US Special Operations Virtual Town Hall Addresses Family Member Concerns

Admiral William "Bill" McRaven and his spouse Georgeanne answered questions live on Google Chat Thursday afternoon surrounding issues that military families face. Topics from family members included: Tricare benefits, the prescription drug program off post, TBI, the Care Coalition and Gold Star Family support.

"Are there going to be cuts to the Strong Bonds program in the future,?" asked Fort Bragg military spouse, Bethany.

"When I travel around, everywhere I go, I hear about the benefits of Strong Bonds," said McRaven. "General Odierno is absolutely committed to making sure that the Strong Bonds program stays in place as much as it can."

"There will be some cuts coming, but if you get to the point where you sense that there is a dramatic downturn in the Strong Bonds support to USASOC and to other units at Fort Bragg, please let General Cleveland know, and he'll let me know."

Another Fort Bragg retired spouse asked about the new embedded social worker counselors in place. "The reason you have not seen them yet, we have just left this contract, so they are just beginning to come into the various units," said McRaven. "There won't be any intent to create any barriers around your access to them."

The Joint Special Operations spouses were gathered at the annex at Fort Bragg to view the Virtual Town Hall Meeting. Victoria asked if the recent movies violate OPSEC and if that is something they should be worried about?

"Where I get frustrated is the number of these guys that have written books and have not followed the procedure. Some have signed a non-disclosure statement that they would not divulged tactics, techniques and procedures," said McRaven. "But even when we aren't comfortable with it, if it's not too compromising, we say go forward and do it."

"I have not seen any case yet where these books or movies have put any individuals at risk," McRaven said.

McRaven then shared with the ladies that it was because of the movie, The Green Berets, that he joined the special operations community. His sister was dating a Green Beret and the man advised to become a Navy Seal - and the rest, as they say, is history.