Army commander helps families cope

No simulation can fully prepare a soldier for life on the battlefield. Likewise, it’s hard to imagine a workshop that could fully ready a soldier’s family for when a loved one deploys to war.

In either case, it can’t hurt to prepare.

Although boot camp typically doesn’t train soldiers to balance a family budget while they are away at war or how to react when far-away loved ones experience a trauma during their deployment, Capt. Jeff Miller has been trying to change that.

Miller, commander of the Rocky Mount-based U.S. Army Reserve 849th Quartermaster Company, helped put together an enhanced program last weekend designed to better prepare military families and soldiers for deployment. The company of about 120 soldiers will deploy for Afghanistan early next year.

Anyone who ever has had a loved one sent to battle knows the value of strong community support. The program this weekend wisely worked to build that support.

The skill-building workshop was designed for military couples to help families cope with deployment and separation. Topics included open communication, saving money, planning for the future, parenting and problem solving.

We salute Miller and his company for their efforts to prepare these families — the men and women who give our soldiers the support they need in battle.