On June 24, the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee on Children and Families held a joint hearing on programs and policies for military families. Senators and witnesses agreed that family readiness was essential to an effective military, and that this was best achieved by providing excellent child care, youth programs, schools, and family counseling for military families at home and abroad. Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Chair of the Subcommittee on Personnel, noted, “The sacrifices made by military personnel and their families, the long and continuing separations they have endured, and the problems in their personal lives resulting from these realities of military duty must be understood and carefully evaluated…We must make every effort to respond in helpful ways.”
Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Personnel, noted the change in military families over the years. Sen. Nelson explained that the military has changed from mostly single men to a complex mix of married couples with either the husband or wife in the service, dual military couples, and single parents. “This demonstrates the wide variety of programs we need,” he said.
Education is a top priority, but academic instruction is only part of the picture. Dr. Joseph Tafoya of the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) noted that DoDEA’s programs “go beyond the basic educational needs of our students.” He cited the example of DoDEA schools creating “special age-appropriate activities” to “address questions and topics that are naturally on students’ minds” during combat time (Operation Iraqi Freedom). “Older students were able to study geography and historical aspects of the Middle East to develop a better understanding of the culture and history of the region. Younger students participated in craft activities that sent cards, cookies and other touches of back home to their parents and other deployed members of their community…Schools became a conduit for a variety of direct and indirect communication with deployed parents.”
Mr. John Molino, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy, highlighted new support programs for military families, including a 24/7 information service for Marines and their families, One Source. “From anywhere in the world,” Mr. Molino explained, “an active duty or reserve Marine or family member using toll-free telephones, email, or Internet can communicate with a professional counselor regarding myriad topics, including parenting and child care, educational services, elder care, relocation, health and wellness, and financial and legal information.
Joyce Wessel Raezer of the National Military Family Association, Inc. (NMFA) acknowledged successes in support for military families, but noted that serious concerns remain. “When spouses find themselves as the sole head of the family, the services available to assist them and their children are truly lifelines…NMFA requests adequate funding to ensure continuation both of the ‘bedrock’ family support programs and implementation of new initiatives.” She added, “Military members and their families look to you for continued support for that quality of life. Please don’t let them down.”
