Having grown up in a military family, I can tell you that the gung-ho sentiment shared among enlisted and officers doesn't necessarily always carry over into extended family members.
My dad lived for military aircraft. He volunteered for four years in Tonopah with the 4450th to test the F-117's in the early 80's as well as two years in South Korea on Pusan and six months in Pakistan when we sold them F-16's. Caused a divorce when my mom found out he wasn't being ordered to go.
It's especially hard during times of war. You want them home more than your desire security deep down inside. Let someone else do it is a better response.
Not to say all family members are indifferent. I sure share the same discontent with Kerry for what he did to Viet Nam veterans as veterens themselves possess. I don't trust him one bit. I know he's a self-absorbed liar that will stop at no expense to win votes. Tragically, the war in Iraq was a major issue after no WMD were found. Regardless of the reports that showed intent, it was already ingrained. The real seriousness of the situation was clouded and the media had much to do with that.
I would go out on a limb and say that military families aren't much different than civilian ones, but it depends on who you talk to(some live off base/post). Life on base/post is different. It's safer and more secure for one, and if you're Air Force, you adapt to life with jets flying 500 feet over your house shaking things off shelves.. The BX/PX and shopette aren't any different than Walmart or Circle K.
I always endorsed candidates based on military when I was young. I actually was rooting for Weasly Clark at the beginning of the primaries, though at that time I was not into partisan politics at all. I eventally found my roots at the military.com message boards finding I shared conservative values with others.
I bet that veterans of Viet Nam oppose Kerry more than modern military families in polls.
Ironically, if you browse the military.com forums, you'll notice that the people in Iraq or having been there, overwhelmingly support the cause and efforts. So do enlisted/officers that aren't there or haven't been there.
Brit Hume is saying that the exit polling is more women than men. I think women tend to be more dovish. Bill Kristol and Ken Mehlman are questioning the exit polls.
I'm afraid that maybe the new polling service that the networks hired to replace VNS isn't any better.