by Arthur Gibson

Created on: June 21, 2007   Last Updated: September 09, 2008

Yes, all too often the family members of our service men and women are forgotten. While not wearing the uniform of the military service, the spouse and children are serving just as much as the military member. Military service requires frequent moves to new locations, deployments of the military member away from family, and other trials seldom encountered by the civilian population. One must also remember that those serving in the military are serving us, the people of the United States.

Because all members of today's military are volunteers; these men and women have chosen to serve. In doing so they knowingly accept lower pay for their talents and skills than those in the civilian community. When was the last time you glanced at a military pay scale or checked the multitude of job skills used in today's military? While the military member has chosen this life style and so has the spouse; the children have little or no voice in the matter. I say the spouse has chosen this lifestyle because he or she should have some idea of military life before they married the serviceman or woman.

While military life does offer some advantages to the children, living in different location around the globe and experiencing different cultures. These locations are seldom found in popular tourist locations. This presents unique challenges for the children, particularly of career military personnel. Children of military families are frequently uprooted from friends and familiar schools and activities after 2 or 3 years. Often moving in the middle of the school year. Once at the new location they have to try to pick up the pieces and put their lives back together. If they are lucky, they may find someone they knew from a previous location. Try helping your child get on a sports team, cheer leading squad or other typical school activity in the middle of the year. Or explain to a high school student why he or she can't stay and graduate with their friends.

As if this isn't bad enough, each service has its share of isolated duty assignments where the military member cannot take his family. Navy ships are often at sea for 9 months or more depending on what is happening in the world. Army, Air Force, Marine and Navy personnel can be assigned to a war zone or other world hot-spot for a year or more. Try explaining to a 3 or 4 year old why daddy or mommy can't be there for a birthday, Christmas, or other special occasion. Or even more difficult, why daddy or mommy will never be home again. Few civilian occupations put children under such strain.

Funding or helping these children's future education is a small price to pay for the service of their parent or parents to their country. As a nation we owe not only the military member but their families a debt of gratitude! If nothing else allow the military member to give his or her education benefits to their children. Its really a small price to pay for their sacrifices.

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