Profiling a MilBlogger: Greta from Hooah Wife
This week, You Served and VA Mortgage Center.com got a chance to talk with Greta from Hooah Wife. A many thanks to her for taking the time to answer a few questions – be sure to check out her fantastic blog!
You Served: What led you to be a Military Blogger?
Hooah Wife: I became a Military blogger the day I was reviewing my husband’s last will and testament before he headed to Iraq. I had to get my feelings out to the world. I haven’t been able to stop blogging since then and now have multiple blogs!
YS: Do you feel that being a female Military Bloggers adds a unique perspective to your blog? If yes, how so?
HW: My blogging comes from the unique perspective of having been a military spouse and now the wife of a retired soldier. I think every blogger offers a unique perspective – that is what is sooooo cool about blogging.
YS: What impact has your blog had on you and those who are part of your blogging community?
HW:I think Hooah Wife has made an impact on the Milblog community since it has been a consistent blog for over 3 years. It has now become a group blog with the other contributors keeping the main theme of supporting the troops and being pro-military. We are also proudly the home of the Wednesday Hero, where we highlight a hero a week.
YS: What is the best part about being a MilBlogger?
HW: The camaraderie! Over the years I have also had the privilege of meeting many of the men and woman behind the blogs in person at the Milblog and Soldiers’ Angels conferences and through my travels. It is truly a small world on the internet. Being a Milblogger is something I don’t take lightly. I realize there are lots of men and women in uniform and their family members looking for information and answers.
I have always tried to make myself readily available to anyone who needs advice.
YS: What, if any, lessons have you learned from being a MilBlogger?
HW: The lessons I have learned…well…blogging is time consuming. I don’t think a day goes by that I don’t read or write. Hooah Wife has continued to have a nice community that is “troll free” and revels in discussion. It doesn’t take much to be noticed by those who you provoke on the internet and we continue to fly under the radar. We welcome diverse opinions and discussions, but treat everyone with respect. I have watched many blogs become infested with nasty commenters and am grateful that we have stayed small enough to maintain some sense of community.
YS: What advice would you give to a woman who wants to start her own MilBlog?
HW: Do it and only keep it up only if you enjoy it. Be responsible and remember OPSEC home and away is extremely important. Blog as if your friend, the enemy, your Grandmother, your boss and God is reading your blog. If you follow those rules – you should never have a problem!
Kathi
May 10th, 2008 at 7:42 amGreat interview,Greta!