Heather Sweeney

Heather Sweeney is an Associate Editor at Military.com. She started writing about her life as a military spouse in 2010 on her popular blog, Riding the Roller Coaster. She joined Military.com’s SpouseBuzz team in 2012 and has been covering military discounts since 2013. Heather earned her Master’s degree in 2004 and in addition to her work at Military.com, her work has been featured in the NY Times, the Washington Post, Healthline and Huffington Post.

Email: heather.sweeney@monster.com

Latest Articles

Soldiers assigned to the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), participate in “Flags In” at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., 24 May, 2018. (U.S. Army photo/Lane Hiser)

2019 Veterans Day Free Meals and Restaurant Deals and Discounts

Restaurants are saluting Veterans Day with free meals and discounts for veterans, service members and their families.

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 157th Infantry Regiment (Mountain), Colorado Army National Guard, along with veterans and dependents of the 10th Mountain Division and 10th Special Forces Group, ski in a serpentine pattern during the 43rd annual 10th Mountain Div. Ski-In Daze at Ski Cooper March 2, 2018. (U.S. Army National Guard photo/Warren W. Wright Jr.)

Hit the Ski Slopes with Military Discounts

Before you book your next ski getaway, check out the great military discounts you can use for all your skiing needs.

Service members from active and reserve components throughout the region rehearse the flag holding ceremony during the Chiefs football game on Nov. 11, 2018 at Kansas City, Missouri. (U.S. Air Force photo/Thomas Barley)

2019 Military Travel and Recreation Discounts for Veterans Day

We scour the universe for the best military travel and recreation discounts to celebrate veterans and Veterans Day. Find grea...

A flag rests in a memorial wreath during a Veterans Day Celebration ceremony in Sumter, South Carolina, Nov. 11, 2017. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kathryn R.C. Reaves)

2019 Veterans Day Retail Deals and Discounts

Businesses are saluting Veterans Day with a host of discounts and freebies for veterans, service members and their families....

A joint service color guard presents the colors during a Veterans Day ceremony at the Indiana War Memorial in Indianapolis, Nov. 10, 2018. (U.S. Air National Guard photo/Jonathan W. Padish)

2019 Veterans Day Deals, Discounts and Freebies

Businesses salute our military heroes on Veterans Day with a host of discounts and freebies for veterans, service members and...

Students at Jeff Davis Elementary School wave U.S. flags during a Veterans Day celebration in Biloxi, Mississippi, Nov. 8, 2018. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kemberly Groue)

2019 Discounts for Military Family Appreciation Month

Businesses are saluting Military Family Appreciation Month with discounts for vets, service members and their families.

In this April 16, 2017 file photo, the Blue Angels fly in formation over Cinderella Castle and the 'Partners' statue at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, in Bay Lake, Fla. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP)

Disney Renews Armed Forces Salute for Another Year

Disney recently announced they’ve renewed their salute again for 2020.

Disney characters run in front of a U.S. Air Force Honor Guard group photo at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., June 29, 2017. (U.S. Air Force/Jordyn Fetter)

Disney Discounts for Military Families

Thinking about booking a Disney vacation? Disney has extended their Armed Forces Salute program for 2020!

Pumpkins sit in a batch during the annual Fall Festival, October 31, 2018, at Altus AFB, Okla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jackson Haddon)

Military Discounts on Halloween Costumes and Decorations

Whether you're buying costumes for your kids or looking for festive decorations, military discounts can help while you shop.

Spouses of active-duty Marines select gowns during Operation Ball Gown at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 2, 2015. (U.S. Marine Corps photo/Jason Jimenez)

How to Save Money and Look Great at the Military Ball

Between dresses, shoes and accessories, going to a military ball can be costly. But it doesn't have to be.

A moving contractor loads a moving truck with a service member's household goods during the permanent change of station peak-season at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. March 7, 2018. (U.S. Transportation Command/Oz Suguitan)

6 Deals to Remember When PCSing

You can find all sorts of deals to help lessen pesky PCS expenses. Here are six deals to look into for your move.

Baby Basic Training participants practice changing a diaper on August 4, 2016, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. (U.S. Air Force photo/Krystal Ardrey)

Great Ways for New Military Parents to Cut Costs

There's so much for new parents to buy when there's a baby on the way. That’s why they need all the discounts they can get.

Operations Specialist 3rd Class Cody Wood looks on from the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) as the ship passes the USS Midway Museum during its arrival in San Diego, Calif., May 8, 2018. (U.S. Navy photo/Zachary DiPadova)

The Best Military Discounts in San Diego

Whether you're stationed in San Diego or just visiting, there are plenty of military discounts to use while you're there.

U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Christopher A. Campbell

9 Great Freebies for Military and Their Families

Some military discounts include products or services you can get for free. Here are 9 examples of those freebies.

Pacific Park (U.S. Marine Corps photo/Lance Cpl. Norman Eckles)

The Best Amusement Park Military Discounts

Amusement parks are a fun way for families to spend time together and many offer military discounts.

Military News

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Most Popular Military News

M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle assigned to Bravo Troop, 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, tactically conducts a route reconnaissance mission during Gila Focus at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Oct. 9. 2019. Bravo Troop supported the 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion and other Spartan units by carrying out Area, Zone, and Route Reconnaissance missions. (Christian Davis/U.S. Army)

Fort Stewart Training Accident Leaves 3 Soldiers Dead, 3 Injured, Officials Say

The six soldiers were riding on a Bradley Fighting Vehicle when the accident occurred.

Marine Corps Assault Amphibious Vehicles (AAV), belonging to Second Marine Division (2d MARDIV), are staged in a motor pool lot at Camp Wilson, Marine Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Oct. 6, 2019. The AAVs will be utilized in 2d MARDIV’s execution of MAGTF Warfighting Exercise (MWX) 1-20, from mid-October through early November. MWX is set to be the largest operation conducted by 2d MARDIV in several decades. (Patrick King/U.S. Marine Corps)

'Unlike Any Exercise': A Massive Marine Corps War Game Is Happening at 29 Palms

Ten thousand Marines, sailors and NATO troops will be pitted against each other in a force-on-force battle in the Mojave Dese...

Red and blue lights of police car in night time, crime scene. Night patrolling the city. Abstract blurry image. (Getty Images)

11 Men, Many in the Military, Attacked or Sexually Assaulted in NC City

The assaults are believed to stretch back to January 2018, with "sporadic" timing in between, according to Wilmington police.

Here's Your 2020 Military Retiree, VA and Social Security Pay Bump

The 2020 military retiree, VA disability and social security pay increase is smaller than the one received in 2019.

Gen. James McConville, chief of staff of the Army, answers a question from the media after the opening ceremony of the Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C., Oct. 14, 2019. (U.S. Army/Sgt. Dana Clarke)

New Army Chief Wants to Let Soldiers Stay Longer at Favorite Duty Stations

Could soldiers be able to put off PCS moves for nine years?

Latest Military Videos

Fleet Week Parade of Ships

Footage of the 2019 parade of ships during San Francisco Fleet Week. (Video by Petty Officer 1st Class Bryan...

75th Commemoration of the Battle of Peleliu

The Honorable Temmy Shmull, Governor of Peleliu State Government, the Honorable Raynold Oilouch, Vice President of Palau, U.S. Marine...

Soldiers Test Out Newly Fielded M17 Pistol on the Range

Soldiers with 1st Battalion "Death Dealers", 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, conducted combat pistol qualification with...

Blue Angels Take Part in Photoshoot with WWII Era B-29 Bomber

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy Schumaker, assigned to The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, photographs...

Northrop Grumman Prepares to Deliver 1st 50-Kilowatt Laser

At the Annual AUSA Trade Show, a Northrop Grumman official confirmed that the company has been contracted to deliver...

Army News

Arturo Benavides, who served in the Army and National Guard, was a victim in the Aug. 3, 2019, mass shooting in El Paso, Texas. GoFundMe photo

Widow of Army Vet Killed in El Paso Shooting Files $1 Million Lawsuit Against Walmart

The widow of a vet who was shot and killed in the mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, has filed a $1 million lawsuit.

Margaret DeSanti congratulates seniors during the Veterans Day celebration at Higly High School in Gilberton Friday , November 2, 2014. (David Jolkovski/East Valley Tribune)

Military Service Claims of Army Nurse in Viral Push-Ups Video Called into Question

The 84-year-old self-described Army nurse cranking out push-ups in her crisp Vietnam-era uniform might not be who she said sh...

President Trump awards Army Staff Sgt. David Bellavia the Medal of Honor at the White House in Washington, Tuesday, June 25, 2019 (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Medal of Honor Recipient Bellavia Won't Enter Congressional Race

Staff Sgt. David Bellavia announced Sunday that he will not run for the 27th Congressional District Seat.

Navy News

A blurred police car in the background behind yellow crime scene tape. (Getty Image)

Navy Lieutenant, Wife Arrested in FBI, NCIS Raid in Florida

The accusations against the Yangs include conspiracy to defraud the United States and importing and manufacturing firearms.

Flying over the Redondo Beach Sign towards the Pier (Source: Getty Images)

Northrop Grumman to Ship Secret Navy Cargo Through LA-Area Marina

The Navy demonstration project will be taken from Redondo Beach to a barge for shipment to San Diego.

In this Oct. 16, 2019, photo, Vulcan Inc. director of subsea operations of the Petrel, Rob Kraft looks at images of the Japanese aircraft carrier Kaga, off Midway Atoll in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Deep-sea explorers scouring the world's oceans for sunken World War II ships are honing in on a debris field deep in the Pacific. The research vessel called the Petrel is launching underwater robots about halfway between the U.S. and Japan in search of warships from the Battle of Midway. (Caleb Jones/AP

Deep-Sea Explorers Find Japanese Ship that Sank During WWII

Until now, only one of the seven ships that went down in the June 1942 air and sea battle had been located.

Air Force News

Maj. Gen. Tom Wilcox (left), Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center commander, administers the Oath of Office to Col. Martin Pantaze (right), during a promotion ceremony at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, September 4, 2019. (U.S. Air Force/Senior Airman Tessa B. Corrick)

Air Force Shakes Up Officer Promotion Categories

The service on Monday announced the change will start in March 2020 for the next lieutenant colonel promotion board.

Kaiserslautern Military Community Center at Ramstein, Air Force Base, Germany. (Air Force Photo)

Hikes Are Coming to Air Force Lodging Rates Worldwide; Some in Europe Will Be Doubling

The cheapest rooms at some lodging on Air Force bases in Europe will be $149 a night from Nov. 1, up from $70.

U.S. Air Force Col. David S. Miller, 377th Air Base Wing commander, gives remarks at the Women’s Equality Day event at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., August 26, 2019. (U.S. Air Force photo/Alexandria Crawford)

Kirtland Air Force Base Pumps $4.6B into Local Economy

The base released the results of its economic impact study, which reported a $7.4 billion impact overall.

Marine Corps News

Marine veteran John Vincent was reunited with his dog, Patch. (Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department)

Vietnam Marine Veteran in Hospice Care Reunites with Beloved Dog One Last Time

The shelter reported that Patch has found a new owner and will be leaving for a new home soon.

A billboard in New York City's Time Square depicts President Donald Trump being hog-tied by a woman clad in athletic wear on Oct. 18, 2019. The 30-foot-high billboard is part of an advertising campaign by Dhvani, a Portland-based clothing company. CEO of Dhvani Avi Brown told The Associated Press the billboard was intended to be a comment on the Trump administration's changes to the Title X family planning program blocking federal funding for health providers who refer patients for abortions. (Ted Shaffrey/

Clothing Co. Gets Attention with Billboard of Marine Vet Hog-Tying Trump

According to Dhvani, the model in the billboard, Michal Mesa, is a Marine Corps veteran and middle school teacher.

11 Men, Many in the Military, Attacked or Sexually Assaulted in NC City

The assaults are believed to stretch back to January 2018, with "sporadic" timing in between, according to Wilmington police.

Coast Guard News

Coast Guard Seaman Ethan W. Tucker, right, is accused of killing Seaman Ethan Kelch, left, in Alaska. Facebook

Charged with Killing His 'Best Bud,' Coast Guardsman Appears in Camp Pendleton Courtroom

Seaman Ethan W. Tucker was arrested Aug. 28 after a seven-month Coast Guard investigation into the January death.

Coast Guard members prepare bails of cocaine to be offloaded from the Coast Guard Cutter Alert in San Diego on Oct. 16, 2019. Alex Gray/Coast Guard

Coast Guard Offloads $92 Million Worth of Smuggled Cocaine in San Diego

The Coast Guard offloaded more than 6,800 pounds of cocaine -- worth an estimated $92 million -- on Wednesday.

Work is underway at Eastern Shipbuilding Group in Panama City, Florida, on the Offshore Patrol Cutter. (Eastern Shipbuilding Group)

Despite Hurricane Damage, Coast Guard Pressing On with Next-Gen Cutter Construction

Coast Guard's New Plan for Next-Gen Cutter Contracts Will Prevent Delays, Commandant Says