Where can I find service members whose military readiness was impacted by school choice or school quality for their dependents?

2020-06-17T03:03:53-04:00

I am a doctoral student, hoping to start working on my dissertation in a few months. I am really interested in talking to military members with school aged children - but I am trying to figure out the best way to reach out to service members whose military readiness was directly impacted by school choice... such as service members who decided no to re-enlist, or who turned down PCS orders, who decided to become geographic bachelors, delayed promotions or special assignments - specifically because the school options for their dependents were too unsatisfactory or non-negotiable options... how would I go about finding such service members (or, in some cases, ex-service members) in order to interview them? Is there anyone here who would mind me pinning their contact information into my idea boards so that I may possibly interview them for my study later on?

There are many studies on military families in terms of resilience and stress and mental health or family dynamics. I am interested in the relationship between military readiness and school choice as well as how military families evaluate school options when there are no national standards across state lines. Please let me know if you know where I can find service members or veterans, any branch, any location, who might have experiences to share with me.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2020 3:38 AM

2020-06-17T03:38:03-04:00

This sounds like a difficult task but I think you’re on the right track. The only way to find these people is through networking in the right communities.

Best of luck

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Jun 17 at 2020 4:05 AM

2020-06-17T04:05:33-04:00

Your doctoral dissertation proposal sounds very interesting and much needed imho. Have you thought of contacting Family Service Centers in bases and posts? I know they will not be able to release names to you due to HIPPA; however, you could provide your research proposal and contact information and maybe you would receive inquiries. Also, your college campus and/or administration office would be a place for your proposal and contact information.
Best of Luck in your endeavors and message me if I can be of assistance. I live near Ft Bragg, have contacts at MCAS Beaufort SC. and possibly Camp LeJeune and NRAS.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Jun 17 at 2020 5:49 AM

2020-06-17T05:49:07-04:00

Try contacting Blue Star Families and maybe they will send out a questionnaire on your behalf

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2020 9:40 AM

2020-06-17T09:40:14-04:00

I think that’s just about everyone in the Army. I chose my current assignment over significantly better, more competitive, job offers at the time because I was a single dad and this is where my kids had family at. My wife separated years ago on a chapter 8 when she got pregnant and her previous husband was constantly deployed at the height of the war.
You could go to any transition center like STLTAP to find currently separating people. USArmyWTF moments for people who already separated. And just about every active duty person with a family for the current people.

I can tell you as a Career Counselor, when people with families step into my office, that is their number one driving factor in their decision.
If they want to separate, it’s because their spouse doesn’t like it, or they don’t see their family enough. If they want to change their MOS it’s because they want a job that’s more family friendly. If they want to PCS it’s to be closer to their family.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 17 at 2020 12:35 PM

2020-06-17T12:35:32-04:00

Sounds like you're talking about 90% of the MILs out there. You might want to use a different focus than military readiness. Choices relate more to how your career shakes out; or doesn't. People put their preferences down on their dream sheets. For each dream sheet, a question can be asked about why there? Why that billet? For those working to continue their career and get promoted, it's about tradeoffs. What will that do for me? How will that help/hurt the family? Do I really care one way or the other? Hawaii is an example. Everybody knows the school system is crap. Everybody also knows if you want your kid to actually get educated, you have to fork over the money for the Catholic schools. Everybody knows housing is trickey and the traffic is worse than LA. Everybody knows the gangs are more prevalent as each year passes. So why or why not go there?
Sometimes a focus on doing the right thing for family ends a career early. Seen it all the time while sitting promotion boards. You have a kid that needs ongoing specialty medical care. It's only provided in a few urban locations. All a board member will see is "camping out" without the reason as it's prohibited information at a board. The board precepts that typically include diversity in experience, increasing responsibility, etc. The Army makes a big deal about broadening and operational assignments. Repetitive back to back tours are a red flag.
MILs are no different than civilian sector. Do I take that promotion and uproot the family and go to (gasp) Chicago? Or do I stay in Palm Springs? I can make a lot of money as a welder doing the fracking thing in Montana. Do I go alone or uproot the family?
Bottom line is you'll likely see a trend of the more you focus on family to the exclusion of your career, the shorter the career will be. The trick is getting the balance right where both succeed or both don't wind up with scars.

Response by Jenn Moynihan made Jun 17 at 2020 12:48 PM

2020-06-17T12:48:25-04:00

These folks may be able to help and/or point you in a good direction. I know my uncle and aunt (and my two cousins) moved to Germany after my their 9th and 10th grade years to finish overseas.

CPT Andrea Pratt Good luck! It really is a great study. As I've heard service members say "my kids didn't sign up for this....". :)

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jun 17 at 2020 12:53 PM

2020-06-17T12:53:31-04:00

I wish you great luck on getting your doctorite ma'am. Excuse my spelling ma'am.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jun 17 at 2020 10:17 PM

2020-06-17T22:17:49-04:00

My experience might

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2020 3:36 PM

2020-06-18T15:36:10-04:00

A base in Vicenza, Italy, would be a great place to get input on lack of school choice, geographic bachelors, choices to not re-enlist. It was one of the many reasons I did not re-enlist during the obama administration's tenure; loss of confidence in chain of command/DoD/DC bureaucracy and concerns for my children's safety in DoD facilities. I actually requested a PCS that was denied due to time till ETS and no option for voluntary extension. My Chain of command succeeded in my total alienation, it was crystal clear that there was zero concern for my family's safety or my opinions on the matter, to the contrary attempts at addressing concerns were met with condescending resentment for having to divert attention from whatever other matters were their paramount concern.