by Beth Anderle

Created on: February 16, 2009

One of the most important things we can do for the families of soldiers is to make sure that there are adequate family support systems in place. I firmly believe that this support needs to start within the unit itself!

Just as every unit has a chain of command, every unit should have a chain of concern. Unfortunately many times people assume this is only an officers' wives club" or an "enlisted wives coffee klatch." A well run chain of concern, however, is so much more. Meetings should include speakers on topics of great concern to young families:

how to get assistance, how to make sure legal affairs are in order, housing experts for both on-post and off-post housing, relationship counselors, etc.

As a retired military officer married to another Army vet, I've had experience on both sides. I have been the "first lady" of a company-sized unit as well as being a company commander myself. (Fortunately, not at the same time!) I learned a few things by trial and error as well as by listening and paying attention to the senior officers' wives and non-commissioned officers' wives - as well as by seeing the grace and good humor exhibited by the husband of my female battalion commander as he attended spouse support group meetings. One of the things I learned is that a good family support system within the unit can make the difference between a successful unit and an unimaginable disaster.

To make the chain of concern work the way it should, the unit commander's wife/husband or (designated representative if the commander's spouse is unable or unwilling to perform this task) must work closely with the top enlisted spouse in the command. For instance, an Army battalion commander's spouse must work closely with the Sergeant Major's spouse, the company commander's spouse with the first sergeant's spouse, platoon leader's spouse with platoon sergeant's spouse, etc. The primary purpose of this is to make sure that each soldier's family is contacted at least monthly. You cannot assume that every family that needs help will seek it out; some simply do not know how. That's where good family support networks coming in. The questions must be asked: Are you being cared for? Do you have enough food and money? Are there any problems I can help you resolve? It is also important to listen carefully to concerns and to learn to hear the unspoken concerns as well.

Chain of concern leaders must be careful to be trustworthy. No one wants to wonder if their problems will be the subject of conversation

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>