Family policy appointee will bring more military family voices to DoD, including her own 4 hours ago Patricia Barron, pictured here with Elmo and Rosita, was on the advisory committee for Sesame Workshop s programs to support military families. (Courtesy of Patricia Barron) Long before Patricia Barron was sworn in as head of military community and family policy at the Defense Department, she was well aware of persistent challenges for military families. She’s lived the life. During her husband’s 30-year Army career, they made 14 permanent change of station moves, and she has nursing licenses from seven states. The most lasting impact was the effect their military experience had on their three children, she said. “I recognize how hard it was for them. It affected my oldest child the most. I am very sensitive to the challenges of PCS moves and starting all over again,” said Barron, in a recent interview with Military Times.