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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sailors representing several local naval commands participate in the annual Pilgrimage to the Alamo during Fiesta San Antonio, April 22, 2019. (U.S. Navy photo/Burrell Parmer)

11 San Antonio Discounts for Military Families

Whether you're stationed in the San Antonio area or just visiting, there are many family-friendly military discounts availabl...

The Crossroads Inn aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico (U.S. Marine Corps photo)

Cheap Lodging for Military Families

Here are some great deals for military families to find cheap lodging on the go.

Children from the Magnolia Village housing area on Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, board the school bus Aug 7, 2017, on their way to school. (U.S. Air Force photo/Savannah G Stephens)

10 Back-to-School Deals for Military Families

As summer camps wind to a close, parents have one thing on their minds: back-to-school shopping.

Vehicle Registration for Military Families

How do you deal with your driver's license and car registration while in the military? We have the answers.

Sailors attached to the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC19) participate in the Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA). (U.S. Navy photo/Dylan McKay)

5 Tips for Staying Fit While Saving Money

Here are 5 great deals for military families to help on your fitness journey.

U.S. Marines with Black Sea Rotational Force 16.2 open care packages containing a variety of snack and hygiene items at Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base, Romania, Aug. 23, 2016. (U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration by Sgt. Kirstin Merrimarahajara)

7 Affordable Ideas for Military Care Packages

Care packages are the best way for loved ones to send a little piece of home to deployed service members.

A U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules is parked on the flightline during the Celebrate America fireworks display, July 3, 2018, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Donald Hudson)

2019 Fourth of July Military Discounts

Service members and families are being honored with a variety of military discounts to celebrate the Fourth of July.

Sailors and Marines visit the Los Angeles Zoo during the second annual Los Angeles Fleet Week, Sep. 1, 2017. (U.S. Navy photo/Abby Rader)

Where to Find Military Discounts at Zoos Around the Country

Admission fees at zoos can be costly. So we've put together a list of zoos around the country that offer military discounts.

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Most Popular Military News

This September 2019 photo released by Stacy Wallace shows her son, Job Wallace, in Oceanside, California. An Arizona family is searching for Job Wallace, a U.S. Marine who left for Camp Pendleton on Monday, Sept. 16, 2019, but never arrived at the base outside San Diego. (Stacy Wallace via AP)

Missing Camp Pendleton Marine Found Unharmed in Texas

Lance Cpl. Job Wallace was taken into custody at a rest area in Navarro County, Texas.

U.S. Marines from Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 3d Marine Regiment and civilians conduct weapons testing on the 81mm experimental non-lethal Indirect Fire Munition (IDFM) rounds at Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii, July 16, 2018. (Screenshot from video by Eric Tso and Adam Montera/Marine Corps)

Marines Test Nonlethal Mortar Round for Crowd Control

They may not be deadly, but some of the nonlethal weapons the Marine Corps is working on look pretty devastating.

Air Force Maj. Michael Bliss, 703d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander, leads a PiYo class at the JBER-Elmendorf fitness center Feb. 4, 2015. (U.S. Air Force/Staff Sgt. Wes Wright)

Air Force to Institute New Fitness Requirements for Commanders

Starting next week, commanders will be expected to stay in shape, according to Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein.

Steiner eOptics unveiled the Close Quarter Thermal (CQT) at Modern Day Marine 2019. The three-day Modern Day is co-sponsored by Marine Corps Base, Quantico, the Exposition's home base. MCB Quantico, home to the Combat Development Command and the Marine Corps Systems Command, is responsible for setting requirements, developing equipment and systems and purchasing the equipment and systems that the Marine Corps will rely on in the years to come. These vital and unique functions play a large part in positionin

This Tiny Thermal Weapons Optic with Red Dot Is Designed for Close Combat

The Close Quarter Thermal takes two CR-123 batteries, weighs approximately one pound and currently costs about $10,000.

FILE - In this June 19, 1985 file photo, a hijacker points a weapon toward an ABC news media crew from the window of the cockpit of the Trans World Airlines jet as the American television crew approaches the jet for an interview at Beirut International Airport, Lebanon. Greek police said Saturday Sept. 21, 2019, they have arrested a suspect in the 1985 hijacking of a flight from Athens that included the slaying of an American. (AP Photo/Herve Merliac, File)

Greek Police Make Arrest in 1985 Hijacking of TWA Flight 847

The hijackers shot and killed U.S. Navy diver Robert Stethem.

Latest Military Videos

VIDEO: Beretta PMX Submachine Gun Makes US Debut

Gabriele de Plano talks about Beretta's latest 9mm submachine gun, the PMX, at Modern Day Marine 2019.

VIDEO: Elbit Night Vision

John Ennis of Elbit Systems shows off Elbit's new night vision binoculars at Modern Day Marine 2019.

VIDEO: Marathon Targets - Robots on the Range

Ralph Petroff of Marathon Targets talks about his company's realistic shooting targets at Modern Day Marine 2019.

How To Do the Army CFT Push-Up

Military fitness guru Stew Smith explains how to do the Army’s Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) push-up.

VIDEO: Exoskeleton Suit Helps Marines Lift 200 Pounds With Ease

Jim Miller of Sarcos and Tom Russell of NEXLOG talk about the applications of their new prototype exoskeleton suit.

Army News

The morning sun peaks over the rooftop of the Drill Sergeant Academy hitting the black letters from across the way, “This We’ll Defend.” The drill sergeant statue overlooks the physical fitness field at Fort Jackson, Aug. 12, 2015. (U.S. Army’Maj. Satomi Mack-Martin)

Fort Jackson Soldier Dies Preparing for Training Drill, Officials Say

Providence Hospital staff said the 18-year-old Army recruit's death was not heat-related.

Army Staff Sgt. Logan Melgar (Army Photo)

Trial Ordered for SEAL and Marine Charged in Green Beret's Death

An admiral referred the charges against SEAL Tony DeDolph and Marine Mario Madera-Rodriguez to a court-martial hearing.

FILE -- Members of veterans’ associations salute during the Memorial and 73rd Anniversary of Victory in Europe ceremony held at the Mardasson Memorial, in Bastogne, Belgium, June 1, 2018. (Pierre-Etienne Courtejoie/U.S. Army))

World War II Veteran, Who Met Patton Twice, Turns 100

Leonard Kieley was a commander of a tank company serving in Gen. George S. Patton's famous 4th Armored Division.

Navy News

An Iranian army member looks at a missile in an exhibition in which the Revolutionary Guard also displays pieces of the American drone Global Hawk shot down by the Guard in the Strait of Hormuz in June 2019, in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard is ready for combat and "any scenario," its chief commander said Saturday, as the country's nuclear deal with world powers collapses and the U.S. alleged Iran was behind a weekend attack on major oil sites in Saudi Arabia tha

Iran Vows to Lead Gulf Security, as US Sends More Troops

President Rouhani warned that the presence of foreign forces could cause problems for the world's "energy security."

Greek Police Make Arrest in 1985 Hijacking of TWA Flight 847

The hijackers shot and killed U.S. Navy diver Robert Stethem.

Capt. Ken Epps leads a tour during a visit to one of the fuel tanks at the Red Hill Underground Fuel Storage Facility near Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. (Laurie Dexter/U.S. Navy)

Cost of Double-Lining Underground Fuel Storage Tanks Isn't Justified, Navy Says

The report notes that double-walling the tanks is expected to cost 10 times more than the current option.

Air Force News

Col. Jason Lamb, Air Education and Training Command Intelligence, Analysis and Innovation Director, participates in the Air Force Talent Management update panel during the Air Force Association Air, Space and Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Md., Sept. 18, 2019. (U.S. Air Force/Andy Morataya)

'Col. Ned Stark' Sounds Off on Air Force Promotion System Overhaul

Col. Jason Lamb, took the stage before a packed audience of airmen with Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly.

A man holds an inflatable alien at an entrance to the Nevada Test and Training Range near Area 51 Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, near Rachel, Nev. People gathered at the gate inspired by the "Storm Area 51" internet hoax. (AP Photo/John Locher)

About 75 People Gather at Area 51 Gate, 1 Person Arrested

The "Storm Area 51" invitation spawned festivals in the tiny Nevada towns of Rachel and Hiko nearest the military site.

An MQ-1 Predator sits on the flight line Feb. 2, 2018, at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman James Thompson)

For Air Force Drone Operators, Connection with Unmanned Aircraft Runs Deep

Air Force Col. Stephen Jones admits that having emotional ties to a drone may seem a bit strange to an outsider.

Marine Corps News

Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Green, holds up an eagle, globe and anchor while he speaks of never losing motivation to the Marines of Staff Non-Commissioned Officers Academy at Camp Johnson N.C. Sept. 7, 2017. (Tyler Pender/Marine Corps)

Former Top Enlisted Marine Warns Leaders to Watch Social Media Misbehavior

Green said leaders must stay plugged into what's happening on social media.

Two F/A-18D Hornets approach a KC-130J with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352 during a Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command aerial refueling exercise on Oct. 13, 2016. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Trever Statz)

Marine Corps Finds Unprofessional Command Led to Fatal Midair Crash that Killed 6

A report found that inadequate training also contributed to a deadly refueling mission; four leaders were fired.

Missing Camp Pendleton Marine Found Unharmed in Texas

Lance Cpl. Job Wallace was taken into custody at a rest area in Navarro County, Texas.

Coast Guard News

FILE - This image provided by the U.S. District Court in Maryland shows a photo of firearms and ammunition that was in the motion for detention pending trial in the case against Christopher Paul Hasson. (U.S. District Court via AP)

Judge Refuses to Toss Coast Guard Officer's Gun Charges

The ruling paves the way for Christopher Hasson to be tried on all four counts in his indictment.

Coast Guard Offloads 6 Tons of Cocaine, Worth About $435M

Four cutters intercepted a total of eight drug smuggling vessels in the Eastern Pacific Ocean over the past three months

Coast Guard Commander Charged with Importing Narcotics

According to a complaint, James Silcox III received three shipments of Tramadol to post-office boxes over the summer.