Unpublished Paper
Army fathers are consistently confronting and overcoming unique socio-cultural obstacles involving their paternal role. Due to the dynamic military culture in which Army fathers live, they could serve as powerful examples of resilience for all fathers in diverse communities. Transitions in the work environment such as frequent deployments, relocations, and other related stressors often create competing priorities for Army fathers. The enormous sacrifices, challenges, and demands that these dads face are often juxtaposed with the benefits, rewards, and honors involved with serving one’s…
Training Materials, Other, Fact Sheet
Sesame Street for Military Families is a free, bilingual (English and Spanish) website where families can find information and multimedia resources on the topics of military deployments, multiple deployments, homecomings, injuries, grief, and self-expression. (Author abstract)
Unpublished Paper
There are approximately 1.8 million U.S. children with at least one parent in the military (Department of Defense, 2010). Maintaining an all-volunteer military force has led to an increase in older, career military members that are more likely to have children (RAND, 2010). Due to extended military commitments and recent deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, the need to understand the impact of deployment and military work commitments on children and family relationships has come to the forefront. While a number of studies have explored the influence of deployment and a military lifestyle on…
This tip sheet summarizes what is known about the couple relationships of service members after deployment and recommends ways in which safety-net service providers can offer support to them in maintaining successful couple relationships. (Author abstract)
Part of a series of fact sheets that discuss how and why the child support program provides innovative services to families across six interrelated areas to assure that parents have the tools and resources they need to support their children and be positively involved in raising them, this fact sheet focuses on how the child support program and military and veterans organizations can work together to help parents who serve our country meet their responsibilities to their children and be the parents they want to be. (Author abstract modified)
Fact Sheet, Brief
Reports the results of a longitudinal study of youth from military families and their caregivers concerning their emotional well-being and how well they are coping with servicemembers' extended deployments. (Author abstract)
Retreats allow couples to spend time together and have fun away from the structure and constraints of formal military life. Such retreats allow the couple to learn and practice relationship skills without distractions and in a more intimate setting. Additionally, retreats often provide coaching specific to the needs of each couple, which can be very beneficial to military couples experiencing unique challenges. This Tip Sheet will provide civilian community-based organizations some suggestions about providing MRE retreats to military couples. (Author abstract)
Family priorities often must come second to military orders. When one spouse returns from deployment and begins the homecoming process, the couple may feel as if they are on an emotional rollercoaster. They may experience intense anticipation, anxiety, restlessness, impatience, and excitement. It is also typical to feel resentment, disappointment, frustration, and grief over losses of freedom or independence. It may take the couple several months to find a healthy balance in their relationship again after the deployment. Furthermore, it is common for military couples to deal with Post-…
Welcome home from your military deployment! For the next few months, you may feel as if you are on an emotional rollercoaster, full of both excitement and anxiety. You may also experience feelings of resentment, disappointment, and frustration. Don't worry--this emotional cycle is normal. The most important thing to keep in mind is that getting back into a positive routine with your spouse will take time. Things won't be like they were before the deployment--you both have grown and changed as a result of this challenge--but you can be an even stronger couple.After a deployment, it is common…
This fact sheet reviews marital statistics for members of the Reserve Component of the U.S. Armed Forces which is comprised of both the National Guard and the Reserves. It discusses the unique challenges facing military couples and then reports that the marriage rates for Reserve and National Guard members are similar to rates for civilians, with 48% currently married; officers are more likely to be married than enlisted members; the proportion of Reserve Component members who are married has gradually decreased since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001; females are less likely to be…
