Ah, the internet. It’s amazing how it can be such a wonderful place and also the worst place on earth at the same time. It’s a place where we can share information, send cute videos, spread important news, stay connected with friends and family, and fundraise incredible amounts of money that can benefit others. It’s also where we go to help create things we believe in and even save someone’s life. Unfortunately, it can also be the most vile place where darkness lurks in the deep recesses of the worst parts of humanity. “Cyber-bullying” is a term most people are familiar with now; people spewing filth at others for no reason other than sadistic enjoyment. Oftentimes these bullies target complete strangers, operating from the comforts of their own home. Luckily the military family is a disciplined, well-oiled machine, so it doesn’t happen within our tight-knit family. Or does it?
Cyber-bullying itself is pointless and incomprehensible to most, but even more shocking is the depravity we see in our own Military Facebook Groups. These are unofficial Facebook groups founded to provide support to military spouses, veterans, active duty members, etc. and yet many of them are saturated with personal attacks against one another. Instead of building each other up, sharing resources, and teaching each other lessons we’ve learned along the way, people are calling each other names, tearing each other down and humiliating each other. Hurtful slurs are thrown around like candy: ”dependapotamus,” “dependa,” and other insulting and derogatory terms for military spouses, portraying them as lazy, overweight, and just riding the coattails of the military members they married. Instead of supporting each other during times of PCS and deployment, comparisons are made about how each member has “had it worse.” Members are put down for being too “needy” or not taking care of responsibilities at home. Sigh, it’s the dark side of military “camaraderie” that’s for sure.
