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Spotlight

Taking Care of Our People

We recognize the service and sacrifice of our military and their families, and dedicate resources, services, policies and programs to support the more than 2 million uniformed service members and 2.6 million family members across the globe.

 
 

Message From the Secretary of Defense

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announces a new series of initiatives to improve the welfare and well-being of service members and their families.

Stories

Feature |

Special Ops 'Care Coalitions' Aid Recovery, Retention 

Special Ops 'Care Coalitions' Aid Recovery, Retention
From The Services |

Troops Receive Lunar New Year Treat 

Troops Receive Lunar New Year Treat
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From The Services |

Airmen Discuss Meaning of Mentoring 

Airmen Discuss Meaning of Mentoring
From The Services |

Airmen Form Bonds Through Mentorship 

Airmen Form Bonds Through Mentorship
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Feature |

What They Missed the Most 

What They Missed the Most
News |

Quadrennial Review Helps Ensure Troops Are Paid Competitively 

Quadrennial Review Helps Ensure Troops Are Paid Competitively
From The Services |

Band Shares Music, Culture 

Band Shares Music, Culture
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From The Services |

Crew Chiefs Qualify for Bonus 

Crew Chiefs Qualify for Bonus

By The Numbers

An icon of a family

FY22:4,553,950 DOD personnel and family members

An icon of a family

FY22:1,554,645 Military children

House for sale icon

Military families move on average every 2 - 3 years

An icon of four couples

1 in 4 Military spouses are unemployed or actively seeking work

 

Key Priority: Economic Security

Service members and families are experiencing economic challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic and to increasingly competitive housing markets. Understanding that the economic security of every military family is critical to mission readiness, DOD is taking action, with departmentwide efforts underway to strengthen economic security in the force.

By the Numbers

family icon

FY19:4,747,313 DOD personnel and
family members

Children icon

FY19:1,644,456 Military children

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Military families
move on average every 2 - 3 years

School icon

Military children
will change schools 6 - 8 times

Spouse icon

1 in 4 Military spouses are
unemployed or actively
seeking work

 

Photos