Serving on the homefront

Military families, spouses and partners face many of the same challenges. We wanted to learn more about their experiences but external or public and comprehensive research into the experiences of military spouses and partners has been limited, to date. PMI U.S. worked with external partners to create a report to increase awareness about and explore the sacrifices U.S. military spouses make to support our country.

When an individual serves,

their spouse or partner serves as well.

Our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardmen serve our nation, but their spouses oftentimes carry the larger burden of responsibilities within their household and personal lives to make a military career possible for the entire family.

The research revealed that some active-duty families may struggle to afford housing and other basic needs met due to frequent relocations, solo parenting and sustaining their own careers. Veteran spouses may struggle to build a new life alongside their transitioning service members because of the important roles they play within their families.

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 a few of these families, we asked what life is like, what their challenges are and how PMI U.S. could collectively do more to support them.


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 address¹

  • 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.
  • U.S. military 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 acting for military families

  • We sponsor research and fund local and national nonprofit organizations for military families through our work with The Elizabeth Dole Foundation, American Gold Star Mothers and Veterans Spouse Network.
  • We support national veteran and active-duty service organizations like The Bob Woodruff Foundation, Veterans Community Project and Active-Duty Military Relief Societies.
  • We actively facilitate the inclusion of both veteran and active-military spouses and partners and their advocates, academics and policymakers in conversations that can drive measurable progress.


PMI U.S. is committed to long-term investment in America. We recognize the strength of our nation rests on the millions of Americans that serve our military globally and here at home. They deserve support, understanding, and great appreciation.

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