Blue Star Families (BSF) recently unveiled the results of the 2023 Military Family Lifestyle Survey of over 7400 respondents in Washington, D.C., shedding light on the pressing challenges military families face. Only 32% of military family respondents would recommend military service. Since 2009, BSF has conducted this survey to gain a deeper understanding of military families’ hurdles. In the military, we often say that we recruit service members, but we retain families. When we lose military service members and their families, we all suffer. Businesses and communities that depend on the freedom and security our military provides are also at risk if we fail to sustain the strength of our military. This article underscores some of these challenges and outlines the crucial role communities and businesses can play in assisting. Is your community or business actively contributing to our national security by supporting military families?
For the seventh consecutive year, spouse employment remains the top concern for active-duty spouse respondents. Overall, Veteran respondents find it challenging to transition from the military to civilian life. Veterans who transitioned well were more likely to recommend military service than those who had a difficult transition. Housing costs remain the top contributing factor to financial stress for active-duty family members. The majority of active-duty family respondents living in civilian housing (73%) had to pay over $200 monthly out-of-pocket. While this may not seem like a significant amount of money, consider the challenge for a Private First Class (PFC) with three years of service who earns about $2378 monthly. So, $200 is nearly 8.5% of a PFC’s pay.
It’s crucial for businesses and communities to play a proactive role in keeping our military strong by addressing these challenges. Some companies and communities are already making a difference. However, the fact that only 32% of military family respondents would recommend military service, a significant drop from 55% in 2016, is a cause for concern. Even more significant is that 79% of new military recruits come from families with someone who has served. The military is becoming a family business, and the fact that most respondents would not recommend military service should worry every American.
Spouses are constantly moving with their active-duty service members from one military installation to the next. Consequently, many businesses are reluctant to hire military spouses. We lived in 27 homes in 38 years of service during my career. My son attended nine schools in twelve years before going to college. My spouse, a teacher and later a principal, had to become certified in multiple states and the overseas school system to be eligible to work wherever we were assigned. While my next assignment was always predetermined and guaranteed, she sought employment like many other military spouses. As a principal, she mentored many spouses interested in teaching positions in the DC Metro Area. These mentoring experiences gave us the idea to speak with Sid Goodfriend, CEO and Founder of American Corporate Partners [ACP, a 501(c)(3)]. ACP provides yearlong mentoring for service members transitioning out of the military. I am on the Board of ACP, and we asked Sid and the Board to consider establishing an active-duty spouse mentoring program. After an uncertain start, the program took hold. Today, ACP has provided mentors to over 34,000 veterans and spouses, which include approximately 4,500 spouse mentors. ACP has nearly 2000 spouse alumni with another 600 being mentored today. Businesses and communities can help by partnering with ACP and other organizations to actively support spouse employment and welcome active-duty families into their communities and your business. Other companies, like Triple Impact Connection, specialize in hiring military spouses to assure them financial support and career opportunities. At USAA, they have programs specifically aimed at mentoring and developing veterans and military spouses. Ask your Chief of Human Resources how many active-duty spouses have been hired in your company or for positions within your community.
BSF has a program called DEPLOY (Diversity and Expand the Pipeline of Leaders of Your Military Community) Fellows. Ryan Brennan, a USAA DEPLOY Fellow, presented her research on food insecurity and provided this quote from a military spouse: “If my kids are still hungry after serving them, I’ll give them my portion and go without.” Of the active-duty respondents, 1 in 6 reported food insecurity. This increases to 1 in 4 for enlisted family respondents. For those who report food insecurity, 14% of active-duty family respondents report food banks or charities as a significant food source. While compensation for junior enlisted service members is comparable to their civilian counterparts, the financial challenge arises due to the difficulty of spouses maintaining consistent employment during frequent moves and the lack of affordable childcare. Again, communities and businesses can make a difference.
As an example, CSX, a major freight railroad where I serve on the board, partners with military and veteran organizations. CSX collaborates with nonprofit partners, employees, and local community members through its Pride in Service program to “serve those who serve.” CSX’s Pride in Service initiative collaborates with various non-profits such as ACP, Wounded Warrior Project, and Operation Homefront to provide resources and to support to military families, veterans, and first responders. This includes efforts to address food insecurity by partnering with organizations that provide food assistance.
Companies like Walmart, Booz Allen Hamilton, Amazon, Hilton, PepsiCo, Lockheed Martin, Target, Coca-Cola, and many others are also engaged in helping our military families.
Less than one percent of Americans serve in our military, but we all enjoy the freedom and security that their service and sacrifice provide. Military spouses and families also serve and sacrifice so much. While not everyone will serve in our military, we can actively support spouses and family members, which helps our military recruiting and retention and, ultimately, our national security. How is your business or community making a difference in this vital area to support our military and sustain our freedom?
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