i am a military wife

If the military members are as smart as the ones I left behind when I retired 4 years ago, the media has no effect on their morale. My personal opinion of that's going on are definitely opposite the main stream and I hope you grant me the right to express them based on my 24 years served in the U.S. Air Force. Here goes... First let me get the positive in there. Stand up and applaud yourself for being a military spouse. As much as I deployed, nothing intimidated me more than when my [formal] wife went back home for two weeks to take care of her sick father and left me to tend to the two kids and house. Everyday she would call, everyday I would ask if her father was getting better! It is NOT easy maintaining the household during deployments. I admire ALL military spouses who stick it out with their husbands/wives. I say the media has no effect on moral, because the majority of soldiers, airman, sailors and marines know how "sensationalism driven" news agencies are. If the world were perfect and no wars, crimes or disasters happened, news media agencies would go out business before trying to report only the good things happening. I also have issues with all the "support the troop" hub-bub. When I was deployed, I didn't need letters of thank yous and well wishes from strangers. What kept my spirits up was hearing from my family. If you REALLY want to "support the troops", write your congressmen and representatives and let them know how you feel. In essence, they are the ONLY ones that can really support or not support our troops by approving funding. If you think the military should pull out of Irag and write it off as another Vietnam, then tell your congressman. If you think they should stay and fight, tell your congressman. Imagine the response if all the letter writing campaigns created for the soldiers were done for each State's representatives? I bet you would see some results one way or the other. Right now, I don't think our representatives are really in touch with what their constituents want and off on their own personal agendas. We Americans are so fickled. Before the war started, and you'll probably be able to relate to this, the military was not appreciated. We're too big, overpaid and cost too much money. Hence all the cuts. Even today, there are still those who believe we don't need a military. How soon we forget. The truth be know, I believe your husband is gearing up for a third time because the military is two small. For decades, the military was structured under the old "cold-war" concept to have the capibility to fight two wars simultaneously. With the fall of the old Soviet Union and reunification of East and West Germany, our political leaders felt it was time to downsize. No one considered the new world we're living in. The one where we would have to fight not two, but three or four different location simultaneously. Even with all the modern technology we have, you can't win a war without "boots on the ground." A lot of boots! Unforturnately, I think it will take another 9/11 type incident -- on U.S. soil for America, has a whole, to wake up and acknowledge the type of world we live in.

My husband is 2 months into his 3rd depoyment to Iraq. He's only been in 4 and 1/2 years! I don't even know what I think about it... All I know is I don't want them to begin reducing the number of troops until my husband is out of there!

This military mom worries every day no matter what part of the world my son is in. My son is on his second tour of duty in Iraq. Currently, we are enjoying having him home on leave. As for the media...I think the media has little to no effect on the morale of the troops since they do not see most of what we see in papers, on tv and on radio. They are busy doing their jobs and getting some sleep when they can. Supporting the troops comes with being a military spouse or parent. That is because it is closer to the heart for us.

I think that no matter our opinion our men over there need to know that we support them. They are defending our country. I had a person actually say that they weren't defending our country. They were across the water. My response back to them that if our soldiers didn't fight the wars over there before you know it the war would be right in our back yard. I think our soldiers do a outstanding job and the media tears down our soldiers. They talk about civilians being killed, women and children. They don't also bring out the fact that the enemy uses these people because they know the American people will side against the soldiers when what they see is these people killed. My husband gets so irritated when the news shows this more than they show the enemy soldier being taken prisoner or if need be killed. My husband served two tours over in Vietnam and the way he was treated when anyone found out that he was in Vietnam was disgusting. People Stand Behind Our Soldiers And Let Them Know We Appreciate Them!!!!!!!!

It might be really hard! I am Canadian and I have a friend who is a military. She's currently in Texas. She's following a training for a deployment in Afghanistan. She's a volunter. I am not really for it. I believe no one should risk their live. So I am not really supportive and I don't understand why people volunteer for such things. No one should go. Or maybe your husband has no choice to go. It's the career he chooses. I guess in a way, we should be supportive. It's hard to say if we should be supportive or not. In a way, I am supportive, but I don't encourage anyone to become a volunter. Good luck to you and to your family! Wish you the best.

I am coming close to my 2nd deployment with my fiance. He was in Afghanistan last year and now he is headed to Iraq this June. I think the media works for and against the morale. I mean sometimes there are very inspiring stories and then there are the horror stories. I would rather know the truth than to be in the dark about things. I don't however want to hear the soldiers being slammed for doing their job. I agree that if you don't support the war, support the troops! I can't say that everything I feel about this war is positive, but I know my man has a job to do and I am behind him 100%. Thanks for posting this!

I agree, they should be putting the troops and families first no matter their opinions. My husband is military as well and leaving for 6 months in May and will more than likely, miss the birth of our new baby in October. It is hard to mantain a normal life when your loved one is gone and in possible danger.