Washington DC. 14 April 2023. The Defense Department recently launched a survey to help inform policies that improve the quality of life for military couples and families.
The 2023 Survey on the Strengths and Challenges of Military Relationships, launched on Apr. 10, is part of an effort by the DOD and Congress to understand the challenges facing military couples and affecting family life. It will research different points of the military career lifecycle and identify risk factors associated with domestic abuse and its impact on military housing, children’s education, and the physical health and mental health of military members and families.
Approximately 300,000 service members and 100,000 military spouses will receive an email inviting them to complete the web-based survey, which the RAND National Defense Research Institute will conduct for the DOD. Responses are confidential and participation is voluntary.
“The survey results will have a direct impact on training and policies that affect service members, spouses, intimate partners, and families,” said Patricia Montes Barron, deputy assistant secretary of defense for Military Community and Family Policy. “I know time is often in short supply, but I ask everyone who receives the survey to share their perspective and help us improve our support for families and the military community.”
The survey is estimated to take 25 minutes or so to complete. High participation will more accurately represent the experiences and opinions of military couples and families.
The survey was requested by Congress in the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act. More information about the survey effort is available at www.rand.org/family-wellness.
Military Community and Family Policy (MC&FP) is directly responsible for establishing and overseeing quality-of-life policies and programs that ensure our Service members, their families, and survivors are well and mission-ready. Military OneSource is the gateway to programs and services that support the everyday needs of the 5.2 million Service members and immediate family members of the military community. These DoD services are accessible 24/7/365 around the world.
