timely information about COVID-19 and its impact on military life and force readiness. It offers the latest updates from official channels ranging from the Coronavirus Task Force at the White House, to the DoD, to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The section also addresses how the coronavirus is affecting quality-of-life programs for service members and families. It offers quick links to articles, and answers to Frequently Asked Questions from how to make a protective mask to the latest in stop movement and travel restrictions.
Whether you’re concerned about how the situation with the coronavirus may affect pay and entitlements or trying to find a way to be issued a new government ID during base closures, the Military OneSource coronavirus information and resources page can connect you with the information you need.
Counseling Support and Services
Military OneSource has always been a connection to personalized non-medical counseling for service members and their immediate families.
Now, in these days of social distancing, when face-to-face sessions aren’t available, Military OneSource has expanded its video counseling offerings for short-term, non-medical counseling support.
Service members, military spouses, and now, military youth can receive counseling via video sessions as they experience the changes that the coronavirus and quarantine has had on daily life. If you know a military child or teenager who’s feeling overwhelmed by the COVID-19 outbreak, this free non-medical counseling may help.
Non-medical counseling can help children address the gamut of topics from low self-esteem, bullying, anger management and problem solving. Counselors can also help military youth deal with the hard emotions that coincide with having a parent in military service, like changes at home, deployments and relocation.
For military parents struggling with children at home that are just as stressed by the ongoing situation as they are, these counseling sessions can be a welcome helping hand.
More Resources Available to Military Families
As the Department of Defense continues to respond and adapt to the pandemic, new resources regularly become available to service members and their families. To keep the community informed, Military OneSource hosts daily livestreams on Facebook, Monday through Friday at noon Eastern Time, where you can log on and learn more about the assistance that’s available.
Of course, not everyone can make it for the noon briefing. If you miss a briefing, Military OneSource maintains the videos on their Facebook page for you to review.
Other Essential Military OneSource Services
Beyond the impact of COVID-19, it is important to remember that all the normal challenges service families face haven’t vanished. In fact, the traditional services offered by Military OneSource may be even more essential amid the ongoing pandemic.
Military OneSource has long been home to important information and counseling services regarding family budgeting, tax concerns, career planning, mental health and more. With the stress associated with home isolation and the economic downturn associated with the coronavirus, the regular day-to-day struggles of all Americans, including those in uniform, can be exacerbated. But with Military OneSource, you can get the help you need to stay on target in difficult times and beyond.
You can find out more about the regular services Military OneSource offers here. You can stay up to date on important COVID-19 information from Military OneSource here.
