On March 24, 2010, ArmedForcesEyewear.com, the military division of FramesDirect.com (the World’s Largest Online Optical Store), will unveil the first Virtual Eyewear Store at Goodfellow Air Force Base!

ArmedForcesEyewear.com is an online optical retailer for active duty and retired military personnel, as well as dependents. The site offers thousands of name brand eyeglasses, sunglasses, prescription sunglasses, and contact lenses at special military discount prices. They also offer a streamlined ordering process, a prescription lens guarantee and dependable customer service.

Goodfellow AFB serves as the pilot site for this project, and success in this location could lead to the implementation of additional kiosks in military installations worldwide.

For more information visit http://www.framesdirectblog.com/first-virtual-optical-store-serves-military-personnel/

By Sylvia Hall – bio | email

OCEAN SPRINGS, MS (WLOX) – Jamie Chevalier, a proud Navy wife, isn’t finished with her journalism degree.  However, she worries this semester could be her last, due to sudden halt in the Department of Defense’s program called MyCAA.

“It gives you $6,000 to put towards your education,” explained Chevalier.  “While we’re down here, that would have covered the 11 classes I need to finish out the degree. So I would be able to finish it here and not have to worry.”

A program representative did not return our call Friday, but an update on the Department of Defense’ website explains the program’s pause is temporary.  The post explains the program’s enrollment increased six fold in recent months, forcing the Department of Defense to halt it temporarily and regroup.

“To clarify the status of MyCAA, during the pause no new MyCAA accounts may be created, and no new financial assistance applications will be accepted,” the post said.  “Approved financial assistance documents for enrolled participants will not be affected. And, spouses who already have a MyCAA account may continue to use the MyCAA website for career counseling and planning.”

Click here to read the entire post.

Chevalier said she was never contacted about the freeze, and instead was told by a friend via email the program had halted.

“It’s like they gave us something and took it away and they expect us to just be quiet and to not question it,” said Chevalier.  “And I think that’s where the problem lies is they didn’t expect us to question it like we’re doing.  And we are.”

More than 1,500 military spouses have joined a Facebook group, using comments to express their concerns about the program’s abrupt halt.  Click here for a link that page.

Chevalier said the affected spouses aren’t just making noise online.

“We’ve started letter writings, emails, phone calls, and congress is listening, and they’re talking to the DoD on our behalf,” Chevalier said.  “Somebody’s going to listen.   If it’s just a handful of people, we’re just making noise. But if its 2000 spouses, somebody’s going to listen.  And hopefully we’ll get something accomplished.”

Chevalier hopes this wont be her last semester of studying with help from MyCAA, but if it is, she wants to be notified.

“If they can start the program back up, great,” said Chevalier.  “If they can’t just let us know. Personally tell everybody why and explain to them what can be done in the future.”

By eHow Contributing Writer

Several major airlines offer rate discounts and other perks for members of the armed forces and their dependents. Because these rates are unavailable to the general public and often not readily found online, military members should be ready to call the airline directly or speak in person to a gate agent to receive more information. For members who choose to search for them, these rates provide the opportunity for military families to travel without breaking their budgets.

American Airlines

American Airlines and its regional carrier, American Eagle, offer military discounts on flights in selected areas. Military members are also afforded other perks, including relaxed advanced purchase requirements and preferred boarding privileges. Also, service members returning from Iraq or Afghanistan are eligible to visit American Airlines’ Admiral’s Club, a lounge that offers a number of perks for frequent travelers.

United Airlines

United Airlines offers reduced domestic fares for members of the military and their dependents. These fares are available for travel on all days of the week and have no advance purchase requirements, however they are also limited in number and subject to availability. All passengers traveling with military discounts will require identification to verify their eligibility. Sample fares are displayed on United Airlines’ website.

US Airways

US Airways provides discounts to military personnel on officially excused absence as well as discharged members for seven days after their separation from the service. The airline also provides rate discounts to military dependents and children. There are no discounts for military members traveling on temporary duty orders. Active duty military members will need to provide identification to fly with the discounted fare while children and dependents will need to produce an active Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines offers specific fares for military personnel and their dependents that are not available through its website or online. Contact an airline representative by phone or in person for more information on these discounts.

Continental Airlines

Continental Airlines offers the Veterans Advantage program to active duty military members and anyone who has served in any branch of the armed forces. Enrollment in the plan, also open to defendants, provides members with a 5 percent discount on tickets purchased through Continental’s website.

Delta Airlines

Delta Airlines offers fares to service members that are not publicized on its website and can only be booked by phone or in person. In addition to these fares, Delta will allow active duty members traveling on orders to check up to 10 bags on Delta flights or four bags on DeltaConnection flights for no charge. For dependents and family members, Delta also offers discounts to members of its WorldPerks or SkyMiles program on flights to visit wounded relatives at military hospitals under its Delta Cares program.