2024 Active Duty Spouse Survey<\/a> found that the unemployment rate among civilian military spouses was 20%\u2014several times higher than the national rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSpouses who had experienced a permanent change-of-station move during the previous year faced 136% higher odds of being unemployed, according to the survey. Having children younger than six increased the odds of unemployment by 68%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jennifer Hegseth said the commission\u2019s members will bring decades of personal experience to the effort, including firsthand knowledge of the difficulties families encounter as they move between military installations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Secretary Hegseth argued that addressing those concerns directly affects military performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf that warfighter knows that their family is good to go, they will go the extra mile, which is what our nation asks,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under the order, the commission will communicate directly with military spouses, identify recurring concerns and develop practical policy recommendations for the president. It is expected to meet monthly at the White House and submit a report at the end of each fiscal year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Members will serve without compensation, although they may receive reimbursement for travel. The Department of War will provide administrative, technical and financial support using existing appropriations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The commission is scheduled to operate for two years unless Trump extends it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The initiative builds on policies Trump pursued during his first term to expand federal employment opportunities for military spouses, improve the portability of professional licenses and encourage remote and flexible work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It also follows approximately $9 billion in military and family quality-of-life funding included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed by Trump in July 2025, according to the Department of War.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The White House said the new commission reflects Trump\u2019s belief that military families are inseparable from military readiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThriving military families mean a more resilient fighting force and thus a stronger and more secure America,\u201d the executive order states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n