Joining Forces Blog

  • Standing by Those Who Serve and Their Families

    Posted by LTC Jason Dempsey on June 24, 2011 at 9:50 AM EDT

    This week, the President announced his plan to responsibly draw down the number of troops in Afghanistan. After a long decade, the men and women of our armed forces – many of whom have served multiple tours of duty overseas – will soon begin to come home for good. They have worked hard, served bravely, and sacrificed much. I know because I was honored to serve alongside them. But we have not endured these challenges alone. Every time our troops are called to action, so too are their families. From day one of this conflict, America’s military families have been steadfast in service and support for their loved ones and their country. We owe it to these families to be just as steadfast now in our service and support for them.

    The war in Afghanistan is just beginning to wind down, but the challenges faced by our military families will remain. And whether these challenges are related to employment, education, wellness, or any of a range of other issues, this Administration and this country will stand by our military families and support them. This is not a commitment that can be met solely within the confines of the White House. It will require the efforts of all of us – from every community, every sector of industry, and every walk of life – working together to make sure that the service of these brave families is not forgotten, and they do not face obstacles alone.  At JoiningForces.gov, you'll find lots of ways to get involved. You can find service opportunities in your area, send a message of support to military families, or tell us your own story of service.

    Part of bringing our troops home responsibly is standing by those who serve.  We must enlist those who have defended America abroad in the effort to build America at home – by giving our troops and their families the care, benefits, and opportunity that they deserve.

    LTC Jason Dempsey is a White House fellow in the Office of the First Lady. He served in Afghanistan from 2009-2010, and will deploy again in 2012.

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  • The Path to Successful Civilian Careers

    Posted by Deborah L. Frett on June 22, 2011 at 10:27 AM EDT

    First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden often credit military spouses and women veterans as the “force” behind Joining Forces. The personal stories they heard again and again highlighted the gap in support for women trying to successfully coordinate their military family lives with productive careers and/or transition from the service to the civilian workforce. The dearth of easily-accessible, broad-reaching mentoring models for women veterans and military wives takes a toll on individuals, families, and our economy through the combined impact of unemployment and underemployment.

    Facilitating the productive re-entry into the American economy of women veterans and military spouses is not a simplistic “feel good” program.  Our economy will benefit from the leadership skills and workplace expertise these women have worked so hard to acquire.

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  • Joining Forces with the Illinois National Guard

    Posted by Dr. Jill Biden on June 20, 2011 at 4:56 PM EDT

    Last week, I visited with Illinois National Guard families and encouraged members of the cable industry to Join Forces with the First Lady and me in supporting military families and veterans across the country.
     
    On Wednesday evening, I joined National Guard families for dinner at a Chicago pizzeria. As the mother of a Delaware Army National Guardsman, I always feel like I am with family when I’m with members of the Guard and their loved ones. All the dinner guests were family members of deployed Guardsmen, or soldiers who have deployed multiple times. After dinner, we went to a Chicago Cubs game together.  I am always inspired when I visit with military families, and last week was no exception. Their pride in their service is contagious, and their courage is awe-inspiring.

    The Second Lady with National Guard Families at a Chicago Pizza Dinner

    (Photo by Spc. Chasity Johnson, Illinois National Guard, Public Affairs Office)

    The next morning, I addressed industry leaders and representatives from the cable and telecommunications industries at the 2011 Cable Show.  The cable industry is uniquely positioned to support military families.  Some members of the industry are telling the stories of military families through PSAs and television programming.  Others are extending access to technology so military families can communicate with loved ones during deployments, or helping teachers of military children share content to boost student achievement.  So many businesses and organizations are stepping up.

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  • Reaching Today's Veterans Where They Are

    Posted by Sonja Batten on June 16, 2011 at 11:22 AM EDT

    Under the leadership of Secretary Eric Shinseki, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is undergoing a remarkable transformation that has dramatically improved Veteran access to the services they have earned. Because so many of today’s Veterans are familiar and comfortable with web-enabled applications and smartphones, our opportunities to “reach Veterans where they are” have never been greater, or more effective.  From eBenefits to Blue Button, VA is serious about automated electronic outreach.

    Engaging Veterans on their own terms is especially crucial in the area of mental health. Each year VA sees a steadily rising number of Veterans with mental health concerns, and extending our services to them – safely, reliably, and privately – is one of the Administration’s top priorities.  Over the last four years, Veterans seeking and receiving specialized mental health treatment at VA increased from 900,000 to 1.2 million; last year alone over 400,000 Veterans who received mental health treatment had a diagnosis of PTSD. Providing excellent care at VA facilities around the country to those who are ready to seek treatment has never been more important, but is only one way we can address the problem. 

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  • Strong Fathers, Strong Families

    Posted by Michael Strautmanis on June 15, 2011 at 4:47 PM EDT

    So this is fun.

    Like millions of dads across our country, President Obama has said that being a father is the “most important job he has.”  From coaching basketball to helping with homework, the President cherishes the time he gets to spend with his two girls, even when life gets busy.

    Today at a screening of the movie Cars 2 for military fathers and families, President Obama is kicking off something called the year of Strong Fathers, Strong Families as part of his Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative. It’s an effort with partners from around the nation to create simple opportunities for dads and kids to connect. Whether it’s a free game of bowling, a Major League Baseball or WNBA game, a visit to the zoo or aquarium, or discounts for dads and kids through partners like Groupon and LivingSocial, we’re excited to help create small moments that can have a big impact.  You can sign up for updates and find more in the coming days on www.fatherhood.gov.

    Military Fathers and Families at a Screening of the Movie "Cars 2"

    Military fathers and families listen as President Barack Obama stops by a screening of the movie "Cars 2" in the South Court Auditorium of the White House, June 15, 2011. The President talked about the year of "Strong Fathers, Strong Families" as part of his Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

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  • First Lady Urges Hollywood to Tell Military Family Stories

    Posted by Elaine Sanchez on June 15, 2011 at 11:55 AM EDT

    Cross-posted from Defense.gov

    The entertainment industry can help to shine the light on military families by incorporating their compelling stories into movies and television, First Lady Michelle Obama said yesterday during a panel discussion hosted by the entertainment guilds in Los Angeles.

    Speaking to an audience of about 500 producers, writers, actors and directors, the first lady discussed her “Joining Forces” military-support campaign and how Hollywood can play a role in her quest to stir up national support for military families.

    The First Lady with Military Family Panelists

    First Lady Michelle Obama with military family panelists Capt. Kelly Smith of the California Air National Guard, retired Army Sgt Bobby Jarman, and Arnita Moore, a Marine wife, at a Joining Forces event at the Writer's Guild of America in Los Angeles, California, June 13, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson) June 13, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

    Writer-director J.J. Abrams, who moderated the panel, kicked off the discussion by asking Obama what sparked her passion for military family support.

    The first lady traced it back to her time on the campaign trail with her husband. As she met in small groups with working women, she heard voices she hadn’t heard from before—military spouses. These women—and men—talked about juggling careers and deployments, raising kids and managing moves, and dealing with finances alongside post-deployment reconnections.

    These stories took my breath away,” she said, “because they were so unfamiliar to me. And I thought, ‘Well, if I don't know, and I’m educated and I consider myself aware, then where are we in this country? Why don't we know about these families? Why don't we know their struggles? Why aren’t we pushing for them?”

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