Military Families Under Pressure
Military families give everything for our nation’s defense, yet their sacrifices often go unseen. The Department of Defense’s 2024 Active-Duty Spouse Survey, released on May 16, 2025, reveals a troubling reality. Only 48 percent of spouses are satisfied with military life, the lowest since 2006, and 32 percent want their service member to exit active duty. The culprit? Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves that disrupt jobs, drain savings, and fray family stability.
These families face relentless challenges. Every few years, a PCS move forces them to start over, scrambling for work, childcare, and financial footing. For 49 percent of spouses, finding employment after a move is a major hurdle. This isn’t just a personal struggle; it weakens our military. When spouses suffer, retention plummets, and our readiness takes a hit.
The survey’s numbers tell a human story. With 61 percent of spouses reporting recent anxiety and 40 percent facing financial strain, the system is letting them down. The Department of Defense must act to protect these families, ensuring their stability strengthens our forces.
PCS Moves Break Families
PCS moves are a wrecking ball for military families. The 2024 survey shows 23 percent relocated in the past year, and 81 percent have endured a move during their service member’s career. Each relocation brings job losses, childcare gaps, and out-of-pocket costs that can climb into the thousands. Tim Dill, acting deputy undersecretary of defense, stressed that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wants no family paying for military-ordered moves.
Families deserve better than footing the bill for service. The Department of Defense is exploring ways to cut these costs and reduce unnecessary moves. Dill noted that geographic stability boosts household satisfaction. If a move isn’t vital for military needs, it shouldn’t happen. This practical approach puts families first while keeping our forces focused.
History shows this problem isn’t new. Since World War II, PCS allowances have often fallen short, as Government Accountability Office reports confirm. The FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act improved relocation support, but gaps remain. Full reimbursement and fewer moves are critical to easing this burden.
Spouses Trapped by Unemployment
Spouse employment suffers most from PCS moves. The 2024 survey found 69 percent of spouses in the civilian labor force, yet their unemployment rate is 20 percent—well above the national average. Over half say their pay can’t cover living costs, and 67 percent cite childcare shortages as a barrier to work or education. Many are underemployed, working jobs that don’t match their skills.
This directly impacts military retention. Research from the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness shows supportive spouses nearly double retention for senior officers. When spouses can’t find good jobs, families struggle, and service members leave. The Military Spouse Employment Partnership, started in 2011, has made strides, but unemployment lingers around 20 percent. Solutions like telework expansion and faster licensure transfers are overdue.
Some push for big-government fixes, like tax credits or childcare subsidies. These miss the mark. Cutting PCS frequency and ensuring financial stability are smarter, targeted ways to help spouses thrive without bloated programs.
Strengthening Families, Securing Our Future
The Department of Defense is taking steps, but urgency is key. Reducing nonessential PCS moves, as Dill proposed, is a strong start. Covering all out-of-pocket costs is essential—families shouldn’t lose money serving their country. Expanding on-base childcare, rooted in the Military Child Care Act of 1989, can tackle the $122 billion economic hit from childcare shortages. These actions support families and bolster our military.
Skeptics may argue that family focus detracts from combat readiness. That’s misguided. Strong families build a strong military. The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 prioritizes readiness with investments like adding 50,000 soldiers and enhancing Indo-Pacific defenses. Supporting spouses fits this strategy—stable homes mean a committed, effective force.
The way forward is straightforward. Ease relocation burdens, prioritize childcare, and empower spouse employment. The 2024 survey demands action. By valuing families as much as fighters, the Department of Defense can ensure our military remains unmatched. That’s the commitment our heroes deserve.