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Spotlight

Military Spouse Appreciation

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 each May, and year-round.

 

Stories

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Press Products
Release |

DOD Hosts First Survivor Symposium

DOD Hosts First Survivor Symposium
Release |

DOD to Hold Virtual Career Symposium, Hiring Fair for Military Spouses in May

DOD to Hold Virtual Career Symposium, Hiring Fair for Military Spouses in May
Release |

New Defense, State Department Agreement Improves Military Spouses' Ability to Telework Overseas

New Defense, State Department Agreement Improves Military Spouses' Ability to Telework Overseas
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Total DOD Force Family Members

2,482,499

Total Family Members

919,705

Spouses

113,467

Dual-Military Marriages

See the full 2022 demographics report for more.

Military Force Family Members

2,582,001

Total

6.8%

Dual-Military Marriage

33.7 years

Average Age

950,879

Total DOD Spouses

597,737

Total Active-Duty Military Spouses

353,142

Total DOD Reserve Spouses

665,764

Total Active-Duty Members Married

90,755

Total Active-Duty Dual-Military Marriages

20,593

Total DOD Reserve Dual-Military Marriages

Try the interactive chart and see the full 2020 demographics report for more.

Photos

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Watch: Videos

Image of people standing on stage in front of an audience embedded in a White House graphic frame. Play
Strengthening Job Opportunities for Spouses
20:27
Strengthening Job Opportunities for Spouses
A soldier in uniform and a civilian sit on a couch and speak. Play
Chaplain, Wife Share Story
6:13
Chaplain, Wife Share Story
Partial view of an aircraft on a flight line. Play
Air Force Spouses Take Flight
1:36
Air Force Spouses Take Flight
The Department of Defense is committed to taking care of our people. Explore our recently expanded parental leave benefits which promote the well-being and work-life balance of our military families. Play
Expansion of Parental Leave Benefits
0:59
Expansion of Parental Leave Benefits
Marriage is a commitment. That's the whole idea, right? But marrying into the military - becoming a MilSpouse - that gives commitment a whole new spin. MilLife isn’t easy, even if you make it look that way. Thanks for handling it like only a MilSpouse can. Play
Like a MilSpouse
1:36
Like a MilSpouse
May 6, 2022 is Military Spouse Appreciation Day. It is a day where we take the time to recognise the support and sacrifices made by spouses within the U.S. military, and how each spouse plays a vital role in the mission. Play
Military Spouse Appreciation Day
1:26
Military Spouse Appreciation Day
Military Spouses are the ultimate Wingmen! On Military Spouse Appreciation Day, we honor the contributions and sacrifices made by military spouses. Their commitment and resilience is the backbone of the families who support our troops during mission, deployment, reintegration and reset. Military spouses are a community of unsung heroes who are essential to the strength of the Armed Forces. They serve our country just like their loved ones. Thank you for all that you've done and continue to do! Play
Military Spouses: The Ultimate Wingmen
3:45
Military Spouses: The Ultimate Wingmen
In honor of Military Family Appreciation Month, Lisa Bermea, military spouse, gives her account on the transition and hardship sometimes experienced by military families stationed overseas, Nov. 24, 2021 in Wiesbaden, Germany. Military Family Appreciation Month is a time when America honors and recognizes those unique sacrifices and challenges family members make in support of their loved ones in uniform. (U.S. Army video by Spc. Austin Baker) Play
Military Family Makes Most of Time Overseas
0:48
Military Family Makes Most of Time Overseas

Resources