In addition to observing Nov. 11 as Veterans Day, it's equally fitting to recognize that November is also Military Family Appreciation Month, a time to honor the support, strength and service that makes military life possible.
Military spouses, children and other supportive relatives are the unsung heroes who provide grounding, continuity and emotional well-being to their service member during and following their duty to our country and when they eventually transition into retirement or civilian life.
Throughout my years as a U.S. Army officer, including six years at Ft. Bragg, I can attest firsthand to the role that families contribute to their service member. However, many military families face innumerable challenges related to employment, housing, finances and stress. The following are a few examples and suggestions for ways to help.
Spouse unemployment and underemployment
According to the National Military Family Association, the unemployment rate for active-duty military spouses is around 21%, roughly five times the national average. Almost half of military spouses hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, yet their talents are chronically underutilized and they are not earning their full potential.
In addition to promoting Department of Defense programs like Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (MySECO) and the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP), State and federal officials should work together to pass legislation that provides tuition assistance, skills training, resume support and more. My employer, Western Governors University, offers a specific Military Spouse Scholarship to assist in upskilling or career changes. Congress should pass the Military Spouse Employment Act, which would allow executive agencies to hire and retain military spouses working remotely.
Finances, housing insecurity and childcare
Like the civilian population, military families face rising prices for housing, transportation and basic services like groceries. CBS News reports that despite active-duty pay, many junior enlisted and single-income households face rising living expenses, debt and reliance on food pantries and nutrition programs like WIC and SNAP.
Military families struggle with Basic Allowance for Housing shortfalls, high off-base rental costs, and issues in military housing like mold and moisture damage. Families also face childcare shortages, long waitlists and high costs for quality childcare.
It would be easy to say the answer is simply better pay or higher allowances but that isn’t a cure-all. Military installations and communities should continually provide and improve intentional outreach, acknowledgement and accessible services to help families plan, budget and access all available resources.
Education and social continuity for children
Military children face challenges such as frequent relocation, interrupted learning and gaps, mid-year transitions, high school credit and graduation barriers, deployment anxiety about parents, disengagement and grade repetition.
Many military families move every two to three years, so kids might attend six to nine schools from kindergarten through high school. To ease the transition, parents and educators can leverage legal protections from the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (which, among other things, mandates that schools accept student transcripts for immediate enrollment). Families can also contact their Military OneSource School Liaison at the destination base for assistance.
To help kids adjust socially, parents can inquire about any student-led welcoming committees, extracurricular activities and base youth centers. Luckily, most military children are extremely resilient and have adopted social skills over time to make new friends and adjust to new situations.
Mental health challenges
Long separations, wartime deployments, frequent moves and household challenges can strain military families’ mental health, contributing to higher rates of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress. Service members and their families may be apprehensive to seek care, fearing career consequences or scrutiny.
In addition to forming bonds and discussing experiences with peers, military families have access to professional support through outlets such as the Military and Family Life Counseling program, unit clergy and installation-sponsored services, clinics and hospitals. The Military OneSource Live Chat program also provides 24/7 online chat or telephone contact that connects individuals to free resources, specialty consultations and confidential counseling.
During Military Family Appreciation Month, I challenge you to reach out to a friend, relative or neighbor who is part of a military family. In North Carolina, we are richly surrounded by those who are serving, who are deploying (active-duty or in the National Guard), who are returning, and who are supporting. Try going beyond saying “thank you for your service” and offer them respectful acknowledgment that their journey, their sacrifices and their triumphs matter, are honored and have enduring gratitude.
Based in North Carolina, Ben Coulter, Ed.D., is Southeast regional director for online nonprofit Western Governors University.
