Can Military Family Members Suffer From PTSD

I am one of those people that can handle any crisis that comes along. I am the person calling 911 while delegating everyone around me to ensure that the situation is under control. I do this without thinking and I do it well but once the crisis is over I am the first person to crumble. My husband’s deployment was no different. I helped start a non-profit group that assisted the troops and their families, I was involved in every possible fundraiser out there, I was the person that others called when they were scared; all the while holding it … Continue reading →

Families And Survivor’s Guilt

I remember when my husband’s unit left their home station on the first leg of their journey to Iraq; it was Halloween night, 2004. It seemed incredibly unfair to me that the children were running around the Armory in their Princess and Soldier costumes grabbing candy from dishes on the tables that sat on the drill floor instead of being out trick or treating with all the other children. I remember watching the bus pull out and seeing my husband turn around one last time to wave goodbye, I wondered if that would be the last time his boots would … Continue reading →

Introduction New Military Blogger

I just wanted to take a moment and introduce myself. I am so excited to be blogging for families.com on this topic and I can’t wait to get to know everyone here. A bit about me: My name is Trudy Marshall-Bowler and I am the wife of a Michigan National Guardsman. My husband spent 2005 in Iraq and I spent 2005 trying to find my way when I was thrust into the life of a “waiting wife”. I discovered many things in that year and also discovered that for some reason military family issues were often covered by people who … Continue reading →

What is a Key Volunteer?

I’m sure by now you are probably wondering what a Key Volunteer is. Am I right? I remember when I told my sister that I was taking a class on being a key volunteer, she had no clue what I meant but explaining it was easy. At least to me it was, which doesn’t mean she really knows what I do today. Okay first, I’ve been married to my Marine for the past 10 years but it wasn’t until two years ago that I decided to join the Key Volunteer Network. At first I just didn’t want to do it, … Continue reading →

Social Security Issues

In the military we are always writing down one social security number, the active duty one. Am I correct? Everything you ever sign needs his social, not yours, in fact I’d be surprised if you still knew yours after a few years. I’m always writing his number down for everything I do, I mean you write it down for the hospital, dental, anything done on the base…which includes all those fun contests they have. So why was it a surprise that I would ever get denied something so simple as my bank card. I knew I already had the money … Continue reading →

If I wasn’t a Military Spouse

I’m going to take a bit of a challenge today and write about…If I wasn’t a Military Spouse. The idea came from Spouse Buzz, this should add a bit of fun to all those out there and I’d love to see your list. If I wasn’t a Military Spouse…. I never would’ve been married with four children. Okay, technically I’m married with three children and one on the way. But honestly if we weren’t military I don’t think we would’ve allowed anything past one…maybe two at the most. If I wasn’t a Military Spouse…I never would’ve moved as much as … Continue reading →

Book List for Military Wives During the Holidays

Planning on getting a military book for a female that you may know? Here is our top 5 picks and a short review of each one. Books not only making great Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers but they are perfect to just give someone you know just getting in. Chicken Soup for the Military Wife’s Soul: Stories to Touch the Heart and Rekindle the Spirit (Chicken Soup for the Soul) by Jack Canfield Ever read a Chicken Soup book? If you have, you’ll know that they are compiled full of short stories, in this case they are short stories written … Continue reading →

Gifts for a Military Wife who’s Spouse is Deployed

Every year I hear the same question, “What can I get a military wife, who’s husband is deployed?” This year, I decided maybe I could make a list and hope for the best. With the holiday season on us, many are trying to find that perfect gift to give each other. The deployed spouse is normally always covered, however not always is the wife of the deployed spouse. Here is a list of 5 simple things you can actually do or get for her, without having to spend that much money. Remember, giving a gift always makes someone feel special. … Continue reading →

Childcare Available or Is it?

I’ve always heard that childcare in the military can be a nightmare. Why is that? No, the people aren’t bad, it’s just a popular place. Popular meaning, it is always booked up and hard to use when you really need it. This week I experienced this first hand. Have you ever tried signing up for the childcare service available on the base? If you have then chances are you’ve dealt with hearing they are all booked up. Don’t even attempt dropping them off at the drop in daycare because that too is booked. In the past I have needed to … Continue reading →

3 Reasons Why Women Leave the Military

The Defense Department Advisory Committee on Women in the Services wants to know why women are leaving the U.S. military during the window that occurs between their fifth and eighth years of service. As a woman who left after serving eight years in the United States Air Force, I’d like to shed a little light on this subject. Here are the three big reasons why women leave the military between five and eight years of service: 1. Initial enlistments are for four or six years and many soldiers need to extend a 4-year enlistment in order to take a stateside … Continue reading →