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ARMY SPOUSES: ARMY STRONG

I applaud Master Sgt. Mark Baker’s Pvt. Murphy’s Law cartoon of the Army wife in the Nov. 23 issue. I cannot even begin to describe the sacrifices and monumental accomplishments my wife has achieved while I was on active duty and now as a reservist.

She has been my rock and has been there when I could not. She has handled multitudes of moves without me present to even help pack. On her own, she handled the financing of a new mortgage and the building of a new home while juggling the school schedules and nap times of three small children, all while I was mobilized.

My wife has been strong while alone and when she should have been able to have someone support her and just give her a hug.

While I have had promotions and recognition, she has had dirty diapers, emergency room visits for kids, tornadoes, ice storms and a multitude of curveballs that life throws at you. Any time the Army, the public and, most importantly, the soldier can recognize the contributions and sacrifices by our spouses, it should be done.

Lt. Col. Robert Don Gifford

Norman, Okla.

TAKING CARE OF SOLDIERS

As I read the article [“Charge or discharge? Single mother jailed for refusing to deploy,” Nov. 30], only one thing kept popping up in my mind. Where is her noncommissioned officer? Her supervisors failed her. Don’t get me wrong — she bears total responsibility for her actions, but as NCOs we are supposed to pick our soldiers up, or break our backs trying, so they can get squared away. Am I wrong?

I am in the Army today because an NCO picked me up and made sure I got taken care of.

The responsibility of raising a child for even a short period of time can be overwhelming (as evidenced by her mother’s inability to cope with said responsibility). So where do we go from here? We fix the problem. We fix it by getting her a solid family care plan. While the Army should not have to wait on a soldier hand and foot, we are supposed to take care of our own, and it seems in this case that we have failed.

Staff Sgt. Jonathan B. Nunemaker

Fort Myer, Va.

What assistance did Spc. Hutchinson’s chain of command provide her in establishing a viable family care plan other than the required counseling? If it was strictly providing her with the “by the numbers” family care plan counseling, then it shouldn’t be a surprise that Spc. Hutchinson reacted the way she did.

This soldier needed assistance from her leadership. I still have challenges establishing a viable family care plan. It’s tough, but I get it done. At what point did her leaders sit down with her to gain her trust and help her?

Until I became a single-soldier parent, I didn’t truly comprehend what my soldiers went through and, more importantly, what I was really asking them to do — leave their child in the hands of someone else’s care for a year or longer.

Maj. Maria Borbon

Fort Bliss, Texas

OBAMA SPEAKS, CADETS sleep

I watched President Barack Obama’s address to the nation [Dec. 1]. I was appalled to see that nearly every time the camera panned to the cadets, at least one of them was sleeping. I couldn’t believe it. These cadets are the Army’s future leaders and, when in attendance of the commander in chief, can’t have the respect or decency to stay awake. I hope I never have to work for one of those “sleepers.”

Sgt. 1st Class Adam Mauro

Fort Rucker, Ala.

UNIFORM ‘DISGRACE’

I am so glad you published the column [“It’s time to restore service dress,” Dec. 7] written by Robert F. Dorr regarding the wear of work uniforms. I hate to see the Army being represented by the fatigue uniform in the public arena.

It’s bad enough when an enlisted man wears the fatigues but when you see a general officer on television in the U.S. wearing it, it makes me feel that he is a disgrace.

Recruiters also wear the work uniform when visiting potential enlistees at their homes. I can imagine the vision that the family members have of the Army when this casual uniform is worn.

It is interesting on a few television programs that honor our military: The Army types are in casual work uniforms and the Marines are in Class As. The Army brass says that this work uniform is authorized for wear because we are at war, but I guess the Marines are not in the same war, because they wear their Class As.

Col. Robert L. Vidrick Sr. (ret.)

Mechanicsville, Va.

LOOK BEYOND RELIGIOUS DIVIDE

In reference to “Muslim soldiers face mixed reactions” [Nov. 23], it is a shame that we as a military community are giving such backlash against anyone who is of Muslim faith. I can say that if anyone who commits any crime — and is of any Christian faith — I don’t see or hear us condemning that faith.

For me — a devoted Christian and a licensed minister — the shooter’s religious beliefs are not at all important. What is important is that it was one of our own — a soldier, an officer — who did such a terrible thing.

It may be his motives were religiously motivated, but don’t let one’s bad move or decision label others. Let’s learn to forgive and let’s learn to help our Muslim brothers and sisters in the military to be accepted and feel welcomed.

Staff Sgt. Robert B. Ferguson Jr.

Fort Benning, Ga.

Know Social Security rules

We at Social Security are doing all we can to make sure members of the military service, and their families, understand just how Social Security disability benefits can help wounded service personnel. In fact, Social Security disability benefits are expedited for injured military service personnel, regardless of where or how the injury occurred.

Like most civilian workers, current military personnel pay Social Security taxes and earn Social Security coverage. In fact, earnings for active-duty military service or active-duty training have been covered under Social Security since 1957. Also, service personnel who had inactive-duty service in the reserves (such as weekend drills) have had Social Security coverage since 1988.

The number of credits an individual needs to qualify for Social Security depends on his or her age. For example, if a person becomes disabled before age 28, then he or she would generally need only about 1½ years of recent work.

If the wounded service member has sufficient work, then Social Security must decide whether he or she meets Social Security’s definition of disability. Basically, if the person cannot work because of a physical or mental condition that is expected to last at least one year, then he or she may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits.

Even if the wounded service member is still receiving pay while disabled, he or she can receive disability benefits. For example, if a wounded soldier is recovering in a hospital and is expected to be unable to work for at least a year, he or she may be eligible to receive disability benefits even though military pay continues.

It is important to understand that our disability rules are different from those of private plans and other government agencies. Social Security provides benefits for total disability, not partial disability. The fact that someone qualifies for disability from another agency — such as the Department of Veterans Affairs — does not mean that he or she will be automatically eligible for disability benefits from Social Security.

If you or someone you know is a wounded soldier, file for Social Security disability benefits as soon as possible.

For more information about the Social Security disability program or to apply online, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Michael Weakland, Social Security Administration Area Director

Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area

Philadelphia Region