Today's military families are resilient, but the effects of being at war for more than 10 years have created new challenges. Our military families have and continue to endure things like multiple deployments; coping with a loved ones' visible and invisible wounds, and many are struggling with the grief accompanying the injury or loss of a family member. According to a survey conducted by Blue Star Families, there are five key areas of concern: 1. pay/benefits ; 2. the effects of deployment on children; 3. general operational tempo (deployments); 4. military spouse employment; and 5. issues surrounding Post Traumatic Stress (PTS), combat stress, and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). As an organization, the USO stands ready to lift the spirits of America's troops and their families with valuable services, programs and activities aimed at addressing many of these key issues.
The Facts:
1. The military family has had to be resilient due to factors like multiple deployments, moves, career and school changes. On average, families move 6 to 8 times during the course of the service members' career which effects children, employment and can take a toll financially on the family.
2. Military families are strong. Due to state-of- the -art technology and medicine, the survival rate for injured service members, even with devastating injuries, is the highest it has ever been. Family members have had to grow and mature to the change in their schedule, physical environment and the added roles and responsibilities.
3. Military families are passionate about their service and sacrifice. Many service members have and will miss important family events like holidays, birthdays, graduations and even the birth of a child and for some, time away from family is more than time spent with family.
4. During a USO-Metro needs assessment, 65% of those surveyed would like to have the opportunity to participate in more family activities and have those activities occur more frequently.
5. Also, 55% would like to see an increase in programs offered that address financial, marital, teen, child, spouse, employment, fitness/nutrition and pre- and post- deployment issues. The need for more of these programs and services is especially great when a service member returns home from war.
6. Deployments account for half the total time service members have spent away from their families since September 11, 2001 while trainings and TDY's are also significant contributors to family separations.
Why is USO-Metro poised to make a difference here?
USO- Metro has continued to adapt to the needs of service members and their families. Programs, activities and services relieve stress and help families cope with the many changes in their lives, including multiple deployments, financial stress, and PCS moves. While there have been many changes in the military environment over the last 70+ years, the USO has remained constant in its ability to lift the spirits of those who serve and their families.
