Military Archives - JavaCupcake

The Dog Tag Bakery Brownie is a rich, decadent brownie, dipped in chocolate and gently rolled in a potato chip crumble. This delicious twist on Dog Tag Inc.’s classic brownie recipe offers the perfect combination of chocolate indulgence with a hint of salt.

I am so EXCITED about this Dog Tag Bakery Brownie! It’s been four years in the making for Dog Tag Bakery to reach this level of national success.

Founded in 2014 by Fr. Rick Curry, SJ and Ms. Constance Milstein, Dog Tag Inc. was born out of the shared conviction that no veteran, military spouse, or caregiver who wants to work and pursue their career goals should be unemployed.

Their founders drew on their experiences as social innovators and advocates for veterans and persons with disabilities to create a national model to support veterans and their families as they begin a new chapter in their lives.

Together, Father Curry and Ms. Milstein have convened educators, experts, and leading entrepreneurs to ensure that Dog Tag Inc. remains a robust, enriching, and sustainable social enterprise.

My journey with Dog Tag Inc. began in July 2016 when I was selected as a Fellow in Cohort 4 of their Entrepreneurial Fellowship Program. We had only moved to the DC area a few months earlier, my husband was in the middle of the Medical Board process to get out of the Army, and I was trying to figure out what was next for me in this transition.

The Dog Tag Inc. Fellowship Program allowed me the space, time, and support to find myself as an individual. I learned what my strengths were outside of being a military spouse and caregiver.

I learned that I AM STRONG, CAPABLE AND EMPOWERING!

I took the skills I had learned in the 10 years as an Army spouse along with the 8 years of blogging and turned it into a consulting business. I now teach other small businesses and non-profits how to manage their own social media and online marketing.

So today – I’m proud to announce the launch of the new Dog Tag Bakery brownie to be sold in Starbucks stores Nationwide!

DOG TAG BAKERY AND STARBUCKS RECOGNIZE NATIONAL MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH WITH THE LAUNCH OF A DARK CHOCOLATE & POTATO CHIP BROWNIE AT STARBUCKS STORES

Georgetown’s favorite pastry destination, Dog Tag Bakery, will launch the Dog Tag Bakery Brownie on May 1, 2018 at Starbucks locations nationwide in honor of National Military Appreciation Month. This brownie is a delicious twist on Dog Tag Bakery’s classic recipe, topped with a salted potato chip crumble, and will be available in over 8,000+ participating Starbucks locations nationwide starting May 1, 2018 until June 4, 2018 (or while supplies last).

Inspired by a shared commitment to helping our veterans and military families, Dog Tag Bakery developed this special limited-edition brownie for Starbucks customers to help raise awareness for veteran causes. Dog Tag Bakery’s entrepreneurial fellowship program combines education with hands-on experience to create a living business school, to build a bridge to employment and to help veterans, military spouses and caregivers find fulfillment in their professional and personal lives. To learn more about Dog Tag Bakery’s program, please visit www.DogTagInc.org.

Together we’re #BakingADifference in the lives of our veterans and military families.

Product Name: Dog Tag Bakery Brownie. The packaging will state “Salted Potato Chip Crusted Brownie”
Unit Price: $3.95
Release Date: May 1, 2018
Availability: Available in over 8,000 Starbucks locations nationwide
PR Contact: Meghan Ogilvie / 202.527.9388 / info@dogtaginc.org and Hilla Narov / 212.995.1833 / hnarov@fullpic.com

Once a year, on May 12th, the country recognizes the strength and resiliency of those who stand beside their service members on Military Spouse Appreciation Day. Today, I wanted to share a look back at a few of the military spouses who have made me who I am today.

2/23 IN, 4/2 ID Military Spouses & FRG Leaders at Fort Lewis

When I became a military spouse in 2007, I would have never believed that I would be where I am today… let alone be here because of the military spouses that were in my life. Because my husband joined the military later in his life, I was older than most other spouses at the same rank as my husband so I naturally gravitated to toward the spouses of the senior enlisted and officers.

Women like Tara Rousch, wife of C Co, 2/23IN Commander, Amanda Houston, wife and FRG Leader in B Co, 2/23 IN, Morri Landes, wife of LTC Landes and Senior Adviser to the FRG and Tricia Lawrence, wife of LTC Lawrence and Senior Adviser to the FRG. These women showed me how a group of spouses, women, can come together to support those around us and to be strong for our soldiers at war.

It was their leadership, grace, and resiliency that showed me the type of military spouse I wanted to be. It was because of their leadership that I became an FRG Leader for my husband’s units at all of his duty stations. It was because of their example that I knew I had something great to model and to live up to.

After our 2nd deployment to Iraq together… some of those same senior military spouses that lead me to lead were standing beside me as we were presented with the Commanders Award for Civilian Service. One of my most proud moments as a military spouse.

I am so incredibly thankful to Tara, Amanda, Morri and Tricia for being a shining example of excellence in the military spouse community.

As soon as we moved to Germany, I knew I wanted to be involved in the community. I reached out to the command of my husband’s unit and inquired about being involved.

And I met my Chrissy. Although I met many amazing women and military spouses at Fort Lewis, it wasn’t until I came to Germany that I truly found out what it meant to be a military spouse.

We were quick friends, best friends, like-sisters-friends. Chrissy became my family away from my family. I think back on all the things we went though together and my life is better for having Chrissy in it. Chrissy is unconditionally loving, kind, and supportive.

Chrissy guided me as the FRG Leader for the Rear Detachment as her husband and the rest of TF 1/2 IN, 172nd IN BDE went to Afghanistan. She held it together during that deployment with such integrity and grit. I’m proud to know you, Chrissy and I can’t wait until we can live on the same side of the USA again!!!

My time in Germany also brought me Doris, Christy (again!), Sarah, Susan, Amanda, Rachel, Sarah, Allison and Margot. Neighbors, friends, and now family for ever.

And then there are these women…

Mareile.

Lizzie.

These women were my rocks. My safe place. My unconditional love, support, and shoulders to cry on. I spent more time with Lizzie and Mareile than I did with my husband at times.

Both of you… Mareile and Lizzie – you are my best friends. My sisters. We share a common bond of being military spouses together – but we will always be more than that.

You have both have been with me in my lowest, most trying times as a military spouse. Even before I knew what I was doing was called being a Caregiver. You held me up. You supported me… my children. You listed. Let me cry. Gave me advice. You saved me.

There are no words that can express the depth of my gratitude to you. I will forever be thankful for your friendship.

Moving back to the USA knowing that we were transitioning out of the military, I wasn’t sure what kind of friends I would make here.

However, one of the first spouses I met during my time in the Dog Tag Fellowship program has turned in to one of my best friends.

Megan and I were both married to soldiers transitioning out of the military at the same time. Our love of fashion, yoga, and coffee made us quick friends and our experiences together made us best friends. Megan is my friend unconditionally and my life is richer for being around her kindness and southern charm. You make me a better woman, Megan.

And Gina… oh sassy, sweet, Sicilian Gina.

Gina’s example of what it looks like to be a spouse of a wounded warrior is truly inspiring. She has shown me what true strength in the face of adversity looks like and how amazing it can be on the other side.

THANK YOU Gina for giving me an opportunity at Yellow Ribbon Fund. THANK YOU Gina for pushing me to be better and to be more for our community.

Military Spouse Caregivers are some of the strongest women I know.

They have the strength and resiliency unlike any other military spouse. Their dedication to their wounded, ill or injured service member is unparalleled. It is my privilege to know them, learn from them, and be inspired by them.

Ramona… Oh Ramona.

This friendship with Ramona had a slow start. Ramona is not only a military spouse, but she is prior service as well serving 17 years in the Army.

Ramona, your friendship always surprises me and lifts me up when I’m least expecting it.

Thank you for being you and thank you for being in my life.

I didn’t know Jen when she was an active duty military spouse, but that doesn’t make me any less appreciative of her today.

Jen has become my mentor. She may not realize it, but I look up to her for entrepreneurial and business guidance more than any other military spouse in my life. Jen has taught me so much about what it means to be a military spouse in DC and how to become the best business women I can offering me advice, resources, and connections.

Jen McNulty is one bad-ass lady and I wouldn’t be as successful as I am with my career without her and for that I am eternally thankful!

Finally, to the most recently military spouse and friend I have here in DC… Cassaundra. Cassaundra is a Fellow in the current Dog Tag Fellowship cohort, the current Army Military Spouse of the Year and is an all-around rock star military spouse. Just being around her is inspiring! Although our journey as military spouses has just begun, I am inspired being around her and I know we are going to do great things together in DC for the military community!

I could really go on and on and on about every spouse that has touched my life… I know there are more. However these women are those that truly stand out to me as I look back on my life. They have shaped, guided, and loved me into the woman, leader, and military spouse I am today.

So thank you. Thanks to ALL of the military spouses who have touched my life. From the bottom of my heart… THANK YOU for all you have done for me.