The Tough Conversations Military Families of Color Are Having
Active-duty service members of color are generally satisfied with the military itself, according to a new survey, but many reported lower levels of pay in the civilian workforce for spouses or fearing for safety in communities with a history of racism. Blue Star Families Racial Equity and Inclusion Initiative Director CT Moss shares the details and her story as a black woman veteran.
Read the report.
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The True Military Love Story Behind 'A Journal for Jordan' Film
"A Journal for Jordan" recently became a major motion picture directed by Denzel Washington, but it first was a memoir from author and Pulitzer Prize winner Dana Canedy. In this episode, Canedy talks about her love story with Army First Sgt. Charles Monroe King, who was killed in Iraq, and the journal he left behind for their infant son that inspired the movie.
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Episode 91: Helping Kids Cope With Military Life
The author of "I Move A Lot and That's Okay" shares the story of her military upbringing and the experiences that inspired her to write children's books specifically for military kids dealing with constant change.
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Episode 86: Why Military Teens ‘Are Not Okay’
Many military teens struggle with food insecurity and mental health. Yet a large percentage plan to one day don the uniform, a new study shows. Two high school seniors who helped lead the research speak about their tough experiences as military kids and how they're helping other teenagers.
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Episode 80: A Mom of 4 Service Members Reflects on 9/11
A military daughter, spouse and mom shares her memories of Sept. 11, 2001, and the ripple effects it's had on her family in the two decades since — including her own choice to teach in a war zone. Plus, some encouragement for military spouses struggling to process recent events in Afghanistan.
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Episode 79: Back to School in a Pandemic: What Military Families Should Know
Former Air Force physician and education expert Dr. Mario Ramirez offers a look at what kids will face as they head back to school this fall — from mask policies to changes in extracurricular activities and shifts in academic focus. Plus, what's known about the COVID-19 delta variant and how it’s affecting school-age kids.
Mentioned in this episode:
“Here Are the Names of the 13 U.S. Service Members Killed in Afghanistan Attack,” Marine Corps Times
“10 States Have School Mask Mandates While 8 Forbid Them,” Pew
“America’s Public Schools Are Not Ready for the COVID-19 Vaccination Debate,” The Hill
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Episode 75: Making It Illegal to Discriminate Against Military Spouses
Virginia has now made military families part of a protected class. Two military spouses who have experienced employment discrimination explain the significance of this law and what it could mean for military spouses everywhere.
This episode is sponsored by SpouseLink, a unique space created to help bridge the distance between family and friends that comes with military life. Learn more at SpouseLink.org.
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Episode 74: Meet the Military Spouse Who Moonlights as a Mermaid
Military spouse and entertainer Aj Smit uses her creativity to bring joy to people of all ages. In this episode, she shares a behind-the-scenes look at a day in the life of a professional mermaid and also her role in the Red Tent movement, creating safe discussion spaces for both military and civilian women wherever the Air Force takes her.
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BONUS: Community Building as a Military Spouse
Two Marine Corps spouses share their struggles of building community during military life and what's ultimately helped them make lasting friendships.
This episode is sponsored by SpouseLink, a unique space created to help bridge the distance between family and friends that comes with military life.
Episode 72: What a Dead Voting Bill Has to Do With Military Families
A landmark piece of voting legislation, the "For the People Act," didn't make it past the Senate. Yet a military spouse and advocate breaks down why military families should care that it didn't pass — and what's next for their voting rights.
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Episode 71: A Same-Sex Spouse's Perspective on Military Life
In 2018 Brian Alvarado was the first same-sex military spouse to receive the Navy Spouse of the Year Award. Now he's using his national platform — including an appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" — to advocate for military spouses and families. In this episode he also shares how the military's transformation since the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" era has shaped his family's service.
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Episode 70: Why Your Base Housing Rights Depend on Where You Live
Implementation of the Defense Department's Tenant Bill of Rights for military families in base housing has hit a few snags, even as more families sue the companies that manage these properties. A Stars and Stripes reporter provides the latest updates.
Articles mentioned in this episode include:
Former managers for privatized housing company plead guilty to fraud in doctoring maintenance records, Military Times
These 37 Army bases are providing all privatized housing tenant rights, Military Times
DOD delays final protections for military families in housing tenant bill of rights — again, Stars and Stripes
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Episode 69: Need a Job or Child Care? Military Families May Be Getting Help
Help may be on the way for military spouses struggling to find employment or pay for child care, as Congress weighs multiple bills that would impact military families financially.
To make your voice heard on the legislation discussed in this episode, contact your elected officials through the Military Officers Association of America via the MOAA Take Action Center or share your story with the National Military Family Association.
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Episode 67: Shannon Kent’s Gold Star Husband Shares Their Story
Gold Star husband and retired Green Beret Joe Kent reflects on the life of his late wife, who was killed on a special operations mission fighting ISIS in Syria. Joe is raising the couple's two young sons and shares how he's preserving Shannon Kent's legacy as a mother and a warrior.
Episode 65: A Spike in Cybercrimes Against Military Families
A Gold Star spouse discovered her late husband's photo was being used in online romance scams. Now, she's part of a new campaign to educate about a rise in cybercrimes impacting service members, veterans and their families at disproportionate rates.
Follow the Cybercrime Support Network on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and visit FightCybercrime.org to learn more. Follow the Spouse Angle on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Episode 64: An Army Spouse on Afghanistan: It’s ‘Like a Member of My Family’
As U.S. troops prepare to leave Afghanistan, an Army spouse shares her perspective on a country she's come to know and love through her husband's many deployments and the toll the war there has taken on her life.
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