By Eileen Garcia-Sanchez Your typical military household has one parent in the force with a spouse and children. But what about the other families, such as those with both parents in the force or one parent in the force and the other involved in another serious career? My family may seem to be the typical… Read full post
The U.S. military services have experienced some of the best recruiting and retention numbers in the past 13 years of war. They have also gained the exceptional expertise and training that has been invested to maintain and sustain an all-volunteer force that is ready, willing and able to defend our country. This ready force requires… Read full post
Did you read this headline? “Funding Rift Pits Active Army Against Reserves” How about this one? “Guard Fight Gets Ugly” These headlines were precipitated by remarks from Army Chief of Staff Ray Odierno at a recent National Press Club discussion on military budget cuts. During the event, he said “the National Guard would not be… Read full post
When I think about “platforms,” I can’t help but picture sequins, sashes, tiaras, and prayers for world peace. That’s not to say I would ever disparage those who do the pageant circuit; I was just never blessed with the genetics or predisposition to become involved in such things. So when I was asked for my platform… Read full post
A hot topic among military families these days has been the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 and its cuts to military retirees’ pensions through reductions to cost-of-living adjustments (COLA). COLAs are determined by the consumer price index based on the rate of inflation from the previous year. (For more information about COLAs and the difference… Read full post
At the 2013 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting and Exposition, Retired Army Colonel David Sutherland told an audience of military families: “The American people know what we are, but they don’t know us.” Col. Sutherland stressed to the AUSA attendees that our nation’s military and nonmilitary communities need to unite in… Read full post
