Redefining Support: A New Vision for Military Families

As Veterans Day comes to a close, it's important to acknowledge that the experience of veterans and their families while on active duty forms the basis of the "Force of the Future". And, as the Trump administration and a new Congress begins, there will be opportunities to reconsider how the American people support its servicemembers and military families. The Overton Window will expand, and there will be a chance for reform that didn't exist a week ago. Part of that reform should include the military family readiness system.

HOW DID WE GET HERE?

With the end of the draft and the establishment of the All-Volunteer Force (AVF) in 1973, it became clear that supporting the military families of a professionalized service was essential.? The Military Family Act of 1985 (P.L. 99-145) created the “Office of Family Policy” within the Department of Defense (DoD), with a focus on improving employment opportunities and addressing other challenges faced by military families.? The high operational tempo during the Persian Gulf War and the 23 years following September 11, 2001, underscored the critical role military family readiness plays in retaining service members. Yet, consistent support has often been lacking, leaving many military families feeling overlooked and undervalued. ??????

Our nation's approach to supporting military families has often been reactive, responding to crisis; highlighted by DoD IG complaints, articles and reports of black mold and food insecurity, and periodic Congressional hearings. As the AVF enters 2025, it’s becoming clearer each day, “We didn’t break the force...we broke the families,”. After decades of conflict and the moral injury associated with it - intensified by the withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 - it's no surprise that recent surveys reveal only 32% of military families now encourage their children to consider military service, a sharp decline over the past decade. This raises a pressing question: What concrete steps can we take to reverse this trend - actions that could positively influence the future of military service for generations to come?

RECENT REFORM EFFORTS

In 2011, the Obama administration took steps towards strengthening military family support with PSD No. 9, “Strengthening Military Families", followed by the Joining Forces Initiative in both the Obama and Biden administration.?

In 2015, the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission (MCRMC) presented its findings and recent Congressional oversight includes the Quality of Life Panel of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC). While significant and necessary, the panel's recommendations primarily focused on increasing pay and benefits without substantial structural reform.

The Trump administration prioritized military family support in its National Defense Strategy (NDS). In the subsequent NDS update under the Biden administration, family support was not included as a formal priority. To address this, Secretary of Defense Austin introduced the Taking Care of People initiative to support the needs of military families and personnel. ?

Despite these well-intentioned efforts, they have often been reactive, addressing reductions in defense spending relative to inflation and as a percentage of GDP, even as operational demands have grown and the number of personnel needed to conduct those missions has decreased. Reflecting on recent recruitment and retention challenges, these outcomes should surprise no one.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The Department of Defense (DoD) and the military branches often acknowledge they "can not do it alone" and need to have an "all-of-government" approach to serve the Total Force and their families; or the "One Community" approach.? However, concrete support and funding for such an approach have been minimal, particularly in actionable, forward-leaning improvements in military family quality of life. This needs urgent attention.?

Instead of continuing reactive measures, substantial changes in DoD funding, collection of feedback, and organizational structure are essential. A renewed focus from the administration and Congress should emphasize supporting military families within their local communities: ?

Funding

• Core Military Services: Focus DoD and service funding on uniquely military-related services, such as Casualty and Mortuary affairs. Shift away from outdated on-base family readiness centers, except in remote or overseas locations.
• Community-Based Support: Reinvest manpower and infrastructure savings into local and state programs for military families, including:

a. Community Quality of Life Block Grants: Allocate funds to states to support military families with rigorous data collection a requirement. Use a per capita model to cover all military-connected families, including Guard, Reserve, and DoD civilians.

b. Matching Funds for Community Projects: Establish funding lines for quality of life (QoL) projects with community-matched funds, similar to the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP).

• Federal Funding Opportunities: Set aside federal grants for states and military communities to support QoL initiatives consistent with agency missions across departments like Agriculture, Health and Human Services, Education, and Labor.

Customer Experience and a Data Feedback Loop

• Customer Experience Office for Military Families: Building on the model of the VA's Customer Experience Institute, the DoD should establish a dedicated office focused on improving the customer experience for servicemembers and military families. This office would leverage best practices from across the federal government, as part of a larger effort under the President’s Management Agenda.
• Quality of Life in Basing Decisions: The requirement to consider quality of life (QoL) factors in future basing decisions (10 USC Sec 1781b) should be part of a continuous evaluation process, assisting DoD and the services in guiding states and communities to support military families.
• Independent Research on Military Families: Independent research on military personnel and families is essential. A firewall should separate researchers from DoD, fostering objective analysis. This approach has proven effective, as shown by the findings of the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault, the Suicide Prevention and Response Committee, and the NASEM Independent Analysis of DoD's Comprehensive Autism Care Demonstration Program. The Deputy Secretary of Defense, Dr. Hicks, also emphasized this model’s potential, advocating for swift, evidence-based responses to personnel challenges.
• Shift Research Funding: Redirect military family research funding to the Defense Management Institute, creating a foundation of independent, unfiltered analysis.

Structural Reform:

• Elevating Readiness and Retention in DoD Structure: The DoD’s structure often reflects its priorities, and it’s time to establish a new Undersecretary role for Readiness and Retention, reporting directly to the Secretary of Defense. Many current functions under Personnel and Readiness should fall under this new office, focused on policies that impact readiness and retention of servicemembers and their families (see potential structure below).
• Streamlined Community Engagement: Consolidate DoD's engagement with state and local governments, enhancing coordination through a unified office in collaboration with the service chiefs. This could include existing programs like the Regional Environmental Coordinators (RECs), the Defense-State Liaison Office (DSLO), the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC) and the Military Installation Partnership Programs (Army and Air Force).
• Empowering Local Commanders and Community Partnerships: Train and empower installation command teams and state and local community partners to address challenges by sharing best practices, such as those promoted by Five & Thrive, the Association of Defense Communities, and state initiatives like the Mississippi Governor's Office of Military Affairs.
• Inclusive Representation for Military Families: Ensure military families, especially military and veteran spouses, have meaningful input at local, state, and federal levels. Leverage the support of military service organizations and nonprofits to elevate family voices in policy discussions.

These are only initial ideas. I invite you to share your thoughts and suggest improvements on these recommendations.

In addition to the special emphasis on veterans today, across the entire month of November, we celebrate Veterans and Military Family Appreciation Month. Take a moment to reach out to those military-connected families you know and tell them thank you.

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This article is my opinion. This article is not a reflection of the policy or position of the Department of Defense or its components.?The appearance of external links on this site does not constitute official endorsement on behalf of the Department of Defense or its components.