By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service NEW YORK, Sept. 13, 2011 - For a U.S. military leader trying to reach a different audience, it doesn't get much more different than "The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart.
Stewart has been spending a lot of time with the chairman. He traveled to Afghanistan with Mullen this summer to thank troops in remote combat outposts and forward operating bases for their service. Stewart called it his "summer vacation." Mullen, whose father was a Hollywood publicist, joked about escaping Los Angeles in 1964 when he entered the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. Stewart asked about the chairman's plans after his retirement at the end of the month. "A long winter's nap," Mullen responded. The discussion turned to weightier matters, and the chairman praised the men and women who are serving today. They have served multiple deployments, he noted, and have done everything the country has asked them to do. "I've been doing this a long time -- since 1968 -- and unquestionably, they are superb," he said. Mullen said he and his wife, Deborah, who accompanied the chairman to the taping, try to represent the needs of service members and their families. "We try to stay in touch with them, so we understand what they are doing and what we are asking them to do, including the ultimate sacrifice," the chairman told Stewart. "I tell them ... there isn't a decision I make or recommendation I make that doesn't take their needs ... into account. The strength of our military is those men and women and their families." During last month's trip, Stewart said, he was surprised that Mullen had surrounded himself with people whose jobs were to challenge him and his thinking. "What I've found over the years as I've gotten into jobs with more responsibility is the diversity of opinions and views is absolutely critical," the chairman said. "It allows me, in the end, to make the best decision." | ||
| Biographies: Navy Adm. Mike Mullen | ||
Showing posts with label Family issues. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family issues. Show all posts
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Mullen Praises Troops, Families on 'Daily Show'
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Embraces his wife and child before they board an aircraft
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Blogger Copes With Military Mom's Guilt
Sat, Feb 26, 2011 at 4:55 AM
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2011 - I'd like to welcome guest blogger Navy Lt. Tiffani Walker. In this blog, Walker writes about how she balances being a mother with being a military member, and the pride she feels in both roles. - Elaine Wilson
Guilt and Motherhood
By Tiffani Walker
Definition of tumultuous: riotous, turbulent, disturbed, moving across country with two small children while husband is 3,000 miles away.
Life has been tumultuous for me lately. I changed my career field and got a new job, I transferred from Washington state to Washington, D.C., I just received my household goods into our new home and I commute almost four hours a day, but all of those things are pretty "normal" for me.
What has me really spun up and wrung out is my other job, a mom to two amazing, beautiful germ-filled petri dishes that are my children.
I enlisted in the Navy 12 years ago when life was simpler and I was simpler. I had a sea bag full of things that were given to me and backpack full of things that were mine: a couple of pictures, a toothbrush and enough stuff to write home to mom and dad.
Wherever I went all I had to worry about was a small wallet to hold my brand new ID card and getting myself in to work the next day. Even when I moved, a new roll of toilet paper was provided to me. I can't remember what I did with all of my free time, but I wish I could find some of it now so I could figure out why I'm not hip anymore.
My children have changed my world and my daily calendar. I walk out the door with no less than five bags in the morning and my "free time" is now filled with things like "Cheernastics" and Mommy and Me swim, the smell of laundry and bleach wipes. I can't say that I would want it differently, but I can say that I am exhausted, kept moving through the days and weeks by guilt, my will to be a wonderful mother and diet soda.
Military moms have the regular parental guilt that comes from worrying if our kids have enough: enough interaction, enough activities, enough education, but we have more insidious guilt as well. The kind that sneaks into the house and sits at the dinner table when Mom or Dad is on duty (again) or on deployment. The kind of guilt that hangs around your neck like a weight when our child's arms haven't hung there for not just hours, but days, weeks and months.
I combat the guilt with simple things that I can control and try to let the rest go. It is a battle every day not to worry about the bigger things, but I manage by taking the time to breathe in the smell of baby formula and lotion when my son falls asleep in my arms at night and laughing when I see what books and stuffed animals my daughter has smuggled into her bed for the evening. My beautiful girl who talks of faraway places and has a section in her bookshelf dedicated to biographies and one to simply "Tinkerbell."
I take pride in my job and knowing that one day my kids will recognize that I got out of bed, put on a uniform that I was proud to wear, took them to day care and did the best I could everyday for them, for me and for my service. I hope they know I was lucky enough to be in the military and be their mother.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Move Forward
Posted on Wed, Oct 20, 2010 at 1:30 AM
By David Lloyd
Family Advocacy Program Office
WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2010 - David Lloyd is the director of the Family Advocacy Program Office of Military Community and Family Policy. In this guest blog, Mr. Lloyd urges victims of domestic abuse to seek help for both themselves and their children.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Looking Back, Moving Forward
More than 20 years ago, the first federal funds were authorized for the establishment, maintenance and expansion of programs and projects to prevent incidents of family violence and provide shelter and assistance for victims and their children.
Congress formally recognized October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month through a congressional resolution, citing the frequency of violence against women by their intimate partners, the universal nature of such violence and the associated abuse of children in homes where domestic violence occurs. The resolution also recognized the importance of nationwide efforts to increase public understanding of domestic violence and the work of advocates to help domestic violence victims leave abusive relationships.
Over the last two decades, the momentum of the domestic violence movement has continued to build.
The dedication of tireless advocates has helped increase public understanding of domestic violence as a serious public health issue, and driven public investment in the prevention of domestic violence.
The Defense Department has joined this movement. Established in the early eighties, the Family Advocacy Program addresses domestic violence in military families through prevention efforts, early identification and intervention, support for victims and treatment for abusers. This office works with offices and agencies both on the installation and in the civilian community to provide a coordinated community response to domestic abuse incidents.
As recently as 2004, DOD instituted additional measures to promote a culture shift within the military environment that prioritizes offender accountability and victim safety. DOD's restricted reporting policy enables victims to seek medical care and safety planning without law enforcement notification. For military communities accustomed to command involvement in almost all matters, this measure, in particular, represents profound progress in the effort to keep victims safe and promote help-seeking behavior.
Despite this progress, there is still work to be done, as men and women remain at risk. Nationally, there are almost 4.8 million intimate partner-related violent incidents each year and some of these victims are in military families.
As President Barack Obama emphasized last year when he designated October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, this month is a time to "[R]ededicate ourselves to breaking the cycle of violence. By providing young people with education about healthy relationships, and by changing attitudes that support violence, we recognize that domestic violence can be prevented. We must build the capacity of our nation's victim service providers to reach and serve those in need. Together, we must ensure that, in America, no victim of domestic violence ever struggles alone."
So, what can be done to support the ongoing effort to end domestic violence? What can you do?
-- (Re) Educate Yourself: As Congress emphasized in 1981, domestic violence is universal. It crosses all demographic lines and can affect men and women in all racial, social, religious, ethnic, and economic groups, and of all ages and physical abilities. No one is immune. Domestic violence, now often referred to as intimate partner violence, includes physical violence, sexual violence, threats and emotional abuse.
-- Become Part of the Solution: Volunteer with an organization that supports victims and works to end domestic violence. Find out how you can become involved in your local Family Advocacy Program's Domestic Violence Awareness Month efforts. Help those you care about, particularly young people who are just beginning to explore romantic relationships, learn about healthy relationships.
-- Recognize the Signs of Abuse: Understand how to recognize the signs of abuse and help a potential victim access the help he or she needs. If nothing else, remember the number: 1-800-799-SAFE, available to serve victims 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
If you are in an abusive relationship, or if something about your relationship with your partner scares you, get help now. To find a victim advocate, call the installation operator or Military OneSource at 1-800-342-9647 and ask for the number of the domestic violence victim advocate. You also can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline within the United States at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). If you are outside of the United States, contact the American Domestic Violence Crisis Line by calling the local AT&T operator in your country and asking to be connected to 866-USWOMEN.
As we look back, we hope you are inspired to help us move forward to promote an end to domestic violence.
By David Lloyd
Family Advocacy Program Office
 |
| (Phpto courtesy:NDVSAC) |
Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Looking Back, Moving Forward
More than 20 years ago, the first federal funds were authorized for the establishment, maintenance and expansion of programs and projects to prevent incidents of family violence and provide shelter and assistance for victims and their children.
Congress formally recognized October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month through a congressional resolution, citing the frequency of violence against women by their intimate partners, the universal nature of such violence and the associated abuse of children in homes where domestic violence occurs. The resolution also recognized the importance of nationwide efforts to increase public understanding of domestic violence and the work of advocates to help domestic violence victims leave abusive relationships.
 |
| (Photo courtesy : mccslejeune) |
The dedication of tireless advocates has helped increase public understanding of domestic violence as a serious public health issue, and driven public investment in the prevention of domestic violence.
The Defense Department has joined this movement. Established in the early eighties, the Family Advocacy Program addresses domestic violence in military families through prevention efforts, early identification and intervention, support for victims and treatment for abusers. This office works with offices and agencies both on the installation and in the civilian community to provide a coordinated community response to domestic abuse incidents.
As recently as 2004, DOD instituted additional measures to promote a culture shift within the military environment that prioritizes offender accountability and victim safety. DOD's restricted reporting policy enables victims to seek medical care and safety planning without law enforcement notification. For military communities accustomed to command involvement in almost all matters, this measure, in particular, represents profound progress in the effort to keep victims safe and promote help-seeking behavior.
Despite this progress, there is still work to be done, as men and women remain at risk. Nationally, there are almost 4.8 million intimate partner-related violent incidents each year and some of these victims are in military families.
As President Barack Obama emphasized last year when he designated October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, this month is a time to "[R]ededicate ourselves to breaking the cycle of violence. By providing young people with education about healthy relationships, and by changing attitudes that support violence, we recognize that domestic violence can be prevented. We must build the capacity of our nation's victim service providers to reach and serve those in need. Together, we must ensure that, in America, no victim of domestic violence ever struggles alone."
So, what can be done to support the ongoing effort to end domestic violence? What can you do?
-- (Re) Educate Yourself: As Congress emphasized in 1981, domestic violence is universal. It crosses all demographic lines and can affect men and women in all racial, social, religious, ethnic, and economic groups, and of all ages and physical abilities. No one is immune. Domestic violence, now often referred to as intimate partner violence, includes physical violence, sexual violence, threats and emotional abuse.
-- Become Part of the Solution: Volunteer with an organization that supports victims and works to end domestic violence. Find out how you can become involved in your local Family Advocacy Program's Domestic Violence Awareness Month efforts. Help those you care about, particularly young people who are just beginning to explore romantic relationships, learn about healthy relationships.
-- Recognize the Signs of Abuse: Understand how to recognize the signs of abuse and help a potential victim access the help he or she needs. If nothing else, remember the number: 1-800-799-SAFE, available to serve victims 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
If you are in an abusive relationship, or if something about your relationship with your partner scares you, get help now. To find a victim advocate, call the installation operator or Military OneSource at 1-800-342-9647 and ask for the number of the domestic violence victim advocate. You also can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline within the United States at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). If you are outside of the United States, contact the American Domestic Violence Crisis Line by calling the local AT&T operator in your country and asking to be connected to 866-USWOMEN.
As we look back, we hope you are inspired to help us move forward to promote an end to domestic violence.
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