A Sailor greets his family as USS Bataan returns home, March 21, 2024. (Image source: DVIDS)
A new survey by Blue Star Families, a non-profit organization, has found a significant drop in the number of households who would recommend a military career.
In its comprehensive report released this month, Blue Star Families states that only 32 percent of active-duty families surveyed last year said they would endorse military service, down from 55 percent in 2016.
Challenges Faced by Military Households
The survey highlights several challenges faced by military families, which they believe make military life less appealing.
The top concern was difficulty finding employment for spouses, with nearly half of respondents citing this as a major factor.
The current unemployment rate for military spouses is reportedly six times higher than the national average.
Other concerns included:
Frequent deployments: Leading to time away from family (38%).
Insufficient pay: Military families struggle to make ends meet (37%).
Housing issues: Difficulty finding stable and affordable housing (36%).
Difficulties with children’s education: Frequent moves can disrupt children’s education (33%).
The survey also found that some families are struggling to access mental healthcare, and one in six reported experiencing food insecurity.
“This data shows that persistent quality-of-life issues such as spouse unemployment, limited child care, housing costs, and health care barriers impact military families’ desire to continue their family tradition of service,” said Jessica Strong, senior director at Blue Star Families.
A new survey by Blue Star Families, a non-profit organization, has found a significant drop in the number of households who would recommend a military career.
In its comprehensive report released this month, Blue Star Families states that only 32 percent of active-duty families surveyed last year said they would endorse military service, down from 55 percent in 2016.
Challenges Faced by Military Households
The survey highlights several challenges faced by military families, which they believe make military life less appealing.
The top concern was difficulty finding employment for spouses, with nearly half of respondents citing this as a major factor.
The current unemployment rate for military spouses is reportedly six times higher than the national average.
Other concerns included:
Frequent deployments: Leading to time away from family (38%).
Insufficient pay: Military families struggle to make ends meet (37%).
Housing issues: Difficulty finding stable and affordable housing (36%).
Difficulties with children’s education: Frequent moves can disrupt children’s education (33%).
The survey also found that some families are struggling to access mental healthcare, and one in six reported experiencing food insecurity.
“This data shows that persistent quality-of-life issues such as spouse unemployment, limited child care, housing costs, and health care barriers impact military families’ desire to continue their family tradition of service,” said Jessica Strong, senior director at Blue Star Families.
This is another deep challenge the all-volunteer American military faces, one that will not be easy or cheap to address.
After two decades of wars, this is not the military of 2000 or 1990. https://t.co/gF8D5VNNWU
Here’s the kicker: this decline in support for military life comes at a time when the US military is seriously struggling to recruit new people.
They’ve missed their recruitment goals for two years in a row, and right now, they’re the smallest they’ve been in over 80 years.
Strong believes that if the military wants to fix this recruiting crisis, it must listen to the families already serving.
“But military families are the most critical untapped potential to solve the national recruiting crisis,” she says.
In other words, if the military wants to attract recruits, it must ensure that the life it offers is actually appealing to the families already living it.
The survey basically serves as a wake-up call.
The military needs to address these family concerns or risk falling even further behind on their recruitment goals.
It’s like that leaky faucet in your kitchen—you have to fix it before the whole place floods, right?
As someone who’s seen what happens when the truth is distorted, I know how unfair it feels when those who’ve sacrificed the most lose their voice. At SOFREP, our veteran journalists, who once fought for freedom, now fight to bring you unfiltered, real-world intel. But without your support, we risk losing this vital source of truth. By subscribing, you’re not just leveling the playing field—you’re standing with those who’ve already given so much, ensuring they continue to serve by delivering stories that matter. Every subscription means we can hire more veterans and keep their hard-earned knowledge in the fight. Don’t let their voices be silenced. Please consider subscribing now.
One team, one fight,
Brandon Webb former Navy SEAL, Bestselling Author and Editor-in-Chief
Barrett is the world leader in long-range, large-caliber, precision rifle design and manufacturing. Barrett products are used by civilians, sport shooters, law enforcement agencies, the United States military, and more than 75 State Department-approved countries around the world.
PO Box 1077 MURFREESBORO, Tennessee 37133 United States
Scrubba Wash Bag
Our ultra-portable washing machine makes your journey easier. This convenient, pocket-sized travel companion allows you to travel lighter while helping you save money, time and water.
Our roots in shooting sports started off back in 1996 with our founder and CEO, Josh Ungier. His love of airguns took hold of our company from day one and we became the first e-commerce retailer dedicated to airguns, optics, ammo, and accessories. Over the next 25 years, customers turned to us for our unmatched product selection, great advice, education, and continued support of the sport and airgun industry.
COMMENTS
There are
You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article.