Spotlight

National Veterans and Military Families Month

November is National Veterans and Military Families Month. The Defense Department recognizes the service and sacrifice of our military families, and dedicates resources, services, policies and programs to support the more than 2 million uniformed service members and 2.6 million family members across the globe.

Stories

A service member interacts with his children who are seated on playground equipment. — News | Defense News
DOD Looks at Ways to Improve Child Care Access

Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks has challenged the Defense Department to uncover new and innovative ways to expand access to quality affordable child care for military families, Patricia Barron said.
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A man speaks from a podium to an audience. — News | Defense News
Austin Looks to Alleviate Financial Harm the Pandemic Caused Military Families

The pandemic has imposed unusual hardships on the military, and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III is taking immediate steps to alleviate the worst effects.
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Several seated teens look at a counselor and two other teens who are standing at the front of a room. — Feature | Know Your Military
Military Teens & Mental Health: Here Are Resources That Can Help

While DOD Military Community and Family Policy experts acknowledge that challenges will always exist for military teens, there are programs and resources available to help them get through tough times.
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A front view of the White House and surrounding grounds. — News | Defense News
First Lady, Austin Applaud Military, Veterans’ Caregiving Kids in White House Event

It's time for the nation to recognize veterans' and military service members' caregiving children and give them the support they deserve, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden said in a White House Joining Forces event.
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A man wearing a mask packs vaccine kits in a box. — News | Defense News
Defense Logistics Agency Ships Vaccines for Children Overseas

The Defense Logistics Agency is receiving, packing and shipping pediatric doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine overseas for children, ages 5 to 11, of Defense Department personnel.
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Find Support

Parents

Spouses

Children

Moving / Deployments

Online Learning

Finances

Health & Wellness

Parents

Spouses

Children

Moving / Deployment

Online Learning

Finances

Office of Financial Readiness

Health & Wellness

Service members, their families and recently separated service members have 24/7 access to information and support anywhere in the world, at no cost.

The Military Crisis Line, part of the Veterans Crisis line, is a free, confidential resource that serves military members, their families and friends.

By The Numbers

FY19:4,747,313 DOD personnel and
family members

FY19:1,644,456 Military children

Military families
move on average every 2 - 3 years

Military children
will change schools 6 - 8 times

1 in 4 Military spouses are
unemployed or actively
seeking work

Military Spouse Appreciation Month

The Defense Department recognizes the strength and contributions of our nearly 1 million military spouses and offers extra support and activities focused on real-world needs on Military Spouse Appreciation Day and throughout May - Military Spouse Appreciation Month.

Military OneSource serves as a hub of information with resources and events to help recognize military spouses for their contributions and resiliency.

To help mark Military Spouse Appreciation Month, one spouse shares Why Military Spouse Appreciation Matters.

Military Spouses