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homefrontS O U T H E R N E D I T I O N

D E D I C AT E D T O M I L I TA R Y FA M I L I E S

INTERVIEW

JILL BIDEN SPEAKS ABOUT

THE DIFFICULTIES FOR SERVICE

MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES

HOW-TO CARE PACKAGES

DAY IN THE LIFE: WEST POINT CADET

SPOTLIGHT ON THE DURHAM VA

DECONSTRUCTING THE GI BILL

A look at Michelle Obama and Jill Bidens

initiative encouraging Americans to support and honor their many military families

WOUNDED IN ACTION: VETERANS

FACE CHALLENGES WITH A BACK-

LOGGED VETERANS AFFAIRS SYSTEM

AND AN INEFFICIENT BUREAUCRACY

JOININGFORCES

T A K I N G A C T I O N T O S E R V E A M E R I C A S M I L I T A R Y F A M I L I E S

J O I N I N G F O R C E S . G O V

I Serve, Too.Even though they arent in the military, kids serve in many ways, often taking on new responsibilities when situations change in their families.

Learn how you can help families through ]VS\U[LLYPZTHK]VJHJ`HUKUHUJPHSZ\WWVY[WWW.M I L I TARY FAM I LY .ORG

According to Census data, there are currently more than 1.5 million active military members, with more than 20 million living veterans in the United States, many of whom have shared their inspiring and he-roic stories. But this number does not account for the many stories that are rarely shared the stories of their families.

Homefront magazine has one goal: to be a supportive voice for military families across the nation. We recognize this kind of magazine is vital for families, and we strive to provide information and answers to them beyond the official line they receive.

At Homefront, were sure about this everyone has a story that should be told. And each story is unique. We want to share the story of the mother, shaken by her daughters decision to enlist in the Army. The child, who has moved a dozen times due to his fathers job in the Marines. And the soldier, struggling to readjust to life at home after deployment.

All of these individuals are connected to one another in some way. Many of them have asked similar questions, confronted similar issues and overcome similar obstacles. Our objective is to unite these indi-viduals, no matter the distance or their place in life.

With every issue of our publication, we promise to provide answers, activities and stories, in hopes that we will enlighten, entertain and inspire each and every person in these special families.

Our mission is to serve not just the family members of those actively serving in the military, but also those left behind those on the homefront.

Sincerely,

Maggie Cagney Editor

Letter from the editorEDITORIAL STAFFMaggie Cagney, EditorChristina ClevelandRachel ColemanWill DoranJake KleinJonathan Larowe

DESIGN STAFFCatherine Sum, Art DirectorRachelle Branca, Asst. Art DirectorKevin Uhrmacher, iPad EditorMolly Sutherland Kaitlyn CookCece Pascual

PHOTOGRAPHYRebecca YanJulia WallCameron Robinson

SPECIAL THANKSLinda BrinsonTerence OliverDana McMahanSusan KingNicole YangKelly McHughSierra Piland

COVERU.S. Air Force Capt. Andy Rhodes, navigator for 9thSpecial Operations Squadron, hugs his wife, Tina, on EglinAir Force Base, Fla. afterreturning from deploymentin Iraq on Jan. 6, 2012.Photo by Airman 1st ClassChristopher Williams viawww.dvidshub.net

Table of contents

SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE MILITARYThe dos and donts of sharing for family members on the homefront8

CARE PACKAGESWhat you can and cant send to your ser vice member10

INSIGHT: BOOKS AND MOVIESWe take a look at Siobhan Fallons You Know When the Men Are Gone and Listed Pictures Lifted

MILITARY CELEBRITIESFind out who was in the militar y before they became famous

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ASK UNCLE SAMHave questions? This month we answer some about militar y fit-ness, housing and education

OPERATION: GET FITLearn some militar y fitness tips and tricks

FINDING FUN WHILE AT THE FORTThings to do and see near some of Nor th Carolinas most popular bases

JILL BIDEN Q&AThe Second Lady talks about Joining Forces

PROFILE: MEREDITH BROWNSnapshots from the life of a Marine combat correspondent

JOINING FORCESFirst Lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden are encour-aging Americans to step up to suppor t and honor militar y families with their initiative

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THROUGH THEIR EYESFor militar y children, the world is their hometown

REINTEGRATIONReturning from deployment can often mean an unexpected readjustment period

WOUNDED IN ACTIONBrain injuries to troops are being noticed more than ever before

THE BENEFITS START HEREA look into the resources offered at the Durham VA

POSTCARDS FROM PARADISESer vice members choose some of their favorite travel experiences

LT. COL. MEGAN STALLINGSAn Army officer and mom tells us about her extensive career

A DAY IN THE LIFEA look at a West Point cadets militar y education

MILITARY MIDWIFECapt. Tiffany Johnsons experiences delivering babies

DECONSTRUCTING THE GI BILLHow veterans can make the most of their benefits

ELECTION 2012: POLITICIANS AND THE MILITARYSee what Barack Obama and Mitt Romney have to say on a number of militar y issues

THE ULTIMATE TESTTwo Army Reser ve families seek balance

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MilitarytheandmediasocialsocialSS

or military families, using the Internet to connect with

one another can lessen the anguish of being separated from a loved one. But because of its transparency, the Internet can be more harmful than it is helpful. Whether you are an active member of the military, a family member or a friend, it is important to use social media responsibly to protect the safety of our troops.

BY CHRISTINA CLEVELAND

Graphics by Rachelle Branca

F

9JULY 2012 |

What Not To PostNever reveal specific, sensitive

information like schedules or loca-tions. For the safety of your fam-ily, do not post when or if you are going on a vacation, or if you will leave the house vacant. In addition, do not post gossip or anything derogatory. Try to ensure that you are using social media in a respectful manner. The Armys handbook

offers some examples of how to make potentially harmful posts safer:

My soldier is in XYZ in ABC camp in ABC, Afghanistan My soldier is deployed to Af-ghanistan

My soldier will be leaving Kuwait and heading to Iraq in 3 days My soldier deployed this week

My soldier will be coming back to ABC on XYZ day My soldier will be coming home this summer.

PrivacyMost social network profiles be-

gin as public. Change your profile settings to friends only, and never add a friend whom you dont know or havent met. Unknown friends could be potential threats or en-

emies of the troops. If you think you or your military

family member is being imperson-ated on Facebook, you can report or block this person at: facebook.

com/help On Twitter, report this account as

spam or visit:support.twitter.com/forums/imper-sonation

Photos and VideosFamily members should not tag

a location of where the troops are stationed or landing.

Troops should remember, espe-cially when they are deployed or deploying, to not give away loca-tion or specifics on their mission via their videos or photos. Avoid posting images that contain easily identifiable landmarks when the troops are there. For example, with deployed Navy ships, it is usually OK to post images after the ship has left a port, but not before or while its still there.

Remember anyone can see online images, so closely review each photo or video before uploading. Think twice about posting photos or videos that could be shocking, inflammatory or offensive.

Blogging In case you didnt know, there

are several official military blogs maintained by each branch. These blogs allow you to become part of an online community full of our troops and their families. Check out armylive.dodlive.mil and armystrongstories.com for some examples. There are also many unofficial blogs, run by active duty troops, veterans, family members, and friends, that are available to follow. For example, visit: truemilitarywivesconfessions.ning.com and navyformoms.com

tips tricks&

Helpful resourcesThe 2011 U.S. Army Social Media Handbook provides helpful social media tips for soldiers and their friends and families. Many of these basic tips can be useful when ap-plied to any military branch. Check out the handbook at: http://www.slideshare.net/USArmySocialMedia/army-social-media-handbook-2011

Dont forget!The U.S. Army says it is important that troops constantly update their families about operations security and what can and cannot be posted online. Many military branches will block troops from certain websites if social media are used carelessly.


The first step in putting together a care package is deciding, What do I pack?

Greg Vaughn, a Marine formerly stationed in southern Iraq, says, A good care package has a little bit of everything in it: food, supplies, entertainment. Being deployed can sometimes feel like being in prison. You miss your friends, your family, good food and good fun. If you can pack enough to make station feel like home for just a few days, youve done a good job.

Care PackagesNot many things brighten the day of our men and women in uniform more than

a carefully planned care package.

BY JAKE KLEIN

Graphics by Kaitlyn Cook

How-to:

11JULY 2012 |

This is an example of a customs form.

While you cant ship drinks overseas, Vaughn and other sources agree that troops love getting packets of powdered drink mixes, especially Gatorade and coffee.

In addition to food and drink, certain personal supplies that are difficult to come by while serving overseas can make our troops lives much easier. Vaughn says that hy-giene products and tobacco prod-ucts are passed around and help build camaraderie. Most infantry guys use chewing tobacco, and its really hard to come by when de-ployed, he says. The guys youre out there with are your brothers. If you have something they want or need, youre glad to give it to them. Those who have sent and received

care packages in the past also sug-gest sending some miscellaneous items.

Items that will give the recipient a laugh, such as a high bounce ball or some other kind of fun toy will often help lighten the mood. Stay away from large items, but small balls and items such as sock mon-keys are known to brighten up a

dull day.Once your package is ready to

go, the next step is to write down everything in the box before you seal it up. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection require that you record every item in the package before mailing it. Instead of using plain cardboard boxes, consider using United States Postal Service flat rate boxes.

As long as your items fit in the pre-paid box, the box ships no mat-ter what the weight.

You can pick these boxes up at the post office or order them online from www.usps.com, and the rates are similar for domestic and inter-national shipping.

Customs forms can be picked up at your local post office and should be filled out before you take your package to the post office. If the package is big, you might need more than one form.

Remember that packages need at least two weeks to arrive at their overseas destination, so plan ahead!

Vaughn's packingsuggestions

FOOD:

B e e f j e r k y Tr a i l m i x P r o t e i n b a r s H o t s a u c e S u n f l o w e r s e e d s Pe a n u t s S e a s o n i n g s a l t H a r d c a n d i e s H o m e m a d e c o o k i e s

PERSONAL: M a g a z i n e s E a r p l u g s L i p b a l m B a b y w i p e s S h a m p o o S o a p S h a v i n g l o t i o n B a t t e r i e s

If you would like to send a care package to a service member but dont have time to make one yourself, there are numerous organizations that will do it for you. Some organizations that are popular with military families include: Give2TheTroops www.give2thetroops.org AnySoldier www.anysoldier.com Operation Shoebox www.operationshoebox.com

If you would like to send a care package, but dont personally know a service member, the United Service Organizations operates Operation USO Care Package, which takes a $25 donation and sends a care package and your personal note to a randomly selected de-ployed service member. Visit their website at:

www.uso.org/operation-uso-care-package.aspx

My son will be go-ing to boot camp in a few months. Is there anything he can do to prepare himself ?

Basic training varies for each branch of the mili-tary, but they all require one thing: motivation. A lack of motivation will guarantee him a spot at the bottom. He will need to be able to run and do certain strength training exercises such as push-ups before he leaves, as physical train-ing will start as soon as he arrives. He might want to practice going to bed and waking up earlier than he normally does. Recruiters will send him a list of what he can and cannot bring, so make sure he pays close attention to that list. He should bring extra socks, toothpaste and foot cream, because these are things he will be using frequently.

The military wants all of its personnel to receive the educa-tion they desire. Though it will take extra work, completing your degree while serving can be done. If you cannot physi-cally attend a university, taking online courses is a valuable option, and most universities offer them. Military members can also get credit for courses by passing online tests through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). If youre worried about money, the Tuition Assistance (TA), Federal Student Aid (FSA), and the GI Bill are all helpful in reduc-ing the cost of your education.

How difficult will it be for me to serve in the military and get my college degree at the same time?

A:

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Q:

Q:

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Q:There are a number of factors that go into this decision how long hell be stationed there, if you have children, how much you receive in your basic allowance for housing (BAH) but there are some things you should ask yourself before making a decision. Should I live on base?If you have a family, living on base is a great option because its free, and you will most likely be part of a strong commu-nity atmosphere. However, base housing is often available by waitlist only, and its likely that your living quarters wont be as cozy as what you might be used to. Consider asking your-self how long youre capable of waiting for available housing, and if you can handle living less comfortably than usual.Should I rent?Similar to living on base, renting a house or apartment can be an inexpensive option. Living below your BAH earnings will also allow you the opportunity to save money to buy a house in the future, if that is what you are thinking about. Before you decide to rent, find out if you will receive any tax advantages by renting; if the local economy is weak; or if theres a chance that your military base may close due to Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC). It is wise to look for a rental agreement that has a military clause allow-ing you to break your lease if you are reassigned.Should I buy a house?Buying a house is expensive, so make sure youve got a good idea of whether youll soon be moving again. Ask yourself if you have the money upfront to buy a house, if you could afford to manage your house as a rental in the future and if youre going to be living there for more than four years.

My husband was recently assigned to a new military base. Should we buy a house or live on base when we move there?

ASKUNCLE SAM

BY RACHEL COLEMAN


Supporting those who have sacrificed for us

Find out how you can help at operationhomefront.net

s the men of Fort Hood, a Texas Army base, are deployed to Iraq, we experience

another battleground a war at home, fought by the de-voted wives who are struggling to live without their husbands.

Siobhan Fallons book You Know When the Men Are Gone is a col-lection of loosely connected short stories of the spouses left behind, forced to manage life on their own.

Fallon, who is also a military spouse, vividly paints a profound image of the dramatic shift when the men leave home: The base shifted from a world dominated by camouflage uniforms to one of brightly colored baby carriages and diaper bags, Mommy & Me meet-ings at the First Cavalry Museum, women on pastel picnic blankets lounging on the parade field and sharing cinnamon rolls.

Although the book is fiction, many of the stories depict common issues military families are confront-ed with on the domestic frontline.

ABY MAGGIE CAGNEY

You Know When the Men Are Gone

This book is about wives, missing the lives they shared with their husbands, who are now many miles away. It is also about them as moth-ers, struggling to keep a relationship with their children, while also deal-ing with their personal battles.

Not only will the readers expe-rience the distance between the women of Fort Hood and their ab-sent husbands, but they will also see the detachment that occurs when the men return home the feeling of betrayal as a husband finds out that his wife has moved on without him; the feeling of anxiety, as one man tries to balance his job with his wifes recent cancer diagnosis; and the deep feeling of pain as a father misses his childs first words, first steps and first birthday.

Fallon depicts a vivid picture of a world many of us are not aware of but should be. This quick read is inspiring and motivational for mili-tary families. These short stories are not only about the pain of waiting, but they are also stories of bravery bravery on the homefront.

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The Unforgiving Minute: A Soldiers Education Craig M. Mullaney

Home FrontKristin Hannah

Dear John Nicholas Sparks

Shooting the MoonFrances ORoark Dowell

Military Life: Stories and Poems for Children Various Authors

BOOK PICKS

KIDS PICK

KIDS PICK

INSIGHT


TBY MAGGIE CAGNEY

sing. And indeed he does. The boy knows how to hold a beat, as a talented R&B singer. Henry sends his father his latest music, bring-ing the two together despite the many miles that separate them.

Although Henrys story is unique, it is also similar to that of many children of those in the armed forces. Its the story of finding a way to connect with a loved one while he or she is fight-ing overseas. Its also about finding inspiration in the little things in order to escape the pain of a diffi-cult world. Henrys mother be-comes desperate while her husband is away, and begins to use drugs again. Henry knows he can help his family by entering an Alabama singing contest, which has a $5,000 award. The drug content in Lifted may be inappropriate for younger viewers, but the story is an inspir-ing one for all ages. This little man with a huge heart learns how to take responsibility while his father is gone, facing conflicts not many of us come across in our adult life.

Lifted is a unique movie that military parents should watch with their children. Its a beautiful story of faith to raise your voice in a disconcerting world.

here are few movies that ac-curately depict how war can affect military families as a whole. We often encounter

how it affects the spouse, longing for the intimacy he or she shares with the missing partner. We have seen how it affects parents, worried for their childs safety while fight-ing overseas. But rarely do we see depictions of how war can affect children. And more often than not, it is the most difficult for children to grasp the meaning of war and the meaning of death.The 2010 movie Lifted stars a

young boy named Henry Matthews (Uriah Shelton), who finds faith in music, as the rest of his world seems to fall apart. His reservist father, William (Dash Mihok), has been called to active service for the Marines in Afghanistan. Henrys mother, Lisa (Nicki Aycox), is a recovering drug addict who fears that her husbands departure will cause her to relapse. When Wil-liam leaves for Afghanistan, he asks Henry to do one thing

Lifted

Photos courtesy of Listed Picture

A Walk in My Shoes John Kent Harrison

Act of ValorMike McCoy, Scott Waugh

We Were SoldiersRandall Wallace

Saving Private Ryan Steven Spielberg

JarheadSam Mendes

Army Wives (Lifetime TV)Katherine Fugate

MOVIE PICKS

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FAMILYOPTION

SERIESOPTION

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JULIA CHILD ICE-T

BY WILL DORAN

Many celebrities and politicians like Audie Murphy, Dwight Eisenhower or Ernest Hemingway are famous for their mili-tary service in addi-tion to whatever they did after. But there are many more veterans whose service isnt as famous, from come-dians to rappers and even gourmet chefs.

Famousfacesin themilitary

Military connection: served four years in the Army Rangers

Famous for: bringing French cuisine to mainstream AmericaMilitary connection: was a member of the Office of Stra-tegic Services (precursor to the CIA); spent the war doing top-secret research and com-munications, including mak-ing a shark repellent to keep the animals from swimming into anti-submarine explosives

Famous for: his rap career and role as a detective on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Noted: said he was prepared for potential danger because of his previous experience in the Crips gang in south-cen-tral Los Angeles, telling The New York Times, I aint afraid of combatNoted: was rejected from the

special womens service groups for both the Army and Navy in World War II for being too tall (6 feet 2 inches)


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JESSE VENTURA DREW CAREYBILL COSBY

Famous for: being governor of Minnesota, his professional wrestling career

Famous for: being the host of the improv comedy show Whose Line Is It Anyway? and star of the aptly named The Drew Carey ShowMilitary connection: worked as a hospital corpsman for five

years in the Navy and ran on the Navy track team (despite being a victim of racial segregation)

Famous for: delivering ba-bies as Dr. Heathcliff Cliff Huxtable on The Cosby Show

Military connection: served as a frogman on a Navy Un-derwater Demolition Team (UDT) during the Vietnam War; after that, served in the Navy Reserve as part of SEAL Team OneNoted: said he would be interested in running as Ron Pauls vice presidential candi-date should Paul run as a third party candidate in the 2012 general election

Military connection: served six years in the Marine Corps ReserveNoted: is a die-hard fan of all Cleveland sports and is also a minority owner of the Seattle Sounders FC Major League Soccer team

Noted: used his Navy track experience to win a track scholarship to Temple Univer-sity, where he studied physical education and played fullback on the football team

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OPERATION:

GET FIT

CORE STRENGTHWhats Required:For most branches, the average set to be competitive is about 100 sit-ups in two minutes. Where to start:If you dont have someone to hold your feet down, try hooking them un-der a bed, couch or other heavy object that wont move while exercising.

UPPER-BODYSTRENGTHWhats Required:Push-ups and pull-ups are the meat and potatoes of these workouts. Some branches stress this muscle group more than others, but all want a lot. Where to start:A recommended training exercise is to be able to do 100 push-ups in two minutes, as well as 100 pull-ups spaced over several repetitions of about 15 or 20 each time, with a short rest in between.

SWIM EXERCISEALTERNATIVES

We here at Homefront have kindly combed the fitness requirements for each branchs special forces. And while we cant always help with the emotional and psychological fortitude these roles require, we can at least help you get a better idea of the physical training they meet and exceed for their jobs.

HIKINGWhats Required:Each branch requires you to com-plete a long hike with a heavy pack. Where to start:If you enjoy backpacking, this should be no trouble, but if you dont have experience or motiva-tion, buying a hiking pack and weights for it might be a little expensive.

RUNNINGWhats Required:You should be able to run at a 5 or 6-minute mile pace for 2 or 3-mile runs, and a 7 or 8-minute pace for 5-mile runs. Where to start:Try running just one mile a day for a week at that pace. During the second week, run two miles at that pace every day, and then keep mov-ing up.

SWIMMINGWhats Required:Each branch requires you to swim at least several hundred yards in full uniform.Where to start:You can do that at home by swim-ming in the clothes you own or normally wear. Or, swim 1,000 yards (in a bathing suit) in 22 or 24 minutes instead of 500 yards (uniformed) in 9 or 10 minutes like the SEALs require.

Dont have a pool? Look below for swim exercise alternatives.

Photos by Julia Wall

BY WILL DORAN

Flutter kicks are great for leg strength, and upper body exercises help your stroke. And remember the more slowly you do the individual movements in these exercises, the more control and strength you will gain in each motion.

FLUTTER KICKSAim to complete at least 50 flutter kicks.

Remember to keep your abs engaged while moving legs up and down.

PULL-UPSBegin with your

maximum repetition of pull-ups. If you dont have a pull-up bar, find a low wall to use. Start with straight arms and

remember to breathe at the bottom.

PUSH-UPSDo 40 push-ups and focus on your

breathing. Inhale as you lower to the ground and exhale pushing up.

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Elizabeth City State University PlanetariumExperience night sky tours, star and laser shows, films and guided tours of the solar system under a star-filled dome at this planetarium. www.ecsu.edu/planetarium

Airborne & Special Operations Museum

This free-admission museum has several incredible exhibits, includ-ing a main gallery, a temporary gallery, a four-story-tall theater, a video theater and a motion simula-tor ride. Excitement for all ages!www.asomf.org

Cape Fear Botanical GardenThese botanical gardens feature more than 2,000 varieties of orna-mental plants and several specialty gardens including Camellia, Daylily and Hosta gardens. The area also has a childrens garden, providing a unique and educational experience for the young ones.www.capefearbg.org

CAMEO Art House Theatre

Preservation North Carolina rec-ognizes Fayettevilles alternative cinematic experience as the coolest place downtown. This is a wonder-ful family venue, exhibiting movies, live theater and special events.www.cameoarthouse.com

Museum of the Albemarle

Features the Madrin Gallery, a 6,200 square-foot exhibit that is a showcase of over 700 artifacts that depict the story of the Albemarle regions watermen, farmers, lifesav-ers and soldiers.www.museumofthealbemarle.com

Fascinate-U Childrens MuseumThis museum offers many fun activities, including shopping at the Gro-Right Grocery & Deli, responding to 911 calls at the Emergency Dispatch Center, giv-ing the NC weather forecast at the WNUZ center, and more!www.fascinate-u.com

E L I Z A B E T H C I T YFAYE T T EV I L L EPope Field Air Force Base Fort Bragg Army Base USCG Air Station Elizabeth City

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neNorth Carolina is home to a large variety of military bases ranging from the Air Force to the Coast Guard, with everything in between. If you are a family that is looking to visit a loved one who is stationed at a base in North Carolina, you will need to find activities in the surrounding area that can liven up your visit. This list includes some of the most popular military bases in the state, and also provides entertainment options for you and your kids to enjoy while visiting your loved one.

Finding fun while at the fortBY JONATHAN LAROWE

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