Five months ago, Army Lt. Col. Tim Karcher was commanding a battalion in Iraq. Today, he is learning how to walk again, and maintaining a positive attitude about his “new normal.”

See the original post:
Face of Defense: Officer Works to Walk Again

The National Military Family Association now offers retreats for families in addition to summer camps for kids to expand its support for military families at no cost to the families.

Read the rest here:
New ‘Operation Purple’ Program Provides Family Retreats

An Army daughter in Texas has won the first Military Child Award for her support not only of her own family, but for many military families. She’ll receive $5,000, a laptop computer and trip to the nation’s capital.

Continue here:
Operation Homefront Names First Military Child Award Winner

Army Spc. Bobby Gladney re-enlisted in the Mississippi National Guard so he could serve again with his unit in Iraq. “I could not bear the thought of my battle buddies answering the call … and [me] not being there to pitch in and complete the missions assigned to us,” he said.


Continue here: Face of Defense: Soldier Re-enlists to be With Guard Unit in Iraq

Inspired by his sons who joined the Marines, Army Maj. (Dr.) Robert Sexton returned to military service after a 38-year break. “I’m still physically fit,” Sexton said. “I thought I could make a contribution.”

More:
Face of Defense: Soldier Rejoins After 38-Year Service Break

A transformation in the role of the Reserve and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan make frequent deployments a reality for those once dubbed “weekend warriors,” and many reservists are looking at their part-time service more as a second career.


More here: For Reservists, Deployments Mean Sacrifice, but Also Opportunity