Soon after Michelle Obama called on governors to make it easier for members of the military to find jobs after separating from services, second lady Dr. Jill Biden spoke out on behalf of their spouses. During a meeting with the National Governors Association, she said that governors should make it possible for the husbands and wives of servicemembers to transfer their professional licenses from state to state.
Frequent moves threaten stability
Of all the challenges military families face, having to move frequently is one of the most difficult. According to the Department of Defense, spouses of those in the Armed Forces have to move an average of 10 more times than the average person. Aside from causing a great deal of stress, this makes it difficult for them to find jobs. As a result, the unemployment rate among military spouses in considerably higher than it is for the civilian population. However, allowing them to use similar licenses and other credentials across state lines, as the second lady is recommending, could make it easier for them to find jobs.
The time is now
Experts estimate that thousands of soldiers will be separating from service over the next several years, which will place a heavy emphasis on the need for both members of military families finding jobs. So far, 28 states have pro spouse policies in place. These laws include language that makes it easier for teachers, social workers, nurses and other similar professionals to transfer from state to state. Still, Biden told the governors that more needs to be done.
"We hope all of you will reach out to your bases and your National Guard and Reserve communities [and] talk with the military spouses – I'm sure many of you already do this already – and make sure that these laws are working for our military families," she told the governors gathered at the White House.
A longtime goal for Biden
Along with Michelle Obama, Biden has been one of the leading voices behind the Joining Forces initiative. Along with helping military families and servicemembers find employment opportunities, the program has been committed to helping spread support for their causes across the United States. Additionally, Obama and Biden have made a point to help schools recognize the unique challenges faced by military children.
Those who have loved ones in the military face many challenges, and many of them relate to finances. Military Saves Week, which runs from February 25 through March 2, was launched in an effort to improve the financial stability of military families, and there are a few tricks they can learn this week that may help them save money in the coming years, experts say.
Some money-saving strategies only require making changes to where one shops. For instance, families who shop at a commissary can spend as much as 31 percent less compared to other options. Spending less money on basic items such as food and clothing helps families find room for more significant expenses, whether they are paying off college loans or building a savings account.
Paying off debt is another step families should consider during Military Saves Week. According to a study released last year by the Investor Education Foundation, an estimated 25 percent of credit card holders said they were holding at least $10,000 in debt. Even if military families do not have this high a debt paying it down is a must if they want to save more or eventually buy a home.
Perhaps most importantly, however, military families should focus on saving more. According to The Huffington Post, the trick to this is to closely track one's spending over the course of the month to see if there is anywhere to trim expenses.
An estimated 20 percent of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the condition is one of the greatest health concerns among the servicemember population. As a result, medical experts have been going to great lengths to understand the condition as much as possible, and recent research suggests that a soldier's pre-war experiences may play a role in whether they develop PTSD later on.
The study
Conducted by scientists from Columbia's Mailman School of Public Health and the New York State Psychiatric Institute, the study looked at the mental health of 260 servicemembers who participated in the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study. To assess the severity of the disorder in each subject, researchers looked at the severity of their combat exposure, their pre-war psychological vulnerabilities and whether they had any involvement in civilian casualties.
Not surprisingly, exposure to stressful situations in combat was a constant in 98 percent of those with PTSD. However, researchers also discovered that only about 31.6 percent of troops in stressful combat developed PTSD. Furthermore, they noticed a distinct correlation between pre-war psychiatric issues and the development of PTSD after combat.
What the findings mean
The results shed some light on the often-mysterious realm of PTSD, and could help medical experts better understand the condition when they're treating soldiers. The researchers also found that pre-war factors play a role in the long-term persistence of the condition. Perhaps most significantly, this research could help identify soldiers who are particularly at risk for PTSD and keep them out of certain situations, such as instances where civilians may be injured or killed.
The latest stride in the fight
As more than a decade of war comes to a close, researchers have conducted a considerable amount of studies to find ways to reduce the symptoms of PTSD. Some of the most compelling evidence of an effective therapy comes from a recent study conducted by military scientists that suggests an injection known as a stellate ganglion block may be able to numb signals that cause PTSD symptoms, according to Time magazine. Still, while the results are encouraging, experts urge cautious optimism.
"It is clear that new methods of treatment for PTSD are desperately needed," Dr. Cameron Richie wrote in a press release. "Although psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy are effective for many who are willing to go through the treatment regimen, they are not effective for all."
The deadline for filing taxes is approaching more quickly than some military families might realize. While this process might not be stressful for some people, others may struggle with knowing exactly what deductions they can take. It's an understandable concern, especially with the often-complicated tax rules, but Credit.com reports there are a few deductions that military families should be certain to take advantage of this year.
This year resembles last year
With the discussions surrounding the budget and debt, it may seem like there were considerable changes to the tax code, but such was not the case, according to the website. This year should be similar to when military families filed for taxes in 2011.
Healthcare expenses
Medical costs can be some of the biggest financial obstacles for military families, but the good news is that they can write off some of them when it comes time to file their taxes. For instance, everything from therapy and counseling to dental care and premiums can come into play. However, the medical expenses must add up to 7.5 percent of one's adjusted gross income (AGI) for 2012.
Costs from the job search
This deduction is particularly helpful for those who have recently separated from the service. Anything that goes into the process, even if it does not result in a new job, can be written off. This includes any travel expenses, money used for employment agencies and even resumes. However, the expenses must add up to 2 percent of one's AGI, Credit.com notes.
Moving costs
One of the staples of life for military families is the need to relocate on a regular basis. Known as a permanent change of station (PCS), the regular moves not only can be stressful, they can also cause some financial hardship. The Armed Forces reimburses military families for some of the expenses that result from moving, but there are sometimes still some things that families have to foot the bill for, such as moving household items and adding any personal goods to the new residence.
Combat zone
Active duty soldiers who spent time in a combat zone during 2012 are entitled to many tax write-offs, according to Military.com. For instance, soldiers do not have to pay income taxes on any type of pay they received during their time deployed to a combat zone. Additionally, any imminent danger or hostile fire pay is exempt from income taxes. However, any pay that stems from a retirement plan or pension does not fall under the category.
With thousands of soldiers re-entering civilian life after the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, many of them may choose to use their GI Bill benefits and head back to the classroom. The influx of servicemembers may create a unique classroom dynamic that many professors have not yet had to deal with, and some colleges and universities are taking steps to ready all members of the campus for these changes. Georgetown University recently offered a program to help its instructors prepare, Stars and Stripes reports.
The initiative
Georgetown hosted its first Vet Ally event, which welcomed about 70 faculty members to talk about their past experiences and also discuss common complaints from veteran students. Organizers also went over basic military terms that could help them better understand the culture. Georgetown administrators say the need for such programs is especially high right now, as the school has already seen a growth in the number of veterans in class to about 500.
"The professors know stuff on how to deal with veterans day to day, help them with basic issues that come up in class," David Shearman, coordinator of the school's veterans office, told the publication. "But they don't always know why students joined the military, what serving overseas really means, what they mean when they talk about a FOB [Forward Operating Base]."
Georgetown is not alone
While Georgetown is the latest institution to take steps to foster a welcoming environment, it is certainly not the only school to do so. At San Diego State University, for instance, veteran students have many programs that are designed specifically for them. There are classes only for servicemembers as well as a center in the student services building primarily for vets, according to The New York Times. The move is a smart one, especially since San Diego has one of the highest concentrations of servicemembers in the country.
"It's definitely nice to be around a bunch of guys who've been in the same situation, chewed the same dirt, been around the block," Andrew Lovick, who served for four years in the Marines, told the Times "We're the same demographic. It's kind of hard relating to someone who's 18 and their parents are paying for everything."
More education necessary
While veterans have considerable benefits available to help them head to school, many are not aware of what they have. In fact, a recent study from the Department of Veterans Affairs found more than 40 percent of post-9/11 veterans do not know they qualify for education benefits.
There are many bills making their way through Congress that could impact the benefits available to military families, and one of the newest pieces of legislation could have a significant impact. Introduced by Senators Patty Murray and Jon Tester, the proposal would extend health coverage to the older children of servicemembers under the Veterans Affairs' Department's Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA), according to Army Times.
The bill would change the age limit for when a veteran's child can receive healthcare coverage from 18 to 26, a change that falls in line with the Affordable Care Act as well as a similar change for TRICARE that took effect in 2011. Murray, the chair of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, says the change is necessary as thousands of troops return home from Afghanistan and to keep it in line with changes to the civilian population.
"In our ongoing commitment to keep the faith with our nation's heroes, this bill ensures CHAMPVA recipients, without regard to their type of coverage, student status, or marital status, are eligible for health care coverage under their parent's plan in the same way as their peers," Murray said in a statement.
The new rules could prove to be a big help to thousands of family members. According to Army Times, the VA estimates as many as 24,000 young adults could receive coverage by 2020.
As the economy slowly continues to improve, the unemployment rate for the country as a whole is improving with it. Unfortunately for the veterans who have served in the year following the September 11 attacks, this is not the case. In January, the unemployment rate for post-9/11 vets stood at 11.7 percent, a significant increase from the 9.9 percent in December. It's certainly not easy to transition from military to civilian life, and those who have gone through it have one piece of advice – start planning early.
Lay the groundwork early
Soldiers preparing to separate from service may think they shouldn't start their job search in earnest until they leave the Armed Forces. However, former Army medic Dan Huber says nothing could be further from the truth. According to The Associated Press, he has had trouble finding a job since leaving the military, and he says that waiting too long to plan was one of the biggest mistakes he made, something he made sure to share with his fellow servicemembers.
"I've told them: 'Hey, man, you guys have really got to start planning months and months in advance," he told the AP. "It's not just planning for interviews. It's planning to make sure you'll be afloat in this time period, which you don't know how long will take.'"
Problem being addressed
Despite the high numbers, there has been a considerable amount of work done to help lower the unemployment rate among the country's youngest vets. Along with the VOW to Hire Heroes Act, which passed Congress in 2011 and provides training assistance to servicemembers, lawmakers are also working on a new bill in the early days of 2013. According to Military Times, the bill's chief component would be an extension of the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP), which provides up to a year's worth of GI Bill benefits to help a soldier learn a new, marketable skill. The proposed bill includes a number of other provisions as well, such as a grant meant to hire veterans as police officers. Government officials also want to craft a single, federal website designed to help veterans find jobs.
Where to look?
One of the biggest challenges facing veterans looking for jobs is that they may not know where the best places are. The AFBA Career Center helps reduce some of those obstacles by connective job seekers with potential employers.
As Congress inches closer to the March 1 deadline for sequestration, many of the military’s top officials are warning lawmakers of the potential impact the across-the-board budget cuts could have. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno recently told legislators that the spending cuts could extend deployments to Afghanistan, according to Military.com.
Sequestration would require the Pentagon to cut about $46 billion from its 2013 budget, and doing so may require troops stationed overseas to serve longer than originally planned. Odierno says that not having enough money would reduce the Army’s ability to send replacement soldiers, something that could weigh heavily on troops and their families.
“We cannot fund the group that comes after them,” he told Congress earlier this week. “So what that means is the initial replacements that go in at the beginning of 2014 are funded – those that would come in later in the year are not.”
Sequestration would not only hurt deployed troops, it could also drastically impact the National Guard as well, the Army reports. Gen. Frank Grass recently told the Senate Armed Service Committee that the cuts would reduce the Guard’s ability to respond to natural disasters and other domestic emergencies.
Properly addressing mental health is one of the biggest concerns of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), but some experts say the organization may be going about it the wrong way. Specifically, instead of spending more money and hiring more staff members, the VA may want to look into how they are utilizing the resources they already have, according to Military Times.
More spending does not equal better results
The new recommendations come from a bipartisan House committee as well as a group of veterans advocates who feel that the VA should focus on strengthening ties within the community and reaching out to already-existing health networks to address the mental well-being of servicemembers. They point to statistics that found despite the fact the budget for mental healthcare has increased by 39 percent since 2007, the number of vets taking their own lives has increased. One of the biggest issues in the current policies is a prolonged waiting period.
“Less than a year ago, the VA inspector general released a review of veterans’ mental health care access … showing the majority of veterans who seek mental health care through VA wait 50 days,” Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., chairman of the veterans’ committee, said during a recent hearing. “That figure amounts to thousands of veterans in need.”
A significant issue
The mental health problems among soldiers have certainly not gone unnoticed by the VA. In fact, earlier this week the department announced the hiring of more than 1,000 mental health providers. Still, while there is an effort on the part of the VA, it’s clear that experts may need to rethink their policies, especially since an estimated 1.3 million veterans sought mental health treatment during 2012.
What can be done?
Identifying the challenges facing the VA’s mental health treatment is one thing, but developing methods to accurately address the issue is much more difficult. There have been a number of studies conducted in recent years to determine the best treatments to help veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). One of the most recent was focused on determining whether a method known as Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) could help treat the disorder. Published in the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, the research revealed that EFT, a form of counseling that focuses on alternative therapy, had a positive impact on an estimated 80 percent of veterans who participated in the study.
On Tuesday, President Obama’s State of the Union address attracted a great deal of attention, but it was his announcement of the withdrawal of 34,000 troops from Afghanistan over the next year that arguably garnered the most attention. This was especially true among military families, many of whom are waiting for their loved ones to return from overseas.
While the news that their family members may be coming home is certainly encouraging, some members of the military community are cautiously optimistic, reports ABC affiliate WTVD. Joi Williams, whose husband is currently in Afghanistan, said that she’s happy Obama made the announcement but she’s going to temper her expectations for now.
“I’m excited, but to be perfectly honest, I’ll believe it once I see it,” Williams told the news channel. “I want to see my husband get off that plane.”
There are currently about 66,000 United States troops in Afghanistan, all of whom are expected to be out of the country by the end of 2014. While that’s the plan for now, there is still the lingering question of whether there will be any military presence left in the country after the U.S. officially withdraws.