One thing you learn very quickly as a military spouse is that your spouse will be asked to leave home and travel for weeks, sometimes months, at a time. While temporary duty assignments (TDYs or TADs, depending on your branch) can be difficult for families, there are tools to make them less stressful.
Whether your spouse is headed to training, school, or any kind of temporary assignment, finding a place to stay can be a pain and feel like a full-time job.
Do you book a hotel? A long-term Airbnb? Do you cross your fingers and hope on-base lodging has availability? And what about per diem? Will you even get reimbursed?
Crashpad Connections is a FREE service that takes the stress out of finding off-base, fully furnished housing for military members and their families during TDYs/TADs. No endless scrolling, no back-and-forth emails, no worrying about GTCs or receipts. Just a straightforward process handled by a team that understands military life firsthand.
What is Crashpad Connections?
Crashpad Connections is veteran-owned and run by military spouses and veterans. The service helps find and book fully furnished housing for military members on TDY/TAD orders. Whether it’s a short school, months-long training, or anything in between, they ensure your spouse, your family, and your furry friends have a comfortable place to stay—one that actually feels like home.
Crashpad Connections connects you with vetted, high-quality properties that meet government per diem requirements and offer the flexibility military families need. And it’s 100% free for military members.
How It Works
Step 1: Fill out the “I Need a Crashpad” form on their website crashpadconnections.com. It’s quick and painless—just basic details about your TDY location, dates, and any specific needs (family-friendly, pet-friendly, close to base, etc.).
Step 2: A coordinator personally reaches out to get more details and answer any questions. (Yes, an actual human—not a bot or automated email!)
Step 3: They do all the research for you. No more wasting hours scrolling through rental sites or messaging landlords. Their team finds the best available options that meet per diem rates and fit your needs.
Step 4: They send you a curated list of crashpads, complete with photos, commute details, and amenities.
Step 5: You pick the best one, and they handle the connection. Done. No stress, no guesswork—just a smooth, simple process.
Why This is a Game-Changer for Military Families
🏡 It Feels Like Home
Hotels are fine for a night or two, but they get old fast. Crashpad Connections sets you up in fully furnished homes—ones with real kitchens, comfy couches, and actual space to spread out. If your spouse is gone for weeks or months, this makes a huge difference in morale and
quality of life.
💳 No Reimbursement Headaches
Everything they book is within the per diem rate and accepts the government travel card (GTC). That means no paying out of pocket, no unexpected costs, and no fighting with finance later. They ensure you get an itemized receipt every month for easy reimbursement.
⏳ Saves You Hours of Searching
If you’ve ever tried to book a long-term rental on your own, you know it’s a time-consuming nightmare. Crashpad Connections does all the legwork so you don’t have to.
🐶 Pet-Friendly Options
Got a furry family member? They’ll even find crashpads that welcome pets so you don’t have to leave part of your family behind!
🚪 Flexible for Families
Bringing the whole crew along? They’ll help you find family-friendly housing near parks, schools, and all the essentials.
🤝 Run by Military Spouses & Veterans
They get the challenges of military life because they’ve lived it. Their entire team is made up of veterans, retirees, and military spouses who actually understand what you need—because they’ve been in your shoes.
Own a Furnished Rental? They Can Help With That, Too!
If you, or someone you know owns a furnished home near a military base, Crashpad Connections can help connect you with military renters.
Just fill out the “I Have a Crashpad” form on their website, crashpadconnections.com and they’ll match your property with service members in need of TDY housing. It’s a win-win.
No matter what temporary assignment the military throws at your spouse, reduce some of the stress by letting Crashpad Connections find him/her or your whole family a great home away from home.
Meet Alicia
Alicia is a 12-year Air Force spouse who is married to her high school sweetheart. She currently lives in Colorado Springs with her husband and three kids. As a former math teacher and small business owner, Alicia thrives on organization, problem-solving, and making life easier for those around her. She has served as a spouse group treasurer, social media manager, and event coordinator, and is always looking for ways to build strong, supportive communities. Alicia is passionate about helping military families tackle the unique challenges of military life. Having navigated multiple PCS moves and TDYs, she’s committed to providing military members with stress-free housing solutions through Crashpad Connections. In her free time, Alicia enjoys working out, helping in her kids’ classrooms, and exploring new places with her family, all while embracing the adventure of military life.
