Tanya Biank

Tanya Biank is an American journalist, author, and speaker. She has written two books, one of which was the inspiration for the television show, Army Wives.

Early life and education Biank comes from a family of combat veterans and active-duty service members. Her father was in the United States Army, retiring as a colonel. He served for 33 years. Her sister, Brigadier General Maria Biank, was deployed to Iraq in 2009, the same time as Tanya Biank's husband.

Biank graduated from Herndon High School in 1989. She attended Pennsylvania State University, where she received her bachelor's degree in journalism. She graduated in 1993. After college, Biank lived in Korea for one year. She studied language and culture, while also teaching English as a second language at an all-girls school. Besides Korea, Biank has lived in a variety of places including, Germany, Fort Knox in Kentucky, Buffalo, New York, Northern Virginia, and Georgia. Her coverage of the 2002 murders involving military wives whose husbands were stationed at Fort Bragg led to Congressional inquiries and changes in Army policies.

Beyond writing, Biank served as a leader of a Family Readiness Group during her husband's 2009-2010 deployment to Iraq. This organization was formed to help families face the difficult challenges of military life.