Family Connections

The ways in which soldiers communicate with family and loved ones has shifted parallel to technological advancements. I recently read an article where a National Guard soldier tells the story of how technology has changed the way he can communicate with his wife back home. In 1991 he talks about having to write letters that took three weeks to be received, by the time they were read they were already old news. Now on his third tour, he is able to stay in touch with his wife via emails, instant messaging, Facebook, cellphones, and video chatting through Skype. The advancements that have taken place in just the last 10 years have allowed for incredible opportunities in technological resources. Social media tools have helped families to stay connected to their soldiers and  maybe even help decrease the stress of their absence as well as act as reassurance that they can still check up on their soldier. Many soldiers have said that staying in touch with family while away is very important to them and can be a sort of therapy when away from home. In a Missouri newspaper a parent tells of checking his soldiers Facebook every time he hears of an American soldier being killed overseas. As with my family (pictures above) my cousins are both Navy corpsmen and it is helpful whether they are on base or overseas to connect with them through social media and cell phones to check up on them and make sure they are doing okay.  In this way social media acts as a reassurance to loved ones that they still have the ability to assure the safety of their family. Social media may have its downfalls but it certainly allows for a clear mind when it comes to connecting soldiers with their families.