Families to serve high schools with a large percentage of children of ser- vicemembers. The initiative will pro- vide a higher level of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) courses to the facilities. The American Association of
Colleges for Teacher Education and the Military Child Education Coalition will begin training courses at more than 100 colleges and universities on how to better sup- port military families. They also will establish partnerships among civil- ian institutes of higher learning and military-service institutions.
Wellness During World War II, about a third of all cigarettes produced ended up in the hands of GIs overseas; they even were included in servicemembers’ ra- tions — before the dangers of smoking were known. As part of the initiative, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and other health groups are holding 90 Kick Butts Day events in military communities in the next two years to keep military-con- nected children from developing the habit.
Bonnie Amos, wife of the Marine Corps comman- dant, joins Martha Stewart at a Join- ing Forces event.
DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE
Many NASCAR drivers support the Joining Forces initiative. Click here to watch a video that explains how.
WebMD is building online re-
source centers for consumers and health care professionals designed to build awareness of the challenges ser- vicemembers and their families face.
Public awareness In World War II, nearly everyone knew someone fighting overseas. Today, that is no longer the case, but those families’ needs are the same, if not greater. The initiative will employ all technological avenues to bring that message to the public, starting with PSAs with the Obamas and Bidens. The Screen
Actors Guild, Directors Guild of America, Pro- ducers Guild of America, and Writers Guild of America West have formed a task force to help get the message out. Oprah Winfrey, Tom Hanks, and Steven Spielberg will be featured in Join- ing Forces PSAs. Viacom,
Country Music Television, and Disney ABC will
PHOTOS: ABOVE, SGT. BEN FLORES, USMC; TOP, ELAINE SANCHEZ/DOD
Mario Lemieux, second from right, and his family join military leaders at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for an Aus- tin’s Warrior Playroom in Maryland.
develop programming featuring mili- tary family themes, and even Sesame Street will get into the act with videos about military kids and their families.
A joint effort The idea, says Obama, is everyone can contribute something, no matter his or her background or resources. Even an investment
[CONTINUES ON PAGE 79]
MOAA Weighs In Unemployment — and underemployment — is one of the biggest challenges military spouses face. With some 26 percent of that demographic looking for work, it’s clear some intervention is needed. In June 2011, MOAA helped launch the Military Spouse Em- ployment Partnership (MSEP), which aims to increase employment, reduce underemployment, and shrink the wage gap between military spouses and civilians. Corporate powerhouses such as Microsoft and
General Dynamics will join MOAA in the goal of em- ploying 175,000 military spouses by 2013. More than 200 other employers are expected to sign up with the program. At the MSEP launch ceremony, MOAA President Vice Adm. Norb Ryan Jr., USN-Ret., said, “Military spouses are a dynamic, talented pool of professionals, and MOAA is absolutely committed to ensuring military spouses have all the tools and re- sources to support their career ambitions.”
NOVEMBER 2011 MILITARY OFFICER 63
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