Joining Forces Blog

  • Taking Care of our Military Families This Holiday Season

    Posted by Rosye Cloud on December 11, 2012 at 6:21 PM EST

    Holidays can be a busy time for everyone. It is also a time for us to take note of the family and friends in our lives who mean so much to us. Aside from traditional holiday festivities, the holiday season can also bring or heighten feelings of loss and grief. While these feelings can impact anyone across the nation, I’d ask that we pay close attention to our military, veterans, and their families, many of whom are dealing with the impact of separations, medical issues, and loss.

    The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention gives us some indicators to consider; are there any observable signs of serious depression (unrelenting low mood, hopelessness, desperation, anxiety, withdrawal, and sleep problems); is there increased alcohol and/or other drug use; has there been recent impulsiveness and taking unnecessary risks, and has there been unexpected rage or anger. This list is not all inclusive, but the presence of one or more of these in one individual may indicate more serious issues. 

    At Ft. Bliss, TX earlier this year, President Obama stated "Seeking help is a sign of strength".  He then issued an Executive Order for Improving Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families. This Order serves as a foundation for bringing the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs together to facilitate access to education, services and research.

    To strengthen internal commitment to end suicides amongst our military, the Department of Defense formed the Defense Suicide Prevention Office to lift up suicide awareness and develop prevention strategies. This Public Service Announcement, produced by the Defense Media Activity, prompts service members, veterans, and their families to know the signs of stress that can lead to suicide and to contact the Military Crisis Line through Militarycrisisline.net or by calling 1-800-273-8255, press 1. The Crisis Line is staffed by VA professionals who can help 24/7.

     

    Rosye Cloud is the Director of Policy for Veterans, Wounded Warriors and Military Families 

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  • The Courage and the Strength

    Posted by Dr. Jill Biden on November 30, 2012 at 5:16 PM EST

    Editor's note: Military Family Month reminds us to take a moment to reflect on the contributions and sacrifices of our military families. As President Obama said in his proclamation declaring November as Military Family Month, “When a young woman signs up to defend our Nation, her parents are enlisted as well. When a father deploys to a combat zone, his children are called to serve on the home front. And when the men and women of our military serve far from home, their families feel the strain of their absence.”

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  • Tell Their Story Again

    Posted by Dr. Jill Biden on November 29, 2012 at 11:26 AM EST

    Dr. Biden at Ceremonial Groundbreaking

    Dr. Jill Biden speaks at the Ceremonial Groundbreaking of The Education Center at The Wall on November 28, 2012. (Photo by Bill Petros)

    Yesterday, I was honored to meet Dr. Michael McClung, a Vietnam veteran and Gold Star dad. Dr. McClung is the father of United States Marine Corps Maj. Megan McClung, who became the first female Marine Corps officer to die in Iraq when her Humvee was struck by an IED on December 6, 2006.

    Along with Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, members of Congress, military leaders and other Gold Star families, we gathered for the Ceremonial Groundbreaking of The Education Center at The Wall, a future national landmark that will bring to life the stories of the more than 58,261 Americans who lost their lives in the Vietnam War.

    Located on the National Mall, the Education Center will uniquely bridge past, present and future by connecting veterans from all eras to one another. In addition to Vietnam veterans, the Education Center will also serve as a memorial to the lives of service members lost in Afghanistan and Iraq.

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  • Dr. Jill Biden Sponsors USS Delaware

    Posted by Kirsten White on November 21, 2012 at 12:30 PM EST

    Dr. Jill Biden Sponsors USS Delaware

    Dr. Jill Biden speaks at a press conference with Secretary of the Navy Ray Maybus, Senator Tom Carper, and Delaware Lt. Governor Matt Denn, announcing the naming of the SSN 791 as the USS Delaware, in the Briefing Room at the Pentagon, in Arlington, Virginia, Nov. 19, 2012. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann) November 19, 2012.

    Earlier this week at the Pentagon, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announced that the Navy’s next Virginia-class attack submarine will be named the USS Delaware – and that it will be sponsored by Dr. Jill Biden, a longtime Delaware educator and proud military mom.

    At the announcement, Secretary Mabus said the Navy names its ships for states and other places in America to serve as a visible representation of America in every port around the world and that there is “always a strong connection between the people of a state and the ship that bears its name.”

    “It's a special honor for me to sponsor this submarine, because I'm such a proud military mom,” Dr. Biden said. “Four years ago … I stood in Dover, Delaware, watching as our son, Beau, prepared to deploy to Iraq with the Delaware Army National Guard. I remember it like it was yesterday. And this year, I'm looking forward to standing with our son, Hunter, when he is commissioned as an ensign in the United States Navy.  He follows in the footsteps of two of his grandfathers, who have also served in the Navy.  

    Secretary Mabus also recognized Dr. Biden for her work with First Lady Michelle Obama on the Joining Forces initiative, “providing support and expanding opportunities, for veterans and active-duty personnel and their families.”

    Dr. Biden said that the Navy tradition of having civilian-sponsored vessels “helps to cement the critical connection between our service members and the civilians back home who love them, miss them, and owe them a debt of gratitude.”

    Construction of the USS Delaware will begin next year; its service will begin in 2018.

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  • Technology Advances Create Opportunities to Honor our Troops

    Posted by Archie Bates on November 16, 2012 at 7:08 PM EST

    Earlier this week, veterans bonded over free meals at restaurants and relaxed with their families in free hotel rooms, courtesy of Veterans Day offers from businesses ranging from local shops to global chains. Such deals are great ways for businesses to recognize veterans¹ service. However, establishments rarely offer military deals online because they had no simple way of validating military service online ­until now.

    TroopID recently launched innovative technology that authenticates military service and military family membership online. Founded by two former Army Rangers, TroopID allows individuals to verify their eligibility at TroopID.com, and once verified, they can access deals and discounts online from various national companies. As a result, business should be more likely to offer military specials online without concern for misuse by ineligible users. In fact, TroopID planned several launches with merchants to mark Veterans Day.

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  • Building Careers for Our Older Veterans

    Posted by Rosye Cloud on November 16, 2012 at 6:41 PM EST

    While much focus has been devoted to education and training for our younger Veterans, we have not lost sight that we have another group who has served our Nation with distinction. Many of this group may already have some education and training, they need additional assistance to prepare them for a changing career market.

    In November 2011, the President signed into law the Vow to Hire Heroes Act. This Act does many things to prepare Veterans for careers after military service, including one provision that specifically targets older veterans.  The Veterans Retraining Assistance Program, better known as VRAP, is designed to give up to 12 months of benefits for unemployed Veterans to jump-start into a new, high-demand career field. This provision specifically applies to unemployed Veterans who are between 35 and 60, and not eligible for any other education benefit.  The law limits the benefit to 99,000 Veterans. Since May, 2012, over 75,000 Veterans have applied and over 62,000 have already been approved to participate in the program. 

    VRAP doesn’t end with the provision of education; it goes one step further by assisting Veterans find a career. When a Veteran completes the education or training program, they are then eligible to leverage the Department of Labor programs designed for Veterans. 

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