Shadowed by War: Building Community Capacity to Support Military Families

TLDR

Military service has evolved since 9/11, with forward deployment exposing families to separation, extended absences, and reunion challenges that heighten short‑ and long‑term vulnerabilities. The article examines these family challenges and proposes a new approach to building support systems for military families. The authors introduce a capacity‑building framework and highlight four diverse, innovative social‑action programs aligned with this approach. The paper outlines implications for implementing the community capacity‑building model.

Abstract

The context of military service has changed greatly since the events of 9/11. The forward deployment of service members to active war zones, which involves the issues of separation, time away from home, and eventual reunion, increases the vulnerability of their families to multiple, negative short‐term and long‐term effects. This article explores these issues and suggests a new approach to building support systems to support these military families. To this end, a capacity‐building framework is introduced, and 4 diverse and innovative social action programs consistent with this approach are highlighted. Implications for implementing the community capacity‐building model are presented.