Groups are coming out in support of President Donald Trump’s new White House Spouse Commission addressing matters affecting the military spouses and families of America.
Such issues of note as part of the executive order will include persistent problems that arise involving employment, housing, and access to health care.
The commission, led by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s wife, Jennifer Rauchet, will include membership of spouses of several service secretaries, the Joint Chiefs chair, and other high-ranking military service members.
It will identify and advise the administration on recommended actions they should take to improve the well-being and quality of life for the families of military members.
“Military spouses are intrinsically linked to the good order, readiness and retention of our military,” the executive order said.
The White House is targeting other issues including education, deployment moves, and limited employment opportunities. Issues like these arise and put additional pressure on an already complicated life that many military families have to deal with on a daily basis.
The commission’s chair or executive director has the role of picking other individuals who are willing to participate, which has the potential to allow spouses from outside senior leadership circles and representatives from lower ranks to contribute.
The order also allows the commission to establish subcommittees to focus on specific topics or issues that they may deem more critical to military family life. Federal departments and agencies are directed to provide information and assistance when requested, as permitted by law and subject to available funding. This allows the commission access to the necessary information and expertise in order to get the job done in an effective manner.
At the time of the signing, the commission was scheduled to run for two consecutive years unless extended by the White House. Members can only serve on the commission as long as their spouses remain in military or governmental positions that qualify them for leadership.
Organizations on Board
There has been a groundswell of support so far for this commission, according to groups and organizations that spoke with Military.com.
A Blue Star Families spokesperson told Military.com said the commission could bring together perspectives from military spouses across ranks, service branches, components, locations, and stages of military life.
“Our research consistently identifies military spouse employment as a top concern, closely connected to challenges such as child care, housing, health care and deployment support,” the spokesperson said. “We look forward to supporting the commission as it works closely with military families to advance data-driven, actionable solutions that strengthen family well-being and, ultimately, military readiness.”
Operation Homefront has worked directly with military families for more than two decades, drawing on research and the experiences of staff members with deep ties to the military community. They, too, are open to the broader discourse.
“Operation Homefront has long held that when one member of the family serves, the entire family does,” Meredith Lozar, the organization’s chief impact officer and a military spouse, told Military.com. “We are encouraged to see the voices of military spouses being elevated to contribute to the conversation about the impact and resolution of the challenges these families face.”
Research done by the organization shows that not one singular issue is the problem. Rather, it is a multidimensional sphere that is constantly rotating.
“We are hopeful this commission will provide thoughtful, actionable insights that lead to better outcomes for our military community and, ultimately, drive the recruitment and retention of our all-volunteer force,” Lozar added.
Employment and Relocation Problems Still Remain
Military spouses have faced a high unemployment rate in the past, despite a federal push to expand remote work and to improve access to government employment through several different means.
The Defense Department took a survey in 2024 to assess unemployment rates among active-duty spouses, which came out to roughy 20%.
Relocations are also a major obstacle. About 49% of spouses who experienced major PCS moves had a hard time finding new employment.
The White House said the new commission will build on earlier measures that aim to secure federal employment for these spouses, as well as occupational licenses and easier access to remote employment.
Commission Will Focus on Variety of Issues
The commission will communicate with the military spouses to identify common concerns that consistently plague military families, and then use these concerns to develop policy recommendations to the White House.
These policy recommendations will involve housing, employment, health care, education, and deployment support. After proper consideration of many of these issues, the commission will write up a report that goes to the White House at the end of each fiscal year.
Steve Schwab, CEO of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, said the foundation “appreciates” Trump’s efforts in an arena in which it works every day.
“Many military spouses also serve as caregivers to wounded, ill, or injured service members or veterans,” Schwab told Military.com.
But in order for the commission to be successful, he said it needs to focus on a variety of issues facing military families that stem from their military experiences.
“We encourage the commission to hear directly from these family members, including spouses, parents, siblings and children caring for loved ones with visible and invisible wounds. Their experiences can help ensure its work reflects the full range of realities these military families face. We stand ready to support that effort,” he added.
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