Military Families in Focus: New Initiatives Against Isolation and Hunger!

Military Families in Focus: New Initiatives Against Isolation and Hunger!

Who would have thought that the lives of military families are often full of challenges that go beyond the usual rigors of service? Kathy Roth-Douquet, wife of a Marine officer, founded the organization Blue Star Families to help such families in the community. Shaped by her own experiences, she often felt lonely and separated from her family and friends due to constant assignments and transfers. Many existing aid organizations offered inadequate support, mostly in the form of care packages that often did not meet the real needs of the affected families. Therefore, Roth-Douquet felt the need to create real contact and support for military families. According to a Bryn Mawr report, Blue Star Families recruited over 110,000 survey participants last year alone to understand the needs of these families and share the results with the Department of Defense.

A key aspect of the surveys was widespread food insecurity among military and veteran families. In recent years, these groups have experienced alarming rates of food deprivation. According to the Military Family Action Network (MFAN), one in five military families are now food insecure, and this trend does not extend to active duty; Among active soldiers it is even one in four. This is in stark contrast to the general U.S. population, where only one in eight households is affected. This situation is further exacerbated by the unique challenges military families face, including frequent relocation and spouse unemployment. The question here is: How can the community help support these families?

Together against food insecurity

MFAN has been actively committed to combating food insecurity in military families since 2017. Specific surveys, such as the Military Family Support Programming Survey, conducted every two years, continually document the extent of the problem. Last year, more than 15.6% of families of post-9/11 veterans reported food security challenges. The impact of COVID-19 further exacerbated the situation, causing the number of affected families to increase significantly. MFAN shows that the challenges these families face need to be taken into account.

To raise awareness and help families settle into their new communities, Blue Star Families created the Welcome Week program, based on Bryn Mawr's Lantern Night. This initiative allows new military members and their families to more quickly integrate into local communities. Susan Messina and Dara Picard support Roth-Douquet in the organization and are working to activate the next stage of development.

Changes in military operations

Current developments within the US Army itself are also exciting. A comprehensive revision of the Army Combat Fitness Test is imminent. The plan is to rename this format the Army Fitness Test, with some events, such as the controversial Standing Power Throw, being removed. This change is part of a larger plan to improve fitness standards for soldiers and establish gender-neutral benchmarks. According to a report from Military.com, all active-duty soldiers, reservists and National Guard members are scheduled to take the new test starting in June. This is a further step towards adapting to the real requirements of military service.

In summary, it takes more than just good intentions; it requires a collective effort to address the challenges military families face in their everyday lives. Organizations like Blue Star Families and MFAN's efforts are essential to creating fundamental improvement for those affected. The upcoming Army Fitness Test reflects the changes that are needed outside of the military. In a world where support for those defending our country is essential, it is hoped that these initiatives make a positive difference.