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For military families, a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) is part of life. Orders come, boxes get packed, and routines shift. While adults often focus on logistics, timelines, and transitions, children experience these moves in deeply personal ways. New schools, new friendships, and unfamiliar environments become the norm, not the exception.

Military children are remarkably adaptable, but that adaptability is often shaped through repeated disruption. With the right support, especially within the education system, these transitions can become opportunities for growth rather than sources of stress.

The Hidden Weight of Starting Over

Each move asks a child to begin again. New classrooms mean new expectations, teaching styles, and social dynamics. Even confident students can feel uncertain walking into a school where everyone else already seems connected.

Academic continuity can also be a challenge. Differences in curriculum between states or districts may create gaps in learning or require students to repeat material. For older students, this can affect course sequencing, extracurricular involvement, and even graduation timelines.

Beyond academics, there is an emotional toll. Leaving behind friends, teachers, and familiar spaces can create a sense of loss that builds over time. Many military children learn to say goodbye often, sometimes before they’ve fully settled in.

Resilience, With a Cost

Military children are often described as resilient, and they are. They learn how to make friends quickly, adapt to new environments, and navigate change with a level of maturity beyond their years.

But resilience doesn’t mean the absence of difficulty. It often means learning how to cope with it. Some children may internalize stress, while others may struggle with anxiety, withdrawal, or frustration during transitions. These responses can be subtle and easy to miss in a busy classroom.

Recognizing this balance is essential. Supporting military-connected students means acknowledging both their strengths and the challenges they carry.

Where Schools Can Make a Difference

Schools play a critical role in how military children experience each move. Small, intentional efforts can create a sense of stability and belonging, even in the middle of constant change.

1. Prioritize Smooth Transitions
Enrollment processes should be streamlined to reduce delays and uncertainty. Quick access to records, flexible placement, and clear communication help students settle in faster and with greater confidence.

2. Train Staff to Recognize Military-Connected Students
Teachers and counselors who understand the military lifestyle are better equipped to support students through transitions. Awareness of deployment cycles, family separation, and frequent moves can shape a more compassionate and responsive approach.

3. Foster Inclusive Classroom Environments
Simple actions, like pairing new students with peer mentors or creating opportunities for introductions, can ease social integration. Feeling seen and welcomed can make a significant difference in a child’s adjustment.

4. Provide Academic Flexibility
Recognizing differences in curriculum and pacing is essential. Offering support for gaps in learning or flexibility in assignments allows students to catch up without feeling penalized for circumstances beyond their control.

5. Strengthen Emotional Support Systems
Access to school counselors, support groups, or programs specifically designed for military-connected students can provide a safe space to process change. Encouraging open conversations about transition can help normalize the experience.

6. Build Strong School-Family Communication
Military families often arrive with limited time to prepare. Clear, consistent communication from schools helps parents advocate for their children and stay informed during periods of adjustment.

Looking Forward

Military children bring unique perspectives into the classroom. They often carry a global awareness, adaptability, and strength that enrich school communities. With the right support systems in place, schools can help ensure that these students not only adjust but thrive.

Putting kids first means recognizing that every PCS move is more than a relocation. It is a transition that shapes a child’s education, relationships, and sense of stability. By creating environments that are responsive, inclusive, and understanding, schools have the opportunity to turn constant change into a foundation for growth.

Because when military children are supported, they don’t just navigate change. They learn how to succeed through it.

Military children don’t have to navigate these transitions alone. There are resources out there designed just for them, whether they’re adjusting to a new school, missing friends, or settling into a new community.

Visit our Resource Directory and try searching for terms like “kids,” “youth,” or “military families” to find support, programs, and communities that understand their experiences.

We hear a lot about veteran homelessness.

We hear the numbers.
We hear about funding.
We hear about programs designed to solve the problem.

But what we don’t hear enough about is what happens after a veteran makes it out.

And that silence matters.

Because when success stories aren’t told, we miss more than inspiration—we miss insight. We miss what worked, what didn’t, and where the system either supported the journey or failed along the way.

And when we miss that, we miss the gaps.

What Success Really Looks Like

I’ve seen what success can look like—but those stories don’t get told enough.

I worked with a veteran I’ll call “Mr. MBA.” Educated, capable, and not what most people expect when they think about homelessness.

But he was couch surfing—moving from place to place, relying on temporary situations that could change at any moment. On paper, he didn’t always fit the definition. In reality, he had no stability.

What changed wasn’t just access to housing—it was connection. The right support, at the right time, aligned with his willingness to move forward.

Today, he is a homeowner.

That didn’t happen because the system worked perfectly. It happened because, at some point, the right pieces finally came together.

And that’s the part we need to pay attention to.

Stories like his matter because they challenge assumptions. Homelessness doesn’t always look the way people expect. It’s not always visible. It’s not always someone living on the street. And when it doesn’t fit the stereotype, it often gets overlooked.

The Reality We Need to Address

Let’s be clear about something.

Homeless veterans do not have to remain homeless—not with the level of resources available today.

Billions of dollars have been allocated to programs like Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF), designed to prevent homelessness and rapidly rehouse veterans.

Yet we are still seeing veterans who cannot access those resources when they need them most.

That tells us something important.

The issue is not just funding.

The issue is alignment.

What Misalignment Looks Like

When alignment is off, it shows up in real ways:

This is not about whether resources exist.

It’s about whether they are actually reaching the people they were designed to serve.

And too often, they are not.

The Gap Between Resources and Reality

There is a disconnect between what is funded and what is experienced on the ground.

Veterans are still couch surfing.

Still one decision away from losing where they sleep.

Still trying to figure out which door to knock on.

At the same time, organizations are operating programs, meeting metrics, and reporting outcomes.

But if veterans are still falling through the cracks, we have to ask the hard question:

Where is the breakdown happening?

Because success should not depend on chance alignment.

It should be built into the system.

Why Success Stories Matter

Success stories are not just about celebrating outcomes.

They are about understanding pathways.

What connection made the difference?
What barrier delayed progress?
What support ensured stability—not just housing, but sustainability?

When we tell those stories honestly, we create a roadmap.

Not just for other veterans—but for the systems meant to serve them.

Without those stories, we are left with numbers that don’t tell the full truth.

And when we don’t tell the full truth, we can’t fix the real problem.

What Needs to Change

We don’t have a resource problem—we have a connection problem.
We need:

And we need alignment between funding, programs, and the lived reality of veterans.

Because when those things are not aligned, even the best-funded systems will fall short.

To the Veterans Navigating This Right Now

If you are a veteran trying to figure this out—know this:

You are not alone.

There are resources available.

But the system is not always easy to navigate—and that is not your failure.

It is something we need to fix.

Moving Forward

We have the tools.
We have the funding.
We have the programs.

Now we need to make sure they connect.

Because the goal is not just to get veterans housed.

The goal is to make sure they stay housed—and never have to go through homelessness again.

And if we start telling the full story—both the successes and the gaps—we can finally build a system that works the way it was always intended to.

To learn more about Mission Roll Call’s work uplifting veteran voices and advancing effective housing solutions, visit our Homelessness page:
https://missionrollcall.org/spotlight-priorities/housing-and-homelessness/

Mission Roll Call is committed to listening first. If you are a veteran, family member, caregiver, or community partner, we invite you to share your story with us. Your experiences guide our advocacy and help us push for the changes veterans say matter most.

Your voice matters here. We encourage veterans, families, caregivers, and supporters to share their experiences through Mission Roll Call’s national surveys. Your stories help shape policy, raise awareness, and ensure veterans are seen and heard:
https://missionrollcall.org/surveys/

Understanding the truth brings us one step closer to ensuring every veteran has what they deserve: stability, dignity, and a place to call home.

Yvette Jones-Swanson is a subject-matter expert on veteran homelessness and housing. A U.S. Army veteran and survivor of MST, she brings more than 22 years of frontline experience helping thousands of veterans secure stable housing.

Caring for a veteran is a full-time commitment that does not come with a manual. The people who step into this role, spouses, parents, siblings, friends, do so out of love and dedication. But behind every caregiver is a person quietly carrying a heavy load.

If someone in your life is caring for a veteran and you want to help, that instinct is worth acting on. The challenge is knowing how to show up in a way that feels supportive rather than intrusive. Here are six practical ways to do just that.

1. Ask Before You Act
Good intentions can sometimes create more stress than relief. Before dropping off a meal, stopping by unannounced, or jumping in to help with a task, ask first.

A simple “Is there anything I can do this week?” or “Would it help if I handled this?” gives the caregiver control over how and when support comes in. When someone is already making constant decisions, being asked, rather than told, goes a long way.

2. Offer Something Specific
Vague offers of help like, “Let me know if you need anything” often go unused.

Instead, be specific:

Clear, concert offers are easier to accept and genuinely lighten the load.

3. Show Up Consistently, Not Just in a Crisis
Support tends to pour in during a diagnosis, a hospital stay, or a difficult season, and then fade when life appears to stabilize. But caregiving doesn’t stop.

Checking in regularly, even with a short text or a quick call, shows your support isn’t tied to a crisis. Consistency matters more than grand gestures.

4. Respect Their Boundaries Without Taking It Personally
There will be times when the caregiver says no, cancels plans, or messages go unanswered. This is not a reflection of the relationship. It is a reflection of how much they are managing.
Respecting those boundaries without making the caregiver feel guilty or obligated to explain is one of the most meaningful things you can do. Let them know the door is open and then give them room to walk through it when they are ready.

5. Support The Veteran Too
Caregivers often feel torn between accepting help for themselves and feeling like the focus should be on the veteran. You can ease that tension by making it clear that your support extends to both.

Asking about the veteran, remembering important appointments or milestones, or simply acknowledging the veteran’s service and experience reminds the caregiver that they are not alone in caring about the person they love.

6. Listen More Than You Advise
When someone is overwhelmed, they do not always need solutions. They need to feel heard. If a caregiver opens up about a hard day, a difficult decision, or a moment of doubt, resist the urge to fix it.

Ask questions. Reflect back what you are hearing. Create space for them to process without judgment. Sometimes the most powerful thing a friend or family member can do is simply stay in the room and listen.

The Bottom Line
Supporting a caregiver does not require grand gestures or perfect words. It requires showing up, paying attention, and following their lead.

Small, consistent acts of care go further than most people realize, and for a caregiver who spends every day giving to someone else, being on the receiving end of genuine support can make all the difference.

Mission Roll Call is committed to amplifying veteran voices so we can advocate for the resources and support that make a real difference, for them and for you. Encourage them to take our survey and help us fight for what matters most.

Did you know that our Veteran Resource Directory has resources for caregivers too? Visit our resource directory and type “caregiver” into the search bar.

When we talk about veteran homelessness, Realtors are rarely part of the conversation.

And that is a problem.

Because at its core, housing is real estate.

And the reality is this: one of the most underserved, misunderstood, and overlooked segments in housing today is the homeless veteran population.

Not because Realtors don’t care.

But because they don’t know how to engage.

The Perspective From Inside the Industry

I have been a Veterans Realtor for more than 22 years—housing veterans across the spectrum, from homelessness to homeownership.

And in all that time, I have rarely seen Realtors consistently engaged on the front end of the process—where veterans are still navigating rentals, vouchers, and housing instability.

That gap is telling.

Because it shows us exactly where the disconnect is happening.

The Misconception That Creates Distance

Many Realtors hear the term “homeless veteran” and immediately think of the most visible form—someone living on the street, disconnected from the system, and far from being housing ready.

That perception creates distance.

It leads to the assumption that this population is outside the scope of real estate—that it belongs solely to social services or government programs.

But that is not the full picture.

Homelessness is not always visible. It is often a veteran couch surfing, living in a temporary situation, or one step away from losing where they live.

And many of these veterans are already in the pipeline for housing through programs like HUD-VASH and SSVF.

They are not outside the system.

They are waiting to be connected to it.

Where Realtors Are Missing the Opportunity

There is a gap between housing programs and housing providers.

And Realtors are in the middle of that gap—whether they realize it or not.

Veterans with vouchers or program support still need:

Vouchers go unused.
Opportunities are delayed.
And veterans remain in unstable situations longer than necessary.

This is not just a supply issue.

It is an alignment issue.

Why This Matters to the Real Estate Community

This is not just about service—it is about awareness and opportunity.

Realtors are already working in housing every day.

But many are not aware that:

This is a segment of the market that is active, funded, and in need of engagement.

Yet it is often overlooked because of misunderstanding.

When Realtors are not educated on how these programs work, they unintentionally exclude a population that is ready—and supported—for housing.

The Reality: Homeless Veteran Housing Is Real Estate Alignment

Let’s be clear.

Ending veteran homelessness is not just a social issue.

It is a housing issue.

And housing is real estate.

When programs, providers, and Realtors are aligned, veterans get housed faster.

When they are not, delays happen.

Veterans wait.
Units sit.
Resources go underutilized.

Alignment is what turns availability into access.

What Needs to Change

If we want to close this gap, we need to bring Realtors into the conversation in a meaningful way.

1. Education Must Be Prioritized

Realtors need to understand:

Without this knowledge, they cannot participate effectively.

2. Clear Connection Points Must Be Created

There should be direct, visible pathways between:

Not guesswork. Not informal connections.

Structured collaboration.

3. Misconceptions Must Be Addressed

Veterans in housing programs are not “high risk.”

They are supported.
They have case management.
They have rental assistance.

When Realtors understand this, hesitation decreases—and participation increases.

4. Realtors Must See Their Role in the Solution

This is not outside the industry.

This is the industry.

Realtors are not just sales professionals—they are housing connectors.

And in this space, they have the ability to directly impact outcomes for veterans.

Moving Forward

We cannot continue to separate housing from homelessness.

They are the same conversation.

If we want to reduce veteran homelessness, we must align:

Because the solution is not just funding.

It is connection.

Realtors are a critical part of that connection.

And when they are informed, engaged, and aligned with the system, housing moves faster, barriers decrease, and veterans get what they need—a place to call home.

To learn more about Mission Roll Call’s work uplifting veteran voices and advancing effective housing solutions, visit our Homelessness page:
https://missionrollcall.org/spotlight-priorities/housing-and-homelessness/

Mission Roll Call is committed to listening first. If you are a veteran, family member, caregiver, or community partner, we invite you to share your story with us. Your experiences guide our advocacy and help us push for the changes veterans say matter most.

Your voice matters here. We encourage veterans, families, caregivers, and supporters to share their experiences through Mission Roll Call’s national surveys. Your stories help shape policy, raise awareness, and ensure veterans are seen and heard:
https://missionrollcall.org/surveys/

Understanding the truth brings us one step closer to ensuring every veteran has what they deserve: stability, dignity, and a place to call home.
Yvette Jones-Swanson is a subject-matter expert on veteran homelessness and housing. A U.S. Army veteran and survivor of MST, she brings more than 22 years of frontline experience helping thousands of veterans secure stable housing.

In conversations about housing instability—especially among veterans—we often hear a range of terms: homeless, unhoused, unsheltered, at risk of homelessness.

These terms are meant to define need, guide services, and shape policy. But when definitions become too narrow or disconnected from real-life conditions, they can do something unintended—they delay help.

This is where we need clarity.

Homeless is Homeless
At its core, homelessness is not complicated.

If an individual does not have a stable, permanent, and legally secure place to live—they are experiencing homelessness.

Yet in practice, the system often applies a different standard.

There are veterans who are considered “housed” because they are temporarily staying with family or friends—sleeping on couches, moving from place to place, without any guarantee of how long they can remain.

These situations are often categorized as “stable enough.”

But they are not.

I have worked with veterans who were denied access to housing programs because they were considered “housed” under current definitions. When those temporary living arrangements inevitably changed—as they often do—those same individuals were left without options.

By the time they met the formal definition of homelessness, they were already in crisis.

This is not an isolated issue. It reflects a broader gap between how homelessness is defined and how it is actually experienced.

At Risk of Homelessness
The term “at risk” is intended to identify individuals who may soon lose their housing—those facing eviction, financial hardship, or unstable living conditions.

Prevention is a critical part of any effective housing strategy.

However, the distinction between “at risk” and “homeless” is often narrower than policy suggests.

When someone’s housing depends entirely on another person’s willingness or ability to let them stay, that situation can change overnight. From a practical standpoint, that is not stability—it is vulnerability.

If systems wait until that instability turns into visible homelessness, the opportunity for early intervention has already been missed.

Unsheltered
“Unsheltered” homelessness refers to individuals living in places not meant for human habitation—on the streets, in vehicles, encampments, or abandoned structures.

This is the most visible form of homelessness, and often the most urgent.

But it is also the final stage of a process that frequently begins much earlier—with housing instability that goes unrecognized or unaddressed.

Focusing only on unsheltered populations risks overlooking the larger number of individuals who are on that same path, just earlier in the timeline.

Unhoused
The term “unhoused” has gained traction in recent years as an alternative to “homeless.”

While language evolves, the underlying issue remains unchanged.

Whether someone is described as homeless or unhoused, the defining factor should be clear: do they have a stable and permanent place to live?

If the answer is no, the terminology used should not determine whether they receive support.

Doubled-Up and Hidden Homelessness
One of the most significant gaps in current definitions is the under-recognition of individuals who are “doubled up”—living temporarily with others without long-term security.

This form of homelessness is often less visible and less frequently counted, yet it is widespread.

For veterans in particular, these arrangements are common. They may avoid shelters or street homelessness by relying on personal networks, but these situations are rarely sustainable.
When eligibility for services depends on reaching a more visible or extreme condition, individuals experiencing this form of instability are often excluded from early support.

Why Definitions Matter in Policy
Definitions are not just words—they determine access.

They shape eligibility for programs like HUD-VASH, influence how resources are allocated, and define when and how intervention occurs.

When definitions are too rigid, they can create unintended barriers.

Veterans may be deemed ineligible for assistance not because they are stable, but because they do not yet meet a narrow threshold of homelessness.

This creates a reactive system—one that responds after crisis, rather than preventing it.

We did not intend to build a system that delays help. But in practice, that is what is happening.

Reframing the Approach
If the goal is to reduce and ultimately end veteran homelessness, definitions must align more closely with lived experience.

That means recognizing instability as a valid and urgent condition—not just visible homelessness.

It means expanding eligibility frameworks to account for those in precarious living situations.

And it means prioritizing prevention as much as response.

A more effective approach begins with a simple question:

Does this individual have a stable, safe, and permanent place to live—not just today, but in the near future?

If the answer is no, that should be enough to trigger support.

Moving Forward

Progress requires both clarity and accountability.

Clarity in how we define homelessness.

Accountability in how we respond to it.

For veterans, this is not just a policy discussion—it is a matter of stability, dignity, and access to the support they have earned.

By aligning language with reality, we can create systems that respond earlier, act more effectively, and ensure fewer veterans fall through the cracks.

To learn more about Mission Roll Call’s work uplifting veteran voices and advancing effective housing solutions, visit our Homelessness page:
https://missionrollcall.org/spotlight-priorities/housing-and-homelessness/

Mission Roll Call is committed to listening first. If you are a veteran, family member, caregiver, or community partner, we invite you to share your story with us. Your experiences guide our advocacy and help us push for the changes veterans say matter most.

Your voice matters here. We encourage veterans, families, caregivers, and supporters to share their experiences through Mission Roll Call’s national surveys. Your stories help shape policy, raise awareness, and ensure veterans are seen and heard:
https://missionrollcall.org/surveys/

Understanding the truth brings us one step closer to ensuring every veteran has what they deserve: stability, dignity, and a place to call home.
Yvette Jones-Swanson is a subject-matter expert on veteran homelessness and housing. A U.S. Army veteran and survivor of MST, she brings more than 22 years of frontline experience helping thousands of veterans secure stable housing.

They move every two to three years. They change schools mid-year. They say goodbye to a parent before most kids know what deployment means. Military children are among the most resilient people in America, and they deserve every resource available to help them thrive.

Today, there are more programs than ever designed to support military-connected children and help set them up for long-term success. Here are seven resources every military family should know about in 2026.

1. The Post-9/11 GI Bill — And Yes, You Can Transfer It
After 10 years of service, a service member can transfer their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to a dependent under 26. That means tuition coverage, a housing allowance, and up to $1,000 per year for books and supplies. If transfer isn’t an option, dependents may still qualify under Chapter 35: the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance program. Learn more about GI Bill benefits for dependents.

2. State Tuition Waivers + Scholarships Built Specifically for Military Kids
Most states offer tuition waivers for military dependents who attend in-state schools, especially for children of veterans who were killed, disabled, or declared MIA. Texas goes furthest: the Hazlewood Act gives eligible dependents up to 150 hours of free tuition at any public Texas college or university. Know your state policy before your student applies anywhere.

Don’t overlook private scholarships. Some standouts:

These scholarships exist because military kids have earned them.

3. Child Care for Military Families
Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN)

Can’t get a spot on base? MCCYN provides fee assistance for off-base childcare through community providers, available to families across the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and more. Applications are handled through Child Care Aware of America. Find childcare assistance at militarychildcare.com

Six Types of On-Base Child Care Programs

Military-operated childcare isn’t one-size-fits-all because military schedules don’t fit in a box. Options include full-day, part-day, school year, summer, hourly, extended hours, and 24/7 care. Check what’s available at your installation.

4. Dependent Care FSA
Military families can set aside up to $5,000 annually in pre-tax income through a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account to cover childcare and even summer camp costs. It’s one of the most underused benefits in the system. If you’re not using it, you’re leaving money on the table.

5. Food Assistance Programs for Military Families
One in five military and veteran families experiences food insecurity — a statistic that should stop everyone in their tracks. Programs that can help include:

6. Enrichment Grants
Our Military Kids provides $300 grants to help military children participate in sports, tutoring, performing arts, STEM programs, and more during a parent’s deployment or recovery from injury. It’s a small amount with an outsized impact on a kid’s sense of normalcy during hard times. Apply at ourmilitarykids.org

7. YMCA and Boys & Girls Clubs
Both organizations partner directly with the U.S. Armed Services to provide military families with reduced or free memberships. That means after-school programs, summer camps, sports, and safe spaces for kids, at little to no cost, no matter where a PCS move takes the family.

8. Emergency Financial Assistance
Army Emergency Relief, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, the Air Force Aid Society, and the American Red Cross all provide emergency financial assistance to military families. Covered needs can include childcare, dental care for dependents, clothing, and child safety equipment.

You don’t have to be in crisis to ask; that’s what these programs are for.

Why Awareness Matters
More than 1.6 million children in the United States are part of military families. Their experiences are shaped by service, sacrifice, and change. With the right support systems in place, these challenges can also foster strength, adaptability, and leadership. Military children carry more than most people realize. But they don’t have to carry it without support. Knowing what’s available is the first step — and now you do.

At Mission Roll Call, we believe that supporting those who serve means supporting their entire family. Share this list with a military family who needs it. Visit our Resource Directory and try searching for terms like “kids,” “youth,” or “military families” to find support, programs, and communities that understand their experiences.

Caregiving is one of the most demanding roles a person can take on. For those supporting a veteran or military family member, the physical, emotional, and mental weight of that responsibility is real and significant. Many caregivers put their own needs last, and over time, that pattern takes a toll.

Burnout does not arrive all at once. It builds gradually, often disguising itself as exhaustion, irritability, or a quiet sense of feeling overwhelmed. Recognizing the signs early gives caregivers a chance to take action before burnout deepens.

Here are five signs caregiver burnout may be setting in, and some practical steps that can help.

1. You Feel Exhausted No Matter How Much You Sleep

Caregiver fatigue goes beyond physical tiredness. It is a deep, persistent exhaustion that rest alone does fix. Waking up depleted, struggling to get through the day, and feeling no relief even after sleep are all signs that your body and mind are under sustained stress.

Helpful approaches include:

2. You Have Withdrawn from People and Things You Once Enjoyed

Isolation is a common response to burnout. Caregivers may stop returning calls, step back from hobbies, or find themselves going through the motions of daily life without real engagement. This withdrawal often signals that personal reserves are running low.

Helpful approaches include:

3. You Feel Resentful and Then Guilty About It

Resentment is one of the more uncomfortable emotions caregivers experience, and guilt often follows. Frustration, exhaustion, or even grief over how life has changed are normal responses. These feelings do not mean a caregiver is doing something wrong. They often mean the caregiver needs more support.

Helpful approaches include:

4. Your Own Health Is Slipping

Skipped appointments, irregular sleep, poor eating habits, and persistent physical symptoms are common among caregivers who have been running on empty for too long. When your health takes a back seat, it increases risk, for both you and the person you care for. .

Helpful approaches include:

5. You Feel Like There Is No End in Sight

A persistent sense of hopelessness, or the feeling that asking for help is selfish, is a serious sign that burnout has taken hold. Every caregiver deserves support, relief, and a life that extends beyond their caregiving responsibilities.

Helpful approaches include:

You Are Not Alone

If any of these signs feel familiar, support is available and you deserve to use it. Many caregivers wait too long to ask for help. Reaching out early, whether to a peer, a professional, or a community resource, can make a meaningful difference.

At Mission Roll Call, we hear directly from veterans and their families about the challenges they face, and caregiver burnout is one of them. Your experience matters, and it places a critical role in shaping the support systems veterans and their families rely on.

Encourage the veteran you support to take our survey and share their voice. Together, we can fight for the resources and care that make a real difference, for them and for you.

For additional support, the VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) offers resources, training, and financial support for eligible military caregivers. Operation Second Chance also provides resources for veterans and their families, offering retreats, direct assistance, and support programs at no cost.

You can’t pour from an empty cup, and taking care of yourself is part of taking care of someone else.

You can explore more tools, services and communities by visiting our Resource Directory and searching “caregiver.”

There are briefings, checklists, and plenty of advice before a first deployment, but none of that fully prepares you for what it actually feels like. When the moment finally arrives, its not just a schedule change, it’s a deeply personal transition, filled with quiet adjustments, unexpected emotions, and small moments that can feel bigger than you anticipated. If you’re walking into this season for the first time, it’s okay to feel uncertain, emotional, or even overwhelmed. Many military spouses have stood exactly where you are.

Here are ten things that are rarely talked about before that first deployment, shared in a way that reflects what many military spouses come to understand along the way.

1. The Countdown Feels Different Than You Expect
Before deployment, time doesn’t move the same. Some days seem to fly by while others feel heavy with anticipation. The pressure to make every moment count can feel overwhelming.

2. The First Goodbye Doesn’t Feel Real
When they leave, it may take time for the reality to settle in. Many spouses describe feeling numb or going through the motions at first. This is a natural response to a major life change.

3. You’ll Become More Independent Than You Thought Possible
You may find yourself taking on responsibilities that once felt unfamiliar. Over time, handling these challenges can build confidence and a deeper sense of capability.

4. Loneliness Can Show Up in Unexpected Moments
Certain parts of the day can feel especially quiet. Everyday routines, like meals or evenings at home, can feel different in ways you didn’t expect.

5. Communication Isn’t Always Consistent
There may be gaps in communication that feel difficult. Waiting for updates can become part of the routine, and it often requires patience and understanding.

6. You Might Feel Guilty for Living Your Life
Even small moments of joy, like spending time with friends, can come with guilt. Many spouses experience this, and it’s a normal part of adjusting.

7. Support Doesn’t Always Come From Where You Expect
Some people will step in with encouragement and help in meaningful ways. Others may not fully understand your experience. Finding a supportive community can make a meaningful difference.

8. You’ll Discover Strength You Didn’t Know You Had
There will be moments that challenge you. Working through them can reveal resilience and strength that grows over time.

9. Reintegration Takes Time
When deployment ends, both of you may need time to adjust. Rebuilding routines and reconnecting often happens gradually.

10. You’re Not Alone
It may feel isolating, but you’re not alone. There is a community of military spouses who understand exactly what you’re going through, and reaching out can help you feel grounded.

A Shared Experience

Deployment changes daily life in ways that are both visible and subtle. It challenges routines, relationships, and emotional resilience, but it also reveals strength, adaptability, and connection.

If you are in this season, what you’re feeling is real, and it matters.

You don’t have to navigate it alone.

Mission Roll Call’s Veteran Resource Directory includes support for military spouses and families. Visit our resource directory and type “spouse” into the search bar, to find resources built to help you through every stage of this journey.

Operation Recap: March 2026 

March brought two powerful lenses into focus at once: what care really looks like when it goes beyond the walls of the VA, and women veterans who have shaped the veteran experience in ways that have too often been overlooked.

Whole-of-life care is the recognition that true wellness cannot be reduced to a clinic visit or a benefits form. It is medical treatment, yes, but it is also community connection, mental health support, financial stability, meaningful relationships, and a sense of belonging that follows a veteran long after their discharge papers are signed. This month, we explored what it means to expand access to that kind of care, and what stands in the way of veterans getting it.

We also spent March celebrating the women who have served and sacrificed quietly and powerfully for generations. Women veterans face a distinct set of barriers when it comes to accessing care, from gaps in VA services designed around a male veteran population to the invisible weight of being a caregiver while also needing care themselves. Women’s History Month was a reminder that whole-of-life care must include the whole of their story too.

Here’s what you might have missed:

Articles + Blogs

Featured article included:

MRC in the Media

Mission Roll Call ensured veterans’ voices remained front and center in national conversations throughout March.

Media features included:

Veterans Town Hall

Veterans joined CEO Jim Whaley and COO Ray Whitaker March 11 for the monthly town hall to discuss various topics impacting veterans over the last month and what the community needs most heading into the 2026 midterm season. The Rick Herrema Foundation also joined the conversation to share their work supporting military families.

Watch the March 11th Veteran Town Hall

Speak Up: Your Voice Matters

This month, Mission Roll Call launched its national midterm election survey, asking veterans to weigh in on one of the most consequential political moments of the year. As the 2026 midterm elections approach, the decisions made in Washington will shape veteran policy, benefits, and care for years to come.

Take the April Veteran Survey

Small Gift, Big Mission

This month, Mission Roll Call launched the Small Gift, Big Mission campaign, a call to action rooted in a simple but powerful truth: decisions about veterans are made every day without their input. For as little as $5, supporters can help change that. Every dollar funds the surveys, research, and advocacy that bring verified veteran voices directly to the policymakers who control healthcare, benefits, and quality of life. This is not about funding noise. It is about funding clarity. Stand with those who stood for us.

Donate Today 

Returning home from deployment isn’t always a simple transition. Veterans face physical, emotional, and mental challenges that don’t end when boots hit civilian soil. Their families share that burden: spouses who held everything together, children who missed a parent, and communities that sometimes struggle to understand what “coming home” really means.

In Fayetteville, North Carolina, one nonprofit is changing that story. The Rick Herrema Foundation (RHF) creates spaces where veterans and their loved ones can reconnect, heal, and simply be together, without paperwork, without stigma, and without a cost.

Honoring a Hero Through Community 

The foundation is named for Sgt. 1st Class Rick Herrema, a U.S. Army Special Operations soldier who gave his life in Iraq. Those who served alongside him remember him not just for his skill and professionalism, but for something harder to define and impossible to forget.

“Rick was the kind of person who made everyone around him feel lighter, even in the hardest moments,” the foundation shares. “He had a gift for showing up with humor when things were heavy, and with quiet strength when someone needed support. His teammates remember him for his warmth, his kindness, and the way he instinctively looked out for others.”

That spirit is the heartbeat of the Rick Herrema Foundation. Rick believed deeply in taking care of people, and everything RHF does is built to carry that forward.

Rick’s Place: More Than a Park 

At the heart of RHF’s work is Rick’s Place, a 50-acre greenspace near Fort Bragg. It’s not a therapy center or a clinical program. It’s a place for families to breathe, laugh, and reconnect.

Trails wind through shaded areas. Playgrounds, swings, and a 3-story treehouse invite kids to explore. Fire pits and picnic areas provide spots for families to gather. From a sandbox filled with toys and a pond with a fishing dock to a pavilion with picnic tables and outdoor libraries, every corner of Rick’s Place is thoughtfully designed to spark connection.

What makes Rick’s Place truly special is its simplicity. There are no forms to fill out, no qualifications to meet, and no stigma in asking for help. Families just show up. They laugh, play, and leave a little lighter than when they arrived. Every program and event is completely free of charge, because as the RHF puts it, “cost should never be the reason someone misses out on joy and connection.”

 

Programs That Bring Families Together  

The RHF hosts weekly programs that are thoughtfully designed to turn strangers into community. Messy Mondays invite parents and children to create art together. Work Days encourage hands-on projects like carpentry or gardening, building both skills and camaraderie. Family Fun Days bring games, community meals, and seasonal celebrations to families.

For the Meadows family, these programs have become a cornerstone of their life in Fayetteville:

“RHF has been a monumental part of my family being able to get out and have fun. There is time and effort put into each event and program, with genuine care for the community. My kids and I enjoy the Messy Mondays, which bring so much joy while we learn new art techniques together. The staff working those days are awesome and always make my kids feel valued. We also enjoyed the theater classes available and it was amazing to watch my kids grow in confidence, resilience, and compassion. The experiences we have at RHF are unforgettable, along with the friendships we have made. My family will always cherish our times there.” — The  Meadows Family

A Safe Haven for Military Families  

Life after deployment, and even during it, can feel isolating. Frequent moves uproot families from their communities, children leave friends behind, and spouses carry enormous weight. Rick’s Place offers something rare: a soft landing.

The Garza family knows that feeling firsthand. After 14 years stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) in Washington State, their first Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move to Fayetteville was hard on everyone, especially their children, ages 9 and 11, who had never experienced a military move before.

“Our first stop in moving was to attend the Rick Herrema Foundation’s summer event. We appreciated that it was free (because PCSing had financially hurt us) and that it was all military families. We immediately felt welcomed and supported by the RHF staff and families. Further, RHF stepped up to sponsor our daughter’s ballet performance in the local production of the Nutcracker. When we had a difficult time finding businesses to support her, it was RHF who saw the importance of activities for military children. Now, a year in Fayetteville, we continue to attend RHF events and each one further helps us feel connected and a part of a greater military community. We are truly thankful for RHF.” — The Garza Family

Rick’s Place reminds military families that they are not alone, that there is a community ready to welcome them, no matter where the military has taken them.

The Ninja Warrior Course: Fun as a Form of Service 

RHF’s signature Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course Challenge is coming up, and it reflects everything the foundation stands for. Completely free to military-affiliated participants and designed for all ages and ability levels, the course was created by Darren Jeffrey, the visionary behind the American Ninja Warrior obstacle courses and a proud RHF Board Member.

“It’s about encouragement, confidence, and having fun together, not competition or being ‘the strongest,’” the RHF shares. “Whether you’re tackling obstacles, cheering from the sidelines, or just soaking in the energy, there’s a place for everyone here.”

When You See It Working

For the team at RHF, the mission comes to life in the stories families share. The Richmond family’s words stopped them in their tracks:

“They are our family away from home. As a military family, we recommend Rick’s Place to all active and non-active military personnel!” — The Richmond Family

“Hearing a family describe Rick’s Place as their ‘family away from home’ is exactly the kind of moment that reminds us why this foundation exists,” the RHF shares. “Rick had a way of making people feel welcomed, supported, and seen. When families experience that same sense of belonging here, his legacy lives on.”

Expanding the Reach 

As of last year, Rick’s Place has served more than 22,000 military family members and plans to reach more this year. And RHF isn’t stopping there. Programs are expanding to Fort Hood, Texas, an opportunity that came directly from the III Corps Commander, who was seeking a trusted community resource for his soldiers and their families.

“What has surprised us most is how deeply people believe in this work,” the RHF reflects. “True patriots — donors, volunteers, partners — continue to stand with us because they recognize that service members and their families already pay a cost to serve. They should not have to pay to connect with each other or their community.”

A Living Legacy  

Rick’s Place is, at its core, a reflection of the man it honors. Someone who showed up. Who looked out for others. Who made everyone around him feel a little lighter. That is what the foundation does, and that is what keeps families coming back.

If you are in the Fayetteville/Fort Bragg region, Rick’s Place is open and waiting. If you are in Central Texas, keep an eye out as RHF continues to grow. And if you want to support the mission, follow along on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. From training to events, you can witness history in the making and cheer on the families finding their footing together.

The Conversation Continues   

Recently, the Rick Herrema Foundation sat down with Mission Roll Call CEO Jim Whaley and COO Ray Whitaker for a town hall conversation focused on the issues impacting veterans and military families. If you missed it, the recording is worth your time. Stay connected with Mission Roll Call and keep showing up for the veterans and military families who need us to amplify their voices.

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