Military families are caught in a horrible situation ....

They are loyal to their country, and are painfully aware that anything they say which could possibly be interpreted as critical of the war will likely cause severe problems for their loved ones serving. However, many are very unhappy with Bush, the military leaders, and the conduct of this war.

Think about this for a minute. Many families have loved ones going on their 3rd and 4th tours of duty. Those children are being raised by one parent while the other is on duty in Iraq. The families left behind are suffering financially, and having problems getting healthcare.

They have been ultra-stressed with no public avenue to vent. The constant fear of death and injury to their loved ones.

We have lots of military families in North Carolina, who have sacrificed tremendously to serve their country. The people of North Carolina have a long tradition of supporting our military families since we have multiple military bases here.

Demcrats need to emphasize that we will recognize the service of the troops and their families, and we will see that they get the healthcare and support that they need. And that we will bring them home from this disasterous situation. It is the right thing to do. And we should never cede to the Republicans that they care more for the troops than we do.

It is very much like the present public opinion polls. The public is with us on ending this war.
If they could speak out publicly without repercussions, there would be a large number of military families that would agree with us that the war needs to be ended.

I am a military wife. Nothing I say does a thing to my husband. Doesn't matter that I've been to anti-war marches. Doesn't matter what I write to the editor. They can't and don't hold it against him. Besides, most would agree with what I say about Bush and the Iraq war.

... and further directed to refer questions to military pr officials.

I am glad there are some military families speaking out against this war, but they are few compared to number of those who share that same belief.

in the early days it could get interesting with on base housing, at least with the Navy

And some folks are warned severely by Public Affairs officers not to say a thing for OpSec, and they include griping about general issues such as supply chains that have been FUCKED UP from day one.

It truly depends on base, and base commander... and command

more active in opposing the war. How can such a claim be made if military families are often intimidated into silence?

who are careerists

Things change radically when you are dealing with draftees who don't give a shit about them silly regulations and many a times are NOT married

Oh and they do have a term in the military, gosh darn it, I forgot, Short Termers

There are a few who volunteered, mostly they found they are incompatible with military service and will get out at the first opportunity, but when you have a career soldier, marine, airman or what have you... it changes the outlook

Can't spell tonight :-)

The Replugs use the excuse that it hurts the troops. That is a lie

It would be my hope that we do not forget them, and do not let the Republicans foster the myth that they care more for the troops than the Democrats do.

It should be an issue all the Democratic Candidates for President should hit often.

as a militaryfamily, even if hubby retired in '02, trust me, we know who buttered our bread, and it was not the damn GOP.

many have figured this out...

I got that too, from the OP. Thanks!!!! :hug: Much appreciated!

it will be over....

God he was deployed on Sept 11, and lordly, lordly living on base in Senior Enlisted quarters it was weird to see some of these folks not know how to deal with their civilian Significant others... these days I am oh so happy I no longer live in that fishbowl

But I understand what you're saying. They get into base housing and then it's 'group think'!
That needs to change but how? :shrug: I think I'd be nervous in that situation too.
Especially when they know who my SO is and where they are! But on DU and other places,
I do speak out and I've gone to anti-war demonstrations and have been interviewed by the
FBI and photographed by ????? at the march. :shrug:

base housing is a fish bowl and it can be interesting, and "severe violations of the rules" can get you kicked out of quarters.

and All of us have spoken out. But it seems to fall on deaf ears in this state, Idaho.

Did you know that way, WAY back in the old days, they'd actually give your 'wife' a 'grade' on your fitness report? It wasn't a letter grade, it was nestled in the comments section.

Something along the lines of "Commander SoandSo's wife, "Bitsy," is a lovely and gracious entertainer, a superb cook, attractive and scintillating, and an asset at command functions where important dignitaries are present. Her fluency in French, Spanish, Italian and Arabic are especially helpful when hosting diplomatic functions. She's a favorite amongst the senior officer's wives..."

I shit you not. If there was no "wife" comment, it suggested to the Selection Board that the wife was a schlump. Maybe fat, maybe stupid. A lousy entertainer. Maybe had too many kids. I'm not making this stuff up. No comments were worse than lukewarm ones, and had potential to screw someone out of a promotion, all other things being pretty much equal.

Nowadays, at the upper ranks, that "spouse" thing is less important, but there's still a bit of informal chitchat about the strength of a "team" if there is one when deciding who to promote. If the President of the Board happens to know and like your spouse, it's helpful. Still. And if you have a spouse or kid who's always making waves, or getting arrested, or causing trouble, and that is known, it can impact your chances to move up the ladder negatively.

OK, all that said--at this point in time, with the pace and stress of this war, who really gives a damn what "they" think? What's more important, your spouse home, alive, in one piece, or that death benefit, the pension, and the Serviceman's Group Life Insurance policy?

Odds are, too, that a lot of the leadership who enabled this crap might find themselves putting in their retirement papers if/when we are blessed with a Democratic administration. Oh, happy day....if that day ever comes.

Trust me, it still does... and it is fully in display at service specific bowls

That is why wives of JOs and senior enlisted go out of their ways to LEAD Significant other groups, book clubs and other crap... as well as host the occasional dinner.

Since I knew tom was going to retire... we didn't care that much... but some of the wives, boy they were playing the game FULL MONTY...

But it was funny, when the command said, we need you guys to ahem support our support chain because well, ... tongue tied, you assholes it is broken... the ones who came through and organized it in such a way not to screw JO and junior enlisted budgets, well it was us, not really team players.

"wife" (and they were always "wife" comments way back when) remarks in the body of the fitrep/OER. It's a DOD instruction that says that's a NO GO. Applies to all Services.

As I said, if you know the spouse, and you know that the couple makes a "good team," it DOES get mentioned. It would be surprising, honestly, if you didn't hear more than a few comments along those lines in the tank at promotion boards.

And a strong spouse certainly can help along a fitrep/OER. Especially if they please the right master, or help out the command in a concrete fashion. It ain't right, but it is what it is. Conversely, a pain-in-the-ass kid of a servicemember, or a drunken, thieving spouse, who's always getting arrested, causing trouble, reflecting poorly on the command, can impact the career prospects of an otherwise squared away servicemember.

It happens...

by the way...

If we are both to be fair, it also happens in the civilian world... and why wifes of execs matter so much

They are not mentioned in performance reviews, but winks and nods go a long way

Military Families Speak Out

www.mfso.org

Welcome to DU! :hi:

you reenlisted to continue serving. Stop loss is only effecting a set number of us in uniform. I am preparing for my 3rd tour at the end of the year, I reenlisted last year...............

WINK

And stay safe

tax free is the way........combat zone bonus is the way so sayeth the lord of war............. :sarcasm:

But yeah I did it over there 2 weeks before redeployment stateside

that is all we care

After all some old vets are needed to keep the young stupid heroes alive

They'd have to be re-enlisting to go a 3d and 4th time.

Keep you're head down, you nut! :P

I would like someone to explain to me why any soldier or their family should have trouble getting the healthcare they need.

I do know that many have been waiting for many months to get their disability rating, even though they lost a limb or other obvious disabling injury. I wonder if the Walter Reed expose will change this.