Blue Star Families’ Welcome Week

Kathy Roth-Douquet — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 14:58:26 -0400

Military life, in any capacity, is challenging by nature - time apart, training, frequent moves, high operational tempo. These challenges can leave veterans, service members, and their families feeling alienated. Americans may have a broad understanding of what Military life entails, such as deployments and training, but unfortunately most are unaware of the daily sacrifices our military families make. Our research indicates 81% of military families reported feeling that the general population is entirely blind of the daily battles they face.

An inevitable component of military life is having to move frequently, averaging every two to three years, often on short notice. Moving is stressful for everyone, but civilians often have greater flexibility in planning the details, big and small, that go into moving. Lamentably, military families aren’t as fortunate and often land far from friends and family, disconnecting them from their support networks. As they navigate relocating and getting settled into a new community, their service member continues to bear the burdens of service.

Although Americans can empathize with transition, most have not experienced the nuances that face the military while moving. Every year, 600,000 military-connected families representing approximately 30% of our all-volunteer force are experiencing a move. This annual movement disrupts the entire family unit. When there is stress on the service member, it impacts their readiness, and the military as a whole. For each individual involved, unmitigated stress often leads to other challenges.

Blue Star Families’ Annual Survey identified that a “lack of a sense of belonging to their community” is a major challenge for military families. Belongingness is a natural feeling humans need to feel secure and comfortable. Without a sense of belonging, leading a healthy, successful life becomes an all-consuming battle. Everything from financial health/food insecurity, to mental health, to overall family well-being is harmed by isolation. However, those who do have a sense of belonging are proven to have a higher likelihood of thriving. The survey identified the problem and Blue Star Welcome Week is the solution.

Blue Star Welcome Week is an opportunity for communities across the country to welcome military families and remind all Americans what we owe to our military families, service members, and veterans. It is an opportunity for military families and transitioning families to
make meaningful connections with their communities. Many civilian communities likely don’t even realize when a military family moves into the area. Simply bringing awareness to the civilian community will begin to form a more connected community.

Blue Star Welcome Week is an emerging annual event, piloted and designed to welcome our military-connected families to their new communities. Blue Star Welcome Week has the potential to be recognized as a major annual event in the United States. More importantly, it has the potential to seriously improve the lives of military and transitioning families, creating stronger community and neighborhood bonds. There will be more details to come, so be sure to keep an out!

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Jul 23 at 2021 4:09 PM

Capt Brandon Charters — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 16:09:05 -0400

I can't wait to see this roll out in communities across America!

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Jul 25 at 2021 1:31 PM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Sun, 25 Jul 2021 13:31:47 -0400

Not just the member but the families also need sponsors to help with adjustments, questions and finding resources

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2021 10:01 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 22:01:17 -0400

It is very important to have a Sponsorship Program that works. It is important that families and Soldiers Moving to a new location are able to receive as much information about the location, housing, communities, schools, activities, etc., prior to their arrival. The Army Community Service (ACS) has a good relocation program and it only works if the system is used properly. Gaining units really need to do their part in sending Welcome packets and providing a Sponsor for families and Soldiers Moving to their area or duty station.

Response by CPT David Gowel made Jul 27 at 2021 8:59 AM

CPT David Gowel — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 08:59:23 -0400

One compelling aspect of Blue Star Welcome Week for me is that it helps Americans (including Veterans like myself) pause to reflect on just how many new servicemembers, PCSing servicemembers, and servicemembers transitioning into veteran status are making these moves so often. Military service is a core theme throughout my family, but for many who don't have such a connection to all those fighting for our freedom, I believe this dedicated annual reminder can help each of us seek out and embrace people in our communities who may have just picked up and left a place they loved somewhere else in the world, introducing their families to potential isolation and risk in order to meet the needs of our national defense priorities. Thank you for sharing Kathy Roth-Douquet!

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Jul 28 at 2021 10:00 AM

PVT Mark Zehner — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 10:00:24 -0400

Thank you for the information!

Response by 1LT Voyle Smith made Jul 31 at 2021 11:46 AM

1LT Voyle Smith — Sat, 31 Jul 2021 11:46:37 -0400

That is why I advocate SOFA, Services For Families of Armed Forces Ministry. It pairs families with retired couples who serve as surrogate grandparents who can help with baby-sitting, grocery shopping and companionship to military wives whose husbands are deployed. (SOFA is not an official group; it’s only an idea I’ve hatched from my own experience as a deployed soldier in the 1960s; I came to realize that the burden of deployment is borne by the families, and they need support in their daily living. I returned changed in appearance but not in my heart - my love for family.

Response by SSgt Richard Kensinger made Aug 2 at 2021 11:31 AM

SSgt Richard Kensinger — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 11:31:51 -0400

I have several articles published on Research Gate on these particular stressors and strains.
Rich

Response by SPC David Batterson made Aug 19 at 2021 11:54 AM

SPC David Batterson — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 11:54:24 -0400

I like this concept. My uncle was a "lifer" who loved the Army, and likewise moved a lot during his 30-year-career. He rose to become a full bird Colonel, ending his service serving in a top Pentagon position (Adjutant General's Corps). Our family didn't see him often, and I look back wondering how he and his wife and daughter dealt with the constant moves.

Response by Col Juan Carlos Garcia Hoyos made Aug 4 at 2023 1:31 AM

Col Juan Carlos Garcia Hoyos — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 01:31:03 -0400

Thank you very much Kathy