2019 MF JULY

This is your moment

The word “deployment” is often viewed negatively. In our military community, it’s easy to air our grievances about it, too. But what if we looked at it like a half glass full situation, not discounting the challenges faced during deployments, but instead looking for opportunities in the gaps it creates?

During my husband’s last deployment, I decided to pursue a long-desired dream: to obtain a master’s in writing. My dinners were often taken alone and my weekends were quite lonely and dull. In addition to bemoaning my best friend’s absence in my life, I found an opportunity to work toward my own ultimate career goal. My evenings and weekends were suddenly filled with zero distractions that allowed me to tackle my master’s full time, which also allowed me to complete the program in half the duration.

Throughout another deployment, I used the space to pursue a hobby — scuba diving — that turned into a place of finding zen in a stressful stage of life, plus I made lifelong friends and accomplished things I never before thought possible coming from my Colorado-mountain girl roots. Not to mention, each deployment I allowed myself to chase my wanderlust dreams: I smelled Tokyo’s cherry blossoms, I snowboarded the Hakuba mountain range, I delighted in the Pacific Northwest coast’s beauty, I swam Palau’s Jellyfish Lake and I explored every mountain and valley of our island home.

And that’s just from the military spouse perspective. For those who are the ones going on deployment, look at what you can truly accomplish, not just with your work achievements and utilizing all the knowledge and skills you’ve learned thus far, but personally, too. I have known many sailors who have used the deployment setting as an excuse to take their health and fitness to a whole new level, and came home the most fit of their lives. My husband, who is now an Ironman, trained for a marathon in the desert that became a major tipping point in his future health achievements.

When a deployment presents itself, yes, it’s ok to feel lonely, anxious and angry. We are human. But to choose to not turn it into something positive in our lives, I think, is a missed opportunity to achieve some of our own greatness.

What dreams and goals of yours have grown cobwebs?

Sincerely,

Maddie Dolan Associate Editor

Photo Credit: Anni Powell Photography

by Maddie Dolan

Columns

6........ Got Your Six 30.... By the Numbers

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Mothers are not alone in postpartum depression

Military families stay united through reading

10

Training the home front for deployment success

By Lizann Lightfoot

As I was preparing for my husband’s seventh deployment, I compiled checklists to help me feel confident and ready. No matter how many times he deploys, it is always difficult, but getting organized gives me peace of mind. When other spouses from the unit began to ask me for my preparation ideas, I decided to build these tools into a Deployment Masterclass for military spouses, partners and significant others.

Everyone’s deployment experience and needs may vary, but here is a general starting point for things to think about before and after your service member leaves.

Before the deployment:

• Decide where to live

• Plan vehicle storage

• Write down all passwords

• Discuss budget and plan allotments

• Alert credit card companies to service member’s travel

• Check service member’s wallet for correct cards

• Make spare keys for home and car

• Order care package materials

• Discuss communication options

• Plan date nights and family photos

After they deploy:

• Adjust car insurance

• Adjust cell phone and cable bills

• Cancel or suspend unnecessary

subscriptions (with service member’s permission)

• Prepare the first care package

• Set a goal for yourself

• Make social plans with at least one person

FORMING THE VILLAGE

It has been said, military life is better with friends – and a robust support network. Who will occupy your village, near and far, to encourage you during the separation?

Friends everyone needs:

• Battle buddy

• Workout partner

• Mr. (or Ms.) fix-it

• Helpful neighbor

• Local adventurer

• The crafty one

• Friend from back home

• Mom friend

We have all been there: asking a new-to-you friend to serve as an emergency contact, and you know what? It is completely a common practice in our world so don’t feel funny asking your designated villagers for contact information. It is especially important if you are somewhat new to an area or have family far away.

BUCKET LIST FOR YOURSELF

Let’s face it, staring at the calendar for months dwelling on the separation does no good for your morale or mental health. One thing I have found is that creating an outline of things to look forward to during the deployment is a positive way to make the time pass in a productive way.

Is there something you have been meaning to work on that now is the perfect time for? Some examples could be:

Places to go

Activities to do

Cuisines to taste

Something new to experience

Self-improvement techniques

Whether your service member is leaving for training, deployment or an unaccompanied tour, allow yourself the right to feel however you choose about the experience. But also empower yourself to continue to live during that time. Even though nothing can fill the void of missing your loved one, the goal of preparing and listing out things to look forward to can help you end each day on a positive note.

What is on your summer reading list and why?

Jenn Bedard

I’m excited to read “Unbecoming: A Memoir of Disobedience” by Anuradha Bhagwati. I love reading memoirs, especially ones written by strong women who have had experiences so radically different from my own. I have always held a deep respect for women in the service and I’m curious to know more about Bhagwati’s life.

Kara Ludlow

My beach bag will include Taya Kyle’s “American Spirit: Profiles in Resilience, Courage, and Faith.” I can’t think of anything more inspiring than reading the stories of people who have turned adversity into triumph.

Tiffany Lawrence

This summer I’m reading the “Way Home Series.” It’s about two young people who find friendship, love and moments to rescue each other from life, before and after he joins the military. I typically zoom through books like this because I’m anxious to take in their stories. Thanks to the author, Kim Mills, who is a fellow military spouse!

Amy Pottinger

My summer reading list? Why, it includes some mother-daughter time of course. We love our German Shorthaired Pointer, so when I found out that one was an actual war hero, I was sold. Judy was a World War II survivor and a companion to many soldiers. I just love that they have this story (“G.I. Dogs: Judy” by Laurie Calkhoven and “No Better Friends” by Robert Weintraub) for both adults and children to enjoy!

Lizann Lightfoot

I’ve read many books written by military spouses, but one I still want to read is “Stories Around the Table.” It contains short stories from more than 40 military families, discussing everything from the humor of failed PCS moves to the tragedy of deployments and divorce. I’m sure every military spouse can relate to some of the memories shared inside.

Crystal Kupper

My summer reading includes “Veronica’s Hero” by Veronica Ortiz Rivera and Jared Laskey (Lulu Publishing Services), a Marine widow’s memoir of loving and losing Javier Ortiz Rivera to the Afghanistan conflict. The nation’s heart broke when a photo of their son saluting his father’s casket went viral in 2010, and I can’t wait to hear the rest of the story.

Lila Quintiliani

A book about personal finance that’s also a fun, easy read?! “Twenties in Your Pocket: a Twenty-Something’s Guide to Money Management” by fellow milspouse Kate Nixon Anania is just that. Kate is an economist and a blogger, but what makes this guide really appealing is the humorous anecdotes she shares about her experiences as a broke, young college graduate.

Kimberli Roth

My book of choice is “The Wives of Los Alamos” by TaraShea Nesbit, written about the first spouses stationed at Los Alamos, N.M., during World War II nuclear research and the Manhattan Project. This book shares the secret lives of Los Alamos families from a brave and brilliant point of view.

Deployment planning through all phases of separation

By Lila Quintiliani, AFC®, Military Saves Program Manager

Separation is a constant fixture of military life. Whether it’s a deployment, extended temporary duty or advanced training, the requirements of a service member’s career lead families to adapt to long periods apart for months or even years. Being away from your loved ones never gets easy – my husband used to have a spreadsheet where he tracked the break-even point when he would have been with our daughters as many days as he had been away from them.

A little bit of preparation can ease a lot of the emotional and financial strain that comes from operating a household from two geographic points. Here are three ways to plan at all phases of the deployment process:

Before: Have a plan

Before your service member leaves, it’s important to have a financial plan in place. Hopefully, you already established a spending plan , but if you don’t, now is an ideal time to try and build one . It’s vital to make sure that each person

has a clear notion of who will be paying the bills, what accounts they will be coming from and when they’re due.

It’s also a good idea to use direct deposit and automate bill paying whenever possible. The person who is managing finances back home should have a valid power of attorney

See if any of the provisions of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act apply to you. Originally designed to reduce interest rates on loans taken out prior to active duty, many lenders will also lower rates for active duty service members who deploy. It never hurts to ask.

Be familiar with any special pay or entitlements that may apply to your situation.

Now is also a good time to discuss deployment goals that you can work toward together. For example, during my husband’s second deployment we made paying off our auto loan a goal. We threw any extra money we had toward the principal, and after 12

months, we paid off the note.

During: Communication is key

Keep open lines of communication, and I don’t mean just sending the occasional email or direct message. Monitor joint bank accounts and credit cards closely.

This isn’t about trust: you will each need to know when the other one is accessing accounts, otherwise you may not recognize suspicious activity or identity theft. And if both of you are using the account without communicating that fact, there’s a chance you may overdraw the account (been there, done that!)

Take advantage of the Savings Deposit Program , which guarantees a 10% interest rate on deposits of up to $10,000. You won’t find a return on investment like that anywhere else.

Consider contributing to the Roth TSP while deployed to a combat zone. Because pay is tax free, your contributions, growth and eventual withdrawals will all be tax free!

After: Stick to the plan

Even though you tell yourself you won’t get accustomed to the extra pay and entitlements that deployments bring, you can’t help it, you still do.

Try not to make rash purchases in the first few days after reuniting. Your pay hasn’t settled down to its “normal” level and may not do so for weeks. Celebrate, for sure, but then get back to your routine.

Family separations are an inevitable part of the military landscape. Deployments can be difficult, but with proper preparation and some planning, you can use the time to set and achieve financial goals.

Military families stay united through reading

By Maddie Dolan

Deployments, temporary duty or any variation of separation as a military family is undeniably hard, but reading is proving to be a useful tool in closing the distance gap.

Petty Officer 1st Class Rex Boblett executed orders to Bahrain for the second time, this time leaving his wife, Veronica Boblett, and four children in Massachusetts where they are deeply rooted into the community and school system. However, an aspect that is easing the pain of geo-baching is knowing he will be able to continue bonding with his children through storytime.

“When we were first talking about him getting the unaccompanied orders to Bahrain, and explained to the kids that we’re not going again... even though they’re really sad he’s going to leave, the first thing they said is, ‘Can he do United Through Reading there?’” Veronica Boblett said. “So they want to know how often he is going to send them [books]. I think they are already starting to pick out some books that they’re looking for.”

United Through Reading is a nonprofit organization providing military families with a continued bonding experience through recordings of service members reading to their families back home. This month marks 30 years since its founder set out to strengthen the home front through the use

of literature, and the organization continues to evolve its program using innovation and technology. It recently launched a mobile application that removes the lag time of sending recordings via traditional post.

The Bobletts first learned about United Through Reading in 2010 when Rex Boblett was about to deploy. They used it extensively amid other deployment countdown methods — like counting candy or daddy dolls — and it quickly became a family favorite because it brought him back into the home.

“Reading was such a big part of our life anyway,” Veronica Boblett said. “We always read bedtime stories; that was kind of our thing in the evening. All of us would just kind of gather together and do it. So this helped us continue bedtime stories with daddy while he was gone. And, the kids, of course, as soon as he pops up on the screen, they just light up. They get so excited.”

Even though Rex Boblett may be halfway around the world, the video recording of him reading to his children allows him to maintain his presence in the house and continue bonding with his children. And he’s not alone. Marine Sgt. David Simmons also bridged the gap using United Through Reading in 2018 when he sent his pregnant wife a recording.

“One day I was having an absolutely

terrible day with work, and just life and having to deal with things alone,” said Simmons’s wife, Hannah. “I checked the mail and got this little envelope and it had his handwriting on it.”

After not speaking to her husband for a long stretch in addition to the added hormones of being pregnant, the deployment’s distance seemed never ending. But when Hannah Simmons pushed play on the video and discovered her husband sending a positive message and reading to their unborn child, the distance shortened.

“When I saw my husband I just started crying because I was super pregnant and emotional,” she said.

As Veronica Boblett prepares for her husband’s next overseas assignment, she says it is comforting to know they will still be able to have Rex as a part of their daily routine. Photos by Anchored Roots Photography.

The Boblett family at their current duty station of Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. Photos by Anchored Roots Photography.

The recording proved to be increasingly beneficial after their daughter’s birth, too. Even though David was still gone, their daughter was able to hear and get acquainted to her dad’s voice, and establish an important-to-them bedtime routine: reading together as a family.

“I think it’s just setting a good foundation for her to expand on,” Hannah Simmons said. “And that’s the moment where we get to sit down as a family before bedtime after we have a bath and get to experience the time with just us, without our phones, without the TV on.”

Like the Bobletts, the Simmonses are passing on their own love of reading and positive experiences from their own childhood.

“I loved always reading books and having storytime with my family whenever I was a kid,” Sgt. Simmons said. “Even before I could read, they would read with me and I would just memorize the words and pretend like I was reading it. It always sparked my imagination and it made me have a big imagination today. I want to have that storytime with her and have her imagination be as good as mine.”

Plus, Veronica Boblett has noticed how reading to her children has made each of them better able to communicate and excel in school.

In fact, research shows that specific parenting-child interactions promote healthy development. Parenting practices associated with positive

emotional, behavioral, cognitive and social child outcomes include shared book reading and routines, according to Parenting Matters, a report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

United Through Reading empowers deployed parents to continue being part of these key day-to-day interactions, which also aids the parent who remains on the home front.

“I look at it that right now it’s keeping them connected during the separations when they are apart, and helps ease that time that we have to be apart because we don’t have the choice. But I also look at it that it’s something that the kids will have when they are older as well. To look

United Through Reading launched a new app earlier this year that allows service members to video record stories on mobile devices to be watched anytime during a military separation. Caregivers then receive the video link via email to view the video recordings online in their web browser or download to their PC, Mac or Android devices. For more information go to unitedthroughreading.org/app.

back and remember those things with Dad,” Veronica Boblett said.

While the Simmonses do not have a looming deployment, they say that United Through Reading holds a special place in their hearts.

“I think it’s something that is important not only in the aspect of reading to your children,” Hannah Simmons said, “but the connection when you’re going through this tough time as a military family.”

David Simmons added, “It really helped keep our family close.”

Marine Sgt. David Simmons used United Through Reading to surprise his wife, Hannah, while she was pregnant with the couple’s daughter. Photos by John Althouse.

Simmons recorded a reading to his unborn daughter during a 2018 deployment that inspired the family’s current-day storytime routine at bedtime. Photos by John Althouse.

DIY Style Tips

FOR ANY BASE HOUSE

By Kara Ludlow

Move over, Joanna Gaines.

With each and every PCS move, military spouses find themselves with a fresh set of white walls to make their own. However, the blank canvas of base housing may not always spark instant inspiration, making it timeconsuming to decide how to make a new address into a home. One Air Force wife decided to create a virtual gathering space where the relocation masters of the military community can encourage one another with design ideas.

White Walls, a Facebook group founded in 2013, was launched by Erin Morris to generate interior design conversations. The social media meet-up spot has grown to more than 100,000 members over its six years, while rewriting the home décor rules when it comes to living on or off a military installation. With determination, ingenuity and a whole lot of color, military spouses are transforming housing into gorgeously-styled homes.

Morris jokingly shares that her motivation for starting White Walls was “because I got tired of looking in people’s windows to see what they did to their houses.”

And it is clear that others were seeking to fill a similar interest because the group is the go-to site for military families looking for style tricks, room décor tips and idea-sharing. White Walls’ members engage daily on each other’s posts, offering a sense of camaraderie for men and women living across all geographies

If these walls could talk

The most common limiting factor in military housing is unquestionably the plain, white walls. Paint isn’t the only way to transform a living space, and group members offer a variety of stunning alternatives.

Natalie Thomas brings color and style to her laundry room in military housing with removable wallpaper.

Sarah Staggs turns to removable wallpaper and industrial décor to achieve this brick wall effect, complete with costume storage.

Shawna Fields transforms her dining room with peel-and-stick wallpaper, which she found at Target.

Of this brilliant creation, Ariel Thompson says, “This is a tapestry I ordered online and cut out, then starched to our master bedroom wall. To remove, I just spray with water, and I can use it again at the next house.”

Dreamy kid spaces

Relocating military kids comes with the added challenge of setting up a space quickly that eases the emotions of leaving an old duty station behind. Members of White Walls shared examples of how to make children’s rooms and play areas aesthetically pleasing, yet functional.

Spencer Monk explains, “I added a pop of color to the room with Sherwin-Williams Deep Blue Ocean [paint], then used removable peel and stick metallic gold palm leaf decals to create a fun oasis vibe!”

Kirsten Sibley proves that you don’t have to wait for your forever home before enjoying a shiplap wall. Spoiler: it’s wallpaper!

Using a specific color scheme and textured décor items, like a rug and wall art, Josly Lilibeth Gutierrez creates a space you would never guess is in military housing.

Timoney Honeywood uses front-facing books as functional wall décor as well as playful bedding and a cozy rug to complete this look.

Texture: A designer’s best kept secret

Texture is another element within a home designer’s toolbox as it can transform a room from flat to one with depth. Whether

Jessy Durazo uses a combination of washi tape and peel-and-stick triangle wall decals to achieve this look.

it’s a plant, woven basket or other natural material, texture gives the eye something to grab on to and ultimately increases the cozy factor.

Jaclynn Worthington says, “I used wallpaper shiplap, white washed an old oak table, re-padded the wicker dining chairs, and covered the old icky linoleum floor with a large area rug.”

Haley Shimkonus Kennan says, “I incorporated my love for Halloween into my home and added touches of elegance and my personal sense of humor to it.”

Air Force spouse Megan Smith has been a site admin since the groups beginning.

“We’re amazed at how quickly the White Walls groups have grown, and motivated by how much encouragement and inspiration happens within the groups every day. Service members and their families face a lot of unique challenges, and we believe feeling really at

home no matter where you are can have a big impact on overall happiness,” Smith says.

Whether you are a military family just settling into a new home or want to refresh a space, White Walls is available for home décor inspiration, idea exchanges and images to help members realize what’s possible within the walls of military housing.

M.J. Hyten combines several textural elements here, including antlers, leather chairs, plants and rug to revolutionize a basic dining room into this incredible space.

1.5" thick.

“I focus on keeping it neutral, adding texture and plants. I don’t try to find a “style”, more just finding things I love and keeping it minimal,” Shawna Fields explains.

Should you identify

yourself as a military spouse?

By Jessica Evans

Military spouses face a litany of challenges that come with being part of one of the most transient population groups in the United States.

One of the tests is whether or not to tell a potential employer about the eventual move to another installation. Because of this, military spouses routinely face employment discrimination that often goes unreported and unchallenged.

The soft skills spouses possess — being able to deal with onthe-fly schedule changes, having a keen attention to detail and maintaining clear visions of the future — coupled with their own employment histories and professional experiences, should make military spouses ideal job applicants in any industry.

In fact, a recent Hiring Our Heroes

survey reports that on average, 50% of all military spouses have some college education, many of whom have post-graduate degrees.

Yet sharing the active duty status of a spouse with a potential employer often has negative ramifications. When employers use this potential move as a reason not to hire a military spouse, they exhibit a pattern of routine discrimination.

Tori Tweed has been with her Navy petty officer first class husband for 10 years. During that time, Tweed has sought employment on base at two different installations but has had difficulty getting an interview.

For Tweed, the stigma feels very real. She’s learned to refrain from mentioning that her husband is military, especially when she’s interviewing with a civilian company.

“I have been passed over for a handful of serious jobs in upper management at large companies because I will eventually be moving and they are looking for someone for the long term,” she said. “It has come to a point where I try to not mention my husband is military and that is why I am here until I can get a read or feeling for the company as to what their thoughts on military spouses are.”

Most recently, Tweed interviewed for a position at a local casino near the naval base where she lives. The interview went well but she wasn’t offered the position.

“They said it came down to the fact that I could not say how long we would be at this port and they did not want to waste their time training someone who was going to leave,” she said.

Amely Castillo and her infantryman husband, Carlos, have been stationed in Germany for over a year. In that time, Amely hasn’t been able to find work, so she’s returned to school.

Training someone who might leave is the nature of business. In fact, it’s common for a person to job-hop every two or three years in the name of career advancement. If it’s permissible for civilian workers to spend five years or less in any given position, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in January 2018, military spouses shouldn’t be passed over under the guise of their eventual move.

Yet, the 2017 Blue Star Families “Military Families Lifestyle Survey” reports that military spouse unemployment is four times higher than the rest of the civilian workforce. Many spouses feel that the most demoralizing idea is that a service member’s career is somehow tied to the spouse who is seeking work.

As the daughter of a retired military policeman and now wife to an active duty soldier, Amely Castillo is no stranger to the military. After settling with her family in Fort Sill, Okla., Castillo earned an undergraduate degree and began pursuing a career in the education sector. Then she met her to-be husband and became married, all the while applying to positions which were relevant to her experience and education.

However, in an area flush with plenty of potential workers, Castillo never got a call back for an interview.

She’s certain that this is because she’s an Army wife, and thinks that the civilians who applied for the teaching positions were given

preference because they were “permanent” residents of Fort Sill.

She thinks the employment sector needs to view military spouses as independent workers who shouldn’t be discriminated against because of their spouse’s career.

“Give us work, and give it to us without so many limitations,” Castillo said. “I want an employer to look at me as a human, not just the spouse of an active duty soldier. The discrimination we experience is so real, and it’s unfortunate because all we want is to find a job.”

While there are companies which laud themselves as being “militaryfriendly,” this effort is less than a fraction of what’s needed to eradicate the stigma associated with being a military spouse seeking employment. Some large name businesses do recruit military spouses, but because the number of companies seeking employees versus the number of people seeking jobs is so different, the competition to

obtain employment is steep.

This means that even a basic secretarial or data entry job, for which many military spouses are overqualified, is going to be more difficult to get and will require multiple interviews. Just getting a callback for a job can be a huge boon, but then comes the inevitable drop.

This seems at odds with all civilian employment trends which indicate that most don’t stick around for the “long term.” In the ever changing face of business, and in one that is more mobile and more fluid, it seems remiss that so many civilian employers are missing out on the dynamic and versatile force that are military spouses.

Tori Tweed and her active duty Navy husband, Benjamin, have been together for 10 years. Tori has experienced many challenges trying to find work as a military spouse.

“Give us work, and give it to us without so many limitations.”

Military family museum gives a voice to the home front

By Kimberli Roth

The lives of military families are no longer just a side exhibit in museums, or at least not at one museum located near Albuquerque, N.M.

The Museum of the American Military Family and Learning Center, a nonprofit corporation that opened in 2011, focuses specifically on showcasing the lives of military families.

“It was 2011 and I was waiting to hear word from my son in Iraq,” said Dr. Circe Olsen, director of the Museum of the American Military Family and Learning Center. “And I thought to myself: Around the world at this very moment there are moms and dads, spouses and children, worrying about their loved ones at war, and I wonder if there is a museum. I wonder if there is anything for us telling our history. We have generations of people doing this.”

Olsen took her idea, combined it with her own experience as a military child, spouse and mother, and brought the military family experience into public eye.

Over the next eight years she and a handful of volunteers created a home to thousands of artifacts ranging from

priceless military family heirlooms, historically significant documents, handwritten correspondence to recorded interviews. Such donations trickle in from American military families around the globe. They now fill room after room of glass cases and exhibits.

The museum is tucked into a modern house turned museum space in Tijeras, N.M. Many visitors, even those familiar with military culture, may find the experience eye opening.

Upon arrival, volunteer staff welcomes visitors into the living room of its immersive collection of artifacts. People will see the recognizable occurrence of a uniform sitting on an ironing board and a kitchen not unlike one found in older military housing. Cupboards and drawers are open to display squadron mugs and military spouse cookbooks, all collected from lifetimes of Permanent Change of Station moves.

Ultimately, the museum shares

the experiences and thought processes of military children and spouses while their service member is deployed. It brings to light the adjustments, sacrifices and innovations families made to sustain the home front, which often remains in the background.

Exhibits touch on topics significant and unique to military family life; PCS moves, military schools, times of reintegration, times of loss and even the high rates of veteran addiction that families often deal with.

There are military museums out there that have a wing or exhibit that give a nod to the active duty military spouses, but none are as dedicated to preserving and sharing the lessons, stories and memories of war through the lens of the military family.

“I think if you’re going to study history, it’s important to see it from all sides,” Olsen said. “I would like to share that history through the lens of the people living it.”

There is a collection of priceless and historic artifacts from around the world patched together to tell the collective narrative of the military family, including a green beret donated by a proud daughter, stacks of letters from World War I and a rare tiger skin brought back from Vietnam.

When discussing the project’s future, Olsen said that the longevity and growth of the museum depends on volunteers, donations and grants. Expansion is also in the future, and in May the museum unveiled another exhibit and community space. Additionally, the museum is an Albert B. Corey Award winning site with an extensive special collections library.

One can learn more about the military family focused museum by visiting it at https://militaryfamilymuseum.org.

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Military members shine on obstacle course shows

By Crystal Kupper

Senior Airman Tyler Lucas stared at his hand. Wrestler, actor and host Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson had just shaken it while welcoming him onto the set of NBC’s hit show “The Titan Games,” where competitors race each other in intense physical challenges.

Premiering in January 2019, “The Titan Games” attracted almost 100,000 applicants but only accepted 64, including seven current and former military members. With muscled physiques and military-inspired attitudes, Lucas and his brother were among that lucky seven.

Lucas jokingly sniffed his hand once Johnson left. “I’m never washing this hand again!” he announced. It was only then that he noticed cameras; they had captured the whole scene.

Thankfully, his hero worship never aired — but millions saw the 26-year-old computer analyst advance to the season finale, winning three events along the way.

“The military is ever-changing, so you have to constantly be open to change,” Lucas explained. “That’s exactly what this show was about: seeing how composed you are when faced with new challenges.

Blind courage

Indeed, a significant portion of competitors on current obstacle course shows — like “The Titan Games,” NBC’s “American Ninja Warrior” and Netflix’s “Ultimate Beastmaster” — have had military backgrounds, reminding civilians that composure amidst challenges is normal for the nation’s armed forces.

Even when competing with nearly no preparation, as Air Force 1st Lt. Luke Russell did for “Ultimate Beastmaster” in Season 2.

The Palm Coast, Fla., native had auditioned for ANW but was asked to apply for Beastmaster’s sophomore season. Since the debut hadn’t aired, and producers were staying mum about the show’s obstacles, Russell had no idea what to expect.

“My main focus was not to make a fool of myself,” the 31 year old admitted.

Since obstacle-dedicated gyms are relatively sparse, Russell had to get creative as he jumped, swung, climbed and balanced his way across each obstacle. With names like Faceplant, Dreadmills and Digestive Track, the Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., physician assistant faced competitors from six nations racing through the beast-shaped course, trying to steer clear of the blood-red water below.

Remarkably, Russell advanced through his episode’s first three levels before finishing in fourth. Since then, he has also course-tested for ANW and won multiple Alpha Warrior — a military-affiliated obstacle course — competitions.

But first, “Ultimate Beastmaster” was the perfect chance to demonstrate how an American service member competes.

“[Beastmaster] is an opportunity to be a good sportsman and conduct yourself with class,” Russell said. “If you compete well and, more importantly, carry yourself well, you can do a lot of good for how the public views the military.”

Senior Airman Kyle Lucas

Air Force 1st Lt. Luke Russell competed in “Ultimate Beastmaster” with little preparation.

Girl power

Whether it’s the public or fellow soldiers, U.S. Army Capt. Jeri D’Aurelio knows what she wants people to see when they watch her: strength.

As a popular female ninja on ANW, D’Aurelio has qualified for the show’s national finals twice. Additionally, she’s one of the few women to compete on its sister show “ANW: Ninja Vs. Ninja,”

where her team finished in the top eight in 2018.

“[Ninja] has made me stronger than most of the guys I work with, and that gets you respect in the Army,” she said. “It gives a good first impression, and then it’s up to me to keep that reputation with my work.” She is an Army JAG stationed at Fort Carson, Colo.

D’Aurelio was a Texas gymnast before turning to ninja after law school. “I never grew out of the love for climbing and swinging on things,” she laughed.

ANW gives her a chance to do just that in front of millions, sometimes with only a month or less of training.

“I seem to always be coming straight out of the field to compete and just keep lucking out,” she said. This upcoming season will be no

different; if everything goes to plan, D’Aurelio will barely return from her current deployment to compete on Season 11.

No matter. “I think my training for ninja helps me in my military career,” she said. “And I like to prove my worth in each.”

Band of brothers

Staff Sgt. Kyle Lucas proved his worth alongside little brother and fellow airman Tyler Lucas on “The Titan Games.” Though the former Penn State football player lost his only event, Kyle saw the value in his military service on such a visible platform.

“You’ve got guys who deploy and do tough jobs; these shows are a chance to show their skills,” he said. “It helps people see that we’re more than just a uniform.”

Indeed, Kyle, age 28, showed exactly that to more than four million fans when he openly cried after missing the chance to compete against Tyler.

“I think that was kind of a shock for

[Tyler],” the crew chief explained. “Being brothers, we don’t really express our emotions too much.”

But given how far apart their assignments are — Kyle in Colorado and Tyler in Germany — the siblings weren’t sure when they would see each other again. Thankfully, the duo got three weeks together in California, cementing their bond as brothers, athletes and military members.

“A lot of people said, ‘We’re so proud of you; you really represented us well; you made the Air Force look good,” Kyle said. “Even though I took an L, I still made retired and current airmen proud of how I

represented our service.”

That’s a sentiment fitting for all military members muscling their way through TV’s biggest obstacles and into America’s hearts.

Army Capt. Jeri D’Aurelio.

D’ Aurelio is an Army JAG stationed at Fort Carson, Colo.

The Lucas brothers were among seven current and former military members chosen to compete on “The Titan Games.”

deployment? Are you financially ready for

By Carlos Perez

If you are like most service members preparing for deployment, you are probably spending a significant amount of time ensuring you have the right training and equipment for your mission. However, it is equally important that you prepare your family for the deployment, which includes getting finances ready. While this may seem daunting, focusing on some basic areas will leave your spouse and children on sound financial footing while you’re away.

Your budget – the cornerstone to success. One of the basic building blocks for financial security is your budget. Pre-deployment is an excellent time to develop or review your budget. Start with the basics: sources of funds, uses of funds, assets on hand and obligations. Determine how you will use your income to meet your obligations. If there’s a mismatch, review how you are using your funds and assets to

see what adjustments can be made to address shortfalls.

Deployments often provide a savings opportunity because you may be able to suspend some services, such as telephone and cable while you’re deployed. People often incorrectly view the budget only through the lens of tracking spending, which misses the key purpose of budgeting:

you should actively manage your scarce resources and not fall prey to happenstance spending. Your budget provides the path for meeting obligations and achieving financial goals.

Special and incentive pay. You may earn a variety of special and incentive pays while you are deployed. According to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, there are more than 60 types of special and incentive pays. Importantly, these are often tax advantaged. For this reason, it is important for you to determine which apply to your circumstances. Some of the more common ones include: Hardship Duty Pay, Hazardous Duty Pay and Imminent Danger Pay. You may also qualify for Family Separation Allowance .

A good place to begin your research is with your local finance office. The DFAS Special and Incentives Pay Web Site can also be useful. The purpose is to know what you are entitled to and then be sure that you receive it. In addition, you should factor these into your budget for as long as they apply. They can help you build an emergency fund, pay down debt or help you fund long-term financial goals, like retirement or a child’s education.

Consider the Savings Deposit Program (SDP). The Department of Defense established the SDP as a way to provide service members in designated combat zones the opportunity to build their savings. Under the SDP, a deployed service member meeting specific criteria can deposit up to $10,000 and earn 10% interest annually. This is an exceptional rate of return for a very safe investment. For more information on the program, see the DFAS SBP page .

Review account authorizations. Depending on the deployment location, you may not have easy access to your financial accounts. Before you deploy, consider identifying a trusted person – a spouse or parent, for example, and granting them access to your accounts in case you need to conduct a transaction but don’t have access. Financial companies have different requirements and forms so check with yours, you may even be able to tailor the amount of access to suit your needs. You can limit it to viewing account balances, grant full privileges, or something in between.

Review your protection plans. Another important building block of financial security is protecting assets. This includes having the right amount of homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, auto insurance and life insurance. Regarding the latter, service members often assume that SGLI is enough to meet their needs. However, if you have a family, the reality is that you may be underinsured if you own a home and have children that you want to put through college. If you need to supplement your SGLI, consider term policies from a reputable company.

Identify, gather and safely store important documents. If anything were to happen to you during deployment, your survivors would need access to some basic documents to receive any benefits earned through your service. These include marriage or divorce documents, birth certificates, legal documents (wills, powers of attorney, trusts, estate plans), Social Security numbers for your spouse or dependents, insurance policies, financial statements and account passwords. Gathering and safely storing these will greatly assist your loved ones should the need arise for them.

About the author

Carlos Perez is the Chief Operating Officer of AAFMAA, the longest-standing not-for-profit association empowering military families with affordable financial solutions.

A former Army colonel, Carlos joined the AAFMAA team after 26 years of active duty Army service, which included a variety of command and staff assignments; deployments to Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan; and teaching economics and national security at West Point and National Defense University. He holds a B.S. Degree in Economics from West Point and an MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

Preparing for the next deployment?

Power of Attorney

Inquire about if you need General or Specific

Provide copies to financial institutions ahead of time

Keep original documents in safe location

Update wills for the service member and spouse

Update life insurance plan

Complete a family care plan with the unit family readiness team

Update emergency contacts with schools, relevant institutions

Check expiration dates for military ID cards, driver’s licenses, vehicle registration, passports

Get a copy of deployment orders

Know where original copies are of: birth certificates, marriage license, home or vehicle loans, and other key paperwork

For more deployment resources, go to:

Here is a list of essential paperwork to gather ahead of time:

Mothers

postpartum

depression

By Tiffany Eve Lawrence

Postpartum depression is widely experienced but commonly kept quiet.

A mother spends months preparing her world for the life that she will bring into it. She can’t wait to hold her baby close and adoringly breathe in their existence. But for some moms, as days pass with their little one, they don’t adore that time.

They resent it. Then guilt overwhelms and sadness ensues. They question, “Why don’t I feel close to my baby?” The one she is supposed to love with every cell in her body, she instead wants to escape. Oftentimes, she says nothing.

Postpartum depression, also known as PPD, is the most common medical

complication of childbirth, according to Sage Therapeutics. It’s often mistaken as baby blues, which has milder symptoms that resolve within a few days. Medical professionals say one in four women who have baby blues go on to develop PPD. Symptoms can be severe and if left untreated, can last for years.

Daicia Jones has served in the Air Force for 12 years, and has been married for 16 years. She’s endured a hard road to becoming a mother of five children.

Gemma Blain is a military spouse of three years whose husband served for 21 years. She was the first of her friends to have a baby, and she added to the four children her husband already had. They now

have a blended family of six.

Before Jones gave birth, she experienced six miscarriages. She then found herself on her 10th pregnancy (fourth birth), and she said, “When he was taken out, I immediately sensed something was off.”

With her fourth baby came a lot of firsts, which included preeclampsia, having a cesarean section and postpartum depression.

“They gave the baby to me [after the cesarean], but I don’t remember half of it,” Jones recounted. “I wasn’t present, had no connection and there was a dark cloud that was constantly over me. I was distant and heavy.

“Prior to this, I didn’t believe in PPD. I thought those women were

are not alone in

Gemma Blain with her son.

Photo by Christine Bisquera Photography.

being extra emotional. I operated in my military coping mindset of push it under the rug and move forward. But I started having so many intrusive thoughts that are not my own. My fears were multiplied, and I didn’t want to do simple things, like touch doorknobs. I would make my kids wear masks to keep from getting sick. In my mind I wasn’t going to survive it.”

Jones said her husband was, “very supportive but he felt helpless.”

Her moment of realization came when she had to call him in to sit next to her while she breastfed, because she was afraid she would drop her son. Her fear had magnified.

The process was different for Blain. She suffered PPD with both of her births.

“My birth experience was traumatic. I had a cesarean after being induced because of low amniotic fluid and laboring for 24 hours,” she said. “While I was tending to my newborn son, I was in so much pain. When you watch the movies it’s butterflies and rainbows and you’re supposed to be this happy woman. I just wanted to get in my car and drive away.”

At first, Blain didn’t share her

feelings with her husband. She thought she was just stressed and would get over it. Since he already had four children and had seen the signs of baby blues he commented, “Oh no, are you getting depressed?”

Blain said, “He said it like it was something additional that we would have to deal with. But there wasn’t any information out about it when he had kids. It wasn’t normalized.”

As she sat on her couch, not cradling her baby but instead cradling her pain, she said she thought, “I just want to go back to not having a baby.” But she knew that wasn’t right and she needed help.

It was at her first postpartum checkup where she honestly answered her questionnaire and was flagged for the diagnosis.

Sage Therapeutics states that up to half of PPD cases may go undiagnosed and untreated. This is largely due to women fighting to “suck it up” and choosing to painfully press forward. But based on treatment practices by the Mayo Clinic, it has been proven that counseling and medication have benefited mothers during this process to better help them manage and get to the other side of their diagnosis.

Jones, choosing to openly share her diagnosis on Facebook, was overwhelmed with

responses from mothers she never knew felt the same way.

“Nobody ever said anything,” she said. Although military communities can be tight-knit, people’s challenges weren’t shared.

Both Jones and Blain started counseling. Jones attended a PPD and anxiety support group once a month where moms shared their symptoms and coping methods. Blain received private counseling and also joined a supportive Facebook group where she found comfort in knowing she wasn’t alone in her struggles.

From their experiences, Blain and Jones encourage other mothers to talk to someone and get help.

“Those intrusive thoughts are the hormones talking,” Blain said. “It’s not you. Help is a call away, so that you can get better and bond with your baby.”

They can also call 1-800-PPD-MOMS or connect with Military OneSource.

Daicia Jones holding one of her children. Submitted photo.

Gemma Blain with her newborn. Submitted photo.

Mothers who face depression are encouraged to speak with their healthcare provider representative.

Pet owners find support in times of need

By Jenn Bedard

Military pet owners preparing for deployment must make hard decisions regarding care for their animals while they are away. Presented with limited options, service members often find themselves with no choice but to surrender their pets to shelters.

The nonprofit organization, Dogs on Deployment , strives to alleviate this hardship and provide deploying military personnel with a better alternative.

The organization was founded in 2011 by Alisha and Shawn Johnson, two U.S. Marines, after they found themselves scrambling to make arrangements for their 8-year-old Australian Shepherd, JD.

Recently commissioned into the Marine Corps, Alisha Johnson was preparing for a six-month stint in Quantico, Va., while her husband was on a deployment. They researched numerous options, all of which were incredibly expensive or otherwise unsatisfactory. When a Virginia relative agreed to take care of JD, they were relieved and deeply grateful.

But the pair was troubled by the knowledge that the story might not end so well for other military members in the same position. Motivated by compassion and the desire to make a positive change, the Johnsons founded Dogs on

Deployment later that year, diving headfirst into an unfamiliar world of nonprofit management, business, marketing and communications. If Alisha Johnson could handle being a pilot and was tough enough to become a Marine, she believed she could also help solve such a unique problem.

At 23 years old, while in flight school and bolstered by the support of her family and her boundless determination, Alisha Johnson taught herself HTML and created her first website. She took that first step to creating a successful nonprofit and moving her vision from idea to reality.

In its first five years of operations, Dogs on Deployment helped 860 service members and provided $200,000 in aid to military pet owners in need of assistance.

The entirely-volunteer organization works to support military pet owners in a variety of ways. They aim to promote responsible pet ownership, advocate for military pet owner rights, provide financial support for emergency medical care and build partnerships with organizations to make pet-related resources more readily available. Active duty, Reservists, Guardsmen and honorably discharged military personnel are eligible for the services offered by Dogs on Deployment.

In her 2016 Clever Talk , Alisha Johnson emphasized, “The cost of doing nothing is so much greater than the cost of doing something.” The more than 30,000 volunteers who run the organization and provide care for service members’ pets might agree.

One of its volunteers is Kerri Batista of Rocklin, Ca. In October 2017, she and her family welcomed Lula, a 3-year old Goldendoodle into their home for seven months while Lula’s owner, Airman Elizabeth Welch, was deployed overseas.

The Batista family had lost a dog several months before and their remaining dog, Max, a 12-year old Black Labrador, was lonely. The family didn’t want to adopt a new dog, out of concern for Max’s advanced age, but they had room in their hearts and home for one more.

Batista has many ties to the military, including a grandfather, father and brother in the Air Force and a husband in the Navy. As a result, she is sensitive to military issues. She had read about Dogs on Deployment several years earlier and felt it might be a good time to get involved with the organization.

Since the nearest military installations, Beale and Travis Air Force bases, are located 30 and 60 minutes away from Batista’s home,

Lula gets love and affection from the Batista family during her time being fostered.

she was surprised when she received a match on the website. After some initial correspondence, Welch and Batista arranged a first meeting for Max and Lula. The dogs had an instantaneous bond and the families made arrangements for Lula’s temporary stay.

Throughout the deployment, Batista kept in frequent contact with Welch through texts, often sending pictures and videos. Lula became a part of the Batista family, as did Lula’s mom. They formed a lasting friendship that still continues today.

Allison Mercer, executive director for Dogs on Deployment, says she appreciates the relationshipbuilding potential of the organization.

“This is a great way for service members to meet civilians that they might not otherwise meet,” she said. “It’s so cool to see how relationships are born from this organization.”

Dogs on Deployment also provides a way for civilians to be in service to military people.

“While many of the volunteers are active duty, reservist or retired military, others are not. This is how they give back,” Mercer said.

Welch expressed gratitude for her own experiences with the nonprofit.

“I’m still so thankful for [the Batista family] taking [Lula],” she said. “What an amazing experience.”

Batista adds that if she had the opportunity to foster again for another family, she would if the right match arises for aging Max that has developed a knee injury and needs to be surrounded by good influences.

“Everyone asks about whether it was hard for us to give Lula back at the end of the deployment and it really wasn’t,” Batista said. “She was going home to her mom. She was where she belonged.”

To learn more about how to contribute to or utilize Dogs on Deployment, visit its website at https://www.dogsondeployment.org/.

When you’re stationed in paradise — and the military makes you leave

By Amy Pottinger

Lazy beach days, daily outdoor adventures and vibrant scenery to take in. Air Force families find themselves with a pretty sweet gig when they get orders to a duty station like Hawaii. Truth be told – and not to rub it in – it is like living in vacation mode all year long.

But, with as many things that are unpredictable about military life, there is one guaranteed characteristic: eventually everyone has to move on, even when stationed in paradise. As a selfprofessed culinary chameleon, I became acquainted with island life one ingredient at a time, so as our family gets ready to head to Texas I am reflecting on the sights and smells and tastes of being here.

I write this with bittersweet words. During my time here, life changed in a big way as I got to compete on Food Network Star – twice. The experience on reality television allowed me to introduce viewers to the not-so-balanced world of being a military spouse with culinary talent.

And I’m not going to lie, I know this island life isn’t for everyone, but it was for me. Not just because of the perpetually beautiful weather, but I fell in love with the culture,

the food and of course the awesome women I am lucky enough to call friends on this assignment. I could not think of a better way to say farewell to it all then by passing on my authentic love of the place along with some of my favorite recipes.

The food culture here is one of pride. You can find local produce in every marketplace, to include the commissary. The people here have a deep satisfaction in their way of

life and the work ethic, with a bit of island-time mentality woven in.

The dishes in Hawaii are curated around a farm-to-table attitude, even before it was trendy. And one of my favorites is that it is a melting pot of so many of the Asian food influences: Thai, Vietnamese, Filipino, Japanese, etc. Although I have multiple Hawaiian-inspired recipes on my blog, Caviar and Crayons , I gift you with two easy to recreate classics.

Poke was pretty much invented in Hawaii. It is light, fresh and tastes like tropical summer vibes. It may look fancy, but it truly is a simple dish that is highly customizable.

RECIPE FOR SPICY AHI POKE

Toppings:

Cucumber (I like to julienne English cucumbers)

Avocado

Mango

Shredded Carrots

Edamame

Dehydrated seaweed

Pickled ginger

Asian pickled vegetables

Sprouts

Soy Sauce

Sambal

Sriracha

Cilantro

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 lbs sashimi grade ahi

• 1/2 tsp soy sauce

• 1/2 tsp rice wine vinegar

• 1/2 tsp sesame oil

• .15 lbs tobiko

• 2 tbsp Japanese mayonnaise (or regular)

• 2 tbsp sriracha

• 2-3 tbsp diced scallions

• 1 tsp chopped cilantro leaves

• 1/2 tsp grated ginger

• 1/2 tsp lime juice

• 1/2 tsp sesame seeds

DIRECTIONS

1. Carefully slice the ahi into ¼ to ½ inch cubes.

2. Marinate in a mixture of soy sauce, rice wine vinegar and sesame oil, setting it aside for 1020 minutes.

3. In a separate bowl, mix together sriracha, scallions, grated ginger, cilantro and lime juice.

4. Combine the spicy mayonnaise mixture with the ahi and top with sesame seeds.

OTHER COMPONENTS

For a base:

Sushi rice (short grain rice with rice wine vinegar, salt and sugar mixed in)

Cauliflower “rice”

Seaweed salad

Shredded cabbage

Other greens

Sesame seeds

Scallions

Pickled onions

Won-ton strips

RECIPE FOR DOLE WHIP

• 3/4 cups milk/cream (I used heavy whipping cream, it was legit. But you can also use canned coconut milk. The heavy whip will have more of a creamy and pure pineapple flavor. Naturally, the coconut will leave you with a Pina Colada feel. The texture will be the same with either choice.)

• 1 tbsp vanilla, optional

• 1 tbsp white sugar, optional

• Waffle cone, optional

• Pineapple topping, optional

EQUIPMENT: Vitamix  (or another powerful blender)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Add pineapple chunks and milk/ cream of choice to the  blender. Continue to blend until smooth, using the tamper to help get everything down to the blade.  All other steps are optional.

2. Add vanilla and sugar; continue to blend. I add both, but you will find plenty of recipes that do not.

Serve in a waffle cone, bowl or cup.

Some of you may know this tasty dessert from Disney, not from Hawaii, but guess what? The Dole Plantation is located in Hawaii with a pineapple train, a giant pineapple maze and Dole Whip. This summer dessert is simple and even tastier than it is easy.

INGREDIENTS

Serves 4-6 (feel free to freeze and reserve)

• 4 cups frozen pineapple chunks

(If you can get your hands on fresh Hawaiian pineapple, dice and freeze it, awesome. If not, already frozen pineapple will do the trick.)

BE PRESENT YOU ARE WHERE

By Campbell Miller

First, I would like to say that I am truly honored to be able to share a part of my story with you. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I am beyond blessed to have it.

Because I am a part of a military family, I have had the opportunity to see various parts of the world and live in different cultures. I would like to share with you specifically about my four years of high school. During these years, I have moved two times and have been to three different high schools across the country. Many people looking from the outside in ask me how I do it and seem to be amazed with my answer.

I was born and raised in Birmingham, Ala. All of my family and lifelong friends are there, along with the first high school that I attended. I attended Vestavia Hills High School for the beginning of my freshman year before moving to Maryland in early spring. This was my first move ever, which did not make it any easier. It took a while before I got the hang of bigger city living, like D.C., and for me to feel like I was beginning to fit in.

As time passed by, I found new friends in a totally new place and began to fall in LOVE with the Maryland shores and fresh crabs! I was introduced to private, Christian education and the loving attitude that came with it. I had so many

great opportunities to play sports and be involved in ways I never thought I would, or that I would not have had if we stayed in Alabama.

Allison Miller (mom), Mattie (17), Cal (14), and Campbell.

Campbell was treated to weeklong activities in Washington, D.C., as part of the honor of being named a Military Child of the Year.

I was also given a mentor at my new school, whom especially took interest in my life and my story. Together we would talk about life, people, drama and, well, whatever was going on. The best part was the prayer. We spent a lot of time together praying for life. When my family and I found out that we were moving to Central Ohio, it was especially hard to leave because of what I had been a part of for the last two years.

Once my family moved and got settled in Ohio, I began to realize the impact that I had on my last school and began looking for ways to do the same again here. I quickly met new friends and saw different areas in school where I could help.

Throughout the 17 months that I have been in Ohio, I have seen many positive changes take place at my now third high school and have had the opportunity to be a part of them. I now see the school as a better place than when I got here. I learned to never underestimate the impact we can have on those we meet and new situations we are put in.

I would like to leave a word of encouragement for other military kids, something that I have learned during my time in high school: Be present where you are.

No matter where you are, be present with the people you are with. Being present can lead to some of the best lifelong friendships and enjoyment of cultures you may have never had the opportunity to. Seek to find the good in every move, every situation, every person you meet. Realize that you are making a difference. Because of your experiences, you view life from a different lens.

Always remember that you are where you are for a reason, don’t lose sight of that.

Campbell Miller is Operation Homefront’s 2019 National Guard Military Child of the Year. The 17-year old high school student has been a member of the National Honor Society, captain for varsity baseball and cross country, and taken mission trips to Guatemala, Ireland and Uganda. More recently, he was able to accomplish becoming an Eagle Scout in the midst of relocating from Maryland to Ohio — an achievement he credits with coming from the willpower of being a military child.

DEPLOYMENT

was named as the most stressful aspect of military life.

Deployment is associated with:

2700 2011

military families were studied. Families were studied from study areas: marriage, family, psychological and behavioral health, child and teen well-being, and military integration.

to 2015

Spouses reported more children difficulties with military kids from ages 11 or younger.

Recommendations based on the study findings include providing increased support at the time of return and reintegration; addressing issues with service members at the stage of military transition to avoid homelessness, substance abuse, increased morbidity and unemployment; encouraging communication among family members; and focusing on the relationship of the military member, spouse and teen children.

* Information obtained from findings of the RAND Deployment Life Study.