With frequent deployments for the Global War on Terror, military families are enduring more and longer separations. The Department of Defense (DoD) has made a commitment to the families of service members through increased funding for programs to meet the challenges of military life.

One of the greatest challenges is communication — both among families and between the military and the family. Technology plays an ever-increasing role in meeting these challenges. However, the challenges of deployment are not limited to the military.

The Departments of State, Justice, Homeland Security and federal intelligence agencies have families dealing with extended overseas postings and separations as well. These organizations could use technology solutions similar to those used by the military to strengthen and support these families who often do not have the camaraderie of others experiencing the challenges of deployment around them for support. Using the lessons learned by the DoD, the implementation time and budget can be very reasonable.

Lesson Learned from DoD Deployments

During the last 16 years, the DoD's programs for supporting families have had to transform dramatically to keep up with the needs and the changing mission of the military. New technologies were implemented to reach not only families, but also friends, parents, and a variety of significant others who were previously excluded from military programs. The lessons learned were: (1) to embrace the younger generation with programs and tools that appeal to them; (2) make such offerings available to families regardless of geographic location; and (3) make the programs useful, easy to update, easy to access and, most importantly, supported by the command. The DoD's success with this technology is an example for all federal agencies.

How it can work

Agencies can establish similar Web portals that include dynamic content delivery systems designed so that users with varying levels of computer knowledge and experience can locate services and benefits available to them as well as comprehensive, interactive assessments designed to help individuals discover strengths and develop plans to meet challenges. Doing so also means that federal agencies can quickly and cost-effectively connect with family members when they need help the most. Moreover, integrating these systems with multiple legacy systems behind a single portal will empower managers to save time making updates and announcing new initiatives across varied, pre-defined levels of access and security and program categories.

Such portals should also offer updated news, FAQs and other materials for download to give instant access to the latest information. Additionally, the system should both allow and encourage regional offices worldwide to distribute constituent-specific content by creating their own pages within the portal via a simple site creation wizard. Community-building features can provide the tools for family members and their overseas loved ones to develop newsletters, online photo galleries and other interactive tools to stay in touch whatever the distance in a secure environment.

The benefits to personnel and their mission

Federal agencies are becoming more keenly aware of the adverse affects of protracted family separation on personnel readiness and the stability of the family during and after separation. Government employees, despite their dedication and commitment to the mission, will undoubtedly feel torn between their obligations to their loved ones and their responsibilities to their job. Bridging that gap by providing updated, real-time, user-generated information will close the distance between the individual's current posting and their home town, reducing the level of anxiety about domestic issues, enabling them to focus on their professional tasks.

What's more, retention rates can be positively affected, as more family members who feel the government agency is working with them will be more accepting of the sacrifices they make on behalf of their loved one's profession. With the high costs of recruiting and training new personnel for the highly technical position within these federal agencies, this benefit is just as — if not more — important as helping agency members deal with their current overseas status.

Communicate, Communicate, Communicate

Today's evolving geo-political environment means many federal agencies — not just the DoD — are dealing with the strains of long separations. However, technology systems make it possible to significantly shorten — if not completely close — the distance for overseas loved ones looking to keep in contact with folks back home. Family members will also feel reassured by connecting with others who are facing the same situation. Communication portals have a direct and positive impact on personnel readiness.

About the author: Douglas W. Burke is the CEO of DefenseWeb Technologies, a premier custom software developer and systems integrator serving Department of Defense (DoD) and Federal Government organizations. He can be reached at info@defenseweb.com.

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