It’s reminiscent of what happened to military personnel during the Vietnam Era, except at least this time the vitriol isn’t violent.
But it’s just as uncalled for and almost as ridiculous. Even worse: It’s the direct …

It started out as a joke between a 7-year-old and his mom. A few weeks after his dad deployed, the boy sat down on the couch, grabbed the  remote and began flipping channels. “I’m doing …

The guys are not squeamish about the news – there’s really no way a kid can be growing up in a military community, where events continents away can flare and invade your life. So …

I’ve never paid much attention to birthdays – not since I turned 18, at least, and was old enough to drink. Yes, I am that old. Being old doesn’t especially bother me most of the …

About a week ago,  Texas Republicans had a good idea – yeah, it’s been known to happen.
That’s when U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert introduced House Resolution 1297, the “Ensuring Pay for Our Military Act.” It now …

After a few hours this morning of watching various channels for word on the budget the way he usually watches for news from Iraq, Afghanistan or Libya, Dad had had enough. “Whatever happens will happen,” …

I’ve lived in nine different cities and towns in my adult life – journalism in the early part of your career is a lot like the military. Two or three  years and you’re out, except …

The only way to keep a secret in this house is if one of the beings that knows it can’t speak.
That’s why I confided only in the dog a few Thursdays ago when I found …

Just as I was in a mood to rant about proposals to cut Army morale spending anyway, they were handing out papers at last night’s soccer game alerting parents that registration is open for tee …

Big Guy survived his BFF’s move last spring, and the relationship continues to thrive thanks to unlimited long distance and Skype. He teetered last week, though, when another friend – the first he’d made here …

Listen to Joe “You lie” Wilson, for the South Carolina congressman is speaking the truth.
“While demands for increased effectiveness and efficiency are to be expected, I fear that misperceptions about the absence of a …

I have a problem with asking for help. Part of it’s because of  due to an independent streak, but a great deal of the hesitancy has been learned. Why ask for help when you can’t …

The surprising part is not that the Army is telling Dad he has to have his wisdom teeth removed – that’s pretty much pro forma, though I’m not sure why. A friend who used to …

There’s a reason the acronym AMC – for the military’s Air Mobility Command – is jokingly translated to “Airplane Might Come.”
There’s also a reason that a popular prayer asks, “God give me the serenity to …

I have no idea who he is, but I’ve heard the voice before.
It’s the voice filled fatigue the likes of which those of us who haven’t been there can’t begin to imagine. It’s a voice …

He looks around among his friends and sees only a few women in green. It was inevitable that the question would come up.
“Mommy, why aren’t there many girls in the Army?” Big Guy asked.
There are …

Looking for a social media strategist? There’s one particular group that recently did an exceptional job of compiling the important information, explaining without talking down, laying out policies and backing them up with salient case …

The guys have an unfortunate addiction: Graham crackers and milk for breakfast. We could go through a box every three days, at $2 per “on sale” at the commissary.
I thought that price was bad until …

A little more than a year after Dad’s departure, his return is getting close.
Tantalizingly close. Not close enough to order the balloons or bake the cake, but near enough that we can see that it’s …

Big Guy had been looking for a do-over for two years, ever since his last winter wonderland adventure ended in tears.
Boots yearned with all the passion a 5-year-old can muster to again experience the heavenly …

My heart goes out to anyone who I think is going to have a less than spectacular Christmas.
I hate it for the soldiers I still see using the WiFi in Starbucks on post. I fear …

You’ve just received a Hickory Farms holiday gift pack – three weeks before the holiday, thanks to the stunning efficiency of both Hickory Farm and of the U.S. Postal Service.
Do you stash it under your …

We’d bought the Christmas tree just days after Halloween – a two-footer that took some bending to fit in a box that wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg to ship, but we did it. …

I bought a turkey two weeks ago, and at the time I had no idea why. It was a 13 pounder, because the commissary didn’t have anything smaller, and I had to cram it into …

You hear the stories about women blasting the water in the shower to hide their weeping, and you think it won’t happen to you. You’re strong. You’re resilient. You can handle this.
And for months on …

Everyone loves to look at the military’s health insurance with envy. It’s free! They don’t pay an arm and a leg like civilians do!
And when the budget recommendations come, implementing Tricare premiums, deductibles or co-pays …

I know drugstores.com. Know it well, in fact, since moving to Fort Irwin, a place where even over-the-counter kids medications can be hard to come by.
Several times a year I load up the cybercart with …

Teeth-cleaning gum? Oh my God, is this ever the answer to my prayers.
It sounds almost too good to be true and I feared at first that it might be because most Google paths lead back …