ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

The past two years have been marked by both challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and positive progress for military families and veterans, a report from Purdue University’s Military Family Research Institute found.  

The report, “Measuring Our Communities: The State of Military and Veteran Families in the United States,” analyzed the status of American military and veteran families across nine themes, including employment, housing, K–12 and postsecondary education and behavioral health.  

Questions about mental health and access to behavioral health providers prompted a frank discussion with Army senior leaders at the Association of the U.S. Army’s Annual Meeting and Exposition.

Addressing a standing room-only, town hall-style forum with military families, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth gave her assurance that seeking help is “nothing to be ashamed about,” acknowledging that she has sought counseling during difficult times in her own life.

Military families should look to family and community relationships to build connections, a panel of experts said Oct. 11 during the Association of the U.S. Army’s 2022 Annual Meeting and Exposition. 

“Connections are extremely important for our families because of the unique lifestyle that we live,” said Karen Halverson, an Army spouse and AUSA senior fellow. “Being able to connect with people is a useful topic, perhaps the most useful skill that I use as a Naval officer and a longtime Army spouse.”

As they navigate the ups and downs of military life, Army families need grit to persevere and grow through the various challenges they face, military family leaders said Oct. 10.

Strong connections and robust quality-of-life programs are critical to the Army’s efforts to ensure soldiers and their families are taken care of, a panel of experts said during the Association of the U.S. Army’s inaugural Warfighter Summit and Exposition.

Speaking July 27 on the first day of the two-day event near Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the panelists emphasized the importance of building a strong community to help Army families navigate the stressors of military life.

While Army spouses have access to many on-post resources, including help with permanent change-of-station moves or adjusting to a new installation, they could benefit from additional support navigating those resources, a Rand Corp. report found. 

The Association of the U.S. Army is releasing five new podcasts in July that include a discussion with former acting Army Secretary John Whitley and insights from the commander of Army Cadet Command.

First up in the “Army Matters” series is an interview with Aaron Hale, a former soldier and entrepreneur who owns E.O.D. Fudge.

A new Army directive on parenthood, pregnancy and postpartum policies will ensure that soldiers can progress in their careers while growing their families, Army leaders said. 

"We recruit soldiers, but we retain families,” Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville said in a press release announcing the changes. “Winning the war for talent means making sure our best and brightest people don’t have to choose between service and family."

More than 400 cocktail dresses and formal gowns will be featured April 30 at a free pop-up event hosted by the Association of the U.S. Army and Operation Deploy Your Dress. 

Teaming up for the fifth annual Operation Deploy Your Dress D.C., volunteers from the two organizations will welcome all military or dependent ID card holders from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at AUSA headquarters in Arlington, Virginia.