FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
According to a 2011 U.S. Department of Defense demographics report, there are more family members in the military community than Service members.
Nearly half of Service members DoD-wide are married to civilian spouses with no prior-military experience. The unique challenges military families face can sometimes make coping with the rigors of military life difficult.
In an effort to support and empower local spouses, the Army Wife Network held two "Spouse Field Exercises" at the Fort Eustis Club, May 16 and 17 at Fort Eustis, Va.
The field exercises were designed to aid military families by offering military-life survival tips, practical military family resources, information booths, resource bags and even a professional financial advisor to share tips to take charge of family finances and set goals.
The four-hour seminars were open to all members of the military community, and were led by AWN co-founders Tara Crooks and Star Henderson.
"Less than 1 percent of our U.S. population serves in the military, and their families have taken the brunt of the sacrifice of war," said Henderson. "This event was aimed to rejuvenate military families and celebrate the military lifestyle."
Both speakers can identify with the challenges of military families.
After leaving U.S. Army active-duty service, Henderson wanted to continue serving in another capacity. After deploying as a Soldier and earning a counseling degree, she is uniquely qualified to help military families with the trials they face.
Crooks, a military spouse of more than 15 years, founded Army Wife Talk Radio in 2005 to reach out to fellow spouses during her husband's first deployment, and has since garnered a following.
Crooks was also named the Fort Sill, Okla. 2013 Army Spouse of the Year for her work through AWN, Facebook, podcasts and blogs.
Henderson and Crooks founded AWN in April 2009 when Army Wife Talk Radio combined with Field Problems, an online military spouse assistance forum. The resulting website features events, live-chat features, columns, links, resource databases, installation directories, and social media resources in one convenient place.
Along with Holly Scherer and Kathie Hightower, the pair wrote a book on things to love about military life to inspire and comfort military spouses dealing with the same experiences each of the four authors faced themselves.
"During uncertain times, it's easy to become overwhelmed with worry and doubt about this military journey and forget why we love this life," said Scherer, who was also in attendance at the event. "We want to empower military spouses through knowledge, as well as thank them for everything they do."
In addition to offering gift bags and prize giveaways, the event also focused on networking opportunities and morale, showing participants they are not alone.
Kattie Johnson, a local U.S. Navy spouse and event planner for a local military-related charity, attended the event, and knows the importance of reaching out first hand.
While her husband was deployed, Johnson suffered a stroke and was able to rely on her fellow spouses to help in her time of need.
"The friends I made were able to help me get [my husband] home," she said. "Without them I would have been lost, with no idea what to do or whom to call."
Johnson feels this event not only helps spouses meet, but reminds participants there is a support system for them.
"It's important to put yourself out there," she said. "These events show that you're not the only one, there are people out there that understand what you're going through."