Welcome! Project Military Families is a study of military family life during wartime.

Thank you for visiting the website.

Click here to access our APA convention poster presentation.

Introduction

Over 1 million families have been affected by the deployment of a spouse, parent, or loved one to Iraq or Afghanistan. Project Military Families aims to document the experiences of these military families.

While there may be anecdotal information, there has never been a qualitative study of American military families on the home front during war. Project Military Families aims to change that. We are reaching out to families directly in an effort to document their stories- both their victories and struggles.

It is the hope of Project Military Families to bring light to the tremendous strength and resilience military families have demonstrated in overcoming the challenges of multiple deployments.

We want to hear your story! If you are a military spouse currently stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, we are interested in interviewing you about your experiences. Please see the contact us page to sign up.

Who is eligible?

1. Do you have a spouse in the armed services who has deployed to OIF/OEF and returned home at least 1 time?

2. Do you have one or more children?

If you answered yes to these questions, then you are eligible to participate!

So you ask, "Why should I participate?" That's a good question. Here's why:

Because you have a story to tell. Most military spouses know what they do on a daily basis is far from the ordinary. You have lived it, and continued to volunteer your service to the nation- your story is one that the nation wants to hear.

To inform the nation. Most busy military spouses don't have the time to tell others about what it's like to be a military spouse. As a result, few outside the military truly understand the joys and hardships of military life during war. There is a dearth of documented research in the area of military family functioning. With more knowledge about the experiences of the community, our national leaders can do a better job of serving military families.

For personal reflection. Many participants report their experience with Project Military Families is as a positive one. The interview will last approximately 90 minutes, during which you will be asked to talk about your experiences before, during, and after your spouse's deployment. Recounting your family's story often allows for a some amount of emotional release and provides an opportunity to reflect on your family's strengths and growth.

For current and future military families. War is a reality of current times. Further, a large proportion of military kids go on to join the military in their adult life. So it's a reality that your children may one day have a family that is in the same position as you are in. By being part of the project, you are providing your story to make positive changes for military families current and future.

Your participation is truly valued and your privacy and confidentiality will be protected throughout the process. Project Military Families is independent of the Department of Defense.

Please make the decision to participate today~ for all the reasons and for yourself. You have a voice, and we want to hear from you!

How do I sign up?

Go to the Contact Us page.

Thursday, May 13, 2010