Profiling a MilBlogger: Brenda from Hello Iraq

This week, our ongoing spotlight on female milbloggers finds us talking with Brenda from Hello Iraq. Thanks for taking the time to talk Brenda, and we hope our readers enjoy.

You Served: What led you to be a Military Blogger?

Hello Iraq: When my nephew was killed in Kuwait March 5, 2004, I used to go to the DOHA website for support. One day I found my first milblog while looking over the site. I was entranced. That blog led me to others. I started visiting different milblogs of deployed soldiers and offering my support on their blogs. Shortly thereafter, I started my own blog, Hello Iraq, to support the troops and the War effort.

YS: Do you feel that being a female Military Bloggers adds a unique perspective to your blog? If yes, how so?

HI: Yes. Most people think don’t think of women when they think about the military, especially with regards to combat. Even though women are not officially assigned to combat, they are facing death every day side by side with our male troops and doing as well as the men. I read today that a women in Afghanistan was awarded the Silver Star.

But aside from combat, many of those who consider women in the military have a jaded view of us as muscular or gay jock types. That simply isn’t true.

The milblogs show Americans that we are just every day women who, like the men, have a strong sense of service to our country. But, otherwise, we are really no different than they are. Many of us are spouses and or mothers. As far as our everyday wants and needs, we are really no different. We’re just women!

YS: What impact has your blog had on you and those who are part of your blogging community?

HI: My blog has helped me grieve my nephew’s death and feel like I am helping our troops in some small way. My nephew died before we even had a chance to write him.

I know what type things the soldiers want to hear from home and what those of left behind need to hear. I use this to guide me on my blog.

I am not a great blogger like CJ at A Soldiers’ Perspective or some of the other well known bloggers. So I am not really sure that I have made any impact personally. But, I do try to make a difference any way I can in support of our troops and in the battle here at home.

YS: What is the best part about being a MilBlogger?

HI: I get a feeling of belonging to something larger than myself that I have not had since my days in the Corps in the late 60’s. I have also had the satisfaction of knowing that I helped two suicidal soldiers get help. I picked up something on their blogs that was not recognized by them or their fellow buddies. That alone has made my blogging satisfying and worthwhile.

At times, because I have PTSD, I have been able to help others in the military family, be it friend, spouse, or soldier with PTSD related issues in some small way. After all, besides educating and informing the public, isn’t that what blogging is all about, helping ourselves cope, helping the troops cope, and providing the public with the news they so desperately want and can’t find any where else?

YS: What advice would you give to a woman who wants to start her own MilBlog?

I would tell her to go for it. To first find out what regs she needs to know so she doesn’t accidentally violate security protocols. Next I would suggest she find her own style, not try to write like someone else. If she is a family member of a service member, blogging is a good way to stay in touch with other women in like situations for support and friendship. As a soldier, blogs are a great way to ease the loneliness of deployment on any front, especially combat, and get support. It is also a great way to help cope with the stress of deployments. They have an excellent therapeutic value!

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