Focal Point: Citizen Soldier

Original Air Date: April 19, 2006

The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have led to the largest call up of National Guardsmen and reservists since World War II. A large portion of them are from North Carolina. For those citizen soldiers, being in the Guard and Reserve no longer means just two weeks a year and one weekend a month of service. Instead, it can mean repeated war-zone deployments that can last a year or more. Focal Point: "Citizen Soldier" looks at the challenge their assignments create for their families and communities back home.

Watch the Documentary

Part 1: To learn what it means to be the family of a National Guardsman today, we introduce you to the Carroll family who live near Bunn, N.C.

Part 2: Bridgette and her two daughters deal with the deployment of her husband, Shannon, to Iraq.

Part 3: A network of support is forming in communities across North Carolina in response to the new challenges faced by the families of guardsmen and reservists.

Part 4: Shannon returns home from Iraq, but for how long?

Online Resources

• North Carolina National Guard
• Citizen Soldier Support Program
• National Guard Bureau Family Program

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