Fairchild hosts 2nd military family caucus event

Published Aug. 27, 2012
By Maj. Angela O'Connell
Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Fairchild hosted its second Military Family Caucus event Aug. 20, to give military spouses a venue to discuss challenges, common issues and barriers they experience, as well as offer potential solutions for congressional leadership. Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers chaired the event.

"My goal is to put a microphone in front of each of you and give you an opportunity to discuss your issues," she said. "When someone joins the military, it's not just an individual commitment; it's a commitment the entire family makes."

Spouses brought forward several topics, including employment, education, housing and health care.

Ashley Marshall discussed the challenges she faces as an attorney married to a military member. She relayed the difficulty and expense involved with having to sit for the bar exam in each state they move to and asked that lawmakers work to ease that burden for spouses who have professional certifications.

Spouses also noted that not only is maintaining certifications difficult, but simply finding jobs is challenging due to gaps in their resumes.

"Sometimes we have employment opportunities, but it isn't the best employment opportunity for our family," said Deb Teagan. "It is important to educate employers about the complicated lives of military spouses."

McMorris Rodgers told the attendees that she hires military spouses. It was a member of her staff, a military spouse, who had the idea for the development of the Military Family Caucus so lawmakers are better familiar with the challenges military families face and experience they offer.

"We need to do a better job of highlighting what a military spouse brings," she said. "We must focus on increasing awareness and educating employers on what you can bring so they can see you as an advantage."

Some spouses were frustrated at the lack of cohesiveness when trying to complete college degrees since the hours and classes needed varied by institution.

"You are always against a deadline when working on a degree," said Aimee Berger. "If you have a handful of classes left to graduate and your spouse gets orders, you just have to suck it up and start again."

Others brought up recent changes in legislation that have helped ease some of those burdens and were thankful.

"It is an awesome benefit for military spouses to get in-residence credit (with universities)," said Dara Bender. "It is the little stuff that is huge, even though others may think it is small."

Spouses discussed the challenges for military children who are often forced to move several times through several school districts with varying requirements.

"We have moved to three different high schools requiring their own state's history which adds to the coursework needed to graduate," said Jan Wood.

McMorris Rodgers acknowledged that parents need to be afforded some flexibility when making school choices for their children.

Spouses were also concerned that if doctors are cut from the Fairchild clinic, dependents will have to seek care on the economy causing continuity issues with their care.

"If cuts get made, my spouse will get the care he needs here, but I will be forced to find a provider downtown," Teagan said.

Spouses expressed their frustration with relocations, saying military members are losing large amounts of money moving away from homes that are not selling.

"When you have to move, you don't have options," said Mistee Burns, after relaying a story about the difficulties they faced with their move to Fairchild from Alaska.

McMorris Rodgers closed the event by letting the spouses know their voices have been heard and their concerns will be brought forward.

"Thanks for what you do and just know that there is a group on Capitol Hill focused on these issues," she said. "We've made progress, but there is still more to be done."

The first-ever Military Family Caucus event held outside of Washington, D.C., was hosted at Fairchild last year.