As the US-Iran conflict continues to escalate, the loved ones of men and women serving say it's already taking a toll on them.
With North Carolina being home to one of the largest military bases in the world, Fort Bragg, as well as several others, including Camp Lejeune, thousands of military families call the state home. Kara Pappas, the Chief Advancement Officer of the Military Family Advisory Network, told WRAL News that families are feeling a sense of uncertainty.
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“There is an inherent anxiety that comes with this type of news. Anxiety around being uncertain of what may be happening involving their loved one, uncertainty about what may be coming next for them and their family," Pappas said. "That impacts every aspect of our lives.”
For some families, this is the very first time they have had a loved one engage in active combat. For others, they are all too familiar with the stress and anxiety that come in times like these.
“There is no right or wrong emotion," Pappas said. "There is likely a variety of emotions that you will experience as all of this continues to unfold.”
According to Pappas, some concerned neighbors and friends may ask military spouses and loved ones how service members are doing. She urges families to remember Operational Security. While she calls the instinct to share updates and information human, she warns it can put lives at risk.
“Make sure that we are maintaining confidentiality around things like troop movements, names and any type of identifiable markers or information about service members," Pappas said. "Departures or arrivals dates and even photographs. Things that may seem innocuous enough can have information that can pose a security risk.”
There are many resources available for military families in need, including OneSource and the Suicide Hotline. These organizations urge military families not to hesitate to ask for help during this challenging time.