Serving on the
home front

Military spouses share many of the same challenges their active-duty and veteran partners face, along with burdens that are uniquely their own. With limited research on this population available, PMI U.S. teamed with external partners to produce a report that explores the sacrifices and needs of this vital community and proposes concrete, practical solutions.

When an individual serves,

their spouse or partner serves as well.

While America’s soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen serve our nation, their military careers often are made possible by the burdens their spouses shoulder at home.

PMI U.S. research revealed a host of challenges facing these spouses, from extended periods of solo parenting and a lack of affordable housing to difficulties maintaining employment due to frequent relocations. In veteran households, spouses, too, experience the challenges of transitioning back to civilian life and may need to help their partners cope with physical or mental health challenges related to their service.

DOWNLOAD THE WHITE PAPER

Research Director, Veteran Spouse Network, University of Texas at Austin 

Elisa Borah

We have an opportunity to focus attention where it’s needed most. Research tells us that U.S. military spouses often end up in jobs that do not fully tap into their talents and capabilities. Often, military spouses settle for positions that demand less and pay less — around 25% less, on average — than they are qualified to earn.


How can we support U.S. military spouses and families?
 

In our conversations with military families nationwide, we asked what their lives are like, what their challenges are, and how PMI U.S. and other organizations can fill gaps in support.


Raquel Derrick is the wife of an Army reservist who was deployed three times. She shares the challenges of reintegration, PTSD, and advocating for her husband’s care.

Military families have employment challenges
that we’re helping to address.¹

  • More than half of spouses of active-duty service members say employment is their biggest challenge.
  • Military families move every 2.5 years on average.
  • Military spouses face a 21% unemployment rate— five times higher than the national average.
  • These spouses often end up settling for positions that demand less and pay around 25% less than they are qualified to earn.

Military Spouse

Debra Mendelsohn

We earned our own version of a combat badge, back home.

PMI U.S. is standing with military families.

  • We sponsor research and fund the Bob Woodruff Foundation, Veterans Community Project, military relief societies, and other nonprofits dedicated to improving the lives of veterans and military families.
  • We support military spouses, families, and caregivers in partnership with organizations such as The Elizabeth Dole Foundation, American Gold Star Mothers, and the Veterans Spouse Network.
  • We bring together advocates, policymakers, and members of the military community to craft solutions to the common challenges facing veterans and military families and accelerate progress.

In close coordination with our partner organizations, PMI U.S. is proud to serve the men and women who have sacrificed so much to serve our nation.

¹ https://bluestarfam.org/research/mfls-survey-release-2024/