Fact Sheets
Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Establishes the President’s Military Spouse Commission
The White House
August 3, 2026
STRENGTHENING MILITARY READINESS: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order establishing the Military Spouse Commission to strengthen military readiness by improving the quality of life for military spouses and families.
The Order establishes the Commission to advise and assist the President on policies affecting military spouses and military families.
The Military Spouse Commission will be chaired by the spouse of the Secretary of War. An Executive Director of the Commission will be appointed by the President. The Spouse of the Secretary of Homeland Security, and 20 other military spouses of the Service Secretaries, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and each Service’s senior enlisted leader will serve as members of the Commission.
The Order directs the Commission to engage directly with military spouses, identify challenges affecting military families, and develop policy recommendations to address housing, employment, healthcare, education, child care, and deployment-related support.
The Order directs the Commission to provide annual recommendations to the President to improve the quality of life for military spouses while supporting the highest standard of military readiness.
PRIORITIZING MILITARY EXCELLENCE: President Trump recognizes that military spouses are essential to the strength, readiness, and retention of our military.
Military spouses provide critical support that enables America’s service members to accomplish their mission and defend the Nation. Strong military families help build a stronger military, a more resilient fighting force, and a safer and more secure America.
Frequent relocations, lengthy deployments, and the unique demands of military life create significant challenges for military spouses, including barriers to housing, employment, healthcare, education and child care, and deployment-related support.
By addressing these challenges, the Commission will help strengthen military families, improve retention, and ensure America’s armed forces remain ready to meet any challenge.
DELIVERING FOR MILITARY FAMILIES: President Trump has rebuilt America’s military and ensured that families who support our service members receive the recognition and support they deserve.
During his first term, President Trump expanded employment opportunities for military spouses by improving occupational license portability, increasing remote and flexible work opportunities, and enhancing access to Federal employment.
In 2018, President Trump signed the Veterans and Transition Act, to allow military spouses to keep the same state of residency as their service member to reduce challenges associated with frequent military relocations.
In January 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order to expand education freedom for families, including giving military families greater flexibility to use Department of War education funds to send their children to the school that best meets their needs.
In January 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order to reinstate service members who were dismissed for refusing the COVID vaccine, with full back pay and benefits. To date, 345 service members who were unjustly discharged under the since-rescinded COVID-19 vaccine mandate have been reinstated.
In December 2026, President Trump established the $1,176 Warrior Dividend, recognizing the extraordinary sacrifices of America’s service members while providing meaningful financial support to the families who serve alongside them.
