Comments on: Military Wives: A Spotlight on Solo-Ops.com http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/02/military-wives-a-spotlight-on-solo-opscom/ Updated information on Veteran Benefits, featured Military Bloggers, the You Served Podcast and various other news and information relevant to Veterans. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:25:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Harsh Ranjan http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/02/military-wives-a-spotlight-on-solo-opscom/comment-page-1/#comment-216623 Harsh Ranjan Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:33:04 +0000 http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/02/military-wives-a-spotlight-on-solo-opscom/#comment-216623 The Army Reserve is a diverse organization, full of people from varying civilian occupations. The U.S. Army Reserve is rooted in the tradition of the American Colonists who would serve, protect and defend this country whenever, wherever it was needed. George Washington and Alexander Hamilton proposed a contingency force to support the Army that would be centrally controlled by the Federal Government. The Army Reserve is a diverse organization, full of people from varying civilian occupations. The U.S. Army Reserve is rooted in the tradition of the

American Colonists who would serve, protect and defend this country whenever, wherever it was needed. George Washington and Alexander Hamilton proposed a

contingency force to support the Army that would be centrally controlled by the Federal Government.

]]> By: Former Solo-Op'er http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/02/military-wives-a-spotlight-on-solo-opscom/comment-page-1/#comment-17245 Former Solo-Op'er Wed, 25 Jul 2007 02:31:22 +0000 http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/02/military-wives-a-spotlight-on-solo-opscom/#comment-17245 As a former member of Solo-Ops, I will say that it certainly has its place among the countless military wives websites. It has its drama and cliques, as all of the larger sites do. While I left the site before Hilary asked the members to "pay to play", I did find it somewhat useful during my husband's deployment. However, I didn't agree with the idea of having to buy a subscription in order to get support. I also agree with the previous commentary that Hilary does come across as anti-military in both the book and on the site. (Thankfully, I never paid money for her book.) I began to feel less like she was in it to help others and more in it for her own selfish reasons. Solo-Ops is by far not the end-all-be-all of military support or resourse sites and shouldn't be thought of as such. However, if you are looking for a place to hang out, meet other people who have a connection to the military, and can deal with the occasional "high school drama", Solo-Ops might be a place to check out. As a former member of Solo-Ops, I will say that it certainly has its place among the countless military wives websites. It has its drama and cliques, as all of the larger sites do. While I left the site before Hilary asked the members to “pay to play”, I did find it somewhat useful during my husband’s deployment. However, I didn’t agree with the idea of having to buy a subscription in order to get support.

I also agree with the previous commentary that Hilary does come across as anti-military in both the book and on the site. (Thankfully, I never paid money for her book.) I began to feel less like she was in it to help others and more in it for her own selfish reasons.

Solo-Ops is by far not the end-all-be-all of military support or resourse sites and shouldn’t be thought of as such. However, if you are looking for a place to hang out, meet other people who have a connection to the military, and can deal with the occasional “high school drama”, Solo-Ops might be a place to check out.

]]> By: withheld http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/02/military-wives-a-spotlight-on-solo-opscom/comment-page-1/#comment-16904 withheld Sat, 21 Jul 2007 15:26:40 +0000 http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/02/military-wives-a-spotlight-on-solo-opscom/#comment-16904 As a former Solo-Ops member I can agree with 'Sarge'...it's not the wealth of resource it claims to be. While it DOES provide a forum for support and common ground, one can gain just as much or more information from base websites, etc. Mrs. Martin comes across (in book and on site) as very anti-military in many of her statements and actions. Not the type of support that wives, especially younger, new ones, need. There is great camaraderie to be found there but it can be very cliquish and exclusatory as well. As a former Solo-Ops member I can agree with ‘Sarge’…it’s not the wealth of resource it claims to be. While it DOES provide a forum for support and common ground, one can gain just as much or more information from base websites, etc. Mrs. Martin comes across (in book and on site) as very anti-military in many of her statements and actions. Not the type of support that wives, especially younger, new ones, need. There is great camaraderie to be found there but it can be very cliquish and exclusatory as well.

]]> By: Jen http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/02/military-wives-a-spotlight-on-solo-opscom/comment-page-1/#comment-15162 Jen Thu, 05 Jul 2007 23:45:33 +0000 http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/02/military-wives-a-spotlight-on-solo-opscom/#comment-15162 As a former Military Wife and a current member of Solo-ops, I can say that this website AND the book helped tremendously. I found women who were going through some of the same emotions, stresses and "joys" that the military put us through. Wives are often tossed aside in the military world, and at Solo-ops you're treated like an individual, like you are special. We're bonded through the military but we've accomplished much more than just bonds through the military, we've become friends. Not just any friends, the type that will help with whatever you need when you're feeling down. They are there for you when you need them most. They answer the questions that the command never has time for. They are our link to our husbands when they are gone. I would not have made it through the two deployments I've faced and through the trials we've faced since without the women of Solo-ops. As a former Military Wife and a current member of Solo-ops, I can say that this website AND the book helped tremendously. I found women who were going through some of the same emotions, stresses and “joys” that the military put us through. Wives are often tossed aside in the military world, and at Solo-ops you’re treated like an individual, like you are special. We’re bonded through the military but we’ve accomplished much more than just bonds through the military, we’ve become friends. Not just any friends, the type that will help with whatever you need when you’re feeling down. They are there for you when you need them most. They answer the questions that the command never has time for. They are our link to our husbands when they are gone. I would not have made it through the two deployments I’ve faced and through the trials we’ve faced since without the women of Solo-ops.

]]> By: Nicci http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/02/military-wives-a-spotlight-on-solo-opscom/comment-page-1/#comment-15161 Nicci Thu, 05 Jul 2007 23:34:43 +0000 http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/02/military-wives-a-spotlight-on-solo-opscom/#comment-15161 PS, there's no edit feature so excuse the typos and errors. My brain is fried after working on a research paper all day and trying to ignore the siren call of the internet and Everquest 2. So, yeah Solo Ops does not offer grammar and spelling assistance but probably would if asked. These are some amazing girls that will offer help in any way they can. PS, there’s no edit feature so excuse the typos and errors. My brain is fried after working on a research paper all day and trying to ignore the siren call of the internet and Everquest 2. So, yeah Solo Ops does not offer grammar and spelling assistance but probably would if asked. These are some amazing girls that will offer help in any way they can.

]]> By: Nicci http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/02/military-wives-a-spotlight-on-solo-opscom/comment-page-1/#comment-15159 Nicci Thu, 05 Jul 2007 23:22:47 +0000 http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/02/military-wives-a-spotlight-on-solo-opscom/#comment-15159 I've been a member of Solo Ops since 2003. It got me though my husband's deployment. As now I understand the site is going through a complete redesign and I'm sure the old links of preparing for deployments and stuff will be added back in but I must say to judge the site by looking at just the first page just floors me. That's like picking up "War and Peace" and saying "Hey, you can't have war AND peace, this must be crap" and tossing it aside. And on nos! Solo ops not only lets its members post CURRENT News but light hearted stuff too! How horrible. As we all know, we military wives should have NO sense of humor and should hide our heads in the sand until its time for the next FRG meeting or bake sale. This is not the 1950s anymore and we don't sit around having tea parties and making our husband's jobs/ranks our lives. We have our own lives, careers and personalities and sometimes we just need a bit of extra help when the military throws us a curve ball. That's where Solo Ops comes in. Military wives today are educated, statistics show that over half of us have college degrees and most of us work out of the house. In addition to often being single parents, living on a very strict budget and enduring stupid comments from people who have no clue what our life is like. Solo Ops is a reflection of the modern military wife. We aren't a bunch of gossipy women standing barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen ironing our husband's uniforms. We've got law school graduates, therapists, a variety of folks in various medical professions, people working in many different service industries, information technology as well as hard working stay at home moms who mange to juggle a myriad of unpaid and overworked job. We have women who work full time AND go to school full time. We have women of all ages, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, all branches of service, former and current military status, and a full variety economic, religious, and educational backgrounds. We have mothers, wives, girlfriends, fiancées and even just close friends of military personnel. Here you won't find people wearing their husband's ranks, we help each other and cheer each other on. We provide guidance, advice and a shoulder when needed. We have occassional get togethers and have the opportunity to hear first hand about bases we're about to PCS to as well as already having a friend there! Thanks to Solo Ops I've learned how to PCS without it becoming a nightmare, how to fix pay issues faster than you can say "OPSEC," how to navigate, how to cope with benefits, medical issues, being separated from family and new to place that I hate and how to make the best of it. We network and help each other find ways to find jobs, start businesses, change careers, tackle schooling that won't screw us over when we move and more. At Solo Ops you can get tips on how to make your grocery budget stretch, trade coupons, manage your finances, get pay problems corrected quickly and much more. None of this can be seen on a page containing "current news." CPL M, for someone who seems to be from the military I would have thought that you would have been taught not to make rash and quick judgments without fully examining the situation. I am very disappointed in your post and quick uninformed judgement. In war time that kind of behavior could get a soldier killed so for someone about to be deployed I am shocked that you seem to exercise such rash judgment even in this case, I would have expected more from someone of your rank. In this case your wife could miss out some support she could use. Perhaps you should allow HER to examine the full site and make her own decisions. Unless you don't want her around a bunch of supportive open minded folks. In fact I'm sure she can use Google on her own and should have the right to select the site or support program best for HER rather than what YOU feel is best for her. I’ve been a member of Solo Ops since 2003. It got me though my husband’s deployment. As now I understand the site is going through a complete redesign and I’m sure the old links of preparing for deployments and stuff will be added back in but I must say to judge the site by looking at just the first page just floors me. That’s like picking up “War and Peace” and saying “Hey, you can’t have war AND peace, this must be crap” and tossing it aside. And on nos! Solo ops not only lets its members post CURRENT News but light hearted stuff too! How horrible. As we all know, we military wives should have NO sense of humor and should hide our heads in the sand until its time for the next FRG meeting or bake sale. This is not the 1950s anymore and we don’t sit around having tea parties and making our husband’s jobs/ranks our lives. We have our own lives, careers and personalities and sometimes we just need a bit of extra help when the military throws us a curve ball. That’s where Solo Ops comes in.

Military wives today are educated, statistics show that over half of us have college degrees and most of us work out of the house. In addition to often being single parents, living on a very strict budget and enduring stupid comments from people who have no clue what our life is like. Solo Ops is a reflection of the modern military wife. We aren’t a bunch of gossipy women standing barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen ironing our husband’s uniforms. We’ve got law school graduates, therapists, a variety of folks in various medical professions, people working in many different service industries, information technology as well as hard working stay at home moms who mange to juggle a myriad of unpaid and overworked job. We have women who work full time AND go to school full time. We have women of all ages, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, all branches of service, former and current military status, and a full variety economic, religious, and educational backgrounds. We have mothers, wives, girlfriends, fiancées and even just close friends of military personnel. Here you won’t find people wearing their husband’s ranks, we help each other and cheer each other on. We provide guidance, advice and a shoulder when needed. We have occassional get togethers and have the opportunity to hear first hand about bases we’re about to PCS to as well as already having a friend there!

Thanks to Solo Ops I’ve learned how to PCS without it becoming a nightmare, how to fix pay issues faster than you can say “OPSEC,” how to navigate, how to cope with benefits, medical issues, being separated from family and new to place that I hate and how to make the best of it. We network and help each other find ways to find jobs, start businesses, change careers, tackle schooling that won’t screw us over when we move and more. At Solo Ops you can get tips on how to make your grocery budget stretch, trade coupons, manage your finances, get pay problems corrected quickly and much more. None of this can be seen on a page containing “current news.”

CPL M, for someone who seems to be from the military I would have thought that you would have been taught not to make rash and quick judgments without fully examining the situation. I am very disappointed in your post and quick uninformed judgement. In war time that kind of behavior could get a soldier killed so for someone about to be deployed I am shocked that you seem to exercise such rash judgment even in this case, I would have expected more from someone of your rank. In this case your wife could miss out some support she could use. Perhaps you should allow HER to examine the full site and make her own decisions. Unless you don’t want her around a bunch of supportive open minded folks. In fact I’m sure she can use Google on her own and should have the right to select the site or support program best for HER rather than what YOU feel is best for her.

]]> By: Janine http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/02/military-wives-a-spotlight-on-solo-opscom/comment-page-1/#comment-15127 Janine Thu, 05 Jul 2007 15:43:54 +0000 http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/02/military-wives-a-spotlight-on-solo-opscom/#comment-15127 Solo-ops has helped me gain an understanding of the military world as well as offer ,support through PCS moves, deployments and all of life's moments, such as the birth of our child. It is a place to find information and friendships. A place to ask for help, or just to vent about whatever is bothering you on a given day. It looks to me as if the first poster is judging the book by its cover, rather than looking deeper into the true value of Solo-ops! Solo-ops has helped me gain an understanding of the military world as well as offer ,support through PCS moves, deployments and all of life’s moments, such as the birth of our child. It is a place to find information and friendships. A place to ask for help, or just to vent about whatever is bothering you on a given day.

It looks to me as if the first poster is judging the book by its cover, rather than looking deeper into the true value of Solo-ops!

]]> By: Kelley http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/02/military-wives-a-spotlight-on-solo-opscom/comment-page-1/#comment-15123 Kelley Thu, 05 Jul 2007 15:09:29 +0000 http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/02/military-wives-a-spotlight-on-solo-opscom/#comment-15123 As a military wife, surviving 2 deployments and a Korea tour, I can tell you Solo-Ops is full of support, information, and friendship. I have been a member for years and love that there is always an answer to questions I might have, military-related or not. I urge the 1st poster to look deeper into the website - look at the actual forums, not the front page. The main page has current news, and though it may not be the greatest - it us current events for our times. I know if his wife, or any wife for that matter, needed help or support - she would get it from the website, no questions asked. I wish you all the best on your deployment Cpl M and I do hope your wife finds support and comfort during your time apart... and please, give Solo-Ops a chance, I'm sure you'll be quite surprised. As a military wife, surviving 2 deployments and a Korea tour, I can tell you Solo-Ops is full of support, information, and friendship. I have been a member for years and love that there is always an answer to questions I might have, military-related or not.
I urge the 1st poster to look deeper into the website – look at the actual forums, not the front page. The main page has current news, and though it may not be the greatest – it us current events for our times. I know if his wife, or any wife for that matter, needed help or support – she would get it from the website, no questions asked. I wish you all the best on your deployment Cpl M and I do hope your wife finds support and comfort during your time apart… and please, give Solo-Ops a chance, I’m sure you’ll be quite surprised.

]]> By: thesarge http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/02/military-wives-a-spotlight-on-solo-opscom/comment-page-1/#comment-15114 thesarge Thu, 05 Jul 2007 13:50:09 +0000 http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/02/military-wives-a-spotlight-on-solo-opscom/#comment-15114 solo-ops is a great forum with support for all branches. there are certain pages that can not be seen by non-members which is why the first person to comment couldn't see the 'wealth of resources'. It helps weed out spammers that way. Join up with a trial membership and you can view the main board - where a homecoming post is currently active. The other posts he saw on the front page were the most recent posts - not nessicarily the most popular ones. solo-ops is a great forum with support for all branches. there are certain pages that can not be seen by non-members which is why the first person to comment couldn’t see the ‘wealth of resources’. It helps weed out spammers that way. Join up with a trial membership and you can view the main board – where a homecoming post is currently active. The other posts he saw on the front page were the most recent posts – not nessicarily the most popular ones.

]]> By: Ellie http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/02/military-wives-a-spotlight-on-solo-opscom/comment-page-1/#comment-15101 Ellie Thu, 05 Jul 2007 11:00:55 +0000 http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/02/military-wives-a-spotlight-on-solo-opscom/#comment-15101 As an Army wife of over 18 years and a member of Solo-ops, I can vouch for Solo-op's usefulness to an Army wife. The members post the news articles they find interesting and wish to discuss. Many times, articles like that are posted becuase they piss us off and we want to vent about them to people who will understand. The amount of useful information there is as vast and varied as the member base. If your wife has any questions or concerns, she should stop by and ask us. She will get a warm welcome and an honest answer. As an Army wife of over 18 years and a member of Solo-ops, I can vouch for Solo-op’s usefulness to an Army wife. The members post the news articles they find interesting and wish to discuss. Many times, articles like that are posted becuase they piss us off and we want to vent about them to people who will understand.

The amount of useful information there is as vast and varied as the member base. If your wife has any questions or concerns, she should stop by and ask us. She will get a warm welcome and an honest answer.

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