Military families face financial challenges

While a military career once meant middle class comfort, now active duty men and women are struggling to make ends meet. Food stamp usage has quadrupled at military grocery stores since 2007. Spouses aged 18-24 have a 30% unemployment rate and active-duty families have much higher rates of credit card debt than their civilian counterparts. So, why are U.S. troops finding themselves in financial straits? Join the conversation Wednesday at 7:30pm ET. 

On this episode of The Stream, we'll speak to:

Brandon Archuleta
Graduate fellow, University of Texas at Austin

Deborah Bradbard @BlueStarFamily
Director of Research and Policy, Blue Star Families
bluestarfam.org

Kevin Stern @KevinAthans
Air Force Veteran

Susan Koerperich
Military spouse

What do you think? Record a video comment or leave your thoughts in the comments below. 

The financial problems facing America's military families are reflected in the dramatic increase in use of food stamps at military grocery stores, called commissaries.