Commentary

Opinions on war, Pentagon policy, pay and benefits, deployments, uniforms, weapons and more.

This image shows Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, Sept. 3, 2017.

American legacy of ‘forever wars’ lives on in its casualties

The divorces, wars, and military bases blurred together as they do in military families.

8 days ago

Workers from River City Movers conduct a direct delivery for a service member whose belongings were transported overseas from his previous duty station in Germany during a government move to Fort Campbell, Ky., on May 9, 2022.

Are frequent moves the root of military families’ struggles?

On this episode of The Spouse Angle podcast, three military spouses discuss their personal struggles with the military lifestyle.

2 weeks ago

Marines and poolees with Recruiting Station Richmond conduct a pull-up bar challenge during event during the K95 Country Festival in Doswell, Virginia, June 18, 2022.

Commentary

It takes a community to recruit and retain service members

America's defense communities have long been one of the largest sources for military recruiting.

Air Force Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost, commander, U.S. Transportation Command, listens to members of the 168th Wing while visiting Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, May 18, 2022.

Women in the military: Moving beyond ‘firsts’

Women's History Month is celebrated annually in March.

3 weeks ago

Fresh vegetables sit on the shelves of the commissary during the Healthy Lifestyles event held May 26, 2017 at Sagamihara Family Housing Area Commissary.

Healthy eating on a budget for busy military spouses

A nutritionist and Army spouse shares her best advice for buying healthy food on a tight budget and more on this episode of The Spouse Angle podcast.

3 weeks ago

Volunteers load a vehicle at a Military Family Advisory Network food distribution event in Killeen, Texas in March 2022.

The impossible choice facing many of America’s military families

Too often, military families are forced to put food on the backburner to keep a roof over their heads.

3 weeks ago

The COVID-19 pandemic is ‘over’ — and the GI Bill needs to adapt

About 900,000 veterans and members of the military-affiliated community use the VA’s educational benefits annually to attend school.

3 weeks ago

How Michigan’s Camp Grayling can boost US military’s Arctic readiness

The DoD recognizes the importance of cold weather training, and that training can happen in Michigan.

4 weeks ago

When it comes to network innovation, we must protect the data ‘pipes’

Because encryption has a shelf life, military networks still need to protect the data pipes that support the warfighter.

4 weeks ago

Jerry Ensminger, a retired Marine master sergeant, lost his daughter to leukemia.

Military families devastated by Camp Lejeune water toxins

A retired Marine master sergeant who lost his daughter to leukemia and a cancer-surviving officer’s son share their stories on The Spouse Angle podcast.

4 weeks ago

Fixing the Navy’s suicide crisis, without more mental health personnel

How do we train sailors to be better leaders, better mentors, better “suicide preventers”?

5 weeks ago

The best and worst ways to save for retirement as a military spouse

A financial expert discusses what a new law to help military spouses save for retirement means for families on this episode of The Spouse Angle podcast.

5 weeks ago

Clothes hang on a clothesline in honor of sexual assault victims in the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response office at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, April 10, 2018.

Ease the path to mental health care after military sexual trauma

Preventing military sexual assault is important, but so is access to mental health care after sexual trauma.

5 weeks ago

New military hunger data – and how a popular comedian is helping

On this episode of The Spouse Angle podcast, how a military spouse and comedian is using her platform to fight food insecurity among military families.

6 weeks ago

An airman assigned to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, performs network analysis during a training exercise at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, May 17, 2022.

The military should turn its network innovation upside down

When it comes to network innovation, the Pentagon should let our warfighters decide what risks to take.

6 weeks ago

Sailors play a volleyball game on an island beach during a port visit in Maldives, Feb. 19, 2009.

Pursuing passions and purpose outside of military life

On this episode of The Spouse Angle podcast, Army spouse Sergio Rosario Diaz, founder of Soy Súper Papá, shares tips for building a community.

7 weeks ago

Marines conduct cool-down stretches with students at Instituto Comprensivo “Salvo Basso” Scordia, Italy on May 5, 2016.

Addressing America’s obesity crisis can improve military readiness

Defense Department data indicates ineligibility stems from three key issues: education, not meeting weight standards or a record of crime or drug abuse.

7 weeks ago

A letter to the next US president: Here’s how you can fix our military

It’s hard to imagine the NFL only picking players based on subjective recommendations. So why does the military?

8 weeks ago

The League of Wives Memorial Project table at Fleet Week San Diego, Nov. 6, 2022.

At last, a memorial honoring military spouses

On this episode of The Spouse Angle podcast, a bronze statue will be the first public memorial to honor the advocacy and sacrifices of military spouses.

8 weeks ago

A soldier walks from one point to another during a land navigation course at Camp Williams, Utah, April 15, 2021.

Why the US must protect military training lands from encroachment

There is no substitute for tough, realistic training and testing to prepare our forces for the challenges they will face.

8 weeks ago