WASHINGTON: Six months into the U.S. war with Iran, military families across the country are adapting to extended deployments, disrupted routines, financial pressures and uncertainty over when their loved ones will return.
Courtney Sanders, who leads the Chicagoland chapter of Blue Star Families, a nonprofit supporting U.S. military families, said families have faced difficulties ranging from arranging school pickups to managing lost household income and prolonged separation.
“It’s like being on pins and needles all of the time,” Sanders said. Her two daughters are in the U.S. Navy and have served at various overseas locations, including the Middle East, during the past six months.
The United States has more than 50,000 troops stationed across the region and has deployed thousands of additional Marines and sailors. Eighteen U.S. service members have been killed in the conflict and more than 750 wounded.
The fluctuating pace of fighting, diplomatic efforts and unsuccessful peace talks have added to the uncertainty faced by military families, Sanders said.
In a Blue Star Families poll of about 200 active-duty military families conducted in early March, 81% reported increased stress related to the Iran conflict.
The organization has expanded its support programs, including online resources, webinars, in-person gatherings and mentoring for military spouses experiencing their first deployment.
Some deployments have also been extended unexpectedly. The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier went more than 200 days without a port call, which Democratic lawmakers described as a modern-day record. Military outlets have also reported suicide attempts and declining morale among sailors and Marines aboard the carrier, allegations that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said had misrepresented conditions on the ship.
Financial pressures have also affected some families. National Guard members, who often hold civilian jobs when not deployed, can leave households facing a sudden loss of income when called to active duty.
“There is a huge misconception in the civilian world that if you are in the military, all of your bills are taken care of,” Sanders said. “And that is just frankly not true.”
The Pentagon said it was aware of families’ concerns and would provide resources and assistance during the deployments.
‘A LOT OF EMOTIONS’
Shannon, an Army spouse and mother of three in North Carolina, said her husband was deployed to the region in February with five days’ notice. Communication was sporadic during the first several months.
Although they have been able to communicate almost daily since June, Shannon said the situation remained emotionally difficult, particularly as casualties continued to be reported.
Her children began therapy during the summer. Shannon also joined a soldier-and-family readiness group associated with her husband’s unit, helping organize meals and other assistance for families.
“Every day is not going to be a great day, but you’ve gotta just keep going and keep yourself busy,” she said.
In Virginia, Pat, a Navy spouse and mother, has sought to maintain a normal routine for her middle- and high-school-aged children while her husband remains deployed.
Neighbors have helped with school pickups and other household responsibilities. Her family also wears red on Fridays as a show of support for deployed service members, a tradition that some of her children’s classmates have joined.
Pat said her husband’s access to Wi-Fi aboard his ship has made communication easier compared with previous deployments, but uncertainty over his return remains difficult for the family.
“Having older kids and knowing that dad wasn’t there to see those sporting events, some of that’s been a little emotional,” she said. “But my kids are very resilient.”
About the Author
