Navigating Loss as a Military Family
Honoring Your Journey, Recognizing Your Sacrifice
You are not alone.
Pregnancy and infant loss is an unimaginable heartache, and for military families, the experience can be even more complex. With deployments, frequent relocations, and the unique demands of military life, grieving can feel isolating. Return to Zero: Hope is here to stand with you - offering compassionate support, resources, and community to help you navigate this difficult journey.
The Unique Challenges of Pregnancy and Infant Loss in the Military
Experiencing a loss within the military comes with its unique challenges. Often, the culture and expectation are to be resilient, but the reality is that grief cannot be rushed or ignored. Many military families face additional layers of complication, including:
Forced Relocations
Military families often move from base to base, and each relocation can bring renewed grief. Packing and unpacking treasured baby items—such as clothing, blankets, or keepsakes—can feel like reopening a wound. These frequent moves may also interrupt continuity of care or support, making it harder for families to feel grounded as they process their loss.
Deployments & Training Schedules
When a baby dies, having your partner or spouse by your side can be a critical part of navigating the grief. For military families, deployments and training schedules often mean one parent is away, leaving the other to shoulder the pain and daily realities of loss alone. The physical separation can intensify feelings of isolation and make it harder to grieve together as a family.
Bereavement Leave
Taking time to grieve is essential, but for many in the military, bereavement leave is limited. Families may feel pressured to return to work or duty before they are ready, leaving little time for memorial services, healing rituals, or simply the space to mourn. This lack of time can complicate grief and make it harder for families to fully honor their baby’s life.
Feeling Alone in a Resiliency-Focused Culture
The military culture often emphasizes strength and resilience, which can make it difficult to express vulnerability or sorrow. Parents may feel pressure to “stay strong” for their family, unit, or community, even while they are deeply hurting inside. This expectation can leave families feeling unseen and unsupported in their grief, reinforcing the sense of being alone in their pain.
A Conversation About the Layers of Grief in Military Life
In this webinar, you will hear from four individuals who have personally endured pregnancy and infant losses while serving in or alongside the military. These panelists will share their loss stories and engage in real conversation about the complex layers of grief in the military community.
“A Letter to My Commander upon the Occasion of the Death of My Child”
Written and produced by Miranda Hernandez, this poignant open letter from bereaved military parents to their leadership, expresses profound grief and highlights the unique challenges of mourning within the military culture. It serves as both a personal narrative and a guide for military leaders on how to compassionately support service members navigating the aftermath of child loss.
How We Support Military Families
At Return to Zero: Hope, we want to be a conduit of support, walking alongside you in your journey as a newly bereaved military family. We want to connect you with others who have walked this path before you, offering encouragement, understanding, and community. You are not alone.
advocacy
We are actively working to ensure military families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss have access to the care and support they need. Whether through policy advocacy, provider training, or partnerships, we strive to make systemic change.
community partnerships
If you are a military family that wants to assist in providing educational material to your leadership or chain of command, your chaplains, your local military hospital, your Casual Assistance Officer, or your MFLC, we are here to help them in better supporting you.