Sen. Mark Warner met with military families at Old Dominion University to discuss challenges during deployments.
NORFOLK, Va. — U.S. Sen. Mark Warner met with military families and advocates at Old Dominion University on Monday to discuss challenges facing service members and their loved ones during extended deployments, with a particular focus on child care, mental health and access to resources.
The roundtable comes after the record-length deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, which kept sailors away from home for months longer than originally expected.
Military spouses and family members shared personal experiences navigating life during deployments, highlighting difficulties finding affordable childcare and accessing support services.
Natalie Spangler, a military spouse and Reserve member, said securing childcare while her husband was deployed aboard the USS Bainbridge was one of her biggest challenges.
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“Trying to find care in that time without having to spend thousands of dollars a weekend, which I was quoted for a few times, was impossible for me,†Spangler said.
She said the lack of accessible information about available resources left her feeling isolated while caring for her children alone.
“I just felt so alone in a lot of those things because it was just me and my kids,†Spangler said. “There are community options, but it's not well known, or it's a fire hydrant of information where I'm like, I don't know what one I want to do.â€
Spangler said she did not learn about many of the available support programs until near the end of her husband's deployment.
Warner said improving coordination among military family support services in Hampton Roads is one issue he plans to examine.
“How do we make sure that we do a better job of coordinating all of the resources that exist here in Hampton Roads for military spouses and their families?†Warner said.
Participants also discussed the effects of the USS Gerald R. Ford's extended deployment on sailors and their families. Warner noted concerns about the strain this specific deployment placed on service members, particularly following maintenance challenges and a fire aboard the ship.
The senator said he intends to hold another roundtable discussion in the near future as he works to address concerns raised by active-duty military families.
“I've got a lot to do from this session,†Warner said. “Clearly there's a lot of good intentions, but the level of that care and the coordination of that care — we've got to do a better job.â€
Warner also highlighted federal funding he helped secure for military construction projects and noted the 3.8% pay raise approved for service members.
