On August 3, 2026, President Donald J. Trump issued Executive Order 14415, titled “Establishing the President’s Military Spouse Commission.” The order states that military spouses are linked to the good order, readiness, and retention of the military, and that their support and contributions are crucial to mission success.
The order identifies frequent relocations and long absences of service members, particularly deployments to combat zones, as challenges that can affect military spouses and their families. It also states that repeated relocations and other aspects of military life may limit access to quality housing, employment opportunities, and other resources. The order describes prolonged absences as placing significant burdens on spouses who run households alone.
Commission Structure and Responsibilities
The order establishes the President’s Military Spouse Commission. The spouse of the Secretary of War will serve as Chair, and the President will designate the Executive Director. If the Chair cannot serve, the Executive Director will perform the Chair’s duties until the President designates a new Chair.
Membership will also include, if applicable, the spouses of senior military and national security leaders, including the Secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force; the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; the service chiefs; the Chief of the National Guard Bureau; the Commandant of the Coast Guard; senior enlisted leaders; and the Secretary of Homeland Security. The Chair or Executive Director may invite other individuals to participate. Members will serve contingent on the duration of their spouses’ service in, or performance of, the relevant roles.
- Monitor implementation of the executive order
- Liaise with military spouses to identify common areas of concern
- Develop policies addressing housing, employment, healthcare, education, and deployment-related support
- Recommend practicable actions to improve military spouses’ well-being and quality of life
- Provide annual reports to the President and submit a final report before termination
Each executive department and agency must, to the extent permitted by law and subject to available funds, provide information and assistance requested by the Commission. Members will serve without compensation but may receive travel reimbursement, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as allowed under 5 U.S.C. 5701–5707 and subject to available funds. The Department of War will provide funding and administrative and technical support to the extent permitted by law and authorized by existing appropriations.
The Commission may establish subcommittees. To the extent the Federal Advisory Committee Act applies, the Secretary of War will perform the President’s functions under the Act, except reporting to Congress, in accordance with General Services Administration guidelines and procedures. Under the order, the Commission will terminate two years from August 3, 2026, unless the President extends it.
The order states that it must be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to available appropriations. It does not impair the legal authority of executive departments or agencies, affect the budgetary functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, or create an enforceable right or benefit against the United States or other specified parties.