Blue Star Families this morning released its 2012 snapshot of 4,000 military families.  ”Top concerns” raised in the report: “changes to retirement benefits, pay/benefits, the effects of deployment on children, OPTEMPO, military spouse education and employment, and issues surrounding Post Traumatic Stress (PTS), combat stress, and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).”  (You can view the full report below; click the arrow at the top of the report section to see it full screen. You can also download it).

The report also found “the gap between our military and civilian communities continues to persist, with 95 percent of respondents agreeing with the statement, “The general public does not truly understand or appreciate the sacrifices made by service members and their families.”

The Washington Times today, citing a copy of the report that it received early, said 62% of troops who might have post traumatic stress disorder did not seek medical treatment. 

“Command didn’t think he needed it and didn’t make time available for help,” one spouse said.

One wife added, “My husband did not want to be labeled or somehow ‘excused’ from the military after 16 years of service with no retirement.”