News

Movin' on up!

Molly Blake — Mon, 20 May 2013 09:47:00 -0400

The Membership team is growing! We are proud to welcome two new United Health Care fellows to our BSF team, Jenny Felsen and Melissa Parent.

Jenny is currently stationed at Travis AFB with her husband and three boys. As a fellow she will not only be establishing a chapter at Travis, but she will also be the project manager for new member engagement.

Melissa comes to us from Colorado Springs where she lives with her husband and three boys (the Membership team could field a football team with all of our boys). Melissa will also be building a chapter in CO Springs with her key area of focus being overseas membership growth. Melissa has been stationed overseas in Japan twice giving her great insight to the unique needs and challenges that face overseas military families.

Nathalie O’Shea, our Ft. Huachuca Chapter Director, recently accepted a nomination as our second corporate fellow. As a BSF Corporate Fellow, Nathalie will be working closely with our Programs team to ensure that our Chapter Directors have the tools necessary to successfully bring our programs and resources to their local installations. Nathalie will also be mentoring all new Chapter Directors as they join the BSF team to assist them in building a proper foundation for their chapter.

We are currently looking for Chapter Directors in the following locations:

- Ft. Campbell

- Ft. Bliss

- Nellis Air Force Base

- All San Diego Area installations

- Hanscom Air Force Base

- Kirtland Air Force Base

- Barksdale Air Force Base

Those interested should please contact Laura Haltom at lhaltom@bluestarfam.org.

2013 Military Families Lifestyle Survey Results are in!

Molly Blake — Fri, 17 May 2013 06:23:00 -0400

The results of our 2013 Military Families Lifestyle Survey were released today and they paint an important picture about not only the concerns our military families but also the varied silver linings that so many find.

One of my favorite findings from the survey was this:

Respondents also reported positive aspects of their children’s experiences in military life: 73% of respondents noted the adaptability of their children, 68% saw an increase in independence, 67% reported an increase in resilience, and 59% reported an increased sense of pride.

I love the part about increase in independence and resilience and my two girls are living proof of that having done the whole moving and changing schools thing. We focus on the positives, look at pictures of our new city, cool parks and museums (shameless plug for Blue Star Museums here). Since we are moving to California this summer -- my girls have already found the "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives" restaurants they want to visit. Talk about a silver lining ... a yummy one!

Far more productive, I think, than the mothers parading their children in front of tv producers for a shot at a reality program. In fact there's a story in the NYT about parents in one particular state who are, desperate it seems, to shove their children into the underbelly of television - reality television. That time could be better spent doing something to better their own community - not even to benefit military families necessarily - but how about disadvantage folks in their hometown or elderly? That leads me to my next important part of this survey: the foreward. I am not the person who reads the camera or DVD instructions. I buy an appliance, plug it in and hope for the best. But the survey foreward, penned by Deanie Dempsey, is wonderful. She ends it by encouraging people to take the results and make a difference in their own community.

I think more people should read this survey and think about how many military families they know. Do you have a cousin who serves? Reach out to his spouse. Do you have a neighbor whose husband is in the National Guard or Reserves? Check in on them and see if their unit needs anything. Forget reality television. Forget stardom. Find the real deal right down the street and thank the Solider or Marine or Airman or Coastie for their service. Then hug that person's spouse and their kids. We all serve.

Blue Star Families Releases 2013 Military Family Lifestyle Survey

Stephanie Himel-Nelson — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:08:00 -0400

National Military Family Lifestyle Survey findings offer profound insight into the current concerns of military families and recommendations for policy, research, and partnership with the civilian community

Panel discussion with military experts and families discuss results and solutions, moderated by The New York Times’ James Dao.

Washington, D.C. (May 16, 2013)—Blue Star Families, a national non-profit organization supporting military families, today released the results of its 2013 Military Family Lifestyle Survey at an event cohosted by the Senate and Congressional Military Family Caucuses. Featuring a panel discussion between military experts and family members, moderated by James Dao of The New York Times, the event focused on issues of top concern to military families. The full survey report is available at www.bluestarfam.org/survey.

The fourth consecutive survey fielded by Blue Star Families, the 2013 Military Family Lifestyle Survey detailed the many challenges faced by military families after more than twelve years of continuous war. The key concerns identified include pay and benefits, changes to retirement, military spouse employment, the effects of deployment on the emotional well-being and development of military children, and military child education.

The 2013 Military Family Lifestyle Survey also uncovered valuable information on many important aspects of military family life, including relationships, suicide prevention, financial literacy, caregiving, communication, and public policy. The findings continued to indicate a distinct civilian-military cultural divide.[i] Eighty-eight percent of respondents disagreed with the statement, “The general public is aware of the impacts of military service on military families.” Ninety-two percent disagreed with the statement, “The general public truly understands the sacrifices made by service members and their families.”

Regarding stress and mental health, 23% of all respondents and 24% of spouse respondents reported posttraumatic stress (“PTS”) symptoms in their service member regardless of diagnosis. Comparatively, 19% of service members reported having a PTS diagnosis and 21% reported symptoms regardless of diagnosis. Of those who reported that they or their service member had exhibited symptoms of PTS, 57% reported not seeking treatment through a military provider and 50% cited “confidentiality/career concerns” as a reason for not seeking treatment at all.

Held at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, D.C., and attended by government, military and community leaders, the launch event featured a panel of experts on military family issues discussing the survey findings with military families and service members.

Joining Mr. Dao in the panel discussion were Colonel Anthony M. Henderson, USMC, Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Ms. Mary Winnefeld, spouse of Admiral James A. Winnefeld, Jr., Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; Dr. Mary M. Keller, President and CEO of the Military Child Education Coalition; Ms. Noreen O’Neil, Deputy Director of the Military Spouse Employment Program for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes Program; Staff Sergeant Jennifer Hunt, a noncommissioned officer in the Army Reserves; and Ms. Angie McDaniel, spouse of a Naval officer.

Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), co-chair of the Senate Military Family Caucus, said, “The strength of our military is inextricably linked to the strength of our military families. These families sacrifice so much for our country and we owe it to them to ensure they have the support, services and resources they need. This survey provides these families with a voice so that we can better meet their needs and address their concerns.”

“Military spouses and families endure so much on our behalf that many of us will never fully understand the scope of their sacrifice. Their selflessness and patriotism are an inspiration to all of us. I applaud the efforts of Blue Star Families and hope this survey can be helpful to our work here in Congress,” said Senator Richard Burr (R-NC).

“It is only with metrics that we can determine where we are and thus how to get where we need to be,” said Congressman Sanford Bishop (D-GA2). “Once again Blue Star Families has provided an excellent analysis of the critical issues that directly affect our military families. It is now our job in Congress to take this vital information and work with our colleagues to address these issues in order to assist the backbone of our armed forces, the military family.”

“When a service member joins the military, it’s not just a job; it’s a family commitment to our country,” said Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA5). “This year’s Blue Star Families Military Family Lifestyle survey will help us better understand the challenges that military families face every day, give us actionable data to meet their needs, and elevate our nation’s commitment in a way that makes our military families safer and stronger.”

As a follow up to the survey release, Facebook will host an online live panel on June 12, 2013, to discuss veteran and military spouse employment. In addition, USAA will host an online panel to discuss finance issues among military families that will air in mid-June. More details about both events will be available shortly.

Blue Star Families’ 2013 Military Family Lifestyle Survey was made possible with the support of many organizations and interested groups, including Blue Shield of California Foundation, Facebook, Care.com, Hunt Companies, Inc. and USAA.

###

About Blue Star Families

Blue Star Families is a national, nonprofit network of military families from all ranks and services, including guard and reserve, dedicated to supporting, connecting and empowering military families. Blue Star Families hosts a robust array of morale and empowerment programs, including Books on Bases, Blue Star Museums, Operation Honor Corp, Blue Star Careers and Operation Appreciation. Blue Star Families also works directly with the Department of Defense and senior members of local, State and Federal government to bring the most important military family issues to light. Working in concert with fellow nonprofits, community advocates, and public officials, Blue Star Families raises awareness of the challenges and strengths of military family life and works to make military life more sustainable. Our worldwide membership includes military spouses, children, parents, and friends, as well as service members, veterans and civilians.

To learn more about Blue Star Families, visit http://www.bluestarfam.org/. Join us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Media Contact:

Stephanie Himel-Nelson

Stephanie@BlueStarFam.org

703-472-6292

AnnaMaria White

AMWhite@BlueStarFam.org

619-500-3616

@white_am

Survey report and infographic available for download at http://bluestarfam.org/PressBox.

[i] Blue Star Families, Department of Research and Policy. 2012 Military Family Lifestyle Survey: Findings and Analysis. Washington, D.C. May 2012. Last accessed 13 April 2013 at www.bluestarfam.s3.amazonaws.com/42/65/a/1110/CompReport2012.pdf.

Guest Blog Post: Ed Hardy Shirts?

Emily Clark Munoz — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:30:03 -0400

Emily Clark Munoz is the Eastern Regional Associate for Hiring Our Heroes. Below is the first part in a series she’s written for veterans and military spouses helping them understand the importance of knowing how to dress for the workplace. Because she never, ever wants DoD to have an excuse to create a transition class module called Uniforms to You-niforms. Unless, of course, she is teaching it. And if she sees one more Ed Hardy shirt at a hiring fair, she’s going to lose it.

The scene is the kitchen of a modest house near Fort Bragg, NC. An Army captain walks in, dressed and ready for a date with his wife, who is (let’s face it) not ready to go.

But not only is she not ready, she’s completely unprepared for the fashion scenario that is unfolding in front of her. Her reaction is, of course, mature and helpful: she dissolves into fits of giggles, which, for the sake of her marriage, she tries to choke down. Our Hero (clearly not the wife) pauses, turning around to see just why his less-better half is making such odd gurgling sounds. Upon realizing they are the sounds of suppressed laughter – at his expense – he sighs and says, “It’s my clothes, isn’t it.”

Indeed. Read on>>>>>

Countdown to Blue Star Museums

Molly Blake — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:29:29 -0400

The Countdown is ON! That's right, one of my favorite programs is kicking off in just days! Blue Star Museums is a national partnership among Blue Star Families, the National Endowment for the Arts, and museums across the country. Leadership support has been provided by MetLife Foundation through Blue Star Families. Our kick off event is May 21 and then the program begins for all active duty and their families on Memorial Day!

Blue Star Museums first launched in the summer of 2010 as a way for museums to offer their appreciation to military families and enable them to enjoy the nation's cultural heritage. Currently, there are more than one million active duty military in the United States, and an estimated 900,000 children whose parents have served in multiple deployments. Blue Star Museums in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa took part in the initiative, including 627 new museums this year. Last summer's 1,882 participating museums are more than triple the 600 museums that launched Blue Star Museums in the summer of 2010.

"Blue Star Museums is a way for the arts community to say 'thank you' to our military families, and forge stronger connections as well," said NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman. "We are also grateful to the record-breaking number of museums that opened their doors to military families this summer."

"As we close a phenomenal third consecutive year of the Blue Star Museums program, we are again thrilled to provide an opportunity for our nation's service members and their families to connect with our national treasures," said Blue Star Families CEO Kathy Roth-Douquet. "Through this distinctive collaboration military families had an unparalleled opportunity to visit some of the country's finest museums for free. We look forward to a 2013 program that will build on the first three years of success."

National service organizations, including the American Association of Museums, the Association of Art Museum Directors, the Association of Children's Museums, the American Association of State and Local History, and the Association of Science-Technology Centers supported the recruitment effort to increase the number of Blue Star Museums.

Blue Star Museums represent not just fine arts museums, but also science museums, history museums, nature centers, and children's museums.

We're not the only ones getting excited. The National Museum of Health and Medicine has a cool Civil War Discovery Cart exhibit ready! And since they are a participating Blue Star Museum, it's free!

June 14, June 28, July 12, July 26, August 9 and August 23, 2013

1:00 -2:00 p.m.

Location: National Museum of Health and Medicine

2500 Linden Lane
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Take a closer look at Civil War medicine at a hands-on discovery cart featuring artifacts and specimens related to the care of soldiers during the Civil War. For more information, call 301-319-3303 or visit http://www.medicalmuseum.mil

Busy as a Bee: The Buzz on Military Spouse Appreciation Day

Alison Buckholtz — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:10:19 -0400

Alison Buckholtz writes a smart, fresh post about military spouse appreciation day, which happens to be today. Oh, she happens to be the most gifted writer and someone who I am so proud and honored to know. Her book, Standing By: The Making of an American Military Family in a Time of War" was re-released, this time in paperback this month. And you can win a signed copy of this classic resource for military spouses right here. CLICK here for details about the giveaway!

"Four years ago, in the spring of 2009, the Iraq War was at its height. American soldiers and sailors overseas made headlines every day, but military spouses –holding down the home front during an era of deployments that set records for length and frequency — were rarely heard from. But all of that was about to change."

To finish reading this must-read post, click here>>>>>>

Live Google Plus Chat with Mrs. Bonnie Amos

Blue Star Families — Fri, 10 May 2013 12:09:43 -0400

If you missed our incredible Google+ Hangout with Mrs. Bonnie Amos ... don't worry! We've posted the entire 30 minute discussion below.

The First Lady of the Marine Corps was joined by Alison Buckholtz, author of "Standing By: The Making of an American Military Family in a Time of War," and small business owner Tiffany Silverberg, plus Raleigh-Elizabeth Duttweiler and little ol me, Molly Blake.

We talked about military spouse employment, ways to make yourself stand out in a crowd of applicants, why you should be proud of your milspouse status and lots more. Our panelists, all successful in their own right (and really pregnant!), also shared some secrets to small business ownership, writing, maintaining a career and more.

Blue Star Families is SO thankful that our four panelists took time our of their busy days to chat with us. We hope we can do this again soon!

Do you have a question for the First Lady of the Corps?

Molly Blake — Thu, 09 May 2013 13:18:02 -0400

Mrs. Amos is a dynamite person -- I know this because I have had the pleasure of meeting the funny lady on many occasions, working with her and getting to know the mother, grandmother, and Marine Corps wife.

In a recent issue of Military Spouse Magazine, I wrote this about Mrs. Amos:

"Bonnie Amos is revered for her impeccable stye, grace and commitment to USMC families -- and perhaps most notably for her hugs. Her recipe is simple: engage, make eye contact and don't let go. When that sort of greeting comes from the wife of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, it resonates with meaning. Like the vapor train of a jet, her grip on your arms remains for just a bit afterwards as a reminder that she's there with you-in the trenches of USMC spouse-hood."

Mrs. Amos has had a very successful career and recently released a recommended reading list for military families. Besides that she travels to bases all over the world to speak with military families about their needs and hopes.

It's our hope that you join us for a google+ hangout on May 10, Military Spouse Appreciation Day. You can watch it live but be sure and submit a question on our google+ page. Click here! http://ow.ly/kNIni

We'll be joined by incredibly talented writer Alison Buckholtz, Tiffany Silverberg, a dear friend and fabulously successful small business owner and Raleigh-Elizabeth Duttweiler, a blogger and Phd. student.

What a super-charged group of women. Meet them tomorrow at NOON est.!

http://ow.ly/kNIni

Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day

Molly Blake — Wed, 08 May 2013 13:19:46 -0400

This photo is one of my favorites. It was taken at our change of command and I just love it. That was an incredibly special day for my husband and I -- besides the fact that General and Mrs. Amos attended our event along with General and Mrs. Conant, Sergeant Major Kent of the Marine Corps and his wife, my parents and other friends and family members -- it was a day that he had worked towards his entire career as an aviator.

I won't go into detail about why being the Commanding Officer of an operational AV-8B Harrier squadron was such an honor but I will say that for me -- being the COW (that's Commanding Officer's Wife) afforded me an opportunity to lead an astounding group of spouses and participate in our command team. I took that responsibility very seriously. My goal, all along, as the COW was to create an environment where the young spouses could support one another, bounce ideas off each other, and most importantly - meet people and form lifelong friendships.

We have met dear friends over the years and I think that's what being a military spouse is partly about -- building friendships. Some were temporary and some just weren't a good match but in the end, the women who I have met over the past nearly 20 years will be my friends for the rest of my life.

I hope on this day, you take a minute and call up a milspouse pal. Here's a novel idea: write an actual note to someone to tell them you are thinking o them. Reach out to a young spouse whose husband is deployed or off on some training mission and take her out to coffee or breakfast. Check in with a friend who you haven't talked to in a while ... don't take the easy way out and just write a facebook post -- do something special for a friend today.

Thank you to all the military spouses out there!

Blue Star Families Goes Red For Military Families

Darlene Christianson — Mon, 06 May 2013 14:25:14 -0400

Blue Star Families is excited to be collaborating with American Heart Association for our second year! We will be promoting to our military spouses and all women in their lives the message of healthy heart. It’s time for women to stand together in the fight for their lives.

WHY JOIN THE FIGHT?

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women – mothers, sisters, daughters, friends – and is more deadly than all forms of cancer combined.

Heart disease causes one in three women’s deaths each year, killing approximately one woman every minute.
An estimated 43 million women in the U.S. are affected by heart disease.
Ninety percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease.
Since 1984, more women than men have died each year from heart disease and the gap between men and women’s survival continues to widen.
While one in 31 American women dies from breast cancer each year, heart disease causes one in three deaths each year.

But the strength of mothers, sisters, daughters and friends fighting side by side is more powerful than any killer. For 10 years, women have been fighting heart disease individually and together as part of the Go Red For Women movement. They have proudly worn red, shared stories of survival and begun to understand the truth about women’s hearts and how heart disease can be prevented. More than 627,000 women’s lives have been saved, but the fight is far from over.

Now is the time to shout louder, stand stronger and demand change. It’s time to come together in a movement that is not just FOR women, but BY women. It’s time for women to Go Red!

Blue Star Families will be holding events across the country honoring our military spouses on May 10^th for Military Spouse Appreciation Day- During this time we will also be promoting this message of health.

ABOUT GO RED FOR WOMEN

The American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement has been impacting the health of women for 10 years. More than 627,000 women’s lives have been saved, but the fight is far from over. Now is the time to shout louder, stand stronger and demand change. It’s time to come together in a movement that is not just FOR women, but BY women. It’s time for women to Go Red. Visit GoRedForWomen.org for more information or call 1-888-MY-HEART