Troops

According to Department of Defense figures, over 14,000 Connecticut service men and women have been deployed in harm's way since 2001. Nearly 9,000 active duty military personnel list Connecticut as their residence. Many of these personnel and their families need varying levels of support here in Connecticut during their absence and upon their return. Tapping into this support may often be taxing for even the most seasoned individual.

Having visited our deployed military personnel on numerous occasions and spoken to their families here at home, I firmly believe that as we regularly call on more of our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines; to deploy we need to look for innovative ways to improve support for them and their families back home.

Below is a list of resources that provide support and assistance to military families.

Military One Source: A 24/7 resource for Military Members, Spouses, & Families (800) 342-9647 

Military HOMEFRONT is the official Department of Defense web site for reliable quality of life information designed to help troops and their families, leaders and service providers.

CT National Guard Family Assistance Centers The Connecticut National Guard is committed to family, youth, education and getting involved in its local communities.  The Guard offers many different programs to achieve these goals.

US Department of Veterans Affairs Of the 25 million veterans currently alive, nearly three of every four served during a war or an official period of hostility. About a quarter of the nation's population -- approximately 70 million people -- are potentially eligible for VA benefits and services because they are veterans, family members or survivors of veterans.

Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs Connecticut has provided care for Veterans and their dependents for over 140 years.

U.S. Department of Labor Veterans' Employment and Training Service Includes information about the following services: Employment Services for Veterans, Transition Assistance Program, Job Rights for Veterans and Reserve Component Members; Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Project; Veterans Workforce Investment Program (VWIP); Federal Contractor Program; and Veterans' Preference National Veterans' Training Institute.

Employers in support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense organization. It is a staff group within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs (ASD/RA), which is in itself a part of the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

American Red Cross Military Members and Families The American Red Cross links members of the U.S. Armed Forces with their families during a crisis. Twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year, the Red Cross quickly sends emergency communications to deployed service members on behalf of their family. Both active duty and community-based military can count on the Red Cross to provide emergency communications that link them with their families back home, access to financial assistance in partnership with the military aid societies, information and referral and assistance to veterans. Red Cross personnel form a global network in 700 U.S. chapters, military installations worldwide and in forward deployed locations in Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq.

DOD Community Relations The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs and Community Relations fosters public awareness and understanding of Department of Defense (DoD) missions, personnel, programs, and requirements.